Ben 10 Omniverse: A New Hope
Chapter II - The Heart of A Broken Spell
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Legerdomain - Zoroaster - 21 Years Ago
Zoroaster, a beautiful floating city in Legerdomain, it's architecture composed of a mixture of different artistic styles, most notably, reminiscent of Ancient Egyptian architecture. It spreads across five floating chunks of land, four being connected to one larger piece that was centralized among the others. water flowed in the form of waterfalls and hovering rivers that defied all reasoning and physics. Vegetation grew rich, and the fauna consisted of strange magical creatures.
It was comprised of a growing and grandiose society. Regarded as one of the centerpieces of the realm, where people came to learn to manipulate mana, educate each other, trade, and live life in peace and tranquility.
The settlement was currently ruled over by a powerful, benevolent leader that went under the Mage title of 'Spellbinder', along his loving wife, Enchantress. Both of them were Grand Masters in their respective arts of Sorcery.
The main, central settlement of Zoroaster was home to the largest Library of the Mystic Arts in all of Legerdomain, containing the secrets of magic, and powerful artifacts, such as the Charms of Bezel, other runes and scrolls, but the most guarded piece in the collection, was the Alpha Rune... The most powerful rune in the Omniverse, a power that barely any being in existence could withstand, a power misunderstood and underestimated. Even the most capable of sorcerers would grow mad in it's hold, corrupted by its untamable power, driven by it's evil cause, it's greed and addiction.
Spellbinder had once witnessed what the rune could do to someone close to him, bowing to keep the Alpha Rune away from the wrong hands, keeping it heavily secured, under the ancient underground chambers of the floating capitol.
In his free time, Spellbinder would educate others in his temple, teaching them how to manipulate mana. A blessing for those who pursued to become a sorcerer. One of his direct students was his slightly younger brother, Hex, who also helped in teaching others.
When he wasn't occupied under the role of Master, he kept himself busy, aiding his wife in cataloguing the items in the library, and repeating the wary tale of the dangers of the alpha rune, to visitors.
One day, an alien creature, a foreigner, came to Legerdomain. Addwaitya, a Geochelone. The alien purposely came to visit Zoroaster, after his long travels. No one knew how he'd manage to enter Ledgerdomain, let alone, survive this long, but later on it was made apparent how.
The reality behind Addwaitya, was a very ironic one. He is a sub-member of a species that is immune to the effects of mana, and yet, it wished to master the arts of it's manipulation. The townsfolk grew irritated towards this outsider, who roamed the streets, practically begging to be taught even the most feeble of spells. His uncustomary behavior brought him infamy among the populous in just the few days of his presence.
Spellbinder eventually became aware of the creature that was residing in the streets. Many complained of the 'overgrown tortoise' setting up camp near one of the scroll shops.
He went to see what the ruckus was all about, going through the streets. The townsfolk appreciated his presence, and pointed at the direction to which Addwaitya had settled camp for itself. The ruler went roaming down a few streets, eventually stumbling upon the makeshift camp. The Master Sorcerer presented himself to the Alien; Addwaitya showcased admiration to be in the presence of someone with such a title, and asked to be forgiven for his unpleasant and persistent stay.
Spellbinder was a compassionate man, and much to the disappointment of the townsfolk, he didn't kick out Addwaitya from Zoroaster, instead, he simply offered him his own homestead, and a job over at the library.
The foreigner seemed humble enough to appreciate the ruler's hospitality at first, but Spellbinder was mainly fascinated by the alien's outstanding curiosity and determination to learn, he decided to take him under his wing, like many of his students.
Soon enough, the foreigner slowly became a citizen, joining in on Spellbinder's School, climbing up the ranks of the Temple rapidly, making many students grow jealous, some growing worried, like Hex. Addwaitya's ability to bypass most of the common efforts needed in the casting of spells sparked controversy along the halls of the Temple. He did not require staffs, nor any form of channeling artifact, it was astonishing. Addwaitya could cast complicated spells at a single thought, completely unaffected by side effects; abilities like the ones from the tales of beings that were made of mana, the Anodites, the Balkry, and many others. It was a case study among the other Master Sorcerers.
