Disclaimer: DO not own w.i.t.c.h., some characters in here are my own, don't sue and don't steal blah blah.
Now the important stuff, I am sorry for wait, had laptop issues and usual school stuff =S
KillerAwesome you know exactly how I think lol you always seem to ask the right questions haha.
Hope this chapter doesn't destroy your faith in me! =)
And Tigerz I hope this chapter satisfies your curiosity, but still leaves enough to keep you reading =P
Hours before the hospital incident.
Will and Jordan were taking their usual Tuesday route out of practice to their next class. They had a brief encounter with Kaylee, who brought Will a lunch.
"She's always waiting for you uh?"
"Apparently, but I admire her effort, not many girls are that brave.." They continued silently."So, what about you? Got a girl waiting somewhere for you?"
"Haha well most of the team has a group of girls waiting for us, but I don't have one on my arm."
"Tell him the truth. Tyler's a member of the team, part of the family now." Brandon began walking beside them.
Although the men looked very similar, they had strikingly different eyes. Jordan's were a bright warm blue like a tropical sea, while Brandon's were a silvery blue that reminded her or a stormy sky.
"You see Tyler, Jordan here is currently sweet for a girl." Brandon mistook her pained expression for one of confusion. Jordan appeared to be very interested in his coffee.
"You know they make really good coffee. What kind of beans do they use?"
"I know he always seems to be a cool, collected, but he's really bad when it comes to members of the opposite sex. Poor guy barely knows the girl, but no other stands a chance."
"That's nice." Will began to walk off. "I just remembered that I forgot to get something. I will see you guys later."
"Oh okay, we can come with you."
"Don't worry about it I will meet up with you guys." Will darted around the corner before they could push further. "Stupid stupid stupid." She berated herself. 'What are you doing? You aren't here to make friends and get your heart broken. The world might be in danger again, you need to focus.' Her hand rested over her heart, she could feel the magic pulse with each beat. 'I have to many things to worry about. Much worse then some stupid guy.'
"Hey Tyler, you okay?"
"Yeah, uh stomach not doing so great. Gonna head home."
"Alright, if you want you can borrow my notes later. Better you don't get too sick before your first real game."
"Thanks."
Night of the hospital incident.
Will burst into the sterile white room, where she found Cornelia sitting upright in a white bed. Her red hair was pulled into a pony tail, and she wore a long white jacket that hid her shorts, and a pair of sneakers, an outfit thrown together in haste after she received a phone call from the hospital. Will stormed up to the girl with a furious scowl, her hand ready to deliver a powerful slap. Cornelia flinched before she was suddenly hugged.
"You are in so much trouble! I can't believe how stupid you are."
"Um.." Will pulled away from her friend to continue her scolding.
"If you even think that-"
"eh-hem." Brandon and Jordan were standing behind her, she was half dressed, and a girl.
"Oh, hello. Um.." Brandon smiled warmly at her.
"Good evening, I don't believe we've been introduced, I am Brandon, and this is my brother Jordan, we're Kyle's teammates. And you are..?"
"um..I'm Will..." Panic began to over whelm her. "Kyle's girlfriend?"Cornelia stared wide eyed at her. "Yeah, that."
"What?" Brandon stared suspiciously.
"Reaallly? You look pretty familiar.."
"Well if you've been hanging around Kyle then I'm sure you've met my brother Tyler." Will beamed confidently. " And he's my brother, so that's why I look like him. Cause he's my brother. Yah."
"That must be it..."He still didn't sound convinced. Will got up awkwardly and began to squeeze by.
"Well.. I better go." Jordan grabbed her wrist.
"Stay." Once again they were locked in a silent stare.
"uh..okay."
"Well you just got here, and you do want to hear what happened, don't you?"
"Oh right! Right I did, didn't I." She walked back to Cornelia's side, staring expectantly at her.
"I guess that's my cue.." Cornelia scratched her head. "Unfortunately I can't tell you much..Shawn would probably be better. I just remember walking with the two of them to, well wherever we were supposed to meet you guys. It was very dark and something hit me, I managed to get one punch before I was down. Next thing I know I'm here playing blood donor. Okay I'm tired, they say I will be released in a day or two, you know just to make sure."
