Chapter 28
Wyatt looked past Chris and at his demon. "Leave us," he ordered. The demon bowed and shimmered away as Chris looked on in horror.
Wyatt stood in front of the Manor's door. "Chris…"
"You're working with demons?" said Chris, surprised and horrified.
Wyatt shook his head. "No, Chris, I'm not working with demons," he said, authoritatively, "They work for me."
Chris blinked as he tried to consume what Wyatt was telling him. "Working for you? Wy, they're demons!"
"I'm well aware of what they are Chris," spoke Wyatt in a deathly calm tone, "I'm not stupid."
"Then why are you working with them! Why would you bring them into our home? Mom's home!"
"I just told you!" argued Wyatt, his patience becoming thin, "They work for me! They follow my orders!"
Chris dragged his fingers through his hair, not caring that it stuck up in every direction. "Wy, I don't understand…"
Wyatt took a step forward towards his brother, but Chris hesitantly took a small step backwards. Hurt flashed in Wyatt's blue eyes. "Chris, I'm not going to hurt you. I haven't changed." Chris searched his brother for the truth. There was something different about the man standing before him, but Chris could tell that the man was honest about not hurting him. Chris relaxed a little.
When Wyatt saw Chris easing his stance against him, he took a deep breath, ready to explain. "What you need to know is that I'm fixing all of this. I'm saving our kind. I'm saving the family. I'm saving us."
"By siding with demons?"
Wyatt rolled his eyes. "I'm not siding with demons Chris. With the demons under my control, we don't have to worry about being attacked or having another family member die."
Chris narrowed his eyes at his brother. "They're demons Wyatt. They don't follow orders, especially from a witch. A Halliwell no less."
Wyatt smirked, his eyes dancing with excitement, with success. "They do now," he said. "They know when to bow down and surrender. They know who is powerful," he paused, staring at his flexed hand with interest as an energy ball formed and disappeared. He glanced back to his brother, "Chris, they are no longer a threat. I have control over them. They do whatever I tell them to do. Yes, there are a few demons that need to be dealt with, but soon, the whole Underworld will be under my command."
Chris' muscles tightened. He felt his skin prickle and his mind buzzing as he keep hearing Wyatt's words over and over.
Wyatt waited for his brother to respond, but when he noticed Chris looked frightened, he took another step forward, reaching out towards his younger brother. Chris saw the movement towards him and flinched backwards, almost tripping over himself and onto the floor. He backed further away from Wyatt, placing himself by the stairs in case he needed to make a dash, an escape.
Wyatt frowned. "Stop treating me like I'm a demon, Chris."
"Well, you're sure acting like one!" countered Chris. "Did you just hear yourself? Taking over the Underworld? What would Mom say?"
Wyatt's patience burst. He flicked his wrist and Chris' legs wiped out and he fell to the floor, face first. Groaning Chris pushed himself to his knees as Wyatt walked over to his fallen brother. "Don't bring Mom into this, Chris," he warned. "I know exactly what she would say. She wouldn't want anything to happen to us. She would want us to protect one another. That's what I'm doing!"
"By controlling demons?" said Chris, "You sound like…like the Source of All Evil."
Wyatt kept a calm facial expression. Chris didn't know what his brother would do. He figured that comparing him to the Source was the ultimate insult, but Wyatt didn't seem at all hurt by his comment. Chris slowly pushed himself up from the floor.
Wyatt eventually shrugged. "Call me whatever Chris, but remember this," he said. "You're alive because of me."
"Only because you're keeping me grounded," countered Chris.
"You're life is in danger out there, Chris," said Wyatt, pointing to a window. "I'm trying to stop it. Trying to protect the magical community from being eliminated!"
"And how are you going to do that, Wy?" questioned Chris. "What? Kill those who fight? Wy, they're just scared! They think we're dangerous." Chris thought about Jake. How his best friend's eyes widen in fear of him and how he wanted to escape from him. Jake was afraid of him. If only he knew that Chris was harmless, then maybe he—or the rest of the world—wouldn't be afraid and try to kill them.
