Isabelle's POV

Where am I? This place looks so real...yet I feel like everything isn't.

Wait...I'm I even REAL?

But before I could even do anything, I felt myself shrinking and shrinking. And before I knew it, I was a little girl again.

Waw...hawpwened two mweo?

I gasped in excitement as I saw myself in the midst of what looked like a huge tea party. There were tea cups, fruits, mugs, flowers, chairs and also picnics but no one in sight.

Suddenly, my grandma chuckled besides me and I almost jumped since I never saw her approaching.

"Gwandma!". I chirped and ran into her welcoming arms happily. Seeing the one person I thought I'd never set my eyes on again sent me off guard---but in a good way.

"My baby girl has been good?". She asked, pulling me up to her chest level so that I could wrap my legs around her hips.

I nodded with enthusiasm and grinned at the familiar aroma of the delicious food and drinks all around us. We often do tea parties in her favourite garden, which is our little secret. It strangely felt like I was sort of reliving the past as I wasn't in control of myself.

"How did you dwo all these, it'd take forever if I dwo this!". I heeled my head at the astonishing and mouth watering sights of the inviting candies and chocolates lined up in the centre of the enormous table.

To briefly describe the view as a child--- it was like a fairytale with rainbows here and there, green grasses, food and drinks of all sort that could leave your mouth hanging open for a long time and all that.

"Wanna know the secret, hun?". She cooed.

I nodded without hesitation. I needed to know how she always get things done that fast and easy. It was just... humanly impossible!

"Magic baby girl". Her grin became wider whereas my eyes became bigger in shock. "Do you believe in magic?". She asked, sounding kind of serious in her question. Her hazel eyes swirled with seriousness and a rainbow of hope as our eyes silently locked.

Magic?

Do I believe in magic..?

I didn't want to hurt my grandma and nodded with a convincing grin. Well, almost convincing...she seemed not to actually buy it---judging from the unsettled look in her sad eyes.

"Hmm...then, close your eyes and wave your hands slowly in the air while thinking of cupcakes". She replied. "Don't forget to focus on getting those cupcakes into your mouth angel".

Dutifully, I sucked in my breath and thrusted my arms out---splaying my fingers as if it were to be dancing to the rhythm of a music. Then, the image of some mouthwatering cupcakes flashed involuntarily at the back of my head, leaving me with more want and determination to get them into my hungry mouth.

Immediately I flickered my hands, a small tingle of energy within me crawled from my abdomen through my veins, tugging at the edge of my little fingers. And before I knew it, the energy had turned into purple lights---the atmosphere was suddenly filled with swirling lights and the table of foods were replaced with cupcakes in an instant.

I didn't just do that, did I?

"No way". I breathe out in excitement as my grandma only smiled and waved her hands in the air like a conductor, letting the moment be filled with nothing but music and magic. The thing that surprised me more is that she didn't even have a stick or wand since that's what witches uses.

The truth was clear before me now.

The thing with my parent's accusations of grandma not being normal and all that was true...

All the tricks and cleverness she played on me weren't just tricks...

My grandma was not just a trickster...

"Gra...grandma?". I stuttered when I realized that I was back in my teenage form again. I don't know if I should be shocked or excited from this huge revelation--- but I guess I was in between the two emotions.

"Yes cupcake? I'm listening". She stopped with the hand gestures and turned at me---- fully looking at me straight in the eyes. It was then I realised the hidden goner within her eyes and the threatening tears that she herself has been holding all these while too.

No..no no no no...no..

Please don't be what I think it is..

Please don't leave me already...

"G-grand..grandma...don't go please...stay with me!". I felt myself almost scream in tears but I restrained myself from doing that if I've to believe that nothing was gonna happen to her. The urge to scream at the top of my lungs was something else. This can't be the last time we're meeting. No. I wouldn't allow that. "You...you didn't have to show me this unless...if anything was going to happen... right?".

"Come here angel". She opened her arms at me with a hearty smile. A smile that I didn't want to miss. A smile that I wanted to see all the days of my life.

Without hesitation but with tears in twinkling eyes, I dashed into my Grandma's arms. I never want this moment to end.

Not at all.

"This...this...isn't real!". I mumbled against her sleeves tearfully, yet she didn't say anything. "The look in your eyes says it all grandma...it says that this is all wrong and coming to an end!".

