Chapter 59: The Banshee and The Sword
"Lust and greed are more gullible than innocence"
"No, this is impossible! I was Opal's mother-regent, how can she destroy that bond so easily!? How is this possible, damn it! Damn everything!"
Leonida was inconsolable. Even a day after the fierce clash at the Golden Spring. She couldn't get over the fact that the strongest magical bond between her and her daughter was no more.
"With the demigod shears."- Phobos said for the umpteenth time. "A magical artifact that has so many different properties... one of which is destroying magical bonds. Nerissa ambushed the perfect moment to use them to try and destroy something unimaginable, a bond that, under normal circumstances, could never be forcefully discontinued... regrettably, due to the nature of the circumstances, she succeeded."
Leonida clenched her teeth at his ostensibly calm demeanor. Phobos just sat in the big saloon with crossed legs and enjoyed a cup of strong tea. She, on the other hand, was steamed.
"How can you be so tranquil about all this."- the blonde accusingly. "Maybe you feel better off as the only regent to all that mystic energy, my King, you never really wanted to share that privilege... but let me remind you that Morgana is still out there and the Golden Spring banished us. We failed, we couldn't usurp the Heart of Coronia like we intended to, so now what? We should just battle the guardians and their forces and her at the same time? This may take months, more even, we have no tangible advantage on our side."- Leonida's eyes glistened with tears. "Not against all of them..."
"I'll stop you there."- Phobos stood up and approached her with a sly half-smile. He put his hands on her shoulders and whispered: "Yes, I did want to be the only regent to our daughter's power...at first. Believe me, I feel great dissatisfaction over the fact that Nerissa destroyed your bond and got away with it. But. Not true it is that we have no advantage to rely on. I have an idea."
Leonida perked up and rested her hand on his chest, looking up at his sly face in awe:
"An idea?"- she whispered. "You mean one that might help us overcome all of them faster- "
"Not only faster but all together."- the Prince snickered. "And...we do have Opal's golden water to help start everything. You may be cursed with it, but I can still use it to cast spells... Powerful spells that even the Heart of Kandrakar hasn't mastered."
"You cannot do this to us, witch! You will pay dearly!"
Andan was left to grit his teeth in helpless anger when the electric bars of his cell were activated. His mother was as agitated as him, if not more, in the neighbor cell.
"I believe that should be in past tense because we already paid a hefty price because of you and your dishonesty. On a couple of occasions." - Nerissa smiled at him coldly. "You didn't think that I'd settle for your self-imposed change in government or that I will be moved by your mother's words, did you?"- she went on derisively. "I should've done this long ago. This is where you belong. Here where you can't create any more unnecessary drama."
Andan was fuming with rage but he was powerless. Magana just slumped down in defeat and didn't bother to argue with the Mage. She had accepted her fate, but her son didn't give up:
"Our people will never let you get away with this! You don't understand! Without my mother, without me, they won't trust Elyon, not after her frivolous poor ruling from the first day! She's done nothing but disappoint them. The Coronians are very, very territorial... they'd rather sabotage everything you fight for in their fear and denial than dance to your tunes! You are making sure Leonida and Phobos win right now!"
"Oh, you will be present in front of your people, Andan."- Nerissa rolled her eyes and wrapped a long black lock around her index finger as she looked back at the young man unceremoniously. "In fact, we will even pretend to have asserted this agreement between you and Elyon willingly. I will make sure to keep all your people happy and under control. You will be in charge, ostensibly. It just won't be the real you in all verity."
She watched his shocked look go from unbelieving to outraged in a moment and just laughed heartily. Then when Drake stepped in front of their cells, Andan lost it:
"You wicked witch!"- he foamed. "This is what happens when they let criminals take up notable positions, you're legally the Mage of both realms when in actuality, you deserve to be locked in a pit far away from everything and everyone! Your ideas are despicably evil and- "
"Silence!"- Raythor who also came under the weak lights barked. "Or you won't be fed tonight. You'll know how to keep your temper when you can't keep your energy."
"Many of our people will see through this deceit."- Magana wheezed from her cell, desperately. "The golden water shows the true nature of- "
"Yes, that is true. An ordinary glamour won't be enough."- Nerissa interrupted her smugly before taking a little knife out of her belt. "But a blood-fortified one will do nicely."
Andan winced in pain and his mother protested against this with high-pitched screams, but it was done very quickly. His palm was firmly slit and his warm blood immediately dripped down. After a few seconds, the glamouring ring went around Drake and he stood before them looking exactly like the imprisoned prince.
