Crown of Thorns Ch 2

 AN: Not sure if I finish Don't label me Ch40 today, it struggles a little, so I thought to throw my Dragons some fresh meat. Enjoy Chapter two of Crown of Thorns ;)

Somehow, I had imagined something different when Cassie had told me that things would work out. Getting me out of the strange, glowing circle I had been in had been rather easy, all things considered. I had been handed a bathrobe and some strange amulet from their SUV and once I had put both on, Cassie had simply broken the circle with her foot, drawing a clear line through it. Just like that, I had been able to exit it and I was gently, but very, very determined escorted to the SUV. It was a rather tight fit, with me squished between Cassie and one of the other guys, I had no idea what he was called, on the back-seat.

On the ride back towards the city, I had time to try to gain some understanding of the events that had happened and what it meant for me. It was quite obvious that I was now some flavour of Metahuman. Normal people did not throw around purple flames. At least, not without using some sort of metal to colour the flames beforehand. And had something that was burning in the first place.

Metahuman. Like everyone, I had played Heroes and Villains as a kid. Most often, I had been forced to play the damsel in distress, but sometimes, I was allowed to be a hero. Or a villain. I was rather indifferent about the side I was on. But I had never expected to gain some powers of my own. At least not outside some childhood fantasies.

Metahuman. They had been around for ages. I knew that there were different types but about the exact types, I had no clue. Obviously, I was doing something with fire.

As I was lost in thought, the SUV drove up to the local precinct and I was gently, but firmly escorted inside.

And into the empty, starkly white room, I was now waiting in. At least, there was a mirror, allowing me to establish that my facial features had changed very little.

After inspecting my face, I sat back down. Part of me wanted to use the mirror to get a thorough inspection of my body, but I had seen enough police-drama to know better. Sitting at the table, the events of the day washed over me. The simple realisation that nothing would ever be the same. That I was no longer who I had been in the morning, that I had changed far more than I had ever expected.

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face and my body was wracked with sobs. No matter how much I tried, I could not get myself back under control. Again, I resorted to the techniques Grandfather had told me. Meditation and centering of oneself. Taking the deep breaths needed for it to work, took a few moments but finally, I had myself far enough under control to allow for them. And with them, clarity slowly returned. It felt better, to be fully under control again. To wipe away the tears. Not showing weakness. Keeping my head held high.

As I was sitting there, a uniformed officer entered and started asking questions. I repeated what I had told Cassie and tried to answer his questions as best as I could, they mostly centered on the five who had kidnapped me. But still, I had to explain in far too great detail what had happened to me. But at least, he made sure that he had the best description I was able to give of all kidnappers. Not that I had seen much of most of them, I was easily able to describe the woman that had lured me, I was able to give a rough description of two more and the final two, well, I had been able to give their sex, hair-colour and a description that fit most of the city, if they had those features. 

As I sat there, explaining for the fifth time how I had been bound to a rock, I was reminded of one of Grandfather’s lessons. That the unbending tree is easily broken, but the swaying reed weathers the storm. I had to be the reed, swaying with the storm around me. Keeping that in mind, allowed me to keep my calm, to answer his questions to his satisfaction. Finally, he relented and left.

Alone again, I went back to Grandfather’s exercises, centering my body and calming my mind. Soon, with my body calm and my mind centered, I realised that I was hearing something, at the edge of my perception. It sounded like Cassie was communicating with Powerhouse and someone else.

“She is just another Metahuman. Like you and me. We have no right, none at all to keep her locked up! Even right now, we are holding a traumatised young person against their will!” Cassie sounded furious, maybe she was screaming.

“... danger… no idea what she is… you’ve seen the destruction!” I only heard parts of Powerhouse’s answer.

“... that school. Would… keep an eye on her.” the unknown voice suggested something, even if I had no idea what it really was. A school to keep an eye on me?

Finally, the door opened and my mother came flying in, closely followed by my Grandfather and Uncle Kenji. Mother was freely showing her emotions, a mix of relief and sadness, whereas Grandfather and Uncle Kenji kept their expressions inscrutable, as they always did. They never showed emotion in public, only amongst those they trusted. They had once told me that any emotion could be used against you, so you should only show those you trust how you feel. The lesson had stuck, even if I was not yet able to act on it. 

