Chapter 42: Traceless

"My family is my life, and everything else comes second as far as what's important to me."
– Michael Imperioli


"Yeah, we can do that. Yes, sir, we will have your order delivered soon, don't worry. Yes, we are not planning on opening the restaurant soon, but we will keep doing takeout deliveries. Yes. Bye, have a nice evening!"

Sometimes, despite it being over 20 years since they had first met in kindergarten, Irma Lair still wondered how her friend Hay Lin managed to be so cheerful and optimistic.

The young Asian had just finished talking with the umpteenth ignorant customer over the phone, yet she was handling it like a pro. Twirling in her colorful skirt, she turned around and smiled at the other woman:

"The whole entire takeout service thing is still weird on everyone, but we've never had more clients in a week."- she beamed. "But it's strange; we've always offered takeout. What is it that these people don't get?"

"People are idiots!"

Irma smirked as she watched Chen Lin and his wife get downstairs with their bags and suitcases. Hay Lin's father was a mood at times; even though he was a tad too neurotic for her taste. The man and woman looked around the restaurant and exchanged last words with Hay Lin, who reassured them that everything would be fine in their absence. Their urgent travel would leave them away from Heathefield for an unknown amount of time.

"Isn't it a very bad time for your parents to be flying to China?"- Taranee raised a skeptical eyebrow after Mr. and Mrs. Lin exited the Dragon.

Hay Lin shrugged.

"I know, but what to do."- she sighed. "Mom's father is not doing good. He might not make it to see better times..."

"You mean your maternal grandfather."- the fire guardian nodded compassionately as she leaned against the table. "Didn't you use to tell us that he was against your dad's relationship with your mom?"

"Yeah."- Hay Lin nodded as she relaxed against the bar. "That was many years ago though. My dad went to Hong Kong for his college credits; at the time, his family didn't make good money here, in the USA, there was a financial crisis due to the recession. That's why dad had to work as a servant in order to provide for himself while away from home. Well, you guessed it, he happened to become a servant at my mother's house. Chou Khan, mom's dad, was very wealthy. They had everything in Hong Kong and everyone knew them. Mom lived a glamorous life, but with time, she started to develop feelings for dad and decided that she wanted to marry him and come here, to Heatherfield. Dad had proposed. They were really in love, and that really seemed to cross a line with Chou. He deprived mom of everything that she would've inherited, he took her out of his will and disowned her. That's how mad he was that she had fallen for a poor, according to his standards, boy, instead of one of the rich partners which he had planned to have her wed."- Hay Lin finished her story as Taranee and Irma looked at each other.

"Wow. That's extreme of him. Not to mention horrible."- Taranee shook her head.

"Yeah, bruh. What a dick. Sorry, Hay Lin-"- Irma quickly added when she realized that she had just cussed her grandfather, but the other woman shook her head with a smile:

"No, Irma, you're right. That's not all; after some time, Chou decided that he wanted his daughter back. He regretted forcing her to leave her family by denying her the right to choose her partner, but he didn't regret denying her choice. Every year since, he has been sending her divorce documents, promising her that she'd have everything that she 'deserves' back if she signs them and goes back to Hong Kong."

"Goodness gracious."- Taranee murmured.

"Not to be rude or anything, but honestly, your story makes me wonder why your parents are even going to see the man who put them through so much crap."

"Oh, come on, Irma. Sure, he's peculiar and with deviant behavior, and questionable values, but if he's dying..."- Taranee pushed her glasses back "It's only human for his daughter to want to see him one last time... Maybe he even wants to set his record straight and ask the Lins for forgiveness."

"I hope so too, Tara."- Hay Lin nodded. "After all, living and dying are only a part of the cycle, and holding grudges, especially towards family members, is pointless at a stage like this. I hope that my parents and Chou will make amends for everything."

Irma stood up and walked to her friend as to throw an arm around her shoulders and reassure her:

"It's all gonna be fine, Hay-Hay, don't worry about it."

Bur before Taranee could make her way to them too, the doors of the closed restaurant opened abruptly and Cornelia burst in. Her messy long braid and her distressed face gave out her feelings even before she voiced them:

"They're still nowhere to be seen."- her voice was ice cold and full of fear and reproach. Reproach for them, who faced her..." Caleb, Julian, and Nerissa are missing. They've been missing ever since we veiled the Palace and left it. I told you that something's not right, didn't I?"- she shot at her three friends who had lined up next to each other like pharmacy bottles. Yes, Cornelia didn't have a gun, but the way she shot her words and looks gave them greater anxiety, nonetheless. She was beside herself. Her anger and worries seemed to be clawing her from within: "Don't just stand there! We have to do something! We have to find my family!"

Will came running through the door after her, visibly out of breath. It appeared that she had run after Cornelia for blocks. Not wanting to lose any time, she shook her head:

"Cornelia, now that time has passed and we fail to reach them by any means, we will be doing everything in our power to find them."- she assured her again, even though it was pointless. Cornelia immediately turned towards her and shouted in response:

"We should've done that yesterday! Yesterday, when I told you that it's odd that we can't find them! But what did you say? You said that it will be alright! You just always know better!"

"Yes, because I was sure that Nerissa is up to something. She wasn't OK with our plan to lose, and it was obvious for me that she wouldn't just let it go."- Will insisted tiredly. Cornelia just huffed and looked away from her. She didn't want to admit it, but that part was actually something they could all agree on if they were to put their heads to the matter. "I've had my way with her. Nerissa is relentless. When she decides to do something, no one can talk her out of it. However, she's not irresponsible towards her family. Never. The fact that almost 24 hours post the battle she, Caleb, and Julian are still missing, sparks worry even in me."

"Guys, let's sit down first."- Hay Lin interjected. "Let's sit down and talk everything through once again. I'm sure that we'll find the best solution together."


Ten minutes later, all five of them had seated themselves around one of the empty tables. Hay Lin had brought out a few plates of different dishes and some drinks. She was just sitting herself when Taranee began with the backtracing:

"Alright, we know for a fact that when we veiled the Palace and teletransported out of it, Nerissa was with us."

"Right."- her friends agreed.

