Chapter 9: Awakening

Summary: So… now that everyone has got her man, will everything go smoothly? (I'll give you a hint… no).

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Lady Hope…

My eyes flicker open. I'm floating… surrounded by black nothingness… still in my night things…

Where am I? I remember going back to Spence with Felicity and falling asleep… I must be having a vision…

Lady Hope…

Asha?

Slowly, Asha appears, floating before me. But she is not the same Asha I have seen before. Her skin is still the color of a wine cask, but her sores… they're gone! A beauty beyond measure has replaced them. She has grown long, flowing, golden locks, her body has become youthful and womanly and is wrapped in ornately embroidered purple cloth, and her eyes… they look as though they hold every color of the rainbow.

Asha! You have been cured! How is this wonderful miracle possible?

She slowly shakes her head mournfully. Sadly no Lady Hope… I visit you now in the holiest part of your mind, The Realm of Truth and Awakening. Here, you see the true me. Not my physical appearance, but my soul's appearance. Here, you can see anyone's true nature and intensions. If ever you are in doubt, seek sanctuary in this realm.

Taken aback, I ask, The Realm of Truth and Awakening? Has this place always been here? Inside my mind? I don't remember it being here…

Asha nods knowingly. It was there Lady Hope, for you were destined to be the ruler of The Realms. It was locked away, only to be opened when the time was right.

Till the time was right? What has happened! What must I do!

Fear not Lady Hope. The new queen of the Winterlands continues to amass great power. You have grown in strength as well, but where she has an army of allies, you only have two. And those two, though brave, are no match for an army such a size.

The gravity of this realization hits me in the heart like an arrow fired by Mcleethy. I know… and I would rather die then see them hurt… but I can't do this on my own! If only I could give them my power…

That is why I come to you now Lady Hope. You have taken great strides on your journey towards fully awakening your true potential. Now it is time for you to take the next step down that path by unlocking your allies' true abilities.

Their true abilities? You mean like entering The Realms? And using magic outside of The Realms?

Yes Lady Hope. The ability to awaken them has been inside of you all along. You just did not know how to unlock it.

How did I unlock it? Did you help me Asha?

No Lady Hope. You have placed all the pieces together. Your allies have each found something to relieve them of their pain, but they have also found they strength within them to stand on their own. Now they are able to place their full faith in you as their leader. And with faith comes trust. So The Realm of Truth and Awakening has opened within you.

Does this mean they will have my power? That's amazing! We will beat Pippa for sure!

Oh no Lady Hope. Your allies' power cannot compare to yours. Neither can Pippa's. You are ruler over all, and thus you posses the ultimate power.

Stunned, I ask softly, I have… the ultimate power? I knew that the magic was transferred to me… but an ultimate power? How come I have not felt such power yet?

Asha smiles warmly. You are not like anyone else Lady Hope. While others crave great power, you fear it. Not because you are frightened, but because you understand it. That is very difficult for many, especially at your age. Soon, when it is needed, the ultimate power will be available to you.

I stare down at my hands, awestruck. I will have to use the power… but do I want to?

Lady Hope. Now is the time to awaken your friends.

Suddenly, Ann appears to the right of Asha. She is fast asleep, but is wrapped in a brilliant cloak of green, embroidered like Asha's. Her beautiful brown hair cascades over her shoulders and her hands and arms are crossed over her heart. As I look closely at her arms however, I see blood dripping from cuts on her wrists.

I thought she had stopped! She's back with Tom! Why does she have to do this! Everything is all right now!

A tear falls down Asha's face. She has stopped Lady Hope. But remember, you see Ann as she truly is here. She has been hurt terribly throughout her life, not just by Tom, but also by your society. Now that she has found happiness, her wounds will begin to heal, but they will heal slowly, and she will bear the scars permanently.

A wave of relief washes over me. Still, the image before me tears my heart in two. I never realized how deeply this cruel world damaged my dear friend. Clearly, times have to change. I float over to Ann and take her hands in mine. Ann, I will not let you be hurt anymore. Please remember you have friends who love you and that you are a wonderful, strong woman.

All of a sudden, I feel a warmth rise inside of me… It is a strange sensation, yet familiar at the same time.

I know what to do.

I place my right hand over Ann's heart and my left on her forehead. Song, awaken with the power of healing and carry on with wisdom and courage.

Ann's eyes open immediately and she throws her head back as a gust of wind circles around her. A beautiful, unearthly song echoes throughout the darkness, as Ann swirls about, faster and faster until finally, wind dies down. As she turns towards me, I gasp. Upon her head, she wears a crown of wind, in which beautiful pink blossoms dance. Her grey eyes shine with happiness and a smile dances upon her lips. Her cuts still bleed, but they seem to have begun to heal already. She bows her head towards me and whispers happily, "Thank you Lady Hope." And with that, she is gone.

