Chapter 11

The hallway was nearly empty. Of those who remained— a few robed individuals hastily walking in the same direction and a handful of guards standing vigilant at their posts—acted like they were in preparation for something. It was certainly odd and Thorn wondered if it had to do with the key she was carrying.

"Praise be to the Fallen! The lamb is here!" a voice suddenly exclaimed, startling Thorn enough for her to almost drop the key.

A robbed individual in a gold and crimson mask approached from seemingly nowhere (or perhaps Thorn was just caught up in her own thoughts to notice him). When he neared Thorn, the individual knelt down and bowed his head.

"Your gift shall raise the Fallen!" he praised, never looking up from the ground.

"Ummm…" Thorn muttered as she backed away from the cultist.

"Just ignore him and keep walking," Matella calmly said.

Shuddering, Thorn clung to the walls and stepped around the cultist all while keeping a watchful eye on him lest he try to grab her or something. But he remained in his position, repeating a prayer to the Fallen. Thorn sighed with relief when she finally got around him.

After a few moments, Dusk, Luna and Matella caught up with Thorn and Matella motioned for them to continue. As she made her way down the hall, Thorn noticed the guards bowing their heads when she neared.

"The Fallen shall rise again," they said as she passed them.

Thorn swallowed and her grip on the key was slipping due her sweaty palms. Maybe Luna was right, maybe I shouldn't go through with this.

"Turn left," Matella abruptly said, snapping the Wiccan from her thoughts.

Thorn stopped at an intersection and made the left. She saw two giant doors engraved with the eye symbol. Almost on cue, the doors slowly creaked open.

"Go on in," Matella said.

Upon entering the vast room, Thorn was immediately struck with the strong scent of burning incense. Yet she recognized the fragrance: thyme. She'd used thyme plenty of times in herbal remedies and some minor rituals; heck, she'd burn thyme just because she liked the aroma. The familiar scent was comforting and Thorn relaxed herself.

As the black-haired girl enjoyed the evocative incense, Matella took the lead and brought the Hex Girls down an aisle lined with rows of wooden pews. They walked in solemn silence and Thorn noticed that the walls and ceilings were covered in beautiful frescoes depicting mystical scenes: strange, eldritch beings— either dark gray or yellow-white in color— engaged in fierce combat across the vastness of space. Yet among the images, the three large frescoes on the ceiling were the most detailed.

The first fresco, located closest to the entrance, depicted a large human-like figure clad in black and gold armor with piercing gold and crimson eyes; two inky-black, wing-like appendages stretched outwards from its back, completing its appearance. The being was addressing a crowd of humans, their hands clasped in prayer and were tiny compared to the armored figure, and the figure appeared to be in great anguish. A second figure, this one a blue-gray shadow with a mass of writhing tendrils at its feet and back, was stabbing the first figure from behind.

That's…the Fallen and the…Broken? Thorn recalled the paintings from the museum and the notes about them.

As she and her friends continued down the aisle, the second fresco came into view. This one depicted the armored figure, the Fallen, being pulled into dark vortex. The Fallen appeared to being clutching the universe itself in a vain attempt to escape. Above the Fallen was a third figure was entirely clothed in a white robe that seemed to shine as rays of white light were surrounding it. The figure had three pairs of angel-like wings behind it, a mirror-like face and it appeared somewhat feminine. The figure had its arms outstretched and three glowing keys floated around it.

Uh…the Fallen's defeat? Thorn thought as she shook her head at the fresco. She had no idea who the angel-like figure was.

They continued on and the final fresco came into view. The image showed the Fallen rising from the dark vortex and the angel figure and the Broken were being cast into it. There were several cultists surrounding the Fallen in celebration for the Fallen was holding the Earth itself in its hands. Written around the image was a Latin phrase: Magnus ab integro saeclorum nascitur ordo.

"Stop here," Matella suddenly ordered.

