Chapter 1-2: Pilot/Surprises in store

WITCHES: THE RISING 

PLOT

The era of witches is gone forgotten by all but a few who has lived through it. However, a teenage girl discovers her powers in an unexpected manner. With the unlike squad she has come to regard as family, what are the challenges they will face in a world predominantly governed by humans? Will they come out whole, alive, unscarred and unscathed?

CHAPTER 1

PILOT

Clara’s POV:

MY NAME IS Clara Peterson and what you are about to read is the story of my life. However before we delve into the story proper, let me introduce you to my squad. We are more like a family. You dare one of us and you are taking on all of us. There is Ray Glazebrook, my boyfriend or anyways, soon to be boyfriend. He is a werewolf. Infact, he is the Alpha of a werewolf pack called the Kraits. He is immortal and very powerful. Then we have my best friend, Janet Johnson or as I like to call her JJ. She is a witch with the powers to control and manipulate storms. This means she can control lightning. We then have Ethan Vanderbilt, the only hybrid amidst us. He is both a wolf and a wizard. He uses dark arts but he is very careful to minimize its use so that it doesn’t corrupt his soul. The last member of our squad is what is popularly known as a siphoner. She wears a ring with which her power flows out from. Apart from her ring, she can also siphon venoms from bites, magic from magical objects and the likes. And me? You will soon see what I am. Alone, we are strong. Together, we are unstoppable.

{W.T.R}

“CLARA, YOU ARE gonna be late.” A voice sounded from down the stairs. The figure buried under the blanket peeked out and grumbled, “One minute, mama.” The door of her room suddenly flung open and the blanket was snatched from her robbing her of the reprieve from the cold weather. The auburn haired girl frowned as she stared at the middle aged woman that was staring down at her. Both of them resembled twins but the only difference was the age and height. The middle aged woman walked towards the window and threw open the curtains making the sunlight to stream in. Muttering an oath, the girl on the bed sat on the edge of the bed and stretched whilst simultaneously delivering a yawn to signal the fact that she had just woken up. 

    “It’s a brand new day, Clara. Don’t you think? And besides today is…” The woman was saying but Clara cut her off, “I know what today is, Ma. You don’t have to remind of my eighteenth birthday. You have been planning for it since I was ten.” Clara’s mother faked a pained gasp as she replied, “Not ten. Maybe something like since you were fourteen years old. Now get up from bed. You are going to be late for school and I do not pay your tuition so that you can be late for school.” Clara glanced at her mother and changed her eyes to be big to appeal to her mother, “Do I have to go to school today. Can’t I just stay home with you and dad? Speaking of, where is Pops?” “He went for a quick meeting. He will be back in town just in time for your birthday bash. Now, get up before I decide to whoop you into the bathroom and come down for a quick breakfast.” As her mother left, Clara looked at the doorway and finally around at her room.

    Beside the bed was a small lampstand. On it was her recommended glasses and a lamp. Beside the door was a small keyboard she used for training but far enough so that the person opening the door wouldn’t accidentally slam the door into. There was a closed wardrobe at the far end of her room. And beside the wardrobe was a table which her reading material was. Hung on the wall where the table was situated was a huge mirror. In between the table and the wardrobe was a closed door with a towel hung on it. Clara stood up from the bed and looked wistfully at it wishing for more sleep but her mother would probably take her head off if she should attempt it. So stripping off her rose nightwear, she walked to the closed door and opened it. As she stepped inside, she closed the door.

    Half an hour later, she was out of the bathroom with her towel wrapped around her slender form and her auburn hair dripping water. She looked at herself in the mirror and smirked before she opened the wardrobe. She looked at the clothes inside and picked at random. As she laid the clothes on the bed, she dried her body off with the towel. She applied her body cream, and then wore her white t-shirt, her black trouser and a black jacket with her white sneakers. She applied cologne and smiled at herself in the mirror, “Hello, Clara Peterson. You are looking extremely good today.” With a smirk, she picked up her bag and stepped out of the room closing her door gently. She strutted down the stairs with the smirk remaining on her face.