"You will go to the meeting with the nobles, or, since most of them are cowards, their representatives now, Drake. Caleb awaits you there with the Queen. Many of these morons have some sovereignty over their own provinces, especially those of them who come from Coronia. And although the Queen has the ultimate power, we must convince them that their wretched demands have been met so as not to cause us problems during the hostilities that will pass through their lands. And when it's all over ... they'll see how I will wean them off such insolence."
Drake nodded to himself, keeping the Mage's words in mind as he entered the Royal Conference Room in his new disguise. If someone had told him that he'd be playing such roles, doing drama for Nerissa, ten years ago, he'd have probably laughed in their face. But here he was now, posing as prince Andan for the sake of his Queen and everyone's better good:
"Hello, everyone, thanks for coming. I, Prince Andan the Third, will be head of every battle-related affair as long as the war with Phobos is still active. I'm pleased you could make it here today."
"That's about it. The concerned nobles are damnably happy with Andan taking charge. They're rats for mistrusting Elyon after so many years... But she had many setbacks as well. Never mind that, the real Andan and his mother are finally put away and we can concentrate on the war itself..."- Caleb groaned and ran a hand through his messy hair. As if that was any real reassurance...The war was threatening to be larger than ever, especially for Meridian. "...and we have no idea where Phobos's sick mind will take his next big attack to after he managed to attack the Palace. Oh, and after the Spring on Coronia banished them before they could usurp it, right, Will?"
"That's right, Caleb."- the redhead confirmed by setting the pizza on the table. "Which is both great and terrifying. Because you know - Phobos. Who knows what he'll do when his initial plan didn't work out."
Caleb nodded grimly. He was exhausted. He had just recapped the latest events from the meeting with the nobles and he could as well take a nap. They were currently in Will's apartment for lunch though:
"Woah, man. I don't know either. But don't worry too much."- Matt exclaimed. "Lillian and I have been training a lot over the last months. We're ready to join whichever battle you say."
"When the time comes, you will."- Cornelia interposed and placed two salad bowls on the table as well. Lunch was served, all four of them could eat now.
"I'm not exactly a fan of the idea to have Lillian join a direct battle quite yet..."- she went on as she sat next to her fiancé. "You, Huggles, and Napoleon are not her regents anymore but you are her knights, I mean technically you have big fractions of her powers- "
"Yeah, Cornelia but her powers are immense, really. She's technically as powerful as all five of you girls together. Maybe more powerful, actually."- the dark-haired man argued, to which Cornelia rolled her eyes in distaste. "She can be of great help and she's capable of that now."
"Yeah, why are you so defensive about her joining?"- Caleb turned to the blonde. "Mom and Matt will keep a close eye on her, she won't be harmed in any way- "
"Whatever."- the Earth guardian interrupted him, annoyed. "I know! Now eat. And, by the way, Will, you really should subscribe to the HelloFresh service or something, you're eating pizza every other day!"
"Hey, I don't have time to cook."- Will defended herself.
"Well, neither do I, but HelloFresh makes things much easier. You basically receive daily prepped packages which you just have to shove in the oven for the most part. And you easily get a full healthy meal."- the blonde rolled her eyes at the look which the other woman gave her. "What? Don't look at me like that, they sponsor Irma and I actually like their service. You can use it, eating junk food all the time won't be pretty in the long term."
Matt looked like he was mentally debating on something for a few seconds before uttering:
"They're not getting along. Again. Cornelia and Lil- "
"Huh?"
"I guess you're wanting the same for us?"- Cornelia pierced him with a glare.
Matt snickered and waved his hands in surrender:
"Sorry. But she talks to me a lot, you know, we have a great bond... and I know she wants to mend things with you, Cornelia. You just have to let her-"
"Then she might as well stop attacking me. Sure you have a great bond, just don't gang up on me."
"OK, can you at least briefly acquaint me and Caleb with your inside stuff."- Will cocked an eyebrow at them to which Caleb just waved his hand tiredly:
"Honestly, Will, I don't even care-"
But Cornelia and Matt were already explaining. Over each other, of course:
"Their grandma is forcing Lillian into the whole Socialite scene because she didn't go to Brown-"- Matt began.
"Lillian decided to turn Brown down and my parents freaked, so, of course, she tried to use me staying in Heatherfield to make them get off her case."
"- but Lillian really just wants to be close to Chris, who will study robotics here. He's much smarter than the Hales give him credit for."- the man went on. "He's just a bit-"
"Of a slacker."- Cornelia helped him. "Of course, my grandmother says he'll just become a- "
"... car mechanic."- Matt finished it for her. "Which is unfair, whatever professional field he gets into, Lillian's already rich. That's what they're using to control her, the Hales threaten to kick her out stone-broke if she doesn't follow Vera's rules..."
