Nightblade (Darkest night)

Chapter 226 226: Dark stranger

Emily sat at a secluded table in the library, skimming through several documents.

The scent of old paper and vellum emanated through the air.

Apart from her, a few other students were scattered through the immense hall, each immersed in a book.

After the Chronoevaluation, Emily realized that the existence of a database containing information about the rest of the Talented was actually quite convenient.

Throughout the history of the Talented, several unique and even bizarre abilities had been documented.

And even better, the information was available for the Talented.

Using the Chronoevalution, as a reference she'd actively begun researching about the Talented ability, Water Elemental type ability particularly that she wielded, and the other Talented who wielded the same powers and the manner in which they used them.

Naturally, such information was a closely guarded secret, with only scant sources providing her with the information she needed.

As it turned, out Edmund's family was one of the foremost wielders of ice-type elemental abilities as was another family.

"Isn't he a sneaky one…"

She also discovered that unlike Edmund, Warren wasn't mentioned in any of the existing information.

Other multielemental Talented existed but there was no mention of the name Frost.

"Curious…"

And strangely enough, there was also no mention of Gregory Whizen.

Surprisingly, the ability to turn water into ice was a secondary aspect of the water elemental ability that only a select few Talented with elemental abilities wielded because of their genetic predisposition and talent.

"Would that mean that I'm descended from a family with this particular ability?"

It was a truly interesting notion.

The thought alone created a multitude of possibilities.

Just then her comlink blinked rapidly.

"Norvax?"

A life-like miniaturized version of the elite Talented appeared in front of her.

" Emily," he nodded.

Norvax was clad in the familiar black long coat and the tenebrous fold trimmed up for that dignified his office and rank within the Praesagius.

" Norvax, how are you doing? This is quite the surprise…"

She could've sworn he rolled his eyes.

A moment later, his voice turned somber.

"Listen to me carefully. There's an individual that you'll soon meet. Your particular talents and abilities have piqued his interest. The man is something of a legend among the Talented and he wields a considerable amount of power and influence which at times makes his movements extremely unpredictable."

Her expression quickly turned to one of genuine curiosity.

"I'm merely class A-2, why would that pique anyone's interest?"

Just then Norvax's comlink blinked rapidly.

"I've got to go. All will be explained in good time. And when he comes, and he definitely will, be on your best behaviour. I've already notified the headmaster. Norvax out."

With that, Norvax disappeared.

" Wait! But…"

Norvax's figure abruptly winked out of exuafence.

Leaning back, she somberly stared at the large book that lay open in front of her.

" How strange... "

She stared at the book for a few more moments before abruptly picking it up and reporting to the librarian. She absentmindedly exchanged her details and left with the large book tucked under her arm.

After aimlessly strolling for a while, she eventually made her way to the forest behind the academy.

It was usually lively with first years and those from the culinary department but today it was eerily silent.

The conversation with Norvax kept on replaying in her mind, over and over again.

After a while, she made her way deeper into the forest, following a particular trail.

Faint beams of light gently filtered through the lush canopy, softly illuminating the thick undergrowth.

The air was thick, and damp with the scent of earth and wood.

After a while she stopped, cautiously surveying her surroundings.

A large tree stood out from the rest in the middle of a clearing.

In her mind, the image overlapped with the courtyard back at the orphanage.

The sight of it was strangely soothing.

After a few moments, the forest went quiet.

Her comlink blinked strangely, rapidly shifting through a myriad of colours.

Emily.

A profound change washed over the space around her, a silent hum, palpable in the air.

The shift was abrupt, the world rapidly transforming around her.

Small sparks of electricity bloomed into existence feeling the air with a faint smell of ozone.

Almost as if conjured into existence by the unfolding phenomenon, a cold breeze blew past her rustling the tree leaves.

Dark grey storm clouds raced across the dark sky instantly turning day into night.

"Hello."

Emily spun around, her eyes instantly burning with ethereal emerald light.

