Hi guys!

I am so sorry for updating late! I was moving into my new flat this weekend and getting everything sorted out (Wi-Fi…etc.) I've been very busy recently and on top of that I hadn't actually finished the chapter that I was supposed to write, so I had to do a lot of writing today. I won't do that again, I promise!

Anyway thank you all for the reviews! I really love reading them and seeing what you all think, so thank you all so much!

So thank you and sorry! Please read on and enjoy!

Chapter 37 – Inheritance

Marina

Outside the porthole window, the sea spreads out as far as I can see. It's a deep, dark blue and choppy, the waves crashing over each other, their white tips appearing and disappearing in a mere matter of seconds. Normally I'm sure it would be beautiful but it just looks menacing; especially with the grey sky looming above, the thunderclouds rolling together with lightning flashing in the depths. Everywhere I look is water; even the brief glimpse of land has long disappeared. I shiver, wrapping my arms around myself, trying not to let the endless sea unsettle me.

We set off a few hours ago, just as the camp was waking up. Armed with weapons and enough supplies to last us a week, I felt confident, even ready for the coming fight. I was so sure that this was what we had to do, what the whole war was building up to. I felt that this battle was going to be the only fight that mattered. But we've been on the ship for a good few hours now, heading straight north without changing direction and all we've seen ever since we left land is nothing but sea. No small islands, no ships, not even rocks. It's lifeless and empty, as the sea stretches on and on ahead of us, never ending. My confidence is slowly disappearing, replaced with a growing sense of dread and dull fear. Maybe it's the fear of the importance of our mission or maybe it's the doubts plaguing me that this is just a trick or maybe it's just the dread before another battle. It's another fight where I could lose the people I love; another chance for them to be taken from me.

"Anything?" Joseph asks from behind. I turn to see him and Nine sat on a bench by the wall, looking tense. I'm not the only one worried by the lack of land.

"Nothing," I reply, my voice not betraying my feelings. "Just the sea,"

"It's been five hours," Nine says solemnly. "And we've seen nothing but the damn ocean," His face is scrunched up in concern, his fists clenching and unclenching on his lap.

"If the island was closer the mogs would have found it," Joseph says calmly. "It's supposed to be lost, Nine, that means it's not going to be right next to the mainland," he points out. We share a smile, his patience putting me at ease. It reassures me that he at least thinks this is normal and everything's going to be ok.

"I think this is bullshit," Nine continues, not even listening to Joseph. "Searching for a lost island. I think the fact that it's lost kind of says a whole lot! It doesn't want to be found!" his voice raises and I glance towards the cockpit, hoping John and Maren don't hear.

"Yes it does," Joseph replies. "It wants us to find it,"

"Only we can't," Nine retorts.

"It's not lost to the Elders," Joseph replies solemnly. "Not lost to John",

"He doesn't know where it is!" Nine protests. "Just some weird feeling that north is the right direction! That's not what I had in mind when you said Lorien would show us the way!" he glares at me, as if this is my fault. As if I've purposely led them on some wild diversion for fun.

"Ella didn't exactly have time to describe Lorien's method of directing us," I snap, his nerves affecting me. "She was too busy telling me the importance of the mission," I defend myself, trying to fight my own insecurities.

"Or maybe it wasn't El at all," Nine glowers.

"If it was Setrakus, I would know," I reply. "I'd recognise El anywhere, even in a dream and I know that was her," I mean it. I know it was her. But I'm starting to wonder whether she was being coerced or forced by Setrakus. The doubts are building up in my mind, troubling me more with every second passing. The more time it takes to find the island, the more I'm starting to wonder if this really isn't a trick.

"We have to trust John," Joseph is saying smoothly, oblivious to my fears. "He's been a pretty good leader so far, so it makes sense that he was chosen by Lorien. We just have to trust him," he says. Nine huffs, looking far from convinced, but some of his anger has faded.

