Revelations
Somewhere in the Underworld, the mysterious woman was sitting in her throne, talking to a small demon; her face wasn't visible, but she had dark hair falling down her back, like snakes, and was wearing a long, red dress that ended in flames near her feet.
-How long will it take, Milady? –He asked anxiously, twisting his fingers.
-As long as necessary; the darkness is settling down in their minds, and it might take time to affect all the four of them. –She replied with a dark voice. –Now don't bother me again, I can't spend my energy on you. –She waved her hand and the demon was shimmered away.
She waved her hand again and a cloud of dust formed in front of her; it spiraled and formed and image; it was Paige, alone in her room.
…
Paige was standing in her bedroom when she heard a noise.
-Henry? –She asked.
-No, just me. –A known voice said. She turned around and saw Dean, the angel.
-Dean! –She shouted. –I thought I'd never see you again! –She smiled, heading for a hug.
-The Elders don't tend to keep their threats. –He said, smiling back. –The angels of destiny forgave me.
Paige was happy to see her old friend, but then noticed something was odd; his eyes had turned red. -Oh no.
She waved her hand and orbed him into a wall, making his neck bend in a strange position, but he got up and came towards her.
-What are you? –She asked running to the kitchen.
-I'm your worst nightmare. –He raised his hands.
-I don't need demons in my dreams, I already deal with too many in real life. –She said, grabbed a knife and threw at him.
When she heard the scream of pain, she was brought back to reality. Henry was sitting on the floor with a knife on his shoulder; blood staining his shirt.
-Oh my god! –She said, kneeling besides him.
Henry grabbed the knife and dropped it on the floor, quickly healing.
-What happened? –He asked. –You looked hypnotized or something like that, and then threw a knife at me.
-I, I don't know; first I thought I was awake, then, I thought I was asleep, and then I hit you. I thought you were a demon. –She said, quietly.
-What? That's crazy. Is this related to the nightmares you've been having? Have you hurt anyone else? –The questions overwhelmed Paige.
-I don't know. What if I'm going crazy? What if I attacked anyone?
-Hey. –Henry got up and looked Paige in her eyes. –There's nothing wrong with you, ok? Maybe a demon or evil witch or warlock did this to you.
-Or maybe a ghost. –She added remembering the TV show she had seen the other day. –I don't know, but I'll look for some spells and potions. Maybe I was cursed…
-Go check it out, I'll take care of the kids. –He said and she left in a hurry.
…
In the manor, Prue and Phoebe were together talking.
-Thanks for letting me work here. –Phoebe said closing her notebook. –Working at home with two kids and a husband calling you all the time doesn't work. –She and Prue laughed.
-I know how you feel; at least I can use my new job as an excuse to leave when I need some air. –Prue joked.
-I'm glad you got a job at another magazine. –Phoebe said.
-Yeah, me too. –Prue said. –Thanks… -She was quiet for a moment. –Phoebe, with all this confusion, and all the time I was away, I didn't get a chance to ask… how are you holding up? I mean, about Cole…
-Oh… -She Phoebe looked down. –Well, I don't know… after all the things he's done, I should be glad to be free again, but… but he was really on our side this time; I thought that maybe, in the future, we could just be good friends, you know? Without any danger, or attacks, or betrayals…
-I have to admit, he died a good man. –Prue said, holding her sister's hand.
-Yes, he did. I just visited his grave yesterday. I do it every now and then, you know… Well… anyway, where's Piper? –She changed the subject.
-She went to meet the mermaids again and maybe convince them to give Billie back. I was supposed to do a research on this different kind of mermaid, but even the Book of Shadows doesn't have much on them.
-Why didn't she call me? –Phoebe asked. –I could help.
-She said she didn't want to disappoint you more in case it didn't work, and that she wanted you to focus on your normal life for once. I shouldn't be telling you this... –Prue said smiling. –But I don't like secrets. –She looked strange, guilty maybe.
There was an awkward silence for a moment.
-How's Charlotte? –Phoebe said trying to start a conversation again.
-Oh, she's fine. She's with Andy, he got a day off today and wanted to go out with her.
-I see… -Phoebe said and then hesitated for a second. –Prue, is something wrong? You look… odd. You're barely talking to me.