"You've been here for three days." Brandon glanced over at the blonde, then at Alex. "He's still out, and the nurse should be a while.
"Okay, good night." Cornelia drifted swiftly to sleep and Will left ahead of them not wanting to make too much contact. As she was walking out the door, her shoulder brushed Shawn's, sending a spark of energy through her.
She paused, and peered over her shoulder. 'Weird.'
As Shawn entered the room, he stared intently at Cornelia's sleeping form, then a questioning look to Brandon.
"He's out."
"There's something about this kid. Before we got attacked, I was sparring with him. He's not bad, but there was a moment. I'm sure he used some powerful magic. He made an impressive series of attacks, then he struck me, I felt a force hit me. I was able to somehow nullify it, but I have no idea how long it took. I felt his hand and the impact simultaneously, and then in an instant he had his back turned to me. Maybe he didn't have control over the magic, lost control, and I was able to escape. Must be it. After that I could sense the approaching of our attackers, I think they were drawn to this kid's power. They still managed to surprise us, the two serpent beings. They had glowing purple runes all over them, including the brand of Miridian. The heavy stench of dark magic and death hung in the air. I think they had El'terian infused into their bodies. I think Elyon is behind this. Its her first move into concurring this world."
"She must be pretty desperate to find Phobos as well."
"We better keep on our toes, seems like the world has no shortage of enemies for us." Jordan added as he walked towards the door. "I'm gonna get something to drink."
Will strolled down the hall, lost in a trance of her own mind. Distracted by the previous events, she didn't notice the man until she had roughly bumped into him. Before she could hit the ground, his strong grip caught her by the arm, halting her descent.
"Thank you." She tried to take her arm away, but his grip remained firm.
"It was nothing." The almost alien voice made her jolt. Gasping, she glanced to meet his eyes. The voice was darker, but there was no mistaking his identity.
"Matt." A dashing white smile spread across his face. It felt like an eternity before Will recovered her composer, and tried to pull away. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh I was just nearby and thought I would say hello."
"Well you can save your breath, I have no words for you." She tried to turn and walk away,but he yanked her arm, slamming her into the wall, and propped his other arm along the wall, trapping her.
"Well that's no way to treat an old friend." Will's glare could have burned holes into his mocking eyes.
"Get your hands off of me." She tried to shove against his weight, but he had leverage.
"You should be more respectful to your superiors, you are lucky that I am a patient man."
"Patient perhaps, but no man." She could feel the familiar tingle of magic creeping into her arm, which was beginning to numb.
"Careful now my dear, wouldn't want to cause any unnecessary injuries." She was about to retort when a pain twisted in her gut. "There ready to cooperate? Good, we will make this quick and easy. You see, the girls just want to take the heart from you by force. I, on the other hand would like to avoid such a situation."
"Take what? Like I said there is nothing here for you but dead air." She could see the anger boil in his eyes.
"Do not test my patience Will. I know you have the Heart of Kandrakar."
"You saw the Oracle take it from me."
"Don't play games Will. If you give it to me freely, then Kandrakar will forgive your treason, and let you and Cornelia continue your pathetic lives." His face twisted into a menacing grin. "If you don't, you will be considered a traitor to Kandrakar, and will be hunted and trialed as such. If you live long enough that is."
Will could only glare.
"Even if I had it, I would never let is near your filthy hands."
He chuckled.
"You still think so highly of yourself. Do you really believe you can get away with this? That you will somehow save the world from some evil, and everyone will love you again? The world doesn't work like that love. You were never anything more then another pawn, and you will never be anything more. Your little cherade is adorable, but no matter what you do, where you run, or where you hide, I will find you. I will have the heart again; there is nothing you can do."He leaned in, his warm breath tickling her neck. "You are mine."
"Hey." Jordan grabbed Matt's shoulder, forcing him away from Will. "Is there a problem here?"
"And who are you supposed to be?"
"It doesn't matter," Will linked her arm through Jordan's and began walking away. "Just my jealous ex."
The next morning Cornelia was released from the hospital, followed by Alex two days later. When Alex returned home he was greeted by the smiling faces of his friends. They babbled on about volley ball, classes, and whatever they could think of.
