Quest of the Seekers: The Timeless Conflict
Year Four/Parallel World
Chapter 35: Head to Port
('sss)
Tyler ran through the compartments ignoring the screams and complaints of people who he bumped into or knocked down their things. He could think of nothing but seeing if his friend was alright. Tyler got to a car where Matt was in front of a compartment. Matt called him over and Tyler didn't skip a beat getting to him.
"You just heard?"
Tyler shook his head and realized that he was a little out of breath. "Is he okay?" he asked as he tried to see over his shoulder.
"See for yourself." Matt moved aside and opened the door and Tyler moved in not really knowing what to expect.
What he did see wasn't close at all to what he feared. Regulus' left arm was wrapped in a sling and there were wrapped bandages around his ankles. He had healing cuts on his hands and his face but he did smile when he caught sight of Tyler. "Hey, don't worry Tyler. This image will be sticking around for a good while. You don't have to soak it in all at once."
Tyler then noticed that he was staring with his mouth slightly open. "Sorry about that. Regulus, what in the name of Merlin happened to you? I heard you were beaten."
He didn't get a chance to answer because just then Jacke, Reggie, Brad, Morgan, Jennifer, Laura, Hawkster, Max, Sam, Bruce, Lutz and then Matt came in and all started repeating Tyler's question one after the other. After they sealed and silenced the compartment, they formed a good story circle around Regulus.
"Regulus," said Lutz. "What happened? The Daily Prophet said you and your father were attacked."
"Yes, that's what happened. I told the Ministry that it was a group of cloaked wizards but that was for them. I couldn't tell them who really attacked us. I was ambushed near my home by a foxlore named Skullfox."
"Skullfox?" That name came out of everyone like a poorly timed cheer.
"Yes, he was one of Demonfox's minions. He said he followed us when we left the Parallel World and came back home. He had my scent and tracked me back to my house. I tried to stop him and almost would've died if my father hadn't stepped in."
"Regulus…I'm sorry about your father. It's my fault that Skullfox got through. I was careless when we came through to not double check and make sure we didn't bring anything other than us."
"Tyler, I don't blame you. It's Skullfox that I blame for this and he's already paid for it. I promise you that."
"You defeated him?" said Lutz moving in closer.
"A foxlore? By yourself? In our world no less. Regulus you are too much."
"Don't push me Sam. I may have a broken arm and two sore legs but I will jinx the life out of you right now if you like."
"Knock it off," said Brad. "You sure Skullfox is gone Regulus?"
"Definitely. I plunged my staff at his throat and he crumbled to dust like the other foxlores did when they were destroyed. However, there is one weird thing about the whole fight."
"What was it?" asked Morgan. "No one could've seen you could they? The visibility was low."
"I think someone did see. Don't worry," he added as he saw their panicked faces. "I don't think it's anyone we should worry about. Yet anyway. I think it was an elemental. A wood elemental."
"A wood elemental?" Tyler was really confused now. "Where would one of these have come from? As far as we know, we're the only elementals in all of Europe."
Brad stopped him right there. "It couldn't be bad could it? Regulus did this person do or say anything that you would call a threat?"
"No, not at all. In fact, I owe this person my life. If he hadn't come then Skullfox might've killed me or worse."
"Wait. What makes you even think that it was a wood elemental in the first place?" asked Reggie.
"You could say that the vines and wooden spears flying around made it pretty clear. It was the same kind of stuff we saw from the wood elementals in the Barrier Town Guard. I couldn't see who it was though. He was wearing a trench coat with a large hood covering his face. I caught a slight glimpse under his hood but I can't trust what I saw then. With the storm I couldn't see too far and with the pain of my injuries, it was even worse."
"I wonder who this guy was," said Jacke ruffling his hair. "A guy like him could really be a big help against these furry gits. Tyler, do you think we'll run into him? And what will we do if we find him?"
Tyler saw that everyone was eagerly waiting for his input and he found that he didn't mind it for once. "Don't know for sure. We know he helped Regulus with his wood power but that's really all we know. If he's a friend or foe we'll never truly know until we see him again. Right now we have other things to focus on first. What happened after the battle Regulus?"
"Well, I called for Kreacher, my house elf, to take my father and myself home and that was before I passed out. I was in St. Mungo's when I was conscious again."
