Chapter 135: Secret of Witches
Reika, right in the midst of her lesson, raised her hands trying to perfect her spell. A soft glow materialized around her fingers then gradually was strengthened every second. The Silent audiences kept looking at her.
The more it went, the more naturally the incantation came out, and all the others along with it; the energies inside of her were alive, waiting to get out.
"Well done, Reika," Elira said, stepping forward. Her deep purple robes swayed to and fro while she approached, "You have learned the Binding Flame spell far faster than most witches in their first year of training."
Reika lowered her hands as the glow disappeared, a smile spread across her face. "Thank you, Elira. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."
Elira chuckled quietly and laid a hand on Reika's shoulder. "The power has always been within you. I simply helped you uncover it."
Kael, leaning against the far wall and watching intently, let out a low whistle. "You're starting to make the rest of us look bad, Reika. What's next? Turn trees into gold?"
Reika laughed and shook her head. "I think I'll leave that one for the professionals."
It was a light moment among the group, though suddenly Elira's eyes seemed quiet. For a moment, silence lapsed before she spoke once again.
"There is something you should know, Reika," Elira said with her voice as grave as it could get. "A truth that has long been kept in secret."
Reika frowned, an eyebrow rising with curiosity. "What?
Elira motioned for Reika to take a seat, and Kael straightened, getting the impression this was quite a special moment. After they all sat down around the fire, Elira spoke.
"Many years ago, before Alpha Lleus came into power, a man approached the witches' coven in search of aid," Elira said calmly but dreamily. "That man was Alpha Lleus."
Reika's eyes arched high in surprise. "Alpha Lleus came to the witches? Why?"
Elira crossed her hands in her lap. "He was younger then, and though already strong, he wanted strength beyond that of any werewolf-the strength to safeguard his people, to protect them against all dangers. He begged for this, and after much debate, we decided to grant him a part of our power."
Kael sat forward, furrowing his brow. "You gave him magic? How does that work in the first place?"
Elira nodded. "We preformed an ancient binding of our magic to his soul; rare and dangerous, but Lleus was so determined, and his heart so pure. It amplified his abilities and made him so much more than an alpha-it made him a force of nature."
Reika continued to stare on at Elira, her mind racing. "That explains a lot," she whispered. "I could never understand how he'd done things other werewolves couldn't, like his birthday…?"
Elira leaned away in interest. "What was his birthday like?
She took a deep breath, fighting to keep her voice steady against the lacing of emotion. "Before he went into the coma, he cast some sort of spell. It was a protection spell, meant to shield me from harm. At the time, I didn't understand how he had done it, but now I see. It was your magic."
Elira nodded slowly. "Yes, to the gift we gave him, there was a condition. He was not supposed to lean on the magic so much. It was to be some sort of last resort-not something to be used now and then. Magic, but more so when it is used, comes with a price.
The revelation tensed Reika's chest as she asked, "A price? What kind of price?"
Elira hesitated before answering. "The more he used the magic, the more it drained him. In time, it probably wore down his spirit, so that when he did finally slip into the coma, he never woke up from it."
Kael's face clouded. "You mean to tell me that what made him stronger killed him?
El'gor returned his gaze directly. "Magic is a two-edged blade, Kael. It can empower, but it can devour just as much. For this reason, we weighed in very considerately before awarding him with the gift first and foremost."
With his words, the flood of guilt surged through her in great waves as Reika clenched her fists. "He used that spell for me-to protect me. And he lost everything over it."
Elira leaned forward, laying a comforting hand on Reika's. "You really can't blame yourself, Reika. Of his free will, Lleus made his choice in love and duty. But now you do have a chance to see his legacy redeemed."
Reika looked up into her face, a sheen in her eyes. "How?
"By mastering your own power," Elira said steadfastly. "The magic within you is not lent-it's yours. When you finally learn how to bridle it, to use it as it should be, then nothing will stand a chance to keep up with you-even Araidne herself."
Kael added , "Lleus would want you to resist, Reika-to rise higher, no matter how hard everything gets."
The weight of their words came down upon her like a physical force, and Reika took a deep breath. "You're right. I can't afford to faint now. If Lleus believed in me enough to sacrifice for himself, then I have to believe in myself."
Elira smiled softly. "That's the spirit. But remember, Reika, magic's as much about discipline as it is about strength. It's a journey, not a destination."
Reika met her gaze, her resolve unshaken. "Then I'll keep walking that path, no matter how long it takes."
The fire crackled softly, filling the silence that followed. Each of them sat lost in their thoughts.
Finally, Kael broke the silence, "You know, Reika-if you keep getting more powerful, I might have to start calling you Alpha."
Reika burst out laughing, the sound lightening the air.
"Just don't make it worst." Reika said warmly. The both laughed and silence set in again
The fire had burned low by now, Reika vowed silently not to waste this gift that came her way-to keep Alpha Lleus alive in memory by protecting those that surrounded her, fighting for justice for her people.