"...if Lillian's such a victim, then why can't she bear with a normal lifestyle where she has a job for a change?"- the blonde gritted her teeth. "No, don't even say that I haven't done that, I got my first check at 14- "
"Yeah, I don't discuss that, but she just wanted your support, Cornelia, you turned it down and blamed her for being- "
"A slacker? Yeah, cuz that's what she is. All she and Chris do is party, have sex, and- "
"OK, but she still wants to do a journalism major, right?"- Matt shook his head. "You're too harsh on her, just like your folks, that's why she attacked you- "
"Because she expected me to fight her battles with them. Nobody ever did that for me!"- Cornelia snapped." She should learn to be more mature and independent, Matt, and that's that."
"Oh, c'mon, Cornelia, you're not fair-"
"And you are biased!"
Will just watched her boyfriend and best friend go on and on and sighed, taking a bite from her pepperoni pizza slice:
"Now I'm sorry I asked too, Caleb."
Meridian
"Hey, Irma, Hay Lin."- Elyon greeted them halfheartedly. "Are you here to inspect? Everything went according to plan, all problems were either solved or avoided beforehand. Andan and his mother are- "
"- in cells, we know."
Irma walked into the Throne Room with her hands on her hips and gave the Queen a harsh look. She looked like she could disappear in her pale pink robe. She had cried a lot for sure. Elyon looked just... crushed. That only annoyed Irma even more:
"Look, Elyon, you bug the shit out of me, but I still think that you deserve better than this. You can't seriously waste your time crying about that jerk your so-called husband, OK?"
"Irma!"- Hay Lin scolded her and quickly caught up. She had talked to some of the guards and the castle staff but her sharp ears had immediately picked up on her friend's inappropriately rude behavior. "Don't be so outrageous and cruel! Whatever issues we have had with Elyon, what happened to her is still awful!"
"It's OK, Hay Lin."- Elyon tried to smile but failed. "I know that being Queen is neither easy nor actually good for me and my closest ones."
"Exactly because we are or were friends. Doesn't matter."- Irma insisted with a scowl despite the Air guardian making her signs to cut it off. "Your marriage to that guy started off as a political decision. Almost ended as a political disaster. And yes, I know, you wanted to try to create love out if, you are a sucker for hopeless romance. But."- she paused to watch her reaction. Elyon waited for the rest of it like an obedient little puppy. Irma made a face. Sometimes it was hard to stay mad at such a virginal-looking girl. "But it didn't work out and that's OK. If anything, it's not your fault."
"I appreciate your words, Irma, but it is."- the Queen sighed and sat down on her throne. "At least to an extent... If I hadn't disappointed Andan and Magana as a ruler-"
"Then he'd have found himself another reason to turn on you because he's a twat and can't stand the fact that he can never rule legitimately."- Irma interrupted her stubbornly. "He's not much different than Phobos, or, actually, he is, he's even a bigger coward. Always holding onto mommy's skirt, he couldn't miss the opportunity to feel really important for a change. That's the actual reason he double-crossed you. He'd probably do it again if you let him. But that's on him, Elyon. Not on you."
Elyon gave her a little smile as Hay Lin stroked her hair with motherly affection. Elyon smiled at her too. They were the same age but Hay Lin was definitely much more grounded and wiser...
Perhaps even she'd make a better Queen...
"Thanks, Irma. I... I really am glad you think like that and I think you may be right."
"Course I'm right."- the Latina waved her hand and then became serious again: "Look, babe. I was really angry with you, I still am. I haven't fully felt myself ready."- she gestured as she struggled to find the right words to express herself. "Ready to really forget and move on from everything that happened between us. Many things still enrage me but bear with me, if we actually topple your crazy-ass brother and Leonida and we give it time, I will move on too. I don't want to be this angry with you all the time."
Elyon smiled sadly.
"Neither do I."- she sighed. "Nor do I want to upset any of you...all you've ever done is help me and support me. I am just inferior and I sometimes act up because of that. And it destroys everything just like that..."
"No, Elyon, you're not inferior, how could you even say that. Inferior to us? Your birthrights alone make you more powerful than each of us alone."- Hay Lin scolded her. "And if you're talking about emotions and friendship, then yes, surely being alone here and us being together has drawn wedges between us, in our relationship. I get that, but we have to work it all out. We have to, our duties are entangled, but so are our fates."
Elyon sobbed and nodded. She was right. Thank God for Hay Lin, she was balance. She was optimism and an everlasting breath of fresh air...
