Chapter 3: Extreme Measures
"Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey"
"You all guarded Phobos, yet you failed to stop him from escaping! Even though it has been so many years, you still have a hard time working in harmony, guardians, your carelessness is the reason why I'm forced to return to this wretched place once again!
"Hey, we might have screwed up on our part, but you two didn't even bother to inform us that the baby is with you."- Irma defended herself. "Do you know how much time and sweat could have that little piece of news spared us, Queen Babe?"
They were walking on their way to the Hall of the Congregation, consumed in a heated feud. Former and present guardians, together with Caleb, Elyon and her adoptive parents, who carried her nanny's body in an invisible bubble behind herself. She was heart-broken. Will was much more annoyed and tense if anything and Kadma and Irma's argument didn't help soothe her nerves one bit.
"Oh, please, we did much more than you, we protected the capital and the palace from Phobos's attack, had we informed you about Killian being with us, we would have lost the element of surprise that we needed to enable you to deal with that wicked man. An opportunity you wasted."- Kadma stated haughtily, raising her nose up.
"Is that the royal we again?"- Irma couldn't keep herself from this taunt. It was too good. "Because, for once, I don't hear Nerissa bitching about what happened."
The Queen of Zamballa grunted with resentment, but Will's shout finally ceased both her and the younger woman:
"Would you both shut up already? Please. Enough bad things happened tonight. I can't take your pointless bickering on top of everything."
"I apologize, Will, but mistakes are to be discussed. In fact, you made a mistake yourself, by not enlightening your fellow guardians on your plan."- Kadma shook her head stubbornly. "If you really did foresee Nerissa's actions, you shouldn't have let the others scatter."
Will closed her eyes with a deep sigh. She knew that already; she didn't need a reminder.
"See, Will? Arrogance the size of a stadium."- Irma exclaimed victoriously. "But hey, your Majesty, did you forget that the other former guardians were in the ballroom with us as well? Why didn't they do the right thing, huh? Now I know Mrs. Lin and Cassidy have no source to give them power, but Hal..."
"Shut up already, Irma."- Cornelia snapped, annoyed with the Latina's rants. "We're not here to listen to your blabbing, but to speak to the Oracle. "
"Oh sure, like that is going to do us any good!"- Irma huffed and crossed her arms on her chest. "Why did you come with us anyway? I thought you were angry with the Oracle; you should've stayed home with Julian and your son. -"
"Kadma, Irma makes a point."- Halinor quickly spoke as she heard her name. "We were all there, yet we could not react. Phobos acted too unexpectedly, and what happened next ..."- she paused. "I mean the Queen's oath. -"
She didn't finish her sentence, as she saw the girl shrink even more in her robe. Halinor felt truly sorry for her, and she didn't need to be dragged anymore for what she did. After all, Halinor herself had committed a mistake similar to hers in the past, by deciding to steal the powers of the guardians from their Aurameeres during a particularly serious battle...
"Yes, Irma, you see, that's why I take no part in this argument."- Nerissa spoke for the first time since their arrival in Kandrakar. She was walking in the front, a decisive frown on her face. "I don't want to waste any of my energy or words on this, really, because we all know whose fault everything is. The idiot who swore to release her brother, even though she knew very well that it was disastrous. I'm starting to think that she did it on purpose, alone and only to discourage people with regard to my taking of a position. Anyways..."
"You conscienceless woman!"- Miriadel suddenly yelled, tears rolling down her cheeks. She had to protect her daughter's name no matter what, Elyon had done what she had done with best intentions and this bitch knew it...She was just taking advantage of the turn of events as usual. "Elyon agreed on Phobos's terms because she was thinking of your grandson! She wanted to save him, have you no shame?"
Nerissa merely turned around to gift the redhead with an almost repulsed side look:
"Why did these people have to come is beyond me, Caleb. They have no connection to Kandrakar or use to anyone here."
"They're here to take care of their daughter, you see."- Kadma interjected spitefully. "They need to make sure that she doesn't make any other silly decisions with grave consequences tonight."
Nerissa smirked at that, as she caught a glimpse of Alborn shake his head and the whimper that escaped her Majesty's lips. Who cared if the Whelp cried? She had already done the deed, her useless remorse wasn't going to help Meridian, nor any of Phobos's targets.
