CHAPTER-2: The Unseen Threat Approaches

Kael and Vael stood on either side of Astra, with a friendly environment surrounding them. The air between them was light until;

A sudden, powerful wave rippled through the town. Astra fell to the ground, while Kael and Vael looked at each other with a confused expression.

Kael stiffened. "You felt it too, right?"

Vael's silver eyes darkened. "Yeah. It's a strong mana. Too strong"

Astra felt the shift but didn't quite understand.

"what's wrong?" he asked, looking at both of them.

Kael's golden eyes scanned the horizon, jaw tight;

"Something strong is coming…... or they are-''

"Already here. we need to move. Now!" said Vael, who was sure it was an A or S ranked creature.

Astra barely had the time to react before Vael raised a hand. A sharp pulse of mana surged from his fingertips, forming an intricate barrier around Astra.

"Stay inside," Vael ordered, his voice unusually firm.

Astra pressed his hands on the silver light, laced with runes that pulsed like a living thing.

"Vael, what is th-''

"Only I can break it. And it is the best way to protect you." Vael's tone left no room for argument.

Kael clicked his tongue, standing in front of the barrier with crossed arms;

"It's for your own good, Astra. Just sit tight and let us handle this."

Astra clenched his fists. He didn't know what it was but he could feel it was something dangerous;

"But-!"

"no 'buts,' Astra" Vael's gaze softened.

"What about my grandma?" Astra looked at Vael with teary eyes.

"Trust us. Nothing will happen to her and you" Vael replied with a reassuring tone.

The sky seemed to be darkened than before, something powerful was coming.

Without another word, the twins launched themselves into the air, their movement effortless. A sudden gust of wind followed as they soared high above the town.

"This mana…. It's not normal," said Vael, his gaze fixed on the town beneath them.

Kael scoffed, rolling his shoulders.

"No kidding. Its feels ancient… unstable. Whoever this is, they're not here for a friendly visit."

The sky rumbled as the presence drew closer.

Vael's eyes glinted with excitement, as he glanced at Kael.

"Kael…. get ready."

Kael's lips curled into a grim smile.

"Sure, brother."

Vael extended his hand, and from the depths of his mana, a long, elegant wand emerged, glowing faintly with silver light, a dark energy surrounded him.

Kael's hair turned jet black hair, the strands twisting and curling like tendrils of smoke. Dark flames filled his palm, the air around his hands grew hotter. His golden eyes glowed with the intensity of the flames.

"This is about to get messy" Kael muttered under his breath.

Vael silver eyes locked onto the horizon.

"We better find, the source of the strong mana"

They both separated from each other making sure, the citizens are in a safe place.

"Did you find the source yet" Vael said through their telepathic link.

"No, where it could be?" Kael replied with a confused tone.

"The source is hiding itself, as if he doesn't want to attack nor he wants to be attacked by anyone. It's so weird…" Vael's words concluded to only one thing.

"IT HAS TO BE AN S-RANKED SERPENT!!" they both had the same conclusion.

*** beep*** beep***

Both of their watches beeped simultaneously, the holographic interface flickering to life.

"URGENT ALERT: A SERPENT HAS APPROACHED THE TOWN. WE HAVE FOUND ITS LOCATION. PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION. DO NOT ENGAGE UNLESS NECESSARY."

With that the, holographic disappeared. Their watches suddenly vibrated. It read;

"ALERT: THE CREATURE'S LOCATION HAS BEEN PINPOINTED. TARGET IS AT ________ ________."

Both mages froze mid-movement, their eyes widening in shock. The revelation sent a chill through the air.

*** *** ***

Astra stood still inside the barrier, unaware of the danger closing in on him. He was still trying to understand what was happening. His mind racing around Vael's words.

"Should I trust them?"

Suddenly he felt an overwhelming presence of mana near him. He looked around, his heart racing faster than before.

"This is the first time I have ever felt any presence of a creature…. Its terrifying"

Suddenly the ground started shaking. Astra felt to ground.

"Agghhh…... what is t-."

The SERPENT appeared.

---- ---- ---- ----- -----

°NAME- SERPENT, THE ANCIENT MAGIC.

°SPEACIALITY- VENEMOUS BODY

°ABILITY- blends into earth [ have earth manipulation] Absorbs mana from those around him. Its fangs carry venom. Drain the life force from its enemies Have the ability to regenerate. Have the ability to heal.

