Chapter 35

Serene's POV

Azul Skyriders and Amber Warriors also failed to defeat the Schlangto. Although their strategies weren't imperfect, their execution was lacking which lead them to lose the battle.

Finally, it was our turn. We gathered in a hurdle with Artins Sensei. "Believe in yourselves, and victory will be yours. If things get out of hand, I will personally come and stop it. Remember teamwork is the key, here." He instructed us.

"Yes, Sensei" we shouted before heading towards the magic barrier. Once we were inside.

"Take your positions and get ready," Zeph shouted.

As Mariela Sensei waved her wand, it burst out of the ground with full force instead of gradually creeping its way out and flew right in the air. I opened my huge wings with a woosh and the crowd outside went "Woooh" at the sight. I had never opened my wings before them.

I flew in the air with my bow directed towards it. As I came into its peripheral vision, it flew straight toward me but I was ready. "Arrow of Pain" I shouted and a bright red arrow formed which went straight and hit it between its eyes. Its whole body writhed and rippled with pain. But, it didn't fall to the ground as we had planned. I can't shoot the same arrows simultaneously and I have to wait for 30 seconds before shooting my next arrow.

But, the effect of my arrow was wearing off due to its large size. Before I could launch another arrow, Schlangto was fighting the pain and began to fly towards me again. "Serene, get out of its range," Zeph shouted from below.

I moved but it was too late its claws grazed my armour but didn't reach my skin. The effect disoriented me as I began to fall before I could steady myself, Arlo jumped in the air with lightning speed and caught me.

Meanwhile, Schlangto was attacked by a swarm of crows who began to peck its eyes. It was Ayrden controlling the birds giving us time to escape. Arlo put me down as I steadied myself. "Are you hurt?" Zeph asked me.

"No, armour protected me. I just lost my balance." I reassured them.

"Time for plan B. Mikasim you have to transform. Arlo, you are with Serene." Zeph told us as he took out the bow and arrow he has brought with him.

Arlo was holding me from the waist as I adjusted my bow towards the Schlangto. The plan was to move as fast as we can once I shot him. He will follow us and Zeph will have an open window to attack it. Ayrden called off her birds.

As we took the position, I aimed for its eye this time. The enormous red glowing eyes. "Arrow of Fear" I shouted, and a Dark Blue arrow shot right out and pierced its eye.

"Yes, bull's eye," as Arlo moved me with lightning speed towards its other side. Schlangto recoiled in pain and fear and began to move back. We knew we only had a few seconds. Zeph aimed and shot an arrow which hit near the weak spot of its neck.

It bellowed and coiled even further. Mikasim jumped on its back and made its way towards its claws. Carefully avoiding the talons he dug his sharp teeth into its arm and with one quick blow ripped one of the claws from its arm and threw it away.

I formed my protective shield around Mikasim so that if Schlangto attacked him, he would receive no injury. Zeph kept shooting arrows at him while Mikasim moved to the next claw. But, Schlangto had recovered from my "Arrow of Fear" and it opened its huge mouth as if to engulf Mikasim. Zeph was ready for it and shot an arrow straight into its mouth which came out from its head.

It squealed loudly and jerked its head back. Arlo was lightning quick, he left my side and rescued Mikasim for the time being. Schlangto was now oozing greenish-yellow fluid from several places. We moved to its left side which was blind and was also missing a claw. " Time to put it out of its misery," Zeph said with determination looking at me and I nodded.

"Arrow of Paralysis" and a dark purple arrow began to form which hit it straight in its side. It jerked once and fell on the ground, twitching. I heard a "Wow" from the crowd, guess everyone was on the edge watching this battle unfold.

"Zeph it's your turn, you only have a few seconds," I told him as I put away my bow and formed a protective shield around him, just in case. Zeph took out his sword and rushed towards it as all of us held our breaths watching. He jumped in the air and with one clean strike plunged the sword deep into its neck. Gurgling yellowish-green liquid protruded from its wound covering Zeph's face and hands. Schlangto raised its head to squawk one last time before letting its head fall.

As he turned around, we saw he was fully covered with that gross fluid. But, we didn't care as we rushed toward him. Mikasim in his werewolf form was the first to reach him and pushed him to the ground and was hugging him. We stood beside him laughing, even Arlo was smiling. Zeph was trying to push Mikasim away from him and was failing miserably.

Finally, we helped him up and he smiled at us while pointing toward his clothes. He had a dazzling irresistible smile.

"Great job everyone," he said smiling. Ayrden rushed forward to hug him while Arlo nodded at him. She handed him a handkerchief to wipe his hands.

Then he extended his hand towards me. I was super shocked, I couldn't believe he was the same Zeph who wouldn't even look at me and today he was smiling at me. His face looked completely different because of that smile, it was warm and radiant, unlike his whole aura and eyes. But, today his smile had even lit up his eyes which were sparkling brightly. My heart was melting just looking at him all dishevelled and yet so handsome.

I reached out to shake his hand. His skin was soft and warm and I didn't want to let go of his hand. I had a tingling feeling where his skin touched mine. His slender fingers strongly held the back of my hand and for an instant, all I could think of was looking into his pitch-black eyes. I had completely forgotten the world around me.

" Thanks, you were exceptional today." He finally said not breaking eye contact with me. Before I could reply Ralph jumped over him from behind. He retrieved his hand from mine and turned his attention to Ralph who was grinning from ear to ear.

Artins Sensei and Lavaria Sensei joined us and congratulated us. "Serene, I am so proud of you. You were exceptional today." Artins Sensei was beaming with pride as he smiled at me.

"I am honoured Sensei," I replied. "We need to increase the effective time of your arrows. That needs practice but overall an exceptional performance." Lavaria Sensei was full of appreciation.

"Well, she is learning from the best what else were you expecting Lavaria?" Shumal Sensei joined them as she slightly elbowed Lavaria Sensei and he coughed lightly to hide his smile. All of them began to laugh, even Artins Sensei smiled.

We were awarded black belts and were declared this month's winning team. Ralph's team was short of a few points because Tanzil lost points due to the incident at the party. Belts were made up of a flexible material so that they could fit everyone, the buckle had hooks to hold it together and was shaped like a star. All of us beamed at the sight and placed them around our waists.

Second-year seniors gathered around us and fully praised us. Zilver, Ziva and Alvene joined us. "I had expected nothing less from my combat student. She exceeded all limits and brought it down without a scratch. What did I tell you, ladies?" He pointed towards me while addressing Ziva and Alvene.

"Fine, fine you win," Ziva looked at him lazily while Alvene was smiling trying to hide her laughter. The three of them were best friends, while Zilver and Ziva were dating and they looked so much alike. Ziva was a witch while Zilver was a vampire/werewolf hybrid.

"You were impressive today, Serene," Alvene told me. "Thank you, guys." I replied with a smile.

I turned around to look for my team. Mikasim was with Tanzil while Zeph was in a tight grasp of Ralph, Ayrden was talking to Frela while Arlo was nowhere to be seen.

Ralph rushed towards me and gave me a big hug and all that goo he has picked up from Zeph was on my armour now. "Gross, Ralph," I frowned at him.

"Serene, you were flying and your arrows are so cool. I loved watching every bit of that fight." He was beaming and babbling at the same time. Zeph joined us too as we began to walk back towards the main building. " Yes, our plan worked although we did have to go to plan B." I told him.

Once we reached the staircase we were about to part ways. I just wanted to get in the shower and then sleep. Zilver came inside at that instant and announced that tonight Seniors will be throwing a party for us. All of us had to attend. There went my plans of resting.