Witch of the Gate (Part I): Empyrean Crystal Soul

Christmas is approaching in a few days. I have already asked grandma if I could invite Derek for dinner. She didn’t reject my suggestion. In the first place, there is no reason for her to reject my boyfriend. She is not like mother.

My mood is better and better and I finally can expect something from these Christmas. In the past, I was alone at home as mother was celebrating with friends or co-workers. My Christmas was always lonely and miserable. However, this year they are going to be spectacular.

Millie and Laura came back from their college and they helped me doing some shopping. We didn’t only visit Rosewood’s shops but we even travel to a nearby and bigger city.

Derek cut down and gifted me a very beautiful fir tree so we can make it into a Christmas tree, so I needed some decorations. However, energetic Laura made me buy some beautiful cosmetics and clothes.

When they heard that I invited Derek to meet grandma, they were surprised.

-“The myth of the crazy witch is going to fall apart. What a pity!” Laura sighs and Millie scolds her. I laugh at their comedian duo and they look at me warmly.

-“This is a very beautiful laughter. Finally, Daphne lets herself free in front of us.” Millie says and I freeze. So, they also wanted me to open up to them.

-“Be strong, girl!!!” Laura encourages me.

I really like these two.

The Christmas tree has become really beautiful. I decorated it together with grandma and my two friends, Millie and Laura. They both were curious about grandma and when I invited them over, they were willing to come.

Laura was surprised of how normal and gentle my grandmother was. She was also too young for a grandmother. She could seem to be my mother. On the other hand, grandma was really friendly. She treated cookies and lemonade the two girls. Of course, they didn’t see anybody else in the house.

Tonight is Christmas Eve. The table is set, the food is prepared and the mood is really good. Derek will arrive any time now.

I am wearing the clothes I bought with the help of the girls. It is a long to the knees blue dress and a pair of relatively high shoes. I curled my hair and I used the cosmetics I bought as Laura taught me. Grandma is wearing a long black skirt and a beautiful pink shirt. Her long black hair is styled in an elegant bun.

I am really nervous. Even if grandma is cool and understanding, I am nervous. Then, the door bell rings and I go to open the door.

Derek is in front of me holding a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of good wine. He kisses on the cheek before coming inside and I blush. Then, he greets grandma and gives her the flowers and the wine.

-“I am Derek Millstone, madam.” He says politely and formally. Grandmother smiles and greets him too.

-“I am Matilda Monroe, Daphne’s grandmother. Nice to meet you, Derek.”

This is going fine.

Derek sits at the living room together with grandmother. I bring some liquor. Grandmother starts questioning Derek and he seems to enjoy it. Well, I am little embarrassed as some of the questions involve me.

-“Well, Derek, what is your opinion about magic?” Grandma asks and I freeze. I look at Derek that he smiles happily.

-“Well, I don’t know what to say. I think, there is magic in everything we do.” He gives a diplomatic answer. I stare at grandmother to stop.

-“I know that there are some rumors about me to the village. What do you think of them?” She asks again. This time, Derek’s puzzlement is clear. He doesn’t know how to answer.

-“Do you also think that I am crazy?”

-“Of course not, madam.”

-“Then?”

-“Everyone is free to believe whatever he wants. I won’t judge that.” He manages to give a good answer and when I think that we are safe, grandma asks another question.

-“What would do if you discover that Daphne is a witch?”

There is silence in the room. He looks at me and then at her.

-“Is she?”

-“Well, there is a possibility.”

-“What kind of witch? One of those from the fairytales?”

-“Pretty close. Not a bad or evil witch, but a good one.”

-“Then, I don’t care.”

-“Are you sure, young man?” Grandmother asks. I am sure that Derek thinks that she jokes but she is actually pretty serious. Her look is really serious and Derek is in puzzlement again.

-“Let’s eat!!!” She shouts suddenly to break the ice. I can breathe again.

Her cooking is amazing and we accompany it with Derek’s wine. The conversation on the table is more normal. Grandma asks him about his dreams and ambitions. Well, I had already known about him wanting to take over his parent’s farm.

After that awkward conversation at the beginning, now everything is going on smoothly. Grandmother seems satisfied about Derek and I think that he also enjoys her company. I am really relieved.

It is close to twelve o’clock. Derek must leave in a little while.

Suddenly, the ground is shaking strongly. I furrow my eyebrows and then I see grandmother jumping off her seat. Oh no!!! I think.

She runs to the basement and returns with a belt full of vials.

-“Grandmother!!!” I shout.

-“Honey, I must leave. I had a wonderful time. Derek is a good kid. We can talk later. You can bring him back.” She says in a hurry and leaves.

-“What happened?” Derek asks me.

-“Nothing. Grandmother thought of something and wants to go to the forest.”

-“Right now? It can be dangerous at night.”

-“Well, she is a little eccentric.” I smile awkwardly.

As we are getting out of the house, we heard a loud noise.

-“What is that?” He asks and I bite my lips.

-“I don’t know. Because of the earthquake maybe there is a landslide.”

-“Then won’t your grandmother be in danger?” He asks and runs to the forests. I freeze. No, he can’t go there.

Every time I come to this place, there is always a battle that goes on. Once again, grandmother and her companions are fighting some monsters. However, this time, Derek is watching everything.

I didn’t manage to stop him from coming here. Now he is frozen watching an unbelievable battle.

-“What are those?” He whispers surprised. I bite my lips.

-“Monsters from Etheria.”

-“What?” He asks me as he turns to me.

-“Grandmother is not crazy.” I only say and then he realizes something. He opens widely his eyes and then he watches again the battle.

-“There are other people there.” He notices.

-“They are her companions, her Etherian companions.” I say but he doesn’t understand.

The next moment, he sees Gina taking the form of a panther and Tarragon to use his magic arrows, while Adrian is flying and fighting some flying monsters. Then, grandma is just throwing some really powerful potions.

-“Unbelievable!” He says and then I notice a monster approaching us.

It is ready to attack him. I act without thinking and I throw a fireball to it. The fire surrounds it and it is screaming of pain.

Derek is looking at me surprised. He saw me using my powers. Now he realizes that I am witch too. I bite my lips but I grab his hand and run away from there.

I stop breathless away from the Gate.

-“Daphne…”

-“I know that it seems crazy but it is true. Please, don’t talk to anybody.”

-“Sure but this is not only crazy. From the battle I witnessed this is dangerous too.”

I couldn’t contradict his words. I had already witness one more battle. This was the second time and the Witch of the Gate is supposed to be the only who can open it.

-“I can’t explain much now. I must return.”

-“Return where? Daphne!!!”

-“You saw me using some powers. I must help grandma. If it was a couple of weeks ago, I wouldn’t do something like this. However, grandma is my only family now.” I say with agony and without realizing my racing heart.

I left him at the end of the village and run back to the battle. This Christmas ended up being unexpected and disastrous.