Faustus's Extraordinary New Student, chapter 13

That night, Freya slept fitfully, more scared of what could happen if she failed. What if she wasn't the one chosen to save Faustus? What if her magic wasn't strong enough? What if it was all a trick? She knew Ursula and her father would be ruthless in their treatment of Faustus, and she would have to stand by and watch for a bit, till she found the strength to act. A fact that haunted her till the next morning, when she heard the gong calling all to the Great Hall, to witness the fallen High Priest's execution. Or so they thought……this had to work!!

Faustus did not sleep. He stayed up reviewing everything he had ever learned, and, since he was expected to be killed tomorrow, did a brief astral projection to Ambrose and Anton both, providing them with standard knowledge he would have been expected to pass onto an heir. Then, when he was led to his execution, he kept his head down, appearing to submit to the gallows.

Freya made her way to stand with the rest of the Coven as they gathered in the Great Hall. She knew Ursula and her father both would be watching her so she kept her head down and appeared meek whenever Ursula looked her way. She felt her heart trip over itself when they brought Faustus out and she tried to keep her eyes lowered, but she subtly watched him and the Johannsson's both from where she stood, just on the inside of a small section from her class.

Ursula stood and smirked down at the fallen High Priest. "Faustus Blackwood, you are hereby charged with the murder of our Anti-pope, Enoch. The weapon was found with your fingerprints on it and you, not a few moments later, found covered in his blood. The charge for such a heinous act, is death." Her voice carried out over the crowd of those who seemed to watch without mercy. They had learned the first time under Johannsson's rule, just what speaking out would get them and so kept quiet.

When the executioner came to stand behind Faustus and grabbed him to move him towards the gallows, Freya felt her anger waft up over her in a silent wave as her left hand balled into a tight fist, which she held slightly behind her. As Ursula spoke to the Coven about the rules to her new Coven, as the Executioner moved Faustus closer to the gallows, a shadow seemed to overcome the entire Great Hall and a loud voice cried out, stilling everyone within the room!

"ENOUGH!!!" All turned and saw the Dark Lord within the door to the room and all knelt, Freya included. "Are you so blind to my Will?" The Great Horned Goat demanded as he strode into the room.

"My— My Lord…" Ursula called out as she took a step towards him. "You grace us— -"

"SILENCE Pretender!!" The Dark Lord shouted, causing everyone to stir within their seats. "You degrade this Coven with your pettiness! You seek a place that is not yours, nor to your calling! You have betrayed this Coven with your eagerness and greed! By my Cloven Hoof, Faustus Blackwood is spared and will be reinstated to his rightful position! SO MOTE IT BE!!" As quick as he came, the Dark Lord vanished, leaving behind confusion in his wake.

The leader of the Counsel stood and called for order. "You have heard the Dark Lord's words. Blackwood is spared." He nodded and turned to Ursula and her father. "You two, for high treason, will be taken to the darkest levels of our Coven and dealt with there. Take them!"

The Executioner let Faustus go, and went to arrest the Johanssons, who screamed and begged for mercy. As they were being led away, the Leader of the Counsel dismissed the rest of the room, and all stood to leave. Freya stood, but a little slower than the rest as she in turn, made her way to Faustus. That had taken a lot out of her, but no one must know. Not now. She would tell Faustus later…for no secrets were ever between them.

Faustus could have laughed in relief. He was spared! But how had Freya managed to summon— ? No matter, he thought, now they must make time to plan their wedding!

He rushed to her and embraced her, feeling her body tremble. He put a supportive arm around her waist and led her back to their quarters. What a rush! He felt exhilarated. Freya had accomplished the impossible! She truly could do anything.

Feeling Faustus's arms around her, Freya let out a soft sigh of relief as she hugged him tightly back. He was safe now. Alive and well, and she would do anything to make sure he stayed that way. As he helped her back to their quarters, she could tell Faustus seemed excited about what had happened and knew he would have questions.

Once in the safety of their own rooms, Freya sat in a chair and with a wave of her hand, silenced the room. "Faustus…." She began softly. "I've done something….wrong." She looked up at him, still shaking from exertion that that spell had taken. She took a breath and closed her eyes, and it all came out in a rush.

"That— -that wasn't the Dark Lord." She blurted out, as she opened her eyes again and looked at him. "Not the real Dark Lord. But an illusion. He gifted me the power to do so only once….when I— died. So it wasn't technically wrong….but that Dark Lord wasn't real! With or without his permission, it was blasphemous. I don't know what he intended me to do with that power, but for one time only, I had it and I used it. " Her words were rushed. "As you are now High Priest again, I beg your forgiveness. I couldn't let them— — -" She trailed off, averting her eyes. The Dark Lord had said he gifted her the power to save the one she loved one time only, but had he meant for her to take his form with that gift?