    As her mother scented the whiff of her daughter’s perfume, she looked up and smiled as Clara came into view. “There’s my baby girl.” Mrs. Peterson commented with a smirk. Clara looked at her mother and picked two pancakes out of the many her mother had cooked. She ate it quickly and said, “So Mum, I will be going to school now. Bye, ma.” Her mother handed over her lunch to her and as she was going, Mrs. Peterson cleared her throat and said, “Dear, haven’t you forgotten something?” Clara looked back at her mother with a questioning gaze and said, “No, I don’t think so.” Her mother looked at her with a thoroughly exasperated glance and patted her cheeks. With a subtle roll of eyes, Clara walked to where her mother was seated and pecked her on the cheeks before hightailing it out of the house unaware of a shadowy figure that took shape immediately the front door closed. 

The figure had on a hood. Only a pair of grey eyes paired out of it. “The wheels of fate are ever turning, Evelyn. Will you not tell your daughter her ancestry and her roots?” Evelyn Peterson glanced sideways at the figure and sighed, “I will tell her one day, Gwendolyn but that day is not today. Let my daughter enjoy her eighteenth birthday because even now, I fear that she is not ready.” The hooded figure now known as Gwendolyn raised an eyebrow, “It is her destiny, Evelyn and prophecy has stated clear her path that she must take. Who are we to stop the wheel from turning or to stop the era from returning?” Evelyn glared sharply at the figure and said in a tone so sharp the figure could not help but flinch, “And I say that when I am truly ready and not a moment before, I will tell Clara everything.” As Gwendolyn phased out of the room, her voice echoed, “By then, I hope it will not be too late, Evelyn. I hope we will not have lost everything we have built over the last century.” 

{W.T.R}

THE CAR ROLLED to a stop in front of a huge school building. The back door opened and Clara stepped out. The Uber driver received his payment and drove off again leaving Clara to her thoughts. She was however jolted out of it when she heard a scream, “There is the birthday girl.” Actually, it was more like a squeal. Clara broke into a grin as her childhood friend, Rita approached her and enveloped her in a bear hug. Clara hugged back and said, “Good to see you too, Rita. Wait, what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in school.” Rita smiled and said, “Leave that one aside, friend. So how are we celebrating today?” Clara and Rita began to move into the school discussing in low tones.

    Clara and Rita were complete opposites from day one. Rita was more of a tomboy with special interest in other girls and a boyish appearance. Almost all the time, you would see her on shirt and trousers with her hairstyle that was parted sideways. Whilst Clara likes following rules, Rita likes breaking, bending or outrightly ignoring rules. And her everyday philosophy is, “Why live life when you can’t enjoy it.” 

    In the hallways, Clara turned towards Rita and said, “So friend, I will be seeing you later. You are coming to the house this evening, right?” Rita chuckled, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Clara nodded, hugged her friend and left her friend in the empty hallway to head to her first class which she was late for. Even though she was berated in her first class, the day went by like a blur for her.

    At the end of the day’s lesson, she walked towards her locker and placed her books inside. As she closed the doors of her locker, her heart nearly gave out from the fright of seeing the biggest bully of their school year smiling devilishly down at her. “Hello, shortstuff.” He taunted as he leaned against the locker next to Clara’s locker. Clara subtly rolled her eyes as she made to pass with a stinging comment, “I really do not have time for all of this, Lawrence. Don’t you have anything better to do with your time.” As she passed, another guy came up from behind her and pulled her back with her bag. She tried to scream but it was quickly muffled by a punch from a third guy that sent her reeling into the lockers. She tried to clear her visions that swam and numb the pain in her cheeks as she said, “Leave me the hell alone. What have I ever done to you?” 