Thorn blinked as she looked away from the frescoes, Matella's sudden remarks broke her from her thoughts. They had stopped in the center the room. There Thorn saw a woman clad in a white, hooded robe kneeling in front of a pedestal with a hollowed top that created an indentation large enough to comfortably hold the key. But Thorn's attention was elsewhere.

"What is that?" she asked as a glimmering white light circled the woman and the pedestal. The light gently glided on its course, leaving a trail of material that resembled snow glistening in moonlight that disappeared upon touching the ground.

"The purification is complete," the woman in white calmly said in one of the most innocent sounding voices Thorn had heard. The woman stood up and the orbiting light darted into her hands where it disappeared.

"Excellent work Moriah," Matella said with a smile.

The woman in white turned around and nodded to Matella before bringing her attention to Thorn.

"Witch, step forward with the key," Moriah softly said.

Thorn took a few steps forward. The robed woman approached and was soon standing only few inches from Thorn. Up close, Moriah looked young and Thorn wondered if she was even old enough to drink.

"So, do I put the key on the pedestal or something?" Thorn asked in an attempt to break the awkward silence.

"Pūrificō." Moriah tapped Thorn's forehead. Not the response she expected and neither was what happened next.

The white light suddenly appeared above Thorn. The light twirled around her in a downward spiral sprinkling the snowy material on her. The material was soft but quickly dissipated upon touching her. Thorn felt warm, like she was wrapped in a comfortable blanket. The light vanished when it reached the ground and the warmth left with it.

"Is that it?" Thorn asked.

Moriah nodded. "You may now place the key on the pedestal."

Thorn made her way over to the pedestal and placed the sphere in the appropriate spot with the opening facing up. She turned the key and it locked into position with a click.

"We're almost there Thorn," Matella excitedly said as she headed over to the pedestal, Dusk and Luna following close behind.

"My duty is done and I shall depart now," Moriah said to Matella. "The Fallen shall rise again."

"The Fallen shall rise again," Matella replied with a nod.

As Moriah turned to leave, she stopped and looked at Thorn.

"Blessed be thy soul, for it shall set the Fallen free." With that, the woman in white left the room.

"That was weird," Dusk remarked.

"No kidding," Thorn said in an attempt to hide how unnerved Moriah's departing comments made her feel.

"Okay Thorn, you're going to add the last ingredient now," Matella said.

"What do we need?" the Wiccan asked.

"Um…just a little bit of blood. Magical blood," the witch stated.

"Where are we getting that?" Thorn nervously asked.

"Umm… from well…" Matella stammered. She handed Thorn a small razor. "You."

Thorn swallowed. She glanced at the razor in her now trembling hand and then back to Matella and her friends.

But before she could do anything, Luna stepped forward. "That's it, we're done. Thorn we need leave."

"Oh relax, we only need a drop or two of blood," Matella quickly said to Luna as she stepped in front of the redhead, blocking Thorn's view of her. The witch then turned to Thorn. "Just prick your finger, let a little blood fall into the opening and you'll be on your way to getting your answers."

"Just…a drop?" Thorn asked.

Matella nodded.

Thorn looked back at the razor. Just a drop she thought and then I'd get my answers. She raised her hand over the key. Biting her lip, she slid the blade across the tip of her index finger and winced from the fleeting pain. Her finger bled and, after putting some pressure on the wound, a few droplets of blood fell into the opening on the key.

She heard the blood droplets hit the bottom of the hole and she gasped. The key glowed with a reddish light and the sphere rotated itself so the opening faced the far wall. But that was least of Thorn's worries.

"Ah," she weakly gasped and she dropped the razor. She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. Even growing up with harsh New England winters, Thorn had never felt this cold before.

"Thorn are you alright?" Dusk asked as she and Luna ran over to the Wiccan.

"N-No," Thorn said through chattering teeth. She would've fallen to her knees had her friends not caught her.

"This needs to stop now!" Luna demanded.

