The young wizard wanted to be with Alexia for as long as possible. He was a happy and fulfilled man whenever they were together. She taught him how to live the modern life.

Philip learned to use the smartphone to connect, as everyone did, as well as the use of other technologies that seemed like magic, especially for someone from a time so different. Even his practical magical knowledge, like creating portals to other places, the spell for invisibility, the ability to talk to animals, the flow with nature, and even the capability of flying, all of it was nothing compared to his wish to be close to the woman who made him happy.

The lawyer also liked the young man. Like in any relationship, she longed to see him whenever there was a slot in her busy life. Although she worked in the public defender's office during the days, she dedicated sometime after work to study in order to apply for a judge position. Three times a week she attended a class with nine students with very high skills in law.

Nico was one of the students. He was a little older than Alexia, and nurtured a great admiration for her. Whenever she answered the questions in class, it was as if Nico was listening to his favorite song.

One night, during a break, he approached her.

"When are we going out to watch that movie you promised to see with me?"

"I'm sorry, but I've been very busy lately. Besides, as a lawyer, you know how difficult the exam is; seven thousand lawyers for two hundred and fifty positions. I don't want to be rude; we know each since college, but I feel like I have to be honest with you. I am going out with a language teacher. We met a few days ago."

"I'm kind of amazed that you managed to find time to date despite all work and study."

"You know, there are a few things that we always must find some time to. It's always good to have someone to share life with."

"Oops! I don't want to be invasive or something, but... Did I hear the ringing of wedding bells?" Gabriele, one of her friends, joined the conversation.

Nico was jealous because he had been smitten with Alexia for a while.

"Don't be silly, Gaby! She's just been dating someone."

"May I know the lucky guy's name?"

"His name is Philip. He is new in the city, and teaches German. We met the other day in an unusual situation. Someday I'll let you know more details."

"I want to know everything!" Her friend said, smiling.

Nico was disappointed but he decided to try again in another opportunity. He was hopeful that eventually they would break up. Besides, he was rather persistent, and quite fond of her.

Unaware of the conversation Alexia was having at that moment, Philip once again arrived at the hotel with his sunglasses on.

"Would you like something to eat, Phil?" Anette asked, as he climbed up the stairs to his room while everyone in the hall looked at him.

"Thanks, but not today. If I need anything I'll ask from my room", he answered in a hurry.

"He's such a weirdo, isn't he?" Diego joked and smiled.

The other guests laughed, but Mr. Franz ended the mocking.

"Leave the boy alone. He probably had to teach many classes today. He's only tired, that's it. I remember that I was very much like him before I met Anette. She was the one who made me go out almost every night."

"If my memory doesn't fail me, I remember that you enjoyed our nights out a lot..."

Everyone laughed again. That couple used to make hilarious comments during dinner.

Once in his room, Philip had a good hot bath. Then, with only a towel around his waist, he came before the mirror and made a movement with his hand on its surface. He had a bad feeling.

His body shivered as if energy circulated in every cell. He felt like that when he used magic. This time he wanted to see his girlfriend, and her image appeared to him.

As Alexia drove and listened to music, two cars driven by thieves approached. They were planning to steal her car. They belonged to a gang of drug dealers in need of a stolen vehicle to cover narcotics transportation.

Philip's eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen. He heard the screeching of the tires when the two cars blocked her way and she had to brake abruptly; then, she was surrounded by dangerous outlaws. In a glimpse, Philip waved his hands over himself and was instantly dressed. The situation was taking place just a few blocks away.

"Be quiet! Do not make any move or you'll get a hole in your head!"

Nervous, Alexia put her hands up where the two thieves could see them. She feared an unexpected reaction. She slowly stepped out of the car, and prayed to be safe.

"How about we take her with us? If there is an alarm or ignition cut-off mechanism, it will not be triggered if we keep the girl with us. We can always finish her off and dump her body in the usual place," said one of the bandits.

They were six men armed to the teeth. One had a .12 shotgun, and the others had semi-automatic pistols.

"I like the idea, Carlo! Let's do it. You drive the car and the girl goes with us."

"Please, take whatever you want. I have money in my wallet, credit cards, but leave me here. The car has no alarm device or ignition cut-off installed. I don't even know what those things are. For the love of God... Let me go!"

Her heart bet faster like never before, and drops of sweat ran down her skin.

"Cool down, lady. My friend here says a lot of bullshit. We won't kill you. I promise we'll just take you with us and then leave you somewhere far away from here. We only need to make sure that you won't do anything against us."

