we witches three

Though only one Sister was needed all 3 came when the Crone was summoned. Seemingly eager to meet a first generation she-elf born into the royal family with a matched bond that allows psi connections with powers of necromancy and access to the Netherworld.

***

We were in my mother's observatory and lab. The witches stepped through a portal moved like wind and water. Swirling like a vortex with sparks of electricity. Nothing but the darkest black inside behind them.

I've never seen them come through; I've only read about them. Being able to manipulate magic and move through the Way-lines was a very advanced form of magic few knew how to access. My mother coming from the line of elves that taught the witches and my brother Alistar are the only two people I know capable of using them. But I also don't know many people, especially those who aren't common born. Always tucked away from the world because of my worth to my family and people, I was a target.

The observatory was a room with white walls and a glass ceiling. It was filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, their shelves carved from dark wood and inlaid with silver, there were crystals that glowed assorted colors and herbs that smelled an array of unfamiliar flavors. The room was dominated by a massive circular table in the center with a moving map of the stars, I always thought it was so beautiful, the map was made of a dust of some kind and you can manipulate the dust to show you images and answer questions on occasion. She had tables with herbs and powders of all kinds lined the back wall and shelves with all sorts of different magical items lined the sides.

Upon the Sisters arrival the meeting begins.

"So this is the child that can move between the world of the living and the world of the dead" the Crone said, "We've been waiting for you."

"Come let me see you."

As I step closer, is she blind. See what?

She reaches out and grasps my marked hand.

"Well, I see the gods chose right when choosing you, not that we questioned them."

"You have a strong heart and you're beautiful inside and out."

"Oh, and Andromeda what a lovely child you bore" the Crone said "so much potential. Many seek what she has, the abilities she will learn, have the chance to turn the tides. Only with life can death be tamed." The Crone said her eyes glowing a milky white and she turned her head to Theo and said it again. "Only life can tame death."

Then she dropped my hand. And looked at my mother. "I have seen all you have seen, I know all that you know now" the Crone said "child, you walk in two worlds, that is a very rare gift. Not only can you control death but channel it and have the ability to command it if ever you so choose."

The Crones eyes now black "Dark times are nearer as nothingness found a vessel born from the malice and hatred and is now able to enter this world, the Rot begins tearing at the fabric between the world of the living and the world of the dead."

"Creatures from the Netherworld will cross through to our world bringing the dead with them." said the Mother.

"The dead and the living cannot share a world" the Maiden followed. "The two worlds will collide ending life and death. Breaking the cycle and ties of the two worlds.

In unison "Only life can tame death".

Silence fell over the room like snow in a blizzard.

The Sister's eyes flung open.

"Well that was exciting wasn't it" said the Maiden, "it's been so long since I've gotten to share a vision with my Sisters! This is so exciting I'm totally glad I came"

"I always loved a group vision!" She said giddy

Theo: I would never expect a million year old witch to be so peppy.

Orion: You better watch it, that million year old witch could kick your ass.

"Don't keep your secrets to yourselves, please if you have any thoughts share them with the room" said the Mother

Oops caught.

"Theo said you have a lot of pep for someone whose seen enough lives to last a lifetime."

The Crone bust out in laughter. "Ha Maiden he called you old!"

"Yeah if he thinks I'm old what does that say about you huh, grandma?" The Maiden retorted.

"I'm almost as old as they come, child" the Crone wiping wetness from her eyes.

Walking up to Theo the Crone takes his hand "you have yet to realize your role in all this I see, but it seems you're beginning to understand"

"What does that mean?" Theo asked

"It means our visions are as clear to us as they are to you." She just smiles and pats his hand.

The Mother and the Maiden both try and stop themselves from laughing but some snicker still slick by.

"You think this is a laughing matter? What is happening with Orion? All you said was just jumbled up nonsense and does nothing for us, for her"

"You hold your tongue and remember you speak with forces beyond you" the three say in unison with a sharp, deep, scratchy voice deep from within them.

Orion: Theo that's enough don't you do not have a seat at the table. Neither of us do. Be patient, they are the human embodiment of magic. Don't do anything stupid.

"My apologies you Sisters three." Theo said bowing his head to them.

"Please everyone should grab chair and sit, this is a long one" the Mother

Now sitting in a circle on the floor the Crone speaks.

"Princess Orion is a Necromanceras all of you here know. She isn't just any necromancer; she is the physical embodiment of death. The Netherworld and Etherworld are out of balance, it started the moment the the entity gained a physical form and ripped apart the fabrics of the world allowing for death to steep in from the Netherworld." She stopped looking around the room "the Rot is nothingness, a kind of nothingness that shouldn't be here spreading. The realm is built on a design The god of Death Nether is the Netherworld and the god of Life Ether is the Etherworld. Our world. Nothingness is what came first, existence was vast empty space, from Nothing came Death, the first god ending Nothingness, and with an end a beginning happens, Ending nothing created life. Once those two appeared, Nothingness fought against them, intent on ending existence, so the two made themselves into worlds and trapped nothing between the two realms. Now Nothingness is escaping spreading a Rot that threatens to destroy existence itself. Hate so strong it formed an empty entity which has allowed Nothingness to take physical form in the Etherworld. As a result the god Nether of the Netherworld picked a host to exist in this world to bring back what doesn't belong."

"Incase anymore misses that, it means Orion is literally death in a physical form. And she can drag the monsters back to the Netherworld ending the spread of the Rot" The maiden said with an awe in her voice.

"Anyways, it means you are a very special child, with a very special purpose. You are the only person capable of bringing the entity into the space between the Etherworld and the Netherworld resetting the balance. Because you are the only person made of the two worlds" The Crones voice than turned dark "but because you possess such power you are more susceptible to your emotions and impulses. Your magic is old as death itself and the most primal of magic. It's pure and completely at the mercy of its user." And then the Crone looks at Theo "and that is where you and your bond come in" she said "you are not matched in power, but you are in spirit, the Goddess Calanthian marked you and opened a bond that

surpasses all others because you are her anchor to this world, her tether. You alone have the power to bring her home from the netherworld."

"Our time is coming to an end. Theo, you have your own journey ahead answers to seek. We shall see each other soon; we will be waiting." the Crone said as a portal appeared before them drawing them in. And in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

"It makes sense now why you can drag the monsters bodies away." Theo said connecting the dots.

"Well, that was a sure lot to take in." Said Oleander "I started my day with frenchtoast and before lunch I find out my sister is literally walking death"