Chapter 07 - The Ceremony

  Everyone around me was enraptured by the speech the Archmagus was giving. He started with the history of the Boston Mage guild, and how each year during the end of summer, the coming-of-age ceremony was held in the place where the rivers of magic below the earth converged. It was during the time of the early American colonies that our mage ancestors found the convergence under the lake at the center of what is now Greywood Cabins. Here, they found that the connection between Hecate and her worshipers was at its strongest.

  He then went on about the mage's history of persecution during the Salem witch trials, and how Greywood had become a refuge for the guild to weather through mundane paranoia. During that time, the mages waited, gathering more power, and establishing laws that have now become the foundation for guilds across the country. This eventually led to the founding of the supernatural council, which governs all of the supernatural. Their job: keep everyone in check, as well as to remove anything that would disrupt the fragile status-quo of our world.

  Honestly, most of the information was not new to me. It was the same recycled history lesson that happened the last time I observed the ceremony. And while I didn't remember everything word-for-word, I couldn't help but let my mind and eyes drift away from the Archmagus. I noticed that the other kids were doing their best to appear focused, but I could tell with some of their fidgeting hands that they were about to lose their attention too.

  It was then that I noticed one of the council members was staring at me from the center podium. She had sharp green eyes, her hair in a tight bun, and her robes much more elegant than what I was wearing. My eyes narrowed, before I recognized that this woman was none other than my grandmother. I gulped. This was news to me. I supposed congratulations were in order. She finally got the position of power she wanted.

  But now I wondered why Mom didn't tell me about this. Was it to make sure that I wasn't nervous before the ceremony? Did she even know? I wanted to turn around and look for confirmation, but I was quite sure breaking decorum now would look badly on my whole family.

  I considered how it must feel for her, though. My grandmother. Knowing that she had a daughter who didn't measure up to her expectations. And now a grandson she barely even communicated with was about to receive his focus. I bet that she was hoping my focus was great so she could exploit me somehow. All for the family, right? For the first time, I hoped that my focus was shit, so she could take that snobby glare of hers and shove it up her-

  "It is time," bellowed the Archmagus, tearing my gaze and thoughts off my grandmother and back to him. He raised his arms up and chanted a spell under his breath. Within moments, the clouds that had been dimming the night sky faded away, and moonlight spilled all over us. "Let the Coming-of-Age Ceremony begin!"

  All around me, the other kids raised their hands up and began chanting the spell. My mouth was dry as I tried to follow suit, remembering the words Mom taught me since I turned fifteen. The spell's aim was to pull the leyline energy from under the lake into the central podium, thus creating a conduit for the energy to bless the young mages. And while that sounded simple enough, the act itself was a challenge for us younger mages. My body quickly became numb as the words left my lips, trying to magically grasp onto the river of magic under us and pull it upward, directing it to the orb on the podium.

  To my left I saw another kid begin to stumble, shuddering and gasping until she fell to her knees, blonde hair falling over her face. Yet, despite the obvious signs of weakness, she continued to mumble out the chant. However, even though I found her effort admirable, my ears quickly picked up the disapproving murmurs coming from the audience behind us.

  I was glad Mom had trained me now. To fall like that so early during the incantation would've made me look bad. Look weak. And useless. I was sure grandmother was hoping for that...

  I glared in her direction, noticing that she and the other council members had their arms outstretched, heads facing toward the moon with eyes closed. They made the spell look so easy, effortlessly chanting with their vast pools of magical energy. Energy they had years to expand and perfect. For a moment, I felt pleased with myself, being able to keep up. I knew one day I would be like that. And I hoped that I would surpass her. That would really show them who's who.

  A few more of the kids in the circle began to fall by the time the Moon Orb started to radiate light. Some of them even passed out and were taken away by healers. But then something strange happened. As healers picked up the unconscious, they were escorted by guild knights - mages donning armor and equipped with staves. That was new. It didn't happen the last time I saw a ceremony. Why were they removing the kids with such pomp and circumstance?

  Having noticed not only my surprise, but the surprise by the audience as well, the Archmagus called everyone toward him and explained in a firm voice, "As is now set unto law, those who cannot uphold the incantation shall not be allowed a focus. Only the strong may inherit from this day forward."

  There was a murmur of shock around me and this time I did turn around to look at my parents. Dad was holding Mom, who was clutching her necklace tightly, her lips a tight line as her gaze didn't leave mine. Angry faces were around them, but none spoke up to oppose the Archmagus. It was just the way things were with the guild. And no one there was strong enough to challenge him.

