Raising issues

Austin's eyes turned red and the cupboards all along the corridor clustered together. They stacked themselves to form the biggest beast he had ever conjured. The whole ministry shook with its roar.

"Ace is no longer thinking!" Screamed Mabel to all. "He is not the one controlling the beast." All of them stood up after Theo took down their binding spell. They all are looking devastated.

The beast didn't waste a second and started destroying anything it could reach. It threw cupboards over and destroyed the walls. It was vigorous and determined. It knew no boundaries. Before him lay the whole ministry. It won't stop without mixing it among the dust.

"Then who??" Thomas screamed back over the noise.

"It's on its own." Finished Theo. He is scared. But he mustered his courage and cast his spell that he once used on the beast at the bar. Its arms caught fire. But with a shake, it was put out. This is the end. This the doom that the Riverlook feared. It's here.

Austin was no longer there. He is somewhere between being alive and dead. His eyes glow red and his skin is turning pale. He held no life within. He stopped breathing. His heart no longer beat. But he was there. And this time he was helpless. He lost his control over his beast. It is now on its own.

"What now?" Thomas asked. He is scared as he knows what the beast can do. He is scared as he doesn't know what is happening to his friend.

"I don't know." Theo said, looking at the beast.

"Anyone care to fill in?" Asked Emma looking at each of them, confused. "What is happening to Austin? Why is he so pale?" She is panicking. She had gotten back him after a long time. She is not ready to lose it so soon. Because she knows how she can barely survive without him during those days he was away from her. He never did anything to solve her problems. But he was there for him each and every time. He stood by her side, giving her the courage and support to face life. That's what she lost these days. She needed him; to feel safe and loved.

"He can conjure a beast from anything. Usually he is the one who controls it. Can't say what's happening here." Thomas filled in. He is looking at Austin.

"Thanks." Emma muttered and ran to Austin, who was standing still, eyes red and dead.

"Austin? " She whispered. "Look at me, please…"

But Austin didn't move. He stood like a statue. But the beast was not in a mood to rest. It roared and roared, destroying everything it could, killing anyone it pleased.

More ministry members came running from different parts, to check. But they all froze seeing the beast. No one has ever seen a beast this close, nor this big. Some teleported away. Some stood and fought. The beast was made of non- living things. It can't be killed. Yet alone won't be destroyed.

"What is it?" The minister stood as far as possible from the beast. It was certain that if he was not the minister, he would have gone home right away. He should stay and fight. He is the one to lead. Well, that's likely. At least he stayed.

"I have heard it somewhere," said an official to the minister. "Centuries ago, such a beast was conjured by the Lord Augustus to defeat his enemies in Wizard's War 3. It didn't stop until it was said to be stopped by the one who conjured it."

"Who conjured it?" The minister asked out loud.

"Your son, Mr. Minister," said Thomas walking to him. "Your wife is the reason. She gave some kind of potion so he can make this beast. Now suffer its consequences." He huffed at his face and then turned to the man. "Is there any antidote or something for this? What does that book say?"

"I don't know,'' said the man. "I haven't read much more about it."

"Why_?" Thomas groaned.

"Where can I find that book?" Emma asked up, rudely ignoring Thomas's useless questions.

"I don't know. I last saw it with Mr. Ray. But he died. I don't know where it is now."

" Who is this Mr. Ray_?" Thomas frowned at the name. Emma glared at him.

"We don't have time. Where is this Mr. Ray's home?" Emma asked.

"Oh! It's around Leavers street. You could easily notice it. It's the biggest house there."

"Thanks. You are coming with me, Thomas." Emma said, grabbing his hand.

"But what was that man doing with that book?" He asked the official.

"Later, Thomas!" She said sternly.

"This Mr. Ray could be Austin's mom's secret lover, you know." Thomas said and Emma rolled her eyes at his made up theories. "Austin's mom and this man were searching for the same thing." He said and dived into deeper thoughts. "Either this man was helping her. Or he wants to use it on someone. Then there will be one more curse." He said and looked over at Emma with sparkling eyes. He got an idea. "We could find that person and let them fight each other. Beast vs beast. It would be spectacular."

"I am sorry, Thomas. But I don't care. It's my least concern or it doesn't even concern me." She said in a breath, not wanting to waste a minute. "We should leave_"

"But_"

"_RIGHT NOW!" She screamed at his face and teleported away.

They both landed on the Leavers street. Can't say they both were fine. Thomas is on the ground cursing himself for being dragged into this mess when he could be chatting with Jane with a cup of coffee.

"I always wondered why Austin likes you this much. Now you made it clear." He groaned loudly, looking up at her from the ground. "You are both as sane as each other."

"That is so nice to hear." Emma snickered and helped him up. They both walked along the street. There stood the great mansion of the Ray's.

"I am sorry for not being considerate." Emma said after a long time of uncomfortable silence. "I was being selfish. I am just scared and worried about Austin. I just got him back and I had hoped to be together this time. I don't want to lose him again. I just dragged you to help me without your consent. I was not in my right mind which I am still not." She let out a dry laugh and her face soon changed to an apological one. "I really am sorry. But I really need your help."

"Told you before," he said, walking to the mansion and ringing the bell. "You both are the same. Drags into a mess and then apologises. Why won't you think about it before?"

"Really?"

"All the time." He smiled, shaking his head. "You should be aware about this behaviour of him after marriage. I should also warn him about you too." Emma's face blushed by his words. Here she was scared that he might die. While Thomas was thinking about their marriage.

Her thoughts vanished when a lady in her 40s opened the door and looked at them with a questioning look.

"What now?" Thomas asked, suddenly realising that he had rang the bell.

"We are from the ministry. We need to search Mr. Ray's library." Emma said before Thomas can mess this up.

"And study." Thomas added.

"How many times do you all have to search?" She raised her voice at them. "We are grieving and we can't move on if your ministry comes knocking on the door searching for his study once a month. When will you all realise that he was a loyal worker, huh?"

Emma stood dumbfounded at her words. She suddenly felt sympathy for her. She is sad and she didn't mean to be rude. But she has to. No one tries to understand her situation. Everyone says they are sorry. But no one means it. Being an important official and dying mysteriously always raises questions and confusions.

He was murdered, yes. His body was found among the garbage after 2 weeks and it took so much time to identify the body itself. No one knows much about it. No one cared. It was just another murder. Killer is hidden. No one cares to search for the culprit. The case was closed as 'beast' after a long time. This family must have been devastated hearing the news. Everyone was. That 'beast' must have been a heartless criminal and must have held high powers within the ministry to close the case like that. That raises Thomas's theory. Was he murdered by Austin's mom?

"Firstly," Thomas started, interrupting her thoughts. "There is some very dangerous stuff going on at the ministry, which we don't have time to explain. You won't understand either way. We need one of his books to find the solution. And secondly, if you haven't noticed, we rang the bell instead of knocking."

The lady frowned in disgust and gave space for us to get in.