Chapter 36

The next day, Evelynn woke earlier than anyone. She had been looking at her phone and saw a video of some kids fishing. Though she had never fished before, it left her quite curious. She looked in the hall closet and saw a fishing pole. It was Elias'. She crept quietly to the kitchen to look for some bait. She found some that Elias bought while he was at the villa. She even found some meat and used her fire magic to warm a few up. She then tiptoed toward Elias and Chise's room and out the door to the dock. She left the door open just a tad and just rushed to the edge of the dock. A few minutes later, a faint but cold breeze woke up Elias. When he went to close the door, he spotted Evelynn looking at the phone then put it down to put on some bait then throw the rod. This made him chuckle a bit so he went outside to watch her.

Evelynn: "Damn it… What are I doing wrong?"

Elias: "Well for one thing, this is today's breakfast."

Evelynn: "Oh. Dad. Did I wake you?"

Elias: (chuckles) "No but you left the screen door opened. Are you trying to fish?"

Evelynn: "Yeah. You can learn a lot from WikiHow. They have how-to stuff about everything."

Elias: "I bet. But the way I learned, I learned from Mommy. The first time I was here, I used my other form to fish. I had caught a lot of salmon. Especially one that was bigger than us both."

Evelynn: "You? No way."

Elias: "It's true. You should've seen it. Ginormous it was. Unfortunately, I had to fish like a normal human because what I did, any one of our human neighbors could see."

Evelynn: "What nosey neighbors.."

Elias: (chuckles)

Evelynn: "Dad?"

Elias: "Hmm?"

Evelynn: "Would you teach me to catch a huge fish like you did?"

Elias: "It would be difficult in my human form now. But that would be an excellent idea."

Evelynn: "Good cause I wanna fish like you. And maybe you could teach our little brother."

Elias: "Nothing would make me prouder."

Evelynn: "Has he come yet?"

Elias: "Almost."

Evelynn: "I'm glad because I ready to play with him now."

Elias: "There is not doubt in my mind you will be a good older sister."

Evelynn: "And you'll be an awesome dad. You already are thou-"

That moment was ruined when suddenly, the wire from Evelynn's pole pulled her into the lake with a strong tug!

Evelynn: "AAAAAAAAHHH! DA-"

(SPLASH!)

Elias: "EVELYNN!"

Elias made sure that the neighbors were not up yet. He quickly discarded his shirt and jumped right in after her. Under water, Evelynn tried her best to swim away from the fish. But when she opened her eyes, it was not a fish at all. It was a type of a lake sea serpent. By how it grabbed her, it was trying to show her something so she followed it and there she saw a large trench. When they stopped, Evelynn saw what look like underwater murals. Writing all around the pictures. One in particular caught her eye. The picture looked like Ashen Eyes being vanquished. She tried her best to look closer and saw what look like two girls fighting him but before she could look a little more, the serpent went straight toward the murals. It was like it will wait for her. Suddenly, Evelynn felt a tug on her shirt. Elias was in his Chimera form and was pulling her back with his teeth. When they finally pulled up from the water, Evelynn began cough and hacking. Elias then carried her to the ground where he fished that one time. He sat her down and turned back human.

Elias: "Baby are you okay?"

Evelynn: (COUGHING) "Dad! Daddy! I saw….(coughs) I saw something incredible! It was a serpent Daddy! It was HUGE!"

Elias: "Huge you say? I should dispose of it."

Evelynn: "Dad no! It was trying to tell me something. It took me to a trench, and and and I saw something that picture! It look like Ashen Eyes! Like pictures on walls!"

Elias: "You did, did you?"

Evelynn: "How deep is this lake Dad?"

Elias: "I don't know. (picks her up) Let's go clean up."

Evelynn: "But-but… the mural…We have to go back!"

Elias: "We will look at it some more some other time."

Evelynn: "Oh…okay… Dad?"

Elias: "Hmm?"

Evelynn: "Sorry about your rod…"

Elias: "It's alright. I will buy another one."

Evelynn: "Dad?"

Elias: "Yes sweetie?"

Evelynn: "Can we have beef curry tonight?"

Elias: "Of course."

Evelynn: "Really spicy?"

