Crimson Trick – Chapter 4: Black Moon: The Awakening of the Immortal Witch (Part 1)
The full moon shone intensely, spilling silver light over the shadowed forest. Every twisted trunk and dense leaf seemed to watch the steps of anyone daring to cross this ancient land. The silence was almost tangible, broken only by the creaking of branches under the group's feet. They advanced cautiously, but Yuta led with determination, his eyes alert for any sign of danger. The air was heavy with an energy only immortals or beings of immense power could emit.
Between the trees, almost imperceptible, Lilith, the immortal witch, floated, observing every movement. Only Yuta knew of her presence. The revelation about Lyra still pulsed in his mind, quickening his heart. Unseen by the group, she approached silently and suddenly enveloped Yuta in an intimate, cold, and unsettling embrace.
> "It would be delightful to kill you…" Lilith murmured, her silky voice laden with intent. "…But I cannot."
Ravenna, following just behind, felt her blood boil. Jealousy, anger, and the instinct to protect Yuta surged through her. Without thinking, she lunged at Lilith. The clash was instantaneous: the immortal smiled, almost playfully, unleashing 30% of her destructive power—enough to warp the air, shake the forest, and make trunks groan under the weight of magic.
> "Kaelen! Seraphina!" — Lilith commanded, and the forest responded. From the dark soil, two Death Princes emerged, humanoid shadows wreathed in black smoke. They surged with superhuman speed toward Kaelen and Seraphina, forcing them to counterattack immediately.
The trees bent as if sensing the magic tearing through space. Rocks were ripped from the ground, leaves and branches whirled in energy tornados, and each step of Lilith made the forest react as if alive. Yuta remained calm, assessing the situation. A direct attack would be suicide. Every muscle, every strand of hair, every sense was alert. Lilith's magic, even at 30%, was devastating—but he knew how to dodge and use quick spells for attack and defense, a product of his experience as a thief of magical artifacts.
> "Umbra Rose: Rose Eclipse." — Lilith murmured, extending her hand. A purple ray outlined in black shot toward Yuta, distorting reality, cracking the ground, and withering vegetation.
Yuta slid back, dodging perfectly. His violet aura flared, and with a subtle motion, he forged an ethereal sword that cut through the air, partially deflecting the attack and redirecting its force. A slight smile formed on his lips—he had yet to release his full power, but every movement demonstrated that no one in the group was indispensable: everyone had moments to shine, reacting to the magic raining upon them.
Kaelen and Seraphina battled the Death Princes, whose strikes were precise and almost unpredictable. Kaelen conjured explosive barriers of black light, while Seraphina spun ethereal blades like hurricanes, blocking and countering. The shadow entities responded with blasts of pure energy, each impact sending flashes of purple and blue across the forest.
> "Yuta, watch out!" — shouted Ravenna, unleashing her magic: Raven's Spiral. A stream of black energy with blue sparkles collided with Lilith, deflecting part of her attack. Lilith, however, only smiled and dispelled the spell with a gesture, almost bored.
Meanwhile, Yuta observed, absorbing every movement of the immortal. He noted patterns, moments of weakness, and subtle openings. But he knew direct contact would be fatal. He relied on evasions, speed, and mastery of minor spells to survive. His mind calculated: Lilith needed to tire, the group had to keep her occupied, and the forest—almost alive—had to act as an ally.
Lilith raised her hand, and dark tendrils sprouted from the ground, pulsing with black energy as if alive. They attacked in every direction, forcing the group to react in perfect sync. One misstep meant death. Yuta moved with lethal grace, dodging and creating small portals to trick the tendrils, shielding Ravenna and the others.
> "Mortis Vortex!" — Lilith shouted, unleashing a sphere of energy that engulfed tens of meters. The earth shook, parts of trees splintered, leaves ignited—but the group held their ground. Even at 30% of her power, Lilith could obliterate the forest in seconds.
Yuta noticed something no one else did: Lilith's magic vibrated irregularly, as if she sensed something within him. He remained still, letting her probe. His presence was more than physical—something in his energy attracted her. She furrowed her brow, whispering words only Yuta could hear before resuming the assault.
