Chapter 46
In the morning, I woke up first. I went out of the tent silently and started on food. We're gonna need nourishment to get through the travelling. I made eggs for us. As I was cooking, Gandus came over to me.
"Mornin'," Gandus greeted.
"Mornin' Gandus. How'd you sleep?"
"Well, how about you?"
"I slept alright." I also got some coffee beans on me, so I made that up into coffee.
"Hopefully everyone likes their coffee black... we don't have milk or sugar," Gandus commented.
"We have Ianite and Dianite. I'm sure they wouldn't mind conjuring up some if people absolutely can't stand black coffee."
"I don't mind, but I'm sure we won't need to," Dianite said as he sat down in front of the soulfire campfire. Tom came over now as well.
"Black coffee is perfect for morning. It gives you a jolt because it's so bitter. Wakes you up." I gave the slightest chuckle.
"I suppose, but not everyone thinks that way. I prefer milk and sugar, myself. But if I absolutely had to, I'd drink black coffee." I finished the eggs and the coffee and Ianite still wasn't out here. I went over to our tent and went in. She was awake. "Everything ok, Ianite?" I asked as I sat next to her.
"Yes, everything's fine. I was just listening to your guys' conversation. The comment of Dianite and I conjuring up milk and sugar isn't that great. If someone just absolutely couldn't stand black coffee, then just don't drink it. Get some water instead. Also, remember what you said about being independent a while ago?"
"Oh... yeah... I didn't think of that... and I guess I didn't remember... sorry Ianite." Ianite smiled gently.
"It's ok, Nix. Now you know for next time and hopefully you'll remember that independent comment you made before." I gave a small smile and nodded.
"Let's head out, shall we?" I stood and held out my hand. Ianite took it and I helped her stand. We went out and everyone was eating. I helped myself and Ianite helped herself.
"Toast?" Tom offered, handing out a couple pieces of toast.
"Where'd you get this?" I asked, accepting the offer.
"I had some bread on me and thought, 'why not slice it up and make toast with it?'"
"Nice thinking, thank you." We ate breakfast while chatting and after, Gandus did the dishes and Dianite packed them up in his shulker. He must have conjured up a shulker and some dishes for the trip while Ianite and I stayed back to wish the others good luck yesterday. "Alright Gandus, where to now?" Gandus looked around, then at her map. She faced in the direction of going through the forest.
"This way, this is a shortcut. Hopefully we can get there sooner than planned." Dianite and Ianite took down the camp and we got going. Ianite and I held hands in the lover's lock.
"I love birch forests. They're so pretty," I commented. A couple sounds of agreement sounded. At noon, we stopped for lunch. By this time, we'd exited the birch forest and came upon some plains. I made some sandwiches for lunch. After lunch, we got going again. By the time sunset came, we'd found a small village. We steered clear of it and set up camp far from it. For dinner, I made vegetable stew for Ianite and rabbit stew for the rest of us.
"This village is not too far from the Wizards' castle. Just over 500 meters. We'll get there before noon tomorrow," Gandus informed. We all nodded.
"How much time did that shortcut shave off?" I inquired.
"If we didn't take that shortcut, we'd have been there after dark."
"So quite a few hours, not bad." We settled in our tents for the night after that comment. In the morning, we were too antsy to get going to have breakfast, so we headed out after camp got cleared. We picked up the pace today, after having the promise of being there before noon. As we finally approached the Wizard castle, I was stoked. It'll be exciting to meet X and Z. Though, I wonder how they'll react to Gandus... I could feel Gandus' hesitation and fear as we got closer to the doors. I took her hand and Ianite let go of mine, going to Gandus' other side, taking that hand. With both of us giving her support, she calmed down a little, but was still scared. Can't really blame her, she left on bad terms with them. Tom knocked on the doors and we waited. The doors opened, finally, and X and Z stood there.
"Before you say anything about Gandus being here, hear me out," I interjected before X and Z could say anything. I told them everything. They listened patiently while I told them. They were definitely surprised to learn we're sisters. After I told them everything,
"So you're the High Priestess. To what do we owe the honor?" X asked.
"We're here to protect you from Darkness. You have the protection of 2 gods, Dianite and Ianite, and the High Priestess. As well as Gandus and Tom."
"We appreciate your offer of protection, but we're prepared for Darkness. We have a powerful barrier that we've been working on that he will never get through. Brokkr told us Darkness killed Y, so we've been working since then. We think we're pretty close," Z said.
"Alright. Well, would you like us to stick around until you perfect your barrier?" I asked. They looked at each other.
