Witchcraft Rising [ONC 2020]

Hardships of Continuing On (side story)

Exactly seven days had passed since I had completed the Prophecy, and each day had left me with a heavier invisible weight on my shoulders. With The Elemental gone and Karinossa now the headmistress, I constantly questioned whether I was still wanted here, or even needed.

   Despite this, Knoxx had especially gone out of his way to make sure I knew he would be anywhere I was. When I had been in a mood and told him off, he proved his point by following me to all of my classes for the entire day, much to E'ria's amusement.

   And yet...

   They all seemed to want to forget the fact that I had put The Elemental in the most secure prison on the continent of Rinoth. He hadn't requested to see me, and I wasn't sure if I was glad or disappointed. We had left so much unsaid before the sentinels had taken him away, and it filled me with dread whenever I thought about him.

   I knew he was one of the old reign demons, perhaps the most vile of them, and I would never forgive him for all the lies, but he had still treated me like his own daughter for so long. Since I was nine, Goddess. I couldn't exactly just cut him off from my mind no matter how hard I tried.

   It was for all of these complicated reasons that I was now standing in front of Headmistress Karinossa's office with a hand raised to knock on the thick glass doors. The closest section glowed a warm gold as my hand neared, recognizing my magical signature.

   I could see Karinossa's blurred figure sitting at The Elemental's old desk, sorting through multiple reports and signing letters that were going to be sent to the parents of witches and warlocks regarding the change in staff and what it meant.

   I had passed Karinossa's new assistant on my way to the doors, sitting at Karinossa's old desk. He was a warlock I didn't know.

   Karinossa suddenly froze and looked up, staring at what I assumed was my blurry outline outside the office. "Come in, Anveya."

   Well then, I suppose the option of retreating is off the table now.

   I gulped and pushed the doors open, closing them with a quiet snick. "Headmistress," I greeted kindly. I blinked, focusing hard on the older witch's jade-green eyes so I didn't envision The Elemental in that seat.

   She smiled brightly, the window behind her casting gold on her pinned up reddish-blonde hair. "Please, Anveya. We're way past formalities. It's just Karinossa."

   I cleared my throat. "Karinossa."

   She tried to hide her grin but failed. "What can I do for you, Anveya?"

   "Well." I subconsciously raised a hand to fidget with the locket around my neck. Karinossa's attention immediately zeroed in on it.

   "Anveya," she started cautiously, "the locket. Has it been acting strange?"