Chapter 32 - BAYU

The submarine emerged from the depths, its exterior slick with brine and algae, creaking gently as it adjusted to the shifting currents. Bayu leaned against the cold metal wall, the sound of the engine humming a steady rhythm beneath his feet. His magic reserves were drained, leaving a faint ache in his chest. He exhaled heavily and closed his eyes, trying to push away the exhaustion that clawed at him.

As they neared the docking platform, the water nymph they had met earlier came into view.

"I knew you'd make it," the nymph said, her voice a gentle ripple through the water. "The tides have a way of guiding the determined."

Bayu managed a weary nod, offering a half-smile in return. "Thanks for your faith in us."

The nymph tilted her head knowingly. "The journey ahead is no less treacherous. Be careful, soldier."

Kai stepped forward, his frame tense but composed, and thanked the nymph with a polite bow before gesturing for the group to climb back aboard.

Inside the submarine, the cramped quarters felt almost comforting compared to the chaos of Reken Cove. The low hum of machinery filled the silence as they set off toward Antigua. Isaac sprawled in one of the chairs, visibly relieved but clearly avoiding eye contact after Kai's earlier praise. Tomoya sat cross-legged, his wolfish energy subdued, though his eyes gleamed with a predatory sharpness that hadn't faded.

Bayu took the seat beside Kai, who was reviewing the worn map of Antigua spread across the table. Frowning, Bayu leaned over, tracing his finger along the jagged coastline of English Harbour.

"We should head to Mildred," Bayu suggested. "She's the Head Witch. It's paramount we find out whether she was involved with the attack that happened to Jabari."

Kai looked up, his expression thoughtful. "You think she'll talk to us? She's not exactly forthcoming."

"She might not have a choice," Bayu replied. "If Maleko is ready to burn English Harbour to the ground, she's going to need allies whether she likes it or not."

Kai sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Fair point. We can't let this escalate any further. But we'll need to split up to cover ground."

"Tomoya and I will head to English Harbour and speak to Mildred. You and Isaac stay around Falmouth. If things go south, we'll need you both to cut Maleko off before he does something irreversible."

Kai's jaw tightened as he considered the proposal. "Make sure you contact me through the bond if anything goes wrong. We can't afford to lose anyone now."

The submarine docked just outside Antigua, the water lapping gently against the hull. The group disembarked in silence, their movements synchronized by shared exhaustion. The humid air hit Bayu like a wall, and the distant orange glow on the horizon sent a ripple of unease through him. Smoke.

Bayu turned to Kai, gripping his forearm briefly. "You'll be fine in Falmouth, right?"

Kai nodded, his hand resting on Isaac's shoulder. "We'll keep things under control."

Tomoya shifted into his wolf form with a low growl, signaling that he was ready. Bayu gave one last nod to Kai before following the wolf into the darkness, their path illuminated by the faint flicker of magic glowing from Bayu's fingertips.

*******

Mildred's manor loomed like a forgotten relic on the edge of English Harbour, its weathered stone walls cloaked in ivy and shadows. Gnarled trees lined the narrow pathway leading to the front door, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. A faint shimmer of protective wards hung in the air, humming with latent magic. Bayu could feel their presence, sharp and probing against his skin, as though the house itself was appraising their intentions.

The building's windows were tall and narrow, their panes cracked and clouded with age. A faint glow seeped through the curtains, casting eerie patterns on the overgrown gardens. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint tang of sea salt carried on the wind.

Tomoya shifted back into his human form beside Bayu, his movements smooth and practiced. His dark eyes flicked toward Bayu, wary and tired.

"You okay?" Bayu asked, his voice low.

Tomoya gave a curt nod but said nothing. Sometimes, Bayu thought about stroking Tomoya's fur when he transformed into a wolf (or his long dark hair) —but he suspected he'd lose a finger or two for the effort.

Shrugging off the thought, Bayu squared his shoulders and stepped up to the massive door. The wood was dark and scarred, its iron fittings tarnished with age. He knocked firmly, the sound echoing in the stillness.

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a butler with a sharp, pinched face. His disapproving gaze swept over them before he stepped aside wordlessly.

Inside, the grand hallway stretched before them, its high ceilings supported by arched beams that disappeared into shadow. The floors were polished to a mirror sheen, reflecting the faint light of a chandelier that dangled precariously overhead. Paintings of stern-looking witches adorned the walls, their eyes seeming to follow Bayu and Tomoya as they entered.

Mildred appeared at the far end of the hallway, her black dress trailing behind her like spilled ink. Her hair, streaked with gray, was pulled into a severe bun, and her face was tight with exhaustion and irritation.