A being that was not comprised of a single strand of mana, logically incapable of casting, and yet, here it stood, commiting the impossible.
This otherworldly talent made him the fastest learning student Spellbinder had ever taught, but the Grand Master grew concerned, as Addwaitya slowly began to showcase signs of arrogance, egoism, and malicious intent as time went on. This made him even more unbearable amongst his peers, as his ego grew larger each passing lesson. Where others gave it their all, Addwaitya would scuff and brag, at the ease of the task laid out to him.
A year had passed. Many students were now at the end of their teaching, ready to become former Sorcerers. Hex spent years leading up to this moment, but at merely a year's passing, right next to him, Addwaitya stood, at the same level as him, if not already higher. It felt unfair, but not because of competition, but because of how poorly the Alien behaved, such arrogance, it was infectious, it was a battle of the egos. At last, it was time for their final lesson. Spellbinder brought the group to Mount. Sha'riad, a sacred area, repurposed as final training grounds.
The Master Sorcerer has brought them all here for their final test. The nine students, both old and young, must travel inside the mountain's cave system, venturing through the ancient temple, avoiding traps, obstacles, solve riddles, and fight off illusions. It will put everything they have learned up to the test. At the end of the journey, they must individually find their respective soul gems. These gems have been left for them by Spellbinder, deep inside the mountain. They will be their tokens for graduation, and If any fail to find them, it is regarded as a sign that they require more training, or that they are not ready.
The group has an hour to complete the challenges, and find their gems; If they aren't back in an hour, the entrance closes in on itself, through a magic barrier, and they are left to stay trapped inside the mountain for the rest of the day, until the entrance reopens.
The nine students began their quest. Some stayed together, some went in alone. Hex initially went along with a group of three, but as the paths became more separate, and the challenges became more difficult, he quickly found himself to be alone on his journey. After countless traps, illusions, and tests, he found himself in an opening. A chamber full of crystals, and at it's center, the bright pink glow of a soul gem outshined all others. He was exhausted, but managed to pull himself forward to grab his gem, with merely twenty minutes to spare. Through the corner of his sight, he noticed someone else had entered the chamber... It was Addwaitya.
Hex: "Sorry Addwaitya, you'll have to continue seeking your own soul gem, as they say, finders keepers." He went to grab the gem, but a blast was thrown beside him, like a warning.
Addwaitya: "With what little time is left? I don't think that is an option. The gem, give it." he demanded.
Hex: "No, you know that's not how this works, I found this gem, it is assigned to me by fate! seek your own, outsider!" he shouted. Addwaitya growled towards him due to his last remark.
Addwaitya: "So be it..." he immediately went to attack Hex.
Hex tried his best to evade Addwaitya's physical attacks, but the creature proved to be a master in offensives. he did his best to defend himself, attempting to not fight back.
Hex: "Addwaitya! stop this nonsense at once! we don't need to fight! I can help you find your own soul gem! You-" he was strucked heavily in his abdomen, being thrown to the ground, just below where the soul gem was displayed. He looked up in both pain and disbelief at the betrayal in front of him.
Addwaitya: "Now this, I'd call fate..." He raised his fin-like arm, prompting it to glow, preparing a final blow.
Hex closed his eyes, accepting his 'fate'. Suddenly, Addwaitya was strucked by lightning, throwing him violently in the other direction, saving Hex from what could have been a fatal hit. Spellbinder could be seen summoning lightning from his hands, seizing the spell. He was accompanied by the other seven students. Addwaitya laid on the ground, looking up at Spellbinder, quickly changing his mannerisms and behavior to excuse himself, but no one was buying it, they had seen it all.
The Master looked down on the Alien with utmost disappointment. Without a word, they all left the cave, leaving Addwaitya behind to ponder his dishonor. Spellbinder and his students all left the Chambers of Sha'riad, without Addwaitya, leaving him stuck inside the mountain for the remainder of the day.
