The door swung shut behind us, the click echoing with unnatural finality. We hadn't stepped into the alleyway behind the diner. Instead, I blinked against the sudden brightness, my eyes struggling to adjust.
Gone was the dusty back alley; in its place stretched a manicured quadrangle, bordered by imposing brick buildings that soared three stories high. Stained glass windows shimmered in the morning light, their intricate designs catching my eye. Dark steel roofs capped the structures, giving them a formidable air. A statue dominated the center of the quad—a kilted man with flowing hair, his grip firm on a massive two-handed sword held in a defensive stance. Students, seemingly oblivious to our sudden arrival, strolled across the paved walkways.
"Where are we?" I breathed, the question barely a whisper.
"This," Roland announced, a wide smile spreading across his face, "is Taurus University. The most exclusive college in North America."
"Okay, well how did we get here?" Elizabeth pressed, her voice tight with suspicion.
Roland's lips twitched with amusement. "Why, through the door, of course," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.
Elizabeth's irritation flared. "No, seriously. How did we really get here?"Ring ring. Roland pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen with a sigh. "Ah, speak of the devil. I'm afraid I'm late for another meeting. A student liaison will be along shortly to help you settle in. I'll check in with you both tonight." He gave a curt nod, then raised a hand, his fingers snapping with a sharp, almost unnatural crack. One moment he was there, the next, he vanished.
"What the hell was that?" I asked, turning to Elizabeth, my voice a strained whisper. My heart still pounded in my chest.
She stared at the empty space where Roland had been, her eyes wide and unfocused. "I… I don't know," she finally stammered, shaking her head as if trying to clear it. "I have no words."
I glanced around the quad, the imposing buildings suddenly feeling less grand and more like looming sentinels. The other students seemed oblivious, their conversations continuing as if nothing had happened. It was unsettling. I rubbed the back of my neck, a shiver running down my spine.
"Well, what do we do now?" I asked, turning back to Elizabeth for guidance.
She blinked, as if just remembering where she was. Her gaze swept over the campus, a flicker of unease in her eyes. "I guess… we wait," she said slowly. "Wandering around this place on our own… I don't think that's a good idea."
I exchanged a glance with Elizabeth. A few more minutes ticked by, the silence punctuated only by the distant sounds of campus life. Just as I was about to suggest a reconnaissance mission, a voice called out,
"Well, if it isn't the lost lambs. You wouldn't happen to be Lance and Elizabeth, would you?"
I turned to see a figure approaching. He was strikingly tall, easily six-foot-four, with lanky limbs and a mane of unruly curls atop closely shaved sides. He sported tight black pants, polished dress shoes, and a crisp dress shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms. In one hand, he held a brightly colored cocktail; in the other, a smoldering cigarette. He moved with a languid grace that belied his height.
Elizabeth stepped forward, her tone a touch sharper than necessary. "And who might you be?"
He took a leisurely sip from his cocktail, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Now, now," he drawled, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Such hostility. It's far too early for that. The name's Aaron. Your designated welcoming committee."
"Yeah, I'm Lance. This is Elizabeth. Sorry about the attitude," I said, rubbing the back of my head.
Elizabeth shot me a sharp look—don't apologize for me—the message clear.
Aaron arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Oh, a rough night, was it? Alone in a van, just the two of you… I can only imagine the horrors, darling," he said, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
I felt my cheeks flush. "That's not—I didn't mean it like that."
He held up a hand, pinky extended, a disarming grin spreading across his face. "I'm only teasing, petal. Though…" His smile faded slightly as he met Elizabeth's gaze, which had hardened with suspicion.
"How do you know about the van?" she asked, her voice tight.
Aaron took a leisurely sip from his cocktail, his eyes never leaving hers. "My dear Elizabeth, everyone on campus knows about your… distinctive mode of transportation. We were on standby, in case Mr. Griffin required assistance. One of our more… enthusiastic driving instructors brought it over."
He looked at me "Would you like to try a taste? one of my friends here makes immaculate drinks" he said holding out his glass to me.
"No thanks, I'm fine for now." Probably not the best idea to take drinks from people I just met on the other side of a magic portal.