-I'm fine. –Prue said, but right after closed her eyes and fell on the floor.
-Prue! –Phoebe shouted kneeling next to her.
Wind currents passed through the manor, slamming doors and windows; Phoebe looked around as she heard the sound of them locking.
-Who is there? -She shouted, but no one answered.
Suddenly, there was a red flash in the living room and Prue opened her eyes.
-What happened? -The older sister asked.
-You blacked out and I think someone locked us here. –Phoebe said helping her sister get up.
They walked through the front door and saw that it and all the windows were locked.
-Let's go to the attic, someone must be after the Book! –Phoebe said and they left.
When they got to the attic, they saw a man, in a black suit waiting for them; he had dark eyes and hair. He raised his hands and the sisters were tied up and sitting on the floor.
-What? How did he do this? –Phoebe asked surprised.
-Hello, dears. –He said in a cold tone.
-Who are you and what do you want? –Prue asked; she tried to use her powers, but the ropes seemed to have blocked them.
-You know what I want; I want the truth. –Was all he answered.
…
Piper was at the beach, with some candles and a piece of paper.
-I called and you didn't come, now you don't have a choice. –Piper said to no one and lit the candles with her powers.
She chanted the words in the paper and soon a blue light lit in the ocean; the light grew bigger and soon Camille, and the man that refused to give them Billie appeared.
-What happened? –They asked in shock, falling on the floor. They were wearing their amulets and gained legs as soon as they reached the floor.
-I came to get what I want. –Piper she said.
-We can't give you Billie. –The man said.
-Why not? Because you're an annoying douche?
-No. I stand by what I said before, this isn't a good environment for Billie's healing, but now there's something else. –He said.
-What? Tell me!
-It's none of your business. –He got up, to be taller than Piper as they argued.
-I swear that if you don't tell me, I'll blow you up, smelly fish!
-Aggressiveness won't give you what you want.
-Noah, just show her. –Camille interfered. –She has the right to know.
He sighed and then offered her his hand to Piper.
-You'll have to come with us.
He grabbed Piper's hand and she was covered by a blue light.
-What is that? –She asked.
-It will allow you to breath underwater. –Camille explained. –You need to see it with your own eyes.
-How many tricks do you have? –Piper asked surprised. –The last mermaid I met didn't have half of those powers.
-There's more than one kind of mermaid, some are stronger than the others; us, for example, we can control water, allow you to go underwater with us and we have very strong healing abilities. –The man said.
-Please believe when we tell you that we dedicate our lives to save and protect everyone. Just like you. –Camille added. –We're not the enemies.
-Just take me to Billie, and no tricks. –Piper said and they jumped into the sea.
…
Prue and Phoebe were still tied up on the floor.
-Just tell us what you want; what truth are you talking about? –Phoebe asked.
-Only the truth. I want the truth; your truth. –He answered.
-Mine or Phoebe's? –Prue asked.
-Both! –He shouted walking around the attic.
-Do you know what is he talking about? –Phoebe asked. –This kind of things just happens to us.
- I'll figure this out. He's not a demon.
-He looks like a warlock.
-That's strange, he doesn't seem to mind if we talk. We could plan to attack him and he wouldn't attack us.
-We need a plan to get out of these ropes. –Phoebe said and Prue agreed.
…
Later that day, Henry opened the apartment's door after leaving the kids at school; when he got in, he found Paige sitting on the floor with a bunch of papers and empty flasks around, and some scorch marks on the floor.
-Whoa, what the hell happened here? –He asked.
-Nothing! Nothing worked. –Paige exclaimed.
-How do you know? Maybe it will need some time…
-No, I can feel the weight in my chest, whatever that is. –She sounded lost and worried.
-I think I can take you to someone to help; when you become a whitelighter, you must learn a lot about magical creatures so you can help your magical charges, and I remember reading about a hoodoo priest. –He said. –He knows everything about curses and dark magic, but it can be dangerous, his kind is known for shifting allegiance very easily.
-I don't remember reading about him. –Paige said, frowning. –But I just can't take it anymore.
-You've got a lot in your head. Let's go.
