A/N. Again, sorry for ignoring this for a while, life got in the way and, yeah…But here I am with a little treat) Enjoy the next chapter!
Chapter 12.
Roni felt a slight breeze on her face as they passed the magic mirror, and when she opened her eyes she gaped. Not more than ten feet away were proudly towering a pair of sphinxes just like the ones before, except these where blue and they were glowing.
She leaned a bit to Atreyu and whispered
"Is this the Southern Oracle?"
He nodded "Yes, we're here."
They looked up at the sphinxes and walked closer until they were standing right at their feet. It was very quiet all around, then suddenly they spoke in unison and perfect harmony.
"Do not fret, we will not harm you. We have been expecting you."
The voice was female and sounded so powerful, yet so gentle. It reminded Roni the sound of a large bronze bell. She didn't know how to speak to them, so she glanced at Atreyu for help. Her eyes had grown wide as he looked at her and nodded his head towards the Oracle, silently encouraging her to speak up. She didn't know what to say or how to speak to the wise and all-knowing Oracle, she kind of expected him to do the talking. Oh well…she gathered up her courage, took a breath and started
"Uh…well…my name is Roni, Veronica Bux. And you already know Atreyu, the warrior from the Great Plains…" she looked at him for a moment and he gave her a slight encouraging nod, as if saying "keep going".
She sighed and continued "The Childlike Impress, she told us there was a new threat to Fantasia, something that had locked her up in her tower and is little by little...sort of eating our land. Last time you told Atreyu what to do to stop the Nothing. So here we are, we hoped you would help us again. We only have two main questions: What is this new Nothing, and how do we stop it this time." She stopped talking and waited for an answer.
After a pause the sphinxes voice shuddered the air "You have come to the right place. Everything you told us, we already know. And, yes, we can help you. We assume you haven't forgotten Xaide- the evil magician. She confused our latest Savior boy and talked him into doing as she told, convincing him it was the right thing."
They nodded. Who could forget the witch? No one, especially not Atreyu, who was very familiar with her persuading talent. The way she played Bastian was flawless.
The Oracle continued "You might be surprised, but the new Nothing is none other, than Xaide's son- Xander."
Roni's eyes grew big and she tilted her head to Atreyu, but his expression was unreadable, like most of the time when they were not alone.
"He is a powerful magician, like his mother, and twice as evil. His heart in darker than coal and colder than ice. He will stop at nothing to get what he wishes. You will need great courage." The sphinxes spoke the last words a bit slower and quieter.
Roni was trying to take it all in. Xaide had a son? Wow, she did not see that coming…powerful magician…twice as evil…darker than coal... "Well, aren't you just delighted, Nancy Drew?" she mentally scolded herself. "You wanted an adventure and-voila, here you go, a villain, destroying Fantasia!"
Atreyu stepped forward "What are we to do about him?"
"The answer is simple, yet easier said than done. We regret having to tell you this, but you would have to slay him."
Roni shot a worried look at Atreyu and instantly felt sorry for him. He was a great warrior, but he was not a murderer! Yes, he killed Gmork, but that was only because the giant wolf attacked him, and his life depended on it.
Atreyu lowered his eyes for a moment; he obviously wasn't thrilled about the news either. He looked back up "Where shall we find him?"
"You will fly to Xaide's old castle, Horock. It is now taken over by him. Good luck, chosen ones, and don't lose too much time. Remember, he is growing stronger with each passing hour." The Southern Oracle finished his speech.
Atreyu and Roni eyed each other and Atreyu turned around
"Falcor!" he yelled and in a minute the all-too familiar pearly comet pierced the sky, getting closer and closer to them and finally landed at their feet.
"My young Master, Roni…" he bowed his large furry head. "I can see the Southern Oracle once again proved itself useful."
"You bet." Roni huffed.
The Luck Dragon laughed and asked "So, where to?"
Atreyu swiftly got on Falcor's back and reached out to help Roni sit behind him. "To the Horock castle, Xaide's old residence."
Falcor's ruby eyes widened "For what ever reason, Atreyu?"
"I'll tell you everything while we fly."
"Yes, but it is quite far away from here, I must tell you. As far as I remember, Horock is twelve thousand mile away. I am strong, but even I cannot cover such distance within one day."
"Then we will land somewhere and stay the night, so you could get some rest, and then carry on. What do you think, Falcor, can you get us there in two days?" Atreyu asked, scratching the back of dragon's ear.
"Why sure, two days will do, but only if we stop just once for the night."
"Oh, good! We should take off right away!" Roni exclaimed and Falcor smiled
"All right, hold on tight!" and in a flash they were up in the air, rushing through the sky like the wind.
During the flight Atreyu, as promised, told Falcor everything he and Roni knew about the new Nothing. The Luck Dragon was as surprised as they were, when they told him Xaide had a son. He was also a bit saddened by the fact that they will have to kill; someone.
"I know he is a villain, but murder is still a great sin, my friends."
They lowered their eyes and then Roni noticed something that bothered her :The Oracle said, that one of them will have to kill Xander, it never said who exactly will have to do that. But Atreyu didn't seem to even think about it, it was as if he had already decided that it's gonna be him.
"Atreyu, you know you don't' have to be the one to…you know…the sphinxes said we have to do it, so it doesn't have to be you. Maybe I…"
"No." he cut her off, momentarily knowing what she was going to suggest.
She raised her eyebrows "But why? Why does it always have to be you to do the dirty job?"
"We're not discussing this, Roni. You will be helping me, but when the time comes, you will stay out." He said firmly, showing her that this was out of question.
At first she wanted to be mad at him. She wanted to be angry at him for treating her like a helpless child, but on the inside she knew he was only thinking of her. He wanted to spare her the mental burden of taking someone's life, even if it meant taking it himself. Roni couldn't help but think what had she ever done to deserve him.
Alriiight…that's it for now. As always, review and tell me whatcha think. Thank you)