Chapter Twelve: First Clue
Alessia was alone in the mess hall while slowly chewing on her fruits. She had her schedule sitting next to her on the table. It was a full schedule. There was only one break in her classes. Other than the weekends, she was going to be busy. She should have taken Izadora seriously when she said extra class. She did not in fact say more than one class. She had Off-Canon class next. She was very curious on how they would be doing the class. It was more like an introduction to the class to see who would benefit most from it before cutting students. In fact, all the classes were like that. She even had an Introduction to Necromancy class by Izadora. Wondering why she would need the class. Advanced Vocal class. Tactics class. She took a drink from her cup. It was strawberry lemonade this time instead of tea. Hearing footsteps as she looked up and smiled. It was her Coven leader who sat down across from her. She saw a black rose pin on the collar of her jacket but decided to ignore it.
"So, I see you have a very full schedule here. Anacostia told me that she wants to recruit you to the team." M spoke as Alessia raised a brow at her. "Hey, no need to be on alert. You're in War College now. You can trust me. Besides, I am finally training to be part of the team as well. Come. We are wanted in the General Alder's office." M spoke as Alessia nodded her head. She stood up and followed once she stuffed her schedule into her bag. It felt odd not having her sisters by her side all the time now. M was trying to make conversation as she was listening in.
"Say, you said finally?" Alessia asked as they left the mess hall while heading outside now. It was loud outside. Many students were chattering away.
"There is a test. I failed it a few times. I just recently passed. We can take the test only three times before they say enough." M spoke with a light chuckle. Alessia nodded her head to show she understood. They made it inside the main building where Alder's office was. She tried to put her hands behind her back only for her shoulder bag to make that impossible. M knocked on the door. Petra Bellweather had answered it.
"All here?" Petra asked. Alessia looked around. There was one other person there she did not know. The man was about her age. Anacostia, Izadora, Alder, Petra, and Clary were all there in the room already seated and ready. Alessia noticed only Izadora, Alder, and Anacostia were wearing the same pin that M was. It now caught her interest. She could feel her lover's eyes watching her as she sat down. Smiling at Izadora before seeing Alder stand up.
"I want to be the first to officially welcome you three to the team. You still have much to learn but we are starting soon as possible." Alder spoke as Alessia was listening in carefully.
"Reason being due to the recent Camarilla attacks not only on the Bellweather family alone but on the Solace family as well." Petra spoke as Alessia quickly looked at Abigail's mother and frowned at her. Feeling her shoulder rubbed by Izadora before sighing a little. She wanted to know if there was anything about her mother yet.
"As said, you will have extra classes to attend to. I expect the best out of you three and top of the class. No exceptions." Alder spoke. "Dismissed. Private Solace. A word." Alder added as Alessia nodded her head while everyone in the room left. It was just her, the General and her biddies.
"I wanted to ask. Do you have any plans for your future once you graduate from War College?" Alder asked as Alessia shook her head.
"To be honest, General, I didn't think I'd get into War College." Alessia responded.
"Understood. It has come to my attention that you have been helping other cadets with their vocals and they have improved much since." Alder spoke. Alessia nodded her head again at this. "Have you thought about becoming a teacher?" Alder then asked. Alessia was silent for a moment as she was in thought.
"I have not thought of that. I thought that once I graduated, I was to join the front lines?" Alessia asked.
"Yes, but the talent of teaching is rare when it comes to our powers. You have that talent. You are a Singer according to Izadora. You have a powerful voice. I want you to use that talent to teach others." Alder spoke.
"May I think about it?" Alessia asked.
"Of course. You may leave." Alder spoke. Alessia smiled and stood up. Giving Alder a bow before taking her leave and then stopped again.
"General?" Alessia asked as Alder looked at her from the folder.
"What is it?" Alder asked.
"I was wondering. Any news from my mother?" Alessia asked.
"I'm afraid not. I will keep you updated. Now, time for you to go." Alder spoke. She nodded her head and then took her leave from the office.
She was surprised to see Izadora was the only one there waiting.
"Hello there, beautiful." Alessia spoke lightly with a smile. This earned her a smile.
"I wanted to ask what the General wanted. Though, I do not want others listening in so, I would like to offer an invitation to my bed later." Izadora spoke in a whisper as her hands were behind her back. Alessia beamed at this and nodded her head quickly.
