Chapter 9

Syra and Eira walked proudly through the dense forest, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the trees. The two women moved leisurely, their black and white cloaks flowing behind them like an extension of their power. The distant sound of battle and chaos from the city faded with every step, replaced by the quiet hum of nature.

The golden hues of the setting sun dappled the forest floor when they abruptly stopped. Ahead, an unfamiliar woman materialized out of thin air, blocking their path.

She was stunningly beautiful, her flawless complexion glowing in the twilight. Her appearance radiated an almost unnatural perfection, making it impossible to gauge her age. Though she couldn’t have looked a day over twenty, her confident demeanor suggested centuries of wisdom. She wore a flowing light blue dress that shimmered in the fading light, perfectly complementing her wiry blue hair, which cascaded down her back in waves. Her bold green eyes, piercing and unyielding, seemed to assess everything in an instant.

At her hip rested a sword like no other. Its golden hilt, encrusted with diamonds and precious gems, sparkled brilliantly even in the dim light. Intricate runes were etched along its sheath, glowing faintly with a mystical energy.

The woman took a step toward them, her stern gaze fixed on Syra and Eira.

“Who are you?” Eira demanded, her voice sharp as steel.

The woman smiled faintly, though her expression remained severe. “My name is Alicia,” she replied, her voice calm yet commanding. “But the more important question is, who are you? I just dealt with a significant attack from my greatest enemy, and coincidentally, you two happened to be in my city at the same time. Why is that?”

“What does it matter to you?” Syra sneered, her tone dripping with disdain.

Alicia began to circle them slowly, her green eyes never leaving theirs. Her movements were fluid, almost predatory, as if she were a predator sizing up her prey.

“I know you’ve been watching the boy,” she said, her voice cutting through the tension. “Why?”

Eira’s expression darkened, and in an instant, she unsheathed her dagger. Its blade caught the last rays of sunlight, gleaming with deadly intent. She leveled it at Alicia’s chest.

“Again,” Eira hissed, “why does it matter to you?”

Alicia stopped in her tracks, her gaze unflinching as she raised her arms above her head. “It matters,” she said, her voice growing colder, “because I am the wizard who oversees Aldcliff.”

Before either of the cloaked women could react, Alicia swung her arms downward. A shockwave rippled outward, the force shaking the very ground beneath their feet. Syra and Eira were thrown back, crashing through the underbrush before skidding to a halt several feet away.

Syra sprang to her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. Planting one foot firmly in the dirt, she thrust her hands forward as if lifting an immense weight. The earth groaned in protest as four colossal slabs of granite erupted from the ground, rising to encase Alicia. The stone walls loomed high above her, blocking out the sky.

Syra smirked as she threw her arms wide, her movements sharp and deliberate. With a deafening crash, the walls of granite slammed together. The impact shattered the upper edges of the stone, sending boulder-sized chunks tumbling to the forest floor. A massive cloud of dust engulfed the area, obscuring everything.

Syra’s smirk widened as she surveyed the mound of rubble where Alicia had stood. “That should do it,” she muttered.

Eira remained still, her dagger at the ready, her eyes scanning the dust for movement. “Don’t be so sure,” she said, her voice low.

As the dust began to settle, the forest grew eerily silent. Then, from within the pile of rubble, a faint blue glow began to emanate. The light grew stronger, piercing through the cracks in the stone.

With an ear-splitting roar, the granite exploded outward, shards of stone scattering like shrapnel. Alicia emerged from the debris, her dress pristine, her hair untouched. Her glowing sword was unsheathed, held firmly in her right hand. The runes along the blade burned bright, illuminating the darkness around her.

“Is that the best you’ve got?” Alicia asked, her voice dripping with defiance. “You are one hundred years too young to best me,” came a powerful voice, slicing through the air like a blade.

Syra and Eira turned to see Alicia standing triumphantly atop the newly formed mound of granite, her sword drawn and pointed toward the heavens. The glowing blade pulsed with a vibrant gold light, illuminating the forest around her.

Alicia’s piercing green eyes locked onto theirs, daring them to act. With a swift, fluid motion, she brought her sword down in a dramatic arc.

