Legacy of Magic

Sometimes magic is in places that are not obvious to the normal human eye. I know, that sounds cheesy and made up. Like it came straight from a kids’ movie. But no. Magic somehow is a part of my life, whether I wanted it to be or not. It turns out that I’ve had magical blood from the very day I was born, but it’s not the good kind. It’s the one that rips people apart for eternity.

“Esther,” I heard a voice, knocking me out of my inner monologue. It was June Moone, the lady I’ve been helping for over a year, trying to get the Enchantress out of her body. Weirdly enough, I also found out that the Enchantress was my direct ancestor. And we were driving to Doctor Fate and Zatanna’s practice house for a magic lesson.

“Are you okay?” she asked as we stopped at a stop light. “You seem a little… quiet.”

“I’m usually quiet,” I protested.

“Yeah, but you talk a little bit.”

I slightly nodded my head to the side. “True.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“I… just don’t know if I’ll be able to get… you know… her out of you.” I drifted my gaze to the golden bracelet on her wrist.

June paused for a bit. When the light turned green, she said, “You will. I believe in you. I’ve seen you practice and you’re obviously getting better.”

June was always so positive, despite having a literal demon in her body. That’s what I admired most about her.

The corners of my mouth went up. “Thanks,” I responded as my shoulders relaxed a bit.

All of a sudden, I felt a vibration on my lap. I picked up my phone to see that my mom texted me. Even though I’m in college right now, Mom always checked up on me. And especially now since I’m doing these magical road trips.

Mom: How r u? Are u at the sanctuary yet?

Me: Not yet, we’re on our way

Mom: Alright, sweetheart. Stay safe pls

Me: Thanks, mom. I love u

Mom: I love u, too. Oh, and Damian said hi and keep your guard up

I rolled my eyes.

Me: Tell him I said hi too

Mom: Love u

Me: Love u 2

I sighed and placed my phone on my lap.

“What did your mom say?” June asked.

“She asked if we made it to the sanctuary yet.”

She slightly smirked. “And…?”

“What makes you think there’s more?”

“Come on, Esther,” June scoffed, “it’s about your mom’s boyfriend.”

As much as I didn’t want to admit it at that moment, she was right. It was about my mom’s boyfriend. Not that he’s the son of Batman (which is pretty cool but that’s not the point) but because he’s from the universe where he sided with an evil version of Superman. Instead of falling in love with this universe’s Robin or Batman or whatever Damian wants to call himself, she picked the one who sided with a dictator. But on the contrary, he does seem to care about my mom and I.

Mom said that she was skeptical too, but she eventually saw the best in him. Which was weird because I usually do and she doesn’t.

“You’re right,” I responded. “I just… feel like I trust him, but… I don’t.”

“I totally get it. He doesn’t really have a good track record. But,” she paused, “it does seem like he is somewhat trying to be a better man than he was before.”

I shrugged. “I guess you’re right.”

June softly smiled and said, “I know I’m not in this position to say this because I never went through this at your age, but I think you should give Damian a chance. I know it’s hard, but if your Mom sees something in him, maybe he might be okay.”

Even though I still felt a bit doubtful, I was a bit relieved hearing her advice. She usually gives out advice when she doesn’t notice. I can’t tell if she actually didn’t know she was giving advice or she was just being humble.

“Thanks, June,” I responded as I smiled.

“Of course.”

We then settled on peaceful silence, driving through cities upon cities and grassland next to grassland. That peaceful scenery also bled into Doctor Fate’s sanctuary. He didn’t live in the Tower of Fate anymore, but in a huge golden-like castle with an invisible protection spell around it that only people with magical abilities can see.

When June drove us through the gate, Doctor Fate and Zatanna were standing outside the front door of the sanctuary. As soon as I got out of the car, Zatanna ran towards me and said, “I haven’t seen you in so long! I like your hair, too.”

She gave me a hug and I returned the gesture. “But how? It’s the same as before.”

“But I love your big, coily hair!”

