Disclaimer is on prologue!!!!
Author's note: Chapter three is up!! Anyway, here's the deal on what Mint has been up to that was making Maya crazy. (And if you're wondering how the heck she got out of the cavern, it's just like one of those elevator-thingys in Corona's ruins. Anyone know what those are called?)
~~|~~*~~|~~
Chapter Three: The Race Through the Woods
~~|~~*~~|~~
Mint took a breath. "Well, I'll tell you what happened and how I found out about it.
"It started when father went out for a crusade, leaving me and Maya to rule the kingdom. Naturally, we had to do things that my father was supposed to do, like making new laws, straighten things out… Part of what we were supposed to do was check on the lands. The kingdom had just found a new area in our territory that hadn't been explored yet, and believed to be thick dark wood filled with wildlife. So Maya and I went out to look it over, and do some hunting if we wanted.
"Naturally, the last thing I wanted was hang around with Maya all day mapping, so I went out and explored the woods. It was high noon, but deep in the woods it looked like midnight. It was so dark that I could hardly see, and I got completely lost. Then I found that my feet were stuck in some tar. I lit up my Red Magic to see what it was, and the tar actually sucked up the Red Magic!"
"That's incredible," said Klaus, sitting up. "It must definitely be some sort of magic conductor, except that it sucks up the magic. Obviously the work of a magician."
"That's right," nodded Mint. "I knew it was magic. So I held my breath, and I slipped through the black stuff, and landed in an underground cavern, like the one in Carona. The walls were all covered in strange writing. But I did understand one word. At the very end across me, it was written: [RELIC]. I was shocked to death."
"So would I if I saw it," laughed Rue. "Were you be able to read any of the writings?"
"Well, I tried," replied Mint. "I only managed to understand a part of it. The writing was very complex. But it had something to do with the shapes and symbols around. But what I did understand that this place was a magician's atelier."
"An atelier!" exclaimed Klaus. "Were you able to find out who it belonged to?"
"Well, it had a symbol of a master sorcerer, to be sure," Mint nodded. "But I didn't know who. I took out a piece of parchment and a quill that I had hastily shoved in my pocket before and copied down as much of the writings and symbols as I could. Then I went back out.
"I spent a lot of time in the library, trying to figure things out. I deciphered as much as I could on what I've taken down. Then I realized that this master sorcerer had found out where another [relic] was. I think what was written all over the walls were how to enter the atelier and how to be able to find out about the [relic] a a lot of other stuff that I just can't figure out. It needs two people to get inside, but there must special things needed on the person. One has to have magic to crack the spell on the door to enter, and it needs someone of an Aeonic connection to enter as well."
"Like an Aeon servant?" asked Prima.
"Yes," nodded Mint. She then looked straight at Rue. "That's how I figured out what that gem on your forehead was, and how you were able to change into different creatures. And who you are."
Rue's eyes widened to their full extent and his jaw dropped. He closed it and looked down. "You're—you're right… I figured it out when…when I was…"
"When you were fighting Doll Master," nodded Mint. "He's one too. I saw the gem on his head before I blew him to kingdom come. That's why I need Rue's help to get in. He's Valen's Aeon servant, like what Doll Master was."
Rue nodded somewhat dejectedly. Klaus didn't even look nonplussed. He must've suspected it, being such a great archaeologist, but until now just wasn't sure. He didn't mind anyway. Prima piped up, "What about me? I'm an Aeon servant too…kinda."
"Prima, you'll get killed the moment you step in there," said Mint. "From the writings, the main chamber of the atelier is heavily guarded by deadly creatures. You may be able to enter, but you certainly won't get out alive."
Prima gulped and nodded.
"And let me guess," Klaus smiled. "You need my help to fully decipher the writings."
"Smart as ever, Klaus," smiled Mint. "Will you help us?"
"Of course!" Klaus said with a smile. "I really want to go and find a [relic] again, seeing as how I lost my chance at Carona."
Mint was thoughtful for a moment. Then she turned to Prima. "Prima, do you know what this sentence means? It's of another language I'm sure you'll know. Horema leya eso roen, tolema neya ase loen, uteren."
Prima blinked and replied, "Of course I do. That's Aeonic language. Translated it means—"
"One of Magic bright, one of Aeon light, unite," Rue said quietly. They all looked at him. Rue shrugged. "Don't ask me, but I just know. I guess I understand Aeonic language too."
Prima turned to Mint and nodded, "Yup, that's what it means. It's weird, but that's it."
