Magi Legend

by Andrew Dobell

  You will know these times by the mark of the creator.

  Placed upon the body of one of your own.

  Mark her soul with colours of life and death.

  See the body marked by the power of the creator.

  Mark her passing into the Abyss

  See the Weavers whose company she keeps.

  She will be your guide in the dark times ahead.

  Be ready to fight, for the time will soon be upon you.

  All that I have prophesied will come to pass.

  When Ishtar gives birth.

  She finished reading and looked up at Trevelyan. “What’s this?” she asked.

  “It’s a prophecy. Originally given by a woman called Helene in AD 42 to the Magi Senate, the organisation of Arcadian Magi that preceded the Magi Council. It talks about the return of the Archons, and of someone, a Magus, who might be a guide in these dark times. Amanda, your adventures and missions against the Nomads... they’re getting noticed. Your name is starting to become known. I predict you will become quite a well-known Magus. It’s my belief that this prophecy is talking about you, that you will be our guide through the dark times ahead.”

  Amanda looked up at Trevelyan, wondering if she’d heard him right and if he was just having a joke at her expense. But he stood there and looked at her with a sombre expression. “Me? Feck off. You’re having me on, so ye are,” she said incredulously.

  “I assure you, I’m quite serious.”

  “Really? Are ye sure?”

  “Quite sure.”

  “So… I’m some kind of, what, chosen one? Like Neo, or Anakin, or Harry Potter? And I’m what? Meant to save the world?”

  “I have no idea who these people are. Some popular culture reference, I presume?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “Then you have me at a disadvantage, but to answer your question, honestly, we have no idea, it doesn’t say what you must do.”

  “What someone will do, someone who might not be me,” she protested.

  Standing in that dusty old room, with no underwear on, in stupidly high heels, and wearing a see-through dress she did not, in any way, feel like some kind of ‘chosen one’. Far from it.

  Looking at Trevelyan, and seeing the conviction in his eyes as he looked back at her, she actually felt a little wary of him. This kind of faith in her was not something she wanted to deal with and she certainly did not want that kind of pressure, especially not from the Council.

  “Who else knows of this?” Amanda asked.

  “Of the prophecy? Many people. It’s well known and I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it before now.”

  “Well, I haven’t,” she said, feeling slightly affronted. “And who else knows of your belief that it’s about me?”

  “Very few, but it’s not for me to say who they are. But what I can say is that I am not alone in this belief..”

  “Gentle Water? Does he believe the same things as you? Does he think it’s me?”

  “He knows of the prophesy but you’d have to ask him what he believes. However, I think it would be wise not to mention this to anyone other than Gentle Water, for the time being.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that,” she muttered. Amanda looked at the prophecy once more, shook her head slightly, and moved away from the cabinet. “Can we go, please?” she asked.

  “Of course. I’m sorry. I know it’s a lot to take in. My apologies.”

  She appreciated his apology and that he seemed to be reigning in this righteous fervour as she stepped out into the corridor. He locked the door behind them and then led her along the passageway. He spoke to her a few times as he guided her through the hallways, but she felt so confused and overwhelmed that she didn’t really hear what he was saying.

  Needing a moment to herself, she stopped at a series of windows that looked out over the white landscape while the huge gas giant and its rings of ice hung in the sky before her. She leant forward, rested her forearms on the window ledge, and just stared out at the view.

  She’d only just gotten a handle on New York and was getting into the flow of things. She’d found someone she really quite liked, and who amazingly, seemed to like her back. Her life seemed like it was settling down a touch, and now Trevelyan had just completely thrown everything up in the air again.

  She wondered who else knew of the prophecy and if they believed it might be talking about her. It sounded like Gentle Water knew, which felt odd since he’d always been so open with her. Had he been holding this back? Keeping it to himself? And if so, why?

  Maybe he thought he was protecting her and keeping her safe from some of this craziness. But was it crazy? A few years ago she would have said that real Magic sounded crazy. And yet here she was, able to use Magic herself, able to do unbelievable feats, like teleport from place to place, conjure money from thin air, and manipulate energy and elements with a thought. Hell, look at where she stood now: On a feckin’ moon of Saturn. Was a prophecy, whether it talked about her or not, that crazy?

