Okay, so, I am like in love with this chapter. Which is stupid because I absolutely hated writing it, at first.
A big shout out to all of you new comers, new reviews, favorites, follows. It's always always exciting to see those notifications in the old inbox. I am terribly sorry for yet another delayed update. I've found myself in that strange in between where I know where I want to be, but this bit here just needed more flesh. So, of course, my original outline had to be amended, then I got caught up feeling completely unmotivated, and then, bam, it finally all clicked. So I binge wrote, and here we are, new update!
On a serious note, I sincerely hope you all are safe and healthy.
As always
I hope you all enjoy
~GhostDoor
"The only real laughter comes from despair." -Groucho Marx, The Groucho Letters
Chapter 29
Valediction
August 1993
Can you hear me?
Jo spun on her heel, blind in the darkness of the mountain caverns. The witch held up her hand, bashing it against the rock wall with a grunt.
Can you hear me?
She spun some more, eyes straining against the inky black. The murmur echoed around her. Where it came from, she didn't know. It sounded from above and below, left and right and everywhere in between.
Can you hear me?
"Yes, bloody hell, yes."
Air rushed past her, spectral fingers gripping teasingly at her shirt and hair as the voice warbled with laughter. The ground shook beneath her feet, sending the blind witch stumbling in surprise. As the air stilled, Jo found her footing once more, gazing at nothing with a wary frown. Just what lived in here?
Can you see me?
"No." Though, her eyes still moved, desperately searching for something. This was…well, it was downright scary. She couldn't help but wonder at how the boy that had walked through before her was only sixteen. How the hell did they send children down here?
Can you see me?
"No!" Her head swiveled wildly now, eyes burning from how long she held them open wide. There was only darkness. An inky black void of nothing no matter how she squinted. "Where are you?"
Find me.
"I can't. I- fuck-" Jo stumbled, landing quite heavily on a knee. Her hand stung against the rock wall. She prodded at it, hissing when her fingers jabbed too harshly into a most definitely bleeding wound. "I can't-I can't see anything."
Her voice echoed back, feeble and tiny.
Scared.
Lost.
Merlin, she was scared. Shaking, actually, and it certainly wasn't from the cold.
Find me.
The voice echoed around her once more, quieter than before. Perhaps she wasn't meant to interpret the emotions of an unseen giant monster in a mountain, but she found herself thinking it sounded just like her father. The soothing and tender murmuring as he wiped the tears from her eyes after she'd gashed open a knee, telling her to get back up and try again.
Find me.
Slowly, the witch sat, feet sliding through the gravel and dirt. Her heart still beat wildly, frightened by this blinding dark and giant voice. Her lungs filled, the smell of earth so strong in her nose, she focused on it as she breathed through the building panic.
This was her's. This was her home, surrounded by the earth and the magic it held, whispering to her from within the tiniest pebbles. This was her right to be here, and she'd proven that. She very well couldn't back out now.
This was her journey and her's alone.
This was her's.
And no giant monster in the dark would make her turn back.
Find me.
6 Hours Earlier
"You're not leaving."
Rustam planted himself in the doorway, arms crossed and jaw set determinedly. As if she would shut the door in his face- she wasn't that stupid. However, it wasn't her Master's presence that had stumped her, lips turning down in wordless surprise. The shock of white hair over his shoulder was the culprit, Shvetang's haughty stare just daring her to argue.
"Sorry?" Jo blinked, her oh-so-tired eyes flickering between the men. Rustam stepped forward, pushing her door further in with something that sounded suspiciously close to a growl.
"Four years. That's how long I've had to put up with you." Jo scowled at that, weight rolling to the heels of her feet as he continued ranting on. "And if you think I'll let you run off like a spooked unicorn, then you've clearly not been paying much attention. You're a mountain, little girl- Mountain's-"
"-Don't run. Yeah, so I've heard." The witch sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose when Rustam only nodded with a grunt. "I'm not running scared for the hills. Everything seems a bit…tense for my liking. It would be better if I let the dust clear- don't want to start a riot."
"Figured you'd say that." Rustam grumbled. "S'why I brought this asshole. He's got something to say."
The two earth identities turned their attention on the ice Master, the witch quirking an eyebrow in curiosity while Rustam glared. Shvetang sneered at the other man before stepping forward. He turned the sneer on her, nose wrinkling as if he smelled something particularly putrid. Jo could only sigh, unimpressed with his act- she'd had plenty of practice.
"General. You-"
"Josephine."
"Yes, yes, Josephine." The ice Master huffed, waving a hand as if it was of little consequence what he called her. "You are clearly more advanced than an apprentice. Which-" He shot a glare at Rustam. "Does not mean you are prepared for your mark. However, it is a good indication that you should at least make a proper attempt during the ritual. Only The Mother has the right to judge one's worthiness."
He looked ready to puke, lips twisting to sneer at her once more as he nodded with finality and retreated from the doorway. The witch couldn't stop the amused smile, even as her eyebrows crinkled in confused wonder as to what had just happened. Shvetang threw his hands in the air at the expression.