She sighed and they orbed away. They went to a dark and smoky place, full of skulls and feathers hanging.
-Who comes to meet me? –A voice asked.
-Me. –Paige said. –I need your help. I think I'm cursed, or being haunted. –She felt weird, like she was doing something wrong, or dealing with the wrong people.
-I see. Are you willing to pay for my services?
-That depends on the price; I won't hurt anyone to pay you. –She said promptly.
-Oh, I wouldn't want that. –The hoarse voice said. –I'm thinking about an ingredient, something hard to find…
-Ok. –She answered. –I can get you that.
-Are you sure? –Henry whispered.
-I need to do this. –She looked nervous.
-Then I can help you. –A tall man said appearing. He had drawn symbols all over his face. He put his hands on Paige's head and his eyes shone.
-Hey! –Henry pulled Paige away from him. –What are you doing?
–What you have is no curse or ghost; you have darkness inside you, and it's taking control over your mind. –He said turning to Paige.
-What? How's that possible? –Henry asked.
-She was involved with demons, very strong ones, and now she shares their darkness.
-The contract with the Triad. –Henry said suddenly. –That's what did that to you. –Paige just nodded, anxious.
-Ho can we fix this? –She asked.
-You need to be cleansed, and for that I'll need some ingredients. –He gave Paige a small paper. –The item I want as form of payment is already there. Come to me when you have everything. –He disappeared in the shadows, leaving Paige and Henry alone.
…
Piper and the mermaids swam until they reached a small cave.
-That's where you live? –Piper asked.
-No, that's where Billie is right now. –The man said. –Before you go in, I must tell you that she has woken up.
Piper ignored him and rushed into the cave; there were balls of light all around the place, and Billie was sitting on what looked like a bed.
-Piper! –She exclaimed and rushed to the other witch. –I can't believe you're here.
-Yes, I came to get you, we can go home.
Billie frowned.
-I don't wanna go. –She said quietly.
-What? –Piper was shocked.
-I have something to tell you. The magic they used to heal me is very ancient and it has some side effects…
-What do you mean? Is something gonna happen to you? –Piper was worried.
-Yes, I just found out…
-Tell me!
-I'm becoming a mermaid. –Billie said quickly. –The spell is doing that to me.
-You can't be serious! How's that possible?
-It was the only way to save her. –The man explained.
-And she won't become a full mermaid, she'll be like a weaker version of us. –Camille added.
-But we can fix this! Heck, we brought you back to life, we've done the impossible hundreds of time; I'm sure we can find some sort of cure. –Piper insisted.
-No, please. –Billie said. –There are others like me here and they said they've been looking for this "cure" for hundreds of years. And I want to stay and learn about what I'm becoming, because even if you find a way to make me human again, I'll have to live for some time as a mermaid.
-What about those bracelets that can give you legs, or something like that?
-The only last for some time. –The man said. –I'm sorry, that's why I couldn't let her up there. I thought you would just leave her here, but you came back.
-This can't be happening. –Piper sounded disappointed.
-Piper, I know it's been hard, and they told me you thought I was dead, I'm sorry for all the trouble, but I've accepted it, and you'll have too, there's no other way. –Billie said. –Tell everyone I'm fine, but that I'm staying. –Billie said sadly.
-What about your friends?
-Don't tell them anything yet, please. –She looked sad.
-You must go, now. –The man said. –The protection around you is wearing off.
-I'll find a way. – Piper said. She followed Camille out of the cave and they left.
…
In the manor, the sisters were trying to figure out what the man wanted.
-For god's sake, I give up! –Phoebe said.
-No! –The demon shouted. –Just say the truth!
-About what? –Prue shouted back and then she realized. –Oh no…
-What? –Phoebe asked.
-This is all my fault! How could I be so stupid? I should have realized this earlier. I've been lying to you. –Prue admitted. –I just didn't think it was this important…
-About what?
-I didn't spend four months with Lottie at the hospital, I only spent two. That's why I said I didn't want you to visit us, so you wouldn't find out, I'm sorry. I used a spell to make everyone think that I was there, but it was lie.
-Why did you do that? –Phoebe asked. –Is Charlotte even sick?
-She is, but her condition is better than you think. I did that because I used those other two months to look for something, for a person, actually.