"I trust the guy," Nine grumbles. "And I trust El. If she said this is what we had to do, I believe her," he pauses for a moment. "But that doesn't mean I'm happy about this whole damn thing. I won't be happy until we reach the island and Setrakus turns up," he crosses his arms, his face set in a scowl.

"He will," Joseph says earnestly.

"If he does, he's mine to kill," Nine says petulantly.

"I think if you want to kill him, you're going to have to fight Maren for the right," Joseph gestures to the cockpit. I look at where he's pointing. Maren and John are talking, heads bent close together. I can't hear what they're saying but I watch as Maren gestures angrily with her hands, her face twisted up in a scowl. John doesn't seem concerned though; in fact, he almost looks amused.

"Man, she's giving him hell," Nine chuckles and the boys share a grin.

I turn away, facing the sea again. Inside, doubts plague my mind, filling me with worries that this is a trick and I've been played by Setrakus. Maybe he's managed to force Ella to work for him and she was made to trick me. But I have to remember how confident I was in the dream and in the meeting, how sure I was that it was Ella and that this was the real deal. I have to stop doubting myself and just get on with it. Besides, I can't let Nine know what I'm thinking. Even after finding out about Ximic, he's becoming more and more desperate to turn around and head back to the Capital, where there's a guaranteed fight without the whole 'prophecy shit' he hates so much.

"Well, we're probably going to be on this damn ship for another few hours," Nine sighs. "Wanna take a look at the Chests?"

"Henri said we shouldn't," Joseph replies, sounding almost nervous.

"Henri's not here, dude, and these things only have a one-way ticket," I can almost picture Nine's grin, the mischievous look on his face. "Henri won't know," There's a brief silence and then Joseph sighs.

"Fine," he gives in. "I guess we could take a quick look,"

"Yo, Marina?" Nine calls me. I turn with a sigh, plastering a smile onto my face. Joseph frowns slightly when he sees my expression; he knows I'm not happy and I can tell he wants to talk to me, but not in front of Nine.

"Wanna join?" Nine gestures to the pile of Chests in the corner.

"We shouldn't," I reply. Nine rolls his eyes, standing up and making his way over to them. He hefts one up, easily balancing it on one of his hands. He grins at me, almost in a challenge, but I'm so not in the mood.

"Come on, we're given these ultra-secret Chests that were destined for every Elder only we have to offer them to Calakmul in the chance of waking up Pittacus," Nine snorts. "We're never going to get these bad boys back. Don't you at least want to take a look in them?"

I stare at the Chests for a long moment. There are nine of them, stacked up in a corner nearby. There's nothing that special about them really; old, brittle boxes with a padlock on the front, yet no discernible slot for a key. The most interesting thing about them are the Loric symbols etched into the side. But just looking at them, you can almost sense the power in the boxes, the sense of prophecy and destiny lingering around them.

"I mean, John got to look in his once!" Nine continues. "Years ago, back in the Games. Kind of unfair that he was able to see what's inside before he was officially an Elder, right?" Joseph shrugs, looking convinced, but I'm not sure. There's something so ancient and powerful about them and it seems wrong to want to disrupt them.

"And what if there's some really cool weapon in here that could kill Setrakus?" Nine continues. "Come on guys, live a little," he grins. "Don't be boring," Joseph looks sold, his eyes lingering on the boxes. But I'm still not sure.

"I really don't think-" I begin but then I hear a clattering of boots on metal floor. I turn to see Maren standing by the cockpit entrance, a smile on her face.

"We're here," she says.

Nine drops the Chest at once and I wince as it clatters to the ground, the items inside rattling. But Nine doesn't even notice, running straight into the cockpit. Maren grins at me, relief clear on her face, before she turns and goes too. Excitement and relief races through me: relief at the island being real and not a trick, and excitement at the thought of finally seeing the original seat of the Elders. To see the one place on Lorien that hasn't been touched at all by the mogs will be incredible, and it'll be even more special knowing that this is where the former Elders met and ruled. This island was destined for us. Despite the dread, despite the fear, I'm excited. I take a few steps forward, stopping suddenly when Joseph teleports next to me.

