Morrigan woke up in her bed with a jerk. Her eyes had snapped open in panic until they focused enough to recognize her room. She relaxed as she rubbed her face before realizing she had a heavy weight on her. She looked over her shoulder to find Taylor holding her close, fast asleep. “Was yesterday a dream? Was this a dream?” She peered around her room in confusion.

Hehehe not quite sweet cheeks but let me tell you, you are a very vivid dreamer.

Morrigan froze as she recognized the voice. She groaned softly covering her face with her blanket. “Guess it was all real…”she conceded.

Oh it was real alright, a lovely romantic afternoon followed by a tragic night, with a grand prize of, moi!

She snorted before uncovering her face, “are you always this obnoxious in the morning?” she asked, nearly forgetting to whisper.

Well when you've spent eons bored out of your skull, in my case literally, you find ways to get by. Morrigan rolled her eyes as she slowly and carefully untangled herself from Taylor. Her parents must have been sympathetic to his own mentality to let him spend the night. As she stood and took stock of her sleeping giant, if she had to be honest with herself, she felt bad things had gotten so bad last night. Not that anyone dropped her down a hole on purpose.

She looked in the mirror to find her clothes worse off than she remembered. There were cuts and tears all over the place. Even her bra had a nasty gouge in it. She sighed, “well that sucks.” She was about to take the ragged clothes off but remembered her boyfriend sleeping in her bed. She blushed slightly.

Gross, embarrassment. Morrigan rolled her eyes as she went to grab fresh clothes from her closet.

“Oh be quiet.”

She tiptoed her way to the door, silently opening the door to make sure whoever, including Taylor, went undisturbed. As the door softly clicked behind her, she noticed her parents room open. That was one less thing she had to be quiet about as she made her way to the bathroom.

There she finally got undressed only to be startled by the mirror. Glancing at the mirror she spotted intricate lines across her chest that made their way up her collar bones and stopped at the top of her shoulder. Upon closer inspection as she leaned into the mirror and began running her fingers across the lines, they reminded her of that symbol the voice had her carve into the stone floor; an elegantly fluid geometric design. Hope you like it, since it’s a side effect of my power.

She shrugged, it almost reminded her of an Eskarii tattoo. “It’s like a tattoo, coincidentally I’ve always wanted a tattoo, but never had the money for one. I guess this is free unless you count the cost of my soul.”

Haha oh please, I don’t own your soul… maybe your sanity the voice said with a sadistic sneer.

Morrigan turned the water on and got in the shower, the hot water soothing her mildly aching muscles and cleansing her body of the taint that was the hole she fell in. “What am I to call you? I can’t keep thinking of you as a disembodied voice if we're going to be with each other for the long haul.”

Hmmm…

Morrigan surprised herself at the level of acceptance she was displaying. As annoying so far as it has been, it’s been kind of nice to have someone there all the time, even disembodied. She at least never felt alone, and she could not lie about loving the idea of having magic now.

“So? What would you like me to call you?” she asked again. Curious as to why it never answered.

It’s a difficult decision… my name has no words to be spoken. That threw Morrigan off a bit as she scrubbed her face.

“What do you mean by that?” she inquired.

I guess it’s time for a little history lesson eh? At the beginning there was nothing but energy. Two energies specifically. Primordial, formless, existing in nonexistence. I suppose in a primitive sense you could call those energies my parents. Anyways, at some point those two energies collided, fucked so to speak, and gave birth to reality as we know it… what your early scientists called the ‘big bang’ hehehe. Morrigan rolled her eyes at the irony behind that before sitting down in the shower, letting the water rain down on her as she listened.

Well, I, as well as my siblings, were a by product. Starting out as formless energy much like our parents. There were no laws of reality then, no real… direction. The only thing was certain was our nature. After a few hundred thousand years we took shape, shape created by our inherent nature given to us by our primordial parents. Eventually we learned of our purpose, at least something to do. My siblings began building, creating—

“Not you?” she asked.

