Happy new year,

…

I know it's a tad late, but I do hope everyone still reading enjoyed themselves; I know I did. My birthday is on the 30th and so, my best friend in the entire world bought me a new 3DS and the kinds new Pokemon Sun.

So I have been and still am, busy playing that, as well as used the break to write up more chapters so I can get the story moving more and it has moved more, lots more action and so I hope you like reading.

I shall leave it here, don't own W.I.T.C.H and all mistakes I apologise for now.

PS: to those that are still reading, I'm trying to reach my goal of 50 comments; now I don't know how many I have, but I know I'm not far off so if you can find it to help me I would be so happy.

Shameless begging over, let's get on with the reading.

"Tell me again why I'm here?"

Haylin asked upon being pulled inside the house, a trace of a falsely sweet smile was all she saw before her hand was yanked on, leading her through the door, and turned to watch the other girl closed it behind her before shrugging.

"I helped you yesterday, you owe me today."

"Yeah, but, it's… babysitting," Haylin stated, lifting her eyes up to the ceiling as if trying to find the right word and ending up with the obvious as Cornelia nodded sagely.

"I know; at least we need no help on figuring that part out,"

Before laughing at the irritable scowl now adorning the other girls face. Or at least it would have been irritable if the blonde was taking it seriously, Haylin sighed another second later when she realized it wasn't working and allowed herself to be pulled further through to the living room.

"Mum and dad have already gone so it was actually good that you came now and not later,"

Pursing her lips a little, Haylin really didn't like the sound of that and so once she had placed her jacket on the side pegs and followed the other girl into where Lillian was sat on the floor playing with a few dolls, she waited until Cornelia had picked up her book before asking.

"And why's that?"

Shrugging, Cornelia threw herself down and smirked as she glanced back up, flicking to the page she had been on when the bell went before adding nonchalantly.

"Because by then you'd most likely have been an accomplice to murder."

A small scoff was heard, just as Lillian lifted her head and sneered. "Oh, ha-ha… you wouldn't be saying that if mum was here."

Undeterred from the semi-threat, Cornelia merely shrugged once more and gazed down at the younger girl, a deviant gleam in her eyes as she replied.

"Oh, I still would have… I would have just made sure she was out the room, that was all."

A pause between them as Haylin frowned slightly upon noticing how tight the little girl seemed to be gripping her dolls, a small flicker of terror passing across her eyes before she shook her head and returned to her game, leaving the raven-haired girl to ponder on what that was, just as Cornelia speaking had her looking away.

"I'd get comfy now Haylin; you're going to be here a while,"

Rolling her eyes, the girl did just that, fitting herself in the space the blonde hadn't covered with her feet as the babysitting officially started. All in all, Haylin had to admit it wasn't as bad as she imagined, with the time going in relative peace; the occasional interruption when Lillian wanted something that she couldn't make by herself or going to the bathroom, it wasn't until the little girl spoke more conversationally did the problems start.

"I'm bored."

Haylin lowered the magazine she had been reading and spied the younger blonde looking to her sister, who was still reading her book and not seeming to have heard her, Haylin nudged the oblivious girl with her foot as Cornelia dragged her attention from the page and turned to look to her, as the other girl then pointed towards the still waiting Lillian.

Cornelia finally looked down. "What,"

"I'm bored."

Wrinkling her nose, the older blonde shrugged and turned back to her book. "You have your dolls, don't you?"

"Yeah but they're no fun anymore."

Still uncaring, the older girl casually turned the page, "Then go get some new ones and stop bugging me."

Haylin frowned and the slightly cold way Cornelia was treating her sister as they fell into silence again. About to speak up, she opened her mouth but was beaten to it as a purposefully loud sigh saw the finger's loosely holding the hardback tighten as Lillian looked down to the cat, at one point, had been Cornelia's until she almost threw the small feline at her sister who was enamoured by the small creature; iin one of the only times she had been nice to her, before speaking out-loud, once more with the purpose of annoying the older girl.

"I wish you could speak Napoleon, at last then I'd have someone to talk to,"

A small thump saw the book in Cornelia's hand close quickly. A look of extreme annoyance on her face as she glared down at the younger girl, being deliberately ignorant to her look, as a small smirk replaced the scowl and she spoke.

