ATEEZ Imagines

Jongho ✦ Grave Mistakes

Word count: 9,000

DO NOT read or interact if you're under 14

You paced in front of the crackling fireplace that burned bright and filled your cozy little home with warmth, a large leather-bound spell book in your hands. It had been passed down for generations and was now yours.

Tonight you were going to try out a very powerful spell, one you hoped you had practiced enough for. Your powers had strengthened in previous years and you felt that you were ready for something like this. Weather control.
Was it a skill you could use? Maybe not, but it could come in handy.
Taking a deep breath in preparation, you uttered the words scribed on the page, reciting the incantation. You enunciated each word clearly and firmly with confidence. The most important part of spell casting was the way it was spoken.
The air went completely still and you waited, listening for any changes outside. Howling wind, pounding rain, anything. But you got nothing
You grunted in disapproval.
"Seriously?" You huffed out under your breath, setting the book down.
The tea you'd been steeping was ready, so you took a moment to enjoy it, hoping it would soothe any lingering nerves riddling your body. Sitting down on the couch, you took a sip of the herbal brew, letting it warm you from the inside out. This spell was tricky and you didn't want to botch it, so you chose not to recite it again.
Oftentimes when witches couldn't cast spells, it was due to a distracted mind or emotional block that prevented magic from flowing. You just needed a moment to relax and clear your head.

Instead of focusing on your shortcomings, you shifted it to your breathing, inhaling and exhaling steadily. Expelling any negativity. It was just a spell, albeit a powerful one, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if you were unsuccessful.
With that, you finished off your tea, placing the empty cup down.
"Alright." You sighed, standing back up. "Let's try this again."
You took the book, relaxing your shoulders and reading over the spell briefly in your head, centering yourself before speaking them aloud.
You could almost feel the prickle of magic in your fingertips, a feeling of excitement welling up inside of you.
Then... silence.
Your spell book was snapped shut with a sharp clap. You were almost there, you could feel it. Maybe you were in the wrong environment. Maybe you needed to be outdoors.

You paced the local cemetery, riddled with frustration. Not even the pink and purple skies could quell your inner turmoil. Maybe you just weren't ready. This spell was extremely powerful and, as much as you hated to admit it, maybe you didn't have the training for it. If you went to your mentor, he'd probably tell you that you needed ten years of practice to even attempt a spell like this one.
You weren't a quitter though. You were determined, and maybe a little but stubborn, but you weren't one to give up so easily.

Rolling your shoulders, you relaxed your body, releasing a long exhale. No negativity. No qualms. You could do this.
You read the words written on the parchment, reciting the incantation firmly, your tone holding a bite due to your lingering aggravation. The wind picked up with a howl, stirring the leaves that littered the dried grass. As you continued speaking, the foliage began to swirl around you like a cyclone, whipping your hair wildly. You could feel the power in the words you spoke, your magic flowing throughout your entire body, tingling in your fingertips. This was it.
You spoke louder, a green haze thrumming to life in your peripherals that indicated your eyes were alight with power.
As soon as you spoke the last word, the leaves fell back to the faded blades of grass, the wind dying down instantly.