Meeting Athanasia
Daisy looked around the dark and gloomy room. While the panic still started to settle in, by now she was almost used to it. She did come to this place every night in her dreams – even if it was only for a few minutes at a time. And now that Nikos believed she was actually going to the veil, it came with an added dread.
She wasn't just dreaming about going beyond the veil. She was actually going there and she still feared that she wouldn't be able to come back. Even though part of her thought it irrational because she always woke up. Daisy still couldn't help the way her anxiety grew when she opened her eyes and was standing there surrounded by shadows and murmurs.
She took a deep breath in an attempt to slow her racing heart and focus. If she could stay calm on the pitch, by god, she could do it here. And she figured she only had a bit longer before she would wake up -or her mother or brother woke her up - and she would be pulled back out. She and Nikos had spent a couple days trying to get her back to beyond the veil, but she so far had only managed to fall asleep on the sofa in his library. The only time she managed to get there was at night.
"Hello?" she shouted, looking around. She hoped to hear the voice again.
"Here, my child," the voice answered. Daisy spun around, her eyes widening as she caught sight of a woman clad in an off-white dress with long, flowing sleeves. She cautiously took a step towards her.
"I found you," she said breathlessly. The woman smiled. She seemed ageless, her dark hair shiny and long, flowing across her shoulders and down her back.
"It seems that you have," the woman said softly. Daisy looked around, noticing that the shadows and murmuring had faded away.
"Why can't I seem to get here when I'm trying?" she asked, taking a step towards her.
"You are getting in your own way," the woman said cryptically. Daisy looked at her feet and then back up at the woman, frowning.
"I can't help but be afraid. Even now I'm afraid, but I'm still here," she said softly before looking around.
"Because at night, when you dream, that is when you are finally able to let go of your control. And I told you, my dear, there is no reason to fear this place," the woman said with a soft laugh. "You will find your way."
"But… who are you?" Daisy asked. The woman smiled.
"Come find me again, Daisy," she said, starting to fade.
"No, but… I must know who you are," Daisy said frantically.
"Come find me…"
Daisy gasped loudly as she shot up in bed. She leaned over and dropped her head in her hands as she closed her eyes. She could just make out the woman again. She wasn't sure who she was, but she was fairly sure she had a decent idea. She wished that she could figure out how to get back to the veil outside of her dreams, though the woman had given her a good hint. Only in her dreams did she give up control. It seemed like control was always going to get in her way. It did when she was first training and it seemed to be doing the same now. The old frustration was starting to rear its head again.
"Everything alright, Pix?" Jamie said from the doorway. Daisy looked up at him and smiled wearily.
"Yea, I'm fine… just another dream," she said. He nodded, though still looked concerned. "Honestly, Jamie. I'm used to it by now."
"I know, just… can't help but feel how terrified you are," he said softly. "Your heart starts racing and sometimes I think you're about to have a heart attack."
"I'll… it'll be okay," she said.
"You can always talk about it with me, you know," he said.
"I know. But… not right now," she said.
"Alright then. Get some rest," he said.
"I will."
Daisy took a deep breath as she followed Nikos through the village. For an old man, he was surprisingly quick. They were heading outside of the village towards a large house that sat alone on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The closer they got, the more nervous Daisy got. Today she was going to meet with the elders.
"I know it is a bit of a hike, but the elders don't often leave their home. They are getting a bit on in years, you see," he explained. Daisy nodded silently. "It's difficult for them to move around so much."
"How old are they?" she asked.
"Hard to keep track, but I believe their mid 300s," he said. Daisy's eyebrows shot up.
"We really do live a long time," she murmured. Nikos chuckled.
"I am in my 200s, young Daisy," he said, glancing over at her. "But yes, we do. Though I suppose it won't be too long before the elders start looking for their successors."
Daisy was silent as they continued up the hill towards the villa. Soon they were at the doorstep and walking in. Daisy looked around, taking it all in. Nikos led her through into a large, open library. One side had large windows and a balcony, all open allowing the sea breeze to flow in. Daisy stopped and looked at four people - two men and two women - sitting calmly on two sofas. They all looked to Nikos and Daisy. They looked old and wise, but Daisy could see a spark in their eyes.
