Chapter 57: Family and Perfidy

"Age cannot Love destroy, but perfidy can blast the flower, even when in most unwary hour it blooms in Fancy's bower. Age cannot Love destroy, but perfidy can rend the shrine in which its vermeil splendours shine."

- Percy Bysshe Shelley


The sky was getting darker faster and faster as the clouds thickened. Summer was over. Fall was undoubtedly starting to weave its warm-colored skeps around Heatherfield. And as another season approached, and the temperatures were dropping, Miss Shauma's workout group was striving to push out as many outdoor sessions as they could while the weather still allowed it.

Having a group of young mothers trying to perform a series of Pilates, martial arts, and cardio techniques, while training and entertaining their toddlers and babies, was as difficult as it sounds, but that was exactly the point. It wasn't really designed to be like a bootcamp experience. It was much more of an LA concept. Or, as Cornelia hated to hear it described as, a post-modern, high-class suburban mom activity.

"This is torture!"- the blonde whispered, out of breath, as she kept doing her walking pushups which looked more like her crawling on the grass after 60 minutes of working out. "Why am I doing this to myself?!"

"Really, why are you, is beyond me."- Nerissa rolled her eyes. She was squatting after her, guiding Killian who was doing his fair share of baby exercise - baby walking. "These women here have insecurities they want to eliminate after giving birth, while you don't even look their age. You have genes and magic to sustain your body for many decades to come, this is supposed to be a leisurely time..."- the ex-guardian paused to smile at her grandson's enthusiasm. He didn't even waddle anymore and he was still so little. "You know I don't come here to walk like a duck for any other reason than us spending time with Killian together and bonding, don't you?

"I guess- "

"I used to teach Caleb to walk like that."- Nerissa smiled and then shook her head: "Speaking of him. Why you feel the need to go hardcore on this class is definitely an unequivocal sign."

Cornelia frowned and stopped. She needed to breathe again:

"You're restless because the two-month truce is over. With the war resumed, Caleb is already leading soldiers out in the open. He had two missions already. It is unpleasant-"

"Yeah, thanks, Mrs. Obvious. I'm sorry I can't bear the idea of him being snatched away from me for another six weeks."- and Cornelia huffed, going towards the yoga mats. "And unpleasant doesn't even begin to cover it, I find it terrifying, Nerissa!"

"You'll never stop holding that over my head, will you?"- Nerissa rolled her eyes and took Killian in her arms, following the other woman again. Her grandson started playing with her long tight braid. "It can be terrifying, Cornelia, but how do you think I lived through so many years of my husband and son risking their lives on the daily without going crazy? I trust their intuition and skill, you should too. Caleb is not reckless- "

"Yes, you did go pretty crazy."- the Earth guardian interrupted her as she took her water bottle. "And I know, I do have trust in the rebels. In Caleb and Julian and their self-preservation instincts. I just don't trust Phobos and Leonida together."- she said in a low voice. "They're too dangerous now. We have to stop them before they've obtained the power of the Golden Spring..."

Nerissa unraveled her magenta polar jacket's collar and just nodded with determination:

"They won't get to that. I will personally see to their failure."

The blonde huffed again, but this time she was hopeful. She wasn't satisfied with the pace of things and how they weren't taking enough action. All of the realms Phobos had tricked had been engaged in the war for weeks, trying to push his forces away and thus keeping him and Leonida occupied. Unrest in Meridian and Coronia was now even more prominent. Elyon and Will had decided to wait a little longer before executing their plan with Avani, who was going to take the major mystic power back from Leonida's baby. They had to because of Morgana. But Cornelia hated that. Their boyfriends and husbands didn't risk their lives repeatedly and constantly during that idiotic wait. The only person that could understand her perfectly and from all sides was her future mother-in-law. Cornelia's hope was in that:

"Yes, you're not the only one dissatisfied with the latest decision that was once again affirmed at the meeting yesterday. Of course, you aren't. You and I are equally threatened."- the sorceress averred as if having read her mind.

Cornelia finally decided to shoot. She wasn't going to hide behind excessive working out or frowns anymore:

"Yes, but how? And what are we going to do, Will knows that we don't agree with her. That's why she made you vow not to act behind her- "

"Did she, really?"- Nerissa smirked alluringly. "She did, that's right..."

"This is ridiculous! Saving that child's life has been standing in our way ever since she was conceived, which let me remind you, was done with ill intent!"- Nerissa protested violently, standing up in her full imposing height. "I'm growing tired of your pacific bulshit! The cult is done with. We must take the mystic power back before they tear done the veil completely and submerge everything in complete anarchy!"

Will closed her eyes and sighed, standing up as well:

"We can't put Opal in harm's way like that, Nerissa. Morgana threatened her life. She's too powerful. We have to eliminate her before Avani steps in- "

"Oh, please, Will, this is so out of line! What are we, guardians of the Infinite Dimensions or Opal's fairy godmothers? Leonida can protect her daughter!"- Cornelia interjected angrily. "If we keep losing time- "

"Cornelia!"

They were all in the conference room. All guardians, ex-guardians, and the royals. The disagreement between certain members of the squad, however, was taking over new horizons.

