Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Sparks & Shadows

Chapter Fifteen: Sparks and Shadows

The town of Westview hummed with uneasy silence in the early morning light. Nessa sat in her room, staring at the ceiling, fuming over her inability to control even the simplest spell. Agatha and Rio's reassurances felt hollow, and her frustration bubbled under the surface, refusing to fade. She clenched her fists, muttering under her breath, the faintest flicker of magic crackling at her fingertips.

Downstairs, Agatha poured over a spellbook at the kitchen table while Rio leaned back against the counter, swirling her coffee lazily.

"You know, sweetie," Rio drawled, her brown eyes flicking toward Agatha, "I've faced cataclysmic events less dramatic than teaching that girl how to light a candle. Maybe you're losing your touch."

Agatha shot her a glare, snapping the book shut. "And maybe if you would actually help instead of lurking around like some brooding ghost, we'd have made progress by now."

"Ghosts don't brood, my lady," Rio said with a smirk, sipping her coffee. "That's my department."

Before Agatha could retort, the air in the room shifted sharp, electric, and unsteady. They both froze, their gazes snapping toward the ceiling.

Upstairs, Nessa sat bolt upright as her magic surged uncontrollably. The tension inside her snapped like a bowstring, sending a shockwave of chaotic energy out of her body. The room around her quaked, cracks spiderwebbing along the walls as objects flew off shelves and shattered against the floor.

Agatha and Rio rushed upstairs just as a deafening crash erupted from outside. They barely had time to exchange a glance before they sprinted out the door, greeted by the sight of chaos spreading through the town.

Westview's streets now looked like a warzone. Streetlamps sparked and fizzled, cars were upturned, and deep fissures carved through the pavement. People ran in every direction, screaming as the air shimmered with raw magic. In the center of it all, a swirling vortex of energy spiraled toward the sky, pulsating with dark and light magic a blend of Agatha's signature chaos and Rio's cold void.

Rio let out a low whistle, shoving her hands into her pockets. "Well, isn't this just adorable. Your protégé's having a tantrum, darling."

Agatha's jaw clenched. "She's your daughter too, you know."

"Right," Rio deadpanned, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And she's clearly inherited my knack for disaster. Shall I applaud?"

"Rio, enough," Agatha snapped, turning to face her. "We need to stop this before it spreads any further."

Rio's smirk faded, her expression sharpening. "Fine. What's the plan, my lady? Or shall we wing it like you usually do?"

Agatha ignored the jab, her mind racing. "If we can stabilize the vortex, we might be able to contain the energy."

"Stabilize it? With what? Positive thoughts and good intentions?"

"Rio," Agatha hissed, her voice laced with warning.

Rio held up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Let's play hero."

The two women moved toward the center of the chaos, their magic flaring to life. Agatha's hands glowed with a deep violet hue as she began weaving a containment spell. Rio, her expression now deadly serious, reached into the air and pulled forth threads of darkness, twisting them into solid tendrils that wrapped around the base of the vortex.

The ground shook beneath them as the energy fought back, lashing out with wild bursts of power. Agatha gritted her teeth, her focus unwavering.

"Hold it steady, Rio!" she shouted over the deafening roar.

"Do I look like I'm slacking, sweetie?" Rio shot back, her voice steady despite the strain.

Together, their magic began to take effect. The vortex slowed, its wild spirals shrinking inch by inch. But just as they thought they had it under control, a surge of power erupted from within, knocking them both off their feet.

Agatha groaned, pushing herself up on her elbows. "This isn't working. We need more power."

Rio stood, brushing dirt off her coat. "More power? What do you suggest? Sacrificing a goat?"

"Rio," Agatha snapped, glaring at her.

"Alright, fine," Rio muttered, rolling her eyes. "But if I die saving this town, you're naming the next disaster after me."

She extended her hand toward Agatha, her expression softening for a brief moment. "Come on, love. Let's finish this."

Agatha hesitated before taking Rio's hand. Their combined magic flared brighter, stronger, as they poured everything they had into stabilizing the vortex. The energy pulsed and fought against them, but their magic held firm, finally forcing it to dissipate into the air with a final burst of light.

Silence fell over the town, broken only by the distant murmur of confused townspeople. Agatha and Rio stood in the aftermath, their hands still clasped together.

Rio let out a shaky breath, her usual sarcasm replaced by a rare moment of sincerity. "Not bad, my lady. For a couple of washed up has-beens."

Agatha's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Speak for yourself."

The moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind them. They turned to see Nessa, her face pale and tear-streaked, standing in the doorway of the house.

"I—I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to—"

Agatha stepped forward, her expression softening. "It's alright, Nessa. We'll figure this out together."

Rio nodded, her tone uncharacteristically gentle. "But next time, sweetie, maybe warn us before you decide to redecorate the town."

Nessa let out a shaky laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. For the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope.

Agatha and Rio exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. The road ahead would be long and difficult, but for the first time in years, they felt more like a team now than ever.