Hidden Before Their Eyes

Chapter 33: Sometimes Things do go to Plan

I sit at the center of the magic circle that Codra has drawn up for the ritual to rig the matchup. She will be channeling through me as well as the newt that is happily swimming around in the water in the enclosure. Sitting with my legs crossed the sphere of glass is in the center of my lap. According to what Codra told me the magic will flow through me, the Stone of Alcali boosting the potential for the magic, then through the newt, giving the correct flavor to the magic, then empower the magic circle. Once she finishes her chant the magic will head off to its intended target.

I sit as still as I can, keeping my breathing relaxed as I can manage. Codra begins chanting the verses and I close my eyes. Remembering the Sorcerers warning that if the magic lands incorrectly then dangerous consequences would result. Breath in, breath out, the worry is gone. Codra is a student, yes, but she is also a practiced and capable mage. If it was not possible for her to pull this off with at least a decent accuracy rate then I doubt the Sorcerer would have left her to it. My worry fades away and I listen to the lulls of the chant as Codra unfailingly continues on.

The sudden sensation of magic flowing through my body is disorienting. The first effect that hits me is my vision splitting in two. One side reddish, one side greenish, as though the colors themselves were splitting apart. As quick as the images had split they fuse together once more, only for my vision to begin swimming. Previously straight lines bending and curving. Spaces elongating, shrinking, and growing in all manners and forms. When that settles out I see the constellations on a dark purple background, although not completely obscuring the actual room. This is the magic Codra uses, constellational magic.

Even with my vision straightened out the effects of the magic do not cease. The stone at my neck begins heating up, gaining weight as well. My head is ready to droop down and give up fighting up I push though, my willpower not allowing for my neck to give into the feelings. I force my eyes to stay open and focused, needing to push though this for as long as Codra needs to finish the verses. My body weighed down my stamina begins to fail me.

My body cannot handle this much magic in the broken state it is in. Maybe, just maybe, if I was still in the prime of being a succubus I could take it head on, but this, this I cannot hold for long.

My mind begins drifting, but I snap it back to full attention. Even a moment away from forcing myself to not fall unconscious and I will lose the battle. A battle I am already loosing. I direct my focus to Codra, holding onto the words and phrases as they fall from her lips. I focus on the harsh vowels and strong consonants, not wanting the soft lulls of the verses to pull me under. Her voice comes to a stop and I am present no more.

I am being shook when I become aware of the world once more. I look up at Codra, seeing tears I her eyes, and the streaks that are already bringing to dry on her cheeks. I gently lift a hand up to her and wipe away some of the tears. This has the opposite effect as more come and begin streaming down her face. Her eyes puffy and her nose tinged red, she silently sobs over me. I offer her a smile and shush her gently.

"What if you'd never woken up? What would I do then Esklan?" She bawls, covering her face with her hands.

I gently pull her hands away from her face and offer her another smile. "You do not need to be worrying about this one not waking up any longer Codra. I am taxed, yes, but broken or dying I am not," I coo her, my speech mannerisms sneaking out.

She laughs lightly and begins to roughly rub away the tears with her sleeves, "Esklan, I will still be worrying a week from now. You are my future queen. One day you will hold so much responsibility, how does a mere witch have the right to threaten that?"

"Shush," I scold her. I sit up and stretch out my back a little before turning to face Codra. "Unfortunately, I am replaceable. You have made it such that I will not be replaced. For which I cannot be grateful enough. Codra, you are my friend and ally, do not beat yourself up over this."