I stare dumbly at the place she had been. That was incredible! But… where is Felicity?

As soon as the words escape my lips, Felicity appears with a flash to Asha's left, and like Ann, she is in a deep slumber. Her hair shines with a silvery glow and she is wrapped in a sky blue embroidered cloth, but her appearance shocks me even more than Ann's. Her hands are clenched in fists and her arms are crossed in front of her face. Shackles bind her hands and feet and chains are wrapped tightly across her chest.

Dear God… What has happened to Felicity!

Another tear falls down Asha's face. Oh Lady Hope… I weep for your friends. These are Felicity's chains. The shackles are the binds society has placed upon her to force her to become a debutant. The other chains, however, are ones she has placed upon herself. She has locked away her heart to protect it from one she loves dearly, but who has taken something precious from her.

Her father…

Asha nods gravely. Yes Lady Hope. These chains could not stop him from hurting her, but they succeeded in keeping out those who would love her. Fortunately, you helped her to find the key to removing these chains. For that, you have earned her trust. It is time for her to awaken.

I stare for what seems like an eternity at the girl before me. A girl who was given the world on a silver platter… but it came with a price. Her father could only showed her conditional love and used her as a means rather than an end. What kind of a man could do this to his own daughter? If he could see what he has done… would he stop?

As I had done with Ann, I floated over to Felicity and took her hands in mine. Felicity, you have always been a source of strength for me. Now it is time for me to be the same for you.

The familiar warm sensation fills me.

I place my right hand over her heart and my left hand over her forehead. Strength, awaken with the power of ice and carry on with wisdom and courage.

Felicity's head jerks backward as her eyes open. The shackles around her wrists and ankles unhinge with a deafening CLANG and fall off into the abyss. She extends her arm forward and a frigid gust of icy wind envelops her. When she emerges, her long, beautiful eyelashes are covered with ice crystals and an intricately carved crown of ice rests regally atop her head. She blows a cold breath upon her hand, and immediately her bow and quiver appear. Her eyes meet mine, and despite her… well, cold appearance, her eyes and smile hold more warmth than ever before. She floats toward me and kneels in front of me with her head bowed. "Thank you Lady Hope." And just as Ann faded away, so does Felicity.

My friends… they have finally found peace. I feel my eyes well up with tears. Perhaps now, I can repay them for all they have done for me. My head drops and I begin to cry uncontrollably.

Asha floats towards me and embraces me. Oh Lady Hope… you have gone through so much pain. You burden yourself far too much. Do not feel sorry for asking for help in shouldering your burdens. You have people who care for you greatly and would give anything to help you.

I sob into her shoulder. She is right. Without those we love, we are nothing but empty shells, consumed with nothing but ourselves…

Suddenly, I remember. What about Kartik? He is my ally too! What is to become of him?

Again Asha smiles. Lady Hope, his awakening comes later… You two have to perform a very different… ritual… before he realizes his power.

I feel my face glow red with the heat of a thousand suns. R-ritual? Y-you don't m-mean…

Asha gives a small chuckle. Yes Lady Hope, that is the ritual I speak of.

BUT ASHA! I'M NOT READY! I mean, I'm still young! And we're not married! How must I commit such a… barbaric act! Even as those words escape my mouth, my entire body tingles with anticipation and longing.

This time, Asha's eyes ignite as she releases a joyous fit of laughter. Oh Lady Hope! Do not worry! As I have said before, the time is not right! You know that yourself! But do not feel ashamed for wanting this event to take place. You do no wrong in loving this man, for he is your protector and your rock. He does not yet know it, but he plays a vital role in this tale. And when you awaken him, he will have more power than ever before. Do not fear Lady Hope, he will be patient for you.

A wave of happiness washed over me. Kartik and I are meant to be together… and he will wait for me. Thank you so much Asha. I'm sure these new powers will help our cause immensely. I must return to the academy! I can't wait to talk to Felicity and Ann!

Wait Lady Hope. You have yet to be awakened.

Me? Awakened? I thought I was…

It is true Lady Hope that you can enter The Realms on your own and you can use magic in your own world, but you have not yet received your own special power.

Special power? But I thought that the time had not come yet!

No Lady Hope. Your ultimate power will indeed be realized later. But you also have a special power. This comes from your very soul and being. Ann, for example, has a deep desire to protect. Therefore, her special power was healing. Felicity, on the other hand, received the power of ice because of her sheer will power against all odds, like a relentless ice storm.

My soul… but Asha… I don't have anything that would give me such magnificent powers as those! Surely there must be some mistake…

Oh Lady Hope… Do not doubt your strength of character! You have great courage! You have determination and drive! You stand for all that is right and good! However, your greatest gift, a gift that, sadly, few people have, is your compassion.