I smiled despite myself. “Thanks.”

“How’s college holding up for you?”

“Good, but a bit rough during midterms.”

When we released our hug, Doctor Fate gave a quick hug as well.

“Have you been practicing your magic?”

I cringed at myself and shifted my gaze towards the ground. “Not… as much as I wanted to. Maybe since last week.”

“Esther…,” he started to say.

“I know,” I cut in as I crossed my arms, “I need to make time to practice and balance life and all of that stuff. I got it.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “You do not.”

“I do.”

“Then show me right now for training,” he said with a sharp edge of his tone.

When he got inside the sanctuary, I glanced at June and Zatanna. It looked like they were chatting as if nothing had just happened. Then I heard a voice say, Don’t worry. Just show him what you do know.

I smiled. Thanks, Zatanna.

Alright, it was time to show the Fate man what I got.

I teleported all around the training ground, slicing projections of enemies with a translucent, golden sword that I formed in my hand. As an enemy rapidly flew towards me, I ducked and did a quick spell in my head to transform my sword into a bow and formed a quiver on my back with arrows inside. I moved around to find an angle to shoot at three or four enemies at once.

As soon as I defeated the projections, they quickly faltered. Even though Doctor Fate had his helmet on, I can tell that he was ticked off. At the moment, I didn’t understand why.

“Esther,” I felt the huge presence of the ancients radiating through his helmet, “I have told you before not to think too much about you when you’re forming spells. You will not have enough time to do that when you are fighting against the Enchantress or anyone else.”

“I know but—”

“You don’t know,” he cut in.

“Kent,” Zatanna said, “you’re being too hard on her. She’s in college now. Esther’s just trying to figure it all out.”

“But you know the world doesn’t care about that. They always want to exploit people like us.”

I crossed my arms. “I can handle it.”

“Being a sorcerer takes a lot of time—”

“Wait a minute,” I held my hand out, “I didn’t come here to be some sorcerer superhero. I came here to help June from my psychotic ancestor.”

“Yes, but with your powers, you can easily become the most powerful sorceress on the planet.”

“Stop,” I almost yelled, feeling the vibration from the ground. I closed then took a deep breath, immediately reducing the shaking from beneath my feet. I then put on a smile, hoping it didn’t show how pissed off I was. “Thank you, Mr. Nelson and Zatanna for the training today. I’ll try to get more practice on my skills.”

Before the irritating doctor could take his helmet off, I practically (and almost quite literally) stormed towards the door until Zatanna gently grabbed my shoulder. “Kent,” she sharpened her gaze to him then looked back at me, “is just being a little bit… rough today. How about we learn some fun magic tricks next time just to take a little break?”

I smiled and nodded. “Sure.”

“Also,” she then whispered, “even though he’s kind of intense, he does this because he cares about you. Alright?” She held up a fist bump.

“Alright,” I fist bumped her.

“Now tell your mom I said hi.”

“Will do.”

I was still a bit riled up on the drive back home.

“What’s up with that old man?” June asked.

“June," I said, "you’re like 33 years old and he’s in his 50s. He’s not that old.”

She gasped. “I’m 32. Are you trying to say that I look old?”

“Well, you do have an extremely old woman living inside you.”

June gently punched me on the forearm.

“Hey!” I exclaimed.

“I barely even punched you,” she playfully rolled her eyes.

“Toché.”

“But you know Kent was just trying to help you. He may have a hard way of showing you, but he really cares about you and wants you to get better.”

I scoffed. “He really does have a weird way of showing it.”

June put her hand on her chest. “But it comes from the heart.”

“Alright, Hallmark lady,” I laughed.

“It’s true,” she responded, “he’s just expressing tough love. That’s all.”

I guess she was right. Doctor Fate was trying to prepare me for the real world of magic and how brutal all of it is. But I wanted to be able to handle it my way.

When we arrived at my house, I saw Mom and Damian standing in front of the door. Mom had a bright smile on her face and in the contrast, Damian gazed toward June, watching her like a hawk. I couldn’t tell if he was trying to already be a protective dad or if that was the Bruce Wayne in him. Probably both.