"We don't know how, but the demon has managed to obtrude Leonida and Phobos's life from the inside, despite Leonida's power of Queen Mother."- Magana sighed and looked at her son and daughter-in-law. "The Dark Twin is not to be underestimated, she's vile and- "

"But if we don't act before the Golden Spring summons Opal, either her parents or Morgana shall sweep the board!"- Kadma exclaimed angrily. "Whoever gains full control over Opal after she is led to the Heart of Coronia, like every Queen is, will have quintuple power! That's what her parents have been planning for months! To master the Heart of Coronia! They will annihilate us, our kingdoms, and achieve Phobos's dream of United Dimensions!"

"Let's not forget that Emery is also out there and he's a third enemy side."- Yan Lin reminded them. "He tampered with the future-seeing book. He supposedly weakened his father through potions and attempted to murder him slowly way before Leonida's interference. We have to be wary of his presence on the board... We have to think over our next move very carefully-"

"It's time to take action. We have to take the baby's powers."- Nerissa demanded. "The last vestige of the cult is Morgana, we cannot defeat her without our full set of powers! Don't YOU understand?! This is the risk that's worth it, not sending out soldiers to die out in Phobos's barbaric clashes while waiting for nothing!"

She and Will were still up on their feet while everyone else remained seated. Their eyes were locked in an acute duel.

Will didn't answer right away. She knew her predecessor was right for herself and many others. Her words were only logical. Her own decision as leader of the guardians looked sentimental in front of Nerissa's stance this time. It looked... foolish. Slowing. But the Heart wanted her to do it and she couldn't even explain it to everyone. The Heart of Kandrakar's voice was seldom as distinct as it was now. The Heart warned its keeper that if she challenged Morgana, things would only get dire. Most dire.

"Morgana needs to be taken out of the picture before that."- Will insisted and Cornelia's angry reaction wasn't delayed. "I know...I know it seems crazy to all of you. But I feel like the nymph herself is telling me this."- the redhead whispered. "Morgana needs to be defeated before Avani plays her part or we'll commit a big mistake."

"No, Will."- Taranee was the first one to speak up. "We're with you. We know your judgment is the most accurate one."

"Yes."- Irma agreed. "You've proven that many times, babe.

"I agree too."- Hay Lin chimed in.

Will smiled weakly as her three friends gathered around her:

"You're all crazy!"- Cornelia yelled at them. "The battles that we're having all over the realm, and on Coronia, are barbaric! Insane! Elyon can stop all that if she gains control over her lost power again, don't you understand?! People are dying already, Aldarn is still in a coma! A coma, despite my own healing magic!"- her spitting facts angrily made Will shrink even more. But Cornelia wasn't done:

"Is it worth it for the same rebels who helped free Meridian in the first place to now die in pointless battles because of Morgana bluffs!?"

"Cut it out, Cornelia, are you trying to guilt-trap us?!"- Irma snapped back. "Everyone around here is risking their lives on the daily, but that's everyone's personal choice, right? We're all in this together! No one is forcing anyone to participate, they're doing it because they care about their homeland and Metamoor's future!"

"Besides, Cornelia, we're trying to be there, to help and protect Elyon's people, the rebels, and everyone else during these battles."- Hay Lin reasoned. "This is not the first time; we've done it in the past too. I know you're scared for Caleb- "Yeah, he was only hurt five times during the last two weeks. No biggie."- the blonde sneered coldly, crossing her arms on her chest. She then glared at Elyon, who was at the other end of the long conference table: "And won't you like to add something, Elyon? Or are you completely OK with Will ruling your kingdoms for you?"

"Cornelia, that's enough- "

"Do not attack her!"- Andan protested when his wife blenched. "Your partner is a warrior not a royal! His life isn't more valuable than those of our people. Enough with the projection of your fears for him on the scale of the entire- "

"Listen, here, you little shit- "- Irma began, but Nerissa walked around everyone else and slapped Andan before their eyes:

Halinor and Magana gasped. Elyon didn't really react:

"You better pray that nothing happens to him. Ever, especially not during this war that your family's responsible for."- the sorceress whispered. "Because then, Magana, you and your family, and your ghosts and cults will all face Oblivion."

Magana looked away and locked her arms around her son's shoulders in a protective manner. But Nerissa didn't take shit from anyone. She gave them her back before returning by Cornelia's side, ignoring her friends who were trying to reason with her. Cornelia was fuming:

"You entitled brat! I fucking hate myself for ever encouraging Elyon to enter this marriage! You're all delusional if you think that we'll just stand by and agree with you!"

"And what is that supposed to mean, Cornelia?!"- Irma and Taranee jumped. "You have to have more faith in- "

"Faith in nothing, I would like to see your reactions if it were your boyfriends out there, battling merciless monsters every day when there's another way to stop this!"

"You stop it, all of you!"- Yan Lin demanded. "We can only overcome this in harmony, not divided- "

"I can't be in harmony with cowards and fools."- Nerissa cut her off and then took the blonde guardian's hand. "We can't. We disagree with your decision and we will oppose you."- she averred as she ran her ice-cold eyes over each and everyone's stunned faces. "And if that means that we will fight in this war divided, then so be it. After all, the final goal is all the same."

