Soundtrack
Fights-regular fighting soundtrack from previous episodes
The Cliffs – Loreena McKennit: Murmmer's Dance 00:00-0:25
Mists of Avalon Soundtrack(Viviane's World) for the final scene
Venice, Italy
It was a sunny summer day and it was hot. It was ideal for sunbathing, swimming or simply sitting down in the shade and reading books. Lok and Sophie were doing neither of those things, cooped up in the private classroom of the girl's mansion. It had to be said though, that the room indeed deserved its name. It had everything; two desks exactly the same as in regular school, tons of bookcases along the walls, the chalkboard...even the ceiling was had a big convex globe with all the continents and oceans on it. The only thing that discerned this place from a regular classroom at any school was a warm Persian carpet on the floor. Right now it was time for Art History class, thought-of course- by LeBlanche. The old butler used to teach Sophie when she was younger, and while the girl listened intently, making notes and checking out the books then Lok was a completely different case. He used those private lessons to scan titans on his father's old holotome. In regular school he couldn't do it for obvious reason, so out of pure boredom, he usually chose the other option-sleep. But here he could do something else and he took advantage of it.
"Lok" he was suddenly interrupted by a stern, rather offended voice. He startled and instinctively made a karate movement with his hands, ready to strike the enemy. It took him quite a while to realize who has spoken to him. Cherit and Sophie burst out in laughter seeing his expression
"Lok, have you been playing with holotome during class?" asked LeBlanche sternly
"Maybe" muttered the teen, reaching down and putting the device back on the table. He was really embarrassed. This awkward feeling came over him not just because he had been caught, but also because of his own reactions. Gosh, it was good thing nothing like this ever happened at school! He would've never heard the end of it if his classmates saw him in fighting stance just because someone had startled him!
"Forgive me if I'm boring you" continued the old butler deeply offended "but with the Organization active attending school is just too dangerous"
The blonde looked away, feeling more and more awkward. Of course, they HAD to remind him about that...as if scolding wasn't enough to stir his conscience.
"Now," said LeBlanche turning around to the board again "I want no more interruptions.."
But he seemed to have a bad luck today, for the very moment he spoke the last words the door opened and Dante came in carrying a large book. Faced with such view even Sophie couldn't force herself to concentrate, and exclaiming the man's name ran up to him. The old butler sighed deeply bowing his head in defeat.
"Come on Dante!" cried Lok jumping up to his mentor as well "we gotta get back on the trail of Avalon"
"We don't even know where to start" laughed Sophie
"What are you talking about Sophie? My dad's clues told us to go to England" reminded the other teen optimistic and enthusiastic as always.
"England is a big place" smiled his mentor "luckily for us there were studies on Avalon at Huntik Foundation's Head Quarters," he said browsing through the book and showing his young friends the map of England with some notes by it.
"Dad wanted me to go there," said the blonde getting more serious as the memory of the recording he has found on their way to Salon replayed in his mind, "he said I have to go there to save the Casterwills"
"It makes sense" agreed Sophie "I've only found few mentions of Avalon, in the books I have but they're all linked to Lord Casterwill"
"Sounds serious," said Dante walking up to the holotome in order to scan the map "whenever we investigate your family we come up against magic beyond imagining"
"It's time to pack up again" smiled Lok happily. He was really excited about this new prospect of adventure.
"I must protest" opposed LeBlanche sternly "I'm not leaving these two until they've caught up on their lessons"
"Fair enough" nodded the amber-eyed man. Behind him, Lok sighed heavily. It seemed like he won't avoid Art History after all.
Northern England, Coastline
The Foundation yacht was skimming across the shimmering waters of the sea, right for the white cliffs ahead of them. Lok and Sophie were already in their diving gear, Dante steered the boat and Zhalia navigated. LeBlanche, on the other hand, was sitting down holding his stomach. It was visible that he is sick.
"S-sorry" he stuttered "I'm feeling...feeling a bit off"
"Alright," said Dante stopping the ship "the shore is too rocky to make landfall so we swim for the rest of the way"
"B-but I don't have a wetsuit" reminded him LeBlanche worriedly.
"You could talk Renaissance on the way LeBlanche" offered Lok "I won't be able to play on holotome while swimming"
In a few minutes, they were in the water. LeBlanche, however, couldn't talk about anything, he was too preoccupied with the waves that tossed his little board around. He even half-drowned once, but luckily he managed to swam out, and grab onto the board again. The others were doing better, but it seemed like they were about to come upon troubles as well.
