Chapter 58 - Trial Run

Morrigan turned around in the mirror, examining the seal embroidered on the back of her hoodie. It looked cool, she could say that at least, but she had no idea if it'd actually work. The demon flesh had already torn through three simple T-shirts, but if it damaged the hoodie she had painstakingly threaded over the last three days, she was going to be really pissed.

But, if the seal worked the way Hilda said it would, then Morrigan’s little wardrobe malfunctions would be a problem of the past… as long as she was wearing said hoodie.

She'd already texted Emma to let Hilda know she was finished, and the two witches were now on their way over. She stepped out of her room, heading towards the front porch to wait for them, when she spotted Death on the couch with a game controller in hand. He glanced her way and commented, “Ah, you’re wearing your hoodie. Does that mean the seal is complete?”

“Yeah, check it out,” she replied, turning around. “Emma and Hilda are coming over for a trial run, too.”

“Excellent!” Death said. “In that case, I’ll finish up with my game and observe.”

Morrigan took a step toward the door but paused. She watched Death for a moment as he gamed, engrossed in that fantasy game he seemed so fond of. Then she asked, “Hey… so what do you think of witches?” What Noir had said yesterday was still nagging at her.

Death paused his game. He rested the controller on his lap and interlaced his skeletal fingers. "Witches, you say? That's a rather broad question. Could you be more specific?"

Morrigan leaned against a bookshelf, arms crossed. "Well, Noir mentioned that witches are inherently chaotic and that I should be cautious around them. So... what’s your perspective on them?"

Death nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, Noir's cautionary words. It's true that witches often operate outside the rigid structures of the order that we maintain. They have the potential to use their powers disruptively and can indeed lean towards chaos. However, I believe they have their place in this world."

"So you don't think they're all bad?" Morrigan asked, feeling a bit relieved.

"Of course not. Good or bad depends on the individual and their intentions. Beyond that, I believe witches and wizards serve as a critical safeguard for humanity.”

“Safeguard?”

“Indeed. This world was not always in balance. There was a time when demons roamed freely, and the separation of the different planes of existence was quite thin. It's foolish to believe the world could never go back to being like that. If it were to get bad enough, ordinary humans would not be able to survive. That is where mages will stand as the safeguard of humanity. Just as they were long ago.”

“So… in a way, they have a role to play in order too. Even though they lean more toward chaos?”

“Yes, well, while we are on the side of order, there is still a balance that ought to be maintained. If the world were in absolute perfect order, I suspect that could seem quite chaotic in its own way.”

“What do you mean?” Morrigan asked.

“Absolute order would mean every event, every action, and every outcome would be predetermined. There would be no room for free will, no space for spontaneity or change. Such rigidity could lead to its own kind of chaos—a stagnation where nothing new can ever occur."

“Whoa…”

Death chuckled and picked his controller back up. “Well, that is just my thought on it. I’ve had quite a long time to think about such things, you know.”

“Right… that makes sense though. So it’s not like order should be absolute… it's more about having a balance?”

“Precisely.”

“But Noir told me not to trust witches.”

“Yes, well, he is not entirely incorrect. They’ll have a certain fascination with you, I’m sure, because of what you are. So do be careful to keep your own duties in mind.”

Morrigan frowned at that. “You make it sound like they’re just going to use me.”

“Is that how it sounded? Well… I wouldn’t think it is intentional in any case, at least regarding those two. But a typical witch is inherently interested in knowledge and widening their abilities. That is something worth keeping in mind, so I don’t believe Noir is completely off base in warning you of such.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll keep that in mind.”

As Morrigan stepped out onto the front porch, the familiar rumble of Hilda's jeep echoed up the driveway. Morrigan smiled as Emma waved from the passenger seat, and she stepped down from the porch to greet them.

“Hey! How’s it going?” Emma said as she hopped out.

“Good,” Morrigan said with a small smile.

Hilda turned the Jeep off, then got out as well. “So, let's see how you did.” Morrigan turned around to let her examine the seal. “Damn, that looks great! How’s it feel, though?”

“I don’t know, not any different. I just hope it works.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Let's test it out, then.” Hilda smirked, materializing the beautifully carved staff with the blue gem into her grasp.

“So, what's the plan exactly?” Morrigan raised an eyebrow as she turned. “Blast me with lightning bolts and see if my little shoulder demon tries to attack you?”

Emma snorted.

“Well, that would be the surest way to know,” Hilda said as Morrigan led them into the yard. “Take it off real quick, though. I want to test something else.”

Morrigan unzipped the hoodie as requested and then handed it over. Hilda held it up with one hand, and Morrigan noticed her staff glow ever so slightly.

“Okay, so as I mentioned, this seal has two positions which can be changed with magic. Right now, it's locked.”

The white threads began to glow ever so slightly, and then, they began to move, the different intricate parts moving until the blank spaces of the incomplete inner circles lined up. Morrigan watched, fascinated, and Emma equally so as she let out a soft “Oooo.”

Hilda winked. “Emma, go ahead and stick your hand through it.”

“What!? Really?” Emma said excitedly, and walked over to do as asked. She raised her hand, tentatively at first, then carefully reached forward to touch the seal. As her fingertips touched the seal, the glow intensified, but instead of the material being pushed, Emma’s fingers disappeared into it. “Wow, cool!” Emma said.

