A New Anti Reality

Chapter 7

Narrowing his eyes, Cedric stopped his horse to look at the huge mountain in front of them. "I sense dark magic all around this place." The sorcerer informed the other two as they caught up. "If we are to get up there safely, I suggest leaving the horses here."

Sensing the dark magic as well,Sofia decided not argue with her a good look at the trail that lead to the top she could see why he had suggested to leave their steeds here. "Let's go." She finally spoke.

Walking up the mountain, the trio kept quiet. If there was anything they had to remember while they were at the top,it was that they had to be cautious. While this mountain was tall, it was not quite as wide as they hoped it would be. One wrong move and either one of them could fall to their deaths!

Looking over towards Sofia, Cedric knew he had to watch out for her. She didn't have much knowledge about magic. Yet, now that he thought about her magic, it had been amazing that her powers had worked for her the day they were fighting the dark king.

His powers had went out of control when he had let anger take over. Because of that, he had nearly lost control over himself. Was that going to happen again? Would his dark powers going to take control of him one day?

Turning his gaze away, the sorcerer decided to look at his gloved hand. Using one of the fingers on the opposite hand, Cedric traced his palm. To think, dark magic lurked inside him all because of a prophecy.

While he had been given these powers to restore peace to the kingdom, the sorcerer couldn't blame himself for fearing it.

As a memory of him losing control began to resurface in Cedric's mind, Merlin's statement began to echo along with the vision."The dark powers of the amulet will continue to put trials in your life along the way, Cedric. I encourage you to continue to fight them, otherwise if you don't control your powers I'm afraid it will consume your your very heart and soul. If this happens, nothing will be able to save you from it!"

Closing his hand into a fist Cedric glared at it. He had to stay in control. He needed to stay strong so that he could help Sofia run this kingdom.

Having watched her friend go into deep serious thoughts,Sofia clasped her hands in his. Seeing that she had gotten his attention, the princess gave him a smile. "Is everything okay?"

Now realizing that he had been watched, Cedric lifted his free hand to look at it in sorrow. "I was thinking..."he trailed off.

"Of what?"

"My powers." Cedric stated having them both stop in their tracks. "The last time I used them I nearly lost control of myself. When you had rushed up to hug me...it was like your light magic calmed my dark. What if I lose control again. Merlin had said if my powers gets complete control of my body my heart and soul would be tainted in darkness."

It won't happen." Sofia said reassuringly. Hugging him around the waist, the princess laid her head against Cedric's chest. "You are strong Cedric, if you weren't I believe you would be dead by now."

Placing his head on top of her's Cedric smiled at her answer. "If that's so maybe you are the reason I'm able to stay in control. Perhaps, you have been my light and my strength this whole time."

Being pleased at hearing this, Sofia lifted her head up and placed her hand on the side of his face. "I promise I won't let the darkness take you,Cedric."

Before Cedric could give his own statement the ground began to shaking. "We should get going." Cedric said as his smile was replaced with a determined stare. "The quicker we get up there the faster we'll know what kind of dark magic is at work."

Picking up the pace, the duo ran as quickly as they could. Each one making sure neither of them fell off the mountain.

Once they were at the top, they were quickly met with two witches on brooms. "Get on we'll take you to where the dark magic is coming from!" The familiar red clad witch yelled as both her and the purple witch let them get on the flying brooms.

With both of them on each broom, explanations were given instead of formalities. "The dark magic Roland had placed on the mountain never has acted like this before. It was more of a barrier to outsiders who did not live here."

"Then why would it let me, Cedric and Wormwood in?" Sofia questioned.

"My guess is that Roland may have used this as a back up plan to destroy us since he wasn't successful at killing us. He knew we would be searching for Queen Miranda so he put her as bait and we took it." Cedric explained as he did his best to stay on the purple clad witch's broom. "Once we were high enough I guess the magic sensed ours."

Makes sense." Wormwood said as he flew alongside them. "Considering that it didn't sense us at the bottom we probably would have been destroyed in an instant."

"There it is," The purple witch said pointing to a statue of a goblin. "Once you destroy that with your magic all the dark magic surrounding this place will vanish and it's original magic will return."

