And its goes on to chapter 6!
The Bitter Cold of Hate, the Sweet Warmth of Love
Breanna and Zeth fell sound asleep during the ride, so Fuuko and Zaria discussed all their impending plans. Zack, whom was piloting the plane, would cut them off every now and then to insert one of his own remarks and opinions into their conversation. Every time he did that, either Fuuko or Zaria would turn around to glare at him, but he never noticed. An hour later, they arrived at Najida. Zaria shook Breanna and Zeth awake and they got off the plane and entered the Arrow headquarters. They greeted Vincent and Zeth stayed with him to explain what they planned to do. The rest of them entered the conference room, where Cat and Adrian were waiting for them.
"What took you so long?" Cat exclaimed as soon as they entered the room. "We all stopped at Mydele," Zaria replied. "It's great to see you, Cat!"
They all sat down and Cat walked to the front of the room. She smiled nervously and glanced at Adrian, who nodded. "I have something to tell you guys," she began. She glanced at Adrian again. Fuuko looked in Adrian's direction, and noticed the thoughtful way he was gazing at Cat. She raised her brows and whispered her suspicions to Zaria, who glanced at Adrian and nodded in agreement.
"I'm an elf/harpy crossbreed!" Cat burst, and spread her wings wide. Everyone gaped at her in astonishment. "That's wonderful, Cat!" Fuuko finally said. "Where did you go to find all this out?" Cat smiled. "I went to see Bink! You know, the great astrologer!"
Zaria gasped. "Bink? Where does he live?" A baffled look crossed Cat's face. "Why, he lives in the Forest of the Elves, and I can take you there if you wish," she said, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Zaria, realizing how serious she sounded, softened her expression. "Thank you, Cat, I'll take you up on that afterward. For now, we need to go to Icicle."
Cat looked even more befuddled. "Icicle? Why?"
Zaria looked and Fuuko, Breanna, and Zack. She turned back to Cat. "It's a long story," she began. "But I will tell you. You see, by means of astrology and other ways, I have foreseen that a great danger will soon befall our planet, and eight persons, each being able to use an element of Magic, must come together to prevent that. If they cannot forestall it, then they will be the only ones with the strength and courage to combat the opponent. This catastrophe will most likely be the Black Hole project. You and Adrian are both one of the eight warriors, the eight warriors of Mage. You wield the element of Thunder, while Adrian wields the element of Fire. We have located seven of the eight warriors, who are Zeth, Zack, Fuuko, Breanna, Adrian, you and I. There are eight elements, which are Ultima, Apocalypse, Wind, Earth, Fire, Thunder, Ice, and Holy. Cat and Adrian, I'm sure you know what each element is, from what you have studied here at Arrow headquarters. We need to find the warrior who wields the Ice magic element, and only then can we go find out more about what we must do. We can go see Bink then, because I'm sure he will be able to look into the stars much easier than I could, for he is the greatest astrologer of this generation."
Adrian nodded, accepting what he had been told, but Cat began pacing around the room, shaking her head. "Wh-Why? I don't understand," she stammered. "This is so . . . so confounding! Why do I have to be a warrior? What if I don't want to be one? What if I just want to live in peace?" Zaria looked at Cat regretfully.
"I'm sorry, but this is the truth about you, Cat," she said. "Please accept it, because the planet is at stake." She looked down and traipsed out of the room.
"I know that you apprehend enough about magic to understand, Cat," Fuuko said quietly and followed Zaria out of the room. Zack started to follow her, but turned back to Cat and said, "Do what you think is right for the people you treasure. After all, we fight to protect the ones we love." He then pivoted on his heel and departed the room.
"Wait, Zack!" Adrian exclaimed, and rushed out after him. The only ones remaining in the room were Breanna and Cat. Breanna raised her head to look at Cat in the eye. She stood there watching Cat.
"What, aren't you going to say something?" Cat asked, irritated.
Breanna nodded. "Don't be such a wimp."
Breanna then left the room, leaving Cat alone. Cat sighed and slumped down into the chair. She didn't understand why she had so much trouble accepting it, even though she clearly understood why she had to. She recalled Zack's words; we fight to protect the ones we love. Was that true? What if our loved ones didn't want there to be any fighting? What was more important, following their wishes, or protecting them? What if you didn't follow their wishes and they lost their faith in you? What would you have left to fight for then?
The questions crowded in Cat's head, making her feel faint. There were too many choices to make in life, and she was afraid that if she made the wrong choice, she would lose something. But what was she afraid to lose? She didn't even know yet. She let the blood rush back to her head and sat in deep thought. Everyone was depending on her, and if she didn't go with them, she would be betraying the planet. She would go, even though she had a gut feeling that if she embarked on this journey then someone very significant would be lost. But then, if she didn't, then the planet would be forfeited. So she would risk it and go, and she would always take secondary precautions to make sure that everyone was safe. Cat stood up and walked out of the room into the hall, where everyone was stagnant and expectant. Breanna looked bored as usual, leaning against the wall. Zack and Zeth were checking their supply stock. Fuuko was talking to Adrian about their plans, and Zaria was standing there gazing at Cat most intently. "So, have you decided what to do, Cat?" Zaria asked. Cat nodded.
"I will go with you, so let's go!" she exclaimed, her expression turning garrulous. A smile appeared on Zaria's face.
"Yes, let's go to Icicle," she said softly.
They all followed Zack out to the Firebird, momentarily pausing to say goodbye to Vincent, who had smiled and told them to go save the world from the government.
They climbed into the Firebird, one by one, and when Cat got in she looked around in amazement. "Wow, this is fun!" she exclaimed, peering out the window. She turned to Fuuko. "Hey Fuuko, didn't you once pilot a plane like this once?" Fuuko nodded, glancing at Zack.
"Yes, I did," she replied. "And if Zack gets tired, I can take over."
Zack thanked her for the offer and started the engine and lifted off. "Yeah! We're off to Icicle!" The engine of the Firebird roared, and the jet zoomed off into the distance.
As expected, Breanna fell asleep, and this time Fuuko did too. Zaria was analyzing an astrology book, on a page that focused on the messages of stars. Adrian seemed interested, and asked Zaria about it, and she started explaining what she knew in detail. As Zaria went on and on, Zeth turned to Cat.
He cleared his throat. "Why didn't you want to go with us at first?" he asked her candidly. Cat glanced at him apprehensively.
"A perceptive one, aren't you. I don't really know if I should say, because it might create needless alarm," she said, her dusky eyes looking melancholy. Zeth looked at her grimly.
"Just tell me, Cat," he insisted.
Her eyes were downcast. "I know that by going on this mission we're going to save the planet, but I have a feeling that it is very dangerous, and we need to stay to protect people back home. I don't know what to think," she faltered, burying her face in her hands.
Zeth patted her back awkwardly and attempted to console her. "Don't worry, Cat," he said softly. "Even the best of us don't know what to believe sometimes."
Cat's expression changed, and she once more illuminated exuberance. "You know, that remark made me feel a lot better," she said, appearing flustered and fascinated at the same time. Zeth shrugged. Something peculiar was operating here . . . it seemed like something or someone was controlling their emotions, their thoughts . . . but the thought of that was so far off that Zeth merely shrugged it off. Maybe the elf named Bink would know whether his premonitions made any sense or not, so he would keep the thought in the back of his mind.
Cat turned to join Adrian and Zaria's conversation, leaving Zeth with no one to talk to. Zeth shifted in his seat to gaze out the window. They were flying in the clouds, and the puffy white cotton-like substance whipped by them rapidly. Watching the mist gave him a certain sense of comfort, and he felt like the trepidation from his heart was being lifted. He turned back to Zaria and started to say something, but she was too busy talking, so he climbed over Breanna and Fuuko and plopped into the front seat next to Zack.
"Are we nearly there yet?" he asked Zack.
"What the @#$% are you doing here?" Zack swore. "I'm sorry to yell, Zeth, but I need to concentrate on my piloting . . . but we can chat if you want. First, you just put on your seatbelt. What is it you said?"
Zeth cast his gaze downward. "Never mind," he said quietly. Zack turned his head in Zeth direction and spoke dismissively.
"Sounds like something's wrong. Anyway, tell me about it later. We're a minute away from Icicle!"
Zeth was invigorated instantly, and gazed out the front window. The plane had begun to land, and indeed, there was powdery snow all over the place. He pressed his face up to the glass like a small child. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "I've never been up north before! This is amazing!"
Zack grinned. "Yeah it is, isn't it? Here's a good landing spot, just wait a sec, we're almost there."
He veered the plane towards the left, and the turbulence jolted Fuuko and Breanna awake, and made Zaria, Cat and Adrian topple over, because they had senselessly not worn their seatbelts.
"Yaaaakkkhhh!" Zeth heard shouts and screams coming from the back, so he craned his neck to look at them. It was a comical sight; Fuuko and Breanna looking startled out of their sleep, and with Zaria, Cat and Adrian sprawled over the meager space on the floor. Zeth described the sight to Zack and he laughed heartily. Finally the plane was landed, and everyone clambered out.
"It's freezing!" Zaria exclaimed, rubbing her hands together vigorously. Zeth walked over and put his hand on her shoulder, and Zaria yelped, for the metal armor he was wearing on his wrist made it even colder. Cat jumped up and down.
"Yeah! I've been up north before, but not where it was this cold! I should've brought a jacket or something!" She started to hop around for warmth.
"You mean a straitjacket," Breanna muttered. She seemed to be the only person who was unaffected by the frigidity. She stood there looking bored, while all the others were stomping around, trying to keep warm. "Look, why don't we just go into Icicle and find a tavern or something?" she said in an exasperated tone. They all nodded and followed Zack as he led the way to Icicle. He had parked the jet a few meters right in front of Icicle, so it wasn't a tedious walk. Finally they reached Icicle Inn, and all rushed inside, and went straight towards the fireplace in the lobby for warmth. Zeth walked over to the innkeeper.
"Will ya all be stayin' here at Icicle Inn tonight?" the innkeeper inquired. Zeth shivered. In here it was warmer, but it was still cold.
"Yes," he replied. "By the way, is there a shop or anything around here where we can buy some winter apparel? It's so chilly here!" The innkeeper laughed cordially.
"Yeah there is, right across yonder street, but if yer not staying in the northern part of the ole continent fer long, ya don't need to buy any ole winter apparatus, 'cause ya git useta it anyway, and ya don't need to waste any extra money. All of us livin' 'ere, we're from a sunnier climes, yet we've all adjusted pretty nicely, if ah do say so mahself."
Zeth tried to laugh, his teeth chattering. "I think we need some more clothing, sir," he said, shivering. "We're looking for someone, and we might spend a lot of time here. I don't think we'll be able to stand the cold that long."