"Hay-Hay has a point." - Irma tossed her curls back. "Look. Andan is a pig. I know he's cute but that's just an outer shell, OK, I had bigger hopes for him too in the beginning, but I've known he's not it for a long time. Forget him. All we and you have done is try to help him and his homeland despite his insane family doing just about anything to hinder us. He has nothing to be disappointed about with you. Nothing. You deserve someone who can take the heat that your title brings with itself. Someone who'll love you for you and won't get jealous of you being Queen."- the Water guardian said seriously. "There are enough bitches out there we encounter all the time for you to be married to one too."
Hay Lin hugged a moved Elyon, feeling proud of Irma. After so much time, she was opening herself to Elyon who she had once had no problem with. Time however had the power to change everything... over and over again.
"So that's what you did."- a new fourth voice interjected in their conversation. "You replaced Andan with a fake. Was this the Mage's idea? Sounds exactly like something her twisted mind would fabricate."
The three women turned around just in time to witness Avani casually making her way towards them with a strange smile on her face. Hay Lin could immediately feel the perturbation that was suddenly hanging in the air with Avani's appearance.
Irma scowled at the sight of the fair-haired princess and turned her back on her. This girl bugged her each time they saw her, even if she was just standing there doing nothing.
"Avani, that's none of your business."- Elyon frowned softly. "Are you eavesdropping again? Do you want me to block your magic?"
"No."- her niece replied quickly but resentfully. "Not my magic. I got the message. None of my business. I'll be leaving you at peace."
And just like that, she walked away. Irma threw a scornful over-the-shoulder look after her.
"Is it... safe for her to know this?"- Hay Lin bit her lips. "I mean... she isn't our greatest fan after we tore her away from her realm. What if she blabs this out to the wrong someone?"
"She can't even if she wanted to."- Elyon assured them. "Avani can't leave her wing. Except for coming to this Throne Room and my private study. Anywhere else around the Palace, she must be with me. I've magically imposed that and it's draining the hell out of me without my full powers at my disposal. But I can't take any chances with Avani anymore. She's..."
"Crazy, vengeful?"- Irma helped her. "A little bitch? Good job. She shouldn't be able to tour the castle whenever she wishes anymore. Remember how she tried to throw Nerissa and Meridian under the bus out of pure selfishness? Who knows what she wants to do to all of us now."
"...troubled."- the Queen finished with a sigh as if she hadn't been interrupted in the first place. "Avani has seen a lot in her life. A lot of pain, war, and bloodshed, and it's all been centered around her mother's tyranny, I... I want to help her; I want to safeguard her and her future but I can't help feeling uneasy. I'm afraid that with everything that she's been through and everything we're putting her through now the girl may turn worse than Phobos..."
The Scarlet Citadel was having an unusually quiet day for the first time in weeks. Despite the fact that he had involuntarily signed one of the tyrant Phobos's magically binding contracts almost a year ago, King Ari was almost able to avoid taking part in any battles and confrontations this far. He knew he had the divider to thank for that. And Phobos's apparent prioritization; Arkhanta didn't seem to be on the top of his list of conquests.
Regardless of all these, alarming facts and the undeniable truth that the war for the 'United Dimensions' was getting more serious with each passing day, Ari, himself had other priorities. It was Harvest season and that was a very big deal for his kingdom.
Like every other year, there were big fairs hosted in the capital, and people from all over the realm came to show off their harvest, learn new farming secrets, participate in games, have fun, eat delicious food generously and drink a lot of autumn beverages like red wines and different dark beers.
The capital was literally spraying at its seams, and the festivities were in their zenith.
Ari was getting ready to join his people at the capital center. Today there was going to be a "biggest turnip" contest. His son, Maqi, and his fiancé, Asa, were already down there, Ari had taken a little bit longer to settle some state documents before he could join his people. The entire Citadel was empty, he had even sent guards to celebrate because nothing could spoil the moods in his kingdom during Harvest season. Or so he wanted to believe...
"Farmer Ari in his underwear. Don't look, my Queen. I do not want you seduced by his aubergine."
"A mighty sight, indeed, my King, right back at you."
Ari almost had a heart attack when he turned around lightning-like, seeing a man and a woman in his private chambers. Staring at him with consuming smiles...
"What are you doing here?!"- he hissed in a low voice as he pulled a fresh set of clothes over his undergarments. "You're not welcome here! You already have our Heart due to that Mage's insensitivity, what else do you want!?"
"Quiet, Ari, don't get frustrated."- Phobos tsked. "We're not here because you're refusing to stay true to the contract you signed... (this happens in chapters 15&16) not yet. We have a favor to ask."
Ari screamed in pain. He had tried to dash for his sword, but Leonida had sent him to fly back towards the big standing mirror. The man broke it into pieces with his back and found himself on the floor, on top of its remains...