"You two should talk about silly decisions with grave consequences."- Taranee rushed to the straw-blonde's aid. "We overcame the war which the two of you had for months, didn't we? We will overcome Phobos the same way. There's no need of being so melodramatic."
Taranee eyed the two former guardians, glad that they didn't speak up again. Given all their mistakes, she didn't think that they were the ones to judge Elyon for what she had done. Besides, her brother's unsolved case further fueled the fire guardian's hostility towards the tall ex-keeper.
Finally, after what seemed like an endless corridor, the group had made it to the hall. The tall pure walls and gates greeted them with their usual sense of magnificence.
"Stop there."- they were greeted by Tibor and his raised hand. "State your business."
Irma made a face, but Will made her way to the front before she, Nerissa or anyone else for that matter, could take the word and present them as a barbaric tribe once again:
"Hello, Tibor. Sorry, we're uninvited, again, but we have to talk to the Oracle. A problem has aroused."
"All of you?"- the bearded man cocked a bushy eyebrow. He didn't like the sight of so many former enemies to the council present.
"Merdian is in danger."- Caleb answered harshly before the redhead could continue. "It's quite urgent for all of us to be here."
"You heard my son, Tibor."- Nerissa ticked off a black lock with a provocative expression. "Move and let us in, or I'll else I'll just have to move you myself."
Will frowned, as they all walked in. The man had obviously shown them understanding, but Nerissa had once again managed to show her horns for everyone to see. She always felt ashamed by her actions and words, each time they were together at Kandrakar. The elders' judging looks were always directed at her and her friends after the ex-keeper's scenes.
"Welcome my friends. I've been expecting you."- they heard and saw Himerish levitate near the center of the hall, with his back turned to the entrance they had just used.
Kadma fought the urge to snort as she heard that line. Of course, he had expected them. That darned man had a few ready one-liners which he used each time. How she hated him. And she wasn't the only one in the room with similar feelings for him. Cornelia and Irma also looked at him distrustfully, while Nerissa chose to pretend that the man wasn't even there.
"Oracle, a terrible thing happened on Meridian a few hours ago."- Will began. "To sum it all, Phobos is out and we think that he isn't alone. Someone was helping him the entire time, he must have allies out of prison because his escape plan was almost perfect..."
"He launched an attack with an army of prisoners that were broken out of Cavigor, sir."- Taranee added. "We don't know what to think anymore, we require your guidance..."
Good luck with that, Kadma thought viciously, as Halinor held her under the arm, humbled and afraid to stand before her former sage master again. Expecting guidance from Himerish is like trying to illuminate your way with a wet candle.
Oh, how eloquent you are, dear friend. I'd say something similar, Nerissa tuned in the mind conversation amusedly. Upon making up with each other, she and her four friends had further revived that means of connection which they had shared in the past, much like the present guardians. Telepathy.
"By the desires of fate, a new problem is now facing you, and you have to face it back boldly and in harmony, guardians. Old cases of enmity are most difficult to deal with, yet you shall make an attempt."- The Oracle spoke as he got to his feet. "An attempt to serve justice, as always. It brings me joy to see all of you, with the exception of our young Air friend, and three of our most talented former guardians together against this issue. Together, all of you may be able to defeat Phobos. But it will not be easy, for unity is not enough. It never is. Hope, faith, and hard work are equally as important for accomplishing this task. Phobos's strategy remains a mystery to me, as I am unable to sense his presence on Meridian, but we will keep in touch. I sense hard times coming, girls. Times that require your biggest talents."
That's exactly what I fear, Will looked down despondently. She had really wished for this day to never come, yet she wasn't surprised that it did. The Heart had warned her that a villain was going to make a comeback, the same way it had warned her about Nerissa during the spring. This time Will had read its signal correctly, almost entirely ... what remained for the next time, though she sincerely hoped that it wouldn't be any time soon, was for her to learn how to prevent what she has been warned about...
"Now, I would like you all to return to Earth and fall back into the routine, guardians. All except Taranee, her Majesty Queen Elyon, and the ex-guardians. I would like to have an additional word with them."- Himerish spoke up, as a fold opened near him.
"But Oracle, we still have so many questions about Phob..."-Irma began protesting, but the meaningful smile the man gave them, almost nudging them to walk through the fold, had her shut up.
