Posted May 15, 2022.
CHAPTER 34: THE ISLAND OF AVALON
On the Matter of the Fifth Chakra
The voice chakra is located in the throat. It represents truth and is blocked by lies. Its representative gemstone is the sapphire.
In order to unblock this chakra, a fairy must discover the lies she or he believes in, and reject them completely.
– From the Book of Fay
Camelot, United Kingdom
Morgana stared at the world ahead of her, at the beautiful lake and castle that stretched beyond. The island was covered in greenery, and she could make out all of the beauty that surrounded it. She took in a breath, staring around.
She couldn't forget Roxanne's troubling words, what she'd said to her just after opening her heart chakra. "What about my father? He's part of humanity, too! If you hurt humanity, you'll have to go after him! How can you be so cruel and heartless? Don't you… love him?"
Morgana couldn't deny how much those words stung. She did love Roxy's father… or rather, she had, once upon a time ago.
She sighed, remembering how she'd met with him on the first day she'd landed on Earth, sixteen years before. After finally awakening from stasis and breaking out of the prison of Paradise, she'd landed in Gardenia, Italy, disguising herself as a human. She'd stared around in disbelief at all of the roads and cars, wondering what in the world was going on. How long had it been since she'd come out of stasis? She'd swallowed, staring around.
The first thing she'd come across was the Frutti Music Bar. It was colorful and vibrant, filled with life. She'd found a table to herself, sitting down and staring around.
The ambience had been warm and comfortable. Though it was winter, the winery was booked, and at least thirty people were seated indoors, chatting as they drank wine and spirits, or, in the younger crowd's case, coffee or Coke. She glanced at the table next to her for a moment, and then froze.
A man with a long beard and white robes was attracting quite a few strange looks from the crowd. He was wearing a pointed white hat. Next to him was an ebony-skinned woman with long black hair and almost-black eyes. She froze, her eyes widening in terror.
It was none other than Merlin.
Morgana stood up so fast that she nearly spilled coffee on herself. She made to run, but she was too slow. Merlin's eyes gazed over her, and then he stopped laughing.
"Would you excuse us for a minute?" he asked the woman next to him. Then he stood up, walking straight towards Morgana. The two stared at each other; then, Merlin smirked.
"Don't think this is over," he whispered. "I will lock you up in Paradise again. That is a promise."
"How did you get out?" Morgana stammered.
"I don't know. How did you?" Merlin snarled. "You stupid, foolish fairy. Just wait until you face my" –
"Is there something going on here?"
Morgana whirled around. A brown-haired man with white skin was holding a tray of drinks, frowning at them. "Is this man bothering you, ma'am?"
Only then did Morgana realize that her shoulders were slouched and her eyes were wide with fear – very unusual for her. She rose herself to her fullest height, meeting the brown-skinned man with her eyes.
"No," she said. "There's nothing going on." Merlin glared at her.
"I'll be off," he said, taking his girlfriend by the arm. The two of them left, leaving Morgana and the strange man together.
"Thanks for helping me," Morgana said weakly. The man grinned.
"No problem," he said, extending his arm. "Klaus O'Sullivan, owner of the Frutti Music Bar. What is your name?"
"Morgana," she answered, staring blankly at his arm. What am I supposed to do? Klaus laughed.
"You're supposed to shake it," he said. Morgana extended her arm, shaking his hand. Klaus smiled.
"I'm flattered that a beautiful young woman like you chose my bar," he said. "What can I do for you?"
Morgana smiled at him, butterflies rising in her throat. "I don't know – what do you want to do?"
"First night in town, huh?" Klaus grinned. "How about I treat you to a movie and popcorn sometime?"
Movie? Popcorn? What were these strange words? Morgana couldn't understand what they were. Nonetheless, she nodded her head.
"Cool," Klaus smiled. "Just hang out here and I'll drive you at six. I'll leave the store to my manager."
"Okay," Morgana answered shakily, sitting down. Heat rose up in her cheeks as she thought of him, her entire body shaking – but in a good way. She sat down, looking forward to the time when she and Klaus would reconvene.
And now Morgana was standing at the shores of the lake. Or rather, Sibylla's Mirror, as it was better-known. She sighed, gazing across the castle that extended beyond the lake.