He sighs "No fun, well anyway" he continued "your van will be here after the tour so let's get it over with, I have a party to prepare for." He said motioning us to follow.
I look at Elizabeth she nods in agreement we follow Aaron down the sidewalk until we reach a set of four massive 2 story brick buildings, Aaron stops and turns to us on his heel.
"These charming edifices," Aaron announced, gesturing to the buildings with a flourish, "are where you'll find most of your… mundane pursuits. Math, science, the usual soul-crushing requirements for a well-rounded education. With a few… exceptions, of course. We don't exactly offer basket weaving or interpretive dance. Though, I suppose," he mused, tapping his cigarette against his cocktail glass, "interpretive dance with demons might be an elective. Any questions, darlings?" He paused, as if expecting applause.
"So… we can actually get a degree here?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around everything. I'd never even heard of Taurus University before today.
Aaron exhaled a plume of smoke, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "Well, what did you think this was, petal? A summer camp for wayward travelers? Do try to keep up."
That answer definitely didn't inspire confidence. "Come on," I said, my voice rising in frustration. "This can't be a real school. Our teacher fights monsters and uses magic! I've never heard of a college like that." I needed answers, and I needed them now.
Aaron sighed, a plume of smoke escaping his lips. He glanced at me, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Taurus is… discreet, darling. One of many such institutions that cater to a… select clientele. We appear as small community colleges on paper, a rather clever bit of bureaucratic sleight of hand to avoid unwanted attention. How it's done? Well, that's above your pay grade, buttercup." He checked his watch, his expression growing impatient.
"Any other burning questions?" he asked, tapping his foot lightly.
"What else will we learn here?" Elizabeth finally spoke, her voice sharp and direct. "And how many other schools are there?"
Aaron's lips thinned. "All will be revealed at orientation, which, I might add, is two weeks from now. Now, if you'll excuse me…" He crossed his arms, his foot tapping a more insistent rhythm.
"Two weeks?" I protested. "We just graduated. We still have two months before regular school starts."
"Oh, my sweet summer child," Aaron said, turning on his heel and gesturing for us to follow. "This is a rather… different sort of institution."
He started walking towards the stairs.
"Keep up you two we still have a few more stops to make." He called over his shoulder.
After walking down, the sidewalk we passed the pool a restaurant that served pizza until 3AM a theater for drama club, a gym, they even had an arcade on campus Aaron said the dean was a huge nerd and could usually be found there. After a few more minutes we went around the corner.
My eyes went wide with amazement in front of me was a courtyard with a massive obelisk and three of the most amazing buildings id ever seen, the walls looked to be made of marble and the roofs Made of obsidian. The one on the left looked like the roof was in the shape of a dome with golden writing carved into it, I couldn't make out the words, The next building had a slanted roof, and its walls had gold carving all over it, they looked like they depicted a war, The last building looked like a sports arena the size of most college football arenas, only made out marble with the words projice tergum engraved on the entrance to the stadium.
"This is the library." Aaron said walking us over to the domed roofed building, "Its off limits right now since the school year hasn't started, but I can promise you will be in here at least twice a week researching for your classes, so enjoy it now because you will grow tired of it." He ended with a bored expression.
He turned and headed towards the central building. "This, darlings, is Breac Hall. Home to every professor's office, the Dean's lair, and a rather splendid banquet hall we use for… mandatory fun. You know, dances, awkward mixers, the usual collegiate torture." He waved us along impatiently. "Do try to keep up."
Finally, we reached the imposing arena.
"And this," Aaron announced with a flourish, his voice dripping with mock enthusiasm, "is the stadium. Or the coliseum, as some of the more dramatic among us prefer. This is where we engage in… mock battles. Inter-school rivalries, extracurricular mayhem, that sort of thing."
"Mock battles?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Indeed, petal. I did mention this wasn't your average institution, didn't I? We have a rather formidable battle team. Go, Highlanders!" he declared, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Though, I must warn you," he added, turning to me with a wink, "good looks will only get you so far around here."
I felt a blush creep up my neck.
"Highlanders, huh?" Elizabeth interjected, her voice laced with dry sarcasm. "How… inspired. Who came up with that name? I'm guessing the same genius who designed the school crest?"