"Nikos, so good to see you," one of the women said. She had silver hair that was up in braids on top of her head. Her soft brown eyes lit up as she held her hands out to him, smiling brightly. Nikos walked over and kissed her cheeks. The woman sitting next to her was calmly studying Daisy with bright blue eyes, her gray hair blowing slightly in the breeze.
"So this is her?" she said. Nikos nodded and looked over at Daisy.
"Come, please sit down, Daisy," he said, motioning towards a chair. Daisy took a deep breath and walked over, sitting down and looking around the room. "Let me introduce the elders - this is Calantha," he said, motioning towards the woman with braids, "and then Lena." The woman with blue eyes nodded. He then motioned to two men sitting on the other sofa. "Felix." A man with salt and pepper hair nodded slowly. "And lastly Timotheos." The last man with white hair nodded and smiled, his brown eyes twinkling.
"And you are the famous Daisy Wood," Timotheos said, grinning brightly.
"Dunno about famous, but yea, I'm Daisy," she said, unsure of how she should address them. She clasped her hands together in her lap.
"Do not be nervous," Lena said softly as she smiled. "There is no reason to be afraid of us. We are here to help you."
"Sorry… it's just… I've never met anyone as old as you," Daisy admitted. The four chuckled as Nikos sat in an armchair next to her.
"I suppose even for the wizarding world, we are unusual," Calantha said.
"Got that right," Daisy thought. Calantha laughed softly.
"You will get used to it in time," she said.
"Calantha has the gift of sight," Nikos said. "A gift from the god Apollo. She is descended from the great Pythia - the oracles of Delphi."
"You can see the future?" Daisy asked, eyes wide and leaning forward towards the woman. She laughed softly.
"Just images. Glimpses," she said calmly. "And sometimes what I see does not always come to pass. The future is always changing, young Daisy." Daisy nodded, frowning slightly. "But… I do believe that you will master this. I have seen you."
"Did you see how I do these things?" Daisy asked wryly.
"Like many things in life, we must work hard for them," Calantha said.
"But perhaps we can start by telling you more about Athanasia," Felix said. Daisy turned her bright eyes towards him.
"What do you know?" she asked.
"Athanasia started showing signs of her gift somewhere in her late teens or early 20s - our records are unfortunately so old that it is difficult to distinguish her exact age," he said.
"What happened?" Daisy asked.
"Her brother was injured in an accident while fishing. He was on death's doorstep when brought back to shore. Athanasia raced to his side and began crying over him. Suddenly, his wounds healed and he was in perfect health," Felix said.
"And then, she started having dreams about her family members who had already passed on," Timotheos continued. Daisy glanced over at Nikos. "Our records say that at first they were thought only to be strange dreams, but it wasn't until she had a vision of her great-great grandmother that it was determined she was actually going to the veil and speaking with them."
"She became a great resource for the elders by consulting with our ancestors," Calantha said.
"When did they find out she could bring back the dead?" Daisy asked.
"We are not sure," Lena said. "The details on how she started showing this part of her gift are not there, though we have searched. Alas, some of our records, as we said, they are so old… time has damaged them."
"But we do know that she used it sparingly, at least later on in her life," Felix said. Daisy looked over at him.
"Why?" she asked.
"Those who were touched by death were never the same," Lena said seriously, gazing at Daisy. The young woman felt the color leave her face.
"What's going to happen to Alan?" she whispered. Lena shrugged.
"This we do not know. Your brother was only there momentarily. Perhaps it was too short for death to keep any sort of grip on him. But what is recorded is that the longer the person stayed beyond the veil, the more changed they were," she said. Daisy looked down at her lap, her mind reeling with all the possibilities. Nikos studied her in concern.
"Perhaps we should discuss what it is young Daisy has done," he said after clearing his throat.
"There has been more?" Felix asked. Daisy looked up.
"You have been going there in your sleep, child," Calantha said, looking into Daisy's head. She nodded silently.
"I've tried while not asleep, but I can't seem to get there," she said.
"Because a fear still lingers… and you seem to be getting in your own way," Lena said. Daisy shook her head slightly, a bit thrown off by their constant invasion of her mind. None of her blocks seemed to work against the elders.
"Yes," she admitted. "I've dreamt that I couldn't get back. And… I see my family mourning me all over again."
