A Bittersweet beautiful chapter.
As always, Aaron cast a sacred circle. His sigils were for life, protection and peace, made of Rowan that he bought from a local supply story and burned himself with Leo's help. He did this for a few reasons, as he explained to Leo as he dug a small hole in the ground.
"I am not a child of Hades, I do not have innate control over the dead or protection against them. I have to ensure that they cannot sap my energy, draw too much strength or get free." He pointed at the two circles, one in front of the hole, one around the hole itself. "That one, the one around the hole, prevents the magic from getting put and drawing too many spirits. I cannot innately command the dead or draw enough power to banish them, so I am instead warding them off with Nature magic which is so innate, even in the air and earth that I can more easily summon it than Necromantic magic. Now, this hole is large enough, let's add the food and drink and get ready. The Moon is above is, lending strength to the spell."
Standing next to Leo in the protection circle, Aaron readied himself for the spellwork.
In thick, potent Latin, Aaron started to chant and for the first time drew on the deepest, darkest necromantic magic at his disposal. It was risky, but looking at the brokenness in Leo, he had no choice but to cast this spell.
"Spiritus veniunt, vocem meam audi sub velamine umbrarum. Munera mea suscipe, et mysteria noctis amplectere. Communicare mecum amorem tuum, potentiam tuam, voluntatem tuam. Spira in gustu vitae, et ambula ad momentum!" The air turned cold, the warmth of the Phoenix arm lost it's searing presence. Even Leo, who's aura was literally made of fire, shivered with wide eyes. Sulfurous mist seeped out of the ground. Shadows thickened into human forms and blue shades formed from the energies of night. They clawed at the sacred circle protecting the offerings, begging and screeching for power and the taste of life. "Those are the beggars, the first of the ones that seek out life and casters of such spells. They are not what we are looking for... call out your Mother, Leo, call her to our circle..."
Leo nodded tears in his eyes. "Esperanza Valdez... come to our circle... Mom... please. "
There was a ripple from his words, the other Spirits went cold before another spirit came with a gentleness that Aaron was stunned by. The spirit was bright and happy, and yet it oozed sadness and loss so strong he started to cry despite himself. It walked to the edge, right through the barrier he placed up and drank deep of the mixture of coffee and coffee cakes Leo said his mother adored in life.
There was a ripple around the spirit as they solidified, and Leo made the most broken of sounds. It was a woman, taller than average, she was clearly hispanic with darker skin and a black wedge-shaped hair. She had deep lines on her face, making her look older, but there was a clear kindness in her eyes, a deep love that made her stunning. She had on a set of blue overalls and a slightly stained white Tshirt.
"Hola, Mijo, it has been a while."
Leo almost stepped out of the circle, but Aaron stopped him. "Mom..."
She nodded, and Aaron saw that she too had tears on her face. She turned to him. "Thank you, for summoning me, child...Hephaestus, Leo's father, ensured I had the coins to pass on into the Realm of Hades, but I had not lived a life good enough to get into Elysium so I have been stuck in Asphodel... I was considering rebirth, but it has been hard. This, seeing my son, has lifted my spirits in ways I cannot express, thank you. But for saving him and caring for him, I thank you a thousand times more."
Leo turned to him, eyes wide. " What does that mean?"
"She is stuck, in purgatory basically, stuck and unable to remember her life beyond fragments, she died too young to do enough good to get into Greek Heaven sadly... maybe I can help with that, Leo... My patron is Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. My book, my Grimoire, it tells me a lot of things about the Underworld. If I can arrange for her to work for Hades, she can keep her memories, and maybe I can summon her a few times more... " Closing his eyes, he focused. "Persephone, this woman before me is not only the mother of my brother, a member of my coven, but she is a gifted mechanic. Surely you and your husband can offer a chance to work for you, freeing her from the evils of Asphodel?"
There was a ripple of shadow around Esperanza, and Aaron smiled as she smiled, her aura strengthening until she was almost entirely solid. "I heard it, in my heart and my head, they accepted me into their service. I will be working for Hades, helping with construction work and so on to help the congestion of the Underworld. I will keep my memories and be able to see Leo! Thank you!"