Cornelia raised her chin haughtily as they faced the entire room, tall and proud. Then, before they could even turn around towards the exits properly, Will stood in their way:

"Enough."- Elyon's voice caught with them from behind. "Will's decision is right at this stage. I don't just trust her. I rely on her. And you haven't talked me into being in a marriage, Cornelia, you and Nerissa did advocate for it, but the final decision was mine to make. As it is now."

The Earth guardian turned around, stunned as the Queen concluded firmly:

"You two are out of line. You are subjective and it's OK. But we will not let you put more at stake in your, I admit, rational fears."

"...we came off predictable but your friends didn't surprise either. I didn't vow. Mila did."- Nerissa snickered at Cornelia's bedazzlement. "Yes, that's right. I sent her in my place, to that conference, because I already knew what her Majesty and her Guardian Supremacy will decide."

"But how did you take your Altermeere from Kandra-"

"That's of no importance right now."- Nerissa shook her head and rocked Killian in her arms again. "I admit Will's feeling might not be completely wrong. But stopping this insanity once and for all requires more than just doing what's right. I'm the Mage. I have to look out for my son and his rebels."


Coronia, earlier that same week

Another night, another nightmare. Her mornings were grayer and more tired with every new dawn. Leonida woke up, drenched in sweat, and struggled with her breathing for a few minutes even after she opened her eyes, horrified. This was going to be the end of her if she didn't do something to combat Morgana's evil presence in their lives.

But how do I do that when everything in me has been darkened long ago, Leonida thought sadly. My golden magic is darker than ever because my heart is dark with all my evil deeds.

She then started her day and half an hour later, she was in the empty Throne Room, alone with her daughter. Her commanders and advisors were about to come in and inform her of the latest events from the battle scenes. Phobos was already off to take part in a focal battle for the day. They were winning, they were prevailing, and their enemies were all goners. Even the guardians barely managed at this point. Things were in their favor, yet Leonida couldn't shake off of all the dark and suffocating thoughts that were a part of her every day, especially as of late. A lot had changed in the way she perceived her surroundings. A lot more terrified her.

"You resemble her so much. My sister. Even in your sleep."

Leonida stopped dead in her tracks. No... it was impossible. Hearing her voice... Morgana was in the room with her despite all her efforts to keep her away. She knew, it was because of her unchecked emotions...

The Queen turned to the left and saw her. The silver-haired demon stood by her throne, offhandedly and with a sinister grin on her face.

"You can't deny your destiny, dear Leonida."

"What do you WANT!?"- Leonida screamed. She was growing both enraged and desperate at this point.

"What I've always wanted. I want you to join me."- Morgana declared. "Stop trying to stand in my way and in the way of your daughter's great destiny- "

"Didn't you listen to me when I said that would never happen?"

Leonida fired a surprising attack towards the ghost, trapping her in a cage of light... Morgana screamed like scalded but soon she was just laughing again. The Queen gasped in shock as the bars her great power had created just vanished... Like dying fireflies...

"Is this your light magic, Queen Leonida?"- Morgana began mockingly. "You're disappointing. Give up and join hands with me, be on my side, only thereat shall you be victor-"

"Never."- Leonida hissed. "Never will I ever support the evil that broke my family and my life apart. You are my biggest enemy, Morgana. I will only find peace in your destruction!"

Morgana's smile faded gradually. Then she looked away from the younger woman's strained facial features.

"Witless, you are, my dear."- she whispered. "I'm afraid you leave me no other choice- "

"Nothing. There's NOTHING you can do to influence us, nothing you can do to hurt us as long as I'm Queen Mother."- Leonida barked and came at her, getting into her face dangerously, even though she was well aware she couldn't touch or, rather, punch her as she wished to. Morgana's body was an utterly elusive mass which only she could control. But Leonida wanted to make it clear:

"I'll find a way to destroy you, Morgana. As long as you remain in my kingdom, between the borders of all the realms that will be under my control, you will be miserable. I will make that happen; I swear!"

"Your mother said the same about you when she cursed you, yet you did find a way to hurt your relatives despite it, didn't you?"- Morgana cackled. "Oh, Leonida. What I will do from now on will only hurt your heart."

The honey-haired woman flinched but the ghost had already vanished. Before she could ask anything. Before she could even begin to think about her gut-wrenching promise. This was the second such dire promise she was giving her, and deeming all that this monster had done to so many people for decades... Leonida held her sleeping daughter close to her chest, fretful. She was scared. She was scared of her future more than ever before.


Heatherfield, 6:30 PM

"Nerissa? Nerissa, wait up! I have to talk to you!"

Will rolled her eyes as she watched the other woman ignore her. Nerissa just kept walking towards her old family house, unperturbed, carrying her shopping bags. Her short white bodycon dress and high heels were in great contrast with the setting sun and the falling dusk.

"Nerissa, why are you acting like that again?"- Will caught up with her and got in her way. "This is important! You shut us all out, again, you don't take any calls, we can't work like that! Not in the midst of a big war- "

"I'm busy."- the sorceress interrupted, unimpressed, and looked down at her: "What do you want?"

Will just groaned:

"Drop the Regina George end of movie attitude, what do you think I want? I want to talk about something important that can help us solve a big part of the problem-"

"I doubt it."- Nerissa hissed. "Your vision and my vision for a solution differ quite immaculately. You think we should wait and avoid the risk; I think it's high time we took a bigger risk."