"Mother's Breath, Earth identities- all of them, thick as stone." The man turned as if to leave, only to spin on his toe and face her once more, face pinched in an expression of great suffering. "I am saying-" He huffed, hands thrown wide as his fingers wriggled- as if he could tug and wrangle the words from thin air. With a deep, exaggeratedly long inhale through his nose, he started once more, teeth visibly clenched in a rather put out sneer. Her eyebrows twitched higher at the performance. "I am saying that I was incorrect in my assumption that you are not worthy of living the way of The Mother."
"Is that an apology?," Jo rasped, a chuckle bubbling through. "You know, I've only met two men capable of apologizing without actually saying 'sorry'- I'm very impressed."
"I dislike you." Was all Shvetang had to say, turning on his heel and finally stomping away.
"Apology accepted," she called after him, to which she received no response. Rustam rumbled next to her, his own gravel chuckle mixing with her's. "He's adorable."
"He's an asshole." Rustam corrected her, though there was little bite to his bark. "Come, let us prepare for the festival."
Preparing for the festival turned out to be a much lengthier process than the witch had anticipated. First, she had been sent to bathe- "You smell like freshly shat dragon dung, little girl", as Rustam had kindly informed her. She supposed she didn't look much better, having gotten little sleep after the previous day and night's happenings. Poppy had been ready, bath drawn and floral soaps waiting. After which, the elf sat her firmly on the floor and braided her hair, taking precious care to do it without magic as she had been instructed by Rustam's wife, Aashi.
Jo was then presented with a sleeveless tunic, which had been woven and blessed by the elder women of the village. They took great care, every year, to craft each garment with the intended wearer's luck in mind. After which, they would take it to the Mother's Eye and wash it in the tears that fell from the mountain. The foreign witch found her throat suddenly thick as she was told, by the very woman who had crafted it, of the long and careful process.
"Thank you," she whispered, bowing to the woman with a promise to not disappoint her.
"The Mother's Eye will watch over you." She smiled, teeth red and black from years of chewing betel leaf. "She knows you need it," she added, not unkindly, patting the tunic with a wistful stare. Then, she simply turned and waddled away, offering both Shadowfoot and Taffy a quick pat on the head as she went. Fluffy snorted after her, all three heads drooping their ears when the woman gave the cerberus a wide berth.
Once dressed, the witch was, once again, forced to the floor. Harry and Poppy sat before her, bowls of handmade yellow paint in their hands. For the next hour, they carefully applied it to her arms and legs. Harry kneeled in front of her, eyebrows knit in concentration as he carefully traced the paintbrush along her cheeks and forehead.
"Don't you dare paint a tallywacker on me."
He burst into surprised laughter, cheeks turning a bright embarrassed red. You just couldn't mention such things around teenage boys.
"Did you just call it a-a tallywacker?"
"Sorry, that's a bit dated, isn't it? Knob?"
"Jo, no-"
"Gentlemen's sausage?"
"JO!"
"Willy."
"JO stop-" Harry wheezed, face so red she was sure he would rather melt into the floor than hear another penis euphemism. "No one says that!"
"I could have said dick. Would you rather I said dick?"
"Mistress!"
After many instances of the two giggling, Poppy finally put an end to it when she gripped them each by the ear and scolded them rather forcefully about polite conversation. Rustam reappeared just in time to witness both grown woman and teenage boy pouting in chastisement. The playfulness evaporated, rushing through the door as he entered with a frown.
"It's time."
Jo nodded, swallowing the nervous bubble that had suddenly taken residence right behind her tongue. "Right. You'll keep Harry safe?"
He cast her a dry look, insulted that she felt it necessary to ask. "Of course I'll keep 'em safe."
"Right. Right." She sucked in a deep breath, finding her legs had gone rather jelly-like as she stood. "Time to go, then."
The group left without another word, only their footsteps announcing their departure as they joined the sea of people outside the door. There was much laughter and joy in the crowd, however, it was interrupted by loud gasps and scuttling as Fluffy stepped over many heads. Jo kept a firm hand to his shoulder, frown stern as many glares were cast her way. However, with Rustam glowering from her side, it seemed not many people were ready to voice their dissatisfaction.
Her heartbeat only grew louder the closer they came to the festival's entrance. It suddenly felt very very stupid of her to be doing this. She should have just gone home, really. What did she even have to prove? It would be extremely easy to never see another soul from the City of Children ever again.
But then, they were stopping, directly beneath the apprentice platform at the foot of the mountain. It was so much louder here. Directly before every person and creature as they clapped and shouted, singing and chanting in time with the drums. She couldn't hear her quickly swirling thoughts beneath it all.
Harry glanced at her, smiling confidently, screaming at her that she could do it- "Definitely!" he tacked on at the end, gripping her hand in his not-so-little one.
"Thanks, kid," she whispered, pulling him in for a tight embrace. Rustam caught her eye, jaw clenched with words he would rather chew and spit than actually say. "Well, wish me luck then."
"Not like you need it, but luck to ya." He rolled his eyes, though she was sure there was a tiny smile hidden beneath that bush on his chin. He reached out a hand, eyes revealing his quiet pride, and, Merlin, why were her eyes stinging? Jo huffed, catching his hand with fumbling fingers. He crushed her hand, and it brought her back down, dulling the sting from her eyes and the staccato of her heart. Then he ripped her forward, tickling her cheek with that great bushy beard as he murmured into her ear. "Don't let your eyes guide you."