"And then what happened?"
"I'm getting there Matt. The Aurors that visited me asked for my story and told me that after Kreacher got me back to the house, my mother became frantic and called for help by the floo. My father was placed in their morgue when we arrived though. My mother's been really silent about it since and doesn't even respond when I try to talk with her about it. She really only ever speaks when she needs to get something done or when she's raving at the Ministry to find the group of wizards I said jumped us."
"How are you doing?" said Bruce.
"I was a little upset over the last few days but I'm a little better now. Seeing all of you is helping me deal with what happened. The only real pain troubling me now is the one in my arm and legs. The healers patched me up as much as they could considering the "curses" I was exposed to. Skullfox did a real number on me alright. They said I would be sore for at least a week."
"Well maybe the ones in Barrier Town could help you heal faster. They've been dealing with foxlore injuries for years so they must've developed some medicinal remedies or techniques to treat them."
"Not a bad idea Brad. I can't believe that I didn't think of that myself," said Reggie.
"Who said you Ravenclaws had all the brains of the group?"
The laughing that erupted broke all the ice that the subject of Skullfox had brought up. For once, no one in the entire group had a problem with the other and the Seekers were silently thankful for that. The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station and everyone spread out into different carriages as they rode to the castle. The thing that was interesting to note is that now, every one of them could now see the thesrals pulling the carriages now. No doubt done by the last battle back in the Parallel World with the sight of the dead Barrier Town Guard.
In the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood and called for silence before the feast could begin.
"Welcome back students! I do hope that you all had an excellent holiday away from your books and classes and are ready to return. I have urgent news to tell all of you before our feast could start. First of which is that the grounds will have an earlier curfew than before so therefore no one is to be on the grounds after 8:00. Secondly, I must say that we will have a few aurors making weekly rounds through the castle corridors and classrooms to make sure our school remains secure. These changes will no doubt cause inconviences but we must try to grin and bear it. Well with all the drivel out of the way, on with the feast."
Tyler ate with the new precautions overpowering the taste of his food. If these weekly inspections happened then there was a bigger risk that the secret painting corridor to Avalon could be discovered. He would have to go to Orichai and use a drop of the Fecundity Potion for a solution. Tyler looked at the Heads table and saw Severus looking over at Regulus with what could he could recognize as his version of concern. He did know Regulus a lot longer than Tyler or Matt had and it was understandable that if they were worried then so would he.
When the feast was over, Tyler and Matt hung back to help Regulus with getting down to the Dungeons. Everyone else gave a wave or a nod as they left the Great Hall. They were almost to the staircase when they met with someone they didn't want to greet even at the best of times.
"Having some trouble?"
"Go away Potter," Matt said without bothering to look up.
"That's Professor Potter to you." He looked Regulus up and down. "What happened to you?"
"Long story short I was beaten. I'm sure my brother would've told you about it with a good grin plastered on his face."
"Believe it or not, Sirius doesn't laugh at other people's pain and neither do I."
Tyler couldn't resist a chuckle. "Wow. To think that all those times you pulled those stupid pranks and jokes on people, especially us, that I had you all wrong. I'm sorry to think that your gut hurting laughter was really a mask for sincere weeping," he said with a sneer he learned from Severus.
"I don't like you attitude Solemn." Tyler merely raised an eyebrow. "Don't forget that I am still your professor."
"And you don't forget that I'm their head of house." They all turned to see Severus right there behind him. "Excuse me Potter but I believe these students are my responsibility."
"Of course they are. I shouldn't be surprised to see you pop up here. You always did stick that nose where it didn't belong."
"And you always went in on where you weren't welcomed or wanted didn't you?"
"I was just showing concern for an injured student. Forgive me if that is out of bounds Snape."
"Yes, well, I can take it from here." Severus went on and led them out the doors to a corner away from the crowds. Severus looked Regulus up and down and took great notice of his face. "What in the name of Merlin happened to you?"
"I can still hardly believe it myself. My father and I were just attacked and there was someone in a cloak. I tried to unmask him but he was too determined to keep his hood down. I managed to hurt the attacker but there was no trace of him left."
"You hurt him? Severus raised an eyebrow and gave him another look over. "It looks like he mutilated you."
"No, no Severus. It's all small bumps and cuts really. It looks worse than it was."