Mom came up to June and gave her a hug. “Thank you so much for supporting Esther in all of this.”

“Of course, Nicole,” June responded, then side hugged me, “this little magic girl is doing great.”

Mom then gave me a hug. “How was practice?”

I cringed a bit. “Good,” I slowly said, “but I could have done better. But Zatanna told me to tell you that she said ‘hi’.”

She raised one eyebrow up. “Something tells me that Zatanna wasn’t the only one who taught your lesson today.”

“What do you mean?” I slightly cocked my head to the side.

“We’ll talk about that later.”

As June and Mom were talking, Damian walked up to me and quietly asked, “Did she turn into the Enchantress?”

“No,” I said, “her bracelet is really helping her.”

“So she has no signs?”

“No.”

“Hmm,” he suspiciously responded, “I just wanted to make sure. That demon inside her was doing the same thing in my world, too.”

“She’s fine. The whole point of me going to Mr. Nelson and Zatanna is to free June from her.”

He gently put his hand on my shoulder and knitted his eyebrows at me, face full of concern. “I just want you to stay aware, Esther. The Enchantress is evil and has persuaded people, even with magic, to do things that are not of their nature. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“If it’s okay with your mom, we’re going to train tomorrow morning.”

I groaned. “I just did that today. I’m basically on vacation this week.”

“The world doesn’t care about breaks.”

“You really are your father’s son, aren’t ya?”

He subtly chuckled. “Yeah—”

“She’s not doing that, Damian,” Mom called out. “She’s already had enough for today.”

He didn’t respond.

“Esther, come say bye to June.”

I rolled my eyes as I walked towards Mom and June. “Mom, I’m not in high school anymore.”

I hugged June. “Thanks for helping me with all of this.”

“Of course,” she responded, “you’re a great kid. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

I smiled and nodded. “Thanks. Bye, June.”

“Bye.”

As June hopped in her car and drove off into her somewhat normal life, Mom stared Damian down. Then she looked back at me with a warm smile, almost two-faced (no pun intended), and said, “How about you go take a break. You deserve it.” She kissed me on the forehead and gently pushed me to the door.

How in the world is the son of Batman getting in trouble with my mom? That’s something I never thought would happen in my lifetime.

When I walked into my house, everything looked the same. The same pictures from kindergarten to my graduation were on the wall, the same couch from when Mom and I first moved in this place. But somehow it felt a little different here. Not particularly in a bad way, just… something I’m not familiar with.

I got into my room, changed into more of a relaxing outfit, and plopped on my bed while facing the ceiling. I rubbed my hands on my face and groaned.

“Just another day,” I muttered.

Not with me, I heard a voice say.

I rolled my eyes. “Not now, Enchantress.”

She randomly appeared from the shadows. Of course she did. We’re family.

I crossed my arms. “Really? So does a true family member abandon their other family members. Does a mother abandon her daughter because she doesn’t have powers?”

Even though her presence appeared confident, her expression was still. It looked like she even had a hint of regret. Well, for half a second.

“What do you want anyway?”

I want you to learn real magic. Not the one that so called doctor and street magician teaches you. She looked me dead in my eyes. The one that could make you stronger than you ever was before.

“I love how you keep coming to me whenever you have a chance to talk about bullcrap like this,” I bitterly laughed. “You know I’m not going to ever join you, right?”

We’ll see about that, the Enchantress responded, her lips pressing firmly against each other. Probably trying to figure out her next move.

Right before she turned around, I said, “Wait, I have two questions for you.”

Go ahead.

“Were you always like this?”

She looked at me as if I was a crazy person. Powerful?

“No, corrupt.”

She paused. She had a hint of something unfamiliar in her eyes. Her gaze was a bit unfocused and nostalgic. Not really. I once had a body for years before my daughter was ever born. My magic would entertain the villages, despite what I was. But then society decided that I turned evil.

