Gates of the Unknown

Chapter Fifteen

After dinner, I head to my bedroom. I go into the closet and get a nightgown, some underwear, and a training bra. Auntie A said that I needed to use them now that I'm starting to 'get there' as she put it. I head into the shower and relax as the hot water pours onto my sore back. I quickly wash up and get out. I put on the bra and underwear and then I put on the nightgown. I look at my bed in thought. If I go to sleep I'll have a nightmare... but if I stay awake I'll be fatigued tomorrow and could hurt myself in class. I could ask for help. But I don't think Auntie would help. 

After contemplating it, I concluded to ask her. I go downstairs to the second floor and knock on her door. She opens the door and looks at me confused. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" Her husband looks over her shoulder. "Yeah, what's wrong sugarcube?"  I sigh. "I'm scared to go to sleep. I have been having flashbacks and I need help. I can't sleep because I feel like crap. I understand if you don't want-" Athena cuts my anxious ramble off, "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll help. You are not expected to face trauma alone in this household. If you need to confide in me, I will be there. That I will promise." I tear up and hug her, "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here." She holds me into her chest, her motherly scent calming me. After a few minutes she pulls away, "Okay, I have a spell and a potion that could help. We will use the spell for a few weeks while we wait for a full moon which is on-" She looks at her phone, "The twenty-eighth. Got it, Davi?" I nod and wipe my eyes with a yawn. Auntie chuckles. "Well relax and I will cast the spell. Come to me every night and I will cast it. Ready?" She asks and I nod and close my eyes. "Percute daemones in mente huius infantis et requiescant in pace." She spoke in Latin. (Translation: Smite the demons in this child's mind and let her rest in peace.) I feel as though a huge burden was lifted and I finally have some peace of mind. I yawn and tell her goodnight. I go back up to my room and fall into a deep much-needed sleep.

{{--Timeskip Next Day--}}

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP

*SLAM*

I slam my hand onto the alarm clock and groan. Deja vu much? I ask myself sarcastically. I get up to stretch only to fall to the ground in pain. It feels like my entire nervous center is in pain or like it's on fire, maybe even both. It feels as though something is growing on my back. I grab the necklace they gave me so send a signal to Auntie. Soon Auntie, Chelsea, and Tammy all rushed in. "What's wrong- damn it! Stay back, she's shifting. I wonder what or who it'll be." She says. Their voices muddle together and they continue talking in muffled voices. Soon after what felt like hours, but were simply mere minutes, I blacked out from the pain.

.....

I awake on my stomach and sit up. My back feels heavy. What happened? I ask myself. I look around and see a note on my bedside table. I pick it up and scan it. It reads: 

"Dear Davi, 

It's me, your Auntie A. First I want to congratulate you for going through your first shift. Second, we left to get groceries for the kids. If you want or need anything call me at 453-187-0134. Also, take a look in the mirror. Your gonna love what you see! We hope you like them. And we will teach you how to shift back later. We are going to order pizza for almost everyone except Sky since they are allergic to dairy. So text me what type you want. See you in a few.

Love,
Auntie A"

I smile at the note and go to my huge body mirror. I gasp and what, or who, I see. No wonder I felt taller. This girl was around 5'6 compared to my 4'11. She had long golden blonde hair with turquoise tips. Her hair was in a tight high ponytail. She had on a cute cream-colored sweater and some dark blue skinny jeans. But what shocked me the most was a pair of white angel wings that faded to a pastel turquoise. To put it simply, I was gorgeous. Heck yeah, we are! I hear in my mind. I jump at her voice. Who are you? I ask the voice. The name is Melody. I'm your angel and your protector next to your Shadow. She says politely. When can I shift back? I ask her. Well, let's wait until Athena gets home, okay? She says and I nod before realizing she can't see me. Yeah, okay. Can I at least make the wing disappear? I ask and hear a giggle. Yeah just imagine them gone, and they should disappear. Melody says. I nod do as she says, causing my wings to disappear. After they disintegrated I flopped onto my bed and fell back asleep, feeling I'd need the rest for later. 

.....

Davi awakes at 7 the next morning to similar pains around her body. She lets out a cry of pain and on cue, Athena and Chelsea are both at the door. "Do we know who is next?" Chelsea says. Athena shakes her head in response. "Let's hope it's not her wolf. We aren't prepared for that." Destiny screams and in a flash of dark blue light she is gone and an adorably chubby girl has taken her place. She looks to be around 5'7 or 5'8. She has a dark blue dress and a pastel purple cloak on. She looks around the room and spots the two witches staring in awe.

"Greetings, I am Galaxy. I'm Davi's witch. It's a pleasure to meet you. I sense others in the house. Shall I meet them now? I want to make a good impression." Galaxy says. "That can wait a bit. First, let us introduce those who are awake. I am Athena Rose, the leader of The Ravens Nest. This is Chelsea Hearth. She is the ability trainer and co-leader as well." They both bow. Galaxy bows and says, "Galaxy Dixon. Daughter of Candy and Carl Dixon." They look at her in shock and awe. "Of course, a Goddess would get a very powerful witch as her form. But that's gonna be a lot of power she'll have to contain." Says Athena. Both Galaxy and Chelsea nodded in agreement. "Yeah... It'll be difficult to train her. But since it's an experienced witch I think she'll have some hope." Chelsea says. "Well, it's time for me to go now. Davi is passed out so take care of her. Bye!" and she levitated to the bed, lay down, and in a flash of light, a sleeping Davi was in the bed. Chelsea and Athena got to the door when a groan sounded from behind.

.....

I groan and move. I sit up and look around before getting my glasses. "You're awake, Davi!" I hear. I turn my head to the voice. It was Auntie A and Chelsea. They come closer to me and I ask, "Who did I get? I can't hear them.". "Well her name is Galaxy Dixon. She is a powerful witch, from a powerful family. This means we will have to train both you and her at the same time, and that's gonna be difficult. We may need to homeschool you until we are ready to send you to the Academy. We won't tell you which one, because it's a surprise. Anyways-" Auntie A takes a breath and checks her watch, "It looks like it's brunch time already. And since you most likely can't walk, like all people after their first shifts, I will get your food. What would you like?" She asks and I look down in thought. I try and get up, wanting to do this myself, before getting dizzy and almost falling. Auntie catches me and lays me back on the bed. "Woah, Davi be careful. Your body isn't ready. Wait a few hours and get some rest, ok? What would you like to eat?" She presses the question. "I guess, just biscuits and gravy with some sausage as well." She grins and nods. "I'll be back with your food. Chelsea, you go get Tammy and James and tell them that Davi won't make it to classes today. Give them a brief explanation." Chelsea nods and they both leave.

Athena comes back into the room with a tray of the food I requested. "Oh, I also was researching you in my scrolls and have found two potential dads. Markeus or Appolo. My bet is on Markeus. But we won't know until the gods themselves confirm. But you can communicate with the gods as a god yourself. Want me to show you how?" I nod and sit up. "Okay. First, cross your legs." I nod and follow suit. "Then you ground yourself. Basically, you put your hands onto the bed and imagine roots growing from your hands, into your bed, and deep into the earth. You take deep breaths and concentrate. What on, you may ask? When you're ready imagine a glowing orb. That is your soul and with its power, you can communicate with the gods. I will leave you be so you can concentrate." She leaves the room leaving me to experiment with grounding. Let us hope I can do it.