Chapter 14: There's Something Gruesome in the Air Part One
"You are going to betray me. I understand. And I hold my hands over the ears of my heart so that I will not hate you"
- Catherine M. Valentine
quick note: don't forget to check out my new Caleb/Cornelia one-shot "Hold no Brief for Briefs" ;) Happy reading!
"As the wedding approaches, we ought to ensure the final result of our plan."- Phobos tossed his long, wet hair back and exited the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist. "We need to get to the gardens of Myrna and to the magical Nariphon* fruits. The problem is that the garden we seek isn't very near to our current location. It is, in fact, in a different Universe."
"The gardens of Myrna? I thought that they were just a myth."- Cedric followed the prince with his eyes, as Phobos unceremoniously dropped his towel down and proceeded to get dressed.
The olden bedroom with its almost village-like furniture was not worthy of royalty, but it was the best which they could do as for now. Yes, the Hidden Mansion had been much more glamorous, but the circumstances had led them to this point. At least now that they were on Meridian, their concerns with the veil were no longer as big.
"The myth tells the story of Queen Myrna, who ruled Meridian centuries ago. Upon giving birth to many male descendants throughout her years, old age began to catch up with her and she didn't have much time left to beget a daughter. The kingdom needed its future Queen, and desperate because of that, Myrna resorted to black magic to open a portal to another Universe. There she found the Nariphon trees that promised to help gift her with a daughter. Even though they warned her of the price which she had to pay if she resorted to them, Myrna was devoted to her kingdom and didn't think twice. The spirit of Nariphon fulfilled its promise, but upon giving birth to her daughter, the dark forces Myrna had made a deal with, imprisoned her in the parallel Universe, and she became sole guardian of the trees as to make sure that their otherworldly power will never be used again. Ever since then, the fields hosing the Nariphon trees have been known as the gardens of Myrna around the Metamoor."
Leonida was at some other part of the cottage and hence the Lord had allowed himself to spend some time alone with his Prince. Phobos made a face as he buttoned his undershirt:
"Very well, Cedric. Your retelling of the old legend was quite precise, I'm sure that our once teachers would've been proud of you for remembering after so much time. If the majority of them weren't dead."- he tucked the shirt in his pants. "Leastwise, I'm sure you recall the rumors about my mother being offered to use the Nariphon fruits after she had me."- the man pronounced the last part of his sentence so very grimly, evidently resenting the thought. "But, naturally, Queen Weira was too noble to resort to such dark magic. She decided to stay natural and gave her put-upon uterus a second chance. After long years of countless tries, she and her consort had my dear sister. I've never considered the rumors around her pregnancy important because the deed was already done- my sister had come to existence to rob me of everything which I should've had and it didn't matter how. But now that I'm in a need of some magical assurance, and after Leonida managed to find a way to cross over to the parallel world of Myrna, I can't help being interested, Cedric. All myths carry a dose of truth; hence we will choose to believe in this one. By now you're aware of Leonida's abilities; she knows what she's doing."
Cedric didn't reply at once, angered by the thought of Leonida and her significance in general. Then he looked up at Phobos and said:
"Regardless of everything, sire, your mother loved you. Even if she didn't often show it, Queen Weira had a soft spot for you in her heart. What Meridian wanted wasn't necessarily what she wanted-"
Phobos snorted, but for a second, his cold green eyes lost their malicious shine. One look at his reflection in the mirror helped pronounce the next words:
"It doesn't matter what the old nag loved or wanted, Cedric, she's dead. Had she loved me, she wouldn't have plotted against me...Darn Meridian and their Queendom hankerings...They darn well deserved to rot in misery for that and they did, for over 13 years!"- Cedric sensed the prince's inner turmoil and mood going south, so he hasted to say:
"Forget that, my Liege, do tell me more about this expedition to the gardens of Myrna. If we're to cross over to a Universe parallel to this one and this realm, we must get to the turning point in Meridian's scenery, which Leonida has already found, I assume."
"She has."- Phobos confirmed and finally faced the other man fully clothed. "Like every inversion point, there is, this one can be manipulated and used to one's advantage. Magic which only Leonida can do for now, due to her birthright powers."- he frowned as he said that; some people were born with unique powers, while he had to absorb his from others' life force. "It's over there, it's very far away from here."- the prince pointed at the plotted map laying on the bed. "Near the former galhot cemetery."
"That's nearly a day in travels, sire!"- Cedric exclaimed as he looked at the map up close. "Teletransporting there is out of the question, these lands are immune to that due to the protection spells on the cemetery- "
"I know. This is why we'll need a diversion to keep the obnoxious guards, the rebels, my pathetic sister, Nerissa, and their darned guardians busy. Saying that out loud makes me realize how many people want to see me down and that only further motivates me to succeed. Anyway, back to our travels. For them to be unbothered, we will need a proper distraction that I've already thought of."
"But, prince Phobos, forgive my inquiring, if you may, wouldn't a sudden attack in Meridian raise suspicion?"
"Very well, Lord Cedric. You think like me and I commend it- do not worry, we're not to attack Meridian. We're about to cause a riot on Earth; in our beloved Heatherfield, if you may."