Slowly, Asha floats toward me until she is inches away from my face. She places her hands over my heart and my head as I had done with Felicity and Ann. Her eyes close slowly and she breathily whispers in a barely audibly voice:

Hope, our ruler, our teacher, our friend. Your force and benevolence are undying, and your greatness knows no bounds. Yet, you still continue to doubt that you have earned this gift. Oh Hope, your presence burns within everyone you meet like an eternal fire, fueling our determination. Let this same fire dwell in you and wash away your pain. Do not doubt yourself Hope, for if you do, your fire will burn out...

I feel my head snap backward as a tidal wave of energy surges through me. My entire body feels as though it is on fire. I feel myself curl up into a ball, the intense heat growing within me. Suddenly, a tower of flame surrounds and engulfs me. The flames dance across my skin, but leave no mark. They rage on and on and become larger and larger until finally they disappear in a great explosion.

I slowly lift my head from between my knees. All that is left is a small ring of fire about my feet. Asha stands before me, awestruck. I slowly rise to my feet and gaze down at my hands.

My entire body is surrounded by an intense glow. My hair has tumbled out of its bun and seems to have grown longer… down to my waist! It shines a brilliant red color and vibrant streaks of gold trickle down my curls. My body is wrapped in a crimson cloth more elegantly decorated than Ann, Felicity's, and even Asha's. I raise my hand to my forehead and feel a great crown of fire swirling about my head. I stare intently at my hand again and call forth my new power.

Instantly, a ball of flame appears, floating serenely in the palm of my hand. Amazed, I meet Asha's gaze.

Lady Hope… she says breathlessly, your beauty and power astonish me… You are truly ready to continue your journey to greatness. Go with peace and understanding.

And with that, she is gone. I look again at the fire in my hand. So this is my power… this is my strength. I smile contentedly. Perhaps I can finally see who I am meant to be…

As I close my eyes to go home, another tear falls down my cheek.

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Once again, I open my eyes. But… I am not home.

My feet stand in a mound of snow. No… it can't be…

I gaze out upon an endless sea of snow. The air is still and stale… death echoing all around. The stillness makes this hellish place even more frightening than before.

I have returned to The Winterlands.

Panic rages within me. How did I get here! I look at myself frantically. Thankfully, my appearance has not changed since I left The Realm of Truth. As long as I still have my power…

I hear something. A pounding sound, growing and growing. I whip my head up towards the direction the sound comes from. Off in the distance, I see a figure running towards me with incredible speed. Seconds later, she stands before me, breathing heavily, eyes boring into mine.

Pippa.

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Those eyes… her once beautiful violet eyes… they remain a sickly yellow and are inches away from mine. Her teeth are as sharp as razor blades and her skin has lost all color. She smells of rancid flesh and stale blood. She wears a rotting crown of flowers and her old uniform, torn to bits. But… her usual sinister smile is absent from her countenance.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" Her screech echoes across the wasteland.

I stare at this pathetic creature. "I have realized my power Pippa, and I have helped Felicity and Ann to do so too. You could have had this power, if not for your weakness."

"DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME WEAK! HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME!" She lifts her hand high above her head and brings it crashing down towards my heart.

"ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!"

Pippa reels back in pain, clutching her burning hand and screaming like a banshee. A wall of fire surrounds me. She sinks deep into the snow as the fire consumes her arm until it is nothing.

"You are no match for my power Pippa. Give up… I do not wish do hurt you anymore."

She looks up at me, pain streaked across her face as she clutches her shoulder where her arm used to be. Her pain is quickly replaced, however, by her sickening smile.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Pippa laughs madly as she writhes about in the snow. The scene is unbearably and nauseating to witness.

"Oh Gemma… If you think you can defeat me with that, you are sadly mistaken."

Suddenly, a black strand of black mist slithers from her shoulder. More and more of these snake-like strands emerge and begin to intertwine. I step back in horror.

Her arm… has grown back!

"HAHAHA! Oh yes Gemma, I have a few tricks up my sleeve too! The next time we face each other, you won't be so lucky!"

I stare at her coldly. "Why not finish me now Pippa? Why not show me your great power?"

Fear washes over her face. I smile with great satisfaction. "You realize you are not match for me. You run like a coward!"

Anger replaces her fear. "Just you wait Gemma Doyle," she hisses. "I'll take away everything you love. Everything! Until you are left with nothing. Just as I was, when you left me to die!" Her words ooze out of her mouth like acid. The strands of black mist surround her body and she disappears in a puff of smoke.

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I slowly and cautiously open my eyes. I am in my warm bed, under my covers. Breathing a sigh of relief, I sit up in the bed and rub my face with my hands. Why Pippa? Why did she have to do this to me? To her friends?

