Winds of Magic Chapter 4

 

Chapter 4

“I didn’t want to,” said Malcom, walking towards the stairs, his hand on the hand rail. His cloak flowed behind him. “I had no true desire to team up with that idiot Galmor. But Almog has to be awakened. Terrible things are about to happen in the future and I am going to stop them.”

“And for that you need to sacrifice my friend?” said Jade, her eyes becoming intense.

“Not sacrifice,” said Malcom. “Offer her to the god.”

“Almog destroyed the city the last time he was released,” said Tetra. “He was an A class disaster.”

“And reviving him will prevent an S class,” said Malcom. He began to walk down the grand staircase. “You know that only a monster can fight another monster. Who cares if the city burns, if the world is saved?”

“There has to be another way,” said Rei. “There has to be another option besides dooming this city to destruction.”

Malcom reached the ground floor. “And how are you going to stop me?” he asked.

“Like this,” said Tetra, holding out her hand. A blue laser erupted from her palm and aimed for Malcom.

A barrier shot up and blocked the shot. Another figure appeared on the balcony, running out of the hall.

“Galmor,” said Malcom.

“You called me an idiot,” said Galmor, his face twisted. “You’re going to pay for that.”

“After we deal with these meddling kids,” said Malcom. He began typing into his casting device. Balls of electricity popped into existence around him and danced through the air. They encircled us and closed in, hemming us into a circle.

Jade threw up as many barriers as she could, but could not stop the electric balls’ approach. Each barrier she put up shattered in turn.

Rei fired off icicles towards the two enemy magicians. They dodged with quick motions, and not a single ice missile hit its mark.

Malcom typed a complicated code into his device and rose into the air on a cushion of ionized energy. He swept his hand and an explosion of white sprayed across the room, cracking and damaging the statues along the walls.

“Hey!” yelled Tetra, preparing to cast another spell. “Those were Renaissance originals!” She fired off another laser that cut through the bannisters along the balcony of the second floor. Wood splinters flew everywhere.

Galmor ducked to avoid the shrapnel. A wave of material rose beneath him, controlled by Jade. The wave tossed Galmor off the balcony where he fell onto Malcom. The two tangled for a moment before they could regain their composure.

Rei formed a shield of solid ice that surrounded them. Jade also formed her own barrier of energy to bolster the first shield.

Malcom tried to break the barrier with a blast of his energy weapon, but couldn’t. He sat down with a dazed expression on his face.

“We’re reporting you to the authorities,” said Tetra, approaching the trapped wizards. “If you tell us where Tally is, we’ll make sure they treat you better.”

“Hah,” said Galmor. “You think we’re going to tell you where she is?”

“She’s gone,” said Malcom. “Swallowed by the Signet.”

“What do you mean, Signet?” said Tetra.

“It’s gone now,” said Galmor. “We lost our window of opportunity. You’ll never be able to find it again.”

“We failed,” said Malcom, “But that doesn’t mean Almog isn’t going to awaken.”

“The Signet,” said Tetra. “To find Tally, we’re going to have to find this Signet?”

Malcom coughed. “And you never will.”

Police sirens wailed, coming closer. Six cars pulled into the mansion’s driveway and a dozen officers came out, backed up by five magicians. They entered the mansion foyer and surrounded the two men.

Galmor chuckled. “You’re too late, officers,” he said. “Nothing will remain for you to find.”

A man in a suit and a fedora approached us. “You’re high schoolers, aren’t you?” he said.

“Yes,” I said. “We came to try and save our friend.”

“I would chastise you for putting yourself in danger like this,” said the detective, “But you did manage to beat them without getting harmed.” He paused. “I recognize one of you.” He nodded at Rei. “You scored in the top five in the entire country on your physical exam.”

“This is my childhood friend,” Rei said, pointing to me. “He is the one who made this possible.”

“I’ll remember that,” said the detective. He extended his hand. “Detective Laymon. At your service.”

As the police took down the barriers and put Malcom and Galmor into restraints, Detective Laymon brought us out into the garden. “Lady Tetra,” he said, bowing towards Tetra. “I do hope your family will find it in their good graces to forget how slow we were to respond.”

“It’s fine, officer,” said Tetra, waving her hand. “This place is insured.” Even so, she appeared pained.

“Even thought it’s condemned?” said Rei.

“Our family is nothing if not cautious,” said Tetra. She frowned. “And we still haven’t found Tally.”

“The Signet,” I said. “That’s where she is.”

Detective Laymon’s eyes narrowed and his expression soured. “Where did you hear about the Signet?” he said.

“From those two bozos,” said Tetra.

“Do not mention this to anyone,” said Detective Laymon. “Nothing. Not a word. This is a government level secret. You do not have the clearance to know about it. Even I know nothing more than that its name is a black stain on the world of magic.” He paused. “Are all of you applying to Rockwell Magic Academy?”

“Yes,” said Tetra.

“Yes,” I said.

“Of course,” said Rei.