Elias: "Of course my little pup."

Once they got back inside, Chise was getting ready to shower but saw with a shock that Elias and Evelynn were wet.

Chise: "What happened to you two?!"

Evelynn: "I was trying to fish."

Chise: "I see."

Elias: "Poor thing fell in."

Evelynn: "I lost his rod… Sorry again Dad."

Elias: "No worries."

Evelynn: "But if I were to catch fish, I would have caught plenty with that thing. Like you Dad."

Elias and Chise: No you wouldn't.

Chise: "Okay you. You need a bath. Both of you."

Evelynn: "K."

Chise: "And you. I would be happy to join you."

Elias: "I would love that."

Chise: "Did she catch anything?"

Elias: "Not a thing.."

Chise: "Like father, like daughter."

Elias: (takes off his pants) "I caught plenty of fish!"

Chise: "Not with the rod you didn't!"

Elias: "I didn't really need it.."

Chise: (giggles)

Lauren had finally got up. She was hungry for breakfast but it seemed that she was still thinking about Evelynn and Mitch. The event still bothered her from last night. She knew Mitch longer and not once has he mention his name, Arthur, to her ever. She started griping with spite. Why would he tell her and not me? She thought to herself. She then saw the very vain of her existence heading to the bathroom to take a bath. With such hate in her eyes, she pushed Evelynn out of the way and close the bathroom door behind her.

Evelynn: "Hey! What the hell?! Get out of there! I was going in first!" (banging on the door)

Lauren: "Wait your turn you creature!"

Evelynn: "Get out of there Lauren or I swear I'll open up a can of-"

Mitch: "Lynn?"

Evelynn: "Oh. Hey. Morning."

Mitch: "Morning. Why are you threatening the door to the bathroom? More importantly, why are you wet?"

Evelynn: "Long story short: My fishing skills Dad will teach me. Also, you won't believe what I saw at the bottom of the lake."

Mitch: "What?"

Evelynn: "I like to tell you but I want to bathe first. LAUREN! Get out of there!"

Mitch: "Hey Lynn."

Evelynn: Yeah?"

Mitch: "About last night."

Evelynn: (blushes) "Yeah?"

He was about say something until Lauren bumped into both of them on purpose as she came out of the bathroom.

Evelynn: "Hey!"

Mitch: "Lauren! What is wrong with you?!"

Lauren: "Nothing's wrong…..with me….. I'm going to eat…."

Mitch: "She's a lot moody. What's with her…?"

Evelynn: (thought about last night, deep breathe) "Arthur?"

Mitch: (shocked, beet red) "Huh?! Yeah?!"

Evelynn: (blushing)

Mitch: (blushing) "What was it Lynn?"

Evelynn: "Nothing. I just wanted to hear how that sounded. That's all. Hehe." (goes to take a bath)

Mitch: (laughs) "Wow."

After breakfast, Elias took Emma, Evelynn, Lauren, and Henri to get some ingredients while Skyler and Mitch stayed with Chise to get everything ready. As it was time to head back, Elias heard Evelynn and Lauren arguing over what type of curry they wanted.

Lauren: "I hate spicy food! I want mild!"

Evelynn: "Well too bad! I asked for spicy! You have to deal with it!"

Lauren: "No I don't!"

Evelynn: "Yes you do! DAD!"

Elias: "Baby girl. I'm making two different types of curry. Not everyone likes spicy food like you do. Okay?"

Evelynn: (pouts) "Yes sir.."

Lauren: "Nyah! You can't have everything to yourself you selfish brat!"

Evelynn: "What'd you say?! What's with you?!"

Lauren: (bumps her shoulder) "Thieving Creature…"

Evelynn: "Why did you invite her?"

Emma: "She's our friend."

Evelynn: "No! Wrong answer. She's YOUR friend. She's not friend of mine to be acting like that. I thought we were fine the other week."

Emma: "Please Sis. Just give her a chance. She's not that bad once you get to know her better."

Evelynn: "I guess I can try."

Emma: "Thanks Evelynn."

Evelynn: "Sure. But if she starts having one of her hissy fits, I'm going for the neck." (CHOMPS)

Elias: "Sweet pup, we do not bite off necks of people who infuriate us."