    Lawrence smiled and said, “My boys felt like having a little fun this afternoon and you are the nearest thing available.” As the two guys approached her with menacing chuckles, she let out a scream and nearby, windows shattered in classrooms. The hallways were empty so no one was around to see. Even the boys did not take notice. If they had, then, perhaps they would have been spared the grueling fate that befell them. As one of the guys grabbed her arms roughly and threw her to the ground while she watched with frightened eyes, a huge stake from a door somewhere in the hallway detached and stabbed the guy from the back punching all the way to his front soaking his entire white t-shirt with blood. There was an eerie silence for about two minutes after the guy that had been killed fell to the ground. Lawrence turned to look at the corpse, then at Clara and said, “What in heaven’s name did you do, you witch?” The third guy was already backing up only to have the sharp edge of a locker fly off its hinge to behead him. Lawrence eyes widened as did Clara’s. Lawrence then frowned and lunged himself at her with a snarl, “You killed my friends, you witch.” As a means of self-defense and nothing else, Clara stretched her hand forward in a false hope to stop him and perhaps push him off but she didn’t expect what happened next. As if slammed by a magical force, before Lawrence could get to Clara, he was slammed to the back with an incredible force of violence and uncontrollable force. As a result, his head hit the wall with a sickening crunch and the life was gone out of him before his body even hit the ground. Clara stared in shock as she slowly stood up. She was staring at the three dead bodies, a scream suppressed in her throat as she blanched pale as she quickly walked off speechless at what had happened without explanation.

BY THE TIME she got out of the car in front of her house, she was thoroughly shaken and her face was so pale one would think she had seen a ghost. In truth, she had but it was a ghost with which she had no explanations but something told her that her parents could probably explain what just happened. She walked up to the door unaware of a pair of eyes observing her very movement. Clara frowned as the house was too quiet. Putting aside her thought for the moment, she pressed down the door knob and opened the door. She saw a red streak and the scream that had bubbled in her throat found its way out as she took in the scene before her with even greater shock.

CHAPTER 2

SURPRISES IN STORE

Previously on Witches: The Rising

“It’s a brand new day, Clara. Don’t you think? And besides today is…” The woman was saying but Clara cut her off, “I know what today is, Ma. You don’t have to remind of my eighteenth birthday. You have been planning for it since I was ten.” Clara’s mother faked a pained gasp as she replied, “Not ten. Maybe something like since you were fourteen years old. Now get up from bed. You are going to be late for school and I do not pay your tuition so that you can be late for school.” Clara glanced at her mother and changed her eyes to be big to appeal to her mother, “Do I have to go to school today. Can’t I just stay home with you and dad? Speaking of, where is Pops?” The figure had on a hood. Only a pair of grey eyes paired out of it. “The wheels of fate are ever turning, Evelyn. Will you not tell your daughter her ancestry and her roots?” Evelyn Peterson glanced sideways at the figure and sighed, “I will tell her one day, Gwendolyn but that day is not today. Let my daughter enjoy her eighteenth birthday because even now, I fear that she is not ready.” The hooded figure now known as Gwendolyn raised an eyebrow, “It is her destiny, Evelyn and prophecy has stated clear her path that she must take. Who are we to stop the wheel from turning or to stop the era from returning?” As Gwendolyn phased out of the room, her voice echoed, “By then, I hope it will not be too late, Evelyn. I hope we will not have lost everything we have built over the last century.” 

As one of the guys grabbed her arms roughly and threw her to the ground while she watched with frightened eyes, a huge stake from a door somewhere in the hallway detached and stabbed the guy from the back punching all the way to his front soaking his entire white t-shirt with blood. There was an eerie silence for about two minutes after the guy that had been killed fell to the ground. Lawrence turned to look at the corpse, then at Clara and said, “What in heaven’s name did you do, you witch?” As a result, his head hit the wall with a sickening crunch and the life was gone out of him before his body even hit the ground. Clara stared in shock as she slowly stood up. She was staring at the three dead bodies, a scream suppressed in her throat as she blanched pale as she quickly walked off speechless at what had happened without explanation. She walked up to the door unaware of a pair of eyes observing her very movement. Clara frowned as the house was too quiet. Putting aside her thought for the moment, she pressed down the door knob and opened the door. She saw a red streak and the scream that had bubbled in her throat found its way out as she took in the scene before her with even greater shock.

