Pandemonium
Summary: After a tragic event leaves all of Enchancia shaken, in the midst of overwhelming devastation and despair, an unexpected ally lends a hand to restore balance to the realm once more. (Collab with Mr. Shortman92; editing assistance by MarionetteJ2X)
Disclaimer: I own nothing except Daemno, Alamea, and Corban. Nana and Tanya belong to MarionetteJ2X. Daemno's wife Daluzia belongs to Mr. Shortman92. Also, this is his idea. 😊
Chapter 5: Soulful Legends
After breakfast, Cedric, as promised, let the girls choose what they wanted to do. They chose to go flying in Sofia's flying machine, and after that, makeovers. Cedric wasn't exactly happy with the end result of that, but the girls enjoyed it, and that was all that mattered. After getting most of the makeup off, though, he still looked a little sparkly (because apparently, even magic was no match for glitter). They ate lunch with the others before returning to the tower, where Cedric decided to tell Tanya the truth while Nana was otherwise preoccupied with Wormwood, him reading a story to her from one of her selected books.
"Tanya, I need you to keep a secret. Can you do that?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "What I told everyone at breakfast was untrue. But I just didn't want to give them false hope. The truth is, I located Sofia's soul last night, and I'm actually going to retrieve it so I can hopefully revive her."
"Wow." That was all she could say as she stared at him. "That is…big news, Papa..."
"Yes, I know. Now, you mustn't tell anyone about this, not even Nana. Do you understand?"
Tanya looked back at Nana who was sitting in her little chair with Wormwood and reading, and then back at Cedric, nodding quietly. "I understand, Papa. But why did you tell me?"
Cedric sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Because you're my big girl, and I'm going to need you to take care of things while I'm gone. You wanted to help out with your sister. This is your chance. But don't try to do everything on your own, and don't isolate yourself and Nana from the others. They're your family as well, and it's all right to get help from them if you need it." Even then, he realized the irony of his advice to Tanya, but he dismissed the nagging voice in the back of his mind.
Tanya sighed as she nodded again. "All right, Papa. I know what you are saying. You want us to eat in the dining room and interact with the rest of the family like we normally would, right?"
Cedric nodded and smiled. "Precisely. Now, then, you be a good girl while I'm gone. No breaking out the Death Bringer on unsuspecting castle workers, okay?" He winked at her as she nodded, giggling at his joke. He then gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "I love you, sweetheart."
Tanya hugged him back. "I love you too, Papa. Be safe, and hurry back with Mama."
"I will, I promise you."
After Tanya shifted into her adult form and assured Cedric that she would take care of everything, he made his way outside, only to find himself face-to-face with...
"James?" He blinked, not having expected the prince to be standing there. "C-Can I help you with something?"
James stood before Cedric, arms folded, looking at the sorcerer suspiciously. But then he smirked. "I want to join you on your quest, Cedric."
Cedric was a bit startled by the request but tried to play it off as he responded with, "Uh, that...won't be necessary, James. Like I said, it might take a while, and I'm sure you've got better things to do than-"
"You can stop lying, Cedric." James laughed at the shocked expression on Cedric's face. "'I have an errand to run?' Really? Sofia used to make the same lame excuses back when she first became a Protector. And I saw how you looked at Cordelia when it seemed she was about to poke holes in your flimsy story. I was there when you created that barrier around Sofia. There was no actual verbal spell issued. Undoing it, I'm sure, would be as simple as waving your hand, and I bet that's what your sister was about to say." He put his hand to his chin as if thinking about something. "Now, if I had to guess, you recently stumbled upon some way to save Sofia?"
At first, Cedric just stood there, gaping at the prince. How could he have figured out so much? Even he was that observant? Then he sighed. "Yes. I'm heading to the Underworld…to retrieve Sofia's soul."
James nodded, a serious expression on his face, not even questioning the sorcerer's words. After all, stranger things had happened at this point, so why would he? "I'm coming with you."
"Look, with all due respect, James, this mission could be very dangerous. And while I know you're used to danger, what with being a knight and all, the creature we'll most likely be facing is like nothing you've ever faced before. We…might not make it back." He could see the frustration growing on the blonde prince's face, but he had to stand his ground. "I'd rather not endanger another member of the royal family. Losing Sofia was bad enough, but if they lost you too—"
"And with all due respect to you, Cedric," he interrupted, sounding a bit annoyed and emotional, "this is my little sister we're trying to save here!" Tears began to well up in his eyes, tears he'd been trying to hold in for the last few days, but he continued, "After all she's done for us, all the times she's risked her life so we could live ours? I would be honored to return the favor." Seeing that Cedric was still a bit hesitant, he decided it was time for the more direct and emotional approach. "I'm Sofia's big brother, Cedric… It was my job to protect her, and I feel like I've never done that, you know?" He frowned. "She never told anyone what she was up to, and then, when we finally found out, she was well equipped to take care of herself. I never got to threaten her first beau, because she never had one. And now she's practically married to you, so I missed that opportunity. Now this…" He sighed as Cedric seemed a bit flustered by his words. "I could have prevented her from dying, but I failed there too. Let me help you bring her home. I need her to know that her big brother isn't just a goofball!" He stood firm and determined, his eyes narrowing at Cedric. "I'm going with you, whether you like it or not."
Cedric stared at the prince for a moment before sighing and nodding. "Fine, but you do as I say, understood?" Seeing the prince nod, he said, "Good, now we just need a ride." He turned around, grasping the amulet as he said, "I wish Skye and Minimus were here…"
To be continued…
Next Chapter: A Deal with a Deity