"Ok, that's it… bed time!"

The smug looking child's face dropped as she rounded on the older girl, seeing the expression of mocking delight as she uttered the dreaded words, and turned towards the clock.

"It's only eight!"

"I'm in charge, and I say it's bed time. Now brush your teeth and get your dam pyjamas on… now!"

A growl left the younger girls lips, one that impressed Haylin given how tiny she was as it echoed around the large, open spaced area before she glared hatefully at the senior blonde.

"AHHH… I hate you!"

Before storming off towards the stairs. Once her stomping footfalls had diminished, leaving the room in silence once more, Haylin turned to find the smug look had returned as Cornelia eyed the stairs with mirth in her eyes before settling back down.

"Then my work here is done."

Unsure of what to do, Haylin sits rather uncomfortably for a moment, until the light padding saw Napoleon leap from the floor where Lillian had left him and on to her knee. She glanced down but noticed that he was staring at the lifted book that now covered Cornelia's face again and with an unimpressed glare, opened his mouth.

"Lose the book, toots. We gotta talk."

Despite it not being aimed at her, the magazine in her hand slipped from her grasp as her mouth dropped open. Napoleon continued to keep his gaze upon the book, not taking note of Haylin's shock as Cornelia, paying only the slightest bit of attention, slowly replied.

"Geez Haylin, get a cough drop your throat sounds rough."

"…Err… Cornelia?"

No reply to which the cat could only lift a brow at, if such a thing was possible; but there was a talking cat right on her knee, so Haylin was positive that was very much what was happening, before she leaned over and started tugging on her sleeve, resorting to slapping once it was clear she wasn't getting through. It seemed to have done the trick, for the blonde recoiled from the slaps, arms lifting fir defence before finally dropping the book as she looked towards her friend, exasperation on her face.

"Haylin, I'm getting to a good part; whatever it is can it wait,

She stopped at the freaked-out expression adorning her face and her brow furrowed when she turned to her.

"What is it?"

She began pointing at the cat, gesturing frantically with her hand, in all honesty Cornelia was starting to regret asking her over; perhaps Taranee might have been the better choice, at least that way se could have given her sister a bed time story; those long-winded tales never failed to put her to sleep as she sighed and dropped her book to the side.

"Seriously, Haylin, your worrying me now… is the cat sick?"

Though her tone belied any concern her words might have suggested as she glanced at the still staring rodent—er, she meant feline, with a dubious look; it wasn't until Napoleon lifted his little chin a bit higher, did he speak again.

"Considering the trouble her words have just caused. You really think a book is going to be as thrilling as what comes next."

A harsh silence descended upon the room. Haylin turned and was glad to find that the expression she had felt was now mirrored on the blondes… though did she really look as silly as that? Before Cornelia finally spoke, surprisingly having found her voice quicker than she would have thought.

"You… you can talk."

A slow nod was her response. Cornelia parroted the action, her own head bobbing as she bit on her lower lip, another beat of silence followed before she sprung up from her place on the sofa.

"Well this is just fantastic. What's a peaceful night without a talking fuzzball to make it complete…" she trailed off, her feet having started to move on their own, Haylin watched as she paced the floor in front of them, before turning back to gaze at the cat—still very much affronted at the insult to his person, as what he said had only just registered in her mind.

"You said her words… do you mean Lillian's?"

Another nod had her turning away, a hand reaching to her head as she stopped for a moment. A small noise had Haylin coming to her side, concern on her face as she watched her friend seemingly take the miracle of the speaking cat a worse than she had and so placed a hand on her shoulder, trying her best to soothe her as a sigh left her lips, followed by the sagging of her head. A minute later she lifted it and looked to see her worried gaze.

"We're going to need the others, aren't we?"

A rueful smile followed by a nod had another heavy breath leave her and she sucked in her lips before she inhaled deeply.

"Alright… let's call them."

Taking a split share of phoning duties; the blonde having taken Will, with Haylin working on the other two, it was how Cornelia came to hear the conversation the air wielder was having as she had finished speaking with Taranee and had now in discussion with Irma.