"Do you know what it is?" asked Mint. "It was written all around the funny symbol in the middle of the end wall."
Klaus looked thoughtful. "Some kind of password…or a spell…I'm not sure. But I suppose we'll find out once we get there."
Rue nodded. "We'll have to get ready. I'd rather we get there as soon as possible."
"Well, what better place to prepare than here," Mint smiled, motioning out the window. "Everything we need is just out there."
~~|~~*~~|~~
"Did you hear that?" Mint gasped, clutching onto Rue's arm. Rue was so startled that he nearly dropped his Arc Edge. He went bright red, but decided not to let it get the better of him. "It's okay, Mint," he said quietly. "It was just the wind."
Mint raised an eyebrow at him. "How can you be so sure?"
"Hey, I've been traveling in a lot of forests so I know," Rue smiled at her.
Mint blushed and let go of his arm. She stared at her feet and gripped her hoops tight. Okay…way to go, Mint, she berated herself. Barely in the forest and you're already acting like a chicken!
The group composed of Rue, Mint and Klaus had left the palace and went into the bazaar as soon as they could to pick up supplies for the trek into the woods and to the magician's atelier. They got a large quantity of platinum coins of life, and some such other things.
Prima had rejoined with Mira and Elena, and Klaus told them that he and the others would be going to the forest to do some searching. Mira, who knew all about it, did not persue, and Prima dragged her sister away from the subject by showing her some butterfly clips that really fluttered.
It must be confessed that Maya absolutely disliked the idea that her sister was going prancing off to the Dark Woods (as it was called) with a mysterious boy that pops up out of nowhere and an archeologist. She had a suspicion, but when she saw how delighted Mint was to do this (which was a first after a year) she gave in.
Mint had herself dressed in 'adventure' clothes that looked like those she had always been wearing, but since she'd grown, it was teenger-style (she didn't put her hair up in ponytails, either, just two pieces on each side tied back with a blue ribbon) and it made Rue stare. Fortunately, Mint didn't notice.
Now, they were all in the Dark Woods, and stumbling around, looking for the 'tar pit' that Mint had told them about.
Snap! Crack!
Mint jumped again and said, "Now I really heard something."
Rue raised his Arc Edge. "So did I." He looked through the darkness. "I think there's something out there."
"Oh dear," said Klaus, moving towards the two adventurers.
"Don't worry, Klaus, I'm sure we can handle it," Mint said confidently. Rue nodded.
Snap! Snap! Crack!
"It's coming closer," said Rue, taking half a step back, and Mint did the same, forcing the doctor behind them to do the same.
"It's stepping on the twigs and leaves on the ground," said Mint.
"We'll know where it's coming from, then," said Klaus.
Suddenly, as if it heard them, the snapping and the cracking stopped. Silence reigned in the forest and what little light that was in the forest before receeded. Darkness overlaid them, but not so much that they could not see totally.
"Uh-oh…" Mint whispered.
There was silence for a moment. There was sound of someone moving away.
"Mint!" Rue cried. "Where're you going?!"
"I've going to go light this place up!" her voice called back from some way off.
"Mint, no!"
There was the sound of the rushing of fire, and the clearing was illuminated with Mint's Red Magic. Rue looked around frantically for her, and saw her standing in front of them just about five feet off. She saw standing as still as stone.
"Mint?" Rue said, moving towards her.
"Guys," she whispered, looking up at something still in the shadows, "I want you to run…now…"
"What?" Klaus asked.
A footstep landed in the wood. Whatever created it must be huge because it made the forest floor shiver. Mint caught her breath before them, and Rue looked at her. Then he saw what she was staring at and froze.
A big black shadow with huge glowing gold eyes towered over the princess and moving closer. Mint was slowly backing away, her eyes wide and her face white. "R-Rue…" she managed to falter. "…h-h-help!!"
Rue didn't need second telling. He leapt forward like a lightningbolt and grabbed Mint's hand, yanking her away beyond the reach of the creature that towered before them. "Come on, Mint!!" he yelled.
Mint shrieked as Rue jerked her off and the creature (whatever it was) reared back and let out a horrible roar that resounded through the woods.
"Doctor, hurry!" Rue yelled as Klaus regained his senses and the threesome went running as fast as they could. They ran like the devil was at their heels (and it's not a very far cry from what was going on), and the creature was galloping behind them at a maddening pace.
"Mint we have to find that tar pit, pronto!!" Rue cried. "Where is it?!"