> "Umbra Fang: Serpent Eclipse." — a slash of energy cut across the battlefield, but Yuta dodged, dancing between magic and tendrils. A discreet smile formed: he remembered every stolen artifact, every perfected skill, every deadly evasion. The battle was strategy, instinct, and refined magic.
As the Death Princes focused on the others, Yuta coordinated subtle tactical maneuvers, keeping the entire group protected. The forest grew more alive—branches twisted, leaves spun, stones moved as invisible hands. Tension was palpable; each second could be the last.
Lilith unleashed another wave of magic, producing sounds that reverberated through the forest—a mix of roars, whispers, and raw energy. Yuta felt the vibration but remained firm. He had yet to unleash his full power; there was still much to test. Yet, every movement demonstrated he was no ordinary human: he could turn the tide at any moment, even without revealing his full strength.
The immortal began revealing details of her history: Kaelen, Tharion, fallen angels, ancient warriors. Each name amplified the group's fear and respect. Ravenna, furious, launched a direct strike: Raven's Spiral: Midnight Fang. The black energy spun with blue sparkles, but Lilith elegantly dodged, allowing the attack to instantly destroy a nearby tree.
> "Admirable… but still so young. You think yourselves powerful, yet barely understand this world." — Lilith said, spinning and releasing a new wave: Umbra Serpent: Abyssal Spiral. The magic sliced the air like a spectral serpent, striking Kaelen and Seraphina.
Yuta observed every detail, analyzing patterns and absorbing the immortal's history. Every attack carried fragments of memories of those she had faced or manipulated. He realized: it was not just strength—it was experience, strategy, and living history.
> "And you think you can traverse my forest?" — Lilith continued. — "I have seen mages become monsters through ambition, empires fall… and you are but fish in an ocean you do not know."
Kaelen and Seraphina coordinated attacks to contain the Death Princes, while Ravenna kept Lilith distracted. The battle made it clear that Yuta was not the only one who mattered—each member played a crucial role.
Ravenna launched another strike: Eclipse Fang: Dark Spiral. Part of the energy deflected tendrils, but Lilith released a new wave: Umbra Eclipse: Void Fang. The impact shook the ground for miles; the forest recoiled before the immortal witch's authority.
Yuta did not attack directly, yet was essential. He floated between strikes, dodged, created portals, and distracted tendrils. He understood the battle was strategy and endurance. Every spell to evade or control the flow proved he was no ordinary human.
Lilith began revealing more of her past: ancestral vampires, cursed werewolves, immortal mages. Each story heightened tension, and the group absorbed every fragment, knowing it was real.
> "Yuta…" — Lilith murmured, audible only to him. — "The Queen of Witches… is not me. It is Lyra."
Shock rippled through Yuta's mind, but his face remained calm. The information was precious, dangerous, and no one else could know.
The combat raged on, with Lilith and her shadow tendrils demanding perfect coordination. Kaelen and Seraphina demonstrated strength and precision, protecting the group. Ravenna defended Yuta with all her might.
Tension peaked as Lilith unleashed half her power, shattering and warping reality. Trees cracked, the ground shook, and fragments of purple energy flew. Even Yuta had to focus to avoid being struck.
Ravenna shielded Yuta while he coordinated the group. Everyone had a chance to shine, proving they were not just companions but regional-level warriors, facing one of the most powerful witches in history.
An unexpected energy emerged from Yuta. Lilith did not immediately understand but felt a unique connection—a vibration that distinguished him. A fragment of power was released, creating a momentary pause in the immortal's fury.
> "Interesting… you are not merely human…" — Lilith murmured in acknowledgment. Before she could finish, the group repositioned strategically, preparing the seal.
The forest breathed with Lilith's presence. Twisted trees, black leaves, living roots covered the ground, while the sky reflected her immortal energy. Each step reverberated tension—but no one retreated. Not Yuta, who observed every gesture and spell of the witch.
Ravenna glanced at him, tense.
