The Sacred Six

The Obliging

Coven hour was late but it gave all the siblings chance to catch up on the days events. When they eventually got back to the dorms they went to sleep after the exhausting day, peacefully. Rowan had made up with Gaia. Calypso gave Demetria a reason to take a chance on their relationship. Phoenix felt Mason and her were on common ground. Pagan was determined to change classes although Mr. Conan was irresistible, she was going to do the right thing even though it broke her heart in a way, and Valkyrie, well Valkyrie was Valkyrie on her own mission but still in tune. She thought a lot about Xavier the rest of the day… weird but true. Phoenix didn’t mention her interaction with Crowley, afraid she would bring up something that would make Valkyrie angry. When she is alone with her other siblings she would say something, and Stone,  was on cloud nine, Literally and metaphorically, he was smoked up and in love, nothing could make him feel any happier. The siblings showered and as soon as their heads hit the pillow they were out like lights. All of them…

03:03am

“Phoenix…” Phoenix, felt a light stroke across her face and someone whisper her name, sweetly and calmly. “Stone… Wake up stone…” Next was Stone, but he turned over ignoring the faint sound. “Valkyrie…”, “Pagan?”, “Demi…. Oh my sweet Demi…”, “Oh look at my big baby Rowan…” The voice sounded sweet but the relentless sweet calling, began to grow impatient and frustrated. “WAKE UP!” Stone felt a swat on his leg then Rowan then Phoenix, “WAKE UP My Children! It’s the witching Hour and a day before your fathers funeral!” Amethyst Yelled. By the time Amethyst yell again, Phoenix, Stone and Rowan were all sitting up. “What the actual f**k Mom?!” Phoenix asks rubbing her eyes to catch the sleep that had already started to collect. Stone looked at the clock on the wall. “Its three in the morning Mom?” “Yes and it’s the witching hour My dear boy!” “What does that have to do with us?” Phoenix asks angry that her mother would this to them. But her mother didn’t answer she was on a mission to get all her kids awake, shaking Pagan, Demetria and Valkyrie awake. Valkyrie jumps up with fists in the air, making her mother chuckle, “Calm down Kung Foo Valky…” She giggled, “What’s happening?” Pagan asks her eyes red and puffy. “Mom it’s early…” “Yes and it’s the witching hour…” She responded. Stone rubs his eyes with his left index and thumb, and he massages the bridge of his nose with his right index and thumb. “You still haven’t told us what that means… at three in the morning…” Stone says impatiently. “Ask Phoenix…” she responds nonchalantly. Phoenix’s eyes suddenly adjusts to the figure that is standing behind her mothers, and almost jumps back. “Can you guys give a heads up next time?” Phoenix bursts. “Hi Dad…” She adds, with a sarcastic smile. “Good so kids we are burying your father tomorrow. Phoenix will be conducting the meeting for us. Since she can see your father too… It’s the witching hour which means that your sister will have a great connection to the other side… Now get up kids… We need to go to the office, and discuss with your father what he wants for a burial, then we are going to start preparing…” Amethyst says walking out, Phoenix sees her father following her Mom and she was the first after them. It wasn’t long and all of them were sitting in their mothers office. Amethyst had a note pad and a pen ready and they sit an extra chair in the room so their ‘Ghost’ father could have a seat and tell them what he wanted. Phoenix and Amethyst sit behind Amethyst’s desk looking at the chair. The others look at them, waiting for them to give them the message that they need to hear. “Talk daddy…” Phoenix says looking at her fathers full Ghost figure sitting in front of them…

