Chapter 4: My Ghosts are Gaining on Me
"Like a play of my obsessions,
make me understand the lesson:
So I'll find myself,
so I won't be lost again..."
- Evanescence, 2006
The Hidden Mansion, 9:30, local time
The rich aroma of hearty breakfast, coffee, and essential oils flowed right up to the high ceilings of the spacious mansion hidden in the ridge of the great mountain.
The bright morning light shone through the heavy gold curtains in the room where the man had woken up, buck-naked, and pleased for the first time in years. He yawned and stretched lazily, as a smug smile started to dance on his lips once he saw the doors open to let his young, honey-haired, tanned mistress in.
"Morning, my King."- she sang. "I've prepared breakfast for you. I know how much you like black coffee."
"I do."- the man admitted as he got into a more comfortable position. "I also just adore good news, my squeeze."
"Queen. I'm your Queen."- the girl corrected him in annoyance, but still left the tray she was carrying aside and settled in his lap. "Don't forget that."
"Of course you are."- the man assured her while playing with the strap of her dress. "You will be, once everything falls in its place. We will both be happy. Together."
That reply seemed to satisfy the honey-haired beauty because she smiled sweetly and kissed her lover.
"I can't wait."- she whispered. "By the way, there is good news for us."
"Do tell, my Queen."- these words caught the man's attention.
The girl brushed her fingers through her long hair before her smile went from wide to ominous, as she spoke in a dreamy voice:
"The servants returned and reported. A few hours ago, the divider returned around Meridian. After so many years, they are completely isolated from the other worlds again. Just as we wanted, my King."
"Perfect."- the man laughed approvingly, and his laughter grew into sinister rumblings that merged with the woman's high-pitched giggles. "These fools think that they have successfully protected their precious world. They think they are now leading the war. What a beautiful delusion. It makes it all so much better for us."- he grinned before rapturously sealing his lips over the young girl's lips and throwing her into bed with him, letting his long fingers tear her clothes apart, to the sounds of her pleased giggles and squeals.
Heatherfield….
Taranee abruptly parked in front of the new café and hastily grabbed her purse from the front seat. She took one last look at her phone to make sure that this was the right place before getting out of the car, slamming its door shut, and locking it behind herself in the matter of two seconds. She was in a hurry. She wanted to end this. She wanted to catch them. Had they absolutely no shame? She was going to get into a huge fight with both of them- for doing all they were doing. Again. But this time that the circumstances were ever more demanding, she was going to give them a piece of her mind for good.
The October weather and the early setting sun weren't going to stop her, because although the month was already halved, the temperatures were still warm and the guardian immediately located her brother on one of the outer tables, the furthest one away from the rest.
How convenient, the fire guardian thought angrily and headed forward.
"Wow, sis?"- Peter exclaimed, as he eventually saw her coming with a quick step. "What are you d..."
"Don't 'sis' me, Peter."- Taranee interrupted him furiously as she slammed her hands against the table making her brother blench. "Where is she?"-she demanded. "Where the hell is she?!"
"Sis, calm down, will you. I don't know what you're even talking about. I'm here by myself, just getting a sip before gym."- Peter tried to explain, but his sister wouldn't listen. She pointed at the second glass on the table accusingly, before yelling:
"Don't even lie to me, Peter. I don't need to follow her here to know that you're not alone. I can see the other drink on the table! So better tell me where did Cornelia hide, or else I'm telling mom everything. I'm going to tell her everything, I swear!"
The young man saw himself in wonder. Not knowing how to explain himself and what exactly to say, he was just gesturing when Taranее doubted these sudden swings of his and turned back.
"Oh, there you are, Ms. Hale."- she exclaimed. "Now you two will listen to me very carefully."- Taranee pushed her glasses back her nose and looked around herself to make sure that there weren't any people near.
"Taranee?!"- Cornelia, who had just returned from the restroom, threw her 'Gucci' bag over her shoulder and glanced at her friend in bewilderment. "So you really were driving behind me, I thought I saw you in the rearview mirrors!"
