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Audrey
The path I’m taking may be different for now, but I’m doing this for all of us.
To think that my own reflection would pull me from my mission. I hated leaving things for Kaleb to finish, but I was told something that I couldn’t let slide. A prophecy foretold by my mother, The Queen of Witches and Wizards, Hecate.
I’m on my way to her castle now. To be honest, I don’t even know where I am, or who the people around me are. I will say this is the first time that I’ve rode on a broom before. Talk about bringing stereotypes to life. I guess this is how the folk legends were started, but why brooms? Flying carriages would seem more comfortable to me. Whatever. All of this is stupid anyways. I didn’t ask for my heritage to be magic.
“So, what’s your name?” The bright red-headed girl flying my broom asks sweetly.
“Don’t play dumb. I know mother told you my name. She sent you all for me after all.” I say plainly.
She chuckles, “I was only trying to make conversation with you, Audrey. I’m Isabel Gaither. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Yeah, real charmed, I’m sure. Where in the world are we? Why did mother send a full squad to pick me up?” I ask her.
“Hmmm...” She turns to look at me and smiles, “We’re not on Earth nor Olympus. Many years ago, Hecate created a separate dimension for her descendants. Most can come and go as they please as long as they never reveal this place. We call this world Matic.”
That’s a little much to take in. I ask, “Mother created all of this? Why?”
“Almost anyone descended from Hecate is certain to have magical power. Other demigod lines have the potential for their powers to dull out. Although they can also have mutations and spikes as well. Regardless, Hecate saw the potential of what our numbers could one day do to the regular world, so she created a place where we can live freely with our magic. Most of the magical creatures have also been drawn to this place. Here we don’t have to hide from regular mortals, nor do we have to be heavily regulated by Olympian politics.” Isabel says.
We soar over a small village. I can see kids out playing. Some have wooden sticks in their hands and are casting spells using them. I remember Justin telling me about rumors of this before. They said all the ones who could use wands mysteriously vanished. Huh, I don’t see them with books, so there must be other ways to use magic.
“How come I never heard of this place before now?” I ask Isabel.
“Anyone who tries to tell outsiders about this place loses the ability to travel here. Hecate is also very particular on who she allows in from the outside world. Many of the descendants on Olympus most likely have no clue this place exists.” Isabel explains.
That makes sense from what I know about her. I haven’t spoken to Hecate very many times, but she never seemed like the warm and loving mother to me. I can’t say I have very many feelings for the woman. I know her about as much as I know this Isabel girl.
While Isabel looks the part of a witch, the other two guys with us are dressed fairly normal. Isabel has a long-pointed hat, a black cloak, and her red hair is always covering her right eye. She has both a wand and a book attached to a belt around her waist.
The guy on the broom to our right hasn’t said a word the entire time. He’s bald and seems a little older. The shorter guy on our left has blonde hair. He is always squinting and grinning. His name is Treff while the silent one is called Brock.
Treff stands on his broom and says excitedly, “Oh! Oh! We’re almost there! Isabel, can I fight this girl after we talk to her majesty? Please?”
The little boy wants to fight me? I mean I’m still worn from the whole Astaroth thing, but I don’t think Treff would be a problem. Luke’s demon did heal all my wounds after all.
“No, Treff. You need to learn how to greet others in a way that doesn’t ensue violence. I’m sure our guest will have better things to do.” Isabel says. Treff pouts on his broom.
There are two things that stand out to me as we approach the city. The first is Hecate’s giant castle. It’s really...a lot. It towers over everything else. Extravagant banners are flowing across the main wall. There are courtyards with gold statues. The second thing I noticed is that technology is almost non-existent. Every once in a while, I’ll see a car going down a dirt road, but they seem to do mostly everything with magic.
“Is there something different about magic in this world? It seems like it is more convenient.” I ask Isabel.
