ch. 24 Change of plans?

Aug 7 1987 5:30pm Ottery

"So Marshall is that Scotland school that exclusive that you don't know it's name?" Kyle's dad, Jeffrey, asked. On our way back from Wildwood, my friends mentioned about the 'exclusive school'.

"Yeah Sir. I'm not sure about the details but children of thier alumni would also receive an invitation." I kept things vague.

"Just make sure it's not a cult or like an 'Illuminati' kind of placed.. haha." He said jokingly.

"Rest assured Sir, the first instance that things looks fishy, I'll call the police on them.. hehe." I replied then thought, 'Oh I wish the police can handle the things that will happen in that school.'

I got of at the curb before our street. I said bye to my friends. I kinda needed time to think what is happening with the rare magical creatures. With Gavel, I already sense something amiss. If a BANNU is one of the lost magical creature something is definitely up.

"Good evening, Marshall. You look deep in thoughts." I'm surprised to find Penny Fleming at thier front porch. She continued, "I tried to say hello earlier but it seems you were not at home. Maybe we could have dinner sometime with your grandma."

'Oh, they're playing nice.' I thought about it and maybe its time to be 'open up' with my neighbors. "Sure, but the latest I'm available would be next week. I'll check with Nana."

"Ok dear. Say Hi to your Nana for me." She said. I just nodded with a smile and directly went home.

I open the door and check if Nana was home. There was no one in the living room and kitchen. I went to my room to freshen up but found a note on my door from Nana saying she's in the training room. I sigh, 'Yeah, something is definitely up.'

I went to the training room. Nana was there sipping tea. I went over gave my greetings and gave a kiss on the cheeks. I proceeded to sit opposite her and pour myself a cup of tea.

"So how's your trip to Wildwood, Dear?" She broke the silence.

I replied, "Nothing surprising. I went with my friends.. had fun. Saw lots of animals.. found some unique and unknown bloodline... same old..same old".

She said, " Dear, can I ask you what happened when you died before. Specifically before I arrived from the elevator?"

'Huh, I didn't see that coming.' I thought hard and told what happened. How I died. When I met death guy and Emo girl. When they asked me where I want to be sent and thier reasoning why I was denied. Until the part where I offered to go to the Wizardry World bcuz I somehow know the 'Franchise of Harry Potter'. Then Nana was introduced as my guardian...

"...And you pick this world, because it's the closest alternative those people where able to provide.... And they gave you the Beast Space so you can play out your dream of taming and befriending unique creatures...." at this point, she's no longer talking to me. She's mumbling all the key points we talked about, like she's solving a puzzle in her mind.

Nana then looks at me and smile while she explain, "Originally, the world's will accepted you with the thought of you just collecting creatures like Grace,a unicorn, who's species still exist today. I believe it was surprised and happy when you were able to bring back an extinct creature like the golden sheep.. and is now throwing animals at you with bloodline from extinct creatures."

I raised an eyebrow and said, "So Grace's example was what had been expected. Gavel, was the world's way of testing the possibility of my Beast Space. And now the world is presenting me of what it hope I can bring back? These explain why there was the dire wolf and bennu in Wildwood?"

She nodded, "Yes Dear, you only got 2 slots left for the Beast Space so the world is hoping for you to bring back some extinct magical creatures. But of course the decision is yours to make. The world is just pimping it's candidates."

I hesitate and asked, "Why? Is it intending to use me for a war or some conflict."

She quickly denied it, "No, it is more like it misses them. The world also has some regrets, Dear. There is no string attached. But the resulting new power they possess will be yours to manage. And as they say 'with great power comes great responsibility'. The world could tell that you don't have any intention to become a ruler base on your wish when you died and your decision to pursue music after Hogwarts. So it feels assured that you will not misuse whatever power comes along with bringing an extinct creatures back."

I sigh,'might as well'... "So Nana, what is a bannu?"

"Haha, actually I don't exactly know either." She laugh but continues,"Legend says it is the Egyptian equivalent of a phoenix. But like the instance with the golden sheep, legends don't give accurate descriptions."

She explained, "You see the Bennu became extinct before my time, the era of the Elders." I'm surprised about this revelation. "So you might as well expect that whatever strong powers it had will be amplified when you made the contract."