"I gladly accept!" Alessia added. They started walking out of the building. She was due in the Necro building for her next class. It seemed her Necro had her schedule memorized.
"I also wanted to talk to you about that explosion. That you saw when you left to pick up the rest of the Tribe." Izadora then spoke.
"What about it?" Alessia asked.
"Well as you can see, we are not getting anywhere on recreating the event." Izadora spoke with a sigh. Alessia frowned at this. She did not like seeing her favorite Necro stumped at testing and what not.
"Well to be fair. We did think they were dead when it happened." Alessia spoke. Then there was light in her lover's eyes.
"You just gave me an idea!" Izadora spoke as she grabbed both of Alessia's cheeks and kissed her deeply. Alessia couldn't help but smile at this. The change she saw in the older woman from being stumped to having an idea what a sight she hoped to see more. "Now only a matter of time to get them separated." Izadora added as they entered the Necro building and made their way down the hall.
"I wonder how Off Canon class is going to go." Alessia spoke. Hearing a soft chuckle. She looked over and saw Izadora smirking. "Now when you smile like that, I get worried." Alessia added.
"No need to be my love." Izadora spoke. Giving Alessia a quick kiss on her forehead. "Now. Get to class." The Necro teacher spoke as Alessia nodded her head. She took her leave and put her bag into her locker since she would not be needing it. She was the only one in the room right now except Izadora who was in the office. She took a seat and looked around. Rubbing her neck from the collar of her shirt. It was getting hot in the room. Seeing the others file into the room.
"Hey you're here!" Tally spoke as she sat next to Alessia.
"Yeah, I had somewhere I had to be and then just came here." She spoke as Tally was smiling while looking around. Then she heard a cane clicking on the stone floor. She looked up to see an older woman walking down the steps.
"I am Major Magda Verger, and this is your introduction to Off-Canon work." She began. Alessia noticed at the corner of her eyes that Izadora took a seat to the side of the room with a clipboard. It seemed she was keeping notes on the students and on how they will perform.
"This sort of work is forbidden to you, but our enemies will not hesitate to use it. Neither will I. Let me be clear: you will not be learning how to use Off-Canon but to recognize it and to resist it." Verger spoke as Alessia could feel herself starting to sweat.
"Ma'am can we turn down the radiator?" Abigail asked. Alessia did not know what made her do it but she stood up and walked over to the desk. Seeing a box opened. For some reason it was giving off a high pitch that was making her eyes quint. She closed the box. The sound was gone. The air then cooled off.
"What radiator?" Verger asked before looking at Alessia. "Good job Cadet." She spoke. Alessia nodded her head once and went back to her seat. Izadora was smiling proudly at her.
"There are sounds all around us at all times. Both above and below our hearing. The one Cadet Solace found was above." She spoke.
"But I heard it." Alessia spoke with a frown.
"Interesting." She spoke. Izadora nodded in agreement. She had a feeling now that her Necro was going to want to examine her.
"Now. All sorts of nastiness can be layered into these sounds. They can make you see things and do things. Terrible things. Here you must learn to recognize, resist, identify, and destroy their source. Alessia then sighed a small huff before seeing Tally raise her hand.
"Ma'am, has the army ever used this sort of work in combat?" Tally asked. Alessia looked at her friend with a worried look.
"No." Verger said.
"Tally, no." Alessia whispered. It seemed her Necro was paying attention to her and gave her a curious look. Alessia however looked away and sorted herself out.
"This is the domain of our enemies. The Spree, in particular." Verger spoke. Alessia then gasped. Grunting as her hand went to her neck. She couldn't produce any sound. It was as if her vocal was blocked. It was not a good feeling. Then there was a ringing that echoed across the room. She had blacked out.
"Wake up!" A voice echoed in her mind as she sat up quickly. Looking around as she grunted. Rubbing her head as she sighed a little. They were in a small looking room. There were clocks everywhere. She had a very uneasy feeling now.
"How did we get here?" Abigail asked as Alessia stood up and looked around again. Feeling someone connected with her. They were being watched. Tally walked over and opened the curtains to reveal a brick wall.
"It's an exercise!" Tally spoke. 'Of course!' Alessia thought. It was an Off Canon class after all. She looked around and started touching clocks.
