Chapter Four

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Calli stared out at the party that was currently ongoing in the grand backyard of the Wysteria Estate. It had been two days. Two harrowing days of training, studying and discovery. The entire process had been more harrowing than the hell she went through during final exam week.

Although Kelsey Reilly had been an incredible teacher, she was also thorough in her teachings as was her grandmother who had been in charge of teaching her Elven lore and some aspects of Elven magic. Calliope had discovered more about Ikraseon and her ancestors, some of which was truly remarkable.

But nothing was as remarkable as when she looked upon her Elven form for the very first time. That had been the beginning of her education with Kelsey lifting the spell she had placed upon her when she was a child. It was a fascinating experience, one marked with chants, glowing magical circles and a rush of warmth and power that was truly exhilarating.

Watching it had been the beginning of Calliope's acceptance that this was a truly different world from what she knew. And the mere truth that magic existed and that she would be able to use it one day was almost like a dream come true. Just as it was when she stood before the full-length mirror in the Library and looked upon her true form.

Her beauty seemed to have been accentuated, brought out more not only by the signature pointy elven ears but also her fiery red hair that had grown longer and was now no longer back length but waist length. Her eyes seemed to shimmer in an otherwordly glow and the energy coursing through her veins was warm and somewhat overwhelming until her mother and grandmother urged her to breathe through it.

The two had shifted into their own elven forms and were truly gorgeous to look upon and made her feel somewhat comfortable in her own skin. The explanation had come after Kelsey expounded on the fact that Elves had to use glamour spells to conceal their identities and live amongst the mortals who had no idea about the existence of the supernatural world.

"Now that I have broken the seal within you, your elven form will present itself more often which will be of no problem in Natus but should you wish to come to the mortal realm, you will need to conceal it. The first spell I shall teach you is Ceilt, the glamour spell."

And that had begun a series of lessons but only after Kelsey performed an enhancement spell on Calliope to ensure that she was able to absorb everything faster. They were limited on time and although the restrictions had been released on her abilities, they knew they would need all the help they could to get it done in the few days that they had. She was now performing on an almost inhuman level, a fitting change for what she needed to learn.

The martial arts lessons with her grandmother had been grueling but empowering all the same as Calliope faced off with the woman who seemed incredibly impressed by her capabilities. The two sparred for hours, enhancing not only Calli's physical abilities but her infusion of magic into all her moves.

The young, newborn elf had been amazed by her grandmother's skills and power. Elisen was a warrior and her granddaughter's role model as she admired and took in all she had to teach.

It seemed that the Queen of Ikraseon was enjoying her training with her granddaughter.

Despite the reason behind the training, Elisen was glad to share the moment with her granddaughter- a moment she had longed for many years. She had done the same for Ira and now, watching as Calliope grew even stronger in the wake of the great responsibility she bore made her all the more proud of the young woman.

Although Calli really enjoyed the training sessions with her grandmother a lot, she seemed to have a special place for the language lessons with both her mother and grandmother which had been the last on her long schedule of work and by far her favorite; - with magic lessons with Kelsey coming in at a close third and sparring a close second.

Learning the High Elven Language, Al Quessin, had been the icing on the cake and the highlight of everything she had learnt thus far. It brought her closer not only to her mother and grandmother but also to her people's rich history.

She had taken to it quick, impressing her teachers and the witches who had watched her growth and assisted in her practice through magical sparring.

Although Calliope was still somewhat overwhelmed by all that had changed in her life in the span of a few days, she was glad to not only learn her true heritage and history but also meet so many new and incredibly powerful women who had been integral in her training.

She felt stronger now than she had ever been, more prepared and ready to tackle what was to come.

And I couldn't have done it all without their help and guidance...

"You seem to be deep in thought, my love."

Ira spoke up in Elven from beside her little girl, smiling warmly at her once she sat beside her. A language rule had been established by Elisen to ensure that Calliope was fluent in the tongue and although this was the last night of her training, the two women did not double down.

In fact, they seemed to enjoy sharing this aspect of their lives that they never had the chance to before.

