Nightblade (Darkest night)

Chapter 231: Compromise

The deadly chill rapidly spread through the forest swiftly enveloping several of the trees within moments.

Crystalline frost crept across the forest floor, transforming the forest’s appearance like a cancer.

Merlin turned mid-air staring at Emily with a maddened gleam in his eye.

" Guess I’ve seen what I want to see... ’

In front of him, several characters, decipherable only to him glowed in silver characters.

This was one of his primary abilities and perhaps one of the most insidious in his arsenal. The ability to peer into the nature of one’s opponent with a simple glance.

The girl before him was undoubtedly a class A-2 but the power she was unleashing was far beyond what any class A-2 was supposed to be capable of unleashing.

" It’s time I put her to sleep. "

He slowly raised his palm, directing his hand towards Emily’s rampaging figure.

The air around him surged with wild strains of current, the temperature spiking drastically.

An unnatural screech wailed through the air with the accompanying crackles of electricity.

Just then something strange occurred.

A strange ripple washed over the entire area and Emily’s entire body abruptly went rigid mid-air.

With the ripple of energy, her hair slowly reverted to its original dark colour.

The ferocious emerald glow in her eyes dimmed slowly at first then faded completely.

For a split second, she remained hovering in the air.

Then like a puppet whose strings had been cut, she fell.

The ice in the air around her cracked, slowly at first then faster.

With the invisible power holding it up gone, several horrendous cracks quickly broke out along its surface then it completely shattered into several smaller jagged fragments falling to the ground below.

The harrowing impact shattered the field of ice below sending several jagged cracks through the pristine icy surface.

Like a set of dominoes, the impact sent several tremors rippling through the surrounding forest.

It started slowly then the small roar quickly became a crescendo of chaos that slowly picked up momentum devastating what was left of the forest within the dome.

Merlin laughed at the carnage and then stretched out a hand.

A wave of power burst forth completely counteracting the wave of rolling devastation and halting its advance completely.

In the same motion, he slowed Emily’s fall, with a simple gesture allowing her to land gently on the ground.

****

Merlin’s gaze slowly drifted over the two men seated in the room with him.

A few moments later, two new figures entered the room.

A tall man dressed all in black strode into the room stopping a few feet away from where he stood. A shorter red-haired woman entered a moment later, her violet eyes scanning the room with a glance.

Merlin felt Victoria’s power sweep across the room, wisely avoiding him then fade almost immediately.

Victoria’s violet eyes narrowed, then her lips furrowed into a small smile.

"Lord Merlin it’s good to see you."

Merlin nodded briefly at her then turned his attention to Thrain.

" Thrain, is something the matter?"

His lips curled into a small devilish smile.

"If I didn’t know better, I’d think you wanted a piece of me." He shrugged nonchalantly reclining further in the sofa.

" Just so you know, you’re free to do so anytime."

The darkness in Thrain’s eyes stirred slightly. Marcus watched the two men with a look of mild amusement on his face.

"This is certainly playing out interestingly..."

Eventually, Thrain’s deep voice rang out coldly from behind his mask.

" I wouldn’t dream of it. But you should know that your little stunt has drawn a lot of attention to the girl in question. "

Gregory steepled his fingers staring pensively at the silver-eyed man in front of him.

Merlin smiled waving almost dismissively.

"Do not concern yourself with that. The girl will come with me for a while, provided she agrees. I’d like to take on her training myself."

Merlin’s eyes suddenly lit up.

" In fact, I’ll do you one better, if she agrees to become my apprentice, what better way to prove the fruits of her training than with the upcoming Veilrend games I’ve heard so much about."

Marcus laughed heartily then shook his head.

"That wouldn’t be any fun. Besides, in some ways you and I are somewhat similar, why not give the girl, your apprentice an even bigger stage? The second Veilrend games..."

Marcus leaned forward tapping his cane on the ground.

He smiled gently, his eyes glinting with humour.

"What do you say?"

Marcus took a step from his seat, appearing next to Merlin with his hand stretched out.

Merlin stared at him for a few moments then his smile grew even wider.

" It’s a deal."

He reached out grasping Marcus’s hand firmly and shaking it vigorously.

Gregory stared impassively at the two men inwardly letting out a sigh.

It was quite clear that the Snow Family head had grown much stronger during his trip to Tenebris.

It wasn’t just his speed but the way he carried himself. The man seemed to have more monstrous than he had already been before.

" That said, Lord Merlin," Victoria interjected, the Council requests your presence. It is a matter of the utmost importance..."

Merlin got to his feet, shaking his head slightly.

" I don’t think I have time for that. I have quite a lot going on at the moment he said with a smile.

He made to get out but Thrain took a step forward, the darkness around him shifting slightly.

He spoke his voice ringing coldly in the room.

"If you could make some time in your busy schedule, it is a matter concerning a prophecy that Ophelia recently made. A matter concerning the end of the world.

Thrain paused turning to Marcus.

" And also possibly involving the Great Houses and the Council of Assassins as well."

Marcus held his dark gaze for a few moments then slowly spread his arms.

" I’m open to hearing what this prophecy entails..."

He turned to Merlin with an amused smile.

"Won’t you be joining us?"

A fiery silver light flickered through the depths of Merlin’s eyes then his lips tilted upward in a quirky smile.

" I suppose I can spare some time. Regale me with whatever insane vision that little witch of yours has had."

Merlin grinned wickedly.

" By the way, how is she doing, that frosty little witch?"