"So we have to find a way out?" Gregorio's voice spoke.
"No, I don't think so." Tally replied. Then more clocks were ticking and alarms going off.
"How many clocks does one room need?" He asked. Their voices began to overlap as Alessia was getting over stimulated. Feeling her heartbeat going up as she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Music was playing now but it sounded off.
"What is going on?"
"Found it!" Abigail spoke as she smashed the clock.
"That's not it." Tally spoke. Alessia closed her eyes and began to focus. Sorting out the different sounds. "Stop!" Tally shouted as Alessia opened her eyes and looked around.
"Why aren't you doing anything?" Abigail asked while rounding on Tally and Alessia.
"We are." Alessia spoke. She could hear more sounds than anyone else could. A door opened. She was hesitant at first.
"This way." Tally spoke as she took the lead. She followed her fiery friend. It was another room. She frowned at this. Wondering what was going on.
"It's in here somewhere." Her friend spoke. Alessia walked around. Hearing the sounds was overwhelming now. She couldn't make out the differences. She frowned as Tally touched her shoulder.
"Screw this place." Gregorio spoke as there were now laughter from children. Then out of nowhere Alessia was tossed off her feet.
"Hey!" She spoke while seeing tall life sized dolls attacking them. She was now in a fist fight with a doll. A doll!
"Behind you!" Tally shouted. Alessia saw in time to see both Abigail and Raelle get taken.
"Can this be over now?!" Gregorio asked in a shout. Alessia touched Tally's shoulder and linked with her. Now seeing through her sight. The sound was giving off a loud pitch. She looked around and gasped. Tally walked up to the lantern and turned it off. The sound was gone. She sighed in relief while looking around. The wall was removed as Verger was standing there with a smile.
"Very good Craven. No one has ever beaten the Dollhouse on their first try before." The teacher spoke.
"I could see it. I could see the sound." Tally spoke.
"Really? Interesting." Verger spoke. "You?" She asked, looking at Alessia.
"I heard it. It was a high pitch-like sound." Alessia spoke.
"I see. Good job to the both of you." Verger spoke with a chuckle.
"It was the gas in here, but what was the source in the first room?" Gregorio then asked. Tally and Alessia looked at each other.
"There was no first room." Tally spoke with a gasp.
"We were here the whole time." Alessia added.
"Well done!" Verger spoke.
"Wait, where is Abigail and Raelle?" Tally asked. Alessia looked around as well. She had a feeling Izadora was up to something.
"Let's head to dinner. I am sure they will show up." Alessia spoke with a frown. Tally nodded her head. Watching her fiery friend take her leave quickly. Alessia grabbed her bag. She didn't follow Tally but instead entered another room. She could see from the window that Izadora was speaking to her friends. They looked pissed off. Abigail swung at Izadora. Alessia couldn't help but feel anger rise inside of her from the sight. Her friend was then held back. She missed hitting the Necro. Sighing in relief as Abigail and Raelle were marched out of the room on the other side. Izadora's eyes caught Alessia's. She blushed from embarrassment from getting caught. as Izadora walked over to her and out of the room.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snoop." Alessia spoke with a frown. She was worried that her lover was going to be upset with her.
"No worries my dear. I know you will find out sooner or later. I did recreate the event. I had to separate the two and make them think that I was killing them." Izadora spoke with a proud smile. "I got the idea from you actually." She spoke while taking Alessia's hand into her own.
"Izadora, you are a genius. You would figure it out by yourself sooner or later." Alessia spoke. This made Izadora smile lovingly at her.
"You believe I'm a genius?" She asked. The Necro teacher already knew the answer to this.
"Yes. You are. A brilliant scientist and the best Necro." Alessia spoke with a smile in return.
"You are too kind my dear." Izadora spoke. Pulling Alessia close into a tight hug.
"It's the truth. Don't let anyone tell you differently." She added.
"Honestly, I can not get over the fact that you are mine. I do not know what you see in me. Almost everyone avoids me. Including my students. Yet, here you are who is.." She spoke and frowned a little.
"Here I am. Someone who sees the good in you. Someone who is in love with you." Alessia replied. She then blushed at the confession she just realized she said.