"Looks rough up there guys," said Sophie pointing at the shore
"She's right, those waves will slam us right onto the rocks" worried Zhalia
"I'd say it's the least of our problems," said Dante pointing at something above them. When others followed his gaze they saw - to their great shock and even fright-two hooded, dark-clad figures standing on the cliff in the company of Feyone and Icarus.
"Titans and enemy seekers!" cried Lok, and in exactly the same moment the titans attacked.
"We're sitting ducks" cursed Zhalia under her breath trying to avoid a ray of light that hit the water near her. Too near for her liking. Lok on his part got onto his feet, surfing on his board and trying to hit the enemy with Raypulse, but since they've got the high ground, he missed. The same thing happened when Dante and Sophie tried. Then it was the opponent's turn to show what they're made off, and Feyone's rays forced LeBlanche to dive. He waited until the coast was clear, and then got back on his board, but soon another problem emerged in the form of a big wave that lifted him up pretty high. The heavy shooting continued, but the Foundation seekers managed to stay afloat and Lok even managed to land on the beach. As soon as he set his feet ashore he ran up to the cliff on which the enemy was standing and lead against its wall. Here the attacks could not reach him.
"Take cover at the base of the boulder!" cried Dante to Sophie and Zhalia, firing a spell in order to buy the two time to get ashore. They did and soon joined Lok, in his hiding place. Now all was left to do was to wait for Dante, who also made it safely there despite having his board broken by Feyone. He just jumped at the right time and landed straight on his feet. Watching him Zhalia wondered if he had ever been clumsy or even tripped over. But maybe damphirs and vampires just didn't possess such gene. The man straightened and was just about to use Toucharm for another time when Sophie stopped him.
"Wait!" she cried out in half-panic half-plea"LeBalnche!"
Now everyone turned to the sea and saw how the big wave, crashed the man's board against the rock and how he himself slams into the ground.
"No!" gasped the Casterwill girl hurrying to his rescue along with Dante. They didn't make it far when the shooting started anew. Seeing this Lok and Zhalia broke into the run too, the boy shielded his teammates and the woman summoned Kilthane, allowing the other two to pick up LeBlanche safely.
"LeBlanche, are you alright?" asked Sophie with utmost worry, which was rather rare for her to display. Her old carer moaned but before he could muster a better answer another ray of blue light hit the ground. Sophie's eyes squinted in fury.
"How dare they!" she cried, before using hyperstride to lift herself up. When she was in the air, she called up Augerfrost, ready to throw the doubled spell and avenge her butler. But before she could even cast the spell properly she got hit herself and with a cry of pain fell into the water. Dante furrowed his brow at that. Now, he was used to being attacked and all this, but that was the limit! Those up there probably saw LeBlanche's poor state and old age, but they still aimed attacks at him. And that was something the amber-eyed man couldn't exactly forgive them. Attacking someone vulnerable and injured. And now Sophie. He really wanted to burn something...to use his powers but he knew it was not a good idea. First he could harm his friends and rather seriously too if he failed to control the fire, there was nothing to set it on and finally, there was water nearby. But he still had to do something.
"That's about enough of that" he muttered summoning Metagolem, and once the colossus walked away to deal with the enemy, he too LeBlanche to a nearby rock. Lok and Zhalia did the same thing, watching the gigantic titan from their hiding place.
Metagolem walked slowly and steadily up to the cliff and begun to punch it until it and the seekers on it crumbled down. He then took a large piece of rock and crushing it send the pieces at Feyone and Icarus. The female titan fell down. Icarus managed to escape but only for a while. Soon another rock sent him back to the amulet. Feyone shared his fate, although she fell victim to Kilthane's sword. Their seekers only waited for them to return to amulets, before disappearing into thin air. For when the Metagolem broke through the rocks, they were nowhere to be seen. Zhalia even climbed up on the rocks to have a better view, but couldn't see any signs of them being there at all. But she found a cave instead.
Meanwhile, Sophie emerged from the water, holding her hip. Lok sighed with relief upon seeing her in a relatively good state. For a moment there he thought he'd lost her forever. He quickly shook off the unpleasant thought and ran up to her helping her onto the shore. Dante seeing that everyone in his team is alright called Metagolem away and came up to the teens with LeBlanche. The butler was awake and even smiling.