The shapeshifter looked at the other man and his diabolical grin with incomprehension and a dose of concern. Was he losing the last pieces of his sanity? How was he imagining it? How were they to launch an attack through the veil? Yes, Cedric had been able to open an ancient passageway between Meridian and Coronia, but that had only been possible as Coronia was untouched by the veil. With Earth the case was totally different, the planet was veiled by Kandrakar just like Meridian, and the only way to reach it was through Nerissa's heavily guarded portal somewhere in the Infinite City. That was hardly an option to be considered...
"Oh, don't give me that look, Cedric. We don't have to think about how to cross the veil."- Phobos said, having read his concerns on his face. "We just have to get a little present delivered to Earth by the royal passling smuggler. I'm sure that you'll be able to achieve that, Cedric. You'll trade Blunk this while me and Leonida go on our way. Then you'll come back here and await our return. Possibly do some dusting, at least. This dump has gotten even dirtier over the last days."
Cedric didn't have time to be miserable because of the fact that he was being left behind yet again, this time as a maid, because Phobos took a small, but beautiful box out of his dresser and handed it to him:
"What is this?"- he asked with open curiosity.
"Let's just say that once this box is opened, Heatherfield will have bigger problems than thinking about me for a good while. Especially the guardians."
Meanwhile on Heathefield….
"Cornelia, it's extremely impolite to be late! How many times have I told you that, my girl! We really have to revise our knowledge on good manners, I see"- Vera Hale noted with a critically raised eyebrow as she welcomed her granddaughter and her friend in the Hales' penthouse.
Irma was the only one to accompany her, as they had been busy with Lillian's practice all morning. The others had already gone to the Lyndon observatory, where they were all invited, but Cornelia and Irma needed to drop Killian at Garden Plaza before they could join them.
"It's not my fault that there's an awful traffic jam, right between our neighborhood and the main boulevard, grandmother."- Cornelia rolled her eyes as she walked in and left her baby in the fancy cradle which Vera already had brought in the spacious living room. She gave Killian one last smile and a soft kiss on the forehead. He was almost 4-month-old by now and he was gorgeous.
"Yeah, Mrs. Hale, we weren't at all late because Cornelia took forever to get ready."- Irma called in innocently." Don't you know her motto is: The Queen is never late, everyone else are just early!"
Cornelia turned around to shoot her a poisonous glare, but her grandmother had taken the word:
"Cornelia, that's scandalous! You're a mother now and you should be a better role model. Trust me when I tell you that kids take notice of what the adults around them do from an extremely early age! You don't want to be a bad role model like your mother, now do you?"
Elizabeth and Harold had gone on a vacation to Beverly Hills for the week, and hence the Earth guardian had seen herself forced to leave her son with Vera. Yes, Cornelia knew that her grandmother was getting quite old, but she was still holding good and was as sharp as ever if one knew her well enough to accept all her pompous and maddening statements as normal.
"Alright grandma, Caleb will come to pick Killian up right after the opening reception is over, that should be in two hours or so."- the blonde tossed her long locks, today curly, to the back. "I'm sure you'll do just fine, meanwhile, right? Great, we'll get going! The others will be waiting for us in front of the observatory."
But before she could decamp, Vera's authoritative voice caught up with her:
"Sit tight, young lady! A few things."- and Vera started counting her fingers down." Firstly, how dare you query my abilities to take great care of my great-grandson? Didn't I raise a fine son and two granddaughters to perfection? Next, I want to congratulate you for going to a refined event held by Zacharias Lyndon. I knew his older brother, Charles, may he rest in peace, and his family has always been with high public status! Even if they were not socialites like me..."
"Grandma, we'll be late."- Cornelia reminded her.
"...last, but not least, I insist that you and your fiancé join me for dinner tonight. Don't refuse me, Cornelia, I'm all alone here."- Vera said to her granddaughter's surprise. "I will have something cooked, Enrique, my chef will be here soon while I spend quality time with my Killian. And then I'm going to wait for you. Feel free to bring your in-laws too. Now, go, Cornelia. I'll get everything ready."
Cornelia and Irma exchanged glances before they went on their way. The Latina nodded encouragingly at the other woman and took her goodbyes with Vera, heading for the door. Cornelia was about to do the same, but before that, she stopped and hugged her grandmother.
"There, there, Cornelia, darling, what's the matter? Just careful with my rib cage."- Vera exclaimed as she hugged her granddaughter back. "Does that mean that you accept my invitation without second protests?"
"Yes, grandma."- the blonde replied as she held the older lady with affection. Often, she forgot to express her feelings towards her grandma, who she loved and respected so much, even when they fought by reason of their dominant characters. Yes, they could both be hard to endure, she was aware of it. They could both be bossy, snobby and presuming, but they were, after all, grandmother and granddaughter, and Cornelia was forever beholden to the Universe for that. "We'll be here at 6:30."
"I'm nervous, grandma."- Hay Lin confided to the older woman, as Peter parked the car in front of the observatory. "What if now's a bad time? Eric is so pumped about hosting this year's Astrofest. I shouldn't have postponed telling him so much; I'm so stupid..."
"Ahh, enough is enough, granddaughter. You'll do just fine."- Yan Lin scolded her. "Just listen to the voice within and let your element guide your words to Eric's heart. I have full faith in that boy, he'll take the news like a real gentleman. He won't leave you for you're a guardian, Hay Lin."