Aaron's lips twitched into a smile. "Oh, you know the founder. He's the statue wearing the kilt, the one you were admiring earlier. Bit of a highland warrior enthusiast, apparently." He glanced at his watch
"Any other questions?" he asked impatiently.
"What exactly will we be learning here, and how many other places like this exist?" Elizabeth asked, her voice sharp and insistent.
"All of that is addressed in orientation, two weeks from now. Now, can we move on?" Aaron said, his foot tapping a sharp, insistent rhythm, arms crossed tightly.
"Two weeks? Seriously? We just graduated high school! We still have two months of summer before college starts," I argued, my voice laced with disbelief.
"Oh, my sweet summer children," Aaron sighed, gesturing for us to follow. "This is not your average institution.".
We hurried to keep pace as he rattled off descriptions of the buildings we passed: the cafeteria, the on-campus coffee shop (which, he assured us, served martinis before noon), and a few other shops. We then arrived at the dormitories. He pointed out our respective rooms—same floor, just a few rooms down from Elizabeth. We couldn't go inside yet.
"Why not?" I asked, my nerves still frayed from the previous night. A comfortable bed was high on my priority list.
Aaron's smile widened, a hint of something unsettling in his eyes. "Oh, the cleaners. They're rather… territorial. Known to eviscerate anyone who disrupts their meticulous work."
"Keep up, darlings," Aaron drawled, not bothering to turn around. "A few more highlights before we're done." He led us past a pool, a pizza place open until 3 AM, a theater, a gym, and—of all things—an arcade. "Dean's a bit of a nerd," he muttered, "you'll find him there."
"My, how time escapes us," Aaron drawled, a thin smile playing on his lips. "Your dorm Rooms. should be ready. Let's not dawdle." He ushered us down the sidewalk, his hands lightly pressing against our backs.
Back at the dorms, Elizabeth's van was parked in the front space, as if it had been waiting for us. We collected our bags, a sense of unease creeping in. Aaron waved a dramatic farewell, a flourish of his hand.
"Now your rooms will be on the top floor, I've got to go help my roommates set up for our little event tonight, I'll be back later to check in on you two try not to get into trouble" he said as he walked off.
We climbed the ten flights to our floor. The hallway stretched long, lined with at least twenty doors, including our own. Two common areas broke up the monotony, each a mini-rec room with couches, recliners, TVs, a pool table, and a dart board.
My room was at the end of the hall. I watched Elizabeth vanish into hers before stepping inside. The room was impossible. A full kitchen gleamed, a dining table sat ready for four, and the living room stretched out, a massive window framing the quad. Four doors, each leading to a fully furnished bedroom with its own bathroom. I chose one, the sheer size of the place still sinking in, and began to unpack.
The last shirt folded, I left my room, intending to find Elizabeth. But before I could reach her door, the low timbre of an unknown voice echoed down the hall.
"Mr. Neilson, I presume?"
A voice echoed down the hall. I turned to see a man in his fifties, his short, curly black hair flecked with gray, his beard neatly trimmed. He wore a sharp black suit, a crimson dress shirt, and a black tie.
Beside him stood a girl, my age, maybe a little younger. A black beanie hid most of her hair, but the ends, dyed a vibrant blue, peeked out. Dark makeup accentuated her features, and a small stud pierced her nose. She wore a leather biker jacket, a black band tee, black jeans, and heavy biker boots.
"Yes," I managed, my voice tight. I took a step back, then another, edging towards Elizabeth's door.
"No need to worry," the old man said, his smile warm and reassuring. "I'm Dean Evandar. And this is Ms. Burns, another student who arrived a bit earlier than we'd anticipated, just like yourself." He gave Ms. Burns a gentle, understanding nod.
"Alexandria, why don't you say hello?" He gestured gently for her to step forward.
"It's Lexia," she corrected, her voice sharp, a mocking smile twisting her lips.
"Right, Lexia," he said, his hands raised defensively. A flicker of genuine fear crossed his face.
Alerted by the raised voices, Elizabeth appeared in an instant. A heavy steel beam, clearly torn from her bed, was held defensively before her as she stepped between me and the others.
