*I own nothing STF*

Short author's note: This chapter explains the events leading up to the ending of last chapter with Grimtrix and what is going on with Wormwood.

Blindsided

Some Time Ago in Cedric's Workshop…

"Grimtrix wants the amulet." Wormwood surmised after he and Sofia's animal friends laid out everything they knew about the worsening situation. "He tried killing Sofia, using Greylock, to get it at the ball, but when he failed, he decided to try again with Wriggley once he knew Cedric and I would be gone."

"That makes sense," Robin agreed. "Cedric came back much quicker than expected, so Wriggley was desperate to get it quickly without being seen. But why would Grimtrix then control Sofia like you think he is?"

"To exploit Cedric's secret, which he found out somehow. You all said you did not tell Wriggley anything, so maybe she overheard Cedric confessing," The bird pondered but then shook his feathered head. "How he found out does not matter; the fact is that Grimtrix made Sofia use it against Cedric so he could easily look guilty and take the blame for the cult."

"But controlling someone," Mia shuddered. "That's a lot of dark magic, isn't it? And I've never even heard of the possibility."

"Long ago, many dark wizards resorted to this practice, but I believe it was banned," Wormwood admitted. "It is a cruel practice, but I wonder how Grimtrix is doing it? He must be controlling both Sofia and Greylock, and who knows who else to further his plans of using the amulet to take over the kingdoms!" The raven could not help but inwardly sigh with jealousy at the ease of the headmaster who so quickly snatched the amulet. It had taken him and Cedric countless times to try and steal it, but it all ended in a bungling fashion.

"The amulet is that powerful?" Clover whistled. "And I thought it was cool when it just made Sofia understand us."

"Idiot, it is a rare and priceless Maruvian gem; of course, it holds infinite power." Wormwood snapped before clearing his throat.

"Oh, what kind of infinite power, all-knowing one?"

"Let's just say from Cedric's research, the amulet can definitely take over an entire kingdom in an instant." The bird shifted uncomfortably.

"If you say that, then why would Grimtrix even need the cult?" Robin questioned.

"Hmm. It could never hurt to have an entire army on one's side." Wormwood guessed. "And he wants the amulet to destroy every kingdom; therefore, more ground to cover. Dark magicians would be very useful in carrying out his decrees and securing more land for him faster."

"Ok." Clover crossed his stubby arms. "So we have decided that Grimtrix may be a maniac who stole the amulet to take over the entire world with his evil cohorts. He was controlling Sofia… and Greylock and made all the blame fall on Cedric, who honestly had it coming to him." The rabbit flinched when Wormwood gave him a pointed look. "Well, this does explain Sofia's actions and behavior towards us, but now what? If Cedric is so innocent, why did he take Sofia and vanish?"

"I know you all have every reason to doubt me, but trust me when I tell you that Cedric and Sofia are probably gone due to Grimtrix as well." Wormwood replied. "They said they were going to talk to him afterward, so maybe he somehow kidnapped them?"

"But you also told us that James said he wasn't at the meeting?" Robin said.

"No, he was not." The raven grimaced. "But that could work well in our favor since him being gone looks suspicious ands he may not have an alibi. He could easily have told Cedric and Sofia to meet him somewhere."

Clover frowned, "Cedric and you could also be working with Grimtrix too."

"How can he and I be working for him when I am here, with you all trying to figure this dung heap of a mess out!" Wormwood snarled at the rabbit. "Furthermore, I loathe Wriggley, so I would never be an ally with her; I'd rather have my feathers plucked out and be stewed for Wassailia dinner!"

"Ok, ok!" Clover held up his paws. "Calm down, I just want Sofia back, and like you said, we do have every reason to doubt you."

Wormwood's protests were cut short as the door slammed open, jolting the animals to glance up as James and Lucinda walked in.

They found the key! Wormwood clicked his tongue in annoyance at James, who held the silver tool in his hand. He had hoped for more time with their private discussion.

"Don't run off like that when you are still under suspicion." James reprimanded the raven. "What were you all doing in here?"

