2. Two
Nothing.
Gaster and I rummage through his personal archives for any mention of the Mastery for hours. There isn’t a single mention in thousands of years of text and all the searching spells come up short. A few instances stand out to me, but none mention the level of destruction the Mastery has caused.
“Do people practice blood magic or anything similar here, Gaster?” I ask.
I can’t get the gem that was attached to the dagger my father used out of my head. At the time, I chalked it up to the lighting, but now I’ve seen some shit and know better than to believe things like that are impossible.
“It’s a practice that hasn’t been used in some time now. Why do you ask, child?”
“The gem on the end of the dagger my father used. I could have sworn when I saw it, the red inside was moving, but I’ve just been blaming that thought on the lighting in the room and my state of panic, but what if there was blood in the gem? Is there that sort of thing here?”
“You’re brilliant. This will give me a whole other direction I can follow as well. There are a handful of gems that could do that. Brilliant job, Willow. Never doubt your instincts. They’ll never lead you stray.” His excitement is contagious, and purpose rises in me.
Walking over to the bookshelf, I search the full rows for a book on gems. The knowledge packed in these shelves is endless and I want to devour them all, but they’re not what I’m looking for right now.
Nothing sticks out to me until I come across an old, weathered, cracked spine, the title barely legible at this point, and it’s written in Elema Lingua Vetus, the language of old Elementra.
Since the memory unlocked of my stranger teaching me the language, it comes naturally to read and speak when I see it in text. It’s ancient, beautiful, and romantic, and I, for the life of me, can’t figure out why the people of Elementra quit using it as the primary language.
Opening the book, its parchment is fading, but the ink has darkened with age. Thankfully, the words and illustrations remain legible.
Portas Regnorum. Portals of the Realms.
Portals are enchanted gateways that connect the different realms and distant lands. These magical passageways are not merely physical doorways but are infused with multiple ancient energies, bridging the gap between realities. Each portal is a unique convergence of magical forces, and their appearances vary widely, from swirling pools of light to archways adorned with glowing runes.
As one approaches the portal, vibrations dance along the skin, and a soft hum permeates the air. The air itself is charged with magic so prevailing, it’s tangible. As the transporter steps through the threshold, the surroundings blur and twist, like a mesmerizing spiral of colors and shapes.
During the journey through the portal, time seems to lose its conventional flow. It’s as if the very fabric of reality is bending and weaving around the transporter, guiding them through the vast and interconnected tapestry of the realms.
Well, that sounds like a transport on steroids. I know that it’s become nearly impossible to travel outside of Elementra. Very few can transport beyond, like Gaster, but I have no clue how that’s possible or that there were other methods of travel.
“Gaster, did something happen to the portals? Is that why it’s so hard to travel outside of Elementra?”
“Yes, the portals closed around a thousand years ago. No one knows exactly why, but we’ve always assumed Elementra was trying to protect herself, closing the land off from access to others.” His faraway gaze leads me to believe he’s reminiscing using said portals. Which would be crazy ’cause that’d mean he’s a thousand years old.
I’m prepared to ask him how he’s able to remember the portals when he gives me a sly look.
“Yes, I was around when the portals were still active. No, I will not tell you my age, but to help with your curiosity since we obviously have not discussed this with you, there’s no end to our life expectancy on Elementra as far as I know. We won’t die of old age, sickness, or disease, but we can be killed.”
Fucking hell, we’re immortal.
“Gaster, how have none of you thought to mention this to me?” I’m flabbergasted that this has never been brought up in a single discussion.
Don’t get me wrong, I figured Gaster was older than your typical human life cycle would allow you to live for, but I never would’ve assumed we just don’t die.
“I guess we all just assumed you would’ve read this information on your own. Your curiosity tends to get the better of you, so I figured you’d have tried to snoop around and guess my age by now.” His smirk tells me I’ll never be able to dig that secret up unless it comes from his lips alone.
“No, I haven’t tried to investigate that, thank you very much. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me that little tidbit on your own. I know now over a thousand since you gave that away, but I still haven’t the slightest clue.” I arch a brow in invitation for him to give up his secret, but instead, he just laughs and shakes his head at me. “Fine. So how is it possible you can travel to the nonmagical realm and many others can’t?”
“I’m not completely sure, but I do have a hypothesis. But you’ll need a small history lesson for it to make sense, though.” I close the book on portals and make my way to the couch, spreading out to get comfortable.
“Carry on then.”