"She said that Caleb will meet us outside, but he wasn't there, was he?"- Irma clicked her fingers as she remembered. "That's strange because Raythor had already informed the different teams about our secret strategy with veiling the Palace..."

"Yes, Caleb wasn't there."- Cornelia interrupted her, twirling the glass of lemon water between her palms. "In fact, the last time I saw him was the day before the wedding. And it was a short time because he was so immersed in trying to locate the fucking Phobos and Leonida. Ever since that witch sped up her pregnancy and gave birth, Caleb has been constantly out. So, it is strange, getting to know that we've already encountered Phobos and Leonida, he couldn't' have had any other reason to keep the search going."

Everyone went quiet for a few seconds. That was a very valid point.

"We have to go and talk to the rebels, especially those who accompanied Caleb in his team during these search parties over the last days."- Taranee decided and Will nodded:

"I think so too. But do we know who was with Caleb?"

"Drake for sure."- Irma declared. "We'll just start with him. He should know shit."

"So, we have an idea for Caleb, but Julian?"- Hay Lin murmured. "And Nerissa? I just don't understand how the three of them went missing at once, they were not together that night."

Unfortunately, Yan Lin had had a bad headache and had taken a pill and gone to bed early, otherwise, Hay Lin knew that she would've helped them with this strange situation. Nevertheless, they would get to talk about it the next day. The new dawn is always wiser than the night before. Cornelia, however, didn't seem to agree with the old saying:

"We have to start somewhere!"- she hit the table with her hand. "Let's go to Meridian now and start questioning the rebels. Let's do something, I cannot spend another night in inaction when my man and his closest are missing like that!"

"Calm down, Cornelia, nothing bad will happen to them, I promise you!"

"Let's just go through all events after the battle and then we're going to Meridian."- Taranee insisted making the blonde roll her eyes. "Please, guys. Something important might come out of it."

*Flashback*

"The Palace. The Palace is lost again..."- Miriadel couldn't make amends with all that had just happened. She fell on her knees, on the grass in front of the castle that they had just left... Elyon sighed and placed her hand on her mother's shoulder.

It was a dark and cloudless early Spring night in the capital of Meridian. One could even say that it was refreshing. But time wasn't to be lost.

"Alborn, take these unconscious guards back to their families, then meet us near the portal in the Infinite City."- Will was ready to give new orders and was on to it already. Yes. They had just lost, but there were many battles to come. They couldn't afford to share Miriadel's personal tragedies right now. Alborn nodded and proceeded to fulfill the order; the men were starting to get to their senses, thanks to Cornelia's healing powers.

"I was going to suggest for Elyon and her family to come live in my castle as long as it's safe."- Andan interjected. "Or would you rather them living on Earth, Will?"

"I think it's a great idea; take them with ya!"- Irma was quick to say, but Will scalded her enthusiasm:

"As for now, yes, I would rather have them live in Heatherfield. Sorry, Andan, but you do understand that the war is far from over."- she said seriously. The moods in the group had gone south enough already. They could as well call it a night already. "We still have a lot to do before being able to neutralize these lunatics that we just had to deal with, for good."

"I understand."- the prince nodded and then stole a glimpse of his now-wife. "May I also join you? At least for tonight-"

"You may, let's just hurry up."- Taranee spurred them as she hovered above the ground. She was tired and wanted to get home, besides; it would do all of them good.

"Elyon, Orube is currently living in Galgheita's old home, but as long as we figure out something else for you and your parents, you will all be there, OK?"- Hay Lin threw a hand around Elyon's shoulders. The defeated-looking queen nodded with a sad smile.

"Why not return to the house where we used to live as the Browns?!"- Miriadel spat somewhat defensively, winning herself glares from Irma, Cornelia, and Nerissa, who was oddly quiet.

"It remained unmanaged for too many years. We also had no documents for it. The municipality expropriated it."- Taranee announced, unperturbed.

"Long story short, none of us are owners anymore. Good job, when you were buying a house all these years ago, you bought illegal property."- Irma smirked. "Now let's go."

But before they could really move on and head to the Infinite City portal, a familiar figure crossed their way:

"Raythor!"

"There are people in distress, needing an explanation before you leave."- he said once was able to catch his breath. "They know that something is happening because the Palace is looking different. One of you should talk to them and reassure them that things won't be like the last time the Palace started to change. Over 23 years ago, when this horrid nightmare demolished our country and overall planet the way it did..."

Everyone turned back to look at the veiled castle. It wasn't fully visible, but the dome-like veil that they had triggered around the building was glowing from afar.

"I'm going."- Will and Nerissa said in unison and then just stared at each other. Nerissa, however, was the first to look away from the redhead.

"Nerissa, why you? You are the only one who can lower down the protection spells around the portal and let the others to it, with the additional protection that was placed on it when Phobos and Leonida escaped a few days ago."- Will reasoned with her. "I'll take the people, you keep going. I will catch up with you quickly, I just have to-"

"I'm Mage of this realm."- the older woman interrupted her, drawing everyone's attention as only she could. "It is my responsibility to take care of it and its people."

"But-"

"Haven't I compromised with enough decisions regarding Meridian already?"- Nerissa asked dangerously, practically forcing Will to back off. She estimated the reactions of everyone around them and then glared back at her, but the sorceress raised her chin up: "I'll take your silence as understanding. I will go and talk to the people. Then I will come back. Do not wait for me."

"But what about Caleb and-"

"Caleb and Julian should be waiting near the portal already. Go. You need some rest and time with my son, I know."

Cornelia looked over at her and just nodded. How well her mother-in-law could read her by now. She was eager to leave Meridian for a good couple of days at least. She knew that Caleb would never stop himself from coming every day, but at least for the night, they could be home together at last. After days...

"Nerissa."- Will interjected again, a sour grimace taking over her face. "The protecting spells, only you can-"

"Here, take this. You will be able to use the portal with its help."

Will looked at the ring that the other woman had just taken off her finger, incredulously. The Mage ring. She was handing her the Mage ring.

"B-but-"

"Oh, don't give me that look, take it and go."- she rolled her eyes. "Lower the additional protecting spells and take it with you. I'll have it back once I'm done here and have crossed through the portal. Then I'll raise new, stronger protections around the portal and the Infinite City to make sure that the big veil will remain strong and stable for as long as it can."