  We continued our incantations, watching and hoping the light of the moon orb would brighten and ease our casting. Slowly, the crystal emitted a faint glow, and after what felt like hours, the light shone brightly enough to illuminate the field.

  Satisfied with our work, the Archmagus bellowed, "The incantation is complete! Let us begin with the blessings!"

  The council mages broke formation here and turned to face us kids in the inner circle. The first name called was a tall boy with narrow eyes. He stepped forward from his position toward the central podium with a confident gait as well as a smile so smug I felt the growing urge to punch him in the face. My grandmother waved a hand to the Moon orb, prompting him to place his hand on it. I watched as he paused a moment to smile at the audience before reaching for the orb. Instantly, his body was surrounded by an amber light, like flame flaring wildly on fleshy kindling.

  Another of the council mages screamed out, "Elements - Pyromancer!"

  Behind me, cheers erupted from who I assumed was the boy's family. He turned once more to face the audience and gave out a triumphant cry, throwing a fist in the air as if celebrating what he knew would be a victory. I guessed he got the focus he wanted.

  A few more kids were called out afterward. The orb continued to shift in color, from shades of blues depicting other elementalists proficient in water and ice, to lighter greens for foci strong in earth magic. As more time went on, I realized that the guild children leaned heavily toward the School of Elements compared to the other ones. One kid, a scrawny little girl who didn't look like much, got huge cheers when she was blessed in the school of spirits, meaning she could summon creatures.

  "Kyle Fischer!"

  I gulped upon hearing my name shouted out by my grandmother. My fist balled as I approached the podium, doing my best to ignore the whispers around me as well as her hard eyes. Unlike with the others, she stepped aside when I came near enough and another of the council mages escorted me to the orb instead. What a bitch...

  My eyes found my mother and father before I reached out for the glowing orb. Upon contact, I was surrounded by a white and silvery light. My body suddenly felt as if it was enveloped by a warm... I don't know. Embrace? It was as if I were being hugged by the power. Somehow, it felt... familiar. As if my heart was suddenly calm... like I was finally returning home... and in my mind, I swore I heard a sigh of relief and a voice muttering, We awaken just in time.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  The color around me never changed. It remained the same silvery white. Slowly, the light faded and I turned to the council members. A hand gripped my shoulder, hard. I looked up at my grandmother, her face tight and her mouth looking like an upside down letter u, while her brows were tightly knit together. She shook her head before shouting, "School of Warding - Abjuration!"

  Abjuration... the school of protection and shielding. A passive school of magic. One that was often looked down upon next to enchanting in the guild. It would've been better if I was gifted in the school of healing. That would have guaranteed the guild would notice me. At least then I'd be useful to someone.

  I stepped down from the podium and returned to my position in the circle. I met my mother's gaze a moment and she gave me a sad smile. She knew I wanted a better focus than this. When I turned away from her I cursed under my breath. Just my luck my wish to one-up my grandmother had to come true.

  It's alright, I thought to myself. I have my family still. My REAL family. I don't need their approval.

  That's right... we don't need their approval.

  The voice in my head nearly made me scream. I knew I visibly jumped from my spot and did my best to compose myself again as the next few kids were called forward. I was sure grandmother saw me break focus there. My eyes darted from one side of the field to the other, trying to find the source of the telepathic voice, but I found nothing. Everything around me seemed perfectly normal. But I still wondered if the voice I just heard was someone in the audience. A few more beats went on, a few more kids were called up front, and nothing else happened. I sighed, able to relax just a bit, but I was still jumpy by the time the Archmagus stood up once more.

  "Congratulations to those of you who were able to withstand the incantation. And congratulations to all of you who have earned your focus from our goddess. May the magic watch over you."

  "May the magic watch over you," I replied along with everyone around me. With the ceremony finally over, I was able to release my concentration. The tug of the Moon Orb finally vanished and relief spread over me like gentle water. I exhaled, both proud of myself for holding on to the incantation the whole time and exhausted. At the podium, the light finally faded and kids ran to their families. I turned around and ran up to Mom who embraced me tightly as soon as I got near.

  "Oh, I'm so proud of you, Ky! You held up the spell so well. When the first kids started falling, I was worried."

  I rolled my eyes. "Wow, Mom. Way to not have faith in your own kid."

  "You know that's not what I meant," she said and kissed me on the forehead. "School of warding! Our little protector. You've got a great focus, little man."

  I tried my best to give her the most convincing smile my face could muster. "Thanks, Mom. I'm looking forward to our lessons at home."

  "So how do you feel, Ky?" asked Dad. "Any different? Any spiritual changes? Do you feel like an adult now?"