"Joseph?" I ask, confused. He looks both excited and worried, especially when he looks me in the eyes, trying to read my expression.

"You ok?" he asks earnestly, taking my hand in his. "You seemed worried earlier. You all right?" I smile back at him, squeezing his hand in excitement.

"I am now," I reply.

We share a grin and then he teleports us to the cockpit, as if he can't wait a second longer, and we appear next to John and the others in seconds. I stare out of the window, the cockpit deadly silent, as we all stare out into the distance. I think I'm holding my breath and I can barely feel my fingers from Joseph's tight grip on my hand. But I don't care. I scour the landscape in front of me, desperate to find it.

At first I can't see anything. The waves have died down a lot, and the sea is almost still with some strange mist lurking on the water. It's eerie, curling over the water's surface and obscuring some of the foamy white tips of waves, and it sends a shiver down my spine. It moves to and fro with the wind, swirling up in the air and then descending back onto the water's surface. I try and peer through the mist, my eyes squinting in the low, grey light.

Then I see it.

It looms out of the mist, almost as if the fog parts for the island as we fly towards it. The island isn't big at all, maybe the size of the Capital. But it's beautiful. I can see sandy beaches with waves lapping onto the white shoreline. The sand almost looks slivery, even in the dull light. The beach isn't very large at all, stretching along for maybe a mile or so, before the island curves around and the beach disappears. A couple of metres away from the shore, a jungle begins. The trees are thick and wild, the branches and vines tangled together to form an almost impassable barricade against the outside world. I can see brightly coloured birds in the trees, flying up into the air in fright when they hear the ship. I suck a breath in as we approach closer, and I can see the jungle stretching out for what appears to be miles and miles. The jungle is completely overgrown, untouched and left to grow wild. I can see a thin line between some of the trees, and between the thick cover of branches and leaves, I catch a blue glimpse of a river forcing its way between the foliage. The jungle spreads on until it reaches a mountain, so tall and high that I can't see its peak. The trees stops low at its base and are replaced by rock and later on snow and ice. I gasp as I take it all in, stunned and amazed.

"I hate to say it," Nine finally says, awe in his voice. "But I'm really glad we came,"

I nod in agreement, staring at the island. I'm barely aware of John steering the ship so we slowly start to approach the white sand beaches. There's a weird feeling inside of me, like an electric current, or a buzzing feeling that's lighting up my nerves. It's not unpleasant at all and it's as if all aches and pains just disappear. I feel amazing: stronger, calmer, and more powerful than I've ever felt. I know instinctively that I could use my legacies in ways I'd never imagined possible if I wanted to. I can almost feel Lorien all around me and it's intoxicating. A strange calm descends over me, even as my veins buzz with power, and there's something so right about this place.

I'm home.

"We were meant to come here," Joseph says, looking enraptured. I think the others feel the same calm power as me because they nod, their faces looking as awed as I feel.

"I guess we're supposed to go the mountain then," I say as John carefully steers the ship towards the beach. "I bet the temple would be around there," I say. Somehow I know that's where we need to go.

"We have to hurry," John says. "Setrakus could be arriving any moment and we still have so much to do," His words sound urgent but the dreamy way he says it and the lack of urgency any of us feels, means the words don't feel so important.

"Ella will warn us when he comes," Nine says. "She's got telepathy, she'll at least give us a heads up,"

"Let's hope so," Maren frowns. "But in any case, we better get moving," she looks around, a mischievous look on her face that's eerily like Nine's. "I hope everyone's in the mood for a hike,"

Xxx

I wipe the sweat from my face, hating how hot and clammy I feel right now. I push a few vines out of my path, holding them out of the way for John who's just behind me. He smiles weakly, looking as hot and bothered as I feel. I continue making my way through the jungle, trying not to trip over the roots sticking out from the ground, or the vines trailing down from the branches to the moss-covered earth. Everywhere I look I see trees and branches and leaves, with the river winding through the trees a few paces away. I can see a brief glimpse of blue water every now and then before more trees and vines obscure the view. The heat beats down on me, sticking my hair to my neck and my shirt to my back. The humidity is worse; it's so humid that it's almost hard to breath. I feel exhausted and weary already, despite only walking for an hour or so.