"Good. I also heard about your father. I want to say I'm sorry."
"Thank you," he said with a brief solemn look before he shook it off. "I just need a few days before I could really talk more about it."
"Well take as much time as you need. In fact, I'm officially excusing you from the NEWT potions class today."
"Really…thank you Severus. That's really generous of you."
"Professor Snape to all of you…at least out of my office," he added with an undertone.
"Got it," Tyler said while Matt gave a wink.
Severus went off towards the direction of the Great Hall while the three of them started to go down to the Dungeons for the slytherin common room.
"I can't believe that you just lied to Severus like that Regulus," said Matt.
"No, no. I didn't actually lie. Notice that I said hooded man and attacker. Severus just assumed they were one and the same. The story was completely true."
Tyler and Matt reviewed everything that Regulus had said and realized that he never did actually lie during his story. He just made it vague.
"Regulus, are you okay? And I mean about what happened with your father?"
Regulus looked at Tyler for a mere second but didn't say anything. Tyler felt a little guilty as Skullfox's true target was him and his friend, who was like a big brother, was the one to pay the price.
Matt just let out a yawn. "I'm beat. I think I might collapse the second I get to the foot of my bed. "
Tyler was confused how Matt could change the subject out of nowhere like that but Regulus agreed that he too was tired. When they arrived, Regulus said goodnight to both of them and went off to the seventh year dorms. Morgan was reading by the fire while Bruce and Lutz were playing a game of Exploding Snap at a far off table. Sam, who caught sight of them, got up from where he was lounging and went over to them.
"What's with Regulus? He seemed even gloomier than before."
"It's all because of Tyler here."
"Me? What did I do Matt?"
"You brought up his father. Tyler, Regulus watched his dad die right in front of him. How do you think he was? Why do you think that none of us said anything about that on the train? He and his father had an argument and then he goes and helps him against Skullfox and was killed. He's probably confused about how he feels for his father more than ever now."
Tyler could've fit into a goblet then. Matt was right. He had been way too shrewd with Regulus in that question. "I'm…sorry. It's just…I wanted to know if I could do anything for him. It is really my fault. Skullfox was looking for me and they paid the price for it."
Sam rolled his eyes. "Tyler, do you think that the foxlores are only going to be after you now?" He looked around and lowered his voice. "We are on their list too. Did you forget that we're the Slytherin Five now? Me, Matt, Bruce, Lutz and of course Regulus. We're their prime targets now too. It's not just about you anymore."
If Tyler could've felt any worse than from what Matt said, Sam just hit a new platform.
('sss)
Reggie was in his common room just looking from the fire to Rowena Ravenclaw's statue. It was late and everyone but himself and Laura was already in bed. Laura was holding his hand and just being quiet along with him. In his other hand was a letter that he had received just an hour ago. It was sent by an owl that he recognized as his father's personal owl and it had tapped at a tower window when it caught sight of him. Laura had been with him and it was she who let the owl in and took the letter. When he read it, he almost shattered the let out a typhoon in the common room but Laura calmed him down in time for everyone to assume a gust of wind had blown in from that window. Laura had looked at the letter and was almost in tears as she read what his father had written.
Reginald Kalvin Falkner,
You have some nerve to just take off and leave the way you did. Your mother has been in a state since and I hear that you just boarded the train and went off to school like everything was normal. Have you no shame on what you have placed on us. Mark my words boy, you have not heard the last of this. I will see to it that until you learn discipline you will not set foot back in our house again. I've informed our three house elves that you are not to be heeded for anything and informed your headmaster that you ran away from home. Unfortunately, he said that he cannot interfere as this is a personal family matter but I suspect that he will call for you soon. You better not do anything else that will further embarrass us or I'll personally see that everyone knows that you no longer belong to this family. Take this new time to think about your selfish actions and make the smart choice. You are not stupid son so I believe that you will make the right choice. So help me if you dare to make the wrong one.
Your Father
After reading that letter, Reggie had been blankly staring at the fire with Laura ever since. Finally, Reggie just got to his feet. Laura, who had been half asleep, became wide awake in that moment.
"Reggie?"
"Laura…you should get to bed. We have classes starting again in the morning."