Amused by my antics, Gaster sits down in his chair and leans back. “Very well, child. At that time, there were six realms that could be traveled. First, the nonmagical realm. Magic once could be found there, but it was never created from the land itself. It was borrowed from the different portals and the individuals passing through. Now that the portals have closed, the magic would’ve died out, or so we believed,” he says, motioning to me as the prime example of how that’s not completely true.
“The Valorian Veil, home of gods, deities, angels, and demons. Much like us, they possess powerful gifts that come in a variety of possibilities, but none possess the ability to access the elements. Mystara Hollow, where the casters originated. Witches, warlocks, sorcerers, necromancers, and so on. They’re the creators of spells, tonics, potions, enchantments, runes, and wards.
“Essemist Keep, realm of creatures who survive off the essences of others. Most popularly known as the realm of vampires. Colosyree, where the giants live. They have no magical abilities like any of us, but they’re truly massive creatures, their size giving them numerous strengths and power. The average height is around sixteen feet tall.”
Sixteen feet tall? That’s over half the height of Draken’s dragon.
Damn, that’s terrifying.
“Lastly, Elementra. The land that possesses the most magic of all the realms. Our magic is a source directly fueled by Elementra herself. It’s never-ending, self-sustaining, and over many millennia has formed its own system of nearly perfecting its life cycle. We, the inhabitants, or at least most of us, respect what Elementra has blessed us with. She gives to us and so we give back to her. A forever cycle of taking care of one another.” He speaks with so much reverence about Elementra, I can feel his appreciation like a blossoming flower in my chest, something that started small but has grown into such beauty and awe.
“I, as well as many other scholars, believe that Elementra closed the portals because the other beings who were traveling here were beginning to disrespect and destroy the land by attempting to take over with their own beliefs, customs, technology, and so forth, which after a while, would’ve destroyed our magic.
“For many years, the portals seemly worked like one-way travel. If you were native to Elementra, you could travel in, but no others were allowed. If you were here from another realm and left during the one-way travel, you’d never be allowed reentry. When the portals closed both ways for good, you were here permanently, no one from the outside allowed in and no one let back out, regardless of where you were from. The last portal to officially close was the one to the nonmagical realm, around five hundred years ago.”
“Why was that portal the last to close?”
How in the world did I end up there?
“Again, this is all scholarly assumptions over the years, but I believe it’s because of its absence of magic. Elementra was trying to allow all her inhabitants to return home because if they stayed in the nonmagical realm, they’d eventually lose their magic. Unlike the other realms, where magic was present, they’d have kept their element and gift and would have adapted to the land they now resided in, like the beings stuck in Elementra adapted, but not the nonmagical realm. They would’ve devolved, so to speak, in just a few generations, if not less. They’d be almost completely human, with just slightly better health than their nonmagical counterparts.”
“Fascinating. So what’s your hypothesis on you and the few who can still leave Elementra?” This is a large history dump, but just like with the gem, I have a nagging feeling the history of the portals is important.
“Well, technically, I’m the only one I know, personally, who can move to the nonmagical realm and come back. There are most certainly others who can because we’ve adopted traits from the realm that were never here before, such as the communicators, but I’ve never met them. The few others I know who can transport out of Elementra, can get to one of the other realms. I believe it’s because we were in those realms at the time the portals closed.”
My eyebrows shoot to my hairline, while he aimlessly strokes his beard and his brows furrow as he drifts into his mind. “You were there when they closed, closed, or became one-way travel?”
“Closed, closed. I had an inkling there was something in the nonmagical realm that I needed but could never find. I was willing to stay behind to find it, never returning home, but Elementra obviously had other plans for me. I attempted to transport to another part of the nonmagical realm where I could sense powerful, familiar magic radiating, but instead, I transported back here, right outside of this cottage.”
There’s a hint of longing in his voice that alludes to the fact he’s always wanted to know what it was that had him searching high and low in the nonmagical realm, but the loving, grandfatherly smile he shoots me tells me he’d never change a thing.
As much as I want to ask what he thought he was looking for, I don’t want to be insensitive to his feelings, so I keep my mouth shut on that.
“Is this book in my journal? I’d like to read up on the portals a little more.”
“Yes, it’s in there. Just search for the book name when you want to read up on it.”
I thank him as I hop up and return the book to its proper place on the bookshelf. Heading into the kitchen, I let my mind wander to all the possible paths we have now to get information on the Mastery.
Now that we know they’re in both the nonmagical realm and Elementra, their use of a portal or there being someone who can transport like Gaster, is a huge possibility. And the gem, that could possibly have something to do with blood magic. So I guess multiple possibilities and a lot of questions really, but eventually, questions lead to answers.