No… I found creation annoyingly tedious and boring. Now, over a few million years, my siblings developed… names per say. You see, our names are not vocal, they’re essences of time and existence. My brother was the essence of all things that would be, the real ‘brains' of the universe… pompous prick.

That amused Morrigan as she giggled. My two sisters were what was and what is to come, taking my brother's designs and turning them into reality, from start to finish. From the atomic level to the first sentient being in the universe. One sister put it together while the other developed its continued existence.

“what about you?”

I'm getting there girl… anyways after the first wave of creation flourished with success, too much success. Their work over grew, like a forest choking itself and everything around it. My siblings came to me, since I had been the one watching instead of mindlessly creating, asked for my input.

Morrigan cocked her head in suspense, curious to how this story would end.

Exactly, I told them existence only exists if there is an end. Nothing can live forever, with no end there is only expansion until there is no where left to expand. Once that happens, well… you have to make room. That was when they decided I would be the one to be the end of everything. To allow the continuation of existence, something must end for something new to take its place. I was named the end of all things to come.

Morrigan nodded, she could see how finding a name could be hard for something like that. Knowing that now, she really delved deep into the recesses of her vocabulary.

She dug through ancient history and previously modern books that were retained in her memories to no avail. Why don’t you just call me Apollyon.

“Apollyon?” she found the name sounded nice

Yeah the Greeks and Christians had a good knack for naming shit. An archangel of destruction.

“oh…” she nodded with surprise; she didn’t expect such an eloquent name to hold that dark of a meaning. “Well it sounds fitting, Apollyon it is.” she said as she stood to finish her shower.

Morrigan continued her routine as she got out of the shower. As she got dressed, she made sure that her dress shirt covered her new “tattoo”. She had a feeling her parents would not be happy with her.

You can always tell them about me.

She scoffed, “listen, I just got released from a therapist, I don’t need to be giving people another reason to send me back.”

Fair enough, I feel like I’d hate that.

She smirked, “oh yeah, nothing like sitting in a chair having some psychiatrist have you talk about your day to day emotions.”

Blech, stop. You made your point. If I had eyes I’d gouge them out.

That made her snicker, “why your eyes? Wouldn’t your ears be more effective?”

Nah, do you know how hard it is to cut out someone’s ears? Better off drowning in pain from eye-gouging.

She arched an eyebrow before shaking her head. She honestly did not want to know how Apollyon knew that. Morrigan opened the door and made her way downstairs. Turned out her father had already left for work as she found his coffee cup in the sink. It was a minor disappointment for her, at least he would be at graduation. She peered at the clock, there was three hours before graduation, three hours to relax before wishing to die from boredom.

Sounds dreadful…

“Oh it will be, two hours of the dean congratulating every student who graduated, one by one as he hands out their diplomas,” she said before sipping fresh coffee.

I'll go back to my hole now.

That got a giggle out of her as she internally agreed. She heard her mother speaking to someone, most likely a colleague or field operative. Morrigan sat at the counter, taking a sip of coffee as she watched her mother exit her office. “Oh! Hey Heimsen, let me call you back, just send the file and I’ll take a look at it in a few minutes,” her mother said when she noticed Morrigan sitting at the island. “Well look whose finally up,” Helen said with a smile as she went to refill her coffee mug.

Morrigan smirked, “yeah, do you have any idea what happened last night? Last thing I remember was finding Taylor and dad with the rescue crew.” Her mother gave her a knowing smile.

“Yeah, you gave us quite the scare. Apparently, you were so exhausted that you curled up on the gurney with a thermal blanket before being taken to the hospital—" Morrigan gasped in surprise.

“I went to the hospital?”

“—you did, your dad spoke to the paramedics at the hospital. Supposedly you growled in your sleep any time they tried to unwrap you to check your vitals.” Helen finished with a chuckle.

She's not lying, you’re feisty when you’re tired.

Morrigan covered her mouth as she laughed, “oh geez, I can’t believe that.”

Helen laughed, “that’s not the worst of it.”

Morrigan groaned in embarrassment.