"All in time, Irma. All in its time."
"Meridian is under great threat. When would be a better time to talk about it than now?!"- Caleb couldn't hold back, he glared at Himerish, winning himself a few reproachful looks from random council members who attended.
"Let's go, Caleb."- Cornelia huffed. "We need to be with our son."
"Cornelia, I can never just stand calmly while Meridian is threatened by Phobos!"- the man objected. "How can the Oracle just be asking us to leave."
"Caleb, I'm sure that the Oracle will give us some clue of how to deal with the problem...eventually."- Taranee, who was getting impatient, interjected. She wanted to hear what the seer had to say to her, as it was possible to be something about Peter.
Caleb wasn't ready to oblige though, he made his way to his mother and pulled her aside.
"I don't like this, maa. He's just playing games with so many destinies...All these people back in Meridian need our help, we can't just stay home and do nothing. -"
"My dear son, don't be surprised. That's what he always does. Playing with people's destiny "- Nerissa lowered her voice as she threw a glance over her shoulder. "But if we want to get to action sooner, we have to obey him. Yes...I know, I don't like the idea either, but sometimes, sweetie, one must compromise with one's tenets in order to achieve..."
"Can you leave this talk for after we're done? Kandrakar manners kind of take precedence over mom-son lectures."
Nerissa turned to glare at Taranee before turning back to Caleb again.
"Let me finish with this and then we'll talk back home. Otherwise, the little nerdy mermaid will drive me insane."
"Respected Oracle, could we please stay with our daughter. After what happened she needs us."-Miriadel pleaded, but the Oracle raised a hand with a warm face:
"She will be fine, I assure you. It's necessary that you all left for that to happen. Do have trust in Kandrakar."
"We do."- Alborn sighed, as he placed his hands on his wife's shoulders. "Elyon dear, we'll wait for in the castle. We are going to start taking measures against Phobos while you're here."
Elyon said nothing, she just sobbed sadly and nodded weakly.
"Let's go."- Will shot at a very reluctant Irma and Cornelia, who on the other hand, couldn't wait to leave Kandrakar. She walked through the fold with her head raised high, as to show Himerish and the Council members just how insignificant they were to her at that moment.
Eventually, Caleb followed them too, although angry, as Will waited to see him go in front of her, before walking in the fold, getting it closed behind herself.
After that, the seer sent the rest of the remaining council members out of the big hall. He made a barely visible signal at Tibor, who nodded discreetly and hid from sight.
Kadma waited with arms folded on her chest, and growing impatience. She hated to be here, she hated dealing with this cloud-based shutter and all who lived here, especially after having been put to sleep and kept here against her will by all these horrible people, for an entire week ... They deserved to suffer a lot more than the people of the erstwhile Queen Elyon, whose fate was unfortunately blackened yet again.
"I asked you all to stay here with me, as I have some things to discuss with each of you ladies. We shall begin with her Majesty, Queen Elyon."- Himerish started calmly with his sleeves in each other. "I can understand the grave danger and big oppression which you feel, and to my misfortune, I cannot do much to help you at this stage. But what I can do is take your nanny to rest here in one of our towers. The Algid Tower will preserve her body and give you time to find the right way to wake her up."
"What? You mean that she might live? Phobos didn't kill her?"- Elyon exclaimed as she wiped some tears away. "But..."
"No, your Highness, Galgheita is not dead. Or at least not for good."- the man replied softly. "The effects of the murderous spell your brother has cast on her, have been altered on time. She is now cursed to remain in a slumber-like state, up until someone manages to wake her from it. But that is not an easy job, which is why I'm going to have her placed in the Algid Tower."
"Elyon, so you did manage to save her from death after all."- Halinor smiled through tears, happy to hear that the other woman wasn't destroyed by the tyrannical man after all. "You saved her life."
Elyon wiped a new set of tears, but this time such of happiness, as she looked at Galgheita' body with love. This woman was like a closest relative to her, she meant so much to her...One of the few people which actually loved her, and the fact that she could still live brought her great joy.
"Don't worry, Galgheita. I will find a way to wake you up."- the young Queen whispered. "I promise you."
