[ IP ] Red Witch

I pulled up my book, squinting to read the spell better. I could n't mess this up again. I had to become the best quickly, or die trying. 
 
 The summoning spell was supposed to be beginner level, but this felt harder than anything I had ever done before, including raising the dead. And this time, I was under more pressure to get this done quickly, before he arrived. My speed would be the difference between life and death. 
 
 Fear was getting the best of me, and I knew that panic would cause errors that I could n't afford to make. I cleared my throat, set my book down on the ground, and took a deep breath in. 
 
 `` Breathe, Salene. Breathe. You can do this.'' I closed my eyes tightly. `` You can do this. You CAN do this. You WILL do this!'' I opened my eyes, feeling invigorated. I knew I could do this. 
 
 I picked my book back up, picking up the human skull lying next to it as well. I squeezed the skull lightly for luck, then held it over my head. 
 
 `` Otkin Adarab Utaalk!'' I roared, confident that this time would be a success. `` OTKIN ADARAB UTAALK!'' I could feel the power coursing through me, and the skull felt hot in my hand. `` OTKIN AD...'' 
 
 A noise behind me cut me off. I whipped around to come face to face with him. Or what I thought was him. 
 
 Before me stood a weak looking young man. He was sickly thin, wearing armor that looked frail and not at all what you would expect from a hero. His dirty hair was matted to his forehead with sweat, and his expression did n't look confident. In fact, he looked scared. 
 
 I put the skull down to my side, and stared at him, waiting for him to say or do something. He did nothing and just stared at me too. I did n't know what to do. 
 
 `` *Ahem* I've... I've been exp... pecting you.'' I stuttered, feeling a lump swell in my throat. I did n't want to do this. I did n't want to have to fight this man, and I certainly did n't want to have to kill him. But I knew that if I did n't fight, he would kill me. 
 
 He simply nodded his head and glanced down at the short dagger hanging at his side. He grimaced, and pulled it out of his sheath. It was at that moment that I knew what I was dealing with. 
 
 I had been expecting a fierce hero, someone who would barge in with a massive sword and start the fight without a word. I expected a hero from the stories, a witch slayer who would take my head back to his village triumphantly, being celebrated and admired. Instead, I got a teenager, someone who had probably not seen many battles. Someone who had very little confidence, very little skill. I had gotten someone who was a beginner, just like my self. I felt guilt and pity, but I no longer felt fear. 
 
 `` I'm sorry I have to do this to you.'' he said quietly, not much louder than a whisper. 
 
 `` I'm sorry I have to do this too.'' I frowned, then I raised the skull back over my head, preparing the summoning spell again.
