Scholomance 8: The Devil's Academy

by Logan Jacobs

  “Cole, whatever the hell you’re going to do,” Vanessa grunted as she kept her wand raised upright, and her face was flushed from the effort. “You’d better do it now!”

  “Just keep the barrier up!” I ordered in a sharp tone. “For as long as you can, Professor. I need you to stay strong!”

  “Fine,” she panted in a weak voice.

  Once again, I took another deep breath, and with all my might and willpower, I urged the dark lord to bless me with his unholy power. I opened my heart to Satan and prayed for the strength to destroy every single creature’s mind. Soon, I could feel the wendigos’ empty consciousnesses, and their only desire was for blood and nothing else.

  When I was ready, I closed my eyes and spoke the ancient tongue in my head.

  Modus antiquorum.

  Suddenly, each creature stopped in its tracks and froze in place. A heavy weight filled the air, and a ringing sound echoed through my head like a buzzing bee trapped in my skull. Violent tremors flowed through my body, and every inch of me felt like it was on fire. I clenched my jaw, and a sharp, unbearable pain took over my senses, but I watched with vigilant eyes as the creatures viciously trembled as well. They all screamed and howled before they placed their giant hands upon their pointed ears, and then their heads began to explode, one by one.

  A satisfied smirk spread across my face as gore spurted in every direction, and once each being fell to the floor limp and dead as a doornail, the women cheered and jumped up with glee.

  “Master!” Akira squealed before she wrapped her arms around me. “That was amazing! You killed them all!”

  “It doesn’t mean we’re in the clear just yet, Miss Akira,” Vanessa sighed, and when I turned to look at her, she was as white as a ghost. “There could be many more lurking within these caves, so I suggest we keep our enthusiasm to a minimum, agreed?”

  “Yes, of course, Professor,” the black-eyed witch said in a low whisper, but a small smile still played in the corners of her lips. “Apologies.”

  “It’s alright.” Vanessa nodded before she turned her attention to the wild woman. “Now please, Revna, show us the way… I have a feeling it’s going to be quite a perpetual night.”

  “Indeed,” the wild woman said with pinched lips. “The pathway will be cold, dark, and daunting, but it’s our only way to the dragon’s peak. I had hoped to leave the alces outside, but there’s nothing for it now, so they’ll have to accompany us. Everyone, follow me, and remember to keep quiet.”

  Without a word, we trailed after the headstrong professor and the wild Wicca, and our familiars and mounts trailed behind us obediently. We marched past the many dead wendigos and then headed through a narrow tunnel from whence they came. Each step was cold and wet, and soon, terrible darkness overcame us all, and it was damn near impossible to see where we were going.

  “Illuminana,” Vanessa whispered.

  The professor’s wand suddenly lit up, and as we ventured onward, our shadows towered like giants against the cavern walls. The further we walked, the colder and heavier the air grew, but no one dared complain. Instead, we quietly kept going for hours through every crevasse Revna led us through, and just when I thought we would reach the end of the cave, we came across something putrid.

  A sea of bones.

  “Unholy fuck,” Nyx muttered as she looked around. “What in Satan’s name is this place?”

  “The belly of the cave,” Revna whispered like it was an unholy secret. “This is where the wendigos bring their kill.”

  An icy shiver ran down my spine as I looked around and realized there were countless bones here. Skulls of all shapes and sizes were scattered across the cave floor, and the smell of death wafted up my nose and sent an unpleasant feeling in the pit of my stomach. Somehow, as I looked around me, I knew the bodies of animals, humans, elders, and witches littered the ground, and I also knew tormented souls haunted this place.

  I could feel it in my own bones.

  “Let’s move as quietly as possible,” Vanessa instructed with her chin raised. “One wrong move could bring another horde upon us.”

  “Yes,” Revna agreed, but not before she pulled out her bow and notched an arrow. “Come, let us move with precision and caution.”