Shawn slapped his hand onto the mahogany table, his voice rumbling through the laughter. "What are we doing?! We've been wasting all this time with these 'aliases' in this ridiculously dressed world, while Elyon grows more powerful by the day!"
"What the hell man?! What's with the PMSing? You know we have to do this so we can the fifth! And its your fault that those harpies are hunting our asses down in the first place! If It weren't for you they would be in Kandrakar scratching their heads trying to find us."
"It's getting worse!" Shawn tossed a shimmering object at Alex, who caught it with easy. The Blue and purple iridescent scale was only slightly smaller then his hand.
"That was taken from a serpent we killed last night. The rift is expanding, flooding this world with more demons each day." Brandon joined in.
"Shit. So there's more of those things from the other night running around?"
"A hell of a lot more."
The rest of the week proceeded rather smoothly for the girls. There was a lack of supernatural encounters, they were actually keeping up with their studies, and only had a few minor slip ups in between practice and classes. Overall they were beginning to adjust to their new lifestyles, and were developing social competency, though it helped that they avoided situations that could put them at risk.
However, little progress had been made on the magical front, and they were about to go down a slippery slope of destruction when they woke up the next Monday morning. Both girls grumbled, their hair messy, and dark circles under their eyes. Perhaps the most enduring trial they have ever encountered has begun; day one of that dreaded time of the month. Since they have been living together, they synched up, both suffered from the gut wrenching cramps, however their behaviors differed slightly.
After an excruciatingly painful practice the everyone made their way to the campus coffee shop.
"Hey Tyler is your stomach bothering you again?" Jordan placed his hand on Will's shoulder.
"You look like you got mugged when you came in this morning." Alex added. Will was not amused.
"Gee thanks." She growled. "Damnit there's always a massive line! Why would people come to campus this early?!"
"There's only four people.." Brandon sighed.
"You know you sort of remind me of a raccoon."
"Shut up Alex!" She made her way to the till. "Hi, can I get a 16 ounce dark coffee please?"
"Yes absolutely. Anything else I could get for you?"
"I want oranges.." Cornelia mumbled.
"Could you add some crème to that as well?"
"Not a problem sir."
Cornelia hummed as she searched for the perfect orange out of the little basket at the till. "Oh where oh were is the perfect orange, oh where oh where could you be."
"Sir?... Do I lo-" Cornelia shoved her elbow into Will's side. "Ow! What was that for?" She returned her attention the cashier. "Thank you."
The gang quickly made their way out of the shop, Will clutching her coffee in both hands.
"Not a raccoon...he reminds me of something..."
Cornelia was beaming in triumph at her prized orange. "Ooo I'm gonna enjoy eating you."
Alex slammed his fist into the palm of his hand. "Aha! He reminds me of smeagel!"
Cornelia burst into laughing fit. "My precious coffee!" She was to busy with her imitations she didn't notice that Shawn had stopped to let someone through the door. Next thing she knew, they were both on the ground.
"Jeeze warn someone before you just stop walking."
"Kyle you do that all the time" Will walked over to lend a hand and stepped on Cornelia's orange, squirting juice into the fallen girl's face. "Oops!..sorry." Will cringed away expecting Cornelia to yell, but she just stared with a broken heart.
"My orange..." Tears began to fill her eyes.
"Hey Kyle, do you mind?" Shawn grumbled from below.
"Whatever!" She skulked out of the shop.
"What's up with him." Jorden joined Will's stride. "He looked like he was crying."
"He just got orange juice in his eyes okay. Have you ever done that. It hurts, your eyes water. No big deal."
"O-okay. Oh hey its Kaylee. Good morning."
"Good morning Jorden, and Tyler." She lingered on Will. "How are you two doing?"
"Tyler woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." He laughed warmly.
"Ha-ha."
"Oh, that's too bad. Jorden are you still coming to the study group tonight? You Varsity guys need to work extra hard to keep those grades."
"Yeah of course."
"So Tyler-"
"Yeah whatever you two have fun, see you later." She stormed off.
"um...you are welcome too.." Kaylee sighed.
"Don't worry about him, he's just really grumpy today."
The day did not improve for the girls, Will's cramps continued to twist her stomach, and Cornelia continued to switch between sad and craving random foods. The girls were finally reunited in one of the auditoriums. Cornelia hummed cheerily once again and she drew a face on her new orange.
