Disclaimer: I own all of these fabulous characters and the plateau, fourth
season is already in production...and then I woke up!
AN: Okay, first of all, I want to apologize for taking so long to get another chapter out and because this chapter won't be revealing the destinies of our explorers! I swear I am dragging this out like the drag out a battle in DBZ! Has anyone ever noticed that? One freakin' fight takes like thirty episodes! Sorry, got side-tracked. Anyway, the next chapter WILL reveal their destinies. I was going to put it in this chapter, but it was taking too long and I wanted to make sure you all know I haven't forgotten this story. Okay now that all of this is said and done. After three months of waiting...here you go!
Destiny Calls
Chapter 8: Chamber of Secrets
by: TheChosenOne3
"Okay so why do we have to go to this chamber thingy anyway?" Finn asked impatiently. They had been walking down endless corridors, and every time they reached the end of one, Abigail found another one to march them down.
All of the hallways that Abigail led them down were long, dark, and narrow. The passages were lined sporadically with torches, but it was clear that not many people ever navigated these hallways. It was also clear that only those who knew where to go could get there without being lost.
A draft blew through the corridors, Marguerite shivered. She didn't know where that draft came from, as there were no windows, but she definitely felt its chill. Roxton felt Marguerite shudder and the goose bumps on her forearms. The passages were so narrow that the explorers followed Abigail in twos, shoulder to shoulder. Veronica and Ned trailed Abigail closely, and then came Challenger and Finn, which left Roxton and Marguerite at the back of the procession.
At such close proximity, Roxton felt Marguerite's every move, from the quiver of her body to the goose bumps on her forearms. Seeing as how he left his coat at the treehouse, Roxton had nothing to ward off her chills, nothing he could give her in present company anyway. So he compromised by putting his arm around her waist and drawing her close to him. She looked up at him with one elegant eyebrow quirked and a smile of appreciation playing on her lips.
"The Forbidden Chamber was built for the Destined Ones' arrival. It is forbidden to all but them. I, as Protector, may enter the chamber, but I have never entered the private rooms, those are yours and yours alone. In fact, no one has been in those rooms in three thousand years." Abigail never looked back at those to whom she spoke. She just continued to lead the way, never once faltering.
"So I guess that means room service is out of the question." The remark was made in true Marguerite fashion, but did not bring the usual roll of the eyes or shake of the head her friends would give in irritation. In fact, all of the explorers, including Abigail, had to smile at it. Marguerite was back and she was fine, not to mention the quip shattered the uncomfortable atmosphere that had settled around the bunch. Roxton pulled her closer to him and whispered into her ear.
"Nicely done." She smiled at him; he always did know what she was up to.
The rest of the way was made in comfortable silence, for the explorers at least. Abigail got more anxious with each step. She knew that her daughter and her friends were in for shock, to say the least. But there was no sense in worrying them, they will find out on their own one way or another. They might as well enjoy being "normal" for as long as they could, because they won't be much longer.
Abigail led them down a few more twisty passages, until they reached huge double-doors. The doors themselves looked to be made of oak and were a huge contrast to the stone the surrounded them. Abigail handed her torch off to Veronica and opened the doors. The room that was opened to them was a lot more than any of them expected.
It was a bright room that gave off the impression of being filled with sunlight, only there were no windows for the sun to shine through. The room was circular, with seven doorways (including the one they just entered) equally spaced around it. There was a sofa, a loveseat, and two chairs, creating a common area similar to the one in the treehouse. Vases of flowers were placed here and there, giving the room a soft and welcoming feel.
Finn walked over to the sofa and let herself drop onto it. She put her feet up, rested her hands behind her head, and closed her eyes.
"I could get used to this." She declared, without opening her eyes. Her older companions shook their heads, rolled their eyes, and smiled. Finn's antics were like Marguerite's quips, they always had a way of easing tension. And in that room there was not so much tension as there was this ominous feeling that something big was about to happen. Deep down, every single one of them knew that their lives were about to change in a dire way.
Veronica's attention was drawn to the six doors that surrounded them. She left her position between her mother and Ned and walked over to inspect them. One of the doors, she noticed, had the Trion etched into it. Underneath it was some flowing script that she had never seen. The door to Veronica's left had a symbol that reminded Veronica of the mirror image of two 'S's. She recognized the same script underneath it. She could see all six doors had a symbol and writing.
"Hey Marguerite, can you read this?" She asked, pointing to the door with the Trion on it. The older woman walked over and stood beside the taller blonde. She studied the door intently for a minute.
