Author's Note: This is a novella that I wrote for my Writer's Craft class this year for our Independent Study Unit. It's already been completed, though I might rewrite it later and add in bits to make it into a novel instead since a lot of it was a bit rushed to try and keep it to the page limit I had been given by my teacher. Which is another part of why I am posting it here. Since I won't get it ALL posted right now and I know people may want to post, I'll be linking to the posts where I post each chapter in a table of contents to make it a bit easier.

Warnings: I don't think there's anything overwhelmingly inappropriate in this; extremely mild swearing (I mean, I handed this in to a teacher D; ), magic reference, I guess, if you're against that... I really don't think this is anything that will offend anyone or harm their mind somehow o.O But just in case.

Things To Fix: This is just a list of things that I plan to change or have been told to change/fix. Things I already plan to fix up: filling in more content, more encounters between the characters, more character development. Things Suggested: Nothing yet.

Updates: Posted the epilogue and chapter one. The epilogue is short, which is why I wanted to post both of them. I'll post chapter two later, I don't want to post too much back to back D;

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Table of Contents
PART ONE - AWAKENING
Prologue
I - Avi Blake
II - Birthright
III - Awakening

PART TWO - BETRAYAL
IV - Kieran Loire
V - Friendship
VI - Field Trip
VII - Betrayal

PART THREE - IDENTITY
VIII - Revelations
IX - Explanations
X - Angel of Hope
XI - Identity
Epilogue

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Angel of Hope
Part One - Awakening

Prologue

Before I was even born, the purpose of my existence was determined. Planned. I was meant to help the modern day sorceresses and sorcerers in their quest for equality amongst the human race. If I had known then what I know now, I might have realized that they weren’t striving for equality. They wanted to be the superior race, superior to the humans the way they believed it should be.

It’s not too late to change. I’m not alone anymore, and I’ve been shown that nobody determines my fate for me. I think I’m starting to believe it, slowly. Yet time is running out, and I can’t help wondering if it might be too late.

My entire life I was known as the Sovereign of Destruction. I was called that to instill in me the belief that I was meant to lead those who possessed what the regular humans liked to call unholy powers. It also symbolized the role I was to have, not only as their leader, but as their weapon in the battle to come.

At a young age, I gave myself the only name I ever wanted to have: Avi.

Chapter I - Avi Blake

Small flakes of snow fell down to the ground around Avi Blake as she peered out from behind a tree at a family that was playing outside in the snow. Two young children were having a snowball fight as an older teen male helped put the middle snowball of a snowman up. He seemed reluctant, and was even more annoyed looking when a stray snowball hit him in the back of the head.

Avi observed this normal behavior curiously. Her own family had never spent time together like that, and she found she was, oddly enough, a little jealous. Truth be told, she wasn’t supposed to be out of the house at all — but she always found a way.

Turning away from the laughing family, she leaned against the tree, hugging her arms around herself and feeling sad. At a young age, she had been told by her parents that she was special. Different from not only every other child, but from every other person entirely. The older she got, the more her parents expanded on this.

“You have been given a great gift,” her mother had said to her earnestly. “Other humans spend years, sometimes their entire life, trying to figure out who they are. What their purpose in this world is. You don’t have to worry about any of that — you know your purpose. You will lead us in a great revolution against those who wish to persecute us.”

“But mommy, what if I can’t do it?” Avi had asked, crying into her hands. What her mother said still gave her chills to think of.

“You will,” her mother had whispered, “because that is what you were created for.”

Avi shook the memory from her mind. Often her parents said things like this. They spoke of how she was created, built, as though she was some sort of experiment. Not their child, not living flesh and blood. In time, she began to believe that this is how it really was. She had one sole purpose. Once that was accomplished, she didn’t know what she would do. She didn’t doubt that her parents loved her. Her birth may have been planned for one sole purpose, but there was no guaranteeing what sort of child they would have gotten. Avi was their pride and joy.

“What are you doing?” Avi jolted back to reality and turned to see who had spoken to her. It was the teenage male from the family she had been observing before she got lost in her own thoughts. He had nice eyes, she observed, a bright shade of cerulean. His medium-length hair was the shade of dark chocolate, and was covered in snow.

“Returning home,” she responded truthfully. She swiftly brushed past him and began heading to where she lived with her parents. They would not approve of her being seen by someone outside of their circle of friends. Especially not one who was so painfully normal. It also seemed he was persistent, as he grabbed her arm to stop her from going any further. She slowly turned back to face him.

"Let go of me, please.”

“You were watching us. Why?” He didn’t seem angry, though she wasn’t the best reader of emotions. Mostly he seemed curious. He let go of her arm.