"Don't you mean we should get to bed? Reggie, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to bed," Reggie said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Are you going to be okay? Your father never should have written those things and he shouldn't have made it out to be all your fault."
Reggie just held out his hand and stopped her right there. "Laura, it's alright. My father gets like this. Trust me. When people start to ask about me, he'll be feigning remorse for what he did to me like always. This is just the first time that I made the drastic move. I guess he just doesn't know how to handle not being the one with the upper hand this time." The whole time Reggie said this, he had his back turned on Laura so she wouldn't see the tears that were rolling down his face.
Laura just got up and started for the girl's dormitory but before she went for the stairs, she turned back and went and placed a kiss on his cheeks before she turned and darted up the stairs. Reggie just stood there and then touched the spot where she kissed him and suddenly felt himself warm up much better than any amount by that fire would've given him. For the first time since he reached the Ravenclaw tower, he cracked a smile.
('sss)
Classes the following morning began to get aggressive for all the fourth years of the group. The teachers at the start of every class started with a speech on how much closer they were to starting their OWL year. But out of the entire fourth year class only Tyler, Jacke, Reggie, Brad, Jennifer, Morgan, Matt, Laura and Hawkster didn't believe that this was all top priority. With their voyage on their minds it all seemed like a bunch of run on speeches. This was a new step they were all going to take and it was starting to affect them before they even took it. Some of them would jump when they were suddenly called upon by their teachers or would find themselves lost in thought and come to realize that what seemed like minutes of thinking was really hours. Regulus himself was the quietest of the bunch but strangely was also the calmest. He would lend his expertise to them as he already went through his OWL's and helped them retain some of their progress through their breakdowns. This was surprising as he had his NEWTs to worry about but he told them that he was on top of all that. Not as if anyone else even questioned or thought on this with any of them. As for Max, Sam, Bruce and Lutz, since they didn't have OWL's or NEWT's to worry about they were dealing with the normal school stuff and were the envy of everyone else. The other students and teachers seemed to chalk it up to normal testing fever and would never guess it was connected to a war with savage creatures in another dimension.
When it was finally Friday, Brad stated that his was probably the only time someone couldn't say TGIF. After explaining to everyone what the term meant they couldn't agree more. This is what they were dreading as the Seekers planned to head to the Parallel World on Friday night after classes instead of Saturday morning to give themselves more available sailing time. Reggie calculated that his move would buy them about an extra week for sailing the ocean. As for who was going with them, it was the whole Slytherin Five (Regulus assured them that he could handle it), Hawkster and Max. Laura, Morgan and Jennifer said that they would sit this one out. Laura told them that she had a meeting to go to on Saturday, but she seemed to be speaking a little fast as she explained this and Reggie immediately accepted this before anyone could say or ask about it. As for Morgan and Jennifer, it turned out that both of them were seasick and a rocking ship wouldn't do well for them.
"Think of it this way," Jacke said as he and Reggie were sneaking to the Forbidden forest at lunch. "At least it'll be just us guys this time around."
"Yeah but over a month without seeing a girl. I wish Laura was coming with us…and Morgan and Jennifer too," he added quickly. "They would add the drama that is better to deal with than the isolation drama we're no doubt going to have instead. We'll go crazy especially being stuck on a boat for over a month."
"Which I still don't understand by the way. Why can't we just take brooms and fly around the ocean?"
"Nonstop? Without Sleeping? At uncharted water where who knows what sort of demons are flying or swimming about?"
Jacke shut his mouth and didn't bother to answer as they circled around the site where groundskeeper Hagrid was throwing raw meat off to thesrals to get to the gateway.
"Allow me," said Reggie as they got to the entrance.
Jacke then gave a very mocking bow. "Be my guest."
Reggie took his wand and tapped the diagram to make the familiar water image appear in between the two bending trees making the natural arch. They stepped in through it and found their view of the forest replaced by the inside of the Creation Temple.
"Orichai?" Jacke shouted out. "Are you home?"
"Are you home?" said Reggie so incredulously that it could've been taken for laughter. "Seriously?"
"What?" Jacke looked at Reggie with a dumbfounded look until Reggie just rolled his eyes and walked on. "What would you have me say?"
They would've gone on with their bickering but a shadow was cast over them as a figure in butterfly-like wings descended slowly from above. "I could hear your nagging voices all the way at the back of the temple. Arachne and Rams almost came to shut you up themselves."
