Serene’s POV

The sun slowly disappeared behind the canopy of trees, leaving the sky in multiple hues. It was soothing and I could feel myself melting in his arms as the handsome folkel trailed my neck with kisses.

"It’s beautiful," I whispered, tilting my neck, giving him more access to my skin so I could feel his succulent lips on it.

"Not more than you are," he seductively blew in my neck.

I slightly turned to gaze into his sultry charcoal eyes and he affectionately touched his nose with mine. "Let’s cut the cake," I took his hand and guided him to the table he had set up for me.

Sitting down, he offered me his lap by tapping his leg and I gladly settled down on it. His hands held my waist.

I lit up the candle but then remembered I hadn’t brought a knife. "I am so stupid, I forgot the knife Zeph," I pouted at him, with a cluck of frustration. This made him laugh.

"You are not stupid, you were in a hurry to meet me." He chuckled seeing my reaction and I had to suppress a laugh.

He pulled the cake towards him and using his finger he took the chocolate frosting off it and smeared it on my cheek.

"Hey! What are you doing?" I squealed at his outrageous action and tried to rub it off my cheek, using my hand.

"No," he quickly caught my advancing hand and moving closer licked the frosting of my cheek with his pinkish tongue. The heat seeped into my ears and cheeks and my heart thudded louder at his mischievous actions.

"Zephy!" I cried out and turned to find him smirking at me as he flicked his tongue on his lower lip and whispered:

"I was just enjoying the delicious cake you brought me. It’s mouth-watering."

"Now I know why you wanted to spend your birthday alone with me." I shook my head at him and his antics, making him laugh again.

"Is that a crime, wanting to spend my birthday alone with the girl I love?" He tilted his head at me.

"No," I lowered my gaze at his words, feeling sheepish. He had become so bold recently and sometimes I would just shy away from his approaches.

"I just want to spend as much time as possible with you, Serene. We are living in turbulent times and it is unpredictable to know about the future. I don’t want to miss out on small things." He placed his forehead on my back, finding solace.

"I know Zephy," leaning in I kissed the top of his head and he pulled me closer to his chest. Then I remembered the gift I had brought for him.

Reaching into my pocket I extracted the tiny purple box. Placing it on my palm I extended it toward him.

He lifted his head and I could see the astonishment in his eyes. "It’s your birthday gift, this is what I had been making yesterday with Mariela Sensei. Open it."

I instructed and he took the small box from my hand and unfurled the ribbon. Lifting the lid he took out the glass vial with the corkscrew. A dark purple liquid shimmered inside the vial under the dying light of the sun.

"What is it Serene? I don’t think I am familiar with it." He inquired softly.

"It’s a Vanishing potion," the astonishment on his face quadrupled as he started from the vial to me.

"Serene, that’s almost impossible to make. How did you?" He questioned in bewilderment.

"Mariela Sensei had been gathering the ingredients for a long time, and with access to the dark realm, she was able to obtain everything needed for it. It took us a whole day and I am sure a whole night for Mariela Sensei to finally prepare it." I beamed at him enjoying his reaction.

"You didn’t have to, thank you. This is very thoughtful of you and sorry I got angry at you yesterday." He scratched the back of his head, sheepishly, making me smile.

"No problem, I am glad you like it." I lightly kissed his cheek and pressed my back to his chest. He placed the vial back in the box and pocketed it.

"I love it, will be very beneficial against the enemy. I will discuss this in detail with Mariela Sensei as well. The correct way to use it and its effectiveness period." He added while slipping his hands back to my waist.

"Yes, she will guide you perfectly." The howling and screeches in the distance made us turn our heads toward the dark realm. A blanket of darkness was spreading and engulfing the sky and it didn’t take us long to figure out these were the creatures of the darkness, heading for our Institute. We were about to be attacked.

Our eyes met and panic was evident on our faces. "Zeph, I will fly down and inform Senseis, you take the stairs and guide everyone to safety. I guess Slayers and Forces must have seen them already."

"Go, Serene. Be careful." He whispered before letting me go. I sprung from his lap and flicked open my wings, diving from the silver fence I landed perfectly on the ground below.

Closing my wings I rushed inside to head for Artins Sensei’s office. Reaching it, I didn’t bother to knock and rushed in. Artins Sensei was busy in a meeting with Lavaria Sensei, Sarim Sensei, and a few Slayers.

Everyone turned to face me as I tumbled inside, breathless. "We are going to be attacked, a huge swarm of monsters is headed our way." I cried out and we heard the security gong ringing in the distance. It had been put in to be sounded in case of an attack.

Shocked and tensed everyone clambered to their feet. "Sarim and Lavaria, safeguard the novices. Take them to Enchantment Hall, be quick. The rest of you follow me. Serene, go with Lavaria." Artins Sensei ordered while rushing to the door, his golden eyes wavering with rage.

"Sensei I would like to come with you, I can help, in case the shield goes down. I would like to fight." I pleaded.

"No, we have Famios. Go to the Enchantment Hall. Lavaria, keep her safe." He ordered and walked past me briskly.

"Serene, help me gather everyone to be taken to Enchantment Hall, we will need a shield around it as well, in case our barriers are breached." Lavaria Sensei instructed as we headed towards the dormitories.

Girls and boys were already scrambling down the stairs. Their faces were horrified as the gong kept sounding in the background.

I saw Ayrden, rushing down the stairs of our room. "Ayrden," I called her. Hearing my voice she shifted her gaze to me. Her eyes were wide in shock and there was fear residing in them.

"What’s going on?" She asked in a panicked state.

"We are under attack, let’s head to the Enchantment Hall. I will keep you safe." I took her hand and we began to sprint toward the Enchantment Hall.

Reaching it Lavaria Sensei ushered everyone in, Shumal Sensei was also bringing novices along with her. I saw Zeph, Ralph, Mikasim, and Tanzil with her. Zeph rushed to my side and took me in his arms and asked:

"You alright," I nodded at him. He had my bow and his sword, he handed me my bow and I hoisted it on my back.

Once all of us were inside, Lavaria and Shumal Sensei sealed the door while Sarim Sensei left to aid with the battle outside, for we could hear the grunting and shouting in the distance.

"Sit tight, everyone. Serene, be prepared with your shield just in case." Lavaria Sensei instructed.

"I am ready," I replied with determination.

Cainos had his arms around Ayrden who rested her head on his shoulder. Tanzil and Mikasim were deep in conversation while Lavaria and Shumal Sensei stood by the door. Ready for any attack.

The shouts and screeches in the distance told us that a full battle was ongoing outside.

My heart was restless, it was like I could feel something ominous was about to happen. The seconds dragged like centuries and the eerie silence inside the hall was distributed by a loud bang from outside.

Shumal and Lavaria Sensei instantly shifted away from the golden door as it was sent flying making most of us scream out in horror.

"Serene, shield." Lavaria Sensei shouted and I didn’t waste even a single second before focusing my energy and covering the entire hall with my shield.

Zeph took out his sword, Mikasim and Tanzil shifted and I moved in front of my comrades and steadied my bow, ready to bring down whoever dared enter or attack them.

But I wasn’t ready for the person who walked in, making me freeze in my tracks, my knees shook and I felt lightheaded. My hands trembled violently and it was impossible to keep my bow steady. A gasp escaped me as I whispered: "Arlo."