Spellbinder: "Settle down, seize the commotion... I will deal with Addwaitya afterwards, but for now, let us rejoice! You are no longer my students, from this day forward, each and every one of you are Mages, Sorcerers of Zoroaster!" They all cheered, lifting their gems in unison, the gems begining to glow within close proximity. Hex celebrated as well, but couldn't help to feel fear of what was to come from Addwaitya.
He looked back into the now sealed entrance of Mount Sha'riad. Spellbinder put his hand on Hex's shoulder, consoling him, as they left the area. Addwaitya remained sitting in the cave, full of fury, embarrassment, corrupted...
Time had passed, after the event, Spellbinder was torn apart at what one of his best students had nearly committed, to his own brother. Disappointed beyond description, he had no choice but to temporarily suspend Addwaitya from the school.
The alien foreigner was plunged in anger, fueled by resentment. Addwaitya was allowed to continue to work in the halls of the library, but he was driven by growing maliciousness each passing day. One night, he planned to find and infiltrate the Secret Chambers, in order to learn the hidden spells, in hopes to become more powerful than the master himself.
When that night came, he went into the chambers, stealthily knocking out the defenses, the traps, bypassing illusions, and having the audacity to harm the guards, taking them out. Finally in the secret chambers, he stumbles upon Enchantress, studying at the table, holding a sleeping Hope, when she was a baby. Enchantress simply stared at Addwaitya, he didn't know what to do, so he stared back at her, waiting.
Enchantress: "I knew you were trouble the very moment you trespassed on Zoroaster, but this? You dare betray my husband? After everything he's done for you?" She directed at him in disgust, but Addwaitya was unfazed. She continued - "The consequences of your actions have already been set in stone, Addwaitya, go ahead and steal what it is that you seek. You won't get far." She stated, uninterested in confrontation, mostly because of Hope's safety. She got up and walked away from the chambers.
Addwaitya simply ignored her, and continued walking down the halls. Once in the middle of the chambers, he casted a demanding, powerful spell that would allow him to absorb the knowledge off the scrolls - "At last, the knowledge I have truly been seeking, hidden in this filth. It is all mine." He continued to absorb. The strands of mana shaped in barrages of words went flying off all the scrolls in the book shelves, and merged unto his head, bursting it into flames. He was unaffected by the sudden fire raging from his skull, as it slowly took a dark purple tonality.
He walked further into the hall, near the very end, finding something he did not expect. In encased pedestals, the Charms of Bezel were beautifully showcased, but in the very center of the shrine was the ultimate prize, the Alpha Rune. "And so, the obnoxious legends... are true..." he let out a slight malevolent laugh. He went to remove the casing.
"Addwaitya!" Someone yelled, pure anger and betrayal in their voice.
The Geochelone turned around, surprised. In the other side of the Chambers stood Spellbinder and Hex, the two brothers ran towards Addwaitya. The Alien turned back once again, quickly, to attempt to steal the Alpha Rune. Hex used the Staff of Ages, casting a powerful blast towards Addwaitya, and it efficiently hit him, throwing him towards the wall. The blast was so strong that it made Addwaitya break the wall and go through it to the other side. They both got to the hole in the wall that lead to an endless fall, into the void of Legerdomain, they were under the city after all. There was no sight of Addwaitya, not even in the little chunks of land that floated beneath them.
Spellbinder: "He's vanished."
Hex: "Forgive me brother, I didn't consider the weakness of this structure, I gave him the chance to get away because of my mistake."
Spellbinder: "Nonsense, there is no such thing as mistakes, and don't worry, this place is only a few millennias old." He joked. Both of them turned around to study the damage.
Hex: "He didn't take anything?"
Spellbinder: "Worse, he absorbed it all unto his very mind..."
Hex: "How is that even possible?!"
Spellbinder: "He's immune to the side effects, he takes no heavy tolls. Where others go mad, Addwaitya and his species remain sane, although, immunity or not, I think this one was already insane..." He said whilst reorganizing the scrolls back in place. "How could I have been so naive and allow that creature to deceive me..." He was genuinely upset, having been betrayed by someone he had helped and taught so much.
Spellbinder truly did believe there weren't such things as mistakes, but what could he make out of this? This really did feel... like a mistake.
