Shadow Magus - Chapter 7 Helping A Friend..

The icicle refracted light giving it different colors that changed every passing moment. It was perfectly timed and would no doubt end her life if everything played out as everyone envisioned. The crowed around them had many different expressions. Some could only watch on in horror, some was unable to watch and covered their eyes others looked like they wanted to cast a spell to save her life but they were far too late.

Out of everyone gathered only three people revealed a cunning look with a smile which they were desperately trying to conceal. Luckily at this moment everyone’s attention was gathered at the icicle heading towards Layla. All of this was clearly captured within a pair of golden eyes.

Layla was unable to give up, she had a good future ahead of her and was unwilling to let it all end here. She desperately tried using her defensive spell but she was unable to form it no matter how much effort she put in. ‘Is this how my life ends?’ As she was still looking for a way to live she noticed the looks on the faces in front of her.

It looked as if they had achieved something great and where just one step away from having a grand celebration. The two behind walked towards the one in front, as if they already know the outcome of the duel. Layla’s original feelings of unwillingness and helplessness instantly transformed to anger. ‘So, this was your little plan!’

Apprentices where normally not allowed to kill one another, that being said no one would care if it was just an accident. The difference between the status of those who were a magus and those who were not, where to big. No magus really cared for the weak bugs even if they were talented. Unless one had a strong backing, potential was just that and nothing more.

‘Since I will be leaving this world today why don’t you join me?’ A twisted smile appeared on Layla’s beautiful face. On her right hand an ordinary looking ring started to glow. The ring was in fact her family’s treasure, a single use magic tool of poor quality. A fire ball quickly formed in midair and travelled at an incredible speed towards the people in front. The ring soon turned to dust and dispersed.

They were caught off guard and appeared flustered. Unfortunately, they were unable to adapt to the quick change. Because of this they were unable to form their spells very quickly as they were unable to gather their concentration.

At this moment, the icicle was about to end her life, there was nothing she could do. Layla resigned herself to her fate and closed her eyes waiting for the inevitable to pass. However, the pain she expected never came. Instead all she felt was a cooling wind blowing in her face.

She opened her eyes only to discover that her vision was no longer blocked by the icicle. Instead the sight that greeted her was three people engulfed in flames screaming at the top of their lungs. The screams where intense and filled with agony but they only lasted for a second before coming to an end.

The next thing that caught her eye was the icicle lying next to her, it seemed to have been unable to penetrate the tough wooden floor. Suddenly her eyes narrowed as she noticed dust falling off of her friend’s hand. Layla looked up and made eye contact with Freya’s golden eyes. Neither of them spoke but their eyes said more than words could say.

At this moment, no one noticed that Layla’s shadow seamed to split in to two and the darker one slowly vanished. Layla quickly regained her balance now that her kinetic force had been neutralized.

Meanwhile a commotion broke out among the crowed. Everything that just transpired shocked them. First it was the intense duel showing off their great talents, then Layla losing her balance and almost her life made everyone hold their breath. Then somehow, she managed to turn the situation around and finally the intense screams made everyone swallow their saliva.

By now the airship was already high in the sky and would soon reach the clouds. If not for what had just transpired everyone would no doubt be looking out the big windows to look at the beautiful scenery.

Layla slowly got up and ignored all the noisy people and walked past them. She felt that she had a hard time walking in a straight line and decided to have a good rest in her room and gather her thoughts. On her way she walked passed Freya, she stopped for a second and put her hand on Freya’s shoulder and said, “thanks for your help, I owe you one.” Afterwards she left once again and walked towards her room.

Freya watched as Layla back soon disappeared behind the corner. She turned around after losing interest and looked out the big window enjoying the scenery. She could not help but to think to herself ‘what a great view!”

The commotion slowly calmed down as everyone soon moved on with their lives as this was not the first time they had seen someone die. Quickly the windows where crowed as everyone looked outside. Below them they could see a big mountain, a great forest, rivers and the village they were just at. They could see people walking around doing different things, the only thing they shared was the fact that they all looked like ants far below them.