“Oh yes, when they went to run tests on you to make sure you were alright, you had stabbed a nurse with the IV when they forced you to give up the blanket. Your dad said the obscenities you were screaming because they woke you up would have made a naval admiral blush,” her mother laughed through the tale.

Morrigan had been too wrapped up in embarrassment to hear Taylor come down the stairs, “it took four grown men to hold you down long enough to sedate you,” he added while rubbing the back of his head while stretching. Morrigan's head hit the counter with a solid thud.

“Kill me now,” she groaned.

Taylor came up behind her and gently rubbed her shoulders, “we almost lost you once already. That’s definitely not happening love.” Morrigan sat up and gave him a kiss as she began feeling guilty again. Stop that. It’s gross.

Her face reflected her confusion as she wondered which part Apollyon found gross. I'm all for debauchery girl, guilt however, is a disgusting emotion. Knock that shit off.

She smiled as she looked to Taylor, trying to ignore Apollyon. “Thanks for trying to save my ass last night.”

Taylor kissed the top of her head, guilt and worry seemed to finally have left him after a night’s sleep. “Honestly I would have gone down the hole myself if there had been a way down,” he said as he took a seat next to her. “I almost crashed a dozen times rushing to the fire department to get help.”

Helen chimed in as she leaned forward, “speaking of, my husband took care of those speeding tickets and red lights you racked up.” Morrigan gave Taylor a speculative look as he scratched his head in mild embarrassment.

“Thanks for that.” He chirped.

Helen waved him off, “you did it for Morrigan, it’s the least we could do. Consider it thanks for trying to save our daughter.” Morrigan gave him a nudge in appreciation.

“And thank you both for not making this a big deal!” Morrigan sang as she drank more coffee. Both of them laughed.

“We know better, you're safe, you're unharmed and despite the crippling worry that night everything is alright,” her mother noted. Taylor nodding in agreement.

He did lean to his side comically to look at her, “what was that about wolves though? I'm still really confused by that.” Morrigan smiled innocently, completely forgetting that little bit of information slip during her exhausted haze.

“Umm… well when I found the entrance behind the waterfall, there happened to be wolves who decided I might be a good snack…” she admitted bashfully.

Both Taylor and Helen looked at each other in astonishment. “How many?” her mother asked.

Morrigan bit her lip. You can always tell them of your power, how you savaged both wolves with your bare hands. Morrigan subtly shook her head.

“Three, though two only actually attacked.”

Taylor chuckled with a hint of disbelief, “and you fought them off with fists and foul language?” There was a knowing smile on Taylor’s face, he knew how she operated in conflict.

Morrigan grinned, he knew her so well.

Not as well as I do now.

“Oh my god Apollyon, shut up,” she thought forcefully.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Haha why? Not like he’s been inside you, rearranging your guts hahahahahaha Apollyon cackled at its crude joke. It took all of Morrigan’s willpower to keep a straight face though her crimson face betrayed her stoicism.

“And a really good rock,” she replied hastily before taking a distracting sip of coffee.

Both of them laughed, “I’ll have to tell your father that, he’d be proud of that one,” her mother remarked. Taylor pulled Morrigan’s head towards him and gave her a kiss.

“Hell, I'm proud of you. I know what you can do with your hands, I can’t imagine what you’d do with a rock… then again I’ve seen what you can do with the ass end of a rifle,” Taylor said playfully.

Morrigan stuck her tongue out at him, “shouldn’t you be getting ready? We have graduation today.”

She watched as Taylor’s eyes widened, he obviously forgot all about graduation. “Shit, uh, by any chance Mr. Clarke would have any spare clothes I can borrow? I didn’t necessarily bring anything last night…” He gave Helen an adorable ‘I’m sorry to ask’ look.

Her mother just laughed and waved him to follow. “I’m sure James has something that'll fit you, come, we will find something.”

Taylor sheepishly followed which amused Morrigan as she finished her coffee. Well he’s a big teddy bear isn’t he?

“Hey, don’t be a dick,” Morrigan snapped. “He's more brain over brawn.”

If I had a body like his, I’d rule the world.