"How are you doing?" Cornelia whispered and wiggled the orange pretending that it was speaking in a old lady's voice.
"Like someone is carving out my insides."
"Haha like mother nature is pulling a captain falcon? We are like, oh hey mother N how you doin, been a while. And she's like, oh hey there, uterus punch!" Still imitating the orange.
"I hate you."
"Love you too buddy." Cornelia began to peel her orange. "Oh my god I have been looking forward to this." She switch to old lady voice. "Nooooo, help me!" Back to normal. " HAHA I must have you in my belly. I shall be Kyle, devourer of oranges."
"A one man nerd apocalypse."
"Damn right." As they began to much on the rainbow of sugary goodness, as Cornelia usually referred to them as, she felt a sneeze coming. "Oh oh... AH-CHOO!" She screeched, slammed her face on the desk, ricocheted backwards off of her seat, her hand swung out and knocked the orange onto the floor, perfectly under her butt. "ow..."
The entire two hundred and fifty students, and one professor all turned to look stare at the pair.
"Welllll..this is awkward." Will waved too the class. The people who were sitting near by returned to their notes snickering.
"My- my orange..."
"Looks like someone is just as clumsy as always. Pathetic." Shawn had just returned to his seat."Almost as pointless as this class."
Cornelia felt anger coursing through her. 'You're a pathetic high and mighty asshole..'
The next night the team played a long and difficult game, which resulted in a landslide victory near the end despite the physical condition of the girls.
"Alright great game guys!" Jordan patted Will's shoulder.
"Who's up for a beer?" one of the players suggested.
"You guys go ahead, I've gotta meet with Kaylee tonight."
"Haha, Tyler you better be careful ,sounds like Kaylee's got her eyes set on someone else now."
"Whatever, not like I was interested anyways."
"Well Tyler I'm sure Kaylee wouldn't mind-"
"Don't worry I should head home."
"Okay, well everyone have a goodnight, there's been a lot of attacks recently." Everyone waved and left in their groups.
"That game was great!" Cornelia gushed as they made their way home, peeling another orange. "And Jordan, he was defiantly impressed by that dive you made. If you didn't make that save, we would have been done for i'm sure."
"Yeah."
"You okay?"
"It's nothing."
"Ah, it's Jordan."
"He likes Kaylee."
"I think you are reading too much into it. Besides Kaylee is totally into you. Well the guy you." Cornelia stopped without warning, causing Will to bump into her.
"You really need to work on the whole walking thing."
"Where are we?" She looked side to side. "That's so weird..I can't remember how to get home.."
"You've been forgetting a lot of things lately. Maybe you're coming down with a cold."
"Perhaps."
"Anyways we turn left. Lets go home, something feels strange. What was that?"
"I didn't seen anything..Lookout!" A strong arm swept Will aside. A hunched man covered in purple runes, though his face was twisted into a demonic snarl, stood before them flexing his talons. He took a step towards Will, squishing Cornelia's orange in the process, to her dismay.
"What is that?" Will stood up.
" I don't care what it is, its going down. Earth." Cornelia reached to the ground and threw her hands out with a growl, but nothing happened. "Wha-? But I-" The creature picked her up by the neck. "uh-wi, good time- too.." She grasped at the talons, unable to pry them off she kicked her feet, but still no effect.
"I don't know how!"
"Anything!" Will grabbed her backpack and swung with all her might. The impact drew the creature's attention and dropped Cornelia. Her abdomen clenched again.
"Bad timing..." The creature came towards her now. "Come on, think, maybe its just the same as before." Will concentrated her energy, her will to her hand, but instead of the heart, one of her daggers appeared. "That'll do." She flashed the dagger across her body to block stop the talons as the came for her. While her left hand held the creature at bay, her right reached into the plain of power to draw the second dagger and retaliate.
"Alright kick his glowing ass!" Cornelia cheered.
