Chapter 21 - The Battle Begins

Jasmine, Brandie, and Kaleigh were standing in the center of the pack grounds, spread out to make a triangle. Their mates were standing a few feet behind each of them. They didn't know precisely when the being would send in his first attack, but they were ready regardless.

The warriors were around the perimeter with the other witches. Everyone was on edge, but they were ready. Dillon and Alannah were guarding the pack house where the children and elders were hiding.

The three in the center of it all could feel the powerful energy coming from the pack grounds. They knew other forces had placed spells around them, but they didn't know what they were. As everyone waited, barely breathing and afraid to make too much noise, they suddenly felt a low rumble below the ground's surface. It almost felt like an earthquake, but there was a terrifying growl with it.

As everyone looked around, waiting to see from which direction the attack would come, they were surprised to see creatures appear from out of nowhere. They were grey in color, and they looked like large gargoyles.

The warriors were initially surprised but immediately began attacking the ugly creatures. With the spells on the grounds and the weapons, the warriors were having no problem killing them. However, it seemed as quickly as they finished them off, more appeared.

Jasmine, Brandie, and Kaleigh helped by using magic on the creaturs. Whenever they got close to them, they were no contest for the power of the witches. Brandie and Jasmine were also trying to keep an eye on the pack members. They were hoping for no casualties on their side.

The Emerald Stone witches were tired of the creatures that kept appearing, so they agreed on a spell and raised their hands. As they chanted, everything turned green and got so bright that everyone had to squint.

The grey creatures started squealing as they tried to run from the light. One by one, they fell to their death. Any that escaped the light were chased by the warriors and killed. When none were remaining, everyone took a few minutes to catch their breath. They knew that wasn't the end of the being's attack.

As the Fallen Eagle pack got ready for the next round, they heard an earsplitting screech above them. It was so loud that many of them covered their ears.

When they looked up into the night sky, they saw something large and black flying toward them. As it got closer, they realized it wasn't one giant black flying monster but hundreds of smaller ones. They looked like the grey creatures they had just eliminated, but these were black, and they could fly.

Kaleigh and her daughters looked at each other and knew what to do. They quickly cast a spell covering the entire area, so when the flying creatures tried to come down on them, they were met with flames instead, sending them to death. The ones that tried to turn around before bursting into flames were brought down by the warrior's spellbound arrows.

Once they were sure all the flying things were all killed, the pack members looked at each other. So far, they had no lives lost, but the battle was far from over.

The ground started shaking, and there was a loud roar that sounded like many things rather than just one. They got in their fighting stances as they waited for whatever was coming toward them.

The trees started falling when the rumble got louder. It took everything the warriors had not to run in the opposite direction when they saw the five large figures appear in front of them. All five stood at least ten feet tall and were pitch black with red demon eyes. They looked somewhat like men, but they had small horns on their heads, and they wore metal loincloths. They also had enormous axes in their hands.

The warriors started shooting arrows at them, but they only seemed to sting the five beasts. All the White Raven and Fallen Eagle witches came together with the Emerald Stone witches and began chanting.

With all the magic mixed together, a large white ball appeared in the sky. The five beings looked up at it in confusion as it got closer. They started swinging their axes to try and swat it away, but it kept coming. When the white ball was directly over them, it released white lava-like liquid, and the five beasts turned into puddles on the ground.

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The being watched in horror as the witches took down each set of enforcers like they were nothing. He was worried that there had been no casualties on the witches' side. How was it possible that they would stop all of his men before harm could come to their pack?

The being sent in the next attack. This time it was fifteen of the giant demons that the devil had sent him. They came from under the ground with an Earth-shattering quake worse than the ones before them. It wasn't necessary for all the extra dramatics, but the being liked his theatrics.

He watched in delight from his view between the worlds as the demons ran onto the pack grounds in full force. However, the witches were waiting for them, and even though the demons sent a few warriors flying through the air, it wasn't enough.

The being watched as the witches placed a spell on the demons that brought them to their knees. Once they were down, the warriors swarmed on them, killing all fifteen within a matter of minutes. He knew it was time to pull out all the stops. These witches were too powerful for the weaklings beneath him.

The being got ready to make his presence known. In order to do this, he would have to act fast. He could only be out of his safety net between the worlds for a few minutes before he would disintegrate into nothing.

He headed toward the opening he made in the event he had to take this route. It was right next to the pack house. The being began his entrance into the human world.

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Kaleigh, Jasmine, and Brandie were waiting for the next round to begin. As worried as their mates were, the three women were getting stronger from using their magic. They felt energized after taking down each target.

When they felt the ground shaking again, they got ready. They knew this time it was going to be something bigger than any of the others. As they waited, they heard screaming from near the pack house, and they all turned.

Kaleigh, Brandie, and Jasmine stared in terror as a tall inky black thing seemed to rise higher and higher until it towered over the pack house. Whatever it was, it looked like it was covered in black slime.

The eyes were white with red centers. It had long arms that looked like rubber. It was like a tall fat snake with no legs, but it had a long tail. When it finally stopped growing, it was about twenty feet tall.

"It's the being." Brandie whispered more to herself, but everyone within earshot heard her.

The being looked directly at the three witches he wanted, and his voice was rough like gravel when he spoke.

"You will come with me, Emerald Stone witches, or you will watch your loved ones die." The being slithered closer to them as they took their stances.

"We will never come with you. You're going to be the one to die. We will defeat you and send you to hell." Jasmine stood tall as she spoke to the being. Behind her, Aaron feared that the being would target her. Still, he bit his tongue, remembering what they had said about interfering.

"You have a terrible mouth on, you witch. Now watch how I will make you cower to me and do as I say."

As everyone watched in horror, the being swooped down and picked up Dillon and Alannah, one in each hand. They struggled to try and make him drop them, but his strength was too much.

"Let them go, now." Kaleigh screamed at the being, fearing that he would kill them.

"I will let them go when you come with me." The being said in his gravelly voice. The three witches looked at each other and nodded.

"Alright, we will go with you, but first, let them go." Kaleigh said with a glare. The being dropped Alannah and Dillon to the ground and began moving toward Kaleigh, Jasmine, and Brandie.