Nerissa rolled her eyes, as two elders appeared and took the bubble with Galgheita inside, to move it to the given Algid Tower. It wasn't that she wasn't happy that the old kangaroo could live again, she didn't care that much, but seeing Elyon praised made her blood boil. Was there really a reason to praise this stupid Whelp after what she had done to Meridian on her own? She was simply inadequate to be Queen and that was that. -
"Oh, fabulous news, she saved old Galgheita! Too bad she couldn't save her kingdom and people also."
Halinor placed her hand on the raven-haired woman's shoulder meaning to calm her down. Nerissa met her gaze but said nothing more.
"Til we meet again, Queen Elyon."- Himerish went on gently. "Go home and rest. You will need all your strength for what lies before us all."
It didn't take the young monarch long to bid her goodbyes and leave, at least somewhat relieved. Kadma followed her with a critical eye. Yes, it was true that she had become queen at an older age, yet she had always been much more decisive and stronger. Elyon was just...unstable. And though she couldn't fully justify Nerissa's hatred for the young woman, Kadma could understand her. A nodal point in the Universe such as Meridian, required someone much more durable and powerful. Someone like them. If she had had a son, she could have married him to the Escanor Queen in order to obtain control over Meridian and save the realm... But a union between Zamballa and Meridian was quite unlikely. Her people weren't fond of people-people. They preferred other flora... Lost in her thoughts, the former guardian almost flinched as she heard Himerish's voice go on yet again:
"Taranee, your brother has been on my mind lately, and though I am not supposed to interfere in his fate, I did manage to explain the circumstances surrounding this legend you received.(check Heart of a Mother ch39) That being said, there is someone here who owes you an apology.
On the verge of something that was about to be a great development, Taranee could feel her stomach turning with excitement. Instinctively, she looked at Nerissa, but the apology didn't come out of her mouth.
"I sent this fragment from the Forbidden Wing to you, fire guardian. And I apologize."
Taranee stared in disbelief as the cat woman walked to stay next to the Oracle with a lowered head. Luba had done this to her, and she had been caught. The keeper of the Aurameeres, the one who they trusted with their powers... But why?! Taranee was left speechless, Nerissa sneered barely audible, but Kadma took things in her hands:
"Would you look at that, Kandrakar's chosen ones are increasingly proving to be complete liars."- she shot. "You did this to try to ruin Cassidy and Nerissa's happiness by framing them for some nonsense which isn't even substantial. Which is a lie! Filthy..."
"I did what I did in justice's name."-Luba interrupted her sharply." Nerissa and Cassidy violated every possible rule. You did too, of course, but punishing you wasn't a potential option. You two have nothing. -"
"I'm glad that you have something, Luba, your dissatisfaction and malice, that is!"- everyone, even the Oracle, turned to Halinor in surprise. She was glaring at Luba, screaming: "We have each other, we have our friendship and you stay away from us! Make an attempt to harm us again, and no one will be able to protect you!"
"You can't scare me, you blatant criminal."- the keeper of the Aurameeres bared her fangs. "You're not the one to raise fingers at me either, after all you did..."
"Luba."- Himerish's warning voice thundered.
Luba looked down again and forced her humility:
"I apologize, fire guardian. Your brother isn't a part of this, and I do apologize for making him that in my attempt to bring justice."
"You apologize?! You think that a simple apology fixes this?"- Taranee had finally regained her ability to speak and she wasn't giving her replies smoothly. "You made my brother suffer, Luba, how dare you?! All this time I blamed Cassidy, but it was your fault all along. You made a fool out of me...You bitch!"- she attacked her then and there, not even bothering to use magic. Not even bothering to cringe at the irony of her own words. Luba didn't expect it, she didn't even fight it, she could only choke as Taranee tightened her hands.
Nerissa watched with a growing smile. Seeing Luba being attacked was priceless, especially after all she had had to go through because of her poisoning the cowardly, but dangerous, lawyer's daughter. Taranee was furious and she wasn't going to spare the real culprit for what she had done to Peter...
"Taranee, calm down, you don't understand."- the Oracle exclaimed as he managed to pull the fire guardian away from his servant's neck. "Peter's condition has nothing to do with Cassidy or Luba. What Luba did was fool you to believe in cock-and-bull stories, yet she did bring your brother no harm."