"Can't you, I don't know, put on some air con?" Nine demands, almost glaring at me. "You have a freaking ice legacy," He seems as hot and sweaty as me, and he ditched his shirt a long while ago. But he seems to enjoy it though; there's a mad grin on his face and he seems so energetic, as if this is fun.

"We said no legacy use," Maren speaks up, sounding pissed off. "We don't want anyone to get tired out now. We'll need every bit of energy for later," she reminds him.

"Yeah, 'cause you guys look so pumped right now," Nine rolls his eyes, turning to lead us through the jungle. Maren looks like she wants to punch him but can't be bothered.

Next to me, Legacy bounds along, enjoying the jungle. The chimaera seem to be the only ones doing well in this heat, trotting along next to us in forms that I've never seen before. Legacy is like a giant lizard but in a cat form; it's so bizarre and yet it seems to be perfect for the current weather, as if she was made for this place. I watch as she easily jumps over a large root, turning back to see how I'm doing.

"I think we're almost there," Joseph suddenly teleports in the path ahead of us, a grin on his face. He's the only one allowed to use his legacies and that's just to scout the way. "The trees are thinning and there seems to be a clearing up ahead," he explains.

"Best news I've heard all day," Maren says, pulling herself up over a boulder. She jumps down next to me, breathing heavily, her face red.

"How much further?" John asks.

"About half an hour more walking," Joseph replies. "But I can teleport us there in less than a minute," he offers. John bites his lip, staring at us all in appraisal. I bet we look pathetic: dripping with sweat, red, breathing heavily and exhausted. Hardly like a team capable of taking down the most dangerous villain on Lorien and Mogadore combined.

"Let him do it," Maren finally says. "Joseph has done way more challenging stuff than this. It'll barely sap him," she points out. John stares at her for a long moment, clearly torn.

"Please?" she asks him, kind of sweetly for Maren, and he gives in. He nods and Joseph takes my hand and Maren's.

For a brief moment nothing happens. Then the familiar blackness appears for a nanosecond before the scene changes and we're there. Maren drops Joseph's hand, looking disorientated and sick, but I'm not bothered by his teleporting anymore. I'm so used to it at this point, it's almost like second nature.

"Be right back," Joseph says, but I don't notice. I'm too busy staring at the scene in front of me.

There's a large clearing in front of me, the river winding through the trees along the edge of the glade. I can see it disappear off towards the mountain, which is so close to us. I can already see the ground starting to slope upwards, the trees starting to thin more. But it's the building that really stuns me. There's a short stretch of touch, yellowish grass that stretches from the edge of the jungle where we are until it reaches the edge of the temple. The place is crumbling and starting to resemble ruins, vines climbing up the side of the building as moss and weeds poke out from cracks in the stone. It must have been a shining white material before, but now it's closer to a cream colour, weathered by the ages and weather. But it's still magnificent, despite its disrepair. It's tall and in a pyramid style, with steps leading up from the base to the very top of the temple, where there's a cube shape, like a room. I can see an empty entrance right at the top and beyond that there's a dull blue shine.

Standing in front of the place, I suddenly feel as if we've gone back thousands of years, to the very start of Lorien. I imagine the first Elders building this place, and I can sense the long deceased power even now. It's like the earth is thrumming with energy, remembering its legacy. Remembering its past.

"That's Calakmul," Maren whispers. She looks stunned, and with her usual scowl stripped away, she looks so young.

"I think we have to climb the steps and make the offerings inside," I say, shifting the bag on my back. It's extra heavy with the Chest strapped to it.