"That's right, Cornelia."- her friend confirmed bitterly. "You tried to ditch me, by taking some outer route with your insane driving, but it was pointless because I knew you were meeting Peter and I already had his number tracked down!"
"You've tracked down my phone number? Wow, sis."- Peter exclaimed from behind her, but the fire guardian turned around and waved her finger at him:
"You shut up, Peter. You disgust me! You're about to become a dad for God's sake! And you, Cornelia? You already have a son, but instead of being home with him, you come here to do this! I'm ashamed to know both of you!"
"Wait a second, Taranee."- Cornelia retorted. "What are you trying to say?"
"Oh, don't pretend with me, Cornelia, I knew everything when I saw Peter text you the other night. You gave me your phone when you wanted me to take pictures, remember?"
Cornelia opened her mouth to protest, but the other woman didn't leave her such an opportunity:
"Fine, I can understand why Peter would want to hook up with you again. Not really, but OK! I don't justify his actions, but he's a guy. Guys are naturally jerks. But you, Cornelia? You're a mother! You're engaged! You claim to love Caleb so much, yet apparently, it's all a lie! I guess that once a cheater, one always remains just that! A filthy cheater!"
"Taranee, you DON'T know what you're talking about!"- Peter stood up and shouted, but it was too late.
Affected by his sister's words, Cornelia stormed away with glistening eyes.
"Go to hell, Taranee!"
"Wait, Cornelia, don't go!"- the man wanted to go after her, but Taranee grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"Shame on you, Peter! She should go home to her family; I don't care what she says to me as long as she goes back to where she belongs. What do you think that you're achieving by this?! This is not ten years ago when she could double-time Caleb with you when she'd grow bored!"- Taranee yelled. "Listen, depression, or no depression, you don't get to act like this, grab a hold of yourself before you sink in your shit!"
"Taranee, we weren't hooking up or seeing each other like that. You've got it all wrong!"- Peter groaned.
"Oh, yeah right, do I look like an idiot to you..."
"Right now, yes!"- he cut her off in rage. "Did you have any piece of fucking evidence that Cornelia and I are intimate or whatever before coming here today?"
Taranee paused and stared at her brother. Until a few minutes ago, she had been convinced that she was doing the right thing, but now suddenly red lights flashed in her head. Apart from seeing him text her friend and Luba's hint back in the Fortress, she didn't have any evidence...
Still, that text she hadn't even gotten to read, she had only judged by Cornelia's reaction. And Luba had already tried to fool her once... Could have she...
"Peter, you're her ex-boyfriend, what was I supposed to think?"- Taranee snapped. "And it's largely your fault, your depression, your distant mood and peculiar actions over the last months have driven me from being rational to being a fanatic! You can't blame me for reacting like that, after everything...You NEVER came to share what's truly bothering you with me, even though you knew how much I worry!"
Peter exhaled deeply and tried his best to regain his composure:
"Fine sis, my attitude has been odd. I get it. Doubt me, but how could you doubt Cornelia like that, without even checking your facts first? She's one of your best friends."
Taken aback by that, the young woman tried to say something in reply, but her words failed her. Suddenly she saw a different reality of what had just happened and her role in it petrified her:
"I-I...I had the best intentions to help both of you, I didn't mean to...P-peter, this is not fair, OK? You have no idea what I've been through, especially in the last months after Cassidy told me everything! You've been acting weird. You stopped talking to me!"- she sobbed. "How do you think that made me feel? We've always been so close and chill, we used to tell each other everything, and all of a sudden some strange things start to happen with my b-brother and he won't even t-tell me!"-Taranee shook her head through tears. "That undermined the ground beneath me, big bro. It hurt me and made me forget my rational mindset-"
The young surfer sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders in a try to comfort her:
"'I'm sorry, sis, look, I get you. The situation is pretty mad. But, hey, you've got to admit: you've been hiding things from me as well. Why didn't you tell me about being a guardian, Taranee?"- he leaned and said in her ear, making the world spin in front of her eyes and every cell in her body fill with utter shock...
Lair family house, 6:15 PM
"So, Chris actually remembered he used to be a challenge for the Lord of the Abyss when he was only eight? (I know, it's high time for me to get on with that story :D ) Wow, Irma, why didn't you tell us earlier. This is fantastic!"- Hay Lin exclaimed in a bubbly tone.