Evelynn: "I bet you did years ago."

Elias: "I wasn't proud of that life. Either way, your sister is right. You should just try."

Evelynn: "Okay Dad."

Evelynn swallowed up her pride and saw Lauren struggling to get the bags. When she went to her she carried one of her bags with the Worchester sauce and red wine.

Evelynn: "I got that Lauren. Look. I don't know what's going on but let's put it aside. We should be better people. For Emma's sake let's try and get along."

Lauren: "You can forget it! I don't be friends with creatures.. especially one that doesn't even have a clue what it is that she did. So piss off Yoshi." (pushes her)

Evelynn: "That's it! I am through dealing with this Witch bitch!"

Elias: "Hey.."

Evelynn: "I'm sorry Dad. But she was acting like a total bitch! What is with her?! I didn't do anything to her! I swear!"

Emma: "I will talk to her."

Evelynn: "She's hard to talk to Emma. Do yourself a favor and cut her lose."

Emma: "I don't give up that easy. I want to talk this out. I want to communicate better with her. I'll handle it from her. You go and buy some more of that stuff she broke."

Elias: "You sure?"

Emma: "I'll be fine Daddy. She'll talk to me at least."

Elias: "Okay. But be sure to be careful. If anything happens, (points at locket) I will know."

Emma: "Yeah. Lauren! Wait!"

Lauren: "Go away Emma.."

Emma: "Don't be like that. Whatever problem you got with Evelynn tell me. You're my friend are you not?"

Lauren: "Of course I am.."

Emma: "Then talk to me. Please."

Lauren: "I have a crush on Mitch…"

Emma: "O….kay…"

Lauren: "Why are you saying it like that?!"

Emma: "If it isn't quite obvious Lauren, I knew that already. Not to be mean but he doesn't seem to-"

Lauren: "DON'T SAY IT!"

Emma: "I won't!"

Lauren: "But to tell her his real name?! That's not fair!"

Emma: "Mitch isn't his real name?"

Lauren: "Forget it. I just hate that he would tell her something like that and not me. His best friend since pre-school. Ever since you two came to our school, he has thought about how to be friends with you. Mostly Evelynn. Still he likes you though. So I figured that if I can get Evelynn to hate him, he would just let this go and I could have my friend back. So I suggested to Mitch that the best way to be friends with you guys is to bully you."

Emma: "So that came from you?"

Lauren: "I'm sorry Emma.. I just wanted Mitch to pay more attention to me. But all he could think about was her.. The times that he was picking on you, he would tell me that saying those things are wrong. But I assured him that this kinda stuff happens on TV. It works. But that fight got out of hand.. I admit that at least.. Especially when I made you fall and break your wrist and leg. I was very sorry about that. That's when Mitch told me I crossed the line. So that time I was suspended, I guess he talked to her huh?"

Emma: "Yeah. All they needed to do was talk to each other."

Lauren: "That's why I'm so angry with him and why I hate her even more now. No offense."

Emma: "None taken. Still that is my little sister."

Lauren: "It obvious how I feel about him and it pisses me off that Evelynn doesn't know about his feelings."

Emma: "We're kids."

Lauren: "I heard that age doesn't matter when it comes to feelings and love. Look at your parents. Your dad is literally ancient but doesn't look like it and your mom is a teenager."

Emma: "My mom is not a teenager. She's 27 years old."

Lauren: "Really? I seen a lot of humans and the way they age. Your mom looks teenager. I tell you that right now. Did something happen in her teens to make her stay that way?"

Emma: "Hmm.."

As they got back to the cabin, Elias wondered where Chise was. Skyler pointed to the bedroom. When he saw her looking in the mirror, he crept over to her.

Chise: "I still look the same as before." (looks at her arm) "Is this part of it? Woah!"

Elias: "Sorry. I didn't mean to frightened you. Are you alright? Is there something troubling you?"

Chise: "No. It's nothing. I'm fine."

Evelynn: "Mom! Dad!"

Chise: "What is it sweetie?"

Evelynn: "Some old guy is asking for you."

Elias and Chise went into the living room and saw Sanford waving back at them. Chise went over to him and kissed him on the cheek.

Sanford: It's good to see you again Elias."

