Faustus's Extraordinary New Student, chapter 9

Freya had dreams that night. Fitful, confusing, dreams. They made no sense, yet warning of danger was there. Danger? Hadn't they already faced it? She had died, for two days! What could be worse than that!

But in the dream, she heard fragmented whispers in her brother's and the Dark Lord's voices:

"Danger, sister. It comes, protect him. Power to save the one you love. Be vigilant. I cannot help you. come to warn you. Be brave My child. Be watchful. Danger! Danger! Danger!"

She awoke, with both voices echoing in her mind and in her ears. As if they had both been speaking to her as she slept. Turning ever so slightly, she tilted her head up and gazed up at Faustus and smiled. He still was asleep, which made him look so peaceful and boyish in a way. She liked watching him, but even more so this way. "Faustus….My Love….time to wake up." She whispered softly to him as she lightly caressed his face.

Faustus sighed happily and nestled his face into her touch. "I don't want to get up," he said churlishly, sounding like a much younger man. "I'm comfortable here, with you, my love."

But he did need to get up, and so he performed his morning routine and got ready for his day. He quickly called a staff meeting and instructed the staff to keep an eye on Ursula, sharing only what they absolutely needed to know.

"I know, my love. I don't want to get up either." She giggled at how cute he sounded, and she loved it when he nuzzled into her touch. "Just one more day, and then it's the weekend…." She said with a soft sigh as she too, sat up and went to prepare for the day.

xoxo

In other parts of the Academy, Ursula was fuming! The curse hadn't killed Freya at all! Rather have her linger for two days and then return! It was frustrating! Why couldn't she just DIE!? Why couldn't she just go away and leave Faustus to her!? Wasn't she head girl? Getting all the good marks in her classes, popular, beautiful!! Or she had been, till that Hew showed up! She hadn't even been there a full day when she had caught the High Priest's eye. For what! She was nothing more than a mousy, shy, know-it-all of an interloper and she HAD to go!

But it hadn't worked, and now the High Priest had threatened to expel and excommunicate her! HER! It wasn't fair. Well, she had more than one trick up her sleeve. If that curse she had paid dearly for from some old crone didn't work, she would just have to come up with something else and be ready for class that day.

xoxo

Once dressed, Freya headed out for her first class which today, just happened to be Demonology. She settled into her seat, ignoring the ice-cold glare Ursula shot her back and looked over her notes. After conversing with Anton and a few others, she went gather the needed supplies for today’s lesson and as she started back to her seat, didn't see Ursula stick out her foot as if to trip her, until she actually stumbled; much to the snickers of the class, which she promptly ignored. She hadn't fallen, and was fine, and she also ignored Ursula's nasty glare that had hardened into all out malice when she realized her petty, childish trick hadn't even worked!

The air turned cold around Faustus as his icy fury swept over the class.

"Miss Johansson, please see me in my office. Now. Anton, would you lead the class until we get back."

So saying, he swept out of the room magnificently, Ursula trailing behind.

As soon as they were in his office, Faustus raised his hand and the door slammed behind them.

Anton nodded and stood, book in hand to lead the class in the lecture. Freya tried not to watch, but she knew of Faustus's temper, and knew how protective he was of her. It made her grin, before she controlled it.

Ursula followed the High Priest and tried not to jump when the door slammed behind her. She could feel his anger wafting from him but for a split second didn't really care.

"I have no idea fucking idea, what you see in that little BITCH!" She spoke out of turn and without thinking. Letting her hate take over as she glared up at her High Priest. The one man she knew now, that was out of her reach.

"For four years, I have striven to catch your eye, and the day…the fucking DAY Miss Freya Hew walks in, with her oh so sweet and innocent act, you FALL FOR IT! WHY! What on in Satan's name does that snivelling, uppity, lower-class Freak, have that I don't!!"

