Episode 11

The water, which was formerly peaceful and serene, exploded with a powerful gush, surging from beneath its surface. The wind, once an inviting breeze, became stronger, whipping through the air with fresh vigor, conveying the aroma of saline and sea salt, laced with a sharpness that pricked my nose and throat. I witnessed a strange change in him at this point, as the pieces merged in a symphony of chaos. His eyes, which appeared ordinary and modest before, now shone with an alien light, like twin torches in the darkness. The ghostly light within them flashed and flickered, throwing an unearthly glow on his face and conveying a depth of emotion and purpose. As the light in his eyes faded, a gentle melancholy washed over his face, as if he was saying goodbye to a part of himself. It was a slow fade of the light that had briefly illuminated his sight as if the very essence of his being was fading into the darkness. Stillness descended on him at the same time, his chest rising and falling in a controlled pattern. He prepared himself to hold his breath, it was a purposeful act of readiness. The air was thick with suspense, an anticipatory pause before the plunge into the unknown. The universe appeared to hold its breath alongside him in this moment of transition and anticipation. As I rushed out of the dangerous depths of the cave, I held my breath, adrenaline flowing through my veins. I approached the opening and was met with a torrent of sharp projectiles speeding toward me with unnerving precision. They flew by me, the rush of air whispering their close calls against my skin, leaving me feeling vulnerable.

I took a moment to collect my racing thoughts behind the strong trunk of a nearby tree. The projectiles continued their uncontrolled course, seemingly aimless, their toughened and pointed forms glinting menacingly in the faint light. They appeared to be ice at first glance, but upon closer inspection, I noticed they were something a lot more intriguing. Each attack was pushed by an unknown power and had a chilly hardness that defies its genuine origin. It wasn't frozen water, but droplets of liquid traveling so fast that they turned into dreadful weapons capable of piercing the air with deadly precision. Their impact was not confined to mere punctures, for the objects they touched, whether it was vegetation or other materials, began to melt and dissolve into a pool of liquid. It wasn't water dripping from their ice points, but a corrosive substance, an acidic essence that ate away at everything it came into contact with. The realization filled me with both amazement and dread. What I thought was harmless ice turned out to be a considerably more deadly and unpredictable power. This warlock can manipulate liquids.

It’s likely to be sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid based on their reaction to surfaces. There’s one thing that can neutralize such acids. I rummaged through my things and pulled out a pinkish rock. I found it being washed in the wild ocean earlier. Based on its structure, this could be nahcolite. Powderising this would be enough to let it act as baking soda. We’re turning these acids to salt water so I can only be punctured and no further damage would be done. I tried rubbing it on the rock nearby in hopes that its compound is not as hard to break as those on Earth but with no luck. As my hopes faded, I couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation, a reminder that even in this strange land, nature's laws remained firm. He’d soon find me here and this tree wouldn’t be enough of a defense. A drop happened to pierce through the tree and caused a deep cut to my face. The nahcolite slipped from my grip and rolled to the open. I tried getting it back but a drop would always get through my way. I slumped to the ground and stared at it. What am I trying to achieve here? I should have just gone back, now even that seems impossible with all these acid drops. One drop struck the nahcolite but it didn’t create any damage. I may not be able to neutralize the acid but I can cover myself with that thing. It is wide and flat, enough to cover my chest. I have another in my bag half of its size but it is enough to cover my head at an angle. I’d get out of this place first.

I quickly took the rock causing a few more cuts on my body then went back into hiding. I tied it to my chest and my head using a few vines that I pulled earlier from some trees. Looking around, I calculated my path and if I’m quick enough, I’d get away from this place with lesser cuts. As I breathed, a rush of adrenaline rushed through my veins, encouraging me to flee the impending danger. My legs, though, failed me in an instant, breaking down to a sudden weakness that left them motionless. I collapsed to the harsh pavement like a marionette with severed strings, my muscles refusing to respond to the dictates of my desperate thoughts. What’s happening? A shudder crept up the back of my neck as a cold hand made contact, gently but firmly forcing my chin higher. I shook my head instinctively, a cascade of hair strands tumbling in disorder, trying to clear my vision and get a better look at the mysterious figure before me. Time appeared to stand still for a brief period, allowing me to take in every minute detail, from the small creases engraved on their skin to the intensity blazing within their eyes. I prepared myself for the confrontation that lies ahead. He has bluish hair, which he must have spent hours perfecting, along with his long, keen eyes that seem to bore into my soul. His lashes, unjustly long and fluttery, as if taunting me with their perfection. His skin and lips are smooth and faultless. His pinkish-round lips twisted into a smile as if to make hearts skip a beat when he noticed me observing his face. They're puffing up just perfectly while he smirks.