"I don't know!" Mint screamed back. "I got lost! How was I supposed to know where it is?!"
"Come on, Mint, try to remember!" panted Klaus. "Anything! A landmark, a certain tree—"
"Hey wait!" Mint gasped. "I remember! There was this huge rock a way off from the pit! Like a part of a mountain!"
"Gotcha!" Rue exclaimed, swerving to the right and dragging along Mint with him as the galloping monster reaced on behind them.
The three were running short of breath now, racing along at an amazing pace but getting slower and slower. They ran and Rue yelled, "There it is! The rock mountain!"
The only reply was Mint's hard pants and Klaus' gasps. They rocketed ahead and skidded slowly at the edge of the tar pit and the force of the stop pushed them in.
"Aaaah!" Rue yelled as he jumped straight into the pit. Klaus followed, but Mint crashed landed just missing the edge.
"Mint!" Rue yelled, feeling as if his heart had stopped beating.
Mint groaned and pushed herself up on her palms, shaking her head, then paled when she felt the ground tremble beneath her and the galloping monster was coming.
"Hurry, Mint!" Rue cried in terror.
"We don't seem to be getting into the atelier!" Klaus cried. "We can't get in! We're just stuck here!"
"No!" Rue gasped. But it was true. They were just stuck, Mint was lying at the edge, and the creature was coming ever closer.
"I got it!" Mint gasped. "Magic! It's the trigger to get in! Remember? It sucked up my red magic before I got in!"
"It's worth a shot," gasped Klaus. "Do it, Mint!"
Frantically, Mint grabbed her hoops and and let loose a volley of Vulcan magic. The tar pit sucked up the brilliant white power, and began to glow.
"Aaaaah!" Klaus' cries faded away as he fell through the pit and into the atelier. Rue, however, grabbed the edge before he completely fell in. He groped for Mint's hand; Mint had fallen to the ground after releasing her magic.
"Mint!" he cried desperately. "Take my hand!"
Mint looked behind her, saw the monster charging straight at her and screamed. Mint grabbed Rue's hand at once, and Rue let go of the edge. Screaming, the both of them fell straight into the pit and they only had a brief glance of bright silver magic before everything blacked out.
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AN: Another short one…sigh. I'm really gonna get a block soon. Anyways, review as always!!
Author's note: Chapter three is up!! Anyway, here's the deal on what Mint has been up to that was making Maya crazy. (And if you're wondering how the heck she got out of the cavern, it's just like one of those elevator-thingys in Corona's ruins. Anyone know what those are called?)
~~|~~*~~|~~
Chapter Three: The Race Through the Woods
~~|~~*~~|~~
Mint took a breath. "Well, I'll tell you what happened and how I found out about it.
"It started when father went out for a crusade, leaving me and Maya to rule the kingdom. Naturally, we had to do things that my father was supposed to do, like making new laws, straighten things out… Part of what we were supposed to do was check on the lands. The kingdom had just found a new area in our territory that hadn't been explored yet, and believed to be thick dark wood filled with wildlife. So Maya and I went out to look it over, and do some hunting if we wanted.
"Naturally, the last thing I wanted was hang around with Maya all day mapping, so I went out and explored the woods. It was high noon, but deep in the woods it looked like midnight. It was so dark that I could hardly see, and I got completely lost. Then I found that my feet were stuck in some tar. I lit up my Red Magic to see what it was, and the tar actually sucked up the Red Magic!"
"That's incredible," said Klaus, sitting up. "It must definitely be some sort of magic conductor, except that it sucks up the magic. Obviously the work of a magician."
"That's right," nodded Mint. "I knew it was magic. So I held my breath, and I slipped through the black stuff, and landed in an underground cavern, like the one in Carona. The walls were all covered in strange writing. But I did understand one word. At the very end across me, it was written: [RELIC]. I was shocked to death."
"So would I if I saw it," laughed Rue. "Were you be able to read any of the writings?"
"Well, I tried," replied Mint. "I only managed to understand a part of it. The writing was very complex. But it had something to do with the shapes and symbols around. But what I did understand that this place was a magician's atelier."
"An atelier!" exclaimed Klaus. "Were you able to find out who it belonged to?"
"Well, it had a symbol of a master sorcerer, to be sure," Mint nodded. "But I didn't know who. I took out a piece of parchment and a quill that I had hastily shoved in my pocket before and copied down as much of the writings and symbols as I could. Then I went back out.