“I really have to be going home,” she told him, averting her eyes and avoiding the question. “I am sorry if I bothered you.” This time, he didn’t try to stop her. It wasn’t until she reached the front of the house that she realized what she had done.

Whoever he was, he had seen the location of her house. No one was to know she even existed, let alone lived there. To get back in, she’d have to sneak into her own house since she wasn’t supposed to be outside — and he was still watching.

“Avi?” She turned around at the sound of her name and was horrified to see her mother standing in the doorway, glaring coolly at her, a tight smile on her face.

“I wanted some fresh air,” Avi lied quickly, her eyes darting to where the young man was still watching. Her mother, thankfully, didn’t seem to notice their spectator, which was likely a good thing — the things her parents could do with their powers were devastatingly frightening. She grabbed Avi’s arms in a tight grip and pulled her back inside the house. The last thing Avi saw of the outside world was the startled look on the face of the only stranger to know of her existence.

“Next time,” her mother cautioned, “open a window.” She locked the door and crossed her arms, staring at Avi. “You could have been seen,” Her mother hissed. Avi looked down at the ground sadly. What her mother didn’t seem to be aware of was that she had been seen.

“I am sorry,” Avi apologized. Her mother’s disapproving look soon faded.

“You have to understand, Avi. We have waited a long time for this opportunity. You have brought this to us! You should be studying your magic, not dreaming of the magic outside these walls. One day, you will have all the freedom you’ve dreamed of — but it’s too dangerous for you out there right now. You know that you would be killed for what you are.” Her mother was stroking her hair gently.

“I understand.” Avi said quietly. “May I go to my room?” All that she wanted was to be alone, before her mother found out that she had been in contact with a regular mortal. Her mother nodded after awhile, and turned away.

“We have a meeting tonight,” her mother called over her shoulder. “I expect you to dress appropriately.”

Avi did not acknowledge her mother’s comment, though she had in fact heard it. Another meeting meant she was going to be thrown in the centre of a large group of people staring at her, like a bug under a microscope. She entered her room and slammed the door, and walked across the room to sit on her bed.

‘Dress appropriately’ meant she was to wear a silly old-fashioned cloak over top of whatever dark clothes she chose, as well as the necklace that gathered power from the other sorcerers and sorceresses at the circle. She felt it was cruel to take it from them, even if they were willing. One day, those powers would awaken within her, and the battle would begin. She remembered the first meeting she had ever been brought to.

* * * * *

The basement was cool and damp as Avi’s mother, Evangelina, held Avi’s hand and guided her down the small hallway to the large back room. In her stomach it felt as though thousands of butterflies were flying around, struggling to break free.

The walk felt like it took forever before they finally arrived at the glass door at the end of the hall. This door led to their meeting room, and through the panes of glass Avi could see all the people within the room, waiting in anticipation. They had all gathered to see her, to see if she was really worth putting their faith in.

“Come, Avi,” her mother told her warmly. She opened the door and the noise of everyone within the room was overbearing. Avi held her hands over her ears, trying to block it out.

“Everyone, please, quiet down,” Avi’s mother called out, noticing Avi’s discomfort. The side conversations and mindless chattering ended abruptly as she let go of Avi’s hands and raised her arms to silence everyone. Avi followed close behind her mother as they walked around the crowd and stepped up onto the stage at the back of the room. A young woman stood there and passed a staff to Avi’s mother before bowing and joining the rest of the Sorcerers and Sorceresses.

“For years, we have waited for the opportunity to rise up. We have lived for far too long in secret, hiding our abilities for fear that we would be persecuted for them. I am here tonight to tell you that these times have come to an end.” Avi’s mother reached out to her and Avi took her hand, walking up to the end of the stage to stand in front of the crowd. Cheering broke out as everyone struggled to get a good look at her. “The Sovereign of Destruction!” Avi’s mother continued. “She will lead us when her powers awaken. She will guide us to a fair, better life, the way it was meant to be!” The sound that followed resonated throughout the room, as people cheered and sang, stomping their feet on the ground.

Avi felt sick to her stomach as her mother pushed her gently ahead so that everyone could get a better look. All she could hope was that their first impression of her wouldn’t include her throwing up on them. She wasn’t expected to speak, for which she was grateful, but it was still uncomfortable to be in front of so many people.

“One day, your powers will awaken. You will feel more different than you ever have before. This is because you will be different, Sovereign.” Avi’s mother told her, her voice carrying across the entire expanse of the room.

“Avi.” Avi corrected quietly. “I am not a sovereign.”

Her mother smiled in response, her face glowing.

