Chapter 7: The Wiccaning Interrupted
The Halliwell Manor was alive with the sound of laughter and the sweet aroma of baked treats as the family gathered for Peyton and Henry Jr.'s Wiccaning. It was a rare moment of celebration, one where the Charmed Ones set aside their duties to honor the traditions of their magical heritage.
In the attic, Piper, Phoebe, Paige, and Leo prepared the sacred space. Candlelight bathed the room in a warm glow, and the air shimmered with a sense of peace and reverence. Together, they summoned the spirits of Penelope (Grams) and Patricia (their mother) to bless the youngest members of the Halliwell family.
Grams and Patty materialized in a soft, radiant glow, their faces alight with love as they greeted their descendants. The ceremony began with sacred chants, their voices harmonizing in a melodic rhythm that filled the attic with ancient power. As Grams gently placed her ethereal hands over Peyton and Henry Jr., the room vibrated with a serene hum of pure magic.
After the Wiccaning, the family continued their celebration. Grams and Patty stayed, their gazes soft as they watched the next generation of Halliwells laughing and bonding. Yet, amidst the joy, Phoebe's empathetic senses tingled. She glanced at her mother and caught a flicker of sadness in her eyes.
"Mom," Phoebe said softly, stepping closer. "Don't be sad. We miss her too. We all wish she were here to celebrate with us."
The room fell quiet. Everyone knew who Phoebe meant—Prue. The weight of her absence was always felt during moments like this. Victor cleared his throat and excused himself, unable to mask his emotions. Piper broke the silence, her voice tinged with frustration.
"It's been years. Why don't the Elders allow her to visit us? Don't they know how much we miss her?"
Grams and Patty exchanged uneasy glances, a flicker of fear in their eyes that didn't go unnoticed by Phoebe.
"Grams? Mom? Is there something you're not telling us?" Phoebe pressed, her voice steady but laced with concern.
Patty hesitated, then sighed deeply. "Maybe it's time you knew the truth. Since you've fulfilled your destiny as the Charmed Ones, you deserve to know."
The sisters leaned in, their hearts pounding.
"The reason Prue hasn't visited," Patty continued, her voice trembling slightly, "is because… we don't know where she is. Since the day she died, we haven't seen her. She never crossed over."
"What?" Piper and Phoebe said in unison, their voices rising in disbelief.
Grams took over, her tone grave. "We've never told you because we didn't want to burden you while you were fighting so much evil. But the truth is, even the Elders don't know where Prue is. It's as if her soul is… lost. Possibly trapped in limbo."
A heavy silence fell over the room. The sisters stared at their mother and Grams, struggling to process the revelation.
Before anyone could speak, the peace was shattered.
A deafening roar echoed through the attic as a portal ripped open, spilling tendrils of dark energy into the room. From the swirling vortex stepped a towering demon, his glowing red eyes cutting through the dim candlelight. He carried a jagged staff and wore a twisted smile that sent chills through everyone present.
"Well, well," the demon sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "The Charmed Ones. And their precious children. What a delightful family reunion."
The sisters immediately stepped into a defensive stance, their instincts kicking in.
"Who are you?" Piper demanded, her hands ready to blast him.
The demon ignored her question, his eyes scanning the room. "I've been looking for someone… your eldest sister."
The sisters froze. Piper's jaw clenched as she snapped, "Prue is dead. You're wasting your time."
The demon's laugh was dark and chilling. "Oh no, she's very much alive. She escaped her captivity years ago with a man who has ability to see what is true form, but her power… her power remains untamed. It's out there, waiting for me to claim it."
The attic filled with tension as the Halliwells processed the demon's words. Could it be true? Was Prue alive somewhere—and in danger?
Daza's sinister grin widened as he advanced toward the Book of Shadows. "The source of your strength," he sneered. "Once it's gone, so are you."
"No!" Piper cried, hurling another explosion at him. The blast staggered him but did little more than singe his dark cloak.
Phoebe scrambled to her feet, her vision blurred from the earlier impact. "He's too strong! Paige, we need a plan!"
Paige raised her hands, calling for objects to orb toward Daza in rapid succession—vases, a chair, even a heavy bookshelf. But with each strike, he deflected them with ease.
"This is pathetic," Daza said, his staff glowing ominously. "You are no match for me."
Suddenly, he turned his attention to the Book of Shadows. With a cruel laugh, he pointed his staff, sending dark flames that engulfed the book.
"NO!" the sisters screamed, rushing toward it, but the flames were impenetrable. The book burned rapidly, the sacred pages turning to ash before their eyes.
Just as the last ember flickered out, an intense white light erupted from the book's remains, momentarily blinding everyone. The room filled with a radiant energy that swirled in the air before splitting into two streams of white orbs. These orbs surged into Patty and Grams, their ethereal forms solidifying into living, breathing bodies.
Patty and Grams collapsed to the floor, unconscious but alive.
"Mom? Grams?" Piper knelt beside them, shaking their shoulders. "Wake up!"
"They're alive," Phoebe whispered in awe, her eyes darting between her mother and grandmother. "But why aren't they waking up?"
"Later!" Paige yelled. "We've got bigger problems!"
Daza was already recovering from the shock, his eyes narrowing in fury. "You think this changes anything?" he roared, raising his staff.
Meanwhile, the children huddled together in a corner of the attic, fear etched on their faces. Wyatt, only five years old, clenched his tiny fists.
"I'll protect you," he whispered, his voice trembling but determined. He raised his small hands, summoning his power instinctively. A shimmering golden barrier appeared around his siblings and cousins, shielding them from harm.
"Wyatt!" Piper shouted, her heart sinking as she saw her eldest son step forward.
The young boy turned to his mother, his blue eyes filled with a mix of courage and fear. "Mommy, I'll keep them safe."
The protective orb shimmered brighter as Daza unleashed a wave of dark energy toward the children. The barrier absorbed the impact, holding firm.
"No!" Daza growled, his attention now divided. "You little brat!"
Piper seized the opportunity, blasting the demon again. "Stay away from my kids!" she screamed.
Paige orbed behind Daza, trying to grab his staff, but he sensed her presence and sent a pulse of energy that knocked her back.
Phoebe lunged at him, her empathy allowing her to channel his fury back at him. For a brief moment, Dazar staggered, clutching his head in confusion.
"You're strong," he snarled, "but you're nothing without your book!" He unleashed another dark wave, sending all three sisters crashing to the ground.
Wyatt's shield flickered as the strain began to overwhelm him. "I'm trying!" he whimpered, his small body trembling.
Piper crawled toward her son, her voice soft but firm. "Wyatt, you're so brave. Just hold on a little longer, sweetie."
As Daza advanced again, a faint glow began to radiate from Patty and Grams. Though unconscious, their bodies seemed to pulse with energy, and the air around them grew thick with magic.
The light became blinding, forcing Daza to retreat. "What is this?" he snarled, shielding his eyes.
With a frustrated roar, he opened a portal. "This isn't over!" he spat, disappearing into the dark vortex.
The attic fell silent, save for the soft crackle of fading energy. Wyatt collapsed to the ground, the protective barrier vanishing as he gasped for breath.
"Wyatt!" Piper rushed to him, scooping him into her arms. "Are you okay?"
"I… I saved them," he said weakly, tears welling in his eyes.
"You did, baby," Piper whispered, holding him close. "You did so good."
Phoebe and Paige staggered to their feet, their gazes falling on Patty and Grams.
"They're alive," Paige said, her voice shaky. "But why aren't they waking up?"
"We need answers," Phoebe replied, her tone grim as she looked at the remains of the Book of Shadows. "And fast."