“Would you like to go on the porch? Give our eyes a little break and get some fresh air,” Gaster asks as I hand him his tea and take a sip of my coffee.
“That sounds great. My mind is moving a million miles a minute right now, so a break would be nice.”
“Or it could be the multiple cups of coffee you’ve had, child,” he teases as we take our seats in the rocking chairs.
“Har, har very funny. It’s only my third cup and we’ve spent a lot of time reading and that’s put me into a sleepy mood.”
“Tell me how else you’re feeling. You and the boys seem to be moving in a better direction now?” His tone reflects a combination of warmth and protective care. The bond that connects me and him floods with familial love and I smile warmly at him.
“Yes, we are. They’ve been amazing ever since I came back. Even Caspian, in his own way. Their possessiveness and protectiveness are in overdrive right now, but that seems to really please my little hussy bond more than anything.” I laugh like I’m joking, but my heart flutters thinking about all the attention and affection they’ve been showering me with, and I instantly begin missing them.
I’ve been pretty good at keeping my emotions in check since I knew they’d be gone all day, but all it took was one mention of them and now I want them home.
“I didn’t mean to upset you by bringing them up, but I wanted to check on how you were feeling. I’d also like to talk to you about something, and I don’t want to upset you by bringing it up either.” He pauses, giving me a moment to collect myself again.
“I’m fine, I promise. It’s getting harder as the day goes on and they aren’t home, but I’ll be okay. What are a few tears. What did you want to talk about?” I give him a reassuring nod to carry on. I can suck it up for a little while longer.
“Yesterday, child, was heartbreaking to watch and I hate to feel like I’m sitting by not helping you handle the horrors you’ve lived. There’s a spell I can teach you that can shift the thoughts you’re having, divert them to happier ones.” His eyes convey an unspoken desperation and plea, one that screams he’d truly love to be able to make all my dark thoughts disappear.
I eye him skeptically. Not that I’d doubt anything he’d offer to teach me, but I’ve tried plenty of times throughout the years to think happy thoughts when the panic starts but have always failed once the memories got their claws in me. I’ve only recently been able to curb the panic, and I have no doubt it’s because of the proximity to the guys and the bond pushing me.
“Explain it to me a little more, Gaster.”
“The spell is called a Diversion spell. If you were to ever start slipping into a flashback or even a panic attack, you’d say the spell and whatever you’ve decided to be your diversion would then take over the direction of your thoughts. To activate the spell, you simply say the command in your mind.”
If this is true and works, I won’t have to suffer these crippling attacks anymore. I could begin to heal properly, not just shove it down and ignore it like I do.
“It’s as simple as saying a spell?” I croak out.
“Not the first time, no, but once you have created the spell, then yes, it’s as simple as commanding the spell.”
“I’ve never created a spell on my own before. You’ll have to walk me through step by step.” Hope breaks through the cracks of my skepticism.
I want badly for this to work.
“I will, child, but I must be completely clear with you before you decide to try this. The initial formation of a diversion spell is a highly emotional process. You begin by saying the opening lines of the spell, this will open your mind to your feelings, memories, experiences, and so on. Then you must think of the happiest moments of your life, the things that have brought you the most joy and love. These will be your diversions. The happy feelings must outweigh the fear, the nightmares, all the bad that plagues you.
“If you don’t feel those things strongly enough, then it will not work. Once you have those moments locked in, then you must think of the worst times of your life, the things that induce feelings of panic and fear. For your diversions to activate and take over, you’ll induce your own panic, Willow. Then and only then can your spell attach to your mind.”
My breathing becomes labored as sweat drips down my neck at just the thought of purposely sending myself down this rabbit hole. If my happy thoughts, the very few I hold dear, don’t outweigh my fear, I’ll have set off a chain reaction that I may or may not be able to get myself out of.
“Then what?”
“Then you will say, Divert. The spell will activate, and those feelings will cease. Moving forward, anytime you feel like you’re on the verge of a panic attack or becoming trapped in your mind, all you will have to think is Divert, and the spell will act on its own.” Gaster’s eyes hold a confidence in me that I don’t feel for myself right now.
What if it doesn’t work?
Taking a calm and centering breath, I think about the freedom I can have from the invisible chains Donald and my father still have locked around me. Especially now that I know they have access here. I feel at any point they’re going to pop up.