*Flashback*
Prue was doing a spell, calling for someone from the future, but it didn't work. She sighed and then found a paper with an address written on it.
Later, she was walking in an empty alley; she pushed a door of an old and decaying building and got inside. There was a blond woman waiting for her; the woman looked tired and almost as decaying as the building she was in.
-Are you the one who called me? –Prue asked.
-Yes. –The woman answered. –My name is Amantis, and I've heard you tried calling people from the future. You were looking at all the wrong places.
-Listen, I looked for angels, witches, demons and magical creatures, I've tried spells and potions, but nothing will allow me to go where I want, actually, when I want.
-The future you're looking for doesn't wanna be found, there are very strong people there keeping you from finding what you want. They must have put a block on you.
-How do you know what I want?
-Because I was one of them, and I know about The Source and Jake. –She said.
Prue was shocked.
-But, how?
-A few months ago, when he went back to the future, he contacted me and told everything, I'm one of the bosses who helped him. And now I want to help you.
-Then tell me about the future about my daughter and Phoebe's. –Prue asked.
-Ok, in the alternative timeline, The Source wouldn't have gotten so strong, and you would have been able to vanquish him, then, his vanquishing would have released a strong wave of energy that would have made Paith and Charlotte stronger, allowing your niece to vanquish almost every magical creature and needing to be stopped by your daughter. –She explained.
-Ok, but that's not what happened.
-No, the future is very flexible, and sometimes, things that can change very important events happen. The Source got the oracle's powers and saw the future, and then he changed it, by getting even stronger. Jake found a way to change it back; he got the binding spell, because if Phoebe used it to bring Billie back, she would be able to use the Demon's Lock and vanquish the Source.
-So he fixed the future, he saved us all! Why was he killed for that? What kind of monsters are you?! –Prue got really mad.
-Wait! What are you talking about? When he got back, he was murdered by someone who didn't want the past to have been changed; he was supposed to be rewarded for what he did…
-I, I don't get it, that woman, Nicole Weston told me he was killed for messing with the past.
Amantis looked at her shocked.
-Nicole reached out to you? Listen, Prue, she's an extremist, someone trying to destroy the government, don't believe in a word she tells you. She's probably the one blocking you from finding the truth in the future.
-Why should I believe you?
-You're a witch, use your instincts! What do they tell you?
They were interrupted by a loud noise.
-Someone is coming for me. –Amantis said. –Please, go away and be careful with who you trust. –Prue nodded. –Oh, and one more thing; the binding spell, it fixed destiny more that Jake wanted it to; it affected Paith, making her stronger.
-Wait, then the problem is all back again.
-But this time is different. There's something demonic in Paith, but now Charlotte isn't involved in her destiny and won't be able to stop her. The future can be changed, you just have to look for the right person. Now, go! –She shouted as they heard steps coming closer.
-What about you?
-I'll be fine. –She said and Prue threw a potion on the floor being transported away.
*Flashback*
-I was looking for this "right person", but I didn't find anyone. I even looked for the Angel of Destiny, but we need a power of 3 spell to conjure him.
-Why didn't you tell us? –Phoebe asked, still trying to understand the whole thing. The man just stared at them, seeming to feed from their truth.
-I wasn't supposed to know about this future, and with the Jake thing I figured I shouldn't tell you… And then I shut you all off and Piper got mad at me, and I'm sorry; it all sounds silly now, but I thought I was protecting the three of you, and Paith.
-It's not silly at all! And we're here for you, we're a team! –Phoebe said. –You can't protect us from everything, and you can't face things like that on your own. But I forgive you, and I'm sure Piper and Paige will do the same.
They looked at the demon, who was staring at them. He glowed red and then turned into Prue.
-What the hell? –Phoebe exclaimed.
-Who are you? –Prue asked.
-I'm you. –The clone answered. –I'm your mind, projected.
-What? So you're saying this was all me?
-Yes; I'm a projection of your guilt and fear, and now it's time for me to leave. You're growing stronger, Prue, be careful.
The room was filled with a red light and she disappeared; Prue blinked and then took a deep breath, as if she had been underwater.
The sisters stood there, in shock.
To be continued…