Ben was a little self conscious about this attempt to re-form the charm. He may have matured but he still had kind of an ego and felt...uncomfortable in a sort of apprentice role. But he did what needed to be done and soon they had recreated the charm.
They had also created something else. A small crystal cube that Ben had found using Diamondhead. It would be the key to beating Hex.
"Guys," Max said. "It's great that you want to help Charmcaster but are you sure this isn't another trick."
"I'm not so gullible now Grandpa. I guess I can't say for sure I couldn't be wrong, but I think we have to try. Besides I have you and Ben if things go bad."
Sure enough it wasn't long before they noticed a strong breeze rapidly becoming a torrent. In a moment they saw a glowing ball. Then, in a flash, it disappeared. Hex and Charmcaster stood where it had been. Gwen wondered to herself, am I imagining things or does she look afraid.
Hex looked right at Gwen, "Don't be foolish child. Give me the keystone."
"Come and get it." Gwen answered.
"I'm so glad you chose that approach."
As Gwen and Hex were taunting each other Max fired one of his plumber weapons at Charmcaster. She was engulfed in a stasis field. She had been effectively isolated from the fight, unable to move, unable to do anything but watch.
Max's job at this point was just to keep her in that field.
Hex looked back at Charmcaster with a scowl. "Foolish girl." He knew he couldn't take his attention off of Gwen long enough to try to free his niece. But he didn't need any help to put this pretentious child in her place.
He returned his attention to his target. Her cousin stood next to her.
"Boy, none of your creatures are sufficient to best me. Stand aside and save yourself...Or if you prefer you can die with your cousin."
"We're ready for ya" Ben answered.
"As you wish." Hex raised his staff.
As Hex did that Ben tossed down the crystal in front of them. He and Gwen then linked hands and each extended one hand toward Hex. They then recited the incantation Gwen had found. The magician in front of them chuckled at them for what looked like something they must have seen on television.
Ben was concentrating, hoping he wouldn't get the words wrong.
Across from them Charmcaster knew they both had the words right, after all it came out of her spell book.
She had wanted to do this but knew she didn't have enough power. Obviously, they had discovered Ben's power. She wondered if they could do it between the two of them...and if they would then do the same to her.
As the mouth of Hex staff began to glow he felt a very unsettled feeling. It grew to a sense of sickness. He saw something like a mist emanating from him...and going into the stone in front of him. He began to feel weak.
The last of the mist was pulled into the crystal and Hex went to his knees.
In a shaky voice he said, "What have you done?"
Gwen answered his question. "You're not a magician anymore. Your powers are in this." She picked up the crystal, holding it out in her hand.
He couldn't believe it. He had been beaten...and so easily, by these armatures. He was enraged but to weakened to act on it.
The Tennysons walked over to the field holding Charmcaster. She was nervous. Did they have another crystal for her? The elder Tennyson spoke to her.
"Charmcaster, this fight is over. You know that right."
She looked at him and nodded. Max turned on of the dials on his control device and the field vanished. For a moment she thought about fighting but it was clear that she was no match for the three of them. Gwen stepped closer.
"Charmcaster, I saw the bruises on you. I saw the look on your face. Has he been hurting you?"
She paused for a moment before answering the younger sorceress. She found she just couldn't speak. She only nodded slightly.
"He can't hurt you anymore."
She looked over to Hex. He was slowly recovering but he was obviously still weak...and would be for sometime she knew. he looked to her..."Charmcaster, help me."
She was conflicted, the memory of the caring uncle competing with more recent memories of threats, demeaning comments and nightmares...and most recently, a sound beating.
Ben stepped up next to Gwen. "It's your choice to make Charmcaster. No one controls you now."
She looked at the dark haired young man. Those words sounded so nice. She looked him over, he had grown handsome in his teen years, finally taller than his cousin. She also caught a disapproving look from Gwen who, apparently didn't like Charmcaster assessing her cousin. Just being protective she supposed.
Hex took her out of the thoughts. "Charmcaster, I'm your uncle, we are family."
"I should stay and help him."
Max put a hand on her shoulder, she found it surprisingly comforting. "If that's what you think is right, we're behind you but how did he handle it when he lost power last time. Will you ever be able to let your guard down."
She saw why this man was so important to Gwen and Ben. His presence was strong and kind. She found him so reassuring.
"You're right. But will he be okay."
"Charmcaster,"
"Hope." she corrected Ben.
"Hope, He just doesn't have his magic power. He can take care of him self as well as anyone."
Then another thought came to her. "But what if he does come after me again."
Gwen thought this would come up. Her research told her that a victim of abuse often fears their abuser as though he has some supernatural power, that there is no escape. She knew not to dismiss that worry.
"Hope, if that ever happens call on us. We will help you." She looked to the two men and they nodded. "You can come with us now if you want to."
She thought for a moment, She might like that...But, she decided, not now. She answered. "For now I think I need to be on my own, But here's a way we'll always be able to reach each other." She reached into her bag and handed a small amulet to Gwen and put an identical one on herself. "Keep this with you, it'll kind of be a magic 9-1-1 between us."
The two smiled at each other as Gwen went toward the rustbucket and Charmcaster began to walk...somewhere. On an impulse she called to Gwen. "Say goodbye to Ben for me."
The look on Gwen's face answered some questions for her, confirming her suspicions She turned to walk away with a knowing smile on her face.
As they all went on their way Hex called out. "You will all pay for this...Charmcaster, I will find you." Then under his breath he added "I should have left you to those so called Knights all those years ago."