"Hey… so we need you to come to Cornelia's, like now—yes now, it's urgent… what do you mean why? Because it's urgent I've just said that—what? Yes, I'm already here, why… because I was helping babysitting… yes at her house—the entertainment room? What are you on about… of course I haven't been in there, yet- oh for god's sake! It was just a saying, its not like I'm really going to go in there…"

The conversation carried that way making the blonde girl laugh as Haylin finally managed to get off the phone a few minutes later, a frustrated sigh leaving her as she hung up and turned around.

"They'll be over as soon as they can,"

Cornelia nodded lightly, "Did you have any luck with Will?"

The hesitant look of hope on Haylin's face spoke volumes about her own thoughts of the red-head's lack of commitment to their friendship in recent weeks, as she smiled and tipped her head a little.

"She'll be over as soon as she can… and she's bringing Matt."

Haylin's look of hesitance was quickly replaced by a look of joy. "Really?"

"She said in the next ten minutes or so,"

"That's great!... wow—it's the first time in a while she's actually done something,"

Cornelia could only nod again, as she spun back around and moved into the area where Napoleon was sitting; he heard her approach and looked up from his cleaning as she sat at his side.

"Was it Lillian who allowed you to speak?"

A nod had her continuing, a horrible feeling having been born since the moment he had spoken; had now grown and was steadily bubbling in her gut.

"What do you mean?"

He lifted his eyes to look at her, the silence that had been growing ever since she sat down had now taken an uneasy turn and before she could ask more, Haylin made her way over.

"Why don't we wait until the other arrive; that way Napoleon won't have to repeat himself."

"Thanks doll,"

A blush rose over the younger girls' cheeks at having been complimented by a cat, just as the door bell rang and she turned around, a mumbled offer to go get it saw her scurrying off and leaving a smirking cat behind in her wake. A few muffled words and both Irma and Taranee appeared from the hall. They made their way further into the house, having only ever been here once before the whole time either had been friends with the blonde, they were staring at the size of the room as Irma let out a low whistle on coming to stand next to the older girl.

"Dam Corny, has this place gotten bigger since the first and last time I was here… you know, all those many years ago,"

A half a sneer formed on the blondes' face as she addressed the admiring brunette. "No, but your already tiny brain must have shrunk if you think this place has gotten any larger." Before she shifted focus and smiled at Taranee who had rolled her eyes at the immediate turn the conversation had taken, just as Haylin joined them.

"Right, now just for Will an—" all at once the admiration on Irma's face dropped and a scowl emerged at the mention of the red-heads' name. Haylin shook her head at the action and Taranee rolled her eyes again, as Cornelia turned to look at the water guardian.

"This isn't the time for petty fights now, alright?"

Irma stared at her, bemusement now mixed with the scowl. "Since when was you miss mediator? Normally it's you that starts the fights."

"Yes well, that was before this happened and…" she trailed off before giving a small look to Haylin, a look that didn't go unnoticed as Taranee, looking slightly alarmed at the expression given, spoke up.

"What do you mean? What's—" but was cut off by the blinding light filling the centre of the room. Once they had uncovered their eyes, Cornelia levelled the newly emerged Will a fierce glare.

"What the hell Will! What if Lillian had been here,"

The red-head had the grace to look sheepish, as she very carefully pulled a silent Matt with her and turned to face the irate older girl.

"Sorry—sorry… it's just the walk was too cold and—" she straggled off on seeing the brunette who had been facing the other way, arms crossed in front of her and scowled darkly.

"What's she doing here,"

The almost accusing voice had the water wielder spinning around, a retort on her lips when Cornelia stood in front of them.

"Stow the fight for later, right now we have a problem that I for one, would like to hear the rest of and so," she took a step back and faced the cat once more who had taken to grooming himself once more, as Irma, forgetting her ire with Will, sidled up to Taranee and muttered in her ear.

"Wait… so she doesn't even know what's wrong," to which a puzzled shrug was her answer just as the other girl heaved a sigh and threw her hand out tiredly to the cat.

"Alright Napoleon, if you would be so kind as to carry on,"

For a moment no one said anything. Having heard what she said, it was Taranee who very slowly spoke; her face portraying the confusion for them all.

