Prologue: Return To Face The Shadows
~KAITO~
"Then let me ask you this, Kaito. What do you fear the most?"
The question of the year, one that lingered in my mind and haunted me throughout the days of immense training. My trial was here and now, hours before I'd return to the heart of Witchling Academy and face the challenges that were left behind - face the people I cherished once and for all.
Today was the last day for mistakes.
As I stared at Master ZenSu, I stretched out my fingers while my hands continued to remain at my sides. He stared at me with zero emotion as the world around us was at the peak of darkness.
It was still early in the morning, the weather chilled as the cold breeze passed us. No stars twinkled in the sky, and there was no hint of sunrise.
This was the moment I'd been waiting for, and Master ZenSu knew I'd find the answer I needed. When he looked into my eyes this time, they twinkled with understanding as he slowly nodded and lifted his hand up to summon a sword that morphed to life from the spiraling rush of wind.
The blade was decorated with various magic incantations, and they went from a brilliant red to a sheer black that oozed onto the blade until it was cloaked in darkness.
The tendrils of fear tried to creep in as the oozing darkness flowed down the sword like a summoned river and began to pool onto the very ground beneath his feet. He didn't display an ounce of fear as the black sheet of magic pooled at his feet that rested in wooden plank sandals, clinging to his toes and moving along his feet, ankles, and calves.
The magic began to spread, its sluggish movement only adding to the intense suspense of the situation as I prepared myself for this final test.
This moment was my last shot, and all I could do was make it count, for the sake of my wellbeing - for the sake of the relationships awaiting my return.
The darkness grew faster as it began to morph into a dome around us, leaving me to prepare for the inevitable as it began to crawl along my body from my bare feet to my legs and onward.
My eyes took a glimpse at Master, and he was still holding the sword in its place, but his whole body was covered by the darkness. It was only a matter of time until mine was too, but I couldn't afford to lose my grasp on my objective.
“You're allowed to fail once, but the second time will lead you down a path of sacrifice. Take the time to realize what you want or give up trying.”
As the black ink of magic swarmed my face, I was prepared for the inevitable - the frigid chill, the roaming feeling of approaching doom, the constant reminders of all my failures, and the strongest emotion of all: immense regret.
All around me was darkness, and it almost felt as though I'd become a piece of stone that would never leave its very spot. Thoughts of guilt swarmed me as I was haunted by images of Brianne.
Those images seemed to come to light as her holographic image began to approach me. For a brief moment, I forgot all about my task and just admired her beauty.
The heavens must have taken all seven days to create such a shining woman of grace and attraction. It was beyond words how our Brianne had grown into this work of art that brought so much light and elation into my heart.
I expected the sight of her was on purpose, but I'd appreciate every second of her image as she smiled brightly with those magnificent white teeth, gorgeous orange-gold locks, and eyes that twinkled with intensity.
The woman I've fallen hard for.
She continued to smile as she approached me, and when she stood before me, I almost got lost in the idea that she could be real. The flickering image of her was so detailed, and as she leaned upward, I couldn't help begin to close my eyes at the thought of kissing her.
For so long, I wished to kiss her wholeheartedly. To lay my lips upon her soft, tender surface and get lost in her addictive taste while her aroma reeled me further into her grace.
To get lost in all of her - to touch and feel her soft, perfect skin and to hear her moan my name. I wanted to make love to