Hay Lin sighed despondently and looked over at Taranee's understanding face. The fire guardian, who was sitting next to her on the backseat, put her hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
She and her grandmother had traveled to the observatory in Peter's car together with his sister and Cassidy. They had finally found a place to park and it was time to head to the opening reception:
"Hay Lin, be strong and believe in your love."- Cassidy said from the front seat. "Trust me, telling the truth may be hard, but it's never a wrong decision. While if you choose to hide it from the guy you'd like to spend your life with, the consequences may be too weighty for the both of you."
Hay Lin sighed again and felt the two buns on top of her hair to make sure that they were even. She knew that the former guardian was talking from her personal experience, but still...Maybe she was right. If Cassidy could work out her own complicated situation, there was hope for her too, right? But then again, Peter had been connected to the world of Kandrakar by so many things. His sister for starters. And then who was going to play the role of Cornelia, who had taken the time to explain the hard to digest details to her ex-boyfriend and put him in a favorable mood, in their case?
It was beginning to snow lightly when they all got out of the car and headed for the main entrance to the observatory. Hay Lin walked close to her grandmother with an uneasy expression, deep in her thoughts. She could've as well missed her friends, who had all gathered in front of the observatory if they hadn't called her name:
"Hay Lin, Taranee, over here!"- Will waved to them from the top of the stairs. "We've been waiting for you!"
"Will, Nigel!"- Taranee exclaimed and rushed to the group. "What are you guys doing out, you should've waited for us inside."
On the top of the square in front of the entrance, Will, Matt, Susan, Dean and Nigel were standing in a circle together with Martin, Caleb, Nerissa and Julian. All dressed in outerwear, they greeted the new arrivals. Apparently, Cornelia and Irma still hadn't arrived, for they were the only ones who Hay Lin didn't see. Or maybe they were already inside.
Nigel took his girlfriend in his arms, as Cassidy went to hug Nerissa. The two of them got engaged in a side conversation about the redhead's pregnancy, isolating themselves from the others.
"Yeah, we needed to find a parking space. This place is packed!"- Peter added with a smile as he caught up with his sister and amicably patted Caleb's back. He had taken a great liking to the rebel leader, who was also considering him a friend by now.
"Don't worry, Taranee, we're not cold."- Susan interfered with a smile. "Louise is entertaining us with stories from her travels! Some of the interesting facts she told were a novelty even for Dean!"
"Well, after all, we are competent in two different fields, Susan."- her husband coughed, visibly irked by the remark.
That was when Hay Lin's anxiety increased tenfold. Oh, no, how could've she forgotten to keep in mind that Eric's parents would be here? It was their son's first international event, of course, that Louise would fly back from Opal Hill or whatever other destination she had been at. She was his mother, but at times, Hay Lin was genuinely appalled by her...
For ten years, the scientist and her son's girlfriend hadn't succeeded in melting the ice between each other. Ice which at first glance, appeared to be non-existent, but the young Asian girl knew better than to trust Louise's artificial politeness. She didn't like her and even took her for a weirdo in the past, and that had remained so till day, all because of her secret which condemned their relations from the very first meeting in the Silver Dragon, years ago...
"Professor Collins is right."- Hay Lin finally saw Louise's figure behind Caleb. "We're intelligent people with versatile interests, but we can't help being most advanced in our own field, right? It's nice to see you again, Hay Lin."- the Air guardian managed to smile weakly. It had been at least two years since she had last seen her boyfriend's mother at a, particularly awkward lunch.
Since then, Louise had cut her hair shorter in a retro, yet glamorous hairstyle. She looked good, she looked as pretty as ever. But why did she have to come just now, when I finally gathered the courage to tell Eric the truth, Hay Lin thought sadly, as everyone got ready to enter the observatory. The reception was about to begin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, dear guests. I'm honored to be able to host this year's Astrofest, here, in my hometown Heatherfield, in my family observatory. I'm proud and elated to present all that our astronomers and specialists have put together for you, together with so many other colleagues from all over the continent. My guests, welcome! Welcome to Astrofest! Walk around and gaze at the star maps and thrilling discoveries as you enjoy the light background music and the fine cuisine. Thank you! Thank you for being here today, helping us at most, as we raise funds for future space research. The pleasure of your presence is entirely mine!"
Eric left the microphone aside, but his earnest, handsome smile remained on his face even after he left the podium. The crowd drowned him with applause and Hay Lin couldn't help the smile spreading on her own face. She was so incredibly proud of him for all that he was achieving. For his outgoing nature, kind heart and dashing attitude...
"I'm once again concluding that boy is not just handsome, he's incredibly sweet and intelligent too."- her grandmother said next to her as if having read her thoughts. "He's a keeper and so are you. He will help you with the burden of the secret, my little Hay Lin. I'm sure of it. "
Hay Lin's shoulders slumped down in uncertainty.
"I hope you're right, grandma..."
"It's a pity your parents couldn't come with us, but I guess we should be happy that the Dragon is going strong-"- Yan Lin stopped in the middle of her sentence, as she noticed her granddaughter's oppression.
