Chapter 16: The road to Arcturus.
As I kneel down to examine the rock, I notice it's actually a small diamond-shaped crystal emitting the same kind of glow as a sorcerer's stone. Actually, it looks a lot like the one I have in my house, just the shape is different.
Out of curiosity, I reach out to touch it.
"Wait, Chariot!" Croix's warning comes out too late.
As soon as my fingers brush the stone, I feel a powerful wave of energy that sends me flying across the clearing. The impact against the rocky ground is painful, but rolling around like a ragdoll and getting bruises and scratches all over my body is even worse. Not to mention getting all of the air knocked out of my lungs. I take a few moments to regain my bearings, inhaling sharply and letting out a pained cry. Then, I slowly open my eyes and turn around to see what happened with the weird stone… and what I see is truly scary.
The stone I touched is now floating a few feet off the ground, and around it, rocks and dirt have started to levitate too, converging around it to give it some sort of… body? It's faint at first, but there's no doubt that the rock monstrosity is taking shape, transforming over and over until it's satisfied. It looks kinda like a bull? But also a wolf, considering the ears and tail. And it has two antlers, two horns, and eight legs. And it's… it's huge! It towers over the trees! So it's maybe… thirty meters tall or possibly even more! I don't know, but it is also bulky, with all its muscles made of solid, hard, rocks, yet still able to move with ease.
It turns to look at me, its terrifying eyes gleaming with green light, and I freeze on the spot. The creature takes a menacing step towards me, making the ground shake, and I gulp, trying to get up, but failing as my legs turn into jelly and I fall to the ground once more.
"Chariot! Chariot, run!" I barely register Croix's panicked voice calling me across the clearing, but though I'd like to obey, my body simply doesn't respond, and all I can do is breath heavily and stare in horror at the creature rapidly approaching me.
And suddenly there's a flash of light and an explosion on the monster's back, which makes it stop charging towards me, instead turning to look for its attacker. I don't have to look to know its Croix, but seeing the creature now go after her snaps me out of whatever frozen state I was in, and I'm finally able to stand up. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it will burst out of my chest in fear when I see the rocky antlers make contact with my friend.
Except they don't. She makes a barrier spell just in time and I sigh in relief, but still take my wand out just in case.
And I was right, because this thing keeps smashing into the shield over and over, and even though Croix is far away from me, I can very distinctly see her flinch every time, like its taking considerable effort to hold it off. More so, her gauntlet has started letting off sparks and is now visible despite the invisiblity potion, which surely can't be a good sign! I run towards her, not sure about what to do, but knowing I have to do something. Anything. Come on Chariot, think. Quick!
But in that very moment her gauntlet fails and the shield breaks. And I watch in horror as the antlers smash into the ground, Croix barely being able to jump in time to avoid a direct impact.
Without thinking, I raise my wand and cast the only spell I can think of.
"Murowa!" I yell as I point towards the beast.
The little blast of magic lands on its back, making a small explosion that immediately makes it turn around to look at me with furious eyes, even if my attack did no harm at all to its thick rocky skin. I don't have time to think, so I just go with my instincts and run towards the forest as fast as I can. I can hear its steps resonating as it runs towards me, making the ground shake as its hooves grow closer with each step. My heart is pounding fast, and I can feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. I'm so scared! But I can't let that stop me. I need to get this thing away from Croix. If I could just immobilize it, at least for a moment, maybe then I (or most probably, Croix) could make a plan to defeat it. But how?
If I could only restrain it… wait. I can, can't I? Those vines look thick enough. Maybe they won't be able to restrain it for too long, but I guess it's worth a shot.
"Foraen Mugrowna!" I pronounce the plant-controlling spell and instantly tens of vines shoot from the forest, tying the monster's legs and making it trip and fall to the ground. Before it can get up, I command more vines to envelop it and restrain it tightly, preventing it from moving too much. The bull-thing struggles, managing to break some of the vines, but more shoot out to replace them. I know my trap won't last long, but at least it's safe for now. So I quickly run to check on Croix, and see if she has a plan.
I cross the clearing in record time and practically throw myself to the ground as soon as I reach her, kneeling next to her and trying to see if she's injured.