“Excuse you, he’s an amazing guy. Not a power hungry douchebag like the mages,” she retorted.

Like you are now? She glared at the coffee machine as she walked to make another cup.

“Am I though?” she asked. She had thought about it; she did not inherit the ability to control magic, she was born an ordinary human. The only reason she has any magic at all what because of the god-like thing that inhabited her body. If anything, she was something in between a mage and a magic-less.

Oh you are much more than both dear child. When I’m done with you, you will be above them all.

Morrigan tilted her head thoughtfully, “what if I don’t want to be above everyone?”

Hehehe, modesty doesn’t suit you. We both know what you want, and if you wish to achieve your dream well, you’ll need to be on a whole different level. Apollyon said hungrily.

Morrigan could see the merit in its words. She wasn’t sure how different she wanted to be, or what being on a different level even entailed. Before she could ask Apollyon, her mother came down the stairs as she heard the shower turn on. “So, dad is still going to be there right?” she asked as her mother rounded the corner.

The look of disappointment on her mother's face told her no. “I’m sorry, but with everything that happened yesterday the commander is having your dad make up the time today.”

Morrigan pursed her lips, as disappointing as it was, she knew her father would abandon his job to make sure she’s okay. It was only fair that he make up lost time; though she was annoyed that the commander made him do it on her graduation day instead of any other day of the week, but she supposed it was meant to be a form of punishment.

“I get it… honestly it’s better than dad getting written up or docked pay,” she stated as she began her second cup of coffee. Her mother gave her a soft smile as she walked up to give her hug.

“I’ll be there though, speaking of which, I have files to get through so I can make it,” Helen said before kissing her daughter on the top of the head.

Before her mother went back to work, Morrigan inquired, “if dad’s at work, how are you getting to the school?”

Helen looked over her shoulder with a grin as she stopped at the threshold, “the Briggs are picking me up.” With that, she closed the door behind her.

Morrigan stood there slack jawed. Taylor’s parents were picking her mother up? In the three years they have dated, their parents have never met. Taylor’s parents never had much interest in meeting them and now this? What’s the big deal?

“It’s… complicated,” Morrigan whispered sheepishly, not wanting to get into it. That however, did not stop Apollyon from digging into her subconscious.

Ah, they don’t care about you that much. Morrigan ground her teeth. She was not fond of the fact that nothing in her head was secret anymore. Hey, I’m just saying it’s stupid of them to dismiss such a strong-willed woman, they don't realize how easy it would be too snuff them out.

“Shut up Apollyon,” she snapped sharply. The only response got was a satisfied groan when her anger spiked momentarily. She noticed it seemed to be enthralled with her anger, wonder if it had to do with its nature, it’s whole purpose of existence that she learned this morning.

We will cover that when we start your training.

She bit her lip and kept her comment to herself, no doubt Apollyon already knowing it anyways.

Morrigan had finished her coffee and moved to the couch by the time Taylor came downstairs. Though she looked completely fine, Taylor could see the subtle hurt in her face. “everything okay hun?” he asked giving her elbow a gentle pinch as he sat next to her.

She gave him a shrug and a weak smile, “yeah, found out dad can’t be there today, forced to work a double because of yesterday.” Taylor gave her an apologetic look that she didn't see. He wrapped his arm around and pulled her into a hug that she did not resist.

She sighed with the comfort, “what about you? Are you okay?” She realized she had yet to ask him since yesterday.

Taylor gave a tired groan, “yeah, I’m fine. Yesterday was exhausting but in the end I’m just happy you’re okay. Though if we can never have a repeat of that, that would be wonderful.” He finished with a chuckle as she nodded rapidly into his side. “Just remind me never to wake you if I’m within arms reach,” he added.

That made her giggled, “I can still throw things ya know?”

He laughed at the truth behind that, “okay, if we ever move in together, we’ll need a bullet proof barrier somewhere.” The underlying notion that they will likely live together made her blush deeply. She couldn't have been luckier to find someone as thoughtful as him that also considers the future.

She pat his stomach, “as long as you know what you're getting into.”

