CHARMED
Half Breed
By J. B. Tilton
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Rating: K+
Disclaimer: "Charmed" and all related characters and events are the property of the WB television network, except for those characters specifically created for this story. This is a work of fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
The life of a demonic child is not an easy one. Even more so when that child is half human.
ONE
A female demon stood quietly in the large chamber. Her skin was a deep shade of red. Although her eyes appeared to be normal in most respects, their dull yellow color belied that. His hair was coal black and hung to her waist. Her teeth were sharp, jagged things that looked to be razor sharp.
Next to her, nearly cowering in her robes, was a small boy. He was about 8 years old and appeared to be human. His brown hair was immaculately combed and his blue eyes twinkled in the torchlight of the chamber. He glanced around furtively.
Suddenly a male demon entered the chamber. He was large; much larger than most demons. His coal black skin glistened in the torchlight and the fangs from his mouth were as white as pearls. The high pointed ears and cat-like eyes showed that there was no humanity in this creature. He glared down at the demoness and the small child.
"What business have you here, female?" demanded the demon. "And why do you bring a human child to this place?"
"The boy is my son," said the female. "His name is Belthazor. He is of the appointed age. I have brought him here for his training."
"Bah," the demon spat out. "You waste my time, female. This is a place for demons, not weakling humans. You know what he must endure. He would not last a week. Take him from this place and return him to the humans where he belongs. We do not accept humans for training."
"He is only half human. As I said, he is my son. He is also half demon. And he has the favor of the Source."
"Take care, female. I know of this child. And you have the permission of the Source to train him. That is a far cry from having the favor of the Source. While the Source may have granted you permission to train the boy it is the mentor who decides which he will take as students."
"You would defy the word of the Source?"
"Hold your tongue," the demon snapped. "The Source knows of my loyalty. But as I have said, it is for the mentor to decide who the students shall be. And I refuse this student. His would not be training. His would be a slaughter. I will not waste my time with one who has no chance of surviving."
"But the Source has granted permission for him to be trained. He will one day be a great demon in the service of the Source. He will need the best training if he is to accomplish that goal. If you will not train him who will?"
"I will take the boy."
The three turned to see another demon standing in the entryway to the chamber. This demon was less impressive. He stood just under six feet tall and he was somewhat overweight. Like the first male demon this one also had high pointed ears and cat-like eyes.
But there was a softness to the eyes of this demon. And a seasoned wisdom that could only be garnered from centuries of living. The latter demon stood in the entryway showing no fear of the larger demon inside the chamber.
"Cartrack, what are you doing here?" demanded the first demon.
"I have come for a new pupil, Trailin. As you said, it is the choice of the mentor which students he teaches. I choose to teach this one."
"Why would you soil yourself with one such as this?" asked Trailin. "He is human. You know as well as I do that no human could withstand the trials a demonic child must undergo. They are too frail. Too weak. He does not even appear in his demonic form as tradition dictates."
"It is not his fault," protested the female demon. "He is young. He still has trouble assuming his demonic form. This is not unusual even for demonic children. But he will surprise you. I have infused him with my own power which will be enhanced by that of his own."
"Silence, female," demanded the larger demons. "This is a matter for males."
"It is her son," said Cartrack. "Even demonic females will defend their young. She cannot be faulted for that. And she is correct. At the age of 8 years even many demonic children have trouble assuming their demonic form. But he will learn. In time."
"If he lives that long. Human flesh is frail and withers easily. He would not survive long."
"That is my concern. And my choice. I choose to train this young one. As I have chosen to train demonic children for countless centuries. And I have trained those of less than full demonic birth before. It would be nothing new for me."
"And we all know how well that is working out," Trailin spat out. "I understand that Greggson is less than a stellar pupil."
"All children progress at their own rate, you are aware of that. Even many demonic children will often progress slower than others. Being half human Greggson would be expected to progress perhaps slower than a full demonic child."
"Just as this half-breed bastard will," said Trailin, looking down at Belthazor. "He will do no better than Greggson. And you will have wasted all that time training one who will be of little use to the Source."
"It is my time to waste. And since it is my choice the discussion is ended. You have refused to train the child. I have accepted him. The matter is closed."
"You are a fool, Cartrak."
"No, Trailin, you are the fool. When you look at a child you see only the power that child may one day possess. The level to which that child may one day ascend. You have always been short-sighted in that respect."
"And what else is there besides power?"
"Knowledge," said Cartrack, looking down at the young boy. "The humans have a saying. 'With knowledge comes power'. The boy is half human which means
he possesses a soul just as any other human. And that will give him knowledge that no demon can possess."
"You speak like a foolish old demoness, Cartrack. It is strength and power that rules the Underworld. Your foolish notions will not allow the human child to survive the training."
"We shall see. Now, return to your domain. I must become acquainted with my newest pupil."
Trailin just snarled and then turned and left the chamber. The demoness bowed slightly to Cartrack.
"He is a fine lad for half human," said Cartrack. "There is a strength about him that most do not see. I shall hone that strength so that he may use it in the service of the Source."
"Thank you, Master Cartrak," said the demoness. "When Trailin refused to train Belthazor I feared no one would train him. I have promised the Source he will be a great servant to him. He will need that training if he is to fulfill my words."
"Don't be fooled. His training will not be easy. He will have to be twice as good as any other student if he is to be considered half their equal. His human half will
be a detriment to him. And I will give him no preferential treatment despite my words to Trailin.
"I ask only that he be given the chance, Master. You will see. He will be twice as good as any student you have ever had."
"We shall see. Now, you call him Belthazor. That is a demonic name. I assume that he also has a human name. What would be the human name for our young student?"
"His human name is. . ." began the demoness.
"No," commanded Cartrack. "If he is to take his place among the hierarchy it will be necessary for him to speak for himself. Tell me, my young pupil. What is the name by which humans call you?"
"My. . .my human name is Coleridge," said the young boy. "Coleridge Turner."