Reverence (A gothic Romantasy)

Chapter twenty-seven

Josie walked into her weaponry class, expecting another routine lesson. As she settled into her seat, she was surprised to see Celeste take a seat next to her. Josie slid her eyes over to Celeste, noticing the piece of parchment and quill in front of her. Celeste turned to her with a determined look. "Look, you put me down at the tournament. And what kind of sportsmanship would it show if I didn't come and congratulate you?" she said. Josie rolled her eyes slightly, trying to focus on the professor giving the lesson. "I'm sorry I called you weak, and a liar. You are anything but," Celeste continued, her voice softer now. Josie sighed, the memory of their past clashes still fresh. "It wasn't sportsmanlike killing a student," she replied, folding her arms and keeping her eyes forward. The tension between them was palpable, and Josie wondered if this attempt at reconciliation was genuine.
Celeste looked down at her paper, fiddling with the lifting corners. "It was an accident. I never meant—" she started, biting her tongue before finishing her thought. "I have asked forgiveness from the Gods and from Odessa. It's my biggest regret, Josie." There was a sincerity in Celeste's voice that caught Josie off guard, and she looked over at her rival-turned-classmate, seeing a plea in her eyes.

"I wish to make amends," Celeste said, clearing her throat softly. Josie felt a flicker of hope. She wanted to make amends too, to find some way to move past the bitterness and animosity. "All that anger you have in you, channel it into something. You hurt, you've killed, and you've broken people's spirits. It ends now, Celeste," Josie said firmly, her eyes locked on Celeste's. Celeste looked at Josie and gave her a nod, a silent agreement passing between them. "Could you lend me a quill, third year?" Josie asked with a hint of amusement in her voice, breaking the tension. Celeste handed one over, a small smile tugging at her lips as they continued the lesson. As the professor droned on about various weaponry techniques, Josie found herself glancing at Celeste occasionally, noting the change in her demeanor. There was a weight lifted from their interactions, a tentative peace that Josie hoped would last. She realized that forgiveness was not just about absolving Celeste but also about freeing herself from the burden of their conflict.
By the end of the class, the atmosphere between them had shifted noticeably. As they packed up their things, Celeste turned to Josie one last time. "Thank you," she said quietly, and Josie nodded, acknowledging the effort it took for Celeste to reach out. They left the classroom together, a new understanding blossoming between them, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with a sense of unity rather than division.

ꕥ

Josie went back to her room after lessons, her mind preoccupied with the ancient book that had consumed her thoughts for days. She decided to flip through it for the millionth time, eager to uncover more secrets. Reaching behind her bed to grab the book, she muttered, "Argh, Gods!" She moaned in frustration when her fingers found nothing. Standing up, she moved her bed aside, expecting to see the book there, but it was gone. Josie's heart stopped, panic rising within her. She moved her bed back in place and frantically searched her bookshelf, then next to the tub, but it was nowhere to be found. "Please, no," she cursed under her breath.
Desperate, Josie ran down the hallway, almost crashing into Jane. "Josie, slow the hell down, what is it?" Jane asked, but Josie pushed past her, continuing her frantic sprint. "Sorry!" she shouted back. Jane, sensing something was seriously wrong, bolted after her friend and quickly caught up. "Tell me, right now," she demanded, grabbing Josie's arm and forcing her to stop.
Josie hesitated, debating whether to reveal the truth, but decided to confide in her friend. "I found a book, The bloodline of light wielders. It was in the ruins." Jane's eyes widened in shock. "What?!" she shouted, her voice echoing down the corridor. "I told you to stay away from there," she said, her tone a mix of anger and concern. Josie pulled her arm free and continued, "There's more..."

Jane's face paled, and a moment of silence passed before she urged, "Well, don't just stand there! What is it, you lunatic?" Her frustration was evident as she folded her arms. Josie took a deep breath. "I am a descendant of Prince Alister and Odessa herself." Jane stood there, stunned, before bursting into laughter. Josie's serious expression remained unchanged, making Jane's laughter die in her throat. "Alister Cross was the last light wielder, his name is in the book, Jane, his blood runs through mine." Josie said, her face dropping as she swallowed hard. "Impossible." Jane said. "But Odessa never—" she stuttered.
"They had a child before they were killed. I told the headmistress about the book, and she told me to use it to my advantage," Josie explained. Grabbing Jane's arms, she pleaded, "I know it's a lot to believe, but it's true. And now the book is gone. I have to find it, Jane. I have to talk to Creed."
Jane squinted her eyes, scrutinizing Josie. "What does Creed have to do with this?" she asked. Josie stammered, "W-Well... uhm... he kind of... W-W" Jane, losing patience, demanded, "Out with it, you nervous wreck!"