  I found my foot slowly moving in front of the other as we followed the wild woman across the bed of broken and rotting bones in various states of decomposition. The floor was so plagued by bodies and mud, it was like sinking one’s foot into quicksand, but the feeling was much fouler. My boot was soon drenched with melted ice and mud as we headed across the belly of the cave, and for a moment, I believed we were going to make it to the other side with no trouble.

  Then I thought I felt something slither against my foot.

  “Wait,” I said, and everyone stopped in their tracks. “I felt something. It was moving beneath the bones.”

  “What did it feel like?” Revna asked with narrowed eyes.

  “Slimy and quick,” I responded as I looked around.

  “Shit,” the wild woman hissed. “It might be some form of coluber…”

  “What’s that?” Beatrix questioned. “I’ve never heard of one before.”

  “It’s a form of a serpent,” Faye said in a faint voice, “and they’re cunning, deadly beings.”

  “Are you sure you felt something, Cole?” Vanessa asked in a sharp tone.

  “Yes,” I breathed, and a terrible feeling washed over me. “I’m sure of it.”

  Everyone held their breaths as Vanessa waved her wand aimlessly around, and suddenly, she gasped right before she was yanked beneath the bones and disappeared from view.

  “Professor!” Morgana whisper-screamed in a panic. “Satan, where did she go?”

  It was pitch black for just a moment, and the sudden vulnerability made my hair stand on end. Isobel was barking in terror, and I knew if we weren’t quick, all this noise would bring us unwanted attention.

  “Illuminana!” Circe hissed, but when the light returned, there was still no sign of Vanessa.

  “Shit,” I grunted with my wand raised above me. My eyes swiftly scanned the bones for any signs of movement, and then, just a few paces in front of me, I thought I saw a skull rattling. Without wasting a moment, I quickly made my way toward it while keeping my wand steady. “Here, she’s down here! I saw movement!”

  I reached down into the blood, gore, mud, and bones and tried to search for the professor, and at first, I panicked because I couldn’t seem to find her, but then I felt like I had my hand wrapped around hers, and I pulled with all my strength.

  “Do you have her?” Revna asked before she aimed her arrow in my direction.

  “Yes, but whatever has its hold on her, it’s not letting go,” I growled as I tried my best to yank Vanessa to the surface. “She’s not under my blood pact. If she can’t breathe, she’ll die.”

  “Bring that light closer!” Revna ordered.

  Circe shuffled clumsily through the bones and brought the light just above my hand, and I thought I saw something scaly and dark-purple speeding through the decaying skeletons. It was moving fast, just like a snake, and while I still had my hold on the professor, I used my other hand to aim my wand downward.

  “Secare!”

  A sudden bright light shot from the tip of my magical weapon and went straight through whatever serpent-like creature was dragging Vanessa beneath the bony depths. In seconds, the professor kicked free from her captor, burst through the surface of bones, and viciously gasped for air.

  “Professor!” the women said before they reached down to grab her and help her to her feet.

  Vanessa was covered in grime and blood, and when she looked down, her eyes widened with fear and hate. She waved her wand around, and Isobel rushed to her side and whined as she rubbed at her master’s trembling hand.

  “Is it dead?” she growled. “It better be fucking dead.”

  “I’m not sure,” I responded before I looked aimlessly around, “but let’s not stick around
to find out.”

  Suddenly, a violent echo of clashing bones reverberated behind me, and when I whipped around, a massive snakelike creature emerged from below and came charging at me with its jaws pried open.

  It was at least twenty feet long, and it was coming closer and closer, but before it could rip my head from my body, Revna shot her arrow, and the weapon stuck right in the middle of the serpent’s eye. As soon as contact was made, the beast wailed like a banshee and tossed its head back and forth in pain, but it was not yet dead.

  My fingers quickly found their way around the hilt of my blade, and without waiting another second, I pulled out my weapon and plunged it deep inside the snake’s head.

  The demon-like serpent screamed in agony, and its mouth twitched right before it stopped moving entirely and then fell back into the sea of bones with an ear-shattering crash. Skeletons were broken into bits and pieces, and I knew, even before Revna spoke, that whatever else lived in this cave surely heard and knew we were here.

