CW: Vauge mention of death and injury, Flashbacks (I totally didn't forget to add these. I might just put something in the description that says something along the lines of "I forgot to put CW's so do be wary of reading." or something I dunno.)

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"If you need something for light that's better than those berries you got growing up there, there are some candles in the chests under the stairs. Feel free to take a few if needed."

Abbadon has been gone for a few days, getting a few things. I'm not entirely sure, I wasn't told much. The berries have been growing well and giving off a decent amount of light, but during the day when they dim out, it's gotten a little dark, mainly because of the drapes over the windows. Since I've not been able to do much in the dark other than sleep or read, I had decided I'd grab a few candles after I've taken care of a few things downstairs.

"I mean he said it was fine." I mumble to myself as I take a few candles, they were all pink so I decided I'd do a small spell that turns them purple.

Setting them down in a few areas around the attic, I light them one by one, lighting the one at my desk before I sit down. I was up all day trying to gather a few ingredients for a potion. Luckily I know what I need to grow for it so I've already gotten all that set up the moment Abbadon mentioned I could stay. I do feel like I'm overstaying my welcome though.

I look over to a bit of the rock I had set near my bookshelves. If it wasn't for that I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be bothering a Vampire of all things. I mean originally I knew this place would be fine. My teacher knew the guy who lived here before. Abbadon has had a smoother transition into being a vampire because of her help. I haven't asked him what happened mainly because it's really none of my business. I mean I don't blame him, the process from human to vampire is a traumatic one. It seems insensitive to ask about him both because of what's happened, and because maybe it would be best if I didn't know.

The candles aren't really giving off much light, I mean it's enough to see, but I'm still straining my eyes to read the book in front of me. I look at the candle, sighing, maybe I could just open the drapes, I don't think Abbadon will be home soon and even if he will be, I'll either hear him come in and close them myself. Or he'll still be able to deal with the sun a bit.

I notice the candles don't smell like normal candles. Hmm, I hadn't expected vampires to keep scented candles. As I'm fairly certain most are way to strong for the heightened senses that a vampire may possess

-

"Mister Sangrey. Here are the resources you require."

"Thank you Althea. Say, surely it must be tiring walking all the way here from your coven and back. Would you not like a moment to rest?"

"I do appreciate the offer, but it is fine. I do quite enjoy walking around the forests and plains that I have to traverse to get here. I really don't mind."

"Just know that if you ever need, and you are near, my manor is open to you, and to anyone else in the coven as well."

I nod, handing him the bag of potions and other important things a vampire may need. "I will keep that in mind then."

-

Odd, I wasn't expecting to relive that. I look at the rock. Glaring at it a bit. It has a mind of its own at times. I've been thinking it's not something I should be keeping in the manor, but every time I can't bother to toss it. It's the source of my Magick, whatever it is. I can't just toss it out. It's a part of me now.

However, thinking about it. The scent the candle is giving off is more akin to something Althea would've had burning via incense. Maybe the spell I used to change the color also changes the properties of the candle for whatever it's use is to be for. However, this scent was only ever smelled when Althea was working on certain spells, in which she would need protection. I'm not doing anything that would require any form of protection other than what I have on my person. I look back at the rock, unless it's a warning.

-

I was out gathering herbs that day. It was right after lunch when I left, as I knew I'd need to grab a lot of what was needed. We've been keeping our ventures outside the coven few and far inbetween. I don't know why but Teacher said something was out there.

It took me a while to get back. I was nearing the outskirts when I was met with the smell of fire and smoke. The forest was suddenly too warm for this time. I rush towards the coven hoping it was just someone cooking and something was burnt. We've had that happen a lot.

However, what I saw. Was not the result of some burnt food. All the huts were aflame, most had already caved in. Soul fire mixed with normal fire, and these odd rock formations had appeared from the ground. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. I assumed that's why I had been drawn to it. The fire and the fact I couldn't see anyone faded from my mind as I reached out. That was until I heard someone shout my name.

"Alex! Get away, don't touch that!"

I turn around, it was Althea. She seemed injured. I rush towards her. Tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"Althea! What happened? Where is everyone?"

"Gone, Alex. They're all gone. That stone- That's what we've been running from. It started over taking our covens just a few years before you were born." She coughs.

"Hey take it easy, let me help you." I say taking out a healing potion I had on hand."

"There's no time Alex! You need to go. You can't let it get you too."

There's a loud crack, I turn and see that the rock formations have grown. It appears they're coming closer. "No! I won't leave you! I don't have anywhere to go!"

"Yes you do." She waves her hand as a few things play in my mind. "Seek out the manor. You should be welcome there."

The stone splits again, this time it's barely a few inches from my face. "Althea. Is this supposed to make me feel scared?" I ask as I see the fear in her eyes like I'm missing something.

"Yes Alex! That's void crystal! All mages are supposed to steer away from it. It's the one element that no mage has ever been able to control."

I take a breath. So it should enlist fear into me, but why do I feel so drawn to it. I take another breath, before reaching behind me and breaking off a piece of the rock.

Althea reaches towards me as the rock molds into my arm, causing me to scream out. My vision blurs, though only for a moment. When I come to the rocks have disappeared. The houses are still on fire, wait Althea!

"Althea!" I look over to her the life already gone from her eyes. Tears start to roll down my face as I bring her lifeless body closer. "I can control it. I will control it. I won't let it harm anyone else ever again.

-

There's a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey. If you're going to take a nap, maybe try your bed next time?"

I blink seeing Abbadon come into view.

"I'd really hate to hear you complain about how you fell asleep in your chair and now your back hurts. And that you just wish you had a certain ingredient in order to make healing potions." He says.

I look at him for a moment, before realising that I was crying. I quickly wipe away my tears. "Ha! Really now? How would you know what ingredients go into healing potions, much less if I didn't have any?"

"I don't know, I just know you would likely complain. Maybe you'd end up saying something along the lines of "I'm not going to use a potion to get rid of a simple ache in my back. What if I need it for something more serious later.?" Or whatever."

"I mean that is true, but even then. A mage of my ranking has pretty much a fix for everything."

"Yeah yeah. Anyways are you going to help me with all this stuff I got or are you going to leave it all to me."

I sigh, "I'm coming. You are such a baby."

"And you are annoying. Tread lightly or you'll have to find some place else to stay."

"Uh huh? I mean my teacher had a pact with the original owner of this manor. I feel like it would be a bit of a jerk move to just wipe away the only place I have to stay." I take a moment before adding, "And I'm sure you'd just come and find me, begging for me to come back because you're lonely or something. Trust me, I make your life at least a bit more interesting than it had been before you met me."

Abbadon makes a sound at me before leaving to head downstairs. I once again look at the rock on my desk. Maybe, I shouldn't keep it here. Instead maybe I should do as I said, and learn to control it. I take a moment before walking away from it. Later, I can work on that later. Let's not cause any more issues for Abbadon now.

---

Here is one of the Whumptober days I didn't get to last month.

No. 29: "I only sink deeper the deeper I think." 

Scented Candle | Troubled Past Resurfacing | "What happened to me?"

I might make a part two that involves the song lyric and the quote. But yeah this is my new Alex variant Mage!Alex. Let me know if you enjoy these little original pieces. I may not own all of the characters here, but I do have permission to use them.

I am laughing at the fact the document I wrote this on named itself "No"