"You're not gonna leave, are you? You wou-".

"Isabelle..". Her voice came out soft and sad, which only hurt me more. She really was going to leave me.

Even though this was somehow a dream and a reverie, her scent and touch felt so real.

"I miss...miss you...so much..". I said in between small hiccups. It felt like forever since we had each other in our arms. I don't think I'd survive seeing her leave me again.

"Isabelle, remember that little trick I once taught you when you were always helpless?". She asked in a small tone, making me nod at her hopeful eyes.

"The one...that I could make myself happy...by playing our favourite songs in the musical box and singing along?". I replied slowly, as I tried to recall that glorious day.

She nodded with an impressed smile.

I sighed and shook my head, like 'the hell magic exists'. Magic never existed and never would, but with my Grandma's weird behavior, maybe just a little...even though I'm still finding it hard to actually believe it.

"Look my child, magic only befalls when you've faith in yourself". She explained, staring at the blue skies. "If you keep on cursing and being oblivious of everything, you'd never explore your inner self".

I didn't reply but listened patiently.

"So tell me...do you now believe in magic?". She asked, taking a sip from the nearest tea cup by her side. If I was to guess what was actually in that tea cup, it'd be either chocolate liquor or chocolate milk ---since that was her favourite.

Do I Isabelle Wintman...believe in MAGIC?

Well, I love reading fantasy and magical books with myths and legends in them---but believing in them...?

"Well, I won't say yes...it's just too good to be true...but..". I answered then paused with a smile at my sudden confidence, running my fingers through her beautiful black hair. It's not surprising how she seems to grow younger everyday. "..magic is the belief in your confidence and inner abilities, isn't it? Magic happens when you trust your instincts".

It's weird..

I feel like this exact question has been asked somewhere as well...

But where..?

"You've really grown my child, I'm very proud to have witnessed you in this final stage...it finally proves that you're ready for this!".

Ready?

"Uhh...ready for what grandma?". I blinked, quite oblivious of the obvious answer that'd be directed at me.

"Ready to continue from my stead of magic". She replied, hesitating a little as she looked at me for my reaction. "Magic has a lot of prices you know".

"Huh?".

I gasped when two gems appeared in her hands. There was a black gem and a white gem---a black diamond and a pearl.

"Choose". She smiled.

I blinked and stared at her hands. "What is this?".

She didn't answer but maintained her sweet smile. Just as I was about to pick the pearl, her voice cut me off. "Choose wisely, angel". She warned. I gulped and stared at the gemstones again. Black is really my thing anyways. I'm going with black. I heaved a sigh and closed my eyes as I touched the black gemstone. A strange surge of electricity flowed through my veins, forcing me to jolt backwards in surprise. What was that? It was like my body absorbed the black gemstone because the gemstones were nowhere around us again---almost like it had disappeared into the thin air.

"Good job angel! You've chosen your guardianship from these crystals. These crystals are actually a numen. The pearl has a guardian of it's own and the diamond has a guardian of it's own. You've chosen the guardian of justice and war". She sighed and walked backwards. "Whatever happens, know I'm always within you. All you've to do is to make wise decisions in this dangerous journey, but most importantly, follow the black cat and everything would be clear".

"No! Wait! I don't understand! Don't go!". I pleaded. "What do you mean black cat? Don't tell me that you mean-".

I felt the world around me fade bits by bits after her departing speech. I didn't want to lose her, she's the only 'friend' and 'family' that I've got. After all these years of hiding from us, she finally gets to see me---but at the dying minute! I needed to understand all these occurrences I've been having for years now. She's the only one who would understand me. She---she can't leave me. What would I do without her? Who would I turn to when I need help? And who would train me with this so-called magic? She can't do this to me! I need her!

Before she faded away, alongside with her scent and touch, she whispered in a soft tone. "Always remember that grandma loved you very much cupcake, and she always will, just promise to listen to your guardian and not cry".

"GRANDMA!".

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🕵Follow the black cat and everything would be clear my child.

🙏Thank you for sharing this emotional part of Isabelle's life by voting and reading it, she'd be forever happy for your love and support.

Your Writer,
TheMysticalQueen👸.
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