"I couldn't ask the Mother for anyone better. I love you my dear." Izadora said softly. Gripping Alessia's chin firmly before kissing her lovingly again. "Now go to dinner. We shall speak more in depth later." Izadora spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Giving the woman she loves a hug before taking her leave.
She made her way out of the building in the woods. She looked around and saw it was now dark out. Seeing other soldiers heading into the mess hall for dinner as she did as well. She took a deep breath and made her way over to the hall. It seemed Abigail and Raelle had already beat her to the table.
"Hey, where were you?" Tally asked as she saw Alessia finally approach the table.
"Got held up. What's the case?" She asked while sitting down. It seemed Tally saved her a plate of food. She began to eat as Abigail began to explain.
"These people are so damn manipulative!" Raelle spoke as she tossed her fork down to the table. "They don't care what happens to us."
"That's part of being a soldier." Abigail spoke softly while picking at her food. Alessia looked at her and it seemed she looked as if she was crying.
"What they did to us has nothing to do with being a soldier! At this point, I only trust you three." Raelle replied.
"What did it feel like? When it went off?" Tally asked. They all looked at Raelle.
"This time it felt like I wanted to kill Izadora." Raelle replied. Alessia felt her heart tighten at this. She frowned and looked down to her plate. She would never want anything bad to happen to Izadora if she could help it. "It's not like anything I ever felt. Exciting, terrifying. Honestly I do not think any words do it justice." Raelle spoke. Alessia was in thought. The mother had chosen Raelle as a host. To carry her power. She wondered why this was. There was always a reason and she trusted the mother.
"What happens next?" Tally asked.
"More tests. Just what I was hoping to avoid." Raelle replied.
"I don't think she will do anything that would make you uncomfortable." Alessia spoke up.
"Why do you defend that crazy bitch?" Abigail asked while glaring at her. Alessia frowned again at this.
"I just think there is a reason behind all of this." Alessia avoided the question.
"I just want to go to bed." Raelle spoke. They nodded in agreement.
"Oh! Alessia, you should come! I promised Penelope that I would help her catch up." Tally spoke. Alessia nodded her head as she followed her fiery friend. They still had plenty of time before they would turn in for bed. She was definitely wanting to head to Izadora's office but she did promise her friend she would help out. She followed Tally back to the Memorial Hall where all the history of the base was. She was looking back at the wall with the Camarilla information. She frowned at this. She really wanted to know what happened to her mother.
"I never knew this was here." Tally spoke.
"Any more nightmares?" Alessia asked while looking at her friend. She nodded her head.
"Yes. This time we were in the rough room. It was much different. Like a long time ago. There was a cadet that stood out the most. She seemed determined to get Alder's attention. Her windstrike was impressive. Like yours." Tally spoke.
"Hmm. Did you happen to get the name of the cadet you saw?" Alessia asked. Tally shook her head.
"No. I am determined to find out though." Her friend added. "That wasn't all though. It seemed the memory had changed. It was another mission in Liberia. There was a small building full of witches. They were somehow killed or assassinated. I'm not sure what exactly happened. It was all very confusing." Tally spoke.
"Can you help me research? I know you already have a lot on your plate but I keep getting dead ends." Tally spoke. Alessia nodded her head.
"I'll do what I can. I cannot promise results but I will do what I can." Alessia spoke. This had earned her a hug.
"Am I late?" Penelope's voice came as they both turned with a smile.
"Just in time!" Tally spoke. Alessia was looking at the younger girl. She was already wearing the military uniform. It seemed she wanted to fit in. Knowing full well, she was going to. But it was time to help her catch up on their history.
"Okay, to truly understand the army, and our place in the world, you have to know our history." Tally spoke as she began to lead the way down the room. Looking through the glass cases of uniforms used by the biddies.
"And knowing is one of the four principles, right?" Penelope asked. Alessia smiled at the younger witch then at Tally.
"Oh, we are going to have you ready for Basic in no time." Tally spoke with excitement. Alessia was also excited as well.
"So where do we start?" Penelope asked with a curious tone in her voice.
"At the very beginning. With Sarah Alder herself." Tally replied as they entered a smaller room. There wasn't much to go on with what they got in that small room. Tally was looking at a picture she admired.
"Is she really three hundred years old?" Penelope asked. Alessia smiled and nodded her head at the question.