"Hay Lin, what bothers you so much about talking to Eric about the truth? It's his mother's presence here, isn't it."
Hay Lin winced but didn't even bother to deny it. Her wise grandma was always able to read her.
"I know it's lame, grandma. Our relationship has made it through storms, it has surely matured enough for me to be able to reveal the last part of my soul and identity to him, and I was ready to do it today. You know that! I had braced myself...but then, when I saw his mom, a-all my courage disappeared... She never really liked me, and the last thing which I need is to give her another reason to think of me as a screwball. I just know that she'll come in the way of me and my confession to Eric, and the result will be catastrophic, I-"
"Here's what."- the ex-guardian cut her off before she could get herself even more worked up. "Enjoy the reception now, be yourself and act cool. Once you decide that its time to talk to Eric, just pull him out, take him to a secluded place! Leave Louise to me."
Yan Lin couldn't hide her smile as she saw the younger woman's eyes light up upon hearing her statement:
"You would? Are you sure grandma, she can be pretty unwinnable..."
"Ehh, I was a guardian for over 40 years, my little Hay Lin. I've seen worse! I can deal with your future Yuèmǔ** for as long as you need her attention occupied."
Nerissa raised the champagne glass to her lips as she walked past the different star maps and planet models. None of them looked like something she was too familiar with; she was only partly acquainted with this part of the Universe from her school days. Regardless, she could tell that Eric and his family were quite advanced in this science, and could understand the young man's jubilation when it came to hosting an international event of this caliber.
She spied Will at the other end of the large hall, talking to her mother in a visibly irritated fashion. Nerissa couldn't stop herself from smirking, once again traveling back to a conversation with her replacement from the past days.
*FLASHBACK*
Will wasn't surprised when she opened the door of her apartment and found the former keeper of the Heart on the threshold. They had already talked about this and had arranged this meeting.
Nerissa entered the residence unruffled, and seated herself on the couch in the living room, where she crossed her legs and gave the younger woman an expectant look:
"Well, Will? Did you do your homework?"
"I did."- the redhead murmured, as she pulled her over-sized shirt down. "I didn't get to speak to the Oracle about the matter, because he was busy with meditation, but I managed to steal a few minutes with Tibor who gave guidelines."
"Marvelous."- the brunette sniggered. "And what do these guidelines suggest?"
Will stopped to study her expression for a moment before responding:
"I suppose you'll be delighted to hear that you were right, Nerissa. Partly, at least."
"Partly?"
"Yes. You see, telling Elyon how to deal with a problem she has to solve on her own is wrong. But since we're talking about a living person in the base of this entire problem, the Council suggests that we test her in another, more 'light', yet moral test."
Nerissa's arched brows spoke for themselves. But Will saw a hint of smugness behind the almost perfect act, which had her question the other woman's motives.
"...We've received permission to give Elyon a push in the right direction with the Galgheita manner. If she can prove herself as morally mature and stable enough-"
"I take it that you've had the prudence to spare Cornelia this information. - "
"Nerissa, I wasn't born yesterday."- Will rolled her eyes. "Now if you have any suggestions as to how to test Elyon, I'm all in ears. And try not to think of something that'll kill her this time, OK?"
"As a matter of fact, I do have a suggestion."- Nerissa declared and leaned back on the couch with another smug smile.
"Yes?"
" We will test Elyon's strength of character. Raythor informed me that her Highness has had a visitor in her chambers while we were traveling to Fadden Hills."
"Huh?"- Will was sure that she had misheard. "Elyon had someone in her chambers? What is that supposed to mean- "
"Oh, I don't know."- the other woman mused with annoyance. "Maybe they've made Christmas cards in her room! Please, I take it that you aren't that stupid, but it appears-"
"I was just surprised, OK? Sheesh!"- Will defended herself and slumped down in the armchair nearby. "I had no idea that her relationship with Andan is already at that stage. Anyway, your suggestion was? How is the fact that Elyon accepted the Coronian guy in her chambers going to help us test her? He's her fiancé, so I don't believe that spending the night with him proves that she lacks moral stability - "
"Oh, no. Of course, it doesn't."- Nerissa whispered and once again beamed in complacency. "But what Andan has told her sure will help. See, as Magana's son, that boy will be sure to do whatever it takes to ensure his marriage to Meridian's Queen happens. We will use that to our advantage. If Elyon gets influenced by her future husband's stance and fails to distinguish what's most important for her kingdom right now, which is taking Phobos down, by all means, necessary, she will also fail the moral stability test which Kandrakar requires. It's simple and easy, Will. Just like we need it to be. You agree?"
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Yes, she had agreed. She had agreed and the ex-keeper's plan had worked out perfectly. Or at least the first part of it...For everything to happen according to the master plan, she needed more time. She needed to do many more things...No one had ever said that it'd be easy, but Nerissa knew that she couldn't give up. She never did. She had promised her son when accepting to be Mage again, that she will keep his homeland safe by all means necessary and she wasn't planning on failing him.
"I've spent enough time on Earth to know that this is a cliché, but your eyes truly do shine brighter than all these stars."- her husband's voice broke her off of her thoughts.
The woman smiled and let her soft dark crimps brush against his face.