Reggie gave him a small head bow. "We're sorry about this Orichai but we have some news to give you and it can't wait."
Jacke and Reggie laid down everything about Skullfox's attack and their final plans for voyaging across the ocean in the Parallel World. After they were done, Orichai started to pace around them. "I must say…this is going to be quite the bold venture. To fight the foxlores on their own grounds won't be easy but I agree that it is the only course of action if we're all to survive. Skullfox's entrance into our world is proof of that. They are getting craftier and one could only imagine what Demonfox's superiors would do had they the same chance. As for your voyage…I haven't been to the Parallel World for over 12 centuries so I can't tell you what you should expect to find. Although…I can help you with charting your courses in the right direction." Orichai held out his hands and with a crack there was a small wooden chest laid in his palms. "This may not be invaluable but it might be of some use."
Reggie took the box and opened it to find a long folded parchment inside. He unwrapped it to see that it was a world map but it wasn't the world he knew. "Orichai…is this?"
"A map of the Parallel World. Though like I said, it's centuries old. Whatever cities or zones it depicts could have changed or been destroyed especially with their faster set of time to this world."
Well, it's better than nothing," said Jacke. "Thanks Orichai. I know that Tyler and Brad will think it will help too."
"Yes well I believe it's time for you to go now. It should be safe for you to head back and I'm sure that you two still have final matters to settle before tonight."
Reggie rolled the map back up and placed it back into the box. "Yes we do. Let's hope we meet again."
"Good luck boys." After they left through the temple portal, Orichai slumped down his special passageway and said very quietly. "You're going to need all the luck and help you can get now more than ever."
('sss)
At a castle in a far off corner of the world was a sound that crossed between a thunderclap and an explosion. It sounded like the end of the world to any who heard it's echo but to those at the source: a shout of anger. For right in front of the source was a trembling and very freshly beaten Treefox. He shook in his kneeling position and was trying his hardest to not make eye contact with his ruler.
"My lord…please," he pleaded. "These wizards are embracing the oldest wizard ways of combat. They are more formidable then they seem."
"Do I look interested in excuses Treefox? I am very well aware of the sills possessed by these children and I don't care. It would seem that your unit had grown soft with your prolonged assault on Barrier Town. The rest of us fight wizards and muggles of similar skills every month. Those in Barrier Town have been isolated for centuries so those skills were drained and it's obvious so had all of yours and you all paid by falling to the Seekers!"
"I apologize my lord," said Treefox as he hunched himself over so that he now had his face inches off the ground. This however didn't have the effect he meant for as he was hit with a blast and was slammed up against the opposite wall.
"Your apologies don't interest me. What would interest me is you telling me that you had at least smuggled some of the raw aura stone buried beneath Barrier Town on that forsaken island but instead you've brought me news that Skullfox has been eliminated as well when he managed to stow away to their world. Your unit has been an embarrassment to the foxlores. I would normally bring this up to your superior but since Captain Demonfox is dead, as well as everyone else on your platoon it would seem like that would be you. Maybe I should just destroy you and cut out my losses."
Treefox stumbled to his feet and was breathing very rapidly. "Please my lord, I'll make up for our mistakes indefinitely. I have facts on those children that could still help you. Things I haven't even reported to you yet."
What Treefox said didn't seem to give him the results he was aiming for as the figure to the Lord's left leapt forward and grabbed Treefox by the throat. "How dare you withhold any information. You think bargaining will save you?" This voice was very brutal and merciless yet there was a low, calm and eerie intensity to it as well. "If anything this will only afford you a time of excruciating torture before your death."
"General," the lord simply.
"My lord?"
"Let him go," again in the same calm tone.
"But my lord, this treacherous weed…"
"General," he cut in. "I trust you don't need me to repeat myself."
The General looked up from their lord to Treefox who was still gagging at his grip before opening his hand and letting him fall in a pitiful heap to the floor. The General took a few steps back and just stood in attention.
"Thank you my lord," said Treefox with sincere gratitude.
"I didn't do it for you, I did it for your information. I hope you have something that won't make me regret not seeing you turn to dust."
"Yes my lord. I neglected to report that special weapons seemed to appear to the four seekers before Captain Demonfox was felled."