"Don't worry, the coldness will leave once she starts the spell," the witch replied. Matella handed Thorn the parchment. "Now read the last lines."

As Thorn glanced down at the parchment, Dusk and Luna recoiled away from her with looks of terror on their faces.

"W-what's h-happening?" she struggled to say.

"It's fine, non-mages just can't comprehend it," Matella said.

"B-but…" Thorn began.

"Just read it already!" the witch shouted.

Thorn looked at the lines and shook her head at the strange characters on the parchment.

"I c-can't r-read it," she said.

"Just focus on the text," Matella said, her tone becoming more annoyed. "And you'll be able to read it."

Thorn held the parchment closer to her face. She could barely hold it steady, but she managed keep her attention on the first "word" at the bottom of the parchment.

"B-bind." Her eyes widened as the text somehow made sense. She continued to recite the spell.

"...my s-soul to t-this key, t-the only u-user shall b-be me."

Her body stopped shivering and that unnatural chill was gone.

"Keep going," Matella said.

"Cosmic revelation is what I seek. Tear down illusions and let Him speak."

A beam of red light shot out from the sphere and hit the far hall. A wave-like ripple spread across the surface of the wall like a stone thrown into a lake. The wall bent and warped; cracks appeared and crimson light emitted from them. The cracks grew larger and the lights brightened, and eventually the stone wall gone. In its place was a barrier of transparent, crimson energy.

Yet, there was something else behind the barrier. A black crystal, only a little taller than a person, stood erect. Thorn couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching her from beyond the crimson veil.

"Oh praise the Fallen! We're so close! Keep going Thorn," Matella cheered.

"A final strike against the Light…" Thorn stopped. She sniffled and wiped a streak off blood from her nose. "Shatter the wall for the Fallen's delight…" Thorn went into a coughing fit and fell to her knees. Her lungs burnt and she felt exhausted. After a few moments, her coughing stopped. She wiped her mouth. More blood. She stood back up and looked at the parchment. Crimson flecks were splattered over it.

"I… don't want to do this anymore," she choked. The coughing resumed, though more violently than before.

"Oh no, no, no. You can't stop now," Matella said. She pointed at the red barrier. "Look, it's almost down. Just finish the last line and there will be no more pain. I promise you that."

Thorn looked at the barrier. It had grown dimmer and portions of it were flickering in and out of existence.

"Just, one more line," Thorn muttered.

"And then the Fallen will provide you with the answers no one else can give you," the witch added.

Thorn spat out some blood and readied herself. This was it. No more obstacles, no more 'I don't knows' no more tests, no more pain. Just answers. Despite the pain, she read the spell.

"With faltering breath and... fading mind…" the room started spinning around and her vision blurred. She could barely keep her balance. "My…final act, I have… resigned. Let the Cosmic reawake! I pray the Fallen, my soul to ta-"

"SALLY STOP!"

When she saw the parchment again and she felt that sense of dread— a sensation even Dusk had felt— Luna knew this wasn't going to end well. Seeing Thorn's physical condition as she recited the final part of the spell was the final straw. She didn't care about the witch's threats, she needed to stop Thorn. But that feeling was even more overwhelming than before and it took all her strength just to shout 'stop.'

"Sally you can't go through with it," Luna begged as she made her way to her friend.

"Yeah, you can't do this anymore," Dusk said. Luna was thankful that Dusk finally realized how bad the situation was.

Thorn just looked at them and trembled. Luna gasped at Thorn's appearance. She was far paler than normal and there was blood smeared around her mouth. Her emerald eyes were dullen and full of pain and fear. Her gaze seemed distant, aloof even, like she wasn't really looking at them. A single tear rolled down the Wiccan's cheek; Luna knew Thorn was near death.

"That spell is killing you Sally!" Luna shouted. She could feel her eyes tearing up.

"We're not going to let you kill yourself over this," Dusk proclaimed.

