The Awakening
When I opened my eyes, I was already in my bed.
How did I get home? What happened last night?
I barely remembered the events at the coven. My head throbbed as I tried to piece things together. I pushed myself to sit up, but the sharp pain at the arc of my back made me gasp. The attack was real.
Flashes of memory began to swarm my mind, Giselle, Casi, the guy from the labyrinth… all blurring into one terrifying mess.
Did this really happen, or was it just another dream?
I tried to stand again, but the pain in my arms, legs, and back was excruciating. "Oh God," I whispered under my breath.
Step by step, I made my way down the stairs, clinging to the banister for balance. Voices drifted from the sitting room, hushed but urgent. These weren't just my parents.
"She isn't ready," a voice sounding like my mum's said firmly.
"We cannot make her do it yet," my father replied, his tone pleading. "Please, give us more time. I'm sure she hasn't even started having the dreams."
Dreams? What dreams?
Was he talking about the Labyrinth?
Did he know about it?
Another voice, a woman's, cut in, calm but commanding. "Have you spoken to her about progress on her powers? Have you any idea if her channeling is improving?"
That voice. I'd recognise it anywhere. Sage Maera of the Coven of Orialis.
But if she was here, why was she asking about my progress? She already knew everything from the Coven's records.
"There's been little progress, but she's far better than last year," my mother replied defensively.
"I understand," Sage Maera said softly, "but we must be careful. They might come for her again. If they've realised she's the one who holds that power… It's no longer safe. They didn't know seven years ago when they invaded the School of Witchery, but perhaps they do now."
Power? What power?
I was just an underperforming witch who could barely hold a spell together.
Startled by their words, I shifted my foot and stepped on something. A sharp crack echoed. My heart froze. I darted back up the stairs before they could notice and slipped into my room, breathless and trembling.
Leaning against my bedpost, I tried to make sense of it all. My dreams… my "power"… what were they talking about?
The door burst open. My mum stood at the doorway, worry and suspicion etched across her face.
I flinched. "Oh! hey, Mum. Good morning." I said obviously frenzied.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Yeah… I think so."
Her eyes softened, but her worry didn't fade. "Dana, do you tell me everything that goes on with you?"
"What? Of course—" I began but was interrupted.
"Do you tell me everything?" she repeated, firmer this time.
"Mum, what's this about?"
Her voice rose. "What happened last night?"
My throat went dry. How could I explain that someone tried to kill me?
"I...uh..."
"You told me you were going to a celebration at a friend's, but you lied," she snapped, hurt flooding her voice. "You never lie to me, Dana."
"I didn't know..." Tears stung my eyes. "I swear, I didn't know things would turn out that way."
"What didn't you know?" she shouted now. "You could have been kidnapped! Or worse, killed!"
I broke down completely. Shame and fear overwhelmed me.
My dad appeared in the doorway, Sage Maera just behind him. "Halia, relax," Dad said softly. "She's a teenager. She made a mistake."
"Don't tell me that, Tahel!" Mum snapped, tears glistening in her eyes. "If not for the Sages who intervened, she might have died!"
The sages didn't save me, I thought. The guy from the Labyrinth did.
Sage Maera stepped forward. "Mr. and Mrs. Snide, it's time you told your daughter what's really going on."
"What is going on?" I asked, my voice shaking. "And how did I even get home?"
Maera's tone softened. "When the attack began, several sages were dispatched to protect the students. One found you unconscious and carried you to the coven's chambers. You were lucky to escape unharmed. Your parents arrived by midnight to take you home."
Relief flooded through me. "And my horse, Bali?"
"She's fine," Mum said quietly. "We brought her home with you."
Sage Maera straightened. "However, since you all used the coven for an unsanctioned gathering, punishments will be administered."
My stomach sank. Punishment? I'd never even been in trouble before.
Maera continued, "Get some rest and take the concoction your mother prepared. Mr. and Mrs. Snide, tell her everything. It's time she knows."
When she left, silence filled the room.
"Mum? Dad? What did she mean by that?"
"Go take your bath and come down for dinner," Mum said softly. "We'll talk after you take the concoction."
Dinner? Evening already? I must've slept the entire day.
---
I bathed carefully, wincing at the scratches across my arm. Casi.
Why did it have to be her?
At dinner, my mum handed me a steaming cup of her brew. "Drink," she said simply.
It was bitter, disgusting even, but I drank it all. Then she placed her hands over my arms, murmuring,
"Sae muraa akas silaa mier caer."
The bruises faded instantly. Warmth flooded through me. "Thanks, Mum."
Dad cleared his throat. "Dana, there's something important you need to know about your powers."
Finally.
"On the day you were born," he began, "you conjured something powerful, something hidden. It can only be found by you. Because of that, people have been after you since birth. Your mother and I have done everything to keep your identity secret. Even your weak channeling helped us hide you. Seven years ago, when the invaders attacked the School of Witchery, they were searching for you, though they didn't know it then. Now, we believe they might."
He glanced at Mum, then back at me. "We don't fully understand your gift, but many want to harness it. You must be careful."
Mum added softly, "Dana, you know your father and I were both witches before you were born, former members of the Orialis Coven. We recognised the signs in you early, even before the incident seven years ago. You were meant for greatness, but it comes with danger."
My heart pounded. "So you're saying I have some ancient power and people are coming for me?"
Dad nodded grimly. "That's right."
Mum leaned forward. "Tell us the truth, do you remember anything unusual from last night?"
"I…" I hesitated. "I think I saw Casi."
Mum's face went pale. "What?"
"I'm not sure. She looked like Casi, but… different. Stronger. Darker. She tried to kill me. But Casi would never do that."
Dad exchanged a troubled glance with Mum. "Is there anything else you're not telling us?"
Should I tell them about my dreams? About him?
"I have these… dreams," I confessed. "Or not really dreams, more like another world. A place where I'm loved and respected. Every night when I sleep, I go there. It feels like home. And I can channel there, easily. I call that place the labyrinth, my labyrinth"
Mum's eyes widened. "You can channel there?"
"Yes. Everything feels natural there."
Mum turned to Dad, voice trembling with awe. "Tahel… that's the place. The Cranium. She's found it."
"The what?" I blurted out.
Dad explained, "The Cranium holds the power of creation. It likely birthed the world you call the Labyrinth. Those who attacked the school want it. But you're the only one who can find it, because you conjured it into existence after known to be lost so many years ago."
I stared at him, stunned. "So you're saying I created the Labyrinth? And the people there?"
"No," he said gently. "The Cranium created them. But you brought it back to life. The Labyrinth exists because of you, and now, those bound to it await your return."
I swallowed hard. "That's… a lot to take in."
Mum squeezed my hand. "I know. But you must be cautious. Has anyone else heard about your dreams?"
"No one," I said truthfully.
"Good. Keep it that way. Now, when did these dreams begin?"
"The night Casi was kidnapped," I whispered. "I cried myself to sleep, wishing for peace… and that night, the Labyrinth appeared. I've gone there every night since."
They listened in silence and though I didn't mention the guy who saved me, his image lingered in my mind.
The guy from the Labyrinth.
The one who crossed into my world to protect me.
Who was he… and what did he want from me?