> "Yuta… she's not normal. Even you can't gauge what she's capable of!"
"I know," — Yuta replied calmly. — "But that doesn't change what we need to do. Every move, every distraction, every spell matters."
Kaelen adjusted his stance.
> "If she summons the Death Princes again, we're done for."
"Then we act before she can," — Seraphina said, creating a barrier that exploded in midair as Lilith unleashed Oblivion Serpent: Dark Spiral. The energy tore through space, ripping trees, forcing Kaelen to leap with precise reflexes.
Lilith studied each movement.
> "Impressive… you have learned something since last time. But still, you are children. Older mages of your blood were devoured by their own spells. You still do not understand the true cost of magic."
"Then teach us!" — Yuta retorted, floating and dodging a destructive attack. — "At least enough so we don't die before completing what we came to do!"
Lilith laughed, the sound echoing through the forest, leaves falling like rain.
> "Teach? Perhaps. But only you… Yuta. You carry something you do not yet comprehend."
"What are you talking about?" — Yuta remained composed.
"You are not merely human…" — Lilith murmured, audible only to him. — "Something connects you to the Queen of Witches, something that transcends centuries…"
She cast Umbra Void: Shadow Rain. The spell fell like black spears from the sky. Yuta spun in the air, opening small, precise portals to evade. Ravenna advanced, cutting the tendrils; Kaelen and Seraphina attacked from multiple angles, forming a deadly defensive line.
Lilith continued narrating tales of ancient beings, each name chilling the group's spines. Kaelen gritted his teeth.
> "She's trying to shake us. Don't fall for it!"
Lilith responded with authority:
> "You haven't heard it all yet. Nyx, Guardian of Twilight. Leviathan of Angelic Blood. Tharion, Guardian of the Veil—all knew my name. I survived because I learned that magic is not only power… it is strategy, sacrifice, and knowing your enemy."
Yuta absorbed every word, noting something crucial: Lilith's attention was not absolute; she divided focus between attack and observation. Patterns emerged, subtle openings, a gentle rhythm of movements. An opportunity arose.
Ravenna attacked furiously, attempting to corner her.
> "Keep mocking and you'll feel my wrath!"
Lilith dodged, but the moment allowed Yuta to reposition, preparing the seal. Before releasing it, Lilith stared at him, recognition in her eyes.
> "Yuta… the love of the Queen of Witches… you don't even realize what you carry, do you?"
Time seemed to freeze: rain, wind, the flow of magic. But Yuta stayed focused. He didn't need to understand now—just survive and execute the plan.
Lilith's summons—shadow and flame monsters—emerged from ground and sky. Kaelen and Seraphina intercepted deadly attacks, shielding the group. Ravenna defended Yuta with maximum force.
Lilith unleashed half her power. Trees rose from the ground, sky black as amethyst, earth cracked like glass. The twisted forest obeyed her will.
> "You think you can bind me?" — Lilith's voice thundered. — "I have seen empires fall, kings devoured by greed… and you dare try to seal an immortal witch?"
Ravenna channeled magic into a decisive strike.
> "Yuta, now!"
Yuta opened a portal, releasing a concentrated spell that engulfed Lilith in a sealing vortex. The suffocating force crushed everything. Lilith screamed but did not resist. Deep down, she allowed it. She knew the seal would not last forever, but the battle was over for now.
> "This is not the end…" — she murmured, almost inaudible. — "You have no idea what you've brought into the world."
The group breathed, exhausted. The forest calmed, yet the silence was strange. Yuta stared at the weakened witch, reflecting on her words. He felt the connection—secret only he knew—and the growing presence of the true Queen of Witches, Lyra.
The forest breathed again, but the air carried omens. This was only the first wave—of destruction, revelation, and danger. Monsters would rise. Alliances would be tested. And the world would change… in ways even Lilith could not control.
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Se você quiser, posso fazer a Parte 2 do Capítulo 4 em inglês, continuando a batalha e a transição para a chegada da verdadeira Lyra, mantendo o ritmo épico e cinematográfico do confronto.