"He was there! He was there when I found the book, and we ventured into the woods together. He saved my life, you know! And he's the only other person who knows about the book. So I have to talk to him," Josie finally admitted, her words tumbling out in a rush. Jane's eyes narrowed, but she nodded slowly, processing the information. "Alright. We need to find Creed, then," she said, her tone resolute. Josie felt a wave of relief, grateful that Jane was on her side. They set off together, their mission clear: find Creed and retrieve the precious book.
As they walked briskly through the castle, Josie's mind raced with possibilities. Who could have taken the book? And why? She knew the book's knowledge was dangerous in the wrong hands, and the thought of someone using it for evil made her blood run cold. Jane, sensing Josie's distress, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll find it, Josie. We'll get it back," she reassured her friend. Josie nodded, drawing strength from Jane's strength. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, driven by the need to protect the ancient secrets and the legacy of the light wielders.

Josie and Jane hurried through the castle's stone corridors, heading for Corbyn's room. They descended four flights of stairs, the sounds of their footsteps echoing off the walls, and passed the library where students were quietly reading. They reached Corbyn's door and knocked frantically three times. Corbyn opened the door, a warm smile spreading across her face, but before she could greet them, Jane and Josie quickly pushed her inside. "Guys—" Corbyn began, but Jane cut her off, her tone urgent. "Corbyn, sit down. We need to talk." Corbyn sat on her bed Josie and Jane and sat around her, their faces serious. Josie and Jane took turns explaining everything: the discovery of the ancient book, its sudden disappearance, Josie's lineage, and Creed's involvement.
Corbyn listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. When they finished, Josie pleaded, "Please, help us, Corbyn. We need to find him." Jane added, "You need to use your magic." Corbyn, known for her unique and powerful abilities, was their best hope.

Out of all the things Corbyn could have said in that moment, she looked at Josie and, with a teasing smile, asked, "So, you and Creed?" Josie blushed furiously, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. "Corbyn, this is serious!" she said, trying to deflect the question, but Jane joined in, nudging Josie playfully. "Come on, Josie, spill," Jane said with a grin. Josie sighed, knowing there was no way out of this. "Yes, okay? We've grown close. He's been helping me, and he's the only one who knows about the book, and now you guys." Corbyn's smile widened, but she quickly composed herself, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Alright, let's focus," Corbyn said, her tone shifting to one of determination. "We need to find Creed and get that book back. I'll use my magic to find him. He can't have gone far." Josie and Jane nodded, grateful for Corbyn's willingness to help.
Corbyn stood up and closed her eyes, her hair and eyes beginning to glow with a soft, ethereal light. She whispered an incantation, and the light grew brighter, forming tendrils that extended into the air. Josie and Jane watched in awe as the magic worked its way through the room, searching for Creed's presence. After a few moments, Corbyn winced slightly, her face contorted in concentration. "He's— somewhere dark, and cold," she murmured, shaking her head slightly to clear the haze from her thoughts. "It's really cold—" she added, her voice trailing off. Josie and Jane exchanged worried glances, sensing the urgency in Corbyn's words.

Jane, her voice laced with impatience, turned to Corbyn and urged, "Where, Corbyn? We need more." Corbyn closed her eyes tighter, focusing harder. She began to levitate slightly, her feet lifting off the ground as she delved deeper into her vision. The room grew silent, the only sound being the faint hum of Corbyn's magic. In her mind's eye, Corbyn saw the moon, its light shimmering through a veil of water. Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped, "The Lake." Josie and Jane stared at her in shock, understanding the significance of the location. The Lake was where the souls of Alister and Odessa were bound, a place steeped in both history and danger. "We have to go now," Josie said urgently, her mind racing with possibilities. They didn't have a moment to lose. If Creed was at the lake, there could be more at play than they understood. Jane nodded in agreement, her face set with determination. The three friends bolted out of Corbyn's room, their footsteps echoing down the castle's stone corridors. As they ran, Josie's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She hoped they weren't too late and that Creed was safe. The lake's eerie reputation only fueled her anxiety. Reaching the castle's main doors, they pushed them open and sprinted into the night. The air was crisp, and the moon hung high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow on the landscape. They headed towards the lake, their breaths visible in the cold night air. Josie's heart pounded in her chest as they drew closer, each step bringing them nearer to uncovering the mystery of Creed's whereabouts and the fate of the ancient book.