“I love that you are learning how to use your powers Nix.” Was his first words, that only Amethyst and Phoenix could hear, “Thank you dad… I miss you… We all do…” She says gesturing around the room to her siblings, “My beautiful Amy… I miss your touch my love…” He says looking at his wife, bringing a tear to her eye… “I didn’t have must time to get a full apparition through, we needed all of your energy in one room just so that I could be here, this is the reason that I can only appear when you all are together, apart from the brief moments where you have seen me. Even that was exhausting and most of you were together. Now For my burial… we have to have something for the school, so that is what you have to do. I want to be buried in the school cemetery alongside my father’s grave. I don’t want it to be sad although I know it will be so that is why, you, Amy and the kids will be celebrating after classes later on today… Phoenix… I would like you to got to the main office, ask Areson for the Macallan 1972, the year I was born. He will give you six bottles…” “You want me to get Whiskey?” She interrupts, “Yes after Your lessons I want you and your siblings, along with your mom, to open up each bottle one at a time, and celebrate my life… It’s the way I’ve always wanted it, hence the bottles have been sitting in the office for a long time… I also what you to play my favorite songs while you do this… I would like Mason to be there please, and if possible, Cato…” Phoenix nods writing what he was saying down. Her siblings patiently waiting for her to give them a message from their father. “I want Areson there but I don’t know if he will be available, that is the closest thing to family. I want you all to celebrate among yourselves. Then in the burial I would like my two sons to say something. Please, You girls must not be offended, It is what it is, and that’s how I want it.” She nods realizing the witching hour is almost up. “Just give me a message so that I can pass it on… They are waiting patiently…” She says quickly. “Valkyrie my Lion, you are strong and bold, take care of your siblings… I’m am in love with your carefree attitude.” Phoenix copies everything that he says and relays the message as he speaks, “Demetria… My darling Girl. Quiet but strong Minded… You need to cope with your acceptance… Everyone loves you no matter what…” Demetria Smiles, “Oh My Fiery Vixen… You’re soul matches your hair… I’ve always said that… Give Mannix a chance… I approve whole heartedly…” Pagan Looks over at Amethyst as if she was busted by her fathers Ghost but Amethyst was too busy weeping into some tissues, “Stone… My boy… Don’t change.. You have such an outgoing personality, and that’s a gift people don’t come by easily…” Stone Chuckles, “Rowan… The man that you turned out to be was much more that a man I was, and could ever wish to be… I’m Proud of your strength.”  Rowan smiled wiping a stray tear from his eye, “Oh my Phoenix, you are nothing but the epitome of Kindness and Love. You make me so proud… You remind me so much of your mother. I truly am proud of you my girl… nothing makes my heart warmer than to leave you to take care of your siblings because I know you will…” Callum say, Making Phoenix’s tears fall. “When will I See you again?” She asks leaving them with only a fifteen minutes left, “This might be my last… I have a lot to tell you… I will be with you all through the celebration but when my body goes into the ground, I will be at rest. I know there are unanswered questions and there is something big coming your way but you all have to be prepared… I can only give you that piece of advice. Stay strong, You all can do it, face what is about to come and stand together. You all are not the sacred six for nothing… Now please. Give me the last few minutes of the witching hour with your Mother… You and your siblings can stand outside the door until it’s over…” 

Phoenix stood up gesturing to her siblings to do the same, all of them telling their Ghost father how much they love him and missed him before they exited the office. They stood outside, Phoenix filling them in on all he said, They couldn’t help hear their mother sob from in the office. But decided to give her space. It broke their hearts and when the witching hour was over they all entered, Phoenix not seeing her father anymore. They all went to Amethyst Engulfing her in a group hug, as she sobbed in their arms for their father.

When they got back to the dorm none of them could close their eyes again. They all sat in a comfortable silence, just being with each other.  They all wrote down the songs their father loved, comparing their lists. A Variety, he loved different music. Time flew by because in no time it was already eight in the morning.

“I’m going to the office… I need to sort out some things quickly before I go to class. Then I will see all of you in third period…” Pagan said Looking between her siblings as they all stood in front of the dorms dressed and ready for the day.

“I’m  not going to class today, I want to organize some things… Then I will meet you all in Mom’s casting class… I think she has cancelled her classes for the day… I’ve got to get to Areson….” Phoenix says biting her lip, receiving a nod from her siblings.