“Oh, Cal, I was so worried!” mother sobbed, as she hugged me. It felt good to be hugged, but even the best mothering hugs would not make my problems go away. But it was good that my family was here, it made it far harder to do anything untoward to me. 

As I was still holding mother, Cassie entered from behind them.

“I see your family found you. Let me formally introduce myself. I’m called Cassandra around here and I’m one of the city’s heroes. Sadly, young Calvin was permanently changed by the ordeal. More than just what you can see on the surface. And those invisible changes are what concerns my boss.” Cassie, or rather Cassandra, explained.

“Cal, you… you are a girl now?!” Mother finally realised just what she was feeling. I felt a little morose, but kept my composure, holding my head high and my shoulders back. 

I had to be the reed in the storm. 

“Yes, that is one of the superficial changes. If it was only that, it would be far easier. But he, or rather, she now, also was touched by what most people simply call magic. Metahuman who harness it are generally referred to as mystics and are amongst the most versatile Metahumans. Thus, I am unsure just what has happened with him. The only thing I can say conclusively is that she gained powers, impressive powers, and she will need training to control those powers or she could hurt herself, or others.” Cassandra dropped a small bomb.

I was just about to protest, that I was alright, when Cassandra pinned me with her gaze.

“I have seen what you can do if you lose yourself, if you run on emotion. In your anger, you had enough power to melt rock, to turn sand into glass. Now, imagine that without the circle to keep the power contained. The devastation would be horrible. I am not sure what would happen with other emotions, for example if you were grieving, or depressed, your powers could backlash against you and kill you.”

I felt my throat constrict and I had a feeling she was right. And, if I was honest, I was curious, just what I could do. 

My mother started to tear up again, when suddenly Grandfather spoke up. “You have a plan, don’t you? Tell us.” he asked, or rather ordered, in a calm voice. But the steel hidden in his voice was unmistakable.

“Yes, there is a boarding school. It’s in Colorado and it’s one of the best schools there is. Not only amongst schools especially for Metahumans, it’s one of the best schools, period. It’s called Potestatem Academy.” Cassandra explained. 

The idea of moving across the country was rather daunting, living in a completely new environment, it sounded scary. 

‘The reed in the storm. Move with the force, don’t meet it head on.’ 

Grandfather pinned the younger woman with his gaze. I had been subjected to that gaze before, it was not a pleasant experience. Even the remotest thought of lying fled when he looked at me like that. “Will you give me your word, that it is for the best? That my grandchild will be helped there?”

I saw Cassandra swallow hard, but she kept her composure. “Yes. It is my honest belief that it is for the best. I am an alumnus of Potestatem Academy, so I might be biased, but nonetheless, I think it is for the best.” she explained.

“Not only will it get your grandchild into a school where she can get the best instruction there is, she will also be safe. We just don’t know why he was grabbed or what they actually planned. But they might try to get her back, to control her even. Potestatem Academy is the safest place I can think of and she will be amongst equals. It is a problem with Metahumans, especially with the more powerful ones that they feel alienated amongst normal people. We are just different and carry a different burden.”

By now, I was feeling like a leaf, swept away by a storm, out of control and without direction. 

“True.” Grandfather was now pinning me with his gaze. I managed to keep my composure but only just. “Grandchild, you will go to that school. You will conduct yourself with honour and you will be a diligent student. Remember the things I taught you. Risking those around you would dishonour you. Always, remember honour.” Grandfather admonished me in his quiet but intense voice. I was reminded of the many times he had lectured me about Bushidō, the way and the creed of warriors.

His words reminded me that, even as I was swept away by the storm, I could control my own behaviour. I was the reed in the storm. And by doing so, I could keep control of the most important aspect. Myself. He had always stressed the importance of self-control, that only if you mastered yourself, you could master your surroundings. It calmed me, calmed me enough to realise my mother’s silence. In part, I knew it was her upbringing, modest and quiet, but she also felt uprooted and out of her depth. At the same time, I was worried she was reminded of the loss of control her husband, my father, must have gone through. 

