章 24: Chapter 24
Allison moves quickly to the woman, the others still too shocked to move and are surprised when the powerful woman embraces the Huntress. "What's going on?" Allison asks looking back at the teen frozen in his golden prison.
"I shifted the flow of time around him. He isn't actually trapped, but time is moving much more slowly for him than it is for us. I had hoped to arrive before it became necessary, but it appears that I was correct in fearing that the fight with the Darach would push him too far" Morgaine tells the girl.
"Everybody just stop!" Sheriff Noah Stilinski roars and everyone looks at the man in surprise. "I want answers right now. No more of this mystical bullshit! This is my son!" his voice breaks on the last word and Derek swallows at how close to breaking the man appears.
"Sheriff" Deaton whispers in a warning tone, his voice breaking at he stares at the woman while trying to restrain the bereft man.
Lizzie looks at the Sheriff but something about her changes. Her eyes become older and an aura of power and strength suddenly appears causing everyone to tense with concern and a bit of fear. "That is why I am here. You are his father?" Morgaine says looking at Noah who nods but she doesn't pause long enough for him to talk. "And who are the rest of you?" she asks before looking at Allison. "Warrior?" she prompts.
Allison quickly introduces everyone and when Morgaine glances at the bodies of the two dead werewolves "Those are the last two of the Alpha Pack…wait wasn't there a third guy?" she suddenly remembers.
"And the Darach?" Morgaine asks looking around the clearing.
"Uh, well…" Scott says and looks over at the scorched piece of earth where their English teacher used to be "what's left is over there. She kind of went poof" he says looking sheepish.
Morgaine raises a single eyebrow in such a way that the True Alpha squirms under her judging stare. "It seems that she burned up from the power Stiles fed her" Derek tries to explain and the woman turns her disarming stare on him.
"You are the Alpha of this land. Derek Hale I believe she said. By what Right do you claim this territory?" Morgaine asks with a sharp note in her voice.
"My family has been here for generations. This has been our territory for longer than California has been a state" he tells her.
"So Derek Hale" she pauses for a moment "you are the son of Talia Hale?" she asks and the Alpha nods and Morgaine suddenly looks a lot less stressed.
Turning back towards the Sheriff Morgaine's expression softens. "How much has Stiles told you about the nature of his magic?" she asks him and glances at the group.
They all pause trying to figure out how to answer but Lydia steps up. "He said that he has all six Marks which means he can use all of the different domains of magic." She quickly shares some of the information that she and Stiles had discussed just recently and most of the pack was surprised how much more detail she got than they did when Stiles talked to the whole pack.
"He was wrong about one thing. He is not the first to have all six Marks. The truth is that while rare, it actually happens more often than anyone realizes. However the great majority of those born with all six Marks never truly manifest as such. Many of them are born to lives where there is no longer knowledge or familiarity with magic. Without the belief to ignite their Spark, it never appears and they live their entire life never even knowing that they are capable of magic" Morgaine tells them.
"Stiles association with your pack is what ignited his Spark or he would most probably have been in this group for his life" Morgaine informed them carefully watching Scott and Derek who suddenly looked guilty. "Once his friend had been bitten, it was simply a matter of time for his own development."
"If we had kept him out of it?" Scott starts to ask but she cuts him off quickly.
"It is not exposure, it is knowledge and acceptance. Once he knew werewolves were real, the die was cast" she assures him.
"But surely some people with the six Marks are born where they will experience magic even earlier in life" Lydia reasons.
"There are. Children who grow up around magic begin manifesting their own magic but, like most children, they often imitate what they see and what feels familiar. A child with all six Marks born to a Witch will normally display the Witch Mark first and will therefore be assumed to be one and trained as a Witch. The same is true with Druids, Sorcerers, or any other user of magic. While their Spark is fluid, they never seek to bend it into another form and thus they simply use a singular form of magic all of their lives, the potential for more ultimately fading away" Morgaine says with a look at Deaton who is still overwhelmed by the woman. "This is the safest course for them because they never cross the barriers between the domains so their power, no matter how strong, stays 'channeled' appropriately."
"But Stiles said he is strongest in the 'in-between' magics" Allison says carefully remembering her discussion with Stiles in England. "He said that it was easier blending the domains."
Morgaine sighed sadly "And therein is the problem. When one of the Sé anam huaire, what we call a six-fold soul, embraces their full gifts, then there are only three options for them. One, they can surrender their magic and bind it away, never to access or know it again."
"There's no way Stiles would give up his magic and leave people he cares about in danger" Allison says quickly.
Morgaine nods understandingly. "The second, and most common outcome, is that the Sé anam huaire grows in their magical ability until they finally shed all of their humanity and connections to the world and they ascend to become a Draíochtan."
"What the hell does that mean?" Noah demands, his blood freezing at the woman's words.
Morgaine looks troubled but she continues. "In magic, there are five Elemental Forces. Do not think of them like the elements in science, Helium or Gold or Iron. The Elemental Forces are primal, ethereal, and symbolic. They are four Primaries: Earth, Air, Fire, Water; and the Binding Element, Aether. They each represent fundamental forces of existence. For example, when we say Earth, we are not meaning dirt and rocks. Earth is stability, strength, and foundation. It encompasses gravity as well as a seemingly unlimited ability to absorb power, which is why we call use the term 'grounding'. The other elements are similar, they are more than their names. Each element also has an Elemental, a living manifestation of that element."