"Oh, she is. More than, in fact." Tally replied. Alder was over three hundred. And this woman had seen so much during that time.
"My dad says that's why he doesn't trust her. He thinks that someone who lives that long couldn't really care about regular people. Sorry." Penelope spoke. Both Tally and Alessia frowned at this. She wasn't wrong on that but Alessia knew deep down that Alder was still a human being like the rest of them. Or was she?
"It's okay. A lot of people feel that way about her. I didn't always trust her myself." Tally spoke as she took the lead again to another room. Alessia was following in silence. Wondering what was on her friend's mine. They stopped in a photo room. It had photos of Alder's team's over the past years when she went on missions. Tally was staring intensely at one particular picture.
"Tally, what is it?" Penelope asked as they were watching Tally.
"There's something wrong with this photo." Tally replied.
"What do you mean?" Alessia asked with a raised brow.
"Some sort of work has been used on it. Do you... do you see a person there?" Tally asked while pointing at a blank spot on the photo.
"No. There's no one there." Penelope replied. She looked worried at Tally.
"It's her. She's real. And someone's trying to hide her existence." Tally spoke before dashing out of the room. Alessia frowned.
"We shall resume tomorrow. Get some rest." Alessia spoke to Penelope who nodded her head. Alessia then dashed after her friend.
"Tally what are you?" Alessia asked as Tally was writing something down in a book she had gotten.
"Just taking notes on who I saw in that picture. So I won't forget what she looks like." Tally added. Alessia nodded.
"So, what you saw in the picture?" Alessia asked while she grabbed her sleep wear and a change of clothes. Putting it inside a bag. She was about to head over to the Necro building. She made sure she packed her brush and toothbrush as well. Making sure she didn't forget anything.
"It's the witch I saw in the dreams. Tell no one please." Tally spoke without looking up from the book.
"Of course." Alessia replied. Putting the bag over her shoulder and grabbed a book. Acting like she was going to go and study. "See you tomorrow." Alessia spoke.
"Yes. Sure." Tally spoke without looking up. It seemed Abigail and Raelle were somewhere else. Knowing Abigail, she was probably with Adil. She took one last look at Tally before leaving the room. She sighed lightly while heading back outside. She looked up to see the moon and smiled. Closing her eyes as she took a deep breath. Inhaling the cool crisp air now. It happened so suddenly.
"Watch out!" A voice shouted. Alessia didn't have a chance to react as she now found herself on the ground. Grunting while standing up and brushing herself off. Seeing an older witch who seemed to be an older officer.
"Sorry ma'am." Alessia spoke with a bow."
"It's my fault. You're Alessia right?" The woman asked as Alessia nodded her head. The woman handed her the bag back before taking off. Raising a brow at the officer before quickly moving to the Necro building. Tracing the sigil on the door before entering. It seemed the Necro classes had ended not long ago. Her first Necro class was tomorrow and in truth, she was actually excited. Wondering if she would learn other things than what her mother and grandmother had taught her. Hearing her boots against the stone floor as it echoed in the hall. She came upon the circular room and smiled. Seeing Izadora in the office. She walked over and knocked. Seeing the witch she loves look up and smile. That damn smile. Making her heart melt every time she saw it. It was one of the many things she really loved about this witch
"I just need to file these and I'll be done. Did you eat dinner?" Izadora asked as Alessia nodded her head while sitting down across from her lover.
"I did. Not much though." She spoke.
"That's alright. I can make some of my curry if you want?" She asked.
"Please!" Alessia replied.
"Go ahead and settle in." Izadora spoke as she used a sigil to unlock her door. Alessia went inside and sat down. Opening her bag and raising a brow. Pulling out what seemed a black rose and something attached to it. She opened the envelope and pulled the piece of paper out. It was a riddle.
"I am someone that everyone fears once in their life. While they fear me, they should fear the opposite of me. I bring peace and ease pain. What am I?" B.R.C.
Alessia read it over a few times and heard footsteps. It seemed to have caught her attention for a while. What was B.R.C? It made her very curious and she was determined to find out.
"What is that?" Izadora asked. Looking at the paper when handing Alessia a bowl.
"It's a riddle. It came with this." She replied holding up the rose and handed it to the Necro teacher who smiled and took it. Smelled it before putting it into a vase with other black roses. "Was this from you?" Alessia asked.
