Ewan Decimus Squallbreak

I drank from the pint Riona had placed in front of me, tasting the malts and hops along with the alcohol. The strange song of the supernatural souls resonated on the air, I could feel them tugging at my soul. I had decided to practice some manifestation whilst Riona was at the bar: it had been easy to summon sparks of electricity across my palm. Too easy: The air was saturated with Magi particles: Mana, Zeon whatever you wish to call it, the air was full of it in this smog. I removed my watch from its pocket before glancing at the timetable situated on the wall in the next cubicle from us. Two minutes to the next train. I looked back at Riona.

“What are you up to Mr. Squallbreak?” she asked with an annoyed expression on her face.

I smiled back. “Please, call me Ewan. I was just checking something. I believe; in two minutes, we may be in a bit of trouble. How well are you in destroying monsters?”

“I do have some magical training as expected. As for combat magic, it is not something I really studied beyond manifesting the odd ball of flame to scare off any attackers. Why?”

I glanced back at my watch; the time had passed quite quickly.

“Ninety seconds.”

The sound of the carriages below the pub began to creak and clatter as the train left the station. I glanced at Riona who had her gaze towards a figure now standing at the edge of our table. I looked up as a sword was pressed lightly on my throat. The young gentleman wore the blue uniform of HRH’s Kurt ‘Flameheart’ Ölston’s police force. He held a pistol at Riona’s head.

“Ms Skyblaze I do believe you were followed.” I glanced back at my watch, “eighty seconds.”

The officer scowled at me “I am placing the two of you under arrest in connection with the disappearance of the passengers and crew on the Queen Sufeilia. And would you please stop counting down?”

I moved the watch towards the officer, grabbing my pint with my other hand. “Seventy seconds left. You would not begrudge me finishing my pint would you? My throat is parched in this smog.”

He nodded as I reached for my pint. I lifted the half empty glass smoothly to my mouth, looking at the watch. “Approximately sixty seconds and counting.”

The officer turned to Riona “what’s wrong with him? Why is he counting?”

The girl shook her head. Around us the other customers began whispering amongst themselves.

I really am glad I spent more for the second hand, “fifty seconds.”

The train was picking up speed, four blasts a minute from the funnel, of which three were likely to fill the room. I drained the glass quickly in front of the officer. The first wave of smoke hit as the hand moved to the next ten, “forty.”

“What are you counting for? What is going to happen with the train?”

I signalled for Riona to stand before turning to the policeman. “Nothing will happen with the train. Absolutely: nothing. Now were you to ask what would happen to this bar then it would cause unnecessary panic, possibly leading to several more deaths and injuries as would be expected from what is about to happen. Just don’t go outside for a while. Step away from us and keep calm, they are attracted to fear, especially in the presence of supernatural beings and wych born.” I tried to keep track of the time remaining as another blast pillowed through the open windows. “Twenty-five seconds.”

“So what if you’re some freaks. That has no bearing on what will happen. You are both coming with me!” He growled in anger at the two of us.

The third blast ploughed through the window, coalescing together.

“You aren’t from Hull are you?” I asked calmly

“What has that got to do with it?” his voice full of fear as he noticed the shape forming out of the mist.

I glanced at Riona, her face contorted in pain. She slowly staggered forwards, her hand placed over the mark on her head. She collapsed to her knees, releasing a scream. The thing noticed her and began pummelling towards us, a fleshless being of fire and soot, searching for a suitable host. The songs on the air were now as beautiful and alluring as ever: but I knew they would never play for me, my own mark made sure of that.

“Remember the stories of monsters living in woods, or the sea, none of the mystic races but real monsters of death and hellfire. This is a manifestation of one.” I explained to the officer, averting my gaze slightly. He didn’t listen.

“The voices. Who is it singing? The voice is of such beauty. I must see you! Come! Oh you must have been sent by the gods such is your beauty.” The face of the man stared in fascination into the advancing cloud of pure magical power, a being of energy than form.

Riona stood slowly, the pain subsiding as we watched the mass collide with the police officer and envelop him in darkness. The rest of the customers peeked cautiously out from under their tables, wondering what was happening in the stand off. A scream reverberated around the room as it forced its way into his body, making a home for its existence. I watched as Riona lifted her arm, whispering into the mist.

‘Not yet.’ I thought as flame erupted into her palm.

It was then that the bells rang out across the town and all portals were closed with a continual banging sound. Twenty seconds too late.

Riona Victoria Skyblaze

The searing pain drove through my head like the claws of a raven, ripping my mind apart with unbearable heat. I felt my legs give way as I collapsed to the floor, my head in my hands. I looked up at the police officer as the pain changed its form, the other marks slowly flaring up one after the other. The mist exploded around the man, slowly engulfing him in energy. All sound faded from my ears, all I could tell was what was in front of me. I felt my breath and pulled the feeling of my own essence from my chest. I inhaled slowly, moving the essence to my arm; drawing in more energy from the surrounding air, as the poor man’s body became distorted by magic, the true shape of the being began forcing its way out of his flesh into a physical form. He turned towards me, the fear in his eyes. I spoke two runes, my essence ignited into flame.

Then my hearing decided to return, just as the man gave out an ear-splitting scream which echoed around the large room. I cringed unable to shield my ears. The being stood before us: his body showed armour plating bulging against the uniform. His face was covered in a metallic mask, which moved slightly into a smile. The alarm went, echoes resounding around the entire railway quarter. He glanced at me before turning to Ewan, his eyes burning like coals. Ewan looked at me and shook his head, before turning towards the being.

“So come on. Who is it that sent you?”

“Chiyara requests your soul, Squallbreak!” It growled, motioning at Ewan

“I bet she does.” He sighed in reply, removing something from his jacket pocket and hiding it behind his back.

I watched the two facing each other. The being which had apparited before us was surrounded by a dense oppressive aura. I watched this stand-off patiently, seeing which would make the first move. Ewan rose slowly from his chair, eying the demon carefully. It suddenly tried to lunge forwards towards him; across the table. Ewan sidestepped it, bringing his hidden hand round and into the possessed policeman’s head. The officer was flung back almost as if he had been hit by something of inhuman strength, landing on the bar in the centre of the pub. He twitched, trying to rise, but it seemed as if he was restrained by invisible ropes. Squallbreak approached him, chanting something in a language that I do not recognise. Slowly, the form of the demon dissipated from the policeman’s body, leaving him with a tattered uniform. I slowly stood, following Ewan to where the man was slumped. There seemed to be a small piece of paper attached to the man’s head, right where Ewan had hit him. It glowed as he continued the chanting, a watermarked pattern, initially hidden from view appeared on its surface.

The chanting stopped as the mark completed itself, turning a deep red colour.

“Is it gone now?” I ventured, not familiar with the type of magic used.

“Nowhere near gone lass: I have only put it to sleep. The gentleman himself should be fine, as long as he does not invite the being out of its hiding place.” He replied with a sigh.

“Meaning?” I ventured cautiously

“Meaning that at some point in the next year or so, this poor chap will hear a sweet honeyed voice in his ear promising power beyond his wildest dreams. After that, it is more than likely that we will have a very angry demon trying to kill us; if not then he is likely to require further magical seals, something he will need to find out. Everything about him now is out of our hands.”

I glanced around the room, becoming aware of all the occupants staring at us.

Ewan rose slowly followed my gaze and sighed, “guess I’ve lost another office again.”

We left quickly and quietly from the pub. The police would have to deal with their now unconscious officer, it was as Ewan had said- it was out of our hands now.