Change my Destiny Chapter 12: The Staff of Destruction
Feb 3 2020: fixed some perspective errors
AN: There was a segment here that I put that went more i to the aftermath of Avalon and Louise's chat last chapter, but it felt more appropriate in the last chapter so I added it there. No other changes were made.
As far as this chapter goes, its been done for a while, but the last segment made me think. Mostly because its an old idea I had decided to reuse from one of my other fanfics, Frozen Moon. I was initially against it, but I'm not going to finish that story anyway, and the idea I had for it was too cool for me to pass up so I decided to just let it rock. Enjoy!
The night went on in mostly pleasant festivities and food thrown by the charming faerie inn, and before closing the group had decided to return atop Tabitha's dragon to the school. The ride had been quiet, with Louise falling asleep on Avalon's back, and they reached the academy with no issues. Bidding the pair a goodnight, the young mage carried the sleeping strawberry blonde back to her room. He came to a stop as he entered, startling the maid inside.
"Oh! Avalon! You're back!" said Siesta as she dusted herself off. "I was just cleaning Miss Valliere's quarters. How was your trip?"
"Eventful," Avalon replied without missing a beat. "Would you be able to take care of Louise for me? She fell asleep on the way back."
"Of course! Leave it to me!"
Leaving his master with the energetic maid, Avalon made his way back to his own quarters, before stopping at the door. He felt a sense of shame and apprehension as she sensed his mother inside.
"Come in, Avalon," she called out. But he hesitated. He sensed her coming to the door, and he momentarily contemplated fleeing to the rooftops instead. But his mother opened the door before he could, and he couldn't meet her gaze, choosing to instead look at her feet. She didn't say anything, pulling him into a wordless hug. He gently returned it, though he was still unsure.
"Let's get some rest," she finally said, and suddenly Avalon felt a wave of exhaustion. He instantly fell asleep as he laid himself on his bed.
Sasha watched her son quietly as she stroked his hair, enjoying the moment. In her long life she had learned to appreciate what was in front of her; she has seen so many of her friends and family pass.
"My apologies, Sasha, I tried to stop him."
"It's alright, Kavaid. This is something he needs to overcome himself. I will help him as much as I can, but I am afraid that my presence only makes him cling tighter to me."
"It is only natural. You and his father are the world to him."
"And yet, it is nature's course that a child must eventually learn to stand on their own. I only hope that by teaching him all I know, he will be one day ready to hold the burden you bear."
The two remained silent, contemplating.
"I didn't sense anything from his tomb when Avalon used my magic."
Sasha released the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Tucking herself in bed. She took one more meaningful look at Avalon's sleeping face.
"Rest well, my child."
- Change my Destiny -
As the world fell into its slumber, a certain green haired secretary cast her gaze over the giant double doors before her. She knew that her prize lay just inside, out of reach, feeling the magic of the door bend to her will as she concentrated her magic into its inner workings.
She had been doing this every night for the last five months in order to understand the square class magic that lay within. She wouldn't be able to break it with brute force as a triangle class mage, but that blind young one that followed Raziel had taught her how to break it down, where to find the weak points. So she did just that, and slowly chipped away at its defenses.
A literal grind on top of her already tiresome work as the "secretary".
But it will all be worth it. Her family was alive, and once this job was over, she could see them again.
So why did she feel this strange sense of foreboding?
Surely the rumors of the staff of destruction are just that?
But if Raziel wanted it… perhaps they were closer to the truth than she realized.
"The staff that conquers all…"
Well, if Raziel tried to pull the rug under her, she could always attempt to use the staff on him.
- Change my Destiny -
The next day came without disturbance. Despite the events of the day prior, Avalon was quite adjusted to his routine and easily woke himself up for his daily morning training. Once that had finished, he proceeded onwards to Louise's room, only to find her room a mess and her bed disheveled. He searched for her from there, finding her and Katie in the courtyard, with the former being in a state of panic.
"What am I going to do?! The familiar's festival is tomorrow, and I don't have anything prepared! And the Princess is going to be there!"
"D-don't worry, Louise! I'm sure Avalon has something!" Noticing his arrival, Katie gave Avalon a pleading expression, desperate for him to save her. Avalon couldn't help but smile.
"Oh, that thing Siesta mentioned?" He called out as he approached. With a mad look in her eye, Louise grabbed Avalon by the collar, pulling him in close and taking the half elf by surprise.
"Please tell me you have something prepared!"