"Wow," I turn to see the rest of our group, staring at the temple with the same expression that must be on my face. The chimaera aren't here yet, but I guess they'll be making their way; they weren't struggling in this heat, so I'm not worried about them.

"I feel really…weird," Nine admits, looking impressed. I nod, knowing what he feels. The same powerful, energetic feeling I felt when we saw the island has only become stronger when we've come here. I feel both buzzed and ready for a fight, yet incredibly calm and peaceful. It's a weird, but addictive feeling.

"I could stay here forever," I admit. Joseph nods nearby, looking as relaxed as I feel. Even the urgency of the mission has worn off. I know we have a job to do and we need to hurry but I just don't feel the urgency that I need to.

"Come on," John seems less affected, his face lined with worry. "We need to get a move on," He says but we don't move. I just stare around, looking at the place, trying to take it all in.

"Hey, what's that?" Maren suddenly straightens up, having spotted something to the side of the temple. I can't see what she's pointing to but then she suddenly jogs off, running to the back of the temple. John moves after her at once, and then Nine follows after a pause. I share a look with Joseph, and then he grabs my hand, teleporting us to the back of the temple.

"Shit," Joseph whispers, staring at the carnage in front of him.

I expected more trees, maybe the river, maybe more jungle. I expected life and peace here. But the scene is completely different. There's a huge crater just behind the temple, but it was dug up a while ago. Weeds and vines have sprouted from the dry ground, whilst there's a layer of leaves at the bottom of the pit. But it's the lumps of burnt, warped metal that stun me. They look wrong, sick and seeing the metal sends shivers down my spine. I have no idea why, but they terrify me. There's something so wrong about them, something so dangerous and deadly.

"What the hell is that?" Maren mutters, as the other three join us. I shake my head, not entirely sure what I'm seeing. But the calm feeling I had earlier is gone, replaced with a sick dread. I don't feel safe anymore. I don't want to stay here forever anymore.

"Setrakus," John says with certainty. "This was his attempt to capture Lorien and bend it to his will," I stare at the metal with new eyes, shivers going down my spine. I suddenly feel cold, despite the heat, and I wrap my arms around myself.

"This is what he's come back for," Maren realises. "He's got another machine like this, maybe stronger,"

"Come on," John says softly. "We should go to the temple. Make the offerings. We don't have much time,"

I nod in agreement and we turn to go. I take one last look at the carnage; the metal, the scorched ground, the deep crater and then I turn away. The earlier triumphant, happy mood has just disappeared and I can see everyone feels worried, nervous even. If he could do that before he was so powerful, then what is he going to try now? I reach out and take Joseph's hand, clinging to it as if it's the only support system I have. He doesn't say anything but I can feel his own worries in the tight grip on his fingers.

The climb up the steps isn't easy, but maybe that's part of the challenge. There must be at least 100, probably more, and my legs are killing me after a while. But I feel like we can't teleport for this, that we have to make the effort. The more we climb the stronger the powerful feeling gets, and I soon feel like I should be shaking with the intensity. We keep climbing in silence and the feeling gets stronger and stronger and stronger. When we finally get to the top, I almost feel sick with the power. We stand in front of the small chamber, the blue shine brighter than it was below. Behind us the jungle stretches out and it's beautiful, but also daunting. The mountain looms above us, and I have to tip my head back, but even then I don't see the peak.

"I wish Lorien would chill out," Nine mutters. "It's gonna give me a heart attack," As soon as he says that, the feeling lessons, calms down. I stare at the others in confusion, shock and a bit creeped out.

"Can it hear us?" Maren looks confused. John just smiles calmly, looking almost like he's meditating. He looks like he's somewhere else completely.

"Of course it can," he replies. "It's happy we're here," He doesn't even wait to see our reactions but heads right into the building, through the doorway. Maren watches him go, a weird look on her face, as if she's just figuring something out.

