The Aftermath (1)

Making my way out of the cave, I thought back to what Embrues had told me.

"The world has forgotten Shadow magic, so there is no need to hide. Also, be careful of father's champion."

"What do you mean?" I asked him

"Don't worry. When the time is right, someone will answer all your questions." He responded

That frustrated me to no end. Things were getting more complicated than just surviving. All I wanted to do was live my own life and not die, but now I'm over here thinking about what he said. His father was the one who gave magic to the world, and for whatever reason, Embrues fought him but lost.

Well, he did tell me that I didn't need to worry about it any time soon, so let's start by just surviving the academy, and I guess when the time is right, ill find out whatever I need to.

Coming to the cave entrance, I stopped before stepping out and thought. Before I had entered, I was a desperate kid trying to do whatever it took to survive. But now, I have the strength necessary to survive what is to come, and you better believe I will do whatever it takes to survive.

With that, I took a deep breath and stepped outside the cave.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Embrues's POV)

Embrues sighed and leaned back into his chair when the boy had left.

"Kekeke. You can come out now." He said to no one in particular

For a moment, nothing happened, but after a moment, the space in front of him warped, and a woman with long golden hair appeared.

"Brother! You are lucky it was me who found you." The woman said when she appeared, with a concerned look.

"Kekeke. Everyone assumed father had devoured me. So, no one was looking for me, only you, little Nyxie." He calmly replied

The way she puffed her cheeks when he called her little Nyxie gave him a warm feeling. He hadn't seen his dear sister since that final clash with his father.

After a moment, Nyxie became serious as she looked at him.

"Brother, the moment your illusion spell activated, I sensed you. The hardest thing was finding a way down here to see you again." She said as she put her hands on her hips

"Kekeke. My dear sister, I have missed you." He warmly said as he spread out his arms, inviting her

Nyxie quickly appeared in his arms, and he tightly hugged her and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"So, who is that boy?" She asked as she sat in his lap

"Kekeke. Sis, understand that that boy will never be me." He paused as he stroked her hair

He knew what she wanted to ask, but he had to shoot her hopes down, or that boy might not have a future if she kidnapped him.

"Kekeke. He may have my shadow powers and consumed a portion of my soul. But understand that he will never be me. My time is nearly at an end, and this time when I'm gone, ill be gone for good." He solemnly said as he embraced her

"Why give that boy your powers?" She asked as tears started to stream down her face.

This question shocked Embrues. Could she not tell that mother marked the boy's soul? Why was he able to sense it and not her?

Realizing that their mother had some plan and that it involved him and the boy. Embrues couldn't help but laugh and laugh as he did for the final time.

"What is so funny, brother?" she asked.

"Kekeke. Why give that boy my powers? Well, I hope to give father one last headache before I'm gone for good, and that boy will do just that." He said as his grip on Nyxie started to weaken

"Don't leave, brother!" She screamed as she felt her brother slowly start to fade.

"Kekeke. Don't forget… he will never replace me, love only me dear sis…" he struggled to say

"Brother!" Nyxie screamed as she embraced her brother for the last time and gave him a deep kiss.

Embrues smiled as he felt his sister's lips, and he faded into nothingness with that smile.

Nyxie lay on the cold hard ground for what felt like an eternity and cried over the loss of her brother. She knew she would never be able to see him again…. But his soul was consumed by that boy, so if that boy continued to live, her brother would still live.

Soon a plan started to form in her mind. Her brother told 'HER' not to love him but didn't say anything about someone else.

"No matter what, brother, I will ensure you will live." She declared, and an instant later, she disappeared.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Callista's POV)

After nearly two weeks of waiting near the entrance to the cave, everyone was starting to worry that Ciaran would not return.

Both Axton and Lucia kept a lookout in case there were attacked again by Tammi's hallowed ones.

Mr. Wolf was currently scouting to make sure that no one had discovered them, especially her mother, as she was presently in the mountains trying to find them.

Lady Elizabeth was by far the worse one in the group, she kept pacing back and forth, and on multiple occasions, Callista had to stop her from entering the cave even though it was magically sealed.

Callista knew that she was also reaching her limit. This was the longest she had been without him, and she was beginning to feel lost. The only thing that kept her from losing control was that he had told her to trust him.

Without warning, there was a bright light behind her, and she quickly turned around, hoping that he would be there, and as the light died down, the lights in her eyes became bright again as she saw him again.