"Like a Slyph?" Lydia asks knowingly, a small smile on her face.
"Yes. Slyphs are Elementals of Air. Gnomes are Elementals of Earth, while Salamanders are Elementals of Fire. Finally Undines are Elementals of Water. These are most commonly known names by practitioners of magic and even non-magical people remember them. They are other names in other cultures, but they all describe the same thing" Morgaine explains.
"You said five elements though" Scott asks looking at the woman like one of their teachers.
"The fifth element is Aether. Some call this Element 'Spirit' but it is more accurately described as 'Magic' as it encompasses all six of the domains of magic. The Elemental of Aether is the Draíochtan. It is a creature of living magic. No identity or individuality, just power and purpose, and that purpose is to create magic" Morgaine says with a sigh. "When a Sé anam huaire gains enough power, they will burn away their mortality and become an Immortal Draíochtan and leave this plane of existence to join with the Aether."
"Are you saying my son is going to turn into some mindless…thing?" Noah demands incredulously.
Morgaine looks sad but resigned. "I don't know. He may be too far gone to save if the magic has burned away too much of himself" she says looking weary. "There was a powerful Nemeton in this place, an intersection of the lines of power that all fed into it, giving it power and strength. It's destruction shattered many bonds, but enough remained to anchor the lines to delay the chaos that such a loss would cause. Even though it was weak, when Stiles destroyed it, that power needed a new anchor and his physical proximity resulted in those lines shifting to him. And it wasn't just the lines of the dying Nemeton, their shifting to him attracted others and it seems that all of the lines have now found a new home within him."
"Stiles is now a Nemeton?" Deaton breathes in shock and the rest of them look at the vet's expression and worry. "But that means that all of the power of the area is pouring into him." Morgaine nods sadly and the vet pales at the idea.
"You said there were three options? That's only two" Lydia glares at the woman, her anxiety causing her to snap.
"The third is the path of the Arcanist. Only three Sé anam huaire have ever managed to walk that path in all of history. If the six-fold is able to bind themselves to the land, then their power stabilizes and they are able to bridge the divide, retaining their humanity and their power" she tells the girl.
"Then lets to do that!" Scott yells followed by several of the others.
Morgaine looks wrecked as she stares at them. "I do not know how they did it" she admits and sees the looks of desperation on their faces.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Noah demands of the woman, desperate to save his son.
"As I said, only three have ever become an Arcanist and they were not very forthcoming about how they did it. They were all secretive and did not easily share their knowledge. I only know it is possible. The one Arcanist that I knew personally was just as protective of his magics. He was called Myrddin Emrys though history calls him Merlin the Magician" she tells them.
"Arthur?" Allison asks into the stunned silence but Morgaine just chuckles.
"No my dear. Myths and history have gotten tangled up and combined them but 'The Merlin' is the title passed down to the male High Druids through the generations much as 'The Morgaine' is, but Emrys was never 'The Merlin.' But he was a powerful user of magic so people just assumed and it became mixed up in stories and tales and by then it was too late to fix it. Emrys was secretive so even though I remember him very well, I never learned how he became an Arcanist. I have sought assistance, counsel from those that have more knowledge than I do, but even I am not certain whether it will come" she sighs.
A ripple of laughter resounds in the clearing and the wolves all shift to look for the source but Morgaine suddenly straightens up because she knows that laugh. All of a sudden Orlaith steps into the clearing right beside Erica causing the she wolf to literally jump in shock and growl at her appearance. Orlaith is beautiful beyond. Her hair is the color of shimmering gold, framing a heart shaped face and eyes of the softest lilac. She is dressed in a light dress in shades of green and gold, flowing and billowing in the soft breeze that appeared with her arrival. She is adorned with a crown of flowers and the wolves breathe in a perfume of sunshine, grass, and blooming flowers. "You doubted us?" she teases the woman gently.
"I would say that I simply hoped…cautiously" Morgaine corrects and before anyone else can speak another woman steps out besides Jackson and he jumps. This woman, as beautiful as Orlaith, looked very different. Her gown is of a heavier fabric,rich in color, a cascade of reds, oranges, and browns. Her hair is the darkest auburn that drops to her waist and her eyes are a fiery orange in a face that is both ancient and eternally young. Unlike Orlaith, her features are sharper and more defined. Her crown is made of woven vines with ripe red and black berries.
"Arethusa" Morgaine nods respectfully at the woman and the wolves stare. Scott glances over at Deaton who looks like he is going to pass out.
"Morgaine, we have word of the information you requested" Arethusa says carefully.
"We have more than just word" another woman's voice says with a haughty laugh. Melissa jumps as the woman walks past her and she shivers at the sudden drop in temperature. This woman is starkly different from the other two. Her hair is a black as a raven's wing, and done up in an elaborate braid that comes down the center of her back. She is wearing a heavy gown of blinding white, lined with fur, and her boots are strong leather topped with more white fur. Her crown is made of woven bands of silver with diamonds and sapphire shards twinkling from the silver threads. Her face is sharp and angled and while her age is impossible to distinguish, she definitely appears older than the other two. Even so, no one would ever describe her as less than beautiful, though that beauty is distant and untouchable, much like a piece of art.