"A fish tail, for one," Father Blackwood replied coolly, "so thank you for that. Secondly, she's got a much better attitude than you do. I warned you not to cross us again, did I not?" he asked rhetorically. "You worthless, pretentious, failure of a witch! From now on, you, Ursula Johansson, are excommunicated from the Church of Night and expelled from the Academy of the Unseen Arts. Pack your shit and get out," he snarled crudely.

Ursula went a deep red at hearing how her curse had backfired. So, it didn't really work at all but instead turned Freya into a half fish….mermaid? Mermaids were considered Deities in some aspects of their religion! How the HELL had that happened! "GOOD! I am glad she is some half fish abomination! Maybe it will open your eyes to how fake she is!" She went very still at hearing he was going to expel and excommunicate her and that rage of hers took off.

"YOU CAN'T DO THAT!! I AM THE BEST STUDENT IN THIS SCHOOL!" She quivered in place as her fists balled. "You do so and you and your young whore will be sorry!!"

Blackwood had had enough. He backhanded her, sending her sprawling across the room.

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S GOING TO BE SORRY," he bellowed. "YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER BY NOW THAN TO SPEAK TO ME SO! AND I HAVE WARNED YOU AMPLY REGARDING THE FUTURE LADY BLACKWOOD! I WOULDN'T TOUCH YOU IF YOU WERE THE LAST WOMAN ON EARTH! YOU FUCKING DISGUST ME! RID MY SIGHT, YOU DESPICABLE PREP!"

Ursula went flying and fell to her knees as Faustus backhanded her, wiping the blood off her mouth as she glared up at him.

"I'm excommunicated so I can speak to you any way I damn well like!" She spit her blood at his feet. "By Satan, I promise you both will pay for this." She snarled and turned to leave, slamming the door behind her.

She went to gather her things and left the Academy, pausing to throw a look of pure disgust and malice at Freya as she passed the open classroom door.

Freya caught the look and wondered at it, but she also noted that Ursula was not returning to class. Had Faustus—-? The entire classroom held their breath as they waited for their High Priest to return, having not missed the look either. A few even stared at her, but she stood instead and nodding to Anton to continue, made her way to Faustus's office, where she, for the first time in months, knocked before she entered. "Faustus?"

Faustus had taken some time to compose himself, trying to quell the rage within him. He was mostly calm when he heard Freya's knock.

"Yes," he said, coming to the door. "Let's go back to class, then."

He explained what had happened in hushed tones as they walked together. When he opened the door to his classroom, he cleared his throat. He strode up to the podium.

"Miss Johansson will not be returning to class," he said simply. "She has demonstrated behaviour unbefitting of the Church of Night and the Academy of Unseen Arts. Let this be a warning to you all. I will no longer tolerate infighting amongst my students. You are all to behave with a certain amount of decorum if you wish to remain in my presence. Is that understood?"

Freya had never seen Faustus so worked up and angry before, and it took her a moment to realize that it was because he had protected her, not because he was angry with her…which is still where her dark mind went sometimes. "Are you alright, my Love?" She asked softly, as they turned to walk back to class together.

She listened as Faustus talked to her as they walked together, noting what had happened between himself and Ursula. That he had hit her, was shocking; since being a High Priest, he had every right to use magic to make his point and had resorted to…mortal means. But that often got the point across better and so she thought nothing of it.

She took her seat as class continued and Faustus's warning was well heeded, as not even Anton dared bother her for the remained of the day. He flitted around the edges of her bubble like a ghost. Still friendly and cheerful, but distant.

Once classes were over for the day, Freya made her way back to their chambers and settled in to wait for her Beloved. She knew he was still fuming, and she would do all she could to distract him.

xoxo

Ursula made it home well before dark, and she dreaded having to tell her parents what had happened. They thought her crush on the High Priest beneath her, and instead had set their eye on his position. Hence why they allowed her to act out in ways that were 'unbecoming'.

Kneeling before her father after a few hours of berating and yelling, she looked up when he said that he had a plan and she followed him down into the family crypt, where their magic was strongest.

"Slice your hand as I chant, Ursula, and say what it is that you want to happen…." her father demanded and watched as she did so.