"At this, the lord seemed to perk up a bit. He leaned closer from his throne but was till hidden in the shadow. "Describe these weapons," he ordered.
Treefox smiled as he seemed to have struck gold. "One is a pole axe of copper, one is a glaive that seems to have a black blade with a yellow strap at the base. Then there are two swords that are identical except that one is silver with rubies on the hilt while the other is gold with emeralds on the hilt."
"And let me guess…the axe went to the ravenclaw boy, the glaive to the hufflepuff, the silver sword to the gryffindor and the gold sword to the slytherin. Is that correct?"
"Why yes my lord. That's completely right."
The lord got up and slowly made his way down to where Treefox was kneeling. He placed a hand on Treefox's head and it looked like he was going to be praised. He then removed his hand and then brought it back as a slap across Treefox's face and he was launched across the room.
The General gave him a curtly nod as the lord made his way back to the throne, not once losing his majestic poise. "Treefox." he sat down. "You have some nerve holding this information. Had you told me this first, I wouldn't have cared at all about all this bad news you've given me of late. The only thing this "trump card" got you was not getting dusted…for now at least. Skyfox!" he just shouted.
At this call, a stream of blue light came zipping into the room like a runaway comet. It then flew up to the roof and then hit the ground next to Treefox where it faded and left a figure crotched on the floor. "You summoned me Lord Fox?"
"Yes. Skyfox, I would like you to take Treefox and put him through the basic training over at General Nightfox's base. He will be joining his unit." At this, Treefox looked up in horror and prayed he had heard wrong. He didn't. "Yes Treefox. You'll be in more abrupt battles and please take note that if you mess up again then don't bother coming back to me."
Treefox was then lifted off the floor as the one called Skyfox had him by his cloak and they both disappeared in a comet of blue and green light. Once they did, the General moved in close to the lord. "My lord…are you sure about this. Wouldn't it be more cost efficient to just eliminate Treefox?"
Lord Fox cracked him a smile and leaned further back into the throne. "Nightfox, Treefox might be a weak fool but he might still be of some use to me. Besides he did provide me with the information to solidify my rule of both the dimensions. And this would mean needing all the foxlore warriors I can get to greater my chance in executing our new top priority targets."
"Forgive me if I'm at a loss."
"Quite alright. I am one of the handful who know the true significance of the weapons and their chosen wielders. And even fewer know that these "champions" as they call them are just as good for us as for them. I will explain everything to you and then you will report back to your post to brief your troops. I suspect they'll be arriving in a matter of time."
('sss)
Brad was rushing through his bag, seeing if he had forgotten anything. He was already running behind as it was. His Quidditch Captain had called an emergency meeting about a new game play and the captain saw it fit to keep him a few minutes more to stress how he needed to out beat Jacke to the snitch in the upcoming Hufflepuff vs. Gryffindor match. He was told that he should catch the snitch or they would look for another seeker. Brad knew that this was an empty threat. He had always outflown all the seeker candidates by a long shot and with his good track record they couldn't afford to lose such a good player. Once all of his things were in order, he took his bag and calmly made his way out of the common room's portrait hole. Once he was out of sight of everyone and in the corridor, he broke into a run. He could already hear the complaints from everyone about his lateness.
As he turned a corner he had a collision which ended with the sound of glass breaking. When Brad looked at the person he hit, he saw it was a boy with light brown hair and glasses. He also saw that he was in slytherin robes as well and that there were broken pieces of what appeared to be a glass figurine in pieces.
"I am so sorry about this," he bent down and helped the boy up.
The boy dusted himself off and then bent down close to the mess. "My statue," he said as he handled a broken piece. "I spent all night piecing this together and now it's gone." He looked up at Brad ready to yell at him when he just seemed to freeze at the sight of him.
Brad just took his wand and told the boy to step aside. "I'll make this up to you. Reparo." The glass started to fly from the floor to a single spot where they came together to form what he could make out to be a knight or warrior atop a dragon in flight. Brad then placed an Unbreakable Charm he had learned from Reggie and handed it to the boy. "I like the design of that thing. I can tell you put a lot of love into making it."