Elias: "Yes it is. It's been far too long."

Sanford: "7 years. You know. At the baby shower, I thought you were having twins. How many children do you two have?"

Chise: (laughs) "Oh my God Sanford!"

Elias: "No. no. no! These are our twin daughters and these are their friends."

Sanford: "Aw. Look at that. They look very much like you both."

Elias: "This is Emma and this is Evelynn."

Evelynn: "Hey."

Emma: "It's nice to meet you, kind sir."

Sanford: "Well aren't you just a sweet little lady."

Chise: "Thank you for keeping our place clean."

Sanford: "It's no trouble at all. I see that you are pregnant again. You don't have another set of twins in there do you?"

Elias and Chise: "NO!"

Chise: "No. Just a boy on his way."

Elias: "One set of twins is enough."

Emma and Evelynn: "Hey!"

Chise: "We love you." (kisses)

Elias: "Go. Go set up for dinner."

Chise: "Why don't you join us Stanford? We're having beef curry."

Sanford: "No I shouldn't. You're with family. The last thing you want is for this old coot to intrude on your vacation."

Elias: "I insist. As a debt for keeping an eye on our cabin."

Sanford: "Well if you insist."

Henri: "I'm chopping up the carrots!"

Elias: "Don't get carried away and cut your fingers."

Henri: "I won't."

Emma: "Need help peeling the potatoes Lauren?"

Lauren: "Sure. Whatever. Just look at them."

Emma turned and saw them pour the wine and Worchester sauce on the beef tips. Mitch accidentally poured some sauce on Evelynn's hand and he apologized a few times. She got even by putting some on his face and then laughed. Mitch then laughed along with her. Emma just laughed and shook her head. She then turned back to Lauren and was shocked as she saw her glaring at Evelynn and Mitch while murderously hacking at the potatoes.

Emma: "Lauren! You shouldn't look at them and chop at the same time! You might harm your fingers!"

After the curry was finally done, Elias poured it on the rice that Chise made. She remembered the last time he made the rice. It was for the best. Everyone sat down to eat the delicious curry.

Chise: "It's good."

Elias: "Are you sure because on the spicy, I didn't know how much to put."

Evelynn: "Doesn't taste spicy to me."

Sanford: "Nor I."

Mitch: "It's not? I got the mild kind."

Skyler: "I think you lost your touch Mr. A."

Elias: "I could've sworn I followed the recipe exactly. Hmm…."

Evelynn: "Here taste. Aah!"

Mitch: "Aah!" (takes a bite)

Henri: "Do they know that they did an indirect kiss?"

Skyler: "I don't know."

Lauren: (gritting teeth)

Emma: "Lauren."

Lauren: "What?"

Emma: "Aah."

Lauren: "Are you serious?"

Emma: "Aah!"

Skyler and Henri: Another indirect kiss!

Lauren: "Ugh. Fine then." (takes a bite) "I agree. I'm not tasting any spic-"

All of a sudden, Lauren started to sweat and turn red. So did Chise, Sanford, Emma, Evelynn, Mitch, Skyler, and Henri. A whistling sound came from all of them. Fire appeared in their eyes and then BOOM!

Chise, Sanford, and the kids: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Chise: "SO HOT!"

Emma: "HOLY COW!"

Lauren: "OH GOD! I CAN'T BREATHE!"

Sanford: "OOOOOOOOOOWEEEEEEEEEE! THAT'S WHAT I CALL A KICK!"

Evelynn: "MY THROAT!"

Mitch: "MINE'S BURNING TOO!"

Skyler: "LIGHT EM' UP YOU GUYS! I'M ON FIRE!"

Henri: "MY EYEBALLS ARE SWEATING! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!"

Elias: "Is everyone...?"

Henri: "I'm going in for more! (in Italian) COSÌ PICCANTE!"

Skyler: "It's super spicy and go awesome Mr. A! YOU ROCK SO HARD!"

Elias: "Uh.. Thank you.."

Chise: "She's right! If I don't go into labor soon, this curry will send me into labor!"

Sanford: "I'm loving this!"

Mitch: "I can't stop eating!"

Evelynn: "Me neither!"

