Chapter 4
Magnus had spent his last two days in Jakarta making sure that he had everything that he would need for his arrival in New York. He had spent time with his parents and with Ragnor, he was unsure of when he would see any of them again. He was looking forward to his time in New York, but also knew that it would be an adjustment period for him. He had packed up his room and sent most of his belongings ahead to New York. The last few things he needed to prepare were his weapons and those he would take with him in a few hours. Ragnor would be leaving before him, not by much, but still it was before him. Magnus had held out hope that they would be able to travel to London together and then he would go to New York from there, but it was not to be.
Since the two had never been to either London or New York their mentors would be travelling to Jakarta with the High Warlock of Brooklyn, Catarina Loss and then leaving from there. Magnus understood the basics of travelling through a portal although he had only been to Idris and Jakarta, so he knew that you couldn't portal to a place that you hadn't been to before. This was the reason why their mentors were being brought to Jakarta. Catarina had been to Jakarta many years ago and had been willing to come and help the two shadowhunters travel to their new locations.
Magnus went over his list one last time and knew that he wasn't forgetting anything. He was nervous for what the future held, but he was also excited. He wanted to travel and see new places and he wanted to be able to learn from those that he came in contact with. He was a very curious person and had a thirst for knowledge. This thirst for knowledge played a large part in his interests in the downworld. Their world was so different from his own, yet he had been trained and taught to protect them and mundanes from a very early age. He learned from a very early age that not everyone could protect themselves and he was to be there to help those that couldn't protect themselves. He was proud of the part he played in everything and hoped to be able to play a bigger part.
He stood out in the courtyard with his parents and Ragnor waiting for Catarina, Lydia, and Isabell to arrive. He knew that they should be arriving soon if Isabelle's fire message was correct. It would have been earlier but there had been somethings that had come up that needed Lydia's attention before they could leave London. Magnus took a quick look at Ragnor and could feel his nerves through their bond. He was sure that Ragnor could feel his own nerves as well. The two were to be separated for at least six months and didn't know if after that they would be able to work together again. He already had Ragnor's contact information in London and knew that he could talk or message his parabatai as needed. He was grateful that he didn't have to cut off all contact with Ragnor.
"Are you ready for this friend?" Magnus asked coming to stand next to his friend.
"As ready as I can be. I never thought this day would actually come and now here it is," Ragnor stated looking around the courtyard.
"I understand. I remember when we became parabatai and spoke the words of the parabatai oath. I know we are not going to the same place, but you will always be with me. You are my brother and you will ways be with me no matter where we are. I hope you know that. I will always feel you no matter how far apart we are and if you need me please don't hesitate to ask me. I will be here for you always no matter what," Magnus explained reaching to take Ragnor in a hug.
"I will always be with you and you will always be with me. We are each a part of each other and that is never going to change. You are my brother and you will always be my brother. Take care of yourself and try not to get into trouble. We don't need you banned from any more places. I am here for you as well and no matter what time of day it is don't hesitate to let me know when you need me," Ragnor said returning his friend's hug.
The two were interrupted with the arrival of Catarina, Lydia, and Isabelle. They stepped out of the portal and looked around the courtyard, stopping when they spotted Magnus, his parents, and Ragnor. They knew they were in the right place. It had been a few years since Catarina had last been to Indonesia but it was much like she remembered it. She had come to know the Bane family quite well and had even spent some time in Jakarta when Magnus and Ragnor were younger. The two didn't remember her, but she remembered them and the trouble they could get themselves into.
"Asmodeus, Melati it has been too long since we last saw each other," Catarina exclaimed coming up to the two of them.
"Catarina it is good to see you as well. You will have to return sometime so we can catch up. You remember Magnus and Ragnor," Asmodeus asked greeting Catarina.
"Yes, I remember the two of them. Are they still the troublemakers they were when they were younger or did, they grow out of that?" inquired Catarina looking at the two boys.
"They are still the troublemakers they were when they were younger. I think that actually go worse the older they got. They have been banned from a few places here in the city," Melati responded moving to give her friend a hug.