"Maybe they don't differ as much as we thought."- the redhead shook her head. "I have an idea. I think you might be right. Taking Morgana out of the picture first was my initial goal but maybe we can do that in another way. Maybe we can claim Opal's powers back and destroy Morgana at the same time. Before Phobos and Leonida get to the Golden Spring..."

Nerissa raised her eyebrows in disbelief:

"How-"

Will sighed and scratched the back of her head:

"Hard. Very hard. But I have to maintain the harmony in the group. We don't have harmony without Cornelia... and you."

Nerissa scoffed:

"That's because you proclaimed your decision like a tyrant- "

"No, that's because we have different points of view and because, I am sure."- Will frowned. "I am definitely sure that Morgana will do something game-changing. She threatened Opal, but Leonida's magic protects her from direct harm... That's why I couldn't stop thinking about it, about what you said too. Maybe you're right, maybe she was bluffing just because she needs more time."

"Exactly."- Nerissa nodded fervently. "That's what I was- "

"I know."- Will sighed. "I just had to... look, Andan's commanders have a different approach in mind. They don't want the war on Coronia to end..."

"What?!"

"...not before they've sought out and collected as many of the remaining aristocrats that participated in the cult as they can. And it is working, I guess. They're too scared for their own good, now that their leaders lost all their positions. Many are turning themselves in return for safety."- the redhead finished grimly. "They're still better off in Andan's dungeons than up against his sister's soul-destroying anger."

"How dare that worthless brat Andan..."- Nerissa fumed. She was enraged. Tricks. Domestic policy, division. Actions behind their backs... how scandalously unexpected, not from anyone, but from the quiet prince. Sneaky saphead! "Why are our men putting up with this, Elyon's Queen- "

"The Coronian armies are stronger and more in number... Andan, I guess he convinced Elyon. He's looking out for his homeland and we really don't have much of a say in this. Political relations hardly fall into our field... That's why I wanted to keep their calm, if we suffer inner divisions and conflicts of interests right now, we will fall to Phobos before we've managed to play the Avani move."

Nerissa nodded. She was right. What a strategic diplomat she had matured into... The little zap was more than right and smart in this case, her predecessor had to give it to her once again:

"I didn't know."- she murmured instead. "Nobody told me this. I will kill him! He's just like his lying mother! "

"Very few people are aware as of yet."- Will shook her head but had to agree. Andan and Magana disappointed. Again.

"I've been digging in a lot. I talked to soldiers to whom even Raythor hasn't talked about the issue yet... I needed to know because I want this shit to end sooner, OK? I have to make sure we win. I'm sorry, I don't trust Elyon enough to leave it in her hands. After last year... "

"Definitely not. You did good."- Nerissa approved. "Keep the smaller elements in the dark of their own ambitions and follow your own aspirations till the end. Over and above them, for the better good. Bravo."

"I'd call it thinking ahead of the team, but thanks."- Will snickered. "I've had good examples. Not proud to cheat people though."

Nerissa snickered in response and ran a hand through her straightened hair. How sincerely sweetish of you, Will. We're friends now, aren't we?

"So, I'm listening. What's your idea?"


Meridian, the Infinite City

"The Infinite City has many benefits. One of which is its connection to the Mage Ring... You will have the Mage Ring on you, and you will be ready to use it. We just have to mask our presence with Dua's essence and hide before summoning her. Morgana... She can't resist coming here then."

Her friends and the ex-guardians all agreed and followed her words and instructions, one hour later, when they all met up in the Infinite City. Even if after a little straightening out the details talk:

"Right...and why are we hiding, again?"

"We're going to try to trap Morgana. Demons and entities can be trapped. That's what we'll do."- Yan Lin added. "We will take hiding in a pentagram-like formation, masking our presence with Dua's. His aura will camouflage our own. "

"After all, he is of Morgana's blood, with him here and the right spells, she won't even be able to sense our magical auras."- Halinor agreed.

"All we need is Nerissa to distract her long enough for us to perform the entrapping ritual. Then Morgana will be trapped within a mirror, just like Sydneas was, for centuries. (from "Heart of a Mother")."- Kadma finished confidently, shivering in anger as she remembered the ancient demon who had almost devoured her soul last year.

"And she will because the offer Nerissa will give her will take her aback."- Will nodded with a smirk. "That monster lived within Dua for years. She's new to the outside world in this form, she shouldn't be able to see through the trap fast enough. The Mage Ring should be able to freeze Morgana in her place for a short while until the ritual is complete too. We can do this tonight."

"This better work."- Cornelia sighed as she and Irma took their places, and everyone agreed mentally.

It would. Will's ideas and the other present and former guardians' knowledge and assistance would make sure of that. Nerissa's abilities to stall, tease and verbally master her opponents would come in handy too...

"You must be kidding."