That castle had once been home to her half-brother, King Arthur of Camelot. Frequently making excursions into Paradise to gain his older sister's advice, the two of them had been the closest of friends. He'd also sought out the advice of Faerie Lady Sibylla, who resided on the island at the center of Sibylla's Mirror, Avalon. Otherwise known as the Lady of the Lake, she'd taught Arthur the ways of a warrior of justice. Unfortunately, Arthur had also listened to Merlin, which had ultimately been his downfall.
Suddenly, the kind and just Arthur had turned into a cruel, vengeful man, seeking to conquer the human world and destroy the human one. Merlin had made him constantly fearful that other people were out to get him, and he'd used that paranoia as an excuse to commit atrocious crimes. He'd met his end against the younger Mordred, a king of a different state, after Merlin had duped Arthur into fighting him.
Morgana had grieved the loss, but she'd learned not to dwell on it. Grief was just another part of life – she would have to challenge it, in order to remain strong. She'd learned to store her pain away in that tiny, dark spot inside of her heart, and instead focus on what was best for her queendom. Even if it meant some sacrifices along the way, she was willing to do whatever it took to keep her authority. She stared at Sibylla's Mirror.
It was impossible for her to enter Avalon. It was blocked by an ancient enchantment; only those who sought true justice could enter the island nation. Even she, the High Queen of Fairies, could not broach such a sacred enchantment. Maybe that means it's time to give up the vengeance…
"Your Majesty?"
Morgana whirled around. Behind her stood Nebula, a concerned expression on her face. "What is wrong, Your Majesty?"
"Nothing is wrong," Morgana said, drawing herself up to her fullest height. "There is no concern, Faerie Lady Nebula."
"It seems to me that you are having second thoughts about vengeance." Nebula shook her head. "Those foolish girls are drilling thoughts into your mind, are they not?"
Morgana glared at Nebula. "I told you, this is no concern of" –
"We cannot let them win." Nebula paced around. "It would be disastrous for our queendom if we listened to them. We must fight and gain control of the human population, so that they can be kept in check." Her eyes narrowed.
"Come on," she said. "May I see you back to the castle, Your Majesty?"
… "Yes," Morgana finally said. With a sigh, she turned around, following Nebula back towards Paradise.
"This strawberry smoothie is really good!" Riven grinned, taking a sip. Musa drank some, smiling as well.
It had been two weeks since their mission to the North Pole. The day was unseasonably hot; what better way was there to celebrate than with a smoothie?
She gazed up at Riven. The pink-haired Specialist was just so… different from the way he normally asked. And in a good way, of course. Ever since he'd saved Musa at the Amazon Rainforest, they'd slowly been warming up to each other. Not as boyfriend and girlfriend – Musa doubted they would ever reconcile in that way again. Instead, they were good friends, knowing how to balance each other without stepping too much into each other's space. She gazed upwards, then froze.
Four men walked into the Frutti Music Bar. Musa froze up, staring at their white tunics and tired, long faces. One of them was dragging a fifth man, who looked exhausted. There could be no doubt who they were.
It was the Wizards of the White Circle.
"Sorry!" Musa apologized as she ran off the stage, towards the door. "We'll have to catch up later!"
"But Hui, you haven't even started your" – Jason's voice broke off as Musa waved a hand at him. She ran to the other Winx and Pixies, who were looking confused. The Specialists appeared.
"What's going" – Mirta's voice broke off as she stared at the Wizards. "I thought they were dead!"
"We survived," Ogron answered grimly. "But don't worry. We're in no position to hurt you." He pointed to the fifth man, whom he was supporting.
Musa stared at him. The fifth man was dressed in the same white tunic, but he appeared very, very weak – his entire body was drooping, and he looked like he had quite a few injuries. His long white hair gave him away instantly. Merlin… She immediately drew Excalibur, shouting, "You take that man with you and then you say you're not going to hurt us?"
"How dare you come back here?" Roxy asked fiercely. Next to her, Artu growled defiantly. "You have no right to, you horrible" –
"We're here to surrender."
Musa froze, completely taken aback. She turned around, seeing the people of Gardenia's curious faces on them. One of them was taking photos with his camera.
"This must be the four Wizards whom the Winx defeated a few weeks ago," he said. "And now they're back, with a fifth companion! What does this mean for the people of Earth?"
"Um, guys?" Bloom frowned. "I think we should go to a more private place."
