Sophia stood before her cracked mirror, the dim glow of fireflies filtering through her wooden home's slatted walls, nestled in the hearts of a tropical forest where the air hummed with spirits, she lived in a magic concentrated area that's widely unpopulated and unpopular even in the witch society, the scent of damp moss and night blooming jasmine clung to her, her sharp eyes lingered on her reflection, cataloguing flaws- a crooked scar, an uneven brow, an abnormally tall set of fingers, she hoped to grow accustomed with her looks but they still stung to her as a reminder of her past mistakes. Blood magic coursed through her veins, a legacy of her dwindling coven, although a vital part of magic practice, blood art users were becoming fewer by each generation and so was the true appreciation and practice for it, amongst all forms of magic blood magic was seen as mostly barbaric. She sank into her creaky bed, its springs protesting, she conjured a writing book and pen with a flick of her wrist, the purple glow of her magic flaring briefly. She began her daily journal.
''I made friends recently or so I hope. Amara from the legendary daughters of midnight, a traditional magic user and a very powerful one at that, her golden braids was swapped for cornrows today, her make up bold and vibrant and she's very beautiful, I hope to be as confident as her one day anyway. Lunare, the nature witch, charming, cute, powerful as hell too, he is just good at hiding it. I saw the purple hawk again today, I am pretty sure I am being summoned by the Zodiac too. I pray they are gentle on me''
A soft 'hi' jolted her from her wallow, her pen skittering across the page, she quickly snapped her fingers putting the writing pieces away, she spun hands raised, a purple glow pulsing at her finger tips, ready to fight. But her shriek died as she turned to see….herself but not quite, her doppelganger wore a white gown with flowing purple air, it floated with eyes glowing like orbs.
'ohh, a messenger' Sophia said, steadying her breadth. Her studies had taught her of the zodiac way of conveying message- spectral doubles sent to summon people mostly witches to their realm.
The doppelganger scoffed, gliding closer to her ' how did you know?'
'I read' she replied simply, her voice unwavering.
'no need for introductions then' the messanger said, spreading her arms. She chanted an inexplicable spell, spell Sophia hadn't heard of before, but guessed it was an acient spell used to cross into the zodiac, her voice a melodic hum that vibrated the air. A rift tore open, a simmering vortex of starlight and shadow. 'join me'
The doppelganger dissolved into the rift, her form scattering like stardust. Sophia tied her hair into a tight bun, her heart pounding with equal parts of dread and resolve. She stepped forward, the rift's cool embrace pulling her into the unknown.
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The abode of the zodiacs rose before her, a crystalline palace atop floating mountain, its spires piercing a sea of stars. Waterfalls of liquid moonlight cascaded down its eastern slope, their whispers mingling with the cries of griffins soaring through the cosmic void. Balconies of polished obsidian showed the earth below, a distant blue gem cradled in the universe's arms. The air tasted of eternity, each breath tingling with celestial power. Sophia's blood magic pulsed in response, but her thoughts drifted to her coven's sacred grooves, where she felt at peace.
A sizzling crackle broke her reverie. Amara emerged from a rift, her silk black dress catching the starlight, her cornrows gleaming like polished ebony, Amara hadn't noticed her and before she could speak another rift opened and Lunare stumbled out, his black- and – white striped pyjamas absurdingly out of place. He clutched his chest, pink eyes wide. 'what are you doing here' Amara said shrieking, she had immediately noticed Lunare's entrance because it was done right next to where she was standing.
Lu yelped, humping back, 'God's above!!' he gasped, then grinned at Amara. She returned the smile, and it bloomed into laughter, they rushed hopping and holding hands, Amara's dress swirling, Lu's messy hair bouncing, their joy infectious, Sophia smiled not wanting to interfere, those two had really grown awfully close in such short time of meeting and she was unsure of her relationship with them, do they really consider her a friend?.
'Wait, where are your braids?' Lu asked, his laughter fading to a curious chuckle, they were calm now, he reached for her hair to touch but Amara gently caught his hand, shaking her head with a smile but an obvious stern look, Lu caught the message and quickly withdrew.
'My bad' he said,
'No worries, you really think I wear those heavy braids all day?' she teased, her voice warm with humor.
'But, how do you plait it ever other day?' he asked sincerely, Amara let out a guzzling laugh that cause Lu to laugh too, without knowing the reason.
'Let me see hmm…..magic maybe?' she teased and they laughed again, an infectious laughter contrasting the place's atmosphere. Sophia's lips twitched, she wanted to join in but there wasn't enough courage for that, they still haven't noticed her.
'I knew that purple hawk belonged to you' Amara said smiling, Lu shook his head. 'Mine was a white raven'. Amara frowned 'so whose was the hawk?'
'ME!!' Sophia declared loudly, summoning courage to meet her friends. Lu and Amara jumped, Lu shrieking again. 'Hi guys, you are here too' she added.
'What are you doing here?' they asked in unison both at shock and curiosity.
'I received a call from the zodiacs too, I arrived earlier' she said smiling, she was already within them.
'Oh my god!? How powerful are we? Three best friends being this iconic?' Lu exclaimed smiling , Sophia smiled too, she beamed as a matter of fact, they all held hands again hopping and laugh Amara's clothes, Lu's hair, Sophie's bun untying.
A centaur emerged from the shadows, his hooves clicking softly on the crystal floor. His human torso was crowned with rugged white hair, and his blue eyes gleamed with quiet intensity, making him undeniably striking. He bowed, his gaze lingering on them
'Greetings esteemed witches, I am kale, servant to Zephyr, the storm stallion. Also known as Sagittarius. The zodiacs welcome you.'
The trio stood, silent, captivated. Kale stomped a hoof, snapping them back to reality, he cleared his throat as he stepped aside revealing three doors, to the right , a red door with a golden knob in the centre, a black door with a silver knob and to the left, a white door encrusted with prismatic gems gleamed.
'Walk the path that calls you' he said.