"I could do something simple like show off some spear kata," Avalon smoothly replied, prying himself free from the little firebrand's grip. "Although if you really want me to blow them away, I would need more time to think up something and prepare."
"What are spear kata?" Katie asked.
"Kata is a word for forms. Basically I could do some fancy tricks with my spear, but judging by the look in your eye you want something more?" Louise's furious nods made him hum in thought. "I'll ask mom about it. Anything she could come up with would definitely blow everyone away."
"That's true." Sighing with relief, Louise began to calm herself. "But I don't think it would be a good idea if your mother was seen."
"Right, right, with the whole elves being political enemies and whatnot."
"Um, I don't think that will be a problem," Katie interrupted. Her two friends gave her curious looks. "The princess and Osmond have seemingly kept her existence under wraps from what I hear from my classmates. Many have met Sasha but found her ears are normal. They think that she and Avalon are just normal mages."
"Probably an illusion spell then. Wouldn't be surprised if only the people she trusts can see her real ears after the Princess and Agnes caught us by surprise. That makes things easier on me, although I suppose I will have to stop announcing to everyone that I'm half elf."
"In any case, make sure to talk to your mother as soon as possible! We only have today to prepare!" Louise crossed her arms, a worried expression returning.
"Don't worry about a thing! I'll make sure that whatever I do will blow you away. Literally and figuratively, just like you Louise!"
Louise proceeded to bash her fists on Avalon as he laughed at his poor attempt at a joke, Avalon grinning as the worry faded away from her face.
As the girls returned to the academy for their classes, Avalon sought his mother, finding her in Professor Colbert's laboratory.
"Working on the professor's inventions again?" He asked, casually strolling in. Sasha's eyes did not lose their focus even as she acknowledged his presence. It seemed she was working on a camera of some sort.
"That's right. Perfecting them and the process for sale has been making us good money, I'll have you know."
"But won't introducing technology be dangerous?"
"Perhaps if I introduced anything dangerous, yes. But clocks, notebooks, pens and camera's won't cause too much harm."
"Are you going to make a printing press too?" Avalon moved from his spot at the door, observing over his mother's shoulder as she affixed the final repairs for her film camera.
"In time, yes." Placing the camera down, she finally took her eyes off her work. "Now, what is it you wanted to talk about?"
Looking up at the skeletal contraption on the lab's ceiling, an idea sparked in Avalon's mind.
"Say, professor Colbert is a fire mage right?"
"He is, and?" Sasha raised her brow in curiosity, following Avalon's gaze. "Hmm… I suppose that could be another thing," she answered, figuring out Avalon's thoughts immediately.
"Making just the one should be ok. And a light show! Oh, this is gonna be great!"
Grinning from ear to ear, Avalon excitedly exained to his mother what was happening, and they got to work.
- Change my Destiny -
The roar of the crowd surrounded the courtyard as Louise stood in line, waiting. Everyone was there, from the first year student body to the secretaries, and in all her glory, Princess Henrietta occupied the far back of the man-made stadium.
The day of the Evaluation Fair had arrived.
Nervously, Louise looked around for the sight of her familiar. Unfortunately for her, he was nowhere in sight. He had gone off early in the morning with his mother as usual, but he made sure to let her know that he was preparing for the fair and that all she had to do was introduce him. He would start his "secret performance" then. She didn't like it one bit. She was his master, she should be allowed to know what he's planning!
But of course, that was just the nervousness talking. Sasha had assured her that they had prepared something spectacular, but she couldn't help herself. Katie was in the crowd, Kirche and Tabitha were ahead in line, so all she had to keep her busy were her thoughts.
She turned towards the front of the line, observing the scene to distract herself. She couldn't see all the performances given how short she was, but she could hear the cheering and the noises. The dancing of what sounded like a bear, and the singing of a wolf were what she was able to make out. As she got closer she saw Kirche coaxing her Salamander into breathing out an astonishing display of exotic flames that danced and fairly flitted throughout the stage. Montmorency played a fanciful tune with her violin and dancing frog. Tabitha and her soaring wind dragon, Sylphid flew across the sky; the flying maneuvers they pulled off were the kinds that she had always imagined in her books. Guiche and his mole familiar lay on a bed of sparkling roses – how typical of them.
"Next, we have Miss Louise la Blanc De La Vallière!" the announcer spoke. As he did, everyone went quiet. Louise paid no attention to it though, drawing her focus as she made our way on stage. She could hear the audience murmuring in interest, speculating on what the performance would be.
