Aísē: My Five Supernatural Wives-Chapter 123: Archmage Eldred Shadowheart

I knew what had to be done.

Channeling all my remaining power into one final arrow, I aimed for the lead knight’s chest.

"This ends now," I snarled.

With a final surge of power, I released the arrow. It streaked towards the lead knight, growing brighter and hotter with each passing moment. Just before it hit, the knight tried to raise its sword in defense, but it was too late.

The arrow slammed into its chest with a deafening explosion. Flames erupted from the point of impact, engulfing the entire knight in an inferno. The other knights, still tangled in Liliana’s and Aisha’s attacks, were caught in the blast as well.

A chain reaction of explosions rippled through the group, each knight detonating like a miniature sun. Metal shrapnel flew in all directions, clanging off the walls and floor. The force of the blasts sent Liliana and Aisha tumbling backwards, their forms barely visible through the thick smoke.

As the dust settled, all that remained of the dark knights were twisted, molten husks scattered across the training room.

Clap clap! Mephistopheles appeared from the smoke, her applause echoing through the devastated room.

"Bravo," she said, her eyes gleaming with approval. "Absolutely bravo."She walked over to where I stood, panting and covered in soot.

"You’ve exceeded my expectations," she continued, circling me like a predator.

"That was... impressive."

Liliana and Aisha cautiously approached, their weapons at the ready.

"Is it over?" Liliana asked, her voice hoarse.

Mephistopheles smirked. "For now," she replied cryptically.

"But don’t think this means your training is complete." She snapped her fingers, and the room began to shift and change once more.

"..."

Well Shit!

...

...

Foggy night in the woods.

Two figures, one a man and the other a petite woman, traverse the uneven terrain.

The man, Victor, cursed as he stumbled over a gnarled root.

"Damn it," he muttered, his breath visible in the cold air.

His fiancée and companion, Mariabell, rushed to his side.

"Victor!" she exclaims, helping him up with surprising strength for her small frame.

"Are you okay?" She brushes leaves and dirt from his coat, her brow furrowed with concern.

Victor straightens up, dusting himself off.

"I’m fine," he grumbles.

"Just this stupid fog making it hard to see." He looks around at the dense forest surrounding them, the trees looming like silent sentinels in the darkness.

Victor turns to Mariabell, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Are you sure?" he asks, his voice low. "This is where that damned old man is supposed to be."He glances around the foggy woods, unease settling in his gut.

Mariabell bites her lip, uncertainty flickering across her delicate features. "I don’t know," she admits softly. "But I believe this was the place Grandpa wanted us to come."She squeezes Victor’s hand reassuringly. "He wouldn’t lead us astray, would he?"

Victor sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I hope not," he murmurs. "But something feels off about this whole situation."He starts walking again, Mariabell close by his side.

Victor shakes his head, his frustration growing.

"First those wives of my good friend Valerian just up and leave to find some god knows what," he mutters.

"And now we’re traipsing through this godforsaken forest in the middle of the night because your grandfather left us a mysterious letter?"

He stops abruptly, turning to face Mariabell. "Do you think this is wise?" he asks, his voice laced with concern and skepticism.

Mariabell looks up at him, her purple eyes shimmering in the dim light.

"Grandpa wouldn’t ask us to do something dangerous," she insists, but there’s a hint of doubt in her voice. "He must have a good reason for wanting us here."

"I hope so," Victor sighs, his shoulders sagging slightly. He looks around the forest once more, the fog swirling ominously around them. "But I can’t shake this feeling that something is very wrong."

Mariabell squeezes his hand, trying to offer some comfort. "We’ll figure it out together," she says softly. "Grandpa knows we’re a team."She pauses, listening intently. "Do you hear that?" she asks suddenly, her head tilted to the side.

Victor frowns, straining his ears. At first, he hears nothing but the usual nocturnal sounds of the forest. But then... a faint, rhythmic tapping catches his attention.

Victor’s hand instinctively reaches for the wand at his hip as he calls out, "Who goes there?" His voice echoes through the foggy woods, sounding louder than he intended.

The tapping stops abruptly, and an eerie silence falls over the forest.

Victor and Mariabell exchange a wary glance, their hearts pounding in their chests. Suddenly, a figure emerges from the mist - an old man with wild white hair and piercing blue eyes.