A deafening roar echoed through the forest as a gale-force wind erupted from her blade, tearing through the trees. The gust sent dirt, leaves, and debris flying in all directions, creating a blinding maelstrom. Eira and Syra instinctively shielded their faces, the howling wind drowning out all sound.

Then, as suddenly as it began, the tempest subsided. The forest grew quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves settling back to the ground.

When the dust finally cleared, Eira and Syra lowered their arms and opened their eyes. The forest around them was a chaotic mess: bushes uprooted, branches scattered like broken bones, and debris littering the ground.

Syra’s gaze flicked up to Alicia, who still stood atop the rocks, her dress and hair untouched by the chaos she had unleashed. A gentle breeze played with the strands of her blue hair, making her seem almost ethereal.

“Point?” Syra asked dryly, raising an unimpressed brow.

Alicia’s lips curved into a confident smile as she gracefully leapt down from her perch. Her sword continued to glow with a radiant energy as she strode toward them, each step deliberate and commanding.

“You will leave and never return,” Alicia said, her voice cold and unyielding. “If you dare to set foot in Aldcliff again, I will personally kill you.”

The two cloaked women exchanged an incredulous look before bursting into derisive laughter.

“Is that something you honestly believe you’re capable of?” Eira asked, her tone dripping with condescension. “That little light show was hardly impressive.”

Alicia’s smile widened, and her gaze lifted toward the sky.

High above, dark clouds began to gather, swirling ominously as if summoned by her will. The once-gentle breeze transformed into a biting wind. Thunder rumbled, reverberating through the forest. Lightning crackled across the sky, illuminating the darkening horizon in jagged flashes.

Alicia’s eyes glimmered with satisfaction as she returned her attention to her adversaries. “As you can see,” she began, her voice calm but laced with menace, “I am quite adept at controlling the wind.”

She stepped closer, her glowing sword still in hand. Slowly, she began to circle Syra and Eira.

“It may not seem like much at first glance,” Alicia continued, her tone now tinged with arrogance. “But I can generate storms so violent they can raze entire cities to the ground. Hurricanes, tornadoes, you name it. It’s an art I have perfected over the last two hundred fifty years.”

Eira’s eyes narrowed, though her hand rested firmly on the hilt of her dagger.

Alicia stopped circling and stood directly in front of them, her head held high. “I may be considered young among wizards, but make no mistake,” she said, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “I am powerful enough to ensure that neither of you leaves this forest alive, should I choose.”

The tension in the air grew thick as the storm above raged on, the distant roar of thunder echoing Alicia’s words.

“Now,” Alicia concluded, her glowing blade pointed directly at them, “make your decision. Leave, or face the consequences.”

Alicia leapt gracefully back onto the mound, her sword raised high toward the churning clouds above. The storm seemed to respond to her command, the lightning overhead growing brighter, more erratic.

“Allow me to demonstrate,” she announced, her voice carrying a calm yet lethal authority.

Without warning, a bolt of lightning ripped down from the heavens, striking the tip of her glowing blade. The air crackled with energy as she swung the sword downward, releasing the bolt in a brilliant arc of golden electricity aimed directly at Syra and Eira.

Eira, unfazed, casually raised a hand. The crackling energy collided with her palm, dissipating into nothingness as though consumed by a void. She smirked, turning to mock Alicia.

Her words never came.

Alicia was gone.

A split second later, she reappeared behind them, her body pulsing with blue sparks of energy that raced along her limbs and down her blade. Before they could react, her sword slashed across their backs, the electric charge surging through their bodies. Syra and Eira dropped to the ground, muscles seizing from the shock, their faces contorted in pain.

Blood began to trickle from the wounds across their backs, but the women pushed themselves back to their feet, their eyes blazing with fury. Alicia, unrelenting, darted behind the massive rock mound, leaving a crackling trail of sparks in her wake.

For a moment, the forest fell into a deafening silence. The wind stilled, the trees stood motionless, and even the storm seemed to hold its breath as Syra and Eira scanned the area, bracing for Alicia’s next move.

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BOOM!

The mound of granite exploded into thousands of sharp, deadly shards that shot toward Syra and Eira with blinding speed. Acting instinctively, they dropped to their knees, shielding themselves with magical barriers. The shards shattered against their defenses, pelting the ground around them.

