Chapter Nine

With a flick of her wrist… it looked like night fell over the entire cottage….

She summoned dark energy, the air around her crackled with power. Vinicus could feel the malevolence in the air, a suffocating presence that pressed down on him.

He took a deep breath, and tried to stay calm. The system could heal him but could the system help him conquer this witch…

"Vinicus, trust the system and repeat this incantation; Abyssus malum expello, locum purifico loudly and stretch your hands towards the sky" 

Vinicus did just that and a great wave of air left his own hands. He was surprised and stared at his hands. The incantation created a sort of shield over their heads. Locking her inside with him, the evil energy was locked out. The pendant on his neck began to glow… Vinicus grew more confident. 

"I see you've learned some good tricks…" the witch said while pacing…

"Stay alert Vinicus, this witch stalls for a reason… do not let your guard down no matter what she says…" 

The witch spread her fingers and a dark purple bolt of energy shot at Vinicius… As he subconsciously turned his face away. It seemed as though a white shield covered him. He could see the energy but it didn't hit him. 

"What was that???" Vinicus was now scared as he saw the witch's face contorted with veins pulsing on her face. 

"Vinicius, the system will never let you get harmed by dark energy. Now take the fight to her, point your hands to her and focus on energy leaving you in force"

As Vinicus took a deep breath, the witch seemed a bit tired from her expulsion of energy. He took the opportunity, he pointed his hands at her and immediately a blue flame left his hands and attacked the witch. Before she could raise up her shield. A part of the flame had gotten to her. She shrieked in pain 

"Ahhhhh…" She raised her shield. "So you're not just an apprentice… you're the real deal. Finally someone to spice up my day." She laughed an evil laugh. 

Vinicus remembered an incantation he had seen when the books had clamored to follow him. It had been brief but it was said to paralyze bad energy. 

"Malum one enervent, et bonum liber sit" nothing happened…

"You didn't say the words right…. Hahahaha" the witch laughed. "let me tell you some words that I know" 

Before Vinicus could understand what was happening…

"Vitis has Sylvesteres te suspendant et in aetherio loco te deponant…" immediately the vines in the woods shot at Vinicus catching him and suspending him in the air. Vinicus was scared and his heart beat faster. Would this woman defeat him? Where was the guide? 

"Guide… A little help please"

"Vinicus, do not worry so much. She hasn't battled in a long time or maybe never. The witch is dispelling too much energy at once. When she stops to take a breath, that's when you attack" Vinicus trusted the Guide but being suspended in the air did not make him worry less…

"You… you insignificant worm…You thought you could defeat me, I am Aradia. I am one of the most trusted witches of Lord Sorceress Kali… You're not there yet." She said as she laughed. "Now what do I do with you…. Do I take you to my Lord? This… your system may be valuable…" she trailed off

"Vinicus… while she is busy talking. Say the spell Omne malum debilita, bonum liberi fiat"

Vinicus screamed the incantation and a strong wind blew away the vines. Setting him free and sweeping Aradia off her feet. She was on the floor and struggling with breath. 

"Where did you learn that spell from? Only ancient Masters know that incantation…." Aradia managed to say.

"Guide.. What is happening to her?" Vinicus said panicking… It was as though her body was fighting itself, she was cracking up.

"The spell you said was to dispel all evil and let good reign. So obviously there is some good in her. It is fighting evil, thus her body is battling itself…" 

"If there's good in her then let us save her…" Aradia laughed through her pain. 

"That's not how it works Master Vinicus, witches are defeated and old witches like this die. She is connected to her dark magic which you have dispelled."

"Let me heal her, I do not wish to murder anyone…" 

"Who do you speak to? Are you going mad….?" Aradia asked, her body pale and growing weaker.

"I want to save you.. I want to heal you. You don't have to die." Vinicus said as he went in search of his bag with the potions. 

"No… no… I'm tired anyways. My time wreaking havoc is over but I'm glad I died at the hands of a worthy opponent. I can't be healed" 

Vinicus returned with a potion. 

"If you give me that, you'll only waste it. I am centuries old and I maintain my youth simply to keep the curse on the Rhys family." Aradia laughed.

"It is only when I die that they can really be free. Except…. You'd let me live and the curse remain" 

She began to age in his presence from the young woman with dark hair to a frail old woman with gray strands of hair

"Well done Vinicius…. I misjudged you." She coughed and turned to ashes.

Vinicus was overwhelmed with emotions, he had helped the Rhys family but he never knew he would kill someone. Although she was evil, he did not mean to kill her. 

"Vinicius, to maintain the balance between good and evil. You must understand it. If you had chosen to let her live, she would have done something else and maybe worse. A witch is not a natural human, they are people who have embodied dark energy…"

"But they are human and if anyone found out about this. I could go to jail…" 

"You have much to learn that does not lay in books. Does a century old woman remain alive looking like a twenty five year old. She turned into her true form and died. She was never meant to be alive". 

Vinicus returned to the Rhys mansion with a feeling of both sadness and relief. He walked into the mansion as the door was ajar. 

"Oh Vinicius. Welcome back. I was a bit worried, Elara stood up not too long ago. She just regained her strength. I've not seen anything like it, that bracelet you gave her. It kept on shining… Thank you. Thank you so much" 

Mr Rhys moved to bow down to Vinicus but he stopped him. 

"Mr Rhys, you do not need to bow down to me. I'm here to ask you for a favor. I wish to participate in the Annual Doctors and Healers competition but under your family name" 

Arthur Rhys looked like he could burst with happiness. 