"Well, with his permission, it may be blasphemous, but I'm certain it isn't something he would hold against you as he himself gave you such a power for that use," Faustus reasoned. "As your high priest, I forgive you…and as your husband to be, I must thank you," he said gravely. "Now we must pray our thanks as well." He assumed prayer position and did so.

Freya assumed prayer position as well and prayed to the Dark Lord that that was the purpose for which he had gifted her such. The lights flickered slightly in the room as they both prayed and the fire within the hearth roared to life from the small flames that burned and one hoof at a time, the actual Dark Lord appeared.

"You have done well, My Chosen." His words deep, gravelly. The main source that Freya had failed to replicate all the way with her version. "Both of you. For following my command, I shall reward you amply. For it takes courage, to do what you both have done. Tell me, what it is you most desire, Priest." His voice rumbled around him as he turned his gaze to Faustus first.

That was a tough question. Normally, Faustus had sought power, at any cost… but now, he thought, what he most wanted was to live a happy life with Freya by his side. He thought he might have to choose one, and he realized….

He was happy. For the first time in his life, he was genuinely happy. He had at his side a woman who had proven herself as his equal, who never stopped surprising him. His enemies had been taken care of. His power was secure. Then….

"What I most want is for Freya and me to continue our happy life together," he said sincerely.

The Dark Lord regarded Faustus and then nodded. "For a truthful answer, I reward you still." He waved his hand and a large, ancient tomb appeared on Faustus's desk. Black, with silver runes inscribed upon it. "Within that book holds the spells that only the highest of the Order have ever mastered, and out of those chosen few, only two lived to tell the tales they held. I gift it to you, Faustus Blackwood, for you to learn from." His eyes furrowed as he looked at his High Priest. "Learn…not to abuse. Therein lies the difficulty, for the higher you go, if you are not careful, the worse it will consume you. But you have proven strong. Do not fail me in this. You have a promise to keep, have you not?"

A breathless "Thank you, My Lord," was all Faustus could manage upon receiving the gift. He surely would try to keep stable… He trusted Freya to ground him.

The Dark Lord now turned his attention to Freya and raised an eyebrow which caused her to blush. "I am already content, My Lord." Was her whispered answer. "You gifted me power to save the one I love above all else and it worked. For that, I thank you. There is nothing more you could give me, that would make me happier then I already am."

"Nothing?" The Dark Lord's voice echoed around them. "Still, your courage deserves reward, and I shall gift it to you. Or rather…in time, you will gift it to each other." His chuckle was deep throated, as if he had made a great joke. "But till then, this, do I grant you. For a few moments, alone." He stepped back and standing behind him, was her brother, Amos.

Freya's eyes went wide at seeing her brother, and when he opened his arms to her, she ran to him and hugged him tight. "The Dark Lord allows me to say goodbye…." He says softly. "Properly." He pulled back and gave Freya a smirk she remembered well. "Do not fear for me, sister. For I am well. Safe, in our Dark Lords arms. We will see each other again. But not for a long time." He kissed her forehead and gave her another smile before he stepped back. "I love you. Never forget that." He smiled as he faded from view. "Never forget…" His voice echoed in the silence.

"I love you too…." Freya's voice was soft as she turned and bowed low to her Dark Lord. "My thanks, my Lord. For allowing that. That meant everything to me." She managed a smile as she stood before him once more.

Seeing Amos, the boy who would have been Faustus’s brother-in-law… brought tears to his eyes for a reason he could not name.

"I shall expect an invite to the wedding, Blackwood," the Dark Lord called out crisply as he turned and looked at them both in turn. "I expect it shall be a marvellous affair! Till then….I will be watching you both…closely." So saying the fire erupted back in the fireplace and he disappeared once more back to Hell.

"Well then… How exactly does one get a wedding invitation to Hell?" Faustus wondered aloud. He was so tired from the past few weeks, he couldn't think straight.

Freya was both beyond giddy and a little sad at having seen her brother. That she got to hug him, tell him goodbye properly, meant everything to her. She felt more at peace and happy and excited about the future and it showed.

"We can figure that out soon, Love." She said as she came to stand by Faustus's side. "First though, someone needs food, a bath and sleep. In that order."

"I think we both could do with those things," Faustus agreed, smiling wearily at her.

She had sent for food to be brought up and when it arrived, she smiled and nodded at Faustus as she took up her seat by his desk. "You first, Love. Who knows what they fed you down there…if ever." She frowned a moment before she schooled it off her face.

"Gruel, mostly," said Faustus. "It wasn't bad, per se, just plain."

They ate, then he allowed her to bathe him, though he requested the water be lukewarm so he wouldn't fall asleep, and then he stumbled out and gracelessly made his way to bed. He was out like a light within minutes.