Wispy Magic

The chant seemed to have one of those after-echoing effects, ringing with unseen authority in the air as I felt my stretched-out palm grow rapidly warm.

A bright, arcane sigil I couldn't quite comprehend appeared directly at the tip of my fingers, spinning loosely under an array of similarly bright circles. It also had a sequence of unintelligible runes decorating it. The whole movement had a gear-like feeling as it shone brighter from the middle, seeming to pull something from within me.

I let myself give up whatever demand it seemed to make and let out a thrust, causing my arm to twitch forwards.

What emerged appeared as a beam, or rather a column, of pure, hot and yellow energy, beaming straight and true. The beam seemed to train, penetrating even the still air around and viciously into the beast mid-pounce. Its howl of pain couldn't be misinterpreted.

The blast sent the beast reeling and sliding through across the dirt to a good distance. The effect of the chant wore off, leaving nothing but smoke fizzling off my hand and a ghastly open wound on the side of my attacker. It soon joined the smoke, wisping into the currents.

An empty feeling of loss and a heavy one of fatigue soon settled inside of me, causing my shoulders to droop and my breath to shake into raspy heaves.

I re-steadied my stance and looked around to the remaining two furry hounds. With another swelling feeling, I let the same words flow a second time, backing them up with more zeal than before. If I was gonna be saved by an unknown beast who didn't seem to have anything better to do, I might as well chip in.

"Otedorum Erejus!"

The same sigil appeared, runes still intact and spinning as another blast unleashed itself while still pulling from within myself. I used my mind to hone onto the target, making sure it didn't find its way to the wrong body. That would only give the alpha a winning edge to me.

And true to my thoughts, the right target was met in a resounding blast that sent it careening towards the tree-trunk which I fell off of.

I didn't expect the impact to sound even louder than the magical blast but it did, shaking the branches of the tree and resulting in a slow storm of leaves.

My canine protector grabbed the quick advantage and bolted to its opponent, wasting no further time to sink its teeth in and snap the neck bone of the alpha. It evaporated away like the rest, only in a much bigger cloud of smoke.

An appreciative silence soon settled in, if even for a little only, then broke off with a heavy, relieved sigh from the last standing hound.

I didn't feel any fear or danger whatsoever as it made its way towards me, getting its long snout easily to my face level.

Its warm, ember eyes burned with an inner flame, making me question whether they would glow in the dark. Its eyes conducted a close examination of me, as if under the glance of a microscope. A few self-assuring sniffs changed its entire body language thereafter.

I didn't expect a warm, very warm, while wet, very very wet lick of appreciation and a bark of ecstasy.

Wiping rapidly at the new, slimy decoration on my face and tightening my lips shut so none would get in my mouth, I coughed out laughing.

"Oh.. Um..." I sputtered in surprise. "Y-You're welcome, I guess."

Another happy bark.

I was surprised at how immediate its demeanor had changed. It now sat comfortably on its haunches, veins of ember bright with new excitement and its massive tail that was probably the size of an arm and a half shaking up a dusty storm.

"And thank you for the help, as well." I let my shoulders relax at the realization that I wasn't in any danger anymore, at least for the time being.

The relief however, reminded me of the nagging exhaustion at... Whatever it was I think I did earlier. Now I was filled only with questions, traveling into myself.

What were those God-forsaken, hairy, flaming dogs? They all looked like the one I was facing but they were vicious, hungry for only violence. Why wasn't this one attacking me then?

My only deduction from this was the beast seemed to recognize me somehow, well at least that made one of us.

Why on earth did I wake up hanging upside down from a burnt tree branch? Why wasn't the rest of the tree burnt and most importantly, why wasn't I burnt??

And what in heaven's name did I unleash from my hands?

I immediately looked down at them. My fingers still tingled with the memory of what just transpired, in fact, they still maintained a dim yellow glow which I came to hope was only temporary.

Was that really... Did I really do.... Do I have... Magic???

And if I did, how did I know that spell? How did it come to me so suddenly? How am I able to chant a whole spell, that wasn't even in English or any language I could recall, and not even make a guess at what my own name was?

AND WHY THE HELL WAS I IN THE WOODS???

But something triggered my memory of that spell, the hound had let out a cry and that's when my mind began reeling. Did I know the mutt previously?

I came out of my thoughts and slowly faced the hound.

"I know you, don't I?" I questioned, for some reason, expecting an answer.

Before I could even determine whether it was gonna answer me at all, the ground began writhing violently beneath me, almost assaulting me with vertigo.

As if expecting it, the hound lurched for me and delved its large head underneath my arm for support. Was it not affected by that just now?

A large, bright circle immediately followed, tracing itself elegantly around the both of us.

A different row of runes, more complexed looking singed themselves into the circle onto the dirt around us. I stood in wonder, hazing down at the wild intricacy of the magic. It had the same yellow glow as mine, shining immensely as the last one was engraved just short of my foot.

The light burned much harsher all of a sudden, causing me to shield my eyes and let out a surprised yell.

I lost my voice however, as the harsh beams swallowed me into what felt like deep space.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Sorry about the slight lateness, I didn't have any internet and I'm getting ready for some exams lol 🤭. Just feel free to let me know what you think so far.... And don't forget to enjoy and have a good day/night. ♥

Emmanuel Grey.