Trying to project strength, I looked at my grandfather, speaking with more confidence and calm as I thought possible, “Yes, Grandfather. I will not disappoint you. And mother, you will not lose me, I will always be your child.”

I pulled my mother to me, hugging her, trying to assure her. Grandfather must have caught it, as he gave a solemn nod, in his way telling me that he would take care of her. 

I nodded in thanks and as the tension slowly drained away from me, I felt exhaustion hitting me like a brick and no matter what, I was unable to suppress a yawn. 

Seeing me like that, Cassandra spoke up. “I will take care of young Calvin’s schooling in the morning. But I’m afraid that she will have to stay with me for the night. It is too risky to let her go with you. Those who attacked her before, might do so again.”

It sounded plausible. But I had a strong feeling that there was more to her kind offer.

Grandfather and mother tried to demure, saying that it was not necessary, but Cassandra was having none of that. She framed it in terms of my protection being her duty now, that she felt that she had failed me by not preventing the events in the first place and that she would not fail me again.

Speaking in therm of duty and honour was something Grandfather understood, those were concepts he had based his entire life on. And once my Grandfather was convinced, my mother and Uncle went along with him.

“You are worried that I might blow up again, aren’t you?” I asked once we were alone, keeping my tone calm, while keeping an eye on what little of her features I could see.

“Yes, I am. I don’t think you quite understand what happened. To be honest I’m not certain either. But, I have not lied. I do worry that someone will be after you, so I’ll take care of you, until I can drop you off at Potestatem Academy, it’ll be nice to see my alma mater again and by delivering you, I can do so without spending vacation time.” Cassandra explained and I could see a grin beneath her mask.

I was yawning again, and she opened the door, gesturing for me to come along. “Now, I’ll have to get you home before you fall asleep on your feet. But before that, we both should change into something less conspicuous.”

Looking down at myself, I realised I was still in the bathrobe she had handed me earlier and I did not relish the idea of walking outside in that thing. Even if I had nothing left to swing in the breeze.

I followed Cassandra into a locker room and was handed a bundle of clothes, nothing fancy, just a pair of sweatpants, a t-shirt, both roughly my size, and a pair of sandals and left to my own devices. Just as I was wondering if she would leave me alone, she pulled off her robe, standing there in a black body-suit that showed that she had nothing to be ashamed off, in the looks department. And I could tell, the suit was that tight.

My attempts not to stare at her were quickly shattered, when she opened the zipper of her body-suit and started to peel it off.

“Y… You know that I’m a guy?” I managed to stammer out.

“Are you? I’m afraid you will have to get used to the fact that you are now amongst the so-called gentler sex. Potestatem dorms are divided by sex, so, unless you want to make a huge deal out of things and try to convince everyone that you should live with the boys, I’m afraid you will have to get used to things. So, consider it shock-therapy. After all, I have nothing you don’t have now.” Cassandra explained with a wink.

“In addition, if you thought about getting another Metahuman to change you back, I advise you to forget about it. While involuntary sexual transition is rare amongst Metahumans, it is not unheard of. The problem is that the transition is linked to your powers, so if you somehow manage to reverse it, your powers will react. The way they react is unpredictable and ranges from a simple loss of powers to cataclysmically bad. So, nobody in their right mind tries any longer. And even those who are not in the right mind, mostly stay away from that particular challenge.” 

The realisation made me shiver a little. ‘Be the reed in the storm’, I told myself once more. Thinking it through, there was no way I would be comfortable to live with a bunch of guys my age, even if they knew that I was a guy inside, I would be ogled. Just like I had just done to Cassandra. And there was a question I did not even want to contemplate. The question of sexuallity, was it nature or nurture. As fast as that idea sprung to my mind, I squashed it. There was only so much swaying in the wind I could do.

Closing my eyes, I focused on myself, quickly pulling on the clothes I had been given, trying to simultaneously ignore the sensations I was having and file them, so I could try understanding them later.

