Chapter 32: Chapter 20 - My Own Way to Help

As I stood there, trying to steady my thoughts after the unsettling encounter with the undead raven, Midnight remained tense at my side. His fur was still bristling and I could feel that the threat had disturbed him as much as it had me. What was happening here? The presence of such a creature could only mean one thing: the Lich was much closer than I had feared.

A chill crept down my spine as I felt the almost tangible aura of dark magic hanging around us like a suffocating cloud. The Lich was no longer a distant threat hiding in the depths of the forest; he was actively searching for something—or someone—within the walls of this estate.

I turned to Midnight, who had calmed down slightly since the raven's departure, though his body remained tense, his eyes narrowed. "We need to tell Tatsuya", I whispered, urgency lacing my voice. But as the words left my lips, doubt gnawed at me. Would Tatsuya believe me? And even if he did, what could he do against such a powerful, sinister force?

"Come on, we can't waste time", I urged and Midnight nodded, his eyes sharp and alert. Together, we hurried through the wide corridors of the estate, bathed in the soft glow of the first morning light. Shadows stretched long and seemed to follow us like grasping fingers along our path.

As we approached Tatsuya's quarters, I heard faint sounds from inside. My heartbeat quickened—whether from fear or anticipation, I couldn't say. I raised my hand to knock, but before I could touch the wood, the door swung open. Tatsuya stood there, fully dressed, with a sharp, vigilant look in his eyes. It was almost as if he had been expecting us. Beside him stood Raven, ready to carry out any instruction.

Tatsuya's gaze scanned over Midnight and me, then he stepped aside, wordlessly inviting us in. Once inside, I wasted no time. "Tatsuya, something is wrong", I began hastily. "I just saw an undead raven—its bones were exposed and its eyes glowed like embers. Midnight chased it away, but I believe it was sent by the Lich. He's closer than we thought".

For a moment, Tatsuya's expression remained unmoved. His face was like an impenetrable mask of calm. But then he moved to his desk, pulled out a map of the estate and surrounding woods, and spread it out. "The Lich must be desperate", he murmured, almost to himself. "If he's sending his servants this far, he's searching for something—or someone".

A heavy knot formed in my stomach as I grasped the meaning of his words. "Do you think... he might be after me?" I asked quietly, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Tatsuya looked up, and his intense eyes met mine, filled with a mixture of determination and concern that sent a fresh shiver down my spine. "It's possible. But we can't be certain. What we do know is that he's close and that puts everyone here at risk".

He turned to Midnight, who stood listening attentively, his ears twitching at every sound. "We must be prepared", Tatsuya said firmly. "Midnight, you'll keep a close watch over Haru. We'll strengthen the protective wards around the estate, but we must also be ready for a direct assault. Raven, alert the others. I expect everyone in my study shortly".

My heart pounded as Tatsuya issued his orders. His voice was calm, but the urgency was unmistakable. I felt the weight of the situation settle heavily on my shoulders. The safety of the estate and everyone within it now depended on the steps we took.

As Midnight and I left the room, I cast a final glance back at Tatsuya. He had returned to studying the map, his shoulders tense, as though bracing himself for an inevitable battle—a battle that even he might find to be an unprecedented challenge.

I followed Midnight, who moved with determination and vigilance, his senses keen. As we crossed the corridors, I asked quietly, "What should we do now, Midnight?"

"The defense of the estate and your safety are our top priorities", he replied calmly, though there was a serious warning in his tone.

I nodded, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the eerie raven and the dark forest. What exactly was the Lich looking for? And could it really be me he was after? Had my magic somehow drawn him to us?

Suddenly, Isabella appeared in the hallway. "Haru, Midnight", she greeted us, her voice steady, though she struggled to keep her composure. "Any news?"

I stepped forward and recounted the encounter with the undead raven and our conversation with Tatsuya. When I mentioned the Lich, her expression grew even more grave.

"This is worse than I feared", she murmured, looking at me intently. "We must make sure everyone is prepared for the worst. The villagers should be warned to stay indoors before nightfall and to secure their homes. Excuse me, I need to see Lord Drakonov immediately".

Midnight nodded in agreement. "We can't waste time. It's only a matter of time before the Lich makes his next move".

Taking a deep breath, Isabella hurried toward Tatsuya. I felt a strong urge to follow her, to play my part in defending the estate. I wanted to do more than simply keep myself safe—I wanted to help ward off the threat. There had to be something I could do.

Just then, I heard noises from outside. I stepped to the window overlooking the courtyard. There, several guards had already gathered, listening intently to their commander's instructions. Tatsuya stood in their midst, his presence steady and resolute as he issued orders. The seriousness of the situation was visible in their faces.

When Tatsuya noticed Midnight and me, he motioned for Raven, who immediately came to us. "I'll be at your side again to protect you", he said firmly. I could only nod, though I couldn't suppress a quiet sigh. I had just regained a bit of freedom and now it was slipping away again.

Raven led me toward my study. "All necessary preparations are being made", he explained. "We'll be ready, no matter what comes. For now, continue with your routine as usual".

A strange feeling crept over me—a sense that I wasn't being told everything. Determined to find my own way to help, I headed to the library. I planned to search for any possible clues that could aid us against the Lich. I questioned the nature spirits and Midnight, knowing that even the smallest detail could be crucial.

During my search, I stumbled upon an old, dusty scroll. It contained a legend about a Light Mage who had once defeated an undead necromancer. "With a final spell of the purest and most powerful light magic, he extinguished his existence", I read softly. The purest and most powerful light spell... If I could discover what that spell was, it might be our key to stopping the Lich.

However, all I found was the spell's name: Heavenly Light or Divine Light. It was said to be the purest form of light magic. The idea intrigued me and I began to ponder it.

Yet my search wasn't entirely in vain, as I found a spell for a protective barrier:

Sanctum of Light

Effect: The Sanctum of Light creates a radiant, nearly invisible barrier of pure light magic that shields the estate from dark creatures, curses and hostile magic. This barrier allows only those free from dark magic to pass and begins to shimmer softly if touched by darkness or negative energy.

Impact: The light barrier acts as a holy shield, repelling dark magic and warding off intruders. It strengthens all beings within the estate, offering them protection and tranquility. Once cast, the spell remains active for several days, renewing itself through sunlight.

With the help of the nature spirits, I created instructions for casting the spell. This barrier could buy us valuable time while I uncovered more about Heavenly Light.

Resolutely, with the plan in hand, I set off to find Tatsuya, determined to put the protective spell in place.