The witch pulled back, eyebrows furrowing as Rustam nodded gruffly at her before slapping her firmly on the shoulder. She dipped her chin slowly, not understanding the warning but heeding it all the same. He released her hand, and she spiraled beneath the magic of the people. The noise surrounded her, drums and flutes, chants and stomping feet. Harry and Poppy were already glowing, blinking up at her with the same awe as the last time. She tried to smile, but it felt strained. It was, as before, all too much. However, this time, she didn't find it quite so freeing.
She caught Harry gently around the wrist, pulling him closer under Rustam's watchful eyes. "Stay with Rustam. No funny business, tonight. I need you to promise."
Harry only nodded, taking a step closer to the man. Shadowfoot and Taffy followed, keeping the suddenly meek boy flanked between them. "Promise."
The noise was growing louder, people surging all around them with even more vigor. The ash haired witch glanced around them, taking in the many joyous faces. They were all focused above or around her, not on Harry or herself, and she supposed that should be a relief. Yet, her stomach tightened and coiled, remembering all too clearly how easily those faces had turned into hissing and spitting snakes only the night before.
"Go, Jo! You can do this." Harry's shout somehow found her through the noise. Those green eyes were flashing, shining even brighter as the sky darkened and his skin glowed. He looked particularly Gryffindor, right then, jaw set and scrawny arms flexing into fists. "I know you can. Show them!"
Her mouth fell open, something surely unnecessarily emotional ready to fall from her tongue, but she stopped, sputtering for a second at how unbelievably grown he looked right then. Instead, she sighed, a smile lifting at the corner of her lips. "Alright, alright, I'm going. Keep an eye out for me, yeah?"
He rolled his eyes, exasperation clear in his smile as he shooed her away like a proper mum.
So, with a final glance back, she turned and stepped onto the raised rocks, joining Posha. They would be the only representative apprentices for the Earth identities this year. He smiled brightly at her, confidence and pride in his every move.
"We will both make it. I can feel it, General." And she had to chuckle, he was just so damn confident. Perhaps it was his youth, he was only sixteen after all, but she thought, truly, he only said the first words he thought. "We'll show them. You're one of the best of us, and they will all see, tonight."
"Ey, you're a good kid." She rubbed his head, freshly shaved and covered in red paint. "For luck." She added, slapping both of his cheeks with a smirk.
"For luck!" He grinned, smarting Jo's own cheeks with a slap of his own. They shared another smile before Posha turned his attention on a rather pretty girl painted in white. Bhadra stood ahead of her, ahead of them all actually, the lead of their little pack of apprentices. The girl frowned at her, brown eyes surrounded by swirls of pink paint appraised the woman from head-to-toe. A stiff dip of her chin was all she allowed before turning quickly back towards the splintering pathways awaiting them.
Gasps erupted from the sea of people, Jo turned her head to follow their stares up the mountain. Whispers and shouts erupted, announcing the Mother's Eyes arrival. The apprentices could not see it, whatever it may be, blinded by the looming cliff side. Murmurs spread around the witch, the young ones wondering as to what creature would be their judge this year.
"I hope it's a unicorn, I've always dreamed of it-"
"What about a dragon? That was so awesome-"
"No, it's a griffin! I know it!"
"What about the cerberus?"
Many eyes glanced at her, rolling away when she stiffly pointed out the three heads still sitting quite happily over the crowd.
"Man, I bet on that," a water boy groaned, his shoulders drooping as he sidled up next to Jo. "Seemed like a good chance, considering we've never had one here before."
Jo only shrugged, glancing at him once before focusing on the raised platform above. Daljeet had appeared, flames blooming around him. He smiled, eyes dancing over each apprentice, pausing for a second longer on the lone grown woman among them.
It was time.
"The Mother watches us! Her eyes see all of her children. Tonight shall be glorious, to watch as our brothers and sisters shows us all they have learned. We shall see the beauty and wonder of the magic our Mother has gifted us! Young ones, shall you show the Mother all you have learned? Show her how you have grown and prospered?"
Cheers rose around Jo. She felt decidedly too old to join, but her magic stirred alongside their joy and pride. They each glowed, blues and purples and reds shining brighter and brighter as they shouted their acceptance of the tasks ahead. The yellow paint along her own arms and legs disappeared within the yellow bursting from deep within her, the magic in her veins rolling and rumbling in time with the drumming of her heart.
"Go now, begin your journey, wherever it may lead!"
Heat and light erupted over their heads as a blooming lotus of flame spilled across the sky. However, the apprentices kept their eyes forward, watching as the first of them filed through the gates of their respective elements. Posha and Jo exchanged a glance, the woman could only offer a smile, nodding for the boy to go ahead of her. Really, he could barely stand still with all the excitement flooding through him. He shouted a hurried thanks, running through the archway without a glance back.
And so, Jo watched, breathing deeply as a slab of earth covered the entrance behind the sixteen year old boy. "Luck to you," she muttered, eyes falling shut as she attempted to block out all the noise and magic around her.
Sirius blinked.
And then he blinked again, just to be sure it wasn't just the dog vision.
Because everyone was glowing- Why are they glowing!