Hex: "With all that power in his hands, we have a walking arsenal roaming around the realm now... You think he will return for the charms?"
Spellbinder: "He will return for the charms and the very Alpha Rune itself, power corrupts... but we'll be prepared, Zoroaster has seen it's fair share of villains."
Hex: "I do hope that will be the case, Master." he stated, joining his brother in cleaning up the mess.
Spellbinder: "Hex... I am not your teacher anymore, remember." he corrected him.
Hex: "Right, brother, that will take getting used to." He admitted.
Spellbinder: "That's why I never liked the excessive formalities. Ah, speaking of hope!" He changed his sight to the halls in front of them.
Enchantress came back into the chambers, worried, holding Hope In her arms. they notified her of the events that unfolded and reassured her. Enchantress gave Hope to Spellbinder, as he hold his daughter close, looking down on her with a fond smile. The child looked at her father, giving a wholesome smile in return, waving up at him with her little arms.
Spellbinder: "My little charmcaster."
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Break Time - Reader's Checkpoint
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Friedkin University - Hex's Library (Hidden Chambers) Present Times - Dusk
It was the end of the day at Friedkin University, Hex's Library was empty, minus the secret Chambers that Gwen and Kevin now used as their HQ. A desperate scream could be heard echoing in a bookshelf.
"Let me out! Please! Gwen! You can't just leave me here forever! Release me!" The high pitched voice could be heard outside the bag, pleading in desperation.
Now inside the bag, we see that it's Hope, 'Charmcaster', who is in pure frustration regarding her predicament. She had been captured inside her own bag, a humiliating defeat for someone who had achieved near ultimate power. It had been five long days since the events of her defeat at the hands of Ben Tennyson.
She was still perplexed, wondering how that boy could even manage to perform a magic trick, or was that it? Had she simply been tricked? The thought fragmented her ego. That thought was cut short by a sharp pain on her head that made her groan.
Hope was experiencing a massive migraine due to power withdrawal, caused by the absence of the Alpha Rune's grasp on her. She caressed her own head due to the sudden discomfort. Although the absence of the rune and it's sheer power gave her clarity, It left a void open for additional torment, being forced to properly evaluate all of her past actions.
She regained her composure, and started to walk back and forth inside the bag, looking up. She had an angry expression on her face, but was equally expressing sorrow.
Hope: "Gwendolyn!? Uncle!? Someone! Anyone at all!" She stood still waiting for a response, but no one answered.
Hope's expression changed from one of anger to a slight sadness in her eyes. She lowered her head in defeat, and slowly walked to a corner, sliding her body down against the walls of the bag, and laying down completely, sitting on the floor, legs spread out. Her hands were crossed around on herself, as a form of self-hug, seeking comfort, but there was no comfort, not in this state, not in her mind.
Hope: "Please, I need-" She hesitated to continue what she was about to confess, but her sadness and loneliness were too much to bare any further. "I need help... I've had enough! Don't leave me in here alone, I don't want to be alone anymore! Not again..." Her voice began to crack, she was holding back tears.
She didn't want to cry, that would be embarrassing, but she was deeply hurting, and couldn't fully understand why. Hope went into a fetal position, attempting to hide her emotions, but it was no use, the bottle was full - "I'm so sorry... I'm so, so sorry... Please forgive me!" She let out her words, crying, as she buried her face in between her knees.
Outside the bag, in the corner of the room, near the bookshelf, Gwendolyn stood silently against the wall, listening in on Charmcaster's words. Gwen had an equally sad expression on her face, she felt pity for her.
For the past five days, Gwen had attempted to converse with her 'former nemesis', but the stubborn sorceress would not budge. Gwendolyn had made it her personal responsibility to find a way to bring her into the light, bring some sense into her. She knew that deep down Charmcaster was not evil, she was broken, corrupted, manipulated, lost.
Gwen truly believed that in any other circumstance, they could have even been good friends. Charmcaster could have even been her teacher in the mystic arts. It was thanks to her own book that she knew as much as she had learned through the years.
