Happy Leap Day, everyone!
I'm really excited for this chapter. It's one of my favorite ones, one that brings the culmination of a lot of character-development together. I hope you guys are ready!
Previously on ATIS…
Sharzad stepped forward. "In my short lifetime, I've seen many impossible things. Just one week ago, I fell through the Gate. It should've killed me, but instead, I was reborn as an Enchantix fairy. And I truly believe Fate meant for me to come here and help you defeat Queen Isolde. Yes, tyranny is strong, but unity is also equally strong, and so is a desire for freedom and a connection to those we love. So please, unite together and fight for Nunangat. The Spring Soldiers must prevail!"
Sharzad thought she could make out something like respect in the depths of their eyes. General Nuniq stepped forward.
"Those in favor?" he asked.
Every single hand went up. Clearly, these men and women were willing to do whatever it took to secure their people's freedom.
"Very well, then," Nuniq said, smiling. "I believe we have a revolution."
-o-o-o-
"He's alive," said Liya wryly, "but only just."
"I don't understand," Gabriel said in confusion. "Why is he still ill?"
Liya shook her head. "In Mr. du Maurier's case, the illness is not necessarily physical – it's psychological. Something traumatic has put him in this vegetative trance."
"What are you saying?" Gabriel felt his heart drop.
"I'm saying that it's up to him to survive," the doctor answered. "If he wants to live, he will. If he doesn't… then he will die. It is as simple as that."
Gabriel stared at the doctor, at the absolute expression on her face. My friend is dying. The realization hit him hard, like a punch to the heart.
And it's all my fault.
-o-o-o-
"I was scared to love before this," Angéle continued. "I still am, Aria. That's the reason why I ran away. I ran away because I was terrified of hurting you more, Aria, and of making your condition worse than it already is. Because – it's my fault my mother died."
"That's not true," Aria said softly. "I guess sometimes things just… happen. Just like how I got my Enchantix – it just happened! And you continued with your mother's mission to liberate Glacia. I'm sure she's proud of you, Angéle! And I doubt she blames you for what happened." Her eyes were shining. "You've helped me so much, and made me grow so much as a person. Now let me help you, Angéle."
CHAPTER 22: FALL OF THE GATE
1 day until…
Angéle awoke slowly and gently, her body warm and peaceful. The soft breeze soothed her, her muscles completely relaxed as she lay against the soft grass.
Aria was still fast asleep, her arms securely holding Angéle's chest, her golden hair falling over her like a quilt. She had fallen asleep completely relaxed, with no worries or pain on the mind to speak of.
It had been ages since Angéle had ever felt like this. Five years, to be exact, since she'd slept as well as she had last night. Now after acquiring her Dreamix and lying under Aria's protective hold, she felt rejuvenated and reborn, better than anything she'd ever felt before.
As she lay contentedly, the girl above her stirred. Aria's eyes flickered open slowly, her long eyelashes fluttering peacefully. Then she looked down at Angéle, registering where she was and who she was with. She smiled down at her, a warm, pink smile that illuminated her blue eyes. No pleasantries needed to be exchanged – they were completely in tune with each other, two halves of the same whole. Aria smoothed Angéle's curly hair with her hand, yawning.
"Good… morning," she said, gazing at the sky.
The sun was sinking into the horizon. From top-to-bottom, the sky faded from midnight-black, fiery red, sunburst orange, and a deep golden yellow. The sun itself was a fiery orange ball, one that sank into the mountains, casting pale golden streaks across the peaks. Mierve… She slowly sat up, stretching as Aria held her shoulders. Then she leaned forward, kissing Aria squarely on the lips.
The kiss lit a fire under them, bringing them both to their senses. She helped Aria stand up slowly. They both stretched and stared in the direction of the sun, towards the mountains, where they had come from. Angéle stepped forward, staring at the land in front of her.
"Let's go," she whispered.
She was loath to leave this sacred mound, the one which had resurrected and healed her in one night. Yet, she knew she must. The very wind beckoned to her; taking Aria's hand, they fluttered off the mound and into the night.
The Land of Dreams had come alive. Fairies were dancing cheerfully, wearing colors of red and orange and green and azure. Fireflies danced with them, illuminating the bright, mystical night. A violin sounded in the distance, playing classical dances that melted Angéle's heart. Aria's hand loosened; for a moment, it looked like she wanted to join the fairies. Angéle would've too, if it had not been for a whisper that struck her heart.