Hilda chuckled. “Go ahead, stick your hand through.”

Emma grinned and slid her entire hand through the glowing seal. It disappeared into the fabric, causing the threads to shimmer and shift. "This is so weird," Emma marveled.

Morrigan tilted to see around to the other side of the hoodie, where she saw Emma’s hand coming out of the other side with her fingers wiggling. There was a blue glow lighting up the inside of the hoodie. “Wow… how did you do that?” Morrigan asked.

Hilda laughed. “Magic, of course.”

Emma took her hand back and examined it as if making sure it was still whole.

There was a final burst of light from the seal as it began to shift again and returned to the locked position. Hilda held it out to Morrigan and explained, “This way, if you ever want to let the demon flesh come out, you can do it without damaging your clothes… or having to strip first.”

Morrigan narrowed her eyes at Hilda as she put the hoodie back on and zipped it up. “I’d rather it just stay sealed.”

Hilda smirked. "Fair enough, but it's good to have options, right? Just in case."

Emma nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, and it's not like you have to use it. But knowing you can is kinda cool."

Morrigan shrugged, still feeling a bit uneasy about the idea of unleashing the demon flesh at will. "I guess. So, what now?"

Hilda tapped her staff on the ground, the blue gem shimmering. "Now we test it for real. Let's see if your little shoulder demon stays put."

Morrigan took a deep breath, bracing herself. "Okay, hit me with your best shot."

Hilda smiled, raising her staff. "Just relax and focus on the seal. Trust in the magic."

Emma stepped back, giving them space. Hilda closed her eyes briefly, murmuring an incantation. The air around them crackled with energy, and a faint blue light surrounded the tip of her staff. Suddenly, a burst of light shot out, aimed directly at Morrigan.

Morrigan tensed, feeling the familiar tingling sensation in her spine as the demon flesh stirred. She focused on the seal, willing it to hold. The light struck her, and she felt the power of the seal activating. The threads glowed brightly, forming a barrier as she felt the bubbling beneath her skin.

The tendrils tried to form, and poked at her clothing a little, but they didn't break through. The pain was there, but it was manageable, controlled. Morrigan gritted her teeth, focusing on her breathing.

Stay calm, she reminded herself. You're in control.

Hilda watched intently, her staff still glowing. Emma held her breath, eyes wide with anticipation. The seal held, and the bubbling sensation evened out across her back and then stopped. Morrigan felt a surge of relief and triumph.

Hilda lowered her staff, the light fading. "How do you feel?"

Morrigan took a deep breath, the pain subsiding. "It worked. The seal held."

Emma cheered, rushing forward to hug her. "That's awesome! You did it!"

Morrigan smiled awkwardly as Emma latched her hands around her, then hugged her back with one arm. "Yeah, I guess I did."

“This is so cool!” Emma said.

Death stepped down from the porch. “Well done, Miss Hilda. That does appear to be quite a complicated seal you’ve crafted.”

“Yeah, well, I was just feeling inspired.” Hilda winked.

“Yes, and you’ve done Morrigan a great service. You have my thanks.”

“Hey, she gets some credit too. There’s no way I was going to sew that entire thing on there, and she did an amazing job.”

Emma finally let Morrigan go after another hug. “I’m working on sewing a protection rune into one of my shirts too. Don’t know if I’ll ever really need it, though.”

“Well, you never know,” Hilda said. “Hanging around this trouble-maker, it might be a good idea.”

Morrigan would’ve smiled if she didn’t feel so guilty about the whole changeling attack.

“So, how’s the recovery, by the way?” Emma asked, noticing Morrigan’s change in mood.

“Oh, I feel great, actually. No more pain unless the demon acts up.”

“Well, in that case, I think we should celebrate,” Hilda said. “Anyone up for going out to dinner?”

“Ooooh! Yeah!” Emma said.

Morrigan grinned. “Thanks, but I don’t have any money.”

“Ah, no worries,” Hilda said, “I’ll cover you guys.”

“Actually,” Death cut in. “If you wouldn’t mind me accompanying you, I’ll cover the tab.”

“Ah, you don’t have to do that,” Hilda said.

“No, no, I insist. I haven’t been out to dinner with a group like this in quite some time. And it would be my way of showing my gratitude to you for helping my apprentice.”

“Um… But you don’t eat,” Morrigan pointed out.

“Haha, yes, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy your company. Now, shall I drive?”

Hilda looked at the Rolls Royce Phantom with a huge grin. “Oh yeah! I have been eyeing that thing ever since I first came over here! I’ve been itching to take it for a spin!” she said, nearly drooling. She looked back at Death with a sparkle in her eyes like a kid in a candy store. “Do you think I could take a peek under the hood real quick?”

“Of course!” Death said as he led the way. He reached inside the door and popped the hood.

Hilda let out a visible shudder as she looked inside. “Oh man, this thing is mint! How did you keep it in such good condition!?”

Morrigan and Emma looked at each other with a grin.

“Don’t think we’re leaving any time soon,” Emma said.

“Yeeeah, doesn’t look like it.” Morrigan agreed. Then she gestured to the cabin. “Want to game until they’re ready?”

“Alright, you’re on! What’re we playing?”

CLICK HERE TO READ CHAPTER 59!