The Origin

Present

---POV Esa---

Daring to be different is one phrase for it. What I couldn't expect was isolation. I stared at all the buried graves of my brothers and sisters. Then I looked up to the greyed sky around the mass burial site replacing the soft, green and luscious fields of my old pack. Two years it’s been since I have come back to our old pack grounds, and I wasn't planning on ever returning to the desolate reminder of everything I have lost. The reminder of the family who wasn’t mine. The reminder…of my failure.

I tightened my grip on the small bag holding what I could scavenge from our old home, now in tatters from the m******e. I guess you could call it a sense of nostalgia. After going to the coven, myself and my warriors have fought and trained bravely to become what we are. To be able to protect what I am. I winced. I was starting to hear the screams and my muscles tensed as I remembered how hard our warriors fought. How bravely my family…my brethren desperately tried to conquer. All for not. The vibration in my pocket snapped my thoughts back to reality. It still had a charge. Interesting. When I went to scavenge, I was surprised to find my old phone where I had left it. Sitting on the nightstand in my room that was turned upside down. I was not expecting anything to be left behind. I was even able to find some clothes that I haven’t worn in a while. The warriors and I were narrowed down to mostly the leather garb the witches gave us. I did some shopping in defense for our missions. I couldn’t do my job in a three-layer skirt now could I. My current torture was a black corset over a black blouse with puffed long sleeves. I shifted in my black leather leggings hiding underneath my knee-high combat boots. I wanted to respect the dead.

Easy to maneuver in and stylish to the eye is what Abigale would tell me sometimes. Over the years, we had become good friends, but it was nothing like the friendship I had with my old Beta and Gamma. Their graves resting only a few feet away from my boots.

I stared down at the screen lighting up to inform me of the day. My parents' anniversary. Great, we can just add that to my guilt. I turned to a couple more unmarked graves resting over to the side beneath a willow tree. The one we had picnics under with my younger siblings. My shaking legs walked to them as if I could smell the scent beneath the dirt. Ginger with Apricots and Mint with Cedar. Mother...Father.... The little ones had not reached the age of maturity for their distinct scent to detach from mother’s, but at least I knew they were all here and accounted for.

“I’m sorry, mother. This isn’t what I wanted. I wanted my family. I wanted to…to go with you. I wanted to stay with you. Adopted or not. I might have been angry before, but now…now I’m grateful I had a family to love me so much…to sacrifice so much.” I said catching my confession in my throat.

It was hard to come to terms with my pain, but I knew if I didn’t, I would have stayed lifeless forever. I cannot allow myself to rest in my sadness forever. That isn’t what they wanted and that is why they pushed me away in the first place. I get that now. I rubbed my cheek seeing a tear that has evaded my push to hide my feelings.

“When you disappeared, this time. I wasn’t expecting you to come here.” Johnny.

I chuckled and cleared my throat. Turning around I saw Dawn was with him too. He was the only warrior closest to my age and we got along well. He was a sweet guy. Other than Abs (Abigale), he was the other best friend. The rest of the warriors were nice as well, but not best friends. There were apparently only two spots for that. “I’m glad you finally came back…we…. We all did at some point. When I asked Abs if you two, were hanging out today, she told me that it was better if I went to see my family instead. Never thought she would lead us here.” Dawn added rubbing the back of his neck. Sometimes I didn’t see the thirty-year-old wall of muscle in front of me, but a bumbling kid.

I shook my head. “Cryptic, that one is.” All three of us looked at each other for a moment and laughed. Like a real laugh. Something I have had to force over the last two years, but has been slowly coming back to me over the last few months. I finally felt the freedom I have been lusting for and it felt right. Don’t get me wrong, that day will weigh heavy on me, but hopefully, red and orange…anything really…won’t continue to throw me into a panic attack of guilt. “Either…either way. I guess we should be heading back. Abs said there was something important we are required to go to tomorrow.” We were all still chuckling and getting out some of my words was a challenge through my smile.

“I’m sure she hasn’t told you what that is right?” Johnny asked resting his hand on his hip.

“Of course not. That would be too easy.” I sighed finally calming my giggles before walking back to the portal I asked one of the witches to cast for me. I only saw the one, so I’m guessing Abs sent them to the same witch I used. Either that or, they assumed I had a return ticket.

The portal shifted around us as we reappeared in the main courtyard of the coven bungalow. Now…I know what you’re thinking…. A tiny house for a coven of witches. Wrong. The place where they call home with the coven is a bungalow. A close-knit group of houses surrounding a space flowing with high concentrations of mana and encased in a shell heavily protected from outside interference. Since we arrived, here two years ago, there has not been one attack and the only way out is through a specific portal only a member of the coven can conjure. “Well…I’m glad you got the rest of your stress off your chest.” Abs called from the fountain flowing water that glowed. Not too sure how they did that, but it was pretty, and it lit up the courtyard at night.

“Well, I’m glad you are finally going to tell me where you are shipping us off to.” I asked getting straight to the point. In our training, we were also sent to places that required a…supernatural touch. Whether it be stopping a crime syndicate that got a little out of hand – supernatural and human alike – or just learning how to fend for ourselves in crisis situations. Really adaptable skills and it allowed us to continue our training from our…past lives.

She laughed and walked up to me dropping her arm around my shoulder. “I have no idea. That’s why I’m taking you to my cousin. Apparently, it’s important enough that she wanted to talk to you personally. Crazy right?”

I grinned and palmed her face, pushing her face away from mine gently. She immediately let go of me while Johnny and Dawn tried to hold in their laughter. “Insane. Now can we go please?” I questioned. The one thing I have noticed with witches is their ability to not beat around the bush. If someone is asking for you, you appear before them, like…immediately. I tried to ignore them once and I was hexed for a week. No thanks to Abs.

The three of us walked behind Abigale as she swayed through the streets. Finally, we arrived at the main building housing the Origin Witch and her family. Abs included. She walked through the front door, and we followed, keeping to ourselves. It wasn’t important for me or any of my warriors to know any of these witches too closely. Just those we work with directly. All other communication stays minimal. We are guests here and we should act accordingly. Abigale waved to a couple of her cousins and skipped up to the main assembly room I’ve only seen a few times in our stay. “Origin. I have brought the rest of them to join the meeting.” She called out in front of the closed doors.

Slowly, both doors opened, and the intricately designed flora and fauna glowed in a wave from the right to the left side as it crossed a barrier shielding the communication going on inside to those…prying on the outside. Witches don’t even trust each other…it’s rather interesting. “Come in.” The Origin Witch called. Normally, when more than one Origin is in a room together, I learned that the one housing the others is called by title while the others are called by name. “Thank you for joining us, Johnny, Dawn, and of course, Eliesa. I trust your trip went well?”

I nodded and bowed with my hand over my chest. “Thank you for having us, Origin.” I pulled myself up and walked toward the rest of my warriors. The eight men turned and bowed to me respectfully. I nodded in response taking my place in front of them. Johnny and Dawn flanked my sides and the others fell in line according to their ranks previously chosen by me. What can I say, I like order.