Page 56 of Night with a Gamma
Poppy walks beside us, her aura glowing softly, a beacon of strength and resolve. I can sense her determination, and it gives me hope. Together, we can uncover the truth hidden within these woods.
“I think we should start at the outskirts,” Poppy suggests, her voice steady. “If this witch is as powerful as we suspect, she might have left traces of her energy.”
“Agreed,” I respond, glancing at Harrison. “Let’s stay close and keep our senses sharp.”
As we delve deeper into the woods, the trees seem to close in around us, shadows dancing as the sunlight filters through the leaves. The atmosphere grows heavy, and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched.
“Do you feel that?” Harrison murmurs, his voice low.
I nod, my heart racing. “It’s almost like… a weight in the air. Something is definitely off.”
Poppy stops, closing her eyes, and I watch as the violet mist begins to swirl around her fingertips. “I can sense her,” she says, her brow furrowing. “But it’s faint. She’s hiding her presence well.”
“Can you get a direction?” I ask, my pulse quickening.
Poppy nods, her aura shimmering brighter as she focuses. “I think… it’s coming from deeper in the woods. There’s a concentration of dark energy that way.” She points toward a narrow path that leads further into the heart of the forest.
“Then that’s where we go,” I say, determination flooding my voice.
As we tread cautiously along the path, I can feel the tension building, each step echoing the urgency of our mission. The trees grow thicker, their branches intertwining, creating a canopy that blocks out the sunlight. Shadows flicker around us, and I can hear the distant rustle of leaves — an unsettling reminder that we’re not alone.
Suddenly, a low growl reverberates through the air, making my heart stop. I glance at Harrison, whose eyes narrow as he scans the surroundings. “Stay close,” he warns, positioning himself protectively in front of me.
Poppy’s eyes widen as she senses something approaching. “We need to be ready.”
Before I can respond, a figure emerges from the shadows — a wolf, sleek and with eyes that gleam like molten gold. It stands at the edge of the path, its muscles coiled, ready to spring.
“Harrison, is that…” I start, but before I can finish my thought, the wolf shifts, transforming into a man — tall, muscular, and intimidating. His hair is dark, and his eyes burn with a fierce intensity.
“Witch,” he growls, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Holding a grudge, are we, Alpha Fredrick?” I retort, stepping forward, refusing to show fear. “What do you want? You’re dead, so I know this is the dark magic from your witchy side piece.”
He smirks, a dark glimmer in his eyes. “You think you can stop me? You have no idea the power she has tapped into.”
I can feel Harrison beside me, his presence a grounding force. “You’re a coward,” he growls, stepping forward, his wolf instincts rising to the surface. “You hide behind darkness and deceit instead of facing us.”
Fredrick’s ghostly expression darkens, and I can see the anger boiling beneath the surface. “You’ve meddled in affairs that are beyond your understanding, witch. Your magic is nothing against the forces I’ve aligned with.”
“You think your tricks will protect you?” I challenge, channeling the flames within me, feeling the heat radiate from my fingertips. “You’ve already lost once, and you’ll lose again.”
He lunges forward, but before he can reach us, Poppy raises her hands, a barrier of violet light flaring to life between us. “You’ll have to go through me first!” she shouts, her voice strong and unwavering.
Fredrick’s form snarls, but the barrier holds firm, shimmering with energy. “You think you can stop me? I’ve already secured my power. I know where the witch is, and soon, I will have everything I desire.”
“Then we’ll stop you,” I declare, my resolve hardening. “You won’t take any more lives.”
With a sudden surge of energy, I channel my fire magic, flames flickering to life around my hands. “You’ve underestimated us for the last time.”
Fredrick’s eyes widen in shock, but it’s too late. The flames erupt from my palms, a torrent of fire that licks at the air, illuminating the shadows around us.
“Enough!” he roars, but the barrier Poppy created holds strong. “You think your fire can consume me?”
I step forward, the flames dancing at my fingertips, fueled by my determination. “It’s not just fire; it’s justice. You will pay for what you’ve done. Have you ever wondered what true Hell would feel like?”
As I unleash the flames of Hell Fire toward him, the air crackles with energy, and I can feel the weight of our collective power gathering. Harrison stands beside me, his wolf energy radiating strength, while Poppy channels her own magic, the violet mist swirling around her like a protective shroud.
Fredrick snarls, but I can see the fear beginning to take root in his eyes. “You think you can defeat me? I am more powerful than you can imagine!”