This boy seemed to be avoiding his eyes for some reason. For Brad this was strange as most slytherins he meet usually aren't afraid to say what they want especially to someone like him. Finally, this boy said something he never thought a slytherin would say in a first encounter. "Thank you…I've really been working hard on this. I was using old broken potion bottles to mold and stick together to make this."
"Well…you should be very proud. Oh I'm,"
"Brad Carter. Yes I know who you are."
"I'm…flattered, I think. Could I have your name now?"
"It's Lucas. Lucas Terrell. I just started here."
"Oh, well I hope you're enjoying it here. Listen, I have to go but it was really nice meeting you and again, I love the figurine."
Brad took off running again and after making sure he was alone4 when he got to the corridor entrance, he opened the way to the secret portrait hall. He said his password to the portrait of 4 Seekers and the snitch and jumped through to Avalon.
Once there, he saw everyone gathered in front of the entrance waiting more calmly than he had pictured though that didn't mean they were calm themselves. At the sight of him they all finally sprung to life. Matt, who was the most irritable, spoke up first. "It's about time. What kept you? We've all been standing around for over half an hour."
"I already told you. He was held up by our Quidditch captain. Don't act like you didn't know that," said Hawkster.
"Thanks Jones. You just spoiled a nag worthy moment."
"Matt, cut it out," Tyler said as he helped Brad with his bag. "We don't need everyone to be sick of you before we ship off."
Everyone broke into giggle fits and Matt just crossed his arms but did stay quiet as asked. Brad moved his bag to where everyone's was and wiped off his forehead. "Well, I'm sorry if I'm late. I got held up and someone needed some help but I'm here now."
Jacke clapped and rubbed his hands. "I'm ready. Let's head to the Parallel World already. I want to see how Barrier Town has changed since we've been back all this time."
Tyler took out the key but then had to cover a yawn. "I don't know about you guys but as soon as we get to the Barrier Town Citadel I'm going to take a nice long nap." He lit his wand and shined the light through the crystal center and the ground where the light hit grew a white translucent hole. "Everyone in the portal."
Everybody grabbed their belongings and either walked onto or jumped into the portal until Tyler was left. He grabbed his bag, gave Avalon a last look and the jumped into the portal as well. He felt the familiar pulling on his body until he hit the ground and was facing the Barrier Town walls. Everyone was still slumping from the trip as the portal vanished behind them. Immediately, everyone was looking about and marveling at the surrounding area. What had once been a semi barren land surrounding the town was now a green lush area. From the ceremony before the last battle, the land was starting to have a few bits of crabgrass with a flower now and again but it was different now. Every time they talked of the area around the town they would call it the desert but now it should be changed to the plains surrounding the town. There was now long, healthy green grass everywhere and flowers more abundant than before. Small trees also were cropping up here and there and showed signs that they might grow to be giant ones with time. If not for the town behind them they would swear they were in the wrong place. From what they could see where they were standing the town itself went through some changes. There were a few new towers that seemed to have been added outside the perimeter with a few armed guards perched on the tops. There were also a few of the Guard seen out in the plains as well though they seemed to not have noticed them yet or did but weren't leaving their stations.
"Wow, said Jacke. "They really know how to redecorate."
"The island is free. Something tells me that this is just the beginning," said Reggie as he moved towards the closest guard.
When he caught sight of them approaching him, he lowered his guard poise and weapon and bowed before them. "It's a joy to see you all again."
"Yes, a real pleasure to you too though forgive us for not giving you a bow," said Sam who had to rub his head after Regulus slapped it.
Tyler stepped in front of them and went to shake the Guard's hand which he eagerly took. "Yes we're back. Is Sergeant Nelson in the Citadel?"
"No, he's over at the new dock. Also I should tell you that he was promoted."
"Promoted?" Everyone had said this in unison.
"Yes. He is Captain Nelson now. The town council felt he deserved the raise in title."
"Well he should. He's a damn good leader," said Brad. Everyone nodded or said something that showed they agreed with his opinion. "See? Everyone here thinks that too," he said taking a bow.
"How modest of a hufflepuff Brad," Lutz said trying not to laugh.
"Courtesy of you and your slippery pals."
"Okay," Reggie said as he moved forwards and pushed at their heads. "Enough jestering, we get it. They're a bad influence." After the slytherins all gave him a pout Reggie turned to the guard. "You said that Sarge…Captain Nelson," he corrected at the guard's attempt to do the same. "was at a new dock?"