The dog sunk to his haunches, eyes wide with amazement. From the smallest child to the eldest man and woman, their skin sparkled with the force of a million stars swirling just under the surface. The people were surging, excited shrieks and loud clapping coming from every direction. His paws fumbled beneath their exuberance, slinking between dancing bodies and stomping feet. He tried to stick by Harry, or else, Godric knew if he'd ever find him again in all this chaos.
The people were chattering, many speaking in a foreign tongue, only the bearded man next to Harry grumbled along in English. "The Mother's Eyes," he said, pointing way up the mountain. Sirius stood on his hind legs, trying to see over the heads at just what could cause all of this fuss. He could see Delacroix, waiting her turn with slouched shoulders and a ducked head, as she stood among a gaggle of excited teenagers. His neck strained as he searched the peaks high above, but still, he couldn't find just what all this noise was about. Only a bleeding mountain.
"Shadowfoot, c'mon then, you'll get trod on back there." Harry held out an arm, his other slung around Taffy- who was also glowing. Sirius curiously peeked at his own paws, and sure enough, there was a glow- yet, compared to the regular yellow mutt, it was rather dull. Or was it because he was looking at himself?
This magic was unfathomable, Sirius decided, easier to understand when one is not a dog.
He could feel his ears flattening, a grumble on his lips as the shouting- and drumming- and clapping- and stomping; suddenly grew even louder. Yes, this would be much easier when one is not a dog. Then, rather suddenly, it all became very quiet.
No, not just quiet- silent.
His heartbeat sounded much too loud in the absence of all that noise. The many eyes around him had turned up, far far up, near the final visible peaks of the mountain. The first of the teenagers to have disappeared within the mountain had finally emerged. Bhadra, painted in swirls of soft pinks, glanced over their heads, eyes darting around in search of her own family. The bearded man held up a fist, pumping it into the air to catch her attention. Whether she saw it or not, Sirius couldn't tell from so far down, before she had turned, bowing deeply to someone out of view on the peak above.
It was rather difficult to see, his status as a street mutt leaving people to constantly step in front of the dog-man. Sirius could only duck and strain, peeking around legs and bums with little luck. Harry was gasping beside him, whispered 'wows' and 'oohs' just dripping with wonder. A wave crested the sky, just visible betwixt two perfectly aligned elbows. He could hear the crack of the girl's water whips, see the sparkle of tiny droplets soaring across the stars, but that was all the amazement Shadowfoot the dog was permitted.
He shot Harry a sidelong glance. The teenager had his eyes fixed high above, same as everyone else. The bearded man, watching his daughter closely, stood with a shoulder lightly brushing Harry's. Sirius glanced behind him, eyes nearly to the sky to look upon the three-headed menace. Fluffy's left head met his stare, head cocked and tongue lolling. The middle kept staring straight ahead, Delacroix's figure reflected in the depths of those unfathomably dark eyes as she, too, entered the shadows of the mountain. And the right head? He was being fed an obnoxious amount of sugary treats by tiny children, whose parents were much too distracted by the festivities.
Slowly, Sirius dipped his head to the left head. The head snapped straight, lolling tongue disappearing. The nose twitched, eyebrows furrowing as a, rather new, spark of intelligence came to life in those puppy dog eyes. Matching Sirius' slowness, the head dipped in return. The eerie eyes watched as he vanished within the crowd of people, blending into the shadows as if they were his true home. Then, with a tiny whine, the left head focused on the boy and elf.
Her eyes fell shut, frown tugging lower when the voice echoed around her once more. It sounded…antsy.
Find me.
Jo gasped as her magic, coiled and wound so tightly beneath her skin, surged out. It swept away from her, prodding and poking its way across the pebbles and walls, feeding itself into their very essence. The magic of the mountain, of the earth, latched onto it without hesitation.
And it was…holy shit.
Behind her eyelids, hidden from the encompassing dark, the cave flared to life.
Roots, veins, magic, surrounded her. It was almost too bright, too many colors wrapping over and under one another to touch every speck of dirt.
Can you see me?
It sounded so amused.
Jo didn't respond, head tilting to instead listen. The echo sounded so large, carrying against the walls for quite a while. Far, far down the path sat a bright glow of pulsing gold.
She nearly hesitated, catching herself at the last moment to properly stomp her foot forward. Then the other. The ground sloped, leading her further and further down as she marched forward. Whatever this thing was, whoever it may be, had linked itself to the veins of the mountain.
"Found you." The witch whispered, head tilting back, as she stared with closed eyes at the heart of the mountain.
The gold light flared and pulsed, a giant amorphous glow. Wind- breath- swept past her, a chuckle that sounded like a far off earthquake vibrating along its currents. She nearly missed the clang of metal scraping against earth.
So you have. Tell me, what do you see, descendant of Man?
"Light. Just…light." She imagined this must be what it would be to stare at the sun without the fear of burning. Bright golden light, dancing away, feeding life into the mountain and dirt. Her hands twitched as the urge to reach out and touch it consumed her heart. Would it feel warm? Would it burn, just like the sun? "What are you?"
I am too old for a name.
SHHK
It was that noise, the whisper of metal against earth that cleared her mind. Instead, Jo took a step back, her magic reaching for the nameless creature. It poked along the ground, hesitantly meeting the much larger flare of gold. "How- why are you here?"