"It says 'Protector of the Plateau.' Looks like we know where you will be sleeping Veronica." Veronica said nothing and pointed out the door on the left.
Marguerite knew before reading the words that this room was meant for her. It wasn't just the fact that her birthmark was inscribed on the door; it was the familiarity radiating from it.
"Looks like this room is mine. It says 'The Chosen One.'" By then the others had figured out that the engravings specified which rooms were designated for which explorer. Though they tried to be discreet, everyone in the room noticed how Ned went to stand next to the door on Veronica's right and Roxton nonchalantly wondered over to the one on Marguerite's left.
Marguerite decided to use this as an opportunity to tease her love a little. After reading the inscription on her door, she immediately went over to the one Ned was standing beside. It had a picture of a key.
"Well that was a waste of my linguistic talent. It just says 'The Key.' Isn't that original?" Marguerite didn't notice the smile that lit up Ned's face. He remembered his dream; being called the Key, the room beside Veronica's was his.
The door to the right of Ned's had an hourglass on it and 'The Hope' written under the hourglass. Finn nodded without much emotion, she didn't care which room was hers, as long as it had a nice warm bed.
Bypassing the doors they entered through, Marguerite went straight to the door to the left of the one that Roxton had claimed. It had a circle with that was diagonally encircled by two rings on opposite sides of it. Marguerite smiled, even before reading the inscription she knew that that room was meant for Challenger. 'Who else would have the atom on his door?' She thought.
"It says 'The Keeper.' I wonder what you are the keeper of Challenger." Marguerite's last comment was tossed over her shoulder as she made her way to the last door and Roxton's side.
"I guess that leaves you to this room." She said as she studied his door. It had a shield on it, but that wasn't all. The shield had a small symbol on it. Marguerite looked more closely and found that it was her birthmark on the shield. 'I hope no one else notices that.' She thought to herself. "In case you were wondering, it says 'The Guardian.'" Having finished her translation duties she went back to her door. She was about to turn the doorknob when Abigail spoke up.
"I will leave you all to get...settled in. There will be a banquet tonight in your honor. I will have appropriate attire sent to you." Abigail turned to leave, but Veronica stopped her.
"I haven't seen you for thirteen years, don't you think we could talk and catch up? I mean I just got here and now you are leaving." Veronica didn't want to cry, but she found she couldn't help it. In the back of her mind she knew she was being irrational and a little bit childish, but she didn't care, she just wanted her mother.
"I know sweetie, but there will be plenty of time to talk later. Right now you and your friends need some time to adjust. Don't worry Veronica; I am not going any where, not any more." Abigail kissed her daughter's cheek and left the room.
There was an awkward pause. No one knew what to say or do. It had been a long time since any of them had gotten some decent rest, but they were reluctant to lose sight of one another. In the back of each of their minds, they knew they were being irrational, but after witnessing Tempest's power and determination, they knew how easily one of them could end up in his grasp. After a few more seconds of uncomfortable silence, Challenger yawned, stretched, and declared:
"I am going to go lie down and take a nap. I am getting too old for this."
"One of us will wake you up when it is time for the banquet." Veronica told him as he turned the doorknob to his room. He smiled at her over his shoulder, entered the room and shut the door behind him.
"I am going to go check out my new room. Maybe there will be something interesting in there." Finn bounced off into her room without looking back.
"I guess I'll go into my room too, not much to do out here, and I am kinda tired." Ned said, and then he turned to Veronica and quietly asked, "Will you be alright?"
She put her hand on his arm and said, "I'll be fine Ned, this is where I belong I can feel it." She squeezed his arm in an effort to reassure him, and kissed his cheek to make sure her point got across. He nodded and smiled at his three remaining friends then entered his room.
Veronica turned to Marguerite and Roxton she sensed that they wanted a little time to themselves. She gave a last look around the room. Marguerite walked up to her, feeling her unease.
"I feel it too Veronica. This is where we are meant to be. Everything will be fine. Go rest now, you have found your mother and all that you have been searching for, relax." Veronica looked a little surprised by Marguerite's insight, but nodded nevertheless. With a glance of acknowledgement towards Roxton she turned to go to her room, but before she entered she turned back to the couple and said:
"Just remember that some of us are trying to get some rest so please don't make too much noise." The wink she gave and that suggestive smile she wore caused Roxton to laugh and Marguerite to glare, if only playfully.
"Good bye Veronica." Marguerite said with a tolerant expression. Veronica laughed and closed the door behind her.