  “I’m sorry,” she said, talking to Trevelyan, but not turning to look at him. “That was just…”

  “Unexpected, I know. I’m sorry, too. That was a lot to dump on you without warning,” he said.

  She looked up at him and smiled. “That’s no bother, I’m glad I know now, actually.”

  “I thought you’d want to know about it.”

  “You’re right, I do,” she sighed.

  “Speaking of full disclosure,” he said, coming to stand next to her and looking out over the view. “The Council has spoken with everyone we think knows about you killing Lucian, and they have been warned against making such information public.”

  “Who’ve you spoken to?”

  “Your coven, the Legacy, the Legion, Victoria and her coven, everyone who we think knows for sure. It’s been made clear to those who were most at risk of leaking the information that they’re under threat of expulsion.”

  Amanda smiled. “That’s good to know. Thank you.”

  “I have someone else who wants to meet you, if that’s okay with you?” he said.

  “Sure, why not, let’s do it,” she said. I’ve come this far, she thought, let’s get this over with. “Lead the way.”

  They walked for several minutes, descending several flights of stairs as they went. Trevelyan had suggested Porting, but Amanda wanted to see more of the castle. Trevelyan acquiesced, playing tour guide and describing things as they went. The whole place felt wondrous and huge to Amanda. She’d never seen anything like it before in her life.

  Soon enough, they reached a large oak double door with black metal hinges and fixtures, which Trevelyan knocked on using a steel ring held in the jaws of a titanium lion’s face. When a voice invited them in, Trevelyan opened the door.

  Following her guide into the room beyond, she took in the well-appointed room. It was filled with ornately-carved shelves and cabinets, expensive-looking rugs, and in the middle of the room, a large wooden desk that looked like it must be hundreds of years old.

  A man in a dark, tailored suit sat in a wine-coloured, leather chair behind it. His face had an intense expression upon its harsh angles and handsome features. He looked to be in his thirties, although she knew appearances could be deceiving when it came to the Magi. His long raven-dark hair was tied back in a ponytail and he had a finely trimmed goatee.

  The man stood as they walked in and smiled at them. “Amanda-Jane Page, I take it?” he said and offered his hand over the desk.

  She stepped forward, took his hand in a firm grip, and shook it in greeting, “That’s right, nice to meet ye, Mr…” she said, leaving the question of his name hanging in the air.

  “Bathory. Stephen Bathory of the Order of the Dragon Coven.”

  “Bathory? As in…?”

  “Elizabeth? Yes, she’s a descendant of mine, unfortunately.”

  “Wow, that’s crazy.”

  “Not as crazy as what you’ve been doing recently. Well done on your dealing
s with Lucian and the Harbingers of Darkness. They were something of an issue for the American covens for a while.”

  “It just seemed like the right thing to do,” Amanda said with a shrug. “No big deal.”

  “I’d disagree, and I think many others would, too.”

  Amanda smiled, feeling a little self-conscious. “Well, thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “Stephen has only just joined the Council, taking the place of Jonas of the Coven of Angels who was killed by Shaitan. He wanted to see you,” Trevelyan said.

  “…To thank you for dealing with Shaitan,” Stephen finished. “You’re doing really rather well when it comes to the Nomads. Just be careful you don’t make too many enemies.”

  Amanda nodded. “I’ll try.”

  “Anyway, I just wanted to say hello as I’m a friend to the Legacy Coven and when I heard you were coming, I asked Trevelyan to drop by. I hope he’s being a gracious host.”

  “He’s been a true gentleman… so far,” she said, winking at Trevelyan.

  Trevelyan’s eyebrows climbed up towards his hairline at her last comment.

  Stephen laughed. “I’m sure. Well, I don’t want to keep you. I know you have a party to get back to. But it’s good to meet you. I’ll see you soon.”