I'm here.
Angéle halted suddenly. She knew that voice. It was one she had grown up with, one she had always heard. What's going on? Aria stopped too, staring confusedly at Angéle. "What happened?"
"I think I can hear someone connecting with me," Angéle whispered. "My new powers – they give me control over the realm of the subconscious. I have to follow this voice."
Aria stared at her, and Angéle could tell she didn't understand. "Where do we need to go, exactly?"
"I don't know," Angéle answered, frowning. "All I know is that we have to go west, in the direction of where the sun was setting." She pointed to the last rays of twilight. "Away from the mound."
Aria looked uncertain; for a fleeting moment, Angéle thought she wouldn't come with her. But then she nodded, holding firmly to Angéle's hand. "I trust you, Angéle. And if your new intuition says you need to go west, then I'll come with you."
Angéle smiled at Aria. I can always count on you… Lifting them in the air, she soared away from the dancing fairies, towards the dusk.
"It is time." Nuniq said, gazing down at his fellow tribe members.
Sharzad stood in the crowd, next to Agloolik and Leif. All fifteen hundred members of the Adlivun Tribe, three thousand members of the Massak Tribe, and six thousand members of the Anachim Tribe were in the Adlivun camp, gazing up at General Nuniq as he spoke.
All of the warriors were clad in sealskin tunics. The men wore low boots and tall helmets, while the women wore tall boots and short helmets. The combat-warriors held swords, archers held bows-and-arrows, and the flyers held spears. Most of the women, as fairies, would be flying and striking their enemies from above with spears and offensive spells. Sedna herself was in that category, wearing a sealskin tunic with blue tassels and holding a gilded shield and a wolf-tooth spear.
Sharzad gazed down at her outfit. She was wearing a sealskin tunic, blubber leggings, and spiked wooden boots that came up to her knees. Dark red tassels hung from her helmet, and she was carrying a curved sword. Next to her, Leif held a quiver and bow.
"Before we start," Nuniq said, "is everyone clear about recent events that have occurred?"
The people nodded collectively. After all, what with Kiviuq's release and the discovery of people outside of the Gate, there was a lot the warriors had needed to be briefed on. But it appeared the chieftains of the other two tribes had done a good job.
"The three of our tribes are going to riot in this area," Nuniq continued on. "By our count, there will be eight thousand warriors, twenty healers, and nine hundred dogs joining the offensive tonight. There are approximately six-hundred thousand Spring Soldiers in total, and every single one of us will have a part in this battle. All over Nunangat and even in parts of Glacia, there will be massive rioting. It will be disorganized and chaotic, but it should be enough to help us achieve our main objective: distracting the Glacian Army long enough to get entrance into the castle."
Sharzad shuddered, instinctively gazing over at the Massak and Anachim warriors. The senior Massak warriors had sled-dogs, animals which would pull them in the snow as they fought. But even more frightening were the Anachim wolves, the animals which could tear enemy warriors to pieces. I'm not getting on their bad side…
"I know this attack is very sudden," Nuniq continued on, "and we are taking an enormous risk by doing this, especially at such short notice. Many of you will die today – all three of our tribes may be lost. I am here to tell you that if you wish to remain in the camp, I will not stop you. You may be honorably discharged, left to pick up the remains of our generation."
Not one warrior stirred. Everyone still held his or her spear, gazing firmly up at Sedna.
Nuniq's shoulders relaxed. "So be it, then. Chief Sedna, Chief Amaruq, and I have gone over our strategy. This is what we have decided." He pointed to the largest group of warriors.
"Younger warriors, you will be led by Chief Amaruq, and create a diversion that attracts the Glacian forces. You shall transport yourselves to Nootaikok Glacier, about a hundred miles away, and create the diversion there. As you are young, our queen will underestimate you, and send a fleet of warriors to finish you off. You shall have half of our wolves and dogs with you.
"Chief Sedna and I will lead the next force: the senior warriors and the other half of the animals. We shall stay here and welcome our special forces from outside, and will defend this camp until it is time for the prince and his people to head to Glacia. Prince Darius will be landing here as soon as the Gate comes down.