"Err… Cornelia?" the other girl turned to look at her, as the fire guardian gave her a slight smile before biting her top lip and carefully thought her words before carrying on.

"Napoleon's the cat… right?"

Not sure what she could have said that had them thinking otherwise, Cornelia nodded to which Taranee mimicked, still deeply confused just as said cat jumped up to the top of the sofa.

"Great, blondies actually gone crazy," Irma cut in, as she stared at the silent girl still standing next to the sofa.

"You do realize it's a cat don't you, and cats don't talk or was that what you were expecting?"

"That's exactly what's happening, tuts." She was beaten from speaking by the cat who had finally opened his maw once more and everyone—including the morose standing Matt, nearly fell in shock as they snapped their heads in the direction of the calmly waiting feline.

"You talked…" it was Irma again who broke the silence as Napoleon nodded slowly, "I did,"

"But… cats don't speak." Rolling his eyes at the stupor in her tone, he fixed the stunned brunette with a firm stare.

"And your sense of articulateness amazes me, but we have bigger problems here."

"Then by all means, please tell us," whilst she had been enjoying the sight of the brunette speechless for once in her life, Cornelia was itching to get to the heart of the issue, and having them gape over the fact he could speak was time wasted that they possibly could be using to fix it. So, lifting a hand, she signalled the rest to refrain from speaking and threw an expectant glare Irma's way, who huffed but nodded fell quiet.

"Is that a rat on your shoulder?"

Everyone turned to face Will, who had been carrying Mr. Huggles around her neck, as she chuckled a little before turning to face the cat, an indignant look on her face.

"He's not a rat he's a dormouse!"

Unperturbed by her tone, Napoleon shrugged, "Its small and squeaks… to me that says rat."

Before Will could reply, a loud shout had them jolting and looked to see Cornelia's fixed stare fixed upon the cat.

"Just get on with the story,"

Will rightfully fell silent and stood back next to Matt who had quickly taken her hand as soon as she stepped back to his side.

A few more seconds and Napoleon finally continued with his tale. "Have you ever heard of familiars?"

For a while no one spoke, as Will chanced a looked a round before shrugging. "Familiar?"

Not a beat after she had spoken did Haylin clap her hands and lift one up in the air, "Ooh—ooh I know, I know,"

"Haylin, we're not in school; don't need to raise your hand… or answer for that matter," slowly the younger girl lowered it, a small smile crossing her lips at that as she shrugged and carried on speaking.

"A familiar is a magical or spiritual animal that protects and guides a witch."

"Hey, my sister may be the biggest brat this side of Heatherfield, but she isn't a witch," Cornelia defended, glaring at Napoleon as if his status had somehow cursed her sister. Still unconcerned by the glares, he simply nodded in Haylin's direction.

"Got it in one; witch might not be the right word, she is something… gave me the power of speech, just by wishing. If that isn't something, then tell me what is. But I'll tell you now; if her power has surfaced this early, not only is it extremely bad to have so much in the hands of an eight-year-old, my advice is to leave it until she is older enough to handle this power."

None of it was making any sense to Cornelia. It was bad enough to have a talking cat that, if what she was guessing was right, was never going to shut up again, but to find that her sister had powers? And what of exactly… she wasn't happy.

"Of what… we still don't know what it is she has,"

Whilst she was talking, Will had taken the heart from around her neck and holding it in her hand, slashed it through the air creating another fold. The noise had them turning to find the portal as the red-head looked back.

"Then let's go get some answers."

The statement was simple, and knowing that if anyone, Luba might be more able to provide them with the answers they sought, it wasn't long before they went, Will had felt that hand in hers tighten and looked to find Mat staring at her, panic clear in his eyes. It might not have been his first time out the house, but sensing that they needed to go and frankly he had no wish to follow, he was inwardly freaking out over being left alone as she reached up and cupped his cheek.

"I won't be long… I promise you, Napoleon will be hear if you need to fill the silence,"

"Yeah, I'm sure the kid will want to bed-time story anyhow… how's your reading skills," he asked as an afterthought as he glanced up to the young boy who gave a wane smile, nodding lightly as Will leaned in to kiss his lips.