The glare of gold receded, still rooted deep into the earth, but dimming, as if the question deserved more attention. Slowly, the amorphous sun formed into a very large figure of light. Shadows hung from its many legs and neck, scraping against the floor with a shake of its enormous head.
SHHK
Chains.
No one has ever asked this of me. The head tilted, perhaps to stare at the tiny human curiously, or perhaps it just found her strange. The witch suddenly worried that questioning the creature may, in fact, be a bad idea. I scarcely remember not being here. It has been many moons, descendant of Man.
The earth trembled once more, Jo spreading her feet to balance as the creature sunk down, its many legs sprawling out as it rested on its side. That great golden head was much closer to the witch, now. She wondered, briefly, just what its face looked like. The color of its eyes, the lines of its face- just what does a nameless creature chained inside a mountain look like?
"What do you remember?"She asked instead, kneeling down near its glowing head.
I remember…the sun. It chased the moon. I remember grass…trees…tiny flowers and smoking mountains that touched the clouds. I remember…the tiny creatures that burrowed into the dirt, the big creatures that bowed when I passed- even man. The chains jangled against one another, the head turning in that curious way to stare at the witch. She could feel it, the stare of large eyes- the stare of raw magic that could destroy this mountain and build a new one from scratch. The stare of old. The question to be answered is not why I am here. It is you who must answer, descendant of Man. Why are you here?
"That's," Jo snorted, then thought better of it, grimacing at the lack manners. "It's a long story."
Time is something I never seem to run short of. And then the creature, this giant old entity, imitated her snort. It blew through her hair, and Jo could only smile, a hum of laughter lost to the low chuckle of the creature. Tell me all that your heart has seen.
"Right." The witch sighed, lifting her hand without thought, a habit of always having Fluffy near. It was met halfway, resting against skin made of warm rock. "I…lost my family. All of them- well, there's an Aunt out there, somewhere, but…yeah, I lost my family. And I was lost. No, sorry. I wasn't lost. I misplaced myself. I took myself and I tried to lock her away in this…box of nothing."
She suddenly stopped, realizing that sounded just a touch insensitive. However, the creature only whispered, Then what?
"I, ehm, I was found by this tiny- much too tiny for his age- kid. And he was this light…he was-"
The sun? The voice offered, excitement in its voice.
"The moon. He was the moon and the stars. He was the light to guide me in the dark. He couldn't force away my shadows and nightmares, but…he led me out. He guided me through the dark. No matter how much I stumbled and tripped, he was there to pull me back up." Jo paused again. She had tried, while laying awake at night or drinking her coffee while reading the paper, to describe just what Harry had done for her. Yet, here, talking to this mystical old creature, the right words finally appeared.
And then? It asked, eager whisper vibrating back through the tunnel. It prodded her hand gently, bending her entire elbow and forcing the witch to brace herself with the other arm.
"And then," Jo paused once more, and the creature lightly huffed, causing the witch to smile incredulously. "Then I stumbled here. And it was this road- this path- that I couldn't see the end of. I kept walking, sometimes running, but I didn't understand what it was I was heading for. All I knew was that I had to get there."
"That kid, my light in the dark, he's so damn special. In more ways than one, I suppose. There are people- monsters- who are going to hurt him. So…that's why I'm here." The warmth against her hand disappeared, pulling away as the glow dimmed, and the great head jerked in surprise at her words.
You wish to fight?
"No-no," Jo stumbled over her words, rising in time with the creature. She had upset it, she could feel it in the magic as that soft golden glow flared in agitation. "I-I used to think that. Thought myself a fighter. And I was wrong. That's not who I am. It's not my purpose. I'm here to protect- to be a shield! That's who I am, who my magic is, and that's what I'll do. I'll protect my kid, and anyone else who needs it."
The witch panted lightly, her heartbeat thundering as she watched the flaring magic ricochet around the cavern. Slowly, the glow subdued, closing in on the giant creature whose head had turned curiously on her, once more. Her arms and legs shook, but she held steady under the feel of its eyes, keeping her shoulders squared and spine straight.
What if you fail?
"If I fail, then that means I've died. That's the only way."
I see. The head dipped, a sigh of air throwing pebbles against Jo's legs. Go now, descendant of Man. My blessing is given.
A trail of gold poured from the creature, lighting a path to the left that led up. Jo turned her head, watching it behind her eyelids as it climbed higher and higher. "I could," the witch hesitated, turning back to the creature that had returned to lounging against the rock floor. "I can free you."
No. It chuckled at her, head turning not to face the human but the chains embedded into the walls and floor. No, I believe that would be unwise.
"You're a prisoner. This doesn't feel right."
Perhaps. I believe that is a solution left for a different journey. Go now, the moon is nearing its peak.
She sighed, frustration picking at her skin as she stared at the exit, once more. "I can come back."
One day.
SHHHK
But that is not today.
Her jaw tightened, confused by the creature- Who put you here? Why? But, she already knew it wouldn't answer her. Reaching her hand out, she sighed with a strange sense of contentment when rock skin met it. "Until next time?"
Another day, it reminded her, laughter in its voice.