The innkeeper laughed again. "All right. So ya kin go 'an do whatever ole business ya have ta do 'ere in Icicle, and I'll git yer room set up waitin' fer ya when ya come back. Jus' wonderin', who is it yer lookin' fer?"
Zeth shifted on his feet uncomfortably. "Um, do you know of anyone who can use Ice magic?" he asked. The innkeeper gave him a nonplussed glance.
"No, but why don't ya ask the people around this town? Maybe they know. But if yer tryin' to look fer Ice magic around 'ere . . . it would be pretty darn hard to spot unless ya got some other source ya kin check on . . . ah've heard of this device that someone in Icicle has . . . it's a Magic Identifier . . . but ah don't know who has it."
Zeth lifted his eyebrows. "Thanks!" he exclaimed. "That's a useful piece of information. Thanks for telling me! See you later."
He rushed over to his comrades and told them what he had heard. Zaria nodded, smiling.
"That would be a good thing to have with us! But first, LET'S GET SOMETHING WARM TO WEAR! WE'RE FREEZING!" she shrieked. Cat nodded in agreement, and hugged herself tightly.
"S-s-s-so cold," she whimpered, gazing soulfully at Zeth. Zeth sighed in exasperation.
"All right, all right," he said. "Let's go to the store across the street." They all trooped out of the inn and quickly went across the street and entered the shop.
"We're here," Zaria said, shivering from the cold.
They walked around and bought their winter supplies, and even got hiking gear, in case they might ever have to go up a mountain in their search. After they donned their extra layers of warmth they left the store and walked out in the street. "Where do we go now?" Breanna asked blandly. Zeth looked around.
"Let's ask people about the Magic Identifier." He stopped the first woman who walked by and queried her about the subject. Luckily, she was kind.
"Ah've heard of it," she said thoughtfully. "Ya ought to go ask that Zitan character, he knows a lot 'bout magic," she said.
"Zitan?" Zeth asked. "Where does he live?"
"At the edge of the village," she replied. "In the large cabin. He lives alone there, and he seems to have many texts 'bout the subject ya want ta find out more about." Zeth thanked her and proceeded to the cabin she had directed. When they reached the front door, Zeth turned around to everyone.
"I think that only a few of us should go in, or we'll overwhelm the guy," he said. "Zaria. You come with me. Zack, you too." They nodded. Fuuko turned to Breanna, Adrian and Cat.
"Let's go buy some elixirs," she said. "We might need them if we pass out from the cold waiting out here. "
Then Fuuko, Breanna, Adrian and Cat walked away. Cat turned back to them. "Good luck, Zaria!" she said cheerfully. "See you in half an hour!" She then pivoted and ran to rejoin Adrian, Fuuko and Breanna. Zaria smiled to herself at how Cat's optimism was so contagious, and followed Zeth to Zitan's front porch. Zeth used the brass knocker, which was in the shape of a lion to knock on the door. Moments later, a statuesque young man who looked familiar to Zeth opened the door.
"Hello," the man said, looking at each of them, his gaze pausing on Zaria.
"Hello," Zeth replied. "Are you Zitan?" The man nodded. Zeth furrowed his brow. He had expected this Zitan to be a lot older but then again Zitan might have the very rare rejuvenating magic that restored one's youth. "I'm Zeth, and this is Zaria and this is Zack," he said, gesturing towards his friends. "We have come to discuss magic."
"Come on in," Zitan said, and opened the door and stepped aside. As they walked into his log cabin one by one, Zitan's gaze followed Zaria. Zeth saw this but didn't say anything. "Sit down there," Zitan instructed, pointing to the settee. They all sat down. "What do ya want to discuss about magic?" Zitan asked. "Have ya come to purchase some magic spells? Or are ya searching for a magic item? Or do ya simply want to know more about the subject?"
Zeth tilted his head. "Well, I suppose that we have come to do all of the above," he replied. "Do you, by any chance, know what the Magic Identifier is?" Zitan leaned over.
"What did ya say?"
"The Magic Identifier," Zeth repeated clearly. Zitan laughed mirthfully. "Ya want that ole thing? The only thing that device is good fer is to identify magic spells, nothin' else!" he exclaimed.
"It.doesn't tell you where magic is operating?" Zeth asked. Zitan shook his head resolutely.
"Only as much as yer own eyes kin see! That thing is so useless ah threw it away ages ago!"
Zeth nodded his head slowly. "I see. Well, let us tell you our story, and please tell us if you know anything about the subject."
He began to talk about how Zaria could read the messages of the stars, and how they had foreseen that the Black Hole project would be dangerous, and so and so on. Zitan stopped him by holding up his hands. "Tell me no more, ah know what the stars say," he said briskly. He stood up and walked over to a desk and picked up and small glassy yellow orb. As soon as he touched it, there was a bright tawny light illuminating from it. He brought it over to the group. "This here's a Star orb," he said. "Ah kin use it to read stars, or to summon the knowledge of stars, or even absorb the power of them. It ain't possible fer me to absorb the power, fer ah would die 'cause the magnitude of it is too great. Ah've read all the outcries for help that the stars have released, so ah know the danger that has befallen this planet, and ah know about the eight warriors of Mage."
Zaria stared at the orb, stared at the saffron aura illuminating from it. She reached out to touch it and the yellow light brightened, and became so brilliant that it was blinding. She instantly removed her hand from the orb, and the light slowly dimmed to its former radiance. "What's going on?" she demanded at Zitan. Zitan peered at her closely.
"Yer not a Locke, are ya?" he asked her.
She was bewildered. "How did you know that?"
He smiled. "Yer Zaria Locke, aren't ya?" he said. "Zaria! I'm yer brother, Zitan! Don't ya remember me?" Zaria furrowed her brow.
"Zitan . . ." she said thoughtfully. "Oh yes! Zitan! You were born a year after me . . . right?" she exclaimed.
"Yeah," Zitan said after a moment's hesitation. "Even though ya were summoned away from home at the age of eight, Ma and Pa received news of ya and kept yer picture before yer mysterious disappearance. Ya look exactly the same, ya know . . . do ya have rejuvenatin' magic or somethin'?"
Zaria shook her head. "I just used the family youth elixir," she replied. "You've been using the rejuvenating spell, I presume? Or else, you should be in your late seventies." Zitan nodded.
"It's great to see ya, Zaria," he said.
"Wait," Zaria said, her brows furrowed. "What's with the accent? I don't really remember you having that accent before, even though it was more than half a century ago that I saw you last."
Zitan looked sheepish. "Yeah well, after livin' with these people fer a while, ah sort of adapted their accent, even though it ain't as heavy. Do ya mind? Ah think ah kin still talk like ah used to, if ya want me to."
"No need, no need," Zaria said quickly.
Zeth looked at them in disbelief. No wonder Zitan had looked so familiar. He looked like Zaria! So alike that they could've been twins! They had the same dark brown hair, similar green eyes. While Zaria's eyes were a bright, phosphorescent emerald color, Zitan's looked more like jade.
"So how did you end up in Icicle, if you were born in Mydele?" Zack asked Zitan.
"During the war, our family managed to escape to Icicle, which is neutral territory," Zitan replied.
"Oh," Zack said, nodding.
"It's great to see you, Zitan," Zaria said happily. "Finally, to find another member of the Locke family! Who would've known that my very own little brother would be so impressive?" Zitan laughed somewhat uncomfortably, but was cut off by knocking at the door.
Zitan got up and answered the door, and stepped aside as Cat, Adrian, Breanna and Fuuko walked in. "We're friends of Zeth," Cat informed him, and came in and sat down, paying no heed to the fact that she had not yet been invited in. "So, any progress?"
"Zitan is my brother!" Zaria burst, grinning happily.
"Cool!" exclaimed Cat. "But why are you so young?"
Zitan smiled. "Ah moved to Icicle durin' the war, and ah've been using rejuvenatin' magic to keep mahself this age," he replied. "And now, Zaria, ah'll explain to ya why the Star magic orb reacted that way to ya. It has somethin' to do with our family line. Anyone in the Locke clan is very adept with anything having to do with magic, and magic orbs tend to be more powerful when used by anyone in the Locke family. But that catch is that Locke family members kin use no destructive magic, it jus' won't work. Not even a simple fire spell. We kin only use constructive magic, except if ya are blessed with the ability of bein' a specific magic caster. But, any one of us kin make any magic orb, even a destructive one, powerful in our presence, and others who have the power to use that type of magic kin use it while it is very powerful, if they have the ability to control that amount of power."
Zaria nodded slowly. "I understand what you mean, it's a perfect explanation for the way I use magic, but why is it so? What is it about the Locke family?"
Zitan pursed his lips. "Well, it's a long story, but if ya all are willing to listen, then ah'll tell ya. It's basically a legend, but it's the only explanation of the mystery of the Locke family."
"I'd like to hear it," said Fuuko.
"Whatever is fine with me," Breanna said.
Zeth looked out the window. "It'll be dark soon, and I think we need to hurry back to the inn before it gets dark," he said.
"Don't worry 'bout that," Zitan said. "Ya kin easily find the way back to Icicle Inn, ah'll take ya if ya want. And don't bother spending money on extra rooms, 'cause the three guys can stay 'ere. Mah bed is big enough for five people. Mah bed is the good ole floor, covered with blankets."
Zeth relaxed and thanked him.
"So do ya want to hear the story?" Zitan asked.
"Fine with me, if it's fine with Zaria," Zeth replied.
"I'm the one who wanted to hear it in the first place!" Zaria exclaimed.
"I wanna hear it too!" Cat cried eagerly. Zack nodded in agreement.
"Start telling it already, the suspense is killing me!" Adrian exclaimed. Zitan laughed.
"All right, all right," he chuckled. Then he began telling the Legend of the Locke Family.
"It all started two hundred years ago when a young sorceress by the name of Louvia came to the ancient city of Mage, but back then it wasn't so ancient. She was said to be a princess of the moon sent down to the planet to destroy all living creatures and start anew with a new planet. Naturally, when Sorceress Louvia arrived in Mage everyone there was terrified, for rumors had spread fast and Louvia had already performed many outstanding acts of magic. Magic was a very common thing back then, and everyone could use one of the elements of magic. Not like now, where we have to have magic tools and spells. Louvia had never destroyed anything, but she had banished some evil creatures to the moon, where they are trapped in their prison inside the moon, where they'll never git out of, because there is a barrier similar to the one that ya'll seal on the Black Hole. People did not care whether the creatures she had banished were evil, but they only acknowledged the fact that she had banished creatures to the moon, so they feared her. She had been traveling around the continent, but no one would accept her, they only shunned her even though she was fair of face, pure of heart, and a good warrior at that. Once the most powerful magicians in Mage heard that Sorceress Louvia had arrived, they formed a conspiracy in order to destroy her, and they almost succeeded. Luckily, Louvia was shielded by the magic of the moon, so no magic could harm her. Yet even though she was protected and powerful, she was lonely and longed for companionship, any companionship.
