you're incredibly wicked

12: waxing crescent in scorpio

Serena opened her eyes to an unfamiliar landscape. She was on a balcony, looking down at a beautiful and colorful garden.

She felt her head. By now, she was all cured from the Devil's Flu and looked behind her.

A door leading to a bedroom was opened for her and she walked to the bedroom and stepped in.

The bedroom was decorated in soft colors, the furniture resembled that of a castle. A room fit for a princess. Serena did a quick spin around and found her reflection in a mirror.

Her reflection surprised her. She was in a white ball gown that was massive and a pink bow decorated her chest. There was also a veil on the back of her head. What is all this?

The door to a hallway was open and she went down the hallway. As she walked, she realized she was in fact in a castle. But, this was one she never seen before. A burgundy carpet and tan colored walls seemed to go on forever. Serena saw no pictures and it seemed as if there was no sign of life. Yet, she started to hear some muffled voices, as if they were in a brawl.

At last, she found the end to the hallway and walked in. This room made her feel like she was an ant, and the walls and floors extended to the heavens with ivory cobblestone all over.

10 pillars lined the way with an unfamiliar man standing with his back to her, until she walked closer to him, where he turned around and his eyes twinkled in delight.

"Ah, my beautiful bride! I have been expecting your arrival!" He kissed her hand.

Serena was perplexed. Who was this guy? She had never seen him before.

"I'm sorry, have we met before?"

"Oh, we have. In my dreams. You are more alluring in person."

She looked at him, he had chocolate skin, sharp and defined features, and a charming personality. Nobody she knew reminded him of anybody.

"Too stunned to speak? It is quite a lot, my love."

"Who are you? Where am I?"

"I forgot to introduce myself, haven't I? Maestro. Pleasure to make you my wife."

"Wife?"

"Yes."

Maestro was like a snake, he smoothly caressed Serena and could deceive any girl in an instant. His suit was matching hers, an all white prince coat and a small red embellishment with white pants, shoes, and a white cape with red on the outside.

"I do believe that you have the wrong lady."

Serena started to walk away.

"Oh, but I didn't, my love." He took her hand. "You are Serena Caelum, are you not?" He whispered in her ear.

"How do you know that?"

"Oh, darling. Everybody knows who you are. You're one of the most powerful witches in all of Grozine! Men fiend for you like hounds."

Serena froze in place.

"But...."

"But what? Say it, my love."

"I... don't think this is right. I don't know you well enough to marry you."

Maestro suddenly turned cold and stepped away from her.

"Cold feet, I see."

Serena took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. This is all wondrous, but I can't marry you."

"Well, if you wish to not become my wife, then you must battle me. If you lose, then you will be mine."

Serena knew, wings came out of her body and she floated backwards into the sky and Maestro watched her for a second before he followed her. Combat magic was never Serena's strong suit, she only had learned the basics, but was better at defense and support than physical attacks.

Maestro had white devil wings out of his cape and the two started to go out into a magical brawl. Each threw spells at each other at a rapid pace. Serena was using whatever spells she could think of.

Serena often used spells of defense and reflect against Maestro. While he didn't have much speed, he was tactical and planned his every move with detail and precision.

All around the room they flew and fought, but neither got harmed in any way.

While Serena was fighting, she noticed a pillar that stuck out to her. Each of the pillars had a woman engraved into the pillar. But, one seemed off, almost as if it was inverted and off putting to the eye.

"I see something has got your attention." Maestro broke the silence.

"What do you mean?"

The fight stopped for a second.

"You love him, don't you? You'd rather have him over me?" Maestro pointed down to where the off putting pillar was.

Serena noticed that Nikolai was in the space of the pillar.

"I...."

"Well, guess you have to say goodbye to him forever."

Maestro cast a spell and the pillar started to crumble down.

"NO!"

Serena flew as fast as she could to Nikolai and grabbed him just in the nick of time as the pillar crashed. She took him to a small private balcony and placed him down.

"I'll be back for you, I promise."

Maestro started to cast spells, but Serena used her defensive skills to her advantage and dodged them.

She flew back to the main area and shot a few more spells.

But, she noticed that there were two rapiers at the bottom and grabbed one, Maestro came down as well.

The two started to attack and Maestro got Serena by the throat. He brought her up and started to strangle her almost until she turned blue.

But, he looked at her and let go for a second, he couldn't do this to her.

Serena had her rapier start to glow and as soon as it beamed a bright aurora of yellow and white, she went above him and with all her might, shot the arrow straight through him.

As soon as it hit him, she felt all of her magic and her wedding dress disappear and started to fall straight to the ground.

Nikolai flew out of nowhere and caught her, flying so fast in a state of panic.

He changed her position and tried to fly her back to the top, but the walls were starting to crumble at an alarming rate. So, he brought her down to the floor and held her tight, casting a barrier that would protect both of them. A green bubble formed over their heads.

Serena was in such a shock that she could barely move, it only made Nikolai want to hold her tighter.

As the castle was still falling apart, Serena finally got of the temporary shock and locked eyes with Nikolai, who was staring at her the entire time.