  They said their goodbyes before heading back through the castle. She noticed a flicker of Magic around Trevelyan’s head, and after a brief moment of concentration, he turned to her. “I’ve just heard there’s someone here from the party. They’re waiting on one of the viewing towers. I’ll Port you up there and they’ll take you back.”

  “Oh, really? And who’s that?”

  ***

  Moments later, Amanda appeared on top of the highest turret in the castle. The circular stone platform with a waist-high parapet looked over the landscape of the moon and the castle below. A single, closed trapdoor sat recessed into the floor, and a cushioned bench stood in the middle of the space. In front of her, Maria sat on the wall at the edge of the turret looking up towards Saturn.

  Amanda just stood there for a moment. The whole scene looked like a wondrous science-fiction painting, and she couldn’t help but enjoy the view.

  Maria turned around and smiled at Amanda. “Have you had fun?”

  “It’s been illuminating. How come you’re here?”

  “I served on the Council a couple of times, I know my way around. It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?”

  Amanda sat on the wall facing her lover and took her hand. “Honestly, I have no words. I’ve never seen anything like this, not even close.”

  “I come back here from time to time, just to sit up here and enjoy the view. Nothing humbles you quite like that,” she said, gesturing at the vista before them.

  Amanda slid closer to her. “And what’s it feel like to share it with me?”

  Maria looked up at Amanda and smiled. “Let me show you,” she said and leaning closer, kissed her.

  She wasn’t sure what it was, but within moments, they were making love on the soft cushioned bench, under the sweeping misty glow of the Milky Way and the majesty of Saturn. Amanda put it down to the inherent romance of the moment. The mesmerising view, the presence of her lover, the sexy clothes, everything played its part.

  Looking up at Saturn during the heights of ecstasy would not be something she’d soon forget.

  - Haiti

  Josette walked into the darkened room. Carefully picking her way through the tables covered with various dark Magic paraphernalia and the bodies that hung from the ceiling, she approached the cloaked figure of her master.

  She waited, close enough to Nymira so they could speak comfortably when her master chose to address her. She waited for a few moments before Nymira hissed.

  “Speak, child.”

  “My investigations in New York have gone as far as they can on a covert basis. I can only conclude that the truth of Lucian’s death is being kept secret on purpose. The most likely candidates are Amanda-Jane Page and Yoh Takahashi.”

  Nymira turned and looked at Josette. The firelight caught the side of Nymira’s face, illuminating the nest of dreadlocks that spilt from her scalp, and the trinkets, bones, and feathers knotted into them. Her dark skin was covered in white war paint, framing her eyes which burnt with energy and purpose. She wore a long cloak made from layers of fabric, hessian, and dried skins that fell from her shoulders to the floor and hid her lithe form beneath.

  “Thank you, little one,” she said and turned back to whatever she’d been doing.

  “Would you like me to do more? I’d need to bring in some help and be a bit more public about it, but there might be more to learn,” Josette said.

  “You have done enough,” her master said, dismissing Josette with a wave of her hand.

  Josette doubted she was the only one that Nymira had sent to look into it. There would be others. Initiated like her, and Magi, who would be hunting for clues.

  She left the room, wondering who would be unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of Nymira’s wrath.

  New Lead

  Antarctic

  Angel stood back and watched as Isha held his hand above the glowing green Orb, his Magic pulsing from his palm over the Artifact.

  The Orb had been placed in a metal holder on the boardroom table and Isha was trying to understand what they had in their possession. Mr Black, his wrinkled face lit by the Orb’s glow, stood to one side, watching closely. He looked back and forth between Isha and the Orb, impatient curiosity etched on his wizened face.

  “So, is it what we hoped for?” Mr Black asked.

  Angel thought his desire for power was getting the better of him.

  “I think so. It’s difficult to get a read on it. If I could just hold it?” Isha said.

  “No,” Mr Black said emphatically as he stepped between Isha and the Orb. “No one holds it but me. You know the rules.”

  “Of course, I’m sorry, sir,” Isha said, having stepped back at the abruptness of Mr Black’s tone.