The panic attacks are crippling, and they slow my life down so much. I’m a shell of a person after they happen, and I find it hard to pull myself back up afterward. They leave me vulnerable in a way I don’t want to be. They leave me self-conscious to the point if it wasn’t for the bond, I wouldn’t want the guys to look at me.
My whole life I’ve had to live in survival mode. That was my purpose, survive this beating, survive this day, wake up tomorrow. Now I’m in a world full of magic, love, and wonder. I don’t want to live in survival mode. I want to live in my softness, my curiosity, my playfulness. I want to cuddle up on the laps of my men and not feel shameful for wanting that comfort. I want to be vulnerable with them, without the fear of getting crushed by my own doubt. I want to be their strength, not a weakness.
Decision made, I nod at Gaster.
“I want to do this, Gaster. I need to.”
“I’ll walk you through this the whole time. Always remember, Willow, everything you want to do and want to learn with your magic, your elements, even your gift when it emerges, you’ll be able to do when you set your intentions clear and firm. Our intentions are our driving force. Be mindful, be sure, and set your intentions on what you want to accomplish, and you will, child. I have no doubt,” he states confidently.
Just like when I stayed with him when I was avoiding the guys, he instructed me to stop fighting my air, let it flow freely, that it would guide me if I listened, it would become natural if I did. So I listened, and I listen now.
I will cast this spell.
I will divert these thoughts to better ones, happier ones.
I will heal.
“Close your eyes, call your magic forth, and repeat after me word for word in your mind, then think your happy thoughts as strongly as you can,” he instructs softly. My magic glows in my chest as soon as I think of it, obeying me completely with just a small thought.
“Heart’s whispers and dreams entwined. Show the matter that brings peace to mind.”
Heart’s whispers and dreams entwined. Show the matter that brings peace to mind.
My mind instantly begins replaying the things that have brought me the only joy and happiness I’ve ever known.
Draken introducing himself to me on my first night here, telling me even then that he was going to spend forever with me. My first ride on the back of his dragon, the freedom he gave me and continues to give me daily. The love I see in his eyes every time he looks at me. He’s my dragon and I’m his little wanderer.
The way Corentin was only told once how I liked my coffee and now, he fixes it for me every single morning without me asking. Although he hasn’t admitted it, I know my entire room was redecorated under his guidance. I told him my favorite color was purple, and he made sure to find the most beautiful purple things to fill my space with. It’s all the little things he does to show me he listens when I talk, and he remembers. Our first kiss, he was so soft and sweet with me after he just showed me his gift for the first time.
Tillman’s gentleness with me but also his fierce belief in me. I imagine the feeling of being wrapped in his large embrace and know in his arms nothing will ever touch me. Him telling me he will love me more than he fears losing me. His treehouse…his willingness to share his space with me just for me to have an escape.
And Caspian… Caspian’s my silent protector. The dark and damaged ghost that watches me from the shadows to keep me safe. He’ll fight my demons for me.
I think of every bright moment they’ve brought into my life since meeting them. Even before knowing the truth of what they’d come to mean to me, they were already changing my life for the better.
I nod slightly, letting Gaster know I have the memories.
“Echoes of the past, shadows of time. Bring forth the memories that haunt my mind.”
Echoes of the past, shadows of time. Bring forth the memories that haunt my mind.
The face of my father comes to mind first. His silver hair slicked back, not a piece out of place, and his suit is pressed to perfection. His hazel eyes hold no life, just a soulless abyss of disappointment, resentment, and loathing. His face always held a hint of hope every time he raised a hand to hit me, followed by utter disgust, like I failed him in some profound way when nothing happened but me lying in a puddle of my own blood. No matter how loud I screamed, he’d hold me down and allow his doctor acquaintance to draw my blood over and over, not even attempting to get the needle in my vein properly. How he would hold me down, cut me open…
How he looked at me completely resigned on the night of Donald’s initiation. How he left me there to be gang-raped and said it was because I was just a useless woman. I’ve lived in fear of him my whole life. Never having the father-daughter relationship I always craved. I was always his punching bag.
Unhinged, brown almost black eyes stare into my soul. Even in my mind, those eyes make my body seize up, true fear taking hold. Donald’s manic laugh rings in my ears, cutting off the sound of nature I was using as a method to stay grounded.
Now all I hear is him.
The echoes of his fists hitting my body, a symphony of impacts that resonates in every crack and corner of my mind. His cruel words slither across my self-conscience. Bitch. Whore. Useless. Lazy. Disgusting. Worthless. Worthless. Worthless.
