Chương 8: In His Name

In the dimly lit basement of the Silver Haven Mental Hospital, seven figures gathered around a circular table engraved with arcane symbols. Each figure represented a different faction of mages, harboring their own secrets and wielding unique forms of magic. They took their seats, the air heavy with anticipation, for tonight's meeting held grave importance.

First to arrive was Morgana Nightshade, a sorceress shrouded in black, her eyes gleaming with malevolence. She had pitch-black hair and black eyes. She was a master of dark magic, drawing power from one of the vilest Patrons in this world. With a sly smile, she leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

Next came Viktor Bloodmoon, a necromancer with a chilling aura. His pale skin seemed to glow in the dim light as he took his place at the table. A specter was hovering behind him, its hollow eyes keeping watch over the room.

Following Viktor was Celestia Winther, an ice mage whose presence sent shivers down the spines of those around her; her appearing in person meant something serious had happened. Her icy blue eyes betrayed no emotion as she settled into her seat. She looked bored and slightly annoyed, twirling the edges of her long, blonde hair.

Then entered Xander Crowley, a warlock; unlike other types of mage, even necromancers, warlocks were openly despised and becoming one was strictly forbidden in magical society. Their powers derived from contracting with demons and, eventually, they developed demonic traits themselves. After Outcasts, they were the most despised in this world. Xander looked at the room with visible hatred. His gaze was intense, his dark hair framing his face like a veil as he silently observed the gathering.

Finally, after they had taken their seats, three more mages made their entrance.

Lilith Darkwood, a witch with purple hair and green eyes whose affinity for curses made her a force to be reckoned with. Her piercing gaze swept across the room; her lips curved into a wicked smile as she took her seat.

Elijah Barnett, a red- haired pyromancer who, on the surface, was an upstanding and powerful mage from one of the major families. The air grew warmer in his presence as he settled into his chair with a frown on his face. He was the type of man who hated failure and would do anything to succeed; and tonight, they had gathered to discuss their greatest failure yet.

The last one to enter was Lucius Blake, a mysterious man that was the de facto leader of the council. He was, seemingly, a mage with the power to control shadows - a type of magic that nobody else had ever heard of. He was tall and lanky, with white hair - despite not looking older than 30 - and light gray eyes. His posture and mannerisms always felt a bit unnatural to the others. His presence seemed to waver like a flickering candle flame as he finally took his seat at the table.

Morgana opened the conversation with a wide grin. "Well, well, it seems we're all here. Let's not waste any time."

Viktor, visibly annoyed, leaned in with a glint of disdain. "As if you would know what time is worth, Morgana. You're always off somewhere, scheming and plotting and not getting your hands dirty."

Morgana's lips curled into a frown. "Better to be unseen and underestimated than to flaunt your power like some brute, Viktor," she said, looking at the specter behind him with visible disapproval.

Celestia, her cold demeanor matched only by the icy glare in her eyes, interjected, "Enough bickering! We have more pressing matters to attend to than your petty squabbles."

Xander, his voiced laced with sarcasm, shot back, "And what would you know about pressing matters, Celestia? You're barely active these days; this is the first time you've joined us in person in over a year. You've even become weaker."

Lilith, with a wide grin, remarked, "At least Celestia doesn't rely on demons like you, Xander. Your magic lacks finesse."

Elijah, his patience wearing thin, growled, "Silence, all of you! We're here to discuss the incident, not trade insults like petulant children."

Lucius, despite looking amused, spoke up, his raspy voice cutting through the tension. "Elijah is right. Constantine St. John's escape puts a major dent in our plans. We absolutely have to recapture him and eliminate the other Outcasts."

The room fell into a tense silence as the mages begrudgingly acknowledged the truth in Lucius's words. Despite their animosity towards each other, they were united in their desire to maintain their grip on power.

Morgana broke the silence, her tone cold and calculating. "You're right, Lucius. We will set aside our differences for now. The Outcasts pose a threat to our plans, and we have tolerated them for far too long."

Viktor nodded curtly, his expression grim. "Agreed. We should mobilize our forces and retrieve him before they have a chance to discover his true power."

With a reluctant nod from the others, they began to discuss their strategy in earnest, setting aside their personal vendettas in pursuit of a common goal.

"First, we need to know where St. John and the Outcasts are," Xander urged, his voice low and urgent. "My imps will track them."

"Let's set a trap they won't see coming; those Outcasts won't stand a chance.", Morgana said, grinning.

Celestia, her voice bored and monotonous, spoke up next. "We must isolate Constantine St. John from the others. I'll join the operation in person and create barriers to slow them down."

The rest of the council looked at her in surprise. It was extremely rare for Celestia to volunteer to do anything; let alone a job as dangerous as this. Elijah eyed her with suspicion, wondering if she had an ulterior motive; their families had always been adversaries.

Viktor, his skeletal features twisted into a wicked smile, chimed in. "I'll join you, Celestia! My minions will help keep them distracted."

Lilith, her laughter echoing like a sinister melody, added her thoughts. "I hope stalling and distracting isn't all that you two hope to achieve. We must kill as many of them as possible," she added.

"Don't worry about that," Elijah interjected. "I'll send several units with them. We know that overwhelming numbers is the best way to deal with Outcasts, after all."

"Too much of a coward to join us yourself, Barnett?" Viktor remarked.

"You know I can't afford to be seen, Bloodmoon!" Elijah replied, anger evident in his voice.

"Unlike known criminals like you and Celestia," he pointed, "I have an image to maintain."

"I'll join as well," Xander said. However, nobody seemed particularly happy about his declaration.

"It's decided, then!" Lucius said with a smile, but his eyes spoke volumes – they all knew the consequences of failure.

"Let's end this meeting here," he concluded.

After the others had left, Lilith, Elijah, and Lucius retreated to a secluded chamber hidden behind the council room. It was small and almost empty; they gathered around a dimly flickering candle, casting elongated shadows on the stone walls. The room was plain, save for a black altar engraved with runes on the far end. Lilith and Elijah kept stealing glances at the altar, as if it was about to come to life; Lucius was calm and impassive.

Lilith paced the room, her eyes ablaze with ambition. "Our master's orders are clear," she declared, her voice filled with urgency. "Constantine St. John must be brought back to us at any cost. The Outcasts pose a threat to our plans, and we clearly cannot afford to underestimate them."

Elijah crossed his arms, his expression fierce with determination. "We cannot fail him. We must crush these pests before they have a chance to interfere any further."

Lucius leaned against the wall, his form flickering like a shadow. "Our master does not give second chances easily," he murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper. "We must ensure that we recapture St. John and quickly at that. In his name."

"In his name," Elijah and Lilith replied in unison.

When they mentioned their master, hints of reverence and fear laced their words, revealing the power and influence he held over them. They knew all too well the consequences of disappointing such a formidable person.

Lilith's gaze hardened, her lips curling into a sinister smile. "What about the others in this so called council, Lucius? We need to control them," she said, a glint in her purple eyes.

Elijah nodded in agreement, his pressure unintentionally causing the candle to burn brightly, unable to contain his temper any longer. "Or eliminate them once they stop being useful," he said, his anger evident on his face. He hated lowering himself to be thought of as an equal by them - especially trash like Xander. To him, they were to be used and discarded. After all, as a Barnett, he was used to this type of politics among mages.

Lucius remained silent, his form almost melding into the darkness; he looked at the altar and, after a few seconds of contemplation, added:

"The others still have their roles to play. Don't be hasty, Lilith. And, Elijah, don't rush to discard pawns that haven't been used to their fullest yet. We will do what we must, as always. In his name," he finished.

"In his name!"