  It had been a week since they’d found the item, but they’d been forced to stay at the Antarctic base due to poor weather. Mr Black had refused to be Ported out, preferring to wait for clearer conditions.

  During that time, Mr Black had kept the Orb in his possession, never allowing anyone else touch or hold it. He clearly wanted to know more about it, but he seemed afraid that someone would take it. It had taken several days, and a lot of convincing, before he even let it be looked at by another person.

  Today was that day, but he never stood out of arm’s reach and he still refused to let anyone else touch it. Only a few key people were in attendance, including Angel, Blake, Isha, and Roxanne, Mr Black’s personal aid.

  Mr Black picked up the Orb and placed it back in the foam padding inside the briefcase on the table. He handcuffed the case to his wrist, all the while looking annoyed at Isha’s request to hold it.

  “We’re done for today. Maybe, if you can abide by the rules, we’ll do this again tomorrow. If the weather doesn’t clear,” he said, the implication that this might be the last time Isha was allowed to look at it being made strikingly clear.

  Angel kept her face impassive, but inside she knew how Isha felt. The Orb had power—a power that drew Magi to it. Angel wanted nothing more than to have that item all to herself. She felt sure that having it in her possession would be a huge benefit. As it was, she had to purposefully look away and think of something unrelated to the Orb to shake off the feeling, lest it took control of her. It was an odd feeling, but when she wasn’t caught up in the need to possess it, she knew that these feelings were being generated by the Orb itself. She could even see its Magic reaching out to the Magi in the room. And yet, when she stood in its presence, even with her Aegis protecting her, those feelings returned. The Orb’s aura of attraction seemed to pass right through her Magical Shield, a sign of the ancient and powerful Magic it possessed.

  This meeting seemed at an end, though, and everyone had started gathering thei
r belongings when a sudden surge of powerful Magic flared and a figure appeared before them.

  For a moment, Angel thought Yasmin had Ported in, as the woman who appeared had similar wavy raven-black hair, but there, the similarity ended.

  The Magus had attractive features and wore a leather jacket over her black t-shirt with leather trousers and heavy boots.

  She immediately scanned the room to pick out Mr Black. “Sir, I have news.”

  “Echo? What brings you here?” Mr Black asked. Clearly, they were familiar with each other. Angel had never seen her before, but she had a powerful presence and her Magic burnt wildly within her, but that wasn’t all. Angel could tell she had no heartbeat and could see the tell-tale signs of her being a Vampire Scion.

  This was news to Angel.

  Isha saw her as well and offered a quick bow. “Master,” he said.

  Angel raised an eyebrow. This was Isha’s master? So, he wasn’t the most capable Magi in Mr Blacks employment? It seemed like she was learning all kinds of useful things today.

  “Isha,” she nodded in acknowledgement before looking back to Mr Black. “We have a development in Arizona that I think you’ll want to know about.”

  “Go on,” he said.

  “We believe we’ve found the Lazarus Scroll. A Nomad has taken control of a nuclear power plant in the desert and he’s just used the Scroll. We detected and confirmed the Magical signature of the Artifact.”

  “How long ago?”

  “Not long, an hour or so maybe,” Echo said.

  “We’re leaving now. Echo, you will Port us to the power station via the island. Isha, Roxanne, Angel, you’re with me. Get the security team in here, Roxanne. Blake, get this dig broken down and out of here as fast as you can. We’re done here. We have what we need. Let’s go.”

  Angel was surprised. The fact that Mr Black had requested her presence on this mission marked something of a turning point in her relationship with the leader of the Syndicate. She’d always been outside the circle of power since she had infiltrated the group. She’d never expected to waltz right in and be privy to its most confidential meetings and missions, but she had hoped to rise through the ranks quicker than she had done. Of course, the fact that there were Magi in Mr Black’s employ who could discover her true intentions much easier than a Riven mortal made things move much slower. But this mission to the Antarctic, as much as she hated it, had changed things. It suddenly seemed like Mr Black trusted her to a much higher degree.