"Mab" Morgaine bows respectfully and Lydia gasps in shock at the name. Mab looks at the redhead and smirks.
"Something concerns you little Banshee" she teases but Lydia doesn't rise to the taunt. Instead she bows her head respectfully and even does a small curtsy surprising everyone but Mab who just smiles and acknowledges the girl's choice.
"Time is short Mab, we need to decide whether or not we should act" a fourth woman says as she appears across from the group. This woman is older, closer to Mab than the other two, but she is as beautiful as any of them. Her hair is a darker gold than Orlaith, like the color of late afternoon sun and is styled in an elaborate design interwoven with white flowers and shimmering gems. A crown of golden wheat woven with laurel leaves and white flowers adorns her head. Her dress is heavier than Orlaith's though still light, the blues and greens of the fabric remind everyone of the blue-green waters of the Lake in the preserve. It appears simple, but Lydia and Allison both spot the ways her elaborate dress is designed to merely look that way.
"As you say sister" Mab acknowledges the other woman tone "you were, after all, the one closest to Emrys" she taunts.
"That was only after you made him distrust your motives sister" Orlaith says happily and the white clad woman looks mildly irritated with the youngest of the group.
"Titianna, what can you tell us" Morgaine politely interrupted the two arguing women drawing them back to the matter at hand. Lydia and Deaton both react at the mention of the name of the Summer Queen.
"The binding requires a three-fold unity. Birth, Blood, Breath. All three Arcanists, well...those that were successful, managed each of the three elements to create their binding, so while it is possible, the Sé anam huaire must still make the choice" Titianna tells them and Morgaine nods in understanding.
"Someone, please…" Noah's voice breaks and suddenly the Sheriff feels Scott move to stand at his side, supporting him, as Melissa does on the other as both of them embrace him.
"My apologies Sheriff" Morgaine says formally. "Noah Stilinski, father of Mieczyslaw Stilinksi, may I present you to the Queens of the Fae Courts on behalf of your son. Her Majesty Queen Orlaith, the Queen of the Spring Court" the first woman in the flowery dress smiles and Lydia and Deaton both bow with a cough and the others quickly follow their example, though some (cough Derek, Jackson cough) do so grudgingly.
"Her Majesty Queen Titianna, Queen of the Summer Court" Morgaine introduces the most recent arrival and the pack bows again.
"Is she the Queen from that Shakespeare play?" Isaac whispers but Titianna still hears him and laughs.
"Oh yes, he was one of my favorite humans" she sighs happily. "I enjoyed listening to that word maker talk, though his description was not exactly as accurate as it could have been" Titianna says, her voice sounding like music.
"Her Majesty Queen Arethusa, the Queen of the Autumn Court" Morgaine continues quickly but respectfully as she bows to the woman in the colors of fall and the pack all bows with her. Arethusa smiles gently at Noah, Chris, and Melissa and they feel a special bit of attention from the Queen.
"And the Queen of the Winter Court, her Majesty, Queen Mab" Morgaine introduced the final queen who accepted the pack's gesture of respect with a slight tilt of her head. "I appealed to the Queen's Court to help me with Stiles" she explains.
"Help how? And what is this blood thing she mentioned?" Noah asks confused.
"A Sé anam huaire that awakens their power will either become a Draíochtan or an Arcanist, there is no other option. To become an Arcanist, Stiles must be bound to the land three times, in three distinct ways, if he is to retain his humanity. If any binding fails, then he will become the Draíochtan" Titianna says, her musical voice now serious.
"The first binding is that of Birth. An Arcanist can only be bound to the land upon which they were born. The connections between their magic and the place of their birth is very powerful and will anchor him to allow him to stand tall" Orlaith tells the pack with an inquiring eye.
"Stiles was born here in Beacon Hills" Scott says quickly and they see the Spring Queen glance over at the Sheriff who affirms Scott's claim.
"He was born at Beacon Hills General, a few miles from here" Noah assures her.
"Then he possess the first binding. The second binding is forged by blood. The Sé anam huaire must forge a blood connection with the land to indicate their intention to be tied to the welfare of the land. However a blood bond takes time to forge and develop" Arethusa says looking sad. "At least three days must pass for the bond to solidify enough to withstand the pull of ascension. And we do not have three days."
Morgaine looks stricken and the pack all pale. "So we can't do anything? Why can't we take some of his blood and do it now?" Scott demands.
Arethusa shakes her head sadly. "It will not be enough. The Morgaine's spell will only hold for a single hour and then he will be free. And with the power he now possesses, he will surely ascend this night. Without the blood bond, any attempt on our part will fail."
"There must be something" Derek growls and his eyes flash red as he stares at the Autumn Queen.
Lydia's eyes widen in shock. "Wait a minute! He has it!" she yells and everyone turns to look at the redhead in surprise. "Stiles said that he created magical protections on his house." She looks at Arethusa "He told me that he created sigils for each of us so that the warder would recognize us and let us in but he said that he used his own blood when he made it so that it would know him and his dad" Lydia yells excitedly. "Wouldn't that count as a blood blond with the land" she demands.
Everyone turns to look at Arethusa but she just turns to look at Morgaine. "It may. Can you sense the connection? Human magic is so very different from ours" she says with a shrug.