Dua shivered when he saw her appear in the empty dungeon. Morgana terrified him and rightfully so. She had tormented him for so long... Her sudden appearance made him restless, even though they had assured him he'd only see her for a moment...then he'd be back with Elyon, away and safe from the evil dark ghost... The young boy hid behind Nerissa who had just turned around to meet the other woman's eyes with a relaxed smile:

"What is this, sorceress? Why did you trick me into believing that my traitor son has taken cover here?"- Morgana hissed as she watched Nerissa like a cobra getting ready to spit venom... "Is this a ridicule? Or are you willing to die faster than I initially planned to?"

"I apologize for using Dua to lure you here, but I felt like that was the only sure way for us to have a little talk. Alone."- Nerissa tilted her head and pursed her lips: "Oh, you have a thing or two to learn about me and death, Morgana. I'm not afraid of it. But I do not plan to succumb to anyone else's plans, any time soon. Anyway."

Nerissa teletransported Dua away from the scene and took a few graceful steps towards the entity. The dark twin didn't look too pleased with that reply. She gritted her teeth violently and spat:

"Make it quick, witch, or I'll eliminate you right now! You're so low on power yourself, you'll barely be able to put up much of a fight."- Morgana added venomously and smiled: "Your biggest pride, your power, will soon be mine- "

"Power's a vital thing but the mind is not to be underestimated either."- the former guardian interrupted her smoothly, even though she was getting seriously irked. "And my mind is sharper and vaster than your has even been, Gana-"

Morgana bared her teeth:

"HOW DARE-"

"SHUT UP!"

Nerissa glared at her and took another bold step. The dark twin just crossed her arms on her chest and gave her a deathly stare. She didn't attack, even though she could as well destroy the taller woman. And they both knew why. Being summoned by her here wasn't purposeless, Morgana was sure in that, she knew enough of this woman's history to know. And with how uncertain some things were, still, she couldn't afford to miscalculate.

You have no idea, Nerissa thought and smirked:

"I called you here, where no one has used sage to block your presence because I have an offer, I wanted to discuss with you in private." - she went on. "It is your lucky day today, congratulations. Surely this will be a welcome token of security after so many unexpected things happened to you lately. Your husband died, your son betrayed you and you were ousted out of the boy you hid within for so long..."

"Offer."- Morgana interrupted sharply. "What offer could you possibly have for me?"

Nerissa just casually fixed her perfectly smooth hair and gestured towards something behind herself. Morgana's cold eyes widened in disbelief:

"The elder heir."- she exclaimed and just stared at the unconscious Avani that levitated in the shadows behind the Mage. "I don't believe it... You would never offer me her."- she barked furiously as if the realization hit her just now. "What games do you think you're playing, sorceress- "

"But I do offer her to you. After all, I did suggest selling Avani's soul to a demon. It's what she deserves."- Nerissa hissed coldly and returned Morgana's distrustful stare flatly. "This little bitch double-crossed me. Then she almost got my son killed. My son's everything to me."- Nerissa shook her head grimly. "Which is why I have a suggestion for you. Agree to my terms and you may possess Phobos's older daughter. In her body, nothing can stop you from obtaining all the power Leonida's baby will have once she's taken to the Golden Spring, and you will manage to go through Leonida's Queen Mother impenetrable defense without having to try! You will achieve your ultimate goal, Morgana, after all these years. All you have to do is agree."- Nerissa finished in a low, almost hypnotic voice.

It took the silver-haired woman a hot second to snap out of the trance the temptation had put her in:

"And what does your list of conditions sound like? Let me guess, you want your full powers back. And those of Queen Elyon?"- an unpleasant smile spilled over Morgana's harsh-looking face. "How am I supposed to achieve full dominance if so, Nerissa? Your offer isn't as alluring as you think-"

"Yes, I want my powers and those of the Queen back but for myself. I will put a blocking stamp on Avani's body, then I will separate Meridian from Metamoor and all the realms Phobos's contracts have begun to subject already. All I want is Meridian safe. Without any of you coming here, ever again. You may do whatever you desire with the other worlds. With Coronia, especially."- Nerissa's voice rose above the other woman's. Her eyes shone madly as they stared into Morgana's cold orbs... "All I want is Meridian. This is what's important to me and my son. But the guardians would never agree. You, however, should. After all, this is your only chance to succeed."

The demon threw her head back and cackled glumly:

"You really are deranged."- she said to Nerissa's frustration.

Me? Deranged? Then what are you, you revolting bitch...

"To think that you summoned me here to throw these breadcrumbs of an offer at me. Did you really hope that I'd take you up on that? That it suits my aspirations? I want everything, sorceress, everything! My homeland is most important, of course, but after all these years, I long to spread my message around the neighboring worlds too! I want to make sure Coronia becomes the center of the Universe!"- the dark twin paused to catch her breath before grinning at the brunette's scowl. "And I do not need your worthless Avani to do that! I've already started to create holes in Leonida's precious family life. Soon, everything will come crashing down and she will be buried with the debris of her worthless little dreams!"

"I don't care what happens to Leonida or Phobos, for that matter, the more they suffer the better!"- Nerissa yelled back and then threw one of her most belittling lines: "Then again, apparently, you're as witless as you are ravenous, you stupid beast. The guardians will have Avani take everything you dream of in the blink of an eye! You alone stand no chance to her birthright! You cannot win this war on your own!"

Morgana's eyes grew darker. Then she lifted her hand and two sharp nails extended to unnatural proportions, drilling two fatal holes in Avani's neck and heart.