"No time for nonsense, you moron."- she hissed and approached him, spreading her legs right above his head. "You will do as we ask if you care to ever see your son again."
"Leave Maqi OUT OF THIS!"- Ari fumed and attempted to pierce the enchantress with a small knife he had actually managed to grab during the fall, but Phobos made it fly out of his hand and get stuck in the opposite wall...
"You're pushing your luck, farmer."- he hissed and then grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up in the air.
Leonida moved aside to make place for the Evil Prince and looked darkly at Ari the entire time...
His eyes darted across the room in helplessness when Phobos's iron grip tightened around his neck. He coughed violently and finally when he was turning purple, Phobos threw him to the ground.
But Leonida wasn't done. She used her magic to create a rough golden chain which she tied around Ari's neck. The other end remained in her hand, and she pulled it relentlessly, making the King choke, dragging him around the room:
"Now will you listen,"- she hissed maliciously. "...or will you keep trying to display ill-breeding?"
"What do you want?"- Ari repeated between wheezes. He was a robust man, but these two's magical charge literally made them titans in delusively slender forms...
Phobos and Leonida just looked at each other and exchanged gleeful smiles:
"You had a room in this castle."- Phobos began calmly, with a little flame in his eye. "A room which you used to subject and extract a banshee's energy not too long ago. An admirable room, indeed, one that gives the opportunity to freely and safely transmit any kind of magical force from one being to another. You tried to heal your son by feeding him the banshee's energy at first... That didn't work for you, but it will work for us. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to be able to recreate that... technique you've somehow mastered, farmer. Even with golden water from the Heart of Coronia."- Phobos admitted coldly to Ari's distraught face. "I want you to reopen that room and help me and my daughter use it together. I have to take all her powers and keep them safe from our enemies at once."
"You're a madman..."- Ari was barely able to exclaim as Leonida choked him... "I didn't create anything; it was the banshee. I just captured her."
"Don't lie to me."- Phobos hissed and knelt down to be on the level of the other man's eyes. Meanwhile, Leonida forced Ari to his knees. "Yes, you captured the banshee but you personally created the restrains and the pool she lived in as your servant. A small pool that very much resembles my underground springs, only its somewhat better..."- he paused darkly. "You will make it work again."
"It's nothing like that hellhole you bathed in your people's life force in!"- Ari bared his teeth. "I did everything to heal my son! You're doing whatever you're doing for you're a monster!"
"So you know the rumors."- Phobos hissed in his mouth. His breath hit the other man with the strong smell of roses and gin... "I don't care! You will follow my orders if you don't want to see the son you fought so much for dead in your feet. Understand?"
Ari winced in pain. The woman behind him was pulling his head back, threatening to snap his neck...
"If you can't do that, King Ari, then we might have to kill you and try with Maqi."- she sang quietly as her honey-colored locks scattered over the King's pain-stricken face. "Maybe he remembers the room and knows how to use it?"
"NO! I will... I will do anything you want."- the King growled. "Don't drag Maqi into this, or anyone else. I will do it. I will help you transfer your daughter's powers into you... But I need a banshee..."
Phobos smiled derisively and stood up:
"Then it's settled."
Ari was just about to ask what he meant when Leonida kicked him face-flat on the floor. He remained like that for a few moments, trying to gather all his strength and willpower for the horror to come.
When he stood up, the two crazed tyrants were in front of him, and between them, trembled a captured Yua.
"You know, Cornelia, I admit I thought it was going to be weird at first, but your idea was amazing."- Will exhaled in pure relaxation.
"Oh, yeah."- Matt moaned. "We needed this."
The masseurs had just left them alone again after a bunch of massages and procedures involving hot stones, seaweed, and lavender therapy that had taken over two hours. Their portable tables had just been moved to another room for the steam bath experience and now they were alone once again.
"My ideas are always amazing. But weird?!"- Cornelia exclaimed, removing her cooling eye mask. "Please, Will, after everything we've been through as couples, a little double date SPA experience doesn't even come close to weird. You just sound like Susan."
"OK, now I'm insulted."- Will shot her a sarcastic smile, using the time in which Caleb was still face-down on his massage table to throw her bathrobe on and moved to the warm stone benches.
"Don't blush, Will, we know the concept of us four super-hot naked people in a tiny space together makes you weak."- Matt teased as he sat next to her in his towel, and she could swear he had had too much Prosecco after lunch.
"We should go on Love Island* (a popular Adult Reality Show) but for couples."- Cornelia flipped her hair back as she sat on her other side, fastening the ends of her towel with a hairclip.