Morgaine closes her eyes and reaches out with her senses for a source of protective magic. It doesn't take her long before she finds it. It is bright and strong and fully formed. She sees the layers of protective magics surrounding the small house and Lizzie is impressed with the way Stiles has tied the ley lines into his magically created warder allowing it massive power without being a beacon on its own. She smiles the instant the warder recognizes her presence and it pushes her back, a clear little 'you don't belong' message and she pulls back to avoid causing any negative reaction.
Opening her eyes she turns to the Autumn Queen "The Banshee is correct. He has created a magical warder with his blood that is aware and what's more he tied it into the ley lines themselves."
Arethusa smiles in surprise "Then the binding of blood is also done." She turns to Mab "All that remains is Breath."
Mab gets a cruel look as she turns her eyes toward the Alpha who suddenly tenses at the woman's stare. "It would seem then, that the boy's fate rests with you young wolf" she taunts looking at Derek.
The rest of the pack all turn to look at the Alpha just as a groan from the ground causes Derek to look down and see his uncle sitting up. "It seems that I missed some things" he mutters as he gingerly touches his still healing burns.
Derek looks back to Queen Mab who is staring at him with some kind of twisted delight. "How is it all up to Derek? What is the Breath thing" Noah demands. Mab raises and imperial eyebrow at him and the Sheriff is suddenly reminded of his paternal Grandmother and he gulps "your majesty" he adds sounding a bit more respectful.
"The bonds may appear simple but they represent three distinct intentions. The Birth Bond represents you and your mate's intention to bring him into this world. The Blood Bond represents his intention for this to be his territory by committing himself to the Earth. The Breath Bond represents the land's acceptance of him as entitled to claim this territory" she says with a cold laugh.
"But how can the land accept him?" Noah asks confused.
"Because the land has its champions. One whose blood has spilled protecting it, one who has nurtured it, and who is connected to it through death, both by ending life and losing those who have returned their essence to the Earth" Titianna explains gently. "The Land's champion can offer the acceptance of the Arcanist's right to this land and by doing so, they are able to complete the final bond."
"But why Derek? I mean we have all fought and protected the town" Erica asks looking at the others. "Aren't we champions too?"
A slight laugh breaks their focus and everyone turns to see Peter shaking his head. "The Hales have been here for generations my dear. We have been protecting the land, being born here, dying here, buried here for years and years. Out family's link to the land spans centuries" he says looking at his nephew. "And since you bear the power of the Hale Alpha Derek, you are the embodiment of our family and all they stood for" he says.
"You are all champions" Deaton adds softly looking at Erica "but how many of you were born here?" he asks and sees the surprise when they realize that only Boyd and Isaac were actually born in Beacon Hills. "Also, you are all bitten wolves, your connection to the magic world is too new to be of use."
"So then do it" Scott demands moving over to look at Derek desperately. "You have to accept him Derek!" he pleads.
"Scott" Deaton's voice is tentative and careful. "Derek's a werewolf" he reminds the teen who looks totally confused.
"I know that" Scott says looking around but no one else seems to get it until Lydia sucks in a breath.
Lydia pales as she stares at the trembling Alpha who looks trapped. "Scott…how does a werewolf accept someone into their trust? How do they make them pack?" she asks.
Scott frowns in confusion. "He bites them" Jackson whispers and Scott's eyes widen as he looks at the teen before turning to see Derek's pale face.
"You have to bite Stiles?" he says sounding sick. But then his face clears "Okay, well then that's that. Do it!" he yells but Derek was staring at the Morgaine, his face a war of emotions.
"Wait! So he is going to be a werewolf?" Noah asks the woman who is staring at the trembling Alpha.
"His magic is too powerful. The turning bite would not affect him, his magic will not allow the Turning Bite to override who he is" the Morgaine says softly, her eyes never leaving Derek's. "That bite would have no effect."
"Then how can he save Stiles?" Scott demands angrily but then he hears soft chuckling coming from the ground and he turns to see Peter, sitting on the ground, laughing.
Derek looks at his uncle and growls, but it is a weak growl, not strong like it should be, closer to a whimper. "There are two kinds of bite Scott" Peter says with a wicked smile as he looks at his nephew who looks trapped and even takes an involuntarily step backward.
"No" Derek whispers, barely audible to even werewolf ears as he stares at his uncle before turning to Morgaine, a plea in his eyes, who only looks back at him with sympathy. He looks at the four Queens but their eyes hold neither kindness nor sympathy, only the knowledge that this is the choice he has to make, a choice he can't make for the teen, but that he has to.
"I don't understand" Noah says looking at the pale young man who seems about ready to either pass out or throw up.
"If the Turning Bite won't work" Deaton says gently as he looks at Derek "then the Mating Bite might."
Noah frowns as he stares at the vet before turning back to see the panicked expression on Derek's face. "I'm sorry, I think I heard you wrong" Noah's voice is level, but there is a dangerous edge to it that causes Derek to take another step backwards.
"You did not" Morgaine says as she walks up to Noah. "The final bond must be the strongest and with a werewolf, there is only one option if we want this to succeed. The Mating Bite, given by an Alpha, is the strongest bond in a pack and it would be twice as powerful than from any other wolf. Alpha Hale's bite would not just demonstrate the Land's champion accepting him, it would also create a bond for Stiles to the entire Hale line, it would allow him to share Derek's link to this place. I am not sure anything less would be able to pull him back from the path he has already gone down."