“Hmm... There are two ways to use magic. The first is the more powerful. As you know, Hecate gives us these books at a certain age. They grow with us and embody our spirit. To an extent, they are our power. However, we can channel magic in other ways. It’s harder to learn on Earth because magic essence is growing weaker there. Here, magic is more plentiful and easier to channel for different uses. We even have schools for wizards and witches to learn these things. We tried the same thing on Earth before, but Hell’s forces attacked them too often. Eventually, they were abandoned.” Isabel explains as we descend to the castle.
I was able to use my own spells without my book in the fight against Astaroth. Was that similar or different? Isabel goes on to tell me that learning to channel magic power like that is how they fly on brooms too. I still think flying carriages would be more convenient. My butt would think so too.
We fly straight into the throne room of the castle. The throne room is heavily decorated with jewels adorning the walls. Three large chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling. Vases filled with various flowers line both sides of a red carpet that leads all the way to the throne.
I see Hecate from here. Her throne is decorated similar to her Olympus throne. A pot for making potions is attached to it, and there are mirrors on either side of her face. The mirrors reflect Hecate’s face but show different facial expressions.
In front of her throne is an elderly man. He is sitting cross legged but floating in the air. He has a really long beard, red wizard hat, and an old wooden staff. His book is golden and tied around his staff. It sounds like we’re catching the end of their conversation.
“-wasn’t easy to push back. Anyways, I’ll be here for a few weeks. Catherine has decided that we will take some time off before picking up another job. An operation that lasted almost a whole year really put a strain on us, especially the new girl.” The old man says.
Hecate turns her attention to me as we pull in. All she says is, “Daughter.”
“Hello, mother.” I say back. The old man’s gaze turns to me. He eyes me with interest.
“Hi, Great Grandpa Merlin! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Isabel says as we step off the broom.
Great Grandpa? Just how old is this guy? Merlin is a familiar name too. I think it’s the name of the legendary wizard who helped King Arthur, but that’s just a fairy tale...right?
He hugs Isabel as she approaches him, “Oh, ho ho. Isabel dear. Good to see you.” He stops floating and lands on his feet. He turns his attention back to me, “And Hecate is your mother, is she? Interesting, I didn’t know she had any daughters within the past twenty years.”
Hecate waves her hand, “Yes. Apparently, I forgot of her existence, or to be more accurate, someone meddled with my memory.”
Merlin raises a brow, “That wouldn’t be an easy feat. There are very few that could pull that off, and most of them are dead. Still, it is good to meet my half-sibling, of course. What is your name?”
I give him an odd look, “Half-sibling, huh? That will take some getting used to. My name is Audrey Davis.”
Treff jumps off of his broom excitedly, “Wait...doesn’t that mean Audrey is Isabel’s like great grand aunt or something?”
“No.” I say irritated.
Isabel chuckles, “Oh, come now. Would that be such a bad thing?”
Before anyone can say anything else, Hecate says with annoyance, “Enough foolishness. Merlin, your request has been granted. You may continue your research here until you leave again. I wish to speak to my daughter alone, but Isabel, I want your team to wait outside.”
Merlin bows slightly and waves bye to me. Treff and Isabel look worried for me, but Brock is as expressionless as the moment I first saw him. Still, they all leave and close the throne doors behind them.
Hecate’s face is upturned, “Daughter, it has been a while since we last spoke. If I recall, it was when you rejected learning from me directly to instead train in the war simulator.”
I don’t say anything. She’s right though. I learned everything Ellen could teach me pretty quickly. When Hecate offered to teach me herself, I was still at a point that I rejected my powers. Although, it’s not like I openly accept them now.
Hecate decides to continue, “You can turn from your fate as much as you want, but there will be a point when you seek my counsel. A time when you decide your own power is not enough.”
“You seem sure about that. I’m not so convinced. I decide what my fate is.” I say bluntly.
She rests her head in her hand and smiles, “Of course you do. That’s why you abandoned everything to come see me.”
I narrow my eyes, “No, I came because my reflection said my friends were going to be in danger if I didn’t. I didn’t come for you. Why are you so obsessed with teaching me anyways?”
