Chapter 6

The next day, the stress of their mission settled heavily on them. David and Katherine sat at the kitchen table, cups of tea in hand. Evelyn was sharpening her blade.

David said, his voice steady. “We’ll have to go to the Rift Valley. I have new tricks like elemental magic, golden light, and teleportation too, but I don’t have the ability to teleport you all.”

“You have learnt that in such a short amount of time? I’m proud of you.” Kathernie nodded, yet she understood the risks with Ngozi. “To face Ngozi, you don’t have to go alone. We will face this together,” she said with purpose.

Isabella joined them, her green eyes sharp with focus. She had a piece of paper that turned yellow from time. “I was searching through ancient texts. I hoped to find a hint about the Crown of Osqug,” she said. “The Crown is a relic of Nuhnos. It is said to enhance wearers abilities.”

Katherine said, “We already know that.”

“But this is what I found,” Isabella said.

Isabella handed the paper to Katherine. Evelyn and David leaned in, trying to catch a glimpse. The script on the page was ancient. But the image was of a crown of Osqug.

“The crown”, Isabella started, her tone serious. “It’s not just that. With enough power, she can control anyone of Nuhno blood. She can kill a Nuhnoian. Just like the Earth-born Nuhnoians, they kill among themselves and take the power.”

Kathernie’s hand trembled. She stared at David, fear reflected in her eyes. “What? That’s ... unthinkable!”

Evelyn paused, her knife still against the stone. “What do you mean, Mother?”

Isabella took a moment. “The crown can boost Ngozi’s power. If she kills a Nuhnoian ... she takes their power. And she’s hunting for someone strong—like David.”

The room went silent. Evelyn broke the stillness. “We need to get that crown away from her.”

Isabella agreed. “But we also need to find Lily. Let’s prepare.”

So, they planned to leave for the Rift Valley the next day. Evelyn and Isabella gathered supplies. They prepared their spells. Meanwhile, David practised controlling his powers. He had a few tricks, but was it enough?

Katherine joined him in the garden. She looked at him with concern. “Do you remember our first meeting at the orphanage, David?” Her voice held nostalgia.

David nodded. “How could I forget? You were like a ray of sunshine in that dull place. You brought warmth and love.”

“You were always special, even then,” Katherine replied. She placed her hand on his shoulder. “You loved books and cooking. It was like you were meant for something greater.”

He met her looks. “And you were my guardian angel. I don’t know what I would have done without you, Auntie Katherine.”

Katherine said. “Do you miss Rachel and Mark?”

David sighed. “Every day. They were the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you for leaving me with them.”

Katrice nodded. “They loved you so much. They would be proud of you.”

He felt sadness tug at his heart. Rachel had been like a mother. Her loss was a wound that never healed. Now the search is for his biological mother. He had many questions to ask her.

Katherine leaned closer. “We will find Lily, your mother. I know she had her reasons to leave you alone, to keep you safe. We’re family now, and we stick together.”

The next morning, the trio of David, Katherine and Evelyn set off. Isabella stayed behind. She was more of a magic-caster than a fighter like her daughters. Her spells wouldn’t work against Ngozi, and one of them had to stay back to guard their land. David took a deep breath. He stepped into the Rift Valley. The air was thick with magic. It felt different from the outside world and even more powerful than the Land of Uragh. Here, the dense vegetation felt almost eerie. The trees had glowing purple and blue leaves under the moon. Katherine led the way, her blade ready. Evelyn followed closely, her eyes scanning for danger. David noticed something; Katherine was growing anxious. Her steps picked up, and she stopped in front of a body on the ground. She was visibly shaking.

“Auntie Katherine, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“This is the body of a Nuhnoian,” she whispered. “Completely drained of his power.”

Evelyn dropped her bag. She knelt beside the lifeless form, and she turned the body over. As the face of the fallen Nuhnoian came into view, she gasped. “He was the one who attacked you at the pub in Wales.” She turned to David.

“It seems Ngozi has been busy,” Katherine said, her voice tight with anger.

Finally, they reached the door of the Coven of Requiem. Katherine stepped forward. “Stay behind me,” she whispered to David.

He nodded. Evelyn stood beside him. Katherine used the simple magic spell to open the door. It worked, and her power didn’t bounce back like last time. Together, they stepped inside. The door creaked shut behind them. Inside, the room was vast. Torches flickered against the stone walls. A cauldron bubbled in the corner. Incense filled the air. The floor was a mosaic of bones and crystals.