"Yeah. I am just so grateful for everyone who has helped me and walked with me on this crazy, two-day journey. It seems truly unbelievable that I have learnt all that I have in the span of such few days."

Calli remarked, truly in awe of Kelsey's enhancement spell.

That had been her saving grace, allowing her to prepare as comprehensively as possible for her departure to the Natus Kingdom. Ira let out a little chuckle, glancing at the brunette in question who was dancing with Elisen and the rest of the witches who seemed to be having a truly remarkable time. 

Calli grinned at the sight, glad that they were all winding down. It had been a long couple of days, and they all deserved the rest.

"That is the marvel of magic. There are so many things that it can do. That spell was the tip of the iceberg on the grand things that magic can make come true. Magic that now resides within you. I really wish we had more time...That I could teach you some of the things that I have learnt over the years and through your grandmother. I know she feels the same way."

Ira stated, glancing at her mother who was laughing at something Kelsey said.

The two women had always been close, charging into battle together and sharing both their joys and despair. Although Ira clashed quite a bit with her mother, she loved her still and was always grateful for everything she had done for her. For all that she had taught her, lessons she had hoped to pass down to Calliope one day.

"It's okay, mama. I am not going away forever. I will come to visit, and we can do all the things that we couldn't do before- back when I was oblivious to this life. I know I said that I didn't want this, and, for a time, I was kind of mad at you and grandma for keeping something so big from me but...I'm glad that you did because now, I have experienced life on both sides."

"I know you had to sacrifice and risk a lot by allowing me to be a normal human girl and I am so grateful to you for giving me that chance and for being my pillar of strength when my life seemed to be crashing down all around me. I'm still scared, honestly, for what is to come but everything that you, grandma, Kelsey and everyone here has taught me has given me the strength to forge on forward. I don't know how but what I do know is that I am prepared to find a way to save Ikraseon, our home and our people."

Ira grinned wide, tears shimmering in her eyes as she pulled her daughter in for a much-needed hug, one that Calliope returned as she tried and failed to keep her tears at bay.

Yes, the responsibility ahead of her was grand and imposter syndrome always seemed to loom over her every single day, but she refused to back down. A renewed kind of strength had settled within her, and her confidence had grown.

This is a new, unchartered road and your fantastical mind has always dreamed of being an explorer of a new world. It's time to see what is ahead and maybe discover more about yourself...This is a chance to live your dream, despite whatever hardships are ahead...

"Oh, my strong, brave girl. I am so proud of you and the woman you have become. I have been fighting the urge to kidnap you and escape from this place and this heavy burden but seeing the hard work you have put in and your words...I choose to trust you. Know that I love you so much and will always be here for you. I will fight by your side always and I will protect you for the rest of my life. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Calliope. My radiant star."

The two women wiped each other's tears away, grinning wide as they shared a heart-to-heart moment that was rare for the two of them.

"I love you too, mama. Thank you for trusting me. I hope to not let you or the people of Ikraseon down."

Calliope responded, earning a firm shake of the head not only from her mother but her grandmother as well who had joined them at the sight of their tears.

"You could never, my darling. You are so strong, so brave and the pillar of the Rowenys family. Nothing can bring you down, not even the Beast King Immortal. Your strength surpasses even his and one day, I know that you will see yourself in the way that your mother and I see you. You will make Kings and Queen's bow and bring an end to this war. And we will be beside you, fighting together. The women of the Rowenys Royal Family will do what no one else could. We will liberate Ikraseon and return home victorious. Together. Always and Forever."

Elisen stated, holding her daughter and granddaughter's hands in her own. The three women grinned at each other, each filled with newfound resolve. They were ready to begin the journey to changing history, even if it meant going through the Beast King himself.

No one would stop them.

"I hate to interrupt this beautiful moment but...its time, Calliope. The Beast King approaches."

Kelsey stated, gesturing up at the sky that had begun to clear, showcasing the moon that was truly at its peak. She was right and they could all feel it as an incredibly powerful being slowly approached where they were.

The Beast King Immortal was walking the mortal plane, returning to claim his bride...

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