"That's all...well this will be easier than I expected." Wormwood muttered in satisfaction. Suddenly, the statue began to grow and the goblin became alive. "And I spoke too soon, didn't I?"

Letting the sorcerer and princess off on the ground both witches wished them luck then left to check on on the ill queen their visitors came to get.

"What's the plan?" Sofia asked Cedric. "Is there a certain spell to destroy this statue?"

Dodging a spell that the goblin had thrown at him, Cedric pulled Sofia down to the ground once they were a good few feet away and hidden from the monster. Once he deemed it safe to converse Cedric summoned his spell book. Once he found the page of a drawing of a blue circle, he showed it to Sofia and Wormwood.

"This spell is called 'The Seal of Destruction'. It can destroy any powerful statue known to this world. But before the seal can be summoned we'll need to put these tags on him in places he can't reach." Cedric said as he conjured up slips of paper. "Sofia, you and Wormwood try to place these on his back while I try to weaken him."

"Good idea. Dark magic versus dark magic. What could possibly go wrong." Wormwood spat sarcastically.

"He does have a point." said Sofia. "If we need to weaken the goblin, light magic is the best way to to do it."

"I was just putting you in the safest position. The last thing I want is for you to be hit by some spell and to be thrown off the mountain."

"I'll be fine. Someday there will be times when my magic is going to be needed in the front lines. If we are going stand a chance you need to let me do this." Sofia said as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please..."

Sighing, Cedric nodded."Very well, once Wormwood and I have the tags in place. You and I need to combine our magic for the spell to be powerful enough."

After giving a nod, Sofia started making her way back to the goblin and began throwing her magical attacks towards him.

Once it was clear to move, Cedric and Wormwood made their way behind the goblin. Not making a sound, Wormwood placed some of the pieces of paper on the middle of the goblin's back while Cedric worked on bottom. Knowing the that this spell required blood; Cedric pulled off one of his gloves, poked his finger on a nearby thorn bush and began using the blood to draw symbols around the monster.

Seeing Cedric on the ground placing his blood in front of the goblin, Sofia became surprised that he hadn't mentioned doing that part. Deciding to roll with it, the princess fired another powerful blast of magic. Hearing the goblin groan in pain, the statue bent his head to catch his breath but once he saw the man on the ground an angry glare came to his face and it began to reach out to pick up the small human.

Cedric,look out!"

Getting off his hand and knees. Cedric's brown eyes turned into a gold color. "Wormwood, fly to his face!"

"Right!" The raven acknowledged. Once he was in front of the goblin's face Cedric yelled out a powerful spell. As the princess watched she saw the raven giving off a dark blue glow.

Before Sofia could understand the sorcerer's intentions an explosion went off! Once the cloud of dust had cleared, the brunette could see that the goblin was fine. Finding Wormwood perched on a nearby tree,Sofia became confused. "What happened?" she called out.

"Cedric used me to cast a blinding spell," Wormwood explained as he flew beside the princess. "Take a closer look at his eyes."

Doing as she was told, Sofia looked at the goblin's eye only to find them destroyed. "Oh, I get it. He wanted to use a blinding spell so it couldn't find him while he was placing the symbols on the ground."

"Correct,send one more blast to him. Once it's delivered Cedric should be done placing the symbols on the ground."

After giving one more powerful blast Sofia found Cedric standing next to her. "Give me your hand. While I'd hate to stain your hand with my blood. I'm afraid it is required for this spell." He explained as he wrote the symbol on the palm of her hand.

Once done he told her what words to say."Place your hand beside mine. Together they spell the word 'Destroy'. Once we throw our hands to the ground we both must yell the spell."

With everything in place they both threw their hands to the ground. After calling out the spell a a blue circle began to form around the frightened goblin. Once the seal was complete a bigger explosion occurred!

As the dust cleared both partners could tell the dark spell that as placed on the mountain had been destroyed as well as the statue. For it was now in pieces.

"You did it!" A familiar voice called out to them. Turning around they found the red clad witch flying up to them. "Thank-you, we are very grateful and as promised in our bargain I shall lead you to Queen Miranda."