"With pleasure." Will crouched into her battle position, her heart rate increasing with the thrill of the upcoming fight. "So Mr. Ugly, care to dance?" From her crouched position, Will sprung up swinging her left leg that was behind her, around to connect with the creature's face. Before it could react she sliced its face with one of her daggers, followed by a shock of energy that knocked it down. "Gotta speed up if you wanna keep up with me." Will smirked. The creature stood up, a large gash across his face oozed with black blood. "Ew, I didn't think you could get any uglier." The Creature lifted its taloned hand, the runes glowing brighter and energy gathered in his hand. "Don't even think about it." Will sent another bolt however, when it hit him the air seemed to ripple, and the energy was absorbed. "What.." Due to her shock she forgot to block the bolt he sent back at her. "Owf." She slammed back onto the ground.
"Hey!" Cornelia ran behind him, locking her arms around his neck and under an arm. She struggled against its strength.
"Damnit, if only I could get that armor back."
"Will, you don't need it, I can't hold on."
"Right!" She picked her daggers back up and ran the the creature, slicing her right dagger across its chest, turned, and brought the left dagger to slice up into its chest. Breathing heavily, Will let the daggers disintegrate into dust in the wind.
Cornelia dropped the dead creature with a loud thud. "Whew he was heavy." She made a long whistle. "And UG-ly. What is it?" She grabbed a pencil from her bag and began poking it. "Hey Mr. Ugly, you are dead right? Not gonna jump up at us." She continued to prod it with the pencil.
"Hey, look at the palm of his hand." She held it within hers. "I think I recolonize this mark...got a better light?"
"I've got my phone." She shined the light to reveal the familiar diamond and split circle symbol that represented the royal family of Meridian.
"So this thing is one of Elyon's."
"I guess so.."
"Could it be the same thing that attacked you guys last week?"
"Maybe. I didn't get a good look though. Maybe we got it wrong.."
"What?"
" Well Yanlin spoke to us about those rune warriors, and that's why we are following the guys right?"
"Yeah."
"What if this is what she meant?"
"Possible. Wish we could ask her."
"Well I'm sure we could figure something out. I mean it is for galatic peace right?"
" yeah about that...lets say, hypothetically..if we go to Kandrakar they will sort..trial and maybe condem us to death or something worse for treason." She said the last part really fast.
"Sorta? What do you mean sorta? Oh hello Mr. Ugly, we are just going to sorta stab you, and perhaps kill you, hope you don't mind."
"yeah..."
"And how did this come to be? Last time we talked to Yanlin, she seemed in a less murderous mood."
"Well I didn't tell you, but after I saw you in the hospital last week, I ran into Matt. He told me that they are watching us, and that if I don't give him the heart, Kandrakar will consider us as enemies.."
"How could they do this?! After everything you've done for Kandrakar! Having to be the keeper, protecting Kandrakar, doing all of their dirty work, and this is how they thank us?"
"Whatever is going on, its bigger then anything we've experience. Lets go home."
Cornelia sat in her Geography class waiting for her professor to arrive. 'Captains log, day three of hormone induced suffrage. My companion and I struggle to keep our cover in the heart of enemy territory. The journey has been painful, and emotionally draining, but the mission is far to great. There have already been many oranges squished...'
"Let me guess, you are contemplating the great mysteries of airplane food. I mean what's up with that?"
"What's up with that crummy joke?"
"Can't expect genius at this time in the morning."
The professor began to give the lecture and the students wrote notes vigorously. SNAP. Cornelia's pencil broke and she couldn't find her sharpener.
"Damnit..that was my last pencil.."
" Here you go." Alex handed her a sharpener, her face beamed. "Oh and I picked this up earlier, since yours got stepped on yesterday." He handed her a perfect orange.
"Thank you so much." She grinned from ear to ear.
"Ahaha its no big deal, not like it was expensive. You really are weird."
After class, the two walked together for practice. Alex tripped and landed on his injured arm.
"Oh my god, Alex are you okay?!" Cornelia quickly crouched down beside him. "Let me see, is it broken?"
"I'm fine, just still tender." She grabbed his arm, fighting back tears.
"Looks fine, you should be more careful." She rotated his arm in her hands, fingers trailing down his veins. "You never know when you might really injure yourself, but then again where's the fun in that right? You spend your whole life being careful, and then its gone." Alex stared into her sapphire eyes.
"Once something happens, you just have to live with it, and accept it. You can't always stay the hand of fate, but you can't let it rule your every decision..We are all lost in the woods, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. Just gotta keep your chin up."