“I’m going to collect the outstanding work for us all… just for today and tomorrow… We can work on it tomorrow after the burial?” Stone adds.

“I will get Mason Nix, So you can cross that off your to do list…” Rowan says and receives a smile and silent ‘Thank you’ from his sister in return.

“Do you think I can Invite Calypso?” Demetria asks, “Why wouldn’t you? She knew Dad… Why don’t you invite Mr. Conan too? I’m sure dad would love that…” Stone says raising his eye brows, “besides, I’m Inviting Adawulf…” He adds smiling small.

“Okay what are your Plans Valk?” Pagan Asks, “I’m going to go to class as normal, and I think in second period I have to help mom with snacks…My second Period was moms class anyway…” She said smiling and hanging on to her backpack straps.

“Cool, Demi, Go to class… See if you can get hold of Calypso we will be starting at like fourth period, so that’s at about eleven, or just after…” Stone says making Demetria nod.

“Love you guys…” Valkyrie shouts spinning on her heels and walking off to her first class. Pagan walks off towards the office, Rowan walks off toward the Mason’s Dorm area, Demetria goes to her first class, Phoenix makes her way to Areson’s office, and Stone makes his way to his and his siblings different classes to start collecting work.

“Good Morning… My Name is Pagan Grove… I am here to transfer teachers if possible…” Pagan says sweetly to the lady in the front desk. “Miss Grove… Good Morning, yes it’s possible, Who is the teacher you would like to change?” The sweet old lady behind the desk asked, “ Mr. Conan Please?” She looked through the teachers names, “Miss, Unfortunately that is the one teacher I am not allowed to change…” “Okay what is the reason?” She asked looking at the lady confused, but the lady shrugged, “Professor Grove Picked that class out for you specifically Miss Unfortunately it has here strict instructions not allow you to transfer…” She said pointing on a message that appeared on her screen after trying to change Pagan’s schedule on the computer. “Why wouldn’t my Mother allow me to change classes?” She asked, “Miss, this isn’t an instruction by Dr. Amethyst Grove, This is an instruction put here by Professor Callum Grove…” She said, making Pagan’s mouth gape open slightly, “That isn’t possible… My father is dead… I’ve only been here since last week?” She argued, But the lady shrugged again, “Your schedule was planned March eighth, twenty sixteen…” She said looking at the date the schedule was planned on her computer, “So my dad knew that we were coming here?” She asked but the lady shrugged again not giving her an answer. She waved the old lady off, saying ‘thank you’ but for nothing in particular because the lady couldn’t transfer teachers for her. She walked to her first class, deep in thought. Did her dad know that Mannix was going to mean something to her? Did her dad plan this out? She had so many questions, but she wasn’t going to ask her siblings just yet. She thought that she would act normal until the burial was over… She didn’t want to disrupt her father’s burial or celebration of life for her petty nonsense.

