The Dark Magic 2

Part 8

Skylar's POV

I woke up with a sudden jolt. A word appeared in my head. Help. It was Austni. "What is it?" I grumbled mentally. No response. Weird. I got up, dressed, and walked downstairs. There was a crowd of people at the entrance to the dorms. "What is it?" I grumbled again. I suddenly spotted a corpse. Freshly killed. It was a boy. His face looked petrified, as if something terrifying had struck him. It looked like his body was messily stabbed and sliced, and a note was written in blood beside it. 'We're back'. "People say hes been killed last night" A passerby whispered to me. We're back. My thought drifted over to Ayom. I quickly moved away frmo the crowd and found Bell. "Hey, have you seen Tracy or Austin?" I asked "No. Surprising. Austin normally comes and says good morning each morinng" She suddenly blushed "Uh, because we're uh, freinds. Yeah" I rolled my eyes "I checked Tracy's room. She wasnt there. Have you checked Austins?" "No, lets go. I have his spare keys" We trudged across the feilds, ad eventually arrived. Bell stuffed the key in the slot and opened it.

Everything seemed normal, except it looked slightly ransacked. Drawers were strewn open and papers littered the floor. Austins sword that he put on his shelf was missing. "A boy was killed last night with a note saying we're back. Do you suppose..." I began "Thats possible. Because Ayom would go first after Austin, because he's his favorite and one of the strongest. Next would be you. THen me." I looked around "Okay. I have a idea. We'll both stay within easy distance of each other. Just in case. If I mentally call you come immediatly. No exceptions. Understand?" She nodded and I sighed "Okay. Lets just hope Ayom remains like he always was"

A few hours later...

I prowled around the grounds. I knew from years of learning that he would strike at night. Bell stood nearby, shivering "DO we have to do it today?" I glared at her "He could strike any time." She shrugged and continued toshiver. Another boy walked outside, apperantly crying. I was abotu to strike when I realised this wasnt anyone I knew. I moved closer so I could see him. he looked severly upset. Suddenly my arm flared up. I grabbed it, gritting my teeth. Ayom suddenly appeared. he walked to the boy, said somethng, and they hugged. He waved to the boy as he walked inside. I got up and pounced upon him. "Wha?! Oof!" "Ayom, what are you doing?" I asked, holding a dagger ot his throat "I dont know what your talking about young lady" He snapped "But I dont know anyone named 'Ayom'" I stared at him blankly "Your Ayom!" "No, Im Harrison Gords, a counsoler." I stared at hm "Is this a trick?" "No. i dont hae a clue what your talking about" Suddenly Bell emerged from the bushed and yelled "NO!" I looked at her, then I felt something poke my neck. i turned. Austin stood still, his sword ready to penetrate my throat.

Austin's POV

I regained control for even a moment. Bell's voice cut through every other thought in my mind. WIth strength I pulled my sword back and sheathed it. Bell walked closer and asked "A-austin?" I stepped forward, putting a hand on her cheek. "Bell..." I whispered softly. "Austin...waht happened?" "I-I cant tell you. Im sorry." I started to feel out of control "I need to head back. Dont follow" I began quickly walking away, but Bell grabbed my arm and kissed me. I immediatly felt...in control. But still...

We eventually broke away, and I said "Bell, I love you" Then I turned and qickly vaulted over the tall wall that seperated the forest.

Skylar's POV

I stared as Ausitn jumped ovr the wall, then ran after him. "Where are you going?" Bell asked, keeping up with me "Im going after Austin." "What?! Are you crazy? He said not to!" "Precicly. If I want to find Tracy, then I have to" Bell nodded. I climbed the wall, doing a triple backflip off the other side.

It was sligthly obvios where AUstin had went. The trees were scratched, sword marks every few metres. Dead animals also litteed the ground.

I continued running, then immediatly crouched. I dragged Bell down, put my finger to my lips, then poked my head up.

They got Kiara too. She was prowling around, bow raised. A stag passed and almost automatically she faced the animal and let the arrow fly. It hit the stag in the heart, landing on its side with a whump. Kiara notched another arrow and continued to prowl.

I ntcied a fire not too far away. I told Bell to stay back as I walked forward silently, daggers out.

The fire was surrounded by tents. Ben sat on a makeshift throne, weilding AYoms dagger. Tracy stood by his side. Austin was stadning before him. "Have you killed SKylar?" Ben asked, raising his eyebrow "No" Austin relpied. Everything was still, then ben lashed out with incredible speed. In teh blink of a eye AUstin fell to his knees, clutching at his arm. I notcied his robes were sliced open. "I do not tolerate failure." "Y-yes sir." Ben closed his eyes and I felt mental energy. "You were stopped by Bell" "Y-no sir" "You were. its in your memory. I need your loyalty. Do you understand? If I do not have it, bad things will happen. DO you understand?" "Yes s-sir you h-have m-my loyalty" "Lets test that. What would happen if I were to send you back to teh school, to toddle there and kill the person wh ostopped you?" Austin froze, not knowing wha tto say. "I knew it. Tracy, bring him to the beast. I shall make sure he learns his lesson" Tracy moved forward, dragging Austin by the ankle in the dirt. "No. Nononono please. Tracy please no. Nononononnonono" his voice was puncutred by the sound of someone hitting velvet.

Ben stood up, glaring aornd the camp. "Skylar come uot. I know your there. DOnt worry I just want to talk." I hesitated "Or I could come and kill you. Or infect someone else. Or kill Tracy" I ran out "Ah, SKylar. Pleasure to see you again. Please, ahev a seat" He waved his hand, a chiar spun into excistence. I hesitated. ben waved his hand, and made me sit down. "How is school? I do hope your learning quite a lot." "Whatever. Why are you infecting everyone?" "I thought that was obvious to your mind, Skylar. TO create a unstopable force to take over both schools and rule the realm. All I need left is you and Bell. So" Ben leaned closer "Will you join me?" "No" I said, rising from my chair "Really?" he raised a eyebrow "I think Id make you. Kiara is aiming a arrow at your neck." I felt the tipi press against my skin "SO. Will you?" "Never" I fliped over Kiara, grabbing her bow and pulled it back, slamming it against her face knocking her out. Ben looked surrised. ANd aggrivated. he stood up, and grabbed his nunchucks. I drew my daggers again. He threw then at me, and I blocoked them, sending them flying in the other directoin. I sliced at him, but he blocked the attack with his very fingers. BLood ran down the blade. He smirked, and something hard hit me in the back of the head. I let my daggers go, and ben tripped me to the floor. I squirmed and kicked, but he managed to tie my wrists together and said "Move" Pressing AYoms dagger against my back. I moved forward. We walked for a few meters, then i heard Austins voice. it sounded weak and helpless "S-stop p-please. I-I promise..." "It isnt up to me." Tracy's voice cut in coldly.