Page 80 of Wild Ivy
I nod, because that makes complete sense to me. I create a sphere of pure darkness between us, watching as it pulses with possibilities. “It’s more than wild magick now. It’s something else entirely.”
She nods in agreement. “You’re evolving into a shadow god, for lack of a better term. A being with the ability to control not just darkness, but also the gaps between different dimensions.”
To demonstrate her point, I reach into those spaces now. The air ripples as I tear a small hole in reality, creating a window that shows us MistHallow’s grounds. Through it, I can see students moving between classes, their forms slightly distorted by the barrier between worlds.
“The old ways are dying,” Morrigan continues, watching as I seal the portal. “The ancient powers are seeking new forms, new purposes. What you carry now is the essence of shadow itself. The space between light and dark, life and death.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this was possible?”
Her smile is both sad and knowing. “Would you have believed me? Would you have accepted it if I had simply handed over the power? No. You needed to claim it yourself, to prove worthy of it.”
A commotion from the main building draws my attention. Through my shadow-sense, I feel Ivy’s presence approaching with Torin. They’re looking for me.
“They’re worried about you,” Morrigan observes. “They can feel the changes in your power.”
“They can feel everything now,” I agree. “We’re all connected in ways I don’t fully understand yet.”
“That’s as it should be.”
I absorb this, feeling the rightness of it settle in my bones. “You’re not angry anymore. About losing the power.”
“How can I be angry about fulfilling my purpose?” She shakes her head. “I know now I was meant to guide this power to you, to help forge something new. The fact that I get to continue teaching at MistHallow, to help shape the next generation of supernatural beings... that’s more than I deserve after my actions.”
“Oh?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
She giggles and presses her finger to her lips. “It’s a secret, my son. I’ll be the guardian of those sacred grounds, teaching those who come seeking ancient wisdom. It’s a fitting role for a former goddess, don’t you think?”
The shadows around us dance, responding to the truth in her words. This feels right. Complete.
“That makes sense. A reward for those who seek what you can offer.”
“See, you do get it.”
“And what exactly am I supposed to do with all this power?” I ask, creating complex patterns in the darkness almost absently.
“You’ll figure that out as you go. But I suspect it has something to do with maintaining balance in whatever new world order Ivy’s creating.” She pauses, studying me intently. “The ability to move through shadows, to exist in the spaces between realities - these aren’t just parlour tricks. They’re tools for keeping the balance between worlds.”
“That’s why the power chose me. Not just because of what I am, but because of where I need to be. What I need to do.”
“Exactly.” Her form starts to fade. “At MistHallow, you will learn to control what you’ve become. Help Ivy reshape the supernatural world. And when you’re ready, find me. There’sstill much I can teach you about the ancient ways, even if I’m no longer their keeper.”
“Thank you,” I say softly, surprising us both.
She smiles, a genuine expression that transforms her face. “Thank you, Bram Sinclair, for showing me that sometimes, letting go of power is the most powerful thing you can do.”
As she fades completely, I feel the last pieces click into place. The shadow essence settles deeper into my being, no longer fighting or changing but simply existing as part of me.
“Bram?” Ivy calls out. “Everything okay?”
I turn to face her, letting them see what I’ve become. Shadows swirl around me like a living cloak, responding to my every thought and emotion. “Yeah,” I say, smiling. “Everything’s perfect.”
“Show off,” Torin mutters, but he’s grinning.
Ivy takes my hand, her power harmonising perfectly with mine. We’re all becoming something new, something necessary for the world Ivy’s creating. A world where ancient powers find new purposes, new vessels, new ways to maintain the balance.
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