Legacies : The First Witch’s Legacy

Chapter 15: Trial by Fire

The clash between Adam and the fiery herald was a spectacle of raw power. Flames licked at the sky as the creature's claws clashed against Adam's glowing blade. The ground cracked beneath their feet, molten rock bubbling to the surface with each strike.

Adam moved with precision, his calm exterior masking the strain of each blow. The herald was faster than it looked, each of its strikes imbued with a ferocity that tested Adam's limits.

The students watched in stunned silence, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of the battle. Hope's fists clenched, her magic buzzing under her skin. Every instinct screamed at her to help, but Adam's earlier words held her back—for now.

"What is that thing?" Josie asked, her voice barely audible.

"It's not just a demon," Alaric replied, gripping his crossbow tightly. "That's something far older. A herald like that doesn't come unless it's tied to something bigger."

Lizzie frowned. "Bigger? As in what, apocalyptic doom? Because we've kind of already done that."

Before Alaric could respond, the herald unleashed a wave of fire, forcing Adam to leap back. The flames surged toward the barrier, but the school's wards held strong, shimmering as they absorbed the impact.

"Impressive," the herald growled, its voice like molten metal. "But unlocking one ring doesn't make you whole, Adam. You're still fractured—still weak."

Adam's eyes narrowed. "Weak enough to cut you down."

With a flick of his wrist, the first ring glowed brightly, its power coursing through him. The sword in his hand extended, its blade now gleaming with ethereal light. Adam lunged forward, the air around him rippling as he struck.

The blow connected, carving a deep wound into the herald's chest. The creature roared in pain, its flames sputtering as black smoke poured from the gash.

Hope couldn't stand by any longer.

"That's it. I'm going in," she said, stepping forward.

"Hope, wait!" Alaric called, but she was already channeling her magic.

The barrier parted for her, just as it had for Adam. She stepped onto the scorched battlefield, her tribrid power flaring as she summoned a vortex of water to counter the herald's flames.

"Thought I told you to stay back," Adam said, his tone more amused than annoyed.

"And miss all the fun?" Hope shot back, her eyes glinting.

Together, they attacked in unison. Adam's blade moved like a living thing, slashing through the herald's defenses, while Hope's magic countered its fiery onslaught. The two of them were a force of nature, their movements synchronized despite having never fought together before.

The herald, though wounded, wasn't done yet. With a guttural roar, it slammed its fists into the ground, creating a shockwave of molten fire. Hope threw up a shield just in time, the barrier protecting them both from the inferno.

"Nice timing," Adam said, giving her a rare nod of approval.

"Don't get used to it," Hope replied, her focus unwavering.

Inside the school, Alaric and the twins worked to bolster the wards.

"Dad, those two are out there fighting a fire demon thing, and we're stuck here doing spell maintenance?" Lizzie complained, though she followed her father's instructions.

"The wards are the only thing keeping the rest of us safe," Alaric said sharply. "If they fall, we're all in trouble."

Josie nodded, her hands glowing as she channeled her magic into the protective runes. "Let's just hope they can handle whatever that thing is."

The battle raged on, the herald growing more desperate with each passing moment. Adam could feel the strain of the fight, the power from the first ring pushing him further than he thought possible.

"You can't win," the herald spat, its fiery form flickering. "This is only the beginning. The second key will bring ruin to your precious school."

"Then I guess I'll deal with that when it comes," Adam said, his voice cold.

With one final strike, he drove his blade into the herald's core. The creature let out a deafening roar as its flames extinguished, its body collapsing into a pile of smoldering ash.

The silence that followed was deafening. Adam and Hope stood in the aftermath, their breaths heavy.

"You okay?" Hope asked, brushing soot from her face.

Adam nodded, sheathing his sword. "For now."

As they returned to the school, the students erupted into cheers, though Adam barely acknowledged them. He walked straight to Alaric, his expression grim.

"That wasn't just a random attack," Adam said. "It was a message."

Alaric frowned. "From who?"

"Whoever created these keys," Adam replied. "And if what the herald said is true, the second key is already in play."

Hope stepped forward, determination in her eyes. "Then we need to find it before they do."

Adam glanced at her, the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips. "Guess we're in this together now."

Later that night, Adam stood alone in the forest once more, the first ring glowing faintly. The battle had unlocked another fragment of his memories, but they were still incomplete—still fractured.

He closed his eyes, his grandmother's voice echoing in his mind.

"The keys will test you, Adam. They will test your strength, your resolve, and your heart. Only by unlocking them all will you find the truth—and the power to bring me back."

Adam's jaw tightened. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the fight was far from over.