"Let's do that," Stella agreed. Ushering the Wizards forward, they headed out into the night.
Tecna stared in disbelief as Merlin and the rest of the Wizards walked into the Specialists' apartment. She turned towards Krithi, her eyes flashing. "Did you have any knowledge of this?"
"N-no,' Krithi stammered, looking shocked. "I thought they were dead!"
"Obviously," Duman said, the disdain in his voice apparent. Ogron stepped forward.
"The Black Circle has totally depleted us of all of our powers," he said. "And now that we no longer have the White Circle in our possession, we have no ability to fight."
Tecna turned towards Krithi, who was still holding the White Circle. "Give that over here," she commanded. Krithi handed the white bracelet over, which Tecna stared at as she scanned it with her cyborg brain.
She could make out that the White Circle, indeed, did contain the power of the Wizards. She glared at Krithi, asking, "What did you do?"
"What?" Krithi stepped backwards.
"Are you spying for them?" Tecna asked sternly. "Is this some kind of a trap?"
"No it isn't!" Krithi cried, fear in her voice. "I had no idea they were coming here?"
"She's right, you know." This time it was Ogron who spoke. "She never came back to us with the White Circle, after she'd found the fourth eye. From what Merlin told us, she headed straight to Paradise to find you girls. Said she was sorry and turned the knife on her father."
"Then why did you come back?" Chatta had her arms crossed. "What do you want from us?"
"We're here to surrender," Merlin rasped, his voice filled with pain. "We know what we did was wrong, and we're willing to abide by your judgment – in exchange for your protection."
"Protection from who?" Musa demanded.
"From the Earth fairies," Anagan answered. "You freed them – and now they want revenge against us!"
"After our last encounter, we were forced to run for our lives," Ogron added. "Merlin barely escaped."
"Right," Roxy snorted. "I've had enough of this." She made to leave, but Tecna stopped her.
' "Let's hear them out," she said.
"We need you to protect us," Gantlos pleaded. "We are in grave danger."
"Winx, let's talk about this in a safer place," Bloom commanded. "Specialists and Pixies, guard the Wizards and make sure they don't leave the apartment." She gestured to the women. "Let's step outside."
The six women and one girl headed out the door, straight across the street towards their apartment. When the door was safely shut, Bloom turned towards the others. "Come on, let's discuss our decision."
"There is no decision to make!" Roxy shouted. "The Wizards are our enemies! We're not gonna" –
"I know how you feel about it, Roxy," Bloom cut her off, "but I think the Wizards deserve a chance."
"Chance from what?" Roxy couldn't believe her ears.
"They've come to us willingly," Flora said calmly. "That must've taken a lot of courage."
"I think they've changed," Musa added. "They don't have such a negative aura around them anymore."
Roxy cast Musa a disgusted look. "I can't believe this," she snapped. "You join with them – especially after all you know they've put us through? After what they put me through?"
"What do you expect me to do, blast them to smithereens?" Musa asked. "That would be unethical, especially after they surrendered to us!"
"I think they've changed." Finally, Tecna spoke up. The others turned to her, instantly valuing her advice. She took in a deep breath.
"If the Wizards and Krithi were going to betray us, then they wouldn't tell us about the White Circle," she said. "They would've kept it to themselves and then asked for our protection. That's the logical way I see it."
"It's decided," Bloom agreed. "Roxy, we're gonna protect the Wizards, because it's the right thing to do."
"I'm done here." Tecna stared as Roxy stormed right out the door, ignoring their yells of shock and confusion. "Come with me, Artu!" She slammed the door shut, her fury building up into a ball of rage as she stormed out the door.
Roxy had never been so angry in her life. She stormed out the door, her entire body shaking with anger as she stormed down the road.
She couldn't believe the Winx had agreed to protect the Wizards. After all they've done! As far as she was concerned, the Wizards and the Earth fairies could just beat each other up.
I'm done with all of them. She sat down in the park, stroking Artu. She lifted her head as someone came up to her.
"Are you okay?" This was Krithi's soft voice. Roxy glared at the ground bitterly.
"No, I'm not okay," she spat. "The Winx are allying with those stupid Wizards, especially after all they've done!"
"I know what they did was wrong," Krithi whispered, "but consider what I did. I was also on the opposing side, but you forgave me when I joined back. I'm no better than the Wizards." She swallowed. "Do you think you could forgive them?"