"Yes. Yes. Oh my youngest daughter will be happy. I promised her that we would have a doctor this year… it was just a ruse though. We've spent what is left of our fortune on saving Elara…. I even wonder how we can pay you.."

"I do not require payment, just the opportunity and probably a place to sleep for the night. When is the competition?" 

"The competition begins tomorrow… I wonder if you will be ready by then" Arthur spoke concerned. 

Footsteps were heard coming through the hall. As Vinicus turned to look, it was Elara. She walked towards him and knelt…

"Do not tell me to stand, I understand that you are the healer that saved me. I would have been dead by now. Thank you… I will forever be indebted to you…"

Vinicus stood shocked at her beauty, he had been so occupied with his work. He didn't take a good look at Elara when he saw her before… 

"Please stand. I thank you as well. I'm happy your family is giving me this opportunity. I will be ready…" The servant came immediately to escort him to a room. 

"Before I forget, you have a younger daughter… Kara. Where is she?" Vinicus asked. He hadn't seen the girl since he came earlier, he was beginning to think she wasn't real.

Arthur stood surprised. "How do you know her name? I always call her my youngest…. Anyways I made her travel… I didn't want her to worry about Elara. She's young but worries more than me" he smiled a shy smile. 

Vinicus nodded and followed the servant. Leaving Elara with her father. Tomorrow was a big day and he needed rest. 

When he arrived in the room, the servant tried to dust and clean. She was the only one he had seen so she couldn't possibly be able to do all the work. 

"You may leave it, I'll be fine. I have to prepare for tomorrow." The servant bowed her head still dusting as she left….

"Guide. Tomorrow is the first day of the competition. In my vision, the prince and princess were there.. That has never happened before. What do you think is the reason?"

"I can't  precisely predict  the future Vincuis,  as it's not set in stone and events constantly shifting. However, I can offer guidance based on what I sense may be on the unfold"

"It is important that you practice your meditation after such a battle and then draw the rejuvenation symbol on a parchment paper then place it by the bed."

Vinicus knew not to bother the guide. It had saved him not too long ago. He went on to draw the symbol on the parchment paper. He included the symbol of purifying energy so it could feel a bit more like the Sanctum… he returned to meditate. Sleep was not far behind after that…. 

Vinicus woke up peacefully, noticing that the drawings had shifted. He looked around and saw that someone came in to drop clothes at the foot of the bed. He must have really slept soundly… He stood up to prepare for the day. By the time he came down to the sitting area, Arthur and Elara were already down and in their ceremonial regalia.

They left the mansion and got to the competition grounds. It was just as he remembered it, he looked to where his family usually sat. Their servants were currently setting up the space with decorations in the family colors. They were probably so early because the Rhys family had just one servant and they joined in the set-up of their tent and colors. And he offered to help them…

The drums began to sound, announcing the arrival of prestigious families. They rolled in with their majestic entourage to their respective tents, he decided to go to the booth where he would register his name. As he was close to the enrollment table, a little girl grabbed him. He remembered this from his vision… this was Kara. 

"Hello…."

"Are you here to help my dad win the competition?..."

"Hello Kara…" the little girl seemed shocked that he knew her name but only for a moment. 

"Hi sir." She said shyly. 

"Yes I am here to represent your family." Kara held his hand as they walked to the enrollment table. He signed his name, excluding his last name. 

They made their way back to the tent, there was another lady dressed in colors that he hadn't seen before. As though Kara read his mind, she responded…

"That's my aunt… She brought me home when she heard Elara was better." 

They sat down as the drums began to beat a new tune for the announcement of contestant names and the families they represent. He looked at the first family of the lot. The Sahi family, rich and famous; but secretive with no socializing. The Leecher family as well, ever colorful and entertaining. 

The Yin family and their representative, he saw Duke sitting with them, so Duke was a Yin?. No wonder he had been like that, they were considered a dangerous family but many socialized with them. The Chen family were next, as he looked at them. He remembered Old Chen, he would soon try to heal him. 

His family was next, the Victrix family… His elder brother Vincent walked out and waved his hand. He would be the representative, Vinicus remembered how his brothers never had a good word for him. 

Only insults and demeaning words… There was one other family before the Rhys, the Alder family, rich and influential as well. He remembered their patriarch used to have a very loud laugh. 

It was time

"The seventh family, the Rhys family… Oh wait… there's a new development this year. It's been almost 15 years since they last had a representative at the competition but the Rhys family is finally back on the saddle. Their representative for this year…. Vinicius.." 

His grandfather stood up from where he was seated and took his glasses to see better. On finding out that it was Vinicus, he waited till they began the merriment. 

Then he stormed to the Rhys tent, many eyes were on him but others were more concerned with the colorful display from the performers. His grandfather walked up to him and slapped him straight across the face. Arthur Rhys rushed to stand between them. 

"Vinicus, how dare you? What is this you're doing?" His grandfather asked….

"Sir. I am here representing the Rhys family…" he replied

"You scoundrel… what do you know? Nothing. You couldn't even pass your medical exam. Obviously couldn't fulfill the engagement agreement I made with Old Chen… you're good for nothing but I'll be damned if I let you bring dishonor to our name"

"I did not include your name, you're the one who needs to stop" Vinicus could not believe his own words but he kept on. 

" If I may speak, this physician is representing my family and I would like you to give him his due respect…" Arthur said sternly. He may have fallen on hard times but he still held his name. 

"He is only leeching off of what you have left… he has no medical knowledge…"

"Yes. I know, now leave us. Please."

"I will not, I'm taking my son with me. You have no right to.." his grandfather veered

"Vinicus must stay here, we are betrothed.." Elara said

What? What did Elara just say?? When did they become betrothed…