The coppery taste of blood floods my mouth and invades my senses as I feel the sting of every backhand he’s ever laid across my cheek.
The phantom pains of him forcing his way inside of me throb in my lower stomach. He shredded the thin veil of my virginity to pieces despite my body’s attempt to fight the intrusion. Over and over, he pounded into my body mercilessly, chasing his own pleasure, leaving me only feeling pain, pain, pain.
Stop. Stop. Stop.
It’s not stopping. The feel, taste, touch, smell, sight of him aren’t stopping. The years of agony, his brutal treatment, are plaguing the very essence of my soul. It’s him, only him. He’s all I’ll ever know.
NO. DIVERT.
Silence.
There’s a haunting silence before my mind and body are filled with a sense of love, safety, peace, and home. Four figures all appear in my mind, looking at me like I’m the world’s most precious gift.
A firm but sweet grasp tilts my chin up.
“I’ve got you, princess.” Corentin, always guiding the way, my light at the end of the tunnel.
Strong arms wrap me in a cocoon of safety.
“I’m here, little warrior.” Tillman, my strength, my gentle giant.
Tendrils of shadows swirl around my wrist and waist.
“I’ll chase the darkness away, little Primary.” Caspian, my ghost, from the shadows; he’ll fight my demons.
A kiss on my neck heats my skin like the rays of the sun on a summer day.
“I’ll follow you anywhere, little wanderer.” Draken, my freedom, my dragon.
My Nexus.
Clarity returns and I hold my eyes closed for a moment longer, allowing a small smile to grace my lips as I bask in the peace the diversion spell brought forth as soon as I was able to activate it on my own. It’s done more than just attach to my mind. It feels physical, like a weight’s been lifted off me that’s been holding me back.
My feelings, both intimate and emotional, toward the guys have always been present, strong, but the trauma I’ve experienced has always sat in my mind like a constant reminder that something’s wrong with me. The thought that something isn’t right within me for being okay with how much I want them. The persistent nagging that I’m not worthy of them.
Now, the weight of my trauma seems lighter. It’s like a dark veil has been lifted, allowing my mind to give every other part of me permission to give myself over fully. Embrace the fact they were made perfectly for me.
Releasing my breath, I bat the tears from my eyes and slowly open them.
Gaster’s kneeling in front of me, tears flowing down his face, so I reach out and wipe them away.
“Thank you, Gaster. You’ve given me a gift I’ll never be able to repay you for.”
“The honor is mine, Willow. You’re one of the strongest, brightest, and most courageous people I’ve ever been blessed to meet. You bring such joy and happiness to my life. I can only hope I can do the same for you,” he says as he gathers me in a hug and rubs his hand down my back.
I’ll make sure every day to remind him of how much he means to me and how thankful I am to have him in my life.
“How do you feel now that you’ve had some food and tea?” Gaster’s concern is unwarranted but much appreciated.
“Like a new woman. I’m not drained in the slightest, physically or mentally.”
I was a little dizzy right after the diversion spell wore off, but that’s completely subsided now that Gaster made me a healing tonic and fixed me a delicious spring salad.
“Wonderful. How about we relax for a little while? The boys will still be a few, so we should enjoy the peace and quiet.” Gaster smiles as he closes his eyes and leans his head back on the rocking chair. Laughing my agreement, I mimic him and make myself comfortable.
Before I can doze off into a little midday nap, my Memoria stone begins heating up against my chest. Anticipation and excitement flare within me as I slowly reach up and grip it.
Air, Earth, Water, Fire so bright,
Four elements, pure and right.
Air we breathe, wise and sweet,
Earth stands strong, soil beneath our feet.
Water flows, broken and whole,
Fire’s warmth feeds the soul.
Remember these, with joy and cheer,
The elements become one, the world becomes clear.
The bright light of a memory unlocking steals my vision and I’m thrown back in time to see myself and my stranger standing in the clearing.
“Hell yeah, Willow, great job!”
“Language. But thanks. You know, if I could practice more, like when you can’t be here, I’d be further along with my elements by now.” A much younger teenage me sasses as I toss a dirt ball up and down in my hand.
“It’s not safe when I’m not here. You know this.”
“Yes, I know. You’ve explained it a gazillion times. I just don’t like having my elements bound for most of the day. It doesn’t feel right.”
“I know it doesn’t, especially for someone as strong as you are, but it won’t always be this way. I promise. Now I need to tell you something about someone you are going to meet one day.”
“Who?” I ask excitedly.