She had taken care of Hope by manifesting supplies and food unto the literal pocket space, using spells. Charmcaster would still ignore any approaches, the first two days her only responses consisted of lashing out, expressing hatred towards her, claiming she will have her revenge, and of course, demanding to be freed. However, this time was different, Charmcaster was expressing a side of her that Gwendolyn hadn't heard before, she was utterly defeated, vulnerable, but most importantly, looking for forgiveness. This was finally a proper chance for her to make an approach.
Gwendolyn walked towards the shelf, she could hear Charmcaster crying, making her a little uncomfortable, mostly because of the unfittingly high pitched voice that the bag emitted to the outside world. She hesitated before speaking, thinking of a way to barge in on her moment of sadness.
Gwendolyn: "Hey- Uh, Charmcaster. I brought you food, and your favorite fruit! Apples!" She went from awkward to cheerful in her words, lifting up a bag full of food she had been carrying, trying to get a response.
There was no response for a solid seven seconds, the cries had stopped immediately. Gwendolyn stared at the bag concerned, until the silence was broken.
Hope: "How long had you been there, listening?" Her tone was serious but tired.
Gwen let out a sigh.
Gwendolyn: "I was here the whole time, Charmcaster. I was listening to what you were saying, it's not like you would have opened up to conversation if you knew I was here..." She replied, another few seconds of silence went by. Gwen broke the silence. "Charmcaster, I know you're suffering. Please talk to me. You said it yourself just now, you need help, you want help, I want to help you." She pleaded her to allow her to talk about her problems.
Hope: "Help? You? What're you going to do, hear my life's story, then just continue to have me here, locked up like some broken trophy? How long has it been, a week? The only help I need is getting out of here!" She yelled at Gwen, rejecting her aid.
Gwen stood there in silence, saddened, but remaining serious, she did not reply to her words. Back In the bag, Charmcaster remained sitting in a fetal position, with her head looking up.
Hope: "If you actually cared, you'd have the guts to speak to me face to face, but you're just like the rest of them, using me, casting me to the side, and-" She immediately got interrupted by a flash of mana, Gwen shrunk and transported herself into the bag with a spell, she was now in the pocket space with Hope.
Gwendolyn had a serious look on her face, Charmcaster stared at her from the other end, equally serious, but slightly surprised. Gwen made her way to a table, and left the bag full of food laid on it, she then walked up to Charmcaster, stopping in front of her, extending her hand to where she laid, so she could get up from the floor.
Gwendolyn: "You were saying?" she remarked, proving her wrong on her previous statement.
Hope stared at her hand, and raised an eyebrow looking at her.
10 Minutes Later
Friedkin University - Hex's Library - Inside Charmcaster's bag
Gwendolyn and Charmcaster were sitting at the table. Gwen was waiting for Charmcaster to finish eating, hoping that they could finally get her to talk.
Hope was eating the apple, she took the last bite from her it, and threw the remains in the bag, with the rest.
Gwendolyn: "So... Let's talk" she motivated, motioning her hands, inviting her to converse.
Hope: "Listen, thanks for the food, and the care, and all, but i'm not about to go under the effects of stockholm syndrome and speak to you like you're my therapist. What is your angle, Gwen? What do you want from me? I mean, what do you expect out of this?" She began interrogating her instead, but to Gwen, this was still progress, they were finally talking.
Gwendolyn: "Like I said before, Charmcaster, I want to help you. Your Uncle told me a lot about you, and I already know a lot about you in the first place. You're not evil, you're not what others label you." She tried explaining.
Hope: "I'm hearing a lot of the same words here, Gwendolyn. I meant why me, why help me? You know what I've done, the things I've done to you, Tennyson, Kevin, literally everyone! I have done evil things! terrible things... Why not just finish me off, why are you here wasting the time!?" She yelled out the last part, getting up, slamming the table, slowly realizing what she just implied, it slipped out of her mind. She settled back down on the chair, awkwardly.
Gwendolyn was taken aback, did she really get to the point where she was suggesting being put down? She knew Charmcaster had insecurities and a lot of emotional baggage, but this was coming out of a depressive state of mind.
Gwendolyn: "Is that what you want? Do you feel like you should be put down for good, for the things you've done?" She asked her in return.