"Won't be long,"

With that they vanished from sight. Standing in the middle of the living room with nothing else to do, Matt recoiled into himself a little and went to sit down. He could do this… she wouldn't be long, and she always kept her promises.

"You ok?"

Turning to look at the observing feline, he nodded again just as footsteps had him looking to see a younger version of Cornelia staring at him.

"Who are you?"

He went to speak but Lillian beat him to it, as she glanced around. "And where did Cornelia go?

This time he went to talk but once more was overridden as the little girl scowled once it hit her and she crossed her arms.

"She left me didn't she? I knew there was a reason she invited Haylin over…"

To Matt's surprise the small bundle of angry child soon deflated, and he was left staring at a miserable looking kid.

"Why doesn't she like me."

In no way prepared to answer a question like that, the only thing he could do that didn't involve in him breaking down was to grab the book sitting at the side of him and held it up.

"Want a bed time story," much to his immense relief, Lillian lifted her head and after gazing at the book, slowly smiled and nodded. Once the next plan of action was ready, he grinned—giving the little girl one of the more genuine smiles he had been able to give in weeks, as a meow had them turning to find the cat slinking up to them and Lillian giggled, bending to pick the cat up, as she turned and made her way to the stairs.

"Come on then… my room's this way."

Matt watched as she strode away, all traces of unhappiness gone as she began to ascend the steps. At the top Napoleon managed to turn and with a meaningful stare, Matt quickly jumped to his feet remembering his role and hurried off after them.

Meanwhile in Kandrakar, after greeting the woman still de-facto in charge of the temple, the group settled themselves down as Cornelia leant against the edge of the stone table, Haylin moving to join her as Will—on seeing that the blonde was in no mood to talk—took over and began telling the keeper all what Napoleon had told them. The older woman looking pensive with each bit of information given until at last Will had come to a stop.

"From what you have told me, it seems that Lillian is a vassal for vast amounts of magic… perhaps maybe even the heart of earth itself.

That had them stunned and as Haylin looked on, she could feel at the side of her, the blonde tense immediately at the word just as Irma spoke.

"The heart… really?"

Luba nodded placidly, "It would explain why the oracle chose one such as Cornelia to wield the earth element…" she cut herself off, taking a second to glance at the brooding blonde who had yet to say a word and wondering if she had heard anything of what had been said. As such she was glad to see the young girl back to normal after what had happened in Meridian; any power taken from Nerissa was good news and so to have lost an asset, still gave her the ability to hope that she would be taken down.

"Wait—wait… you mean the oracle chooses the guardians?"

Again, the woman nodded, and blinked in surprise as soon she was nearly crowded as the others, eager to know their reasons for being chosen, all spoke at once, expect Haylin, who was still standing next to Cornelia and was starting to grow worried.

Carefully she looked at her side and really didn't like how quiet she was being, nothing good ever came from a quiet Cornelia and so very gently, lifted her hand until she touched her arm.

"Are-are you alright?"

Still silent Cornelia only stared at the floor. Oh, she had heard everything all right, and she was terrified. The heart's boded no well for anyone and the fact that her sister could very well be—all but certain according to Luba, the earths source, she knew that made her a target.

As if cursed for thinking it, the words conjured images of the things that had immediately become her main fear on hearing the confirmation; images of Nerissa discovering who held the heart, creeping her way into the picture, worming her way into her sister's affections and then when she had gained her trust, draining her completely dry and leaving her to suffer.

Another scenario she tried hard to banish was Nerissa holding Lillian hostage. Having decided that the long game was too tiresome and forcing her sister to hand over the power she had no idea existed; closing her eyes, she felt her heart pick up speed at the image of her sister struggling in her grip, calling out in fear and for Cornelia to save her… Nerissa laughing when it was clear the older blonde had no way of doing so and then once more draining her dry, before throwing her down off the cliff she had been standing over.

The last mental image was off Lillian screaming as she plummeted below and with a violent wave of her head, opened her eyes. Throwing herself away from the side, she ignored Haylin who jumped at the abrupt action and watched wide eyed as Cornelia faced Luba.

"Take it away,"

Though her voice wasn't the loudest, it was the one that got through and slowly everyone tapered off and turned to see the rigid stance the blonde had taken, as Luba lifted her head to look at her.