I hear a soft knocking at the door. "Gemma? Gemma its Felicity!"

Leaping up, I tiptoe as furiously and quietly as I possibly can towards the door. As I let her in and close the door behind me, Felicity leaps into my arms and hugs me desperately. "Oh Gemma, thank you! You figured it out! I can use the magic now! It's incredible! Watch!"

She lifts her hand in front of her face and blows an icy breath upon it. The ice swirls about until it forms a gorgeous ice rose in her hand. She takes it and places it in my hair.

"Isn't it beautiful! I can't believe it! It's amazing! Don't worry, I know to be responsible and blah, blah, blah and we only go with you to The Realms…"

I laugh softly. "Don't worry Felicity, I trust you. Where is Ann? She should have received her power too!"

"Oh… she's downstairs with Tom I think… but you're not going to like what he has to say…"

"HE KNOWS! He'll be in danger! What happened!"

"No, not about the power Gemma…"

I feel my heart sink lower into my chest. "Oh…"

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As I walk gravely towards the guest area, I meet Ann as she walks back to our room. "Gemma! I felt it! I have the power now! Thank you so much!"

I smile at her warmly. "You've earned it Ann, you truly have… is Tom waiting for me?"

Ann's smile disappears as she bows her head. "Yes Gemma… I'm sorry… I swear I didn't tell him! I don't know how he found out…"

"Don't worry Ann, I believe you… don't let this ruin your happiness. I'll deal with Tom."

She gives me a sad little smile and hugs me briefly. Then she continues her quiet trek back to our room.

I finally reach the guest area. I place my hands on the doorknobs and take a deep, long breath. This is going to be hell, but I have to face him. I push open the door and walk in with my head held high.

Tom watches me as I enter the room, a stern look upon his face. "Hello Gemma. Care to explain yourself?"

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I regarded him cautiously. Maybe if I play coy… "Explain what dear brother? I'm not aware of what you speak…"

"Oh save it Gemma. You know I'm talking about you and that Indian boy. Mr. Kartik if I remember correctly."

My head droops. "How did you know?"

He sighs and rubs his temples with his fingers. "I saw Felicity and you emerge from the woods with him and that gypsy boy…"

I eye him curiously. "How could you see us? The only place you would be able to would be…"

His face turns beet red as he realizes what he has revealed. Turning on his heel, he hides his face from me. "WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN OUR ROOM TOM?" I ask in horror. "Were you… with Ann?"

"That is besides the point Gemma! And for your information… nothing happened… nothing drastic that is."

I stare at him incredulously as he turns around. "The point is Gemma, is that you were hiding the fact that you and this boy are romantically involved. What have you got to say for yourself?"

I muster up all of my courage, square my shoulders, and prepare to face the beast. "Tom, I am in love with him. I cannot tell you why he is here or what he is doing, but I assure you, I have maintained my innocence. Having said that, you cannot stop me from loving him. I don't care what you or Grandmother will say, he is my everything and I refuse to stop seeing him. I don't care if I'm disowned! You have no right to take that away from…"

"Gemma. I understand. I'm not going to try to stop you."

"WELL YOU CAN JUST TAKE YOUR HONOR AND SHOVE IT UP… wait, what?"

"I'm not going to stop you. And I'm not going to tell Father or Grandmother."

My mouth hangs open in shock. "What do you mean? You don't care? You're not going to do anything? Really?"

"I promise Gemma. I have no business telling you who to love. If I continued to look for love by social standards, I would not be with Ann right now, even though she is more charming than all the debutants in the world. I just want you to understand the consequences of your actions. Ann and I will face a tough road, her more so than me. But you and Kartik will face an even tougher one. You will be scorned and hated and your children will probably be tormented unmercifully. I don't know if you can handle that. Are you strong enough?"

I stare quietly at the candle burning on the table. Smiling, I reply, "Tom, you cannot begin to comprehend the strength I command."

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Yay! I'm SOOOOO sorry it took so long! I've been trying to recover from finals, but then I started taking a summer course in physics and that totally drained me… plus I think I went on my first date and I was totally nervous! (He wants to go out again by the way, so it went well, but I'm not sure if we're official…) So yeah, that was tiring…

I hope you all like this chapter… it seems kinda Final Fantasy-ish, but I wanted to show you that there actually is a plot to this story, not just fluff. If it's too weird, just let me know… But I wanted to give you a nice, long chapter so here it is! And I'm sorry if it's not grammatically correct… I'm still really exhausted… Anyway, thank you all for your reviews!

Oh, and about the link to my drawing, for some reason, will not allow me to post URLs on the page or in private messages. So if you really want to see it, you have to email me.

Hope you like it!