Jo nodded, taking her first step away from the prisoner of the mountain. Then, she turned and bowed before beginning the steep trek back up the caverns. She followed the trail of gold, eyes held firmly shut for a long time. Slowly, the light began to dim, tapering into darkness once more. Her eyes cracked open, blinking rapidly at the light of the moon streaming through the cave entrance.
With one final sigh, another fleeting glance into the inky darkness behind, she stepped into the final test. The glow of hundreds of bodies below caught her eyes first, and she searched quickly for Harry, his bright blue right beneath Fluffy's inferno of orange. He and Rustam raised their fists, and she smiled slightly.
"Please don't be a bloody dragon," the witch grumbled under her breath, slowly turning to face her judge.
"Oh." She blinked, caught between surprise and relief. "It's you."
A deer-dog, more accurately a Bugachono, sat above her. His antlers had grown into an eight-point, canine teeth lethally sharp and long, standing nearly as tall as an abraxan. His rear legs, hooved and muscled for leaping, stamped while his front paws clawed against the stone. The deer tail wagging in a way unbefitting of a stag, he barked. It sounded nothing like a dog, hanging in the air like the chime of a bell.
"Right, I shouldn't be surprised, eh?"
Well, apparently, she should. The next second, the Bugachono opened its jaws, wider than any canine should, releasing a stream of white energy into the night sky.
"Ey." Jo could only watch as the stream condensed in the sky, becoming lost among the stars. Then, it exploded, the toll of a hundred bells spiriting across the sky. She stared after it, aghast and, once more, slightly frightened by the creatures she seemed to only encounter in this damned city.
"You didn't do that before."
Shadowfoot sat atop a stack of crates, finally able to see the many performances taking place on the mountain. Bhadra, by the time he had found the spot, had already disappeared back down the mountain, cheers of congratulations greeting her at the base. Next had come an Ice boy, painted in mint greens.
He put on quite the show. He created Ice orbs that hung in the sky, reflecting kaleidoscopic moonlight over their heads. They chased one another, spinning faster and faster as they disintegrated into great tornadoes of snow. The boy danced from one side of the platform to the other, precise and agile as he commanded the snow and ice into waves and spirals. Even from so far back, Sirius could see the concentration the boy committed into every move, down to the finest details- a single ice rabbit, leaping through the snow like a show dog.
Alas, the boy did not 'pass'. The strange creature above, this judge, simply barked its strange ringing bark; sending the boy away to the commiserating cheers of his people. He joined the apprentices below, many of which reached out to pat his back and shoulder with bright smiles. It was…strange, Sirius thought. The brotherhood of this place seemed to wax and wane with the day, leaving him unsure just how these people looked upon one another.
The dog-man thought better of analyzing it, though. It brought only bitter memories of his own 'brotherhood', and how, it too, waxed and waned under great circumstances. Instead, he shook out his fur, scratching roughly at his ear as the next participant stumbled into the moonlight. A Fire boy, his paint bronze- yet another thing Sirius did not understand, and most likely would not find the answer to.
This one passed.
And- Merlin, were these people insane? Sirius dragged his jaw back up from the ground, blinking rapidly as the boy sauntered away from what should have been his death! That deer-dog-thing had opened its jaws, releasing a jet light of white, which had explodedon the boy.
Then, he'd simply raised his arms- oh, look at this! I've got brands- and flounced off. Not a single hair scorched or out of place.
Beg your pardon, but I'd like to wake up now. Was this real life? Or had he finally lost it, the last of his sanity sucked out to hallucinate in a slump on the cell floor?
"Amazing, is it not?"
Shadowfoot may have jumped, but internally, bursting across every synapse his brain contained, Sirius shrieked.
"Oh-ho, you are so skittish! Dlajeet is sorry, he did not mean to surprise you." The old man grinned at him, a rough hand settling between his ears to rub- vigorously. "Daljeet has no one to sit with, would you be kind and let an old man join you? All the good spots are taken." But the old man, whether he desired and answer or not, did not wait for one. He simply belted a "Thank you!" before settling himself shoulder-to-shoulder with the mutt. "Ah, look at little Suvali. She is so grown now!"
Shadowfoot panted, wide grey eyes slowly turning from the old man to stare up the mountain. Suvali, another Fire apprentice who had been painted with turquoise, took her place and bowed.
"So strange, this must be to outsiders. Daljeet thinks this is your first time seeing such things, yes?" The hand atop his head slowed that vigorous patting, a gentle whisper of fingers tickling along his ears and neck leaving the dog to melt into the old man. "Miss Jo was surprised, as well- oh yes, very surprised. It took quite a bit of work to get her here, you see. Much convincing on Daljeet's part, of course. Yet, here she stands, partaking in the ceremonies as one of us. She has grown." The old man sighed, a wistful and proud little thing. "Yes, she has grown much. Her family should be proud."
"Ah, look. Suvali has been gifted another year- Daljeet thought as much. She is very strong, but still, her heart requires more knowledge." Sirius watched as the girl left the mountain unbranded, returning to the apprentices with a humble bow of her head. Back up the mountain, the Rock boy, covered in red paint, stomped across the platform. "Do not mistake Daljeet's words, friend. Even those who earn their marks are not done learning. No, Daljeet believes that every heart has room to learn, to grow and see beyond what it has lived so far."