"What do you mean?"

"The power… take it from her,"

More silence followed, before the keeper slowly shook her head. "I cannot do such a thing. The heart is a fundamental aspect of any chosen to hold it, and as such is not something that can be taken by ritual or force."

She stopped at seeing the darkness that had dimmed the brightness of the blue eyes and frowned. "I know that the heart of earth can seem like a lot… especially when compared to a guardian's power, but I assure you that there is no need to feel jeal—"

She was cut of by a bitter laughter, the others all looked on in shock at the way the blonde was acting, as behind her Haylin could only fret.

"You think this is down… to jealously? The slightly heightened tone told them that wasn't the case as she shook her head again, more harsh laughter followed as she paced.

"This isn't about anything of the sort; this is about Lillian and the fact now she is a target for Nerissa."

She paced harder, her footsteps nimble as she looked to the floor; the occasional mutter coming from her as around her, the rest didn't know what to say. Eventually it was Will that spoke up, taking a step closer to the wound-up blonde, reluctant to do anything that might set her off but knowing she had to try.

"We've only just discovered the,hearts owner, none of us are ever going to speak of any of this and if we play it right then she wont ever learn it at all and—"

But Cornelia, still lost in her self-macabre thoughts and taunted with the images of possible what if's, Nerissa would do to secure the earths power. She shook her head and looked up.

"She'll know… do you think she won't have already tried to find out before now? She has this way of working out just who exactly holds the power and I know she'll find its Lillian and once she discovers who she really is then she'll use it to taunt us and—"

She cut off from her tirade abruptly, something of a relief for them all, knowing she was getting more worked up, they had to try and find a way to soothe her fears and so with a quick show of gratitude to Luba, who nodded herself looking just as worried about the older girl as the rest of them, Haylin went to try and calm her down.

But there was a reason why Cornelia had stopped her panicking, and it wasn't because she had run out of breath. The voice, the one that had guided her for so long, throughout the time spent with Nerissa and helping with the worst parts of her tenure as a knight, had finally spoken up for the first time since her release from the older woman's grip.

Its sudden announcement had stopped the earth guardian dead in her tracks, face morphed with fear and confusion as she let her head hang, trying to understand its words.

'It'll get worse before it gets better… but you have the resilience to overcome what happens next.'

Still unsure of its meaning, she waited for more.

'Good luck little one, now go and save your sister.'

"What do you mean…" before her entire body lit up and she staggered back by the force, as the Auramere, having resided for so long inside her body, had finally left. The others who had been attempting to try and help her, all stopped as they witnessed the scene and could only look on in a surprised stupor as the Auramere hovered above them.

"Crap! Cornelia!"

Haylin dived upon seeing the other girl swaying and got her just before she fell to the floor, gently holding she checked her over and saw her slightly dazed state, so readjusted her position until both were sitting on the floor.

Having just felt like she had been sucker-punched in the chest, Cornelia tried rapidly to calm her fast beating heart, but if being socked in the sternum was the worst she thought could happen, it was nothing compared to what came next as for the briefest moment, her mind finally cleared, and she gained a semblance of lucidity, before the memories hit her like a sledgehammer.

Bombarding her mind and filling up every available space, they buried her and vaguely she could hear the faint screaming, not at all realizing that it was her as she was swamped under the torrent of never ending flashbacks, as finally, her past—as brief as it was—as a knight, finally caught up to her.

Everyone in the room jumped, even Luba, for all her unflappable demeanour, failed to sense the oncoming emotion that blew from the downed girl like a volcano. Immediately all eyes turn towards the pair and finding them on the floor.

The sight pulls a gasp from Taranee's lips as she stands with her hands over her mouth, Irma is immobile, standing and watching, a look of blankness on her face, yet her eyes still somehow managed to convey her disbelief and Will… Will was standing and watching a repeat of the first time she had seen Matt break.

"Guys… Help… Me!"

Haylin was struggling, her arms around the writhing blonde but given how difficult Cornelia was making it for her to keep a proper grip on her—the other girl was lashing out viciously, and her own lack of upper body strength when not in guardian form, she was losing her hold and it showed on her desperate face.