Alicia didn’t give them a moment to recover. She charged forward, her speed inhuman, a blur of light and energy.

Syra sprang to her feet, her hand igniting in a blaze of crimson fire. With a sharp swing, she unleashed a massive wave of flames that roared toward Alicia, forcing her to halt.

Alicia planted her feet, her glowing sword thrumming with power. Timing her strike with precision, she swung her blade in a wide arc, releasing a ferocious gale that extinguished the wall of fire as if it were no more than a candle’s flame.

The battlefield grew eerily quiet again. Alicia scanned the area, her piercing green eyes searching for her opponents.

Movement flickered in the corner of her vision.

She turned just in time to see a massive boulder hurtling toward her like a missile. With a burst of power, Alicia swung her blade and sliced the boulder cleanly in half. The two halves shot past her, landing with deafening thuds.

Before she could catch her breath, another surge of fire came barreling toward her. This time, the flames were relentless, closing in too quickly for her to counter. Alicia dropped to one knee, plunging her sword into the ground.

With a guttural shout, she unleashed a vortex of wind, pulling it close to her body to form a protective shield. The firestorm collided with the barrier, licking and swirling around her but failing to penetrate. When the flames finally subsided, Alicia stood, unharmed, and ripped her sword from the earth.

She raised it high once more, summoning another bolt of lightning from the sky. The energy coursed through her, crackling around her body like living veins of light. Sparks danced along her arms, her hair, her blade, as she searched the battlefield for any sign of her adversaries.

The forest was still. The songbirds had fled, leaving only the ominous hum of residual energy and the faint rustle of leaves disturbed by her power.

Alicia’s grip tightened on her sword as she prepared for whatever came next.

The silence stretched thin, broken only by the distant sound of gravel crunching underfoot. Alicia spun toward the noise, her senses heightened. Emerging from behind a massive tree trunk about ten yards ahead, Syra and Eira stepped onto the path, their expressions unreadable.

Syra’s hand slipped beneath her black cloak, reemerging with a gleaming dagger. The blade began to glow faintly at first, then rapidly brightened, its magic intensifying until it radiated a blinding white-hot light. Without hesitation, Syra broke into a sprint, her cloak billowing behind her. She cocked her arm back, aiming for Alicia’s heart, and hurled the dagger with unerring precision.

Alicia reacted instinctively. With inhuman speed, she dove forward, rolling just as the dagger shot past her. She landed nimbly on her feet, glancing back just in time to see the dagger embed itself in a tree.

BOOM!

The dagger exploded like a hand grenade, obliterating the tree and scattering shards of bark and debris in every direction. Alicia didn’t waste a moment. Using the momentum of her dive, she surged forward, her body crackling with residual energy.

Syra barely had time to react before Alicia drove her fist into her gut with devastating force. The impact sent Syra hurtling down the path like a rag doll. She skidded across the dirt before her head slammed into a jagged boulder, splitting the rock on impact.

Eira stepped forward, calm and deliberate, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the scene. Alicia didn’t wait. Slamming her foot into the ground, she launched herself toward Eira like a coiled spring. Closing the gap in a heartbeat, she grabbed Eira’s arm and spun, using the momentum to flip her adversary over her shoulder.

CRACK!

Eira hit the ground with such force that a small crater formed beneath her. Alicia landed lightly, standing over the fallen pair, her breathing labored but steady. The sparks of energy that had surrounded her moments ago began to dissipate, leaving only the faint hum of residual magic in the air.

Alicia exhaled deeply, her voice laced with disdain. “Well, that was disappointing.”

“It truly was,” Syra replied, brushing dirt from her cloak as she climbed to her feet, unscathed but visibly irritated.

Eira stood as well, a calm smirk on her face as she adjusted her cloak. “So, that’s your secret,” she mused. “Electricity to amplify your speed and strength. Impressive—if somewhat limited.”

Alicia’s confident expression faltered ever so slightly.

Eira continued, her tone mocking. “You can’t generate electricity on your own, can you? You rely on storms to harness it. Without lightning, you’re nothing more than a glorified wind mage.”