“He’s a very important person. He’s full of wisdom and knowledge, smarter and older than any other I know, and he’ll teach you everything you need to know, with some help, that is.”
“I don’t understand why you can’t teach me everything I need to know now. Why do I have to wait and meet some old dude?” I pout, stomping my foot, letting my dirt ball fall to the ground.
“I’ve told you, Willow, everyone has a role to play. That old dude will play a very big role in your life, and it’ll be his job to teach you these things.”
“But you’ll be there too, so why don’t you just teach me now?”
“That’s just not the way it works, filia mea.”
“Fine. How will I even know when to say it if you can’t tell me that either?” I mouth off, rolling my eyes and kicking the dirt with the toe of my shoe. I’m tired of being told nothing.
“I’ll make sure you know when the time is right. Don’t worry about that. I’ll guide you every step of the way. And you’re not saying it, you’re asking him to teach you something.”
“Tell me again, please,” I say. Obviously, I didn’t pay attention the first time I was told.
“One day, he’s going to teach you a very valuable spell, a spell you’ll be able to carry forward with you for the rest of your life. Then you both will fall into a comfortable, relaxing, afternoon bliss—”
“I find this hard to believe. Nothing about my life is any of those things unless I’m here with you. Father lives to torture me. I don’t understand why I can’t leave with you.” My lip pokes out and trembles as my eyes become glossy.
“Hey, hey, none of that. I’m sorry I can’t do more, Willow, I truly am. If I could change this, I would in a heartbeat. I’d take you home with me and we’d never look back, but this is the only way.”
The stranger wipes my stray tears and pulls me into a hug, shushing me as I break down. After a few moments of sobbing, I pull away and shake my body out.
“I hope this old dude loves me as much as you do. You’re the only person in this realm and the next who will put up with me. I know it. I’m going to be pissed if he’s a cranky bastard.”
An indistinguishable laugh bursts from the stranger, causing me to laugh and clear up my tears right alongside them.
“Language. And yes, he’s going to love you as I do. Now pay attention. This is very important. During your afternoon bliss, you need to ask him to teach you two different spells. The first is a concealing spell and the second is a dimension spell. You need to know both.”
“And what will these spells do?”
“You’ll learn that when he teaches you.”
“I just don’t understand why you could teach me Elema Lingua Vetus, how to control my elements, how to use my magic, and so much more but can’t teach or tell me why certain things have to be done a certain way.”
“Keep the faith, filia mea. It’ll all make sense soon.”
As the memory fades, I rock my chair with my feet, relaxing in the bliss of silent comfort with Gaster. A snort escapes me when I replay maybe sixteen-year-old me referring to Gaster as an old dude. If younger me knew then what I know now, she would’ve done more than argue with the stranger. She would’ve begged, pleaded, thrown an absolute tantrum to be taken away right then and there.
“What has you chuckling over there?” Gaster asks, amusement coloring his tone, making my smile widen. Gazing over to him, he’s still sitting with his eyes closed, a small smile playing on his lips.
Blissful.
“One of my memories just came through,” I say lightly.
He pops straight up, looking over at me. “Well, don’t leave me in suspense, child, get on with it.”
“I need you to teach me a spell. Well, two spells. I need you to teach me the concealment spell and the dimension spell.”
His baby blues widen at my request, his mouth opening and closing in indecision at what to say. “That’s what you saw?”
“My stranger spoke very highly of you. They didn’t say your name but gave me enough details to know it was you. They said one day, we’d be spending a blissful afternoon together and that’s when I needed to ask you to teach me those spells. I don’t believe it was a coincidence the memory came through just now.”
“No, I don’t believe so either, Willow. There are no coincidences in Elementra.” Gaster pushes off his chair and drags it over to sit in front of me. “I’ll show you the concealment spell first as it’s self-explanatory.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his small silver switchblade and lays his palm out flat for me to see it.
“Conceal,” he mutters.
The blade vanishes from my sight, and I reach out to run my fingers over Gaster’s hand where the blade had been, but I feel nothing other than his warm, weathered skin.
“Shit, Gaster, where did it go?” I ask in amazement.
“It’s still right here,” he says as he holds his pointer finger and thumb up, but there’s a gap keeping the digits from touching one another. “I can still feel it, see it, even though the sight of it is disoriented, letting me know my concealment is active. It’s only concealed from your sight and touch.” He gently grabs my hand and lays my palm flat then places the blade in the center. It’s invisible and weightless, so I just have to believe that it’s there.
