Creatures of the Light

Sixteenth Light

Sixteenth Light

Creatures of the Light

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##### Sixteenth Light #####

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From the brightest light,

There is a ray of darkness.

From the darkest shadow,

There is a chunk of light.

Beauty beyond mortality,

A sight to remember for eternity.

My eyes are fixed on his coral-green eyes. Those orbs really reminds me of something ─ much because I should have known it better. But it shall not be my biggest concern at the moment, because right now we have something much more important to be dealt with.

“We should secure south immediately then. The White Lotus must be looking for the luxurious, which unfortunately the area can provide, along with its vulnerable position,” I tell him.

“How do you know that many rich sea creatures live at south Atlantic?” Uly asks me, lifting his gaze from the sable dagger at hand to turn to me.

Resting one hand under my chin and the other across my chest, I reply with an amused smile on my lips, “Well, I am the Queen of Darkness, after all. I have the responsibility to know things, especially when it is related to a dear friend of mine, even when we can rarely have the chance to encounter considering our status and daily lives.”

“I can hardly though that you would take your friendship with Queen Karina highly, particularly with how your eyes just always sparkle evil in those pitch-black eyes every time you blink,” the merman admits with a stutter. “Guess I was wrong about you.”

“Oh, please. My eyes are just one of the traits that a Noirmelns shares. The stronger one is, the darker the gaze is. Since I am the leader of the clan, indeed I have to show so much caliginousness. You yourself have the queen of the sea so close to you, so you must know how erecting her own powers must display, even when she is at her calmest state of mind. Now, let’s not waste another time and beheaded the Lotus rule-breakers.” I slump back underwater, hearing Uly gasping from behind before I hear the sound of his splashing tail, following my direction.

“You must know one thing, though; I do not have any intention of murdering them once we get our hands on them. Actually, I did not have any plans on ending their lives at all when I first thought of contacting you,” he rushes quickly as he tries to match my swimming speed.

I turn my sight to the side, staring at his face. “If you did not endure that torturous pain for so long just to look for me and get me to help you, then why were you holding yourself through all of those weeks even before showing your injuries to Karina? I have never seen anyone who could even tolerate such unignorable discomfort for such a long period of time.”

“Well, you see, I was attacked and left behind in such a horrible state. I even thought that I might have died back then. But considering my state, I could not even think very straight and decide which should be done first.”

“So.... You are saying that all those times you could have just gone back to Qiclan Underwater Castle even before you tried to contact me for help?”

“Yes, but I do not think my rushed decision to get to you first was wrong, though. Your presence has proven to help me in convincing the queen to launch this mission right away. Plus, your powers also healed me faster than any of the royal medics in the castle.”

“Consider yourself lucky then,” I tell him. “But now, let’s just focus on the matter at hand. One of us need to arrive at south, while the other must make a counter attack. The one who is most suitable to make an official visit to the south is you, I guess it is obvious now who is in charge in doing what.”

“What do I need to do?”

“Just do whatever you need to do there in the first place. Pretend that I am not involved in this. Keep your guard up, but please try to not appear so tense. I will take care of the rest.”

“Are you sure? These sea creatures are not ordinary beings. They were able to take me by surprise and injured me deeply. On the other hand, you are─”

“Now a sea creature as well,” I cut him in. “At least I appear to be, so there is nothing you have to be concerned about. After all, isn’t it the main reason why you asked for my help? You can even consider myself deathless.”

Uly gives me a hard look for a few minutes before he finally agrees to my plan. We go on our separate ways after that: him going to the south through the main path, while I circle from the back around the area before I finally get to the destination.

“By the way,” he says from behind, stopping me from swimming further away, “why were you not so surprised about my heritage?”

“Karina used to tell me a lot about the dearest cousin of hers when we were younger,” I answer him, causing him to stop. He seems to look stunned, but I do not have time to examine him any further as I turn back to where I am heading, whipping my black tail as quick as possible.

“Have you heard any news?” A man-like says to his partner. He has a body like an adult human, tall and sturdy, with hair of an octopus, his tentacles pointing at every direction possible.

“Nothing but to remain in position. The border said that the Qiclan spy is getting closer,” replies his partner, his large gills exposed in such an obvious manner as he talks.

From the frozen layers of snow above the water, I retreat to a safe hiding cube.

So these are the White Lotus members? I can not believe that they are the deadliest one in the sea when I can even sneak up behind two of their divisions. I have circled back to the back of the south area. Then, after finding a way to land without being noticed, I turn myself back to my normal witch form.

These rebels do not stand a chance when I walk soundlessly behind their backs. With a swift of my solidified shadow, it wraps itself around them, taking them by surprise and tying them upside down in less than five seconds. I can hear some curses coming from them, and they get louder when I step out of the darkness.

“Who are you?” the octopus-man spats.

“What do you want?” the man with gills hisses.

“Oh, I think it is very obvious who I am and what I want. So give it up, before I have to do this by force,” I say while staring at my nails, as if laying my eyes upon them is not worthy enough.

“What do you mean?” the second creature asks me.

Instantly, I turn my sharp gaze at him. “You want you play the hard way, it seems,” I state. It is a fact that I sum up from their playing-dumb act. That is okay, though. I do not mind. I can play, too. With a smirk, I challenge them back. “Let’s play a game, then.”