"It's not the same," Roxy whispered. She stared up at the sky, letting out a sigh.
And then she froze.
A black-clad fairy was flying towards her, a devilish glint in her eye. Is that… She let out a gasp as soon as she saw who it was.
It was none other than Nebula.
"What are you doing here?" Roxy snarled, instantly transforming. Nebula shook her head in disdain.
"So eager to fight," she simpered. "Don't worry. I'm not here to fight – not you, at least."
"Get out of my town!" Roxy yelled. "You don't get to come here!"
"I decide where I go," Nebula said, her eyes flashing. "This might interest you, though. I have a proposal for you." She faced Roxy, her expression austere.
"I know you don't like the Wizards of the White Circle," she said, "and, well, neither do I. I received intelligence that they landed on your doorstep, demanding hospitality. Is that true?"
"You don't need to know anything," Roxy crossed her arms. Nebula smiled.
"So they are there, am I right?" she asked. "I know you don't want to give them a second chance. If you hand them over to me, I won't bother you again."
Roxy had to admit, the thought was tempting. She wanted, more than anything, to give the Wizards over and never worry about them again. She considered Nebula's offer, frowning.
"Roxy," Krithi breathed, "please don't." Roxy gazed over at her.
She saw Krithi's desperate eyes, her fearful expression on her face. And in that moment, Roxy knew. She turned towards Nebula, her eyes flashing.
"That is a lie," she snarled. "You want me to believe that untruth, those lies that you continue to tell me? Well, guess what? I will never join you. Not because of your lies, and certainly not because of your blackmail." She raised her eyes. "I renounce all of your untruths!"
Immediately, a blue energy shined from her throat, and a wave of energy shot through her. She felt her fifth chakra opening, energy cascading through her body. Nebula gazed at her in horror.
"You – you foolish girl!" she shouted. "I'll get you, you wretched little" –
"Isn't that against your Queen's rules?"
Roxy spun around. The rest of the Winx had followed, and were glaring at Nebula. Musa glared at her.
"I thought Morgana said you couldn't hurt Roxy," she said. "Disobeying your Queen now, aren't you?"
Nebula growled. Lifting a spell in her hands, she raised it high into the air. The clouds suddenly darkened above them. Roxy gasped, stepping backwards in fear as the air suddenly became cold.
"No!" Nebula's eyes darkened with rage. "I won't let you win!" She pointed it straight at Musa. "By the power of War, I" –
"Superior order!"
Tecna's sacred Etherix spell collided straight into Nebula. As the black-haired fairy fell back, the clouds disappeared and the temperature turned back to normal. Nebula stared up, clearly seeing she was outnumbered.
"Goodbye," she spat. Flapping her wings, she rose up into the air, leaving them behind.
"What should we do with the Wizards?" Musa asked.
The Winx gathered around with the Specialists, Pixies, Wizards, and Eldora. Roxy was there as well, her arms crossed as she glared at the Wizards, who were being watched carefully by the Specialists. Eldora let out a sigh.
"There is only one place I can think about," she said. "The Cave of Justice. It is located on Avalon, the Island of Justice, in Camelot, Britain. Legend has it that King Arthur was immortalized on Avalon."
"King Arthur?" Roxy asked. "You mean the king of Camelot, right?"
"Yes," Eldora answered. "After Arthur's fatal battle with Mordred, he was brought to Avalon by a faithful knight. He took Arthur to the shores of Sibylla's Mirror and returned Excalibur, the Sword, to Sibylla. Arthur floated across the waters, until he disappeared into the mists beyond. Those mists contained Avalon, the Island of Justice."
"Okay," Tecna frowned. She had researched about Avalon before, but didn't know much about it beyond it being Arthur's final resting-place. "What's there?"
"The Fairy of Justice, Sibylla, resides on the island," Eldora answered. "Otherwise known as the Lady of the Lake, she settled major disputes between different groups. Only someone with a true mind for diplomacy and justice can find the islet of Avalon. In her cave, she welcomes all that are truly there for justice."
"We'll go," Tecna answered confidently. She knew that, no matter what, they would not fail. "You have our word."
Next chapter:
– The Winx go to Avalon to find Sibylla.
– Musa uses her special Etherix spell.
– Roxy opens her sixth chakra.