"One of the sons of the magicians in the conspiracy, who was a magician as well, was forced to join their cause to destroy Louvia. His name was Claude Locke. He could use the magic element of Ultimate Destruction, and could annihilate anything easily. Ultima has always been a rare element, and not many people have the power to control it. The magicians wanted Claude to deceive Louvia, to trick her into trusting him so that they could strike at her physically and emotionally. Claude was a young man with a virtuous heart, so he didn't want to perform such a conniving act, but his father forced him to. He was instructed to go and find Sorceress Louvia and make her trust him.
"Excuse me, miss, are you all right?" Claude inquired. The young woman in front of him looked up. She had the blackest hair that he had ever seen, and her aquamarine eyes burnished like the moonlight. Those lovely aqua eyes were shining with unshed tears.
"Sir, why doth thou speak to one such as I?" she asked humbly, her tears stuck in her throat. Indeed, why did this virile, aristocratic young man speak to her? He was quite comely with his russet-colored hair, his emerald green eyes. They were so mesmerizing, yet they looked benign and merciful.
"Are you, perchance, Sorceress Louvia?" he asked her. She nodded timorously.
"Please, do not hurt me," she begged, lowering her head. Her tears fell out of her eyes and dropped onto the ground.
"I won't hurt you," Claude assured her, and helped her up. "Miss Louvia, why are you all alone during nighttime like this? Do you not know that it is perilous to be out here alone at a time such as this?" Louvia hesitantly looked at Claude's face. "I have nowhere to go, sir," she whispered.
"Don't call me sir," Claude said mildly. "My name is Claude Locke. Miss Louvia, let me escort you to my home."
Louvia's eyes grew huge and she shrunk back in fear. "Oh, please sir, anything but that!"
Claude laughed. "Louvia, I have no intention of harming you in any way nor doing anything against your will," he assured her. "I only wish to escort you to my home where you may spend the night, instead of foraging out here in the cold. There are plenty of spare rooms where I live."
Louvia's gaze grew less apprehensive, and she tentatively took Claude's outstretched hand.
"That was the beginning of some kind of a friendship between them, and Claude did begin to win Louvia's trust. The trouble was that he started to fall in love with the formidable sorceress, for he no longer saw her as a threat, but saw her as a wonderful person with a benevolent heart. He could not bring himself to ever harm her. One day he was assigned to take her into the Forest of the Elves into a secluded spot and exterminate her there. He did take her to the forest, but when he had the opportunity to strike, he couldn't bring himself to do so because he treasured her. He told her of the insidious plot that he had been part of, and he told her to leave the continent and start anew, but she refused to leave him, for she cared for him too. They ran away together to Mydele, and started their family. One day, the Goddess of the Moon, Selene, came down to see Louvia, and told Louvia the hurtful truth of what she had to do. Louvia would have to leave her mortal existence, leave her family in perpetuity. She had to go back to the moon to take her place as Eternal Princess of the Moon. She had no choice but to go, but when she was immortal, she would be able to have all the powers of a god. She reluctantly abandoned mortality, leaving only a letter to her beloved, Claude, which has been passed down each generation. He was deeply sorrowed and never remarried, and took care of their children who all had lustrous dark brown hair and sparkling emerald eyes verging on aquamarine. Once his children were grown and married, he slowly declined from loneliness. Louvia saw this from her place as Princess of the Moon, and asked Selene for one boon, to have Claude be at her side as her consort. Selene granted her wish, and Claude was rejuvenated and brought to the moon for a life of divinity. He was now the Consort Prince of the Moon, and he had godly powers as well. Louvia and Claude put together their Holy and Ultima magic, combined it with their godly powers, and created a powerful blessing for their children. Since they were both magicians, they decided to lay a blessing on all Locke children or any descendants of the Locke clan. Therefore anyone with Locke blood in them has the special abilities with magic, and it is always associated with Holy or Ultima. Some have stronger magic compatibility than others do, like Zaria is better with magic elements than I am. I can more readily use spells, and can use magic orbs, but not up to their full potential. That is the Legend of the Locke Family."
"Wow," said Cat, mesmerized. "That's pretty damn interesting family history!"
Zack whistled. "I'll say," he agreed. "That explains a lot about Zaria."
Breanna had tears streaming down her cheeks. "That was the most romantic story I have ever heard," she blubbered as Adrian handed her his handkerchief that she promptly blew her nose on while others looked on in amusement. "It's so sweet!" she exclaimed through her tears.
"Dark brown hair, emerald eyes," Fuuko wondered aloud. "Sounds a lot like Zaria, and Zitan as well."
Zeth nodded in agreement. "It's dark," he said. "We've learned a lot about Locke history today! I think we should take the girls to the inn now," he told Zack and Adrian. They nodded.
"By the way, I do have a copy of the letter that Louvia wrote to Claude when she left," Zitan blurted.
"Really?" Zaria asked, excited. "Can I see it?"
Zitan nodded and retrieved a piece of paper. "Here. It's been passed down for centuries."
"Dear Claude," Zaria read aloud, "I guess you know that by now I have left. There's so much to explain, so much to say. I'm sorry I didn't tell you all of it before. I'm the Eternal Princess of the Moon, Claude. And I did something that I wasn't supposed to do. I married you. I married a mortal who could influence me to do anything. It's true, Claude. I would do anything for you, but I can no longer neglect my duty. I'll never forget you. Even now, as I write, I know that I will always be thinking of you. You gave me a gift, you were my strength when I was weak, and I am eternally grateful for what you have given me. I love our children, I love our home, and I love you. I will never forget you. Till the day my life is through, this I promise you. I will always be a Locke. I will always be your Louvia Locke. Love, Louvia." Zaria looked up with tears in her eyes.
"Till the day my life is through? Isn't she immortal?" asked Zack, puzzled.
"Yes," said Zaria, her voice sounding tremulous. "She means forever, because she'll never die." She looked up, smiling. "But they eventually did get to be together again . . . so . . ." Cat reached over and put her hand on Zaria's shoulder. A moment of silence passed.
"I'll be waiting here for you guys," Zitan interjected. "See you in fifteen minutes."
"Wait one moment," Fuuko said suspiciously. "Zitan, your hillbilly accent is gone! Ya ain't talkin' like this anymore, ya ole bean!"
Zitan looked flabbergasted. "So it is," he said. "I guess my true self has been hiding in me all this time . . . and when I finally get to speak with people who don't have a hillbilly accent then my original mode of speech has resurfaced." He smiled. "I guess I'll be talking normally from now on, then. See ya all in fifteen minutes, so git!"
The seven warriors of Mage stood up and left the cabin. They walked together bunched up in their group. Breanna continued to blubber and Zack was holding on to her to keep her from falling, while Fuuko and Adrian were teasing her. Cat was sitting on Zack's shoulders and screaming with delight.
Zaria pulled Zeth aside and they walked together a little apart from the group. She blew out a breath of air, which turned into a little cloud of mist. "Cold, isn't it?" she said, putting her hand on Zeth's.
"That was an . . . interesting story to know, but I wonder if it has brought us any closer to finding the eighth warrior of Mage," Zeth wondered aloud, not intending to let his thought slip. Zaria looked up at him.
"So you think that was a waste of time."
Zeth winced at the hint of bitterness in her voice. "No, Zaria, that's not what I meant. I meant-"
"Save it," Zaria snapped contentiously and let go of his hand. "If you didn't want to hear it, why didn't you say so? You know, if things that are meaningful to me aren't substantial to you then maybe we shouldn't be involved in the same things. So maybe all your words to me were lies after all. You never listen to me, that's why you fell into that warp, which was why I had to be alone for sixty years, NEVER BREAKING MY VOWS TO YOU!" she shouted, infuriated.
"Zaria, how can you say that?" Zeth asked her, the pain clear in his voice. "You know how much I care about you."
"Maybe I don't," Zaria said in a clipped tone, and strutted away from him. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him.
"Zaria, listen to me!" he said forcefully. She shook herself out of his grasp.
"No, Zeth! How about not having something your way for once! How about thinking for one second about my pain, how much I cared about you even though I thought you were lost forever?" Tears spilled out of her eyes. She turned away from him. "Just get away from me," she whispered dully, and walked away quickly, leaving Zeth standing there.
"Zaria!" Cat called after her and ran to catch up. Zeth could see Zaria turning to Cat, the tears glistening in her eyes. He didn't know what to do, so just stood there until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see Zack standing there, a concerned look on his face.
"You all right?" he asked. Zeth shook his head.
"I made Zaria mad at me," he sighed. "It's because she's five years younger," he said, shrugging. "Younger girls are always more temperamental."
"Oh," Zack said deliberately, not reminding Zeth of the fact that she had actually lived a lot longer than him. "Let's go back to Zitan's house now then. I'm sure the girls can make it back to the inn safely." Zeth nodded, his eyes downcast. His usual self-assured demeanor had evaporated, and he trudged back towards Zitan's house. "Adrian, let's go," Zack called. Adrian looked puzzled, but merely shrugged and flew towards Zack.
"Is there something wrong?" he inquired. Zack nodded towards Zeth. "Oh," Adrian said. "Zaria, right?" Zack nodded. "Oh," Adrian said again. "Well, this is gonna be our guy's night, right? So we figure out what to do tonight and tomorrow it will be all right!" he said optimistically, but Zeth merely nodded slightly, still looking dispirited.
They had reached the front door of Zitan's house, when Zack turned around and exclaimed, "I have a great idea! Let's go to a discotheque tonight and have fun! Welcome to the cabaret! It's time for a holiday! Life is a cabaret, so come to the cabaret! I'm leaving this ole town called Chelsea; I'm going like Elsie! And I love the cabaret!" he sang, missing most of the words to the song "Cabaret".
"I won't have any fun without Zaria," Zeth said glumly, looking at the bright starry sky. He shivered, thinking of how cold the world seemed.
"You will, I'll make sure of that," Zack pledged, a naughty grin on his face.
"Let's see if Zitan wants to go too," Adrian decided, and knocked on the door. A few moments later, Zitan appeared without opening the door. He just seemed to form out of mist.
"How do you do that?" Adrian asked, wide-eyed. Zitan laughed. "I used some Teleport magic to teleport me out here."
"Awesome!" Zack exclaimed. "Hey Zitan, how about we guys go to the nightclub and have a guy's night out?" he proposed.
Zitan grinned mischievously. "That's a good idea," he said. "And, I know the perfect place to go." He turned to Zeth and saw his sad expression. "Why the long face?" he said. "What happened? Had a fight with your girlfriend or what?"