"Don't worry about me" he said weakly "it takes more than rough seas to put this old man down"
"But why were we attacked?" pressed Lok. It made no sense to him. Those titans...Icarus and Feyone he had never seen Organization use them, but he did know Sophie had them. And more importantly who where those seekers? Where have they come from, and where to have they disappeared? There was no city or village for miles away.
"I don't know but I didn't think we'd have to use such strong titans just to get ashore" answered his mentor, thus hinting that HE had, been expecting to be attacked. He had said nothing to his teammates about those fears, but they didn't ask why. They got used to him having his secret plans and suspicions.
"It's all clear. Come on" said Zhalia, bringing their attention to herself and the cave she has found. Soon they all were sitting inside, by the campfire in nice dry clothes. Most of them had their usual attire, Zhalia and Lok changed them only by putting jackets on, the woman had her black-and-white one while the boy brown-and-white pilot one. Only Sophie dressed more differently than usual, she had a light shirt with naked belly on, a red skirt with a brown piece of leather over half of it, pink tights, high boots and quarter-sleeved pink jacket. But her difference from the team that day went much further than just attire. It was in her whole behaviour, in the way she sat far away from them with her head bowed, while they talked about the ambush.
"Man, they knew we were coming," said Lok
"And their titans and powers...not what you would expect from the Organization" added his mentor, rubbing his goatee thoughtfully.
"I'd go and look for the best way out of this cove, and also for any signs of seekers that ambushed us" informed Zhalia, and after receiving a nod from the team leader she headed for the exit. The man followed her with his gaze. And he wasn't the only one, after the mention of powers and titans Sophie lifted her head in hopes of the woman taking her along, but she met with disappointment. She sighed and bowed her head once more, feeling rejected and unwanted. No one even asked her about her thoughts on the ambush! They simply ignored her and then ended the conversation.
"I was useless to the team again. I miss Sabriel. My Titan, my friend" she whispered tearfully remembering once more the bitter scene of her friend's departure "without her, I feel like I'm just along for the mission because..they feel sorry for me"
"No m'lady" her unhappy wonderings were cut off by a gentle fatherly voice. Her head snapped up and she saw LeBlanche looking at her lovingly from across the cave.
"LeBlanche!" she cried with relief
"You'll find your strength soon" continued the man "you're Casterwill after all. Until then I'd be here to protect you"
"And I Sophie" added Lok coming closer to her.
"Thank you" she nodded "but I want to be able to stand on my own two feet"
With that she once more hugged herself, wrapping her arms around her waist and thus didn't notice a blue fire that appeared on her left hand.
"For now fill me in on Avalon, so I don't make a complete fool of myself tomorrow," said Lok sitting down by her. He knew that talking about seeker stuff and ancient secrets always did good for her, and he was ready to listen this time.
"I'll do my best" smiled the girl, already bouncing back a bit "Avalon played a great role in stories of King Arthur, it was presided over by Lady of the Lake, a mysterious sorceress"
While the heiress went on with the story, Zhalia was climbing up the cliff, and finally reached a beaten country path. On it were tracks of feet. She imminently deduced that they belong to two men in heavy boots. She then glanced down at the beach, before making her way down and back to the cave. The first thing she saw was Dante at the entrance. He was waiting for her, but that wasn't anything new. He never took his rest unless the whole team was there.
"I found tracks," she informed him and as she came closer, she noticed the worry in his amber orbs turning to relief "pretty fresh, we leave now we can catch up with them"
The auburn-haired man nodded silently before turning to the insides of the cave.
"Sophie," he said to the Casterwill girl "stay here with LeBlanche and protect the base camp"
The girl's expression imminently showed her disappointment and hurt, buy the man ignored it or simply didn't notice. He walked up to Lok and woke the teen by kicking his shin.
"Lok, we're going," he said curtly. The teen imminently got to his feet and followed after him and Zhalia. Sophie followed them with a sad gaze. She felt really, really hurt and rejected. They could've at least offer her coming with them! Even if she was about to refuse, she'd still like them to do this...out of politeness and consideration. She sat down and hid her face in her hands, but soon she tore her palms away as she noticed the blue light over one of them.