"I don't mind a good sounding cliché when it comes from your mouth, my dear Julian."- Nerissa turned around and playfully brought her glass to the veteran rebel's lips.
He made an amusing face as he tasted the alcoholic drink and then reached to peck her cheek.
"It sure was pleasant of that boy Eric to invite us along with everyone else, wasn't it? Very thoughtful."-Julian mused as he wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulders and together, they moved to the next exhibit.
"Yes."- Nerissa agreed. "I approve of him in general. And this entire social function is also almost enjoyable. In the midst of all the problems we've had lately, it serves as a proper relief."
"No, love. Our biggest problems are behind us. Now that we're back together and we've mended relations with all your old-time friends and our encirclement by and large."- Julian shook his head. "Phobos and Leonida are nothing in comparison to what we've already been through. I'm positive that their time will end before it has started; it's our time that I care about. I want to spend my time with you and our family. Promise me."
"Well, but of course, Julian"- the ex-guardian replied softly as she turned to meet his eyes. "We've started our new chapter just like we wanted. Why this wistful tinge in your voice? I promised you, life is a journey which has just started for us. No one can change that."
"I know, Nerissa. I'm not wistful, I'm rather...grateful. Ever since you and the other former guardians became friends again, you've been so reasonable and calm; you even agreed to return the Heart of Aridia when they asked you too."- Julian smiled at her attentive expression and stroked her cheek. "I wanted to tell you how proud I am, proud of you for leaving all these behind-the-scenes actions behind. You've been functioning as Mage with a newfound grace because you learned to trust others again. Back on Coronia, for example, you took our son and confided your mission to him. Not that your past actions weren't justified, it's just this newfound openness of yours that suits you so much. I just wanted to tell you all this before we got carried away by something else. I've loved you ever since the days of your vengeance, but I appreciate your efforts to change into a better version of yourself."
"You really think so?"- Nerissa said in the end, upon assimilating his words. They had provoked different thoughts and emotions in her, but the feeling of being loved prevailed. A little tinge of guilt was left to scald her soul, though.
Julian gazed into her eyes and smiled softly. Around them, the hustle of the opening reception continued:
"I do."- he said. "I hope that it doesn't insult you in any way, for you've given me so much love, especially over the last ten years. You've hardly ever been a true sinner in my eyes, love, but honesty definitely looks divine on you. And you can understand what I mean to say, I'm sure of it. Your love and vision for a better world have always been honest, but now that your actions are too, you're a true role model to be prided."
"But I'll never be, I can never be as open to everyone, and you know it. I'm not a guardian angel, I'm not a moral staff- "
"And you don't have to be. It's enough to be open to me, to our son, your friends...all those people that are closest to us. Trust me, Nerissa, it does make a difference. So many have restored their faith in you, and I couldn't be happier about it. It means that our chapter is being written with high marks."
The ex-guardian placed her hands on his chest and sighed inaudibly. His love and trust for her were so pure... she couldn't bear to disappoint him in any way anymore. She had already done that enough times in the past. And yet again, her plan to bring Phobos down required some sort of moral sacrifice... She couldn't put all her genius in action without overstepping certain borders, and if she didn't, how was she supposed to save Meridian and the word given to Caleb? There was no proper way to do all the right things without hurting someone... Unless...
Nerissa could sense the flickering of the faint flame of one last alternative. Hurting her husband and son in the name of a higher good, however, was out of the question. She had decided. Never again would she cause them pain, even if only emotionally.
"True that, Julian. I'm glad that you shared this with me. I'd take off even the skin, I'll remain only in my soul."- the raven-haired woman said in the end and went in Julian's embrace. "Your trust is mine, but I'm yours."
In spite of the loud sounds, they had attracted a few curious glances, one of which, however, wasn't curious at all. It was expectant. The curious strangers couldn't help throwing glances towards the pair, even if unable to hear anything, but Will was just waiting. She was waiting for Julian's signal, which wasn't delayed. When he winked at her, the redhead smiled and nodded from her spot in the other corner of the huge hall.
True, the veteran had meant all that he had said, but he had come to say it after her request.
I knew that you'd never be willing to help Elyon directly, even if Galgheita is in question, Nerissa, the redhead thought. I don't know what exactly you had planned, but at least now I'm sure that you'll think twice before doing something wrong. Once, you were the only one who could find the so-called 'weakest spots' in our characters, but nowadays, I'm also able to do that. What you must admit is that, at times, our weakest links turn out to be our strongest weapons. Like in your case, your true love keeps you away from corruption and bigger evil...
"...Earth to Wilhelmina Vandom! What's so interesting over there that you ignore us like that?"- her mother's voice pulled her out of her thoughts, as if with a slap.
"Huh?!"- Will winced and focused her eyes on Susan and Dean in front of herself, giving her interrogative looks.
"Mr. and Mrs. Crossnic sure do love each other."- Dean noted having followed his stepdaughter's glance to the pair.
"Not more than us, I'm sure."- Susan crossed her arms on her chest and looked over at her daughter again: "Right, Will?"
"Yeah, of course, mom."- the redhead tucked a strand behind her ear. "It's not a contest."
"But if it was, we'd win."- the brunette reannounced, irked. "Right?"