"Alone at last." Roxton said in that gravelly voice of his, the voice that sent chills down her spine. It was this voice, that he only used when they were alone, that expressed all the need and desire he felt when we was around her. "Don't get any ideas Lord Roxton. It has been a long...week and I fully intend on taking advantage of the luxury that is waiting for me behind that door." As if to illustrate her point she gestured towards the door that she was standing next to. She turned to enter it, but Roxton grabbed her wrist.
"Are you going to be alright? You were so pale and you didn't move. I thought I had lost you." He brought his hand to the side of her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb. She leaned into his palm, reassuring him that she was still there alive and well.
"John, I am still here, thanks to you. I'm not going anywhere. Tempest is too weak to try anything for a while. We are in a chamber protected by...something; I don't even know what it is. We are all perfectly safe. I'll see you in a few hours." Marguerite stood on tip-toes and kissed him on the cheek, then stepped inside her room, and shut the door. Roxton let out a breath and did the same.
Abigail stood on the other side of the double doors and listened to the last bedroom door shut. She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. It had been hard to send them in to those rooms knowing full- well what was going to happen, without at least warning them. But the Council forbade it. Damn the Council and their fear of changing destiny! But The Chosen Ones had to know, they had to have some idea of what their lives were going to become. Forewarned is forearmed, right?
To Be Continued...
AN: I know, I know, not much in the way of progression, but once you find out their destinies, the story will take off like the Superman Ride at Six Flags, not that I would know from personal experience right Alicia? ;)
Keys3033: Oh don't worry dear sister; I am not the one who forgets to practice, so I am not too worried about you being anywhere or anything. But I must give you all the credit for this chapter, and the continuing of this story. YOU HEAR THAT EVERYONE!! IF YOU LIKE THIS STORY IT IS KEYS' FAULT, AND IF YOU DON'T...IT IS STILL HER FAULT!
Angel LeeAnn: I know you are anxious to find out about the whole destiny thing, but you will have to wait just a little bit longer. Please don't hate me!!!!
Taya7: I will never forget that you think of one on MY stories as your favorite! And to be counted among Spirita and Angel LeeAnn is such an honor. Your opinion means the world to me. I dedicate this chapter to you!
Kim: I'm glad you enjoyed my story! I took your advice and kept writing and now you have the next chapter!
AN: Okay, first of all, I want to apologize for taking so long to get another chapter out and because this chapter won't be revealing the destinies of our explorers! I swear I am dragging this out like the drag out a battle in DBZ! Has anyone ever noticed that? One freakin' fight takes like thirty episodes! Sorry, got side-tracked. Anyway, the next chapter WILL reveal their destinies. I was going to put it in this chapter, but it was taking too long and I wanted to make sure you all know I haven't forgotten this story. Okay now that all of this is said and done. After three months of waiting...here you go!
Destiny Calls
Chapter 8: Chamber of Secrets
by: TheChosenOne3
"Okay so why do we have to go to this chamber thingy anyway?" Finn asked impatiently. They had been walking down endless corridors, and every time they reached the end of one, Abigail found another one to march them down.
All of the hallways that Abigail led them down were long, dark, and narrow. The passages were lined sporadically with torches, but it was clear that not many people ever navigated these hallways. It was also clear that only those who knew where to go could get there without being lost.
A draft blew through the corridors, Marguerite shivered. She didn't know where that draft came from, as there were no windows, but she definitely felt its chill. Roxton felt Marguerite shudder and the goose bumps on her forearms. The passages were so narrow that the explorers followed Abigail in twos, shoulder to shoulder. Veronica and Ned trailed Abigail closely, and then came Challenger and Finn, which left Roxton and Marguerite at the back of the procession.
At such close proximity, Roxton felt Marguerite's every move, from the quiver of her body to the goose bumps on her forearms. Seeing as how he left his coat at the treehouse, Roxton had nothing to ward off her chills, nothing he could give her in present company anyway. So he compromised by putting his arm around her waist and drawing her close to him. She looked up at him with one elegant eyebrow quirked and a smile of appreciation playing on her lips.
"The Forbidden Chamber was built for the Destined Ones' arrival. It is forbidden to all but them. I, as Protector, may enter the chamber, but I have never entered the private rooms, those are yours and yours alone. In fact, no one has been in those rooms in three thousand years." Abigail never looked back at those to whom she spoke. She just continued to lead the way, never once faltering.