Zeth neither nodded nor shook his head, but just tilted his head and made a small sound in his throat. "Zaria's mad at me," he croaked. "Man, she just gets angry so easily! I mean, I said one thing and she took it in the worst way possible and just blew up at me!" he simpered uncharacteristically. "I'm telling you, it's all about the age difference," he insisted.
"You sound like a baby, and that excuse is getting old," Zack teased.
"I see," Zitan said. "Well, maybe tomorrow I can go to talk to Zaria for you." Zeth looked up at him gratefully.
"Will you, really?" he asked.
Zitan nodded. "But for now, follow me!"
"Wait, how'd you figure out that Zaria and me are.?"
* * *
"I just can't believe him!" Zaria fumed, stomping on the floor. "The nerve!"
"Don't torment yourself too much about it, Zaria," Cat said softly in a soothing voice.
"Yeah, it jus' ain't worth it, so ya better cheer yerself up," Fuuko agreed, still trying to talk with a hill folk accent.
"You might have misunderstood something he said," Breanna finally offered. "Zeth doesn't look like the type of guy that would say something insensitive to you."
"Ah agree, he cares 'bout ya too much to do a dim-witted thing like that," Fuuko chimed in.
Zaria flopped down on the bed. "Maybe I did," she admitted. "I don't know, but for some reason, my nerves were on the edge. I was like a bomb ready to explode, and then he . . . and then . . ." she trailed off.
"What's wrong, Zaria?" Cat asked. Zaria shook her head.
"I don't know, but I just have this feeling . . . maybe we don't want to find the Ice warrior. I don't know why," she said, burying her face in her hands.
"Maybe you should go consult the stars," Breanna suggested. "Hey, doesn't Zitan have a Star magic orb?"
Zaria nodded through her tears of frustration. "Then let's go to Zitan's house!" Cat exclaimed. "And, you can go see Zeth and reconcile!"
Fuuko dragged Zaria off the bed. "Let's git, girl," she said. The four girls trooped out of the inn and walked across the village to Zitan's house.
They stood in front of the front door. "Go ahead," Breanna instructed Zaria, nodding towards the door. Zaria took a deep breath and stepped up and knocked on the door. She waited, and no one came. Zaria turned back to Breanna and gave her a puzzled look, and then turned back and knocked again. They waited some more, yet no one came to the door.
"I . . . don't think they're home," Cat said guardedly.
"Where could they be?" Zaria wondered aloud.
Breanna looked around, and saw bright lights coming from another structure on the other side of the road. "Wanna check there?" she asked pointedly, and Fuuko nodded.
They crossed the road over to the building. In front of the door was a sign that said "Cold Cabaret".
The girls looked at each other, each with the same thought on her mind. They nodded at each other and entered the club. Inside it was very crowded and the brightly colored lights and deafeningly loud music made Zaria's head spin. She felt like everything was whirling around her, and she tilted backward, where Cat caught her with great effort. "Whoa, Zaria, you're heavy!" Cat teased, but Zaria felt too sick to care. She crumpled down onto her knees, her world still in a blur. She moaned. As she caught a whiff of the alcoholic stench, a wave of nausea swept over her.
"Get her out of here before she gets even more sick," Breanna instructed Cat. Breanna reached down and helped Zaria up. "Wait outside, okay? When you feel better you can come in." Zaria drowsily nodded, and leaned on Cat's shoulder, hobbling outside.
It was cold outside, and the wind was howling, making Zaria feel lonely and sad as well as nauseous. Zaria sat down on the cold, hard sidewalk. Cat stood facing to the wind, hugging herself and shivering. "It's so cold out here," she said, pointing out the obvious. She glanced at Zaria out of the corner of her eye. "You must have disco-phobia or something," Cat said. "Not like I can stand those places for long."
"I guess so," Zaria replied, her teeth chattering. She brought out some elixir from her coat pocket and brought the fluid to her lips and let some liquid slip down her throat. As it was absorbed into her bloodstream, she began to feel much better. She stood up and walked over to Cat. "Let's go in now," she said, pulling Cat's arm.
Cat looked at her worriedly. "Are you sure, Zaria?" Cat asked, sounding concerned.
Zaria nodded and held up her elixir. "I'll just keep on taking sips of this," Zaria informed her. She tugged Cat's arm and they reentered the disco hall.
When they went in they saw Breanna and Fuuko standing at the bar, yelling at Zack and Zeth. Adrian and Zitan had sneaked onto the dance floor, and were trying to weave their way out of the crowd. Zaria took another sip of her elixir and took a deep breath. Cat turned to Zaria. "Let's get Zitan and Adrian," Cat said, a glint in her eye. Zaria gave her a strained smile and followed Cat, squeezing through the dancing people. Finally they reached Adrian and Zitan.
"Yo! You there!" Cat shouted. "Don't try to hide from me!" Adrian and Zitan spotted Cat and gave up on trying to escape. They wove their way over to Cat and Zaria.
"Explain yourself!" Cat demanded. "What?" Adrian said. "I can't hear you!" Cat gave an exasperated sigh and dragged Adrian and Zitan out of the disco. She turned back to Zaria. "Go see Fuuko!" she shouted, her yells blocking the deafening noise. Zaria nodded and sipped her elixir. She turned on her heel and head towards Fuuko, who looked very angry. Fuuko spotted Zaria coming over and gave Zeth a threatening look.
"To think that she was coming over to reconcile, and here you are getting drunk and being unfaithful to her. What despicable behavior," she spat.
"But I wasn't being unfaithful to Zaria!" Zeth protested. "I would never do such a thing! None of this is my fault!"
"Shut up," Breanna hissed as Zaria approached the four of them.
"Why did you come here, Zeth?" she asked him softly, her eyes full of hurt. "I didn't know that you were this type of person," she concluded, and turned away. Zack grabbed her shoulder, ignoring Fuuko's threatening glare.
"Listen to me, Zaria," Zack demanded. "Zeth didn't want to come, but we made him come. He didn't drink any booze, nor did he dance with anyone, not even me! Zeth only cares about you! Just look at the poor guy! He's been moping about ever since you got mad at him. Just forgive him, Zaria. You misunderstood what he said."
Zaria's gaze melted into tears. "I'll see you all tomorrow," she said, turning away. She didn't know what to think. She had gotten angry with him for such a petty reason, and now she felt stupid and cheap. In the morning she would deal with this, but now she felt too sick and weak to handle it. Her world began to blur again, and she dropped the bottle of elixir, the glass shattering. The music continued to blare, making her nauseous again. She felt a beeping sound resonating in her ears, and a bright white light seemed to shine from above, blinding her. The light seemed to seep into her head. It was agonizing, and she cried out and crumpled down to the floor, losing consciousness.
"Zaria!" Zeth called, running after her, pushing his way through the crowd. He came upon Zaria, lying unconscious on the floor. There were shards of glass surrounding her, and some of them had left blood-red cuts on her fair skin. The cuts were not that severe, so why she had blacked out was a mystery. Yet Zeth did not care, all he cared about was that his precious Zaria was lying on the floor, hurt. "Zaria!" he cried, and rushed over to her and held her in his arms, holding her. Her eyes remained shut, but at least she was breathing. "Zaria, I'll never hurt you again," he whispered, tears leaking out of his eyes. Zack came up behind him.
"Calm down, she isn't dead or anything," Zack said, sounding relieved.
Fuuko and Breanna rushed to Zaria's side. "Get her to a doctor!" Fuuko cried, and instructed Zeth to pick her up. He did so, and rushed her out and into the nearest doctor's clinic. Breanna went to get Cat, Adrian, and Zitan.
"I'm sorry, Zaria," Zeth whispered in Zaria's ear as he ran. Zack ran ahead of him and told the doctor what condition Zaria was in, and the doctor nodded and instructed Zeth to put her down on the bed.
"Ya kin wait outside," the doctor instructed Zeth, and he went to the waiting room to join the others. He sat down and leaned over and buried his face in his hands.
Zack patted his back. "She'll be all right," he soothed. Cat shook her head repeatedly.
"It's all my fault," she moaned. "I should have been there to take care of her!"
Breanna turned to all the guys. "We're not going to yell at you anymore, but don't ever do that again," she threatened. They guys nodded obediently, except for Zeth. He was too dejected to care. They all sat there waiting. They waited for fifteen minutes, and then the doctor came back out.
"Ah've dressed her wounds," the doctor told them, "but ah still don't know why she has become unconscious. Ah know it ain't a concussion, but ah think it might have to do with something emotional or mental. It's like some force went into her brain and made her systems shut down. Ah don't know what it is, but it might be some sort of witchery or magic."
Zeth looked up. "Can you help her?" he asked weakly. The doctor shook his head sadly.
"Ah've done what ah kin, but this seems to be beyond medical abilities."
Zeth's face crumpled and he once more sank into his state of depression.
"What can we do?" Zack asked the doctor. The doctor stood in deep thought.
"Ya could wait, and see what happens, or ya could go see someone who knows a lot about magic and mystical forces, and bring that person to examine the girl," the doctor informed him. Zack nodded.
"Ya kids shouldn't be gittin' inta stuff like this at such a young age," the doctor lectured. Are any of ya over eighteen yet? This is serious business, ya know. Ah ain't goin' to ask for any records or anythin' but ah'm jus' tellin' ya ta be careful."
"Yes, I'm nineteen, and this guy here is twenty-three," Fuuko said softly, referring to Zeth.
Cat started crying openly, and Fuuko leaned over to console her. Breanna looked expressionless as usual, yet this time her blank stare looked sorrowful instead of indifferent. Zitan looked pained and Adrian looked apologetic.
Will I ever get her back? Zeth thought to himself. He looked up abruptly. "I will do anything to get Zaria well again," he declared. "Let's go see Bink." He stood up. "I'm leaving for the Forest of the Elves now."
"But Zeth," Zack interrupted, "it's already pretty late. We'll all go together tomorrow."
Zeth shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "I'm going now," he repeated. "I'm going to see Bink. He's the one who can save Zaria."
Zack shook his head. "Come on, man, wait one night," he whined. Zeth walked to the door and turned back to look at him.
"I'm going to the Forest of the Elves now. If you're going tomorrow, see you then. Bye." He turned to leave.
"Wait!" Cat exclaimed, brushing the last of her tears away. She grabbed Adrian's hand and dragged him over to Zeth. "We're going with you! How else are you going to find Bink's tree?" Adrian looked mystified, but just went along. A tiny hint of a smile curved the edges of Zeth's lips upwards.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "Take care of Zaria for me, Zack." Zack nodded and then Zeth, Cat and Adrian left.
I hope you're really getting more and more into this story.the story is so complex and complicated I had trouble remembering details.you're only on the suburbs of that complication, so read on! And please review and tell me when you want me to update!
