When Two Worlds Meet

The Message

Virgil's POV

I couldn't stop staring; they were just so beautiful. My mom had been described so many times by Beatrix that there was no mistaking her. She was about my height with thick, curly black hair and deep violet eyes that were a much prettier shade than mine. She wore a black cloak lined with orange fabric; it was slightly too long for her and pooled around her ankles in a lovely pattern. And even though no one had ever been interested in telling me about my father, there was no mistaking him.

He was dressed in all brown, but this didn't detract from his silver and blue aura. His eyes had a slight squint, as though he struggled to see just a bit. But with his wild brown hair, sparkling brown eyes, and wide smile, he was the most attractive person I'd ever seen. Then again, I'd only seen pictures of other men (AN: covens were traditionally comprised of all women), so that may have contributed. 

I was so busy staring that I nearly missed it when my mother began speaking. "-wish we could be there to watch you grow up. I wish we could be there when you start talking and learning magic, but we can't. I wish I could be here in person to speak to you, but we'll all have to settle for a message." She was smiling, but her eyes were sad, and I watched as a tear dripped off of her eyelashes. I realized for the first time that they were the slightest bit transparent and must be made up of the magic that had been pouring out of the pendant. Neither of them were looked at me directly; they seemed to be looking at something beyond me.

'A hologram message made out of quintessence.' I marveled. 'They must be incredibly skilled.'

I watched as my mother took a deep breath, and then looked at her husband. "Patton, would you like to say something before I explain?"

He gave her a loving smile before stepping forward. Heart rubbed against my shoulder comfortingly and I jumped; I'd forgotten it was there. "Hey kiddo." He was smiling and crying as well. "I wish I could be there in person, to hug you and tell you how proud of you we are." He chuckled softly as he looked at the ground. "I guess I should have written this out, but even if I did I'd still mess this up."

Then he straightened and seemed to look me in the eye. Even though his brown eyes were see-through, they seemed to pierce into my soul, and I began to tremble. "Kiddo, I promise that we will do our absolute best to get back to you. But if for some reason we aren't able to, then I want you to know that the only reason we would leave is to protect you. We would NEVER abandon you. We love you with all of our hearts." He took a step back and placed his arm around my mother's shoulders. 

My mother stepped forward again, and I realized that my cheeks were cold. I touched them and my fingers came away wet; I'd started crying sometime during the message. My mother shifted and shimmered as light continued pouring from the pendant, making her ripple like water. "Virgil, my beautiful son. I don't have enough time to tell you everything that I'd like to. There's just so much and so little time. But I will start with this." She took a deep breath. "Virgil, our family is very special. You and I are descended from a very powerful wizard named Merlin. He created something he called 'The Portal of Prismatic Luminescence', which connected our world of Issorath to another world. It's called 'The Other', and we can travel there by walking through 'The Portal of Prismatic Luminescence'-"

"Or just the Portal if you like." My father interrupted. He had been watching my mother with a patient expression, but this was apparently something he felt strongly about. My mother pursed her lips, as though they'd had this debate before. I felt the sudden urge to laugh, or possibly cry some more. I wasn't sure.

"Virgil, this is very important." As she spoke, she gesticulated wildly. "As descendants of Merlin, we have been designated the protectors of the Portal. There's a reason your name is Virgil." She smiled faintly. "Our lives are tied to the Portal. If we all die out, then the Portal is gone forever. Right now, your father and I are being hunted because of this. At least," her eyes suddenly fired up. "I'M being hunted and Patton won't leave me."

He just laughed gently and squeezed her shoulders. "Wherever you go, I go, Veronica."

My mother rolled her eyes, but the light behind her cheeks reddened. She shook her head, refocusing. "Virgil, in the Other, there is another group. Merlin was friends with a non magical man named Arthur, the King of the most powerful kingdom in the Other. He also created a group called the Knights of the Round Table. Their descendants are the protectors on their side. We meet with them every year and-"

There was a loud noise on their end and they both flinched. They crouched down as though they were hiding behind something. Heart fluttered around, upset. I reached out and gently stroked it, and it gradually calmed down, though it still seemed unsettled as it rested beside me.

After a tense few seconds, my mother started whispering. I moved closer to hear her. "Virgil, I told you we are being hunted. They are close by, so I must cut this short. Last thing: our family has some of the most potent magical genetics in the world. You, darling, are far more powerful that you realize."

I cocked my head in confusion. 'That doesn't make any sense.' I thought, irritated. Then my heart fell. 'Something must be wrong with me. I've broken the chain.' Panic started rising in my chest but my mother continued talking.

"Virgil, I know this is confusing. Let me explain. We are being hunted and you will be too. We were all nearly killed last month when we took you to see the Other; this is because our auras are so palpable that some can feel them from a mile away." She abruptly quieted and they both hunkered down. My father put an arm over her protectively. After a moment, she continued whispering.

"I have to put a lock on your powers, sweetheart." She lifted something from around her neck and I realized that it was my pendant. OUR pendant. "When this reaches you, it will put into place an enchantment that will lock your powers away so no one, not even you, can sense them." My heart froze and my eyes widened. It was as though my brain had shut off. Heart nudged my shoulder again, concerned.

"Hurry Veronica." Patton pleaded as he looked over their shoulders.

She began speaking more rapidly. "Virgil, now that you've seen this message, your powers will begin returning in small doses. I can't return it all at once or-"

Suddenly, with the sound of shattering glass, my parents froze. Then the magic and light holding them together blew away like dust in the wind.

Author's Note: N.E.R.D.  here. I'm sorry there's so much info in this chapter! I'm sure Virgil is overwhelmed by it too. I will say that I'm so happy to finally reveal Patton's role in this story. Honestly, making him Virgil's biological father was such a fun decision. Love you guys. <3