Will stared at her mother incredulously. Sometimes she was truly putting her away with her competitiveness. Collins just smirked as he met the redhead's glance and threw his hand over Susan's shoulders:
"I suggest we go back to my story about the constellations of this group over here, shall we? A certain someone brought my knowledge of the skies down in front of Louise Lyndon, and I am more than willing to prove her wrong- "
Mother and daughter both groaned in burnout, as the man went on with his lecture. No, Susan wasn't the only competitive person in this marriage, Will decided. Dean was just as bad as her when his intellect was concerned.
"Hey, you, I can't even begin to tell you how overwhelmed I am. Today has been great! And if the opening is great, the entire Astrofest will be as smooth as butter!"- Eric was celebrating when his girlfriend met up with him in one of the empty, glazed corridors on the upper floors of the observatory.
She had asked him to join her away from the crowd, for a minute, and his mood was fantastic. Her grandmother was keeping Louise busy just like she had promised and yet, Hay Lin couldn't make herself reveal her secret just now. How was she supposed to even start saying this? He'd think she's insane.
I encouraged Taranee and Irma when it was their turn to let their boyfriends in the know, but when it's finally my turn, nothing seems to bring me courage, the young woman thought despondently. I feel the air as if it's trying to suffocate me. Something bad is about to happen, I can sense the dread hanging. And that bad thing will be Eric's reaction, once he finds that I've had a secret for him. For so many years...Sometimes, being a guardian is so unfun. What am I even thinking, we're not kids anymore! Being a guardian can ruin my relationship with a man I want to grow old with...
"Hay Lin, is something the matter?"- she felt Eric gently bring his lips to hers as he held her, and then gaze into her eyes with his impeccable charm.
The Air guardian shivered as a new gush of bad air went past her.
Oh, well, if I have to erase your memory after this like grandma had to do with grandpa, then so be it! I can't postpone this any longer!
"Yes, Eric. There's something that I've been meaning to tell you."- she said more firmly than she had expected her own voice to come out, tightening her fingers around his forearms.
"You can tell me anything."- the man said sincerely, flashing her a reassuring smile.
Hay Lin felt slightly better. If only the air around her wasn't so pressing and tense...It must have been her own tension. She opened her mouth, but before she could voice a single word, the deafening sound from outside, broke all the windows in the hallway as they stormed inside. Hundreds. Thousands of insects, flew in, like a horrific black cloud. A ruthless swarm that headed straight towards the two terrified, flabbergasted young people, veiling them in the whizzing curtains of its winged soldiers.
"And that is why Eric gave this ring as a present to me for my birthday this year. Sapphire is my astral stone."- Louise Lyndon revealed around the cocktail table, clearing up quite a few things to Yan Lin.
Why her granddaughter hadn't yet received a marriage proposal, even after overhearing her boyfriend talking about a ring at the end of summer, for example. This had to be the ring in question.
"Anyway, Mrs. Lin, it has been a pleasure to talk to you, but I must go and call Eric and Hay Lin now."- the astronomer smiled and attempted to leave her side. Yan Lin didn't allow her to:
"Oh, oh wait, Louise, but you can't! You haven't yet told me about your travel to China earlier this year!"- the old lady shot, desperate to keep her around. You mentioned it earlier."
"I will tell you all about it later, right now, it's time for Eric to get ready for an interview. The press is waiting."- Louise smiled and pointed at the other end of the hall, where Zacharias was talking to a small group of reporters.
Oh, yap! The former guardian glanced at the reporters and back at Louise, who was starting to look at her oddly by now. That was all they needed, for this woman to think of their entire family as wackos. Yan Lin thought feverishly. What could she do? Louise was irrepressible.
"Wait, Louise!"- the elderly lady pulled the other woman back a little bit too harshly. That didn't go unnoticed by the short-haired scientist, whose eyes widened in slight outrage, but before she could say anything, Yan Lin had already brushed it off: "I'll go and call Eric, you wait here, OK, dear? Good! I know where he and Hay Lin are, anyway."- she lied. "You'll just lose time searching for them."
"Sure, Mrs. Lin, but please hurry up."- Mrs. Lyndon said with a skeptic look mixed with worry spilled all over her face. "This is really important for my son's future in these fields."
Ahh, I can see how things are of different importance to your son and you. Yan Lin bit her lip as she headed for the exit of the big hall, unsure of what to do now. She hoped that she'll be able to sense her granddaughter and send her a short telepathic notice as not to ruin a possible moment between her and her boyfriend. The old lady wasn't sure of who to blame in the situation, which was, by all means unpleasant- Louise, for being an overly pushy parent or her Hay Lin, who had chosen this specific day to make her big confession.
"Mrs. Lin."- Taranee's hiss startled her before she could make her way through all the people. "There's an emergency! Someone is attacking the observatory. Someone supernatural. All the guests must remain in the hall and we need to go and help Hay Lin upstairs. Now!"
The guardians and Yan Lin rushed upstairs all together, running through the observatory. Dread and worry were all the former guardian could think of at that moment with even another obstacle had been added in front of the entire, hard-enough already situation.
"Guys!"- Hay Lin screamed as her friends made the way up to the corridor where she was desperately trying to push the swarm away with her powers. "Finally! I've been calling you forever! I can't keep this up any longer!"
