Ghost woke up the next morning as dawn reached her. She wished she couldn't. A cold sensation touched her skin. She slowly got up and soon realized what caused it. Her eyes widened at the sight of white before her. "Snow?" Ghost said. "In the springtime?" She dusted off the snow as Grumble and Fearless shook the snow off their fur. Her heart ached as she got up. Then, she remembered what happened yesterday. The betrayal. The rejection from The Ascendency. SkekTek's and SkekLach's expression.
Tears began to well in her two colored eyes. "What do I do now?" She said. Her voice crackled as she spoke. "I...lost my home. Everyone is angry with me. I...didn't mean for anyone to fight. I just want everyone to get along." She sobbed. Her whole body shook with each sob. Ghost tried her best to wipe her eyes. "Rian...Ordon...Gurjin...Mira….Orchid...Shield...Tek...I'm sorry. So sorry." Ghost was nearly knocked over by Grumble. The little fizzgig licking her tears. "Thank you, Grumble." It was a small moment where she finally knew what to do. "I'll go find Ekty and bring him to the nearest Gelfling village. Then, I'll join mother and father." She knelt to set him down. Ghost only walked a few steps until Grumble leaped back into her arms. "No. You can't come with me." She set him down again.
However, each time she walked, it got harder. Fearless soon joined in the frustration. Both fizzgigs hopped up on her. Fearless on her back and Grumble in her arms. "No! You'll-Gah! Get hurt. They'll hurt you! Please!" Ghost slipped on a patch of snow, causing her to fall on her back. She looked up at the sky for a moment until the two fizzgigs stared back at her. "Ok," Ghost huffed. "You win. But stay close and bark too much!" With that, she got up and walked on with two stubborn furballs behind her.
-(Back at the castle)-
The halls were eerily silent. Word about what happened with Ghost and the Lords of the crystal spread like fire. All the guards looked on in dismay. The Podling servants were sad that one of their dear friends was gone. As for the Lords, SkekSil was the only one happy with this arrangement. Rian and Gurjin were only met with stares of anger and sympathy as they passed the halls. Everyone tried to continue with their usual business despite moving at a painfully slow pace. Silence just simply hung in the walls.
This morning, the Skeksis ate quietly. They didn't even bother with music at this point. SkekSil ravenously gobbled whatever was on his plate. SkekAyuk was only staring at the seat that SkekEkt would normally sit. SkekLach stared at his plate. SkekTek absent-mindedly fiddled with his plate. SkekVar and SkekZok stared at the Emperor who was deep in thought.
SkekSil looked up from his plate. He whimpered at the sight of his fellow Skeksis. "What the matter friends?" He said. "We are rid of threat. Ghost gives no harm to us or to our rule."
SkekAyuk growled at the Chamberlain. "Have you not forgotten that Ornamentalist is still out there?! Kidnapped by a bunch of savages?!" He threw his fork at the whimpering Skeksis. "Ghost's antics in the castle may be unforgivable but she's no threat to us."
"Those no telling what they'll do to him." SkekZok said.
"So far there have been no reports." SkekVar said. "I've already sent some troops to explore every corner of Thra. SkekSa and the Sifa are observing the castle as carefully as they can."
"Anything else to discuss?" SkekSo asked. Silence was the only answer he received. "Very well...As for Ghost, we should keep an eye on her whereabouts."
"Why?" SkekLach asked.
"Despite what Chamberlain said, Ghost is still a threat. She knows things around the castle. She's been the closest to us and has been around Aranthim. She must be caught and pun-" His words were cut off by a scuffing of a moving chair. He looked to see it was the Scientist.
Scientist was visibly distressed. His golden eyes seemed to grow with anger and sadness. "Apologize…" He said. "I must attend to some matters." He bowed and left. It wasn't long until SkekLach and SkekVar silently got up from their chairs. Their steps echoed in the halls. Leaving nothing but confusion to the rest.
"What ate them?" Chamberlain asked.
-(Rian's chamber's)-
Rian laid in bed for the rest of the afternoon after he did his guard shift. His stomach and heart turned to stone. After hearing the word about Ghost being allied with the Aranthim, he just couldn't believe it. He and his father told the stories of how these heartless creatures nearly wiped out the Stonewood Clan. She would always cry at those horrors. He sighed. He turned to one side and reached for his favorite weapon when he noticed a piece of paper sticking out. He pulled it out. "What's this?"
-(SkekLach's Chambers)-
The Collector just found himself staring at the conch that Ghost gave him. He was angry beyond belief. Betrayed. Why Ghost? He thought. Why did you do that? Why would you ally with the Aranthim? Why can't I be so mad at you? His fingers smoothed over the edges of the shell. Just hearing what SkekSil said made him just want to pound him to a purple pulp. He shifted the large sea shell on his belly when something slid out.
Curious, SkekLach picked it up. He immediately recognized it as Ghost's handwriting. He began to read the words. Tears started to leak out.
-(SkekVar's Chamber)-
The General tossed everything around in rage. A Podling servant had to duck in order to avoid being impaled by an oncoming axe. He breathed heavily. His hands shook in with exhaustion. "Stupid Chamberlain! Ghost is a threat! She knows everything about us her whole life!" He flung a table to the other side of his room. It shattered into splintered pieces.
SkekVar flopped onto his bed. He started to realize that he hadn't had sleep for an entire day. His eyes were slowly beginning to drift. Then, a scroll landed on top of his belly.
-(SkekTek's Lab, everyone reading the note at the same time)-
SkekTek can't seem to focus. He's been going over his notes about the crystal. So far, there's no other solution to using the crystal without endangering the lives of everyone in the castle. He thought back at Chamberlain's suggestion to what he said about the draining. Maybe we can drain- His thoughts stopped as he began to remember Ghost's plea. Her dainty grip on him. Her eyes wide with fright about the visions he had. Two of them included him going through some horrific events.
He couldn't help but look over the fiery vent. The orange lava glowed brightly against the crystal. SkekTek shivered and backed away. "Ghost...I wish I can believe you...but…" He sighed. Then, turned to attend Sidetec. He opened his little friend's cage when he noticed something hidden in a corner. It was a letter from Ghost. He took it out and then read it:
Dear SkekTek,
I've decided to go and find SkekEkt myself. After what had happened to Mira, I didn't want to lose anyone else. You all mean the world to me (except SkekSil). I wrote this letter in case I don't come back. I know you'll worry about me, but each day here would mean pain for Ekty. He's alone and afraid. I can't let that continue. Please be brave for me, SkekTek. I know you're wonderful despite what everyone else thinks. I love you.
You're faithful friend and servant,
Ghost
SkekTek lowered his note down. His chest began to curl tightly. He pulled out Sidetec out of his cage for the first time and stroked him. The little creature chirped mournfully. It didn't take long for SkekTek to cry. Unaware of everyone else who got the letter also cried as well. Ghost. His faithful servant and friend has left them. No...Ghost was his little wonder. His special child.
There you have it. A brief chapter to reflect the sorrow and aftermath of what had just happened. Next chapter will have some interactions with SkekSo and SkekMal.