"Do not mind Daljeet. Perhaps, these are only the troublesome thoughts of man." He sighed, a curious glint in those old eyes as he studied the dog. "After all, the troubles of man cannot be understood through the eyes of a dog."
Sirius glanced at the old man, one ear drooping in confusion. It only earned him another aggressive round of patting. Grumbling, he returned to watching this strange ceremony and these strange people. The rock boy passed, pumping his fists into the air the whole way down the mountain.
Then came an Air girl, painted in white. She, too, passed.
A Water boy, painted violet. He failed.
An Ice girl, painted in dark blue. Another fail.
And so it went, teenagers stumbling into the moonlight, performing magic the man-dog couldn't have dreamed of, only to be judged by a strange creature. The moon slowly climbed in the sky, and still, the children came, glowing and proud. So many of them left unmarked. Sirius had to wonder, how many more times would they try? Would they eventually make it or would there be a point of failure that one could not recover from?
Through it all, Daljeet remained by his side, adding commentary for every participant. "Ah, Chintak. He is a good boy" or "Oh, watch, watch- I taught her that", and, who could forget, "That is Ladli. Daljeet has had too many proposals from her grandmother. That woman is the worst kind of stubborn". It was coming under strong consideration from the dog that the old man might, in fact, be mad.
"Miss Jo is taking her time, it seems." Shadowfoot perked an ear, but otherwise left the old man to his rambling. Any more attention, and the dog would go bald from the rough handling this man thought was patting. "The judging only lasts until the moon has reached its peak. Once it begins the descent, the Mother's Eyes will disappear. She best hurry."
Both man and dog peered at the sky. The moon was only slightly off from the peak, merely minutes from completing its crest. Shadowfoot whined softly, glaring at the mountain in hopes that Delacroix had appeared in those few seconds. Unfortunately, they were still watching the final displays of an Air boy, Gaman.
"Ah, patience, friend. Miss Jo is known for taking her time. This is no different, Daljeet thinks." He tapped his nose, gold teeth flashing brilliantly from an amused smile. "It is exciting, yes?"
Shadowfoot only harrumphed, focusing intently on the mountain as his claws dug into the wood of the crates. Hurry your arse, Delacroix.
Gaman, who was also taking his sweet time, finished with a leap; great bursts of air exploded from his feet and hands, twisting his body rapidly in a barrel roll. He landed gracefully, all toes and willowy limbs, before falling into a respectful bow. The dog-deer wagged its fluff tail, releasing that terrifying stream of starlight onto the boy. Sirius flinched, peeking one eye open just to be sure the boy was still alive. The Air boy exited the beam, holding up a foot and palm, revealing glowing orange brands.
As he descended the mountain, the old man and dog watched the peak, lungs beginning to burn as they held their breath for Delacroix. Sirius glanced at the moon, which was only slightly off its center point. Still, no one emerged. The people began to murmur, pointing to the mountain worriedly as the final apprentice remained inside the mountain. The dog searched for Harry, seeing the boy turning a confused frown on Delacroix's mentor.
"There she is," the old man breathed, gripping Shadowfoot excitedly by the scruff. "Look, look! She's just made it!"
And so she had, hand raised to squint at the light of the moon, Delacroix slowly exited the mountain. Her eyes scanned the crowd below, searching for Harry, he was sure. Then she turned, shoulders visibly slumping at the sight of the dog-deer. Sirius cocked his head, Daljeet mirroring the dog as she appeared to speak with the creature. Then, unlike any previous meeting of apprentice and judge, it released a stream of light into the heavens. Delacroix watched it, head flinching back when it exploded with a ringing tin of a hundred bells.
"Ah-ha, he must like her, look at that showing off," Daljeet announced, clapping his hands in amusement. Once more, Sirius dropped an ear in confusion, highly doubting that was a display of affection. "It's beginning."
Delacroix gave herself a shake, shoulders rolling back to properly face her judge before bowing. As she rose, her arms spread to each side, bending at the elbow. Her back straightened quickly, a leg sliding behind to brace herself as she pulled. There was a resounding CRACK, rumbling and grating quick to follow as deep fissures appeared on the mountain face. The people, Daljeet and Shadowfoot included, gasped as the peak she stood upon separated. It left only a thin point, just wide enough for Delacroix to spread her feet shoulder width.
She raised her arms and the two chunks followed, hanging in the air precariously. Dust and rubble crumbled away, spinning through the air as the pieces of earth sculpted into figures. The maelstrom of dust spun beneath them, widening with each new line of creation. Slowly, the figures took shaped, each etch and groove giving life to the great beasts.
Two elephants hung in the air, feet much larger than they should be finding purchase as the dust clumped and ground itself into floating discs. Their heads swung around, tusks lightly scraping the mountain as their trunks rose to trumpet pebbles and dirt into the air. Delacroix stood still between them, glowing a brilliant yellow beneath the moon.
Then, together, the witch and her statues bowed.
When she rose, her hands slowly danced before her, turning the elephants back to dust. Her arms spread wide languidly, as if she were merely stretching, to guide the dust back into the mountain. The peak reformed, perfectly recreated without a crack in place.
And that was that.
She simply stood before the deer-dog, awaiting its judgment.
