The Witching Hour

Ch. 35

Castle Nitehardt

The sound of the Red Queen's scream echoed around her castle as she braced herself and fell to a knee. Her connection with Drakar had been severed, her bond destroyed without notice.

"What is wrong, my queen?" King Leonidas asked as he helped Anthena up. She was physically shaking, beads of sweat began to roll down her face and her breathing had slowed.

"Drakar is...gone." She stated slowly, listening to the words herself as she spoke them.

"Gone? You can not possibly mean those devil spawn killed-" The king started.

"He is not dead!" Anthena interrupted suddenly, then cleared her throat.
"Forgive me...my lord, but he is not dead. Although perhaps it would be better for us if he was. He has been banished, to the dimension of magic no less. My bond and control over him are gone, and if he finds a way back to this prime dimension... he will be free to challenge me once again." She concluded.

"You are obviously not well enough to fight, nor do I believe the Oracle will help us against Drakar's magic." The king said firmly, helping Anthena over to sit in her throne.
"The beast will have to wait, we do not even know how long it will take for him to return. For now, we must focus on eliminating these wretched witches."

"Yes...yes, you are right." Anthena replied as she took her seat. She touched we fingertips to her temple and tried to focus on the situation at hand.
"I must speak with my mother once more." She added after a moment of thought.

"As you wish, I shall go prepare the army." King Leonidas replied.

"No, you may stay. I would prefer your company, husband." Anthena replied with a forced, but alluring, smile.

"Yes, my queen." Leonidas said with a nod and sat up straight in his throne.
"Guards, bring the Oracle to us at once!" He called out.

Before the members of the Red Guard could even move, the grand doors to the throne room were thrown opened by an unseen force and the Oracle made her way to the throne. She wore a long black dress and her long dark hair was straight down and almost reached her waist.

"Did you not think I would foresee your...invitation, to join you in the throne room, Leonidas?" She said with a hint of a smile. She curtsied and cast her gaze on Anthena as she approached the king and queen.
"Though I could never predict what you will do, Anthena. What is it you want?"

The queen paused for a moment before answering.
"Not everyone can perform magic, and it is forbidden."she said after a moment.
"Yet not everyone can read, but books are not forbidden. In fact, I myself have a favorite. Would you like to see it?" She said, a smile slowly forming across her lips.

"I...if you feel so kind as to share, my queen." The Oracle replied hesitantly.

"I do." Anthena stated and clapped her hands. A guard bowed and hurried off and returned with a black leather book with exotic symbols inscribed on the cover.

"I've read the pages of this book many times already, mother." Anthena said as the book was presented to her.
"It has taught me more about magic than you ever did. Tell me, do you recognize it?" She asked, now wearing a devilish grin.

"Yes, I do." The Oracle replied quietly, her gaze set firmly on the cover of the book.
"It is one of Meredith's. One of the books used to help her live as a witch. I did not know you had this one with you after all these years."

"There are many things, even with your great powers, that you do not know. Meredith had several texts helping her with her witchcraft. One on natural magic, one on supernatural magic, even one about other inhuman creatures in this world. I expect most of the works were lost throughout the years or after Eversong was burned. However, this particular book is special." She said and began flipping through its pages. She did not look back up at the Oracle as she continued speaking.

"This book contains the advanced and...forbidden, spells and techniques a witch or warlock can learn. All the same spells and techniques you never taught me. The same ones that Meredith could have used to save herself, but did not." She paused and slowly closed the book.
"You have told me since I was young, my potential for magic was surprisingly low, that I simply do not have enough internal energy to cast spells. However, after not using my energies for years and with careful technique, I believe I can cast at least one spell from this book, even if it brings me to the brink of death. Don't you agree?" She said and raised her eyes to meet the Oracle's.

"I agree that it may be possible, however slight the chance. I do not agree that you should try it Anthena. I do not wish to see another daughter die before her time." The Oracle replied.

"Please...do not attempt to persuade me with your false love. You are just afraid of what spell I will choose to use on Aster." Anthena stated.

"I am afraid of very few things, my queen." Was the Oracle's response.

"That is true...however, so am I. Are you aware at the power of the spells in this book? From what I have read, there are ways to create natural disasters, call down rocks from the heavens, and even...destroy another witch."

The Oracle's eyes went wide at Anthena's words.
"There is no spell that can simply take the life of a witch, so I do not know which one you are speaking of. If it did exist, the amount of energy needed would be more than enough to kill one such as yourself if you cast it."

"Oh no, I do not mean simply take a witch's life. I said destroy one. There is a variation on a less advanced spell, one used to borrow energy from one being and transfer it to any other the caster wishes, even the caster. The book has shown me that with different wording and more energy, the drain would become permanent and never ending until there is nothing left. The caster would then get all the strength of their victim."

The Oracle looked horrified and stepped toward the throne. Guards held their swords and arrows at the ready, just in case.
"That is a horrible use of a spell, Anthena. There are easier ways to go about trying to defeat your enemies. Tell me, when do you plan to use this on my grandchild?"

"Oh, I do not, Oracle. There is no worry about that." She said and laid back slightly.

The Oracle became less tense and breathed slowly.
"If I may ask, what spell do you plan to use then?"

"You misunderstand me, I plan to use this spell, but not on Meredith's offspring. No, I need more power for that. I need...your power." She said.

As soon as she had spoken the words, her archers shot at the Oracle, preventing her from casting any spells to defend herself. She yelled out, but was unable to speak from the pain. Even King Leonidas had stood and fired an arrow to keep her at bay. The Queen's eyes shined a pale green and she spoke in a voice that was full of her seductive and awful power.

"Da fortitudinem tuam!" She shouted, casting her first spell in a very long time.

The Oracle fought through the pain and tried to counter it with her own magic. Her eyes glowed and changed from red to green as Anthena's spell was taking hold.

"Enough!" She yelled and flung her hands out in front of her. An electrical energy shot from her fingertips, killing many of the guards that were near her. Leonidas himself went flying back and landed hard into his throne. Only Anthena and some archers that kept their distance remained standing.

"How...how could you destroy your family like this?" The Oracle asked, feeling her energy being drained in massive amounts. Within a few moments, there would be nothing left.

"You and Meredith were never my family." Anthena replied, her eyes still glowing green.
"As soon as you knew I could not do magic, you ignored me and cast me off for the rest of my life. You only stay here now because you have no other daughter anymore."

"No! You-you are wrong, Anthena. I stayed because you are my daughter, and I do love you. Even after all the horrible and unforgivable things you have done, I stayed to try and be your guide." the Oracle was staggering and fell to the ground, her breathing was slow and her voice growing quieter.
"You have allowed your hatred to grow and consume you...but know I have always loved you my child." She stated and allowed herself to lay back against the wall and face the end with dignity. She stared into Anthena's eyes, her own never getting the chance to close again.

"I...I have too. I thank you, mother. You have given me what I desired with your final breath. I now have all the power I need." Anthena stated plainly as her eyes returned to normal. She stared at the body of the Oracle for several moments before quietly sitting back in her throne.