  “Let’s move,” the wild woman ordered with a warning glint in her eyes. “Now!”

  We ran as fast as we could after Revna and did not look back. As we sped onward, I could hear more wendigos behind us, but no one faltered or stumbled as we ran for our lives.

  Finally, I could see a dim light just ahead of us, and I knew salvation was near. My lungs burned as I gasped for air, and my feet felt like they were bleeding, but I refused to slow down. Then we reached the end of the tunnel, and we were met with a pale morning sunrise. We skidded to a stop in the snow before we swept around to gaze upon the cavern, and we saw a horde of wendigos were still approaching.

  “They’re not stopping!” Beatrix cried out. “Can they survive sunlight?”

  “Yes, ice wendigos can,” Revna replied in a rushed voice. “The sun is so pale here, it is like the moon to them.”

  I knew at that moment I had to do something, so I studied the rocks one more time, and with all my will, I summoned the dark lord to help me again. I had asked for his help countless times before, but now, I needed him to guide me and make me stronger than Samara and her holy power.

  I had to block the cave’s exit, even if it meant destroying the entire passageway.

  I focused intently on the rocks, and this time, I did not hear Samara’s taunting voice inside my head. No, I instead felt a wave of power wash over me, like I could conquer whatever I needed to. It was delicious, and it seeped through my blood like a boiling river, ready to burn and destroy everything in its path.

  When I was ready, I raised a hand in the air and shouted.

  “Motus!”

  This time, the cave rumbled, and rocks quickly began to descend upon the beasts before they could reach the threshold. A loud crack filled the air, and as the rocks continued to fall and crush our foes, the entire cavern came crashing down and was utterly destroyed within seconds.

  Our alces scattered in the face of the crumbling mountain face, and I quickly lost sight of them in the snowy landscape. I could still feel a connection to my mount, but it grew fainter and fainter as the pack sprinted away in fear.

  “Well, shit,” Akira gasped with wide, black eyes. “That was a close one.”

  “I’m glad we’re alive, but how will we get back?” Beatrix asked in a small voice. “The entire pathway is destroyed. Plus, our steeds just ran away.”

  “Something tells me we won’t be taking this route back,” I said. “Wherever the third artifact is, I’m sure it’s even further north than this, and we can’t waste any time tracking the alces down right now..”

  “Cole is right,” Vanessa sighed before she rubbed her temples. “Our quest is far from over. For now, let us just worry about reaching the dragon’s peak and seeking the second artifact.”

  “Yes, Professor,” the women answered in unison.

  We marched onward toward the dragon’s peak, and as the wind bit my skin and sent shivers down my spine, I knew we would soon face another foe, perhaps one far deadlier than any serpent or wendigo.

  Chapter 12

  “So… remind me again what deadly things are waiting for us at the top of the peak?” Akira asked with a coy smile.

  “Mountain elves, most likely,” Revna panted as we trudged higher and higher through the snow.

  “Foul, terrible creatures,” Vesta spat as her silver snake affectionately curled around her neck. “Satan knows I’d rather face another horde of wendigos than those loathsome things.”

  “Truly?” Morgana asked with a small frown. “I think I’d rather face the elves, to be honest with you.”

  “Well, if someone had a wand at my throat and forced me to choose between the two,” the elvish witch clarified, “then I would pick the wendigos.”

  “You must really hate them,” I said, and when I glanced up at the silver sky, Alexander and Trixie were flying side by side through the clouds.

  “I do,” Vesta responded without missing a beat. “They give elves a bad name.”

  “Well, regardless, we’re more than likely to come across them,” Vanessa muttered as Isobel trotted at her side. “So, keep your eyes and ears open.”

  “Understood,” I said.

  We carefully headed higher and higher up the dragon’s peak, and as we did so, the climb quickly became more arduous, and the wind was unforgiving. We spent hours silently ascending the mountain top, and by the time we were halfway up, the sun was about to set, and we all knew it was time to make camp.