"Don't blame me for forgetting, Hay. The kids' story developed positively. All the problems that aroused for us didn't leave me the time to even talk!"- Irma exclaimed. "From the fights with Phobos-Mobos, all the crises and whatnot, Corny and I completely forgot that Chris stressed us before the ball, invading the room with screams and an accusatory tone. But in the end, it was creme dela-creme."
She and her friend were at Irma's parents' house, making decorations for the coming holidays. Naturally, it was Hay Lin making the most of the decorations and Irma talking most of the time, but their team still functioned. They had already managed to prepare a lot of things for Irma's studio and the school, where Hay Lin was volunteering as a part of her monthly internship. With Halloween coming in less than two weeks' time, the young Air guardian couldn't think of a better thing to take up for additional credit. She was going to earn bonus points while doing something she enjoyed. What could be better than that?
"Yeah, I'm glad Meridian got the veil to protect them from Phobos. He is such a dork for what he did, taking advantage of Elyon like that. I'm so happy that he hasn't been seen anywhere for almost an entire week now."- Hay Lin spoke as she cut yet another pumpkin out of orange cardboard.
"Tell me about it."- Irma was having a much harder time trying to make her bat garlands. "It gets me to hope he has already kicked the bucket somewhere far away from here."
"As long as he doesn't cause trouble."- her friend reasoned, being the less hard-hearted among them.
Irma snorted as she threw a jealous glance at Hay Lin's creations. Apart from all the little pumpkins, bats, black cats, etc., adorned to the smallest detail, the Asian had already managed to build a significantly large, glowing haunted house, made of different papers.
"Alright, DIY queen, I want a copy of that for my studio."- Irma announced, as she hastily gathered her long hair in a messy bun. "By the way, I'm thinking of cutting my hair again. I know Corny is going to kill me, but this thing is just too much of a pain in the ass."
"Noo, you look fantastic, Irma. Don't touch your hair!"- the Air guardian exclaimed. "Or I'm not going to make you a haunted house."
"Fine, fine!"
"Here."- Hay Lin smiled pushing the ready model to the front. "Take this one, I'll put together another one for the school."
"Aww, thanks Hay-Hay, you're the best!"
"Don't mention it. Hey, tell me more about Chris and Lillian. How did they work out their relationship after coming to realize about magic and everything."- the Asian girl asked, working her paintbrush.
"Ah, they're working it alright, as I've said many times, there's nothing which good sex can't solve."- Irma declared as she absently played with the scissors. "Which they, believe me, have like all the time! Pervy kids these days... At least they're both finally 18."- and she coughed. "Anyway, we think that Lillian's powers growing over the last months have unknowingly unlocked his suppressed memories. Now they're just both cool with what they possess as abilities and it's much easier for them. I think that we've gone a long way since Lillian freaked out, sending Cornelia flying up in the sky."
"You bet. I can imagine how light and free they must feel when they no longer have secrets between each other."- Hay Lin sighed. "It makes me think about me and Eric. I want to tell him so badly, but something pulls me back from doing it...it must be grandma's story about grandpa not believing her, but on the other hand, with every passing day, I get closer to that. She waited too long... I'm afraid that I've been waiting for too long already. I just don't know what to do."
Irma grunted something inapprehensible, but then looked up to her friend's worried face:
"Listen, Hay, Eric is not your grandpa. Not that I know your grandpa or anything, but I feel that Eric is someone much more...ready to believe. In you, most of all. But if you don't feel entirely ready to tell him your secret, then don't...I know, it's shocking to hear that from me, I did good for myself by telling Martin. He's very supportive and we get along even greater ever since I told him about Kandrakar and all that...But Taranee on the other hand."- Irma hesitated for a moment. "It blows because she wanted Nigel to know, and now that he does, she's pulling away. She made a mistake, if you ask me, several mistakes, which I don't want you to repeat. So yeah, my advice is to listen to your instincts closely, you have good hearing anyway, and they'll be sure to tell you when to get down and tell your boyfriend about our guardian business."