"Let's go already."- Irma whined and they departed. But Will stole a look of Nerissa's back one last time. There was something off about what had just happened and she knew it. She could feel it in her gut.

*end of Flashback*

"The Mage ring is still in you."- Taranee exclaimed as they all looked at the ring in their friend's hands. Will scowled but nodded. She had forgotten all about the jewel given the fact that she had slept till noon after finally returning home, but now that it was a part of the puzzle, it was giving her red signals too.

"How will Nerissa just leave it in your possession like that."- Taranee pushed her glasses back and moved her eyes from Will to Cornelia. "I'm starting to get real wo-"

"Hey, remember when we reached the portal."- Irma suddenly interjected, shifting everyone's focus on herself. "Julian was there, but as I already said... Caleb-"

"Caleb wasn't."- Cornelia finished grimly once again and lifted her wet eyes up. "Then Julian remembered that he has to take something from the village. He, he s-said that Caleb is probably coming our way; that they'll come through the portal together, but that never happened."

"We didn't give that much importance, because they stay late there all the time, we thought that some work could've popped out."- Irma murmured. "Plus, we were exhausted. But now, so many hours later, it is concerning..."

"I'm losing my mind."- Cornelia announced and stood up from her place, starting to walk in nervous circles. Irma and Taranee exchanged looks of concern as Will just frowned even deeper, blaming herself...

"Nerissa, Julian, and Caleb all remained on Meridian after we left, and now they're missing. But at least it's the three of them."- Hay Lin said dismally, causing the Earth guardian to turn around abruptly and snap:

"And how is that any good, Ms. Optimism?!"

Hay Lin stood up to catch her friend by the hand.

"Because they're most probably not alone, Cornelia."- she explained in a soft, hopeful voice. "Whatever is happening, I get the feeling that they're with each other, and that's always for the better. Have some faith. Everything will be OK soon, you just have to believe in that!"

Cornelia wanted to believe, but her uneasiness was stronger. Will also understood that crystal clear:

"Come on, girls."- she ushered them and then said something that Cornelia had never in years thought she'd want to hear as much as she did now: "It's time to go to Meridian."


Meridian...

"Caleb and his parents are missing?! But how is that possible?"- despite the late hour, Drake didn't look tired when he opened the door for them and welcomed them in his house.

Hearing the news which they had did worry him, but he was mostly confused:

"Forgive me, I'm just wondering how is it possible."- the man murmured once he threw a shirt over his naked chest and shoulders, and sat in the living room area where his guests waited.

His blonde Thor-like hair was shaggy-looking, but he was relatively fresh, which made Irma cock an eyebrow. Drake was a hot guy for sure, that had been what had drawn her to him in the first place. Maybe... Yes, it wasn't impossible; maybe her once partner had been doing something else before their arrival... Feeling Taranee's eyes on herself, she was quick to look away from the host.

"I'm simply wandering as to what could have happened because we were only trekking. Searching for them and guarding different focal points around the capital."- Drake specified. "We haven't fought or anything of the sort. We had several different groups, but we didn't-"

"We need to know who was in a group with Caleb."- Cornelia interrupted him. "Someone might have seen or heard something. I know that no battles broke out or anything, but still! I need to know."

Drake rubbed his chin and nodded cautiously. It was obvious that the Earth guardian was hardly managing to keep her raging emotions and the last thing which he wanted was an earthquake to bring his house down...Moreover, Caleb was one of his best friends. If the guardians were worried for him, then so was Drake.

"The others are coming. I informed them of the situation, and all the rebels that took part in the search parties will come here."- he said. "Don't worry. We will find them. We will get to the bottom of whatever has happened."

But as the rebels came and went away, nothing essential seemed to resurface. Over an hour later, Taranee was questioning whether these men's organization was even sustainable without Caleb to guide them. No one seemed to have any information about him. The people in his group told them the disappointing, but quite likely news that the previous days, the man had chosen to mainly keep up the search on his own. Despite being leader of their team, he had had them move on their own too. Perhaps he had thought that this way he could cover more territory faster...

Cornelia sighed forlornly. All year long, her boyfriend had been so proud of training the rookies, the kids and every new man in the Meridian armies. The progress they all made with him in all aspects of a warrior's life. All that for nothing. Now when he needed their help to be found, no one had anything.

"No one knows a thing! It's as if their disappearance was traceless! We just lost time!"- Cornelia raged once the last rebel soldier exited through the door.

Drake and Aldarn were the only ones to remain in the house, beside the guardians. Being closest to Caleb, they were roundly interested in the development of his disappearance. But not so much ready for Cornelia's frenzy of worry.

"No, I can't just sit here and wait any longer!"- she huffed and stormed out of the room. Had it not been for Irma and Taranee, she would've made it to the door.

"Cornelia! Where do you think you're going?"

"Wow, Corny, calm down, we-"

"No!"- the woman yowled and shook herself free of their arms. "No, I will not calm down! I can't just sit around while my family is missing! And with that, they're missing without any rational explanation or reason! There's only one thing left to be done."- the fear and helplessness left her sparkling eyes to make place for fierce determination. "I'm going to the Palace."

"Cornelia, no!"- Hay Lin exclaimed, frightened. "You can't do that, you can't go there, especially not alone!"

"The Palace is sealed. No one can do anything from within. I know what you think but think rationally."- Taranee reasoned. "Phobos and Leonida can't have played a part in your family's disappearance, because they're-"

"Nerissa has a key ring for the veil like all of us."- Cornelia interrupted her. "We have to go there. We just have to get answers!"

"The more we tamper with that veil, the weaker it gets. We'd be putting Meridian and our last time-winning strategy at stake."

Cornelia glared dangerously. That line was the last straw:

"Fuck Meridian!"- she yelled. "Meridian, Meridian, Meridian! It's always about this ratchet place, isn't it? I'm sick of Meridian sucking out my happiness!"

"Caleb would've wanted-"- Aldarn tried to say, but Cornelia didn't leave him a chance:

"I will find Caleb and his parents!"- she declared militantly. "With or without you, I will, and I don't care what it takes! There's a line between putting your duties first and allowing your closest ones to suffer because of it, and that line is wearing very thin with me! I refuse to endure that and allow it to distort my life to this extent!"