As she reached the centre, Louise was suddenly hyper aware of all the eyes boring into her. Her throat felt dry all of a sudden, and her vision blurred, but it was washed away by the sudden sense of her familiar's presence, who resided far above them on the rooftops.What the heck is that idiot doing all the way up there?! She had no idea what he could possibly be doing, but she had no choice but to place her faith in his hands.
"My name is Louise la Blanc De La Vallière," she announced, patting herself on the back mentally for not stuttering. "And my familiar is a human mage, by the name of Avalon Faalos!"
Gesturing up to the rooftops, the crowd followed her gaze as she looked up at the now standing figure, a white cape and hood she had not recognized billowing in the wind. He stood on one foot atop the highest spire, balanced as a cat on his left foot, with his right foot slightly bent at the knee and held up above his ankle. In his hands was his signature spear, resting in a firm jousting grip. Many of the commoners began murmuring wondering what he would do, when suddenly a thunderous explosion occurred behind him, smoke filling the air and his clothes thrashing but Avalon himself did not move. The onlookers jumped in fright as a streak of grey smoke shrieked up into the sky, followed by a moment of silence.
Then from above a cacophony of colors bloomed over them in the sunny sky, followed by the sounds of crackling sparks. Red, blue, green, gold, and other colors dazzled their view as glittering stars fell like lanterns in the sky. Cheers, laughter and applause followed as children began reaching up from their parents' shoulders to grab the lights.
"He made fireworks?!" Louise gasped in awe and wonder. Those were a luxury only the richest of nobles could afford, not only because they were expensive and difficult to make, but dangerous as well, with many alchemists dying and losing limbs to try and perfect their technique. Peasants and commoners have never to her knowledge witnessed such a glamorous event, the pyrokinetics often reserved for royal weddings or very special occasions. Even Louise herself had never seen one till now. She couldn't help but smile wide.
Meanwhile, up on the rooftop Avalon looked below, basking in the cheers and happiness. Removing himself from his perch and dismissing his staff, Avalon took several steps back to the machine designed and made by the professor and his mother, placing himself underneath the wings of the triangular structure.
With a whoop and rush of adrenaline, Avalon leapt off the platform he was on. He could see the looks of fear on the faces of the men and women below, but he ignored it. Instead Avalon focused on getting his timing just right, making sure he was about 500 or so feet above - and then pulled upward, showing off the hand glider to the world. The crowd cheered and applauded as Avalon flew above them, many of the nobles aghast that he was flying without wind magic.
Circling above them, Avalon soared over to the western side of the staging area, opposite of where Louise was. Using his momentum, Avalon backflipped himself down out and under his glider, superhero landing on one knee with his arms posed dramatically in front of the smiling, but still stunned strawberry blonde. The glider soared above them, landing behind and away from the stage and seatings to where his mother was waiting.
He looked up at her with a sly grin, saying, "See? I told you it was no big deal," he laughed.
"Well…I guess it was okay," Louise conceded in an offhand manner; her smile was gone now and she was back to the same old high-and-mighty-Noble Louise that she always was. It looked like her temporary lax in composure was gone. She closed her eyes. "Only to be expected from my familiar, of course."
Avalon could practically feel the smugness coming off of her. Ah, yes. Louise the Noble was back. She offered her hand, and Avalon took it, kissing the back of her knuckles. The crowd cheered at the obvious sign of fealty.
As the master and familiar walked backstage, Kirche and Tabitha came walking up to Avalon with flabbergasted looks – well, Kirche looked flabbergasted. Tabitha looked mildly surprised – which is still saying something.
"Wow, darling, that was fantastic!" Kirche said as she clamped herself onto Avalon's arm like an octopus. He really didn't mind but Louise sure did. Her eyes narrowed again in a death glare directed at Kirche. "Agreed," Tabitha followed up, looking at the direction of the hand glider with fascination. "Show me how it works," she said after, staring at Avalon as if he were some animal she had read about but never really thought existed. It sort of felt more degrading than nice. Louise made an impatient noise over the sound of the bickering between Avalon and Kirche's crooning. They both stopped their talking to look at her.
"I know you all were very impressed with our performance today," Louise started in a lofty tone. Avalon rolled his eyes a little, seeing as he had done all the work, but Louise didn't notice and continued, "But we have some business to attend to now. We'll see you later."
-Change my Destiny-
The time had come to fulfill her end of the bargain to Raziel.
