Part 2: Two Magics, One Coin

This one's a bit dark... just fair warning!

High above, a crescent moon hung with stars shining around it. And bellow, in the midst of a large darkening forest was an old palace, once home to great kings from ancient days. Now it was home and refuge to those who wish to remain in the darkness.

In the highest of the towers was a room only fit for such dark arts. A desk made of ebony wood, with matching shelves behind it framing large windows that stepped out to a balcony. 

On the desk were candles that were held in place by their own wax, and a clear crystal ball with an open book by it. On the shelves were many old books, and even a skull or two. But there were mostly bottles, all carefully labeled. 

Out on the balcony was a woman, with hair as black as the night around her and skin as pale as the moon above. Her vivid green eyes looked bellow at the stables where she could see large dark shapes of shadow dragons resting, There was one stall made of white marble, though… that was her stall… for what would have been her prized possession. The hatchling of Queen Allure. Around her neck was a quartz crystal, bare of any rune… because her would-have-been best Slayer…. failed. 

She felt a fire blaze behind her eyes as she remembered the night her Slayers reported the betrayal of Umbris. She glared at the messenger and had sent for Hallow Phantom. She would deal with him herself. 

In fact… there he was… she looked up as a shadow crossed the moon, showing that a new shadow Dragon was landing. She watched the dragon before returning to her study. It had been a month since she had received news of the betrayal, and now the hatchling was sure to be hatched, wherever it was now.

As she walked down to the throne room, where her coven and the Druids coven met, she thought of her long climb from simply Esmeralda the Black, to become Esmeralda the Dark Queen of the Slayers. It was through her studies and power that she gained this respect, and nothing was going to take it from her. 

She was soon joined by her sisters, all wearing twilight gray while she wore midnight black. She smiled at her sisters, knowing how they’d follow her to the edge of reality itself. 

In the throne room, she quietly sat on the throne while her sisters sat on the stairs and watched as two Slayers approached. One younger than the other. The younger was a newer recruit judging by his age. A young man with dark hair and a stubble beard. The other was Hollow Phantom. He removed his hood to show a man who could have been mistaken as a strong druid, with his hair buzz clipped on the sides and tightly trimmed on the top. 

The two Slayers knelt before the witches as a show of respect, which eased Esmeralda’s anger only slightly. “Hollow Phantom.” She said. “I’m sorry to hear of the betrayal of your dragon. And here I thought you had claimed he was well trained.”

“He was my Lady,” Hollow answered. “But we do know where he crashed.”

This made Esmeralda straiten. “And this was not reported to me why?” She asked.

“Because we weren’t sure if the egg survived the fall,” Hollow answered. “And Umbris is guarded by an alpha earth dragon. We wanted to see if the egg lived and take Umbris back if given the chance to bring the hatchling to you.”

“I see that this plan had failed,” Esmeralda said, her irritation controlled, but could be heard in her voice. 

“No my lady,” Hollow said. “The Egg Survived and is being cared for by a boy and a girl… farmers. We can take the hatchling at any time.”

“And why haven’t you?” Esmeralda asked. 

“The girl,” Hollow answered. “She has potential. She seems to know when we get close and we’re unable to invade. And with the Alpha Earth Dragon, we have no opening to attack.”

Esmeralda sighed and leaned back against the throne. She tapped her finger against the stone, making an echoing Tack…tack…tack…tack.. fill the room.

“Then perhaps it's time I interviewed.” She said. “Return to the farm. Strike when the moon is full. Bring Umbris and the hatchling… and the children to me alive. Umbris will pay for his betrayal. The Hatchling can still serve its purpose…” She smiled, her white teeth looking almost like the fangs of a serpent. “But those children could be useful.”

“Yes, My Lady,” Hollow said, standing to leave.

“I did not excuse you,” Esmeralda said as she stood and strode over to Hollow with long purposeful steps until she was very close to him. She looked him in the eyes like a snake would watching a bird, and he froze like a bird in her gaze. She gently faced a claw-like nail over an ear, faced over his jaw and down to his heart. “You disappointed me… when you let your dragon betray you… and steal my egg…”

Hollow looked back into her eyes, unable to look away, but felt the muscles in his arms quiver with unease. “Forgive me…” He asked, his voice almost begging.

His companion had never heard Hollow beg before, and he wondered how powerful this witch was to make the best of the Slayers quiver in their boots.

“I’ve had a month to think about it…” She said. “And since you are my best Slayer… you have one chance to redeem yourself… But at a cost…” She suddenly pressed something against his chest, almost driving it into his heart. He groaned in pain as he felt something being wrenched away from him. It was blindingly painful, but he still couldn’t look away from Esmeralda. 

When she pulled her hand away, she held a crystal up to his face, showing it had bits of drying blood on it, but a rune was etched inside it. He was finally able to look away and he knelt again, looking down at his chest where she had scratched the same rune over his heart, deep enough where blood trickled out. 

“Next time you fail me,” Esmeralda said, still holding up the crystal. “I will know… and I will crush this… understood Hollow?” 

Hollow looked up at her before bowing his head again. “Y.. yes, my lady…”

“Good,” Esmeralda said. “Now get out of my sight.”

She turned away from his and faced her sister, all standing as she turned to them. “Call the Druids. We have work to do.”

Author's Note

I know this one was a bit dark! I'm sorry! But I would think Esmeralda being a dark witch would handle things that way. Anyway, let me know what you guys think!