Hope showcased a regretful expression, and looked down, lowering her head again, looking at her reflection in the table, almost like a showcase of embarrassment.
Gwen continued speaking: "I don't think that would solve anything." They remained looking at each other from one end of the table to the other until Gwendolyn continued speaking - "You wanna know why I want to help you?" Charmcaster looked up and payed attention to Gwen.
"I want to help you because I believe in second chances, I believe in the meaning of the name your own father gave you, Hope." Gwendolyn finished answering her question.
Hope was shocked, how did she know her name, she looked at her with surprise in her eyes. "How did you-?"
Gwendolyn: "Your Uncle told me."
Charmcaster formed an deeply angered expression, as she looked to the side, furious at her uncle, Hex, for revealing what was perhaps her most guarded secret.
Gwendolyn: "I know your father gave you that name for a reason, and that he sacrificed himself so that you could have a second chance in life, the one he didn't get, and yet you dedicated part of your life to give him that same chance, at the cost of everything he stood for. He refused that chance you gave him, the moment he saw what you had become, because what you did, in his eyes, immediately disregarded his own sacrifice." she stated bluntly, still remaining serious.
Hope began to form tears in her eyes. Gwen continued speaking - "and It's not your fault you were left with your uncle, you lead an unlawful life, but it was the only thing you knew and understood that time. He's is the only family you have left. Sure, your uncle changed now, but what's done is done."
She took a moment to study Charmcaster's expression, she was very surprised Hope hadn't interrupted her, or told her to stop talking, even more so that she hadn't even tried to fight her the very moment she arrived, not like she could anyways, due to the effects of the spell. Hope was just sitting there, teary eyed. The saddened sorceress decided to break the sudden silence.
Hope: "I loved my parents... and I still love my uncle. I knew he wasn't a good person, but neither was I. I could have left him, but I didn't, I was scared, I was afraid of being alone, abandoned again. We did all those things back then, in hopes to gather enough power and resources to return to Legerdomain together, finish what my father started, but he sidetracked everything for his own desires over this world, he thought our home was a lost cause... but I never did lose hope... hah... ironic I know..." her voice was subtly begining to crack.
She stared at nothingness, melancholically. "Life was never easy, y'know, I was never 'normal'. School on this realm wasn't much of a haven, and when that didn't work out, it was quickly replaced with juvy, each time you and your cousin foiled our plans, I'd spend my days in the gutter..." Hope shared her suffering, as Gwen made a sad expression, feeling guilty regarding the last part. "The world isn't black and white, Gwendolyn, sometimes you have to do bad things to be able to do good things, and I found myself doing a lot of bad to get by, but- I now see that's just an excuse I tell myself. There was always a choice." She became silent again.
Hope looked directly at Gwendolyn, right at her eyes. "And I envied you, Gwen Tennyson, I envied you so much, you have everything I've ever wanted, a family, a lover, a purpose, and a birth given natural talent of the mystic arts, matter of fact you ARE made of mana... but that envy brought me nothing in the end." She went back to complete silence, looking at her own reflection, the truest form of illustrated regret being spawned on her face.
Gwendolyn quickly continued the conversation so that she wouldn't succumb to her emotions.
Gwendolyn: "Hope, I'm truly sorry for everything you've gone through in your life, but in order for me to help you, I need to understand what's happened to you recently. Let's do a recap, if you don't mind, erm, let's say, back when Me, Kevin, and Ben were dealing with Aggregor little more over a year ago. You helped us in Legerdomain, you stayed behind to avenge your father's death and free the realm from Addwaitya." She interrogated.
Hope: "Yes, I gathered enough forces to defeat Addwaitya, and so we did. For awhile we were rebuilding, and I began my crowned rule over the realm, but I was eventually tempted to use the Alpha Rune, just like that tyrant, and I did... After that I- I went too far, I wanted more, and I was overwhelmed by a lust for power, I kept going and going, to the point I thought I had enough power to bring back my own father from... from the dead. You know the rest of it, you were there..." She finished, avoiding the obvious details that leads to the fact that she managed to slay her, extracting her soul, along with Ben and Kevin, not to mention, all other souls in Legerdomain, in exchange for her father's.