Taranee stopped raging as confusion took over her features yet again. She turned and saw Nerissa's "I told you so" smug look, Kadma's cold expression, and Halinor's concerned face. They knew as much as her if they even cared. Nerissa didn't, most probably, now that Cassidy's innocence had been proven, the fire guardian suspected that she could as well back off her word.
"B-but, but then why is Peter like this?"- she asked in a tiny voice. "His depression? What causes it if not any of the things which I suspected?"
"I think that you already know."- Luba didn't miss the chance to strike at her wound. "You may be clever, yet you easily believed the alternative ending, which means that your judgment is clouded. Think well, fire guardian, and ask yourself: what could truly be the reason for your brother's unrest? I think that all would find the answer to that, particularly intriguing."- the keeper finished with a gaze full of odium directed straight at Nerissa, who looked back at her with narrowed eyes.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Luba smiled eagerly, and was about to strike her triumphant blow of a reply when the Oracle interrupted her:
"You're dismissed, Luba."- he stated sternly. "Off to atoning now."
"Oh, so you're still keeping her here after this deed. That's a fine decision for sure."- Kadma's voice thundered, stopping the cat woman in her tracks. She looked over her shoulder and slid a hateful glare over the former guardians, waiting for her master's words. He however didn't intend to answer to the Queen. He opened a new fold behind himself.
"Pathetic."- Kadma spat with disgust at his cowardly, by her standards, behavior.
"You may go, Taranee. You're near to ending your brother's problems, but for the last part of his healing, you still have to put one last piece of the puzzle in its place. I do believe that you can do it."
Taranee didn't even bother to ask twice, look back or protest against the uncertainty and secretiveness she was receiving. She just rushed through the portal, disappearing from sight.
Once the three former guardians were the last to remain in the hall, the man's smile turned into a wistful one. However, Kadma and Nerissa were not impressed and responded to this smile with icy grimaces:
"You may still be able to play games with these newbies, but we won't bring you the same satisfaction. We know all your low passions."- Kadma stated with her arms crossed, never addressing him by his name or title. "That's why it'd be best if you speak essentially and do not waste our time."
"I will Kadma, I will."- Himerish assured her calmly. "I would appreciate your help. Join the council for one last teamwork task, former guardians. Help quarantine Meridian."
"You want to raise the veil again."- Halinor gasped, having made sense of his words.
"Same old songs in a new voice."- Kadma snorted with contempt. "Is that the best you have to offer?"
"Never."-Nerissa asserted sharply. "I will never help you do that again. Condemning all these people to be trapped together with Phobos again is tantamount to mass murder. I would never betray my son's trust by helping you do that. You hear me? Never."
"Nerissa, that is the only solution to the problem at this stage. Flatly said Kadma, it might not be the best, but it's the only thing which we can do."- the Oracle tried to reason with her unforgiveness. "If we do not take this step, we doom many other worlds to death and destruction. We ought to prevent a bigger crisis."
"Frankly, I do not care about other worlds."- Nerissa hissed. "I'm the Mage of Meridian, after all. Meridian and Earth- and that's where my duties and interests end. The rest of the Universe, well, sadly that falls your watchful eye, dear Oracle."
There was a grave silence. The elders who appeared again, obviously to follow their master's orders, began to look at each other and exchange meaningful whispers. Even Kadma and Halinor didn't call again. Nerissa lifted her head high and stared straight at the bald head of the man standing against her, thoughtfully thinking through his words, despite his brain being endlessly developed...
'She claimed to have changed, to have redeemed herself and sins ... huh, please she's still the same!'
'Brutal egotist, she's ready to condemn everyone else to death in the name of her own interests!'
'Vile woman...'
'Dear brothers and sisters, have you ever expected anything else from Nerissa? The woman who killed her best friend?!'
'Once corrupted by power, always corrupted.'
'The wolf changes its coat, but never its nature!...'
'Murderess!'
Not to turn against all these whispering cowards and destroy them, required great will on her part, but the former guardian kept her cool. After all, she had seen worse than the reproaches and comments of a gathering of miserable elders without any meaning behind their existence.
"I beg you to think rationally, Nerissa. You wanted to bring peace and good to everyone in the Universe, your purpose was noble, though misunderstood and ill-followed."- Himerish spoke firmly.