"Within that will be a subgroup, led by the princess of Fulgur." He pointed to Sharzad. "She shall lead this group into battle, destroying the Gate for once and for all. Agloolik and Kiviuq the narwhal will go with them. Princess Sharzad of Fulgur, take this responsibility with honor." His blue gaze rested on Sharzad's brown eyes for a moment.
"Don't worry, General Nuniq," Sharzad answered. "I will protect them with my life." She knew she would. No matter what evil came against them, she would protect the people she had been sworn to protect. She looked back at the warriors behind her, some younger, some older, but most gazing back at her with a look of admiration and pride.
"The Gates will open, for once and for all," Sedna declared, her eyes flashing. "And then, we shall be able to continue forward and defeat our enemies, and avenge those we have lost!"
"Remember Chief Ujurak!" the Adlivunese warriors shouted, throwing their spears into the air. The Massakian and Anachimian warriors echoed their cry, shouting names of people who had been lost in their own battle.
"There is just one more thing we need to do," Sedna said as the cries halted. "We must place a barrier upon this camp, so that our pregnant and nursing women, children, and elders can stay here without coming to harm. We have assigned the youngest trainees and one hundred of our warriors to stay back and guard the camp." She nodded to all of the fairies of the tribes and the magically-enfranchised fairy men. "Are you ready?"
The women and men nodded. Sharzad focused on her powers, joining forces with the other fairies.
"Combine all of your powers towards me!" Sedna shouted.
Sharzad focused on her energy, sending electric power towards Sedna. She could feel the energy of the other fairies, arctic and aquatic, joining forces with her electric power as Sedna wielded it in her hands. Then she directed it upwards.
A blue, dome-shaped shield appeared around the Adlivun camp, slowly snaking its way down. Sharzad gasped in amazement as it covered everyone, letting nothing through. The fairies put their hands down, and Sedna nodded.
"This should keep the camp safe." She turned to face the warriors. "Now it's time for battle."
Isolde was sitting in her new library, scowling as she pored over her spellbooks. New spellbooks she had acquired from the old Glacian Palace. They were filled with much more knowledge, knowledge she had never possessed before.
There were apparently flaws to the transfigural possession spell, flaws which she had never known of before. Apparently, there were ways of getting through to a person's heart, which would reverse the spell and make it obsolete. Isolde frowned as she read through The Complete Art of Sorcery, her eyes narrowing as she scanned through the page.
Transfigural possession is the art of taking over the power of a magical being. It differs from elemental possession in the manner such that, while elemental possession only manipulates the body, transfigural possession manipulates the mind. Therefore, the sorcerer who takes over his or her subject shall have total control over his or her actions, thoughts, and mind.
Isolde had read a similar version of this paragraph a thousand times. Her other book, which was solely about transfigural possession, told her all of this information. There was nothing this could tell her that she didn't know. Gnashing her teeth in frustration, she glared down at the paragraph.
She scanned the rest of the page, desperately looking for something she didn't know. It was then that she caught something, at the bottom of the page. Astonished, Isolde stared on, a nervous feeling in her heart.
There are three parts to any person – the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. The physical sphere is the most easily manipulated, and can be taken over by more basic enchantments. The mental sphere is much harder to corrupt, which is why it is necessary for a person to already be mentally ill, in order to have any chance at success.
But the spiritual part of the being is the highest of all. It is never born and it never dies; it constantly moves through the cycles of life and death and rebirth and nirvana. And such, it can never be corrupted. And that purity is the biggest threat that sorcerers face, for they cannot do anything about it. They can only depend on altering the mental state itself.
Isolde stared. So that's my problem… No matter what, there would always be a ticket to undoing the spell she'd cast on Aria, and it was the reservoir she held within herself.
Well, no one is coming here to undo the spell, she thought. So I needn't worry. And anyhow, once she has completed the job, I have no use for her, anyways. My life mission shall be complete.
She sighed, gazing down at the book. Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door brought her back to reality.
"Yes?" Isolde snapped. "Come on in."
A man burst in, his heart racing. Isolde recognized him as General Tyr, her top military commander. Now what is going on? She glared at him.
"Your Iciness," the man panted, "there is a disturbance at the Nootaikok Glacier in Nunangat. Tribes are rioting left-and-right."
