To Peck's eyes the book seemed enveloped in a purple aura. He read the title again:

Hell's Gate.

That reminded him of a conversation he had with Sen.

***

“My gift is one of the two exceptions I told you about: you are either born with the ability to use it or you are not. Its name is Heaven's Key”. 

“The day we met you said that your gift allowed you to give people peace of mind. What else does it do?”

That conversation took place in Sen's personal library. Peck took a seat at the side of the small table there and she was standing with a white-covered book with gold lettering.

The cover had the word HEAVEN'S KEY on it.

“Highlighting a few details, if I tell you that it is a gift that gives its user the ability to be a master in all kinds of magic it is enough for you to understand. If I wanted to learn from scratch to use magic that controls gravity I would have no problem doing it”.

“So that's why you're so powerful?”

“In theory the aura of Heaven's Key is so pure that my presence should scare away evil spirits and demons. To the righteous-hearted I would bring peace. Sounds good, doesn't it? But I really don't know what criteria this ability uses to separate the good from the evil, so I prefer to suppress its passive effects. I have to concentrate a lot on that”.

“What does ‘passive effects’ mean?”

“For example, your breathing. You breathe automatically until you think about it and then you do it manually”.

“Wait! Now I have to think about breathing! What happens if I stop thinking about it?!”

“Well... you will breathe 'passively'. Don't get exasperated”.

The class continued as normal. Sen explained some of the different uses of magic.

Mana converted into magic power can do everything depending on how much the body resists. It can be used as pure energy to perform powerful light attacks, manifest an aura that envelops the body and protects it from magical attacks or other effects.

Peck chose for himself a book. There was no title for it, only the name of the one who wrote it.

“Lune Damné”. Peck read. “It sounds familiar…”

“She did a lot of books on the effect of magic on the body. It's usually called 'Physical Magic', it's very useful, it helps to prepare the body, to adapt and prepare it for strong spells”.

“It seems long... will you read it to me later?”

“Sure”.

Peck handed the book to Sen. When the class was almost over, he remembered an important question.

“Sen, what is the other gift that is an exception? I was curious to know what yours was, but you haven't said anything about the other one”.

He was about to pull out another book. When Sen discovered it she rushed to grab Peck's hand to stop him. She looked strangenly worried and unsure.

“You shouldn't read that one”.

“What? But then, why is it here?”

“Well... it's a memory from my master. Let's say it's personal... if I tell you that it would make me uncomfortable for you to read it, could you forget about it?”

Although her friend's attitude was peculiar, seeing her so disturbed did not please him and he understood that it was an important matter.

“It's all right. I promise not to read it”.

Sen sighed in relief.

“But tell me about the other gift, please!”

Again the worry returned to Sen. However, there was resignation on her face. The two returned to the table for the explanation. Sen thought carefully how to explain.

“The other gift is Hell's Gate. It is the opposing force to my magic. It does the opposite, but it is still the most powerful magic there is; one that might be able to counterattack all others”.

“Even yours?”

“My magic seems to be made to contain Hell's Gate. Listen; Heaven's Key users are called Heaven and those who use Hell's Gate; Hell”.

As he listened to the explanation, Peck tangled a finger in his hair. That helped him memorize.

Sen continued her explanation.

“The biggest difference is that Hell's exploit their magic all at once. They are able to create every kind of monster they can imagine. They can modify their body. They are hated for the passive effect of their magic; they encourage anger, rejection, and if a person's will is weak they are sure to die in front of a Hell”.

Peck, who usually got excited listening to such explanations, for the first time felt afraid. Normally he would ask her not to continue talking, but his heart was pumping and his head was tingling with curiosity.

“They are not capable of using healing magic due to their violent nature. The most powerful wizard in the world is a Hell, his name is Blood. No one knows where he will be, it is said that his power rivaled the Dragon God who strangely died. There is a story that speaks of his reincarnation in the future”.

“Dragon God?”

“It is said that he was made by the gods to maintain balance in the world. The scriptures are confusing, by falling into human hands they made changes, or so I've understood. You know, Blood was rumored to have the most dangerous ability of all...”