Hay Lin let a small smile spread across her lips upon hearing Irma's words. She rarely spoke without a hint of humor, even on serious manners, so it had definitely been inspiring and uplifting to listen to her last words.
Just when the Air guardian was about to suggest for them to take a break from making decorations to have something to eat, Irma's phone rang with one of Carmilla's newest singles.
"Speaking of the devil."- the Latina smirked as she picked up. "Irma Lair's craft shop, how can I help you, Ms. Cook? Would you like to order your very own custom-made Halloween vibrator?"- Hay Lin giggled, but as she watched Irma's smile quench after a few long moments of silence, she herself felt the joy leave her body.
Her sensitive ears had already picked up on their conversation, she didn't even need to ask. Once Irma put her phone down, Hay Lin just nodded at her with understanding and nodded at the table before them:
"Let's leave this for later, Irma. Taranee sounded upset, she will need all our attention. Where are you going?"
"To get my dad's whiskey."- Irma retorted as she vanished in the kitchen. "After what she did, poor Tara will need it to make peace with herself."
Caleb&cCornelia's house, 6:30 PM
"With the veil back around Meridian, the standard ways of transportation are not in question anymore. The Heart of Kandrakar can open and close portals, but they won't just start appearing on their own only two days later. The guardians won't have to worry about fixing holes for a while, which is why I took this."- Caleb finished his words by waving the familiar map scroll in the air.
"The map which the former guardians and the present guardians have used during the years of the first veil."- his father noted. "But how is that useful with us, Caleb, when without the Heart of Kandrakar the scroll remains blank. As a matter of fact, this map is a much more useful weapon in Will's hands than in ours. -"
"I know, dad, that's why I've just borrowed it."- the younger man was quick to explain, as he paced around the dining room. "Look, if we can shape the veil before returning this, we could hide a portal in the basement of this very house, connected to the palace in Meridian. This way we will be able to maintain a constant connection between the two worlds and hold the position on both fronts."
Julian estimated his word in silence for almost an entire minute. By the time he looked up to reply again, Caleb had already made five new circles around the room:
"But we can't shape the veil without the Heart either...what is more, once it gets altered by a magical force, it becomes much easier for other people to manipulate it for their own benefit as well. At least that's what has happened when Yan Lin tried to use the Heart of Kandrakar to cross through the veil and help people in Meridian through Phobos' first attacks back in the day."
"Did mom tell you that?"
Julian nodded and watched his son's face curve into a tense grimace. Although seemingly calm at the moment, the situation created by the Evil Prince's escape perturbed all of them.
"How is she, she looks different ever since returning from Kandrakar. Did she tell you anything about what took place there after I left?"
After that question, the veteran rebel looked down somewhat despondently, as he stirred in his chair. That didn't go unnoticed by Caleb, who was quick to add:
"I knew the Oracle would do something to hurt her with again."- he growled. "I never should have listened to him."
"Look son, we cannot and should not be in direct conflict with Kandrakar and the Oracle, but your mother... She's indeed rather upset, she even rejected me these last two nights. -"
"What? You mean like..."- Caleb began awkwardly, but thankfully he didn't need to go on. His father nodded with the same uneasiness, forcing himself to smile.
"Well, that sure doesn't sound like her normal self at all."- the rebel leader sighed and finally took a seat around the dining room table. "And this sucks balls because I wanted to ask her to try using her powers and the Mage ring to open the portal to Meridian."
"Will refused the idea, didn't she."
Caleb made a face as he rolled and unrolled the map in his hands.
"I haven't asked her. But yeah, I don't think she'll be keen on the idea. That's why I wanted to talk to mother first. But listening to your words I lose hope."
Julian reached to place a hand on his son's shoulder:
"Whatever trials and tribulations await us, son, I am convinced that we will pass through them, and together, we will restore the serenity and happiness of Meridian. The divider is only a temporary solution, and even if we cannot cross it for a while, we have to believe that everything will be fine. Rationally speaking, there is currently no cause for concern anyway, isn't that so?"