She approached her first class carefully seeing the door was closed. She tapped lightly and waited for Mr. Conan to open up for her. Once he opened the door he frowned at her. He turned back to the class not letting her in, “Class I will be two minutes, continue with your spell…” He said before exiting the class and closing the door behind him. “Miss Grove you are late for my class.” He said still frowning at her, “Mr. Conan, I went to the office to try and transfer teachers, as per our altercation yesterday…” She said looking at her feet, “Did you manage?” He responded in a low voice, “I’m here at your class, am I not?” She responded still looking at her feet. “I suppose it will have to do… Please don’t be late for my class again…” He said opening the door for her to enter. She took her seat next to her sister who eyed her suspiciously. “What’s with that look?” Pagan ask her, But she shrugged. “He was in a seriously bad mood when you were not here. We didn’t get a smile or nothing from him, but as soon as you entered he like started smiling.” “That could mean anything Valkyrie, I told you to stop reading too much into it…” Pagan mumbled in a whisper. “Now please stop talking to me in his class, I don’t want trouble…” Pagan adds. Valkyrie giggled at Pagan’s statement but nodded her head. Pagan was wondering what was going on in that head of her sisters, and what was the giggle about, but she wasn’t going to find out. Mr. Conan was all smiles during the lesson, constantly glancing over at Pagan, but teaching his class with passion. “Class I’m going to let you go ten minutes earlier… I have somethings that I have to do… I will not be seeing you for the rest of the day, as I hear that a lot of the classes have been cancelled. Neither will we be seeing each other tomorrow Because of the burial of Professor Grove. So I your homework will be, Love potion number 26 and number 32 and then you must go over a retraction spell of your choice. Thursday we will start again then I would like to remind you all of the practical test on Friday.” He says, everyone writes what they need to down as homework. They pack their things up and make their way out the class. Valkyrie hooks her arm in Pagans, and smirks, and Pagan looks at her confused. “What is it Valkyrie?” She asks, frustration lines her words. “I don’t know… there was a lot of tension in that class room today…” Pagan huffs and turns to her suddenly, “Please go and help mom like you said you were and stop trying to put salt in my wounds! I’m going back to the dorm to go and get ready.” Valkyrie was surprised at her sisters outburst and immediately started to feel bad that she patronized the situation. She watched her sister walk away, overcome by sadness. She turned on her heels and walked towards Her second class for the day Casting class. Knowing her mother would be there alone trying to set up everything for her dads celebration of life.

“Oh Valkyrie… Why are you sad?” He mother asked as Valkyrie walked into the classroom. “I’m not mom, I’m fine…” She responded trying not to sound sad or emotional. “I can feel it dear, so you cant lie to me…” Valkyrie smiled a small smile at her mother, before taking a seat at an empty chair, “I’ve really been a b***h haven’t I?” Her mother looked at her frowning, “I have taken advantage of people, well the others, I feel it now… I had a small fight with Pagan, well not a fight, she’s just angry with me… and I think I have pushed her too far…” She said lowing her head and feeling her emotions running wild. “I think that siblings fight all the time. Look I’m not going to lie, I do think that you have taken advantage of your siblings in the past but it doesn’t mean that there is no time to change it. Make them feel appreciated with what they have done to help you. I don’t think your siblings will ever love you any less regardless. I think that they love you more in fact and just want to help you… But I also think it is about time you start to grow up and take responsibility for what has been said and done. Look, you might have said somethings that had made Page angry but there is a way to go back…” Amethyst says taking a seat near her daughter and lifting her head with two fingers so that Valkyrie could look into her eyes when she spoke. “Really how?” Valkyrie asked thinking that there is a spell to undo the things she says and does. Amethyst Smiles at her daughter knowing exactly what she’s thinking but gives her an answer that she wasn’t expecting. “Say you’re sorry… That’s it…” “Well that’s not going back…” Valkyrie sighs, “In a way it is… There are dozens of spells to rewrite the past Valkyrie, but taking back the past means nothing when an apology can do it for you. So Maybe you should look at that first… You’re a good girl, I know… you’ve made mistakes, we all have, but if you acknowledge that you were wrong, well that is being the bigger person. In most scenarios it’s without a doubt, worked, for a lot of people… Maybe you should give it a try…” Amethyst says smiling then rubbing her daughters shoulder then standing and walking to one of the front tables. “Help your mom set up please… I need the tables to be stacked and some chairs to be left out, then I need you to help me bring the snacks from the office please…” She said with a smile. Valkyrie stood up. Her mother gave her a lot to think about. Her dads Celebration was today and she wasn’t going to let bad thoughts or a petty little fight ruin it. She had decided then and there, she was going to use that method of taking back time and she was going to make things right.