"You must get passed this fear of death, Daisy," Lena said, her blue eyes piercing into Daisy's soul.
"But how can I when I've seen what it does," she whispered.
"You brought your brother back. You came back. Death has no grip on you – not when you choose to go to the veil," Calantha said, her brown eyes seeming to gloss over. Daisy whipped her head over to her.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Gifted by Hades. Touched by light. There are many great things you may do, but only when you conquer your fear and learn to let go," the woman said. Daisy stared at her in awe, sensing that Calantha must be having a vision of the future. Lena was still studying Daisy from next to her.
"It's always been a part of you, Daisy. Your whole life you had little fear for things that could have harmed you," she finally said. Daisy looked over at her.
"You mean with quidditch," the younger woman said. "I thought that was from my mum and dad." Lena smiled.
"Yes, I can see that. You come from a long line of those who are brave, but you… you are different," she said. "Perhaps sometimes a bit reckless, no?" Daisy blushed slightly.
"Dad would always get on to me about that," she said.
"But yet, you would still try. Still push," Lena replied. "Because it is part of your gift. Which is why your fear of the veil is holding you back."
"But… Dad always said that when you get cocky, that's when you get hurt," Daisy said.
"There is a difference between arrogance and fearlessness," Lena said. "You must be careful to distinguish between the two." Daisy nodded. Suddenly, Felix stood and walked over to a desk where he grabbed a large, impossibly old book. He then walked back and went to Daisy.
"While we do not have much information on her, we do have just one painting," he said, flipping through the ancient pages. He smiled when he came to the one he was looking for and gently placed the book on Daisy's lap. "Here."
Daisy's eyes widened as she looked at the painting of the woman with long, flowing dark hair and a white dress.
"It's her," she said. The four elders and Nikos looked at each other. "That's the woman in my dreams. I knew it had to be her." She looked up at them.
"Then it appears that Athanasia has already been reaching out to you," Calantha said. "You must seek her guidance." Daisy nodded as she looked back down at the painting.
"Yea, I suppose."
After lunch, Daisy found herself in the hammock on her balcony. Nikos could sense she was a bit overwhelmed after their meeting with the elders and suggested she go get some rest and clear her head. It was obvious with so much going on in her mind that she wasn't going to be able to focus.
So instead she was rocking back and forth, staring out over the sea. Her brow furrowed as she thought over everything she had learned. There could be side effects to bring someone back. This did not bode well if she were going to bring back Aunt Tonks and Uncle Remus. Or any of the others, as they had been gone for over two decades. She then thought of what the elders had said to her about her fear holding her back. And her inability to let go. She wished she could just push it aside. Approach the veil as she did with everything else in life. She had boldly walked in, not taking the time to think about it before. And now, she was hesitant.
Sighing heavily, Daisy leaned back in the hammock, feeling her eyes becoming heavier. She started blinking slowly until her eyes finally slid shut.
"You have returned," Athanasia said warmly. Daisy jumped slightly, finding herself in the veil. How was it she could show up there when she wasn't trying and yet couldn't when she did? She looked around, finding they were alone, though she could hear whispering. "They are curious about you."
"Is my family here?" she asked, looking around.
"They are… somewhere," Athanasia said. Daisy turned to look at her.
"You're Athanasia," she said simply. The woman smiled and nodded.
"I see you met with the elders today," she said.
"How did you know?" Daisy asked.
"I am always watching. There is not much one can do here, so we take to watching the living whenever we can," she said.
"Including my family?" she asked. Athanasia nodded.
"Do you wish to see them? You are free to roam wherever in this world," she said.
"Perhaps another time… I have so many questions," Daisy said. Athanasia motioned for her to follow. She walked over and a stone bench materialized. The two women sat.
"I am sure you do," she said, gazing at the young redhead. "This is a great gift. But not without its trials. It requires much bravery and strength."
"What will happen to my brother?" she asked, looking over at the translucent woman. Athanasia took a deep breath.
"While he was only here a short time, I do not think he will face many effects," Athanasia said. "But death lingers with those who have been beyond the veil. Even you will feel this after time." A pained expression came across her face.
"Is that why you wouldn't come as often as you got older?" Daisy asked.
"Yes... it can be draining. And... well... you will find that it can be weary on your soul," she replied. Daisy looked down at her hands, thousands of questions filling her head. She wasn't even sure to begin.