---- ---- ---- --- ---

Astra stood frozen in his tracks; eyes wide as he gazed at the massive serpent that had just emerged from the earth.

Serpent's gazed fixed on Astra, the ground trembled.

"WAIT... that is what I'm supposed to be scared of?" Astra muttered, scratching the back of his head. He blinked a few times.

The serpent hissed loudly, causing the air to vibrate with its presence. It opened its mouth, revealing his venomous fangs, and let out a terrifying growl.

"Are you sure you're an S- ranked creature? You look like a really angry noodle,"

Astra tilted his head, his eyebrows furrowed in genuine puzzlement.

"You know what, even Vael is scarier than you."

The serpent hissed again, clearly not understanding what Astra was saying.

Suddenly, Astra paused, turning his face towards his house.

"No, you did not…... YOU JUST DESTROYED MY HOUSE?? WHERE AM I GOING TO LIVE NOW?????... you are an angry noodle and AN ANNYOING NOODLE!!! YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!!!!!"

Astra's face turned red with anger; he looked like as if he would explode any minute. Even the serpent didn't know what to do to,

it stared at Astra for a long moment.

"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT??? HUH???? AND CLOSE YOUR DAMN MOUTH IT SMELLS BAD!!! OKAY????"

The serpent closes his mouth.

"OH, SO NOW U CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING??? SO, TELL ME WHERE ME AND MY GRANDMA ARE GOING TO LIVE?? HUH???"

The serpent, growled lowly, unsure how to deal with a person who didn't fear it.

"STOP, STARING AT ME LIK-''

Astra was about to finish his sentence, but Vael interrupted him, his voice cutting through the air sharply;

"Astra you do realize this is an S- ranked creature, right?" a chuckle appeared on his face.

Kael and Vael appeared, flying down to Astra's side, their face filled with surprise and exasperation.

Kael sighed and ran his hand through his hair;

"you're unbelievable."

Astra still mad over how the serpent destroyed his house, stared back at Kael with a pissed expression;

"HE JUST DESTROYED MY HOUSE, AND HE IS NOTHING BUT AN ANGRY NOODLE!!!"

Vael smiled, he snapped his fingers, the barrier around Astra disappeared, he patted Astra on head;

"Okay calm down, we will handle it now, relax"

Twins turned towards the serpent; the serpent coiled his tail ready to strike. The twins prepared for battle; their gaze changed again from soft to threatening.

Suddenly Astra appeared between them, holding up a hand.

The twins stop and the serpent stopped;

"HUH???" .... "HISSS???""

"WAITTTT!!!!" Astra said, his voice, though soft but was firm and unwavering. His calm tone surprised everyone around him.

"Just… just leave it alone…"

The twins froze, their gaze flickering toward Astra, confusion and concern appeared on their face. The serpent hissed, his glowing eyes narrowing hostility.

"Tch, now what?? princess" Kael said, clearly annoyed by Astra's actions.

Astra took a slow breath, looking at the two powerful mages, then at the serpent.

"it's not worth fighting," he continued, his voice steady.

"Let me handle it"

Vael's grip on his weapon tightened.

"Astra, this is an S-ranked creature. It's not something you should-"

"I know," Astra interrupted, his gaze still focused on the serpent.

"But fighting won't solve anything."

"Astra, but-" Vael said, his voice filled with concerned.

"JUST TRUST ME... I know he won't do anything, if he wanted to, he would have done it already… I think he has his own reasons…. Lemme handle it…" Astra said, while walking towards the serpent.

Vael exchanged a look with Kael, both mages unsure of how to proceed. They stood behind Astra, in ready to fight position.

Astra faced the serpent face to face. The serpent hissed at Astra, giving him a warning;

"HISSSSS!!!"

"JUST CLOSE YOUR GOD DAMN MOUTH!!!" Astra said, as he covered his nose.

The serpent recoiled slightly; its glowing eyes flickered with uncertainty as Astra continued to roast it;

"Honestly," Astra said with a shrug,

"I expected a little more hype from an S-ranked creature. Maybe a bit and brimstone? Instead, you're just a big, angry snake with a dramatic entrance. Seriously, the only thing scary about you is how long it took you to crawl out of the ground."

"hiss" the serpent whimpered.

 TO BE CONTINUED....