"The Aetherwing Brigade," she greeted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Her skirts swished as she approached. She gestured for them to follow, leading them into a grand sitting room.

The room was richly decorated, with velvet drapes, ornate furniture, and a roaring fire that did little to chase away the oppressive atmosphere. Mildred motioned to a pair of high-backed chairs, but Bayu remained standing. The energy buzzing through him made it impossible to sit still.

"I think you know why we're here," Bayu said sharply. "Maleko is coming for you."

Mildred chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "That boy didn't succeed when his father was alive, and he certainly won't succeed now."

"What on earth do you mean by that?"

Mildred turned her attention to her fingernails, inspecting them with feigned disinterest. "Bayu, you must understand—I'm not on this island for leisure. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to enjoy ice cream or frolic on the beach. I was dispatched here by the British government to ensure the island's... profitability. Falmouth is part of that endeavor, and I had to assume control."

Bayu's brows furrowed, the pieces of the puzzle starting to shift into place. "I'm not sure I'm following..."

And then it hit him. The sickening realization settled in his stomach like a lead weight. "You lied to us....You're behind the dark magic in Falmouth—the monsters, all of it."

Mildred took a step back, her expression a mixture of offense and amusement. She clapped her hands, summoning her attendants, who filed into the room with unsettling eagerness. They surrounded her, their faces alight with smug satisfaction.

"Calm yourself. Yes, the witches are responsible for the disturbances in Falmouth, but it's not black magic. It's rune stone magic."

Bayu clenched his fists, willing himself to remain calm. "And who gave you these rune stones?"

Mildred waved a dismissive hand. "Some white-haired vampire or other. His name escapes me at the moment."

Beside Bayu, Tomoya stumbled, his usual composure shattering. His dark eyes were wide, his breaths shallow and uneven.

"Tomoya?" Bayu asked, his concern cutting through his anger.

Tomoya didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the floor as if trying to hold himself together.

Bayu turned back to Mildred, his mind racing. If the witches were responsible for the chaos in Falmouth, then—

"You killed Jabari,"

Mildred's eyes widened in mock horror. "Heavens, no! I would never do such a thing. That would be a diplomatic nightmare! I may have bent a few rules, but I'm not reckless. The magic has been... unpredictable, I'll admit. But we had no hand in Jabari's death."

"Really?"

The voice came from the doorway, cold and cutting. Maleko stood silhouetted against the fading light, his bow drawn, the arrow's point aimed directly at Mildred's heart.

His curls were disheveled, his face etched with fury and grief.

"Would you like to test that theory out?" Maleko's voice was deadly calm, but the wild glint in his eyes betrayed his instability.

Mildred took a step back, her attendants moving to shield her.

Bayu glanced at Tomoya, who was still frozen, his face pale and unreadable. His instincts screamed that something was very wrong, but there was no time to dwell on it.

"Maleko don't do this."

Maleko drew the arrow towards Bayu's chest. "Aetherwing. I didn't know you were against us."

The tension in the air was suffocating, every breath Bayu took felt weighted with dread. He held his hands up, palms outward, trying to placate Maleko.

"I'm not against you, Maleko. We're here to save this island."

Maleko's grip on his bow tightened, the strain visible in the taut muscles of his arms. Bayu could see the sheen of sweat on Maleko's trembling hands, his legs stiff with barely restrained emotion. He was on the brink.

From the doorway, a troop of warrior elves rushed in, their dark forms cutting sharp silhouettes against the dim light. They were dressed in sleek black uniforms, medallions swinging from their chests as they took their positions. An elf with a shock of curly brown hair glanced at Maleko and nodded.

"At your word, Maleko, we strike."

Maleko adjusted his aim, the nock of his bow lifting higher until it was pointed directly at Mildred's face. His voice was steady, yet edged with bitterness.

"Aetherwing may not have been able to make their choice," he said, his eyes blazing. "But I've made mine."

The twang of the bowstring cut through the air like a blade. Bayu moved on instinct, rushing toward Mildred to intercept the shot, but the witch was quicker. She flung something small and dark to the ground in front of her.

The object clattered on the polished floor—a round, rusted rune stone. For a heartbeat, everything was silent.

Then the air around it rippled, as if the stone were a pebble dropped into a pool of invisible water. A monstrous form began to emerge, growing grotesquely from the stone's center. Its body was a patchwork of decay: flesh sloughed off its bony frame, revealing sinew and rotting muscle beneath. Its mouth was a gaping maw, dripping black sludge that hissed and steamed when it touched the ground. Its hollow eyes burned with unnatural light, and its clawed limbs moved with terrifying speed.