Lucinda glanced expectantly at Wormwood, who said, "Cedric is not to blame. We think Grimtrix the Good is behind this."

The witch translated to James, who rubbed his eyes. "Grimtrix? That really nice sorcerer that Sofia and Cedric said would help her feel better? Where's your proof?"

Wormwood sighed, turning back to the animals. "It may be useless talking to him or King Roland. They don't know Wriggley, so I need to talk to someone who knows she is with Grimtrix. I need someone with an honest reputation and who will believe me so that I can get everyone else on my side."

"And that would that be?" Robin asked.

"I will find more proof and shall return shortly." Earlier, the raven had eyed a slip of paper that was tucked under a few potion bottles. It was Hecate the Honorable's address that he had given Cedric at Dragonhold fortress. Snatching the paper in his beak, Wormwood then grabbed a wand from Cedric's collection with his talons.

"Lucinda, I'll be back." He gritted through the parchment. "Tell Prince James, I am bringing evidence shortly!" The bird had seen Cedric do his Foresight spell hundreds of times; could he not do it too? So, with rambunctious zeal, or plain stupidity, Wormwood cast the spell, appearing at Mystic Meadows.

He laboriously flapped his wings over the serene cottages of the retirement community to a small town further hidden in the woods.

The address on the paper matched one homey cottage set back behind a carpenter shop, and the raven flew down to the front porch.

With his beak, he tapped against the wooden door, waiting impatiently.

A steady pattern of footsteps soon treaded to the door, and Hecate opened it softly. "Who is- Oh?" The sorcerer paused quizzically at seeing the raven without his master. "Is Cedric with you?"

Wormwood shook his head and opened his beak, with one wing pointing to it.

Hecate understood and beckoned him in. "You must have something important to tell me, and I have just the potion."

Inside the spacious and clean cottage, the sorcerer went to a gray-wood cupboard, selecting a potion and pouring it over Wormwood. "Speak freely."

"Cedric is in trouble," Wormwood said, not wanting to waste a second. "You are one of the few who has always thought well of Cedric, and though your opinion may change after what I say, I hope you will still help us both. The entire EverRealm is at stake."

Hecate studied the raven for a moment before soberly nodding his head. "I will hear what you have to say."

In Freezenburg…

Grimtrix was a patient man. He had gone through his share of rocky twists and turns with his endeavor, and being flexible was a priority and one virtue he did not lack. He could wait one hundred years if he had to if it meant sure success in finding the Triune Nihil.

And it was an enjoyable spectacle seeing everyone he knew grow more impatient and inflexible by the second.

The headmaster had his general idea of how his plan would play out, but randomly toying around with all his sorcerer pals was a real treat. Goodwyn and the Order had been traipsing about in the chilly Freezenburg air, hoping to find a clue to the cult's whereabouts. Grimtrix decided that now would be a grand time to get the kingdoms even more riled up, so he sent word to Greylock when the group was distracted.

The Order was expecting to run into the cult, so they were prepared for them, but they weren't ready for Grimtrix.

They headed up Vastralla Valley, which lay below a herd of the Snowdrop Mountains, backdropping the palace. The area was more like a gorge than a peaceful valley, and massive rocks and crags loomed over them. The perfect spot for an ambush.

But none came, and all visibly sighed their tension away as they greeted the Snowdrop mountain pass.

Then a blinding flash from above rained down on them.

Every sorcerer held their hands over their eyes as the magic flares disoriented their vision. Stumbling madly, they tried fighting back but to no avail when the flashes exploded, sickly smoke filling the air.

Grimtrix smiled as each one dropped down onto the snowy path like dead flies. He had safely teleported himself some spaces behind everyone when the flashes reigned down and covering his nose with his robe, he strode up to Greylock, who appeared from behind a boulder.

A hand shot out, wrapping it around the headmaster as he made his way. He glanced down to see one sorcerer weakly coughing:

"Grimtrix, help us…please!" He pleaded.

Grimtrix answered him by stepping on his face.