"Ah, you’ve come," he says, his voice raspy and ancient. He leans heavily on a gnarled staff, his robes tattered and worn.

"I’ve been expecting you."

Victor’s brow furrows in confusion as the old man laughs, a raspy sound that echoes through the foggy forest. "Hoho, I believe old pal Brahm didn’t specify who he wanted you to meet, huh?" The man leans on his staff, his purple eyes gleaming with amusement.

"I should introduce myself then," he continues, straightening up slightly. "I am Archmage Eldred Shadowheart, and an old friend of your grandfather’s." He nods to Mariabell. "And one of the Archmages of the Mages Association."

Mariabell gasps softly, her eyes widening in recognition. "Archmage Eldred? But... but Grandpa said..." She trails off, looking bewildered.

Victor’s hand tightens on his sword hilt, suspicion etched on his face. "What’s going on here?" he demands. "Why did Brahm send us to meet you instead of him?"

Archmage Eldred sighs, shaking his head. "Such impatient bunch," he mutters, turning towards a small wooden cabin nestled among the trees. "Come inside, it’s not good for young ones like you to be out in the night like that." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Victor hesitates, his hand still on his sword. "How do we know this isn’t a trap?" he asks suspiciously.

Mariabell tugs on his sleeve gently. "Victor, he’s an Archmage," she whispers.

"If he wanted to harm us, he could have done it already."She looks up at the old man with curiosity. "Please, Archmage Eldred? We’ll hear what you have to say."

The old man nods approvingly at Mariabell before turning back to Victor.

"Your caution is admirable, young man," he says. "But I assure you, I mean you no harm." He pushes open the cabin door, revealing a cozy interior lit by flickering candles.

"Now, come inside before the chill sets in your bones."

Victor leans forward, his eyes widening with excitement. "What is it?" he asks hurriedly. "Do you know something about Valerian and the threat he’s facing?"

Eldred holds up a hand, silencing Victor’s eager questions. "Patience, young man," he says calmly. "I’ll explain everything, but you must listen carefully."He leans forward, his gaze intense.

"The threat against Valerian is greater than you know," Eldred begins. "Austin Astor’s plan is merely the tip of the iceberg. There are darker forces at work, forces that seek to use Valerian for their own nefarious purposes."

Mariabell gasps softly, her hand flying to her mouth.

"But before I disclose anything," Eldred continues, his expression grave, "you two need to have the appropriate strength to face it."He looks at Victor and Mariabell, his purple eyes piercing.

"You must undergo a trial," he says firmly. "A test of your abilities and your resolve. Only then will I reveal the full extent of the danger Valerian is in, and what must be done to save him."

Victor’s jaw sets with determination. "I’ll do whatever it takes," he declares. "Valerian is my best friend. I won’t let him face this alone."

Mariabell nods in agreement, her small fists clenched at her sides. "We’re in this together," she says softly but firmly. "Whatever the trial is, we’ll face it."

Eldred smiles slightly, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Very well," he says. "The trial will begin at dawn." He stands up slowly, leaning on his staff his gaze shifting between Victor and Mariabell.

"For the meantime, I want to ask you two: what is magecraft to you? Is it a tool you use to protect something or someone?"

His eyes seem to bore into their souls, searching for their true intentions.

"Or is it a tool to reach the highest seat of power?" he continues, his voice taking on a slightly darker tone.

"Perhaps it is purely something that binds you, a path chosen without fully understanding its consequences."

Victor shifts uncomfortably under Eldred’s intense gaze, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple.

The old man’s question hits a nerve - Victor was practically forced into this life, kidnapped against his will to become a part of the Faust household.

Magic was never something he sought out, but rather something that was thrust upon him.

Yet despite the circumstances, Victor can’t deny the allure of magic. The power to bend the elements to his will, to cast spells that defy the laws of nature - it’s undeniably cool. He’s come to appreciate the artistry and skill required to wield such power effectively.

"I... I see it as a tool," Victor says slowly, choosing his words carefully. "A means to protect those I care about."He glances at Mariabell, who nods encouragingly.

"But also... also as something that binds me.

"His voice drops to a murmur. "Something that defines me, whether I like it or not."