The Return of the Owl

It is a cold, February morning, and the snow is glistening. Demetri just woke up to the smell of breakfast as the rays of the morning sun started to make their way through his window. He had a very interesting dream about a barn owl but decided to shrug it off as he gets ready to start a very interesting day. After all, it is not every day a young man turns eighteen.

“Breakfast is ready”, is all Demetri needed to here. Immediately, he runs down the steps and sits at the table, the rest of the family already there. Caroline is making the final plates for breakfast and mouths “Happy Birthday”, as Demetri kisses her own the cheek, since she is also on the phone finalizing her presentation with her assistant. His father, Michael, is reading the newspaper as he waits for his breakfast to cool. Luna, the loving yet annoying little sister, a year younger than Demetri, is having a conversation with Damien, their cousin, before noticing Demetri sitting down.

“Happy birthday, big head”, she smiles. “Well thank you, my dear queen of the big heads”, Demetri retorts back. Before they could continue their quips back and forth, Caroline sits down and motions for the family to eat. While the family is eating, Damien looks around the table, with a perplexed look on his face and asks “Well? Will give gifts during breakfast or during the….”

“DAMIEN!!” Everyone yelled at once

“Party?”, Damien asked. “I’m sorry, did Demetri not know? I figured he would know by now since he is so nosey, and nobody can get anything past him”.

“This is definitely true, and I knew about the party since Christmas”, Demetri confessed. Both Michael and Caroline both sighed and prepared for their workday.

Demetri, Luna, and Damien went to school, but the day was cut short due to the impending snowstorm hitting the area. Luna decided to go home to get a head start on her homework, while Demetri and Damien went to Damien’s house to play videogames. While they were playing videogames, Demetri noticed a strange looking owl on the window.

Demetri could not believe what he was seeing. It was the same barn owl from his dream. This owl was strange, it had somewhat of a purple hue surrounding its body and it seemed to be pulsing.

You and your family are in danger, the owl said telepathically.

“Who said that”, Demetri and Damien said together.

“I did”, the owl replied. “My name is Aero, and I am your family’s familiar, or guide. There is no for questions. Luna will be here with further instructions and Damien will protect the both of you. I will join you when I can.”

“What will you do?” Damien asked.

“There is a group of mercenaries coming for all of you”, Aero stated. “Your parents were supposed to be back from their missions before night fall, but I fear the worse.”

Just then there was a loud crack as lightning connected with a tree in the near distance.

Go now!! Aero said telepathically.

Just in time, Luna came in through the door. As she entered, Damien grabbed her, Demetri, and pushed them both to the basement door.

“Take the steps to the basement and use the wooden door with the purple markings. I will be behind you and once you close that door stay inside”, Damien ordered.

“What about you?” Demetri asked.

“I have to secure the house and once that is done, I can join you. The wards are almost in place. Now go!”

Luna grabbed Demetri and they both went into the basement as instructed. They could here Damien say something intelligible in the distance but could not make out what he was saying as they were distracted by a slight glow where Damien standing.

Once they were in the basement and found the wooden door with the silver markings, both Luna and Demetri were amazed as they had entered what appeared to be a ceremonial or altar room of some kind.

Demetri started to walk around and examine the paintings and carvings surrounding the walls of the room they now found themselves in. He now has may questions that started to form in his head. Little did he know, the life he used to know, would be changed forever.