A flicker of fear crossed Alicia’s face before she masked it, gripping her sword tightly. The blade reignited with a faint golden glow. “Guess we’ll find out,” she replied, her voice cold as steel.

Syra chuckled, stepping forward with another dagger in hand. Like the first, it began to glow, though this time with an ominous orange hue. “Little girl, you’re out of your depth. When it comes to power and experience, you are but a child.”

Alicia’s eyes narrowed.

“Allow me to demonstrate.” Syra’s voice dropped to a chilling calm. She pointed the dagger skyward, and a small, radiant orb of light materialized directly above Alicia’s head, hovering ten feet in the air. Its vibrant orange glow pulsated rhythmically, mesmerizing in its beauty.

Alicia’s instincts screamed danger. She shifted her stance to retreat, but before she could act, roots erupted from the ground. They coiled around her arms and legs, pinning her in place. Her sword slipped from her grasp, clattering uselessly to the ground.

“Goodbye, my dear,” Syra said with a venomous smile, lowering her dagger.

The glowing orb plummeted like a meteor, its orange brilliance reflected in Alicia’s wide eyes. Desperate, she summoned a shield of wind, but without her sword to channel her magic, the barrier was pitifully weak.

The orb struck her shield and detonated.

BOOM!

The explosion was deafening. A massive shockwave rippled outward, flattening everything within six hundred feet. Trees were uprooted, and the ground trembled as a twenty-foot crater scarred the earth where Alicia once stood.

The forest fell eerily silent. The dense smoke and dust that filled the air obscured the aftermath, leaving only the faint, acrid smell of scorched earth.

Syra and Eira exchanged glances, their expressions smug.

“Well,” Eira said casually, brushing ash from her cloak, “I suppose that’s the end of that.”

Syra nodded, slipping the glowing dagger back beneath her cloak. “She put on quite the show.”

Syra and Eira lowered their shields, their expressions unreadable as they gazed down into the smoldering crater. After a moment of silent observation, they turned on their heels, their cloaks swirling behind them, and continued their casual stroll through the woods as if nothing had happened.

In the heart of the crater, Alicia lay sprawled on her back, her body battered and broken. For a long moment, she didn’t move, the silence of the forest pressing down like a weight. Then, with great effort, she rolled onto her side, coughing violently. Blood dribbled from the corner of her mouth, staining the scorched earth beneath her.

“Okay,” she rasped, her voice trembling with pain. “That hurt.”

She pressed her trembling hands into the dirt and pushed herself to her knees, gasping for air. Her golden sword lay some distance away, embedded in the petrified remains of a tree. She craned her neck, squinting at the darkened sky visible through the massive hole the explosion had torn in the canopy. The stars twinkled above, offering little comfort.

Gritting her teeth, she staggered to her feet, every movement an ordeal. She stumbled toward the edge of the crater, pausing to catch her breath. Surveying the wreckage, she took note of the small fires that flickered among the charred trees. With a flick of her hand, she summoned a powerful gust of wind, extinguishing the flames with ease.

Her steps were unsteady as she made her way around the crater. Reaching the tree where her sword had flown, she placed her hand on the hilt and pulled it free with a grunt. The blade, still faintly glowing, felt heavy in her grip. She then moved to retrieve the scabbard from the other side of the battlefield, reuniting it with its rightful place at her hip.

As she gazed at the devastation, the sound of someone calling her name broke through the eerie quiet.

“Alicia! Alicia, are you all right?”

A figure emerged from the shadows, her leather armor catching the faint glimmer of moonlight. Tall and commanding, the woman broke into a sprint, her long brown hair streaming behind her. Her blue eyes, wide with worry, matched the tension etched across her face. Despite her determined expression, her soft complexion lent her an air of quiet grace

Alicia turned slowly, swaying on her feet. “Yes, Cerys,” she managed, her voice hoarse. “I’m fine.”

Cerys skidded to a halt, her boots kicking up dirt as she reached Alicia. Her eyes scanned Alicia’s battered form, taking in the cuts, bruises, and blood. “What happened here?” she demanded, her tone a mix of concern and exasperation.

“I had a... disagreement with the two women I told you about,” Alicia replied, brushing ash from her dress.