But then there was Cornelia...
Will rolled her eyes at them and smirked:
"I don't know, I might agree, now that I know I fall into the super-hot category too."
They had come to Cornelia's newest favorite SPA after lunch and it had really rejuvenated all of them. Especially Caleb, who hadn't had this much rest and pampering in forever. He had relaxed so much he had actually fallen asleep.
"Yeah, I think I'll let him sleep this one through."- the blonde announced after standing up to check on him. "He's too beaten for his own good lately. I'm glad he's actually taking a nap after so much time, he probably spends only 3 to 4 hours sleeping daily with the stupid war. And that's on a good night."
"Let him sleep."- Matt agreed, inhaling the pure steam.
Will was just about to lie in his lap and close her eyes when she felt something rebelling in her chest. The Heart of Kandrakar.
"Fuck."- Cornelia frowned when the entire steam bath was illuminated by the jewel's demanding pink lights...
Less than twenty minutes later, the four of them had left the SPA and met the rest of the guardians, Kadma, Julian, and Nerissa in the catacombs of the Scarlet Citadel...
The fold closed behind Cornelia who was the last one to emerge from it, in her guardian uniform.
"Maqi, thank you for calling us. This might be just the leverage we needed against Phobos and Leonida."- Will said in a serious voice exchanging glances with Nerissa, who nodded tensely. "If Nerissa manages to call to her Seal and summon it back while Phobos is trying to get Opal's powers, the scale will tip in our favor and we will be able to overpower them. It's very much possible now that Leonida's regent bond is broken. And with Phobos being the target of the power transfer, they won't be able to block her."
"It's the perfect opportunity now that they're alone."- Julian agreed.
"Obviously they didn't note that Maqi has a connection with the banshee swamps and the Citadel after what he's been through."- Taranee pushed her glasses back. "They made a mistake this time. I have a small bond with Opal too, remember? I will use that and my psychic powers to fortify Nerissa's summoning spell."
"And we will attack Leonida at once so that she can't come in the way."- Kadma declared ardently.
"Yes, guardians, but please hurry."
Maqi, who had called and recapped the most recent events for them held Asa's hand even firmer. He was visibly anxious. His sterling blue eyes shone nervously as he spoke again:
"When my father didn't come and I felt Yua calling to me I knew that it was a grave situation before us. These people are very dangerous and unhinged... I am afraid that they may hurt my father."
"They won't, now that we're here."- Irma assured him. "Let's go, girls! And Matt- "
"Go."- Caleb ushered them militantly. "Father and I will lead about a hundred soldiers here through the Infinite City portal and with the Tonga Tooth."- he held Blunk's talisman firmly and Julian quickly nodded. "We need to take every possible precaution that those monsters won't be able to escape today."
Phobos rose up from the ground and rubbed his forehead. The last thing he remembered was entering the cave-room that the farmer had led them to and then everything had gone black. Instinctively, the prince looked around himself in distress and saw Leonida thrown on the hard ground as well; next to her, Opal was peacefully sleeping in her basket...
At first, Phobos's natural reaction had been anger. He was sure that the farmer had purposely double-crossed them but then he saw him on the ground as well in the banshee's feet. The Prince closed his mouth and looked up at the creature in a calculating fashion.
Still restrained and bound to his will, Yua gave him a death glare.
"What happened here."- the man muttered. It was more of an order than a question. "Explain."
"You are dealing with forces that shouldn't be reckoned with."- Yua hissed reluctantly. "You're a child of madness with a mind clouded by darkness and your future is never going to spare you the misery."
"I didn't ask for divinations."- the man bared his teeth at her as he gently started to wake Leonida. "Get everything ready for the process with the golden water I gave you. I have to secure my daughter's birthrights and her future. Lose no time if you wish to be set free again! I don't need you. I just need this one talent of yours. But if you cross me, I will destroy you, banshee. Don't forget it."
Yua didn't argue. Instead, she said:
"You wish to take complete charge of your descendant's surreal magical powers but your enemies are coming this way as we speak. The guardians and their allies are coming to stop you."- the banshee grinned. She might've been forced to reveal that to him because of the magical obligation of her capturing, but that didn't mean she couldn't gloat.
"WHAT!?"- Phobos yelled. "How did they know."- he hissed. "You blasted swam spirit...never mind. Let them come. I will deal with them when they arrive. Nothing will stop me today, mark my words. Nothing."
Yua showed her sharp teeth in a gleeful smile.
"What's...what's happening?"- Leonida was coming back to her senses. "Did it work? How is Opal?!"
"No, my darling, we haven't begun yet. Everything's under control."- Phobos purred, caressing her cheek. "Just a slight change of plans. I won't take her powers. You will."