"Yes. Construction of the dock and your ship began almost as soon as you left. At this time the ship is three days from total completion."
"You see?" brad said leering down on Matt. "You tried to nag me about being late and it turns out that we're early."
"I was wrong so sue me." Matt acted as if he just made a wrong guess at a question rather than making a scene back on Avalon and Tyler fought to keep himself from pulling his eyes out.
"Well if you don't mind. I'm heading off to the temple to get some sleep. Feel free to keep up the drama until I'm up. Guard, would you tell Nelson that we've arrived?"
"Of course sir."
Tyler then slumped off into town with Bruce, Lutz, Regulus and Sam immediately following him. Matt just looked as they walked off and then snapped out of it and went to catch up. Hawkster went up to Brad and tapped his shoulder. "What's with Solemn? He's even more of a douche than usual."
"I don't know. He's been quiet lately. He probably is just thinking all about the voyage coming up. It's going to be a stressful and suspenseful trip especially with the foxlores doing who knows what out there."
"Or he could just be tired?" said Jacke shrugging his shoulders. "Just leave him alone or you'll have an extra set of hands growing out of your ears."
Jacke and Max then went off into Barrier Town leaving Reggie, Brad and Hawkster at the gate. Reggie moved his gear to the town wall and pocketed his wand and took out his Ravenclaw Axe. "Well, I'm not tired just yet so I'll go and check out the docks."
"Wait I'll come with you. Brad said as he ran to throw his bag next to his and grabbed his Hufflepuff Glaive.
"I'll come too," said Hawkster. "I want to get a good look at the ship we'll be on for the next few weeks."
Reggie asked the Guard where the dock was and they began to trek to it. They trudged through a dirt road that was perfectly flattened and plowed through emerging trees and thick brush. As they moved they saw new greenery on the far mountains sprouting and even the dim reflected light off a small body of water like a pond or creak at the base. It would seem the whole island was reborn as the foxlores that oppressed it were now gone. Reggie and Brad couldn't help but feel proud of themselves and very dignified that they helped bring this change in their defeat of Demonfox. As for Hawkster, he seemed more focused on the idea of seeing the ship that was being made just for them. He'd never really been out to sea before and was a little excited to take this chance even if it was dangerous.
After almost half an hour of walking, the three of them started to hear the distant sounds of the ocean and after clearing through some thick tree brush they came upon the sight of the big blue sea. It was amazing to see that at least the ocean stayed the same color as in their world unlike the sky. The area was a small bit higher than sea level with the greenery ending about ten yards from the edges were there dark rocky outlines that the waves slammed into every now and then. They noted that for a few seconds before the main thing had their attention: the dock. Before the wooden boards making the dock were stone pillars on either side and were carved into elegant Olympian-like artistry with engravings of snakes, lions, eagles and badgers. Also set up by the entrance were 4 statues of what looked like marble stone of their house animals in poses of extreme elegance. The lion ready to pounce, the badger on it's hind legs with its jaws opened as if screeching, the eagle as if it were snooping at prey and the snake coiled and locked in a deep hiss. They were all truly done to great detail but something of greater detail was beyond that.
The ship that they had been thinking on was actually greater than they dreamed it would look. It was about 7 stories high with 3 thick masts sprouting out from them. It was about 50 feet long and 20 feet wide. Reggie, Brad and Hawkster were rooted to the ground until they were cast down by a flying shadow.
"Well, it's nice to see our handiwork so greatly appreciated."
They looked up and were greeted by a smile from their flying good friend Captain Nelson.
('sss)
End of Chapter
Well, there now ready to begin the next phase of fighting the Timeless Conflict. I tried to make some personal issues start to crop up between characters that I've tried to make boil in them for quite some time as well as some that get slapped onto them also. It won't just be physical demons they fight overseas but inner ones as well.
I must say that I'm sorry about the lack of update uploads. The truth is that this chapter has been written down for almost 2 months but I haven't had time to type it up with my new busy schedule. However, I recently got some time today so I put it into overdrive to give it to all of you. I've also been working on a new series as well that both ties in with this series and also is completely separate at the same time. If I choose to upload it when the first story is done you don't have to worry as I will stay faithful to this one too.
High Serpent King