Chapter 1.8

As he stepped out of the hotel, he was immediately hit by the noise and commotion of the city. The bustling streets of Chicago were a stark contrast to the quiet town of Mystic Falls where Orion had grown up. But Orion was determined to make the most of his time here and learn as much as possible about magic.

He walked confidently down the street, his grimoire tucked safely in his bag. The warm sun beat down on his skin, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead.

After asking around, he finally found his destination - Gloria's Bar. It was a quaint little place tucked away in a side street. As Orion entered, he was immediately hit by the strong smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke. But he didn't let that deter him.

Orion stepped into the bar and immediately felt a strange energy wafting around the place. He looked around and noticed the bar was empty, except for the owner, Gloria. She stood behind the counter, wiping a glass with a towel, and she looked up as he approached.

Orion couldn't take his eyes off her. Despite her middle age and gray-white hair, something was enchanting about her.

Gloria looked at him with a hint of curiosity and asked, "What's your name?"

Orion straightened his back and replied, "Orion, Orion Bennett."

Gloria nodded and went back to wiping the glass. Orion couldn't help but feel disappointed. He had come to this place looking for answers, hoping to find someone to teach him more about the magic he felt pulsing through his veins.

But then, he saw Gloria look up at him again, and he mustered the courage to ask her, "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but feel something... magical when I entered this place. Do you know anything about it?"

Gloria's eyes lit up with recognition, and she smiled a mysterious smile. "Yes, I do," she replied.

Gloria's eyes narrowed as she analyzed Orion as if trying to determine whether he was worthy of her knowledge. After a few moments, she nodded and closed down the bar.

"Follow me," she said, leading him to a back room that was hidden from view. Inside were shelves of books, jars filled with strange substances, and various arcane tools that Orion had never seen before.

"Before we begin, you need to understand that magic is not a toy," Gloria said, facing him. "It can be dangerous if used carelessly or for personal gain. Are you willing to take that responsibility?"

Orion nodded fervently, his curiosity and desire to learn overriding any sense of caution. "Yes, I am," he replied. "I want to learn more about magic and to understand it."

Gloria led Orion to a small table in the center of the room and began to explain the different types of magic. She spoke of elemental magic, which dealt with the forces of nature; celestial magic, which drew upon the power of the stars; and arcane magic, which was based on manipulating energy.

But what fascinated Orion the most was the topic of sacrificial magic, Hoodoo, and Voodoo.

Gloria began to delve into the intricacies of sacrificial magic, Hoodoo, and Voodoo with Orion. She explained that these types of magic were deeply rooted in tradition and belief systems passed down through generations.

Orion's curiosity and thirst for knowledge grew as he delved deeper into Hoodoo and Voodoo. He was drawn to the rituals and traditions passed down from generation to generation. He longed to uncover the secrets and hidden knowledge buried within the spells and incantations.

Gloria had always been a patient and knowledgeable teacher, and she took the time to explain the intricacies and complexities of the different forms of magic to Orion. She taught him that Hoodoo was a type of folk magic that originated in Africa and was brought to the Americas during the slave trade. It used herbs, roots, and other natural items to create protection, luck, love, and more spells.

Hoodoo uniquely blended African spiritual beliefs, Native American practices, and European folk magic. It was a practical, results-oriented form of magic focused on achieving specific outcomes. Gloria explained that Hoodoo was often used for protection, love, and luck spells, but it could also be used for darker purposes, such as revenge or hexing.

Orion was initially hesitant to delve too deeply into the darker aspects of Hoodoo, but he knew that he needed to understand all aspects of magic to become a master. He spent long hours studying the spells and incantations, memorizing the correspondences and symbolism associated with each one.

As he grew more comfortable with Hoodoo, Orion turned his attention to Voodoo. Gloria explained that Voodoo was a complex system of beliefs and rituals originating in Haiti. It used dolls, charms, and other objects to communicate with spirits and deities. She warned Orion that Voodoo was often misunderstood and misrepresented in popular culture, but it was a powerful form of magic that required years of study and practice to master.

Orion was fascinated by communicating with spirits and deities, but he was also wary of the potential dangers ahead, for the spirits of the other side were greedy bitches. He spent long hours researching the different spirits and deities associated with Voodoo, trying to understand their motivations and desires.

As he delved deeper into Voodoo, Orion discovered that it was not just a religion but also a way of life. A complex system of beliefs and practices permeated every aspect of Haitian society, from birth to death. He learned about Voodoo's different rituals and ceremonies, such as the Haitian Rite of Initiation and the Festival of the Dead.

Orion was also fascinated by the role that music played in Voodoo. He discovered that music was an integral part of Voodoo rituals and that different types of music were used to evoke other emotions and states of mind. He spent long hours listening to recordings of Voodoo ceremonies, trying to understand the rhythms and melodies used to create a powerful and transformative experience.