"W-what what's going on?" she stuttered a little frightened
"Grandma Nimue? What is going on?" the same question, was asked by a little girl with ginger hair, in green tunic and jacket, as her big blue eyes glanced over the shining crystals in their cave. Her question was directed at a pale elderly woman with green hair, in a long green dress with puffy sleeves and a veil attached to a wreath of flowers. On the woman's neck hung a golden amulet with green stone.
"It's the power of Lord Casterwill," she said to her granddaughter "it's reacting! Someone's here! Open the way! Lead our brethery open! Open!" she repeated closing her eyes and lifting her hands in the air.
As Nimue chanted, a blue-and-violet light appeared in the cave where Huntik Team camped. Sophie turned towards it and gasped.
"LeBlanche!" she glanced over her shoulder to her butler. The man was awake again and standing up.
"A portal!" he exclaimed noticing the light and approaching his mistress
"This feeling" continued the girl "this power its Casterwill magic I'm sure of it!"
"Maybe the portal is opening for you m'lady" suggested LeBlanche
His ward stepped forward cautiously.
"A strange power unlike anything I've senesced before" she whispered as if the man's words did not reach her ears."I feel like something important is...trying to reach out to me"
LeBlanche slowly came up to her. Hearing his footsteps she turned away from the power that called her.
"LeBlanche, you need to stay here and rest," she told him sternly
"Then let me lend you Albion once more" he pleaded, taking the amulet out "he was a great help against the Professor"
But she shook her head "No" she said "I feel bad enough leaving while you're hurt. At least with Albion, you'd be protected"
With those words, she turned around and stepped over to the other side. Disappearing in the portal.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Huntik team walked down a long corridor drilled inside the cliff. This strange path led them to the other side, on the edge of the small forest. Zhalia looked around and soon spotted another cave with stairs leading to its entrance.
" Follow me!" she cried breaking into the run, with the other two close behind her. They ran up the stairs and into the cave. It was completely different from what they expected. It was big, and from everywhere around sprung out crystals. It reminded Lok of Atlantis and not the one they've been to last year, but the one from Disney movie.
"They defiantly came out of here," said Zhalia, bringing him back to present
"But it doesn't seem there is a way out," he noticed quite soberly. Dante's eyes imminently went wide as the horrible realization dawned upon him.
"There isn't supposed to be!" he gasped. How could they be so careless! "it's a trap!"
"A trap from which there is no escape. Trespassers" spoke a loud male voice with a thick British accent.
The three seekers looked around, unable for a while to locate it' source. Soon however they noticed-and to their great horror- that two middle-aged men stood above them. One of them had white hair and moustache and the other brown hair and beard. Just like Zhalia deduced they wore high army boots. They altogether looked like soldiers thought, for they both wore similar uniforms.
The brunette had a white shirt and blue cape while his companion wore a coat of same shade. They both held swords in their hands, and behind them stood gigantic bearded titans in golden armours and long white hair. Those two held weapons, sword and axe. Huntik Team imminently went to their fighting stances. They didn't even have a chance to back off.
'What shall be, shall be' said Dante to himself.
After she stepped over, Sophie found herself on the top of a narrow staircase. She slowly walked down. It was dark, and she could barely see so as soon as she reached the foot of the stairs she cast Boltflare. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of a blue crystal throne at the very end of a small chamber. The power and calling she has heard before grew stronger.
Curiously but also cautiously the girl came closer to inspect the strange seat, she reached out with her hand but withdrew it a second later when strange crystal vines shot out of it. But the trap did not give up so easily, wrapping itself around her waist. The caramelette jumped away with help of Hyperstride, but soon was attacked from another angle and this time the vines caught her by ankle while she was in mid-air and threw her across the room.
She felt the air and her in her face. She knew very well that with this speed and from such height she'd be lucky if she just breaks a rib and few bones. In a panic, she searched her head for helpful spells and as she could not come up with anything better at the moment she called Honourguard. It wasn't as good as Featherdrop or Bubblelift but it served its purpose. She fell to her knees breathing heavily, but she had little time to gather herself up, for she barely brushed the hair out of her eyes when the vines sprung at her once more.
All efforts of getting out of it were in vain. The noose on her waist was too tight and she once more flew through the air. She was certain that this is the end when suddenly a well known male voice boomed across the cove summoning Albion. The Dragon Slayer was quick to act and imminently cut the girl free. She fell on her back, and when she sat up she saw LeBlanche. As soon as the man saw she's alright he called in Sentinel. The floating head blocked another attack of the vines, which with the additional help of Albion allowed Sophie to get up and head for the throne again.