“Reveal.” Gaster’s magic rubs across my hand like a gentle caress and when he pulls it back, I’m left with the cold feeling of metal and a gentle weight resting in my palm.
“Damn, that’s so cool. I wonder why I would need to know this, though. I don’t have any weapons that need to be hidden.”
I’m apparently the only one who doesn’t carry weapons around. The other night, Draken’s switchblade, which is quite larger than Gaster’s, fell out of his pants pocket when he was climbing into bed. When I interrogated him about it, he said they all always have one on them, and they all load up on them when they leave the academy, stating you never know when one will come in handy. It wasn’t comforting to me at all.
“I believe you already know that answer, child,” Gaster states, pointing at my chest where I mindlessly stroke my Memoria stone, a habit I’ve picked up every time it shows me something that confuses me.
“You think I need to conceal my necklace?”
“I do. I should’ve thought about this before now, but you keep it tucked away all the time, so the thought never occurred to me until now. Yes, I think that’d be for the best with everything going on.” He nods confidently and although I don’t like the idea of concealing it, they’ve warned me enough to know if the wrong type of person saw it, I’d be in danger.
“Okay. So what do I do?”
“Call forth your magic, grip your stone, and repeat after me.” He pauses, giving me a moment to get ready, and at my nod, he continues. “Conceal my possession from curious eyes. Only to me, you reveal its disguise.”
“Conceal my possession from curious eyes. Only to me, you reveal its disguise.”Pushing my magic as I speak the spell in my mind, my hand heats up around my stone. Once the tingling and heat stop, I let the stone go and look at Gaster for confirmation.
“Good, Willow, it’s concealed. Look at it and get an idea of what it will look like to you when the spell is activated then reveal it,” he instructs.
Instead of the stunning shade of purple wrapped beautifully in silver cording, it’s a grayish blur of the shape my stone would be. The silver chain attached to my stone resembles a wisp of smoke, barely visible to me, and practically weightless.
“Reveal.”
“Very good, Willow, very good. I believe you should keep it concealed anytime you leave the mansion now, just to be safe.” His pride bleeds through the bond, his face alight with joy and wonder for me, making my heart swell in my chest. I swear he almost has a faint reddish orange glow surrounding him like the light from the sun is accentuating his happiness.
“So if I wanted to conceal something else, like my journal, I’d just speak the spell like the first time, it’d conceal it, then going forward all I will need to do is command it?”
“Correct. It’s instantaneous upon your command.”
“Perfect, I believe I got it. So, now the dimension spell.” I clap my hands excitedly. I’ve learned so much today.
Goodbye, weak Willow. Hello, Ms. Badass.
“Your excitement is contagious, Willow, but let’s start small. This spell is very complicated. Do you know what a dimension is?”
“Sort of. I think I have a good idea just based on science classes and things I’ve read, but I couldn’t begin to explain it,” I tell him honestly.
“Imagine a space that exists apart from Elementra but is concealed within the very fabric of her existence. It’s formed by weaving together strands of magical essence, creating a space that’s both connected to and distinct from the realm around it,” Gaster explains as basically as he can for such a complex topic.
“I’m following, but I gotta be honest with you, Gaster. The thought of creating a dimension seems daunting and hard as shit. Are we even sure I’m strong enough to do something like this?”
I’m still a badass regardless, but this seems like next-level shit.
“It’s going to be very difficult and drain you, so we’ll cast the spell in the yard where you can be connected to the elements while you work the spell. The dimension spell I’ll teach you is only to create a small pocket. You won’t be creating an entirely new world. I have no doubt you will be able to do this. I don’t believe that stranger of yours would’ve told you about this spell if not. You need to speak Elema Lingua Vetus and have strong magic, sonot many can cast this spell or even know it.” Gaster’s confidence in me gives me the ego boost I need.
He walks into the house for a moment before returning with a large bag of healing vials and a journal that looks very similar to my own, but instead of being purple, his is black.
“Will I need all that after this, Gaster?Damn, is this spell going to kill me?” I ask, eyeing the large quantity of healing vials.
“Of course not. I’m going to take two vials out for you for afterward, but the rest is for you to hide in your dimension pocket,” he says, rolling his eyes and laughing at my dramatics.
“Is that what they’re for? To hide things in?”
“That’s one reason, yes. There are a multitude of uses for a dimension pocket. For example, I could take a box, create a dimension pocket within the box, filling it with all my possessions from my cottage. Then I’d take the box to my new home, open my dimension, and unpack my things that easily.”