"Croix! Are you okay? Can you stand up?!" I ask, looking for wounds on her battered body. She is sweating profusely and struggling to breathe properly, has some scratches on her body, and her uniform is a bit torn. But so far it only looks like only her gauntlet broke, judging by the smoke it's emitting, which is probably why she pulled it off her hand. Honestly, she doesn't appear to be anywhere near as injured as I am; she's only sore and out of breath, which is a great relief.
"I'm… fine." She pants as she struggles to stand up. I quickly offer my assistance, putting my arm around her waist for support, and thankfully she easily accepts my help. "But… that thing is too strong. Our spells don't even manage to make a scratch on it."
"You think we could just run away?" I mean, not that I'm a coward or anything, but sometimes it's better to know when to retreat.
"Unfortunately… No." She sighs, furrowing her eyebrows in a concerned expression. "The moment you touched it, it imprinted on your magical energy, meaning it will follow you until you're dead."
I can only gulp and nod when presented with such an answer. So… I either kill that thing or it kills me? Why did I have to let my curiosity get the best of me?!
"What should we do?" I ask, hoping she has an answer because if not, I have no idea how we're going to survive this.
"Well… there's a spell." She says reluctantly. "It's very dangerous, but it's especially effective against monsters that are resistant to magical attacks. Like this one."
"How is it dangerous?" I ask, cautious.
"It drains the caster's vital energy. It could even kill you if used in excess." She admits with a grimace.
"But… you can do it, right? You're very careful with these sorts of things." I say, trying to remain hopeful, but also not wanting to be pushy. After all, what's the point of defeating the monster if one of us dies?
"I can try, but I won't promise anything. Physically strong people are more likely to cast this spell successfully, and I'm… well, let's just say I've never been that much into exercise."
"I could do it." I suggest, since helping around the farm has given me more strength than the average girl, which I guess could work on my favor. Plus, I know it physically hurts her to do magic without her gauntlet.
"No!" She quickly exclaims. "It's a very advanced spell. If it got out of control, you could die. I'll do it."
"Okay… if you insist." I accept. I had a feeling that would be her answer, but I still had to try. I don't want anything happening to her.
"I'll make a hole on its forehead." She explains. "That's where the core of its magic resides. Once it's exposed, you have to cast Murowa on it, okay? Hopefully that will be enough to defeat it."
"Okay!" I nod with determination. I won't fail Croix. I can do this! I'm way better at magic now than I was before, all thanks to her teachings. We will defeat this thing together.
In that exact moment, the massive rock-thing gets out of my little trap, turning around to search for me. When it finds me, its eyes shine with red light, making it look even more menacing, as it kicks the ground to pound towards us. Croix curses under her breath and lets go of me, readying herself to cast the spell. I'm reluctant about letting her stand on her own, since her legs are rather wobbly, but I don't really have time to protest, since the beast is fast approaching.
"Vega varulus." She says through clenched teeth, and instantly a green light appears at the soles of her feet. Suddenly, her legs stop trembling and before I can even blink, she's off to fight the monster.
I watch, wand ready and jaw tense, as she runs with superhuman speed, and then jumps to an incredible height in order to land a punch on the monster's forehead… But she didn't jump nearly high enough. And before I can even think about doing something, she's hit with one of the antlers and drops to the ground, clutching her stomach and screaming in agony.
When I see the beast raise its front hives, ready to pounce on my friend and literally crush her like an insect, I don't have time to even think; I just act.
"Vega varulus!" I scream, raising my wand. Instantly, I feel a tingly sensation spreading throughout my whole body, infusing my legs and arms with a rush of energy. I'm no longer tired, or out of breath. I don't feel my injuries. I'm revitalized. I'm strong. I'm powerful.
And then I'm running towards the beast as fast as I can. I see the hooves almost touching Croix, and I jump, elevating myself enough to kick its jaw and making it stumble backwards. It didn't even hurt kicking its rocky skin! This spell is truly something else.
I'm standing between the beast and Croix in a protective position, waiting for the monster's next move, when I hear Croix's weak voice calling me.
"Chariot… stop." She's barely able to say. "You will die."
"I won't stop! Not now." I answer as the bull starts charging towards me once again. But this time, I don't move. Instead, I grab one of its horns and pull, hard enough to make it fall and to be left with the horn in my hand, which I then crush between my fingers. This rush of power surely is intoxicating.
