talents and their twisted desires. Still, Scheff knew that he could fight off even the collective influence of several serps.
"I have heard of a serp council," the elf stated. "Several serps managed to join their talents by the same method in which Ansas placed his ebony magic within me. I was told the council had been defeated, but it appears another has managed to take its place. If that is the case..."
"No," Macheve corrected, "not a council of serps. I am connected to only one other, but his power is nearly unlimited. Where even a council of serps would have difficulty manipulating one such as you, the one I serve can do so with ease."
Scheff believed the serp was only bluffing. His own magic served as a powerful barrier. If there were several serps before him joined in magic, he might have felt the slight biting edge of concern. Macheve, however, was alone, and Scheff remained confident that any connection to other forces could be overcome by his own superior talents.
"Then try it, and let us be done with this game."
Macheve smiled maliciously. Had it been up to her, she would have done exactly as Scheff requested. She would have unleashed the full power at her disposal and taken over the elf's mind with absolute authority. She would make him crawl across the forest floor with his elf nose in the dirt.
It was not, however, Macheve's decision to make. She was more than joined to the demon master through magic. Her individual resolve had been pressed aside and replaced by the twisted ambitions of Reiculf.
The demon tyrant placed not only his magic within the serp, but also his consciousness. He had given a miniscule portion of his evil core to the serp and took part of Macheve's magical essence to complete the unbreakable bond. Because the energy was shared in such a manner, the magic of both beings had become intertwined in a way that could transcend dimensional barriers. In essence, the serp became more than just a pawn of the daokiln; Macheve was an extension of Reiculf's corrupt thoughts.
With Reiculf's twisted and hateful spirit participating in the confrontation with the elf, the demon decided to play with his prey, though he did so through the serp's body.
"I have a better idea," Macheve responded with a wicked grin. "Why don't we have a test of spells?"
Scheff saw the contest as pointless. He had nothing to prove.
"I have no time for such trivial games."
"Do you believe my magic is trivial?" Macheve taunted.
"Serps are notorious for weak spells," Scheff declared. "Even if you have developed some skill, I doubt you would be anything more than a minor challenge. What do I have to gain from such inconsequential exploits?"
"Gain? You seek to make a wager?"
"No, I seek nothing from you. I issue this last warning. These woods are the domain of the elves. There are no goblins here for you, nor river rogues or shags. Leave before I decide to bring you before the elf captain. He will not be so lenient to a serp who trespasses in Dark Spruce."
The serp did not respond with words. Macheve simply stepped over to the plant Scheff had healed and touched it with her finger. It withered and died instantly.
The suddenness of death surprised the elf, but only briefly. The plant was small and the serp could have focused all her magical power to create such an effect.
"Is that supposed..." the elf began, but the serp interrupted him before he could finish.
Once more Macheve responded with deeds over words. Remaining quiet, she moved to a sapling, much larger than the initial plant, but nowhere near the height or bulk of a mature tree. She grasped the thin stem that had hoped to one day become a thick and sturdy trunk. It would never have the chance. The entire sapling withered into a dark brown and lifeless mass in but the wink of an eye.
Scheff's surprise grew. Killing plants was not a great magical deed, but the extreme suddenness of death revealed a deeper power, one that should have been beyond the magic of a
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