As soon as they heard her plea, the others jumped forwards; Luba watched silently as they tried their best to contain a frantically hysterical blonde. Irma swore when she was pushed back no sooner had her hand landed on Cornelia's back, the touch seemingly setting her off even more and causing her to thrash harder.

"What's happening?"

Will looked to Taranee who was trying her best to keep the movement to a minimum and at the same time mind the hands as the red-head shook her head sadly, eyes wet as already she could see how traumatized Matt had become; having been there for every one of his panic attack she knew all to well what was coming, and though they might react in different ways, ultimately it would lead to the same thing.

Another scream saw Cornelia trying hard to claw at her head, trying in vain to remove the memories that had been slamming her none stop, and she finally manged to slip underneath Haylin's arms and get out from the small pile.

"Cornelia!"

But the blonde was too far gone in her own mind. She shook her head and was backing away as if an animal in a trap; her eyes wide and foggy as the tears slid down her face. The others now staggered to their feet, turning to face the terrified older girl. Will with her hand out, beseeching the blonde to take it.

"Cornelia…"

The other girl simply shook her head and despite her eyes looking straight through them, her gaze was directed right at them and she lifted her hands to her head once more.

"Oh god…. Oh god… those children… what did we do!"

The silence at her words, was louder than any big bang could ever recreate as those in the room could do nothing but stare at the twitching girl; fear evident in their guts and a menacing chill shot down each of their spines.

"Wh-what does she mean?" Haylin's quiet voice broke the graveyard silence; her eyes wide, disturbed and fearful as she gazed at the others, hoping one of them would be able to tell her, but they were just as unnerved by the small revelation as Luba finally stepped closer.

The half-felines face was unreadable as she stared at the older girl, about to speak she went to open her mouth but another shout saw Cornelia finally running. Still frozen in their spots they could only watch as she fled to the double doors and out into the hall. It was only when Haylin, who had managed to find her mobility first and had given chase did they finally find the sense to do the same.

"CORNELIA!"

Running though the halls, they twisted around corners and down flights of stairs in a vain hope of catching up with the surprisingly nimble girl who had already vanished from sight; it wasn't until Haylin ran past an open door leading out onto the outside balcony did she skid to a halt. Her sudden stop had the others crashing into each other as they had been running as fast as they could, and was about to ask why she stopped when the dark-haired girl rushed back to the double doors and gasped at what she saw.

Wasting no time, the others all crammed behind her and their hearts stopped in their chests as they gazed upon the sight of Cornelia as she stared out over the vast endless sky of Kandrakar, no one dared to speak, too afraid of what to say that wouldn't worsen the situation. In the end it was Will who had decided to try and so very carefully taking a step out, looking up to see if the girl had noticed but it didn't look like she had, she nodded and licking her lips, carefully called out.

"Cornelia?"

As expected there was no response, so she tried again to get the same reaction, she turned to the others, a helpless expression on her face but knowing she was the only one with experience with the emotions currently running through the other girl, it was up to her to see her down safely and so looked around once more, only to swear and throw herself as Cornelia had, in the time she turned away, had gone to climb the ledge but was pulled back harshly and hit out as she found herself in a strong embrace.

"NO! Don't touch me!"

Determined not to let go, Will held on, even when the inevitable blow came from the lashing hands, she weathered it and held firm. Her heart slowly shattering inside as eventually, and realizing she wasn't letting go, Cornelia slumped. The sounds of the outside were filled with agonizing tears as the older girl gripped the sides of the red-heads shirt. Very soon she was joined by Haylin, whose own face had been streaked with tears and not standing being able to simply watch, she threw herself down by their side and wrapped her arms around the blondes back; ignoring the way she tensed drastically, held on just like Will, as soon the others joined and soon Cornelia found herself in a four way 'WITCH' hug.

Though her tears may have subsided, the pain and the flashbacks had yet to cease and so the others often felt the sharp twitches as she struggled to push away the memories, as they did their best to help her in any which way they could.

For the longest time none of them moved, not for fear of setting her off again, but for their own exhaustion had crept over them and they all found themselves neither inclined or the energy to want to move, as very carefully, Will lifted her head from where it had been resting atop the older girls and looked down. The other girl still held a fierce grip on her shirt, but the tears had mercifully subsided… that was a noise she never wished to hear again, second only to the pained cries of Matt, as she very gently ran a hand through her hair.