"We will defeat this thing!" I continue saying as the beast gets up and charges again. "We will get back to Luna Nova!" I scream as I stop its advance with a fist to its face, hard enough to leave a few cracks, but not to break the skin. "And we will become great witches, able to bring happiness to everyone in the world." Now, I kick it on the side of its head, hard enough to send it flying a few meters. "We will find the Claiomh Solais, and restore magic!" Once it's back on its feet, I prepare myself, awaiting for it to charge towards me once more. I know what I have to do. I will defeat this thing once and for all. "Because we believe in our hearts, and that is our true magic!"
It doesn't take me any effort at all to jump just in time to avoid being hit by the beast, and land a powerful kick on its forehead. This time, I feel the rock crumbling under my feet before jumping back to land in the ground, next to the monster. I turn to look at Croix, and she seems to take the hint, because soon she has her wand out and is casting a spell to hit the red gem that's been uncovered by my attack.
"Murowa!" A powerful blast of magic is expelled from her wand, landing on the magical stone and obliterating it into a million pieces. The monster lets out a loud shriek that makes my ears hurt so much I have to cover them with my hands. And then… it turns into small rocks that fall to the ground, then turning into dust and leaving no evidence of its existence. Like it was never here on the first place.
Just as the last of the dust settles on the ground, I cancel the spell, seeing there's no danger anymore. And just like that, I collapse.
My whole body is trembling from exhaustion, my muscles are so sore I don't think I could move any of them if I tried, and my eyelids feel as heavy as a giant metal door. My head is also spinning, and my stomach is upset. I think I'm going to throw up, but I don't even have the energy to do that. I don't have the energy to do anything! I'm barely breathing. Even my heart beats so weakly it feels like it's about to stop.
"Chariot! Chariot, answer me!" I hear Croix's panicked voice and feel her hands cradling my face, before one of them goes to check my pulse. Not wanting her to worry, I muster what little strength I still have and open my eyes, only to see her worried face, with tears about to fall from her eyes. Croix crying? I must be imagining things. Yes, I must be delirious. Why else would I be seeing all those pretty lights floating above Croix? Forming the Little Dipper constellation before settling on the ground, making a luminous path into the forest? Unless…
"Ch-Chariot?" Croix calls my name again, apparently noticing me being a little more conscious. "Are you okay? Can you talk?"
"Arc… tu… rus." I muster all my energy into saying just that one word. Because behind all the haze on my mind, I somehow recognize what this luminous road must mean. The road to Arcturus has opened before us. And Croix must follow it before it fades.
"Arcturus?" She looks at me like I'm crazy. "What does Arcturus have to do with anything? We need to get you to Luna Nova immediately!"
I try to speak, but I'm barely breathing anymore, so instead I move my head slightly, looking directly at the lights indicating the way. Thankfully, she takes the hint and follows my gaze, her eyes widening when she realizes what I'm trying to tell her.
"Arcturus…" She breaths out in amazement, but then turns to look at me, and then to the path again, clearly not knowing what to do.
"G-go." I encourage her. I know I'll be fine anyways. I just need to sleep for a while… yes, close my eyes. That'll feel good.
"I can't leave you!" She argues back. "You're too weak, I can't just…!" She cuts herself off, debating between her desire to fulfill her dream and her duty to take care of me. Silly. Just because she's a year older she feels responsible. But I can take care of myself! I'll be fine! I just wished I could muster the energy to tell her.
"The road… it won't last long." I hear her saying to herself. "I need to…! But Chariot… ugh!" I can imagine her pulling her hair in frustration, it's always such a comedic sight, I wished I could open my eyes to see it. Also, it's sweet of her to be so worried about me she's doubting between staying and chasing her dream. I didn't think she cared so much.
"But then again, I could… I mean, it's a difficult spell, and I don't know much about revitalization magic, but… okay, I'll try." I hear her finish the discussion with herself, but before I can wonder what spell she's talking about, she's already casted it.
"Meiro soruaru."
Instantly, the soreness of my body starts disappearing, and my heart accelerates to a normal and steady pulse. My breath is also deeper now, and I can feel the energy slowly returning to my body. Sooner than I would have expected, I'm able to open my eyes and sit up, only for my recently-gone dizziness to return full force.