“Morning Areson, I’m here for the Macallan 1972, please…” Areson gave Phoenix a knowing look, going to a cabinet and unlocking it with a key, “Do you want all six bottles?” “Is that a question?” She chuckled out, “I take it you’ve seen your dad and his is still keeping to his pact?” What do you mean by that?” “Well, when your Mother just had you and Rowan, we were still very young. We were sitting around a table drinking, Macallan 1972, and we made a pact. That when we die one day we would get our family and close friends to celebrate our deaths.” He said with a nostalgic smile. Phoenix felt her heart break for this man who missed his friend and had a memory in his brain of them together. “My dad wants you to be with us to celebrate him…” She smiles, as he lifted up a bottle and examined it, like there were hundreds of memories running through his brain. He looks at phoenix and then nods, “If that’s was my old friend wants that that just what he will get.” He smiled. He handed Phoenix the bottles one by one, she didn’t know how she managed to carry them but she did. Walking slowly clutching the expensive and old whiskey to her chest using her arms, she felt awkward walking through the school, while people looked at her weirdly carrying all the alcohol, but she was much more afraid to drop them.  “Phoenix, s**t, let me help you…” A voice from behind her said, clutching onto three of the bottles before they slipped out of her arms. “Thanks that was a close call…” she sighed in relief. They walked side by side to Amethyst call room, Phoenix feeling eased that she wasn’t under the pressure of the bottles any longer. “I haven’t seen you around for a while now…” She starts smiling small, “I have been busy…” Was his response sounding a little abrupt, “Well… Um… I wanted to apologise for my behaviour the other day… It was the voices making me go a little wild…” She said then biting her lip out of habit, “So are the voices gone? Have you gotten them under control?” “Sort of… well most of them… Anyway I’m sorry I had that outburst.” She said turning to him making them stop before the class. “It’s Okay… I get it… Listen Phoenix… I wanted to know if you would like to go for coffee with me maybe this week sometime.” He asked smiling slightly, “Rune… as much as I would like to say yes… I can’t… I have a Twin Flame, and with my dads Burial and this being my first week, I can’t you know…” Runes face was clearly disappointed. “Will you let me know if you change your mind?” He asked in a low and discouraged voice. She smiled and nodded, then took the bottles, from him. He opened the class door for her and she entered, “Thanks again Rune…” She said before closing the door behind her using her foot.

By the third period, all the siblings were together in one class, along with their mother. They all did their part setting up, and they were almost done, there was a barking sound catching Demetria’s attention. She was placing glasses in a straight line, when the bark sounded again. She smiled looking up from what she was doing, knowing that familiar feeling. “CATO!” She shouted happily. The siblings and Amethyst watched Demetria run to the classroom door, open it and bend down to take in a comfortable hug from her friend and companion Cato. Of all the people, or animals she missed since being away from home, it was him. “Oh Cato, I thought I heard you…” She said as he nuzzled in her neck with his snout, and it made her feel like home. Although she hadn’t been seeing eye to eye with her familiar, She had to keep in mind how much love he had for her and that every time he was around, it created peace inside of her, well, apart from being with Calypso. He spent all his years with her and seeing him after only a few days of being away from him, she felt like she could release the breath she didn’t know she had taken. Maybe it Was because of all the happenings, and the stress she was under, starting school as a student, being a witch and the fact it was Chaotic, but he was familiar and comforting. He was Home.

“Am I interrupting something?” Calypso’s voice rang in the air, taking her out of the hug. “Nothing, Just greeting my old friend…” Demetria responded standing up straight and looking at her Dog. “Okay… Well, we are here…” Calypso smiled sweetly referring to her and her brother who had arrived, and are obviously feeling awkward that they broke up a moment between the dog and Demetria. “Good, Um… Just in time… I think… Please come in…” Demetria responds opening the door and letting them in. Cato soon followed making his way to Amethyst who jumped for joy seeing the old Dog, and not long after Adawulf, Mason, Areson and Trinity were all there.

Rowan poured the whiskey in a glass for all of the people who were there, apart from Cato, they all stood in a circle, they raised their glasses to the sky to toast. “May you be Forty years in Heaven, My friend, before the devil knows you’re dead! Cheers to you, My brother, Until we meet again!” Areson says, and they all clink their glasses together, smiling at each other. And so the night begins, as they gulp the whiskey and start to get tipsy…