"So?" asked Isolde, bored. The doings of the primitive tribal people did not interest her, especially now that the Panuk Tribe was gone. "Can't the local police handle it?"
"No," Tyr said, "for the tribes come prepared."
Isolde gritted her teeth. These people are utterly incompetent. "Show me Nootaikok Glacier," she commanded, holding her hands over her crystal ball. The crystal flared, coming to life.
She saw thousands of men and women, assembled atop the glacier. They were shouting and screaming, glaring defiantly at the police who were climbing the glacier to suppress them.
"We will not surrender!" they shouted. Some of the younger people waved signs at the police, such as SHOOT NOT AT YOUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN and TEAR DOWN THIS WALL! Isolde simmered with rage as she glared at them.
The police had reached the glacier and were shooting at the people. But instead of scattering, the protesters used force. Hexes launched into the police, and wolves were set free, ripping people apart.
Isolde ground her teeth in frustration. How dare they? She turned towards General Tyr, her eyes blazing.
"Send the military," she commanded. "They will make quick work of these protesters. Don't just stand there! Go!" She sent him out, her heart raging with fury.
Such fools, she thought. They will not withstand the power of my special forces. She glared at the crystal ball, forcing her mind into peace.
They shall not prevail.
Aria gazed around at the land before her as they walked, at the fully dark sky and the stars that shined above her. They glimmered all different colors, red and yellow and green and blue. Enchanted, she stopped in her tracks, staring up at them.
"There are three parts to the Land of Dreams," Angéle said, her voice cutting into Aria's reverie. "There is the central Land of Dancers, where we just were. There is the Land of Lost Memories, where all that is forgotten shall be revived. And then there is the Land of the Subconscious, where we can connect with dreamers and impart to them our knowledge."
Aria stared at the ground. The Land of Lost Memories… Images swirled into her mind, images of Isolde and how she had never been able to remember anything after her training-sessions.
Maybe I can revive my memories, she thought. Whatever they are. I would like to know what it is that happened. Determination rose in her. If I can find out what happened, it shall make me stronger. And then I'll be able to properly execute my revenge!
But somehow, it seemed wrong to think about revenge here, in such a sacred place. And so she followed Angéle, gazing around at the lands before her.
They had reached a more nebulous part of the Land of Dreams. Rather than solid ground, there were clouds everywhere, fluffy and bouncy. Aria stared at them uncertainly. "Are we supposed to walk on them?"
"Only one way to find out." Angéle ran forward, jumping onto the clouds.
She gazed as they shot her up into the air, playfully and exuberantly. "Wheeeeeee!" she squealed, landing on the soft cloud. Aria grinned, running forward. That looks like fun… She dived into the cloud.
It was better than any trampoline she'd ever been on. The clouds sent her into the air, weightless and insurmountable. And when she came back down, they were ready to receive her, cheerfully and wholly. And so she laughed, letting the clouds soothe her back as she closed her eyes, enjoying the bliss of this world.
This is fun… she thought lazily. Everything she'd encountered in this world had been utterly beautiful. There was no concept of pain, heartache, or struggle. When we get out of Isolde's castle, we're gonna be happy like this all the time… She fell into the cloud, laughing as she soared through the air.
But to her surprise, she didn't fall back down; instead, her wings caught hold of the air and she hovered. Confused, Aria stared down. It was then she realized that the clouds had been sending them across a channel, a weightless, beautiful channel – into a much different world.
There were no fireflies in this land to speak of. Mist hung through the air, ominous and enigmatic; the trees were leafless, with the bare branches towering in front of them. The only light came from the stars above, which seemed much paler than when Aria had seen them before. She shuddered, her heart beginning to beat faster.
"What is this place?" Angéle took Aria's hand, squeezing it nervously.
Aria looked down at her. The younger girl's face had blanched, and she knew how terrified she was. "We should turn back," she declared.
"No." Angéle gazed forward. "The voice is leading us here. We have to move forward." She led the way, nervous and unsteady, Aria's grip on her hand never wavering.
They headed through mist. Rather than reassuring her, like the wind had in the Land of Dancers, this mist felt spooky. But the Land of Dreams… it's supposed to be this wonderful, wonderful paradise… She stared ahead.