{W.T.R}

HER FATHER WAS still in his work clothes but everything now had changed. He was hanging on the wall with a spear sticking out of his belly and his eyes wide open in terror. Clara stepped into the dark room and gasped in shock as she saw her mother seating on the sofa with a vacant look in her eyes and a blood stained throat. However for theatrical effects, the murderer had arranged her on the sofa with her head on her neck. She was quiet for the first few minutes before tears found its way bubbling into her throat. She simply sank to the ground, her earlier dilemma forgotten as she lay in a pool of her own tears, hours passing her by until the pin of a needle entered her neck and everything was forgotten momentarily as she fell asleep whilst the hooded figure watched her with a mix of emotions too complex to define. As she fell asleep, the hooded figure carried her out of the house and with a whispered word, the house caught on flames. By the time the flames went up into the air and the house was truly burning, Clara and the hooded figure were nowhere in sight.

{W.T.R}

THE ROOM WAS dark. The only light that was seen was from a half open window. And even that was not enough to light up the room. However, once one’s sight was adjusted, the room features could be easily distinguished. There was a throne on a raised dais and a shadowy figure was seated upon it. Beside the throne, the room was completely bare leading one to believe that it was the throne room of a particular kingdom in the country. The door opened and a man stepped in. He was wearing black shorts and red t-shirt. He walked inside and knelt before the throne as he said, “My lady.”

    “Have you accomplished the task, Banda?” The female voice seated on the throne voiced out. “Yes, My Lady.” The voice chuckled and the figure it belonged to stood up and stepped into the light just enough for her shock of red hair to be noticed. She then said, “Then I think it’s time my sister and I finally meet.”

{W.T.R}

CLARA TURNED FITFULLY in her sleep. She grunted as her eyes flew open. Because of the light overhead in the room, she had to close her eyes again before she had time to truly take in her surroundings. Daring the bright overhead lights, she opened her eyes again and the first thing she noticed about her surroundings was the king size bed she was lying on. It was way more comfortable than the bed she was used to at her house. There was a pitcher of water beside her as well as a plate of omelet and a piece of bread on the table attached to the bed. Besides the bed, the room was bare. She could worry about where she was and if all that had happened was a dream when she addressed the current civil war going on in her stomach compartment. After, her kidnapper was thoughtful enough to be considerate. Why not take advantage? 

    She devoured the bread and omelet in record time and downed it with the pitcher of water. As she set down the pitcher, the door or rather what looked like the door opened and a man stepped inside. The man smiled upon seeing her and spoke, his voice filled with genuine warmth, “Ah, I see you are awake. The others are dying to meet you.” Clara’s eyebrow instantly arched up as the man finished talking. She grinned and said, “Okay. I’m sorry. Hold on. Which others? Where in heaven’s name am I and who the hell are you?” The man barely flinched at her sharp tone. He only smiled and said, “Sorry, my bad. I assumed Gwendolyn filled you in but I see not. My name is Emrys and yes, I am a druid as are you. You are in the Palace of the Triple Goddess.” As Clara was about to talk, Emrys raised a hand and said, “If you are truly who prophecy says you are, then you have a long way to go, I’m afraid.” 

    She was about to talk again when Emrys was about to raise his hand so instead, she turned her question into a snarl, “Don’t you dare shush me again, Emrys. I mean it.” The pitcher of water beside her clattered to the ground without anyone touching it and spilled water onto the metal floor. Emrys’ gaze went to the pitcher of water and said, “You are a mouthy one, aren’t you? Anyway, you don’t know it but I will tell you. You are the most powerful witch to ever exist in centuries. Evelyn, your mother was supposed to tell you but she got to her before we could even blink. Your father, I guess was a casualty.” At the blunt statement, Clara frowned and said as she stood up on her feet. “I am a witch?” Clara asked as she stared at Emrys. “Yes. Prophecy has stated so and it will be your destiny to return the golden era of witches and wizards and other hidden supernatural creatures.” Clara thought of something and muttered as if she was speaking to herself, “The incident at school. That explains it.” 

    Emrys smiled and said, “You call that an incident. Wait until you gain the control of your true powers. For now, come with me. The others are dying to meet the next high priestess of the Triple Goddess.” Clara nodded numbly as she was still absorbing all the information.