He chuckled before kissing the top of her head, “oh I'm well aware.” Which had her smiling warmly.

“Oh! Did you know your parents are picking my mom up?” she asked in excitement. She could feel him slowly turn hi head to her. She peered up to find a raised eyebrow which she responded with a brow wriggle.

Taylor snorted, “your dad must’ve asked when he called them to let me know I was staying the night… well it’s about time.”

They both laughed together at that fact. They spent the rest of the time they had in comfortable silence before they headed off to school.

ΩΩΩ

It was a terrible time for Morrigan. She and Taylor arrived, were given ceremonial cloaks then separated into alphabetical order in the large field near the school. The part that bothered her was being surrounded by so many teenagers, many of which she did not like.

Kill me now, this is worse than torture. Apollyon complained as they performed the practice ceremony. “I agree but suck it up, it’s only two more hours,” she muttered. Awkward glances were thrown her way, people took notice she had been talking to herself. Morrigan returned those glances with deadly glares that deterred anyone from commenting on it. She caught sight of Taylor a few columns over in front of her.

He peered over his shoulder at her and mimicked killing himself then smiled. She chuckled with a sympathetic smile with an understanding nod. So, when are you going to tie the knot with that one?

Morrigan’s eyes widened, “what?”

You know, the beast of two backs, the sideways tango, when are you going to ride that man meat like you stole it?

Morrigan instantly turned bright red, “fucking hell… nope… nope, nope, nope, fuck you and that question,” she muttered trying to keep her voice down. She noticed Taylor giving her an inquisitive look. She pursed her lips and shook her head, her eyes pleading him not to question her sudden fluster.

Hehehehe, come on, I know what goes on in your head. Spill it girlfriend, Apollyon teased with sass.

“Shut up! Don’t make me come in there,” she growled glaring at anyone who turned to see her mad ramblings. She understood that Apollyon was bored, she was too, but prying into her relationship like that was not a good solution to boredom.

It's working so far Apollyon noted mischievously. She groaned. It was going to be a long two hours.

ΩΩΩ

Helen had finished her work and changed clothes into something more professional by the time Mr. and Mrs. Briggs arrived in a restored classic car. She gave them a welcoming smile as Mrs. Briggs gave her a happy wave. Helen scrutinized the vehicle, it was a two door muscle car from the early 2100s, roughly 350 years or so old, fitted with a newer plasma engine and recycling. “Now this is a beauty!” she said over the low rhythm of the idling of the engine.

Mr. and Mrs. Briggs got out of the car to greet Helen, Mr. Briggs holding the wide swinging door open. “Ah, would never have taken you for a car woman Mrs. Clarke,” Mr. Briggs said. Helen held her hand out for Mr. Briggs to take.

“Please call me Helen. As for being a car woman I am not in the slightest,” she said with a wry chuckle, “but I am one to recognize beauty when I see it.”

“Ah, that's something I can respect… I'm Scott, this is my wife Samantha,” Scott said gesturing to his wife who had come around the car.

Helen held her hand out for Mrs. Briggs, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise, it’s been long over due that we all meet,” Samantha stated with a smile. Helen was delighted to see that the Briggs were as pleasant as their son. Scott had moved the seat forward to allow Helen in as they all got in the car.

The car held a steady rumble as they made their way to the school. Helen sighed, “this thing sounds like a dream, James would be head over heels over it.” She could see a smile crack across Scott’s face as Samantha laughed.

“It is a shame he can’t join us, but it’s understandable,” Samantha said.

“That is true, after yesterday it’s an easy sacrifice given the possible alternatives, I hope it wasn’t too much trouble with Taylor not coming home last night.”

Scott waved Helen’s worry away, “Bah, it’s quite fine, it was his day off and he’s a responsible grown man. We were relieved to have heard nothing bad happened to Morrigan, that girl of yours has a world of luck on her side.”

Helen laughed heartily, “that is the understatement of a lifetime. She’s given us plenty of scares over the years but thankfully nothing truly bad has ever happened to her.” They all laughed together.