"Cornelia, wait."

Will stood in her way when no one else dared to. Their eyes met and Cornelia's started throwing dangerous sparks even more intensely:

"Get out of my way, Will."- she said warningly as she looked down at her shorter friend. "I will fight you if you don't. I will fight all of you!"

"Cornelia!"- Hay Lin exclaimed, terrified, as Irma shook her head:

"You're losing your mind again, Corny, you're- "

"Shut up!"- the tall blonde demanded, pointing her finger at them like an empress. The two guardians closed their mouths at once as if they were schoolgirls that the teacher had just scolded for talking in class. Then she pushed Will, who, however, refused to budge.

"Will, stop getting on my nerves!"- Cornelia screamed and Will finally responded:

"Don't scream, Cornelia!"- she demanded and returned the harsh glare firmly. "Don't scream and calm down. I understand everything, I know what you're going through; You think that we're not worried about Caleb, Nerissa and Julian too? Of course, we are. We're very alarmed and we will enter the Palace to look for answers. Eventually."

The pale light of a hopeful smile that had illuminated Cornelia's face while listening to her quenched again.

"That's why you leave me no other choice, Cornelia."- Will sighed. The veil-key ring around her finger teletransported in the redhead's open palm. "I can't let you carry out this impulsive decision, endangering everything, including your own life."

"You!"- Cornelia exclaimed indignantly. "You don't get to decide that! It's my decision! How did you- "

"Actually, I do. I was the main carrier of the veiling spell around the palace; therefore, I have control over all of the key-rings. I'm sorry to have to do this, Cornelia."- Will apologized again. "I just can't let you take this risk. I won't fail you and your family. I promise."

She attempted to take her hand, but Cornelia pulled away. Her entire face contorted into a venomous grimace as she looked back at the woman, who was holding her back from rushing to her family's aid.

"Just like you didn't fail Matt, right, Will?"- she fired icily.

Will felt as if she had just been slapped by an entire football team. Her face dropped. Her friends' exclamation of shock and indignation sounded around them, but the glove had already been thrown. Cornelia hurled past everyone, practically pushing Taranee off the way, and she only stopped once she was behind the door of one of the few rooms in Drake's house, which she slammed.

Will blinked for a few seconds, not sure how to process Cornelia's merciless clapback. She had hit her weakest spot, for she knew her weakest spot so well... Cornelia knew that ever since the forced miscarriage, Will had been feeling terrible in front of Matt and especially his mother, who had other unkind things to say, but that was a completely different story. Matt's mother was not one of her closest friends...

"You failed my son during one of the most important moments of his career so far! How could you, Will? Don't you understand what this traumatic experience did to him?"

"Mom! How can you even say that?! Stop!"

Will could only stand there and listen stunned, as Linda went on:

"Am I not right, Matt?! OK, you've been putting up with all her family drama, but this is too much! She lost your baby even before we got to celebrate its existence!"

"Will."- Tarnaee began softly, tearing her apart from the bitter flashback moment. "Will, don't pay attention to her, she's scared and restless, and we're stopping her. That's why she's talking like that- "

"I know."- the redhead sighed and then looked at her friends' worried faces. "Listen, we should all get some sleep and think everything through. We will have to enter the Palace without weakening the veil, but until then, we should keep a close eye on Cornelia. One of us should be by her side constantly. In the state that she is, I hate to imagine what more she might say or do."- the redhead finished in a low tone.


The rest of the night went by quite peacefully. Hay Lin made tea for everyone, but Cornelia, who had taken the only guest bedroom in the house, refused to drink it and threw the cup at her, making Taranee, who supervised her, fall from the bed. Then Aldarn called it a night and returned home to finish his sleep, leaving Drake with the five girls. He and Irma walked past each other a few times awkwardly, but none of them said anything. Even if they had remained friends after the hookup, it was a tad awkward to share a sleeping space again, especially with Drake being shirtless... Then again, she was too tired to think too much about it. Equipped with blankets, she, Taranee and Will took the living room, while Hay Lin remained with Cornelia in the guest bedroom; once these arrangements were made, it was already almost 3 AM. They were ready to have some sleep.

When Hay Lin opened her eyes, the room was cold and empty. Through the open window, she could see that the sky was still dark, but milder too... It was around 5:30, while back on Earth, it was still 12, but after the last days, they could all use some extra sleeping hours, the young woman estimated and rubbed her eyes. Still, how had all of them fallen asleep at once?

Yeah, we're tired, Hay Lin decided as she watched her friends sleep in the living room, through the open door.

Then the realization that the bed next to her was empty hit hard and Hay Lin jumped in her place. Where was Cornelia?! She had promised herself not to fall asleep in order to keep an eye on her, but then...The last thing the black-haired woman remembered was trying to talk to her turned back as the blonde lay in the bed next to her silently.

Hay Lin looked all around the room, the kitchen, and the bathroom, and when she was completely sure that the Earth guardian wasn't in the house, she did the only reasonable thing. She shook her friends awake:

"Hay Lin, what gives?"- Irma wasn't happy about it, but her friend didn't have the time to pay attention to her protests.

She was busy with purifying the air around them. She knew the heavy smell that she had felt all too well...

"W-what happened?"- Taranee exclaimed, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes. For some reason, she found it extremely hard to stay awake, even though she hadn't been that tired in the first place...

"Man. What time is it?"- Will growled and looked around herself, stoping her eyes on Hay Lin. "Where's Cornelia?"- she immediately wanted to know.

"Cornelia has done this. She, she encircled the entire house with red poppies and opened all the windows."- the Air guardian sighed with concern. She was already quite familiar with these flowers, which Kadma had used as a defensive mechanism on one of the houses- part of her manor plantation in Fadden Hills. (this happened in ch25 of "Heart of a Mother")

"I think that they're disappearing now, that's why I was able to wake up. Thanks to the air too, of course, but still. Cornelia just wanted to win enough time. She even stole my key-ring..."

Irma cursed under her breath as Taranee and Will exchanged glances.