"Cornelia look at me,"

It took her a moment, but the blonde slowly shook her head, her words whispered, voice hoarse from the crying.

"Don't ask me to, Will, please…"

A muffled sob had Haylin burying her face deeper into the older girls back as Will took a breath before carrying on.

"I know, but please… I'm not going to ask you to speak," waiting, she smiled lightly as the promise of not talking had roused the blonde into lifting her head and once more Will's heart broke as she saw the look of utter devastation but pressed forward with the rest of her words.

"I know this is hard. I can't even begin to imagine what must be going through your head right now; but just know that you won't be facing this alone. Haylin's here, Irma and Taranee," as if to back up her words, the trio surrounding them all gave encouraging squeezes, as Will smiled at them and carried on.

"And I'll be here… I know that for the past few weeks I haven't and for that I am sorry… to all of you," she added, looking up, as Irma caught her gaze and in the spirit of their broken friend in between them, merely nodded her head and smiled back.

"You're not alone, alright, if it gets too hard lean on us; and don't think for a second Caleb won't be there to help…if he had his way he'd be there all day and night. The point is, your struggles, are our struggles, and we'll see them through together."

"It's not going to be easy, it's not going to go away overnight… and—" she cut off, recalling that chilling moment in the hall and not wishing to know wat exactly she meant, but knew it would come up at some point, she fleetingly eyed the others before carrying on.

"And whatever happened, whatever went on during that time; we'll work through as a team." Will could see the doubt swimming in the amongst the pool of loathing and fear and pulled her into another hug, doing her best to ensure her, her words were sincere; it was silent for a while, but it was broke when the shrill chiming had the red-head pull away and patting her pockets—confusion on her face, before she pulled out the small cell phone.

"You have reception here?"

She lifted her head to see the others, sans Cornelia, staring at her and smiled, shrugging before she flipped it open, minding Irma's impressed compliment to her network and brought it to her ear.

"Matt?"

It took the boy a moment to speak, something that had Wil frowning before he finally spoke, when he did, the red head knew immediately that something was wrong.

"…W-Will,"

"Matt, what is it… what's wrong?"

A small shaky sigh could be heard before he replied. "Where are you,"

Not sure why he was asking, the guardian leader glanced to others and pursed her lips before answering.

"Still in Kandrakar, why?"

Another beat of silence btefore a quivering laugh could be heard, followed by his whispered response. "I was afraid of that."

His reply sent a shiver of dread through her chest and down to her stomach as she held the phone with both hands now.

"Matt, what is it, what's going on?" by now the others, having been watching, all stood on guard, as Haylin heaved the still dazed Cornelia to her feet and looked on fretfully, waiting, just like Will, for Matt's answer.

"Well, while you were all still in Kandrakar; Cornelia walked through the door not five minutes ago,"

"What!?"

An icy grip clutched at the red-heads heart, throwing a cautious glance to the older girl's way, who still had her head on Haylin's shoulder, she looked down cursing and then replying quickly.

"We'll be there in in less than a minute, just… hold on, please,"

"Hurry,"

With that she snapped the phone shut and yanked the heart out of her pocket. "Will?"

She inhaled heavily before turning back around, "Nerissa is at Cornelia's"

Cornelia, who had been lost in her own nightmarish thoughts, was dragged from her hounding memories at the mention of the witches' name.

Will nearly tumbled over as the blonde moved abruptly, grasping hold of the heart she stared wide eyed, as did everyone else when the once catatonic girl towered over them, fire in her eyes and every word that came from hr mouth, dripped with hate and a sild promise.

"Open that fold, Will… I'm going to kill her."

Still staring, it didn't take Will long to react; she didn't want to wait, Matt was still there and helpless against her, and seeing how he was still struggling to cope, she didn't want to come back to find him back at square one and so slashing her hand down, was pushed through no sooner as the fold opened as Cornelia took charge and with her sworn oath still in their minds, went back to the other side with the vow of sorting Nerissa out before she claimed the heart of earth, and potentially harming Lillian doing so.