"So...not airplane food."
"Oh uh, sorry I was up late watching really depressing documentaries. Haha? SO anyways we gotta go to that practice thing." She helped him up and began walking fast.
"You really are the weirdest guy I have ever met, I bet that's Will's favorite part about you. Maybe its the secret to all the other girls swooning after you and Tyler, you are just so bizarre."
"Ouch."
"I didn't say it was a bad thing. Makes you interesting, so few people are." He gave her a goofy smile that she couldn't help reflecting on her own face.
On the way out of the showers, Jordan pulled Will aside, they were now alone in the men's locker room.
"Hey can I talk to you?"
"Uh sure." They stood silently, looking in opposite directions.
"Feeling better today?"
"That's what you want to talk about? Whew, jeeze you might wanna sound less morbid next time you ask someone how they are feeling."
"So that's a yes?"
"A little, just been a rough week you know."
"Yeah, I was- whoa, did you get in a fight yesterday?"
"Its nothing."
"No no, don't think you can brush me off like that. I am your captain, and if there's something that can effect your performance its my job to know."
"Oh right, I'm sorry my personal life is an inconvenience to your team CAPTAIN."
"Tyler you know you are also a friend, and as a friend and a teammate, you need to share important things. Now let me see." His fingers brushed lightly on her bruised shoulder. "It looks like it goes further. Maybe I should take a look."
"N-no!" She tried to step back, but there was only the cold surface of the lockers. "I- I, Its fine. Really the bruise ends there. Yep."
"Still I should get a proper look, we're both guys."
"No Really I'm good." She tried to move to the side, but tripped over her feet. He tried to catch her, but this time they both collapsed onto the ground. They both groaned while Jordan propped himself up on an elbow. Both dazed by the impact stared into each other's eyes mere inches from each other. Will's face began to burn as his breath tickled her cheeks. She could feel the complete architecture of his body on top of hers.
"Oh sorry." He quickly got up, his warmth lingering on her body. "You just look like your sister."
"Yeah no..problem. Happens a lot."
"Anyways I better run to class. Glad you're feeling better."
"Yeah me too, see you later." She waved as he made his way swiftly out of the locker room. Will walked out smiling.
Jordan couldn't focus on his lecture, his heart was slamming, and his hands were sweaty. 'What is wrong with me? I-I'm not attracted to him am I? No it must be because of his sister. Yeah, that's gotta be it. Just looked like his sister, surprised me...But that energy..'
The two didn't speak about the locker room incident. Instead they continued to play as a team, Will would smile dumbly, sometimes they would stare, but then look away awkwardly. The team began to dominate, winning most games by landslides, or loosing by the skin of their teeth. A month has passed since Alex and Cornelia were hospitalized. After classes Will and Cornelia would train, Will practicing her new magic, and Cornelia working on general fitness, followed by fighting more branded demons at night.
Brandon was sitting on his bed reading a book when Shawn entered the room, a scowl burned onto his face.
"Come Brandon, it is time."
"Oh," A light hearted smile spread across his face. "time for what?"
"For us to pay a little visit to the infinite city."
"Sounds fun." Alex draped an arm around Shawn's shoulders. "We are due some vacation time."
"We are going to search for some information about these branded demons that have been entering this world. There is a great library within the city's ancient halls." He turned to leave the room. "Jordan is already preparing."
"So, we journey to the infinite city." Brandon placed his book on the bedside table. "Should be interesting."
"What are we doing Will."
"What do you mean?" Will looked up from her book.
"It has been over a month now, there are demons roaming around at night, and we have discovered nil, zilch, nada damn thing. Aside from that maybe the guys either fought the demons, or that the demons are what we are looking for. But then they take on other shapes." She glanced at the iridescent scale they had recently found in an alley. "And we have no idea what is happening in Kandrakar, and I feel so useless. You got new powers, and I can barely remember how to use mine. Is there really any point to it?"
"Um well, we've discovered that everyone wants us dead. And I've started to learn more about my power.?"
"Yeah but-"
Cornelia received a phone call.
"Hello?"
"Hey how's my big sis doing?"
"Excuse me?"
"I know you're a loser but mom wanted me to ask if you are coming to visit for my birthday."