"I want Faustus Blackwood, High Priest of the Church of Night, to be punished for what he has done to me." She whispered with such rage, that the magic within her meshed with it. "I want him chained, whipped, tortured, and killed! I want Freya's happiness to go up in smoke, just like mine! I want them both to pay for what they have done!!"

And just as soon as she finished talking, the magic sealed itself into a globe, which she watched as it floated and glowed. It's colours shifting from bright to a dark red.

"The spell is set, daughter. Now…go prepare."

And with a backwards glance, she left to go make sure that she would be ready when the time came. That High Priest would pay for everything and Freya along with him!

xoxo

That night, Faustus's sleep was restless. He tossed and turned, and every time he started to fall asleep, he would be awoken by horrifying dreams! He thrashed about so much that he was afraid he might put Freya in danger, so the third time he woke up from a nightmare that night, he elected to sleep on the floor instead. What was happening to him?

Freya was not blind to Faustus's nightmares, and she worried about him each time he cried out or thrashed about. She would be gentle in her awakening of him, and cuddle and talk to him till he fell back asleep.

But the next morning, when she woke, she realized Faustus wasn't in the bed with her and her eyes furrowed when she peeked over and saw him on the floor. "Faustus…? My Love…? What are you doing on the floor?"

She slid out of bed and came around to kneel beside him, taking his hand into hers. "Are you alright, Love? You don't look so good." Concern tinged her voice.

"I didn't want to hurt you," he explained. "No, I feel quite like rubbish," he admitted. "Nightmares all night, the worst I've ever had. But perhaps some breakfast is simply in order. I'll be better after we eat."

But he wasn't. He was lethargic the rest of the day, and his memory was affected, too. He would stop mid-sentence when teaching, confused, and then lose his train of thought.

It got worse as the days went on. He couldn't sleep, couldn't concentrate, and when he could remember incantations, his spells were demonstrably feeble.

Sighing to himself a week later, he said, "I'm afraid I shall have to take a sabbatical. I'm in no condition to teach nor to lead the church," he admitted to Freya. "I shall leave Ambrose Spellman in charge for the time being. Will you come with me? We need to find answers. We should be back before our nuptials are to commence."

Nightmares were only the beginning of their troubles. Freya watched, helplessly, as it seemed that her Beloved Faustus was now the one to slowly falter and she could do nothing to help him. Watching this powerful man, become lethargic and confused, both angered her and made her feel overprotective of him.

When he would falter in class, she would use an increasing subtly to help get him back on track of what they were discussing. But she could do nothing to help with his incantations or his dreams. So hearing that he was taking a sabbatical, she looked up at him and nodded. "Of course I will come, Faustus. We can figure this out together." Such was the depth of her belief that even the Dark Lord would will it so had he been there to hear. As such, he was not, and they would have to do this alone, but together.

"Where were you thinking of going, Love?" She asked, wondering if they would have use of her….other talents soon. They had yet to test that other side of her yet, and there were merfolk in the Dark Lake….she shook her head to clear it from such thoughts. She had yet to make peace with that side of herself. "Where shall we start? Any ideas?"

Faustus thought for a moment.

"Are you familiar with the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?" he asked. It was a long shot, but there were rumours of otherworldly beings who had made their home there. Mermaids, sirens, among others.

"Yes, I am." Freya nodded, and tilted her head a bit. She wasn't sure she liked where this idea was going, but if it helped Faustus, she'd try. "Was one of my favourite stories when I was younger."

Faustus nodded. "Then that's where we head first," he said. He could transport them to the general area quickly enough, but it would be up to Freya to try to find and talk to the sea creatures. He explained the plan to her.

She listened as Faustus explained his plan to her and she nodded, standing to walk over to take his hand into hers. "Then, let’s go find the answers, Love. Together."

It didn't take them long, and Faustus's magic wasn't to terribly off and he managed to land them in the right place. Seeing the Dark Lake before them, Freya felt a moment of fear, before she swallowed it. She sighed and nodded, before looking back at her Beloved and kissing him tenderly. "You stay safe, and I'll be right back. I love you."