Jade nodded, her eyes piercing.

“I’ll make sure to give you all an official recommendation. You did good today, kids.”

“We’re not really kids anymore,” said Rei.

Detective Laymon chuckled. “To me you are. Anyways, you’re going to be minor heroes after this incident. It’s not often that four high schoolers—or barely out of high school students—beat two top class mages without taking any losses.”

“Thanks,” said Tetra.

“So,” said Rei. “York and I were planning on doing some karaoke. How’s about you guys join us?”

“You sure?” I said, to Rei.

“They’re our friends now,” said Rei, smiling at Tetra and Jade.

“Ahaha,” said Tetra, holding her hand in a high-class manner. “I wouldn’t mind doing something crass like karaoke if it’s with you.”

“She means, gladly,” said Jade.

“Yeah, I got that,” I said.

We looked at each other.

“We’ve got this handled,” said Detective Laymon. “The ritual magic specialists are on their way. Go have some fun. You’ve earned it.”

“Come on, let’s go,” said Rei, motioning.

Tetra took out her cell phone. “Mark? Yes, please. Have the limo here in ten minutes.”

“Limo?” said Rei. “Isn’t that a bit much for an outing with friends?”

“Ahaha,” said Tetra. “I’d like to thank you. Please, accept this.”

“Okay, sure,” I said, grabbing Rei’s hand. She looked at me and sighed.

“Sure, like York said,” said Rei.

We walked to the mansion’s gate and waited for the limousine to arrive.

“Your magic is very pretty,” said Tetra, to Rei. “Where did you learn to cast like that?”

“York is very good with Siege Code,” said Rei. “He programs all my magic spells for me.”

“Hm?” said Tetra, looking at me as if she had just realized I was worth something. “You are?”

“Yeah, I do Siege programming on the side,” I said.

“I work as a Siege programmer as well,” said Jade. She did not appear to be boasting about it.

“Who do you work for?” said Rei.

“Asmodeus,” I said.

“Asmodeus,” said Jade.

Jade and I looked at each other.

“Perhaps, do I know you?” said Jade.

“I doubt it,” I said, sensing that I should keep a cap on my identity for a bit longer. “It’s a big company that employs a lot of programmers.”

“Your Siege code is very beautiful, if you’re the one who designed Rei’s magic,” said Jade. She seemed to suspect something, but did not speak up about it.

The limousine pulled up at that moment.

“Please, get in,” said Tetra. A man in a suave suit stepped out of the driver’s seat and opened the door for her. Tetra motioned to us.

We got in. The limo was amazingly plush on the inside. Tetra opened a refrigerator and took out some expensive-looking beverage bottles.

“I apologize that I cannot offer you a sample of my whisky collection, but we are minors, after all.”

“Whiskey?” said Rei.

“Indeed,” said Tetra. “My father is keen in his eye for quality when it comes to spirits. We have on our staff a world-renowned sommelier.” She handed me a bottle of what appeared to be orange soda. “This will do for now. Orangica.”

“I’ve heard of that!” said Rei.

I paused, searching in my pocket for what I knew was there. The flash drive I recovered from the bottom of the lake.

That would have to be dealt with. But, for now, I had to enjoy the time I had with friends.

We pulled up next to a karaoke shop and the driver let us out. We entered the building.

The man behind the counter had pimples and wore a tacky hat and uniform. He looked up and eyed us with a bored expression on his face.

“For four?” he said.

“Four,” said Tetra, putting down a credit card.

“Hey,” said Rei. “I was going to pay.”

“I’m the one with a net worth of over a million dollars,” said Tetra. “Let me do this.”

Rei backed up. “Sure, sure. Thanks.”

The clerk signed us up in room five, giving us a key. We went down the hall and entered our room.

The karaoke room was just like every other, with sofas surrounding a table and a TV at the room’s end.

Tetra sat down and began entering songs into the song selection device. “What do you want to sing?” said Tetra. “Does anyone want to do a duet with me? How about ordering something to eat?”

“You’ve obviously been here before,” said Rei, sitting down.

“Ah, yeah,” said Tetra.

“She comes here alone,” said Jade, sitting down next to Tetra.

“Ahaha …” said Tetra. “Not alone, just … Um … Independently.” She grinned. “But not anymore. Come on. Order something, I’ll pay for it.”

We spent the rest of the night playing and singing. When we were done Tetra dropped Rei and I off at our houses.

“I will hope to see you when school starts,” said Tetra, as the limo pulled away. “I do believe I know a good magician, or magicians, when I see one.” She rolled the window up.

“Well that was fun,” said Rei, as we headed into my house. We stopped at the threshold. Rei seemed to be holding back something she wanted to say.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said.

Rei looked like she was about to say something. Then she pulled away. “Okay,” she said. She turned around and went to her house next door.

I watched her for a moment and then entered my own home. The lights were out and it was dark. I sighed, cleaned myself up, and then studied a bit before going to bed.