"Well I guess some people never grow up and probably never will. Our time here is limited as Lydia and Isabelle both have some pressing things to return to. We will have to catch up later. Ragnor if you will," Catarina said turning to face the two boys.
Ragnor stepped forward to greet Catarina and noticed a young lady with blonde hair step forward as well. He imagined this was Lydia who he would be working with for the next few months. She was quick to take her place next to Catarina. She held out her hand to introduce herself to Ragnor and the two shook hands. Ragnor supposed they would have more time to talk later when they weren't in such a hurry.
"Right, if you will Lydia think of the institute in London and I will create the portal for you two. Magnus, you and Isabelle will be next so make sure you have everything you need and take the time to say a farewell to your parents," Catarina stated preparing to open the portal for Ragnor and Lydia to go through.
Magnus face his parents and knew that this would be the last time that he would get to see them for quite some time. He had so much he wanted to say, but knew that there wasn't time to say everything he wanted to.
"Mother, Father I don't know what to say. I will miss you and hope that all will be well with you here. I will do my best to continue you to make you proud of me. I couldn't have asked for better parents or teachers. You have taught me so much and I am grateful for that. I love you both and hope to speak to you soon," Magnus said walking over to his parents. He gave them both a hug and held on tightly. He knew this day would come, but he didn't realize it would be so hard when it came down to it. He was going to miss them and he was going to miss his home. He knew that he was needed in New York but that didn't make leaving any easier. He was going to miss his home and all that was familiar to him.
Magnus' parents gave him a hug and wished him luck. He knew that this was going to be hard and he was ready for it, but he didn't realize that leaving his parents and his home was going to this hard. He watched as Ragnor and Lydia walked through the portal to London, he was going to miss his best friend and parabatai. He hadn't been separated from Ragnor in years and this was going to be hard for him. He hoped that his friend would be well and that he would be as well. This was a growing experience for them both.
Catarina watched as Ragnor and Lydia walked through the portal and arrive safely in London. She then changed the destination of the open portal to the New York Institute. Catarina motioned for Magnus and Isabelle to step towards the portal. Magnus took one last look at his parents and followed Isabelle through the portal. He knew that Isabelle would lead him to where he needed to go, and he was ready for the next adventure in his life. Catarina followed the two through the portal after looking back at her old friends. The portal closed behind the three and Magnus knew that he was ready for the next step in his life.
He had spent the last two days working with Simon and going over the importance of learning the basics. Simon had caught on quickly and knew that he would be a quick study for what was he planned next. He watched as Simon practice blocking and throwing punches. The moves were starting to become fluid and more natural to Simon, he could tell that the boy had been practicing outside of their training sessions. He continued to watch Simon throw his punches and practicing the blocking moves as well.
"Simon you are doing a great job. It looks like you have been practicing what I went over with you the last few days," he said walking up to Simon.
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate all that you have taught me so far. I know you are only doing this in hopes of gaining your freedom, but I really do appreciate it. All my life I have been bullied because of who I am and the fact that I am a bit of a geek and maybe this will help me have more confidence in myself," Simon stated turning to face him.
"Well you have been a good student. I think we are ready to move on to the next step in the training process. Your posture has been good and that will serve you well in the next part. We are going to work on kicks. There are a few different kinds of kicks and these can be used with the blocks and punches that I have been showing you," he explained to Simon.
He instructed Simon to move to the center of the room away from where he had been practicing his punches. He took him through the movements and the different types of kicks that he could use against his opponent. He watched as Simon followed his movements and caught on quickly to what he was being taught. He knew that this was still going to take some time, but he hoped that in a few more days he would be able to move onto actual sparring with Simon. He knew that there was still more work to do but he would continue to work with Simon.
He was enjoying the time with the other boy and the fact that he was able to spend time with someone other than his guards. He had never spent much time with others that were his age, and this was something new for him. He would enjoy this time while he had it and the opportunity to train someone else to help themselves out. He hoped that maybe someday in the future he would be able to teach others the same things that he was teaching to Simon.