Celeste extended an invitation to Jayce, inviting him to her family home.
On arrival he was stunned by what he saw.
A mansion inside a grand estate, surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens.
Upon entering, Jayce's eyes widened in awe. Expensive artwork adorned the walls, and the marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of chandeliers. It was a world of opulence he had never experienced before.
Celeste rushed to meet him from the top of the stairs.
She led Jayce through the elegant halls, passing by rooms filled with treasures and artifacts from around the world. Finally, they arrived at the family library, an immaculate repository of knowledge that surpassed even the one at the Fyre Academy.
Jayce settled into one of the plush chairs, his fingers instinctively reaching up to tap his imaginary glasses. A moment of confusion crossed his face as he realized the absence of the familiar frames. Celeste, noticing his gesture, tilted her head curiously and asked, "What were you doing just now?"
Jayce quickly dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Oh, nothing. Just an old habit," he replied, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Hours passed, and Jayce delved into the depths of the library, consumed by the ancient tomes and manuscripts. Celeste doted on him, bringing him bread, fruit, and water, as well as assisting him in locating more books that might hold the key to his quest.
Finally, after meticulous study and deciphering, Jayce discovered the language written within the texts: Enochian, the language of Heaven itself. Excitement coursed through his veins as he recited the incantations, hoping for a response, but nothing happened. He repeated the process, growing increasingly frustrated and disappointed with each failed attempt.
Celeste, sensing his distress, approached him with concern etched on her face. "What happened, Jayce?" she asked gently, her voice filled with genuine care.
Jayce sighed, his disappointment evident as he explained, "I recited the incantations, but nothing happened. I thought I had it figured out."
A thoughtful expression crossed Celeste's face as she suggested, "Maybe there's something you missed. Let's go through everything again."
Together, they meticulously combed through the texts, analyzing every detail. And then, in a moment of realization, Jayce's eyes widened. "There's a blood component to this," he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of astonishment and hope. "The incantation needs to be spoken by a blood descendant."
Excitement surged within Jayce as he spent the next hour teaching Celeste the basics of Enochian, guiding her through the pronunciation of the chants. With each repetition, she grew more adept, her dedication shining through.
Finally, the moment arrived. With a deep breath, Celeste spoke the incantation, her voice carrying the weight of generations. In an instant, a blinding light emanated from her, filling the room. Strange symbols glowed upon her head, resembling a radiant crown. Her eyes shimmered like incandescent lamps, and from her back, magnificent wings sprouted, their feathers pure and white.
Jayce couldn't help but kneel before her, overwhelmed by the sight before him.
Giggling softly, Celeste leaned down and reached out her hand. He accepted it and planted a soft kiss.
The air inside the Amniel estate was heavy with anticipation as Jayce and Celeste made their way towards Bran, Celeste's father. It was already morning and sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting vibrant hues upon the polished marble floor.
As Jayce and Celeste approached, a glimmer of hope danced in their eyes. Celeste could barely contain her excitement as she began to speak, her voice filled with joy, "Father, Jayce has helped me awaken holy magic and I also have wings. I no longer have to marry Varus!"
However, Bran's face remained somber, lines of sadness etched upon his forehead. He sighed heavily before delivering the news that shattered their newfound happiness. "I'm sorry, Celeste, but it's too late. Our alliance with the Magnus clan has been set in stone. The wedding will take place three days after the upcoming exhibition."
Tears welled up in Celeste's eyes, her voice trembling with a mixture of anguish and disbelief. "No, Father, you can't be serious! I thought... I thought I had a choice."
Her heart heavy with sorrow, Celeste turned and ran. Jayce chased after her, their footsteps echoing through the empty corridors.
Finally catching up to her in a secluded courtyard, Jayce found Celeste leaning against a marble statue, her tears flowing freely. He approached her gently, his voice filled with compassion, "Celeste, I'm so sorry."
Celeste looked up at Jayce, her tear-streaked face revealing a look of resignation. "Thank you for everything, Jayce. You've given me hope even if it was just for a moment."
In a gesture of farewell and gratitude, Celeste leaned forward and kissed Jayce gently on the cheek.
As Jayce prepared to leave, Bran, Celeste's father, emerged from the shadows, a large pouch in his hands. His voice carried a hint of remorse as he handed it to Jayce, "I think this is for you. Celeste asked me to put it together. Take these. They are the ingredients you need for your potions." Inside the pouch lay aloewater, honeywater, moonwater, ginseng root, and lunar moss.
Jayce accepted the pouch, his expression a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you. I will make sure to put them to good use."
"The rest of the ingredients you seek are near impossible to obtain, even for me. But may luck be on your side."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Jayce carefully stowed the pouch in his interdimensional storage, a realm accessible only to him. He bid farewell to Bran and turned to leave.
As he walked away, the echoes of Celeste's tearful gratitude and the weight of their unfulfilled dreams lingered in his thoughts.
Jayce felt guilty that he couldn't do more for her.