"We underestimated her."- the redhead sighed tiredly and stood up on her feet. "Now we have no other choice. Come on; let's get to the Palace before something real bad has happened."


Cornelia entered the Palace unperturbed. Luckily, they had come to Meridian transformed and that helped her a lot. With the ring-key, she was able to cross the veiling, and her telekinesis opened one of the windows for her from the inside.

She had been here many times. She had seen the Palace look much creepier when Phobos was in charge of the décor; it appeared that he hadn't gotten to that quite yet. Yet the Palace had never been quieter. Not a single sound could be heard. That was what was truly ominous. However, the Earth guardian had other things on her mind. She wasn't here for the ambiance by any means.

After carefully flying across the main parts of the castle which she was perfectly familiar with, she took out a glove out of the pouch she carried around her neck. A glove that belonged to her boyfriend; before coming to the Palace, she had been to the Mage tower to equip herself with some strong locator's potion that Nerissa had thankfully had in storage. Adding a few drops to the glove, she waited eagerly.

If her boyfriend was anywhere nearby, this would surely lead her to him. She was hopeful; Leonida and Phobos appeared to be asleep and had no guards at their side yet, because they were locked in the castle. It was the perfect time to check if her family had somehow fallen prisoners to the wicked duo the night before. It was the perfect time to break them out and then leave the villains to catch spiderwebs in isolation again.

To the blonde's disappointment, however, the glove didn't have a great journey. It almost instantly fell back in her hand. She furrowed her brows and added more of the locator's potion, but the same result followed.

"Fuck."- she muttered under her nose.

"Well, well. Who do we have here."

Cornelia turned around abruptly only to come face to face with the other blonde that had suddenly appeared in the other end of the corridor. The torches on the walls flickered as the enchantress approached the guardian with a sly smile. She was beautiful, yet she looked like a downright horror movie visitant with her body language and dark energy that the other woman could feel getting closer and closer.

"Cornelia, was it?"- Leonida exclaimed in a mock, making Cornelia frown.

"Listen, you dumb bitch, I don't have time for your idiotic games."- she spat in response. She was angry, however, every cell in her body was tense. She knew that coming to the Palace alone was reckless, yet she had had no other choice. Now that she was caught, something which she hadn't planned to happen, she knew she had to be extremely cautious. Phobos and Leonida were dangerous and they certainly had many reasons to bear grudges against her and the girls...

"First you come in my Palace, where you and your friends locked us, so unkindly, then you present yourself with such a hostile attitude."- Leonida clicked her tongue and moved her eyes to the glove in her hand. "Oh, are you looking for Caleb?"- she added in a maddening voice. "I knew you would. I knew you would eventually come here for him."

Cornelia felt her anger and fear collide in her.

"What is that supposed to mean?"- she demanded, much to Leonida's amusement. "Listen, Leonida, if you know something about Caleb and his parents, and you don't tell me right this instant, I will not spare you!"

"You will not spare me?"- the princess giggled as she began walking towards the other blonde again, like a predator walking towards its prey. "Really? Are you trying to scare me? You're on my domain, sweetheart. My Palace. You locked us here, remember? You thought it to be such a great idea the other day."- she narrated in whispers as she kept walking, forcing Cornelia to start taking unsure steps back. "What now, Cornelia? You did not think that you'd have to return here so soon after that grand plan. Alone. Scared. Looking for your loved ones. You know what I think?"

By the time Cornelia took her final step, she found herself with a back pressed against the railing of a big staircase. Leonida was soon going to be right next to her. Her indigo eyes glowed like those of a puma in the dark...

"I think that your boyfriend's head will make a wonderful addition to the Throne Room after all the troubles he has created for Phobos. Would you not agree that the head of the rebel leader in the Throne Room of the legitimate rulers of the United Dimensions sounds just divine?"

"Unhinged bitch!"- Cornelia yelled, forgetting about her fear. Her powers shook the entire corridor and even Leonida lost balance and landed on the ground as the pictures and the torches on the walls around her started to fall like leaves. "Don't you ever dream that I will allow you to lay even a finger on Caleb! Never! Neither are you Queen of this world nor will you ever be, what is left one who rules over numerous dimensions. You, you're bluffing! He's not here. This locating potion said so. Caleb is not here!"- she added fervently as Leonida looked up from under her long locks that curtained her face...A sick smile spilled over her lips as she watched Cornelia convince herself.

"Oh, right. Then where is Caleb? Where are his parents?"- Leonida laughed and stood up on her feet.

The ground had stopped shaking as Cornelia stared at her, stunned and anxious at the thought.

"You don't know, but I do. And maybe, just maybe I will send you to them if you give me your little ring."- Leonida hissed right in her face. This time, the other woman didn't move. She stared right into the hateful eyes in front of herself.

"Send me to them? Where? Where are they, talk! Where are they?!"

"In the grave."- Leonida replied darkly and started to laugh.

That was it for Cornelia, who screamed and wrapped her hands around the ex-princess's neck, cutting her laughs short together with the air.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE! TELL ME THE TRUTH, LEONIDA, OR I'LL-"

But Cornelia suddenly felt two strong male hands grab a hold of hers and pull her away. She screamed again. Her energy, her life force...someone had just started to steal them from her and she already knew who it was.

"Take her ring now! Take the key ring!"- Leonida commanded and rubbed her sore neck with one hand. The other she kept behind her back as she circled Phobos who held the tall blonde in a merciless grip. She could feel her knees going weak as the man snickered against her. She could smell him; roses, gin, and death. His long fair hair flew against her face together with her own, blown by the wind that the energy leaving her body unleashed.

"I will. I will take much more from her."- Phobos narrated ominously as he looked down at Cornelia's pain-converted face. "Foolish Earth guardian, you came to search for your precious family alone, yet they're not here anymore. You're too late! Now you'll lose all that you have and shall become a slave of ours, in this shutter which you and your blasted friends turned our castle into! You will pay dearly for everything that you've done. You will never see nor hear from your family and friends again!"