"Chariot! Take it easy!" Croix says as she grabs my shoulders, preventing me from falling to the ground once more. "This spell only numbs down the pain and gives you back some of the energy you lost, but it doesn't heal you wounds or repair your battered body. You shouldn't exert yourself!"
"Ugh… my head hurts." I say, pressing my hand against my forehead. "And I'm dizzy… I think I will throw up."
"Well… I haven't practiced this spell much, so it's no wonder it didn't work completely." Croix explains, despite the fact she hates admitting being less than perfect at anything. "But I was hoping it'd at least allow you to walk."
"Y-yeah, I think I can manage." I fake a smile, but Croix doesn't seem to buy it, because she wraps one of her arms around my waist and slowly pulls me up, practically supporting my whole weight herself.
"Come on, we need to follow the light." She says as she starts walking very slowly, presumably for my sake.
"Croix, you should go alone." I protest. "I'll only slow you down."
"And leave you out here alone?" She scoffs. "You'll be dead within a minute."
"Aww, I knew you had a soft spot for me!" I tease. And if I didn't know better, I'd swear I saw a faint blush appear on her cheeks.
"I don't!" She exclaims, a little too defensively. "I just… I don't know how I would explain your death to Holbrooke."
"Right, right." I laugh as I separate slightly from Croix. "But I am better now. You can at least let go of me."
"Are you sure?" She shoots me a concerned gaze. "You really shouldn't exert yourself."
"I'm not too injured. Just tired. I'll be fine." I say with a reassuring smile. She looks at me for a moment, debating between believing me or not, but at the end releases her grip on me just enough to let me walk on my own. I also remove my hand from her shoulders and stand still for a moment, trying to decide if my legs can support me or not. They're still trembling a little, but otherwise it seems like they will resist.
"Huh. You must be very fit." Croix comments. "Even with the help of my spell, considering how long you were using Vega varulus, you should be too exhausted to do anything."
"I do a lot of manual labor back home." I shrug. "And besides, after I ended the spell I did feel like sleeping for an entire week."
"Still. It's very impressive." She reiterates as she keeps walking, with me following close behind. "I didn't last nearly as long as you did, and still was as exhausted as if I had run a marathon."
"Looks like I'm finally better at something than you." I tease. "The student has surpassed the teacher!"
"Only because the control you have on that spell doesn't depend on how good you are at magic." She grumbles, but a small smile still appears on her face. "Come on. This road won't last forever."
We follow the luminous path for about fifteen minutes. The thing itself isn't all that beautiful or impressive. It barely shines bright enough to be easily seen, but not to illuminate the forest around us, which makes me slightly uneasy, and I end up clutching tightly to Croix's arm (much to her annoyance). Thankfully though, no more monsters appear for tonight and soon we arrive to another clearing… only this one has a tall tower on it.
The tower stretches far beyond the height of the trees, which makes me wonder how we didn't see it before, when we were flying on our brooms. Then I realize that such a thing is surely camouflaged, or at least has some sort of confusion magic around it so no one will find it. We only got here because of the magical path.
Aside from that, the tower appears to be very old, and the way it's built reminds me more of a tree than a tower, more so considering the branches coming out from the windows and the top of the structure. I don't know why, but I think it's very fitting.
Croix comes to a stop in the middle of a painted circle, and kneels down to inspect the marks on the ground. I also look at them (only without kneeling because I don't think I'd be able to get back up), and see they look like three great spirals encased in a big circle, in which we're standing.
"Just as I thought." She smiles. "The seal of the Grand Triskallion."
"It's here?!" I exclaim, almost not believing any of this is real; that I'm really standing where three of the Nine Olde Witches once sealed the remnants of the magical tree Yggdrasil. Honestly, just thinking about it makes me dizzier.
She nods, wearing an expression so happy that it even takes me aback. I've never seen her like this before. Not even when she got perfect notes in all her classes.
"We did it, Chariot!" She exclaims excitedly. "I found my dream. And it's all thanks to you."
"It was nothing, really." I reply shyly. "You taught me everything I know."
"Still. I'm grateful." She answers, with a big smile firmly on her face, her eyes so happy that I can't help but share that enthusiasm with her. I start feeling giddy myself, knowing this is an important event in the history of witchcraft; that, after we unlock the Grand Triskelion, my dream will also come true. I will be able to show everyone how wonderful magic truly is, and then everybody will be able to smile.