“It’s a mother’s job to take interest in her chi-”
“Cut the crap.” I interrupt.
Her tone darkens, “I think that’s enough unruly behavior.”
She waves her wand. My limbs are suddenly trapped by four different spells. Vines on my left arm, pure darkness on my right arm, golden light ensnaring my left leg, and dirt wrapped around my right leg. A strap of cloth appears over my mouth.
I try to use my spell that increases my strength. Hecate waves her wand again. My spell doesn’t work. Did she cancel it somehow? I struggle to break free of my bindings, but nothing happens.
“There. That should suffice for now. I see potential in you, daughter. Potential that I have not seen since Merlin was born. That was over a thousand years ago. He keeps himself alive through his own spells. It really is quite extraordinary for a mortal. Regardless, I wish to see your potential grow to its peak. Do I also have plans for you? Of course. Still, I can wait. That time will come. Now, as for your reason for coming.” Hecate waves her wand, and all my bindings disappear. I drop to the ground.
She pulls out a crystal ball that was embedded into her throne. She beckons for me to come closer. I hesitantly walk to her throne. The crystal ball begins to show images of a young man in red armor. He has a crown with a purple orb embedded into it. He is able to shatter the earth around him with only a wave of his hand.
The view changes to show Peter use his wind to blast Luke across the sky. Luke grows his angelic and demonic wings. He readies his blade right for the armored man as he soars. The armored man raises one finger, and the very earth rises and smashes into Luke. He lowers his finger from his other hand and lightning crashes down on Luke. The armored man walks to Luke’s body on the ground. He places his hand on Luke and seems to cancel out Luke’s angelic and demonic powers.
The red armored man forms his own wings like Luke’s, but his eyes changed colors as well. His right eye is glowing white, and his left is basically a shadow. Luke is somehow still able to stand. Luke swings his blade. The armored man forms a blade of pure darkness to block Luke. Luke’s face is filled with shock, but he jumps back.
Now Luke, Peter, and Kaleb are surrounding the armored man. The armored man pulls a bright yellow bow from the air. He shoots an arrow in Peter then simultaneously blocks Luke and Kaleb with the sword and bow. The armored man drops his weapons then motions his hands down. Lightning crashes on Kaleb and Luke. Kaleb falls to the ground while Luke is on one knee. I watch Luke try to stand...but he gets cut down instead. The images fade from the crystal ball.
I’m not even sure I know how to process all of the emotions I’m feeling right now. That guy was powerful enough to take all three of them down. Any happiness I felt from knowing that Luke will wake fades under everything else.
“Are you ready to listen to your mother now, my child?” Hecate’s voice rings in my ears.
I look up at her, “Yes.”
Hecate says almost smugly, “Good. That man, Alister, used to be the high general of my magic knights. I felt the greed growing in his heart after all these years. By the time I was ready to act, it was too late. He stole an experimental magic item from my restricted areas. It is called the Stone of Absorption. My hope was that it would help young mages learn control over magic easier. Instead, it only absorbs magic from others.”
I glare at Hecate, “That looked like it absorbs more than magic. He was able to transfer Luke’s demon and angel powers to himself.”
Hecate takes a moment before she speaks, “Yes...it seems he finds a way not only to weaponize it for himself, but to spread the type of absorption. He didn’t defect alone. Some of my best researchers left with him. Regardless, I want you to take Isabel’s squad to the Concord Caves, dispose of Alister, and bring the stone back to me. Preferably before he learns how to weaponize it.”
I know she has to have some sort of ulterior motive for this. Why call me when she has an entire army that could handle it? Still, if this man kills my friends in the future, I have no choice. I’ll play along with her games...for now.
“Alright, I’ll do it. Will Isabel’s group really be enough for this mission?” I ask her.
“I wouldn’t worry about them. They can hold their own. Alister only has a small group of fanatics at his side for now. I only want to be sure this task will be completed. With your motivation, I believe you will see it through.” Hecate says.