"Ewww."- Irma exclaimed as she gawked at the thousands of bugs. "What is that supposed to be?! The apocalypse of bugs?!"
"There are so many!"- Taranee shivered.
"Disgusting!"- Cornelia made a face, but Will didn't lose any more time. She raised the Heart of Kandrakar up:
"Whatever this is, we'll need our full powers to deal with it! Guardians unite!"
"Cornelia, Eric is allergic to bees!"- Hay Lin shouted once they were all transformed. "He got stung at least twice and he's unconscious. He needs your help!"
"I'm on it!"- her blonde friend used telekinesis to pull the fallen man close to herself and then started moving her hand above his body, using her healing powers on him.
Meanwhile, charged with the power of the Heart, Hay Lin was able to wield a powerful storm that blew the swarm out through the broken windows. Will struck the bedazzled insects with her Quintessence, ending the most of them for good.
Taranee went over to take a look at what was happening outside as Yan Lin approached her granddaughter and put a hand on her shoulder. The despondent look in Hay Lin's eyes told her that she hadn't succeeded in telling her boyfriend before the sudden attack.
"OK, what the hell was that abomination."- Irma put her hands on her hips. "A bunch of random bugs just unite and lash out at the observatory? On the day of the opening reception!? That shit is pretty unlikely."
"It's disgusting!"- Cornelia repeated, wrapping up Eric's healing procedure. "And it's obviously unnatural. Only magic can enthrall insects, right? Therefore, it can't be Lyndon's rivals!" Um, Hay Lin. He should be fine now, but to be sure, get him some anti-allergy pills."
"Oh, thank you, Cornelia. Thank God you were here. Eric's allergy can be dangerous if measures are not taken on time."
"No, problem. But now we need to get to the bottom of these cursed bugs' attack."
Will scoffed and nodded. She knew that this was a supernatural case, but she couldn't wrap her mind around who had started it this time and why.
"There's only one being with such powers that both I and you are familiar with."- Yan Lin called in grimly, grabbing everyone's attention. "Though I sincerely hope she's not involved."
"Who, grandma?"- Hay Lin asked with worry. "Who do you suspect?"
Her grandmother avoided her gaze. No, she didn't need to worry them and herself before she was entirely sure. Besides, what were the odds? She couldn't cross through the veil, she was a prisoner of Kandrakar...
"Umm, I hate to strike terror into you, but the bugs are not done with us or Heahterfield. These stinkers are shadowing the sun! This is an invasion!"- Taranee's cry made everyone gather in front of the windows.
She wasn't kidding and why would she- the moment was terribly inconvenient, and to be extra dire, a new swarm was flying straight towards them.
"This is insane!"- Cornelia protested. "Where did all these insects come from and why are they attacking Heatherfield?!"
"Yeah, I get that you are striving to get answers, Corny, but we might as well want to STOP them from hurting innocent people out there."- Irma barked as she and Taranee combined their powers to create thick smoke which disorientated and defused the coming pests.
"Our problems don't stop here."- Yan Lin said, her eyes falling on Eric's unconscious body. "The boy is expected to give a speech downstairs. If he doesn't go- "
"Oh, no! His mom will blame it all on me!"- Hay Lin cried and looked at his grandmother helplessly. "What are we going to do, grandma?"
"We did lock the grand hall."- Will pondered out loud. "But soon the civilian will find out and Eric's interview will be the least of our problems."
"I thought that we're aiming to keep the civilian in nescience- ''
"Does this look like it can be hidden, Irma?"- Cornelia snapped and pointed at the dark clouds of insects in the distance. "Helloo, Heatherfield's been invaded by bugs! Call me a pessimist, but I think that a big part of the citizens has already noticed!"
"Not a good time to bicker, you two!"- Will called in strictly. "It's time to get this situation under control. At least somewhat! Irma, Hay Lin, go out and create a big blizzard above the entire city! The snow and cold air will neutralize these pests! Cornelia and Taranee, try to locate the primary source of this disaster and eliminate it! I'll do my best to stabilize the situation in the observatory and then I'll catch up with you. And don't forget to keep a low profile."
The guardians all nodded and flew out to begin with their tasks. Will was just exchanging last words with Yan Lin, getting ready to head out herself, when a familiar voice interfered:
"Not bad, Wilhelmina. I'm almost impressed."- Nerissa showed herself in the corridor and crossed her arms on her chest. "I'd add 'get Eric's unconscious body away from the open' as a final order, but that is just me."
Little do you know how impressed you actually have to be, Will thought smugly, remembering how she had outsmarted the ex-guardian one hour ago.
"How did you...Never mind."- the redhead shook her head. "Since you're here, help Mrs. Lin with that. The situation downstairs is it- "
"It's bearable."- Nerissa interrupted her. "Caleb canceled going to Meridian in order to help. Your boyfriend started some sort of attempt to entertain the guests and keep them occupied, my son's helping him... But these gnats are not attacking the city by coincidence. I already double-checked my portal- no one but Blunk has used it today."
"Oh, no Blunk."- Will groaned in frustration. "If this is his fault, I'm not going to spare him- "
"Even if Blunk has brought this plague to Heahterfield, it has been tossed to him deliberately."- Yan Lin interfered wisely. "This power seems way too familiar to me, yet I hope that I'm mistaken. The last time I witnessed such magic, was in the Valley of the Slow Willow River."