"You cannot feel it son of man, but your son's actions have already shifted the lines of power in this part of the world" Queen Mab informs the Sheriff. "If he becomes a Draíochtan, then this place will lose the connection that is holding firm the lines of power. They will go wild, lose all control, and this place will become twisted for generations." Her manner suggests that she is rather indifferent to the outcome and that she might even welcome the chaos that would come.
"I can't" Derek whispers as he stares at his pack's faces and the Sheriff who looks thoroughly lost. "I can't do that to him" he pleads with them. "There must be some other way."
"Derek" Lydia's sharp voice causes the Alpha to flinch. "You can't let him be taken from us like this. Not after what he did." Her words, though simple, cut something deep in Derek. He knows what she is talking about, the closure that Stiles gave him and the encouragement that his mother implied when she told Stiles that he was pack.
"I can't make that kind of decision for him. To take away his choice…" his voice breaks and Lydia suddenly realizes what it is that's tearing the Alpha apart and her eyes soften.
"It's not the same Derek" Peter says before she can, his voice gentle and Derek has to look at his uncle who sounds so much more like the man he once was so long ago. "What she did…that wasn't your fault, no matter how I might have blamed you." He sighs deeply. "I needed someone to be angry at, someone to carry the guilt from that loss and you and Laura were easier to blame than to accept that you, a child, were as much of a victim as those we lost." Peter steps closer to his nephew and reaches out but stops just short of touching. "What she did was wrong, not you."
"How is this different? I would be taking his choice" Derek's voice is rough and broken but there is something pleading in it.
"It's different because Stiles would choose you" Lydia says gently and Derek looks at her doubtfully. "Derek, he cares about you, and I know you care about him. I've seen it and I know this, no matter the cost, Stiles would not leave his family for anything. He would gladly do this" her voice is certain though Derek still doubts.
"Son" Noah looks at the man, looking so similar to that night he found him and his sister outside the burned wreckage of their home. Neither one of them had to be told. They knew no one made it out of the house and Noah remembers the broken expression on their faces. The expression he sees again on the man's face. "I'm begging you…please save my son" he pleads and Derek looks stricken.
"Please" Scott whimpers and Derek looks around and sees the agreement on everyone's faces. They will stand with him in this. He takes a deep breath and prays that somehow, someday, the teen will forgive him.
"What do I have to do?" he finally says.
Morgaine orders everyone but Lydia, Deaton, and Marin to move into the trees, out of the clearing. The Queens move around till they have encircled the golden prison that now has cracks in its surface and Derek can see slight movements of Stiles' hands.
Deaton and Morrell are positioned behind Morgaine and Lydia stands off to the side. Morgaine looks at Derek and, seeing him ready, starts to chant. The words disappear almost as fast as they are spoken and Derek cannot remember them but the air seems electric. The sky flashes from horizon to horizon with ribbons of colors dancing in concert to the Morgaine's song. The ground begins to rumble and Derek watches carefully.
Morgaine had given them their orders. She would do her part and it would take most of her power and once done, she, Marin and Alan would be out of it as they were giving her their energy to assist. Once they fell, Stiles prison would shatter and he would be free. Then it was their turn.
Morgaine's hands were raised to a sky filled with the glowing blue and green ribbons, blotting out the stars and moon, and wind roar, whipping through the clearing, tearing at everything. Thunder and lightning rang out in those clouds and Morgaine, eyes blazing and surrounded by a blinding aura of power reached down and yanked and the ground seized and buckled and Derek went to his knees.
All around the clearing, giant stone monoliths burst up from the ground and rose up creating a stone circle around Stiles, Derek, and the Queens. The stone pillars looked like fingers rising from the ground, each rising to about eight feet in height before they stopped and the wind suddenly dropped to nothing. Morgaine's light went out and the woman dropped like a puppet with her strings cut, Marin and Alan falling right beside her.
An explosion of light and sound from the center of the circle was the sign that Stiles' prison was gone and Derek stared at the lightning dancing across his now freed body, his eyes glowing that rainbow of colors. Stiles looks irritated but before he can even react to his new found freedom, Derek hears the shrieking wave of sound that rolls forward and slams into the teen driving him to his knees as Lydia screams at the top of her lungs.
Once he drops she collapses from the strain but the Queens are ready for the teen's distraction. In a strangely delicate dance of movements, each of the regal Fae Queens raises her arms and Derek staggers at the power that suddenly rushes out from the center of the circle. The stone monoliths light up, each one glowing so bright they can't be stared at directly but Derek isn't trying to look at them. He is looking at Stiles who sags to the ground, the light and energy that surrounded and flowed in him apparently gone. He looks up and Derek's heart seizes as the sight of the warm whiskey eyes that he knows so well.
He didn't really think of it but he is moving and in seconds is dropping down beside the exhausted teen. "Stiles" he croaks and the teen looks up at him, concern and worry clear in his expression, but also confusion.
"Derek? What's happening? Did we win?" he asks and Derek winces at the gravelly rasp of his normally smooth voice. Stiles grips Derek's arms and is holding on tightly as he winces in pain at the stress his body has been under.
"You only have seconds young wolf" Queen Mab yells at him and Derek looks at the teen who is staring at him, no doubt or fear in those eyes.