“She is a delight though, we enjoy seeing her and having her help out at the shop,” Samantha said cheerfully. That brought a look of scrutiny from Helen. Morrigan had always worried about Taylor’s parents not liking her.

“I’m glad to hear that but, I don’t think Mori is… aware of that though.”

Samantha turned to look at their passenger with concern. “Mori told me just the other day she worries about how you both feel about her,” Helen added.

Both Scott and Samantha gave each other a disheartened look, “well that’s not right,” Scott said. Samantha turned to Helen with a frown.

“I mean it’s true, given her reputation and all we weren’t the most receptive at first. We trust Taylor’s instincts when it comes to dating, even when he was 15, our boy always had a good knack for reading people. But, after the 1st year they were together we warmed up to her...” Samantha leaned against the seat with a thoughtful expression.

Scott scratched the back of his head as he drove, “we grew to appreciate her rough exterior, because after all, underneath that exterior is a complete sweetheart. Plus she has a good work ethic about her when she comes to helping out or getting her hands dirty… we'll have to be sure to set the record straight today,” Scott finished his wife’s thought with a heavy sigh.

Helen smiled, she appreciated that they took Morrigan’s feelings to heart. “Perhaps we can all have a barbeque soon or something? I’m sure Mori and Taylor would enjoy us all getting together and I know James would love the opportunity to meet you both properly.”

Samantha turned to her husband with an inquiring look, who in turn gave her a thoughtful shrug, “I don’t see why not, it is a busy season for us at the shop but I’m sure we can work out a day to close up for a bit,” he said. Helen nodded.

“Well, all you have to do is let us know, the D.S.T.U. is pretty flexible with my husband’s hours, today aside. My hours technically never end so I can more or less take any time off,” Helen informed.

Scott looked into the rearview mirror, “Taylor mentioned you work for the DoD? How goes our fight with the Xenos?”

Helen sighed; she knew Morrigan would be disappointed to hear Mr. Briggs refer to the Eskarii and Saurian as Xenos, in truth it disappointed her a bit too. “Honestly, there isn’t so much of a war with the Eskarii or Saurian, honestly 95% of the intel I have to sort through involving either race is just their movements through their galactic territories. It’s essentially just a perpetual standoff.”

“Then what is with all the drafts and conscriptions if there is no real war?” Scott asked.

Helen shrugged, “well, just like humans, all three races have their own problem with piracy and anti-government movements, some of those that are against the Coalition of Unity or the Federation have gone so far as to join forces. Plus there is the war between the Federation and the Coalition to account for.”

Scott shrugged and shook his head, “well, at least something getting done.” He could see the lopsided smile as she nodded.

Helen turned out the small window watching the high school come into view, wishing she could divulge more information but in truth she should not have said what she already had. She trusted the Briggs were smart enough to not share anything that would risk their family’s safety, but she also had to keep the secrets she knew for the same reason. Over all, the war was more verbal threats than anything, but with the piracy factions causing trouble for all three races, it was only a matter of time until someone fired the first shot and reignited the bloodshed.

ΩΩΩ

Morrigan blew a sigh of relief as she watched the families of students pile into the field and bleachers. Only one more go at this and she was done with the high school life and everyone involved, Taylor aside. Ah, intend on keeping that one huh? Morrigan tsked as she shook her head. Apollyon was determined to drive her crazy when it came to her relationship. The calling of names had begun, as students slowly filed up and accepted their diplomas.

The ceremony was just as boring as it had been during rehearsal, only this time it was back by cries and cheers of family members. She did find it amusing when Taylor had been called that his parents snuck in a truck horn they rigged to go off. When her row was next to file up, she scanned the area for her mother. She smiled brightly when she found her mother sitting next to Taylor’s parents, dressed in professional office clothes of a government official. Her mother gave an exuberant wave when she caught her eye. “Morrigan Clarke!” her dean announced. Morrigan had not been paying attention and nearly tripped up the stairs of the platform that held the podium.