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded, her gaze shifting to me. "You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I mumbled, glancing at the Dean. "Elizabeth, this is Dean Evandar."
Her face flushed crimson. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" she blurted, frantically trying to conceal the steel beam behind her back.
I couldn't fault her. After last night, I was on edge too. But where did she get the strength to rip apart her bedframe?
"No harm done, Ms. Marandi," he said, his hands still raised in an almost comical gesture of surrender. His smile, though, was starting to look strained. "Honestly," he grumbled, barely audible, "this year's lot will be the death of me."
Lexia's eyes lit up as she looked at Elizabeth. "I like you," she said, a playful grin spreading across her face. "You look like you know how to have fun, Red." She offered her hand. "I'm Lexia."
Elizabeth's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. "Uh—thanks," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly, and shook Lexia's. "My… my name's Elizabeth."
Lexia glanced at me, her expression flat. "You heard my name," she said, her voice laced with boredom. "No need for repeats."
"Yeah, no worries. I'm Lance," I said, offering my hand. After a beat, she reluctantly shook it.
An awkward silence settled, and a thought struck me: the Dean might know about why im having these dreams. But before I could speak, he did.
He launched into a smooth speech, apologizing for the unexpected turn of events and promising a Q&A breakfast. He raised his hand, fingers poised to snap.
"Dean Evandar, hold on," I said, my voice rising slightly. "I have something I need to discuss with you." I moved closer, cutting him off.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Neilson, your request will have to wait," he said, his voice polite but firm. "I have a pressing engagement." He snapped his fingers, and he was gone.
"Guess I'm out of luck," I sighed.
A few seconds later, Lexia slung her bag over her shoulder and headed towards Elizabeth's room.
"Which rooms are yours?" she asked, turning back to us from down the hall.
"That one," I said, pointing to the door a few feet down the hall on the right.
"The one you're standing in front of," Elizabeth called back.
Lexia grinned, a cocky edge to her smile. "Lucky me," she said. "This place might not be so bad after all." She winked at Elizabeth and disappeared into the room.
Elizabeth's blush deepened, her cheeks turning a vibrant crimson.
"Someone's blushing," I teased. "You good?"
"Yeah, she's just… different," Elizabeth mumbled, still clearly flustered by Lexia's attention.
"Yeah, something alright," I agreed, though terrifying felt more accurate. I glanced at the dart board down the hall.
"Darts?" I suggested gesturing down the hall. "Let's play a round."
"Race you!" she shouted, and she was gone. I tried to keep up, but it was pointless. She was at the board, darts in hand, before I'd even covered half the distance. It was like she'd teleported.
We played a few rounds of darts, then settled in to watch some cheesy shark movie. Not long after, Lexia strolled out of their dorm made her way down the hall to join us.
"Sorry, didn't mean to crash your date," Lexia said, settling into a recliner.
"Oh, no, we're not—he's not—" Elizabeth stammered, her words a jumbled mess. I'd never seen her so tongue-tied.
"To be clear, we're not dating," I said, making sure there was no misunderstanding. "Just friends, always have been."
Lexia let out a soft sigh, as if she'd been holding her breath. She turned to Elizabeth, a friendly smile on her face. "Seriously, those dorm rooms are insane. How are they so huge, but the doors in the hall are practically on top of each other?"
I stopped, staring at the doors. How had I missed that? These weren't dorms. They were practically apartments. A full kitchen, living room, four baths? There is no way all of these doors could lead to rooms of that size. The silence was thick, and then Lexia spoke.
"So, how'd you two end up here?" she asked.
We told her about our summer plans: a cross-country road trip, the unexpected encounter with ghouls in a small town, and our desperate escape. Then, in the next town, a place of safety, we met Mr. Griffon. He was calm, reassuring, and offered to help us understand what we'd seen. Lexia listened intently, her eyes fixed on us.
"What about you?" I asked. "How'd you end up here?"
The color drained from her face. She looked away, her voice a low grumble. "I was on the run for murder."
We looked at each other, a creeping dread settling in. This was a classic horror setup: a confession to murder, a vast, empty building, and no one else around.
She saw our expressions and quickly said, "It's not what you think." She paused, took a breath, and continued.
