Born to Die

Chapter Twelve

We both stood there, staring, not saying anything for what seemed like an eternity. In fact it was so eerily quite that I suspected we were both holding our breath. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Hope Argondale, you have freed me from my prison and for that I am eternally indebted to you." His voice was raspy and wheezy and he had a thick accent that I couldn't put my finger on.

"Look, I don't know who you are or what you want, but please, I don't want any trouble. Just leave me alone and I won't bother you, won't even tell anyone I accidentally let you out." I replied, backing away.

"Accidentally? Hope, my dear child, I have been trapped in that tomb like prison for 118 years. Many have tried to free me but none have succeeded for it is not an easy task. And now you claim to have done it accidentally? No Hope, you wanted to free me more than anyone before you. So tell me, what is it that you seek?"

"Woah. 118 years? You know what? Never mind. You're mistaken. I did not want to free anyone from anywhere ok? I really don't want any trouble with you or anyone else. Leave. Please."

"Why are you afraid of me, child?" He asked, stepping forward.

"I'm not." I answered, inching back again. He raised his eyebrows. "Okay maybe it's cos you've been haunting my dreams? Or the fact that you just came out of a mystical wall thingy? Or I dunno, the fact that it was your prison!" I was only just starting to realise how dangerous this man could be.

"No no no. You've got it all wrong, dear one. I'm the good guy. Your coven sentenced me to an eternity behind that door, where time stays still, which is why I have not aged since my imprisonment. They took away my family... my life... everything. All because I wanted the people to know the truth. To discover the rising evil before it was too late... I did nothing wrong. I just wanted to help. To do what was right. All I want to do now is to help.  Please tell me what it is that you seek." I had pulled out a stool from the nearby bench by the time he was finished and taken a seat, it was so much to digest.
Coven? What the hell? What rising evil? Is it too late? What the hell is going on?
"Umm okayy. Well I don't really know where to start. I have no idea what is going on and why. I don't have a... coven? This is all a big mix up. But I do need answers so please just explain it to me from the start." He pulled out a stool and sat, saying "this might take a while."

"Long ago, our people discovered that we find strength in numbers. Our powers are somehow heightened. So we formed covens.  Of witches. Within these covens there is a hierarchy, the Guardian is the first born of the founding family and takes rule once 20. They hold the highest rank. The Healers, such as myself are a minority and are next in rank. They practice healing. The Warriors are the defenders of the coven and practice more powerful voodoo but as they are the majority they are second lowest in rank. The lowest are the Forsaken. They never get their powers..." This was so much to take in.

"How do I know you're not making this up?" I asked accusingly.

"Well you don't.  You're just going to have to trust me. Shall I continue?" There was more?? I took in a deep breath and nodded.

"As I said I was a healer. But my powers were more powerful than most healers. I could do so much that the others couldn't, so I was entrusted to be the Royal Healer. I served the Royals, the Argondales,  your family." He stopped then, probably because of the expression on my face. I am not a royal. I'm not even a witch! What is he talking about. He must be mistaken. He's probably crazy from being locked away for so long.
"Look you've been really nice and all but this is... well it's clearly bullshit." I said frankly. "So yeah you can go now." He shook his head sadly.

"No Hope, I must prepare you for what is to come.  I must warn you of the rising darkness. It is my duty. Please let me help you." I didn't know what to say so I just nodded for him to go on. "Thank you. Okay so your family were pure of heart and that's what makes your coven so different. The founders were good people. They were not hell bent on becoming the superior race or vanquishing all other covens to become more powerful. They offered a home to all witches and warlocks who simply wanted peace. But as time went on the purity was lost as members of the coven bred darkness, making the coven one of the most dangerous, as no one perceived them as a threat. For generations the rebels of the coven have been trying to eradicate the founding family and take rule of the coven themselves, and you, Hope are the only one left. This is the truth that they imprisoned me for, but not before they killed my wife and two sons in front of me. It is the truth that your mother discovered during her pregnancy with you but she was too weak to leave, so her and your father planned to do so straight after your birth. But it was not to be... they killed your mother the day you were born. They would have killed you and your father if he hadn't gotten you out when he did. But they got to him eventually... and now they're going to give you an ultimatum. Either you join them and lead them to prosperity above all other covens, or you perish at the hands of your people..." His voice trailed off, leaving me to toss everything he was saying over in my head. I didn't want to die at the hands of anyone else. But I sure as hell don't wanna be part of a massacre on the butchers side.

"What should I do? Isn't there any other way?" He shook his head.

"Sadly, no. Your mother knew it would come to this which is why she wanted to leave so desperately. But they've gone through a lot of trouble to get you here and there is no other way out but to face them." This was all just far too much to digest.
I'm a witch and the rightful ruler of my psychotic coven, who murdered my mother, father and god knows how many more of my ancestors. They wanted me dead too if I refused to lead them into a bloodbath. Was that everything?

As if he read my mind, the old man quickly added, "also, this house is your family's. The whole house and the garden itself is enchanted to reflect the purity of the coven. Now that you know all this, it will appear vastly different to you. Go outside and see for yourself." He gestured towards the front door.

I opened it and walked outside and what I saw was something straight out of a nightmare.