"So… what now?" I ask impatiently, eager to see something even more magical. "Do we go inside the tower or…?"
"The Claiomh Solais is said to be sealed within the stars. The Acturus Tower itself is empty." She explains nonchalantly. "Only the spirit of one of the Nine Olde Witches resides in it, as it's said to watch over the seal of the Grand Triskelion."
"So what do we do?"
"I don't know." She giggles, standing up and looking to the top of the tower, but I just keep staring at her, confused as to why Croix is still so happy despite not knowing something as important as that. "The books didn't say anything. But, since the shiny road appeared before us, I'd say that the guardian of the Claiomh Solais has been watching us, and has approved of us."
"R-right." I say, thinking Croix looks surer about this than she has any right to be. "So then…?"
"We just need to ask." She answers with an even bigger smile before she takes a deep breath and speaks, addressing the tower.
"I swear for the Nine Olde Witches that I will break the seal of the Grand Triskelion and bring magic back to the world. I'll be the greatest witch ever!" She speaks so enthusiastically and with such a contagious positive energy that I feel the desire to join in, and before I can think better of it, I'm also talking to the Arcturus Tower, just expressing my own dream instead.
"I swear it too. I want to bring happiness to everyone, to make hate and sadness disappear and put a smile on everybody's face!" I exclaim as I raise my hands to the sky.
And suddenly, there's a bright light coming from the sky, and when I turn to look at it, I realize it's coming from the Little Dipper constellation, which is shining brighter than any of the others stars. And then… then the stars start to slowly descend from the sky, coming in my direction. I know I should be scared, but they don't feel threatening. There's something… almost familiar about them that makes my heart swell with warmth and wonder. And then, the stars converge, forming a big one that comes to rest in my hands, staying there for just a moment before it's transformed into a metallic object, which is actually not as heavy as it looks. And it's golden, with seven small crystal spheres incrusted in it.
"What… what is this?" I stammer, too surprised by the rather magical apparition.
"No way!" Croix exclaims, looking at it with astonishment.
And then, another extraordinary thing happens; a swirl of leaves pass flying between us, glowing with an ethereal green light. We follow them with our eyes and see them converging in front of the tower's door, making the form of a woman with long green hair, wearing an equally deep green dress. She is floating, and has the same ethereal glow as the leaves. I think she's a spirit, or maybe… a ghost?
"It's been far too long since the Claiomh Solais chose a wielder." She speaks with a soft and calming voice that slowly soothes my nerves.
"It chose Chariot?! Instead of me?!" I'm barely aware of Croix's anguished and surprised voice, but before I can register her words, the ghostly woman speaks again, ignoring Croix's commentary.
"Chariot, you must revive the seven words using the power of the rod." She continues, but before I can ask how she even knows my name, Croix speaks again.
"Impossible." She's almost transfixed as she extends her hand towards the golden rod that is still in my hands, her gaze longing and desperate. And then, just as her fingers make contact with it, there's a zapping sound and yellow lighting shoots out of the rod. I recoil in fear, but it's too late; Croix is clutching her injured hand and looking at me with anger. Hatred. Two emotions I never thought I'd see directed towards me again. Not from her.
"C-Croix." I say with a trembling voice. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't meant to, I swear!" But she just keeps staring at me with such anger in her eyes, it's scaring me. I've never seen her like this before.
"The Claiomh Solais can't be touched by someone who desires to possess it." The ghost lady explains, making us turn to look at her once more, and with her eyes, Croix's anger is also redirected towards her.
"And who are you anyways?! How do you know so much about the Claiomh Solais?" She yells.
"Oh, pardon my manners. Being asleep for two hundred years has made me impatient." The ghost answers, smiling kindly at Croix. "But then again, I thought someone as intelligent as you would already know the answer, Croix Meridies."
"You are one of the Nine Olde Witches. The original owner of the Claiomh Solais." Croix says, clenching her fists like she wants to see if it's possible to punch a ghost.
"You can call me Professor Woodward." She nods, not reacting in the slightest to Croix's anger.