"Is it possible for me to get stuck here?" she asked, deciding to go with the biggest fear she had at the moment.
"You have the gift of Hades, so you shall be able to pass through. But, you can only bring back a soul that has a body to return to," she said. Daisy looked up at her, her eyes widening.
"So… I can't bring back Aunt Tonks and Uncle Remus or the others," she whispered, thinking of Teddy, Harry and the rest of her family. Athanasia smiled sadly.
"No, my dear. They have been here far too long," she said, reaching out to caressed Daisy's cheek. "Our gift only works for those that are newly dead. If the vessel that held their soul is no longer here, they cannot return."
"But… what if we found another body?" Daisy asked. Athanasia chuckled.
"The way your mind works is amazing," she said. "I do not know for I have not tried this. But, I do not think that it would work. A soul is very particular with which body it will inhabit." Daisy nodded. "But… you can communicate with them whenever you want. And… you can bring their spirits to the land of the living for a short time. But they will return here."
"Is it similar to ghosts?" Daisy asked. Athanasia nodded.
"Yes, but still a bit different," she said.
"How do you do it?" she asked. "How do you do all of this? How am I supposed to do all of this? I still can't get beyond the veil except when I'm asleep."
"Part of that you must discover for yourself, but there is a journal. It was mine that I kept from when I was a young girl until I died," she said. "You must find it. It will help you until you can learn how to reach me whenever you want." Daisy nodded.
"Do you know where it is?" she asked.
"I fear so much time has passed, but I should think that it could be in my old home," she said. "Nikos will help you find it."
"Daisy…"
Daisy looked around the room.
"Who is that?" she asked.
"I believe your mother is calling for you," Athanasia said. Daisy turned to look at her again. "Have faith and courage, young one. You will need it." Daisy nodded and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was sitting up in the hammock as her mother came up the stairs.
"There you are. Have a good afternoon with Nikos?" she asked. Daisy looked over at her, blinking.
"He sent me home after we met with the elders and had lunch with them. I guess I must have fallen asleep," she said. Iris stood in the doorway, looking concerned.
"Have you been asleep this whole time?" she asked.
"I guess so," Daisy said, starting to stand. She felt invigorated. She finally had some answers. And now that she knew that she couldn't get stuck in the veil unless something happened to her body, she felt the fear starting to fade a bit. She couldn't wait to meet Nikos the next morning and tell him what she found out. "Don't worry, Mum. It was actually rather helpful." Iris stepped into the room and sat on Daisy's bed.
"Did you go there?" she asked softly. Daisy nodded.
"I spoke with her - Athanasia," Daisy said. Iris' eyes widened.
"What did you find out?" she asked.
"Well, for starters I can't get stuck there," Daisy said, smiling slightly.
"That's a relief," Iris replied.
"But, I still don't know how to get there outside of my dreams. She told me to look for her journal. It would help. And well, she and Nikos and the elders seem to think I'm getting in my own way… again," Daisy said, frowning slightly.
"I suppose that only you can figure out why that is and how to get passed it. It was the same before," Iris said thoughtfully. Daisy nodded slowly as her frown deepened. Her thoughts had turned to the other news she had found out. "What is it, darling?" Daisy took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"I can't bring them back," she said softly. "Aunt Lily. Uncle James. The rest. It's been too long. She said I could only bring back those that have a body to return to." Iris took a deep breath and nodded, looking down at her feet.
"Well… that's a bit of a blow, but I was already suspecting as much," she said. But then she looked up at her daughter and smiled. "But… it's no matter." Iris pushed herself off the bed. "Care to help me with dinner?"
"Sure," Daisy replied as she started to follow her mother down to the kitchen. While they worked happily enough, Iris keeping up a steady stream of conversation about her and Jamie's training that day, Daisy could still sense a sadness under it all. She looked at her mother, seeing that she really had been secretly hoping Daisy would be able to bring them back. All of them.
She decided at that moment that she would hurry and find the journal so that she could master her gifts. And then she would bring the spirits of her family back so they could all see them again. And she would do it as often as she could.
And finally we are starting to learn some of Daisy's limitations. There are obviously a lot more things to figure out, but we're getting there. ^_^ I hope this chapters answers some of your questions.
As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!