When the sounds of movement next to me finished and the rustling of clothes ceased, I opened my eyes again, seeing Cassandra in civilian clothes. She looked strangely ordinary, in her costumed garb, she looked every bit the slightly mysterious hero. In her ordinary clothes, she looked just like a college student or a young professional, just a little fitter than average. Gone was the mask, replaced by a readily smiling face liberally sprinkled with freckles and framed by reddish-brown, slightly wavy hair. 

“I can’t really go home in costume, can I now? Only few people try to unmask Heroes on the job, but one has to put in at least some effort to maintain a secret identity, all part of the game. Oh, and when I’m out of costume, I’m Sandra.” She explained with a wink. 

“Should you show me your identity?” I asked, slightly confused why she trusted me like this.

“I’ve seen that much and more of you. So, it’s only fair. In addition, the secret identities are mostly to keep our families safe. Now, come on.” she gestured and, once more, I obediently followed along. 

As we walked, I realised I was still wearing the amulet she had given me earlier. When I had been changing, the strange thing had been the furthest from my mind, but now, I was reminded of it.

“Do you want your amulet back?” I asked Sandra.

“Wear it for now. Once we are at my place, you can take it off. It’s spelled to make people ignore you, unless they already know you. It’s not terribly powerful and some people will easily see through it, especially if they are actively vigilant or observant, or if your actions draw attention. I just thought it would be a good idea to keep you under the radar.” she explained.

“So, you are a mystic as well?” I asked, hoping to gain more reliable information. My knowledge about Metahumans was mostly thanks to gossip and schoolyard tales, nothing I could consider truly reliable. And now that I was one of them, I needed to close that gap in my knowledge. It had simply never been a great concern to me. 

“Yes, I’m a mystic. The question if you are, remains unclear.” We walked out of the police station, using a side-entrance and into a parking lot, towards a light-blue compact car. What my sister would call a racing handbag. 

“What do you mean? You said I was one.” I inquired.

“And it is very much possible that you are. But what happened to you is abnormal. Something was summoned in that circle. Some power or a spirit, whatever it was and normally, the summoning would bind it to the summoner, with the sacrifice paying the price. But for some reason, that did not happen with you. I’m not even sure what was summoned but it’s obvious that they had no control over it and now it’s bound to you. Or maybe you are bound to it. There is a class amongst Metahumans, often referred to as Avatar’s whose power stems from a being that they host. But between spirit and avatar needs to be an affinity, for example, someone who loves to swim and be in water might find affinity with a Naiad.” Sandra explained, while pulling her car out of the lot.

“So, I might be an Avatar with affinity for the being they summoned?” I asked, trying to make sense of things.

“Not impossible. If you are, you should consider playing lotto. What they used was a rather nonspecific summoning circle, so getting a being that is not only compatible but also willing to form a bond, is like hitting the jackpot, twice in a row.”

“Sure doesn’t feel lucky.” I grumbled under my breath.

“Consider the alternative.” Sandra admonished me. 

We continued our short ride in silence, Sandra leaving me to my thoughts, which I was thankful for. Soon, she pulled up in front of a modern condo-building, guiding me towards one of the units with a door-sign reading Sandra Castle. 

“Come on in, welcome to my Castle. Enter as a guest and leave as a friend.” she said with her perpetually amused smile. I suppressed a groan and followed her. Inside, she guided me towards a bedroom, which I was thankful for. Calling it late was no longer fitting, the sun was already colouring the horizon in the light of dawn. I was bone-tired.

Sandra handed me another large t-shirt and a closed package of underwear, before pushing me towards the bathroom. I managed to zombie-walk through the shower, not really registering what I was doing and barely keeping myself from getting my hair wet. Previously, that had never been a concern, but I knew from my sister that drying her long hair took her ages. And I hadn’t ages, I would fall asleep before I was done.

After pulling on the shirt and the pair of underwear, thankfully shorts, I collapsed into the bed Sandra had shown me. Despite the tumultuous and disturbing events of the day, I was out before my head hit the pillow.