Chapter Twenty-Five: The Lovely Bones
AN: Sorry. I know I'm taking forever, but my musical talents are being acknowledged, and I now have six performances to prepare for. This chapter will probably be extremely long.
The next day, Serena phoned in sick again, pleading food poisoning as a result of bad clams. After much acting and the production of fake vomit, and the deposition of fake vomit on the floor, Serena finally managed to convince her aunt and Luna that she was genuinely sick. Then, she created a doppelganger that did nothing but sleep, moan, and vomit. Once that was done, Serena slipped out of the house and ran to the arcade to meet Anthony.
When she got there, Anthony hot-wired a car and drove them to an old, abandoned temple. Serena prayed that they wouldn't get arrested. She had no desire to explain to her friends how she'd managed to get herself landed in jail. Once at the temple, the blonde began to arrange the pale violet candles in a circle on the floor in the middle of the room. Then, she drew the sign for a searching spell inside the circle, just the way the book said.
Anthony lit the candles one by one, and then the preparations were complete. The two teenagers sat in the middle of the circle, each sitting across from the other. Anthony held one palm out, Serena placed her hand on it palm up, and then offered her other hand palm up, like Anthony did. Anthony placed his hand on it palm up in the fashion that Serena's other hand was placed. The two then closed their eyes, and began to chant.
Grant our request, powers of old,
Help us find that which evil stole.
Evil has come, and we require
The help of ye from the times of fire.
We seek the bones of a hero lost.
If they are not found, we fear the cost.
Gods of water, aid us now.
Retrieve for us that which must be found.
Kings of wind, grant us help,
We ask you for power for this spell.
Help us retrieve that which is lost.
O, Mother Earth, lady of life,
Deliver us from this time of strife.
Help us find Elara,
That she may help us
End evil times.
Serena could feel the heat of the fire, taste the earth, sensed the wind blowing across her face, and heard the water rushing through her veins. Gold light flashed behind her closed eyelids, and she could feel Anthony tensing. She struggled to remain focused, and began the chant that would bring them what they needed.
With the fire of our desires and the water of our veins,
The earth the vessel holding our souls, the wind of our passions, grant us aid.
Serena chanted this verse over and over, Anthony's voice joining hers. Both could feel the power coursing through them now, and knew that there was no turning back. The power within them grew stronger and stronger, and eventually, all they could hear was the siren song of the elements. The lights flashing around the two grew blinding, and the forces they had invoked began to do the work they had been summoned to do. The raw power rushing through the teens' veins was causing almost unbearable pain, but both were determined to finish what they started.
Finally, the power exploded within them, and the elements declared their work done. Anthony and Serena opened their eyes. Between them lay the bones of Elara. The spell had been successful, and they weren't dead. Anthony whooped, and Serena let out a surprised laugh.
"I'll be damned," Anthony said, shaking his head. "We actually got it right the first try. And no one's head exploded!"
"Now we can do the spell that'll restore Elara's essence," Serena said excitedly.
"Yeah, we can start that. We have plenty of time."
It was true; the spell had only taken two hours. It was only noon.
"Let's grab a bite first. We don't need anyone to faint while we're casting the spell."
"I brought sandwiches. Turkey or ham?" Anthony held up two sandwiches.
"Ham," Serena replied.
Anthony tossed it to her. The two ate quickly, and then prepared for the second spell. This time, they required a circle of blue candles, and they drew an ornate, circular symbol on the floor that was reminiscent of something the Druids might have used.
The incantation for this spell was only one word; "Awake," the two commanded, and they pushed every drop of power they possessed into that command. Mist arose from the bones, and began to form the shape of a woman. The spell moved surprisingly quickly; in another hour, a woman who had a slight resemblance to Serena appeared.
Elara was beautiful; she had flowing blonde hair, much like Serena's, but her eyes were as green as oak leaves. They weren't as brilliant as Yaten's, Serena thought, but close. Elara's face was kind and gentle, and her head was held high, strength and pride visible in every part of her.
"Why do you call for me?"she asked gently.
"We need your help," Serena replied. "I need your help."
"Much time has passed. Centuries, or millennia. What aid may I give you?"
"The Abomination has gotten strong again. If I don't do something, she'll take away everyone I have left," Serena said softly. She was remembering her mother's terrified face before she plunged the dagger into her heart.
"I feared as much."
"What can I do?"
"You have been gifted with enormous power as the Moon Princess. The amulet around your neck also possesses great power. With the power of the Moon and your gift of magic, you may be able to defeat the Abomination permanently."
"How do I do that? And how did you know about that?"
"The light of the Moon shines on you eternally. And as for combining the powers of your heritage, the only way it can be done is if you willingly deliver yourself into the hands of the Abomination in the name of love. When you are trapped in that darkest of places, the powers of light you have been blessed with will unite, and light shall be eternally restored."
"What will happen to me?" Serena asked. She didn't like where this was going. This was starting to freak her out, actually.
"I know not."
"So I could die? I could be…tortured, maimed, killed?" Serena's voice rose in pitch on the last word. Anthony, who was observing, didn't blame her. What Elara was suggesting was scary as hell.
"It's possible," Elara admitted, her eyes sympathetic. "I wish I could tell you there was another way, but there is not."
Serena's eyes were teary, but anyone could tell that was not going to let them escape. She turned her back on her ancestor and Anthony.
"I'm sorry, young one…" Elara's essence faded, and all that was left were the bones.
Serena stood and ran back home. She angrily undid the spell that sustained the doppelganger and threw herself on her bed and buried herself beneath the covers. Then, she allowed herself to indulge in world-class, grade A tear-fest.
"Oh, God!" Serena whimpered. "I'm only sixteen. I don't want to die!"
The phone rang, but Serena didn't answer it. She was too drained to talk to anyone. She was too drained to do anything except cry.