"You're probably right."- she then said, contented, as she watched the body of the young woman slump to the floor. "But thanks to you, I no longer have to worry about that. I've finally done what I was unable to for weeks, because of all the protecting spells in the Palace... I killed your precious elder heir!"

But her laugh was cut short when a glamouring ring went around the fallen body, revealing it to be nothing but a dummy. A plain practice dummy.

"A trickery? A mockery!?"- Morgana began, outraged, but Nerissa interrupted her:

"Oh, does poor old Gana feel betrayed? You must be used to it by now."- she hissed, venomously. "I was going to give you the real Avani had you agreed to my terms, but you denied me... Oh, well. You chose your own loss. Nobody beats Nerissa in the long run."- Nerissa smiled at the angry face and twirled a single strand of hair around her finger: "Especially not an old fool like you."

"You made a dire mistake."

With one swing of her hand, Morgana sent Nerissa to fly across the underground room, hitting her back in the stone wall next to the waterfall that was coming from a large hole in the ceiling and continuing to fall through a large hole in the floor...

"Nobody beats Nerissa yet Nerissa is weak and alone without her powers."- the demon hissed as she just appeared above her. "You spoke too soon. Now I will kill you and I will become much stronger once I have your blood."

Barely managed to come to her senses, the Mage bared her teeth and fired an attack in reply, but Morgana easily escaped it:

"Weak, witch!"

Morgana's demonic nails were making their way towards her. Her friends were about to jump out of their hiding places and come to her rescue, she knew it, but she couldn't allow it. If they attacked now, their concentration and the conjoint spell would addle. Nerissa threw her hair back as she glared daggers at the entity:

"No!"

Morgana just blinked in distress as the Mage Ring froze her in her place.

"Rissy, are you OK?!"

Halinor and the others showed up instantly but Nerissa just nodded and encouraged them:

"Yes, I am, let's finish the entrapping. We're too close to stop now!"

"She's right, let's do this the old-fashioned way!"- Will exclaimed. "Join hands around Morgana!"

The two teams of guardians did exactly that. Morgana wailed something incomprehensible as their magic enfolded her and started to shrink her. Thankfully, they had had enough time to secure her trap.

"Capti nunc es, speculum es, numquam aliis iterum laedes! Divina potentia novem feminarum, Morgana, vinceris!" (You're trapped now, you're a mirror, your wrong shall never be free again! The divine power of the nine women... Morgana, you are conquered! *from latin*)

The demon screamed and rebelled, but it was of no use. The nine women didn't break their formation and concentration and when the lights died down, all that was left of the demon was a small onyx-covered hand mirror.

"Finally."- Irma commented and attempted to kneel down and take the mirror in her hands: "Not so smug now, are we, powder puff?"

"Let's burry her under a mountain or something."- Cornelia crossed her arms on her chest.

But Kadma grabbed the water guardian's wrist and stopped her:

"Wait! Do not touch- "

But before she could even finish and before Irma could ask why, the entire room started to shake. As did the mirror. The mirror in their feet pulsed, as if it was a bag of popcorn left for too long in the microwave...

"Something's not right- "- Yan Lin opened her mouth just when the explosion did take place and sent them all to the ground.

"Grandma!"- Hay Lin exclaimed in terror as her grandmother groaned painfully. Her hip had just suffered a bad fall... it could as well be broken. Her frail bones couldn't take these stunts. Halinor and Kadma were sustained by the Heart of Zamballa and Nerissa's body was young and agile thanks to her element. Yan Lin was the most vulnerable to lasting trauma during these battles... They had to look out for her more, Halinor reminded herself and crawled closer to the two air guardians with a quick healing spell.

"No fucking way."- Irma groaned when Morgana appeared in front of them again. "We're all together, all the elements are together! How is she stronger than all of us again?!"

"So, it didn't work."- Taranee murmured and placed a comforting hand on Will's shoulder. "That doesn't mean she's stronger, we just- "

"You're just idiots, all of you!"- Morgana laughed and levitated over their heads. "To think this almost worked to your advantage. But I'm the dark twin, I'm not just any demonic entity! Your elemental powers lack pure light; hence you cannot entrap me! You put your long years of experience to shame, some of you are old women yet you behave like amateurs! Pathetic! "

That was the last of her before she disappeared leaving the guardians disappointed and angry with another failed plan.

"Bitch."

"Right, light. We don't have a light wielder on our team."- Will frowned. They were up on their feet again. This wasn't really unexpected. Still, a part of her had believed they could take Morgana down on their own.

"Not just any light wielder. Only a very powerful one can match her level of darkness."- Halinor murmured. "Like...Elyon. But her powers were stolen. We have to find another alternative..."

"I wonder what was she talking about when she said she has started to create holes in Leonida's new family life."- Hay Lin called in, thoughtfully, as she held Yan Lin for support.


Coronia...

Phobos looked at her sleeping body with dark eyes. Leonida wasn't going to be sleeping this soundly had he not placed a sleeping spell on her, but he had to because he needed to think. He needed time to think after the darned demon Morgana had acquainted him with certain... unpleasant facts about his relationship.

