The light here was strange, only grays and greens as far as I could see. There was a heavy mist floating in the air, obscuring the view. However, the mist was neither wet nor dry. I couldn't feel much of anything, no heat, no light, no breeze. It was just heavy and silent.
26
The Liminal World
I could hear an echo from somewhere. It sounded like I was underwater and hearing the shouts of the people above the water. It was hard to make out. I could see movement through the mist. I was still in the headmaster's office somehow, like I was superimposed in the same space, but not occupying it. I could see him. He was doing the ritual which was now familiar to me. He was summoning the demon, she would not be able to make to the real world, but she was trapped here with me. Would she come to this place that I was standing? Would the summoning still have an effect? I didn't want to find out. I started running. I ran through the mist as fast as I could until I was running through the part of the place that corresponded with the forest. I kept pushing. Getting away from the demon was the only thing driving me. I pushed and pushed. It didn't feel like my heart was racing or I was even breathing heavy. This must be what limbo would feel like.
I started walking when I got to an unfamiliar area. The path I was on began to fork into two directions. I had no idea where to go. Was it possible to get lost in the liminal world? I noticed a strange fence of ancient wood where the two paths meet. On top of the fence was a raven. The only animal I had seen in this realm. I walked closer toward it. I had an affinity for the animals after all. They were like guides to me almost. I put out my hand to gently pet the bird. It moved its head so that I could stroke it along its back. I gently stroked the crow until my mind felt clear.
"Esther," I heard the voice say. It came from behind me. I spun around, almost falling since the liminal had such a disorienting atmosphere. Then I saw her. It was not the demon. It was a woman. Albeit, the most otherworldly woman I'd ever seen. She was stark white, almost luminescent against the grays of the liminal realm. She had rivulets of wavy pitch-black hair streaming down her shoulders. She wore a loose black dress of some kind material that flowed like water. ON her head was a crown of pure silver with jagged edges and sharp spikes. She smiled at me, her teeth sharp. She had the most brilliant green eyes I'd ever seen, with thin pupils like a cat.
"Are you," I felt myself trembling. "Are you the Queen of the Witches?" I asked. There was something ancient and terrifying about her, much like Kairn in his god form but even more so.
"Many have called me that, daughter." She said, her voice cutting through the heaviness of the liminal with ease.
"Are you my mother?" I asked, still shaking. She walked toward me and put her hand on my face. She was unbearably beautiful. I felt my eyes leaking tears.
"Yes, your heart recognizes me," She spoke. She was right. I knew that it was true. I wanted to kneel down before her, but she lifted my chin up to look at me. "Daughter, you must be very strong now. The demon will be here soon. You need to awaken your power and become what you were meant to be, daughter of witches."
"How do I do that?" I asked, feeling like a small child under her touch.
"Enter a hallow and will it to be done." She said. "it's that easy."
"I'm scared," I admitted, my voice breaking. "what if I can't do it?"
"You will," She whispered, kissing the top of my head. I closed my eyes and when I opened them she was gone. Only the bird remained. Was I strong enough to do this?
I opened a hallow and walked inside. I was surprised to see that the room was the same as it last had been when Kairn and I entered together. The light was a nice break from the gloom of the liminal plane. I took a moment to breathe before doing anything. The goddess, queen of witches, was my mother. I could feel it in my bones. I was meant to awaken my power as a witch. There was a force inside of me. I had felt it when I was doing magic with Kairn. It was a deep well of ancient power. I knew what I had to do. I called it forth.
It only took a moment to raise the energy within me. The room filled with the roaring wind I had heard before in the clearing. Maybe I had caused that and not the demon. I let my awareness sink deep within myself. I was afraid. The image on the stone wall was of a woman ablaze in flames. She was me. Would the awakening destroy me?
The power was welling up, until I could barely hold it back, like a waterfall bound to cross the precipice. I released it. I was met with instant relief of the tension and equal parts white-hot pain. The fire that had burned my hands, and burned my skin in the woods, it was inside me, burning its way out. I could feel it intensely.
My bones were burning. Every part of me was on fire. I was being reborn in fire and ash. What would be left of me when it was through. I let the fire burn its way through me until surely there could be nothing left but the ashes of my former self. Then when it had burned through me it started over again. Waves and waves of flame transformed me. I was being initiated. I knew then that I was being remade a witch.