Behind the threshold separating the dining room from the modern living room, Nerissa leaned against a wall and sighed deeply. She had heard almost their entire conversation. They had to hear her too before she fell into a stalemate. Again ...
I believe that dreams are sacred,
take my darkest fears and play them-
Like a lullaby...
Like a reason why...
Like a play of my obsessions,
make me understand the lesson:
So I'll find myself,
so I won't be lost again...
"Join the mystic link. Helps us make the Universe safe again. Help us protect Meridian and Earth."-his words still echoed in her ears after it was all done- the veil had been raised. It had taken a huge portion of her energy - that was the price she had to pay as a functioning patron of the dimension around which the bases of the divider were being built, which, stronger than ever, was beyond the power of the entire Kandrakar unity without their help. The former guardians were needed again. If it wasn't ironical, it would've meant something to her. Her strength was so drained afterward, that Halinor had to support her to stop her from falling. Still, if Phobos couldn't get on the planet anymore, it was worth it. Even if the former heart-holder was leaving the mystic circle more drained than anyone else.
"It has been done, my friends."- Himerish assured them with a smile. "You may all retreat to your chambers and meditations, for the new dual veil around both Meridian and Earth has been established. This new veil is upgraded, it no longer seals all passageways around our Fortress. Phobos, on the other hand, wherever he is, will not be able to access these two realms where most of his targets are located. We did our job perfectly, I would say."
"Let's leave."- Kadma turned to her friends. "I don't enjoy listening to this man at all. There's always something wily in his actions."
"We can't fold to Earth; the Oracle needs to open a portal."- Halinor reminded her. "But I agree that we have to go. Nerissa needs her rest, while we need to get to Fadden. As it will obviously be our only home for as long as Phobos is recaptured."
"We won't be able to commute to Zamballa or anywhere else for that matter."- Kadma agreed grimly. "I sure hope that all this isn't to no purpose."
Halinor moved her concerned gaze from her raven-haired friend to Kadma and her stone-like expression.
"It shall not be."- she murmured uncertainly, before raising her voice up: "Oracle, if we're done here, we're ready to leave. Please send us to Heatherfield."
Himerish, Luba, and Tibor, being the last elders to remain in the hall halted their quiet impromptu meeting.
"There is just one more thing before I let you go, former guardians."- the seer said as he turned to them once more, but the obligatory 24 carat smile was not on his face, to the blonde's dismay. "Nerissa, I am afraid I must ask you to hand the Heart of Aridia to me."
There was an ominous silence that seemed to hit the white walls, returning like a sinister blizzard of the non-existent wind. Nerissa struggled to keep her eyes open and fixated them on her once supervisor. At that moment, she hated him with all her being, ever more than usual, if that was even possible. He had tricked her. He had made a fool out of her.
"What?!"- Kadma exclaimed in outrage, rushing to her aid. "Of all the feeble-minded decisions, this has to be the one which gets to be the victor! Why didn't you ask her to do that back when you lured us here? Why now when she clearly needs the power to protect both herself and the many others around her?"
"Oracle, excuse me, but I am also flabbergasted by this and I fail to understand it."- Halinor confessed bitterly. "Why strip Nerissa of her power now that she has proven herself as a worthy alley and Mage?"
"First of all, she has done no such thing."- Luba began with rage. "And second, it was a matter of time for this thief to be invited to return what she has taken from a realm that is dying without the source of its power-"
"Nobody is asking you, you delusive aphis."- the Queen of Zamballa interrupted her angrily and glared at the Oracle.
He had his eyes closed the entire time, a deep rueful look on his face. What a joke he was. Kadma was just about to yell at him when Tibor took the word first:
"The wise one's decision does not lie in the trust the Council has for Nerissa, but in the fully understandable for you reasons, that require Aridia to get its source of mystic power back. The Mage has violated the abilities of this heart, it is not the Heart of Kandrakar to have infinite power. First the conquest of the legendary serpent, then the protective field over an entire capital ... such actions that use up an enormous fraction of magic, inadvertently, of course, led to Aridia's critical condition, and if we want to save it, we must return the heart to its territory."