{W.T.R}

    As Emrys and Clara entered a sliding door which closed behind them, Clara paused in surprise. It felt like she was in another world and maybe she was. A huge chandelier was hanging in the ceiling giving light to the room. Everybody paused what they were doing in order to see the new face. One woman who was seated before a group walked over to them and glanced towards Emrys who nodded and left the duo alone. The woman smiled, “My name is Gwendolyn and I am sorry for your loss. You have no idea how the death of Evelyn affected me, Clara. It is only right that we help her daughter reach the height that has been promised and to teach you control so as not to repeat the incident that happened in school.” Clara raised an eyebrow for the umpteenth time, “How did you guys find out about that?” Gwendolyn smiled sadly and replied, “We have been observing you for quite some time now. You were not deemed ready but because of this incident, the Triple Goddess has pushed her plans forward. Come and meet the others. Enough of the sad atmosphere.” 

    Clara nodded and followed Gwendolyn who stopped by a group wearing blue overalls with the sign of lightning on it, “Hello.” Instead of shaking her outstretched hand, they all stood up and went on their knees with bowed head. It was at this moment that she noted that everybody was on their knees before her. Clara looked at Gwendolyn with a panic filled expression and said, “What is going on here?” Gwendolyn smirked, “Prophecies and fate has determined that you Clara Kathryn Peterson is to become the next high priestess of the Triple Goddess. This simply means you become her figurehead and is able to do what she can do. You become the most powerful sorceress in the land and no one will be able to stop you. You become the Queen of all things magical and that is even the beginning.” By the time Gwendolyn had finished explanation, Clara was practically gaping. Recovering herself, Clara said, “All this bowing down is absolutely not necessary.” “Then, command them to rise and they have no choice but to obey.” Gwendolyn spoke, her hands clasped behind her. With a voice of authority she didn’t know she had, she said, “You may rise.” Everyone rose up to sit back down but they continued staring at her.

    “If I am to be these powerful leader and sorceress, I don’t have any powers to call my own.” Clara said and Gwendolyn smirked and said, “Let me introduce you to the Storm Clan. They control anything that has to do with storm. Your mentor from this clan will be Janet Johnson. Janet, on your feet if you will.” Janet stood up for recognition. She had brown hair and a pair of brown eyes and an olive toned skin to match. She bowed, “It will be an honour, mistress.” Clara smiled at the girl who looked like she was her age. Gwendolyn whispered, “Don’t be fooled by her age. Janet began her training with us when she was but five years old. She is one of the strongest witches we have and she will be the best mentor for harnessing your inner capability for harnessing storms. Janet, come to my office later in the day. As you were.” Janet nodded and said, “Yes, ma’am.” Both Gwendolyn and Clara left the presence of the storm clan.

    As they approached another group, Clara asked, “This is all a bit too much to take in.” Gwendolyn smiled and replied, “I know, dear and frankly, I blame Evelyn. She should have prepared you better.” They reached the second group then and Clara had no more chance for questions. This group was wearing green tops on black trousers. The group looked up as Gwendolyn and Clara approached. Gwendolyn then said, “These are called the levitators. Apart from levitating objects, they can speak with their minds and can also use telekinesis. Your mentor for this group will be Yemen Todric. Yemen, see me in my office.” Yemen replied, “Yes, ma. It will be an honour mentoring the next priestess, Miss Clara.” Clara nodded and said immediately they were out of earshot “Okay, this is all getting weird.” Gwendolyn shrugged and said, “If Evelyn had prepared you, no mentoring would be needed.”

 They got to the final group and Genevieve said, “This group is different in the sense that they combine two energies together. One helps to balance the other.” The group was putting on black on black but a white symbol of a huge cross was etched in the chest of their clothes. “What energies?” Clara asked. “These are the siphoners and the darklings. The siphoners siphons magic, venom and the likes while the darklings use dark arts. However, the siphoners are there to make sure the dark arts are not corrupting the souls of the darklings. Your mentors will be Ethan Vanderbilt and Layla Hendrix.” Clara nodded and looked at Genevieve as she told both students to see her when their group breaks for a little recess. “So when do we start?” Clara asked. “Patience, young warlock. Patience will be needed in this journey you are about to undertake.” Genevieve admonished as they left the room.

