Legacies : The First Witch’s Legacy

Chapter 4: A Spark of Power

The silence in the hall was deafening as Adam faced the intruder, his calm expression belying the tension that coiled tightly in his muscles. The man before him, tall and cloaked in dark energy, surveyed the room with a chilling smile that set everyone on edge. Students huddled together, whispers of confusion and fear rippling through the crowd.

Hope Mikaelson instinctively stepped forward, her protective instincts flaring. "Who are you, and what do you want?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the rising tension.

The man's cold eyes shifted to her, and his smile widened. "Ah, the infamous tribrid. You're as fiery as they say. But I'm not here for you… yet." His gaze snapped back to Adam. "I'm here for him."

Adam didn't flinch under the stranger's scrutiny. He slipped his hands into his pockets, fingers brushing over the cool metal of his rings. "You've got my attention," he said flatly. "Who sent you?"

The man chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "You think this is a conversation? No, Adam, this is an evaluation."

Without warning, the man lunged forward, faster than humanly possible. The crowd gasped, but Adam was already in motion. His hand shot out, and the third ring on his finger pulsed with a sharp burst of energy. A shimmering barrier appeared between him and the assailant, halting the attack mid-strike.

The impact sent shockwaves through the hall, shattering nearby windows and rattling the chandelier above. Students screamed and scrambled for cover as debris rained down. Adam held his ground, his eyes narrowing as he focused on maintaining the barrier.

"Impressive," the man said, his voice filled with dark amusement. "But let's see how long you can hold out."

With a flick of his wrist, the intruder unleashed a surge of dark energy, tendrils of shadow writhing and clawing at the barrier. Adam gritted his teeth, feeling the strain as the ring's power worked overtime to repel the attack. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but his expression remained stoic.

Hope's heart raced as she watched the standoff. She wanted to intervene, but something about Adam's calm control stopped her. It wasn't just that he could handle himself—there was a precision to his actions, a confidence that hinted at depths of power he hadn't yet revealed.

In the chaos, Alaric burst into the hall, his crossbow loaded and ready. "Everyone, out!" he barked, gesturing for the students to evacuate. Josie and Lizzie helped corral the frightened crowd, their own magic flaring to keep order.

Hope hesitated, torn between following Alaric's orders and staying to help Adam. Her instincts screamed at her to fight, but she couldn't ignore the way Adam seemed to be managing, even under immense pressure.

As the last of the students cleared the room, Adam finally dropped the barrier and counterattacked. The fourth ring on his hand ignited with a fiery glow, and a torrent of flame erupted, forcing the intruder to leap back.

The man landed gracefully, brushing soot from his cloak. "Not bad," he said, his tone mocking. "But you're still holding back."

Adam didn't respond. Instead, he advanced, his movements deliberate and measured. He raised his hand, and the second ring flared to life, releasing a blast of kinetic force that sent the intruder crashing through the front doors and out into the night.

Hope and Alaric followed quickly, stepping onto the lawn where Adam stood over the fallen enemy. The man groaned as he struggled to his feet, but the glint in his eyes spoke of satisfaction rather than defeat.

"This isn't over," the man hissed, his form beginning to dissolve into black smoke. "You're stronger than I expected, Adam. But next time, you won't be so lucky."

With that, he vanished, leaving behind only the faint scent of sulfur and a lingering sense of unease.

The aftermath was somber. Alaric surveyed the damage to the hall with a grim expression. "We'll need to reinforce the wards," he muttered to himself before turning to Adam. "Who was that?"

"I don't know," Adam admitted, his voice quiet. "But whoever he is, he's not working alone."

Hope stepped closer, her brow furrowed. "You held back, didn't you? You could've finished him."

Adam glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Maybe. But there's a time and place for everything. This wasn't it."

Hope didn't press further, though her frustration was evident. "Next time, don't hold back."

Adam smirked faintly. "Noted."

That night, Adam found himself back in the forest, standing where he had confronted the creature the night before. The air was thick with residual magic, a tangible reminder of the growing threat. He clenched his fists, the weight of his rings heavier than usual.

His grandmother's voice echoed in his mind once more. "Protect Hope Mikaelson. She is the key."

Adam exhaled slowly, his resolve hardening. Whatever was coming, he would be ready. Failure wasn't an option—not for her, not for himself, and not for the promise he had made to the one person who had believed in him.

From the shadows, a pair of eyes watched him, their gaze cold and calculating. The first skirmish had been a test, but the true battle was only just beginning.