  “Let’s settle here for the night,” Vanessa ordered when we came upon a wide ridge with plenty of space to spread out tents. “We’ll make a small fire and eat a simple meal… Revna, how are we doing with provisions?”

  “Decently,” the wild woman replied. “We still have a few blocks of cheese, some salted meat, and a couple of apples. And I have the raw mare meat preserved for the familiars or for us to cook.”

  “Very well,” Vanessa said as she looked around, and without saying a word, we knew what we had to do.

  Silently, we collected what little firewood we could find and created a small pyre. Once Vanessa set the flames, we gathered around in a circle and warmed our hands by the fire, while Revna passed along bits and pieces of our dinner. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing. As everyone quietly ate, I nibbled on a piece of meat and tried to give Alexander some of the mare meat, but he shook his head.

  I think I’d rather find my own meal if that’s alright with you, Cole, my familiar said in my head. Besides, there’s nothing like the taste of fresh blood seeping down one’s throat.

  “Fine, but take the others with you and stay close,” I warned. “There could be spies or foes lurking about. We may not be at the top, but that doesn’t mean we’re safe.”

  “What did Alex ask you, Cole?” Faye questioned with raised eyebrows. Her ferret squealed and jumped up and down like she was trying to tell the rest of us something, but the redhead was having none of it. “Hush now, Lily.”

  “He says he’d rather hunt for his own meal,” I explained. “I told him he could do whatever he liked, so long as he remains close to camp and takes the others.”

  “Oh, lovely.” Vesta nodded as Ursula slithered gracefully from her neck and onto the cold frozen ground. “She was hissing in my ear about a fat juicy mountain rat… I must say, even the thought alone is enough to make one’s appetite disappear.”

  “Silvia was just saying the same thing,” Morgana said as she glanced sideways and focused on her bear. “She’s been bitching and moaning this entire time.”

  “Isobel can lead them on the ground while Alexander soars the skies,” Vanessa suggested before she turned to look down at her loyal, black wolf, “but don’t stay out past dark… or I’ll be cross.”

  Isobel yipped in response before she licked Vanessa’s rosy cheek. The professor’s eyes lit up, and for a moment, she seemed content, like a young schoolgirl free from burden and with a heart full of happiness. But when her eyes met mine, her smile died, and she looked down
at her feet like she was embarrassed.

  “You heard the professor,” I said before I averted my gaze, and I looked into Alexander’s deep, red eyes. “Go, and be back before it grows dark.”

  Alright, he agreed, and I watched as he and Trixie soared toward the orange and red-hued sky.

  As the other familiars followed Isobel around the mountain bend, the rest of us ate our meals in relative silence until Circe cocked her head to the side and quizzically stared at Vanessa.

  “I can feel your eyes on me, Circe,” Vanessa growled before she took a small bite of her apple. “Whatever it is you want to ask, go on and get it over with, why don’t you?”

  “I was going to ask about Samara,” the blonde Wicca said in an unbothered tone.

  As soon as I heard the elder goddess’ name, my heart swelled, and my stomach grew sour. I’d planned to discuss my new intentions with the group last night before entering the cave, but now I knew this was a sign from Satan that I had to speak up now.

  “Wait,” I said, and everyone’s eyes turned to me. “Circe, before you ask anything, there is something I’d like to say.”

  “Why do I not like the sound of your tone right now?” Vanessa sighed as silver mist escaped from her red lips, and the orange dusk light illuminated her sharp features.

  “Because you’re not going to like what I have to say,” I began, and when the words left my lips, everyone immediately stopped eating and drinking.

  “Cole?” Nyx asked with a raised blue eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

  “Spit it out, Cole,” the dark-haired professor snapped. “I hate anticipation.”

  “I don’t think we should kill Samara,” I blurted out, and it was like an enormous weight was immediately lifted from my shoulders. “Once we collect the artifacts, I think we should try and turn her back to our side instead.”

  A heavy silence filled the air, and when I turned to look at each woman, everyone had a different expression plastered across their faces. The coven and Revna looked confused, intrigued, and baffled, but Vanessa simply appeared enraged, just as I expected she would be.