Celestia: The Cursed Witch

xiv

“Renee, what is it?” Solomon asked as she stepped into the office. “How was your mission?” she added.

“We took down half of them,” Renee said with a tired sigh. “But we lost two of our own and they almost got me but I got away in time,” she added.

Solomon’s jaw tightened, and Kieran looked away for a moment, fists clenched. Renee clasped her hand and breathed.

“The Abyss Brotherhood is getting bolder. They used to work in the shadows. Now, they’re moving in the open. They're more organized… and more dangerous,” she added. Kieran leaned forward.

“Were they searching for Celestia?” he asked. Renee nodded slowly.

“I overheard one of them mention ‘the marked one.’ I don’t think they know exactly who it is, but they’re looking. And it’s only a matter of time before they figure out it's Celestia,” she said. Solomon’s face grew serious.

“We need to be careful. This can’t spread until Celestia's ready,” he said.

“Exactly,” Renee said. “Only people we fully trust should know the truth about Celestia. We can’t risk panic—or worse, a leak,” she added. Celestia's not prepared for it yet.

Kieran and Solomon both nodded in agreement. Renee looked down, worry written all over her face.

“She’s my daughter, maybe not by blood, but Celestia's important to me. I also promised Faye I’d keep her safe… and now this,” she said.

Just then, Kieran spoke up, his voice calm but full of conviction.

“I’ll protect her. No matter what.”

Renee looked at him, searching his face for doubt. She found none.

“She also told me something,” Kieran added. “She wants to see the world. She’s been in the coven her whole life. She just wants to live and I will make it happen, I will be with her,” he added.

Renee fell silent. Her mind wrestled with the thought. Part of her wanted to lock Celestia away, keep her safe forever, away from the prophecy. But another part… the part that remembered how it felt to be young and caged… understood.

Kieran didn’t pressure her. He just waited. Finally, Renee let out a breath.

“Let’s finish her training. If she’s going to leave, she needs to be ready,” she added. Kieran gave a small nod.

“That’s the plan. For one month, I'll have Roxy train her and we'll also take our best warrior to accompany us,” he said. “And I'm also waiting for the Grand Witch's decision about it," he added.

“You already told her?” Renee asked, surprised.

“Yes, about three days ago,” he said. “And she said she’d discuss it with the coven. I’ve been waiting for her answer,” he added.

Renee couldn’t believe the Grand Witch would even consider it—she knew Circe would normally outright refuse anything that involved Celestia leaving.

“There’s hope,” Renee said.

Solomon looked between the two of them.

“Then we better make sure she’s stronger than ever,” Solomon said.

After the meeting ended, Renee turned to Kieran and Solomon as they were getting out of the room.

“Can I talk to Celestia alone?” she asked. Kieran nodded.

“She’s in her room, waiting for you,” he said.

“Thank you,” Renee said. She made her way to Celestia's room and as soon as Celestia opened the door, Renee pulled her into a tight hug.

“I missed you so much,” she whispered.

“I missed you too,” Celestia said softly. “Aunt Renee… what’s going on?” she added.

Renee stepped into the room, and they sat on the bed together. She took Celestia’s hands in hers.

“I won’t lie to you anymore,” Renee said. “The Abyss Brotherhood… they’re actively looking for you,” she added, eyes looking straight at her.

Celestia’s eyes widened, but she didn’t speak.

“It was about the Nightmare Wolf, was it?” she whispered.

“Yes. Nightmare Wolf's revival was what they were after. But we’ll protect you, always,” Renee said. Then she smiled gently. “Kieran told me about your plan—to explore the world,” she added.

Celestia looked up, surprised.

“I’m not stopping you,” Renee said. “But I have one condition. You’ll only go once you’re ready—trained, strong, and with people you trust,” she added. Celestia covered her mouth, tears falling down her cheeks.

“You mean it?” she aske. Renee nodded and hugged her again.

“Yes and not just that, I will also convince Grand Witch to allow you to go. You deserve to live your life, Celestia. Not just survive,” she said as she cupped Celestia's face.

Through her tears, Celestia smiled.

“Thank you, Aunt Renee. Thank you,”

Renee gently pulled back from the hug and smiled at her niece.

“I’ve decided to stay here in the Shadowclaw Pack for a month,” she said. “I’m putting my mission on hold,” she said. Renee's team will understand her decision because it's for Celestia.

Celestia blinked in surprise.

“Really?” she asked.

“Yes. I want to help you with your magic training,” Renee said, giving her a playful smirk. “And I’m warning you now—I’ll be stricter than Ophelia,” she added. Celestia laughed.

“Great. Just what I need—one scary wolf and witch bossing me around,” she said referring to Roxy and now her Aunt Renee.

They both chuckled and laid down on the bed, just enjoying the quiet moment together. For the first time in a while, it felt peaceful.

“Remember when you tried to learn a spell on your own and ended up setting Lora’s hair on fire?” Renee said with a grin.

Celestia groaned, laughing. “Don’t remind me, Aunt! Grand Witch punished me for that,” she said, pouting.

They shared more silly memories from Celestia's childhood and the laughter made everything feel a little lighter.

After a while, Renee stood up and kissed her forehead.

“I’ll go talk to my team and let them know I’m staying here for now,” she said. Celestia nodded.

“Okay, Aunt. I will wait for you,” she said.

Once Renee left the room, Celestia went looking for Kieran. She found him just outside, talking to one of the warriors. Without thinking, she ran to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Kieran paused, surprised, then smiled and hugged her back tightly while ordering the warrior to leave.

“Hey,” he said softly. “Everything okay?” he added. Celestia nodded against his chest.

“I just… thank you. For everything. For fighting for me, for believing in me… it means so much,” she said. He held her close, rubbing gentle circles on her back.

“Always, Celestia. I’m here for you. No matter what,” he said.

Her heart felt full. With him, and with her Aunt Renee by her side, she felt like she could face anything.