{W.T.R}

A CAR ZOOMED past the borders of a city. The occupant of the back seat in the car had on sun glasees even though it was nearing night fall in the city. She had her head placed on the backrest of the car and a sigh slipped from her mouth as she was in deep thought. Her phone rang and she stared at it for a while before picking it and answering the call. “Hello.” She said. The voice on the other side replied, “Mistress, we have located her even though it took quite a while.” And where is she?” The lady asked. “The palace of the Triple Goddess has taken her in.” The voice said again. The lady took off her glasses, “What did you say? If anything, I should be the high priestess and not my weakling sister. But plans do change. Call up a meeting with the Alpha of the Ain pack. I’d love to make a deal I am very sure he won’t resist greedy as he is. Maybe it is time we eliminate my dear sister as well.” She cut off the call and her eyes glowed silver for a minute as she squeezed her phone and crushed it.

    She dropped the crushed phone to the ground and the man beside her opened his eyes and quipped, “Well, that is not malevolent at all.” She turned an icy glare at him as she snapped, “If you do not want to be the next o be crushed, Miles, I highly recommend you shut up.” Miles rolled his eyes and said, “Point taken, Samantha.” Sam glared at him knowing that he knows how much she detest the use of her full name. Miles smirked, “So what is the next plan of action?” Sam remarked dryly, “Oh a little flinging of magic here and there and a little kidnapping before she can harness her full abilities. That is what the meeting with Jenrad is all about. If I can convince him, then my dear Clara will be dancing by my tunes tomorrow night. That much, I can assure you.” She put on her glasses and delivered an instruction, “Manhattan, mate.” The driver replied, “Aye, aye, madam.” Miles looked at her and shook his head in an amused manner as his attention snapped back to the paper he was reading.

{W.T.R}

THE CAR PARKED by the entrance to a forest. Samantha stepped down with Miles and as she flicked her wrist, it was like the car was never there to begin with. It had turned invisible. When Miles turned to her with a questioning glance, she replied, “To protect my drive till we are through with Jenrad. I don’t want him to become fish food and  have to drive home by myself.” Miles shrugged, “It’s a good initiative, I guess.” Sam smirked as both of them headed into the forest.

    Immediately they got to the clearing that preceded the camp of the Ain pack, an axe came flying straight at the head of Samantha. Samantha raised up a finger and the axe stopped its descent and dropped harmlessly to the ground. She smirked and yelled, “You do know this is like child’s play to me, right? However, it will not be funny to you when I strike.” A man stepped out of the undergrowth and smiled, “I got to say, I am impressed. Your reputation precedes you, Samantha.” Sam raised up an eyebrow and said calmly, “I don’t like the use of my full name but I will let that pass, Jenrad. So I want your pack to kidnap Clara Kathryn Peterson, my sister.” There was a tense silence as Jenrad stared at both Miles and Samantha before saying, “The palace of the Triple Goddess is not exactly an easy place to infiltrate. So the price better be worth the numbers of men that I will likely be losing.” Samantha stretched out her hand to Miles. Miles handed over a small bag to Samantha. Samantha received the bag and said, “What if I tell you that there is a way that the full moon will no longer control you? This way, you will be the master of your own fate. Your pack will be eternally greatful for this, I presume.” As Jenrad reached for the bag, Samantha lifted up a hand and said, “Not until you deliver.” Jenrad frowned and replied, “Hm. Tempting offer, Sam. But we will have to think about it.” Samantha smirked, “When the moon is but a week away? What would your men say to this opportunity of a lifetime? I wonder. When you have her, call me.” She walked away with a smirk and a plan brewing inside her.

    If Jenrad should cross her, she needed to have a back up plan, one that would still ensure the capture of Clara. And she knew exactly what to do. No one was going to expect it. She smiled to herself and Miles continued staring at her wondering what her plan was but knowing it would not end well for anybody who crossed her.