Phobos was beyond excited as he roughly pushed Cornelia in one of the walls, holding her and pressing his entire body weight against her. He laughed maniacally at her screams and pains, and forcefully raised her chin up with his own, as Leonida roughly pulled her left hand and tried to get the ring off. Phobos openly enjoyed this. He was a sick animal, Cornelia decided as she kept her fingers tightened, hindering Leonida from taking the ring. For some reason, the ex-princess struggled a lot. Maybe because she was using only one hand...But Cornelia wasn't about to be ended by these two leeches. These wretches... Ignoring the pain, she clenched her teeth:

"Fighting is irrelevant, guardian."- Phobos said in her face. "Oh, how many, many times you've stood between me and my sister. You saved her from me on many occasions, didn't you? But who is going to save you now?!"

His face was against hers by that moment; intoxicated by all the power which he was consuming, the Evil Prince purred in her ear.

"Many more times I will continue to come between you and her."- she whispered to the man's dismay. He didn't expect her to be able to move still...She had more power than he had imagined. He was about to feel that for his account very soon. "That will be of course if I don't destroy you tonight!"

She kicked him in the balls and that finally made him let go of her. Phobos wheezed and fell to the ground. Once she had neutralized her main assailant, the blonde violently pushed Leonida off herself; Leonida gasped and fell next to her prince.

Cornelia glared down at them. Morons. What had they thought? That they'd take her out that easily? That they'd hurt her and her family!? No, she had endured the two of them long enough. Now it was personal.

With a scream and a swift move of her hands, Cornelia suppressed all the discomfort and fatigue that Phobos's rapacious hands had left her with, and released a sharp telekinetic wave that sent both the man and the woman flying towards the other end of the hallway. But that wasn't enough, Cornelia brought walls down on them. She hit them with bricks and wood until they were completely covered by debris. Then she screamed again as she unleashed a destructive telekinetic load that bombarded the pile of debris, turning it into dust.

Breathing rapidly, the young woman stared at the semi-ruined end of the hallway where she had just blasted at. Had she...had she just destroyed Phobos and Leonida? There was no sign of them. None. They had just...disappeared.

But Cornelia had known it was too good and too overwhelming to be true. She turned around like the wind, seeing the two of them approach her from the other end of the hallway again, a tad scratched, but still, whole.

"That was a dire mistake you just committed."- Leonida growled. She looked especially unhappy tonight, for some reason, even before getting blasted by Cornelia's attack. Her usual faked sweetness was absent. Next to her, Phobos was barely able to walk, what was left talk; the pain that the Earth guardian had inflicted on his manhood promised to stay with him for a while.

"Now you'll never see Caleb and your in-laws again!"- the princess hissed spitefully. "I will simply kill you and take your ring without striking any deals with you, you hollow-headed frump!"

Cornelia raised her chin higher and just chuckled challengingly:

"Try me, hobo princess."

For the most part, she was relieved. Leonida had just revealed that her family was alive. Then again, she still had no idea where they were and whether Leonida wasn't just bluffing as to get a way out of the Palace, but her intuition told Cornelia that she had more to hear from her. Caleb's disappearance definitely had something to do with Leonida. She had to know more.

"You're trying my patience and your luck."- Leonida growled as Cornelia dodged one of her attacks. "The consequences of your temerity will catch up with you, sooner or later! I will be Queen, and I will get rid of this pathetic veil you and your friends trapped us here with. Once that happens, even the innocent will pay dearly, what is left for you!"

"I don't give a shit about your delusions, Leonida! Do you know anything about my family or not?!"- Cornelia demanded in an imperious voice. She wasn't in the mood for these people's crazed power and authority conquest-related dreams. "Answer me or I will end all your chances of fulfilling those said delusions right now!"

"Give me your key and I will introduce you to the latest news concerning your family."- Leonida insisted.

"You don't seem to listen to me when I speak."- Cornelia noted icily before teletransporting away. "Don't worry, I'll help you visualize what will happen."

"Where did she go?"- Phobos hissed and looked around himself. "She couldn't have left..."

"No, she didn't leave."- Leonida shook her head and suddenly her eyes went wide with fear. "No..."- she hissed. "No, no, NO!"

When they teletransported in the royal chambers, however, there was no sign of Cornelia. Nor was there any baby in the crib...

"She took her with herself!"- Leonida screamed and cupped her own cheeks with her hands. "She...she took the baby! The powers! She took it all!"

Phobos could only stand by her and gaze at the empty crib motionlessly. Leonida was losing her mind, but he remained stoic. At some point, that seemed to irritate her, because she slapped his shoulder with all her might.

"How do you just stand there?!"- the princess attacked him. "Do you not realize what just happened?! That Cornelia took away our child! Our ticket to power! Our chance to restore all that we've lost, our chance to rule over worlds! She took our daughter and all that power away! Damn it!"

"We're still regents of the child's power."- Phobos reminded her. "All of it; we're entitled to her powers by magic laws. Taking the baby away doesn't change that-"

"Yes, but when will we be able to leave this place and take the baby back?"- Leonida cried. "Think about it! We were still trying to get control over all the power stored in our child. We were nowhere near what we want! The guardians will have enough time to turn the tables while we're locked here. This is a disaster! A true disaster!"

Leonida fell to the floor in her despair. Phobos, however, didn't seem too convinced that it was time to go desperate over the said disaster.

"They have few people to turn to right now. You took the sorceress out of the equation. Kandrakar is still unstable."- the man listed as he watched the wardrobe with the corner of his eye. "We're not going to lose that easily after all our efforts, I promise you, my squeeze."

"I'm not c-"- but before Leonida could finish her response, Phobos lifted his hand up surprisingly, and sent a dark spell flying towards the wardrobe; Cornelia fell to her knees, hit by it, and the baby in her arms was left to levitate in the air...

"My baby! The baby! Thank Gold."- Leonida jumped on her feet and dove to get the infant. She pressed it against herself and sighed in relief while Phobos focused his attention on the fallen Cornelia. Like a flower deprived of sunlight, her senses withered under his cruel spell...

"An invisible glamour is a hard thing to put up when your emotions aren't in check."- he gloated as he watched her close her eyes. "I could feel that the room is not empty the moment we got here, I just had to check once more. You should've made a run for it while you still had your chances, guardian, instead, you decided to stay with the hopes of hearing more about your family. Such a pity for you. Family is and always will be a weakness to all my enemies."

