♁

|astronomy, astrology|

The Earth.

Stygian's Creed

i. A witch is a servant of

(♁) earth.

"One who channels energy from earth shall offer their body and soul at the close."

- -☆☆☆- -

The day Aude's been excited to come was ruined. His coming of age went by as if any other day. Everyone, who by the way are strangers to him, was eager to see their leader. In the eyes of the little witch, they almost revered Raziel like some god. But would it hurt to hide it while the teen enjoys his rite of passage?

'All this time, I thought Raziel was just a dark soul that couldn't find peace and was leeching off my power. He wasn't vocal about himself. Today was the only day that he talked about something personal. His name. That was all. But it seems to be the key as it unravels the secret that Kalhil was hiding.' Aude rolled his eyes as they follow Kahlil to who knows where.

'I could tell that you hold Raziel as a special person. No fair! I've been with him. . Heck, he's been with me from day one!' The 16 year old pouted as he follows the coven.

Kalhil led the coven to a maze like hallway that was lit by flying orbs.  As deeper they go, the wood parquet flooring transitioned into a soft red carpeting. 'Couldn't we just transport there?' Aude tried to manifest some energy but it seemed that a protection spell was cast in the hallways making it impossible. 'Protected huh?' Aude glanced around to see if anybody notice, but of course only Raziel chuckled as if to say 'silly child'. After what felt like an endless journey,  a tall black door with intricate carvings of shells greeted them. 

"So, this is where he kept me" Raziel whispered beside Aude.

Once the door was opened using Kalhil's essence, he led them into the small room with a coffin in the middle. But as each member goes inside, the room expands as if it is trying to accommodate the number of guests it has. Aude marveled at the sight of the room. It only showed how Kalhil treasures Raziel. The interior is embellished with gold accents and shades of black. The term Art Deco immediately popped into Aude's mind.

"So loyal but a fool" Raziel chuckled, but he seemed angry. But not at Kalhil. Not at anyone inside this room.

"Tell him to remove me from that coffin. Whisper to him that it is made by Levant with dead sea salt and if he wishes to revive me. Removing me from that prison would do, and plus your help of course."

'I did as what he told even though I have lots of questions. Who is Levant? So what if it is dead sea salt. Like how right? Yeah, I know this is not the time for questions. The intense atmosphere tells me so. That and the intimidating coffin that was placed in the middle. Along with ambiance that the torch lit room give off.'

Once again, Kalhil was on both knees as if trying to repent. If the leader is on his knees so are the followers. So everyone kneeled around the coffin with their heads down. Aude could feel power emitting from Kalhil as the coffin slowly opens, revealing a guy in his early 20's lying as if he was asleep.

Aude's heart pounded as if it was ready to jump out of his mouth. Even from afar one could tell he is beautiful. The teen tried to get as much view as he can to ogle at the true form of his friend. Raziel's body levitated causing his long silver locks to drape down his body as if waterfalls.

Aude could hear Raziel sigh beside him. "My dear Aude, could you even believe that I've been in that coffin for 500 years." His voice was low, seething with anger and a hint of loneliness. '500 years?? He is that OLD?'

If it was possible, Aude would hold his hand to somehow give him comfort, but all the teen could do is stare longingly at that well preserved body.

Still on their knees, the coffin was moved aside by some other witch while Kalhil still holds the body in air.

"You could trace who casts the spell even though they have mastered to do them without speaking. Am I correct?" Aude nodded, still in awe with the beautiful guy that was in midair. Natural light suddenly filled the room, allowing everyone to see better. It also revealed the other 9 coffins that were placed in an upright position against the walls, surrounding the one that was in the middle.

With it placed aside, green grass suddenly bloomed out of the polished black marble flooring. A patch of grass was suddenly in front along with daisies. It was a breathtaking sight. Especially once the body of Raziel was slowly placed down. As if his figure was framed by the greenery surrounding him.

"Alright. Tell him that in two years' time, you would be the key to my revival." Aude suddenly snapped out of his trance of admiration as he stare at the black shadow that was beside him.

"Two years?! No. I could help you now. Tell me what to do!" Kalhil raised his head as soon as he heard Aude yell. The stand-in leader raised his brow and was about to say something, but the teen did not care if he was being rude.

'I don't want him to suffer another two years in that state.' Without minding the whole coven, Aude tossed himself across the room, kneeling beside his body. The teen had to hold his breath as soon as he saw Raziel's sleeping form.

'Anyway! Me being fascinated by him is another story. Just one at a time Ciel.'

"Dear. You're still not ready, we have to hone your po-" "No Raziel. Trust me on this. Ever since my rite of passage I feel something coursing through my veins. I feel power. More power than I ever had."

'Surely you know of this. You're too overprotective.' Aude used their link to speak through his mind.

Aude heard him chuckle with amusement. "By all means. If you have a death wish pay me no heed. All you have to do is channel all that power, everything, to my body. But. It should only pass through me and back to you again. It's like giving me a 'shock'."

Aude nodded his head, seeming to understand why Raziel wants to wait a few years. Not only will it bring shock to his sleeping friend's body, but also his own.

'All I have to do is place both hands on Raziel's beautiful body, release my energy on one hand... pass through his body... then receive it through my other. Yep. Easy. Oh shit. Oh shit.'

Aude did his best to not show the panic attack his mind is having. He breathed in deeply trying to ease his mind.

"Okay." Aude did as he imagined. Placing both hands on Raziel's sturdy chest, everyone seems to hold their breath. Almost everyone. . . "Ciel? No. You can't control it." Deva, passed through the crowd with a worry expression, seeming to know what her son is trying to attempt. 

Everyone seems to know. But no one has the ability. Raziel's cocky voice played in Aude's mind. The teen tried to muster every praise he received from Raziel on how powerful he is and used it to boost his moral.

"No mom. I know I can" Aude closed his eyes, trying to concentrate all of his power into the left hand. 'Raziel seemed to cut off our connection. I could feel my whole energy. . . it was easy to release but receiving it all at once was the problem. Giving a 'shock' requires quick rhythm.' As soon as all of Aude's energy left his body, the teen bit his lip and inhaled deeply, trying to prepare himself for that shock.

The teen knows that his energy passed by Raziel's body as it twitches under his palm. Aude gasped for air as he was thrown away by his own energy. The teen hadn't prepared himself enough as he lose his balance receiving it all at once.

It's cold.

My heart feels heavy.

Dark.

Lonely.