Alexia closed her eyes to make her last prayer. She could already imagine her death, especially after Carlo's words.

When she opened them again, she saw a strange man that wasn't there before. Had an angel answered her prayers? She could see only his shadow, since the headlights were on.

The stranger was looking at the bandits.

"Hey, boss, who's this guy?"

"I don't know, but kill him, anyway. There can be no witnesses."

The bandits began to shoot mercilessly. Philip raised his arm, and the bullets just froze in the air before they fell on the ground. At that moment, Alexia recognized who he was. She was astonished, speechless, fearing what could be the consequences to them both. However, did she need to fear?

Three of the men went straight to Philip. One punched him in the stomach, while two others grabbed him from behind. He was hit in the face several times, as the young lawyer was immobilized by one of the other bandits, and another one was getting in position to shoot Philip. Magically, Philip disappeared from everyone's view. They looked at each other clueless. They couldn't believe their eyes. Then, a strong wind began to blow, and the streetlights burst. Looking everywhere around, the criminals sought the invisible being.

Out of the blue, one of them was punched in the stomach. The other was hit in the face, and another one fell on the ground as if something invisible had tripped him up. More and more frightened, the bandits did not know what to do against something so ghastly and so unknown.

Suddenly, the young wizard materialized. His hair had turned white and, as if electrified, they were all frizzed. His pupils had a golden color, while his eyes burned on fire, expressing a power never seen before by those frightened people.

"What is going on? Is he a demon straight from hell?"

Alexia took a deep breath. She could not pass out. She also was thinking that her boyfriend was possessed as she saw him flying above them all.

"Shoot! Now!" Screamed the boss, terrified.

"Enough!" Philip said with wide eyes that emanated authority.

The wizard raised both hands with palms up, and then began to lift the bandits several feet high from the ground. With burning eyes, he looked straight at their weapons, and they began to glow in incandescence. As soon as they were red hot, the bandits had to drop them down. Then, with another gesture, Philip twisted the gun barrels. Finally, he took the wires from some nearby street posts and tied up the six men.

They couldn't believe their eyes when they saw Philip stretching his arm towards Alexia's car and then making it disappear while he was still tying them up.

"Don't be afraid. I'll get you out of here," the wizard said to his girlfriend.

When all six men were firmly tied, Philip took Alexia in his arms before they crossed a portal.

"Did you see what I saw?" Carlo asked, incredulously.

The others were nodding when they heard the sirens.

"Look at this! Finally, we'll put you all into jail."

"The commissioner will love to see them all locked up," said Giuseppe, the same cop that had arrested Philip. His voice was full of satisfaction.

"Don't forget that there is a good reward for these guys," said Enrico, his partner, joyfully.

"That man is the demon himself. He came out of nowhere and arrested us. He took the girl with him probably to hell, but before that he made her car vanish into thin air," said one of the bandits.

Giuseppe opened the trunk of one of the cars. There, he found a big number of drugs. He realized that that apprehension would make him and his partners the talk of the town.

"I get it. Now I understand why you're talking only nonsense. You must have used a lot of drugs tonight."

"We're saying the truth! We're not making anything up! The guy was the demon, he came straight from the darkness. You can take me to jail and do whatever you want, I think I'll be safer behind bars," one of the bandits begged.

The cops laughed, although they didn't believe a word the bandits were saying.

"C'mon, let's take these guys out of here. Now they have lots of time to think things over."

In the meantime, Alexia's car appeared in her garage, while she and Philip materialized in her room.

Still breathing heavily, she was gradually recovering from the frightening situation. She couldn't believe what she had just witnessed.

"My God, Philip! What was that?"

"I'm still learning to have control over my powers. As soon as I felt that you needed help, I managed to get there on time. I'm glad that you're here safe and sound. I'll always protect you, my love. It's a promise."

"I don't know who you are, what you are, and where you came from. But it really doesn't matter. I'm happy that you're with me. Thank you, my dear!"

Their kiss sealed a union that seemed eternal.

In the living room, her father, who was her grandfather, was sitting on the couch, reading. Suddenly, he stopped, and then rolled his eyes as if he knew what was going on.

Far away, in the spiritual realm, a buzz was spreading. In the most sinister places, abandoned caves, cemeteries, lost undergrounds and forests, wicked and rebellious creatures were gathering. They had sensed that someone could destroy them or send them back to the depths of hell. Hard times had begun for the Phantom Man.

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Read #ThePhantomMan by #ChaieneSantos. 

EUROPE - XV Century