Chapter 154: A shadow from the Underworld

Just like every other day, Kael and Althea were out with children in the early morning Sun. Shouts and bursts of magic were carried across the field as young witches focused on their lessons. Kael supervised each the group of students to guide them more. "Focus!" Kael boomed, low and riveting in the wind which blew his dark cloak as he strolled between the apprentices, correcting stance, adjusting spell formation. Althea was at the opposite end of the training yard doing the same thing. Her hair like threads of fire, lit to red by sunlight; emerald eyes sparkling in the sun. "Keep the energy flowing from your palms and not just your fingertips," Althea told the small girl, who fumbled to invoke a shield." With but a light touch on her shoulders, the flared into life, shimmering like liquid glass. Some other young witches were at work, fashioning magical gear-gloves that amplified elemental forces, laying runes of protection into light armor, and creating small talismans with the intention of disrupting dark magic. Sparks flew across, light flickered on and off, and the air loudly hummed with raw energy. After for hours on end, Kael suddenly went to ring a bell. "Enough for today. Break time." The children cheered and ran for the shade of trees nearby; their laughter mixed with shared water flasks. It reminded him of days that were better off forgotten-simpler days but those day were long lost. Althea came to him to help him mop off the sweat on his face. "They're getting better than I expected." Kael arced a slight smile upward. "Your patience helps. Mine… not so much." Althea laughed in amusement. "Lucky for them-and you, I've got alot patience to spare." She leaned against him with a light, teasing poke in his side. "Why don't we do some practice of our own? Those woods outside the camp do sound ideal for me. I just want to get the feel of battling among the trees." Kael's eyebrow rose, he was excited "I was just waiting for that too." Beyond the coven was a forest, with trees that spread their branches like canopies. Kael and Althea stood facing each other in a small clearing, their weapons drawn—Kael's twin daggers gleaming with faint runes, Althea's staff humming with magical energy. 'Ready to lose?" Althea teased, spinning her staff effortlessly. Kael's lips twitched into a half-smile. 'I'd worry more about yourself." Their only applause came from the uncomfortable watchfulness of the rustling of leaves and snapping of branches. Kael went left, and Althea was prepared; with a whoosh of air, she leapt easily and sent him back. "Slow down, Kael," she panted, her chest rising and falling of her chest as she spoke. He chuckled, one of his daggers somersaulting. "I was distracted by your charming beauty." They circled each other, eye to eye. This wasn't training anymore, but a dance of tension and love, sparks flying well over their clashing arms and legs. The next time they clashed, Kael caught her staff with his dagger and tugged her in. Their faces were inches from each other, their breathing intermingled. "I could disarm you right now," Kael whispered. Althea sneered. "Then why haven't you?" Without giving the warrior a chance to reply, the ground beneath them bucked. Low, rumbling snarls shook the forest, trembling leaves off their branches. They jumped apart, weapons flashing. As the turned to the sound. The figure was at least fifteen feet in height, with a body fully covered in darkness. Its mouth was full of rows of razor-sharp teeth, and its eyes were glowing with some sort violet hue. However, what caught Kael most was the strange, dark mark on the creature's neck that he had never seen before and was highly disturbed. The beast roared and charged towards them at a high speed. Their instincts, almost in an instant, Kael and Althea got up and started running. Kael leapt clear, trying to fight it-he swung at its legs-while Althea sent a river of fireballs to scorch its exposed abdomen. It flailed its claw in a swipe that ripped just an inches away from Kael and into the trunk of a tree. "Althea, to the neck!" Kael yelled between dives. She nodded and surged power into her staff. The staff began to quiver with brilliant white light; then abruptly it let all go at once, jetting out at the neck. The monster wailed in pain and heaved backwards. The monster finally collapsed in one last growl and shook the earth with his plunge to the floor. Kael puffed, pulled his daggers free, and smeared the dark blood on the grass. Althea stepped closer, squinting at the bizarre mark. "It's not natural," she murmured. "It looks. ancient." Kael furrowed a frown as his finger traced over the symbol. "We need to find out what that is." Althea nodded, dropped to her knees beside the creature's head, and laid both hands over the mark. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she breathed out a soft incantation. A low glow enveloped her palms, and images began flashing into her mind. She gasped and jerked back. "What did you see?" Kael asked, his hand under her elbow to pull her to her feet. Althea had paled completely. "This thing was summoned. It did not attack us by its own will, it had been commanded to. And then I saw …shadows. Black robes, and a rite." Her voice faltered. "Kael, it had something to do with the Lord of the Underworld.". The duo returned to the coven heading to Elira to inform her of the pending danger with the monster's head in their hands. she studied the strange mark. Her eyes flickered and she immediately recognized it."I know this symbol." Kael shot a look at Althea. "It's a sigil," Elira said, her voice barely above a whisper. "One used in the summoning of beings from the depths of the Underworld. But not any creature-those bound with the magic of the blood." Her eyes flicked upward. "Someone has gone to make a pact with the Underworld Lord."