“What do you want?” I asked. I tried to control the venom that spilled from my tongue with a false sweetness, but it stuck to my words like a persistent poison. His determined and intense gaze met mine, and a flickering light flashed like hot flames within the depths of his eyes, throwing an unsettling glow across his face. My heart skipped a beat as I looked in fear and curiosity as droplets formed of an unknown force slithered towards me with hostile intent. The droplets altered steadily, almost purposefully, elongating and sharpening into unsettling forms. In a second, at least ten sharp acidic sticks are pointed in my direction. The air became heavy with imminent peril as I braced myself for the moment he would release these lethal weapons, fully aware that their impact would seal my fate. “I’d leave quietly okay? I won’t even tell them your location, no one listens to me anyways.” He seems unbothered by this and redirects his attention to the opening of the cave where a few hopping animals scurried away. “You can’t maintain your power can you?” I snickered. “You were so focused on eliminating me that your control of the acid inside the cave was lost. I’m right, ain’t I?” He seemed surprised but managed to hide it as the light in his eyes glowed brighter. “With this much power, you lost control because of a lack of focus. What a waste of talent and skill.” He snapped at this and a blade of sharp acid went close to my neck.

“Say that again.” I’ve been provoking him from the beginning but this is the first time I heard him speak. It pierces the air with a depth and maturity contradicting his age, echoing with a weight that demands attention. His remarks convey a power that commands the room, like a howl from the depths of a forgotten cavern, leaving no doubt that he possesses a presence beyond his years.

“Why? Did I finally hit something? Are you offended by how true my words sound?” He is the warlock that cokoa is speaking of. He calms the acid inside which is why the smell that it emits is less fatal and more manageable. The way he controls the liquids around him is amazing. He knows when to reduce his control to maintain the shape of the liquid, the only thing he’s lacking is focus. He cannot maintain his focus on one place and another, or maybe this is a matter of strength. No, probably focus. The liquid pointing at me hasn’t lost shape as he calmed the raging acid in the cave. Once he’s overcome this, he’d be more powerful. Maybe he is the sorcerer that Death is speaking of. He could be the warlock that could bring down the barriers with magic that is five times stronger than the erraticons’. “You’re that upper-class witch the whole black market is going crazy for. That’s why you’re hiding here, in the forest.”

“What is it to you? How haven’t I thought of this, every sorcerer is the same. I once thought those in the lower classes are more humble. Magic and strength go to a witches’ head making them think they're all high and mighty as if it permits them to step on other sorcerers.”

“Don’t talk so low of the sorcerers here. You’re an upper-class witch and for all I know, you are the sorcerers who attacked first. These creatures here are hurt, how else do you want them to respond?” After hearing the commotion in the black market, I’ve understood that the upper must have done something for them to keep so much rage. They must have caused death or war.

“You’re… right.” He calmed down a bit but then he looked at me again. “But that doesn’t mean I’d let you go away so easily. That mouth of yours could run faster than a running river. Who cares if no one believes you right now? Speaking of the upper-class warlock could get all their attention, activate that little rage of theirs, and wouldn’t even notice that it is you who spoke. I am not as low as you think I am, witch.”

“Oh, are you now?” I spun in the air, attempting a daring somersault to hit his head while avoiding the torrent of sharp acid directed squarely at me; but, one of the acidic projectiles managed to find its mark, grazing my arm with a seemingly harmless touch. The invasive character of this toxic material, on the other hand, became painfully apparent when a burning pain radiated from the place of contact. My formerly impeccable arm now exhibited the scars of its destructive power, with blood trickling from the incision, an ode to the deeper damage inflicted beneath the surface. “I don’t think you should also see me as a witch as low as the one in your head, warlock.” He stood up, hand on his head, and looked at me while squinting.

“Your mark…” He is looking at my wrist as if there is something so shocking embedded in it. “You’re an upper-class witch.”

Definitions:

Sulfuric Acid: A corrosive material that is harmful to the skin, eyes, teeth, and lungs. Severe exposure can be fatal. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - cdc.gov)

Hydrochloric Acid: Muriatic acid, often known as spirits of salt, is a water-based solution of hydrogen chloride. It is a colorless solution with a strong unpleasant odor and is considered a strong acid. (Source: Wikipedia)

Nahcolite: Also known as thermokalite, is a soft, colorless, or white carbonate mineral composed of sodium bicarbonate. It forms crystals in the monoclinic system. (Source: Wikipedia)