Thorn glanced between the parchment and her friends. Luna shook her head, ran up to Thorn and took the parchment from her. Luna fought the urge to throw up as she held the charmed parchment and tossed it aside.

"Come on, we're leav…" The unseen force was back around her neck. She glared at Matella.

"That's enough from you Kimberly," Matella said. "Sally, pick up the parchment and complete the spell."

A force pushed Luna to her knees. Fuck! The witch had her pinned.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing to her!?" Dusk yelled. Luna noticed Dusk reaching for the knife on her ankle.

"Jane stay out of this," Matella ordered. With a flick of her wrist, Dusk was thrown back several feet into the pews.

Luna looked to Thorn. "Help," she managed to weakly say. The force tightened, causing Luna to gasp for air.

"Stop hurting her," Thorn grunted, which started another coughing fit.

"This is her own fault Sally; I warned her about what would happen if a non-mage intervened with the spell," Matella calmly explained.

Luna gritted her teeth. Fucking liar. She looked to Thorn and ever-so-slightly shook her head no. Please don't believe her.

Thorn spat more blood onto the floor and shook her head.

"Let her go," Thorn said as she struggled to catch her breath.

"I assure you I'm not-"

"Let her go!"

Matella bit her lip and frowned. She glanced around the room for a moment before sighing. "Okay. Finish the spell first."

Thorn clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. "Stop hurting my friend."

"Finish the spell," Matella coldly repeated.

"No." Thorn muttered. "If that spell's so important, why don't you finish it yourself?"

"Hmph! I can't," Matella said. "You bound yourself to that key; you're the only one who can finish that spell. Besides, it's just better for everyone if you just did it."

"BULLSHIT!" Thorn shouted. "Luna's right. I'll die if finish that won't I?"

"Well…" the witch paused. "We always had the suspicion that a sacrifice was needed and getting the parchment confirmed it. I couldn't allow one of my brothers or sisters to sacrifice themselves because then they couldn't witness the glory of the Fallen. We needed an outsider to conduct it and when you showed up at the cemetery, I knew you were a gift from the Fallen."

Thorn shook her head. "So you used me!"

Matella smirked. "Can't say it wasn't hard; with a few truths and several well-placed lies, I told you what you wanted hear and then you did whatever I needed you to do." The witch made her way over to Luna, who was still incapacitated by her telekinesis. "Unfortunately, Kimberly had to throw a wrench into my plans."

Matella stood behind Luna yet her gaze never left Thorn. "But now that you know the truth, I'll make one last deal with you." Matella patted Luna's shoulder. "Your life for hers."

The world around her came to a standstill. Thorn had been manipulated into almost killing herself. Her understanding of the world was shattered for the second time and everything she learned in the past couple days came under question. But when Matella threatened to kill Luna, a line was crossed.

Thorn was only somewhat aware of the dark blue light radiating from her fist.

"Sally don't be stupid," Matella warned. She raised her hand and Luna cried as her head was violently turned so she wasn't looking at Thorn. Thorn could see the tears streaming down the redhead's face. "I have no qualms about snapping her neck."

Thorn grimaced. She could feel the magical energy coursing through her and accumulating in her hand. The light grew brighter and eventually engulfed her hand. She said nothing and spat out some blood, her focus never leaving the witch. But a sudden flicker of movement behind the witch caught Thorn's attention. She saw Dusk slowly approaching Matella with her knife drawn.

"Let Luna go or…I'll destroy the key," Thorn said raising her hand to the sphere. She checked on Dusk; she crept closer to the witch.

Matella laughed. "Ooh. Look at you Sally, trying to make demands of me." The witch calmed herself down. "Go ahead and do it. We can always make another."

Thorn went into another coughing fit, and her magic dimmed. Despite the pain, she managed to hold her stance. She looked past Matella; Dusk only needed few more moments.

"That spell's taken its toll on you; you're in no condition to keep this magical standoff going, let alone do anything to me," Matella said.