"I'm sorry, who is this?"
"It's Lillian duh."
"I think you have the wrong number."
"Oh, I'm sorry! Uh have a nice evening."
"That was weird.."
"What is?" Will was working on an assignment on the couch.
"That's the third call I've had this week from people I don't know. Some girl named Lillian calling about a birthday."
"Oh yeah! Your mom called yesterday and wanted me to remind you about that."
"What are you talking about."
"Your sister, Lillian. Jeeze I know its been a long week but you can't tell me you forgot you even had a sister."
"Will I really don't understand." Cornelia placed a bowl of thai soup on the coffee table and sat down on the love seat adjacent to the couch. Her phone rang again.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Cornelia? It's Lillian."
"Oh hey..sis. What's up?"
"Mom wants to know if you want to come visit us for my birthday. If you don't have time she was also saying we could come see you for lunch next week."
"Yeah, lunch sounds good! Sorry I've been swamped with school. See you then! Bye."
She sighed as she placed her phone on the table to return to her soup. "Is something wrong with me?"
"I don't know Corny."
"Will you gotta help me. I don't know what I am doing. I can't remember things that I should know, I dream things that I don't understand, and I can't use my power." A sad smile appeared on her face. "Ironic really, I used to be afraid of my power when I first got it. Now I can't stand being unable to feel it. Is this how you felt when you were first separated from the heart?"
"Oh Cornelia.." Will hugged her dear friend. "It'll be okay, I will fix it. I always do."
"Yeah, you do." They smiled. "Its strange though, I can sort of tell when I'm supposed to know something. Like last week, Shawn called me something, it made me feel sad and it sounded familiar, but I couldn't figure it out.."
"Weird. Now lets stop thinking of the problem and start thinking of a solution. We know that Kandrakar is out of the question. So Who can we go to?"
"Hmm..I do know someone.. Did I ever tell you about when I went to visit Elyon after we graduated."
"You gave me a light briefing. You went, she changed like the others. She went from sweet and modest, to a selfish queen. She's got Caleb wrapped around her finger, and threatened to imprison you."
"Well there was a little bit more. She actually did imprison me, but there were three servants. I believe you've met Sophia. The Gaholt her with the really pretty shimmery eyes?"
"Oh yeah, she has a long white braid."
"Yes, well when I used to visit Elyon, back before she went crazy, Ophelia, her younger sister Sophia, and her older sister Galataya would usually be around to lend me a hand. Galataya is very smart, and is special for gaholt people, I think she comes from a magical bloodline of some sort. Magic is extremely rare for them. Anyways I became very close with her, she would spend time with me whenever Elyon had to attend to royal duties. Anyways when Elyon through me into the dungeon, it was Galataya who came for me. She fought Ophelia, it was a rough fight, and I couldn't do anything. I could barely even see, and there was so much pain, but she came at me. I didn't think, I just created a stalagmite and next thing I knew, she was on the ground. It haunts my dreams sometimes. Seeing Ophelia crouched on the ground, weeping bloody tears, her pained screams echoing down the hall. I was frozen. If it weren't for Galataya I wouldn't have gotten out. She pulled me along, and we escaped through servant tunnels into the swamp, and then I was through a portal. I didn't even know they were around anymore. She told me that she would be hiding in the infinite city."
"Oh Corny, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Didn't seem important?" Will stared at her dumbfounded.
"Really? That is your answer. Didn't seem important?" She hugged the blonde. "I am so mad at you."
"Its fine now. The point is, Galataya might be out there. She's always hears stuff in the castle, and is very knowledgeable. Maybe she can shed light on what these demons are."
"Well its a start. But how do we get there?"
"Hmm...You've still kinda got the heart right?"
"I think so? I think it might be merged with me. Like its no longer a separate entity, that or I have no idea how to summon it anymore."
"Well whatever is happening, you can still use its magic? Maybe you can create a portal."
Will stood up triumphantly. "Alright we have a plan! Figure out how to make a portal, then make the portal, find Galataya..somehow and get some answers, then do something afterwords!"
" And not die!"
"And not die!" They high-fived.
So that's it. Just wanted to add, the thing with the sneezing really hurts. I have done that exact same thing..sucks