Hurnorth: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Chapter XXII: Kinfolk

"Oh, sorry, Serafina, that's your name. Delighted to see you again. Aldus, by the way, Aldus Luego, the man who will end you."

"Don't be ridiculous."

Quickly, I retrieved the wand concealed within my coat and cast a spell upon him.

"Bombarda!" I shouted, bracing myself against the ground as the force of its impact threatened to knock me over.

In the heat of our wizard's duel, Aldus Luego, the murderous sorcerer, and I locked gazes. His eyes flickered with dark intent as he conjured bolts of crackling lightning, hurling them toward me. I countered, weaving intricate motions with my wand, summoning a shield of shimmering ice to deflect the oncoming attack.

"Is that all you've got, Serafina?" Aldus taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

I smirked, retaliating with a torrent of flames that danced in intricate patterns, forcing him to leap backward to avoid the searing heat.

"Not even close, Aldus." I retorted, my voice laced with determination.

The air crackled with energy as our spells clashed, illuminating the darkness with bursts of vibrant colors and echoing incantations. Aldus unleashed a barrage of swirling winds, attempting to disorient me, but I stood firm, countering with a wave of entangling vines that snaked their way toward him.

"You can't defeat me, Serafina." he hissed, eyes blazing with fury.

"I won't let you harm anyone else." I vowed, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. With a surge of power, I summoned a brilliant cascade of light, enveloping Aldus and binding him within shimmering chains of energy.

"You'll kill me? Can you even do it?" A demonic grin taints his lips.

"You're so weak, woman. Just like your parents." he snickers.

"Don't you dare insult my parents in front of me. A wretched creature like you belongs nowhere but death." I retort firmly.

"Go on, prove how brave you are. Kill me, finish what your father couldn't."

"What's your connection to my parents? What did they do to deserve your wrath?!" I yelled angrily at him. I could feel the heat in the corners of my eyes, tears eager to break free.

"Problem with me? None, really. Your father was just a thorn in my side. You and your mother got caught in his betrayal." his words gradually filled with rage.

"After I'm done with you, I'll deal with the other two." I said.

"Actually, there are just two of us left now, Pakunada being too foolish, probably dead by now." his words left me speechless.

"Let me update you; you're not quite in the loop. Remember Halloween night? She headed to Hurnoth and never returned. My guess is she crossed paths with that old man. That fool's probably a cold corpse by now." he sneered.

"That's better, mababawasan ang trabaho ko."

"Seraph!"

Nawala ang pokus ko sa aking kaharap nang marinig ang boses ni Morgan. I was stunned in horror nang makita sila na papalapit sa amin. What are they doing here?!

"Mukhang may sasali sa laro natin."

Nakaalis sa aking spell si Aldus na ngayon ay nakangising tumatanaw rin sa mga kaibigan ko. Kaswal niyang pinagpag ang alikabok na nasa manggas ng kaniyang kasuotan.

"STOP!!!" sigaw ko. Gaya nang inaasahan ko ay hindi nila ako pinakinggan kaya naman kaagad akong nagtungo sa kanila bago sila tuluyang makalapit.

"Gusto mo talaga na pinapahamak ang sarili mo 'no?!" galit na bungad ni Penelope sa akin.