"Let's take the ring and then dispose of her before the other guardians have come."- Leonida ordered much to Phobos's distaste. Now that she had the baby, she was back to being calm and collected.

"Dispose of her means kill her, right-"

"Wrong."- the ex-princess hissed as she glanced at the man. "Think about it. We're not to attract the other guardians' wrath. Not yet. In spite of everything, they're still stronger than us. We're new to all the power that we transferred to our baby, and we have almost no control over it yet."

"I disagree."- Phobos objected and glared at the princess. That was why he had always hated the idea of co-ruling. His wife had to be someone subordinate to his will. Leonida would learn as time went by, that he, he was always the one whose word had to be last. "You're being too spiritless; think about it, rarely do we get the chance to destroy one of the guardians. If we do that now, they will be easier to defeat in the future, when battles between us shall break out. Besides, I have a personal agenda when it comes to this one."- he hissed, shifting his eyes to Cornelia again. "The girl who supported my sister and made sure to ruin my initial plan regarding her coronation and the woman whose love sustained the rebel leader, throughout the years, giving him what I've never got to enjoy, which he dared use against my forces... She has to pay. She must atone for her sins in front of me. And I have the perfect idea of how to do that."- the Evil Prince finished darkly, his eyes glowing with bloodlust and concupiscence.

"I hate to think what you meant by that, but either way, you can forget about it, you princy freak."

That new voice in the royal chambers made Leonida and Phobos dart their eyes up in alarm; the guardians had just appeared in the room through the ceiling, landing in front of their fallen friend like a shield-wall. Hay Lin quickly knelt down next to Cornelia, trying to get her out of the state that Phobos's magic had brought her to, while the others set their burning glares on the two royals.

"Darn it."- Leonida hissed under her breath, seeing their chances to get their hands on one of the key-rings melt away.

"You got that right."- Taranee nodded with flames in her eyes. "You two do realize that you're only alive because of our good beliefs and morals, don't you? If we really wanted to deal with you for good, we would have set this entire Palace on fire while you're still locked inside. With the veiling around it, you would never survive. After all that you've done, you actually deserve such a fate. Don't force us into meeting you with it."

Phobos just snickered but didn't attack like he wanted to. It would be a losing battle right now.

"But you'd never do that, would you? Especially not to this sweet little baby girl."- he nodded at his daughter in Leonida's arms. Arm, to be more exact. Will squinted her eyes:

"Um...Leonida, where's your left hand?"

Leonida blenched and hid her missing limb behind her daughter's blanket. But of course, their leader had to notice.

"I met up with a little accident."- she said dryly, escaping her eyes. "Doesn't matter; once we obtain all our powers as regents and start ruling over all our lands, I'll have the needed magic to restore my lost limb-"

"Yeah, unless you'd like me to break your remaining hand too, you better start spilling them beans, babe."- Irma interrupted her with annoyance. She was getting tired of listening to psychotic, power-crazed twats and enabling them for the sake of Hay Lin's prophetic dream... "Do you know anything about Caleb, Julian and Nerissa or not? If you lie to us or hide the truth, by the time you've freed yourself of the Palace's veil, your daughter won't have a single power left. Talk!"

"She's right."- Will nodded at the two villains, who backed up a little. "This time we will take your baby away. To Kandrakar. All your dreams and aspirations will be over with. You have two choices to make; you either tell us everything you know, or you'll be left without your daughter. Choose wisely."

There was a tense silence. Cornelia, who had started to regain her senses, lined up with her friends with the help of Hay Lin. In moments like these, she was more than beholden to have them in her life. They had saved her again, even after she had drugged them and escaped on her own reckless will.

"By the way, don't even try to lie. I can tell."- Hay Lin added seriously, piercing the two villains with her eyes. "I can tell a lie from a truth when it comes to this."- and it was true; her powers over the air often made it possible for her to recognize untruths. It depended on the situation.

"The Mage did come here after you left with Elyon and the others."- Leonida said in the end, crossing eyes with Will. Her smirk was something which the Heart keeper could never not find disturbing. A smirk of a crazed person... "She came with the sole purpose of eliminating me and Phobos. And she would've succeeded."- the woman narrated. "Had she not miscalculated. You see, the Mage soon came to realize what you're still unable to. Very soon we will be an unstoppable force. A force for order across the Universe. When she had to make a certain choice, she chose the welfare of her two closest ones over that of the Infinite Dimensions."- she finished gloatingly.

"Are you saying that she betrayed us?!"- Irma exclaimed indignantly. But Cornelia shook her head:

"You're lying, Leonida!"- she yelled. "You're a fucking lying brat, you've always been! Ever since we first met you, oh, we should've let that freaking worm eat you! She's lying, right, Hay Lin?"

But Hay Lin just looked down silently. Cornelia shook her head again:

"Why would Nerissa do that! It makes no sense!"

"Well, guardian, not all things make sense."- Phobos interfered in a lazy voice. It was obvious that he enjoyed every minute of her denial. "But this particular act? Oh, come on, dear. It really shouldn't be that eye-opening to you. The sorceress chooses her own. In a certain moment when she had to make a choice, she chose the rebel-leader and her powers over the dimensions and your friendship."

- That does sound like something she'd do, Taranee sighed in telepathy.

Will crossed her arms on her chest. She wasn't done interrogating yet:

"You're suggesting that she fled with Caleb and Julian. Where to?"

"That I don't know."- Leonida chuckled. "But she did take them with herself. It was what she wanted."

"I don't...I don't think that she's lying, guys."- Hay Lin said in a whisper. The girls looked at each other once again. Taranee placed her hands on Cornelia's shoulders as she sensed her losing her spirits even more...

Will looked at Phobos and Leonida one last time.

"Fine."- she stated. "I want to do a locating spell first, then we'll leave-"

"I already did."- the blonde interrupted her with an empty gaze. "They're not here."

The redhead considered her words and then frowned at Leonida's smug smile. Phobos blew her an air-kiss. She felt like throwing up.

Without saying anything else, she nodded at her friends and they all teletransported together, this time outside of the Palace, leaving the three royals alone once again.