Sen paused for a moment.

“What is it?”

“Blood could strip living beings of their magic. He could rob them of a portion or take away their power entirely, he extracted the Lívet”.

Peck's hands became fists that he clenched tightly when he heard that.

“Does that sound familiar?” said Sen.

“Not at all... but if I were to meet one, I would probably die in its presence...”

Sen's face looked more relaxed.

“Well! But you don't have to worry. You're with me, a Heaven, after all. And… It's already late, let's go get something to eat”.

“Yes! I want to eat chicken tonight!”

“I'll get you one. You go ahead, I'll be right there”.

When Sen was left alone, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Annoyance returned to her face as she looked down at the black-covered book with the title Hell's Gate.

I had hidden that book with my magic... am I tired? I can't throw it away, because it holds the key to helping Peck. At least he agreed not to take it and I trust him, so I guess I shouldn't worry... no, I'd better hide it.

***

“Why... why can't I get rid of this thing?!”

Back in the present, an agitated Peck was in despair. The library was a mess. Books fell in piles scattering across the floor. Peck was leaning his back against a wall, the book was lying there in front of him.

He tried everything to push it away, but it always returned to his hands. Whether he threw it out a window or buried it under a pile of books, it always came back. He didn't want to destroy it because it was a precious keepsake for Sen. 

Peck was out of options.

The way his sweat was falling to the floor, the way he was panting, the tears peeking into his eyes; all were clear evidence of how much effort he was putting into trying to get away from the book. Sen was only supposed to be sleeping in her bed, but when he went to look for her she was gone.

He had to face this crisis all alone. Then a thought came back into his head.

Peck, you seem to be very curious about the Hell.

Sen's voice echoed in his head.

At the same time, a phenomenon occurred.

Peck went from being in the library to being inside the orphanage.

As if he had made a journey through time and space, he appeared in his old home. All the children he knew were there. It was completely peaceful. The light coming in through the windows illuminated the place perfectly.

Everyone was smiling.

Even the old woman who used to run the orphanage was there; and she was happy.

In the middle of the room was Peck, but no one could see him.

It's complicated to talk about them. When they are babies, they could wipe out a whole town by crying.

Sen continued her explanation in Peck's thoughts.

Peck's vision blurred and all at once it became night. There were no happy people in the room.

Everyone in the orphanage was lifeless. Blood was everywhere, even on the walls.

Peck turned pale at such a shocking scene. He put a hand to his mouth because he had a feeling he was going to vomit soon. That caused him to look down, which also caused him to find the book beneath him.

“Is it the work of the book?”

Peck's trembling hand approached cautiously.

“Will it stop if I open it?”

Peck, Hell's Gate is a gift that does great harm to its user.

He opened the book halfway. A completely blank page reflected Peck's face.

I told you they are hated for no reason.

Peck saw himself, with one difference.

His left eye was bleeding.

They could be overwhelmed by their own power, sometimes it's more than they can handle.

The pupil of the wounded eye changed, it was red.

When that happens, they...

More blood fell from the eye and then a symbol appeared.

They don't know what is real and what is not.

A trident on a circumference was what was shown.

They are doomed.

Peck's reflection in the book moved.

“I told you I would take care of everything”.

***

Peck came back to reality. He was in the library. Everything was perfectly tidy, but the book was still there.

Unable to stand up, Peck tried to move to the door. He used his knees to crawl. His body felt heavy, his arms would soon stop responding to him and he would collapse.

Although he moved his mouth, no words came out. He couldn't even make a sound, if he could then it would be hard not to hear his desperate cries for help.

With his vision becoming more and more blurred, Peck's consciousness faded.

The door opened and Sen finally came in, but by the time she went to help him he had already lost consciousness.

***

Before waking up, Peck heard a 'child' crying.

When he awoke, in Sen's arms the 'child' was still crying.

Sen held Peck tightly to comfort him as he cried.

---

Next chapter arrives on Thursday!