  "I feel exactly the same," I chuckled. Yet, in the back of my mind I remembered the voice I had heard. Before I could bring it up, mages parted around us, exposing my family. I saw grandmother wave off a few other guild members with stiff words and make her approach. Mom immediately lowered her head and Dad and I quickly followed.

  "Councilwoman," Mom said curtly. "How can we help you?"

  "Cut the nonsense, Lorraine," she bit back and stepped up closer to me. "Look up, Kyle. Let me see you."

  I couldn't help but flinch when she called my name. My eyes slowly found their way back up to her impassive face. "Hello, grandmother."

  Her eyes narrowed at that and more whispers sparked around us. "Congratulations on your focus. I see you've managed to get blessed with a school a step up from your mother's."

  "Now hold on a minute!" Dad began to shout, breaking out of his bow.

  Grandmother quickly silenced him with her own death glare and instantly Dad shrank back. She harrumphed, giving Mom a disapproving shake of her head. "What do you intend for him to do now? Will he attend the school in Boston?"

  "No," Mom said firmly. "I've already discussed it with the Archmagus. I will be training Ky at home. He will not need to go to Boston."

  She narrowed her eyes and thought on it a moment, processing this news before nodding. "That may be for the best. We don't have anyone who would be," she looked at me once more, "capable of teaching him in his school. Better that he find it elsewhere."

  She means better for me to not sully her reputation. I did my best not to show any emotion at all, but a tear still fell from one of my eyes.

  I hated her. I hated the guild. I shouldn't care about their opinions or their thoughts. But still. It sucked to be considered so... useless to everyone in this world.

  And what made me hate her even more is that my tear obviously put a smile on her face. Seriously, what a bitch. She turned to Mom one last time. "Be sure to be at the banquet tonight. All the new mages are expected." And then she walked away from us, her robes trailing behind her like an apparition.

  More like a banshee, I thought.

  And suddenly, I swore I heard someone chuckle at the back of my mind. But at this moment, I didn't know or care if it was just my imagination or someone really was laughing. I was just too pissed. Crushed. All of the above.

  "Do we have to go?" I asked Mom.

  "We do," she replied sadly. "Let's go back to the cabin. We can get ready and... try to relax a bit."

  "Are you okay, hun?" Dad asked, wrapping his arms over her shoulders and placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

  "I'm fine. I knew she'd do something. I just didn't expect it to be a council position."

  Ah...so Mom didn't know after all. God, just how shitty was my grandmother. I couldn't help rolling my eyes and groaning.

  The walk back to the cabin was silent. I knew Mom was trying to come to terms with the new revelations about our family and Dad was doing his best to comfort her. A part of me was bitter about it, though I felt guilty for feeling so. I mean, it was me who just got his focus and got insulted. Where was my comfort? Where was my support?

  The image of Rory's smile at the lake popped in my mind once more and I tightened my jaw.

  I can't keep thinking about him. Not after he ran away the way he did, I thought. I can't imagine him being my support like Dad is for Mom.

  It's good to keep grounded.

  I paused and looked around again, eyes wide once more.

  Wait. Don't freak out. And don't show anyone you can hear me.

  My breathing was shallow as my eyes scanned the surroundings again. There was nothing. No one. Just Mom and Dad getting further ahead of me.

  That's it Ky. Calm down. I'm not here to hurt you. You could say I'm part of your focus.

  "Who...what are you?" I asked in a whisper.

  You'll see. For now, just go back to the cabin and into our room. Er, your room.

  I shuddered out a breath and scampered back up to my parents. My eyes still jumped from side to side, into the darkness of the woods. To the other lit cabins around ours. And even to the larger community barn where the banquet was being held. Still nothing and no source of the voice in my head.

  When we got inside, I excused myself to go upstairs. Mom and Dad seemed perfectly fine with that and the last thing I recalled seeing was Mom pulling out one of her wine mixers from the fridge. I hesitated at my door, unsure of what to expect once I went inside. Or what the voice's intentions were.

  Well, it's now or never, I thought after hesitating too long. I pulled the door open fast and flipped on the light switch. On my bed was Bleddyn. My wolf plush. Only the beady lifeless eyes were now glowing blue. A force pulled me closer to the bed and the door closed with a gentle slam, but my eyes were glued to my plush. Despite the toy floating and glowing brightly, I couldn't blink. I was mesmerized, watching the outline of the plush grow larger and larger, until it took up half of the bed.

  Within a few seconds, the light dimmed and I adjusted back to the gentle warm bulbs coming from the lamps. Only, in the middle of my room now sat the largest white wolf I had ever seen.