The Reaper's Trust

Cold Front

A single vine slithered to Violet's throat and loosely hugged it. "What do you need, little thing?" It asked.

"You said your roots run deep, right?"

"Through much of this world, in fact."

Violet smirked. She stroked the vine around her neck tenderly. "Good, that's perfect. Can you try binding to magic that's deep in the world? Even if you don't feel anything." She was aware that Senkards could act as a transmitter of magic. If it could connect to the climate current of this world, she would be set.

"I'll have you know I can feel the world's magical network. Connecting to it should be no trouble," the plant chuckled sinisterly.

Violet couldn't bite back her smile. Her magic excitedly surged within. "Good! Please, connect to it in as many places as you can, all across the world. At that scale, I'll be able to alter it!" She said with pride. "Bind to me and I'll send my magic through you and into the current."

All of the flower's vines raised into the air and swayed like dancing snakes. They slowly closed in on Violet. "Even if I connect to the current, you will have to use a lot of magic to change it. It may be too much for you, little thing..." Senkards said.

"I don't care," Violet muttered in a soft, dark voice. "I don't care what happens to me, I will freeze this world." She stared up at the flower with determined eyes.

The plant laughed and thrashed its tendrils forward, wrapping them around Violet's body in every direction. She flinched and squeaked as they tightened and raised her off the ground. "You know, I don't think your sister will be too happy to see how powerful you've become," Senkards said, squeezing Violet's delicate limbs. "She never did approve of your magic."

Violet growled, looking straight into the flower. "That's okay," she hissed, black tears rolling down her face. "When that messenger brings her to me, she'll pay for everything."

"For underestimating you and undervaluing you," The plant added. "She was too blind to see her sister's talents. She was jealous and tried to hinder your progress...saying it was because she cared. All lies. For years she ignored you, never sending you a single letter until the day she finally decided to break you..."

Hearing the truth, Violet couldn't help but growl in hatred. Thinking about it made her magic thrash and beg to be released.

"Want to know what I think?" Senkards asked, a vine snaking around Violet's neck. It rose up to her mouth and pushed past her lips, slithering down her throat. "I think she only made you stronger."

Violet gagged and coughed as the tendril explored her throat. "I'm ready whenever you are, Violet," Senkards said. "My roots are tied to the current. Go ahead and send all your magic straight into me. Show everyone that you are far from worthless..."

Spitting out the vine, Violet breathed deeply and focused. Like a stampede, her magic rushed into her veins and leaked out of her eyes. She clenched her teeth in effort, sinking the dark energy into the vines around her. "That's it..." The plant encouraged, tightening its hold on her. "It's working. Just keep going."

A powerful magic thud pushed against her body; the current fought back. It would not be altered or infected so easily. Moaning in pain, Violet craned her neck back and channeled more of her magic into the vines.

The battle continued, with Violet pushing herself to her limits. She writhed and thrashed in the tendrils, letting her magic smolder inside of her. It clawed wildly at her, ripping holes in her psyche and rotting any positive thoughts. Her eyes glowed white and cried acidic, black fluid. The tears streaked down her soft skin and burned her, producing wisps of steam.

For an hour the strain must have gone on. Violet was close; the current threw much weaker punches now. One last push would hopefully take control. The walls of the basement frosted over and the air cooled, making Violet's breath visible.

"Your immediate surroundings are changing. The world outside is doing the same," Senkards said, swinging one of its tendrils skyward. It smashed a hole in the ceiling, revealing the night sky above. Moonlight fell into the basement as did the cold air of the outdoors. "You're almost there..."

Trembling in pain, Violet looked up and saw clouds assembling over the pale moon. She felt like she had no control left, like she was a slave to her magic – and she was fine with that. As though her sorcery had diseased every organ, Violet shrieked loudly. She thought she might perish until finally there was closure.

Although small and silent, it made Violet stop. It made her pain diminish. It was tiny, white, and fluffy. Cold too, it drifted delicately down the hole in the ceiling and landed on Violet's nose. "Snow..." She breathed, hardly able to believe it. The glow in her eyes faded as she looked up to see more of the falling flakes. "It's...it's snowing..."

"You've succeeded," Senkards cooed. "Ah, but at what cost, I wonder. Your heart is cold, your mind is twisted. You ruined yourself further just now..."

"Ruined myself?" Violet repeated softly. It was true that pain sadistically raked its claws through her and it was true that her thoughts were violent and cruel. However, she watched the snow fall around her triumphantly, and she couldn't deny the seductive rush of power that swelled within her.