Being lead to a small cabin, the trio was told to wait outside for a minute. Sofia didn't argue about this, after all the princess felt she needed to take a minute to be ready at whatever state she might find her in. Giving a sigh, Sofia looked up at her partner. "Cedric..."

"It's okay Sofia,whatever ill state your mother is in I'll give you the spell to heal her." The sorcerer told the girl as he wrapped his arms around her in comfort.

"Why me?"

"What your mother needs is light magic. My dark powers only cast harmful spells." Seeing that his words did not exactly receive a smile Cedric placed his gloved hand under her chin to make her look at him. "Trust me, your light magic will give off better results."

Taking his words as true. Sofia hugged him which Cedric so willingly returned. "I believe you." she finally said. "It's just that I never casted a spell by myself before. What if I mess up and make things worse for her."

"You won't," Placing both his gloved hands on her shoulders, he gave a smile of his own. "According to the prophecy you are the purest of heart. Such things as that as well as light will succeed in any spell. You only need to believe in yourself just like you believed in my innocence."

"Okay."

All of a sudden, the door opened and the purple witch awaited them. "We are ready for you, Your Majesty." she greeted with a bow.

Walking into the living room, the trio finally got a good glimpse of the former queen. The woman had been placed in a chair. Her eyes were dazed as though were in a trance, while her legs looked normal they were actually paralyzed from the waist down which they were informed of. Other that that she looked fine

"Okay, it looks like all she needs is a simple mind restoring spell as well as a healing spell for the use of her legs again. Once it's given I believe she'll be healed of every spell Roland placed on her." Cedric explained as he conjured his his spell book. "I believe the first spell we should give is the healing spell."

Once he had showed the princess said spell she tried to cast it. With that done all that was left was to restore her mind. "Here it is." Cedric pointed to the passage "Give it a try."

Placing her hand on top of her mother's head Sofia called out the spell and waited for the results. After blinking a few times Miranda lifted her head. From what the group had saw the woman's pupils were back. "Where am I?" Miranda asked as she looked around at the people surrounding her. "Who are you you all"

Sitting down next to the woman, Sofia started to explain. "Many years have passed since your mind was erased by King Roland. I am your daughter."

Getting a good look at the woman in front of her Miranda smiled "S-sofia?"

"That's right." Sofia encouraged. "I am." As a few tears stirred up from within her eyes the princess hugged her long-lost mother.

Returning the hug Miranda began to shed tears as well. "Oh Sofia, I'm so sorry for everything. I never should have left the castle all those years ago. You needed your family but Roland was never your father to begin with."

"Yes, I already know that. He spilled everything a few months ago before Cedric and and I took him down." Sofia said as both mother and daughter clasped their hands together.

"Cedric?" Miranda questioned.

"That's him." Sofia pointed to the man in front of him. "Pretty soon he's going be part of our family. Now let's go home."

"Yes, lets do that. I've been away long enough." Miranda said as she slowly stood up.

Once Miranda had been dressed into her own royal gown they all headed home. Ready to continue to face whatever else life threw at them.

A few months later, Cedric and Sofia finally had their wedding and coronation. After the ceremonies had been given and the cake had been fed to each other all that was left was to celebrate.

Leading his bride to the dance floor the new king and queen were ready to perform their first waltz together.

"If I step on your toes don't kill me." Cedric jokingly whispered to Sofia as he pulled her close to him, wrapped one arm around her waist while his other hand clasped hers. "I don't do well being watched."

"I doubt that," Sofia said with a smile. "You practiced a lot and I believe you'll do fine." Once the music started the couple began to dance.

"So now that we have the whole family together and there isn't anymore villains to take down what do you think will happen next?" Sofia asked him.

"I don't know, we'll just have to see where the road takes us. All that matters now is that we face it together. Do you not agree?"

Giving him a gentle kiss on the lips Sofia smiled and answered " Yes, I very well do."

A/N: Well, there you have it! The Anti Reality finally has their happy ending. Now we'll have to see about the "Topsy Turvy dimension" Please review!