"Alright then, professor." Croix says through clenched teeth. "Explain to me, why did the Claiomh Solais choose Chariot when I'm by far a better witch than she'll ever be?!" I can't really say that what she's saying isn't true, but it still hurts to hear it from her. From one of the few people who I thought had faith in me.
"I want to restore magic to the world! She doesn't! That isn't her dream, it's mine! So then why?! Why did you choose her instead of me?!" By now, she's so enraged I barely recognize her, but there are also tears falling from her eyes, not only from anger but probably sadness too. And… I also find myself wishing the Claiomh Solais had chosen her instead. Croix is right; she's the logical choice. I don't want this. I've never had. I don't think I can manage this important task when I can barely do my homework.
"Professor Woodward." I interfere shyly. "If I may… is it possible that you give it to Croix instead? She's right, she'd be a far better choice than me."
"See? Even Chariot says so!"
"I'm afraid that's impossible." Woodward answers rather calmly. "The rod of seven stars choses its owner, not me. I merely guided you here, since this is the most likely place for it to appear and I saw great potential in you both. However, it must have seen something in Chariot that made her a better choice."
Croix closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Her jaw is now tense, and she's trembling from how much anger she's feeling. At least it's not directed at me anymore… I think. Poor Croix, she must feel terrible. I wished I could help her somehow, but I guess I'm the last person she wants to be with right now.
"If I had come here alone, would it have chosen me?" She asks after a long pause, finally opening her eyes. And, yeah, I knew from the beginning that she didn't want me to accompany her, but hearing those words from her, after everything we've been through, feels like taking a knife to my chest.
"That, I cannot know." Is Woodward's answer. "However, if you really are as committed as you say to restoring magic, it shouldn't matter if you weren't chosen by the Claiomh Solais. You can still help your friend, like you've been doing until now."
For a moment, Croix looks at her with murderous eyes. I'd actually fear for Woodward's like if she wasn't already dead. But then, Croix just scoffs and looks to the side.
"Of course I'll help her." Is all she says, her voice cold and stiff. Yet, her words fill my heart with warmth and I suddenly feel like all tension has disappeared from the air. Croix is still my friend. She doesn't hate me!
"I'm glad." Woodward nods before turning to address me. "Chariot, you have a very important duty to fulfill. It's a burden as much as it's a blessing. I won't be able to guide you every step of the way, but I can tell you this: you must feel the words inside your heart, and breathe life into them in order to revive them. I suppose you know the seven of them?"
"Uh…" I stammer. I don't know much about this Arcturus stuff! Croix is the expert. And so I look at her with a questioning gaze. She just sighs.
"I do." Croix answers in my stead.
"Very well." Woodward smiles. "Until next time then."
And suddenly, the wind blows again, carrying away the leaves that had previously formed Woodward's body. Now she's gone, like she was never here in the first place. And we're still lost in the Arcturus forest, with no way of going back, and a mystical rod that I don't know how to use. But I have to stay positive. I need to. Croix surely doesn't look like she's in the right state of mind to find a solution on her own.
"So… should we set a camp or…?" I start asking, but Croix doesn't answer; her eyes fixed on the rod that's now in my hands. "Croix?" I prompt.
"Hmmm." She makes a face. "I still can't comprehend why it chose you."
"Yeah, me neither." I admit giggling, hoping to make a lighter atmosphere.
"But anyways." She sighs, finally looking up to meet my eyes. "I think I'm being rather unfair here. It wasn't your fault."
"So… we're good?" I ask hopefully.
"I suppose." She shrugs. "I'm still angry though. Not at you, but… yeah…" She trails off, her gaze again falling into the object that's causing her so much pain.
"But I mean, your dream wasn't to get this stupid rod, was it?" I say, trying to cheer her up. "It was to bring magic back to the world, and become the best witch ever! You don't need this thing for that." I give her my brightest smile as I take one of her hands within mine, surprising her greatly. But I tighten my grip when she tries to take a step back. "You can help me get the seven words, and together we'll break the seal of the Grand Triskelion. Then you'll show the world how wonderful you are, and I will make everyone happy with the power of magic!"
Finally, her eyes stop being so gloomy, and her gaze softens considerably as she looks at me, a sad smile appearing on her face.
"Chariot." She shakes her head in amusement. "You are always the embodiment of positivity, aren't you?"