Leonida gawked at the man but he just smiled at her:
"But-"
"And I will protect you while you're obtaining the power."- Phobos said. "We're family. We're together. Nothing can come in our way when we're looking out for each other. I have full trust in you."
Leonida felt her eyes moisten and shot up, embracing him tightly:
"And I have full trust in you, Phobos. I love you."- she whispered. "Let's do it."
And as the two rejected rulers celebrated their love and kissed, Yua just closed her eyes and smiled to herself.
Lust and greed are more gullible than innocence...
"Phobos!"
Halfway into the cave, Will immediately spotted him and threw her quintessence in his way. They had overcome a forest of angry thorns, deadly swarms of magical insects, and all sorts of obstacles created by Phobos to slow them down. They had made it to him and they weren't going to back down now.
The first thing that Nerissa noticed was that Phobos wasn't the one connected to Ari's power-transferring system. The long soft magenta restrains held Opal up in a web-like nest and the one in the pool...
"No way, all magic is being transferred to Leonida!?"- Taranee gasped in disbelief. She knew Leonida loved him by now. She hadn't expected him to love her back so openly.
"That shouldn't make a difference!"- Kadma yelled. "We must dispatch these links and hold the tyrant down as we planned!"
Phobos laughed despite the pain from Will's charge in his back.
"You're too late."- he hissed as the guardians circled him. "The transfer process is almost complete; it cannot be stopped now! Leonida will be the sole wielder of all that mystic energy in a few moments!"
"Father!"- Maqi yelled in distress.
The girls turned to see Ari levitating above the pool inside of which Leonida was wrapped in the pink links that had once restrained Yua, in a slumber-like state... And Yua herself was behind her guiding the entire process. She was the one holding Ari up too...
"Stop this, Yua, fight Phobos's control like you tried to fight Ari's before!"- Hay Lin screamed but it was no use. Years ago, the banshee had almost killed them numerous times because of Ari's desires. Now Phobos controlled her and she couldn't oppose him either...
"She can't."- Asa confirmed with a sigh. "How did they manage to capture her of all banshees... This just seems like some sick joke!"
"I have to help my father!"- Maqi shook his head and attempted to jump off the cliff above the mystic pool.
"Stop, child!"- Kadma grabbed him by the shoulder and conjured a long strong root that she sent towards Ari. "I'll try to fetch him! Do not do anything foolish and stand back!"
Before he could even protest, the blonde teen and his fiancé found themselves under a protective fire vortex full of oxygen on the inside. Hay Lin and Taranee nodded at Kadma and then joined Will, Irma, and Cornelia, who were fighting Phobos.
They summoned their elements, and just like many years ago, circled him with them. Phobos tried to repel them all but the transfer affected his control over the magic. He almost howled as the elemental magic overwhelmed him down on his knees...
"Leonida..."- he shouted. "PLEASE, be fast, your King needs you."
"Aw, how cute I almost wanna barf!"- Irma commented. "Cut the crap, Princy, you will have your precious gOrl in jail! You filthy scumbags have dragged this far too long!"
Phobos bared his teeth and suddenly had a sinister idea:
"Banshee! Get rid of the foul guardians and their allies! At once!"
"Oh, boy."- Will murmured remembering the painful things Yua had put them through in the past. Her power was so different and omnipotent; granting wishes was her specialty.
"Will!"- Matt screamed when the elements turned around and attacked their guardians.
"This is impossible!"- Kadma roared as her root, with Ari attached to it, started wrapping itself around her. "Daze the banshee, Matthew! Daze the banshee!"
Phobos's haughty laugh echoed in the cave as he broke free from the girls' suppressing attacks and watched them suffer them instead.
"Too late, Queen Kadma."- he exclaimed mockingly. "Matthew is already dazed."
And as if to prove his words, Matt's Shagon wings suddenly threw him to the ground.
A gust of heavy wind relentlessly spun poor Hay Lin around the cave. Taranee was sweating, hopelessly trying to push huge fires away from herself, while Irma found herself trapped in a block of ice... Cornelia screamed when she slowly began to petrify. Literally. And Will just fell to the ground. An energy weakening forcefield threw her there and she couldn't even move anymore.
"Didn't exactly get rid of them, but you stopped them."- Phobos commented as he dusted himself. "Good enough."
"I cannot use my complete might while performing the transferring too."- Yua threw him a glare from the pool.
"Oh, yes, understandable enough."- Phobos mused lazily. "Be fast. I am sure the rebel leader is almost here with reinforcements."
"Maqi, wait..."