But there, was no one.

"Up here."

Her gaze immediately travelled upward.

A dark silhouette hovered in the air among the trees, the cloak he was wearing fluttering slightly in the wind.

His ghostly silver eyes shone eerily in the darkness staring down at her with a quiet curiosity.

The sparks in the air danced around erratically as though drawn to the renebriugh figure.

Faint motes of dust filtered mesmerizingly through fading beams of light.

Within moments, the entire sky was obscured with dark stormy clouds.

In the distance, bolts of lightning streaked thunderously illuminating the dark sky.

The man slowly descended to the ground a few feet away from her.

"Who are you?"

Her heart beat wildly in her chest. Just from being in proximity to the mysterious figure she could feel the raw power emanating from him. His presence washed over the forest like a tide.

"Is he part of the Videntis?"

The members of the Videntis were obscure figures shrouded in mystery.

Looking at the mysterious figure, a cold chill ran down her spine.

Norvax's cryptic message resurfaced at the back of her mind.

" Someone interested in me…"

"How did he manage to get here…"

After the Dark Maestro incident, the security at the academy had improved by leaps and bounds.

The man moved slowly, stepping into the light.

The air around him, hummed with a life of its own, vibrating audibly.

Emily subconsciously reeled back, her brain becoming fuzzy.

His skin was unusually pale giving him an unnatural kind of beauty.

His glowing silver eyes only served to accentuate the inhuman air around him.

The dark clothes he wore blended in with the pale light nearly seamlessly, swirling in the window.

When the man spoke, his voice carried over the wind with a melodic timbre.

"We haven't met before…"

He took a step forward, his boots rustling the undergrowth.

His silver eyes bore into her own, glowing with a haunting light.

"But you're quite an attention magnet. I came to see for myself if you truly warrant all the attention that you're receiving."

Emily took another step back then another.

Every instinct screamed for her to turn tail and run.

The man chuckled at her reaction.

"There's no reason to be afraid. I'm not here to hurt you."

His lips curled into a small smile.

"Perhaps to test you a bit, but not to harm you."

His eyes narrowed, the silvery light glinting in the darkness.

"Whenever you're ready…"

Emily stared for a few moments, zoning out for a few moments before realizing the man's intent.

"Now!"

A large hum rippled through the air then a split second later, the ground split open with a monstrous rending sound beneath her feet.

The air around her shimmered then rippled, an unnatural haze sweeping through the air.

Almost like the air itself was being superheated and simultaneously compressed.

The ground where she stood surged around her instantly turning to a fluid consistency.

Small streams of current crackled within the air raising several small pebbles off the ground and drawing them together like a magnet.

The ground churned, vibrating with maddening tenacity.

For a few moments, everything went still, like the blissful calm before a storm.

Then all hell broke loose.

Emily instinctively flung her arms forward, her eyes igniting with emerald brilliance. The air around, rippled, straining against her power.

The man stared at her, his eyes glinting in amusement.

"I conveniently drew out the moisture in the atmosphere. It's one of the many ways I've devised when dealing with Elementals such as yourself."

Emily's eyes widened slightly the realization donning on her then.

" Damn"

She turned tail and ran, sprinting desperately through the forest

He smirked, spreading his arms.

" The board is set, your move Emily Whizen."

A split second later, several pebbles whizzed through the air, discharging crackling multiple streams of raw current through the air.

" The projectiles burst through the forest in

a horrendous explosion of light and sound, felling several of the ancient trees in their wake.

The darkness shrouding the forest was forced back, the dim darkness turning to day once more.

In the aftermath of the deadly blast, several trees dangerously stooped over the combined sound resonating and overlapping into one massive resounding groan echoed for miles around.

In the midst of all that chaos, Emily swiftly darted through the forest, swiftly creating some distance between her and the murderous stranger.

Then horrifically, small sparks appeared in the air around her, crackling with ominous power, and then the earth around her surged once more.