"I don't know what freaks me out more, this place or John's buddy friendship with Lorien," Nine grumbles. Maren

"I'm not sure it is John Lorien's talking to," she finally replies. "But someone else," Before she can elaborate she follows John, entering the room. The rest of us stare at each, completely confused by our friends' reactions. Nine shakes his head, looking exasperated.

"If you two start speaking in riddles, I will hit you," he warns.

"You wouldn't hit a girl," I tease, trying to hide how freaked out I'm feeling by all this.

"Nah," Nine agrees. "But I'd hit your boyfriend instead,"

"Hey!" Joseph protests.

"Guys, come on!" I hear Maren snap from inside. Glad that she's at least returned to normal a bit, I take a deep breath, entering the doorway.

It's not a building but a room. There's only one doorway and that's the one we came in. As a result, it's dark in here, the light dim. There's a large table dominating the room, with ten seats around it. The wood is old, cracking in some places, yet it still looks sturdy. The best part is the map of Lorien carved into the wooden tabletop, some parts rising above others in a semblance of mountain ranges, whilst other parts of the table have deep cuts, to signify valleys or rivers. I don't recognise some of the names or the places and I bet this is Lorien before the Mogadorian occupation. The chairs are simple; high backed and wooden, but there are symbols carved on the back in ancient Loric. I instinctively recognise numbers, ranging from one to ten. The tenth chair has been brutally hacked to pieces, the shards scattered all over the room, with the number ten struck through with a knife slash.

I look up to see that the ceiling of the room is painted with Loric constellations, the stars and moon still shining with the white shimmering material used to paint them. Along the walls and ceiling there are flecks of blue stone, Loralite, imbedded deep into the stone. The blue light shining from these flecks is reflected off the black marble floor and must be the shine I saw from outside.

"Guys, look at this," Maren and John are stood over something in the corner of the room. I walk over, taking in what must be a well. It's round and quite wide, made out the same black stone with the blue Loralite imbedded in the rock. But it's the deep blue shine emanating from the well that captivates me. It's so pure and deep and I know at once that it's Lorien. I know somehow that the well leads down to the centre of Lorien, where the entity of our planet lies.

"This is where the former Elders met," Joseph looks around. "It's amazing," I know how he feels. You can feel the power in the air, the buzzing feeling still there, but lessened. I can feel the charged atmosphere and I believe John's earlier statement about Lorien being happy. It's glad we're here. It's welcoming us home.

"I have no idea why they relocated," Nine shakes his head, uncharacteristically sober. "This place is mega cool," I nod in agreement, tracing a fleck of Loralite in the wall. When I touch it, a flash of energy races through me, as if it recognises me.

"This is it," John's face practically shines. "Come on guys, the Chests!" John pulls his bag off, leaving it nearby.

I pull my bag off as well, the others doing the same, and we pile them up near the well. Nine had an extra few Chests to carry since he's so strong and I watch as he lightly juggles them in his arms, placing them gently on the floor. John seems so in control, heading over to the well with his Chest, as if he knows what to do. He stares down at the blue light, almost transfixed and part of me wonders if he can see beyond the light or if Lorien is communicating to him in some way.

"How do we offer a Chest that we can't open?" Joseph whispers to me. I shrug, keeping my eyes on John.

"I guess we follow his lead," I shrug.

As if he heard me, John presses his hand to the padlock and then there's a clicking sound as it opens, the padlock falling to the ground. The lid pops open slowly and we all lean forwards at once, desperate to see what's inside. I expected to see a book or maps or something, maybe even a crown or some symbolic emblem of the Elders. But the objects are weird; a pile of leaves, rocks, vials of liquid, a dagger and a red bracelet, as well as loads of other things. Mysterious things, things I've never seen before in my life. John picks up the bracelet and dagger, smiling calmly as he slots them into his belt.