At the far end of the chamber, Ngozi sat. Her throne was a chilling display of skulls and bones. The crown of Osqug rested heavy on her head. She embodied darkness, her skin a deep shade of black. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. She turned her head toward them.

“You came,” she hissed. “You brought the commander but invited along another sister.”

David stepped forward. “Where is Lily?” he demanded, urgency spilling from his tone.

Ngozi smiled, a wicked twist of her lips. “Ah, so you seek your mother,” she said, glancing towards Katrice. “Your mother is not here. She’ll stay away until I get what I want.”

“What do you want?” Katherine’s voice trembled—a mix of anger and fear. She understood Ngozi’s power and the lengths she might go to protect it.

Ngozi reclined in her throne, the skulls beneath her rattling lightly. “I’ll tell you since you’re all going to die,” she replied. “I’m the last of my Coven. But you don’t know why.”

Evelyn stepped closer, hand on her blade’s hilt. “Why?” she growled, anger flashing in her eyes.

Ngozi’s grin widened. “I’ve discovered how to use the Powers of Nuhnos, their tricks and techniques; only they can master. It demands boundless energy. So, I did what Nuhnoians do—killed other Nuhnoians to claim their power. But my sisters banished me, leaving me no choice.”

Katharine’s eyes widened in horror. “You killed your own sisters?” she whispered.

“They were weak,” Ngozi spat. “But you,” she pointed at David. “You are strong. Strong enough to fill the crown. I want your power, young commander. With it, I’ll be unstoppable.”

The air chilled. The fire in the cauldron blazed brighter, throwing eerie shadows around the room. David felt the power within him pulse, eager to break free. “I’ll never give you my power,” he stated, teeth clenched.

Ngozi’s grin widened. “We’ll see about that,” she said softly, raising a hand.

Evelyn acted fast. Without waiting for Ngozi’s next words, she lunged forward, her blade aimed at the witch’s throat. Fear fuelled her actions. The sword sliced silently through the air. Just then, Ngozi was lightning quick. In a blink, she vanished from the throne. The sword hit the throne and turned it into pieces.

“So, you think you can challenge me with your fighting skills?” Ngozi taunted as her dark eyes twinkled with mischief. “No wonder Isabella stayed behind.”

Evelyn’s sword smashed to the floor. Evelyn felt embarrassed, but she wouldn’t give up. She raised her hand, and the sword shot a bolt of lightning, aiming for the spot Ngozi had just left. Yet, Ngozi was already across the room, hand outstretched. She sent a blast of air and nullified Evelyn’s strike by sending it above her.

David’s fists tightened. He concentrated, trying to summon fire. With a roar, a fireball formed in his palm. It expanded, and the room heated up. He launched the fiery sphere at Ngozi. She raised her hand. The fire stopped mid-air.

“Nice try, commander,” she said. “You’re strong, but not smart enough.” Then, in a swift motion, she sent the fireball toward Evelyn. Ngozi said to Evelyn with anger in her eyes. “That’s for destroying my throne.”

Evelyn tried to dodge it, but his flames still left burnt marks on her skin. She used most of her power from the gem. Katherine went to her sister.

“Eve, are you okay?” she whispered.

Evelyn nodded but was too weak to join the fight. David rushed to their side and positioned himself in front of them. He saw Evelyn with burnt marks made by his own fireball. His anger rose. With all his power, he made another fire in his palm. The fire roared, its intensity climbing. He opened his arms wide, letting the fire spread around the room. Flames circulated around David, Katherine and Evelyn. They remained untouched, and the sisters watched in awe of the power displayed.

Ngozi stood still, a smirk plastered on her face. The room burnt in his fire, and there was no way to escape; it touched every nook and corner except the trio. David maintained the fire until he was certain; no way Ngozi could have escaped that. When the fire died down, Ngozi remained where she was, a smirk on her face. She had phase-shifted and evaded the attack.

“You’re learning, commander,” she said. “You could have killed any other witch with that move, but not me.”

Ngozi was taunting them. Katharine’s mind buzzed with ideas. Ngozi was a powerful witch by herself, but the crown made her use Nuhnioan powers. They needed to snatch it from Ngozi, no matter the cost. Katherine leaned in, murmuring her plan in David’s ear.

David nodded. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“If you want a challenge”, Katherine said, his voice steady, “you’ve got it.”

The two of them and Ngozi faced each other across the room. Ngozi’s smirk widened. The crown of Osqug made her feel invincible; she enjoyed the thrill of power.