"This guy showed up in my town," she said, her voice low. "Just a regular middle-aged office worker, but he gave me serious weird vibes. I avoided him, but he started following me. Then, one night, he cornered me on my way home."
She looked like she was about to be sick.
"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked, her voice soft. "You don't have to tell us if it's too much." She reached out, gently placing a hand on Lexia's arm.
Lexia nodded, her face still pale. "He said something about a sacrifice, to bring something forth. Then, he… transformed. His eyes went black, his teeth became fangs, his skin turned a sickly grey. He lunged. I barely escaped with a few cuts. somehow I managed to stab him with my knife and killed him."
She shifted her jacket, revealing a knife tucked into an inner pocket. I flinched. She ignored me, letting her jacket fall back.
"Anyway, he went back to looking like a normal person when he died. Someone heard the fight, and I knew I'd look guilty, so I ran. I ran for Three days avoiding cops, then Dean Evandar found me and told me he knew i wasn't guilty, and offered to bring me here."
Elizabeth's eyes filled with sympathy, but before she could offer comfort, the stairwell door crashed open.
We all jumped, heads spinning, trying to see what was coming through. I sighed in relief when Aaron walked in. Behind him was a woman with dark blue skin, pointed ears, and eyes like rubies. She wore a baseball cap, a green "Highlanders" sweater, and black leggings.
"Fear not, your savior has arrived," Aaron declared, spreading his arms wide, as if to quell the cheers of an invisible audience.
We exchanged confused glances. Then, I blurted out to the woman, "Are you an elf?" I immediately wanted to take it back. Elves aren't real, I thought.
She smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. "Aaron, I thought you said he was just pretty. He seems plenty sharp to me." She extended her hand. "Nox Flos, and I'm a Night elf."
My jaw dropped. "Elves are real?" I yelled.
Aaron sighed. "Yes, elves are real. And so are a lot of other things you think are fiction. The Dean will explain it all in due time."
"Just a bit of curiosity," Nox said, her voice smooth, as she leaned over and gave Aaron a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You said you're here to 'save us from boredom'?" Lexia cut in, her voice flat. "Care to elaborate?"
"And to whom," Aaron inquired, his voice a smooth, almost velvety drawl, "do I have the distinct privilege of making your acquaintance?"
"Lexia," she said, her tone flat.
"As it happens," Aaron announced, with a languid wave of his hand, "I am hosting a small… gathering. And, against my better judgment, I shall permit your presence."
"Drinks? Hell yeah, I'm in," Elizabeth chimed in, a grin spreading across her face. "And make them strong. I could use one."
"Drinks with you? Sounds like a date," Lexia said, winking.
"D-date?" Elizabeth stammered, her cheeks burning crimson. She fidgeted with her hands, avoiding Lexia's gaze.
"You, my dear, have piqued my interest," Aaron stated, offering a measured golf clap. "Consider yourself invited."
"Wait a minute," I blurted. I turned to Nox. "You're actually an elf?"
Nox turned to Aaron, her voice gentle. "He's just curious. I can give him a short and clear explanation."
Aaron turned to Nox, whispering with a playful smirk, "Darling, they'll be indoctrinated at orientation." He then looked at us, his tone shifting to a more enthusiastic, "Tonight, however, we celebrate."
We didn't have a choice. Aaron and Nox simply hauled us along, like unruly pets. We were dragged down the sidewalk, across the quad, and into what looked like a bizarre suburban experiment. Houses with pools, archery ranges—it was like a fever dream. "Club houses," Nox explained, as if it were perfectly normal. Meanwhile, Aaron and Lexia were already deep in some sort of witty repartee.
A few more minutes of forced march, and we reached it: a log cabin of epic proportions, bordering the woods. A wraparound patio, festooned with Christmas lights and an army of lawn flamingos in Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses, glowed in the twilight. Aaron spun on his heel, arms outstretched like a dramatic barricade. "Behold!"
"Welcome to the Bellum clubhouse," Aaron announced, with a sweeping gesture towards the cabin. "Members reside here, should they find the dormitories… lacking. As a word of advice: these gatherings can become rather… spirited. Avoid any beverages that emit an unnatural luminescence, and if a pixie offers you a cigarette, politely decline. Unless, of course, you wish to spend the academic year in a state of… vegetative repose."