Hearing the farmer's voice, Phobos turned around but it was too late. He hadn't expected it. Maqi attacked him and thrust his sword into the prince's stomach. Asa gasped:
"You tortured my fiancé for months. You fooled my father and did horrendous things to so many people."- the blonde boy said gravely to Phobos's still shocked face. All he could do was stare at the weapon stuck in him and the blood. His blood.
"Die, monster! Die!"- and Maqi pushed him from the cliff, into the pool. "This is for Arkhanta and the guardians!"
Even Yua was shocked to see the body that created a big splash in the murky waters next to her. But not more than she was a few seconds later when she felt a sharp pain in her chest:
"What's happening!?"- the green-haired spirit wailed and let go of Leonida's temples, staggering.
It was as if everything in her was frozen. Even her breath. Then her sparkling purple eyes met a pair of emerald ones and she gasped:
"Who are you, sorceress? What did you do to me?!"
"I'm Nerissa, my dear."- the Mage smiled. "And you just stopped yourself. I didn't do anything."- she shrugged graciously. "Just cast a little mirroring spell on the one you tried to use on me alongside all the guardians and their allies, as you were ordered. It wasn't enough to stop your magic on them but it did work out flawlessly for me, wouldn't you agree?!"
Yua couldn't reply to that because Nerissa then pushed her back and she sank towards the deep ends of the stepped bottom of the mystic pool.
Then the ex-guardian patted her messy braided updo and secured a stray black strand behind her ear, turning all her attention to Leonida who had her back towards her. She was getting sick of soaking in swamps, springs, and all sorts of unsanitary water.
"And now for the deranged enchantress."- Nerissa hissed, grabbing a hold of the younger woman's hair in the back of her head. All this girl had done was undermine everything after it had been in order for her after so many years... Leonida's interference had been dismantling, Nerissa had to admit. But now she was still in a daze. Perfect.
"I am so sick and tired of you, Leonida. You stole my Seal, the Queen's power, and cost me with so much time and efforts."- the ex-guardian hissed. "Your deluded mind is meant for destruction and only destruction, and I'm a force for order. You never should've come to Meridian with your chaos. You never should have messed with my life."- she hissed.
But something or someone pulled her from under the water before she could dispatch the transferring links around the enchantress. Nerissa gasped for air but he had dragged her beneath the surface. Phobos. Phobos glared madly at her and held tight in spite of the fact that he was bleeding, painting the murky water around him in red...
You abomination! Beast! Fool! Stay back!
Nerissa cursed in her mind and tried to push him away but fruitlessly. She couldn't use her magic either or she and the baby would get electrocuted too, because of the water and the mystic linking.
Let go, brat, she mouthed. Let go!
Finally, after almost an entire minute, she knew what to do. Nerissa gave the man a victorious smirk underwater and just teletransported, leaving him to sink towards the bottom like a corpse. She appeared again, on the surface, standing on one of the big rocks in the pool.
But once again, it was too late. Nerissa yelled in denial as the energy transfer finished and Leonida opened her eyes sharply. Then an explosion of mystic force followed and everything went black.
The next thing she heard was crying. A baby's crying? Perhaps it was Opal? Nerissa still couldn't open her eyes. She could no longer feel the water around herself. Where was she and where were the others? Surely, they had to be free of Yua's magic by now. Why was no one doing anything? Why was she so weak... The transfer. Had Leonida won?!
When she heard the shrill laugh Nerissa finally gathered enough strength to open her left eye. She could see shadows. Two people... That dark essence was unmistakable, that was Morgana. But was the second woman really Leonida? She looked... different.
Nerissa moaned inaudibly and tried to rub her eyes, only to discover that she couldn't move her body. Morgana and Leonida exchanged some lines she heard almost nothing of. Something about the Dark Descendant and "your deceit." Then Morgana screamed something that finally left a trace in Nerissa's obfuscated mind:
"YOU! YOU HARLOT! YOU snatched him away from me and tried to erase our legacy! Our true people, the gold-blooded! You mocked everything but today you shall pay, you talentless DRAB! YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE MAGIC! What were you thinking?! This power will consume you and erase your foul existence once and for all, but I will not let it escape me again! I'm the Dark Twin and I will fulfill my homeland's prophecy!"
Then she pushed Leonida back with her dark power and tried to possess her and, at first sight, she had succeeded. But then Nerissa saw something that made her eyes widen, even in this state. The Emperor Sword. Morgana gasped as she was pushed out of the body that held the divine weapon and was then forever destroyed by it.
Grand finale to unfold in the upcoming last two chapters of "The Dark Descendant". Two more chapters but many more twists and scores to settle ;) Let me in on your thoughts!