"I hope this works," she said to herself making a flip in the air and landing on the crystal seat. No sooner had she done it, when a bright light blinded her. When it faded she gasped in shock for she was no longer in the throne room. No. She instead found herself in violet-and-blue space standing on the hand of the Lord Casterwill himself. The man looked just like in all the pictures she had seen...in a big tiara with golden horns, pointing downwards, long moustache and bared. He was smiling at her warmly, like a father to a lost child. She felt her heart skip a beat, and her eyes become glassy.
"I understand now," she said in tearful, moved voice and the moment she accepted the truth and understood it the man faded away, and the light once more burst out. When she opened her eyes again she was back on the throne just in time to witness LeBlanche calling his titans away.
"Are you hurt m'lady?" he asked coming closer to her. She smiled sheepishly, massaging her neck before regaining her composure and answering. Though not exactly his question.
"The magic filling this place" she exclaimed standing up and walking up to her servant "now I'm sure of it. My family wasn't just named in his honour, I really am descendant of the first Casterwill!" she cried happily, turning her face back to the throne as if she wished to thank it. At that moment everything began to shake. And a female voice spoke up.
"Yes," it said "welcome to the Caves of Crystals, made by Casterwill himself to protect his family from its enemies"
As the voice elaborated, Sophie and LeBlanche got on the platform with the throne. It turned around, and the two found themselves on the other side, in a large cave with crystals on its walls and floor. Curious and amazed they got up and entered further, looking around for the person who greeted them. Soon a gasp escaped their lips at the sight of an elderly woman in veil and green dress and a young red-haired girl, who came to them through the water of an underground lake.
"I am Nimue known as The Lady of the Lake and this is my granddaughter Viviane. Like us, you're from the ancient bloodline" said the woman addressing more Sophie than LeBlanche
"I am Sophie Casterwill" introduced herself the girl in question, greatly moved. After all, she had never seen another Casterwill in her whole life.
"But your friends are not Casterwills and they're in great danger" informed her Nimue
The words of The Lady of the Lake were true, the Huntik team faced off against her guards, and that they were having trouble was an understatement. The two guardians really took protecting the caves seriously and gave Foundation seekers no chance to properly concentrate or rest, forcing Lok to summon Lindworm and Dante Caliban. Zhalia chose Gareon.
The titans of both sides clashed, while their seekers fired spells at one another, but the guardians were using Casterwill magic, which was a bit stronger and better than that of Foundation.
Every now and again a blue light shot out of their hands, getting through every barrier. Having enough of that Zhalia threw Poisonfang at one of the rocks, but it didn't help her. Quite on the contrary, she activated the same crystal vines that had attacked Sophie, and she would've fallen victim to them if Lok and Lindworm hadn't come to her rescue. But the tables soon turned again, when the bearded brunette summoned the blue ray again, this time revealing its name. Kindlestrike. The blonde gasp and his eyes winded at the sight of the spell coming his way so fast that it seemed impossible to avoid it.
In the underground lake cave, Sophie tried her best to convince Nimue to stop her people
"But we're all on the same side!" she argued warmly "you must call off the attack, please!"
"I'll gladly head your wish" spoke the Lady of the Lake calmly and politely "if I can trust you"
"But you can!" assured her the caramelette "only a Casterwill is able to pass the trap throne isn't that right?"
"To preserve our family we have set strict rules" continued the older woman in the same polite but stern way "even though you do share our blood I must test you before you share our trust"
The green-eyed girl gulped and together with LeBlanche looked around in sudden fear of a surprise attack. But nothing like this happened. Instead, Nimue spoke up again.
"I senesce that the power of Sabriel touched you," she said, causing her kin not only to calm down but to grow saddened all over again.
"Yes but I..." spoke the girl quietly looking away as if in shame. Like someone confessing a deadly sin ", I lost her"
The algae-haired woman watched her for a longer while deciphering her feelings and felt sorry for her. She had a test in mind but now she thought of something else.
"A kindred soul exists here Sorcerell," she said pointing at a tall pedestal in the middle of the lake "it is said that in the ancient times she came to earth with Sabriel like titan sisters. Make your way to the amulet. Only the purest of hearts can bond with her"
As she spoke, several pointy rocks emerged from the water, creating a path of sorts to the amulet.