Peering into their minds are like facing up an upside down card with a flick of two fingers. I stare deep into their eyes as theirs too become darker with ink just like mine, until there are no pupils in them but blackness. Then I search through their minds at the same time, comparing things piece by piece to match up everything. I am just not hoping to come across a piece of information that is so obscure that it causes me to gasp physically. Then I retreat from their minds and let them go from my shadow bind.

Knowing exactly where the locations of the other members are, I creep behind their own shadows and use their own to wrap the shadows around their necks, cutting off their air circulation and knocking them all out. They all end up in the same way ─ kicking and cursing. I make sure that each one of them will not go anywhere the time I am finished with all of this.

Nothing is ever going to end, though. I still have my own brand new personal mission to be concerned. Even when I meet back with Uly, who already secures the citizens to safety while I handle the criminals.

“Did you get all of them?” He sees me walking from afar among the mountains of ice and snow, while he himself is snowing the creatures’ way into the sea. He swims to the end of the land before asking me that question.

“Perfectly as planned. No one was harmed, is there?”

“None. I have done the best of my part. Where are they?”

“Knocked out and ready to be taken back to prison. I can believe that your soldiers can do just fine if I throw them back into the sea, right?”

“Yes. Thank you again for helping us. We, the mermen, do not stand a chance against sea creatures that have developed into being able to survive on land. We are very grateful that you decided to give us a hand. We will take over from here.”

Behind Uly, I can see various creatures swimming up to the surface. They all look thankful to me; some with smiles while some are with stern looks. I flash them a small smile, before I have to excuse myself.

“We, the people of the South Atlantic, thank you, Queen of Darkness,” one of them, an elder, says to me.

I nod. Not just at him, but to all of them. Then I begin to draw a circle in midair, dark shadows following the tip of my finger, leaving trails all over the site. Once I complete the circle, I chant a spell and make out a portal. I jump right in and come back to Infernal Oceanfront, where Valline awaits me.

As much as we both love to spend other time together, away from the rest of the family conflicts and diplomatic matters, me and Valline have to go back to Noirmelns Castle at some point. Avin has came flying back to the island when I summon him, getting us on his back to be delivered to the castle, along with lots of extra baggage that we got from Infernal Oceanfront.

Having traveled a lot lately, I have been depending on Link and Artro too much to handle the tasks as the head of the clan. Of course my action to leave everything behind for them to take care of is rather irresponsible. Link has a whole building full of wizards of an organization that he has to worry about, while Artro must have his own personal life either. I can not keep on depending on them.

Just before I discuss things with them, I found out soon after my arrival that Grandfather and Trace have been back from their extended training lesson. They both look as healthy as they can be. Trace is still the same gigantic height that he got from his powers’ awakening. And now that he is back, my apprentice will have nothing else to do, which is why I call off a family meeting at the following evening.

Grandfather sits at my left, while Valline sits at my other side. My right-hands sit beside each of them, while the elder members of the family take place around the remaining chairs that circle the long, oval table. The room is closed for the meeting only, having voices easily echoes through the chamber when speaking. I myself am seated at the edge of the table, leading this meeting.

“Good evening, my wizards,” I greet them all, starting this gathering. “Today I call upon this meeting to announce a few decisions I have made. There will be a few changes I would like to make. They are not absolute ─ whoever wishes to change them may speak up. But I do hope that you will support my decision as well.”

“First, related to my right-hand men, Artro and Link.” They eyes look even more focused on me than ever when I mention their names. “The two of you were pointed by my grandfather, Barton Noirmelns,” I spare a look to Grandfather, who gives me a proud smile, “I have not given much thought about it, until recently. Link, you still have Sorcier to manage while handling all the tasks given to you. Artro, you have been spending years at colleges and universities, studying and teaching, and now ended up back here, the one place you left.”

All eyes are still on me. Some look curious at where this is heading, some look rather concerned, while others just look at me with masks.

“What I am concerned about right now is how less time they have for their own after accepting these jobs. Moreover, while I am away. Thus, I have decided to─”

“Are you firing us?”

That voice comes from Link. All eyes turn to him at his bluntness, while I only shake my head.

“No, I am not firing you guys. But, I would like the two of you,” I look at him and Artro, “to gain more help while doing your tasks. Each of you will receive one surrogate. Of course, the ones I‘m going to appoint will not be just anyone. They have to be wizards I trust and should be able to cooperate well.” I cross my legs underneath the table. “Trace, Raion,” the two of them looked surprised when I call out their names, “I would like the two of you to receive these jobs.”

Murmurs and chatters begin already once I say that. Grandfather wears the same masks that most elders are wearing right now. Some shows their disagreement through their facial expressions and bitter tones, but I continue anyway.

“I know that the two of you are still young, but you two must start somewhere, right? I trust you and I would like the two of you to start being active in this family. You may decline this offer or you may accept and do your best. I am sure that Link and Artro will teach you how to run things around here, as I will personally do my best to guide you two as well,” I explain, letting the words sink for a moment. “So, how about it? Will you accept?”

The voices get louder, pro and contra colliding into one in this closed room. I hold my hand up, silencing them all. All eyes eventually turn to the two warlocks in question. I can hear Trace begins to nod slightly from behind the chairs, followed by Raion soon after.

I smile at them satisfiedly.