A bit later on, Elias quickly gave the kids popsicles and Sanford and Chise some very iced tea. They retired to the living room with a sigh of relief.

Elias: "Is everyone calm down?"

Skyler: "Sweet relief.."

Henri: "I'm gonna die."

Lauren: "My tongue wants to kill me.."

Evelynn: "Ah…."

Sanford: "That was so good. I almost had heartburn."

Chise: "Maybe not that much spice Honey."

Elias: "Sorry.."

Chise: "But it was really good." (kisses him)

Emma: "Wow Dad."

Mitch: "I hope we have that again some day."

Evelynn: "Hey Mr. Sanford."

Sanford: "Yes sweetie?"

Evelynn: "You've been around a LONG time right?"

Chise: "Evelynn!"

Sanford: "It's okay. She's very cute. Yes I have."

Evelynn: "What's at the bottom of the lake?"

Elias: "…"

Mitch: "Was this what you wanted to tell me?"

Evelynn: "Uh-huh. Are there like ruins at the bottom of the lake?"

Sanford: "No sweetie. There are not ruins."

Emma: "Oh.."

Sanford: "There is an entire temple city down there."

Kids: "WOAH!"

Elias: "Are you serious?"

Chise: "A temple?!"

Elias: "You did see something after all."

Sanford: "I don't know the exact details but I have heard a lot of rumors about there being a city with a dam. Centuries ago, there was a thriving civilization. See the people of the temple believed in magic and fairies and all that phooey. There is no such thing as magic."

Elias, Chise, and the kids: (nervous laughing)

Sanford: "Anyway, they were threatened by a sand deity that wanted nothing but trouble and amusement. You know. Playing tricks and cause mayhem."

Chise: "Sounds familiar?"

Elias: "Mmm…"

Sanford: "The people had had enough of this. So, they had a mysterious visitor who told them that the "Protectors of the Magical World" will put an end to the deity's trickery... Two kids will defeat him. So the people drew murals on the temple. Like a prophecies, legends, and all that. They await for when the Protectors would come and save the world."

Evelynn: "The world?!"

Sanford: "The world. But then because that the people do not fear him anymore, the evil deity destroyed the dam that kept the water from flooding their city. He destroyed the temple with a massive flood and all it's people were lost."

Kids: "Oooh…"

Sanford: "I would tell you youngins this. The prophecies on the walls scared him. So whoever they are, those kids are in danger. He will do everything and I mean EVERYTHING… to keep the prophecy from fulfilling."

Emma, Evelynn, and Mitch: "Anything?"

Sanford: "ANYTHING."

Evelynn: "Woah heavy. That's some story right Dad?"

Elias: "…"

Evelynn: "Dad?"

Emma: "Mom? Are you two okay?"

Elias: "Oh….um…. yes."

Chise: "We're fine."

Sanford: "There was something else too. Something about the North, South, East, and West. Some sort of animals. I think a tiger, a bird, a turtle, and a dragon. Like I said. Fairy tales. Well. I better be along."

Chise: "Here. Take some curry for the road."

Sanford: "Oh yes! I am going to enjoy this. Good night!"

Kids: "Night!"

Elias: "Thank you again."

Chise: "Be safe."

Chise looked back at Elias who had his head in his hands with a very worrisome look on his face. After Chise watch the kids sleep, she over to him and hugged him.

Chise: "Scared?"

Elias: "Yes.. You?"

Chise: "Very. What do we need to do?"

Elias: "I think we need to keep them safe. We can't let him get to them. We need to take them to Lindel's. He can take car-"

Chise: "No! Absolutely not! That's exactly what Ashen Eyes wants! He wants us to be scared. We need to look at those ruins."

Elias: "There are also some books in the College that can help."

Chise: "Yes. So when the baby is born, we're coming back here. Me and you."

Elias: "Of course. We can't lose them Chise. We can't…"

Chise: "I know. I won't let him hurt them.. I love you Elias."

Elias: "And I love you."

Elias held her tightly in his arms as they drifted to sleep. What they didn't know was Lauren had overheard everything after coming from the bathroom. She then headed back to the room she was sharing with the twins. She watch them sleep as she went as well.

Lauren: "Fairy tale huh? Hmph.." (sleeps)