The small clay bowl sat atop an ancient wooden table, its surface worn from countless spells and the residue of extinguished candles. shadows from the light of Evening Sun from the windows seemed to cling stubbornly to every corner, whispering of secrets long buried.
Esther moved with quiet precision, her hands steady despite the tension coiling in the air. She carefully pricked Finn's tiny finger with a sharp needle, her practiced touch revealing none of the worry she tried to hide. A single drop of bright red blood fell into the transparent concoction in the bowl, disturbing its still surface.
The air was thick with the pungent scent of herbs—sage, lavender, and dried roots—bundled and hung from the rafters, swaying slightly in the faint draft that crept through the old stone walls. The atmosphere was solemn, almost sacred, as if the room itself was holding its breath.
The liquid trembled. Slowly, a dark grey began to spread from the center, deepening steadily as though it were absorbing the essence of the boy's blood, revealing a hidden truth.
Finn's small eyes remained fixed on the bowl, his voice barely above a whisper, breaking the oppressive silence.
"Mother… what if I am not a witch?"
Esther's expression softened, a mix of tenderness and unwavering resolve. She looked down at him, her tone gentle yet firm.
"I believe in you, Finn. And with the blessing of my ancestors, that you my son are definitely a witch."
Minutes passed like hours as the liquid continued its slow transformation. Finally, it settled into a steady dark grey—far from the opaque black of full awakening, yet significantly different from its earlier faint haze.
Finn's eyes remained fixed on the bowl, his voice breaking the silence.
"Mother… what if I am not a witch?"
Esther looked at him, her expression gentle but firm.
"I believe in you Finn and the blessing of my ancestors that you my son are a witch. "
A while later the liquid turned dark grey still a bit far from Black.
"My son, this… this grey means you are not far. A few more moons, perhaps, and you will awaken."
Ayana watched the mixture with a quiet gaze, adding,
"It's a good sign. The potion is sensitive. It detects even the faintest trace of magic in blood, the darker the color the closer you are to awakening Dark grey… it means you're close."
Esther visibly relaxed,as she looked at the bowl, like a whole lot of worries vanished from her back a small smile softening her features.
"See, Finn? There is nothing to fear. Your magic is stirring. In a few months you will be able to learn real magic."
Finn nodded excitedly all uncertainty that lingered in his eyes vanished with utmost trust in his mother.
"Go now," Esther said, her tone warm but final. "Rest and play. There is no need to dwell on this further today."
Finn gave a small, obedient nod, then Joyfully turned and left the room, his steps quick.
Once the door closed, the atmosphere shifted.
Esther sighed deeply and turned to Ayana.
Ayana crossed her arms, thoughtful.
"So now tell me what got you so worried to check on it like this and doubt if your child possessed magic."
Esther's eyes remained on the dark grey mixture, now still a lingering relaxed smile on her lips.
"You, know about my darkest secrets about my sister and me right." She begins explaining.
Ayana nodded, her expression steady.
"Yes but what does it have to do with Finn awakening magic "
Esther continued "I was having nightmares about her past few days, which got me scared, what if she tampered with the fertility spell, And the spell was a dark magic spell. On top of that Dahlia asked for first born of every generation."
"And now," Esther said, voice barely above a whisper, "with Finn's late awakening… I couldn't help but fear the worst. What if after that fertility spell only the first born can awaken magic?"
Ayana's face shifted into realization, a slow nod of understanding.
"That's it… the reason for your doubt. But now that the concoction has turned dark grey, and not clear… you can rest assured."
Esther let out a small sigh of relief, though the shadow of doubt never fully left her eyes.
"Yes… but I must remain vigilant. This test doesn't prove talent, only proximity to awakening."
Ayana continued as she began to probe further "You aren't still thinking about revenge from your sister, for your first born right?"
Esther face showed various emotions of anger, worry and fear mixed with determination "I can't forgive her for that Ayana , Freya's cries still linger in my ears as she took her away from me!"
Ayana's expression darkened with fear and concern.
"From what you've described about your sister and the fertility spell… a dark spell that bends the natural order granting someone ability to bear life with ease, one that leaves no consequences upon the caster… I can infer that she is…"
"Very powerful," Esther finished the sentence herself, her voice heavy with painful certainty.
"I am no match for her," Esther continued, her tone resigned but resolute. "For that, I sought your help."
Ayana shifted, conflicted but honest.
"But even if we both act together, we still won't match her skill nor raw power," she said.
Esther's eyes narrowed, as if realizing something profound.
"That's why I worry about talent of my children" she said, her voice steady but filled with hope. "I plan to channel it. If their talent isn't good enough even after channeling… they won't help much."
Ayana's breath caught, understanding the depth of her friend's ambition.
"And she will most likely channel Freya," Ayana finished with a hint of dread.
Esther nodded firmly.
"I hope for the talent of my children to be strong enough so that I can finally take my revenge."
Outside, the wind whispered through the ancient trees, carrying with it a faint echo of secrets long buried—secrets that were not yet done with the world.
While these two witches are in discussion they don't know that a certain someone currently experimenting with newly awakened magic was going to cause some major changes to any plan they now create.
_____________________
AUTHORS NOTE:
If you like my work please support me in
Patreon.com/Devil_Panda
And leave a review for the fic if you can.
Please leave a comment.
----------------------------------------.