"Take whatever you think you might need," he says. "The rest goes to Lorien,"

Before any of us can really say anything, he tips the Chest up and the contents go pouring down into the well. I gasp and Maren jumps forwards, crying out a warning to John. Nine just shakes his head, as if he's seriously considering leaving us. For a moment I think John has really gone mad, throwing away out entire inheritance to a blue light on a lone island. But the well's reaction stops us in our tracks. Instead of making clattering noses as they fall into thin air, the objects suddenly disappear with a weird whooshing noise, as if being sucked up. The blue light intensifies for a brief moment and I feel my hair stand on end, an energy ripple through me. A small breeze rushes out of the well, as the blue light continues to shine, brighter than before.

"Ok, this is creeping me out," Nine whispers.

"You've got to do the same!" John tells us in excitement. I don't even question him now. I notice a tiny glow around him, almost a golden aura. I can tell Nine is shocked because even he doesn't comment on it, but simply reaches down and opens up his chest. Maren purses her lips, looking at John appraisingly, but she doesn't say anything.

I bend down and press my hand to the padlock, not even that surprised when it clicks and falls to the ground with a clatter. I slowly open up the lid, not sure what to expect. There are piles of Loric gems, glistening in an array of different colours: greens, blues, red, yellows and more. I trail my hands through them, the cold stones sending bolts of energy through me when I touch them. There are a few clippings of leaves and branches in the Chest, and I pick them up, wondering if they're supposed to signify anything. I sniff them, the scent of pine and chestnut wafting through the air, but nothing else happens. I shrug, dropping them back down and looking at the other items. There are more items in the Chest too; strange jewellery, a pair of gloves, some glasses and even a weird compass thing. There doesn't appear to be any weapons or any maps or anything of any use. I decide not to take anything, committing my entire inheritance to Lorien.

"Hey, what do you think this is?" I look up to see Nine holding a stone on his palm. I watch as he twists his wrist and then the stone seems to pass through his hand, appearing on the back. He wriggles his eyebrows at me, not completely hiding his confusion at what's going on.

"Do you think this'll help impress girls?" he asks me. I roll my eyes, getting to my feet and pulling my Chest up with me.

"I've seen guys teleport," I reply. "I'm hard to impress,"

"Tough crowd," Nine whistles, mock sadly shaking his head.

"Everyone be serious," John says softly. "This isn't the time for joking around," There's an intense look on his face that I don't want to argue with.

I sober up at once, especially when Maren starts to commit handfuls of her Chest's items into the well. She drops handfuls of Loric gems into the blue light, and they glitter and flash as they slip trough her fingers and fall into the light. In response the blue light brightens and the energy intensifies, the air almost humming. I step forwards and grip the branches in my hand, dropping them into the light. The earlier scent of pine and chestnut suddenly increases and the room is filled with smell of forest for a brief moment. Just before the branches disappear, they appear greener, more in bloom than they did before.

Nine and Joseph join in and together we dump the rest of the Chests' contents into the well. Strange items like soil and dust goes in, each of the ashes sparkling as they go down the well. The gems glitter in the mysterious light, whilst other objects, like my gloves and glasses simply disappear, sucked in by the energy. The blue light is intensifying, humming, and I can feel the energy starting to thrum more. In excitement we continue to throw the stuff into the well, watching the leaves, gems, jewellery, more objects all absorbed by the blue light.

"We're done," Maren says just as I throw my last handful in. I turn around, eyes searching the chamber for more. But that's it.

"Is that it?" Nine asks, puzzled. Sure, the blue light is stronger and so is the energy, but I was expecting something massive to happen. But then John shakes his head and then he reaches around his neck, pulling off the blue pendant on his neck.

"Lorien wants these too," he says softly.

Staring at it, I remember my own pendant with its Loric symbol with a flash of longing; it was taken from me when I was captured and I've never seen it since, but it meant so much to me. It meant that Sophia and I teamed up, becoming a team along with Joseph and Nine. It meant that we were able to take down the arena and really start this war. It was a part of my inheritance, a part of the Elder in me. But the mogs took it from me. For all I know, they destroyed it.