"You were choicely picked out for the sole purpose of working for our society's agenda!"- Morgana's words echoed in his ears. "

All that you now have was constructed on the foundation of lies and deceit, and you know better than anyone that nothing is ever stable when built over mistrust, don't you, Prince Phobos? Leonida used you. She laced your food back at Gray Woods Mines to keep you away, she made a fool out of you, because she hated you! You were a burden to her. A tool. She only needed you to conceive that child, she never loved you like she loved her former lover Dua. She even wanted you killed many times over the last winter! The only reason she's now getting attached is because she doesn't want to be alone again! Don't mistake her carnal desires and fears of loneliness with love, your Highness."

"Why are you telling me all this?"- he had snapped grimly. His eyes were full of hatred for the ghost and her gloating smile. "To hurt me? To hurt her? You do realize that we're parents now and, regardless of anything, we shall always put Opal first. Even if everything has been a lie, I SHALL NEVER let you near her!"

Morgana's face remained cold but she cocked an eyebrow. How had the Evil Prince changed. He actually showed parental affection.

"It just pains me that you seem to love the mother of that baby like she'll never love you back. Leonida deserves your anger as much as any of us, really, yes, we used you but we never intended to still have you around at this stage. Neither did she. She deserves to be punished for the betrayal-"

"I will never let you be the one punishing her for anything if that's what you hoped."- Phobos hissed. "Nor will you ever get to see your dreams fulfilled. I had a nanny. Just like you, governess Lychinda."- the prince made a bitter pause, upon wording her name with unmatched hatred, remembering the harrowing old woman. "She was obsessed with the so-called pure and rightful just like you are with your darkness and pure nobles. You're so very alike. Both monsters beyond one's imagination. I loathed her. I loathe you too. Nothing you say can get to me."

Morgana laughed even though she wasn't fully content with the effect her revelations had had on the fair-haired man.

"Then perhaps your other daughter will? Notwithstanding, whose side shall you be on when she enters the picture and robs you of your power?"

Phobos staggered and stared with a hanging jaw.

"What did you just say!?"

But she was already gone.

It was impossible, but months ago, he had heard something. He had thought of something. A memory ... A memory he had wanted to forget forever. Now that the demon had mentioned it, he was sure. He had an older daughter. And his sister and the guardians had found her.

He sighed tiredly and leaned against the door of the spacious royal chambers. Both Opal and Leonida were sleeping and he just stared into nothing. Thinking. He was at crossroads he had never faced before. Yes, he had been betrayed more than once. Cedric, who had once been his closest person had betrayed him twice on his own. Phobos knew betrayal so very well. He himself was as disloyal as he could be ever since he had usurped the throne in the first place and still... it still stung him knowing that she was a traitor as well. He glared at her. She looked restless even under his sleeping spell... Leonida. With her, he had started to believe again. He had started to believe that it was possible for him to love and trust someone but it wasn't true. He couldn't trust her. She didn't trust him herself. And even though he had suspected that, especially in the beginning, when he had intended to just use her as well, he felt strange. Phobos closed his eyes. He should've known it's too good to be real. What he hadn't wanted to confess even to himself was that he was attached to the young honey-haired woman. He had made place for her in his heart. That was why the stinging that her betrayals left him looked so strange.

"It's astounding, isn't it?"- Morgana's voice made him jump like scalded. "How love changes everything. Even the darkness in us."

"How would you know."- the man growled, irritated. "Have you ever loved anyone at all? And how the hell dare you be here?!"

For a moment, she looked as if she was contemplating the first part of his question deeply:

"My people."- she murmured. "I still love them. My sister. I loved her, yet, ironically, she was the one who then permanently snatched most of my ability to feel love ever again."- then she smiled derisively and nodded at the sleeping woman: "Her emotional dissemblance weakens her protecting spells and I can go around the Edifice as I please. Just as a harmless ghost, however. For now..."

"Then let me change that."- Phobos pulled the sleeves of his night robe up with a death stare and hit Morgana with a surprising dark red spell that slammed her into the wall behind her.

"Wait- "

"I may not have light magic, but I have enough experience and power to hurt you."- the man whispered ominously and hit her again and again as if to prove his words. He swung her across the room with this magic, and just slammed her into objects she usually would just go through. Morgana's moans of pain remained completely unnoticed by Leonida and Opal, who were sound asleep, protected by the Prince's sleep-inducing spell.

"Yes, not fatally. But I can and I shall drive you away because you annoy me so very greatly."- Phobos hissed into the woman's face. He had pushed her into one of the corners of the room and was now pressing a javelin made of dark-red energy against her neck. "I already told you I don't want to see your disgusting face around here, better listen to me now or I will find a way to have this incorporeal demonic glass magic destroy your spiritual shell. Then you'll be nothing but energy, and energy can easily be put into an artifact of one's choice."

Morgana's eyes went paler and wider with fret. This was a wicked strategy even the Mage and the guardians hadn't thought of using against her yet. Phobos wasn't to be underestimated. Definitely not.

"I just wanted to give you this."- she wheezed and materialized a small stone in the air next to herself.

Phobos took it in his palm and inspected it with minimal interest:

"A memory stone?"

