Ch 5 Against Simon Oberon

The mist grew thicker as Elara and Grace entered the old town of Silverthorne. Around them, ancient buildings made of massive stone looked as if they had witnessed thousands of years of history. 

Trees clung to their walls, gripping them like hands forgotten by time. 

The atmosphere felt cold and tense, while the mountain breeze rustled gently, carrying faint sounds from the past.

"This town...," Elara murmured in a trembling voice. "Why does it feel so lonely and full of sadness?"

Grace turned her head, her gaze serious. "This is no ordinary place, Elara. Silverthorne was once the Blaise family's power centre. Many have fallen here-friends and foes alike. We walk upon an old battlefield, and the power that remains here has not been fully extinguished."

Their footsteps were heavy. Elara could feel the strange energy of the ground beneath her feet, as if something was watching them, waiting.

In the distance, lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a rumble that broke the silence. However, what made Elara's heart beat faster was the feeling that Simon was not far behind them.

Grace stopped her steps as they reached a large, moss-covered square.

In the centre of the square stood a cracked stone monument. A statue of a woman with a sword drawn to the sky.

It was Willow Blaise, the ancestor of Elara, the legendary witch who had built this city and protected her descendants.

"Elara," Grace said, her voice full of worry. "Here you must face your destiny. Simon will come, and you must be ready. There is no turning back."

Elara clutched her necklace tightly. The blue light from the stone in the necklace grew brighter, but at the same time, the fear that haunted her grew stronger. 

She knew that within her was great power. However, could she really control it?

"But how can I fight it? I can't even control my own power. I'm just a ten-year-old who still has a lot to learn," Elara said, her voice full of anxiety.

Grace came closer and looked deeply at Elara. "Your powers are not something you should be afraid of. You are descended from Willow Blaise, the most powerful witch who ever lived. Her blood runs in your veins. But remember, strength without courage is destruction. You must face it with courage."

Before Elara could answer, the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard from the direction of the square. The mist that had been covering the scenery now slowly parted, revealing the figure of Simon Oberon who appeared with burning eyes full of vengeance.

Behind him, Tertius walked silently, even though his body was badly injured from the battle with Wilhelm. Even so, the look in his eyes remained terrifying.

"You think you can run?" Simon's voice echoed among the ruins. "This is the end for Blaise's bloodline. You, Elara, are nothing more than a shadow of your grandmother. Your family's destiny is to die at my hands."

Elara took a step back, feeling the chill of Simon's dark power so strong.

Simon raised his hand, and black energy coiled around him like a storm of darkness.

The ground beneath them trembled, and the surrounding ruins began to slowly crumble.

"Elara!" cried Grace, her eyes full of fear. "You have to fight! It's time!"

Tertius smiled slyly and began to move his hands, summoning shadows from the darkness that was beginning to encompass the square. "You can't hide anymore, little Blaise. We will swallow you alive."

Elara felt her body freeze in place. The thunderous sounds of lightning in the sky, Simon's storm of darkness, and the shadows Tertius cast began to close in on them, making her even more distressed.

However, at that crucial moment, the necklace around her neck shone brighter. The blue light radiated with surprising power, hitting the ground around her and stopping the movement of Tertius' shadow.

"What... what is this?" Simon looked surprised for a moment, but his smile quickly returned. "Good, you finally showed your strength. But, that's not enough, Elara. I have killed Marie Blaise, your mother, and I will finish you the same way."

Simon's words hit Elara like a storm, reminding her of Simon's cruelty towards her family. 

In her mind, the image of her mother's death flashed-Marie Blaise who was valiant, but had to lose the fight against Simon. She could not let history repeat itself.

Without fully realising it, Elara's body began to move on its own. Both her hands were raised, and the blue energy from her necklace expanded, forming a shield of light around her. She looked up at Simon, this time with eyes filled with determination.

"I am not my mother," Elara said in a firm voice. "I am more than that."

Tertius, who saw the change in Elara's power, began to attack more aggressively. The shadows he controlled were getting more numerous and stronger. 

This time, however, Elara moved her hands confidently. With a single motion, she summoned a huge wind that swept through the shadows, annihilating them one by one.

Simon smiled sarcastically, but the tension on his face was clear. "You think you can defeat me with just that?"

Simon struck the ground with both hands, creating a wave of dark energy that directly hit Elara's shield. 

Simon's ambition to finish off all of Blaise's family members made the man willing to do anything even if it was dirty and risking his life in the end. 

Attack after attack that Simon and Tertius created made Elara's protective shield finally fall apart. 

However, this time, Elara was undaunted. With a single hand gesture, she channelled the blue energy from her necklace into the ground, creating a backwave that hit Simon with tremendous force, sending his body flying backwards.

Grace, who witnessed it all, could only remain silent. "Elara...," she murmured, full of admiration.

But the fight was not over. Simon stood up again, albeit with heavier breathing. "You may have mastered some of your powers, but, this is not over."

Elara, now with courage growing within her, stepped forward. "It's not over yet, Simon. But, this time, I will not run away again. I will fight you to the end."

The roar grew louder around them, the sky above Silverthorne churning, as if welcoming their final battle.

Simon smiled slyly, while Elara prepared, her blue energy coiled around her body, ready to face the darkness that threatened to destroy their world.