"We only have three," Maren pulls her off, as Joseph lightly plays with his on his chain. "Is that enough?"

"Maybe Lorien will understand," I say. "Maybe the entity will know that it's the best we can do," I guess. It's not a lot to go on but it's enough to convince them. Joseph pulls his off and I can see the look of sadness as he holds it over the blue light along with John and Maren. I understand. It's a symbol of the Elders and a part of him now. But he has to let it go.

The three of them drop the pendants into the well.

The response is immediate. If I thought the blue light was fierce before, it's nothing compared to the supernova it is now. I take a few steps backwards, throwing my hand up to try and protect my eyes from the fierceness of the light. There's a whooshing sound, as if thousands of wings are taking flight, or as if a gust of wind has suddenly rushed through the chamber. Energy rushes around the room, around me and the others, lighting us up with a power and intensity that scares me. For a moment a golden aura shines around all of us, before it fades away. Then a thumping sound begins. It's a loud, insistent thump and it almost sends vibrations through me.

It's a heartbeat. It's Lorien.

Lorien is awake.

I'm not sure how long we all stand there in the blue light, listening to the sonorous sound of Lorien's heartbeat. It could be minutes or hours. Time has no meaning anymore. The experience is hypnotic and comforting and for the first time in my life, I feel completely safe. Every nerve, cell and particle in me is safe and relaxed yet vibrant from the entity. When the light starts to fade and the heartbeat's sound starts to diminish, I start to feel sad, missing it even. It's like waking up from a wonderful dream to a cold, harsh reality. I even look around for more objects to throw in, to get that wonderful feeling again, but the chamber is empty of offerings. We've committed our Inheritance to Lorien and it's over.

I open my eyes fully, watching as the others seem to wake up too. Nine shakes his head, almost looking embarrassed, as if he hates having to admit that he was amazed by that display. Maren looks kind of sad but it's John who really shocks me. There's something stronger about him, more confident, and he stands up straighter and taller. The glow that was around all of us still lingers about him slightly, as if Lorien doesn't want to let go of its hold on him.

"So what now?" Nine demands.

"We did what we came to do," John says but when he speaks, it's as if there's a voice behind him, speaking through him. "We've woken up Lorien. Pittacus has been brought to life once more," he smiles. "We're ready for our fight now," he says calmly.

"No offence, but I'm not feeling so ready," Nine grumbles. "Even if Lorien really is awake," I can tell he wants to deny it but he doesn't'. How can he? The heartbeat is still going and the blue light still lingers. Lorien is very much awake and listening.

"I actually agree with Nine," Maren speaks up. "Sure the light thing was cool and all that, but how is that going to help us against Setrakus?" she demands. John just looks calm, patient even, as if he's an old teacher taking to an annoying bunch of kids.

"It will," he promises. "It's already helping now. Many Loric are discovering legacies they didn't possess before," he says. "Chimaera are growing stronger and Lorien is providing us with strength," he says.

"Again, not helpful here," Nine protests.

"It could be," I interrupt before John can speak, feeling the need to defend Lorien. "The planet can't kill him, we have to. But it can help us. If John says Pittacus is here, then I believe him,"

"As for getting ready for war," John says, smiling gratefully at me. "We have to do that ourselves," Nine looks relieved; preparing for war and battles is his forte. Maren scowls, crossing her arms and looking very suspicious and confused. But she trusts John. We all do.

"We better get moving then," she warns. "Setrakus could be here any minute and we have a lot to do if we have a chance at stopping him," she sighs.

"And we have to stop him," John agrees. "If we don't, then everything is over. If he gets Ximic, then there's' nothing, we, the Loric or Lorien can do about it,"

Hope you all enjoyed! I promise to update on Saturday next weekend!

I know there was a lot of description in this chapter, but it was necessary. There'll be a lot of action coming up though!

Please review!