I gawk in disbelief. Damn, that’s cool.
“But I’d have to carry that box around with me to access my dimension, right?”
“You catch on so quickly. Yes, that’s correct. That’s why we’ll be doing your spell in the open. You’re going to create your dimension directly into the fabric of Elementra so you can access it from anywhere.”
Holy shit, he just upped the ante.
Skipping down the stairs to the grass barefoot like he told me to be, I ground my feet into the earth and calm my breathing, focusing solely on the energy I feel around me.
“Don’t speak unless I instruct you to or ask questions, Willow. Completely focus on my voice and what I’m saying. If you get confused or don’t get it right away, don’t worry or break your connection. We’ll continue to try. Nod and let me know you understand, and we’ll begin.” He’s standing out of my line of sight, so I nod and clear my mind.
“Command your magic to flow through your body. It needs to spread everywhere from your mind to your toes, and into the ground and hold it. Don’t let it flow out.”
I’ve never spread my magic to every part of my body at once without giving it a direction of something to do or somewhere to go, so the glow and tingling leave my body feeling full, on the verge of exploding.
“Steady yourself. Once you repeat these words, it’s going to feel like your magic wants to burst out of you, but don’t allow it. You must hold it within you.”
Locking down my magic as hard as I can, I clench and unclench my fist and grip the grass tighter between my toes, already fighting off the need to just let it flow.
“Repeat after me, out loud. Aperi conspectum meum ad terram antiquam, ostende fabricam Elementra explica.”
“Aperi conspectum meum ad terram antiquam, ostende fabricam Elementra explica.”
Open my sight to the land of old, show Elementra’s fabric unfold.
I grunt as my magic attempts to shoot out of every pore in my body. Balling my fist and commanding it to stay, the first drop of sweat slides down my temple, and my skin feels like it’s going to rip open.
Ignoring the pain and focusing on my task, the reality of what’s in front of me begins to shift. The beautiful sea of trees subtly vibrates before everything starts to move in slow motion. The landscape takes on a hazy blue hue, showing me the blueprint of Elementra. There are brightly colored, woven threads of magic flowing like streams through the ground, into the roots of the trees and into its branches. There’s an essence of magic floating through the air like smoke on the wind.
It’s pure and extremely powerful.
My limbs shake uncontrollably, and I’m drenched in sweat from the hold I have on my magic. Instead of giving me a power boost, the pure, unfiltered power flowing through the area in front of me is attempting to cycle my power, a give-and-take relationship that’s a natural occurrence, but right now I’m not giving anything. The effort to keep my magic from doing what it’s supposed to do is draining me rapidly.
“Hold your hand out in front of you. When you repeat these next words, slowly draw a circle in the air. Once the points of your beginning and end meet, pull right down the middle as if you’re unzipping the circle, then let go of your magic. Now, repeat after me, out loud. Haec fila coniungunt per tempus et spatium. Elementra, hunc mutuatum benedic locum.”
“Haec fila coniungunt per tempus et spatium. Elementra, hunc mutuatum benedic locum.”
Connect these threads through time and space. Elementra, bless this borrowed place.
My magic bursting from me is so powerful, it’s visible. A ray of light pours from my body in waves of silver strands, flowing directly into the circle I created. It’s endlessly pulling my magic from my chest, and just when I think the dimension will drain me dry, the pull lessens, revealing a swirling pool of silver, like liquid mercury, floating in the air.
“Place the bag of vials inside. Once you set it down, zip the circle back up and the dimension will close,” Gaster orders as he passes me the bag of healing vials.
I expect it to be cool and wet based on its look, but instead, as my hand passes through the silver pool, it’s a sensation of my own magic, the familiar glow and tingle I get every time I call it forth.
After pulling my hand out slowly, I zip the circle up, and suddenly, Elementra’s blueprint blinks out of existence. The connection I had ground in the soil snaps, and I fall hard on my ass as exhaustion hits me like a freight train.
“Here, child, drink.” Gaster uncaps both vials and passes them over to me.
“Did I do it?” I pant after chugging down the liquid miracles.
“Yes, Willow. You did it. Now when you want or need to access it, you’ll ground your magic, draw the circle, and unzip. It won’t be draining in the least going forward. It’ll be as natural as any other spell,” he says, gracing me with a loving, teary-eyed smile.
“Good, good. I think I’m just going to lie here for a bit, Gaster, if that’s okay.” I wheeze through my shortness of breath as I lie on the ground like a starfish.
“Relax, child. Your Nexus will be here soon.”