"So that gives them the right to kill our kind? To target us?"
Chris shook his head. "Of course not! People do stupid shit when they're scared. Fear brings out the worst in people, Wyatt. They do and say stupid things! If they only knew we aren't evil, that we're good…"
Wyatt gave a short laugh. "They don't care Chris," he said. "The only thing they care about is who has the most power. They fear our power. That is why they are trying to eliminate us. They don't like the idea of someone else being more powerful, a power they cannot control."
"True," said Chris, "But that fear is due to them thinking that the power we hold will be used for evil acts. If only we can show that we mean no harm—"
"Being either good or evil won't help Chris," said Wyatt. "Power is the only thing."
Chris gaped at his older brother. He wanted to believe that his ears were betraying him, tricking him into believing that Wyatt's words were his own.
"Come on Wy," said Chris. "You don't mean that. Power isn't everything."
"Yes it is," said Wyatt, forcefully. "And you would be a fool not to believe so, Chris. Those with the most power survive. They control the world, the universe."
Chris stared blankly at his brother. Blinking, he shook his head, biting his bottom lip. His ears weren't betraying him.
"Wy…no, you can't think like that. It's…it's all wrong!" said Chris, desperately, but Wyatt only smirked in response.
"Why not little brother? Why is it wrong? I mean, the Elders, with all their great power, they managed to boss and control our mother and aunts lives," taunted Wyatt to an emotionally confused Chris. "I mean, they kept taking Dad away from Mom, away from us. The demons. They caused havoc into our lives, even killing the ones we love."
Chris closed his eyes, trying to push out the memories of his mother lying motionless on the floor, his Aunt Phoebe's eyes staring vacantly at the sky as her stomach charcoaled, and his Aunt Paige stretched arm towards him as she took in her last breath.
"They died and the Elders didn't do a damn thing about it," said Wyatt. "They just said 'too bad' and they went on to try and control us. Yet, when one of their lousy whitelighters was killed, they all go PI and even threatened and tortured you!"
Wyatt's face was getting more ugly every second that ticked by. Wyatt took a big breath as he watched Chris stare out, but he knew he was listening. He could see it in Chris' eyes that he was listening to what he was telling him. "Mom did her best to protect us from them, Chris," Wyatt said gently. "From being used and controlled. She didn't take us to Magic School. She didn't want us to become whitelighters until aged appropriate and only if we wanted to do it. She sacrificed his life to keep us safe from both the Elders and the demons. They have all gunned for us, Chris. Trying to either use us or kill us in their fight against one another. Mom and the aunts got caught up in their fight and they died because of it."
Wyatt gave a long, despondent sigh. "I just don't want that to happen to you, Chris. Or anyone else in the family."
Chris knew that Wyatt didn't want to lose another family member. They had all lost way too much these past few years. But, still, that didn't mean take over the Underworld and have the demons be under your command.
"Wy," said Chris, softly. "I don't like this. I don't like this at all. Let's just do something else, okay? Let's go find the cousins and our uncles. Leave the demons."
Wyatt shook his head. "Can't," he said. "Under my control, they won't hurt another family member. If I let them go, they will go uncontrolled and we will have to keep fighting demons, Chris. Do you want that?"
"No, but I don't like the idea of you controlling them," admitted Chris.
Wyatt stared at his younger brother. "I know, but don't worry," he said. "I'm too powerful for them to hurt me and I won't let them hurt you."
Chris dropped his shoulders. He wished his mother were here. She would know what to do.
"Me too," said Wyatt and Chris looked up, realizing that Wyatt had telepathically listened into his thoughts.
Chris glared at Wyatt. "Permission, please," said Chris, but Wyatt just chuckled.
"Sorry," said Wyatt, but Chris knew he wasn't.
"Whatever," said Chris, "but…"
Chris looked up to find his brother thinking, looking out into space. There was a twinkle in his eyes, a thought had brew in his mind. "What?" asked Chris after waiting for his brother to say something.
