Author's note:
Hey guys! This is my very first ff here, well actually the first I've ever written. I'm new here and still inexperienced, but I love literature and this site is amazing, so I started something new. I'm not a native English speaker, so I highly appreciate reviews with corrections of mistakes. Please tell me whenever I made mistakes, so that I can learn and (hopefully) improve! Also, the first chapter isn't really that interesting, because I needed a start and time to explain everything...But I promise, that the following chapters will be better!
Well, that's it. Have fun reading and enjoy it!
- Lady Athena of Olymp
Disclaimer: I do not own Huntik: Secrets and Seekers nor the characters. But I own my OC's and the plot.
Chapter 1: Bad news
Venice, Italy
7:30 PM
This weather sucks! Since almost three weeks it hasn't stopped raining once. It's like the earth is longing for it...Zhalia thought, clearly displeased by her dripping wet clothes and her hair looking messy. She was on the way to Dante's house. It was late and she wondered what a 'private emergency meeting' exactly would be. She guessed it meant discussing some important matters, but still, it was very unusual for him, wanting to talk with her under four eyes. It made her feel uneasy, because when Dante wants to talk with her alone, it won't mean anything good. At the same time she felt grateful for the little timeout from the teens. Not that she disliked them, but a bit of time alone with him would maybe manage to ease her overstressed nerves. Only a couple of weeks ago she found herself fighting for her life and the ones of her friends, and against the betrayer. Time has passed rapidly and the memories from back then were still hunting her, especially the one of Dante's death. She was mad at him for making her thinking that he'd never come back. But of course, she'd never told him.
After fifteen minutes of walking through the empty streets of Venice, she finally reached her destination. She knocked twice and waited 'till the door opened. Dante stood under the doorframe in his usual attire, amusement clearly visible on his face. „Zhalia! Good to see you! Uhm, come in.", he said, stifling a laugh that dared to escape his lips. Zhalia, aware of his amusement, just glared at him and walked through the door. A familiar sight greeted her as she entered and she was thankful for the warmth that engulfed her. Not that she'd ever admit it, but she was slightly cold. She took place on the couch, one slender leg placed over the other one.
"Coffee?" Dante simply asked, as he brought her his coat to warm herself.
"Yes." she answered. She looked up at him, her usual emotionless face showing nothing. But she let her eyes form the question before her mouth did. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?" She made sure that her suspicion could be fully heard. It was only a couple of weeks after their fight against the betrayer and all of them were still mentally exhausted. With him being away in the council, didn't make things easier. She was never one to complain, but all the time alone with the teens, without any support of another adult, didn't quite help her being less exhausted.
He turned around, a serious expression lying on his face. "I'll tell you right after I finished the coffee." He knew that he should've been more often in Venice, but as a member of the council, he just hadn't the time for it. He also knew, that this wasn't an excuse. No wonder she came straight to the point.
Some minutes later, he came out of the kitchen with two cups filled with hot coffee. He gave one to Zhalia and sat next to her. He took a sip and watched her for a moment. He didn't miss how her shoulders were forced backwards, her back was straightened, her whole figure tense. She held her cup with both hands, as if it was the only thing she could hold on to, her lips pursed into a thin line, her eyes holding nothing than pure coldness. He instantly became worried, but knowing her, asking would probably make everything worse. "So…you most likely want to hear what I made you come for, don't you?" Though he knew this question was unnecessary, he still asked, because he couldn't find another way to begin with this whole discussion. She simply shot him a questioningly look, demanding him to go on. "Well…" he started "There are some bad news. The council has discovered movements of a yet unknown evil source." He stated, his face even more serious now.
She narrowed her eyes. These were indeed bad news. "Even more evil than the betrayer?" she asked, hoping for a no.
"As for now, we assume that this force is equally powerful. But we don't have any proof yet. The worst part is yet to come. Metz thinks he might knows this force and if he's right, then we got some serious trouble…"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Zhalia was really confused now. Dante spoke in riddles and she hated that. She has always been a person who gets straight to the point.
"Many centuries ago, there lived a beautiful women called Annabelle Josephine du Pont. As her name already tells, she was a French noblewoman and lived in Paris. With the age of sixteen she married a three years older man, whom she fell madly in love with. He could've called himself lucky, because no man ever won Annabelle's heart. She was a warm-hearted person; with a beauty many women could only dream of, but her father watched over her like an eagle and gave her only the best of the best. Thus she hadn't much experience with men. When she married she was happy, even more so when her first child was born. But she was a noblewoman after all and therefore needed to bring forth a son. What came out was a daughter, Crystelle Amelia du Pont. Her mother loved her, but the poor girl died within two days. Then Annabelle found out that is was her own husband who killed her daughter. Blind with rage, she avenged her daughter, killing her husband. After that incident, she was never the same as before. She lost the will to live and thus only existed. It's said that she was punished for killing a human and therefore was cursed. Since then she lived in a cave, away from all people, crying over the loss of her beloved daughter. Legend has it, that she would reawaken when the death of her daughter marks the seven hundredth time and then she will bring destruction to the world, as she did seven hundred years ago." Dante told her, not believing his own words. If that legend is to be trusted, the world will face a period of grief and sorrow. And the Huntik foundation would be forced to face another hardship."
Zhalia kept looking at him, with each minute passing growing more and more worried. They haven't really recovered from their last fight and now destiny brings another villain. "You can't be serious, right?" she questioned him, even if she already knew the answer. Dante barley shook his head.
"That's why I wanted you to come here. I needed someone with a cool head. If I'd tell that Lok, now of all times, when he searches for Ethan, I'd most likely shattered his hope into tiny pieces…" Dante explained, sadness slowly filling his amber orbs.
"Yeah, I know. What date is the death of that baby?" Zhalia asked, trying to change the subject. Sadly, this one wasn't any better than the former.
"We don't know yet. Probably this winter, but there is nothing near an answer…" he stated.
They looked at each other, trying to enlighten the bad mood somehow. She wasn't sure, what she should be thinking. She should be angry, but she felt nothing but emptiness. He then suddenly turned his head towards her and looked her deep in the eyes.
"Are you hungry? I could cook something for the two of us." He asked.
She nodded, a slight smile gracing her features. The uneasy feeling didn't vanish completely, but she decided not to pay it any more attention and just enjoy the evening, well, at least as much as she could enjoy it. She looked up to see Dante standing in the kitchen and preparing dinner. Her smile grew wider. How long has it been, since they last had a moment alone?
He turned around, just to see her smiling lightly. He returned the smile and his amber eyes where shining with gratefulness. Finally a moment to breath and to let all worries be buried.
It was then, that the first glimpse of light could be seen in the hazel and amber orbs, that were expectantly starring at each other.
To be continued…
So that was the first chapter. Did you like it? Please write reviews and say what I should do better and if you liked it. I try to update as soon as possible, that is, if you even want me to update... :)