"You'll do alright. I know it Miss Sophie" said Viviane reassuringly smiling at the older girl, who could not help but return the gesture before jumping on the first stone. She barely settled when two titans appeared before her. One of them was Coralgolem, the other a water maiden with messy blue hair and whirlpool instead of legs-which was separated from the human part of her body by a belt of shells-. She also had a shell-bra that looked like a belly-dancer top, a pair of long earrings and two pairs of golden bracelets on her wrists. Sophie took a deep breath.
"Dante, Lok, Zhalia I will not fail them" she promised before jumping forward with a determined face.
And the three friends really did need her to pass this test. The fight was getting more and more fierce with every second. Lok had to press his feet really hard to the ground in order not to be pushed away by Kindlestrike.
Zhalia once again tried her luck with Poisonfang, Caliban fought with one of the bearded giants and even managed to knock him into the ground but the other titan quickly regained his strength and tossing his big sword away resolving to use fists. That wasn't the only problem Caliban was about to face for the white-haired guardian crept at him from behind. Luckily Dante noticed it just in time and hurried to his titan's aid.
Meanwhile, the titan with the axe attacked Gareon, but the little titan disappeared and the confused warrior was defeated by Lindworm. The brown-haired guard grimaced, feeling his friend coming back to the amulet.
"Mallory cover me!" he cried to his human companion, before using Newlife and once more summoning his titan.
"Lok, Zhalia based on their powers and titans I'm not positive they're not from the Organization," said Dante, who had been watching this from behind of a crystal wall where he hid with his friends.
"I bet they're Casterwills" added Lok "if we give up maybe we would get a chance to explain"
"Yeah, but if you're wrong we're gonna be in big trouble" snapped Zhalia, as always distrustful. This fight was really starting to get on her nerves. They couldn't even back off and retreat. They had to fight and for god knows how much longer! And they couldn't stay in hiding forever too, for they were still fired upon.
"We must do this without injuring them," said Dante, not bothering to be careful anymore "otherwise we'll endanger the mission!"
He barely said that when Gareon returned to the amulet, causing Zhalia to hiss in pain. That was all Lok needed, to make his decision. He quickly crept up closer to the battlefield and hid behind another crystal. What he saw made him hold his breath. He witnessed Caliban's fight. The Aztec warrior once again knocked out his enemy, but the white-haired seeker quickly rescued the swordsman by powering him up with another Casterwill secret spell. The two titans once more clashed with each other, destroying everything that stood on their way, and finally begun to hit one another with fists. Once more Caliban gained the advantage, by hitting the other warrior on the head with some rock. The two seekers imminently jumped to the rescue. At this moment Lok decided to reveal himself.
"Wait!" he cried "we're just want to talk!"
But those words of truce did not have the desired effect. The guardians only got more angry and defensive.
"Another ambush!" cried the younger of them hitting the blonde teen with powerful Kindlestrike, thus knocking him out.
The trail Sophie had to undergo on the lake wasn't easier than her team's fight. The water maid titan raised her hands in the air and shot watery bullets at the girl, almost sending her into the depths of the lake. Luckily the Casterwill managed to get hold of the rock. But before she settled down on it safely she had to run again. In the last moment, she avoided being crashed by Coralgolem's foot. She hid behind another high rock.
"If I take those two out first I'll reach the amulet with no problem" she muttered to herself as she pulled out Feyone's and Icarus's amulets. The idea, however, left her head as soon as it appeared, when the realization hit her "No! They're a distraction! This is not a test of my fighting abilities!"
After this discovery she left her hiding place, avoiding the attack of female titan easily by jumping up, but since she used no spell she quickly dropped down. LeBlanche gasped and made a few steps forward.
"We're sorry," said Viviane, correctly guessing his intentions "but no one can help her in the test"
Despite the initial triumph, Sophie's situation was getting rather sticky, for the water maiden went for another level of attack. A whirlpool.
"I've got to save my strength to bond with Sorcerell," told herself the caramelette and using Hyperstride jumped to another rock, causing the whirlpool to hit Coralgolem. The giant fell down, and she closed her eyes reaching out for the amulet. The warm power ran through her as her body glowed with light aura and the amulet rose into the air. She saw the shape of her titan and felt the bond forming. She was almost there when the tables turned once more. Coralgolem stood up and her heart filled with fear, causing her concentration to break. The colossus raised his hand and hit the rock forcing her to jump and fall on a piece of land.