I say skeptically, “Only a small group of fanatics? Okay mother, I’m going to need a little more now. Why did you really call me out here instead of sending your own army.”
Hecate grits her teeth, “I said too much. Fine, the future you saw was from one in which I did send my army, so obviously that failed to work. There could be numerous reasons for that. Although, one is more likely than others. There are probably more would be traitors in my army than I would care to know. Instead, I selected one of my magic captains that I knew I could trust and you. Are you happy now?”
I turn my back to her and walk towards the door, “Ecstatic. I’m going to need somewhere to sleep tonight. While I’m not injured, I’m too exhausted to go right now.”
I walk out of her throne room to see Treff trying to listen through the door. He fell back as I walked through. Brock is standing silently beside the door, and Isabel is watching the sunset through a window in the hallway.
“I think she’s ready for you guys now.” I tell them.
Isabel turns to me and smiles. Her one visible eye is looking me over, “You survived. Hecate isn’t known for being warm, but she seems especially intense towards you.”
I shrug, “Yeah. We don’t really see eye to eye. No big deal. My true parents are dead. I don’t expect anything from her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Hmm...” Isabel looks perplexed.
“What is it?” I ask her.
Isabel moves the hair from her other eye, revealing an eyepatch, “Oh, nothing. I was just debating if I was going to share something with you as well. I know a thing or two about cold parents.” She removes the eyepatch. Underneath is a crystallized glowing orange eye, “My father used to perform experiments on me. It gave me tremendous power, but almost at the cost of my sanity. I still have nightmares of the things he used to do.”
I think of my Lilith hallucinations. I guess me and this girl do have a few things in common. However, if I’m looking at threads of pain for connections, who would I not have things in common with? The circle of hurt is a strong force after all.
“Why tell me this?” I ask.
“No real reason in a typical sense. Maybe a part of me hoped by sharing something personal that you would trust us on some miniscule level.” She reattaches her eyepatch and smiles, “I would rather us get along to be honest. It isn’t often I get to make new friends. Well Treff, Brock, I’ll go see the queen. You two can head on back. Don’t worry about walking off, Audrey. I’ll find you when I need to.”
Isabel walks into the throne room, and the doors close behind her. Treff bounds down the hallway happily with Brock silently following behind. Friend, huh? I’m used to getting along with guys much better than girls, but maybe I’ll try to be less defensive with her. I won’t go so far as to say I trust her though. This could all be a scheme of mother’s for all I know. I wonder how Isabel knew I was planning on exploring around. Oh well.
I walk around until I find some stairs. I actually do have somewhere specific I want to see. I keep going higher until I find the spot I was looking for. I walk out onto a balcony that’s high up on the castle. It extends all around the tower, so that I can see far out in every direction.
Mother sure is sitting pretty in her ivory castle. I wonder if she really created this place for the real world to be safer with less magical beings or if it was for her own ego. From what I see, it would seem to be the latter. Around the castle, there is a lavish city, sure. A large wall surrounds the city, and past that are houses that could barely be considered shacks. Those dot the land for as far as my eyes can see.
In a world where magic thrives, why are there so many out there that seem to be barely scraping by? All of these people are her family, right? What makes the people in the walls special?
“Enjoying the scenery?” A voice says from behind.
I turn to see that old wizard Merlin. All I say is, “Hardly.”
Merlin laughs, “I thought not. At least you are one to speak honestly. That is a rare trait. Hecate meant well... at one point. I’m not sure exactly when she lost herself, but I remember a time when all she did was smile and laugh. She would go out into the town and visit people until the sun went down.”
I scoff, “Is that supposed to be an excuse for her? Are you trying to say she’s in a long depressive state? What would someone like her be depressed about anyways?”
“I can’t say it excuses her, but there are plenty of troubles for one who lives so long. How many of her children has she watched die? How many humans that she loved perished while she lived on? I was surprised when I heard of you because she doesn’t attempt to love another often anymore. Now she has a daughter who dislikes magic, and a suitor she has no memory of.” Merlin says as he floats over to sit on the railing.