Aaron nodded as Leo barreled into him, hugging him hard. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"You're my brother, Leo, it is my job to help you."
Esperanza nodded. "You have a new family Mijo, honor that, and know that I am always watching,... but I must go back soon. I am not meant for life anymore."
Leo sobbed hard. "I love you mom, I miss you, so much, every day..."
"And I you, Mijo... now live your life, and remember. It was not your fault. I saw what happened, how I died, you were never at fault, Gaia was. You are innocent, in all ways my love. Always and forever."
"Goodbye, Mom... "
And like that the spell broke, the ghosts all faded away into nothing and the sacred circle evaporated into nothingness.
Aaron held Leo for almost an hour as the boy sobbed into his chest, finally unweaving the tangled knot of agony, loss and fear held so long in his tiny heart.
They would end up leaving the next day, after a long rest in a hotel. He bought Leo new clothes and something to tinker with, before taking the train back to Camp.
Chiron welcomed him in an instant, and Dionysius bahed at him. "Another brat to look after..." But Aaron saw it, in his eyes, there was a clear sensing of the boy's lingering pain, and the dark magics Aaron had cast to summon Leo's mother. A symbol appeared over Leo's head, one of a firey hammer, and he was claimed by Hepheastus in an instant.
Charlie was ecstatic to great him. "Hey, little brother." He smiled at him, warm as the fires Leo made so often.
"Hiya." Leo said, the boy's tiny frame looking extra tiny next to Charlie Beckendorf's massive frame.
"Let's get you a bunk and everything, but don't worry," He started, seeing how Leo was clinging onto Aaron." Aaron is just over in the Poseidon cabin so you can still hang out. Kay? He is in the Forges a lot, so you'll always see him."
Leo beamed. "That sounds amazing... but first... can... can other siblings of mine do this?" He summoned a flame in his hand and Charlie gasped startling Leo. " I am sorry, so sorry I-"
"No, it's not that, the gift of fire is rare kid. Extremely rare, dad only hands it out in the most extreme situations. You have a big destiny ahead of you, that much is clear. Aaron is a gifted witch, he can help you learn control and we will help you with everything else."
And like that, Leo got a home and Aaron felt entirely at peace.
Later that night, Aaron walked into his cabin, after sending his Patron, Hera and Hephaestus an offering ( the last one to watch over Leo), and he saw his personal grimoire, the one he was writing, was open. Unfamiliar writing was on an open page, stunning and lovely, but not his. He approached hesitantly, and read it.
"This is for a healing potion and spell... holy fuck, this is what I needed! A spell that works on mortals since Ambrosia does not. Who gave me this though?"
"I did." He turned and saw a woman, a flawless figure of queenly grace. She was wearing a white dress that shimmered with rainbows and was holding a Lotus staff and had a crown atop her head made of silver. He knew it was Hera, so he kneeled. "Respectful I like it. Rise, child." He obeyed and she stepped closer. "That spell and potion is my thank you, for saving Leo. When you speak to him, he will tell you of a Tia Callida, a woman that terrorized him, trying to make him a hero... that was me. I had a vision many years ago that Leo would be needed for a great future, he needed my help and my protection, but I made mistakes and broke his spirit... I wished to make amends, and so I sent you."
Aaron nodded. "I understand... my Lady." He never would admit it did not sound like her to be kind enough to help out... "Thank you for the spell, and the potion. I deeply appreciate it, healing magics were deeply needed in my repertoire beyond me weaker pain relief spells."
She nodded as well, smiling softly. "Continue to serve me, and I will reward you more. Now, before I go, I would suggest this free of charge. Make a scrying mirror. Scrying is so useful, with your clever mind and the help of Leo, you should easily manage this. I foresee that you will need such a device in the future..."
She vanished then, there one moment and gone the next, leaving Aaron blinking and wondering just what his life had become... and relishing in the power he was growing.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was so much fun and sad to write.
Spirits come, hear my call, under the veil of shadows. Accept my offerings, and embrace the mysteries of night. Share with me your love, your power, your will. Breathe in the taste of life, and walk for a moment more!
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.