Sister Grimm

4 - What The Future Holds

Nico couldn't take her eyes off Rita. It was like she had lost 20 years. While her hair remained glossy white and it twirled around her, she glowed with a radiance that Nico had never seen or felt when casting. Whatever Rita was saying about using love as a source of power, maybe she was on to something?

Nico watched as Rita closed her eyes and placed her hands directly on the glowing orb in front of them. A powerful energy was blocking out all the noise from the busy street outside the storefront and Nico could hear her breathing and see a plume of icy smoke emit from her lips. It was like they were sitting in the eye of the storm.

Suddenly the floor dropped out from under them and Nico could feel the table and herself levitating in a sea of black. Rita was still concentrating, her eyes closed tight as if searching for an answer.

Pictures flashed in the smoky hazy of the crystal ball as Rita mumbled to herself.

Nico counted make it out, but tried to watch as the images appeared and disappeared into view. She believed she saw the Staff of One for only a moment before another staff faded into view. Nico could barely make it out but she had never seen that staff before? What was it? Where did it come from? Was it important to her?

Rita gasped and her eyes burst open.

The table shook and suddenly it dropped along with the pair of them.

Nicos chair hit hard, but she braced herself for impact and they slammed back into reality. Jarred back into waking Nico opened her eyes to realize she had her hands placed on the crystal as well and looking back she doubted they moved at all.

Nico and Rita finally made eye contact, but Rita looked exhausted and somewhat worried.

"Nice party trick," Nico feigned a laugh to lighten the mood.

Rita didn't smile. Instead she got up and walked out of the room.

Nico sighed as she was yet again left alone. The feeling that she had been let go was a heavy one that luckily didn't last long because within minutes Rita was back with a large book in her hands.

Rita dropped the book on the table and the pages flew open to a picture of the Staff of One, Nico looked up at Rita questioning.

"That's my staff. My source of magic. It's been passed down in our family for a long time."

"Centuries is more accurate. When I saw your staff earlier, I knew what kind of power was at stake, but after looking into the future, it appears that something has blacked it out. I...I can't see anything. It's like there is something blocking my view. Shrouding everything in darkness?"

"Or there is no future?" Nico asked morbidly.

Rita surprisingly didn't answer, but instead flipped the page to show another staff. Different from her own but similar.

"Your staff is one of a many ancient artifacts. I think whatever you future holds, it has something to do with that," Rita said ominously. "What do you know about the Dark Scepter?"

The staff in question looked similar to Nicos, but also different. Whenever Nico looked at her staff she felt a magical danger that at any time could hurt those closest to her. Like a parasite it has latched on to her when she was young and she always worried it may do the same to someone else. When she looked at this other staff though, she felt an even bigger sense of dread.

The Dark Scepter had a similar design to the Staff of One, but instead of a bright gold, it was a dark black and it didn't stop there. While they both had sleek staff and circular tops, the Dark Scepter had intricate designs stretching across the emblem that rested at the top, as well as the time of a dark sun that jutted outward from just below.

"Do you feel that?" Rita asked once Nico finally looked up. "The feeling that things won't get better?"

"Every once in a while..." Nico replied sarcastically.

"The feeling of dread of darkness, I know it already resonates inside of you, but the Dark Scepter is all your fears multiplied. This magical object is not something to mess with Nico," Rita said shaking her head. "Honestly in your case, you need to stay far away from it."

"Well lucky for you I have never seen that staff or have any interest in searching it out," Nico reminded her.

"You might not be searching for it, but it's definitely searching for you." Rita replied ominously.

The air in the room felt a little heavier after the sudden revelation that Nico still couldn't outrun her fate. Somehow it was always catching up to her. Not matter how far she tried to run away from trouble. Nico could already feel herself shutting down. Putting up the wall that shields here away from the issues she can't seem to resolve and usually makes worse.

"Well then I will get run again," Nico said grabbing her things and heading for the exit.

Rita rushed after her and stopped at the counter, "That's not what I meant. Nico, I just want you to be careful. Because of the Dark Scepter, I can't see what your future holds. It's completely dark to me, but let me work with you Nico. Let me help you hone your powers."

Nico shook her head. Rita could see the disappointment already in her face. "I think I just need to go home for the day."

There was a silence that settled in around them as Nico was pulled in two different directions. She wanted to stay. To learn and to grow. To have someone like Rita help her know how to become something...better. But then there was another side of her who needed to get away. Far away.

"Don't run away from this Nico," Rita split the silence.

Nico nodded and walked out the front door.