Turning, she undressed as she walked towards the lake, feeling the change take her the deeper she got into the water and as she changed, she slipped under the water. For a second, she panicked! She didn't like the fear of drowning, and for an instant, she hovered in the water, afraid that she would drown, before she realized that…she could breathe! Breathe underwater! Giving a tail splash to let Faustus know she was alright, she headed down into the depths.

Faustus nodded in acknowledgement, then set up to wait for her as he pondered what he had researched so far.

It took Freya a bit to get used to her new way of moving as she swam deeper and deeper into the lake’s depths. Upon reaching the bottom, she hid in the tall, wavy grass, as she looked around the new and unfamiliar place. Shadows darted around her and as she ventured out, she found herself surrounded by a group of mermaids and creatures that reminded her of grindylows.

"State your name, imposter." A mermaid with a blue-green tail said in a hoarse voice. But that Freya could understand her, made her blink.

"Freya. I am Freya."

"You aren't one of us…." Another merperson hissed at her and the grindylow at his side bared teeth at Freya as she held perfectly still.

"No, I am not. I was cursed to this form, but I bear you no ill will. I come seeking help."

At this the merpeople paused and looked at each other before raising their spears, talking among themselves. Freya couldn't understand them now, but she caught words of "Prophesy", "Intruder", "Danger", and "Esmelda" before they turned back and looked at her as one.

"You will come with us, Freya. We take you to Esmelda, our oldest and wisest of us. She will know what to do with you and whether you speak true!"

having no other option, Freya nodded and followed, and it was no wonder she was caught, for just over a small hill was a hidden world under the lake. A castle made of shells and driftwood seemed to glow with an eerie light as she swam closer and upon entering, she was promptly taken to a throne room of sorts, where an elderly but ancient looking merwoman sat upon the throne. The leader, saw up to her and whispered hurriedly in her ear before Esmelda turned dark red eyes to her.

"So, you are the one who comes then?" She asked, her voice not at all as old sounding as she looked. "The one of whom the prophesy spoke? You are a bit young, aren't you?"

Freya tried not to grit her teeth at this, as it wasn't the first time she had heard something of this nature. "I do not know of what prophesy you speak of, Madam, but I am here for help. Not for me, but for one I love."

Esmelda seemed to think this over before she smiled. "Cursed you were, this way, yes? So it is true then. Not just one, but now two?" She seemed to turn and discuss something with her people before nodding and turning back to Freya. "The prophesy is really fairly simple, as you are now a part of it. Learn these words, Girl, for they hold the key to undoing all."

'Two is effected, and not just one; Danger is near, when darkness comes.

Travel through Darkness, you shall see; The choice is yours, of the path you will lead.

When you return to the Light and open your eyes; The Curse makes work of your Lovers cries.

Two is now effected, where there was only one; No place to hide, no place to run.

How will you save each other, who can turn this tide; The answer you seek, lies deep inside.

So do not despair, do not cry, Oh you One; For Darkness fears when Danger comes.'

"But…what does that mean?" Freya asked.

"Remember the words and find out. For it is now your burden to bear and no longer ours. Now…go." Esmelda waved her off and then looked back up at Freya sharply as she turned to leave. "Young one…a moment?" She waved another merperson over to her and they handed her a covered bowl that seemed to glow and Esmelda turned back to Freya with a small smile. "Give this to you Loved one. It will clear his mind and body of the magic that plagues him only for a few days. Enough time to hopefully allow you to figure out the riddle. Oh…and one more thing. You are new to our kind and have yet to learn the art of the shift. Can't have you floundering about on dry land, now can we?" She waved her hand and Freya felt something pass over her and shivered. "There now. Go. Your time with us is over."

Backing away respectfully, after thanking Esmelda, Freya turned and fled back the way she had come. This had no doubt taken hours and she just hoped Faustus was alright. Backtracking as she went, she soon peeked up out of the water and without even thinking, her body shifted the closer she got to the shallows, allowing her to walk onto the beach and to her Beloveds side.

