Chapter 1.4

As Sheila entered the living room, she saw her daughter Abby cradling her young son's limp body in her lap. Her heart sank as she rushed over to them, noticing the dried blood on Orion's face.

"What happened?" Sheila asked, her voice trembling.

Abby looked up at her mother, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know," she sobbed. "He used magic for the first time and then collapsed."

Sheila's heart ached at the sight of her grandson's pale face. She could sense the faint traces of magic emanating from him and knew he had overexerted himself. It was not uncommon for young witches and warlocks to push themselves too far in their early attempts at magic, but Orion was just a child.

She gently lifted Orion's limp body from Abby's arms and laid him on the couch. She could see that he was breathing, but he was utterly unconscious. She checked his pulse and felt a weak throb beneath his skin.

Sheila held Orion's hand tightly, her fingers laced with his. She could feel the heat from his skin, a sign that his magic was still alive but depleted. With a gentle touch, she sent a wave of energy through his tiny body, coaxing his magic back to life.

As Sheila closed her eyes, she could sense the raw power of Orion's magic swirling around him. It was an untamed force, unbridled and wild, and she knew it needed to be harnessed before it could further harm him.

Drawing upon her magic, Sheila focused her energy on a calming aura surrounding Orion. She whispered incantations under her breath, weaving a complex web of magic around him that would soothe and heal.

Abby watched in wonder as her mother worked her magic, her tears slowly drying up. She had always known that her mother was powerful, but seeing her in action was another experience.

As the minutes ticked by, Sheila poured more and more of her magic into Orion's body, coaxing his magic to align with his physical form. Slowly but surely, his breathing became more regular, and his pulse grew stronger.

Finally, Sheila opened her eyes, her face etched with relief. "He's going to be okay," she said softly, her voice filled with tenderness. "He just needs some rest and time to recover."

—--------

As Orion's physical body lay motionless on the couch, his spiritual essence was suddenly transported to another realm. His surroundings were unfamiliar yet hauntingly familiar at the same time. He found himself standing in what appeared to be abandoned Mystic Falls, shrouded in a thick mist that obscured his vision.

Orion continued his walk through the empty streets, taking in the sights around him. As he walked, he realized that the buildings and roads were in average condition. It was as if the misty atmosphere that surrounded him had distorted his perception of reality, making everything appear more decayed and abandoned than it was.

As he turned a corner, he saw a figure in the distance. It was a woman standing motionless in the mist. As he approached her, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. The woman had beautiful raven hair that cascaded down her back in waves, framing her perfectly symmetrical face. Her skin was a rich, dark chocolate color, and her eyes were the color of honey, sparkling with an otherworldly light.

The woman slowly turned to face him as Orion called out to her. When their eyes met, it felt like she was looking directly into his soul. A rush of memories flooded his mind as he recognized her as Qetsiyah, his ancestor and the creator of the other side, the first immortals and, consequently, doppelgangers.

A tense silence hung in the air as the misty town seemed to hum with subtle energy. It was as if time stood still, and everything was frozen, awaiting the next move. Orion looked at Qetsiyah with awe and trepidation, wondering what she wanted from him.

After what felt like an eternity, Qetsiyah finally broke the silence. Her voice was a sweet melody, but beneath the surface, there was an unmistakable note of authority and power.

"Hello, Orion," she said with a sly smirk.

When Qetsiyah uttered his name, Orion's heart leaped, and a chill ran down his spine. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. His mind raced with questions, and he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of unease. He looked around, trying to make sense of his surroundings, but everything seemed strange.

"How do you know my name?" he asked, his voice laced with caution and suspicion.

Qetsiyah raised an eyebrow, her piercing gaze fixed on him. "Oh, I know many things, Orion," she said with a hint of amusement. "Your name is not the only thing I am privy to."

Orion's unease deepened, and he took a step back, wary of this mysterious woman and her motives. "Where exactly am I?" he asked, his tone laced with urgency. Qetsiyah's smile lingered as she spoke, revealing a sense of amusement at Orion's confusion.

"You, my dear, are on the other side," she repeated, her voice echoing ominously through the vast space around them. "And you caused quite the commotion."

Orion's heart sank at the mention of the other side. He couldn't have died after getting a new chance at life, the other side was where supernaturals would be stuck when they died, but he never thought he would end up there. He looked wary at Qetsiyah, wondering what she wanted from him and if he could ever return to the world, he knew.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his tone laced with apprehension.

