A/N: Hello faithful readers. I'd like to thank the 3 people who have left reviews. I also appreciate the alerts and favorites, so basically anything that caused an email to show up in my inbox just about made my day Enjoy the chapter guys, and thanks for reading even if you didn't review.
Chapter 7
Nita had tried to make conversation with Roshaun and ask him about his experience in the past few months but whenever she asked him he would blatantly ignore her. Eventually he got up and walked away from them, leaving Nita rather annoyed.
"You know how he can be Neets, he's probably just in a bad mood because of the stressful situation," Kit said when he saw Nita tense up.
"I know, I know. I just wish he'd show a little more gratitude," Nita sighed as she leaned her head against Kit's shoulder.
Nita and Kit were sitting on the ground watching Roshaun wander about when all of the sudden he coughed. It wasn't just one of your run-of-the-mill average everyday cough that was caused by an unexplained tickle in your throat. It sounded like an old man who had stopped smoking after 50 years because he developed emphysema. It was very disturbing to listen to and made Nita and Kit much more concerned about the amount of time that Roshaun had left.
"Roshaun, you don't sound so good," Nita called out to him.
"I'm fine," Roshaun said ironically as he broke into another bout of coughing.
"How long have you been coughing like that?" Kit asked as he helped Nita stand. They walked over to him and saw that as he coughed there seemed to be tiny particles coming out of his mouth every time he coughed.
As she watched this, Nita realized how thin Roshaun was. He had always been somewhat slender but now he was almost frail. He also seemed to be almost translucent, like he was a holographic projection. His features all seemed softened and fuzzy and got gradually worse with every cough.
"Roshaun, you're wasting away as we speak! That's hardly what I would call 'fine'!" Nita said angrily.
"Well, there's hardly anything you two can do about it now is there?" Roshaun said bitterly.
"That's no excuse to purposefully be difficult," Nita said with clenched fists.
"Well, I've been alone feeling closer and closer to disappearing altogether and have been completely powerless to stop it for months now! I can practically see through my own hand and I feel less and less connected to this reality with every passing second! I probably made things worse just by trying to send a cry for help and now the so-called 'help' can't even save me! I'm slowly fading away while you ask me pointless questions so please excuse me if my attitude is not very accommodating at the moment."
Roshaun had been getting angrier and angrier as he slowly went closer and closer to Nita and Kit. Roshaun could see surprise on their faces but mostly there was pity, the very thing he had wanted to avoid.
It was one of those unexpected times that he suddenly missed Dairine. He found it odd before because she wasn't a very sympathetic person but as he thought about it he realized that her attitude was comforting in a way. She had high expectations and never put up with anything less no matter what the circumstances. The pain that came with her absence was surprisingly potent and he had a lot of time to think about their situation. It was odd to miss someone when he was literally seeing into her soul, but the soul is such an abstract place that it wasn't nearly the same thing. He couldn't even feel the presence of her mind that he'd grown accustomed to because wizardry worked so strangely in theses universes and the lack of that contact left him feeling like something was missing. The only consolation was that he at the very least knew she was still alive and that the universe was probably saved although it was a shame that he couldn't enjoy victory against the pullulus with her.
After Roshaun's outburst he seemed to have forgotten them as he lapsed into thought leaving Nita feeling abashed at her insensitivity.
"I'm sorry Roshaun," Nita said breaking him out of his reverie, "I know you've been in a bad spot but you have to try and hang on just a little longer. I'm sure Dairine is doing everything she can to get your body. I guess all this waiting has put me on edge."
"You are forgiven, but I too must apologize for my behavior. I must ask though, how are things… at home?" Roshaun asked uneasily.
"Well, after you disappeared Ponch basically became the canine version of the One and destroyed the remaining pullulus. Your planet has been fine as far as we know and your parents are keeping things under control," Kit said.
Roshaun nodded his head in thanks but had a look of reluctance on his face as if he had another question but couldn't quite bring himself to ask. After a minute he began to turn around and start wandering again when Nita said, "Dairine is ok, in case you're wondering."
"I'm glad. I would hope that no other wizards were seriously harmed…" Roshaun said trying to hide the fact that he was so concerned with her well being.
Nita saw right through this but decided to refrain from commenting.
They were just about to settle in and wait when the Mobiles suddenly rose for the ground, startling the three young wizards. Nita was just about to use the kernel to put them back to sleep when Kit stopped her saying, "wait, I don't think they're here to attack us this time."
Kit was right. They all just stood in place and starting screaming. The lava nearby started to move in huge waves and the ground started to shake.
Too loud for them to hear each other they had to use mind-speak instead.
What's going on? Nita thought.
I think Dairine is under great distress for some reason… Roshaun thought looking disturbed by Dairine's state of mind.
What is going on out there? Kit thought as he and Nita grasped each other in order to keep their balance.
Well, I've got the kernel right? Maybe I can make it so that we can see and hear what she's experiencing right now, Nita said.
And please quiet everything down while you're at it, Kit said rubbing his fingers against his temples because of the headache he started to get.
Nita manipulated some threads and eventually figured out how to show Dairine's visual perception. Once she was done a large square wall rose from the floor showing them what Dairine was seeing at the time like a movie projector. They saw a tall humanoid that appeared to be from Wellakh. As soon as Roshaun saw him he tensed with fear.
Finally Nita figured out how to produce sound and they heard the Wellakhi speak.
"Ah, Dairine. I knew you'd show up. Now be a doll and hand over that Sun Belt that the King gave you. It would be a real help," the Wellakhi said.
"There's no way in hell that's going to happen! Like I would ever help you!" Dairine replied.
"Oh dear, you don't seem to understand. You don't have a choice. At least, not unless you're willing to watch him die once and for all."
"You wouldn't."
"You know I can and will if you don't give me what I want. You see, being the nice person that I am, I'm willing to strike a bargain with you. Give me the belt and after the ritual you will have your precious Roshaun back. Reject my offer and I'll kill him right now. Either way I benefit, so it's really up to you."
Nita and Kit stared at each other in shock.
"Do you know this guy Roshaun?" Nita asked tentatively. Roshaun's fear had turned into fury and he glared at the figure with loathing.
"That is the man that tried to kill me and my father. His name is Taissan," Roshaun said.
"What does he want with your belt?" Kit asked.
"I think I know, and if I'm right and Dairine decides to make the exchange, then my planet will most certainly be doomed."
"What? Why?" Kit asked again confused.
"You see, he is likely going to perform a ceremony that will make him and his descendents the Guarantors of Wellakh, removing wizardry from me, my father, and any of my descendents. I imagine that Dairine knows this and is feeling conflicted, but what she does not know is that whenever there is a transfer of power from one party to another, the new predecessor has the opportunity to remake our species' choice. This information is strictly confidential for in the wrong hands it will lead to situations like the one we find ourselves in now. It is a secret for blood family members of the royal family only. My mother doesn't even know. I can't imagine how he found out. If we let this happen, the Lone One will have free reign over my people and I cannot let that happen."
"We have to tell Dairine!" Nita said as she looked back to the screen. She could see the Dairine's vision narrow as she glared at Taissan.
"We can't talk directly to her. Mind-speak and messaging are out since the manual doesn't function properly here. What else can we do?" Kit started pacing.
All three of them were quiet as they watched the screen, praying that they would be able to warn her before she made a huge mistake.