"I have to…I need to…" Derek freezes. How can explain this? There is no time.
"I trust you." Stiles says, his eyes open, honest and accepting and then Derek whimpers as he shifts. Stiles doesn't flinch in the slightest and Derek allows himself a moment of hope before his eyes flash red and he shoots forward, his fangs piercing the teen's skin at the juncture of his neck and shoulder as Stiles lets out a short yelp.
Derek tastes the hot, coppery blood that flows into his mouth as the teen whimpers at the sharp pain of Derek's fangs biting into to him but then there is a shift and Derek feels his vision go white. He bit Jackson, Isaac, Erica, and Boyd but it never felt like this when he bit them. With them, he felt a piece of himself going into to them, forging the link to them as pack and planting the need to be his, to accept him as their Alpha. This is completely different. There is a loop of connection as Derek feels himself moving into the teen but he also feels an energy coming back into him only for the exchange to continue over and over again.
"Derek!" Stiles gasps at the sensation and Derek knows that not only are Stiles eyes glowing, but so are his tattoos. He also feels a burning on his own back and he would bet that his own triskelion tattoo is glowing as brightly as Stiles'.
Retracting his fangs, Derek doesn't let go of Stiles skin, his tongue sliding over the bite and tasting the blood again as he gently sucks on the wound before he finally pulls back. He looks down and sees the bite mark he made has already sealed over on the shoulder and looking healed but permanent. Derek looks nervously at Stiles face and sees confusion on the teen's face but no fear or worry. "Derek?" he croaks.
Derek pauses looking at Stiles, staring in his eyes when they flash green again. "Boy! Move!" Queen Mab yells her warning at Derek, her voice cracking like shattering ice and Derek has jumped away before he even realizes he moved. Stiles looks hurt for a moment before he screams as his body bursts with color and light as the power that the Queens had blocked comes rushing back into his body.
Derek is ready to launch himself at the teen but the sheer power coming off the teen is too much and is physically pushing Derek away even as he drives his claws into the ground to try and hold on. Stiles' scream goes higher in pitch and Derek blinks at the wind ripping at him when he feels a wave of heat and light roll over him. Looking behind him he sees a column of fire erupt in the southern part of the stone circle. The fire roars up nearly thirty feet and spins, a fiery swirl of red, orange, and yellow flames with flashes of blue and green. Derek stares at the fire that dances there and remembers seeing his house engulfed in flames and his wolf lets out a whine of anguish at the sight.
Derek's attention is shifted when an explosion directly opposite the fire erupts. He stares as a column of dirt, rocks, and earth shoots up into the air, about the same size as the fire and Derek can smell the rich soil and loam coming off of the column of earth. Seconds later there is a sudden drop in pressure and Derek looks up and sees a twisting of clouds and the air in the east side of the circle starts spinning, picking up dust and leaves and all a miniature tornado of wind forms, spinning and wobbling in place when a fourth explosion causes the Alpha to dig his claws deeper in to the ground.
In the West a column of water shoots up, a geyser that rises up to tower over the stone monoliths and Derek snarls at the four elemental pillars that are now standing there, roaring and driving out all thought with the chaos of noise and pressure that makes him howl in desperation. Looking up he sees Stiles, body aglow, as he lifts up and hovers in the air, suspended between the four pillars. Derek finds his voice and roars as loud as he can. He howls for his pack, calling them, demanding every wolf to answer and come to him, and he howls for his mate. The roar of the elements is deafening but he still manages to hear his pack respond.
Derek is staring at Stiles, desperate to figure out what to do next since Morgaine didn't mention this, when he sees a face in the water column, a woman's face. He glances over and sees other faces in each of the columns and each face staring at the teen. Stiles' eyes fly open and they look straight at Derek. He watches as the teen's eyes shift from the rainbow of color to the more familiar fiery green he had before and then there is a sudden pulling that is suddenly dragging Derek towards the center of the circle. He scrambles with his claws to try and stop himself and watches as the four pillars all seem to fall into the circle right onto Stiles and Derek roars, refusing to accept this when there is a momentary pause, a single heartbeat of silence as if the world was holding its breath, and then an explosion of light rushes over Derek who braces for the blast that is surely following, but it doesn't come. The wave of light doesn't hurt, in fact it feels…right. Restorative. Healing.
The clearing goes dark and Derek sees Stiles start to drop. He scrambles to his feet but he knows that he can't make it, not in time to catch the falling body but he still tries. He rushes but then Stiles' fall is suddenly slowed and he touches down on the ground almost like a feather. "We would not lose him after all of that" a musical voice laughs and Derek sees Orlaith smiling at him as she walks forward.
Derek reaches the teen and pulls him into his arms and Derek suddenly feels himself relax a bit when he hears the steady heartbeat that he recognizes without even trying. He hears Stiles' slow and even breathing and he looks up and sees the four Queens staring at him, various expressions of satisfaction on their faces. "What happened?" he asks desperately.
"He chose" Queen Titianna says easily. "Just as you chose to give him the bite, he had to choose to accept it, to give up the power he once held, and to accept his new destiny."
"He had to give up his magic?" Derek asks sounding concerned and confused.
