Hi, readers, writers, and fanfiction lovers! I've written one other fanfic for Mortal instruments before this, and I hope you enjoy both of them!
I thrusted a dagger towards the target board in the Institute's training room. It hit bullseye. Then, a memory that I would never forget, replayed in my mind.
The eight year old Celestine Herondale stood on the the grassy area in front of the New York Institute, next to a struggling demon, trying to get up, but was already starting to vanish. "Mum! Dad! I got him! I got the demon! My very first demon!" Celestine exclaimed.
"Deary, I don't really think so. I don't see it. It probably left on its own. Stop pretending, Cel. It's not very good to lie." The eight year old girl's mother had said, in a disapproving tone.
"But-but I really did! It just vanished!"
"Stop it. Stop lying." The mother said, firmly.
"Fine. But I really DID."
The mother raised her eyebrow, as if to say 'not again!' But before she could say a word, her son, Jace Herondale, who had just destroyed a demon as well, came running up to her, and said, "Five demons! FIVE DEMONS! New record!" He exclaimed, doing a little victory dance. "Jace! Wow! I remember two years ago, when you were ten, and you sent your first demon back to it's demon realms. Now, look at you! Five demons!" The mother hugged the son, and didn't even acknowledge Celestine. But Celestine was there, and was watching, and hurting on the inside, that even her mother had not believed her.
Ten years later, though, I had learned to be braver, and now I had gotten used to being in the shadows, of which everyone called the "Legendary Jace Herondale"
I picked up a bow and three arrows. I notched all three into the bow at one time, and let it fly. Each one hit a different target, right in the middle of each, and that was exactly where I wanted it. Then, I picked up my preferred weapon. The seraph blade. I practiced with it leaping into the air and practicing tricks.
"Great technique. You know, talent like that doesn't come naturally without practice. I get that you spend a lot of time here in the training room?" I spun around to find someone standing by the door of the room.
"I didn't know anyone would ever be interested in watching me, for once." I said, walking up to him.
"And why wouldn't they be?" He asked, leaning against the wall.
"Well, everyone only ever pays attention to Jace. I mean, he is the 'Legedary Jace'. Anyway, aren't you supposed to be upstairs? For Jace's party?" I couldn't help asking, for I was very curious. "Yes, actually," he said, "but I find it quite boring sometimes."
"Oh really?"
"I would say you think so too, because you aren't upstairs either. Training here? I don't think I know anyone who would spend so long in here. Even for a Shadowhunter."
"Well I'm different, whether you like it or not."
"I actually like it." He replied. I raised by eyebrows, wondering what that meant.
Finally, the party was over at midnight. I walked back to my bedroom, and sunk into my bed, with a book in hand.
Then, I bolted up in my bed when I heard the Institute's bell ring through the halls and the rooms. I raced down the stairs, to see that everyone else, meaning my mom, Celine, my dad, Stephan, and my brother Jace, was also filling the area by the door. My mom swung the door open, and on the outside, were three other Shadowhunters. "Hi," the one in the middle said. I recognized him instantly. It was the guy who saw me train, during Jace's party. "I'm Caius Carstairs. This," he pointed to his right, "is Emma, my cousin, and that," he pointed to his left, "is Julian Blackthorn."
"Yes, we know who you are." My dad said, none too kindly. I interrupted. "Why don't you go sit down? We can talk this over a snack, maybe some-"
"Shush, Celestine! This must be important to travel from Los Angeles to here. Now let the adults talk." My father turned away from me.
"But I am an adult! I'm eighteen, for heavens sake! All Shadowhunters are considered an adult at eighteen-" I mentioned.
"To me, all people under twenty are children."
"But our visitors aren't!" I objected.
"Fine! I give up! Between you and Jace, my son and daughter. There."
"But you considered Jace an adult. Five years ago. When he was SEVENTEEN."
"Celestine! Will you just-"
"You two!" My mother exclaimed, "enough of the arguing. Let's see what Caius, Emma, and Julian have to say." She gestured for the three to take a seat on the couch. "What brings you here today?" Jace asked.
"Remember five years ago?" Caius began, "when Jace was seventeen. He and Clary, along with Simon, Isabelle, and Alec, traveled to the underworld, to kill Sebastian, right? Well, Sebastian found a way. A way to escape, apparently. We have no idea how, but he did. He didn't die at all. And just the other day, he turned a bunch of people into Endarkened Warriors, and kept a very low profile of it. And we chose to tell you, because we had no one else to go to. Jace was there, he'd understand more. And we couldn't take this problem to the Clave. Who knows what they'd do. And Maryse and Robert are in Idris currently, and Alec and Isabelle are on their own there. Here, there are actually adults we trust. And Clary, wait, where's Clary? I thought she moved into this Institute."
"Oh, she's on vacation with Luke. And Jocelyn, and she won't be back for a while." Jace said.
"Can't we call her?" Emma asked, not caring if she sounded rude or not.
"She's in this remote area, with no cell service." Jace replied, rubbed his palm against his forehead.
"Then we'll need to track Sebstian with the people we have now. We need no more thn four people. Three must stay at this institute, to watch it and so we can gather information here. So one must come with us. Who here is good at combat?" Julian said.
"I am." Both me and Jace said, at the same time.
"Me!" Jace repeated, "I've more training. And I'm older."
"No," Caius interfered with the situation, "I think she has just as much training, because she does spend every moment in the training room. And the last time you hunted down Sebastian, he got away. Let's just try Celeste. Give her a shot." I could tell Jace didn't like the idea, but I guess he didn't have the patience to argue further. "When do we leave?" I asked.
"Tomorrow," Caius said, "so you better get packing and get some rest and energy. You're gonna need it."
I walked to my bedroom, and began twisting the door knob, but I saw Caius wandering in the hall. "Hey. Are you lost or something?" I said. "No. Just—can't fall asleep. Wondering what might happen on our journey. We might not make it back. Actually, we probably won't. But I am okay with that sacrifice. I'm just wondering, does everyone else?" He said, deep in thought.
"That's why we have to believe that we come back. We have to keep courage, and enjoy the time we have now. No point in dwelling," I said, reassuringly, "wait, at first you called me Celeste. No one ever does. And you helped me get on this mission. So...thanks." I said, though I hate to admit it. Ice never needed to say thanks, for no one ever does or says anything that I am thankful for. He smiled.
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