"And then the new veil."- Nerissa finished the list piercingly, throwing a hateful glance forward. "That demolished the last wall holding the Aridian energy in this jewel, which was why you insisted that I join you in this endeavor, right, Himerish? You used and tricked me."
Her friends stared at her, astounded. Halinor's astonishment growing into horror, and Kadma's- into anger. She really wanted to make that bald man pay when he uttered his next reply:
"You know that this wasn't my intention, Nerissa. The veil wouldn't have been possible without you taking part in the spell, that was why I asked you to join us. Did I know that it will result in this? Yes, I did. But it wasn't what I wanted to achieve and it never will be. It was a natural consequence, which I could foresee, yet not prevent. As you can see, I had no problem in particular with you being sole guardian of a greater power. It seems that it was just not meant to be, and as you know I can't intervene in fate's ways..."
"This is the second Heart you take away from me."- the woman interrupted him bitterly. "First the Heart of Kandrakar, all these years ago, now this...But you know what? This time I will give it back to you willingly, as this one did not choose me or have a special connection with me. There really is no reason for Aridia to die."- and she made the jewel appear in her hand. It was almost entirely devoid of its amber lights and energy when the ex-guardian threw it at Himerish.
He caught it effortlessly, giving her an empathetic, yet firm look. A look she hated.
"Thank you for understanding the situation, Nerissa. You saved a lot of time and effort on all of us."
"Oh, I merely saved my time, Oracle, from wasting in on you. I would not consider doing that again, that is for sure. Not when I have a grandson and close people to be with."- Nerissa shook her head. "Take this and save that lifeless planet Aridia from crumbling down to pieces. I couldn't care less. But know that I will not stop in front of anything and anyone. I will obtain power again, because I am destined to have it, no matter how hard you try to weaken me up. I was chosen to be powerful. By fate, that is, not by you. And yours is only the blessing that I've decided to use this fortunes of mine for good. "- when she finished her explosive speech, he had been left to look at her with something that resembled a small smile.
Luba, on the other hand, reacted negatively, after breaking off of staring at the sorceress in super faction, together with the white-bearded man:
"Insolent witch, that is why you'll always remain a menace to the Universe! How dare you speak like that to the Oracle...
But Nerissa was done with irrelevant people for the day. She was done with fighting and struggling. She had to rest. She had to gather strength and start a new, better power quest which was going to help her keep her word to Caleb. Which was going to help her live the life she wanted.
Little had she known that days later, not only would she not have gathered the strength she needed, but she would also feel worse like she hadn't in a long time. Weak. Depressed. One gave meaning to the other, but most of all she hated the fact that she felt these terrible emotions even though she now had everything she had ever wanted. She had won so much and had lost only one amulet. One little trinket known as the Heart of Aridia. She hated how that loss reflected on her whole being and determined her condition, even though it did not have the power to. She knew she was the one allowing herself to go through this- the lack of greater magical power was something she was letting take away the glow of her life, and she hated herself for it.
Nerissa took a deep breath. Her ghosts were gaining on her, but she had to fight them...She had to fight the false feeling of a void that she knew had no place in her heart, but rather in her desire for power. No, that would be foolish. Why fight the ghosts, she suddenly realized and managed to smile for the first time in days. When I can side with them.
Olsen pet store, 7:00 PM
Will Vandom sighed with exhaustion as she wiped the counter one last time. The long workday, unfortunately busy, (something that was not very common for their pet store), the lack of food, and the stress around Phobos' recent escape, were all factors threatening to make her lose her mind. On top of everything, she had to go help Matt out in the night club tonight, as she was officially their host now. She wasn't complaining though, it was something she had wanted. In fact, the few hours she would get to spend in 'Thunder Princess' would be the most fun and productive of her day.
And even though when sharing the news of her new job with her mother, Susan's reaction had been skeptical and even negative at first, Will strongly believed that with that she had finally got the strict woman to stop worrying her daughter would end up being broke and unfulfilled.
"What are you telling me, that you'll be a dancer?!"- Susan had exclaimed in horror upon hearing about the club job. "A bartender? Please, Will, just don't tell me you're going to be a stripper!"
