Chapter 4 Dae
Dae
Tree bark pressed against my back, the uneven grooves digging into my skin as if they could be some sort of anchor.
My arms and legs were crossed lazily in front of me as I surveyed the scene.
A group had gathered at the Black Pool to watch another magically infused volunteer attempt to withdraw power from its hollow depths. To watch if he’d survive.
I stood back, far enough in the trees to not feel that sickly pull when the pool activated, like it was an angered bear disturbed from slumber.
There was no reflection on the glass-like obsidian surface.
It didn’t echo the life around it, no clouds or trees reflected as would be found on a normal body of water.
Because the Black Pool was far from normal.
Graycin hovered his bulky arm over the tar-like surface. In a lunging stance, he held steady as the water began to swirl. Tendrils of something reminiscent of shadows crawled out like vines, sniffing their way to the hand summoning it. They crept along his forearm, testing, maybe tasting.
A shiver ran down my spine.
The Eleven who’d successfully withdrawn power formed a line to the side, waiting to see if they’d have another join their ranks.
They marked themselves with kohl-lined eyes, something to distinguish themselves from the rest. Pointless if you asked me, since the blood that ran through their veins had become as dark as the Black Pool itself, as if its waters now lived within them.
No matter their skin shade, the dark veins were visible.
Graycin smirked when the tendrils of the Black Pool reached his chest, wrapping around him like armor. Others hadn’t even made it this far, but I knew not to put stock in that just yet. Graycin twisted to face the line of dark magic wielders, exclaiming, “I’m chosen!”
As if his words poked the beast, the tendrils constricted, drawing a cry of agony from his lips.
His knees hit the ground with a crack, gravity not the only force pulling him down.
The skin under the shadows charred, his cries echoing in the forest. Even the breeze held its breath, as if the very forest feared to become the next victim to this wretched entity.
The Black Pool snapped him into the water, under the surface in a split second.
Within a moment, the ripples stilled, like it was so thick it could hardly be disturbed.
It returned to its glittery, black, icy appearance.
The Eleven simply retreated back to camp, not a word of condolence or regret offered. Not shocking.
Muttering conversation started from some of the others who were still staring in shock. “He was so strong, though.”
“I heard he had four different types of magic fused to him. How could he have not been picked?”
Lifting off the tree, I strode back to camp, taking a wide berth from the pool of death, and leaving Graycin’s memory behind.
What a waste.