I kept silent pondereding what to make of all this. I'm happy the animals with rare bloodlines will be coming to me as I still have 2 contracts so I must make them count. But then I'll have powers I might not be able to handle.

"What are your worries, Dear?" She asked.

I answered, "I know I won't misuse my powers..but I'm afraid of mishandling it or I might not even be able to control it."

She nodded understanding my worries and said," But Dear, that's why you have me, your guardian. For control...just practice it. And to put your mind at ease, I'll tell you a little secret..." she paused, then continued.."I have collected magics, knowledge and artifacts that could destroy the world hundreds of times over. So believe me. Whatever powers you get, WE can figure it out."

Hearing this does help a liitle. I ate some cookies while settling my worries. I made up my mind and said, "I'll take in the Bennu but I'll pass on the Dire Wolf. If I'm being showered with choices, might as well pick the ones i like. So, will I need to go back to Wildwood?"

"Just wait at home,Dear. I'll prepare dinner first." Nana said as she motioned me to go out of the training room and head to the kitchen.

I'm eating my mushroom bourguignon with mashed potatoes when I remember my talk with Penny earlier,"Nana, Penny wants to have dinner with us. I said we're available next week. What do you think?"

She replied, "We can make arrangements, but let see first what powers you get with the bennu. We might encounter a tricky one that needs time to figure out. I don't want you to feel that you are pressed for time."

I nodded and understood what she meant. But I asked, "Can you tell me something about them? I haven't heard of any family called Fleming? A little heads-up would be nice, MADAME Witcherly..." I jokingly emphasize that last one.

"Hehe.. Sorry about that Dear." She chuckles, "I think being mischievous runs in our family.... Fleming is just thier alias, you might know them as Perenelle and Nicholas Flamel, the alchemist."

'F*ck, The Flamels!.. French... but the movie portrayed Nick as a moving corpse kinda person.' I'm shocked.

Nana continued, "Penny was my student a long way back. She is very powerful as she also learned from two powerful sorceresses, Circe and Medea. She is also very well-known in our circle and is feared by many. To be honest, she is wasted on Nick. But they love each other dearly. No one can deny that."

At this point, I'm a little confused,'I haven't heard of Perenelle unlike the famous Nicholas Flamel being the creator of the Philosopher's Stone.'

"You might find it odd, but between the two, Perenelle is much more powerful and intelligent. Nicholas is only famous because of the Philosopher's Stone." She smile and said, "If you asks the enemies they fought, which of the couple would they prefer to fight one on one? They will choose Nicholas every time. But those enemies only go after the couple because they are in possession of the Codex."

"The Codex?" I asked.

She nodded, "Yes, It is a book that was created by a powerful mage. In it, there are various powerful spells, knowledges like how to crate the Philosopher's Stone, and prophecies. One of which pertains to the twins of silver and gold. Penny and Nick made it thier life mission to search for the twins."

"Over time they were chased by people who wants the Codex or the Philosopher's Stone and made enemies around the world. They also made many allies like my granddaughters and Francis."

"During their fights, many casualties were made like in the Great London Fire back in 1666." She said solemnly.

"Wait Nana, does that mean we have a magnet for disaster as our neighbor!" I'm personally not afraid since I have Nana. But the other residents in our area are at risk. 'If my acquaintances and friends are hurt, I'll go ballistic on them!'

"Be assured,Dear. I 'see' no powerful enemies going after them here in Devon. They stay at one area for utmost 5 years then move to another. And I have my people looking around for anything suspicious.

"Your people?...." I'm wondering who they are.

She looks at the front door and said, "Oh, speak of the devil... one of them is here now. Just come in, the door is open!."

When I look over to see who it was, I'm shocked to see the plain looking Charles carrying a box inside the house. He placed the box at the coffee table in the living room. He then turn to face us and gave a polite bow and quietly left after closing the door on his way out.

"Uhmmm... thank you, I guess?!" I'm so shocked that I was not able to say hello or say goodbye. 'Was Charles rude? Or I'm the rude one?'

I made my way toward the box. I open it and a thin fuzzy head pop out. It's the heron chick i saw earlier and as I look at it closely, I thought, 'yup it's very ugly.'

"Dear, could you contract it in the training room. I already, reinforce the room." Nana instructed while washing the dishes.

I lifted the box and said to myself, "Huuuu... Whatever! Come what may!"

~end chapter ~