"Well, it shouldn't take too long, I suppose that would be alright," X accepted. They stepped aside to let us in.
"Another thing you should know about our High Priestess, she has psychic powers and has soulfire and soul magic," Gandus informed. The Wizards looked at me. I shrugged.
"I mean, it's what I was prophesied to have. I was born with them and they didn't make themselves known until Dianite here told me of the prophecy. Then I started practicing them, getting better every time. Now I need to use them to take down the Darkness. A lot has been put on my plate as High Priestess, but I can do it. I have my friends, my sister, and my goddess to support me."
"What about Mianite and I? No inclusion of us?" Dianite asked, pretending to be hurt. I chuckled.
"You both are included in the 'friends' part." That actually surprised him.
"You consider me a friend?"
"Well, of course. You may be the god of Chaos, but you've got a good heart." Dianite got a little embarrassed by that, but he was grinning. I grinned back, and looked back to the Wizards. "I wouldn't give up being High Priestess for the world. I feel like it's my place, where I belong. What I am destined to do, and it literally is, but still, the sentiment's there."
"We're glad to hear that, High Priestess. When we get our barrier done, do you mind showing us what you can do?" Z asked.
"I'd love to. Plus, it'll be good practice." They nodded and we followed them to the courtyard where they resumed messing around, trying to figure out how to make the strongest barrier to reject Darkness' attempts to get to them. I kept my presence sensing strong, keeping a feel out for if Darkness tries to come before they can get their barrier working. A few hours passed and Gandus spoke up.
"Wizards, may I try something? To help you with your barrier. I've been observing your attempts, and I think I've thought of something that could help." They accepted and Gandus started spouting off what she'd observed and what she thought of as she watched. I watched Gandus, proud of who she's become since she repented and joined our group. Ianite leaned against me, watching Gandus proudly too. I put an arm around her.
"Gandus is doing very well," Ianite stated.
"She is, I'm so proud." Ianite nodded. Without warning, a barrier erected from the three who were working on it. Whoa, its power. It's immense! I stared up at it in amazement. "Gandus, you did it! Your idea worked!" I looked to her and saw that she was looking at the barrier with shock, amazement, and excitement.
"It really did..." Gandus softly responded, just as amazed as us.
"Gandus, thank you. You truly have changed," Z said.
"Wizards, I can tell you with utmost certainty that this barrier will keep out Darkness. I can feel its power. You will be safe," I assured.
"We're aware. We, too, can feel its power," X replied. I nodded, I should have known. They are the most powerful wizards after all.
"Now, to fulfill my promise of showing you what I can do." I conjured up my soulfire and made shapes with it. I made my friends, Ianite, the foxes, the Wizards, and Gandus. I made them all at the same time. It seems I have full control of my soulfire magic. I made the shapes disappear and made a barrier with the soulfire. I smiled, then I took the barrier down. I had an idea, I made my fire move with me, using fighting moves against a giant boulder that was in the courtyard. I could feel everyone's amazement. Hmm, maybe this is what I could do in my fight against the Darkness. I stopped my fire fighting and looked at everyone. They were stunned.
"Since when could you do that?" Tom asked. I laughed.
"Since just now. I just thought of it. It looks like all my practice paid off because I feel like I have full control of my soulfire magic now. Now, let's see if I can do some fire reading with a soulfire campfire." Ianite made one appear and I sat in front of it. "Thanks love." I looked into the fire, wondering what it could show me. It flared a little bit as it showed me the Olympics stadium. The place was packed. Holy moly... that's nerve wracking... having all those people watching. Well, I know now, so I can prepare for lots and lots of people watching, judging... oh great. Stage fright, eh? Just another thing to get through...
"What are you seeing, Nix?" I relayed what I'm seeing and what I'm thinking. "You'll be just fine, my dear. I believe in you. When it comes time, just ignore those people. Focus on your tasks. Block out the noise. You can do it." I nodded, I'll keep that in mind.
"Thanks babe. I'll try to keep that advice in mind when the Olympics come." Ianite smiled. "I also can have visions without the soulfire campfire as well, but seeing as I already looked into the soulfire, you'll just have to take my word for it," I chuckled.
"We believe you, High Priestess," Y affirmed. I listed off other things I can do, and then, for the last thing to show off, I used my soul magic. I called upon the souls that make up my soul magic to come forth and make a barrier around us. The Wizards were amazed.
"These are actual souls," X stated, amazed. He reached out.
