We made it back to town just as the sun's last rays gave way to the night. Lucah didn't say much on the way back, and he kept a blank expression on his face the entire time. Not knowing what to say myself, we walked silently until we saw Hester waiting for us. He was easy to spot in the midst of civilians walking through the streets. He was tall with a powerful build that intimidated most people as they walked around him like there was some force between them. He donned a dark, emerald green robe that extended down to his ankles and had on a simple black tunic and pants. His blonde hair and beard were peppered with gray, showing his true age in an otherwise youthful appearance. He had a perpetual stern look on his face, carved probably from all the terrifying things he had witnessed throughout his life.
Hester was the Supreme Sorcerer of the land of Sarya, which held the towns of Elmire, Corian, and Fleming. He was part of a league uniting sorcerers and mages across Sarya and the other lands, Kinal and Zura, that swore to protect civilizations against paranormal threats and creatures. He was one of the original few with an innate talent in manifesting akri, and he had been a part of several revolutionary battles in a war against lycans, vampires, and ogres that gave people the freedom and protection they had today. He now spent most of his days in Elmire - which had come to be known as the hub for sorcery in Sarya - where he taught and guided students to become mages and sorcerers like himself.
"I see you were successful in conducting the spell," Hester said in a business-like manner as we approached. His arms were crossed over his broad chest as he towered over me. "Albeit, rather slowly." He shot an impatient look at me.
I opened my mouth in protest when Lucah chimed in first.
"Actually, that's because of me Hester. I apologize, I took a bit long in channeling enough energy to do the spell."
Hester turned his gaze to Lucah in surprise. "You did it all by yourself?"
Lucah nodded and said, "I'm actually quite offended by how surprised you are by that." I bit my lip, stifling a laugh. Hester narrowed his eyes, glaring back and forth from me to Lucah.
"Naveah, you were sent to help and do it together. What if the barrier is not entirely secure?" Hester demanded.
"Please Hester, have some faith in Lucah. If it was poorly constructed, you would have already known and torn us apart." I stated, struggling to stay serious with Lucah's silent outrage beside me. Hester paused and sighed, knowing that what I had said was true. He walked up to Lucah and tousled his head.
"Forgive me, Lucah. You did well." He said, giving a reserved smile before turning serious again. "But we must be especially careful at this time. It appears the undead are looking to cause trouble once more."
With worried frowns, Lucah and I stared at Hester and waited for him to explain.
"We have had a few of our students disappear while traveling. It appears that there have also been more sightings of vampires throughout all of the lands. At first, it seemed to be just a few stragglers, but given the disappearances, we suspect that the creatures are planning something larger."
"What do you mean?" I asked pensively.
"The vampires may be taking victims and trying to gather intel. We think they are attempting to find towns such as Elmire where there are high numbers of mages capable of using akri. As you know, weaponizing akri has been the only thing proven to be successful in eradicating a vampire."
"So they want to try and destroy us before we destroy them." Lucah stated matter of factly. Hester nodded.
"Before, the vampires were too afraid to even try to test our magic against them… but they already infiltrated the town of Gehna in Kinal a few days ago. The trespassers were quickly dealt with, but it's concerning that they were able to break through in the first place..." Hester frowned.
Lucah looked up and around us anxiously, as if he was second-guessing whether the barrier around Elmire was still intact.
"I will be leaving Elmire to attend a meeting with the other Supremes in Zura," Hester continued. "In the meantime, I have already instructed Kaylani, Philip, and several other mages here to construct weapons in the event that we need them. I would like you two to do the same, and keep an eye on the younger students in my place."
Lucah and I bowed our heads. "Understood."
We bid Hester farewell and began walking down the road. The streets were now quiet as people retreated into their homes for the night. The air grew cold and sent chills as we were only wearing thin clothes and robes. I concentrated akri into the palms of my hands and manifested it into a flame. Cupping my hands, I centered it between me and Lucah as warmth radiated outwards. Lucah seemed to be entranced at the small blaze that flared purple in my hands.
"I still don't understand how it comes so easily to you. You sure you're not a direct descendant of Jebiah?" He mumbled enviously. I chuckled and shook my head.
To be honest, I didn't quite understand my ease with using akri either. Oftentimes we would see that the ability to manifest akri ran in families. However, no one in my family was able to use it nor manifest it. The way I found out I could use it was when I was 12 years old and I instinctively healed a cut on my sister's knee to stop her from crying in pain. At the time, my parents had immediately contacted Kaylani, one of the seasoned mages in Elmire, who whisked me away into a life of sorcery and branded Jebiah's Crest on my forehead.
It is also said that the color and appearance of one's akri can be unique to the user as it is an embodiment of one's energy and essence. Hester's and Lucah's akri were the color of gold, and I had seen others with various colors; but I had yet to come across another person whose akri matched mine.
My pondering came to an abrupt halt when Lucah's hand flashed out and stopped me from walking forward. I glanced up at him in confusion and was alarmed by the expression on his face. Lucah's eyes were wide with apprehension as they flitted in all directions looking for some source of danger. I began looking around myself as a feeling of dread arose within me. Something was watching us.
"Do you sense that?" Lucah said in a low voice. His body was tensed as if he was ready to spring at anything that came at us. I nodded, and I already knew we had the same fear on our minds.
Vampire.