“How do you know either of those two things?” I demand.
“Hmmm... I can sense your fluctuating magic power. Unknowingly, you fight to hold it back. Your constant suppression is actually extraordinary. I think you output about twenty percent of your power at any moment.” He says.
I take the tinier version of my book out of my pocket and look at it, “I...really do that?” I thought that I had at least accepted having to use my powers by now.
He nods, “Yes, you do. Also, I’m guessing on her suitor but only slightly. I still felt remnants of some powerful magic that was cast on her. I could potentially break it away, but I’m not sure if it would be beneficial or not. Is your father still alive perchance?”
My head flashes to thoughts that I try never to think of. The rushing of the tornado’s wind. The splintering of the wood on my home, and the pain I felt when my body was blown against a wall. Then there was the agony of when I woke up to my broken bones, and the realization that my parents tried to protect me when I was unconscious. They gave their lives willingly for mine...I...no...I have no words for that anymore.
“No, he’s not.” I say quietly.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I only asked because I doubt it would do anyone any good for her to remember him if he is now deceased. I do wonder who could have meddled with their memories, and how did I never notice before? I suppose even I still have a long way to go. Regardless, small talk wasn’t my only reason for coming here.” Merlin says.
Before Merlin can continue, Isabel’s voice comes from the tower stairs, “Oh, Great Grandpa. You’re here too? What were you two talking about?”
Merlin’s personality shifts completely, “Oh ho ho. Nothing much, my dear! I was just teaching her about the capital city is all! I’m guessing you came to steal Audrey away from me, huh?”
Isabel nods her head, “Uh huh. Her majesty informed me of my latest mission. Audrey will rest at my squad’s place until we’re ready to head out.”
“I see. Very well, I won’t keep you. Pay me a visit before you travel back to Earth, won’t you, Audrey? You might find it worth your while.” Merlin snaps his fingers and disappears into the air.
“That’s odd. Great grandpa doesn’t come out of his way to meet strangers often. I wonder what that could be about?” Isabel ponders.
“I’m just as in the dark as you. I’ve never even heard of him before now unless he is the Merlin from King Arthur’s legends.” I say.
Isabel chuckles, “Sure is. Some things could be exaggerated, but the only ones who would know now are those who were there. I am surprised you haven’t heard his name on Olympus though. He’s a member of a famous squad called The Holy Knights. They call him The Magical Anomaly Merlin.”
“Hmmm...nope. Never heard any of that. To be fair, I was heavily focused on my goals back on Olympus.” I say to her.
Isabel shrugs, “Nothing wrong with that, I suppose. Let’s head out. I think you’ll really like our squad house.”
She waves her hands, and a broom flies to us. I don’t think this will ever be my favorite part. Her guard house is right outside the walls of the capital, so it doesn’t take us too long to get there. However...we’re standing outside the front of the house now...
I just feel like I have to ask, “Has...the place always been on fire?”
Isabel’s mouth is wide open as she places her palm on her forehead, “No...no it has not.” She sighs very loudly, “I left the place to those numbskulls for only a handful of hours.”
Isabel marches up to the front door. She doesn’t even bother with the doorknob. She waves her hand, her book glows, and the door is blasted off its hinges. The inside still seems somewhat intact although the place is definitely burning. A guy with shining bright red hair soars through our view of the door frame.
He says, “Oh hey, captain!” As he crashes into the wall on the other side of the building.
“Don’t try to psych me out by bluffing, Ignatz! We’re finishing this!” A voice calls from the other side of the room.
“I don’t know...I think we should clean things up before she heads this way.” A girl’s voice says.
Treff’s voice is laughing hysterically. He says, “Nah! The captain should still be gone for a while! Let’s keep up the carnage while we can!”
Brock was leaning next to the door inside of the building. He sees us and shakes his head in exasperation. At least he has emotions, I guess.