"Don't! You'll get burned with soulfire. These souls help protect us. They only listen to me, but they did listen to Ianite once, but that was because Darkness kidnapped me and took me to his hideout. On my birthday no less... so there was no other way to disperse them. I think in a pinch like that, they'll listen to Ianite, but always they'll listen to me." I turned to the soul barrier and smiled. "And I really appreciate you guys. You may go now, thank you." I felt a wave of happiness as the soul barrier departed.
"That was so cool," X said. Y nodded in agreement.
"Well, that's all I can do. It was great practice and it seems like my powers have reached their full potential. Now I'm ready to fight the Darkness and bring peace back into this world. But before then, we should take our leave. Get back to our friends back home." I turned to Ianite and Dianite. "Ianite, Dianite, we can't teleport in here. We need to exit the barrier to do so. Wizards, will you let us out?" They nodded and we went back to the doors. The Wizards made an opening for us all to exit. I made my presence sensing aware again, keeping a feel out for Darkness. I felt no evil, so we're good. After Tom exited, as the last one, the Wizards closed the barrier.
"High Priestess, gods, and Champions, thank you for your help and protection as we figured out how to make our barrier. We owe you one," Z said. I waved my hand dismissively.
"Don't worry about it. We were happy to come along and keep you safe. We'll let you know when Darkness is defeated and taken down a few pegs with his power and control." They smiled and nodded and we were off after bidding them a farewell. About 20 meters away, Dianite and Ianite teleported to the Isle of Gathering. Tom and Gandus were teleported first, then I was.
"Back already?" Sparky asked, once I appeared. I went into how Gandus was able to help the Wizards build their strongest barrier to keep the Darkness out and the ones who weren't there were impressed.
"Well, seems like they had it planned, they just needed help. From the traitor no less. No offense," Karl said. Gandus shrugged.
"None taken. I literally was a traitor to them, so you're just telling the truth." I smiled at Gandus. I know I said this before, but I'm just so proud of her. She's really turning over a new leaf.
"Also, you'll be surprised to know that the Chaos trio were actually well behaved," I joked, but also was serious, because they did actually behave.
"Wow, that's a first," Sparky remarked. I chuckled. Tom made a retort, because of course he would. He and Sparky went at each other for a little. I watched in amusement until Ianite hugged my arm. I looked at her, concerned.
"You ok, love?" She nodded. I watched her for a few seconds before looking up at the sky. 'Aianite, please. Tell me when the Olympics will be. I know Dianite told me she'll be fine because she has me, but... I might not be enough.' I waited a few seconds, hoping she'll answer, but nothing happened. I sighed. "Should we go home?"
"We don't have to, Nix. I'll be alright. I'm just tired." I led her over to the benches in front of the campfire and sat us down on one. I held her close to me.
"We'll defeat the Darkness soon. I promise. You'll be back to normal in no time." She smiled gently.
"I know. I believe in you all." I gave her a gentle smile and a slight nod. Sparky came over to us.
"My Lady, are you alright?" I explained what's been going on and what Dianite told me when I confided in him. Sparky nodded. "He's right, you know. You're strong Nix, you're a perfect match for Ianite."
"I hope so. I'm worried I'm not enough to keep her strong for long." Sparky knelt down in front of me.
"Phoenix, of course you are. Look at what you've done, how far you've come. You're High Priestess for a reason. You're very dependable, responsible, and a great friend. Of course you're strong enough to keep Ianite strong until the Olympics come. And even beyond that. Yeah, there will be times when it'll feel impossible, but you gotta stay headstrong and push through. There will be better days after those tough times."
"He's right, you know." Aianite!
"How long you been here Aia?" I asked. How did I not feel her presence? Maybe it's because I was so focused on Sparky's words. Aianite giggled.
"Long enough. Phoenix, I will tell only you this: the Olympics won't be for a while yet. A few more months. I've been watching Darkness since you escaped his grasp. He's been recruiting soldiers for his side. He's got some strong fighters. You all need to practice your fighting. You're going to need it. Phoenix, you've got this." I nodded.
"Thank you Aianite. It was good seeing you again." She smiled then disappeared.
"What did sis say?"
"She told me that Sparky was right, but also we need to practice our battle strategies and our fighting techniques. Darkness is building an army... we need to start preparing..."
"Oh no..."
"Don't worry babe, everything will be ok. We got this, ok? Aianite warned us in advance so we can prepare." Ianite nodded.
"Ok Nix. Yeah, you guys can do it." Sparky and I looked at each other.
"Let's get home, Ianite. I think you need some peace for a bit. Sparky, can Gandus stay at your place again?" Sparky nodded. "Thank you. Ianite, could you teleport us?" There was no hesitation as Ianite teleported herself, then me.