"Much of it" Queen Mab says with a shrug. "There is a significant difference between an Arcanist and a Draíochtan. The Draíochtan is power incarnate. An Arcanist will never have that level of power but that does not mean none. As humans measure things, he will be…gifted. But, as with all things, there must be balance. The Draíochtan is power with a singular purpose. But the Arcanist? They do not sacrifice their humanity for their power, they sacrifice instead their freedom."
Derek frowns. "Stiles would never give up his freedom" he says with certainty.
Tatianna and Orlaith both laugh, strong and happy sounds. "Freedom means different things wolf. Do not be so quick to think you know of which we speak." Both golden haired women look amused at Derek challenge.
Arethusa looks at her sister Queens and just shakes her head in resigned amusement. "We shall give you some time for both of you to find your place before we talk again. Besides" she sniffs unhappily "being in the human realm is…unpleasant, so we will return to our Courts."
"But we will see you again young wolf. The presence of an Arcanist in the world again will change everything" Queen Mab cackles with amusement. "Oh yes, this will be the most entertainment we have had in centuries." The Winter Queen disappears in a swirl of white and Derek is astonished as he sees snow on the ground where she once stood.
"Wolf" Arethusa nods with a smirk and she is gone, a swirl of leaves, all red, orange, and yellow in her place that fall to the ground gently.
Tatianna smiles warmly and Derek feels a warm rush of air, heavy with the smell of sunshine and grass, waft over him and the Summer Queen is gone and Derek sees thick, green grass where she once stood, clearly standing out from the dried grass everywhere else.
Derek looks at the last Fae Queen who is smiling at him. She laughs, her musical voice like wind-chimes and birdsong as she twirls around, her dress flying up, as she disappears in a sudden flurry of flowers accompanied by a rush of perfumed air that makes Derek feel lighter just smelling it. "To new beginnings" he hears her voice whisper happily and she is gone leaving Derek alone in the clearing with the unconscious teen in his lap.
"Stiles!" Derek looks up and sees the Sheriff running towards them, the rest of the pack right behind and Derek breathes a sigh of relief at the sight of them coming to him.
Noah drops to the ground beside his son and grabs the boy and pulling him into a hug, his bloody shirt from Derek's bite still hanging on him, as Derek releases the boy in his lap. Noah looks up at Derek uncertainly but Derek looks wrung out and at the end of his limits.
"Is he?" Scott says quietly as he looks down at the scene before him, the rest of the pack surrounding them, watching the teen breath steadily.
"He is now bound to the land" Lizzie says as she walks up, Marin and Alan stumbling groggily behind her. Allison comes over to her side and the woman smiles gently as the huntress lends her a hand to steady her. "Thank you Allison. That was something I would prefer doing again anytime soon" she says with a soft laugh and a sigh. "Creating a stone circle usually uses thirteen druids."
"So what happened?" Erica asks looking lost. "I mean is he going to be okay?"
Lizzie takes a deep breath. "To understand what happened, you need to understand something. Magic is magic. But sentient beings, human, fae, or otherwise, all seek to understand the world around them. It is why the fundamental question, the one that changes a species from existing to being, is learning to ask the question 'Why'. That first question, seeking to understand, leads to discovery and growth. It is through our search for understanding that the structures of magic developed. Magic did not exist in the six domains, it was simply magic. It is intelligence that divided it."
"I don't understand. Why would they do that?" Isaac asks her.
Lizzie smiles gently. "We seek meaning in everything cub. Why do leaves change colors? What does that scent tell you? How can I gain the greatest yield for my harvest? Magic follows those rules. The earliest practitioners all sought the rules of magic and so they 'discovered' them. This was before humans even existed. But the different efforts of those pioneers resulted in different rules. Witches created the rules of Witchcraft and shaped it into what it is today. Thus it was for each of the six domains."
"If you know that, then why do people still follow those rules? They are limiting themselves" Lydia challenges her.
"Stop seeing the color blue" Lizzie says with a smirk. At Lydia's startled reaction she chuckles. "The boundaries of magic have been set and reinforced over millennia. At one time, those who first discovered magic might have been able to ignore the rules, but they are too ingrained now. The only reason we even know the truth is because of the Draíochtan and the Arcanist."
"Why? I thought the Dra…whatever you said, was some mindless thing" Jackson asks looking confused.
"The Draíochtan is an elemental of magic, but it is not mindless. More importantly is what it is not. It is not an elemental of sorcery or of witchcraft or of druidism. It is simply of magic which allows us to know that magic is simply a single force" Lizzie explains to the teen.
"And the Arcanist?" Lydia asks looking at the sleeping Stiles.
"Before, Stiles could shift his Spark to any of the six Marks to use the magic of that domain. He was could use his magic to 'empower' whichever of the six domains within him that he chose to use. An Arcanist still has all six Marks, but they are now fully present and operate in Unity. In other words he can use all six magics at once" Lizzie said with a proud smile.
Alan and Marin both looked awestruck. "So he is a super magic user? Like you?" Scott asks slowly.
Lizzie shakes her head easily. "I am the High Druid and Stiles, strong as he is, will never be my equal in Druidic Magic. Just as he will never rise to the level of the Sorcerer Supreme with his sorcery." She gets a wicked look on her face "But he isn't limited to only using that magic. So while he isn't my equal in Druidic magic, I cannot match him on any of the other five domains."