"I spent a lot of time in the library, trying to figure things out. I deciphered as much as I could on what I've taken down. Then I realized that this master sorcerer had found out where another [relic] was. I think what was written all over the walls were how to enter the atelier and how to be able to find out about the [relic] a a lot of other stuff that I just can't figure out. It needs two people to get inside, but there must special things needed on the person. One has to have magic to crack the spell on the door to enter, and it needs someone of an Aeonic connection to enter as well."
"Like an Aeon servant?" asked Prima.
"Yes," nodded Mint. She then looked straight at Rue. "That's how I figured out what that gem on your forehead was, and how you were able to change into different creatures. And who you are."
Rue's eyes widened to their full extent and his jaw dropped. He closed it and looked down. "You're—you're right… I figured it out when…when I was…"
"When you were fighting Doll Master," nodded Mint. "He's one too. I saw the gem on his head before I blew him to kingdom come. That's why I need Rue's help to get in. He's Valen's Aeon servant, like what Doll Master was."
Rue nodded somewhat dejectedly. Klaus didn't even look nonplussed. He must've suspected it, being such a great archaeologist, but until now just wasn't sure. He didn't mind anyway. Prima piped up, "What about me? I'm an Aeon servant too…kinda."
"Prima, you'll get killed the moment you step in there," said Mint. "From the writings, the main chamber of the atelier is heavily guarded by deadly creatures. You may be able to enter, but you certainly won't get out alive."
Prima gulped and nodded.
"And let me guess," Klaus smiled. "You need my help to fully decipher the writings."
"Smart as ever, Klaus," smiled Mint. "Will you help us?"
"Of course!" Klaus said with a smile. "I really want to go and find a [relic] again, seeing as how I lost my chance at Carona."
Mint was thoughtful for a moment. Then she turned to Prima. "Prima, do you know what this sentence means? It's of another language I'm sure you'll know. Horema leya eso roen, tolema neya ase loen, uteren."
Prima blinked and replied, "Of course I do. That's Aeonic language. Translated it means—"
"One of Magic bright, one of Aeon light, unite," Rue said quietly. They all looked at him. Rue shrugged. "Don't ask me, but I just know. I guess I understand Aeonic language too."
Prima turned to Mint and nodded, "Yup, that's what it means. It's weird, but that's it."
"Do you know what it is?" asked Mint. "It was written all around the funny symbol in the middle of the end wall."
Klaus looked thoughtful. "Some kind of password…or a spell…I'm not sure. But I suppose we'll find out once we get there."
Rue nodded. "We'll have to get ready. I'd rather we get there as soon as possible."
"Well, what better place to prepare than here," Mint smiled, motioning out the window. "Everything we need is just out there."
~~|~~*~~|~~
"Did you hear that?" Mint gasped, clutching onto Rue's arm. Rue was so startled that he nearly dropped his Arc Edge. He went bright red, but decided not to let it get the better of him. "It's okay, Mint," he said quietly. "It was just the wind."
Mint raised an eyebrow at him. "How can you be so sure?"
"Hey, I've been traveling in a lot of forests so I know," Rue smiled at her.
Mint blushed and let go of his arm. She stared at her feet and gripped her hoops tight. Okay…way to go, Mint, she berated herself. Barely in the forest and you're already acting like a chicken!
The group composed of Rue, Mint and Klaus had left the palace and went into the bazaar as soon as they could to pick up supplies for the trek into the woods and to the magician's atelier. They got a large quantity of platinum coins of life, and some such other things.
Prima had rejoined with Mira and Elena, and Klaus told them that he and the others would be going to the forest to do some searching. Mira, who knew all about it, did not persue, and Prima dragged her sister away from the subject by showing her some butterfly clips that really fluttered.
It must be confessed that Maya absolutely disliked the idea that her sister was going prancing off to the Dark Woods (as it was called) with a mysterious boy that pops up out of nowhere and an archeologist. She had a suspicion, but when she saw how delighted Mint was to do this (which was a first after a year) she gave in.
Mint had herself dressed in 'adventure' clothes that looked like those she had always been wearing, but since she'd grown, it was teenger-style (she didn't put her hair up in ponytails, either, just two pieces on each side tied back with a blue ribbon) and it made Rue stare. Fortunately, Mint didn't notice.
Now, they were all in the Dark Woods, and stumbling around, looking for the 'tar pit' that Mint had told them about.
Snap! Crack!
Mint jumped again and said, "Now I really heard something."
Rue raised his Arc Edge. "So did I." He looked through the darkness. "I think there's something out there."