The Bitter Cold of Hate, the Sweet Warmth of Love
Breanna and Zeth fell sound asleep during the ride, so Fuuko and Zaria discussed all their impending plans. Zack, whom was piloting the plane, would cut them off every now and then to insert one of his own remarks and opinions into their conversation. Every time he did that, either Fuuko or Zaria would turn around to glare at him, but he never noticed. An hour later, they arrived at Najida. Zaria shook Breanna and Zeth awake and they got off the plane and entered the Arrow headquarters. They greeted Vincent and Zeth stayed with him to explain what they planned to do. The rest of them entered the conference room, where Cat and Adrian were waiting for them.
"What took you so long?" Cat exclaimed as soon as they entered the room. "We all stopped at Mydele," Zaria replied. "It's great to see you, Cat!"
They all sat down and Cat walked to the front of the room. She smiled nervously and glanced at Adrian, who nodded. "I have something to tell you guys," she began. She glanced at Adrian again. Fuuko looked in Adrian's direction, and noticed the thoughtful way he was gazing at Cat. She raised her brows and whispered her suspicions to Zaria, who glanced at Adrian and nodded in agreement.
"I'm an elf/harpy crossbreed!" Cat burst, and spread her wings wide. Everyone gaped at her in astonishment. "That's wonderful, Cat!" Fuuko finally said. "Where did you go to find all this out?" Cat smiled. "I went to see Bink! You know, the great astrologer!"
Zaria gasped. "Bink? Where does he live?" A baffled look crossed Cat's face. "Why, he lives in the Forest of the Elves, and I can take you there if you wish," she said, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Zaria, realizing how serious she sounded, softened her expression. "Thank you, Cat, I'll take you up on that afterward. For now, we need to go to Icicle."
Cat looked even more befuddled. "Icicle? Why?"
Zaria looked and Fuuko, Breanna, and Zack. She turned back to Cat. "It's a long story," she began. "But I will tell you. You see, by means of astrology and other ways, I have foreseen that a great danger will soon befall our planet, and eight persons, each being able to use an element of Magic, must come together to prevent that. If they cannot forestall it, then they will be the only ones with the strength and courage to combat the opponent. This catastrophe will most likely be the Black Hole project. You and Adrian are both one of the eight warriors, the eight warriors of Mage. You wield the element of Thunder, while Adrian wields the element of Fire. We have located seven of the eight warriors, who are Zeth, Zack, Fuuko, Breanna, Adrian, you and I. There are eight elements, which are Ultima, Apocalypse, Wind, Earth, Fire, Thunder, Ice, and Holy. Cat and Adrian, I'm sure you know what each element is, from what you have studied here at Arrow headquarters. We need to find the warrior who wields the Ice magic element, and only then can we go find out more about what we must do. We can go see Bink then, because I'm sure he will be able to look into the stars much easier than I could, for he is the greatest astrologer of this generation."
Adrian nodded, accepting what he had been told, but Cat began pacing around the room, shaking her head. "Wh-Why? I don't understand," she stammered. "This is so . . . so confounding! Why do I have to be a warrior? What if I don't want to be one? What if I just want to live in peace?" Zaria looked at Cat regretfully.
"I'm sorry, but this is the truth about you, Cat," she said. "Please accept it, because the planet is at stake." She looked down and traipsed out of the room.
"I know that you apprehend enough about magic to understand, Cat," Fuuko said quietly and followed Zaria out of the room. Zack started to follow her, but turned back to Cat and said, "Do what you think is right for the people you treasure. After all, we fight to protect the ones we love." He then pivoted on his heel and departed the room.
"Wait, Zack!" Adrian exclaimed, and rushed out after him. The only ones remaining in the room were Breanna and Cat. Breanna raised her head to look at Cat in the eye. She stood there watching Cat.
"What, aren't you going to say something?" Cat asked, irritated.
Breanna nodded. "Don't be such a wimp."
Breanna then left the room, leaving Cat alone. Cat sighed and slumped down into the chair. She didn't understand why she had so much trouble accepting it, even though she clearly understood why she had to. She recalled Zack's words; we fight to protect the ones we love. Was that true? What if our loved ones didn't want there to be any fighting? What was more important, following their wishes, or protecting them? What if you didn't follow their wishes and they lost their faith in you? What would you have left to fight for then?
The questions crowded in Cat's head, making her feel faint. There were too many choices to make in life, and she was afraid that if she made the wrong choice, she would lose something. But what was she afraid to lose? She didn't even know yet. She let the blood rush back to her head and sat in deep thought. Everyone was depending on her, and if she didn't go with them, she would be betraying the planet. She would go, even though she had a gut feeling that if she embarked on this journey then someone very significant would be lost. But then, if she didn't, then the planet would be forfeited. So she would risk it and go, and she would always take secondary precautions to make sure that everyone was safe. Cat stood up and walked out of the room into the hall, where everyone was stagnant and expectant. Breanna looked bored as usual, leaning against the wall. Zack and Zeth were checking their supply stock. Fuuko was talking to Adrian about their plans, and Zaria was standing there gazing at Cat most intently. "So, have you decided what to do, Cat?" Zaria asked. Cat nodded.
"I will go with you, so let's go!" she exclaimed, her expression turning garrulous. A smile appeared on Zaria's face.
"Yes, let's go to Icicle," she said softly.
They all followed Zack out to the Firebird, momentarily pausing to say goodbye to Vincent, who had smiled and told them to go save the world from the government.
They climbed into the Firebird, one by one, and when Cat got in she looked around in amazement. "Wow, this is fun!" she exclaimed, peering out the window. She turned to Fuuko. "Hey Fuuko, didn't you once pilot a plane like this once?" Fuuko nodded, glancing at Zack.
"Yes, I did," she replied. "And if Zack gets tired, I can take over."
Zack thanked her for the offer and started the engine and lifted off. "Yeah! We're off to Icicle!" The engine of the Firebird roared, and the jet zoomed off into the distance.
As expected, Breanna fell asleep, and this time Fuuko did too. Zaria was analyzing an astrology book, on a page that focused on the messages of stars. Adrian seemed interested, and asked Zaria about it, and she started explaining what she knew in detail. As Zaria went on and on, Zeth turned to Cat.
He cleared his throat. "Why didn't you want to go with us at first?" he asked her candidly. Cat glanced at him apprehensively.
"A perceptive one, aren't you. I don't really know if I should say, because it might create needless alarm," she said, her dusky eyes looking melancholy. Zeth looked at her grimly.
"Just tell me, Cat," he insisted.
Her eyes were downcast. "I know that by going on this mission we're going to save the planet, but I have a feeling that it is very dangerous, and we need to stay to protect people back home. I don't know what to think," she faltered, burying her face in her hands.
Zeth patted her back awkwardly and attempted to console her. "Don't worry, Cat," he said softly. "Even the best of us don't know what to believe sometimes."
Cat's expression changed, and she once more illuminated exuberance. "You know, that remark made me feel a lot better," she said, appearing flustered and fascinated at the same time. Zeth shrugged. Something peculiar was operating here . . . it seemed like something or someone was controlling their emotions, their thoughts . . . but the thought of that was so far off that Zeth merely shrugged it off. Maybe the elf named Bink would know whether his premonitions made any sense or not, so he would keep the thought in the back of his mind.
Cat turned to join Adrian and Zaria's conversation, leaving Zeth with no one to talk to. Zeth shifted in his seat to gaze out the window. They were flying in the clouds, and the puffy white cotton-like substance whipped by them rapidly. Watching the mist gave him a certain sense of comfort, and he felt like the trepidation from his heart was being lifted. He turned back to Zaria and started to say something, but she was too busy talking, so he climbed over Breanna and Fuuko and plopped into the front seat next to Zack.
"Are we nearly there yet?" he asked Zack.
"What the @#$% are you doing here?" Zack swore. "I'm sorry to yell, Zeth, but I need to concentrate on my piloting . . . but we can chat if you want. First, you just put on your seatbelt. What is it you said?"
Zeth cast his gaze downward. "Never mind," he said quietly. Zack turned his head in Zeth direction and spoke dismissively.
"Sounds like something's wrong. Anyway, tell me about it later. We're a minute away from Icicle!"
Zeth was invigorated instantly, and gazed out the front window. The plane had begun to land, and indeed, there was powdery snow all over the place. He pressed his face up to the glass like a small child. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "I've never been up north before! This is amazing!"
Zack grinned. "Yeah it is, isn't it? Here's a good landing spot, just wait a sec, we're almost there."
He veered the plane towards the left, and the turbulence jolted Fuuko and Breanna awake, and made Zaria, Cat and Adrian topple over, because they had senselessly not worn their seatbelts.
"Yaaaakkkhhh!" Zeth heard shouts and screams coming from the back, so he craned his neck to look at them. It was a comical sight; Fuuko and Breanna looking startled out of their sleep, and with Zaria, Cat and Adrian sprawled over the meager space on the floor. Zeth described the sight to Zack and he laughed heartily. Finally the plane was landed, and everyone clambered out.
"It's freezing!" Zaria exclaimed, rubbing her hands together vigorously. Zeth walked over and put his hand on her shoulder, and Zaria yelped, for the metal armor he was wearing on his wrist made it even colder. Cat jumped up and down.
"Yeah! I've been up north before, but not where it was this cold! I should've brought a jacket or something!" She started to hop around for warmth.
"You mean a straitjacket," Breanna muttered. She seemed to be the only person who was unaffected by the frigidity. She stood there looking bored, while all the others were stomping around, trying to keep warm. "Look, why don't we just go into Icicle and find a tavern or something?" she said in an exasperated tone. They all nodded and followed Zack as he led the way to Icicle. He had parked the jet a few meters right in front of Icicle, so it wasn't a tedious walk. Finally they reached Icicle Inn, and all rushed inside, and went straight towards the fireplace in the lobby for warmth. Zeth walked over to the innkeeper.
"Will ya all be stayin' here at Icicle Inn tonight?" the innkeeper inquired. Zeth shivered. In here it was warmer, but it was still cold.
"Yes," he replied. "By the way, is there a shop or anything around here where we can buy some winter apparel? It's so chilly here!" The innkeeper laughed cordially.
"Yeah there is, right across yonder street, but if yer not staying in the northern part of the ole continent fer long, ya don't need to buy any ole winter apparatus, 'cause ya git useta it anyway, and ya don't need to waste any extra money. All of us livin' 'ere, we're from a sunnier climes, yet we've all adjusted pretty nicely, if ah do say so mahself."
Zeth tried to laugh, his teeth chattering. "I think we need some more clothing, sir," he said, shivering. "We're looking for someone, and we might spend a lot of time here. I don't think we'll be able to stand the cold that long."