The baby woke up and started crying, making its mother rock her in her embrace and walk around the royal room. Phobos threw himself on the big bed and watched the princess hum softly until their descendant fell asleep again. The enchantress left their daughter in the crib and turned to the man.

"Well, we didn't get a key, but at least they weakened the veil a little, by going through it."- the prince noted, stretching his upper body on the soft sheets. "Let's hope that soon we will be free and able to start building our new empire."

Leonida, however, seemed to have her mind elsewhere.

"Isn't it odd."- she muttered under her nose. "They left the baby with us without even trying. They didn't try to snatch her from me."

"Ah, the guardians are like that. They like to keep a word."- Phobos snickered, but she shook her head:

"Yeah, right. They're not that noble-minded."- she hissed under her breath.

"Well, you gave them what they wanted. You think they bought it?"

Leonida shook her head with a smirk, feeling the man coming behind her, and placing his hands on her sides.

"I didn't lie."- she averred, running her fingers over the wrist of her missing hand. "Ask the air guardian."

"Well, yes. Yes, you didn't."

His lips started to make their way to her neck, but she was still thinking about the guardians. The future. Everything was still on the strings. The majority of her goals still waited to be achieved. And Phobos...he was yet to be disposed of...


Heatherfield...

"I still can't believe that Nerissa dumped us and just went somewhere."- Cornelia commented, the next day. "We shouldn't forget that there surely is more to the story Leonida gave us."

It was around 6 PM in Heatherfield. The girls had decided to take the day off. After everything that had crumbled on their heads in recent times, they had needed it. So, after a day of mani-pedis, junk food, frappuccinos, and old movies, the five of them pulled out of Garden Plaza's parking zone. Cornelia had come to pick up Killian from her parents' penthouse, where he had spent the last couple of days.

"Still, at least now you seem more relaxed. Knowing that wherever they are, Caleb and his family are out of harm's way."- Taranee, who was driving, noted. "And that's good, don't get me wrong. I just... I just wish that for once it wasn't such a mystery with Nerissa and her actions behind our backs."

"It is what it is."- Irma shrugged, going through her phone. "She will never change in that department."

Cornelia didn't say anything. On the back seat of the car where she, Hay Lin and Will stood with Killian's basket, she turned to the redhead once again:

"Girls, I know you forgave me already, but I can't help feel like crap. Especially because of what I said to you, Will. If I could turn back time- "

"Cornelia."- Will stopped her by smiling and placing her hand on hers. "What you're going through is immaculately unnerving. I totally get that. I'm not upset by your words, I swear. Actually, I kind of blamed myself for not stopping Nerissa when she wanted to go talk to the people... After so many years and so many fights between us, what is that?"- she chuckled. "Absolutely nothing. Forget about it, I already have."

"Yeah, but I shouldn't have said that about Matt. It was a douchebag line."- the blonde insisted. "Especially because his mom blamed you for something that can never be your fault. And it's so unfair, and so terrible, that I'm embarrassed that used it against you in the heat of the moment. I'm sorry, I really am."

Will smiled appreciatively and hugged her over the shoulders; they spent the rest of the drive like that. It was always good when they made up after a fight.

When Taranee stopped in Cornelia's driveway, it was already getting dark.

"OK, enough with that. What are we eating now?"- Irma clapped her hands like a little child. "I'm starving!"

"I'm making my grandma's famous Lo Mein* pasta!"- Hay Lin cheered and took the groceries from the trunk.

They all headed for the door of the big house, getting ready for a relaxing end of their girl day. After washing hands and setting everything in its place, the girls settled in the living room, while Hay Lin went into the kitchen. Not long had passed before Killian vomited on Cornelia's blouse.

"Oh, cute."- she scowled as her friends laughed. "Now look what you did, Kill. Hold him, Tara, I'm going upstairs to change. You make sure he burps."

"OK, don't worry. Go."- the Fire guardian chuckled.

Cornelia smiled and headed for the stairs. It was still strange going into the bedroom which she shared with Caleb and not seeing him there. Usually, at that time of day, each Wednesday, he was taking a nap before his night shifts...The woman sighed and went into her dressing room, which was connected to the bedroom. She had to change into something clean and more comfortable. She chose a satin red maxi dress and threw a black cardigan over it, giving herself a promise as she checked herself out in the mirror. She promised herself what she had been promising herself all the time, ever since they disappeared. She would get to her family soon and return them back home. Yes, and that was for sure.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of something falling and breaking on the floor. It didn't come from downstairs, however. It came from the second floor...it came from...Nerissa's room!?

Cornelia felt her stomach tighten. At that moment, she was thinking. It didn't cross her mind that it could be an intruder in their home. She just ran across the corridor and burst into the other bedroom...

The scream that echoed in the house a few moments later interrupted everyone's activities.

"What the- "

"Cornelia?"- Taranee put Killian in his living room cradle and lifted her worried eyes towards the stairs.

"What happened?"- Hay Lin came out of the kitchen.

"I don't know."- Will shook her head. "Come on, let's go and check on her-"

Fast like arrows, the four girls made their way to the upper floor and the room with the opened door. They found Cornelia staring at something at the bottom of it. Her jaw was hanging and her eyes were wide.

"Corny, what happened? Why did you scream?"- Irma demanded, gently slapping her face with the back of her palm as if to bring her back to her senses.

"Are you alright?"- Taranee added, worried.

But it wasn't until Will gasped in shock that the girls noticed her. The figure of a woman. Standing in the bottom of the room. Looking right at them:

"Magana?!"


Happy February, guys! Hope you're all well! I'm angry with myself for these slow updates. I just have a lot of work to attend to, lol. Anyway, hopefully, you remember Queen Magana :D (u can always go back and revise things, I know that the plotlines and details are a lot) this is a side note, but I know I misspelled Heatherfield" & 'Taranee' somewhere in this chapter, excuse that!

let me in on your thoughts!

~xoxo, jimel~

Trivia: Lo Mein*- is a Chinese dish with egg noodles. It often contains vegetables and some type of meat or seafood, usually beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, or wontons. It can also be eaten with just vegetables. Traditionally this is a dry variation of noodle soup. The soup is simply separated from the noodles and other ingredients and served on the side.