And then, she saw someone. It was a man wearing a black robe with plated armor. His hair was long and brown, and his white face looked grim. He ran through the misty woods, giving them only a glimpse of himself.
"Who is that?" Angéle breathed.
Aria stared ahead. I've seen that man before… But she couldn't recall where. It was certain, however, that he did not belong in the Land of Dreams. "I don't think we want to find out," she whispered. Turning to the left, she pulled Angéle through a gap between two trees.
The mist cleared. They were now in a grove, one framed by trees. And within the grove was thousands of… bubbles.
Aria stared, perplexed. What are these bubbles for? She let go of Angéle's hand and began to walk forward.
"Aria"… said Angéle, a warning note in her tone.
Slowly, it dawned on her. The bubbles were memories, memories that had been lost or forgotten completely. There's so many of them… and I bet I'll find mine in here. She moved forward.
"Aria." Angéle had caught up with her, and placed a firm hand on Aria's shoulder. "I have a bad feeling about this place. I don't think we should be here."
"Why not?" Aria responded, staring at her. "This is the Land of Lost Memories, and there are so many things I don't know about myself. I need to stay here, Angéle. I need to find out."
"But what if it tells you something that's too much to bear?" Angéle whispered. "What if you find something you don't want to know? What'll you do then? Please, Aria, think about this." She took Aria's hands. "I don't want you to get hurt."
Aria stared at her girlfriend. She's right… But she knew nothing could stop her. An unshakable desire to know the truth had taken hold of her, refusing to let go. "I'm going," she whispered, stepping away.
Angéle nodded. "All right, then." She began to walk towards Aria, but froze as she heard a voice.
"Angéle!"
Daewon stared outside the window as the Gate of Glacia loomed ahead. Swallowing, he stared at the structure with fear pounding in his heart.
The Gate was just the same as he'd seen it before. Formidable and icy, it loomed for thousands of kilometers over the two planets. It left Daewon with little hope that anything could be done.
He glanced at the ships behind them. He was on a ship with Darius, Maire, and Arishtat; behind them was Saraswati and Atete's ship. Behind them was a small fleet of spacecrafts.
Since Darius was the crown prince and his father was preoccupied with other matters, he had managed to sneak a good amount of the fleet out, claiming they were on a training-mission. Unfortunately, they didn't have as many ships as they would've liked – they'd only been able to risk getting two hundred ships out unnoticed. Trying not to let nerves overtake him, Daewon flew out of the ship, his heart racing.
"I know what you are all thinking," Saraswati's voice rang out from the speakers. "And I am here to tell you: do not worry. We shall prevail."
Daewon frowned. Despite the healing rite that'd occurred, Saraswati was still very weak; evidently, the spell had planted roots farther than what Kiviuq could heal. Atete had tried to convince her to stay back in Magix, with no success.
"You're still weak from the spell, Mater," she had said. "Please, don't come with us. We'll be able to handle it on our own."
"It matters not." Saraswati stood in front of her, proud. She had abandoned her normal priestly brown robe and was wearing a scarlet-and-white saree that shimmered brilliantly against her brown skin. In her hand was a long, floor-length golden torch, the torch containing the fire of the locator spell. "I shall march into battle alongside you, and help defend against evil."
"But you and I are priestesses," Atete protested, "and we are not made for the battle."
"Fear not, filia," said Saraswati, "we shall not fight with force; it would be a crime for our kind to do so. No, we shall only aid the younger ones, and help them cast the spell Darius and Maire labored so long to find. And if the Glacian army casts aside the ancient laws and attacks me, a woman sworn to nonviolence, then I shall welcome the force. Do not worry. All will be fine."
And now it was time for them to open the Gates for once and for all. Daewon downed a Heat and Space-Lung Tonic, and placed a headset over his ears. It would help him communicate with Darius, who had unanimously been voted as their commander-in-chief.
Darius had decided he would be the one to open the Gates, as he had come here before. He winced at the change in gravity, the force of the planet pulling him closer to the Gate, which would surely kill him at first touch. I certainly won't be as lucky as Sharzad… He stared down, waiting for the signal to come.
