Banishment
Chapter 01
Thud.
Marinette falls to the ground with a loud thud. Blood spills everywhere around her, and a few drops stain my sundress.
“Ouch, what the hell, Celeste?!” Marinette squeaked as she tried to get up from the floor. Emphasis on ‘tried’ because she fails miserably in the first second.
The whispers started to get louder around us, a few oh my gods and she did that again! Hung in the air. I knew I didn’t have much time before someone summoned Amortia so I had to be quick.
I started circling Marinette, still lying on the ground, curses flowing from her mouth, putting on my safety cape to protect myself from the spell, preparing myself for what was to come.
The aura in the room immediately changed when I put my hands up. It almost felt like Hertia, the Goddess of death herself was in the room. A dark, looming sensation overtook the once fresh, bubbly, fuzzy feeling. Any lingering sense of happiness evaporated within seconds.
I knew what I was getting myself into, breaking the rules and using the forbidden spell from thousands of years ago? I knew this could destroy everything I had worked so hard for all my life. I could be banished to Gods-know-where. No, scratch that. I will be banished to Gods-know-where. I can only pray and hope that it’s nowhere near humans. I look over my shoulders to check if They’re here.
No one in sight.
Perfect.
I close my eyes as I start mumbling the ancient spell.
“Magic forces far and wide
Enchant these so those can’t hide.
Allow this witch to use therein,
So she can reveal the evil within.”
Thunder strikes in the distance. The ground starts shaking as an unknown force begins rising from underneath. Instead of a figure, thick, dark smoke engulfs us. I know what I have to do next.
But a hand gripped my shoulder firmly before I could get my words out.
“This ends right now”
That is how I knew I fucked up in my life.
___✮___
Every God and Goddess are present in the room with us.
Hertia, The Goddess of Death, sits high on Her throne. Looking unconcerned about the tedious situation as if it’s as simple as choosing what to eat for breakfast. A young witch breaks the law and uses a spell that was made forbidden thousands of years ago? Boring.
Arabella, The Goddess of Animals and Kindness, looked at least a bit more interested and concerned about the situation. Even when I face the opposite direction from Her, I can feel Her round doe eyes burning holes in me with concern.
Seth, The God of War, looked at me with more interest than there should be. While other Gods and Goddesses sat high on their throne–shoulders straight, chin up, Seth slumped on His throne, lazily eyeing me with a smirk.
Ved, The God of Knowledge and Wisdom– known as the oldest and wisest God, hasn’t stopped flipping through His books since He arrived. I don’t have to ask Him to know that He is desperately trying to find the cause of this meeting.
And then there He is.
Amortia, The God of Gods.
Amortia sits in the middle of the room, claiming the largest throne among the Gods and Goddesses. His tan bronze skin glows under the light.
Not much needs to be said about Him. standing over 10 feet tall, Amortia is one of the most tedious yet interesting being to ever exist. At first glance, you may regard him as the protector of other Gods. while the other Gods strived to earn the approval of their fellow witches and wizards, Amortia would trade us for humans.
They love Him even more for that.
Though he has always held a particular grudge for witches and wizards, right now the look on His face indicates that if given the chance, He would eat me alive slowly so I could feel every bit of pain.
The moment Amortia looks away from me, everyone falls silent. The only sound that could be heard was Arabella’s deep breaths. In a moment, the room is filled with Amortia’s voice,
“Respected Gods and Goddesses, today I have summoned all of you to the Court of Petrimon for an earnest case. Although the case at hand is urgent indeed, I cannot help but feel guilty for stealing such precious seconds from you. I truly hope all who are present in this room at this very moment, can find it in the deepest parts of their heart to forgive me for the heinous crime. With that being said, let us begin today’s inquiry.”
I want to scoff at how overly exaggerated the speech is but think better of it as I am already doomed as it is. Amortia has never been the type to apologise to anyone as it hurts his pride. Still, in the Court of Petrimon, The God of Time– who has withered away slowly for the very element he used to control, it is only right that you beg for mercy for stealing his element from others. Without sparing anyone a glance, Amortia continues,
“I propose a question before all the wise Gods and Goddesses. We are all aware of our duties, which are unique in their own way yet serve the same purpose– protecting our precious witches and wizards from harm, is that not true?”
Everyone nods in agreement.
“If so, then I can’t help but ponder a certain question. What do we– the Gods and Goddesses, do when the said witches and wizards we were destined to protect, betray us, break the law, recite the very spell which was forbidden by the God of Gods Himself, me and summon one of the deadliest dark creatures to ever exist in the history of magic? Do tell me, wise Gods and Goddesses, what shall we do then?”
Everyone gasps the second that Amortia finishes his words. If they weren’t certain about the story before, they are now. It takes a moment for everyone to process the information and recover from the shock. And for a while, no one speaks until Ved raises his shaky hand.
“Yes, God Ved?” Amortia’s brow quirks up.
“My lord, while you’re present in this room, I dare not solidify my opinion as I am no wise God before the God of Gods Himself. I merely speak from my trifling knowledge collected from scattered books. Speaking from as much knowledge as I have about this case, all results for such a heinous crime give rise to one consequence and one consequence only, which is banishing the individual.”
“And where must the individual be banished to, God Ved?”
“Earth, my lord. The hell for magical creatures. The only suitable place for traitors.”
Shit.
Amortia smirks.
I facepalm myself.
“Oh, but that’s not fair!” Arabella chimed in. Even she cringed a bit at her high-pitched voice.
“And why not, Goddess Arabella?” Ved challenged.
“Forgive me for interrupting, my lord but that is simply vicious, sadistic even. Every wise God and Goddess present here knows how ruthless human children are. For thousands of years, we have seen them viciously slaughtering helpless animals– She cringes at the memory.
“They stopped at nothing. I hope no one present here has forgotten about the tragic event where they inhumanely took the lives of innocent witches and wizards just because we were able to hold and protect the magic instead of them.”
The atmosphere of the room changes at the mention of the war that took away some of the most precious witches and wizards from us. Hertia, Goddess of Death was one of the few Gods present at the war to witness such horror. Stories were written about the heartbreak Hertia experienced. Looking around, I saw many Gods and Goddesses nodding in approval–All except Ved.
“Are you implying that we should let someone as vicious as a traitor wander free in the lands where our children are being raised? Forgive me, Goddess Arabella but I cannot help but wonder where you find the audacity to defend the traitor when the God of Gods, Amortia Himself is present?”
“Mind your sharp tongue, God Ved. You dare speak such insulting words to my betrothed in front of me?” Seth looked like he wanted to strangle Ved with his tongue.
“My love, please calm down. I did not intend to make a fuss over such a cardinal matter. I only mean to express my opinion as it was asked of me.” Arabella began fiddling with her finger– Her nervous tick.
“Why must I calm down?!” Seth began rising from His seat.
“God Seth, calm down.” Amortia–who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.
“Goddess Arabella I apologise on God Ved’s behalf for such behaviour but her fate has been decided.”
“But-” Arabella tried to reason.
“No buts Goddess. It is final.”
Amortia turned towards me.
“She will be banished to earth for however her mortal heart keeps her alive.”