The innkeeper laughed again. "All right. So ya kin go 'an do whatever ole business ya have ta do 'ere in Icicle, and I'll git yer room set up waitin' fer ya when ya come back. Jus' wonderin', who is it yer lookin' fer?"
Zeth shifted on his feet uncomfortably. "Um, do you know of anyone who can use Ice magic?" he asked. The innkeeper gave him a nonplussed glance.
"No, but why don't ya ask the people around this town? Maybe they know. But if yer tryin' to look fer Ice magic around 'ere . . . it would be pretty darn hard to spot unless ya got some other source ya kin check on . . . ah've heard of this device that someone in Icicle has . . . it's a Magic Identifier . . . but ah don't know who has it."
Zeth lifted his eyebrows. "Thanks!" he exclaimed. "That's a useful piece of information. Thanks for telling me! See you later."
He rushed over to his comrades and told them what he had heard. Zaria nodded, smiling.
"That would be a good thing to have with us! But first, LET'S GET SOMETHING WARM TO WEAR! WE'RE FREEZING!" she shrieked. Cat nodded in agreement, and hugged herself tightly.
"S-s-s-so cold," she whimpered, gazing soulfully at Zeth. Zeth sighed in exasperation.
"All right, all right," he said. "Let's go to the store across the street." They all trooped out of the inn and quickly went across the street and entered the shop.
"We're here," Zaria said, shivering from the cold.
They walked around and bought their winter supplies, and even got hiking gear, in case they might ever have to go up a mountain in their search. After they donned their extra layers of warmth they left the store and walked out in the street. "Where do we go now?" Breanna asked blandly. Zeth looked around.
"Let's ask people about the Magic Identifier." He stopped the first woman who walked by and queried her about the subject. Luckily, she was kind.
"Ah've heard of it," she said thoughtfully. "Ya ought to go ask that Zitan character, he knows a lot 'bout magic," she said.
"Zitan?" Zeth asked. "Where does he live?"
"At the edge of the village," she replied. "In the large cabin. He lives alone there, and he seems to have many texts 'bout the subject ya want ta find out more about." Zeth thanked her and proceeded to the cabin she had directed. When they reached the front door, Zeth turned around to everyone.
"I think that only a few of us should go in, or we'll overwhelm the guy," he said. "Zaria. You come with me. Zack, you too." They nodded. Fuuko turned to Breanna, Adrian and Cat.
"Let's go buy some elixirs," she said. "We might need them if we pass out from the cold waiting out here. "
Then Fuuko, Breanna, Adrian and Cat walked away. Cat turned back to them. "Good luck, Zaria!" she said cheerfully. "See you in half an hour!" She then pivoted and ran to rejoin Adrian, Fuuko and Breanna. Zaria smiled to herself at how Cat's optimism was so contagious, and followed Zeth to Zitan's front porch. Zeth used the brass knocker, which was in the shape of a lion to knock on the door. Moments later, a statuesque young man who looked familiar to Zeth opened the door.
"Hello," the man said, looking at each of them, his gaze pausing on Zaria.
"Hello," Zeth replied. "Are you Zitan?" The man nodded. Zeth furrowed his brow. He had expected this Zitan to be a lot older but then again Zitan might have the very rare rejuvenating magic that restored one's youth. "I'm Zeth, and this is Zaria and this is Zack," he said, gesturing towards his friends. "We have come to discuss magic."
"Come on in," Zitan said, and opened the door and stepped aside. As they walked into his log cabin one by one, Zitan's gaze followed Zaria. Zeth saw this but didn't say anything. "Sit down there," Zitan instructed, pointing to the settee. They all sat down. "What do ya want to discuss about magic?" Zitan asked. "Have ya come to purchase some magic spells? Or are ya searching for a magic item? Or do ya simply want to know more about the subject?"
Zeth tilted his head. "Well, I suppose that we have come to do all of the above," he replied. "Do you, by any chance, know what the Magic Identifier is?" Zitan leaned over.
"What did ya say?"
"The Magic Identifier," Zeth repeated clearly. Zitan laughed mirthfully. "Ya want that ole thing? The only thing that device is good fer is to identify magic spells, nothin' else!" he exclaimed.
"It.doesn't tell you where magic is operating?" Zeth asked. Zitan shook his head resolutely.
"Only as much as yer own eyes kin see! That thing is so useless ah threw it away ages ago!"
Zeth nodded his head slowly. "I see. Well, let us tell you our story, and please tell us if you know anything about the subject."
He began to talk about how Zaria could read the messages of the stars, and how they had foreseen that the Black Hole project would be dangerous, and so and so on. Zitan stopped him by holding up his hands. "Tell me no more, ah know what the stars say," he said briskly. He stood up and walked over to a desk and picked up and small glassy yellow orb. As soon as he touched it, there was a bright tawny light illuminating from it. He brought it over to the group. "This here's a Star orb," he said. "Ah kin use it to read stars, or to summon the knowledge of stars, or even absorb the power of them. It ain't possible fer me to absorb the power, fer ah would die 'cause the magnitude of it is too great. Ah've read all the outcries for help that the stars have released, so ah know the danger that has befallen this planet, and ah know about the eight warriors of Mage."
Zaria stared at the orb, stared at the saffron aura illuminating from it. She reached out to touch it and the yellow light brightened, and became so brilliant that it was blinding. She instantly removed her hand from the orb, and the light slowly dimmed to its former radiance. "What's going on?" she demanded at Zitan. Zitan peered at her closely.
"Yer not a Locke, are ya?" he asked her.
She was bewildered. "How did you know that?"
He smiled. "Yer Zaria Locke, aren't ya?" he said. "Zaria! I'm yer brother, Zitan! Don't ya remember me?" Zaria furrowed her brow.
"Zitan . . ." she said thoughtfully. "Oh yes! Zitan! You were born a year after me . . . right?" she exclaimed.
"Yeah," Zitan said after a moment's hesitation. "Even though ya were summoned away from home at the age of eight, Ma and Pa received news of ya and kept yer picture before yer mysterious disappearance. Ya look exactly the same, ya know . . . do ya have rejuvenatin' magic or somethin'?"
Zaria shook her head. "I just used the family youth elixir," she replied. "You've been using the rejuvenating spell, I presume? Or else, you should be in your late seventies." Zitan nodded.
"It's great to see ya, Zaria," he said.
"Wait," Zaria said, her brows furrowed. "What's with the accent? I don't really remember you having that accent before, even though it was more than half a century ago that I saw you last."
Zitan looked sheepish. "Yeah well, after livin' with these people fer a while, ah sort of adapted their accent, even though it ain't as heavy. Do ya mind? Ah think ah kin still talk like ah used to, if ya want me to."
"No need, no need," Zaria said quickly.
Zeth looked at them in disbelief. No wonder Zitan had looked so familiar. He looked like Zaria! So alike that they could've been twins! They had the same dark brown hair, similar green eyes. While Zaria's eyes were a bright, phosphorescent emerald color, Zitan's looked more like jade.
"So how did you end up in Icicle, if you were born in Mydele?" Zack asked Zitan.
"During the war, our family managed to escape to Icicle, which is neutral territory," Zitan replied.
"Oh," Zack said, nodding.
"It's great to see you, Zitan," Zaria said happily. "Finally, to find another member of the Locke family! Who would've known that my very own little brother would be so impressive?" Zitan laughed somewhat uncomfortably, but was cut off by knocking at the door.
Zitan got up and answered the door, and stepped aside as Cat, Adrian, Breanna and Fuuko walked in. "We're friends of Zeth," Cat informed him, and came in and sat down, paying no heed to the fact that she had not yet been invited in. "So, any progress?"
"Zitan is my brother!" Zaria burst, grinning happily.
"Cool!" exclaimed Cat. "But why are you so young?"
Zitan smiled. "Ah moved to Icicle durin' the war, and ah've been using rejuvenatin' magic to keep mahself this age," he replied. "And now, Zaria, ah'll explain to ya why the Star magic orb reacted that way to ya. It has somethin' to do with our family line. Anyone in the Locke clan is very adept with anything having to do with magic, and magic orbs tend to be more powerful when used by anyone in the Locke family. But that catch is that Locke family members kin use no destructive magic, it jus' won't work. Not even a simple fire spell. We kin only use constructive magic, except if ya are blessed with the ability of bein' a specific magic caster. But, any one of us kin make any magic orb, even a destructive one, powerful in our presence, and others who have the power to use that type of magic kin use it while it is very powerful, if they have the ability to control that amount of power."
Zaria nodded slowly. "I understand what you mean, it's a perfect explanation for the way I use magic, but why is it so? What is it about the Locke family?"
Zitan pursed his lips. "Well, it's a long story, but if ya all are willing to listen, then ah'll tell ya. It's basically a legend, but it's the only explanation of the mystery of the Locke family."
"I'd like to hear it," said Fuuko.
"Whatever is fine with me," Breanna said.
Zeth looked out the window. "It'll be dark soon, and I think we need to hurry back to the inn before it gets dark," he said.
"Don't worry 'bout that," Zitan said. "Ya kin easily find the way back to Icicle Inn, ah'll take ya if ya want. And don't bother spending money on extra rooms, 'cause the three guys can stay 'ere. Mah bed is big enough for five people. Mah bed is the good ole floor, covered with blankets."
Zeth relaxed and thanked him.
"So do ya want to hear the story?" Zitan asked.
"Fine with me, if it's fine with Zaria," Zeth replied.
"I'm the one who wanted to hear it in the first place!" Zaria exclaimed.
"I wanna hear it too!" Cat cried eagerly. Zack nodded in agreement.
"Start telling it already, the suspense is killing me!" Adrian exclaimed. Zitan laughed.
"All right, all right," he chuckled. Then he began telling the Legend of the Locke Family.
"It all started two hundred years ago when a young sorceress by the name of Louvia came to the ancient city of Mage, but back then it wasn't so ancient. She was said to be a princess of the moon sent down to the planet to destroy all living creatures and start anew with a new planet. Naturally, when Sorceress Louvia arrived in Mage everyone there was terrified, for rumors had spread fast and Louvia had already performed many outstanding acts of magic. Magic was a very common thing back then, and everyone could use one of the elements of magic. Not like now, where we have to have magic tools and spells. Louvia had never destroyed anything, but she had banished some evil creatures to the moon, where they are trapped in their prison inside the moon, where they'll never git out of, because there is a barrier similar to the one that ya'll seal on the Black Hole. People did not care whether the creatures she had banished were evil, but they only acknowledged the fact that she had banished creatures to the moon, so they feared her. She had been traveling around the continent, but no one would accept her, they only shunned her even though she was fair of face, pure of heart, and a good warrior at that. Once the most powerful magicians in Mage heard that Sorceress Louvia had arrived, they formed a conspiracy in order to destroy her, and they almost succeeded. Luckily, Louvia was shielded by the magic of the moon, so no magic could harm her. Yet even though she was protected and powerful, she was lonely and longed for companionship, any companionship.