The second her diploma touched her palm as her dean handed it over, the truck horn blared. Morrigan burst into a fit of giggles as she saw the look of irritation on her dean’s face. She appreciated the noise by Taylor’s parents, it showed their support for her. Her dean cleared his throat, “you should be proud Miss Clarke. I only hope you’ve learned well how to stay out of trouble,” he said as he held out his hand.

Morrigan shook his hand firmly, “thank you sir, though I won’t make any promises.” A sly grin crept across her face. The head of her school just gave her a knowing smile and gestured her to the stairs down as he called the next student. As she stepped down off the platform she turned to see her mother holding her hands together as tears lined her eyes. Samantha Briggs placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as she gave Morrigan a thumbs up and a happy smile.

Morrigan began to wonder what brought on their genuine support, maybe seeing high school through deemed her worthy of their son. Not that it matters, they should really ask if their spawn is worthy of you… Morrigan was beginning to get annoyed by Apollyon’s commentary of Taylor.

“What's with you and my boyfriend?” she asked.

Can’t blame a man for being a bit possessive. There were too many jokes in that statement for her not to crack a smile. She found it strangely endearing that Apollyon gave a damn about her but at the same time disturbing if it was serious about being possessive.

She shook her head, “well I guess it’s good you’re not a man eh?” She said sarcastically.

Ouch… right in the feels. You really are a cold-hearted bitch Morrigan, I like it hehe.

She grinned, “why thank you.”

The rest of the ceremony had flown by into its conclusion. Morrigan’s impatience was manifested by her act of tearing out of the ceremonial cloak instead of simply taking it off like a civilized person and leaving it in tatters on the ground. Morrigan bee-lined to her mother as the students surrounding her began celebrating, doing her best to ignore the mage kids showing off their magic. She shook her head in disgust until her mother blindsided her with throwing her arms around her in an ambush embrace.

Morrigan caught tears of joy in her mother's eyes, which she found it unnecessary to be that joyous over graduation. “there’s no need to cry mom.” Morrigan still threw her arms around her mother anyways.

Helen laughed, “just wait until you have children, you'll be in my shoes when they graduate–” Morrigan pulled back and looked at her mother.

“Nope, not starting that conversation again!” Morrigan laughed as she returned to hugging her mother as the Briggs walked up. Morrigan let go in time for Mrs. Briggs to grab ahold of her and pull her into another embrace.

“We're so proud of you Mori,” Samantha said holding the girl tight. Mrs. Briggs was significantly stronger than her mother she realized, as the air was forced from her lungs.

“Okay, okay all this pride is going to crush me to death!” Morrigan squeaked out in a chuckle as Mrs. Briggs releases her. Both of Taylor’s parents look her in the eyes with proud yet, regretful expressions.

“No Mori, we’ve been unfair to you over the past few years. It’s about time we took the time to show how much we appreciate you,” Mrs. Briggs said.

She did not have time to look confused before Taylor’s father planted a firm yet soft hand on Morrigan’s shoulder, “Sammy's right, we’ve been terrible, truth is we care about you as much as we do Taylor.” His soft words defeated his usual gruff demeanor and caught her off guard. “You completed a significant milestone today, despite anything that’s said about you, you turned out to be an amazing young woman who deserves not only Taylor’s heart but ours as well. We never want you to question where you stand with us.”

Morrigan could feel tears starting to swell in her eyes as she pulled them both into a hug. “Okay that's enough sappy stuff otherwise you'll get me going too,” she chuckled through stifled tears.

It was then, Taylor finally joined emotional party, “looks like I missed something good?” he asked as he walked up still dressed in his ceremonial cloak. Morrigan sniffled as she wiped her eyes as she let his parents go, turning to hug him next.

They all talked and exchanged delighted congratulations for a moment while Morrigan never let go of Taylor. I hate to break up the love fest… Apollyon said sarcastically, but I’m sensing a sad mix of confusion and fear brewing.

Morrigan immediately shot her head around. Apollyon was right, everyone began facing towards the podium with quiet mummers of concern. That’s when she spotted everyone’s rising fear; a Federation military retinue entering the field.