This time, Sirius did not flinch when the white light erupted on the mountain. He watched, grey eyes wide as the witch was bathed in starlight. She emerged from the explosion of bells, a glow hidden beneath her tunic, and turned to descend the mountain.
"Come, friend," Daljeet whispered, once more gripping the dog firmly by the scruff. "It is time to leave."
Jo ran down the rock steps, ears already burning from the utter silence. Her stomach flipped, adrenaline running high as her skin still prickled from the the new marks embedded in her skin. They were as white as the light that had engulfed her, and she could feel her magic already bleeding into them, melding to the foreign magic that had carved them. Yet, even now, marked just as them, she was met with silence. Scorn.
She could feel it, vibrating from the base of spine and all the way up. The stares that found her unworthy. She hadn't the will to turn and see them, so she had fled, only the thought of finding Harry taking precedence.
As she emerged at the base of the mountain, the silence that had weighed so heavily in the air vanished. Shouts erupted from every direction, hands shot out to tug and pull at her, and she shouted, deep nail gouges appearing over her arm as she ripped it free from a woman. Tala appeared beside her, pushing back at the surging people.
"Go! Get your family and go!" The few other Earth identities and few others joined him, helping Jo clear a path for Rustam and Harry. Fluffy stood protectively over the boy and elf, those three heads held low and snarling at anyone that dared approach.
"Jo!" Harry shouted for her, a shield of water held protectively around him. Bhadra stood near him, her own water shields protecting Fluffy's left head. "What's happening?" He stared around them, confused and nervous, letting Jo take his hand as she sprinted into the cover of Fluffy's heads.
"I've just pissed off a lot of people. We gotta go." She pushed him up Fluffy's middle neck, safely burying him between the heads. "Poppy, get back to the bungalow. Get the portkey and open the door."
The elf nodded, eyes fierce as she snapped her fingers. A small group went flying back, causing those behind them to pause. Then, the elf disappeared with a crack. It had an instantaneous reaction, people shrieking in shock and fear at the unknown magic. Jo met Rustam's stare, holding her hands out for the wands safely stowed in his pocket. As her hands warmed with the familiar wood in their palms, she was already spinning and flicking. Shields and knockback spells spilled from her lips, earning her both space and rage. Their fear of the outside world both a weakness and strength as they rallied to rid themselves of it quickly.
"Time to go, little girl." She didn't have time to respond, a slab of earth carving itself beneath her feet and propelling the witch onto the cerberus. Her fingers grappled for purchase, catching onto large clumps of fur as Fluffy rose. Hanging from his neck, she stared down at the chaos below. Rustam gave a yell, a great grizzly sound, before stomping wide. The earth crested, pushing a clear trail between the mob for Fluffy to run. "And just to be clear," he reached up, holding something wrapped in leather that she had to stretch to grab. "I am proud you were my student! Now, run!"
Jo nodded, glaring at the crowd around them as she pulled herself onto Fluffy's neck. She reached for Harry, holding him tight between her arms before giving the middle head a rough pat.
"Go, Fluffy. Get us home." The cerberus released a howl, leaving half the people to crouch and cover their ears, the superstitious fear of death to great to ignore. Taffy ran beneath the cerberus, growling alongside the death hound as he dashed through the crowd. He made quick work of the space, jumping over homes and walls as his tiny shadow ducked through the alleys. Jo refused to look back, refused the burn in her eyes as the shouting faded into the distance. Only once they were outside the walls did she tug at Fluffy's scruff, bringing the cerberus to a slow walk.
"Jo?" Harry tried to turn his head, to ask her why they had stopped, but the woman covered his eyes, gently pushing it back forward. "Jo."
"I just…I need a minute." Of course, her voice warbled, bottom lip having to be bit to stop the tremble. Harry leaned back in her arms, stoically facing forward as her head rested against his, a stuttering breath the only indication of the tears he couldn't see. They remained that way, Fluffy ambling over sandy dunes with Taffy sitting atop a paw, tired and panting.
It took nearly half an hour to reach the door. Harry saw the figures in the sand, tapping Jo's hand in warning. She lifted her head, throat still thick, and just so fucking exhausted. Daljeet smiled sadly up at her, tears in his own eyes as the woman only frowned in return. Shadowfoot stood next to him, ears perked and eyes ever wary.
"Daljeet will always consider you a dear friend, Miss Jo. And you, Harry." Then the old man reached up a trembling hand, offering the cerberus a gentleness he had been denied by the rest of Daljeet's people. "And you, dear hell hound. We shall all see one another again, Daljeet thinks."
And, really, she couldn't help it. Jo laughed. She laughed and wiped at her eyes, head shaking at the absolutely mad old man. "Fine, but you have to visit me, next time."
Daljeet laughed as well. And there was no joy to either of their chortles and snorts. It just seemed, that if they didn't laugh, then they would flood the desert with tears of frustration.
"Daljeet would like that very much."
And so, with a wobbling smile and laughter that served no other purpose than to hold her anger at bay, Jo urged Fluffy forward. The world door shimmered around them, closing just as Shadowfoot's tail crossed the threshold. As she slid off Fluffy's neck, helping Harry down after, her eyes fell on the door. It would remain shut for a long time, she reckoned.
But not forever.
She had a promise to fulfill.