"Bellum club," Elizabeth repeated, her tone flat. "And what, exactly, is that supposed to be?"
"Ah, the Bellum club," Aaron declared, with a sweeping gesture. "It is, shall we say, the premier sporting event of this institution. 'Bellum' is, of course, Latin for 'war.' We engage in… simulated… conflicts with other Bellum clubs, to determine who possesses the superior… tactical acumen."
"So, a club where we beat people up?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes sparkling. "When do we start?"
Aaron looked slightly taken aback. "Yes, but there are… rules. We're not savages, you know." He paused, then offered a slightly strained smile. "Just… enjoy yourselves. And try to refrain from any behavior that might… shock… me."
"Worst advice ever," Nox said, with a dry chuckle.
"Darling," Aaron murmured to Nox, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Let them discover my… charms… in due time." He then gestured for us to follow, leading the way into the house.
We stepped inside. A grand staircase, leading to the upper floors, dominated the foyer. To the right, a kitchen, sleek and modern with black cabinets and marble countertops, was being used as a makeshift gymnasium for keg stands. Aaron and Nox, naturally, dove right in. Beyond, the dining room had been transformed into a beer pong arena.
Lexia hauled Elizabeth over. "We're next, losers," she announced, a smirk playing on her lips.
Elizabeth turned to me. "Guess we're stuck here for a while."
"Go have fun," I said, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine on my own." She mouthed a grateful "thank you," her eyes a little wide. New territory for her, she's never been on a date.
I ventured down the hall, which opened into a sprawling living room that felt like a bizarre mashup of a cozy den and a grand hall. Plush velvet couches mingled with brightly colored beanbag chairs, creating a chaotic yet inviting seating arrangement. A colossal flat-screen TV, currently displaying a swirling kaleidoscope of party visuals, dominated the stone fireplace. The bookshelf, overflowing with leather-bound tomes and haphazardly stacked paperbacks, suggested a history both ancient and irreverent. Tucked into the corner, a sleek, modern bar, already bustling with activity, beckoned. The patio doors, flung wide open, hinted at the continuation of the party outside.
I fished a beer from the icy depths of the bucket, the bottle slick in my grasp. A gentle tap on my shoulder spun me around. Before me stood a girl who took my breath away. Her hair was a short, striking silver, and her eyes, an arresting shade of deep blue, held me captive.
"Hi," I greeted her, my smile a little hesitant under her intense gaze. She responded with a slow, wide grin, saying nothing.
"Uhm… your name?" I asked, my voice a little shaky. She just stared, that unsettling grin still fixed on her face. Then, Aaron's voice cut through the noise, calling my name from the couch. I turned, and when I looked back, she was gone. Just… gone. I needed air. I headed for the back door, out onto the patio, and into the yard near the woods.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Then, I heard the hurried patter of footsteps. Aaron.
"You're looking rather… pale," Aaron stated, his voice betraying a hint of genuine worry. "Are you, in fact, experiencing some form of… malaise?"
"Yeah," I said, taking a shaky breath. "Just got some seriously weird vibes from one of the girls inside."
He gave me a sympathetic look, his hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder. "Hey, I know you've had a wild ride lately, but you're safe here. And…" He trailed off, his gaze fixed over my shoulder.
"What are you looking at?" I demanded, turning slightly.
"Get inside! Now!" he commanded, his voice sharp with urgency.
I whirled around. The silver-haired girl's smile had contorted into a grotesque, fang-filled leer, her eyes now burning with an unholy purple light. Her hand, now gnarled and clawed, crackled with dark energy. A pulsating sphere of violet lightning ripped from her palm, a screaming, electric orb of pure malice. Aaron shoved me aside, but the sphere, like a living thing, twisted in mid-air, relentlessly pursuing me. It slammed into my chest, the force of its impact sending searing agony through my body. My vision blurred, the world fading to black. The last thing I saw was Aaron, his face a grim mask, a blade of pure, chilling darkness erupting from his hand, the air around it crackling with deathly energy.