Origin

Raised in a strict Evangelical Christian family, Jessica was immersed in a world where faith was both a guiding principle and a source of intense scrutiny. Her parents were deeply religious, and their beliefs shaped every aspect of her upbringing. She attended church regularly, participated in youth groups, and was expected to adhere strictly to the tenets of her faith.

As Jessica matured, she began to grapple with the stark contrast between the message of love and forgiveness espoused by her religion and the hypocrisy and intolerance she observed within her community. She became disillusioned with the rigid doctrines that seemed to perpetuate hatred and division rather than the compassion she had been taught to believe in. This growing sense of disillusionment led her to question the very foundations of her faith. Jessica felt that religion, as practiced by those around her, was failing to address the world's true issues and instead was reinforcing societal divisions and intolerance.

In her quest for meaning, Jessica turned to new age spirituality, exploring various practices and philosophies that promised personal enlightenment and a more inclusive understanding of the world. Although she found some aspects of new age beliefs intriguing, she remained unsatisfied, feeling that these practices were often superficial or lacked substantive answers to her deeper existential questions.

Her search for a more authentic spiritual path led her to discover green magic, a form of magic deeply rooted in the natural world and focused on harnessing the energies of nature for healing and growth. This discovery came about through a series of serendipitous events: a chance encounter with an old used bookshop that she noticed had a huge occult section, and rare occult texts. The owner, a knowledgeable herbalist, listened to Jessica's concerns and gave a book on Green Magic. Jessica felt it was the exact opposite of what she wanted. The woman told her to just read it and sold it to her for five dollars. She bought the book and put off reading it, but when she did she was sucked in.

Fascinated by the principles of green magic and its emphasis on harmony with nature, the use of herbs and natural elements, and its potential for personal and communal transformation, Jessica began to immerse herself fully in its practices. She studied any texts she could find on it, befriended skilled practitioners, and eventually got into other forms of ritual magic.

Years later she came upon the old shop, door locked baring a "for sale" sign. After some research she found the old lady had passed. She got the realtor to show it to her, still old and quaint the occult section still filled with dusty shelves of forgotten tomes. It had a certain charm that resonated with her. Recognizing the potential of the space and its rich history, Jessica saw an opportunity to create something meaningful.

With a combination of her savings and a small loan, Jessica purchased the little bookstore and embarked on a transformative journey. She sold or donated all the other books and rebranded the space as “Ethereal Insights,” an occult bookstore, built around the large occult section already there and dedicated to the study and practice of various magical traditions. She expanded the store to sell mystical trinkets, talismans and charms, even old scrolls and self published books. The new name reflected her vision of offering profound and esoteric knowledge to those seeking enlightenment and understanding.

Under her stewardship, Ethereal Insights quickly became more than just a bookstore; it became a haven for practitioners of the occult. Jessica meticulously curated a collection of rare and obscure texts, from ancient grimoires to modern magical treatises, and fostered a welcoming environment for those interested in exploring the mysteries of magic. She organized workshops, readings, and discussions on ritual magic, green magic, and other esoteric topics, creating a vibrant community hub for occult enthusiasts, one of those enthusiasts being Alana Talbane wife of Billionaire Natas Talbane.

Drawn by the store's reputation for being more than just a place to buy books, Alana struck up a conversation with Jessica. As they spoke, Alana found herself captivated by Jessica's sharp business acumen and her nuanced views on society. Jessica articulated a perspective that aligned closely with Alana and Natas's own beliefs: a recognition that the world was in chaos, too focused on individual freedoms without the guidance and understanding of the balance of power and the importance of structure.

Jessica's take on the occult, particularly her knowledge of green magic and the rituals she had mastered, resonated with Alana. She saw in Jessica not just a store owner, but a potential ally, a person whose intellect and understanding of the mystical could be invaluable to the The Rise of Magic. Impressed by how Jessica had transformed a failing used bookstore into a thriving hub of spiritual and arcane knowledge, Alana knew she had found someone special.

Believing that Jessica’s ideals and expertise could benefit their clandestine organization, Alana wanted to introduce Jessica to her husband Natas. Trusting his wife's judgement, he took the meeting and the connection was immediate; Natas recognized in Jessica a kindred spirit with the intelligence, drive, and depth of understanding necessary to contribute meaningfully to their cause. With her deep knowledge of the occult and her pragmatic approach to business and society, Jessica was a natural fit for the Rise of Magic. Alana and Natas quickly brought her into their inner circle, where her insights and skills have since played a crucial role in advancing their goals.

Jessica Huxley possesses a unique blend of magical abilities rooted in green magic, which she discovered through her deep connection with nature and the spiritual world. She has a natural affinity for earth-based spells, allowing her to manipulate plant life, enhance growth, and draw energy from the natural world around her. Jessica can create protective wards using elements from nature and is skilled in crafting potent herbal remedies and potions. Her magic is also deeply intuitive, giving her the ability to sense and influence the energies of living things. Though she prefers to use her powers for healing and protection, she can wield them defensively when necessary, channeling the raw, untamed forces of nature to defend herself and those she cares about.

Major Story Arcs

Jessica's first appearance was in Victor Locke Demon Hunter: Demon Noir #1 with most of The Rise of Magic. She was with Natas when he discovered a page from the Demon Noir had been stolen from them.

Jessica was also with the whole group in Hexcraft Mechanics: Ultimate Control #1 after they learned Serpina had escaped, discussing what to do about it. CurseRisen #2 retcons this meeting with Natas and Malaaze having to meet up with Jessica, who uses her magic to place all of them in a bubble making them invisible to onlookers, both human and otherwise so they could discuss what to do about Serpina who wants to kill all of them.

Powers and Abilities

Jessica Huxley possesses a unique blend of magical abilities rooted in green magic, which she discovered through her deep connection with nature and the spiritual world allowing her postcognition abilities. She has a natural affinity for earth-based spells, allowing her to draw energy from the natural world around her. And while she prefers to use her powers for healing and protection, she can wield them defensively when necessary, channeling the raw, untamed forces of nature to defend herself and those she cares about using blast and shields made from magic energy. She can also come up with her own spells and magic as needed. Jessica can create protective wards using elements from nature and is skilled in crafting potent herbal remedies and potions.

Jessica is most powerful in parks, woods and forest or around specific points in space where magical energy or spiritual power is particularly strong. These locations are called nodes, and act as natural focal points or conduits for magical energy, often intersecting with ley lines, (lines that crisscross the earth, connecting places of power). They may be found in nature, such as at the confluence of rivers, the base of ancient trees, or in caves, but they can also be located in places of human construction like temples, stone circles, or other sacred sites.