“Hmm,” I responded, “and you’re sure that you didn’t decide to turn evil?”

I am telling you how it happened, child, the Enchantress raised her voice.

Okay, geez, I thought.

What’s your second question?

“Why won’t you leave June’s body?”

She sighed. I have already told you, darling. She’s human and I need humans to survive in this world."

I crossed my arms. “So? I am too.”

But oh, child, you are different. We are better than these low level beings.

“My family is mostly filled with low level beings, Enchantress. Are you saying that’s who my mom is?”

Yes.

I rolled my eyes. “Get out of my head. I’m tired of constantly playing your games.”

Alright, Esther, she smiled mischievously, don’t forget to wear your necklace.

“What?” I looked around then my gaze landed on the floor. I saw a gold necklace with an emerald gem inside.

I looked back up and noticed that the Enchantress vanished. “What does she want me to have now?”

I wanted to pick up the necklace to see what would happen, but I felt like my gut was telling me to step away. And I did just that. I don’t want her getting into my mind when I’m kinda, sort of just now getting used to my magic.

“Hey,” I said as I walked towards Mom. She was sitting on the living room couch, pretending to read a book. Like she wasn’t thinking about something.

“Hey, sweetheart,” she looked up from her book, “how are you?”

Kind of freaked out because my ancestor came into my room and gave me a cursed jewel, but good now, I thought. I felt like I couldn’t just say that at the moment. I wanted her to tell me something. Especially about earlier.

“I’m okay-ish,” I shrugged, “but I’m curious.”

Mom nodded. “Go on.”

“Is Damian in trouble? You know, because of earlier?”

She let out a hard breath of air. Oh, no. What's she about to say?

“He’s not in trouble,” she dragged on, “but he is. I told him that he needs to relax from constantly training you since you’re still a kid.”

“I’m eighteen,” I flatly responded.

“But you’re my kid,” she responded. “I understand him trying to protect you from the world, but I want you to live a somewhat normal life.”

I gave Mom a tight side hug. “Thanks.”

“Of course, sweetheart,” she said as we let go of our hug. “Now what did you want to tell me?”

I knit my eyebrows together. “How did you know that I wanted to tell you something?”

She looked at me as if to say come on now. “Esther, I’m your mom. Of course I would know if something's going on.”

“Alright.” I took a deep breath. “Please don’t freak out when I tell you this.”

Her brown eyes narrowed at mine.

“The Enchantress came to me in a vision earlier when I went to my room. She insulted you and the rest of my family for not having magic and she wanted to teach me ‘real’ magic. But,” I paused, attempting to prevent myself from stalling, “she placed a necklace with a green jewel on the ground.”

“Did you touch it?” Mom asked, her face and expression going still.

“No.”

“Good.”

Mom’s ringtone suddenly erupted like a volcano and an earthquake at once. She picked up her phone from the coffee table.

“What’s up?” Mom answered. She moved her eyes to me then back to the wall. “Yes, she’s okay.” A pause. “No, no. I understand, but you know that’s not going to help her in this situation, right?” Another pause, but that time, her expression was a bit more relaxed. “I know. Love you. Bye.”

“What’s going on?”

“Damian checked in and asked if you were okay. It was about the Enchantress.”

I rolled my eyes. “How does he know about this so quickly? Does he think that I’ll turn crazy like her?”

“No,” she responded, “he just has an… unique way of showing that he cares.”

“I’ll say,” I muttered.

I heard a subtle, quick knock on the door. I was about to walk towards the door until Mom put her arm in front of me. “Stay back.”

“But I have—”

“But I’m your mom,” she sternly responded.

“Okay,” I nodded.

Mom walked up to the door and slowly twisted the knob. When she opened the door, Doctor Fate appeared and so did a medium height lady with light chocolate skin and big, loose curls. She didn’t look familiar but something about her presence did.

“Nicole, Esther,” Doctor Fate said as he motioned his hand to the lady, “this is the daughter of the Enchantress, your ancestor.”