“Perhaps not yet, but you will be, darling. Your destiny has always been to be our sovereign; to lead us. It is our key to the future and your key to a normal life. It is during that time that you will be known as Avi by all — but you will always be a sovereign.”

“I just want to be normal,” Avi whispered, tears coming to her eyes now.

Avi’s mother stroked her head gently.

“I know you do, sweetheart. I know. I promise, one day, you will be. Help us, Avi. We won’t force you; there is always a choice.” Despite the freedom her mother was offering her, Avi didn’t feel there was a choice. She had to help.

“I’‘ll do it.” Avi whispered.

Her mother smiled, and turned to the rest of the people in the room. The expression on her face was enough to alert them to Avi’s decision: she was going to fulfill her destiny.

The young woman who had passed the staff to Avi’s mother now came with a small black velvet box. As she stopped in front of Avi, she opened it and held it out toward her.

“Our gift to you, Sovereign,” The young woman explained. Avi looked at it curiously. Within the velvet box was a jet cross, with a small silver chain looped through it. “We offer you our powers.”

The energy rose in the room and Avi could see the pulsing aura’s rise up from each person. She was fascinated by this until suddenly the aura’s flew toward her, flying into the cross. She gasped as it lifted slowly into the air, grabbing it and holding it close to her heart.

“Thank you,” she whispered. Her mother nodded at her approvingly, and Avi knew then that the meeting was over.

* * * * *

Avi was torn from her memories as she heard a soft ting, ting! sound against the glass of her window. I wonder what that is? Avi thought, standing up and walking over to her window. What she saw made her groan.

The teenage male who had noticed her before was standing beneath her window, throwing little pebbles at it, trying to get her attention. She glanced at her bedroom door. At any time, her mother or father could walk in to check on her — especially now that she had been caught sneaking out. Still, they weren’t aware that she had been noticed by anyone. They wouldn’t be on guard as much as they should be. She hated that she was going to do it, but she knew she had to. She needed to scare this guy away, so that he couldn’t get hurt because of her. She climbed out her window onto the tree just outside of it, and jumped. Landing softly on the snow-covered ground, Avi straightened up and looked at her visitor. He was staring at her strangely, his head tilted to one side.

“Who are you?” He asked her, glancing back at the house. “I’ve never seen you around, but I know the family that lives in your house has been there for years. Why haven’t I seen you before?” These were the questions that Avi did not want to have to answer, because they would put this boy in danger. Despite this fact, she found herself answering.

“My name is Avi Blake,” Avi told him. “You have not seen me because I did not want to be seen.” In a manner of speaking, it wasn’t far from the truth. Still, he stared at her, seeming a little uneasy.

“Why wouldn’t you want to be seen?” The boy asked her, sounding confused. “You don’t really want to be cooped up in there all day, do you? I saw you, earlier — watching my family. You didn’t look like you wanted to harm us or you were stalking us — you just looked lonely.” Lonely. Avi thought, trying the word out. Yes, I suppose it does get lonely.

“What is your name?” Avi asked, diverting the question he had posed for her. “I have told you mine, but I still do not know yours.”

“Lyndon.” Avi waited for him to give her a last name, and frowned slightly when he did not.

“Lyndon,” Avi whispered. “It is a nice name.”

Lyndon stared at her blankly.

“Uh, yeah, I s’pose.” Lyndon responded hesitantly. Avi thought of his family, who would miss him so much if anything were to happen. That is, if they escaped my parent’s wrath themselves. She couldn’t let anything happen to the sweet family she had been watching. She was envious of them, yes, but she would not get involved with them. Anyone outside of her family and their circle that she got involved with could only come to harm.

“Listen to me, Lyndon,” Avi cautioned. “Go back to your home, and forget that you ever saw me. Forget that I exist, and forget my name. Only trouble can come for both of us if you do not.” She went back to the tree she had leapt down from and went to climb up it, but she was tugged back away.

“I don’t understand,” Lyndon admitted when she turned to glare at him. “What trouble can possibly come from this? We’re just talki-” He didn’t have time to finish what he was going to say. In moments, Avi had lost control. She shoved him with all of her might until he fell down to the ground, and she knelt down in front of him, holding him to the ground. He was much larger than her, and certainly stronger, but it seemed he couldn’t fight her off.

“Forget that I exist,” she hissed through her clenched teeth. “Do not come back!” She left him then, lying in the cold snow. She climbed the tree outside her bedroom window at a record speed for herself and jumped back into her room.

It was then that she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror. Her eyes appeared to be glowing – and they were the richest shade of red she had ever seen.

Avi did not know where this thought came from or what it even meant, and it left her head as quickly as it had come. It will not be long, now.