"Leonida's memory stone."- the ghost confirmed and finally relaxed when the man lowered his hand. "She ripped all memories of her hating and denying you from her mind because she's desperate. Have a look at them."

Morgana smiled at his discouraged expression:

"Then you might understand her motives a little better. And mine too. You're a talented ruler and magic-user, prince, I don't even dare to dream that I can defeat you on my own. But you're about to be put up against an impossible choice involving your two daughters."- she made a pause. She knew he was mentally accessing the memories in the stone as she spoke. "Yes, do think about what you're seeing. What you're hearing, from me as well. Then you might consider the new suggestion I have for you."

Phobos didn't say anything, he just lifted his pale green eyes and stopped them on the woman sleeping in the bed, with her long honey-colored hair scattered over the big pillows.


Meridian, Royal Palace, 2:30 AM

"Yan Lin fractured her hip and you almost got your head dented today! Amazing, I'm just speechless, what a great time everyone's having around here!"

"God, Cornelia!"- Caleb growled tiredly, holding the pack of ice against his forehead. It still hurt a little. "Please, don't start again."

He was laying on the big bed in their chambers in the Meridian Palace, wearing just a pair of black boxers. He had got seriously hurt in the battle he had participated in during the day, but thanks to Cornelia's immediate intervention and her healing powers, all he had now was a bump on the forehead. Still and all, she was furious:

"Oh, I'm sorry for being logical and practical! This is fucking bulshit, Caleb Crossnic!"- the blonde slammed the drawer of the dresser shut and angrily turned around in her long lilac chiffon nightgown. "Freaking Avani has to take the power back from them. Right now! We're putting all these people in danger for the sake of what!? Phobos and Leonida! Unbelievable!"

"No, we're doing it because Morgana is still a threat. She might kill their child without the power to protect them. We have to take her down first."- the man tried to reason with her and took her hand in his, but she pulled away and just huffed:

"Well, we tried today. We failed. I'm sorry, Caleb, but if you suffer another trauma, I'll just kill you myself!"- she frowned when he chuckled. "So not funny. Shut up! I guess I'll just start to come to all your battles with you to protect you or something. God, I hate this war!"

"We all do, Cornelia."- he sighed and kept kissing her hand reassuringly. "We just have to clench our teeth some more. We have Avani, we will win despite the deplorable results of our battles, Phobos doesn't know about Avani, our trump card! Soon we'll take them down. All of them."

Cornelia didn't look too pleased with the reasoning she was hearing for the umpteenth time, but before she could argue, Nerissa barged into the room unceremoniously, with a tray in her hands.

"I'm sorry for interrupting."- she pulled her robe over the deep lace cleavage of her dark green nightgown. "But I want you to drink this, Caleb. I just made it. It will remedy any damaged blood vessels Cornelia might've missed. And it will ease up the swell."

"Thanks, ma."

"I didn't miss anything, I healed his head for an hour."- Cornelia snapped as she watched the man chug the contents of the tall silver mazer.

Nerissa just fixed her big loose hair around her face and waited for her son to finish the potion. She met Cornelia's eyes for a second and just blinked twice in agreement. Their plan to take actions into their own hands was still on after Will's newest one had failed. Especially after Caleb was seriously hurt.

"What's that all about?"

Nerissa looked down at her alarmed Mage Ring. Its blue stone was now emitting small green sparks. She sat on the couple's bed without hesitation and waved her hand around:

"One of my magic ear spells...this surely is important. Wait a second."

Then they could hear two voices coming from the ring. Were they...Andan and Magana?

"Are you eavesdropping around the entire Palace?!"- Cornelia exclaimed, scandalized.

"Only around the crucial parts. Shush."- her future mother-in-law dismissed her as the two voices began became clearer:

"...I'm not convinced Andan."- Magana's voice was saying, unsure. "I'm no longer Coronia's active queen, but I feel that the Spring will summon Opal and her regents soon. Very soon. And you know what that means-"

"Mother, please."- Andan interrupted. "Whatever happens to her at this point... good riddance! This is none of their business, anyway. We have to think of Coronia's future."

"But Andan, not sharing the details around the curse we placed on Leonida, to keep her away from us, all this years ago might benefit none other than Morgana."

"No, mother, that's enough, forget about it. Trust me. It's better this way."

"But Andan..."

But Andan's next line made his mother shut up at once:

"Please! I've always listened to you. Listen to me this once. Even the walls have ears around here. Let's not discuss Leonida's past anymore and simply look forward to the future of our homeland."

Nerissa narrowed her eyes when her magic ear disconnected. How accurate of the brat. The walls did have ears. Ears that worked for her. And she wasn't going to let them and their deranged secrecy sink everything.

Then she met her son and daughter-in-law's flabbergasted, annoyed looks and knew what they were thinking too. The same as she did. The Coronian family would never learn their lesson.


Your thoughts? ;)

let's revise the Meridian- Coronian family tree once again:

Icona- Magana's mother;
Morgana- Icona's twin sister and Visser's wife/ Visser+Morgana= Emery;

Avani= daughter of Phobos+Zorarose;
Magana - Andan&Leonida's mother;
Leonida- Opal's mother and Dua's stepmother (Magana and Visser replaced her dead baby with Dua)
Visser- Emery's father;
Emery- Dua's birth father;