How many times had the flames licked through me, turning me to dust. Ten times? A hundred times? A hundred times more I waited until I didn't even know myself. I could feel the power coursing through me like electricity.
I opened my eyes and found myself alone, in the chamber inside the hallow. I was still here. I was alive. I shouted for joy, though no-one could hear me. I felt the joy fiercely, alongside something else. Rage. The demon was still out here, but now I was ready.
My body was sore and achy, but I could feel power welling up inside me, desperate for release. I closed the hallow. The liminal was filled with echoes. There was fighting happening in the real world. I could hear it playing out. I ran towards it. Kairn's voice echoed through the liminal though I couldn't hear his words. He was fighting with the Headmaster. He had come for me. I could feel sparks building in my hands. I didn't need rituals or summoning spells. I had magic at the tips of my fingers.
I closed my eyes, and breathed in, willing the demon to come my way. When I opened my eyes, she was there.
She purred my name. "Esther, you are a worthy opponent."
I lifted my hands and let out a jolt of energy. The blue light sent a shock wave through the demon and she flew backward. I could see the fear in her eyes. She was no match for me. She sent her tentacles towards me, trying to restrain me and I let the rage that was inside me build up until I was sure she would see the fire in my eyes. I screamed as I released the energy. A wall of fire hit her.
She let out a banshee cry. It was working. The shadow that was her form became ragged. I was destroying her. I sent another wave of flame. Over and over I blasted her with my power until my voice was hoarse from screaming. I let my rage burn furiously. I was bound to nobody except myself. When it was all over, there was nothing left of her except a smoking pile of ash. She was dust.
The mists began to part around me and light came in so bright I could hardly see. I closed my eyes, but it was too hard to open them. Everything went dark.
Epilogue
I opened my eyes and the light made a sharp pain go through my head. A hand was gripping mine.
"Esther," it was Kairn's voice. "She's awake," He said.
"What happened?" I asked, delirious. I woke up from the strangest dream.
"You don't remember?" Kairn asked me.
I thought about it for a moment trying to recall the events of the past week. "I was in the headmaster's office."
"That's right, he was trying to trap you in the liminal world," Kairn said.
Professor Atwater's voice was next, "I don't know how you did it, but you killed the demon. Not just temporarily either. That demon is gone for good." He sounded awed.
"I-" I started to recall the memories as if remembering a forgotten dream. It was her, my mother. I was a witch now, whatever that meant.
"Just rest," Kairn said protectively.
"What about finals?" I asked.
Professor Atwater laughed, a deep bellowing sound. "My dear, the headmaster was c
orrupted by a demon and fled. They have been canceled."
I felt Kairn's hand against my forehead. "Do you think she has a fever?" He asked. I laughed freely. I still felt woozy, but I knew that it was all going to be ok.
Professor Atwater said, "Classes have been over for a few days while you've been sleeping. I had the nurse put you in a magically induced coma to recuperate. You clearly needed it." I couldn't wait to tell them about the Awakening, but I waited. I wanted it to be just mine for a while longer.
I moved my hand and realized the burns were gone. My skin was raw and red but looked as though it was fresh skin. It was true then. I had awakened in flames and been remade. I peered across my skin and found that it was perfect. I had no freckles or blemishes at all. It was soft as a newborn baby. I had no marks of any kind on my body to speak of except for one thing. On my wrist was what appeared to be a small birthmark. It was the shape of a crescent moon. I knew it was my witch's mark. It was nothing like the chains that the students wore who were bound. It was more like a reminder of who and what I am.
* * *
A witch.
Ready for Next Semester?
Dear Readers,
First I want to thank you for reading Unbound: Mage’s Academy. I really hope you enjoyed it!
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Keep reading to see a preview of the Cover for Book 2 in the Mage’s Academy Series.
Finally I want to invite you to continue the journey with another year at the Mage’s Academy. Unbroken: Mage’s Academy II is available for Pre-Order and will be released on January 10, 2020.
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Happy Reading,
Finley Morrow
About the Author
Finley Morrow loves YA fantasy with thrilling plot twists. She strives to make every story an uncommonly adventurous read. She is an avid bookworm and explorer of all things strange and unusual.
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Explore her website at www.finleymorrow.com
Unbound: Mage's Academy I Page 13