“A disagreement?” Cerys’s voice rose. She stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Alicia’s side. Alicia flinched as Cerys pressed gently, assessing the extent of her injuries. “You’re covered in cuts, and I’m pretty sure you’ve got a couple of broken ribs,” Cerys said sharply. “I told you to wait for me.”

“What could you have done?” Alicia retorted, wincing as she stepped back. “This was a fight between wizards.”

Cerys’s expression softened into one of motherly concern, though her voice remained firm. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “I’m your military adviser, Alicia. You are supposed to come to me with issues like this.” Her tone turned stern, her words sharp. “Simply put, I would have advised you not to go after them at all.”

Alicia looked away, her jaw tightening as she tried to swallow her pride. “I couldn’t let them roam freely from my city,” she muttered.

Cerys sighed, crossing her arms. “And what good would it have done if you’d gotten yourself killed? You’re no use to Aldcliff as a martyr.” She stepped closer, her voice softening. “Next time, we make a plan. Together.”

Alicia nodded reluctantly, the weight of exhaustion finally catching up to her. “Fine,” she whispered.

Cerys pointed to the blood streaming from Alicia’s nose, her tone firm. “You are not a god,” she said. “You still need this lowly human’s help.”

Alicia exhaled sharply, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the pain. “Sorry,” she replied, wiping her bloody nose on her sleeve. “I didn’t mean it like that. My pride’s just a little bruised, that’s all.” She paused, the weight of the recent battle pressing down on her. “What are we going to do? I can’t beat them if they come back, but I can’t let them attack Aldcliff again.”

Cerys tilted her head, considering the question. “Maybe you should talk to the others about this,” she suggested, her voice calm and pragmatic.

Alicia nodded slowly, her gaze lifting to the darkened sky above, where the clouds still churned faintly from her earlier storm. “I think you’re right,” she murmured.

Cerys shifted her weight and crossed her arms. “What about the boy?” she asked, her tone sharpening. “You said he seems to be their target.”

“I am sure he is,” Alicia confirmed, her expression darkening. “They’re focused on him for reasons I still don’t fully understand.”

Cerys reached into the bag slung over her shoulder and pulled out a slender flask. “You need this,” she said, holding it out. “We’re down to the last bottle, though. If we don’t find more soon, we’ll be in trouble.”

Alicia took the flask, uncapped it, and tilted it to her lips, taking a generous sip. A soothing warmth spread through her body as her wounds began to close. The unsettling sound of bones cracking and shifting echoed faintly through the clearing as they reset themselves. She sighed deeply, her posture straightening. “Ever since Utu’s crop became diseased, I’ve had no idea where we can find more of that flower. For all we know, the Lunaflare might have finally gone extinct.”

Cerys frowned as she slipped the flask back into her pouch. “I can send some men to search the woods first thing tomorrow morning, if you’d like.”

Alicia shook her head. “Don’t be silly,” she replied. “You have to send them at night. The Lunaflare only blooms under darkness. During the day, it looks just like any other flower.”

“My mistake,” Cerys said, dipping her head. “I’ll make sure it’s done properly.”

“First,” Alicia said, her tone shifting into one of command, “I want you to collect that boy, Eldric, and his friend Fiora. Bring them to me at the castle.”

Cerys arched a brow. “Are you sure? Eldric seems… well, a bit thickheaded. The girl, though…” She hesitated, her gaze growing distant. “There’s something about her that unsettles me. She’s charming enough when she’s with him, but I’ve seen a darker side. Something calculating.”

Alicia nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve noticed that, too. But separating them would be a mistake. Their bond could be their greatest strength, and ours. They shall be trained as members of my personal guard. Let’s see how strong of warriors they can become.”

Cerys gave a sharp nod. “And when do you want me to start?”

“Immediately,” Alicia said, her voice firm. She began walking back toward Aldcliff, her boots crunching against the scorched forest floor. “I’ll also send you the names of two other individuals I want to train alongside them. The four of them together, if we train them properly, could become an unstoppable team.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Cerys replied, falling into step beside her. The two women disappeared into the shadows of the forest, their figures fading into the night.

Above them, the storm clouds began to dissipate, leaving the stars to shine faintly over the devastated forest.