THE LAST AKUBANI

Chapter 1: The Forgotten Ring

The box had been sitting in that storage house for four years. I figured it was time.

I yanked the gates open and stepped out into the open field, the cold air biting straight through my gown. I hugged myself against it and kept walking, eyes fixed ahead where the tree line began at the far end of the field.

My breath came out in small white clouds as I crossed the field, the wind whipping through my hair and against my stinging face. The forest ahead was overgrown, vines swallowing what used to be flowers and berries whole.

I clenched my jaw and pushed through anyway, ducking branches until the trees thinned and opened into a wide clearing on the other side.

Something heavy settled in my chest at the sight before me. To anyone else it would have looked like empty land but I knew better.

I reached out and pressed my palm against the invisible barrier that cloaked the area. It rippled under my palm like water, splintering into tiny glass-like shards that vanished before touching the ground.

When they all disappeared, the storage house came into view.

My lips twitched before I could stop them, a memory already creeping in before I smacked my cheeks hard, the burning sting pulling me back to the present.

The brick house was small like I remembered, tucked between two large trees. My brow creased when I spotted no cobwebs, or cracks in the walls.

Their magic must still be doing its thing. It was a shame I couldn't see or feel it.

I stepped over the small stone fence and walked over to the red door, which unlocked the moment I got close.

As I entered, the scent of citrus and sawdust enveloped me, reminding me of my high school library.

I stayed in the darkness for a few seconds until the overhead lights flickered to life. I blinked at the sudden brightness, taking in the familiar dark blue walls, and the high white ceilings.

Unending rows of magical equipment and boxes filled the space, but I didn't stop to look. I kept my eyes forward, my boots clicking against the floor as I headed straight for the shelves at the back.

The small wooden box sat at the bottom of the last shelf, exactly where I had left it. untouched.

My lips trembled. I crouched down and picked it up, already making a decision.

My parents had made it for my fifteenth birthday, right after my magic had given up on me. A magic enhancer, they called it, something meant to improve my powers. Back then, I’d been too stubborn to accept it, but I should have done this years ago while they were still alive.

I pressed my thumb onto the circle carved into the box. A golden light bled out from under my skin, glowing brighter until a sharp sting pricked my thumb.

My eyes narrowed. A tiny needle retracted back into the wood, taking my blood with it.

It seemed my parents had left out this part.

The box came open with a soft click. I held my breath as the lid fell back, the sound cutting through the silence.

I stared, dumbfounded at what sat inside.

A red stone ring.

My brows furrowed as I plucked it out from the case, setting the box aside. Why a ring out of all the things they could have made? I turned it over between my fingers to examine it more but there wasn’t anything interesting about it. No inscriptions, design or glow.

“Seriously.” I muttered, squinting at it.

It wasn’t what I expected. But then again, this was a gift from my parents and that alone made it special enough for me.

I closed my fingers around it and straightened up.

“I don’t know if you’re powerful enough to strengthen my magic,” I whispered, fingers tightening. “But I promise to keep you close no matter the outcome.”

I slid the ring on, expecting nothing to happen but I was gravely mistaken.

Everything went white as a bell chimed inside my head, turning my brain to mush. A scream tore out of me before I could stop it.

One second I was standing; the next, my skull was being pounded from the inside out. I tried gasping for air but it caught in my throat as thousands of needles assaulted my body. I thought the pain would stop there, until something cold settled behind my ribs. It spread, freezing everything it touched.

My legs weakened and my body crumpled to the floor with a dull thud. The ring burned against my skin like a brand, draining my energy until I couldn't lift my head.

My vision blurred, dark spots bleeding in from all around until I could barely see.

That was when it dawned on me. I was going to die. Right here right now. And the worst part wasn’t the pain. It was the fact that I hadn’t done a single thing yet. All those promises I made to my parents hadn’t been fulfilled yet. No accomplishments. Nothing.

I didn’t want it to end like this.

As I tried to fight it, it suddenly stopped.

Something warm rushed in to replace the coldness, moving through my bones, my blood…

I jolted up from the ground, gasping.

My hands shook as a strange wave of power surged through my veins, pressing outward. The pressure didn't hurt; instead, I felt weightless and full at the same time.

Thin threads of light wove through the air, threading into everything they touched.

My lips parted slightly at the mesmerizing sight. I couldn't believe it.

I laughed breathlessly. My magic was finally awake. I looked at my hands, then down at my feet.

By the Gods! The ring really worked.

I let out a long, shaky breath I'd been holding for years. For once, I didn't feel defenseless.

I touched the ring absently, wondering what I could have achieved if I'd worn it sooner.

Then, the hair on my arms stood up as my magic caught on a presence outside. Someone was out there, lurking in the forest.

My body moved before my brain could even process the fear. I stepped out of the storage house, bracing for the cold that would assault me but it never came.

Only warmth followed me.

The happiness was short lived as the reality of my situation settled in.

My gaze drifted towards the dark forest where the presence lingered. A prickling sensation ran down my spine as their gaze landed on me.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" I hollered into the night, forcing my voice to stay steady despite the unease creeping through me.

No one answered.

My fingers twitched at my sides. "I can feel you out there," I added, keeping my tone casual. I looked slightly to the left, acting as if I were still searching.

I knew this stranger wasn't here for a friendly visit. Nobody ever stumbled upon this place by accident because it was always hidden.

So what were they after?

I slowly raised my hand and called upon my magic. It answered instantly. Not resisting or slipping away like it always did. It felt so easy I almost wanted to laugh. All those years of reaching for nothing, and now I finally had it.

The air compressed around my palm as I spun, sending a sharp air s***h straight into the dark.

A shadow blurred to the side just as the s***h tore a clean path through the tree behind them.

My jaw clenched. They were fast.

Silence returned, and the only thing I could hear was my shaky breathing.

"What do you want?" I called out. "Just show yourself already!"

Just then, a brown haired boy stumbled out from the darkness, his green eyes wide.

“Sorry, I'm so sorry! I know I should have stayed back, but I just couldn't help it. “ He pointed behind him, his face twisting into disgust. “There was a bug. An actual flying bug. I kind of panicked."

My brows furrowed as his rambling trailed off. His eyes weren't on me anymore but fixed on something behind me. Gradually, his face tightened in fear.

The air suddenly pushed hard against my back making me stagger forward.

What the hell?

I spun around just as a cloaked figure stepped out from one of the large, withering trees.

Everything in me went still.

The figure c****d his head slowly to the side. "I knew I shouldn't have brought you along."

His accent was thick and familiar in a way I couldn't pin down.

My heart stuttered when his gaze found me. Even though his face was obscured, I caught a flash of red.

Just who the hell were these people?