"What is the answer?" Izadora asked in a more demanding voice.
"Death. The answer is death." Alessia spoke as the paper burned. She looked back at it and saw words revealed.
"Bring your answer to Izadora." It said, Alessia looked at the older witch with a curious look. She was confused about what this meant.
"You figured out the first clue. I'm not surprised. I will give you the final clue. I rise in the east and set in the west. At this time, you shall meet me in a circle where many become one in a shrouded area." Izadora spoke. Alessia mentally took this note in her mind.
"So, meet you in the forest when the sun starts to set." Alessia spoke.
"That is correct. Honestly, only you and one other person already figured out the clues." Izadora spoke while she was eating her dinner. "Getting the time exact is the trickiest part. Knowing you, you shall have no issue in doing so." Her lover added as Alessia was now eating as well. Once finished, Izadora took the bowl from her and took her leave. She took this time to change into her sleep wear. A black tank top and black shorts. She had finished brushing her teeth as the older witch came back into the room. Alessia was brushing her hair before putting it back into her bag and climbed under the covers. It seemed Izadora had changed as well. Sitting on the bed next to her as Alessia scooted closer and leaned against the older woman. Feeling an arm wrapped around her protectively. She was smiling softly.
"You wanted to talk to me about something?" Alessia asked.
"Yes. What did Alder speak to you about?" Izadora asked.
"She asked me if I thought about my future. Truthfully I never gave it much thought because I never." Alessia began.
"Never thought you'd end up in War College?" Izadora finished her sentence. Alessia blushed at this. The witch who stole her heart could finish her sentences. She nodded her head lightly. "Well?" Izadora asked. Wanting to know more.
"She suggested I become a teacher." Alessia then spoke. Hearing a soft gasp. She looked into Izadora's dark brown eyes and saw happiness. "What?" She asked.
"I think you should do it. I have heard others talking on the base. That you teach vocal seeds really well." Izadora spoke. Alessia couldn't help but smile at this. She had helped a lot of her fellow cadets on their seeds. This was another thing that made Izadora happy. She wouldn't have to worry endlessly about Alessia going off onto missions that could end badly. She would be here on base with her soulmate without the fear of the other one dying. It painted her knowing that her sisters would still be going out to the frontlines. Then again. It was something Raelle always wanted. Abigail wanted blood and glory for her family. Tally wanted to always be a teacher for the younger kids. Witches and non witches alike. Alessia had never thought about becoming a teacher as well. She did take pride in helping her fellow witches get stronger. It gave her a sense of pride. Knowing that her teachings would make a difference. Even if it came to life and death.
"I think I will become a teacher. I wouldn't mind sharing my songs with others." Alessia spoke with a smile.
"Good. I am happy to hear that my little Amanita." Izadora spoke. Giving Alessia a loving kiss upon her lips. She couldn't help but melt into her touch. Feeling the older witch's arms hold her close.
"Amanita huh? A fungi nickname?" Alessia asked with a smile.
"Of course. It fits. The meaning of it." Izadora spoke. She didn't know the meaning but she would have to do some research. "I am also excited to see where your knowledge is on Necromancy." Izadora added.
"Probably already everything you know. Plus, I am sure I will be learning much more from you." Alessia added.
"Well, in that case. You better study closely!" Izadora spoke as she leaned in and kissed Alessia's mark. The feeling of her mark being touched by her lover made her moan softly. Hre face flushed and heated up a little. Feeling the Necro's long thin fingers tangle into her hair and force her head to the side gently. Exposing her neck.
"I thought you wanted to have conversations?" Alessia asked softly in a weak voice.
"Yes. But first. I have other thoughts in my mind." Izadora spoke before biting down roughly on Alessia's neck. The pure bliss she was feeling from the older witch, no words could do it justice. Allowing Izadora to take the lead as she once again submitted to the older witch.
–Notes–
Hey everyone! I am sorry about how long it took to post another chapter! It's been a mess in my life and I just recently moved. I promise I am still writing when I have a moment! I love this fanfiction and hope you enjoy it!
Amanita- (In this world (Fanfic) for witches only.) It is used to reduce pain, reduce skin problems. Relieves stress, depression symptoms and insomnia.