The creature lashed out, its claws sweeping across the line of warrior elves. Bows clattered to the ground as the elves scrambled to defend themselves.

Mildred wasted no time. She and her attendants darted toward the far end of the room, skirts swishing as they fled.

Bayu was in pursuit immediately, Tomoya at his heels. "Mildred, you've got to stop this!" he shouted, but his words were drowned out by the chaos.

Mildred didn't respond. Instead, she hurled more rune stones into the underbrush outside. Each one erupted into another monstrous abomination, their grotesque forms growing and twisting in the moonlight.

Although it was night, English Harbour was alive with activity. The quiet hum of life turned to chaos as the monsters descended upon the harbor. People screamed and fled as the creatures rampaged through the narrow streets. Lantern light flickered wildly, illuminating the panic-stricken faces of merchants and sailors trying to defend themselves.

"You see!" Maleko bellowed, his voice rising above the din. "The witches are the ones doing this!"

He fired another arrow, a sharp, clean shot aimed at Mildred's retreating form. But one of the monsters intercepted it, its decaying body taking the hit with a sickening squelch.

Bayu didn't hesitate. He extended his hand, summoning bursts of scorching magic that seared the air as they shot toward the monsters. Tomoya, now in his wolf form, fought beside him with relentless ferocity. His golden eyes glowed in the darkness as he tore into the creatures, his jaws snapping through flesh and bone with ease.

From the horizon, Bayu spotted a large ship docking at the edge of the harbor. Mildred and her attendants hurried toward it, throwing rune stones in their wake. The creatures surged forward, tearing through the already panicked crowds.

A young girl, clothed in a tattered green dress, screamed as one of the monsters lunged toward her. Its jagged teeth gnashed inches from her face. Bayu raised his hand and released a crackling arc of cobalt energy. The spell struck the monster, severing its head in one clean blow. Black sludge spilled onto the cobblestone street, the air thick with the stench of decay.

Bayu turned to Tomoya, his hand brushing over the wolf's blood-matted fur. "Can you hold these monsters down?"

Tomoya growled in response, his eyes fierce with determination. He lunged forward, tearing through the creatures with renewed ferocity. Meanwhile, the elven warriors fired arrows in synchronized bursts, their projectiles piercing the monsters' grotesque forms.

Bayu's focus shifted back to Mildred. He saw Maleko following her down the winding path toward the ship, his bow drawn and ready. Bayu's gut twisted. He was certain Maleko wouldn't let her leave the island alive. As much as he disliked the witch, her death would plunge the island into political turmoil.

"I have to stop him," Bayu muttered, his voice barely audible over the chaos.

He sprinted after them, his breath catching in his throat. His magic thrummed inside him, a pulsing force he struggled to contain.

Kai. He reached out through their bond. We need you here.

Kai's response was immediate. I'm coming.

Bayu reached the ship just as Maleko stormed aboard. Mildred stood at the center of the deck, her attendants shielding her.

"Maleko, don't!" Bayu shouted, his voice breaking with urgency.

Maleko didn't look back. His arrow was already nocked, aimed squarely at Mildred's chest. "Leave me be, Aetherwing," he spat. "This is for the glory of this island. For my father."

He pulled the string taut, his hands shaking with fury. "How dare you run after unleashing such monsters on my people?"

Mildred shoved her attendants aside and stepped forward. Her lips curled into a mocking smile. "Oh, don't worry about me," she said. "I'm a witch. I have magic of my own. How about it, Maleko? Would you like me to get rid of you?"

"SHUT UP!" Maleko roared.

"MALEKO, NO!" Bayu's scream tore through the night as Maleko released the arrow.

It flew swiftly, embedding itself in the heart of Mildred's black lace dress.

She staggered back, clutching the arrow. Blood seeped from the wound, staining her hands. But instead of collapsing, she let out a harsh, rasping laugh. Her fingers curled around the arrow's shaft, and a dark, swirling magic began to radiate from her.

The magic coiled and twisted, sinking into the arrow like ink spreading through water. Mildred yanked it free and hurled it back at Maleko in one clean arc.

Bayu's body moved before his mind could catch up. He threw himself into Maleko, shoving him out of the way. The arrow's tip pierced Bayu's chest, and he felt the dark magic surge into his heart.

Pain exploded through him, sharp and searing, as if his very essence was being consumed. The world blurred around him, the last thing he saw was Maleko's horrified face before darkness claimed him.