Eternal Vows: The Biography of a Young Witchling ( On Hiatus )

Prologue

I watched it all before my eyes. The red moon illuminating the hauntingly familliar stone gazebo, the achres and achres of ancient wildflowers in the Meadow of Promise around the crumbling structure, The crowd of witches from all around the world, circling as they watched the birth of what might become the first sucessful soul-transfer in all of witch history...It was all as clear as day to me. If this child lived, she would become one of the most respected witches in this time. Although it was highly unlikely she would. The snow-haired baby girl lay in the middle of the gazebo-like structure on a stone tablet inscribed with an unreadable language. This one was only days into her life, and she was barely breathing as the spellcaster called forth her soon-to-be protector. It wouldn't be long before she passed on.

I glanced around the room. No one would notice if I wasn't paying attention. I was but a familiar. A magical servant who takes on the form of an animal. In my case, a cat. To my right was a man with bleach-blond medium length hair, and yellow eyes. He was wearing the same as everyone else: A dark-colored cloak, with a hood to hide his face. Io Robinson. No, Io Koneko. The man...The mortal who had married my master. It was my job not to let him near the baby. If he found out what she was...what they both were...there would be bloodshed.

"...Simba..." His soft voice was barely audible over the ceremonial words being announced by Master Aria, his berothed. "Please tell me...Is Izumi alright? Let me see her..."

"Master Aria has forbidden you to see her until after the ceremony." I replied. I was unable to talk, but given my magic abilities, I was able to communicate through the minds of others.

"I...I'm sorry. If my love believes it is best, then I will take her word and remain here." He let out a sigh. "Do me a favor...Please, go see her. Tell me how she is feeling. Both her and the child."

"If it is the wish of my master's consort, it shall be done." I bowed my head and took off toward the gazebo, waving and threading my way around the feet of the crowd. Aria's loud voice bounced and dissapeared into the night sky.

"...I summon you forth, under the vow of the red moon above, that you will honor and protect this child until her last dying breath..."

I inched closer. Aria seemed concentrated, which was good. Her hair was short and framed her face in a silver glow. Her eyes were a mix of red and orange, telling of danger, but also of a loving personality...But I couldn't help noticing the tears forming on her bottom eyelids, and steadily streaming down her cheeks. She too, was concerned for her daughter's health.

"...You will be her eyes, her ears, and her will...You will aid in the difficult, and provide shelter in the unbearable..."

Finally, I had arrived at the tablet. Standing on my back legs, I could get a good look at Izumi. At that moment, I wished I was able to decline master Io's request.

Her complexion was pale and sickly, and I swore I saw a faint blue tint, as if she had begun to rot. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and from the looks of it she was trying to start up again. She opened her mouth, but as I figured, she barely had the breath to whimper. Sadness struck my heart, and I had no choice but to turn away. My master's child...On the verge of death...

"Under the vow of the red moon and my lifeblood, I tie this everlasting bond!"

Aria took a ceremonial dagger from the folds of her cloak, and made a swift cut on the meaty part of her palm, below the thumb. Crimson blood beaded on the wound and formed a pool in the centre of her palm. Slowly, she stepped up to the baby Izumi. I saw slight hesitation in her movements as she tilted her hand, letting her blood drip onto the young child's forehead. At that moment, the liquid caught fire and dissapeared, leaving no traces it was there. It was then when we realized: The ritual was a success. Aria whispered a silent thank you to whoever was listening and turned to face the crowd.

"The ritual is complete! We have successfully completed a soul-transfer! A celebration feast is in order!" She shouted, arms spread wide. At that instant, the crowd began so scream and cheer at the top of their lungs, making my delicate ears scream for peace and quiet. I darted to the back of the crowd to find master Io and inform him of the good news. I couldn't believe it! Izumi had survived! But I felt an uneasyness...Like something horrible was going to happen.

I was about halfway through the crowd, when Io's voice had brought my attention.

"Simba!" He shouted, pointing towards the sky.

I followed his gaze, staring in awe at the funnel of clouds in the sky. That couldn't be good. 

The wind picked up, knocking people off their feet and tossing them into each other. Flower petals littered the air. I watched them take off, circle the gazebo, and come back again. A circular pattern could only mean one thing: A tornado had striken the Meadow of Promise.

A deafening scream sounded above the roars and sobs of the crowd. I instantly took off in the direction it came from.

"Lady Aria!" I shouted, watching as she struggled to get through the solid wall of air. "What are you doing!? You could get killed! Lady Aria, listen to me!"

She stopped, turning around with an expression of fear and sadness. "I-izumi...Izumi!" She shouted. "Simba, she's in there! In the eye of the tornado! Someone help!" She sobbed. I looked around yet again. Bodies were being flung into the air, only to be dropped again. Screams of terror, sadness and anger filled the air. My head spun. It was hard to think with all this noise.

As Aria tried yet again to fight her way into the wind, something strange happend. A bright flash, blinding my vision had eminated from the centre of the funnel. And just as fast as the light, I had blacked out.

Izumi's crying brought me back to my full attention. For the third time that day, I examined my surroundings. Bodies were strewn everywhere, bones in grotesque, bloody and un-natural positions. Weeping residents sat on their knees beside their fallen loved ones, some offering condolences, some saying their last goodbyes, some trying to take in what had happened. Ignoring those voices, I padded up to baby Izumi, nuzzling her cheek to comfort her. She stopped crying briefly, allowing me to look into her eyes. Instead of a baby's sky blue, they were eminating a bright teal color. That quickly changed, and I soon found myself looking into those familiar blue eyes again. The child reached out her tiny hand and placed it on my snout, holding it there. I pulled back, only to realize she had her entire hand around it. For a baby, her grip was strong. I tugged again and she let go, making me summersault backwards. Obviously she had found it humorous. She was giggling like a madwoman.

"Izumi!" Aria walked up to her child, reaching out to cradle her in her arms and pull her into a hug. Io followed behind, placing a hand on Master Aria's shoulder. He was bruised badly, but he was able to walk.

"Thank goodness..." He whispered. "Thank goodness you're okay..."