As soon as they took the next step, everything went dark around them. There was no cemented pavement below their feet, no buildings around them, nor even the breeze that they felt as they were walking towards the gate.
Emy and Rue stood there silently. They kept still not because of fear but because they were waiting to defend themselves. They were after all trained how to handle these threats.
They were turned blind because of the darkness. But out of the darkness, coming in the direction in front of them they heard footsteps. It was the same sound of heels hitting a cemented floor. Because of the sound, they assumed that the one heading towards them is a human who is a woman, and their assumption was right. She was a meter away from them when she stopped. They saw the woman's dark red lips curl up giving them an unfriendly type of smile.
" Good day Heiress, how was your day in school?" the woman asked.
Knowing she was asking her, Emy ignored the woman's question and demandingly queried, "Who are you? What are you up to? Blocking us in this manner" Emy tried to ask many questions at once that she may read the enemy's thoughts as much as she can. But this ability of hers is not developed that much. It takes a lot of effort from her to read the thoughts as fast as she can, which is difficult at this situation as she is putting some of her focus to defend herself.
The woman chuckled and put her palms in her chest, "You need not know who I am, you, are after all one of the esteemed heirs of Taray."
Emy's brows knit together as she heard her continue, "I am here, as a servant, doing my master's bidding"
Rue becoming annoyed with the woman's confidence shouted, "Who is your master?! And?! Your master's task for you is what?! Eliminate one of Taray's heirs?!"
"It would be naïve of me to confess my master's name. However, I am glad I do not have to explain the details to you as you know what I am about to do" The woman replied and smiled menacingly.
The malicious intent bore fruit as they heard rough, fluttering sounds headed towards them. Swarm of locusts flew through them and the wings of the insects dulled their hearing, and the swarm stung their skins. Feeling their skin being pierced, Rue and Emy knelt from the pain. But Emy who was protecting her head peeked to see the woman standing still in front of them. From black eyes, the woman's eyes turned green.
Emy clicked her tongue and confirmed her hunch about the woman ' a member of the clan' . Standing up from kneeling, her pupils shifted its colors as well. From her deep black eyes her eyes turned green as well, but hers were brighter green than the woman's.
As if the locusts saw Emy's eyes, the insects cleared themselves from what is now emanating from Emy. The moment the woman saw Emy's, eyes a chill went up to her spine.
Emy smiled as she heard the woman's thought 'Truly, a pure blood'
She remembered what her Grandfather told her when she was receiving her training, 'The brighter the color of the eyes the powerful the owner of the eyes is.'
By this time Emy knows that the woman realized that she had the lower hand of this battle. But before she could start the offense, she heard Rue's call "Come Ta-ao"
Emy saw Rue's eyes turn green as well but not as bright as hers. In fact, her eyes have the same shade of green with the woman. As Rue's pupils shifted color, Emy saw a figure come out from Rue's feet. At first a circular ball of green light, then the circle became a small body of a four-legged animal and then it sprouted four legs, then the figure of a feline creature can be differentiated until golden brown fur appeared on all of its body. The feline stood magnificently with its height reaching Rue's waist and its eyes, which have the same shade of green as Rue, stared fiercely at the woman.
The woman was not surprised with what she saw. Her master once told her that the girl who will accompany her target has this feline creature as her Kowadja. Like her swarm of locust as her summoned beast, Rue has her own whom she named Ta-ao.
Kowadja in the old language of Emy's clan means 'Guard'. Not all clan members had the gift but to the person in each clan who had the gift has his unique Kowadja. For the Clan of Taray, the founder of Emy's clan, their gift are the Kowadja, who are beasts. The creatures' appearances vary from known species, to ancient beasts, or to mythical creatures.
Ta-ao belonged to an extinct species of wild cat that once roamed the old Kafagway, the ancient name of the region now known as Cordella. They were known to have more than the average height and weight of currently known wild cats. Ta-ao also has a pair of black ivory horns that curved along her head.
Ta-ao roared and the swarm of locusts immediately fell to the ground. A greenish translucent barrier engulfed Emy, Rue and Ta-ao. The woman waved her palms upward and some of the locusts revived and some came from other directions but she understood well that her creatures would not be able to fight as it is. She was panting already, her strength draining away from her. Whatever injury the Kowadja receives, the summoner will have the same as well. If the Kowadja dies in battle so does the summoner, and vice versa.
The woman tried her best to smile, unstartled by what she saw. She expected this. She knows that she would be able to fight on par with Rue and have a chance to win with the immature summoner. But if Emerald, the target, fought back as well then she would lose. Nonetheless, she came prepared. Taking deep breaths she stood and chanted, "I beseech thee thy aid, spirit that guards the dominion of my beast, an offspring of Suyan. Come and smite my enemy!"
While the incantation was coming out from the woman's mouth, Emy and Rue who heard the words 'spirit that guards' were surprised. Emy read Rue's thoughts that were same as hers. 'Necromancy'!
"Idiot!" Rue criticized "Do you know what you're doing?! That is forbidden!"
The woman laughed as if she had won. From the ground the locusts gathered until a creature was formed. Unlike Ta-ao who was standing with four legs, this one stood like a man. Only black translucent skin can be seen on its body. It had eyes and when it opened, it had green pupils as well, the same shade of green as the woman's.
The being screamed which deafen Emy, Rue and even Ta-ao. From its mouth flew iron shards that penetrated one by one on Ta-ao's barrier. Again, and again Rue and Ta-ao put up the barrier. Their protection is taking a toll on Rue's strength.
Seeing how dire the situation is, Emy stood her ground but Rue grabbed her hand before she could do anything.
'Can she control it?' Emy read Rue's thoughts
Emy sighed. She understood that she has not yet mastered to control her Kowadja and might even injure Rue and Ta-ao, but if this situation continues, the three of them will not just be injured but die in the hands of this woman.
Emy took the stance to summon her beast, but even before she could move her lips, a slash of light pierced the dark illusion.