Qetsiyah's gaze softened, and she took a step closer to him. "You see, my dear, but more specifically, your magic is powerful, and it caused a ripple effect that shook the foundations of the other side. It drew me to you, and I knew I had to find you."

The memory of her strength made him uneasy, and he wondered what she could want with him. He took a deep breath and braced himself for whatever was to come, hoping he could find a way to appease her without becoming a pawn in her dangerous game.

"How is this even possible?" Orion asked, still trying to comprehend what was happening.

Qetsiyah chuckled softly as she spoke of magic, revealing that it was a powerful force that ran through their shared bloodline. Orion listened intently, his apprehension momentarily replaced by fascination as she praised his natural abilities.

"Your magic is incredibly potent and abundant, my dear," Qetsiyah continued, sizing him with a shrewd gaze. "I could sense it from here."

Orion couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at her words, but his curiosity was quickly replaced by a growing sense of unease when she mentioned the blast he had sent out earlier.

"So that was my doing?" Orion asked, surprised and unsure of how to feel about it.

Qetsiyah nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, it was. And it shook up the other side quite a bit, drawing me to you."

Orion's heart sank at her words.

If Qetsiyah could sense his magic, so could the other witches on the other side. He knows how distrustful and selfish they are trying to keep the balance of nature when nature can easily balance itself.

"But what about the other witches on the other side?" he asked cautiously. "Won't they sense my magic too?"

"They might have sensed your magic," Qetsiyah said with a nod. "But don't worry, I have built a protective barrier around you. They won't be able to track you down now."

Orion felt a wave of relief wash over him at her words. He knew he could trust Qetsiyah to keep him safe, but he couldn't help but wonder how long the barrier would last.

"For how long will the barrier hold?" he asked.

Qetsiyah paused, considering her response. "It should hold for a while, but eventually, they will find a way to break through it. That's why you must be prepared and hone your skills. You never know when you might need to defend yourself."

Orion tried to shake off his doubts about Qetsiyah. He knew she had her agenda, and her intentions might not always align with his own. She was tricky and manipulative, and he couldn't be sure she had his best interests.

Still, he had no choice but to rely on her.

"I believe your time here is coming to an end. Remember, practice, and get stronger. You have at least a few years until the barrier breaks. By then, you should be able to protect yourself. " Said Qetsiyah.

As she was saying this, Orion's surroundings were starting to blur.

"Wait, are we gonna see each other again." He asked. He wanted to know if this was going to be a regular occurrence. He didn't want to see his powerful ancestor every time he fell asleep.

"Only on special occasions, don't worry."

This time, when Qetsiyah finished speaking, everything went black.

—----

Gradually, his eyes adjusted to the darkness, and he saw familiar shapes emerge from the shadows. As his vision cleared, he found himself disoriented, gasping for air and trying to make sense of his surroundings.

Amidst the confusion, he heard Qetsiyah's voice explaining that he had been sent back. He struggled to comprehend what had happened, feeling like he had been caught in a whirlwind. Then, his mother and grandmother appeared in his field of vision, rushing towards him with open arms.

As he was enveloped in their warm embrace, Orion's initial panic began to subside, replaced by relief and comfort.

After exchanging pleasantries, Abby and Sheila turned their attention towards Orion, their expressions suddenly serious. "We need to talk to you, Orion," Abby began, her tone grave. "We know something strange happened to you and want to help you understand it."

Sheila nodded in agreement. "You see, when you used magic just now; it was the first time you've ever done so. And not only that, but you used up all of your magic in that one moment."

Orion's eyes widened, feigning surprise and confusion. He knew he had to act in a way that didn't reveal what he already knew to Abby and Sheila. "Magic? What do you mean? What happened to me?"

Abby took a deep breath before continuing. "You come from a long line of powerful witches and warlocks, Orion. And just like your ancestors, you have inherited the ability to use magic. What you experienced was your first time tapping into that power."

Sheila chimed in. "But because you're still so young and inexperienced, you used all your magic in one go. It's not something to be taken lightly; we must teach you how to use your powers responsibly."

"So, what happens now?" Asked Orion.

Abby smiled reassuringly at Orion. "What happens now is that we're going to teach you how to control your magic," she said gently. "It's not something that happens overnight, but with practice and guidance, you'll get the hang of it."

Sheila nodded in agreement. "We'll be here to guide you every step of the way, Orion."

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