"I never liked you." He clicked his tongue, watching the sorcerer writhe in pain under his heel before passing out.

Refocusing on Greylock, Grimtrix withdrew a needle, scratching the man's cheek. Then, putting away the extra blood, the headmaster sighed. "You could have really caused me much trouble yesterday with that big mouth of yours, but luckily that dumb bird didn't seem to pay you any mind."

Tilting his head towards the bodies, Grimtrix commanded, "Take them away, and I'll deal with you more later. Wait till I have gone before you bring the rest of the cult to help you."

While Greylock got to work, the headmaster took one proud and brief glance at his work. It wouldn't hurt to have any real rivals out of his way, and the Order would make delightful puppets once he got the Triune.

While descending down the mountain, Grimtrix planned his acting scene in front of King Magnus and Henrik to really sell it when a voice made him freeze in his tracks.

"You snake!"

A blast struck Grimtrix's surprised face as he tumbled a few yards away. Wincing at the bruise forming on his cheek, the headmaster felt blood dribble down from his lips, leaving a crimson stain on the frozen path.

"I guess I should have counted the bodies before I left?" He chuckled upward at an enraged Goodwyn.

Grimtrx's scepter had fallen nearby, but just as he was about to reach it, Goodwyn kicked it away.

"I saw you cover your nose and mouth before the smoke bombs erupted." The older sorcerer seethed. "I was able to stay conscious and hide. It is bad enough Greylock and my own son betrayed us but you?"

"Suprise!" Grimtrix childishly squeaked, and Goodwyn kicked him square on the jaw.

The headmaster sprawled back on the snow, wheezing heavily, and made no movement to get up, so Goodwyn pulled him up by his collar. "You traitor! Why are you doing this?"

Grimtrix spat blood on the sorcerer's face. "You know why," He muttered.

His eyes wild with rage, Goodwyn aimed his wand, uttering "Blastifio!"

However, Goodwyn, not Grimtrix, greeted pain this time. Waiting for the older sorcerer to get close, Grimtrix quickly used his free hand to snatch Goodwyn's wand, shoving it back into his stomach. As soon as the spell left Goodywn's lips, he felt himself being flung back a few yards. Coughing up blood, the sorcerer clenched the wet snow under his nails to stand up, but Grimtrix blasted him again, knocking him down.

Picking up his scepter, Grimtrix gleefully cast "Blastifio!" over and over again with his and Goodwyn's wand.

Goodwyn writhed in agony as each spell blast punched him in the gut, and Grimtrix relished the sight. "You get riled up too easily." He said demurely. "That is why it is easy to catch you off guard. I am suprised, though! I didn't expect you to find me out so soon since you are so blind to everything around you. Blind to your son's achievements, and blind to the royals who use you as a mere puppet to achieve their despicable ways."

He stepped on the older sorcerer's head, burying it into the snow as Goodwyn thrashed about, but his strength soon gave way.

"I'm letting you live for now," Grimtrix murmured. "Because when I return, I'm going to make you suffer for your idiocy so wait for me!"

He vanished and Goodwyn rolled on his side, trying desperately to inch his way back to the castle. His vision began to blur and he lost consciousness, but not before witnessing two small figures approaching in the distance.

To be continued in A Leap of Fate…

A/N: Happy New Year's everyone! Hope everyone is staying safe and having a lovely beginning of 2022 so far.

I meant to publish this sooner but the website was acting up but finally it worked so yay! I was debating whether to even include this chapter, it may seem boring and short but I thought it was necessary. Next chapter, A Leap of Fate will be published hopefully sometime later this week and then classes start again for me so updates will be sporadic.

Reviews:

Allyrwhitney: I'm so happy you liked the cedfia! More to come next chapter :)

Leonel Pea: Chaos indeed and writing Sofia and Wriggley's interaction was fun but tense! Even though Sofia is kind to animals, in the situation she is in right now, I think her more protective and fierce side would come out with Wriggley.

Reviews or comments make me so happy so feel free to do so! :D