The Witch and I

In an instant, my missing memories come flooding back.

This is just like the dream I had before I got burnt to a crisp. What the hell is going on?

“I’m glad to see you’re well child. The time has come to gain the power you have sought after for so long. The power to change the fabric of the world.”

Woah, hold on a minute. Change the whole world? I just wanted to be able to pull a hat out of a rabbit or levitate a little bit. What is this crazy lady talking about suddenly?

“You wound me child when you speak to your mother in such a manner.”

Huh. Wait, don’t tell me. This mysterious person is my mother?

“Of course. Don’t tell me that you actually thought a basket gave birth to you?”

Of course not. I would never think that (I had most definitely considered the possibility that I was basket spawn). So, who is this person then?

“I am the witch. The creator of The Garden.”

Oh. That makes things complicated I suppose.

“I brought you into this world to be an extension of my power, a being constituted of pure magic, my new familiar.”

Hmm. This seems like something that I should have signed a contract for or had my lawyer oversee. As far as I’m concerned, the less familiar I am with this person, the better.

I withdraw my application for this position. Effective immediately.

“Impossible, child. When a familiar dies, another must be born in this world to replace it. However, those blasted Groundskeepers found a way to prohibit the reincarnation of my power. As a result, I can no longer transmute life essence from this world into my own magic.”

I have a bad feeling that this story is going to be about me in a minute, and I’m not going to like it very much.

“Due to the actions of the Groundskeepers, I had to take a gamble. I exerted a tremendous amount of my magical power into searching for a soul from another universe to reincarnate as my familiar in The Garden.”

And I’m the soul. Aren’t I?

“Yes.”

This is not good.

Not only am I the child of a crazy lady, that lady is the most powerful and feared entity on this planet. Also, it seems like I’m going to be forced to act as some sort of servant to her.

“Bringing you over here has left me extremely weak and with every passing day the Groundskeepers grow closer to their goal of destroying me for good. You will work undercover as my familiar, gain immense power, rise to the highest of ranks within the Groundskeepers then help me and your siblings to strike them down from the inside.”

Work undercover, like a spy. What am I James Bond?

This lady has officially lost her marbles. I can’t possibly do that. I don’t even have any power, and why is she talking about siblings? I quite like to be an only child don’t you know?

“You have been reincarnated as my new black cat familiar, of course you have power. In addition, you have eight older siblings which are my other familiars. Don’t worry, you’ll get to meet them eventually.”

This is too much for me. Why does she think I’m a cat, is she trying to turn me into a furry or something? Anyways, I’m not going to help her infiltrate and destroy a world organisation.

She needs me, which means I have the leverage in this conversation. I can just tell her no and she’ll just have to go with it. It’s a genius move.

Lady. No.

“Fine then. I’ll just send somebody to destroy you, reclaim my magic for me and I’ll try again.”

Well, that didn’t work. She called my bluff immediately.

It turns out that I need her much more than I initially realised. I suppose it’s good to know where I stand at least. I’ll go along with it for now.

“Right then. Now that you’ve finished your little tantrum, I shall leave you with one final piece of instruction before you go. Grow stronger, infiltrate and rise high within the Groundskeepers but whatever you do… Do not let anybody discover that you are my familiar.”

I must admit, this tone of sincerity in which she speaks is frightening.

“If they do uncover your secret, then you’ll be wishing that it was in fact I, annihilating your soul instead. Do I make myself clear?”

Yes, I understand. It’s a top-secret mission. Consider it done.

“Good. Then be off with you. It’s time for you to truly begin this new life of yours. Please be mindful, that my power is not assured. You will have to work hard to uncover and master the depths of my magic that flows within you. Best of luck, child.”

***

I’m awake. It feels good to be warm again. And hungry. Now then, Rumtuk needs his breakfast.

As I enter the kitchen, to my surprise both Rakmat and Hirkell are eagerly awaiting me.

“My baby boy! How do you feel? Cries Ra.

In all honesty, I can’t really detect any sort of change in my physical condition. However, inside of me there is a strange energy that I can feel faintly pulsating.

“I’m fine.” I reply. “I don’t think anything has happened to me yet.”

Hirkell strides forward and clasps my shoulder with a firm, yet reassuring hand.

“No need to fear young Tuk. These things can take a little time. Just try and stay relaxed and prepare for your big day tomorrow.”

Big day. What is he talking about?

“What’s so special about tomorrow father?” I ask.

A broad grin plasters across Hirkell’s face as he responds.

“Your Soul Seed has begun to sprout. You are one step closer to becoming a man dear boy. It is time to test your mettle. Time to see what you are truly made of.”

Ra steps forward now as well, placing her hand onto my other shoulder. I’m feeling weirdly crowded right now and if it weren’t for them being my parents, I’m pretty sure I’d think that they were about to mug me.

“Rumtuk, tomorrow you have to leave us for a little while.” She whispers softly. “Tomorrow, you go to school.”