"I-I can't," she said with panic as she watched him closing in, her ears filled with heavy steps and she heard LeBlanche scream from the other side. It made her even more insecure and weak. "I'm sorry," she said tearfully hoping that her friends will hear "maybe...maybe I really don't have it in me"
The titan came closer and she looked away, shielding herself with her arm, even though she knew it's not going to help. Coralgolem raised his foot in an attempt to crush her and she reached out with her hand in one last attempt to form a bond with Sorcerell. This gesture was a chaining point of the whole situation. A well know symbol appeared on her hand and a blue powerful light shot out of it. She felt familiar energy and spirit near her, touching her. She could barely...nay she could NOT believe it. Her heart went into a mad race of hope and disbelief. Slowly she rose to her feet when all of sudden someone put their hands on her shoulders. She turned away and yes! She saw her there, her armour was chipped and her helmet destroyed but it was her!
"S-Sabriel Is it really you?" asked the teen. She couldn't believe but knew it was real at the same time. She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes feeling the old bond no, not returning- for now she knew it has always been there- but strengthen. Without fear or hesitation, she cried out the name of her best friend. The purple light filled the room and soon Sabriel was there. Seemingly the same, but at the same time different. Her pink her grew richer and longer, it now reached her knees. Her once purple helmet was now golden, and a part of it fell off revealing bright blue eyes. She also had golden bits of armour on her thighs and shoulders, on which she had a long red cape. Her skirt was longer it looked like bits of torn material. And now she held two sabres instead of one. Also-thought it was rather a feeling than visible change- she became much more powerful.
"How can it be?" cried LeBlanche in shock "Sabriel's amulet has been destroyed!"
Nimue smiled
"Because her bond with Sophie was so strong" she ventured to explain "Sabriel became what we've named Powerbonded to her seeker"
As the Lady spoke, Sabriel charged on and with one swing of her golden blade sent the water maiden back to the amulet. Sophie laughed, shielding herself from the drops of water before healing herself with Everfight.
"A Powerbonded Titan has perfect telepathic communication with her seeker" continued the Lady of the Lake, as the titan and the girl exchanged meaningful looks before Sabriel attacked Coralgolem which allowed the caramelette to get to Sorcerell
"This is a rare sight. Even for an elder such as I" confessed the woman coming closer to see better. She had to admit that even though she believed in her newly found kin she still was surprised that it went so well.
LeBlanche smiled "With this new generation of seekers, m' lady it may be less rare than you think," he said offering her his binoculars, which she eagerly took from him. And just in the right moment for Sophie climbed onto the pedestal and took the amulet into her hand finally bonding with Sorcerell and summoning her. And the moment the female titan appeared, it became clear to everyone why she and Sabriel were called sisters. Just like her cousin Sorcerell had long pink hair, and golden horned helmet-though her horns were more spiralled and looked like pigtails- also the colour of their dresses was exactly the same and they wore matching brown boots with fur. The two titans watched one another in the air smiling happily at this reunion. Their seeker also smiled before summoning them back to the amulet and hand.
"And now there's just this little matter of my friends," she said
Although Sophie's test came to a successful end, the battle in the other cave did not. It even became worse. Lok was still unconscious on the ground and it didn't seem like he was going to wake up any time soon. Seeing that Dante, Zhalia and Cherit hurried to his rescue, which was a rather difficult task due to the continuous shooting. The dark-haired woman supported the boy, while her partner checked on him. After all the blonde got hit more than one time and before that he used some of his strength surfing and fighting on the beach.
Dante began to feel guilty. He should've never let the teen be so reckless. That, however, wasn't the end of trouble. Lindworm, when he senesced his seeker unconscious and defeated, went into anger, and decided to avenge the boy. He dashed upon Mallory and his friend, knocking them out and then aiming his attack at the younger guardian, who also happened to be the one who had hit Lok. In return, the axeman attacked the team.
Dante turned around sharply and Cherit shook Lok more violently. When that didn't work the little titan simply slapped his friend. Successfully.
"Lok!" cried Dante "you've got to call off Lindworm!"