"Who said I was gonna do anything to you?" Thorn managed to say with a weak half-smile.

Matella's smug smile became an annoyed frown as she tried to turn around. But she was too late. Dusk tackled the witch and the two fell to the floor. Luna gasped as she was released from Matella's telekinetic grasp and Thorn ran over to her.

"Are you okay?" the Wiccan asked.

Luna nodded. "I think I'll be fine."

But a sudden scream turned their attention to the fight. Matella fired a blast of yellow energy, knocking the blonde off the witch. Matella quickly got to her feet and she clutched her now bloody shoulder.

"Congratulations Jane, you get to die first," Matella grunted as she prepared to finish Dusk off with another blast of magic.

"Dusk!" Thorn shouted. Without hesitation, Thorn hurled an orb of blue energy at Matella. The fireball-like projectile whizzed through the air, altering Matella to the incoming attack. Instead of killing Dusk, Matella generated a green force field. The orb collided with the barrier, resulting in a small explosion; Matella remained unharmed.

"How noble of you Sally, trying to save your friend," Matella mocked. The green barrier dissipated. "Too bad your efforts won't accomplish anything." She fired a bolt of green lighting-like energy from her hand.

Thorn had no chance to react to the bolt. All she saw was a flash of green before an incredible force knocked the wind out of her and she momentarily lost all feeling in her body. Physical sensation returned when she slammed into the far wall easily sixty feet from the pedestal and fell to the floor.

"Thorn!" her friends shouted running over to her.

"That's enough from you two," Matella said while firing another green beam of energy at Dusk and Luna. The beam encased the two musicians in a green shell of mystic energy. The two pounded on their enclosure in a desperate bid to escape.

Thorn struggled to get up. Every muscle in her body ached and she was still trying to catch her breath, yet she managed to push through the pain and stood back up.

"I see you're tougher than you look," Matella said. "That's good. You can take more pain then."

Thorn gasped as a force pulled on her legs, causing her to fall back down. She felt a tug and screamed as she was dragged across the floor until she hit the pedestal.

"Time to get up," Matella said with a sinister smirk.

Thorn was suddenly lifted upright. She grabbed the pedestal to keep her balance.

"Now Sally…" Matella said.

"It's Thorn. You don't get to call me that," Thorn angrily cut the witch off.

"Whatever, finish the spell or your friends are dead," Matella said. The witch walked between Thorn and her friends and looked at the imprisoned girls. "Hmm. I'm thinking of turning them into roaches so I can crush them under my boot like the annoying vermin they are!"

"Don't you fucking dare," the Wiccan threatened.

Matella turned to Thorn and smiled. "Then finish the spell."

Thorn grunted as she picked up the parchment. Her coughing resumed as she glanced at the spell.

"No," Thorn said glaring at the witch. "I'm sick of this."

Her hands grew warm and began to redden.

"I'm sick of your lies and I'm sick of your manipulation," Thorn stated. Puffs of smoke drifted up from the parchment. "And I'm sick you hurting my friends!" The parchment ignited and flames consumed the document. The fire swirled around her hands before she launched a stream of flames at Matella.

But Thorn gasped in shock as Matella raised her hand. The fire was drawn to it and she caught the flames; Matella then snuffed out Thorn's flames.

"So this how you want do this, huh," Matella said.

Thorn's entire body ached and her breathing was heavy. She was bruised and could still taste blood in her mouth. She was exhausted and her vision hand't fully cleared. She had no fighting experience nor did she have the slightest idea of what she was going to do. Yet, Thorn kept her arms raised, the blue light of her magic giving her a slight blueish hue.

"I can do this," she muttered to herself. She glanced at her captured and terrified friends. For them.

She returned her gave to Matella and she kept her focus on the witch, ready for whatever was next.

There was a flash of light and Matella was suddenly holding her mask. She put it on and looked down at Thorn. "Then I'll happily oblige."