Requiem for the Dark Ones

Familiar Eyes

Selene Thorenvire took a large part of her day and devoted it to staring into the impossibly dark crystals resting in the eye sockets of her deceased uncle's skull. There were days where she could see murky images in them, blurry memories of the man's life. She was hoping that today would be one of those days. Unfortunately for her, it was not.

She sighed and sat back, rubbing her own eyes that were still quite alive and not at all of the gem variety. No, in fact, her eyes were a glimmering purple with orange outlining her pupils- quite common for a sorceress specialized in spirit work and fire magic. As she leaned forward again to peer into the gems once more, her dark brown hair fell forward to tickle her cheeks. There was a sound of approaching footsteps coming from the nearby hall.

"Don't strain yourself," called Julia, Selene's older sister. "Uncle's spirit is probably too weak to come across the Veil right now. Besides, you know Tuesday isn't any good for working with the dead."

"I do know that," Selene retorted indignantly. "However, I'm also in need of the Eyes of Auric if I'm ever going to raise my army of the damned, and Uncle was the last person who had them."

"Why do you need those? There's an old cemetery two miles from here."

"Yes, I know that! But I need the Eyes of Auric so I can divine where Auric's body was entombed because I want Auric specifically to be part of my army!" Selene's irritation was surmounting. "Surely you've not forgotten the Auric was the most infamous necromancer in all of history who nearly took control over all of mankind with his undead forces before the Council of Witches intervened and smote him. If I can get access to his body, I could potentially extract all of the knowledge from his past and become an even greater necromancer than he was! Only I wouldn't be so foolish as to underestimate the witches and leave my defenses lowered." She shook her head in dismay. "Struck down in his prime, he was."

"Selene, he was 700 years old."

"Too young." Julia sighed and shook her head in disbelief.

"You've got to be the strangest 10 year old I've ever met."

"Good. I shan't be counted among the rabble.

Stubbornly, she went back to peering into the gems as her sister shrugged and wandered away down the hall. In their depths, for only a moment, she was certain she had seen a box.

--

Selene dragged herself into the academy the next morning, her normally bright eyes bleary from long hours of trying to pry secrets from the dead man's head. There were occasionally flashes of something, but she ultimately was no closer to her prize. It was sunrise before she had allowed herself to return to the comfort of her bed, her alarm clock waking her not long after. Mournfully, she pulled on her school uniform and started her day.

Celeste Evergrew, however, had no such problems and was as perky as always, much to the dismay of Selene. Her bright blonde curls bounced, and the gentle fragrance of lavender wafted from her. She turned to where Selene sat in the desk next to hers and beamed at her brilliantly.

"Good morning, Selene! You look a bit tired. Is everything alright?" Selene scowled back and snapped out a response.

"I'm quite alright, and I'll thank you to mind your own bees wax." Celeste quirked an eyebrow, but didn't press the matter further.

"Speaking of bees wax, did you remember to do your potions homework? I know it's not your strong point, so I can help you if you want." Selene took that as an affront on her knowledge and skill, and bristled further.