There are several confused looks but Lydia, Marin and Alan all look concerned. "So…could Stiles defeat you in a fight?" Allison asks cautiously and Lizzie laughs.
"I am not sure, but I do know that I would not wish any place to host such a battle" Lizzie reassures the huntress. She looks down at the face of the Alpha who looks sick of the conversation. "However Queen Mab told you that there is a price to pay for such power" she reminds Derek.
Derek frowns as he looks down at the calm face. "She said he sacrificed his freedom" he says softly.
"And there is the balance. The Arcanist is powerful, but bound to their territory. They cannot leave it."
Derek looks at the woman and sees that otherworldly woman hovering behind her face and he pales. "He is trapped in Beacon Hills?" he demands and sees the rest of the pack look shocked.
"You underestimate the definition of territory. Emrys' territory was the British Isles. I imagine that Stiles' territory encompasses all of the lands that the ley lines that once fed the Nemeton. He will be able to sense it when he awakes but it will probably be several hundred miles in every direction" she says with a smile.
"So he won't be able to go to New York or Nepal anymore?" Allison asks concerned but Lizzie just shakes her head in negation.
"No" she says sadly. "But I imagine that will be less of a burden than you might think" her eyes twinkle as she obviously knows something they don't.
Derek opens his mouth to reply but stops when he hears the groan coming from Stiles as the teen starts to wake. He freezes and watches as the teen slowly comes awake and when he opens his eyes they are glowing white and the Alpha hears the gasp from the Sheriff and the others. "Stiles?" Noah Stilinski asks gently.
"Dad?" his voice is hoarse and he seems disoriented. "I feel so strange" he moans and Derek's eye catches a flicker of movement and he spots the wolf tattoo coming to rest near Stiles' heart, staring up towards Stiles' head.
"You are connecting to your territory Stiles. It is trying to talk to you. The sensations are probably...dizzying" Lizzie assures him and Noah suddenly feels a rush of relief at the painfully normal giggle coming from his son.
"It tickles. I can feel…I can't explain it" he finally gives up and smiles happily and snorts, not looking at anyone in particular.
Lizzie nods at Derek. "He will be like this for a while until he adjusts. You should take him somewhere he can rest and make sense of things" she tells the Alpha and Derek nods, flowing to his feet with Stiles cradled in his arms once the Sheriff let's go.
Derek suddenly frowns and looks around the clearing before turning to the Sheriff. "How are we going to explain all of this?" he asks suddenly serious. Keeping their secret has been so important but so much has gotten out of their control.
Noah looks around and blinks as he realizes he has to explain Melissa's kidnapping and the death of Deputy Murray not to mention Blake's other victims. Add in the crazy weather and earthquakes that were probably felt for miles and Noah is at a loss of where to even begin.
"I can help with some of it" Lizzie says easily and she holds up a hand and there is a rumble and suddenly vines and roots break the ground around the remains of Kali and Deucalion, surrounding the bodies, and churning the ground. The pack watches in stunned amazement as the bodies are pulled into the ground and then all traces of the former Alphas disappear as grasses and flowers cover the former battlefield.
"Oh man that was so cool" Isaac mutters and Scott agrees just as quietly.
"I had forgotten about those two" Noah admitted sheepishly but he nodded his thanks to the woman.
"I have an idea about the Deputy and Melissa" Chris offers and he explains that his men had an eye on a deserted cabin on the other side of town. They had investigated but it was empty and had been for months. He suggests they take the Deputy there and 'adjust' the site to appear to be Blake's hideout and then they can explain that she tasered Murray and the Sheriff and took them as well. She had killed Murray before she grabbed Chris. But when she brought Chris back, Noah had gotten free and had managed to free Chris but Jennifer escaped while he was protecting Chris and Melissa. Once free, they can 'find' help and call in to the station to start a 'search' for Blake.
They argue for a bit as they walk back to the Hale house, Derek carrying Stiles as the rest follows. They reach the vehicles and split up. Derek, Stiles, Erica, Boyd, and Isaac all head back to Derek's loft. Peter and Lydia offer to help fleshing out the story so Jackson goes along and Allison announces that she and Scott will recall the hunters back to her house so they are out of the way. The rest of them head to the cabin and Lizzie offers to go along to make sure than the crime scene will pass inspection, much to the shock of both Deaton and Morrel. She reminds them that keeping a Darach out of the news is part of protecting the balance. They both leave and she accompanies the team that will set the cabin up before leaving the Sheriff, Melissa, Chris and Deputy Murray's body for the feds to find.
"Derek?" Stiles asks sitting in the back of Camaro where Derek had laid the teen out carefully. "I can feel the pack. I mean, I can really feel them" he says sounding drugged. He lifts his hand and it glows and Derek feels a warmth spread through him.
"Whoa! What was that?" Erica barks and Derek sees looks of shock on her, Isaac and Boyd's faces which tells him that they all felt it. Stiles giggles happily.
Derek is about to ask the teen what that was when their phones go off. Derek snorts as he hears Scott, Lydia, Jackson, and Peter all calling to ask about what just happened. Stiles is laughing and Derek feels the tension drain away as Erica loudly exclaims that Stiles is apparently playing. The Darach and Alpha Pack are gone. The parents are all safe and sound and Stiles…Stiles is now his mate. Derek looks down at the smiling face in his lap and softly smiles.
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