"One of the sons of the magicians in the conspiracy, who was a magician as well, was forced to join their cause to destroy Louvia. His name was Claude Locke. He could use the magic element of Ultimate Destruction, and could annihilate anything easily. Ultima has always been a rare element, and not many people have the power to control it. The magicians wanted Claude to deceive Louvia, to trick her into trusting him so that they could strike at her physically and emotionally. Claude was a young man with a virtuous heart, so he didn't want to perform such a conniving act, but his father forced him to. He was instructed to go and find Sorceress Louvia and make her trust him.
"Excuse me, miss, are you all right?" Claude inquired. The young woman in front of him looked up. She had the blackest hair that he had ever seen, and her aquamarine eyes burnished like the moonlight. Those lovely aqua eyes were shining with unshed tears.
"Sir, why doth thou speak to one such as I?" she asked humbly, her tears stuck in her throat. Indeed, why did this virile, aristocratic young man speak to her? He was quite comely with his russet-colored hair, his emerald green eyes. They were so mesmerizing, yet they looked benign and merciful.
"Are you, perchance, Sorceress Louvia?" he asked her. She nodded timorously.
"Please, do not hurt me," she begged, lowering her head. Her tears fell out of her eyes and dropped onto the ground.
"I won't hurt you," Claude assured her, and helped her up. "Miss Louvia, why are you all alone during nighttime like this? Do you not know that it is perilous to be out here alone at a time such as this?" Louvia hesitantly looked at Claude's face. "I have nowhere to go, sir," she whispered.
"Don't call me sir," Claude said mildly. "My name is Claude Locke. Miss Louvia, let me escort you to my home."
Louvia's eyes grew huge and she shrunk back in fear. "Oh, please sir, anything but that!"
Claude laughed. "Louvia, I have no intention of harming you in any way nor doing anything against your will," he assured her. "I only wish to escort you to my home where you may spend the night, instead of foraging out here in the cold. There are plenty of spare rooms where I live."
Louvia's gaze grew less apprehensive, and she tentatively took Claude's outstretched hand.
"That was the beginning of some kind of a friendship between them, and Claude did begin to win Louvia's trust. The trouble was that he started to fall in love with the formidable sorceress, for he no longer saw her as a threat, but saw her as a wonderful person with a benevolent heart. He could not bring himself to ever harm her. One day he was assigned to take her into the Forest of the Elves into a secluded spot and exterminate her there. He did take her to the forest, but when he had the opportunity to strike, he couldn't bring himself to do so because he treasured her. He told her of the insidious plot that he had been part of, and he told her to leave the continent and start anew, but she refused to leave him, for she cared for him too. They ran away together to Mydele, and started their family. One day, the Goddess of the Moon, Selene, came down to see Louvia, and told Louvia the hurtful truth of what she had to do. Louvia would have to leave her mortal existence, leave her family in perpetuity. She had to go back to the moon to take her place as Eternal Princess of the Moon. She had no choice but to go, but when she was immortal, she would be able to have all the powers of a god. She reluctantly abandoned mortality, leaving only a letter to her beloved, Claude, which has been passed down each generation. He was deeply sorrowed and never remarried, and took care of their children who all had lustrous dark brown hair and sparkling emerald eyes verging on aquamarine. Once his children were grown and married, he slowly declined from loneliness. Louvia saw this from her place as Princess of the Moon, and asked Selene for one boon, to have Claude be at her side as her consort. Selene granted her wish, and Claude was rejuvenated and brought to the moon for a life of divinity. He was now the Consort Prince of the Moon, and he had godly powers as well. Louvia and Claude put together their Holy and Ultima magic, combined it with their godly powers, and created a powerful blessing for their children. Since they were both magicians, they decided to lay a blessing on all Locke children or any descendants of the Locke clan. Therefore anyone with Locke blood in them has the special abilities with magic, and it is always associated with Holy or Ultima. Some have stronger magic compatibility than others do, like Zaria is better with magic elements than I am. I can more readily use spells, and can use magic orbs, but not up to their full potential. That is the Legend of the Locke Family."
"Wow," said Cat, mesmerized. "That's pretty damn interesting family history!"
Zack whistled. "I'll say," he agreed. "That explains a lot about Zaria."
Breanna had tears streaming down her cheeks. "That was the most romantic story I have ever heard," she blubbered as Adrian handed her his handkerchief that she promptly blew her nose on while others looked on in amusement. "It's so sweet!" she exclaimed through her tears.
"Dark brown hair, emerald eyes," Fuuko wondered aloud. "Sounds a lot like Zaria, and Zitan as well."
Zeth nodded in agreement. "It's dark," he said. "We've learned a lot about Locke history today! I think we should take the girls to the inn now," he told Zack and Adrian. They nodded.
"By the way, I do have a copy of the letter that Louvia wrote to Claude when she left," Zitan blurted.
"Really?" Zaria asked, excited. "Can I see it?"
Zitan nodded and retrieved a piece of paper. "Here. It's been passed down for centuries."
"Dear Claude," Zaria read aloud, "I guess you know that by now I have left. There's so much to explain, so much to say. I'm sorry I didn't tell you all of it before. I'm the Eternal Princess of the Moon, Claude. And I did something that I wasn't supposed to do. I married you. I married a mortal who could influence me to do anything. It's true, Claude. I would do anything for you, but I can no longer neglect my duty. I'll never forget you. Even now, as I write, I know that I will always be thinking of you. You gave me a gift, you were my strength when I was weak, and I am eternally grateful for what you have given me. I love our children, I love our home, and I love you. I will never forget you. Till the day my life is through, this I promise you. I will always be a Locke. I will always be your Louvia Locke. Love, Louvia." Zaria looked up with tears in her eyes.
"Till the day my life is through? Isn't she immortal?" asked Zack, puzzled.
"Yes," said Zaria, her voice sounding tremulous. "She means forever, because she'll never die." She looked up, smiling. "But they eventually did get to be together again . . . so . . ." Cat reached over and put her hand on Zaria's shoulder. A moment of silence passed.
"I'll be waiting here for you guys," Zitan interjected. "See you in fifteen minutes."
"Wait one moment," Fuuko said suspiciously. "Zitan, your hillbilly accent is gone! Ya ain't talkin' like this anymore, ya ole bean!"
Zitan looked flabbergasted. "So it is," he said. "I guess my true self has been hiding in me all this time . . . and when I finally get to speak with people who don't have a hillbilly accent then my original mode of speech has resurfaced." He smiled. "I guess I'll be talking normally from now on, then. See ya all in fifteen minutes, so git!"
The seven warriors of Mage stood up and left the cabin. They walked together bunched up in their group. Breanna continued to blubber and Zack was holding on to her to keep her from falling, while Fuuko and Adrian were teasing her. Cat was sitting on Zack's shoulders and screaming with delight.
Zaria pulled Zeth aside and they walked together a little apart from the group. She blew out a breath of air, which turned into a little cloud of mist. "Cold, isn't it?" she said, putting her hand on Zeth's.
"That was an . . . interesting story to know, but I wonder if it has brought us any closer to finding the eighth warrior of Mage," Zeth wondered aloud, not intending to let his thought slip. Zaria looked up at him.
"So you think that was a waste of time."
Zeth winced at the hint of bitterness in her voice. "No, Zaria, that's not what I meant. I meant-"
"Save it," Zaria snapped contentiously and let go of his hand. "If you didn't want to hear it, why didn't you say so? You know, if things that are meaningful to me aren't substantial to you then maybe we shouldn't be involved in the same things. So maybe all your words to me were lies after all. You never listen to me, that's why you fell into that warp, which was why I had to be alone for sixty years, NEVER BREAKING MY VOWS TO YOU!" she shouted, infuriated.
"Zaria, how can you say that?" Zeth asked her, the pain clear in his voice. "You know how much I care about you."
"Maybe I don't," Zaria said in a clipped tone, and strutted away from him. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him.
"Zaria, listen to me!" he said forcefully. She shook herself out of his grasp.
"No, Zeth! How about not having something your way for once! How about thinking for one second about my pain, how much I cared about you even though I thought you were lost forever?" Tears spilled out of her eyes. She turned away from him. "Just get away from me," she whispered dully, and walked away quickly, leaving Zeth standing there.
"Zaria!" Cat called after her and ran to catch up. Zeth could see Zaria turning to Cat, the tears glistening in her eyes. He didn't know what to do, so just stood there until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see Zack standing there, a concerned look on his face.
"You all right?" he asked. Zeth shook his head.
"I made Zaria mad at me," he sighed. "It's because she's five years younger," he said, shrugging. "Younger girls are always more temperamental."
"Oh," Zack said deliberately, not reminding Zeth of the fact that she had actually lived a lot longer than him. "Let's go back to Zitan's house now then. I'm sure the girls can make it back to the inn safely." Zeth nodded, his eyes downcast. His usual self-assured demeanor had evaporated, and he trudged back towards Zitan's house. "Adrian, let's go," Zack called. Adrian looked puzzled, but merely shrugged and flew towards Zack.
"Is there something wrong?" he inquired. Zack nodded towards Zeth. "Oh," Adrian said. "Zaria, right?" Zack nodded. "Oh," Adrian said again. "Well, this is gonna be our guy's night, right? So we figure out what to do tonight and tomorrow it will be all right!" he said optimistically, but Zeth merely nodded slightly, still looking dispirited.
They had reached the front door of Zitan's house, when Zack turned around and exclaimed, "I have a great idea! Let's go to a discotheque tonight and have fun! Welcome to the cabaret! It's time for a holiday! Life is a cabaret, so come to the cabaret! I'm leaving this ole town called Chelsea; I'm going like Elsie! And I love the cabaret!" he sang, missing most of the words to the song "Cabaret".
"I won't have any fun without Zaria," Zeth said glumly, looking at the bright starry sky. He shivered, thinking of how cold the world seemed.
"You will, I'll make sure of that," Zack pledged, a naughty grin on his face.
"Let's see if Zitan wants to go too," Adrian decided, and knocked on the door. A few moments later, Zitan appeared without opening the door. He just seemed to form out of mist.
"How do you do that?" Adrian asked, wide-eyed. Zitan laughed. "I used some Teleport magic to teleport me out here."
"Awesome!" Zack exclaimed. "Hey Zitan, how about we guys go to the nightclub and have a guy's night out?" he proposed.
Zitan grinned mischievously. "That's a good idea," he said. "And, I know the perfect place to go." He turned to Zeth and saw his sad expression. "Why the long face?" he said. "What happened? Had a fight with your girlfriend or what?"
