It didn't take long.
"What on earth is that?" Taylor asked, pointing.
There were nearing the local football field and what they saw were bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles. Isaac reached up and caught one that came near. Looking inside it, he could see spiders. Or at least the images of spiders. Either way, he dropped it in a hurry.
The bubbles were being drawn to a central spot. As the guys watched, they saw the bubbles merge and being to form a human shape.
"The bubbles are fears." Zac realised. "It's playing off and absorbing fears."
"Oh how fun." Isaac commented sarcastically.
"Welcome." A gruesome voice, booming with cynicism said.
It was coming from the figure that the bubbles formed. It gave Taylor a snide, torturous glace.
"Ahh!" Taylor screamed, falling to the ground.
"Taylor!" Zac and Isaac shouted together, rushing to him.
"He, he's alive." Zac whispered.
He stood up and stared at the figure. Zac reached out his arms towards it and concentrated.
"What?" the figure boomed. "Do you really believe you, a mere mortal, can defeat me?"
"Yes." Zac replied evenly.
He rotated his wrists, fingers outstretched like cats claws. Isaac looked up and also focused. He mustered up his telekinesis power and concentrated on crushing the figure.
Suddenly, the figure exploded, screaming all the while. When the dust had settled, they noticed a familiar face.
"Ezara!" Zac cried, running towards her.
He gave her a hug.
"We did it!" he told her happily.
"No, you didn't."
"Say again?"
"It was all a test." Ezara dismissed. "Kinda like the Quiz Master in Sabrina."
"It was all a test?" Isaac repeated. "A test? A test for what?"
"To make sure you were strong enough to defeat the Essence." She glanced at Taylor. "He's lucky to be alive. If that were really the Essence he'd be dead by now."
Zac stared at her for a moment, then pushed her away roughly.
"Liar." He accused her.
"Excuse me?"
"You're not Ezara."
Ezara stared at him for a moment, then a small smirk appeared on her face.
"Not so stupid are you after all mortal?"