(Umbra by Strahberri)

The Storm

When the spirit arrived, everything seemed to go in slow motion.

Finch hastily scrambled out from Umbra's foot, darting up the stairs as Silver Moon's attention was drawn to the being stepping out of the portal.

Esper was the first to break the silence. "CELESTE?!" he screeched, diving behind Aunora for safety.

Aunora's mouth dropped. "Who the crap is Celeste?!"

The portal closed, and Celeste came forward, her body encased in a searing light. The pure energy she radiated send chills down Umbra's spine, and he quickly realized he was in over his head.

"I am the Mother of all celestial spirits. I am a being that far surpasses petty moral criminals like you." She blinked her pupil-less eyes, a sneer coming to her lips. "I have come to execute justice on you."

Matthew grabbed Umbra's arm, looking concerned. Umbra patted him on the shoulder, trying to reassure his friend.

"Allow me to handle this." He whispered, propping his hands on his hips and strutting before Celeste.

"Ah, hello Mrs. Celeste!" Umbra said smoothly. He smiled widely at her, applying  only the best of his social tactics. "You're looking very nice today, I must say my mine lady!" Umbra glanced at his fingernails, attempting to appear cool and casual, when on the inside, he felt frantic. "But it seems that you are mistaken, Celeste. My acquaintances and I are no criminals."

Celeste glared. "Silence, mortal. I have no time for your pathetic excuses. You are guilty of imprisoning innocent creatures, including my child. This is punishable by death."

Clutching the back of Umbra's shirt, Matthew whimpered. "Death?! Aren't you being a little extreme?"

Umbra shushed the trembling man with a snap of his fingers. "My lady, you must be mistaken about this. Here, allow me to consult my boss, he'll explain-" He turned around, glancing at the floor behind him to find that Finch had disappeared. "Eh?! Where the crap did he go?"

Celeste held out her hand, magic gathering at her fingertips. "Fae, I told you to be silent." she said severely. "Accept your justice with dignity."

"Mrs. Celeste, please understand-"

"Silence!" With a startling crack, a beam of light shot from the palm of her hand, hitting Umbra square in the chest. The fae fell back, Matthew catching him as he collapsed to the floor. Aunora and Esper kneeled down around him, gaping in shock.

"Umbry!" Matthew cried, trying to rouse him. Umbra fluttered his eyes, groaning. The front of his sweater was singed, and his face had turned ashen.

"Take care of him." Matthew murmured, gritting his teeth. He pushed Umbra into Esper's lap, standing up and cracking his knuckles.

As Matthew stalked towards Celeste, arms crossed behind his back, something very strange started to happen. A faint wind stirred the damp, cool air of the basement, and it was clear it wasn't coming from the outside world.

"I refuse to stand for this." Matthew said quietly, looking up at Celeste. His entire demeanor had changed, going from meek and fearful to a sort of silent fury.

"What are you taking about, human?" Celeste growled, undaunted by the increase of unnatural wind swirling around the room.

Matthew spoke slowly and softly, taking a deep breath. "I have tolerated a lot of things today. I have even taken the disappearance of Victor without acting brashly. But this is too much for me. I refuse to have someone, celestial spirit or not, come in here and injure my best friend!" Matthew gestured to the rest of his team. "If you want to touch any of these people, you're going to have to go through me!"

Before Celeste could respond, Matthew suddenly threw his arms forward, and a massive gust of wind slammed into the angelic creature. Celeste was taken by surprise, her body crashing into the wall behind her.

Quickly gathering her composure, Celeste pulled herself up, pink fire burning in her eyes. Energy crackled against her skin as she clenched her fist, glaring daggers at Matthew.

"You will pay for that, mortal!" Celeste said wrathfully, a healing spell powering up around her to mend the scratches she received from Matthew's attack.

Matthew remained silent, sending another gust towards her. However, the spirit was prepared, and she erected an opaque barrier to shield herself. Celeste smirked at Matthew, who had started to loose his calmness.

Aunora stood up, baring her teeth. "Matthew, I'll help you take her down-"

"No!" Matthew's voice cracked. "I don't want you to be hurt!"

"Hurt? You imbecile, being hurt is the least of your worries. I've come to kill your group of poachers, starting with you." Celeste murmured, pointing at Matthew. She held out her palm, generating another beam of light.

----

(A few minutes earlier)

Seraph had brought Victor up several flights of stairs, down many different hallways, and finally into a small room that resembled a study.

Erethe sat at a cluttered desk, chewing on the tip of a quill. She was short and youthful appearing, with her grayish-purple hair pulled into a ponytail and a pair of thick glasses on her face.

"Erethe!" Seraph shouted as he threw open the door, holding up his arms. "We need to know where Mother went! It is an emergency!"

The mousey spirit blinked in surprise, startled by his sudden exclamation. "Uh, um, what?"

"People's lives are at stake! We need another portal opened up the same location, we cannot waste any time!" Seraph slammed his hands on the table, eyes wide.

Erethe nodded shakily, shuffling through the papers on her desk. "Yes, um, Seraph Harmony...she went..." Erethe grabbed a sheet of parchment, holding it out for him to take. "Here!"

"Thank you so much!" Seraph squeaked, jerking the papers out of her trembling hands and running out the door, dragging Victor along with him.

Seraph reached into his pocket, retrieving the pen-like blade he had used earlier. Letting go of Victor's arm, the spirit sliced into the air, a portal ripping open in the hall of the Celestial Palace.

"Friend, are you ready?" Seraph asked, taking him by the hand.

Victor swallowed. He was finally going home, but it was not going to be a gleeful homecoming. For all he knew, his parents could already be dead, along with Aunora and Esper.

But there was still a chance Seraph could stop his mother. He had to at least try. Giving up was not an option.

Author's Note- Man, I'm on a roll! This book should be wrapping up shortly. I've got the next book in my unpublished drafts. I'll publish it soon so you have something to put in your libraries!