Matilda moved swiftly through the walls of the school until she stood directly in front of the treasury vault. She stopped for a moment to catch her breath, thanking her luck; she encountered no one on her way, meaning that everyone was distracted with the performances. Walking towards the large double doors, the thief placed her left hand on it, her wand held firmly in her right hand. She whispered her incantation, feeding her magic into the doors once more.
The months of preparation had paid off. The doors opened, and she was one step closer to seeing her family again. She entered the square treasure room, where a cold breeze chilled her body. Her eyes wandered across her surroundings. It was a large square, the treasure boxes and cabinets arranged neatly on her left and right. What caught her attention was the rooms' sanctuary like design. The ceiling reached high into the air, a chandelier illuminating the entire room. A red carpet was rolled across the floor, leading several feet ahead towards a small set of stairs. Upon the top of the stairs was a shrine, a statue of Brimir glowing faintly in the lantern light. Behind the statues was a stained glass window that lit the room in other colors.
And placed horizontally at the base of the statues, lay the staff of destruction. The prize that Raziel sought.
It was an exquisite, yet simple piece to behold. The staff was golden, expanding an even six feet in length. The butt of the staff was a stake in design, looking sharp even after thousands of years. Inscriptions were written into the rod of the staff, the style far too old for her to fully understand. The head of the staff was a slot, and within it, a diamond shaped onyx, its deep black almost sucking her into its void. Matilda shook her head.
Now was not the time to be standing around.
Walking cautiously towards the staff, Matilda ignored the surrounding treasures, her prize becoming all that she could think about.
The fabled staff of destruction.
The staff crafted by the Goddess for Brimir, used to lead the people during their exile from the holy land.
The staff that enhanced a user's magic beyond their wildest dreams.
Her heartbeat began to quicken as she slowly approached, the staff seemingly calling out for her. Voices began whispering inside her head, urging her to pick it up, to use it and fulfill her dreams. The voices promised that the staff would fulfill her every desire. A twisted sense of pleasure surged within Matilda as she stood in front of the staff, the voices inside her mind all that she could hear. They were louder now, asking her why she was hesitating. It was so hot. Matilda began to sweat, her gaze becoming a blurry vision of colours. Her knees shook with weakness, nearly giving out as Matilda reached for the staff, placing her hand on it.
A blackened shadow surged forward from the depths of the onyx into her body, and a piercing pain shot through her mind as something invaded her consciousness, Matilda shrieking as it did so. Memories that she had held onto for so long surged through her, her core desires rising to the surface like a volcanic eruption. Her body twisted and convulsed in pain, her knees bent over but her feet remained planted firmly on the ground as if held down by chains. The voices were screaming now in joyous triumph. She tried to let go, but her body refused to obey her, the foreign invader taking over her very thoughts, her very soul. She fought desperately against it, the darkness settling in as tears began to streak down her face.
-Change my Destiny-
In Albion, Raziel lifted up his head, sensing the danger Matilda was in. His eyes narrowed.
"This wasn't supposed to happen… what changed?"
A shadow appeared behind him, and the myoznitnirn stepped out.
"What the hell is going on Raziel?! You hadn't said the staff was cursed!"
Raziel remained silent, frustrating the young girl to no end. She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"Do not engage. Observe and gather data on this curse, and once the Gandalfr has taken care of things, take the staff without revealing yourself. This… was an unexpected development."
Amy grit her teeth, but accepted his command.
Back at the academy, Louise grabbed Avalon's hand and pulled him along, ignoring all the congratulations that she received from her fellow peers. Before long, they arrived at a secluded area, right behind the main tower of the school, the pair staggered as they felt all their senses suddenly overwhelmed by an explosion of magical energy. Within, Louise felt the power pass through her, and though she was in pain, the power felt strangely familiar. Within Avalon, Kavaid was roaring, beastial, almost out of control, almost rendering Avalon unconscious.
Sasha felt her heart stop. His power surged, and it took all of Sasha's strength to resist the dread and fear. She bolted towards the source.
As the earth beneath the master and familiar attempted to regain their balance, the pair wearily lifted their gazes up and gaped in shock as we saw what had made the world quake so.
A giant lump of earth formed. It rose up five stories high, and formed into what looked like a rock golem. Looking up, Avalon made out a hooded figure standing on top its deformed head, a strange looking staff glowing with a bright black light in their hand.
Without warning, the giant golem balled its digits and thrust it at the pair.
