Adventures in Magic

Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First or any of the characters/locations affiliated with it. The original characters introduced in various chapters belong to me.

A/N: Ooh, here's where things start to take a turn. 😉 A few of you are on the right track. You're about to discover the dark side to Mahiya. :D Also, I told you all Brexley was near and dear to my heart. The first year I taught, I had a student who was hearing impaired and was only able to hear a bit via a cochlear implant. I knew enough sign language to communicate a bit with him, but otherwise he had an interpreter. He was a cool kid, from what I remember. Also, my mother worked for 30 years as a speech pathologist, and most of her kids had difficulties with language and were hearing impaired. She inspired this character in her own way. 😊

Warning: This chapter is short, but it gets really dark here, so just a heads up. As I've always told you guys, though, things aren't always exactly what they seem, so buckle up. It's going to be a wild ride from here to the end!


Chapter 17
Plot Twist

Summary: Unbeknownst to everyone else, someone in Mahiya is unsatisfied with how Master Elgraste is running the kingdom and plots to take it by force.


A swift little bell jingled from what appeared to be a homemade collar as a small, furry body scampered along the busy streets of Mahiya, undetected by everyone. The creature crept into a small hole at the bottom corner of the castle, quickly moving along through the darkened corridors. Green eyes sparkled in the blackness, vision undeterred by the dim areas.

Before long, the final destination was in sight: a dungeon that had been converted into some sort of makeshift lair, complete with shelves of books and potions, a case full of at least thirty varieties of wands, and a large cauldron in the center. A large slowly-revolving black bookcase stood next to the cauldron, the contents of which were rather disturbing. Books entitled How to Sabotage, Hurt Them First, Deposing the Commander, Dark Magic: The Basics and Beyond, and even one called Blending In: A Tale of Deception lined the shelves. Other things, such as voodoo dolls, poppy blossoms in a glass case, nightshade berries, and dangerous potions could be seen on either side of the bookcase.

"Meow."

Kitanya turned from her holographic image of Dexter's apartment as Tiya entered the lair, a smirk on the woman's face upon seeing the white cat. "Tiya, darling," she drawled, chuckling as the feline hopped onto a nearby table and sat down before her, purring as the woman scratched behind the cat's ears. "You did a wonderful job planting the Spy Gems around Mahiya. I can see and hear everything clearly." In fact, there were several holograms around the room depicting current scenes from throughout the kingdom, but her main focus was on one in particular. She turned back to the hologram and glared at the vision of the happy, laughing group before her. "Sickening, isn't it? Dexter gets all the praise from Master Elgraste these days—not his own protégé. I'll show him. I'll show them all!" She grabbed an empty vial and threw it at the image of Dexter's face, growling as the glass shattered upon hitting the stone wall.

"And then Master Elgraste believes hiding Mahiya is best." She scoffed. "Yes, let's hide a magical land rather than connecting with other lands and increasing our goods and support. Brilliant idea, old man." She walked around the cauldron, which was bubbling with a deep red brew. "And yet, he'll allow those pesky two from Enchancia in with no problem. The man has no sense of consistency. He's ruining Mahiya!" Frustrated, she spat into the brew, causing it to explode with ferocity, smoke beginning to fill the former dungeon.

Tiya yowled in fear, hissing at the sound and the sight.

"Never fear, Tiya. Mommy's got this under control." Kitanya sneered and held out a hand, a dark stream of magic erupting from her fingers and palm as she forced the brew back into the cauldron. "I always have. Ever since that rotten Dexter got selected as an Undercover Protector for the Mystic Isles, Master Elgraste has been more consumed with him than with me. Two can play that game, Dex." She chuckled darkly as an image of Brexley appeared in the red brew, her innocent face contorted into one of pain. "I'll just take what you care about the most, since you felt inclined to do the same to me. Steal our master away from me, will you? Sway him in your favor?" She scowled. "It's because of Dexter that Master Elgraste has lost sight of the potential of this kingdom. He's so focused on the fool's 'prodigy' status and connection with the Mystic Isles that he can't even see what's before his very eyes."

The cat meowed once, tilting her head to the side as her tail slowly swished back and forth against the table.

"Mark my words, Tiya. I will be avenged. I'll take this kingdom by force, and everyone will see how much power I truly possess—more than Dexter, more than Elgraste, more than any so-called 'ruler' who's come before me." She lifted her hands above her head to summon her powers, her sleeves shifting back and sliding down her arms. On the underside of her left arm, she bore a dark mark symbol that seemed to be teeming with its own malevolent energy.

Suddenly, the room became pitch black, and the only sign of light was the glowing red brew in the cauldron. A low chuckle rumbled from Kitanya as she began chanting.

With this brew as red as blood,

I'll conquer all who hold me back.

And if the light should flood the dark,

The ancient evil shall attack.

So, hear my cry, O Sacred Ones;

Instill in me a heart of stone!

Void of love and light I'll be,

As I beseech the Raven Throne.

Break me from humanity:

To the darkness, like Villacorta¹;

Rip any shred of doubt in me.

Open up the Malum Porta²!

The very fabric of nothingness opened at that moment, like a steel gate creaking on its hinges. Just beyond it was a blanket of red fire, and malicious beings draped in black rags stood with scythes clutched in their illusorily bony hands.

Kitanya stood stonily still as one of the figures approached her from the darkness, magically scooping the red brew from the cauldron into a see-through pendant shaped like a heart with a dagger through it, which then fastened around the woman's neck.

"I take it you have made your sanguine sacrifice as part of the brew?" the dark voice inquired, scythe firmly clutched.

"I have," she replied smoothly. She held up her palm, revealing a relatively fresh cut that seemed to be healing.

"Excellent." Sharp yellow teeth formed into an intimidating grin beneath the creature's cloak. "With this pendant, you'll be unstoppable. You are The Darkness now. Go forth, my wicked one, and create mayhem in Mahiya." With that, the creature vanished.

Kitanya smirked as her honey eyes began glowing red, her hand clutched around the pendant as Tiya growled lowly. "With pleasure."

To be continued


Ending Note¹: Villacorta is a name that will be seen again later and will be elaborated on.

Ending Note²: "Malum Porta" means Evil Gate.