As Orion continued to explore the darker aspects of magic, he stumbled upon the concept of sacrificial magic, which immediately piqued his interest. The idea of using the life force of a living creature to fuel a spell seemed fascinating and deeply unsettling to him. He was hesitant even to consider delving further into this type of magic, as he knew the consequences of misusing it could be dire. Nevertheless, his curiosity and thirst for knowledge urged him to learn more about this dark form of magic.

However, as he dug deeper into the history and practice of sacrificial magic, he began to understand its power and why some witches chose to use it. Sacrificial magic was often used for particular, high-stakes spells that required an enormous amount of energy. For example, a witch might use sacrificial magic to summon a powerful demon or to curse someone who had wronged her.

Orion knew the power he could get from sacrificing a living creature for a spell, but he was fascinated by the concept and wanted to learn more. He approached Gloria tentatively, wondering how she would react to his request.

To his surprise, she was willing to teach him about sacrificial magic, but only in theory. She explained the different types of sacrifices that could be used, from small animals to humans and the required rituals and spells to harness the energy. She stressed that the use of sacrificial magic was very dangerous and very frowned upon in the witch community. Witches wouldn't outright kill you on sight, but you would be ostracized and singled out. Especially the witches that focused on the more mild side of magic. The ones who only used their magic to specifically heal and protect.

Orion took her words and only used this magic when needed. He felt that learning about it expanded his knowledge and understanding of magic. He listened to Gloria's warnings and understood the risks of using sacrificial magic. He recognized its immense power and was open to using it.

As the week ended, Orion learned a great deal from Gloria, solidifying his knowledge of Voodoo, Hoodoo, and sacrificial magic. As a parting gift, Gloria presented him with a grimoire, an ancient book of magic she no longer needed and a talisman.

The talisman was a beautiful gold chain, delicately crafted and adorned with a small amethyst. At first glance, it appeared to be a fashionable accessory, but Gloria explained to Orion that it had a powerful magical purpose. She told him that every witch, whether young or old, needed a talisman to serve as a focus for their power and to protect them from harm.

Gloria instructed Orion on using the talisman, explaining its significance and how it could be charged with magic. She emphasized the importance of taking care of it and keeping it close at all times, as it would be an essential tool for him as he continued to develop his skills as a witch.

As Orion held the talisman, he felt a surge of energy and power.

—----

After bidding farewell to Gloria, Orion and Grams made their way back to Mystic Falls. The journey back was uneventful, but Orion's mind buzzed with all his new knowledge. As soon as they arrived home, he couldn't wait to clean up and settle in.

He took a refreshing shower, letting the warm water wash away the fatigue of the journey. Afterward, he made himself a hearty meal, savoring each bite as he reflected on his time with Gloria. Once he was done eating, he carefully stowed away his grimoires, ensuring that they were hidden from prying eyes in his room.

Orion took a moment to pause and reflect, allowing the weight of the knowledge he had just acquired to sink in. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs and invigorate his body.

As he exhaled, he rose to his feet and gathered his tools, knowing he had important work. He set out toward the cemetery, and his mind focused on the task.

He carefully lifted the coffin lid as Orion dug up Guiseppe Salvatore's grave with his magic. He reached inside to retrieve the valuable object he had been seeking - Emily's grimoire. He had no interest in the coffin itself, only in the powerful magic contained within the old book.

As he lifted the grimoire out of the coffin, he could feel its weight in his hands, the cover rough and worn with age. He carefully flipped through the pages, marveling at the intricate spells and incantations that had been recorded by Emily Bennett so many years ago.

He carefully placed the grimoire into his bag and looked down at the empty coffin. Guiseppe Salvatore's remains were still inside, but Orion had no interest in disturbing them further. He had what he had come for, and now it was time to leave.

With a final glance at the grave, Orion closed his eyes and focused his energy. He summoned his magic to fill the hole he had created, leaving no trace of his presence behind. He then took a deep breath and left the cemetery.

As Orion skimmed through Emily's grimoire, he was astonished at the sheer power and complexity of the spells contained within its pages. His heart raced with excitement as he discovered one potent incantation after another.

His eyes darted across the pages, taking in the strange symbols and incantations. Then, suddenly, he found what he had been searching for - the daylight ring spell. This was the very reason why he had dug the grimoire and needed it now.

Orion's eyes glinted excitedly as he carefully transferred the spells from Emily's grimoire into his own. He made some slight tweaks to a few of the spells, tailoring them to his style of magic and amassing even more power within the pages of his grimoire.

As he worked, he could feel the energy within the grimoire pulsing in his hands, almost as if it were alive. He knew that with the knowledge contained within its pages, he could become an even more formidable force in the world of magic.

Orion worked late into the night, pouring over the spells and practicing them until he had made enough progress in each one. He knew that he could achieve anything he desired with the right combination of spells and incantations.

Finally, as the first light of dawn filtered through his window, Orion set the grimoire aside and collapsed onto his bed, exhausted but exhilarated. He had gained a wealth of knowledge and power.

————-

Criticisms and feedback welcomed

Also, don't be a silent reader; vote and comment