Destination Unknown

Walking Into a War

I'm startled awake by a hand coming to gently rest on my back. I jump up and look at Mara. My head had been resting on the bed next to Cassie, and I don't know how long I've been asleep.

"I can watch her now if you would like. You should get some rest. I think she's going to be sleeping for a while. Losing Freya took a toll on her mind." I nod groggily and make my way over to one of the other beds in the room. I fall into the soft covers and fall back asleep almost instantly. My dream self wanders around, not really knowing where I'm going. I don't know how long I wander aimlessly before I feel myself being woke up again. I crack open my eyes and look up into Alastair's face.

"Did you rest well Father?" I nod as he helps me up. I sit on the edge of my bed and attempt to orient myself.

"How is Katherine? Is she awake?" Alastair frowns and shakes his head.

"I'm not entirely sure when she will wake up. She is doing alright though, all vitals are normal." I sigh and stand from the bed. I make my way over to Cassie and see Mara sleeping by her side like I was earlier. She must be monitoring her dreams again. She shares a connection with Cassie, and I haven't quiet been able to figure it out yet. It's nice though, I'm glad Cassie and Mara will have someone through everything.

"Father may I talk to you outside?" I turn to him and nod. He seems like it's urgent. I follow him out of the room, and he closes the door gently behind me.  "I've sent the assistants home for the day so we can wander freely. Both girls should be asleep for at least a couple more hours. I can give you a tour if you would like."

"Sure, that would be wonderful. Could you also explain, 'this'." I motion around us. "How is it possible that she kept something like this so well hidden. I had no idea this existed." Alastair nods.

"She did have ample reason, but I can understand if you are angry." I shake my head.

'I'm not exactly angry, just confused, and a bit betrayed. How could she not trust me?" I slow down my walking, and notice that we have walked back to the entrance of the mansion.

"It's not exactly that matter of not trusting, she just wanted a save haven for herself that no one knew about, but since I can hold all knowledge and can see all, she was basically forced into trusting me. But as you know, I am not allowed to share any information about our family without expressed consent. In bringing you here I have broken that promise and will be given hell from Mother. She will not be happy that you know about this place and we will most likely have to move it. Her and I are to be the only people that know the true location. You knowing about this place puts everyone in danger. I'm afraid you'll have to erase the memory of the location from your mind when we leave, and from all the girls too. The assistants here aren't even allowed to leave the location in fear of telling someone the location. Every time she has went missing from Earth, or she has been believed dead, she has been here, building her realm. She hopes to make this a safe place for all of her children one day, when humanity can no longer tolerate our divinity. If you will follow me, I can explain what she has been doing." I cross my arms in anger, but follow him when he begins up the grand staircase. The stairs come to a platform that then divides into two stairways. One towards the left and one to the right. Alastair turns and stops in the middle of the platform.

"Here is the division of the house. To the right is the light, and to the left is the dark. By light and dark, I am referring to the powers of the children. This is only distinguished so the powers of certain children don't clash with their environments." He starts up the set of stairs to the right, still speaking as he goes. I space out for a second as I run my hand along the golden handrails, ornately carved. I bump into Alastair and stumble backwards. "Father, please pay attention." He turns back around and continues to walk up the stairs. "As I was saying, and children of yours that happen to be twins, have siblings, or have their own children will not be separated. Since most of your children now have children of their own, it will be encouraged to not practice any magic in common areas unless it's extremely simple things. For example, warming food back up or turning the page of a book. Only harmless things." We finally reach the top of the stairs and we are met with an enormous hallway. The ceilings are at least twenty feet high and the hall is almost just as wide. The halls is lined with doors, and they look like they go on forever.