"No, mom, of course not!"- Will had growled in response. "Urgh! It's Matt's club, he'd never allow me to be a stripper anyway, even if I wanted...Why must you always say such things? I'm going to be a host, I'll manage the orders, the staff, I'll help Matt and Joel out. It's a pretty decent job, actually."
Will rolled her eyes recalling that talk. But that had been almost two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, when life had been pretty easy. Easier than usual, actually. Back when Nerissa and the ex-guardians had finally been put into check and Phobos's problematics hadn't even suggested arising. The end of September had been a better time for all of them, but now she and the other guardians plus Meridian, Kandrakar, and all the other realms which were aware of the threat had been put on thorns once again. With the tyrant having gone into hiding somewhere unknown and the veil being raised once again, a decision which Will didn't have great opinions on, peaceful lifestyle as a maxima was out of question.
Elyon's decision, her reckless and foolish act, was something that the redhead still could not make peace with either. Of all her naive mistakes, this one had to be the worst. An unforgivable one, almost, but Will wasn't going to comment on that anymore.
She had enough things to do as it was, Elyon could shove her gullibility up her ass, and after what she had done, Will couldn't care less. Wasn't she about to get married soon anyway? Good for her. Maybe her new husband could teach her some common sense if the entire Meridian court couldn't, for over 10 years.
Feeling how angry and bitter she had become, the young woman decided to forget all this and just get ready. She had to eat something and then head to the club anyway; the pet store was to be closed soon. Finally, because all these animal noises were making her headache worse. The guardian pulled a pallet and a brow brush out of her bag and got to business. If she was to look presentable, she had to do something about the bags under her eyes too... Will scoffed at how puffy her eyelids were after another night of bad sleep, and was just combing through her lashes with the back of the duo-brow brush when she heard the bell above the door. They had to change up that old thing.
"Good evening, what can I help you with s... Blunk?!"- the monotonous voice she had originally used for the fixed-line she repeated all the time, suddenly had a note of pure bewilderment to it. "What are do...How are you? But...Ah, Blunk, how did you come to Heatherfield."- Will finally found the right words among all the stammering as she glanced at the passling that casually made its way to the rodent cages at the bottom of the store.
"Through portal! Blunk never forget smell of portal!"- he exclaimed. "Blunk thought Blunk should come and say hi to guardians before going on important businessman trip around Heatherfield junkyard!"
"A portal?"- Will exclaimed in response, not even bothering to scold the little creature for staring hungrily at the hamsters. "But that's impossible! How did this portal open so soon after the new veil was raised, it's extrinsic...it makes no sense!"
But Blunk just shrugged. It infuriated her, and the guardian growled. After so much time, he could be a little more accommodating to how they had to deal with crises like the one hanging over them right now. Maybe the situation on Meridian was currently peaceful and that had made Blunk feel safe and out of danger, but she knew better than that:
"OK, you know what, forget it, Blunk. Thanks to coming to me though, now that I know that there's an open portal in Heahterfield, I know I have to close it. Just tell me where you found it."
"Portal open in best friend Caleb's room in Infinite City. Blunk smelled it because Blunk spend lot of time in best friend Caleb's old house..."
"What!? Since when do portals open in the Infinite..."- Will growled again. This wasn't getting her anywhere. Her distress was increasing with every following minute. This veil had to stop Phobos from entering their realms, but that wasn't going to work out if all these random portals began appearing again. As far as she knew, portals only appeared after someone with greater power tried to manipulate the veil...at least it used to be like that when Phobos had been trying to cut through it during his reign. If Phobos was now hiding in an unknown dimension, but portals were still opening, and so soon, worst of all, then who was playing with the divider's stability?
"The other end of the portal, Blunk. Where did the other end of the portal lead you to? Where was it? Was it somewhere on the streets, the City Hall, by the river-"
"No, no."- Blunk shook his head enthusiastically. It was evident that he had fully recharged and would not stay in one place for long. "Portal led Blunk to basement. Caleb's new house basement, here in Heahterfield!"
A/N: Last chapter for 2019. I decided to get it up now! Anyway, I wish you all a fabulous New Year's Eve and may 2020 be extraordinary, special, and blessed for all of us!