"I have to, since you're the embodiment of negativity." I tease, and it suddenly feels like we're ourselves again. Like this thing with the Claiomh Solais won't be breaking us apart any time soon, but instead will bring us closer. Like our dreams are suddenly within our reach. Sure, maybe we'll have to fight, and shed many tears and sweat to find them, but they're not just fantasies. Together, and with the help of this rod, we'll reach them. I'm determined to make it come true.
"Maybe you should try it out?" Croix suggests, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Say the first word, and see if it works."
"Woodward said I had to breathe life into the words though. I don't think just saying it will work." I reply, eying the rod with skepticism.
"It doesn't hurt to try though." She shrugs, and though she's very obviously trying to keep a blank expression, I can see right through her mask. She's eager to see the power of the thing we worked so hard to obtain, and since she's already been denied its ownership, the least I can do is comply with her wishes, right?
"Okay… which was the first one?"
"Repeat after me." She instructs, and I nod in response. "Noctu Orfei."
"Noctu Orfei." I say, closing my eyes and clenching tightly the rod, trying to breathe life into the words as Woodward said.
"Odem Fraetore." She finishes.
"Odem…" I make a pause, feeling a strange warm tension building inside my chest, but it isn't unpleasant, so I just brace myself and then say the last part of the word. "Fraetore!" I yell as a feel a powerful energy cursing through my veins. It's exhilarating and addicting. Kinda like the body strengthening spell, but even more satisfying. It's like liquefied happiness is rushing through my whole body and into the rod, mixing with its magical energy and tying my heart with the spirit of the rod.
And suddenly, as I open my eyes, I see the Claiomh Solais being transformed into an ethereal light before taking the shape of a bow as I close my hand around it.
"You did it, Chariot!" Croix exclaims, staring at the arc with fascination. "You unlocked the first word."
"Only six more to go!" I answer, practically jumping in my place from excitement.
"I doubt they will be as easy to obtain." She tries being the voice of reason as always, but I just laugh.
"Pffft. Yeah, you'll see. I will get the other words in no time at all. Just watch!" And, compelled by some unknown inner force, I pull the string of the bow. A shiny ball of magic instantly forms at the tip of my fingers, then taking the shape of an arrow. I aim towards the forest and let go, recoiling a bit from the force of the projectile I just unleashed.
And, instead of flying off to the sky like a normal arrow would, mine explodes into a ball of green light and then, between the line of trees, there's now a… Leyline?
"A portal." Croix breaths out in amazement. "Your bow can make portals into the Leylines."
"We're going home!" I exclaim, more than happy now that we don't have to spend the night in this haunted forest. And without thinking about it, I take Croix's hand and run off towards the portal.
"Wait, Chariot, you don't know where it…!" But Croix's protests are silenced as we enter the Leyline, falling through an endless tunnel of light. But it doesn't matter anyway, because my heart tells me we'll be safe. We're going to Luna Nova; to make our dreams come true.
A/N: Yep, that was the first word. We finally reached that part of the story! Honestly, I enjoy writting the words almost as much as I enjoy writting Charoix. It just so fun imagining what was similar and what was different from Akko's experiences :D. Oh, and btw, I made a drawing of Chariot fighting the rock moster so, if you want to check it out, you can see my Tumblr or Deviant Art. My user name is TaniaHylian in both.
Now, just a clarification. I know the wiki says that Chariot unlocked the sixth word right after getting the Claiomh Solais, and that many fans believe that to be true. Well... it's not. In the episode of Wagandea we see two scenes set in Chariot's past, one when she gets the shiny rod, and another when she unlcks the sixt word. But they're not set in the same day. The backgrounds in both scenes are different; in one they're at the Arcturus tower and in the other at the base of Wagandea. And I think it'd be too weird for them to go climb Wagandea right after obtaining the shiny rod. And yes, the discussion they have when Chariot unlocks the sixt word seems like it would belong to right after she gets the rod, but I personally believe it's a discussion they had over and over every time Croix's jealousy got the best of her. Also, the words are called first, second, third, etc. for a reason, right? They probably have to be unlocked in order.
So, anyways, that's my explanation, but if you want to see proof, go check my Tumblr! And please continue to support this fic with reviews/favorites/follows, I really appreciate it. Thanks for reading :)
Thanks to my beta reader moonwatcher13.