"What?" gasped the teen looking around, as soon as he realized what was happening he quickly pulled his amulet out and called the titan back. Just in time, because the dragon's muzzle was right at brown-haired guardian's throat. But this merciful deed once more did not have any effect on the two Casterwill swordsmen. They quickly got up and with swords in the air approached the team. The giant with axe circled the three seekers, cutting them off from the other side. Dante cursed heavily under his breath. He really began to consider using his powers now, because he wasn't so sure that the two Casterwills will heed the rules and spare their lives.
"Now what?" asked Lok "it was bad enough before"
As if in conferment the other beaded titan threw Caliban under their feet. Dante took a deep breath.
"We're not here to fight," he said slightly angrily.
"Unfortunately our laws are quite strict," said Mallory, but his voice bore no hint of him being sorry or remorseful "we cannot let any trespassers go"
The auburn-haired man felt his eyes widen and he took a step back. So his latest suspicions had been right after all. He turned to Lok and Zhalia. No. He could not risk their lives like this. Mission or no mission. There were things more important than that. It seemed like he'll have no choice but to turn this place to burning hell. He was just preparing to attack when suddenly a familiar girly voice echoed across the cave.
"Stop!" it cried. Everyone turned around to see Sophie and LeBlanche in the company of a green-haired woman and little girl.
"White, Mallory stand down!" called the elderly Lady putting her hands in the air "they're not our enemies"
The two guards put their weapons down at once. Sophie, on the other hand, slid down the slope and threw herself into Lok's arms, exclaiming his name.
"Sophie! Nice save" he said embracing her shortly before parting slightly to look her in the face.
"I'm finally back thanks to Sabriel's return!" she informed him breathlessly.
"Sabriel?" he asked furrowing his brow in utter confusion. It made no sense to him...
"Hey, as far as I know, you never left" joked Zhalia. She was relieved, after all, just a moment ago she was certain she's gonna die.
"I know, but to tell the truth I didn't feel like myself at all guys" explained the girl "I felt like dead weight"
"We always need your skills" assured her Dante
"And your smarts. At least I do" added Lok hugging her again and this time the sweet moment lasted a little longer. The two held hands and looked into each other's eyes, while the others called off their titans.
"And unless I miss my guess, your heritage makes you even more important than any of us realized especially with regards to Avalon" said Dante summoning Caliban back, before walking up to Nimue and getting on one knee before her "Lady of the Lake, we come here as friends in the name of the Huntik Foundation" he introduced himself politely.
If any of his subjects could see him now, he would never hear the end of it. He was aware of that. Here he was, the future king and lord of all vampires and damphirs, kneeling before a mortal, and a Casterwill seeker at that. But today he wasn't here as Dante Vale the Heir but Dante Vale the Foundation Agent. And as such he had to pay more respect to a Casterwill Elder. The lady in question smiled warmly at him, nodding her head in perfect understanding of etiquette. When those pleasantries were over everyone scattered around, socialising. Cherit decided to play with little Viviane, The girl was excited and fascinated with the fluffy talking furball. LeBlanche stood by Mallory and White and Zhalia listened to Sophie's tales, while. Lok walked up to Nimue
"Lady Nimue ma'am," he said politely and a bit shyly "If It's ok I'd like to check out the Avalon. I must find out why my dad told me to go there"
The Lady of the Lake sighed.
"Let me explain," she said bowing her head "the Casterwill clan has been devoted to protecting humanity since before recorded history, we have many enemies"
"Most of the family is still in hiding" added Sophie who also had joined the two "it's safer if our secrets are only known to a few"
"Avalon is one of those secrets" nodded Nimue, but there was something odd in her tone...
"You don't know how to find Avalon?" questioned Lok incredulously. The Lady of the Lake had no idea about that? Wasn't she supposed to live there or at least guard it or something?
"I will tell you all I know" promised the woman "and together we may uncover this legendary place"
"Lady Nimue" spoke Sophie again walking up to the woman "I don't understand everything yet, but I promise I'll do everything I can to help our family"
"I understand way less but I've got your back Sophie," told her Lok also coming closer. The girl turned to him
"Thanks, Lok. I mean it" she said
"I'll show you what I have that might help," said Nimue, and she entered the cave again with others following close behind her. Only Sophie stalled a bit, thinking over the recent events. It was still hard to put it all together. She looked down at her hand, which begun to glow once more. Now it had Sabriel's new icon on it. She felt the confidence coming back and she curled her hand into a fist.
"I can do this," she told herself steadfastly "I won't let anyone down"