Chapter 6– The Warlock's Moon
Part I – The Witches' Hollow
A crimson moon hung over the black forest, its light falling like blood through the fog.
Deep within the ruins of an ancient temple, Gus stood surrounded by twelve robed figures — the Witches of the Night.
Their chanting pulsed like a heartbeat through the stone floor.
He could feel the magic burning inside him, searing through his veins.
He clenched his fists, the marks on his arms glowing faintly with red runes.
The high witch — a tall, thin woman with silver eyes and hair like ink — circled him slowly.
Her voice was smooth as oil, yet it carried venom beneath every syllable.
"You see now, my chosen one," she whispered. "Your pain was never a curse. It was your birthright."
Gus's breathing grew heavier. His eyes flickered between rage and sorrow.
"I want power," he said through gritted teeth. "Enough to destroy them all."
The witch smiled, resting her cold hand on his shoulder.
"And you shall have it, my warlock. You shall bring the Hybrids to their knees."
The runes flared brighter, and Gus screamed as dark energy erupted around him — a storm of shadow and flame.
The witches laughed as his cry echoed through the hollow, reaching even the distant mountains of Nebula.
Part II – The Hunters' Dawn
The first rays of morning spilled over the forest clearing behind the secluded manor.
Blue stood at the center, his body tense, breath steady — sweat glistening against his skin.
Beside him, Kin was catching his breath, bruised but smiling.
Xavier watched from the edge, arms crossed.
"Better," he said. "Still sloppy on your back stance, Kin, but you're improving."
Kin grinned despite himself. "Not bad for a village boy, right?"
"Not bad for a stubborn one," Xavier said dryly, but his tone carried faint approval.
Rito sat on a large rock nearby, watching them both. She had her knees pulled to her chest, her face a mix of worry and defiance.
She didn't like the idea of them training — fighting monsters that shouldn't even exist. But after everything that happened, she couldn't stay away.
Blue raised his hand to pause. "We need to talk."
Xavier nodded, stepping back. "Take five."
Blue turned to Kin and Rito, serious now. "My mother told me what happened last night. About Gus."
Kin straightened. "What do you mean? Is he okay?"
Blue hesitated. "No. He's not. The witches have him."
Both Kin and Rito froze.
Selene had appeared behind them quietly, her voice soft and heavy. "They've claimed him, body and soul. He's become their warlock."
Rito shook her head, standing. "No. That can't be true. Gus? He's scared of bugs, for crying out loud. He's not… he's not one of them."
"I don't want to believe it either," Blue said, his voice cracking. "But if it's true… then it's up to us to save him."
Kin clenched his fists. "Then we train harder. We get stronger. If the witches think they can take him — they're wrong."
Rito's eyes filled with tears. "You're both insane," she whispered. "You think swinging swords and punching trees is going to save him from magic?"
"Maybe not," Blue said softly, "but doing nothing definitely won't."
For a long moment, no one spoke. Only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees filled the air.
Then Rito exhaled, wiping her eyes. "Fine. If you're both doing this… I'm not sitting around waiting for you to die."
She turned to Selene, her voice trembling but determined.
"Teach me. Please. I want to train too."
Selene studied her — the fear, the stubbornness, the spark of courage hidden behind trembling hands.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Very well," she said. "But understand this, Rito — I will not go easy on you. Training under me will be nothing like what Xavier gives them. You'll be learning to fight the unseen — to resist the mind, not just the body."
Rito nodded without hesitation. "Then let's start."
Selene's eyes gleamed faintly red in the rising sun.
"Good. The witches won't expect resistance from mortals. Let's make sure they regret that mistake."
Part III – Two Paths
As the day passed, the sound of steel and spellfire filled the air around the forest clearing.
Blue and Kin sparred under Xavier's command, learning to synchronize their movements, their strikes, and their instincts.
Across the field, Rito and Selene moved in silence, their training almost like a dance — grace and focus against invisible forces.
Every moment of sunlight was filled with motion, with sweat and blood and the sound of determination.
But as the sun dipped again toward the horizon, far away in the Witch Hollow, the crimson moon began to rise.
And under its glow, Gus opened his eyes — now glowing a dark, sickly red.
He whispered words he didn't understand, and a faint smile touched his lips.
"Soon," he said. "I'll make them all pay."
The witches' laughter echoed through the night, carrying across Nebula — all the way to the forest where Blue trained.
For just a heartbeat, Blue paused mid-swing, eyes wide.
He felt it — a pulse of dark energy in the distance.
Xavier noticed the change in his expression.
"What is it?"
Blue looked toward the horizon.
"Something's coming."
End of Chapter 6 – The Warlock's Moon