Zeth neither nodded nor shook his head, but just tilted his head and made a small sound in his throat. "Zaria's mad at me," he croaked. "Man, she just gets angry so easily! I mean, I said one thing and she took it in the worst way possible and just blew up at me!" he simpered uncharacteristically. "I'm telling you, it's all about the age difference," he insisted.
"You sound like a baby, and that excuse is getting old," Zack teased.
"I see," Zitan said. "Well, maybe tomorrow I can go to talk to Zaria for you." Zeth looked up at him gratefully.
"Will you, really?" he asked.
Zitan nodded. "But for now, follow me!"
"Wait, how'd you figure out that Zaria and me are.?"
* * *
"I just can't believe him!" Zaria fumed, stomping on the floor. "The nerve!"
"Don't torment yourself too much about it, Zaria," Cat said softly in a soothing voice.
"Yeah, it jus' ain't worth it, so ya better cheer yerself up," Fuuko agreed, still trying to talk with a hill folk accent.
"You might have misunderstood something he said," Breanna finally offered. "Zeth doesn't look like the type of guy that would say something insensitive to you."
"Ah agree, he cares 'bout ya too much to do a dim-witted thing like that," Fuuko chimed in.
Zaria flopped down on the bed. "Maybe I did," she admitted. "I don't know, but for some reason, my nerves were on the edge. I was like a bomb ready to explode, and then he . . . and then . . ." she trailed off.
"What's wrong, Zaria?" Cat asked. Zaria shook her head.
"I don't know, but I just have this feeling . . . maybe we don't want to find the Ice warrior. I don't know why," she said, burying her face in her hands.
"Maybe you should go consult the stars," Breanna suggested. "Hey, doesn't Zitan have a Star magic orb?"
Zaria nodded through her tears of frustration. "Then let's go to Zitan's house!" Cat exclaimed. "And, you can go see Zeth and reconcile!"
Fuuko dragged Zaria off the bed. "Let's git, girl," she said. The four girls trooped out of the inn and walked across the village to Zitan's house.
They stood in front of the front door. "Go ahead," Breanna instructed Zaria, nodding towards the door. Zaria took a deep breath and stepped up and knocked on the door. She waited, and no one came. Zaria turned back to Breanna and gave her a puzzled look, and then turned back and knocked again. They waited some more, yet no one came to the door.
"I . . . don't think they're home," Cat said guardedly.
"Where could they be?" Zaria wondered aloud.
Breanna looked around, and saw bright lights coming from another structure on the other side of the road. "Wanna check there?" she asked pointedly, and Fuuko nodded.
They crossed the road over to the building. In front of the door was a sign that said "Cold Cabaret".
The girls looked at each other, each with the same thought on her mind. They nodded at each other and entered the club. Inside it was very crowded and the brightly colored lights and deafeningly loud music made Zaria's head spin. She felt like everything was whirling around her, and she tilted backward, where Cat caught her with great effort. "Whoa, Zaria, you're heavy!" Cat teased, but Zaria felt too sick to care. She crumpled down onto her knees, her world still in a blur. She moaned. As she caught a whiff of the alcoholic stench, a wave of nausea swept over her.
"Get her out of here before she gets even more sick," Breanna instructed Cat. Breanna reached down and helped Zaria up. "Wait outside, okay? When you feel better you can come in." Zaria drowsily nodded, and leaned on Cat's shoulder, hobbling outside.
It was cold outside, and the wind was howling, making Zaria feel lonely and sad as well as nauseous. Zaria sat down on the cold, hard sidewalk. Cat stood facing to the wind, hugging herself and shivering. "It's so cold out here," she said, pointing out the obvious. She glanced at Zaria out of the corner of her eye. "You must have disco-phobia or something," Cat said. "Not like I can stand those places for long."
"I guess so," Zaria replied, her teeth chattering. She brought out some elixir from her coat pocket and brought the fluid to her lips and let some liquid slip down her throat. As it was absorbed into her bloodstream, she began to feel much better. She stood up and walked over to Cat. "Let's go in now," she said, pulling Cat's arm.
Cat looked at her worriedly. "Are you sure, Zaria?" Cat asked, sounding concerned.
Zaria nodded and held up her elixir. "I'll just keep on taking sips of this," Zaria informed her. She tugged Cat's arm and they reentered the disco hall.
When they went in they saw Breanna and Fuuko standing at the bar, yelling at Zack and Zeth. Adrian and Zitan had sneaked onto the dance floor, and were trying to weave their way out of the crowd. Zaria took another sip of her elixir and took a deep breath. Cat turned to Zaria. "Let's get Zitan and Adrian," Cat said, a glint in her eye. Zaria gave her a strained smile and followed Cat, squeezing through the dancing people. Finally they reached Adrian and Zitan.
"Yo! You there!" Cat shouted. "Don't try to hide from me!" Adrian and Zitan spotted Cat and gave up on trying to escape. They wove their way over to Cat and Zaria.
"Explain yourself!" Cat demanded. "What?" Adrian said. "I can't hear you!" Cat gave an exasperated sigh and dragged Adrian and Zitan out of the disco. She turned back to Zaria. "Go see Fuuko!" she shouted, her yells blocking the deafening noise. Zaria nodded and sipped her elixir. She turned on her heel and head towards Fuuko, who looked very angry. Fuuko spotted Zaria coming over and gave Zeth a threatening look.
"To think that she was coming over to reconcile, and here you are getting drunk and being unfaithful to her. What despicable behavior," she spat.
"But I wasn't being unfaithful to Zaria!" Zeth protested. "I would never do such a thing! None of this is my fault!"
"Shut up," Breanna hissed as Zaria approached the four of them.
"Why did you come here, Zeth?" she asked him softly, her eyes full of hurt. "I didn't know that you were this type of person," she concluded, and turned away. Zack grabbed her shoulder, ignoring Fuuko's threatening glare.
"Listen to me, Zaria," Zack demanded. "Zeth didn't want to come, but we made him come. He didn't drink any booze, nor did he dance with anyone, not even me! Zeth only cares about you! Just look at the poor guy! He's been moping about ever since you got mad at him. Just forgive him, Zaria. You misunderstood what he said."
Zaria's gaze melted into tears. "I'll see you all tomorrow," she said, turning away. She didn't know what to think. She had gotten angry with him for such a petty reason, and now she felt stupid and cheap. In the morning she would deal with this, but now she felt too sick and weak to handle it. Her world began to blur again, and she dropped the bottle of elixir, the glass shattering. The music continued to blare, making her nauseous again. She felt a beeping sound resonating in her ears, and a bright white light seemed to shine from above, blinding her. The light seemed to seep into her head. It was agonizing, and she cried out and crumpled down to the floor, losing consciousness.
"Zaria!" Zeth called, running after her, pushing his way through the crowd. He came upon Zaria, lying unconscious on the floor. There were shards of glass surrounding her, and some of them had left blood-red cuts on her fair skin. The cuts were not that severe, so why she had blacked out was a mystery. Yet Zeth did not care, all he cared about was that his precious Zaria was lying on the floor, hurt. "Zaria!" he cried, and rushed over to her and held her in his arms, holding her. Her eyes remained shut, but at least she was breathing. "Zaria, I'll never hurt you again," he whispered, tears leaking out of his eyes. Zack came up behind him.
"Calm down, she isn't dead or anything," Zack said, sounding relieved.
Fuuko and Breanna rushed to Zaria's side. "Get her to a doctor!" Fuuko cried, and instructed Zeth to pick her up. He did so, and rushed her out and into the nearest doctor's clinic. Breanna went to get Cat, Adrian, and Zitan.
"I'm sorry, Zaria," Zeth whispered in Zaria's ear as he ran. Zack ran ahead of him and told the doctor what condition Zaria was in, and the doctor nodded and instructed Zeth to put her down on the bed.
"Ya kin wait outside," the doctor instructed Zeth, and he went to the waiting room to join the others. He sat down and leaned over and buried his face in his hands.
Zack patted his back. "She'll be all right," he soothed. Cat shook her head repeatedly.
"It's all my fault," she moaned. "I should have been there to take care of her!"
Breanna turned to all the guys. "We're not going to yell at you anymore, but don't ever do that again," she threatened. They guys nodded obediently, except for Zeth. He was too dejected to care. They all sat there waiting. They waited for fifteen minutes, and then the doctor came back out.
"Ah've dressed her wounds," the doctor told them, "but ah still don't know why she has become unconscious. Ah know it ain't a concussion, but ah think it might have to do with something emotional or mental. It's like some force went into her brain and made her systems shut down. Ah don't know what it is, but it might be some sort of witchery or magic."
Zeth looked up. "Can you help her?" he asked weakly. The doctor shook his head sadly.
"Ah've done what ah kin, but this seems to be beyond medical abilities."
Zeth's face crumpled and he once more sank into his state of depression.
"What can we do?" Zack asked the doctor. The doctor stood in deep thought.
"Ya could wait, and see what happens, or ya could go see someone who knows a lot about magic and mystical forces, and bring that person to examine the girl," the doctor informed him. Zack nodded.
"Ya kids shouldn't be gittin' inta stuff like this at such a young age," the doctor lectured. Are any of ya over eighteen yet? This is serious business, ya know. Ah ain't goin' to ask for any records or anythin' but ah'm jus' tellin' ya ta be careful."
"Yes, I'm nineteen, and this guy here is twenty-three," Fuuko said softly, referring to Zeth.
Cat started crying openly, and Fuuko leaned over to console her. Breanna looked expressionless as usual, yet this time her blank stare looked sorrowful instead of indifferent. Zitan looked pained and Adrian looked apologetic.
Will I ever get her back? Zeth thought to himself. He looked up abruptly. "I will do anything to get Zaria well again," he declared. "Let's go see Bink." He stood up. "I'm leaving for the Forest of the Elves now."
"But Zeth," Zack interrupted, "it's already pretty late. We'll all go together tomorrow."
Zeth shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "I'm going now," he repeated. "I'm going to see Bink. He's the one who can save Zaria."
Zack shook his head. "Come on, man, wait one night," he whined. Zeth walked to the door and turned back to look at him.
"I'm going to the Forest of the Elves now. If you're going tomorrow, see you then. Bye." He turned to leave.
"Wait!" Cat exclaimed, brushing the last of her tears away. She grabbed Adrian's hand and dragged him over to Zeth. "We're going with you! How else are you going to find Bink's tree?" Adrian looked mystified, but just went along. A tiny hint of a smile curved the edges of Zeth's lips upwards.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "Take care of Zaria for me, Zack." Zack nodded and then Zeth, Cat and Adrian left.
I hope you're really getting more and more into this story.the story is so complex and complicated I had trouble remembering details.you're only on the suburbs of that complication, so read on! And please review and tell me when you want me to update!