"Oh dear," said Klaus, moving towards the two adventurers.
"Don't worry, Klaus, I'm sure we can handle it," Mint said confidently. Rue nodded.
Snap! Snap! Crack!
"It's coming closer," said Rue, taking half a step back, and Mint did the same, forcing the doctor behind them to do the same.
"It's stepping on the twigs and leaves on the ground," said Mint.
"We'll know where it's coming from, then," said Klaus.
Suddenly, as if it heard them, the snapping and the cracking stopped. Silence reigned in the forest and what little light that was in the forest before receeded. Darkness overlaid them, but not so much that they could not see totally.
"Uh-oh…" Mint whispered.
There was silence for a moment. There was sound of someone moving away.
"Mint!" Rue cried. "Where're you going?!"
"I've going to go light this place up!" her voice called back from some way off.
"Mint, no!"
There was the sound of the rushing of fire, and the clearing was illuminated with Mint's Red Magic. Rue looked around frantically for her, and saw her standing in front of them just about five feet off. She saw standing as still as stone.
"Mint?" Rue said, moving towards her.
"Guys," she whispered, looking up at something still in the shadows, "I want you to run…now…"
"What?" Klaus asked.
A footstep landed in the wood. Whatever created it must be huge because it made the forest floor shiver. Mint caught her breath before them, and Rue looked at her. Then he saw what she was staring at and froze.
A big black shadow with huge glowing gold eyes towered over the princess and moving closer. Mint was slowly backing away, her eyes wide and her face white. "R-Rue…" she managed to falter. "…h-h-help!!"
Rue didn't need second telling. He leapt forward like a lightningbolt and grabbed Mint's hand, yanking her away beyond the reach of the creature that towered before them. "Come on, Mint!!" he yelled.
Mint shrieked as Rue jerked her off and the creature (whatever it was) reared back and let out a horrible roar that resounded through the woods.
"Doctor, hurry!" Rue yelled as Klaus regained his senses and the threesome went running as fast as they could. They ran like the devil was at their heels (and it's not a very far cry from what was going on), and the creature was galloping behind them at a maddening pace.
"Mint we have to find that tar pit, pronto!!" Rue cried. "Where is it?!"
"I don't know!" Mint screamed back. "I got lost! How was I supposed to know where it is?!"
"Come on, Mint, try to remember!" panted Klaus. "Anything! A landmark, a certain tree—"
"Hey wait!" Mint gasped. "I remember! There was this huge rock a way off from the pit! Like a part of a mountain!"
"Gotcha!" Rue exclaimed, swerving to the right and dragging along Mint with him as the galloping monster reaced on behind them.
The three were running short of breath now, racing along at an amazing pace but getting slower and slower. They ran and Rue yelled, "There it is! The rock mountain!"
The only reply was Mint's hard pants and Klaus' gasps. They rocketed ahead and skidded slowly at the edge of the tar pit and the force of the stop pushed them in.
"Aaaah!" Rue yelled as he jumped straight into the pit. Klaus followed, but Mint crashed landed just missing the edge.
"Mint!" Rue yelled, feeling as if his heart had stopped beating.
Mint groaned and pushed herself up on her palms, shaking her head, then paled when she felt the ground tremble beneath her and the galloping monster was coming.
"Hurry, Mint!" Rue cried in terror.
"We don't seem to be getting into the atelier!" Klaus cried. "We can't get in! We're just stuck here!"
"No!" Rue gasped. But it was true. They were just stuck, Mint was lying at the edge, and the creature was coming ever closer.
"I got it!" Mint gasped. "Magic! It's the trigger to get in! Remember? It sucked up my red magic before I got in!"
"It's worth a shot," gasped Klaus. "Do it, Mint!"
Frantically, Mint grabbed her hoops and and let loose a volley of Vulcan magic. The tar pit sucked up the brilliant white power, and began to glow.
"Aaaaah!" Klaus' cries faded away as he fell through the pit and into the atelier. Rue, however, grabbed the edge before he completely fell in. He groped for Mint's hand; Mint had fallen to the ground after releasing her magic.
"Mint!" he cried desperately. "Take my hand!"
Mint looked behind her, saw the monster charging straight at her and screamed. Mint grabbed Rue's hand at once, and Rue let go of the edge. Screaming, the both of them fell straight into the pit and they only had a brief glance of bright silver magic before everything blacked out.
~~|~~*~~|~~
AN: Another short one…sigh. I'm really gonna get a block soon. Anyways, review as always!!