Wyatt glanced at his younger brother. "I just thought of something," he admitted. "I think I have a way to rid us of the witch hunts." Wyatt saw Chris' face fall down in fear, "Don't worry. You would approve of it."
"Then tell me," said Chris, but Wyatt shook his head.
"Not yet," he said. "I need to get the whole plan. I just have an idea."
"Does it involve demons?"
Wyatt paused, and then nodded. "Somewhat."
"Wyatt—"
"Chris, just trust me," he said and Chris closed his mouth. His brother had been asking for his trusts multiple times, but seeing Wyatt with demons, Chris' trust in his brother was diminishing. But, Wyatt was the only family member that stuck by him. The only family member he really had left. Wyatt was his older brother and, so far, Wyatt had never broke his promise, never abandoned him, and he had kept him safe (through means he wouldn't approve of). The least Chris could do is stick by and support his brother.
"I still don't like it Wy," he said as he took in a deep breath. "But, I trust you."
Wyatt smiled. It was a genuine smile and it warmed Chris heart after fear chilled his insides. "Don't worry, Chris. Everything will turn out all right. Even better!"
Chris nodded his head and gave a small smile to his grinning brother. "So, I guess you just want me to stay here then, huh?"
Wyatt nodded once. "Yes, for now," he said. "But soon, and I mean soon, we will be able to go outside again." Wyatt scrunched his eyes at his brother. "And don't think about climbing out the window again. I blocked non-magical exits as well."
"Great, I'm on house arrest," muttered Chris, but Wyatt frowned.
"It's for your own good, Chris," he said, sympathetically. "Until everything is cleared and safe, you'll be able to leave. I promise."
"What about you?" asked Chris. "Why do you get to leave and do stuff to save the world and I just have to sit here?"
"Because, Chris, I'm the Twice-Blessed," said Wyatt in a matter-of-fact tone, "The most powerful witch to ever walk this Earth. Nothing can hurt me. Nothing can touch me." Wyatt narrowed his eyes directly at Chris. "You, on the other hand, are vulnerable. You don't have powers like mine that will keep you safe. That's why you are in here and I am out there."
Chris flared his nostrils as he narrowed his eyes at his brother. Wyatt liked to point out that he was more powerful. He mostly treated Chris as if he was a fragile china doll when it came to demon attacks or anything that could cause harm. He wasn't powerless. He's a son of a Charmed One and a whitelighter.
Wyatt noticed his brother sulking, "Oh, Chris, get over it," he said and he walked past Chris and towards the stairs. "Do the dishes by the way. Stop stacking them up like that or it will start to smell."
Wyatt walked up the stairs and left Chris in the hallway. Chris thought about Wyatt and his surprise plan to stop the witch hunts. He really wished he knew what the plan involved. Chris hoped that it didn't have to do with any more deaths. He was tired of hearing how many people died.
"NOW CHRIS!" roared Wyatt from the top of the stairs and Chris jumped into action, heading over to the kitchen to do dishes.
BREAK
Leo sat in the main room at Magic School. The school grew in numbers as more witches and other magical creatures seek shelter in its rooms and protection from the witch hunters and demons.
Leo rubbed his forehead, a migraine forming. Ever since the Elders sealed the Heavens, people were asking what will happen now. And they all turned to him. He was an Elder. The only Elder who didn't stay up in the Heavens when it sealed and they all saw him as their leader, their savior in these dark times.
But don't they understand? He's not an Elder. He's just a lone whitelighter. A scared father, who had already lost a son in this crisis and cannot find his other son. He didn't know what to do. He was lost in his own grief, his own despair.
He barely knew Chris. Yes, he went to a few events, but not as many as Wyatt's. It was all due to poor timing. Elders always called him to come up and he had to go, but he came when there was an emergency. He always came. Yet, he still didn't know what Chris' favorite color was or movie or book. He didn't know if Chris had a crush on a girl or if what he wanted to study in college.