"We will have time to discuss all the details later."- Will had already headed for the main hall, but the ex-keeper was looking at her friend with knitted brows. "I'm going to check on Matt and Caleb."
"The Valley of the Willow...of course!"- Nerissa exclaimed. "Your leader's mission in that realm enslaved by that creature...The Cruel Empress***!"
Yan Lin's lips remained sealed, but her dropping despondence was eloquent, showing Nerissa that she had guesstimated right.
During the third year of their guardianhood, she and all her friends had had their own 'leader missions' in different realms, fit to their powers and element, where they had been expected to help the local people deal with different, serious problems.
Yan Lin's mission had been on a planet much like her own homeland, even if a more fabled version of it. There she had fought the ancient evil of the Cruel Empress alongside her friends, managing to free the people of the demoness and her army of insects, even if only for a good 20 years.
When the Empress had returned, CHYKN had already been disbanded, and help couldn't be offered to the Valley of the Slow Willow River. Liu, Yan Lin's good friend that she had made during the first mission, had been left to wait for Hay Lin to come and help her and the other people of the realm, decades later.
But after the girls' mission, Song Hо had been taken to Kandrakar, unlike the first time when she had managed to escape the former guardians. How could she be back now...
"Why didn't you tell them?"- Nerissa reproached her friend as she tried to lift Eric's body from the ground. "Have they dealt with the Empress before? Yan Lin, you know how artless these girls are, they need all the hints they can get- "
"A-a-a! They're not artless, they're good in what they do, and you know it. Come on, Nerissa, they're guardians for over 10 years!"- the older woman cut her off. "Needing more time to make the best decision is better than taking a polemical decision at once. Besides, I'm not a hundred percent sure that Song Hо is in Heatherfield. After all, the girls conveyed her to Kandrakar when they defeated her."
"Well. If you had listened to me and we had destroyed her during your leader's mission, none of this would be happening now. But I guess that would've been a polemical decision, huh?"- Nerissa noted icily, as she tried to lift Eric again. "Oh, what am I doing!"- even if she was a tall woman, she couldn't by any means lift and carry the grown man up. She used her powers and in an instant, Eric was flying next to them.
"Let's take him to his room and leave him there."- Yan Lin suggested. "When he wakes up, he won't remember what has happened and we won't have to think up any excuses."
"Lead the way."- her friend agreed as the shorter woman started walking first. She knew her way around the observatory, which served as the Lyndons' home too.
They hadn't even made it to the upper floor when they heard a noise behind them. When Yan Lin turned to look back, she felt her heart crumble:
"Leave Eric's side immediately, I've dialed security. They're coming this way."- Louise Lyndon stood behind them with fear and anger written on her face. She must have snuck out of the main hall to come and search for her son and save his interview. How much had she heard? How much had she seen and understood? Apparently enough to call security. After all, she was witnessing her son floating in the air right at that moment...
Yan Lin cursed herself and bad luck.
"I knew it."- Louise spat as she whispered. "I knew that something was off! But this...I've never expected things to be this crazy complicated! You're dangerous, abnormalities! Your granddaughter and her friends...I saw them fly through the windows, I saw and heard you! This is over!"- Louise said to the former guardians' shock. "None of you will even come near Eric from now on, you freaks!"
Yan Lin felt infuriated. She rarely lost her temper ever since growing old, but this woman managed to bring the worst in her. She didn't think twice; all she knew was that she couldn't allow this to happen. She couldn't allow Hay Lin's future to be ruined.
"What did you do?!"-Nerissa gasped as Louise hit the ground unconscious after Yan Lin swung her hand.
"Nothing."- the Asian woman said flatly. "I just sharply diluted the oxygen that she breathes. She will be fine. But when she wakes up, what she has seen and heard will no longer seem so real to her. C'mon, I will need ingredients for a forgetting potion. Come help me take them to their rooms."
Nerissa glanced at the other woman with something that looked like a mixture of amusement and awe before she set Louise's body to levitate next to Eric's:
"Well, Yanny, that was quite impressive. Was it the best decision or much rather a polemical one, though?"
* The Nariphon- (Thai: นารีผล, from Pali nārīphala), also known as Makkaliphon (Thai: มักกะลีผล, from Pali makkaliphala), is a tree in Buddhist mythology which bears fruit in the shape of young female creatures. The maidens grow attached by their head from the tree branches.
**Yuèmǔ- mother-in-law (from Chinese)
*** The Cruel Empress (also known as the Gruesome Empress)- the main villain of one of the five W.I.T.C.H original books, the one starring Hay Lin. Its story is briefly retold in this chapter. At the end of the mission in the ''Valley of the Slow Willow River" (the name of the world where the story takes place), the girls take the Empress to Kandrakar, where the Oracle makes her a prisoner.
A/N: In moments like these, when the entire world is going crazy, the best which we can do is self-isolate at home and occupy ourselves with reading, writing and talking to each other online! I wish you all to stay healthy and calm, this too shall pass!
Lots of good wishes,
~ jimelization ~ xoxoxo