"So I guess that means room service is out of the question." The remark was made in true Marguerite fashion, but did not bring the usual roll of the eyes or shake of the head her friends would give in irritation. In fact, all of the explorers, including Abigail, had to smile at it. Marguerite was back and she was fine, not to mention the quip shattered the uncomfortable atmosphere that had settled around the bunch. Roxton pulled her closer to him and whispered into her ear.
"Nicely done." She smiled at him; he always did know what she was up to.
The rest of the way was made in comfortable silence, for the explorers at least. Abigail got more anxious with each step. She knew that her daughter and her friends were in for shock, to say the least. But there was no sense in worrying them, they will find out on their own one way or another. They might as well enjoy being "normal" for as long as they could, because they won't be much longer.
Abigail led them down a few more twisty passages, until they reached huge double-doors. The doors themselves looked to be made of oak and were a huge contrast to the stone the surrounded them. Abigail handed her torch off to Veronica and opened the doors. The room that was opened to them was a lot more than any of them expected.
It was a bright room that gave off the impression of being filled with sunlight, only there were no windows for the sun to shine through. The room was circular, with seven doorways (including the one they just entered) equally spaced around it. There was a sofa, a loveseat, and two chairs, creating a common area similar to the one in the treehouse. Vases of flowers were placed here and there, giving the room a soft and welcoming feel.
Finn walked over to the sofa and let herself drop onto it. She put her feet up, rested her hands behind her head, and closed her eyes.
"I could get used to this." She declared, without opening her eyes. Her older companions shook their heads, rolled their eyes, and smiled. Finn's antics were like Marguerite's quips, they always had a way of easing tension. And in that room there was not so much tension as there was this ominous feeling that something big was about to happen. Deep down, every single one of them knew that their lives were about to change in a dire way.
Veronica's attention was drawn to the six doors that surrounded them. She left her position between her mother and Ned and walked over to inspect them. One of the doors, she noticed, had the Trion etched into it. Underneath it was some flowing script that she had never seen. The door to Veronica's left had a symbol that reminded Veronica of the mirror image of two 'S's. She recognized the same script underneath it. She could see all six doors had a symbol and writing.
"Hey Marguerite, can you read this?" She asked, pointing to the door with the Trion on it. The older woman walked over and stood beside the taller blonde. She studied the door intently for a minute.
"It says 'Protector of the Plateau.' Looks like we know where you will be sleeping Veronica." Veronica said nothing and pointed out the door on the left.
Marguerite knew before reading the words that this room was meant for her. It wasn't just the fact that her birthmark was inscribed on the door; it was the familiarity radiating from it.
"Looks like this room is mine. It says 'The Chosen One.'" By then the others had figured out that the engravings specified which rooms were designated for which explorer. Though they tried to be discreet, everyone in the room noticed how Ned went to stand next to the door on Veronica's right and Roxton nonchalantly wondered over to the one on Marguerite's left.
Marguerite decided to use this as an opportunity to tease her love a little. After reading the inscription on her door, she immediately went over to the one Ned was standing beside. It had a picture of a key.
"Well that was a waste of my linguistic talent. It just says 'The Key.' Isn't that original?" Marguerite didn't notice the smile that lit up Ned's face. He remembered his dream; being called the Key, the room beside Veronica's was his.
The door to the right of Ned's had an hourglass on it and 'The Hope' written under the hourglass. Finn nodded without much emotion, she didn't care which room was hers, as long as it had a nice warm bed.
Bypassing the doors they entered through, Marguerite went straight to the door to the left of the one that Roxton had claimed. It had a circle with that was diagonally encircled by two rings on opposite sides of it. Marguerite smiled, even before reading the inscription she knew that that room was meant for Challenger. 'Who else would have the atom on his door?' She thought.
"It says 'The Keeper.' I wonder what you are the keeper of Challenger." Marguerite's last comment was tossed over her shoulder as she made her way to the last door and Roxton's side.
"I guess that leaves you to this room." She said as she studied his door. It had a shield on it, but that wasn't all. The shield had a small symbol on it. Marguerite looked more closely and found that it was her birthmark on the shield. 'I hope no one else notices that.' She thought to herself. "In case you were wondering, it says 'The Guardian.'" Having finished her translation duties she went back to her door. She was about to turn the doorknob when Abigail spoke up.
"I will leave you all to get...settled in. There will be a banquet tonight in your honor. I will have appropriate attire sent to you." Abigail turned to leave, but Veronica stopped her.