Oh God, Leo thought. Chris was about to go off to college. He only had one more year of high school. Damn it! He didn't even get to finish high school. Or graduate.
He was so young.
"Leo?"
Leo looked up and saw Coop and Henry standing in the doorway. They stepped into the Main room, towards Leo. "I think we need to talk."
"Not now," said Leo. "Can't you see I need peace? Can't anyone see that I just need to be alone!"
Coop and Henry didn't step back. They held their ground firm and stared defiantly and strong in front of the Elder Leo. "Leo, we are all devastated about Chris' death," said Coop. "The kids especially. They just lost their cousin. Their role model."
"It hasn't been easy for them or for us," added Henry. "But, Leo, seeing you like this…it scares them more."
"They're beginning to lose hope," said Coop. "Henry and I have been trying to get them to think that everything will be okay, but with you like this…it makes our words of encouragement, well…not words of encouragement."
"False hope," said Henry.
Leo glared at his brother-in-laws. "So what do you want me to do?" he asked, angrily, as he rose from his seat. "Just forget that I lost a son and put on a cheerful smile and say, 'Hey! Everything is going to be great!'" Henry and Coop quickly glanced at each other. "Well, I can't! So, just leave me alone!"
Leo flung out his hand and sent Henry and Coop out of the room. Quickly, with another wave of his hand, formed doors and locking himself inside the main room. Henry and Coop got to their feet, dusting themselves off.
"He's pissed," said Henry.
"Well, what did you expect?" said Coop. "Chris is dead and Wyatt is missing."
"Yeah, I know," said Henry. "But, why couldn't he be like this before everything went crazy? I mean, he put his Elder duties before family."
Coop shrugged. "I guess reality hit him," he answered.
BREAK
Leo sat back down in his chair and rested his head in his hands. He closed his eyes and saw a younger Chris running around the Manor. He remembered Chris stopping his run and staring straight at Leo. Chris wasn't smiling. He looked surprised. Then, he ran in the other direction, away from him.
Chris never liked him. He didn't blame him. He wasn't a good father to him. He wasn't a good family man to them. He kept running off to be with the Elders, staying up in the Heavens way too long, missing Thanksgivings, Christmases, and other holidays and special events.
Leo remembered the day Chris had stopped calling him Dad. It was day after Piper died. It didn't bother him that Chris called him Leo that day. He was too busy mourning over the death of his wife. In fact, it never really bothered him that much that Chris called him Leo. Until now.
Leo rubbed his forehead. He understood why everyone outside the room were frightened. None of them wanted to lose the people they loved the most. Leo understood that fear. The fear to lose a loved one. A friend. A sister or brother. A mother or father. A spouse. A child. He had experienced them all, in his mortal life and magical life. He experienced it all. Out of the whole world, he understood that fear. That fear of pain from loss. He knew. It was his greatest fear and he still feared that for the last person in his family.
Wyatt.
His son was out there. Maybe in danger. Possible safe. Possibly dead. Leo didn't know and it hurt him, it scared him that he didn't know. Ever since he learned of Chris' death, he wanted nothing, but find Wyatt and protect him.
He was going to put all his energy to find Wyatt. To save him from those witch hunters and others that would want to hurt him. He wasn't going to lose another family member. No. No more. He would be there. He will never let anyone hurt his son. He will be there for Wyatt. He will be there to help him and to protect him. Nothing will stop him. The Elders had all ran away and hid up in the Heavens, to protect themselves in case the mortal people discovered them. They won't be there to pull him away from his last family member.
Leo got up from his chair and walked towards the center of the room. He understood his new destiny. He won't lose another family member and he won't let another person experience the pain he felt these past few years. No more. He was going to try and save the world, protect the innocents. He wasn't going to abandon them like the rest of the Elders. Leo wasn't going to let his nieces and nephew live a short life like Chris. He wasn't going to let anyone's child live a short life like his son. He won't let those families experience the pain of losing a child.
Leo sighed. He had a world to save and a son to protect.
But first, he needed to get some help.
