life’s dream turned out to be a lie. This was the first lesson taught to the Chosen One by Fate; we are all in Her hands. But far from the last.
Hallon found the unlucky student. But who, besides his girlfriend, could know where he was? His beloved betrayed him. Hallon was a master of torture. But does it really matter?
Antimonik was returned to school, the days ran as usual again, but everything could not now be as before. The teacher did not say a word to him, but the one born under a shooting star noticed that the other students were watching his every move. And the beloved… once upon a time, but not now… lowers her eyes when their gazes intersect. Traitor!
But one day he decided to change his life again. He entered Hallon’s room when no one was there except the teacher.
– Let me go. I can no longer live like an animal in a cage.
– Do you think I’ll just say goodbye to the best of my students? Never. You will still give me power over this world! Do you think I taught you in vain? I spent my entire fortune to feed you!
And again a lie. After all, didn’t they help Hallon rob the people? Didn’t they send curses and plagues on villages, which they then rented… for gold, of course.
– Let go voluntarily, I ask you!
– Are you threatening? – Familiar ominous lights sparkled in Hallon’s eyes. – You will be punished for these words!
The sorcerer reached out with his consciousness to the young man’s head, and he, like many times before, fell to the floor, writhing in agony. But he was strong. The guy moved his hand as if holding a small bag in it, and Hallon grabbed his heart.
– We played around and that’s enough! Stop it now!
– Did you play?! Is that what you call it? You deprived me of my childhood! I warned you. But since you refused to voluntarily let me go, die!
Antimonik pulled his bent hand towards himself, and Hallon’s chest turned red. He tore out the teacher’s heart with spells. Then he took the necklace from the sorcerer’s chest and put it around his neck.
– I’m your new teacher! – he said to his comrades. – Join me – or follow Hallon to hell!
***
This time he returned home as a winner, not as a fugitive. The headman recognized his right to power (did he have a way out?)
From now on, Antimonik and his order began to control the weather. One day a midwife came to him, who was used to being the queen of enchantments in these parts.
– You told Hallon about me! – the count shouted.
«Moreover, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be on earth.» After all, I told your mother about Hallon!
– Die, old woman! – the witch grabbed her heart. And she lost it. This was the beginning of dark times.
Chapter 7. Gold coin
«Sienna, lead our guests to the exit from the forest,» Sylvia said. – So that they don’t encounter any more trouble.
Siena looked at the travelers with hatred, but remained silent. So they walked silently for some time along the winding forest path.
– Why do you hate us? – asked Esmeralda. «After all, we didn’t do anything bad to you at all.»
– Why should I love you? The owner trusts you. But not me.
– Is it our fault that the dead killed your comrades?
«My brother was among those killed!» Therefore, it will not be good for you if I suddenly find out that you are involved in this death!
– I also lost my brother, so I understand your suffering! Antimagi killed him.
– It’s okay, daughter, the time will come when the League will pay for its mistakes! He will wash himself with blood! This is what I promise! – the Herald said angrily.
The herald suddenly stopped: his legs were entangled in vines. Siena whispered something, and the shackles fell.
– Hide your hatred in this forest! He can smell everything. Evil here causes greater evil. So be careful.
«Sienna, it seems to me that at the end of the road we will find the secret of the living dead,» said Eleon. «Come with us and you can take revenge.»
– My place is here, Wolf. I took an oath to protect the Forest, and this is more important than anything else.
The aroma of blooming myrtle and olive did not weaken, nor did the constant feeling of someone’s presence disappear. Occasionally, strekkili, huge dragonflies that were found here everywhere, flew out of the bushes.
– Angel will never believe that I was here! – said Dorian. – This forest will never end. But in my home world there are almost no forests left! Only cities with their constant smog and noise. And there is absolutely no room for anything new and unusual.
«It’s as if someone is watching every step,» Esmeralda looked around.
– Don’t be afraid, Esme! – Eleon hugged her.
«You really shouldn’t be afraid when I’m around!» – Sienna smiled for the first time.
They went on like this for several hours. Siena knew her way around the maze of thickets well.
– I was born and raised here.
– Sylvia is your mother? – Herold suggested.
– We are children of the forest. The Mistress gave birth to me, but that doesn’t matter. And here is the line of the forest. I can’t go any further. I would advise you to go around these mountains. You will lose a few days, but you will avoid many dangers.
– We have no time! – said Eleon.
– Your business. Farewell!
– Thanks for all! If we meet again, you can count on us! – Herold extended his hand.
– I hope we never meet again! – Sienna shook hands. – You’re nothing but trouble!
***
When they reached the foot of the mountain, the Sun managed to reach the western shelter, and now painted the heavenly blanket in all the colors of the rainbow.
«Today we will not go further,» said Eleon. – The morning is wiser than the evening.
The travelers took out rich supplies, with which their bags were filled to capacity. These include excellent sausages, cheeses, and berry jam. The forest people did not skimp!
This time the travelers were not afraid to light a fire.
«And in my world we light the lights with electricity,» Dorian increasingly fell into melancholy in the evenings, remembering with sadness his home. Sometimes
