*Previously*
In a heated battle between the Storm Hawks and Cyclonis, Vanessa agrees to exchange her help for the Storm Hawks' safety and a way back to Earth.
A pattern had established itself in Vanessa's miserable life, and she wasn't quite sure how long she'd be able to put up with anymore.
Each morning, she'd be woken up bright and early to be tortured. A lavish array of crystals and mind tricks had been used on her by both Victor and Master Cyclonis, only to be unstrapped from the steeply angled tabled at nightfall, seemingly teetering on the brink of death every time, and having dealt with multiple trance like blackouts. Afterwards, she'd be escorted back to her murky, damp cell by Gerard. His words had been truthful that faithful day, when the old talon had reassured her they'd meet again.
The first couple of days, their walks were shared in silence, but as Vanessa's senses numbed, Gerard's vigilance lowered. With each passing day, he'd tell the girl more. About his upbringing on terra Pyrus, about the stories his father told him whilst growing up. About how one day, a young man called Victor had become obsessed with power, ignited a war and tipped a balance which caused the lives of many. Gerard had been enlisted with the secret and safety of the very artifacts Victor was after, but one day, their presence was just too risky on their respectful terras. Gerard explained how over time, he had neglected his duty as Guardian, having lost any hope to have anything left to guard. Now, 46 days later, he tells her only one thing. He tells her she returned hope to Atmos.
This day, was turning out to be a very different day.
Vanessa POV
The familiar scraping of the metal hinges and bolts churning closed behind my aching back had lost their unsettling effect on my numbed state.
About to drop to my knees on the cold, muddy floor of my dark cell once again, a whisper makes me halt midway. After all this time, I suddenly allow my senses to come rushing back to me. And they quite nearly knock the air out of me.
"Ready yourself, Lady Aquaroch, the Element Lord's patience has worn out, as has your time in this prison." I turn around to see Gerard's kind, wrinkled face fold itself into a soft smile. Cautiously, sauntering closer to the iron bars, my gaze fleets over the dark hallway. A couple of Victor's black clad men, and three green and maroon-ish clad talons were spaced evenly throughout the corridor, each minding their own business. "Ger" I whispered back softly, looking at him with compassion as he remained hunched forward, holding my tray of food. "What are you-"
"Years ago, I swore to my father I'd do whatever it took to protect you, my lady, I believe the time has finally come to reclaim my promise." Gerard was far from an old man, but past experiences had bore its mark on his face and the pained look in his eyes.
"But your family-" I started.
"-will finally be able to live in a safe, peaceful world." He finished for me with a smile. Then, he slowly pushed a plate filled with much more food than usual under through the little hatch near the ground. " You weren't the only soul they robbed from, my lady, it's about time the scores are settled." The fierce determination in the man's bright blue orbs closed up my throat. "We won't let them win. The guards change at midnight. Prepare yourself."
And with that, he was gone, leaving me with a folded cloak and on it a little tray stacked with bread, some type of rice, porridge and a little pouch containing my.. My gasp elicited slight bustling in the corridor, but after a few seconds of silence, I proceeded to retrieve my blades from the silk pouch.
I was getting free. I was going home.
? POV
Victor had arranged for a special entrance for visitors like me. Visitors his 'allies' weren't supposed to know about. As always, he didn't leave much room for dilly dally.
"You are sure it wasn't her necklace. " The man was like a child really. Despite being well in his fifties, his random hissy fits and infantile stubbornness were becoming quite exasperating. Sadly, pickers can't be choosers and I didn't have much other choice when pledging my alliance to him.
I simply nodded and stood by his side, overlooking the quieter side of Cyclonia. Darkness was falling over it, throwing chilling shadows on Victor's angular face. "I assume your tests have been fruitless as well?" I asked.
It was his turn to nod "Your test was insufficient, we had to make sure. Neither near death nor the other crystals enticed any sort of primal reaction from her, like it did from the Terra boy."
