The strongest spell of protection I know is…..

is just writing “Stop, I’m not going to hurt you” across my knuckles. Most types of magic will stop once it sees that written there. That’s the problem of course, my magic doesn’t stop. I was cursed by a vengeful daemon when I was just a teenager. It was a stupid thing to do, go to a daemon and ask it to curse me. Why did I? Becuase I wanted to be capable of defending myself if I ever had to. Becuase magic is a useful thing, it can do anything from cleaning to controlling the weather. Of course, I didn’t realize what I was asking for. I was young and stupid. Most types of magic require something of you, blood for the initial spell, tears or general pain to power enough magic to light a room. My magic never needed anything, it was all fueled by my hatred and anger, which made it a curse. I hate my magic, I’ve hated it since I learned what it was. It never stops, it never grows weak. I’ve been angry enough to burn down entire villages when I wanted to, though that was before I learned to control it. Of course, knowing that all magic will stop once you write “Stop, I’m not going to hurt you” across your knuckles makes most people stupid. I’ve seen fights end early once someone pulls out a pen and draws that on their knuckles. If they’re lucky, or I’m, they’ll also see a knife in my hand. Not that I do that often. Becuase… most magic is fueled by something other than anger. And most people use magic to protect themselves. Both of which makes me a cruel, heartless monster. Even knowing that I’ve been known to do… bad things. I did, however, just figure out another way magic will instantly stop. I put a blade to my own throat, and watch as blood begins to trickle down my neck. “Stop, I’m not going to hurt you.” I say to the enemy army before me, and I watch as they stop, confused and dazed as their magic and enhanced abilities falter. And then I smile, and charge. When the fight is over I watch as every last soldier in the enemy army falls to the ground, dead. I could have done things differently, I know. But it would have been… difficult for me. I didn’t have much of a choice. As I watch the enemy fall though, I feel a strange, grimy feeling in the pits of my stomache. It’s not until now that I realize I’m covered in blood and… things. I turn to work my way back to my tent, but I’m stopped by a hand on my arm. “Wait.” I look at the person, and it takes me a few moments to recognize him. “Lya.” I say, a smile creeping up onto my face until I see the look on his face. “Lya?” He looks at me, and then back to the bodies. “You killed all of them.” He says quietly. I nod. “I’ve got a curse.” I say quietly, and he looks back at me. “I know.” He says, and his hand tightens as if to grab me, but he doesn’t. “Why?” He asks softly. Because I’m a monster. “I have to protect myself. And you.” I say instead. His hand and face tighten enough to be almost painful. “Not at the cost of your soul.” He says quietly. I laugh. “I lost my soul when I was ten.” I tell him. “Don’t say that.” He says, his voice breaking. “It’s not true.” I look at him, and… I see the tears falling down his face. I feel something break in my chest. Lya and I both have curses, but mine is a lot worse. It’s why I try to stay away from him, why I’ve always tried to avoid him. We’ve been friends for a few years, ever since I joined the army and he was the only one brave enough to work with me. I care about Lya more than anything. I’ve known that for years, but I also know I can’t be with him, can’t show him how I care. I’ll hurt him, or myself. It’s inevitable. I’ve never been good at saying no to him though. “Lya.” I say quietly. “Please.” He replies quietly. I look at him, and he takes my hand. He walks me to his tent, and then he washes me. I cry while he cleans my hair, and he holds me while I do. And then he looks at me, and kisses me. I try to pull back. “Lya.” I say quietly. “Please.” He replies again. I hesitate, and… I kiss him back. I know I shouldn’t. But I’ll never be able to be happy if I don’t try. And if I hurt him I’ll always love him enough to work and move forwards, to get better so it never happens again. When we pull back Lya look at me, and he speaks. “I’ve always loved you.” He says quietly. “I’ve always loved you too.” I reply. He smiles, and pulls me into a hug. I hug him back, and we sit that way for a few moments. And then he pulls back. “You know, there’s another phrase to stop magic,” he says. “Yes?” I ask, and he looks at me. “Wait, I love you.” I stare at him, and then I laugh. “I don’t think that would have worked if I had tried that earlier.” I reply. He laughs too, and then he pulls me into another kiss. This one is longer, and it ends in us falling onto the bed. We make love, and it’s perfect. And the magic doesn’t falter at all.

The strongest spell of protection I know is…..

Comments (13) 26391 👁️