Page 1 of Witch's Promise

Chapter 1

Gabe

Gabriel Reed’s muscles ached as he dodged another burst of Lucas's dark blue energy. The training room hummed with magic, the air crackling with potential. He'd lost track of how long they'd been at it, but the sweat dripping down his back suggested it had been a while.

"Come on, Lucas," Gabe taunted, a grin spreading across his face. "That all you got?"

Lucas's eyes narrowed, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. "You wish, witch boy."

A shimmering blue forcefield erupted between them, expanding rapidly. Gabe swore under his breath, impressed despite himself. It was rare to see Lucas really flex his magical muscles like this. As the team's tech genius and hacker, Lucas usually relied on his gadgets and computer skills. But when he did unleash his magic, it was a sight to behold.

Gabe's hands moved instinctively, golden light coalescing around his fingers. He thrust his palms forward, and a wave of white-gold energy slammed into Lucas's barrier. The clash sent sparks flying, momentarily blinding them both.

"Good, but not good enough," came Alex's voice from the sidelines. The Shadowguards' leader had been observing theirsparring session, offering critiques and suggestions. "Gabe, your offensive magic is strong, but you're telegraphing your moves. Lucas, that barrier is impressive, but can you maintain it while mounting a counterattack?"

Both men nodded, taking the feedback in stride. Gabe rolled his shoulders, trying to loosen up. He knew Alex was right—he had a tendency to broadcast his intentions, a dangerous habit in real combat situations.

Lucas, for his part, looked determined. His fingers traced glowing sigils in the air, reinforcing his barrier while simultaneously preparing an attack. It was a complex bit of spellwork, and Gabe couldn't help but admire his friend's skill.

"Alright, reset," Alex called out. "This time, I want to see more dynamic movement. Use the whole space. And remember, in a real fight, you won't have time to think. React, adapt, survive."

Gabe and Lucas squared off again, circling each other warily. The air between them seemed to vibrate with magical potential.

This time, Lucas struck first. A volley of blue energy bolts shot towards Gabe, each one splitting into multiple projectiles mid-flight.

"Shit!" Gabe dove to the side, rolling across the training mat. He came up in a crouch, hands already moving to form a protective dome of shimmering gold around himself. The remaining bolts peppered his shield, each impact sending tremors through his body.

"Better reaction time, Gabe," Alex noted. "But don't just defend. Look for openings, create opportunities."

Gritting his teeth, Gabe focused on maintaining his shield while searching for a weak point in Lucas's assault. There—a slight hesitation as Lucas prepared his next attack.

Gabe dropped his shield and thrust both hands forward, channeling his power into the ground. The floor beneath Lucas's feet buckled and shifted, throwing him off balance.

"Nice use of terrain," Alex commented. "Lucas, how do you counter?"

Lucas stumbled but didn't fall. His hands moved in a blur, and suddenly he was hovering a few inches off the ground, negating Gabe's earthen assault.

"Clever bastard," Gabe muttered, already planning his next move.

"Language," Alex chided, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "Now, let's see some combination attacks. Magic isn't just about raw power—it's about creativity, adaptability."

Taking the cue, Gabe began weaving a more complex spell. Golden light swirled around him, coalescing into shimmering projectiles. But instead of launching them directly at Lucas, he sent them arcing high into the air.

Lucas eyed the airborne threats warily, his own hands moving to strengthen his defenses. But he'd fallen for Gabe's feint.

With a grunt of effort, Gabe slammed his foot into the ground. A ripple of force shot across the floor, too fast for Lucas to dodge entirely. It caught him on the edge, sending him tumbling.

"Fuck!" Lucas yelped as he hit the mat. But even as he fell, his magic was responding. A wave of blue energy erupted from his body, racing towards Gabe.

Caught off guard by the speed of Lucas's counterattack, Gabe barely had time to throw up a hasty shield. The blue wave crashed against his golden barrier, the conflicting energies setting off a cascade of magical sparks.

"Excellent improvisation, both of you," Alex called out. "But remember, a real enemy won't give you time to recover. Press your advantage, Gabe!"

Nodding, Gabe pushed forward. He poured more power into his shield, turning it from a defensive barrier into a battering ram of golden energy.

Lucas scrambled to his feet, his hands already moving to reinforce his own defenses. But Gabe could see the strain on his friend's face. Despite his impressive showing, Lucas wasn't used to prolonged magical combat like this.

Their energies clashed again, gold and blue light filling the training room. Gabe felt sweat beading on his forehead as he pushed harder, trying to break through Lucas's guard.

---