I barely repressed a scowl, took a moment to contain myself, and remarked. "Well, the boy was the flimsiest Elemental of them all, wasn't he?"
And then, creepily synchronized, the same grin spread over both of our faces as the same thought crossed out minds. Finally, Victor turned to face me, placed a hand on my shoulder and voiced that thought. "None will ever be quite as bright as you, my son." His eyes bore into mine and my body tensed as he at last prepared to give me what I'd come here for. "Your efforts have been long and strenuous, but the time has finally come to complete our mission. We will no longer be forced to engage ourselves with scum, when the Atmos' power and order is finally in our hands. "
A smile spread on my lips, and in my eagerness, I failed to notice the figure watching our conversation from the dark shadows behind our backs, just as eager to hear of Victor's final step in his masterplan as I was.
Victor's gray orbs remained fixed on me as well, his grip on my shoulder slightly tightening "I have finally retrieved the two remaining crystals, now you will retrieve the last and then neither the council nor their pesky little skynights will have any say any chance to muck up our future." His smile turned almost maniacal "And I'll make sure they're kept busy in the mean time."
We both laughed, each our own inside joke, whilst the lurking stranger's scowl only darkened, and we both leant forward, hanging off Victor's lips.
"My son, here is what you're going to do-"
Vanessa POV
The uneven surface of the dirt wall poked into my back as I sat against it, my arms clutched around my legs and shoulders tensed. For the umpteenth time in weeks, I wished for there to be a window in my cell so I could see the sky, and maybe gauge the time. Now, I was literally and figuratively in the dark, waiting for my cue.
"Psst"
A sound arose from the dark, and I immediately tensed up. I was absolutely certain I hadn't heard the guard change just yet, and the cool metal of my blades lay trustily in my hand, ready to set ablaze at any second.
"Ger?" I asked, nearing the iron bars of my cell and squinting "How-" And it was then, that my actually stopped beating.
"Vanessa?" His voice was soft, hoarse, yet unmistakenably familiar.
Finally, I found my voice again, lurching forward "Oh my god." My throat tightened as tears of relief started to press against the back of my eyes, and I finally came face to face with him.
"Thank god, you're still alright." A breath of relief escaped his lips as he reached his hand between the bars to cup my face, the same sentiment apparent in his blue orbs.
I let my blades slip back into confinement, and reached my hand up to rest over his on my cheek. "Cameron, how on earth-"
"There's no time," he suddenly moved quickly, the door somehow swinging open without any sort of noise and a pungent odor filling the air around us. "We have to hurry." He whispered again urgently.
Once again, I frowned "But how-"
"Come on." He tugged me behind him, out the cell and into the dimly lit corridor, leading me swiftly and deliberately away from the prison I'd been kept in for what felt like years. We passed two of Cyclonis' men, laying face down, but I'd learnt not to ask any questions.
Every so often he'd turn around, checking to make sure I was alright and if anyone was following us.
At first, I did as well. Waiting to see Gerard pop around the corner, until everything finally clicked.
Just as Cameron turned around to glance at me once again, his blue orbs locked onto mine and I stared in shock "What?" he asked, alarmed, his sweaty grip on my hand only tightening. Finally, I only smiled and shook my head, the moonlight streaming in at the end of the final corridor we turned in, shining a magnificent halo on the back of Cameron's brown locks.
"I finally figured it out."
Cameron was Gerard's son.
AN: Let me tell you; reading over all of the previous chapters I've written was absolute hell. I cannot believe how rubbish my writing was or what rubbish I wrote, but that being said, I'll be revising each chapter systematically over the week. If you're lost on what previously went on in the story, I suggest reading chapters 9 and 10. Other than that, I have only two things left to say. 1) Despite the story nearly drawing to a close, I have loads of plot twists left for you guys and 2) It's great to be back, so please review if you enjoyed or have any comments on how my writing or the story has developed. New chapter will be up soon, thanks!