Chapter 21
"Mother! How can you say such things?!" Adalet was obviously not used to seeing this side of her mother.
"Daughter, you know as well as I what magic and the lust for power has done to the Land of Oz. Spawn of the "Wonderful Wizard" must be dealt with accordingly. I had no idea just how much this one is capable of and to follow in her father's footsteps could not be tolerated," Burcin narrowed her eyes at her own daughter and again Elphaba could feel the evil welling up.
"The Spawn is standing right here and make no mistake I will do what I have to in order to protect Oz. Even if that means ridding it of you," the green woman spat at the Witch.
"I stand with Miss Elphaba," Avantador let his opinion be known.
"So I can see, magical one. Why still eludes me considering her parentage," again Burcin ignored Elphaba. It was as if she didn't exist.
"She is the one true heir to the Ozian throne, Princess of the Vinkus, and swore to do everything in her power to bring rights back to the Animals. She brought down Morrible and has sacrificed so much so that others may have better yet she has been treated like garbage her entire life. Her heart is pure, which is more than I can say for your blackened heart. Do not test me woman or you will find out firsthand how Morrible died," Avantador hissed, his large teeth showing.
"Such loyalty. Tell me dragon what spell has she cast to have you in her back pocket? What promise has she made?" The Witch of the South wanted to know.
"Enough!" Fiyero bellowed, "I'll not have you speak of my wife in such a manner. She is everything Avantador says she is and more which is more than I can say for you Grandmother. I now see why Mother kept me away from you."
"You always were a silly boy, Fiyero," Burcin smirked.
"He's my silly boy. Now what have you done with his father?" Elphaba spoke up.
"Oh that miserable old coot. I gave him what he deserved. He was never good enough for my little Adalet yet I could not argue since becoming Queen meant so much more than the happiness love should have brought," the Witch continued to smirk.
"Mother! Haluk is a good man. He may be a bit stubborn but up until recently we were happy. What have you done?!" Adalet was now angry and worried for her husband.
"I'll tell you but only if Elphaba can prove she's the witch that everyone thinks she is. Darkness is fast approaching and the only way to end this is by the death of one of us," Burcin told her.
"No one has to die. Help us turn Oz into the land we all know it could be," Elphaba pleaded.
"Child you are more a fool than I thought. Oz will never be what it was. Now that your father has turned people onto what hate can do for them, it is too late. Face me or the consequences will be severe," the Witch of the South ordered. Elphaba was about to object when suddenly the Griffin lifted off the ground and scooped Glinda up with it.
"Do as I ask Elphaba or the blonde gets it," Burcin ordered.
"Elphie!" Glinda had powers of her own but the grip of the Griffin was strong and the sharp beak could easily kill her in one swift movement.
"Fight me coward. Win and you may have Oz. Lose and I will make sure that Oz never falls into the hands of someone like you again," the Witch practically snarled.
"We can change Oz for the better. Why not do it together?" Elphaba tried once again to dissuade her challenger and was met with a yelp from Glinda as the claws of the Griffin drew blood from the blonde's midsection.
"Fight me!" Burcin demanded as the sun sank further beneath the mountains and the clearing was getting darker and darker. Elphaba looked at Glinda and knew she had no choice. Quickly, she spoke in the ancient tongue and conjured up an energy ball. She fired it at Burcin and hoped it would strike the target. Burcin laughed and deflected the ball as if she had deflected a dandelion fluff.
"Now you will feel my wrath little one," in an instant, Burcin chanted a spell that allowed her to shapeshift into a large wolf. Howling at the moon quickly brought on the sound of more howls and the fear in the pit of Elphaba's stomach grew. Burcin was much more powerful than anyone had realized and now the green woman would be forced to fight the devil herself.
To Be Continued…