Isabel’s usual loving exterior has melted. Now, her face and posture resemble that of a seasoned general. Her one visible eye’s fury burns hotter than the flames.
Her book glows as she waves her right arm. Treff, who is still laughing, floats to the middle of the room. Shortly after, everyone in the room is pulled to Treff by some unseen force. Brock, Isabel, and I are the only ones not affected. The group of five are stuck together while floating and spinning. The door she busted off the hinges earlier flies from the ground, hits the group, and floats with them.
A brown headed guy chokes out, “Oh...the captain really was here...oops.”
“Told ya, Mero. That’s what you get for...ugh...listening to Treff.” The red-haired guy, who I’m assuming is named Ignatz, says.
Mero laughs heartily, “Well, you’re in the same boat as me, so...Ha!”
A blonde-haired girl rolls her eyes, “Will you two shut up. Ya’ll aren’t making this any better, ya know! Hey, Cap! Pleasure to see you as always. I tried to stop them. Honest!”
A different girl’s voice says depressingly, “The captain is going to punish us all for days. All I wanted out of life was to become a knight. Now my dreams will go up in the very smoke that is suffocating us. To die in the flames Angelica made... Oh captain, I have made my peace. Just end it swiftly.”
The blond-haired girl’s face scrunches in annoyance. She punches the door floating with them. It must be covering the other girl from view.
“Remy! Did you have to mention that I made the fire in that sad monologue? Now, how will I get out of this mess?” Angelica whines.
Remy’s tone only grows more depressed, “Oh, my...I’m so sorry, dear Angelica. I failed you as well. Only more reason for the captain to use her powers to toss me into the nearest volcano she can find. I must atone for the suffering I have caused.”
This whole squad is insane. How on earth does Isabel survive all of this? This makes my friend group look downright normal. That’s including Peter’s immeasurable optimism, and Luke’s angel and demon.
Isabel’s voice rises over the squad’s squabbling, “We...HAVE OUR FIRST BIG MISSION!” She grins, “If you all don’t clean this mess up now, I won’t take any of you.”
“WHAT?!?” Almost every one of them says.
They fall to the ground and immediately spring to action. Angelica dances like a ballerina around the flames. As she does, the flames shrink in size until they disappear completely. Treff knocks down the pieces of the building that aren’t fixable while Ignatz and Mero bring in materials from a shed to fix everything. Remy is hiding behind a counter. She’ll poke her head up every few minutes to see the progress. I feel like they’ve done this before...
Isabel floats a table and chairs to her for us to sit on. I haven’t quite pegged her magic type down yet. I’ve only met a few descendants of Hecate until now.
From what the ones on Olympus told me, we can learn all sorts of spells, but our strongest revolve around a certain type that is heavily intertwined with our spirit. My type is body augmentation. I can strengthen certain attributes about myself. However, I can also do other things like create invisible domes or shoot balls of fire.
“Oh, I guess I should fix what I broke too. It’s only fair.” Isabel points at the door frame. The door flies back to the frame. She walks over to it and fixes the hinges with magic.
“So, first mission, huh?” I ask. It doesn’t exactly convince me that this will go smoothly.
Isabel sits and holds up her finger, “Ah, I said first big mission. We’ve done smaller things for the kingdom. Heck, we’ve only been a squad for four months. Our last mission was to bring you to Hecate safely. I thought that was all there was to it too.”
“Well, you’ve still been doing this a little longer than I knew I was a demigod, so I guess I can’t complain. Are you sure they will all be fine though?” I point at Ignatz, Mero, and Treff who look like they are itching to fight each other again.
Isabel chuckles, “Oh, they’ll be fine. I handpicked my squad personally. They may seem rough around the edges, but they can get the job done. We are the thirteenth squad Hecate has formed in her many years. Our unlucky symbol is rightfully our name as well.” She stands and bows to me, “Audrey, I humbly welcome you to the base of the Black Cats.”