"Faustus? Love? I have something for you…" She came to sit at his side, wet, salty, and cold, but she held out the bowl to him with a soft smile. "It will help you….for a few days at least. Drink, and I will tell you all!"

Faustus was scooping out coconut meat and eating it, singing to himself, when Freya came up to join him.

"Thank you, my love. Then all went well?" he asked. He accepted the bowl from her and drank.

"You might say that, Love." She chuckled softly as she sat beside him. It didn't occur to either of them that she was actually in her human form, yet, and she wasn't even dry yet. her hair hung down in wet ringlets, and her skin glowed with water droplets that slid down her skin. "I met a few merpeople down below. Do you know that they keep grindylows as guard dogs down there?" She shivered a bit as the wind blew around them. Watching as he drank what she had given him. "How do you feel? Do you feel any different?"

She was worried and her concern was obvious as she watched him with a small smile. "I met one called Esmelda. She was their leader. She spoke of a prophesy, but I have no idea what it means." She sat back on the sand and spoke of the prophesy that Esmelda spoke of; her arms around her knees as she tried not to shiver. "What do you think it means, Love?"

Faustus listened attentively, gently stroking her soft, smooth leg.

"I think," he said slowly, "it means you're meant to save us all. Not just the two of us. The entire Church of Night, via… Well, I haven't fully figured that out yet. But it seems you're able to resume your human form again," he noted. "There's a reason the Dark Lord has taken an interest in you, in our relationship. Why? What do you think it may mean?"

Freya blinked at hearing Faustus's words and for a moment, all she could do was stare at him? "Me? Save the entire Church of Night—-but——but I'm a nobody! Honestly, I am really nothing special! How can I do such a thing? Me!" She stuttered a moment, her eyes wide. Till he mentioned her being human and then she really stuttered.

"But—-how? What?!" It took her a few moments to calm before she put her thoughts back together. "I don't know, Love. I never really thought about it or thought about why the Dark Lord has visited as much as he has. Isn't that…normal?"

Faustus shook his head and smiled faintly. "It is not," he said. "There are many covens devoted to him. If it were a normal occurrence…. Well, he does seem to have taken a personal interest in you. Let's say that much. And you… your circumstances and upbringing give you a most unusual aura and disposition. Your point of view is refreshing, and it's usually those unusual ones in legends who…. Well, best not to dwell. One must take things one step at a time."

He cracked open another coconut and offered it to her. Things were peaceful here, and he felt much better than he had before. The Church and Academy were safe in Ambrose's hands; loathe as he was to allow a Spellman to supplant him for long, the boy had a good head on his shoulders. They could stay here, have a private wedding, and then do a more public party when they returned.

Her eyes furrowed slightly at Faustus's words. Legends? Chosen One? Her! All she had strove to be was a passingly good witch. That she happened to catch the High Priest's eye had been a boon. A gift, she still, at times, did not think herself worthy of no matter how many times Faustus might say so. Still, the Dark Lord had visited a number of times and she wondered why. Why her? Why now? When every other Coven and High Priest had failed her. Maybe there was something special about Faustus too?

She looked over at her Beloved and took the coconut he offered her with a smile and drank its milk before eating the meat inside. "You know, these aren't half bad." She giggled softly and then shuddered again as the wind buffeted against her. "Suppose I should get dressed then. Though, I might go back later. Just to see what else I can find. Any ideas on what to look for, my love?"

She caught Faustus's expression and he seemed to be pondering something. "Penny for your thoughts." She said with a soft giggle as she stood to gather her clothes and redress. It was getting terribly cold and if they planned to stay at least the night they would have to find shelter somewhere.

"Anything you note may be of use to us," Faustus replied.

Once Freya was dressed, they went looking for somewhere to stay for the night. They found a cozy little alcove, protected from the elements, large enough for them both to sleep in if they huddled close together.