Gwendolyn: "After that, you remained alone in Legerdomain, you locked yourself up, I mean, even I couldn't come into contact, but then you suddenly decided to let Michael in-" She got interrupted by an angry refute.
Hope: "I don't want to talk about that! I don't want to talk about Him!" She shouted, there was a moment of shock and silence between them for awhile, but then Hope began to shed tears. "He broke my heart Gwen! I was so alone, desperate, empty, I had no purpose! I was just existing, I failed my father, dishonored his name, and then I dishonored him yet again, by letting that... that disgusting creep steal my heart at the most vulnerable time of my life, and use me like a battery!" She began shouting, angrily, and crying.
She continued - "When I tried to bring back my father, one of the things he said to me was that I was living my life wrong, and that I could fix it, and I- I wanted to fix that, I really did, I wanted- I wanted to find my place in all of this." she was sobbing now but tried to continue her words - "I just wanted to be loved! I wanted someone to care! I craved a centerpiece!" She paused, retreating to a melancholic state again, calming down.
Hope began to speak again: "After that, you made me see the truth, even if I didn't want to- you tried to help me, like you are now, but I committed the same mistake again, I locked myself from everything and everyone, even the realm that I was supposed to rule... They were my only responsibility Gwen, and I failed them too! I was no ruler, just an absent tyrant. I went mad being so isolated, I became tempted again, by the only thing that gave me purpose, power, and I let myself be manipulated by Addwaitya! Add in Michael to the collection a little while later, and you have yourself... well- you have- ah! Me! just me! I am the problem!" She closed her eyes, clenched her fists, slamming one hand against the table again.
Charmcaster gritted her teeth but quickly began to speak directly towards Gwen - "Gwendolyn, I'm- I'm truly sorry, I- just... I don't know, I don't know what to do or say, I just- I'm just sorry!" she rambled nonsensically.
Gwendolyn: "Hope..." she called out to her. Gwen couldn't believe what she was about to do, especially after everything the person in question has done to her, her family, and many others, but she did not hesitate, not this time. She felt that it was the right thing to do, the right thing to say, the only thing that would bring closure, change, and test her own strength.
"I forgive you..."
Hope: "What?" she raised her head and opened her eyes, confused.
Gwendolyn: "I forgive you, Hope." Hope looked at her confused, but she continued to explain. "Like I said, what's done is done, and this is what matters now. I am here for you." She got up and went to her side, and hold her hand, comforting her.
Hope stared at her with a blank face, but began to cry again.
Hope: "No, Gwen, I- I don't deserve this, I don't deserve your kindness." She was interrupted by Gwen.
Gwendolyn: "Yes, you do, you've regretted your past actions, we both know it was the Alpha Rune, Addwaitya, and Michael who used you. You weren't sane at the time, and most importantly: you're now aware of yourself, and asked for forgiveness. Without the madness of the Alpha Rune, you are finally yourself, you're free, and you want to change and fix your life. What's important now is what you decide to do going forward." She tried to cheer her up, smiling at the crying sorcereress.
Gwen continued adding - "Think of all the good you could do in the world. With your knowledge, your talents, you can join a good cause and make amends. You can teach others what you know, and help them, use magic to fix the world, not conquer it. You of all people, have all the purpose in the world. You are important, Hope, you decide your fate, you're in control, you don't need anyone to tell you otherwise!" She dumped a barrage of compliments at her, in hopes to help her get some sense. She couldn't even stop to realize what she was saying, especially to who she was referring to, baffling at first glance.
Gwen herself started to get teary eyed from her own words as she continued to speak - "I know that even your Uncle would welcome you back with open arms if you go to him, and since he's changed, you can reconcile, be the family you should've both been, actually, someday, you could start your own family!" Gwen kept on laying out options for Hope's future.
Hope stopped crying, wiping her face. She looked at her, she began to smile but was still uncertain. "You say all these things, but you still have me locked up in my own bag..." She said to Gwen.