Her lips remained shut as she listened in tense reluctance. All that he hadn't estimated or valued back then, yet she let it slide. Noble. The last word which he had used to describe her with, ten years ago. Himerish went on:
"If you had long conquered the Universe today, as you previously intended to, wouldn't you do what is needed to protect people from all parts of it by raising a veil around Meridian?"
"No."- she stated in an earnest tone, watching his face drop.
She knew she was unpredictable. Himerish would always have a thing in mind with her, regardless of how broad-minded he pretended to be. She knew the Oracle would never underestimate her. Not after she had locked him in his own veil... and yet, once again, he invited her into his mystical link. Why? This question had a simple answer, and it obfuscated the ex-guardian's faith ... Despair, she thought bitterly. True desperation pushed the almighty Himerish to have to rely on her, and that could only mean one extremely worrisome thing. The Phobos situation was more than critical. Much more than anyone of the others imagined.
"If I was the superior empress of the Universe, none of this would have happened in the first place, because Phobos would've been long dead."- Nerissa continued calmly. "And even if it did, by some miraculous cause, I wouldn't lose time in bothers for my subjects with a meaningless veil. I would find him and terminate him. Which I will still do, despite the fact that I'm simply the Mage of Meridian."
Kadma and Halinor exchanged glances. That was a pretty big statement, their friend had just made, yet they didn't say anything. She didn't blame them, she expected the idea of a veil to seduce and satisfy them. Nerissa couldn't blame the others, especially those she loved, for thinking in pieces.
"What if we were to tell you that Phobos is currently not on Meridian."- Tibor intervened. "Would that change up things and your opinion of raising the veil another time?"
Nerissa raised an eyebrow and stared at the white-haired man in front of her. Ignoring the slight flicker that was seen even in him as her eyes burned through his soul, she thought over his words. The silence this time was more than absolute.
"You can't know that. You can't prove it."- her green eyes flickered victoriously, but this time Himerish returned his brilliant smile:
"This is where you're wrong, Nerissa. I can prove it."
"Then do prove it."
The Oracle smiled even wider, before turning to Tibor who nodded with understanding. Nerissa watched as the old right-hand man conjured a flaming chronicle whose oil-green fires turned into a ball-map in front of the whole assembly.
"Meridian."- Nerissa observed.
"That's a model of the planet, what of it?"- Kadma spat. "You can't locate Phobos, can you?"
"Not quite."- Himerish admitted. "But I can still prove that he is currently not in the realm, which is exactly why we must hurry, my friends. But of course, first, the proof which you require. Ten years ago, when Queen Elyon decided to keep her brother in prison after the events of the war with Phobos and Cedric, I knew I had to take more serious measures against a future such huge threat, which the Prince would forever remain to be."- the seer narrated. "I gave her a small signet. Much like mine, only with a different function."- and he pointed to the small image of a sphere pierced by broken lightning, tattooed on his own head. "This image, when drawn over a map, will light up if the prince is on Meridian territory. It can be done with my tattoo, the Heart of Kandrakar, and even with your ring, Nerissa. For it once belonged to the ancient one, who was connected to Meridian by all physical and non-physical laws... Here, try it for yourself. Draw this signet over the map."
Deep-localizing magic. She had read about it. It was similar to the tracking spell she had used on Blunk's tooth to track his folds years ago. Only in this case, the presence of the symbol in the borders of a certain territory could be traced with a magical object connected to the concerned realm. Nerissa drew the symbol without thinking twice and waited impatiently. All eyes were on the pierced sphere, which sharply lost all its light and remained hanging on the globe like a faintly drawn outline.
The insane brat is no longer on Meridian, the ex-guardian pondered. But where the hell is he hiding then?! This only makes matters ten times worse!
"So, Mage. Now that I've assured you in the accuracy of my judgment, will you give me your hand?"- Himerish smiled amicably. "Join Kandrakar's mystic link and help us protect Meridian from any future invasions and attacks by Phobos. I promise you; Power acquired by violence is only a usurpation, and lasts only as long as the force of him who commands prevails over that of those who obey."
A/N: Merry Christmas, guys! To all of you who celebrate Christmas, I hope that your day has been delightful. Wish you all a very merry season full of light, love, and good health. Lots of good wishes!
You may want to reread the first two chapters in order to be able to keep up with the course of the story, haha. Don't forget to share your comments too. See you again very soon. :)
