At Gus's House…
Gus looked at the talisman he received, remembering what has happened at the Looking Glass Ruins…
That just leaves the three children and Keeper of the Looking Glass Graveyard, Gull Mirage.
"Philip, it's nice to see you again!" The old man greeted, "Oh, and my student as well! You both should visit more!"
"I know, Master Mirage, I know. But work has been keeping us busy."
"Gull Mirage as the Illusion Coven Head before Lord Adrian?" Gus gasped in shock.
"The very same. I want to show you all something… a secret of the Looking Glass Ruins…"
Belos then approached a very special statue and showed an odd looking.
"Payment for the dead, whose seeing eyes of tears they bled. I ask your blessing to enter this realm, to see what truth lies within his helm. Show me the tower beneath our feet, to the hero who fell, we wish to greet."
The statue's eyes glowed and began to bleed a white substance, everyone took a step back as everything began to shake. The three kids were being led away by the Keeper and Adrian.
"Watch and marvel, not a lot of people get to take a gander at this, especially for those so young," Adrian informed the children as they were left to watch and be amazed by something truly amazing…
The Looking Glass Ruins soon acted like a giant mechanism as everything clicked and turned like gears until the floor opened up! Then out came a castle made of diamonds and statues of the holders of the Gladderstones! In fact, the building was made from a Gladderstone, a giant Gladderstone.
"Welcome, to the Castle of Illusions." Belos introduced, "Follow me."
Adrian and Gull led Matt, Gus, and Spade inside, taken into a world beyond their comprehension. It was glimmering and shining as relics of Illusion base magic were kept and portraits were hung.
"This Gladderstone fell from the stars beyond even the time of the Titans and was crafted into a castle while the stones were carved from it. This place is one of the most sacred lands in the Demon Realm and a treasure to the Boiling Isles. Every Illusionist here has earned their right to be honored and remembered her." Adrian introduced.
"Not only that, but the tower and my previous teacher were the reason we were able to win the war against the Blood Crusaders." The old man proudly announced, "She was the first Illusion Coven Head and Belos' most trusted lieutenant in the war."
Gus looked at the portraits and marveled at each one. So many esteemed Illusionists.
Baron Flark.
Georgina Foxtail.
Sprues.
Jackson Redfeild.
Mia Miasma the Magician, the First Illusion Coven Head.
Belos approached the boy with gentle energy.
"Would you like to see her tomb?"
The Tower of Miasma…
Gus and the others soon arrived at the top of the tower, where a dead Titan was encased by the crystal with only its bones left. The tomb had everything Mia left behind when she shed her mortal coil for the next life, including a tome, which was written by a faithful scribe to chronologize her adventures.
"Why don't you read the final passage of that book, Augustus?" Belos offered.
Gus approached as the book opened on its own to the final pages.
"As we lay to rest Mia Miasma the Magician for her years of dedication to the coven, I write this final chapter so no one can forget the dauntless courage of her and the Illusionists who served under her. The Boiling Isles will never forget the courage and unwavering spirit of this witch, who freed General Belos and his men from a terrible execution by the infamous Demona and the Blood Crusaders. With their tricks alone and manipulation, Belos and his men were able to escape."
"Ironically, the plan came from Mia's own mistake. She accidentally used the same magic on our enemies on the animals that raided our food and hurt some of our men. She turned a terrible mistake into a greater blessing. This will be a reminder to all to never fear mistakes, for mistakes are the greatest lessons of all."
Gus gasped as he looked at the men behind him.
"To be a great witch is not to be always successful, but learn from our mistakes and keep moving forward until we can transform them into something beautiful." Belos advised the boy, "I want you all to take these lessons to heart and reflect on your own mistakes, not to have wavered but to learn and expand. That is how you become a great witch."
Gus thinks about his words as he looked at the talisman, he, Matt, and Spade were given afterward. Adrian then regaled the boy on the mistakes of his own Coven Heads, Belos loving remarking on Adrian's own mistakes, earning a laugh in the group. If even the best of the best can keep going forward, then so can he.
He did use his own failures against those awful brats.
He then heard tapping on his window and saw the Illusion Coven Head waiting for him. He opened the window as he waved.
"Good to see you, Mr. Porter. Mind if I come in?"
"O-of course, Sir." Gus agreed as he let him in as the witch flew in with his staff.
"I was rather impressed with that little show you pulled over those brats, a true thespian in the arts. Very few lack what you have, and I am truly impressed." He informed the boy.
"Thank you, it means a lot hearing it from you."
"Which is why I want to offer you a deal, you give me an hour of your time and I can expand your views and make this wonderous craft even stronger. I will make you a pinnacle of Illusion Magic." Adrian offered the boy.
Gus took a moment to think about it but soon accepted it.