Gwendolyn: "You won't be here forever Charms, we just have to get you sorted out, I trust you, the real you."
Hope: "Ok... What's your plan Gwen?" She asked, beginning to regain her composure after crying.
Gwen stood up, Hope followed.
Gwendolyn: "I'm getting you actual professional help. I know a psychiatrist, Dr. Borges. She's the best I know, she even helped us out with a situation with Ben once-" she stopped explaining because Charmcaster was giving her a confused look. Gwen rephrased: "Ok, a psychiatrist, they're doctors that specialize in treating mental illness, disorders, anything going wrong with the old brainer up there. She will give you a diagnosis, tools, and follow ups that will help you have a normal life. You have to trust me on this one." She explained.
Hope: "Not like I have much of a choice." She stated, slightly joking, Gwen caught up with it being a joke - "I... I trust what you're doing, for once." She agreed.
Gwendolyn: "Alright! Sweet! it was about time. Well, I'll make the first appointment for tomorrow. I'll pick you up in the morning- quite literally, y'know, since you're in a bag." She notified her, making a sudden joke out of the phrase since technically Charmcaster didn't have much of a say on the matter. She was just a totem in a bag.
Gwendolyn went to the middle of the bag to begin her exit, she started casting the transformational spell, lighting up with Mana.
Gwendolyn: "Sleep well. I can't stress enough how happy I am that we finally talked and worked things out, Hope." She expressed, Hope simply nodded, but before she could go, Hope hesitated on telling her something, but she did anyway:
Hope: "Gwendolyn." She called out to her. Gwen changed her sight from looking up, to now looking at Hope. "Thank you." Hope expressed gratitude.
Gwendolyn let out a big smile. That 'thank you' alone, meant everything, it meant progress. She had completed her objective, she brought her 'into the light', somewhat. Now the only thing left was to get her proper help, and see where she'd go from there.
Gwen morphed out of the bag and into the chambers, spawning herself right where she had been previously, in front of the book shelf. She pat the bag and began walking to the main entrance, going past the couch.
Zed was sleeping next to the couch, and was awakened by Gwendolyn's footsteps, prompting her to follow. Kevin was waiting for her at the entrance of the hidden room, leaning against the wall.
Kevin: "Progress?" he asked, expecting news
Gwen took a moment to look back at the bag that was sitting on the shelf. She turned her head to look at Kevin again, spawning a subtle smile.
Gwendolyn: "Progress." she nodded, smiling. She moved to stand next to him, grabbing his hand.
Kevin smiled back at her, they came close to one another, walking away. They left their little headquarters, holding hands, followed by Zed right behind them. The doors closed shut.
Back in the bag, Charmcaster remained in thought, still digesting the conversation that had just transpired. This is the calmest, and most at ease that she has felt since her capture. Was this a feeling of relief? Had the Alpha Rune affected her train a thought this much, or was the fact that she just had this amateur therapy session with her former nemesis already a sign of permanent brain damage? she took a deep breath, and walked around the bag's quarters.
Hope went towards a mirror that stood near the walls. She went to take a close look on herself, begining to trance into retrospective. the reflection closes in, as the image suddenly transitions her face to be covered by a cloth mask, and under a hood, now colored in a more subtler tonality of greyish purple...
Present Day - Bellwood - Downtown - Nighttime
What was once a reflection, it was now the illustration of the present. Charmcaster was standing on top of a building, scouting out the City. She conjured up a set of binoculars, they glowed, being made out of mana. She was spying on a crowded facility by the bay area, realizing there was an illegal exchange of alien weaponry undergoing. She quickly vanished the binoculars. Took a moment to form a plan in her mind.
Hope pulled an apple out of her new and improved bag, which matched her new outfit. She took a few bites off the apple, threw it backwards from her direction, readjusted her attire, and jumped off the building, gliding down, heading her way to the bay area to stop the exchange.
The apple kept rolling around, until it remained sitting still on the building's rooftop. Out of nowhere, it began to glow subtly. Where Hope had taken a bite out of the fruit, a beautiful flower grew, blooming gracefully. The scene cuts to black.
Credits Start Rolling
Credits End