"I haven't seen you for thirteen years, don't you think we could talk and catch up? I mean I just got here and now you are leaving." Veronica didn't want to cry, but she found she couldn't help it. In the back of her mind she knew she was being irrational and a little bit childish, but she didn't care, she just wanted her mother.
"I know sweetie, but there will be plenty of time to talk later. Right now you and your friends need some time to adjust. Don't worry Veronica; I am not going any where, not any more." Abigail kissed her daughter's cheek and left the room.
There was an awkward pause. No one knew what to say or do. It had been a long time since any of them had gotten some decent rest, but they were reluctant to lose sight of one another. In the back of each of their minds, they knew they were being irrational, but after witnessing Tempest's power and determination, they knew how easily one of them could end up in his grasp. After a few more seconds of uncomfortable silence, Challenger yawned, stretched, and declared:
"I am going to go lie down and take a nap. I am getting too old for this."
"One of us will wake you up when it is time for the banquet." Veronica told him as he turned the doorknob to his room. He smiled at her over his shoulder, entered the room and shut the door behind him.
"I am going to go check out my new room. Maybe there will be something interesting in there." Finn bounced off into her room without looking back.
"I guess I'll go into my room too, not much to do out here, and I am kinda tired." Ned said, and then he turned to Veronica and quietly asked, "Will you be alright?"
She put her hand on his arm and said, "I'll be fine Ned, this is where I belong I can feel it." She squeezed his arm in an effort to reassure him, and kissed his cheek to make sure her point got across. He nodded and smiled at his three remaining friends then entered his room.
Veronica turned to Marguerite and Roxton she sensed that they wanted a little time to themselves. She gave a last look around the room. Marguerite walked up to her, feeling her unease.
"I feel it too Veronica. This is where we are meant to be. Everything will be fine. Go rest now, you have found your mother and all that you have been searching for, relax." Veronica looked a little surprised by Marguerite's insight, but nodded nevertheless. With a glance of acknowledgement towards Roxton she turned to go to her room, but before she entered she turned back to the couple and said:
"Just remember that some of us are trying to get some rest so please don't make too much noise." The wink she gave and that suggestive smile she wore caused Roxton to laugh and Marguerite to glare, if only playfully.
"Good bye Veronica." Marguerite said with a tolerant expression. Veronica laughed and closed the door behind her.
"Alone at last." Roxton said in that gravelly voice of his, the voice that sent chills down her spine. It was this voice, that he only used when they were alone, that expressed all the need and desire he felt when we was around her. "Don't get any ideas Lord Roxton. It has been a long...week and I fully intend on taking advantage of the luxury that is waiting for me behind that door." As if to illustrate her point she gestured towards the door that she was standing next to. She turned to enter it, but Roxton grabbed her wrist.
"Are you going to be alright? You were so pale and you didn't move. I thought I had lost you." He brought his hand to the side of her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb. She leaned into his palm, reassuring him that she was still there alive and well.
"John, I am still here, thanks to you. I'm not going anywhere. Tempest is too weak to try anything for a while. We are in a chamber protected by...something; I don't even know what it is. We are all perfectly safe. I'll see you in a few hours." Marguerite stood on tip-toes and kissed him on the cheek, then stepped inside her room, and shut the door. Roxton let out a breath and did the same.
Abigail stood on the other side of the double doors and listened to the last bedroom door shut. She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. It had been hard to send them in to those rooms knowing full- well what was going to happen, without at least warning them. But the Council forbade it. Damn the Council and their fear of changing destiny! But The Chosen Ones had to know, they had to have some idea of what their lives were going to become. Forewarned is forearmed, right?
To Be Continued...
AN: I know, I know, not much in the way of progression, but once you find out their destinies, the story will take off like the Superman Ride at Six Flags, not that I would know from personal experience right Alicia? ;)
Keys3033: Oh don't worry dear sister; I am not the one who forgets to practice, so I am not too worried about you being anywhere or anything. But I must give you all the credit for this chapter, and the continuing of this story. YOU HEAR THAT EVERYONE!! IF YOU LIKE THIS STORY IT IS KEYS' FAULT, AND IF YOU DON'T...IT IS STILL HER FAULT!
Angel LeeAnn: I know you are anxious to find out about the whole destiny thing, but you will have to wait just a little bit longer. Please don't hate me!!!!
Taya7: I will never forget that you think of one on MY stories as your favorite! And to be counted among Spirita and Angel LeeAnn is such an honor. Your opinion means the world to me. I dedicate this chapter to you!
Kim: I'm glad you enjoyed my story! I took your advice and kept writing and now you have the next chapter!