"Fulgurian Army!" he heard Darius shout through the headset. "The time has come. We have figured out how to breach the Gates of Glacia, and we will join with our Nunangatan brothers and sisters in liberating this kingdom. The Gates will be opening momentarily." He paused. "Make sure you are ready to strike!"
Something struck the air, a flash of purple lightning. Daewon watched at it as it hit the Gate, creating a terrifying sizzle.
"Okay, now!" Darius shouted through his headset.
Daewon flipped around until he was dangling downwards. Trying not to feel nauseous at the force of gravity, he inched closer to the Gate, and turned the key. Slowly, he pushed it into the lock.
Something stirred within the Gate. Something seemed to melt, making it warmer than it'd been before. The Gate began to slowly pull aside, stretching.
And the ice began to make way. It creaked as both sides pulled into the structure, creating an entrance. Daewon stared dizzyingly at the planet that appeared in front of him, white and luminous.
Wow… he thought. All of Nunangat was completely covered in snow. Colder than anything he'd seen before. A spaceship-sized entrance appeared, enough for them to fit through.
And with that, the enchantment over the ice had broken. It was no longer impenetrable; in fact, it looked merely like an ice wall. A fragile, weak, destructible ice wall.
"Okay, it's time!" Darius called. "Get in!"
Daewon flew back into the ship, and the compartment closed. Heart racing, he climbed up the steps and was greeted by cheers.
"You did it!" Maire shouted. "You opened the Gate!"
"Well done," added Darius, and Daewon felt joy rise through him. Darius was praising him of all people, something he never would've done a week ago. He grinned at Darius, who slowly smiled back, a tinge of acceptance appearing in his brown eyes.
"Fasten your seatbelts!" shouted Arishtat, who was carefully steering the ship through the gap. "The ride down isn't pleasant!"
The teenagers screamed as gravity exerted its influence over the ship, making it gravitate down. Daewon squeezed his eyes shut.
Please, let us make it to Glacia alive…
Sharzad ran alongside the underground river, panting as she ran under the Nanurjuk Glacier, where their revolution would take place. She reached the Crypt of the Elder and halted as she looked up. The other trainees behind her stared up, their eyes wide.
It was even more beautiful than she'd seen it before. Apparently the ancient spells hidden within the crypt had fed it power, rejuvenating it so that it looked like a gothic cathedral. Agloolik closed his eyes, concentrating into the ground of the crypt.
"Here we are," he said.
Sharzad looked over at what he had procured. There was the Spirit of the Arctic, which Leif held in his hands. Aside from that, there were four other artifacts he had found. He turned towards the trainees, his eyes narrowed.
"There are five of you in total," he said. "I shall entrust each of you with an artifact. Be careful; you are holding ancient history in your hands." He first turned to Qimmiq, a stout, seventeen-year-old boy.
"You have a natural affinity with wolves and dogs," he said. "And therefore, you shall hold the Wolf's Cry." He placed a stone, in the shape of a dog's head, in Qimmiq's hands, and then turned to a fourteen-year-old girl with long brown hair that fell in a braid.
"Tapeesa, you are fierce, like the eternal wind," he said. "Therefore, you shall hold the Winter Wind. Be careful, however; you may only use this if any enemies are in our path." He gave the girl an icicle, one preserved with the ancient magic it held.
Tapeesa nodded, her eyes flashing. Agloolik next turned to a tall boy, fifteen years of age, with warm brown hair.
"Siqiniq, you are like the sun personified," he said. "You are always cheerful, even in the face of adversity. And therefore, you shall hold the Arctic Sun. Use this to thaw the ice around us." He gave him a shining yellow disc, one which glowed like the absent sun.
And last, he turned to Sharzad, who stood watching him, her eyes narrowed. He picked out a long spear in a zigzag shape, one which gleamed silver against the sky.
"This is the Breath of Lightning," he said. "As a weather-fairy, you shall be able to wield this with more power than any of us. Take it, princess of Fulgur, and create a storm." He passed it into her hands.
The Breath of Lightning was cool in her hands, shooting electricity into her body. She felt energized, as if nothing could beat her, the unstoppable warrior princess she was. She held it high above her head.
A bolt of lightning shot through the opening at the top of the cathedral and into the sky, a brilliant lavender color for all the world to see. It sizzled with power, and she watched, enchanted, as it hit the top of the Gate. That's my signal, Daree! The trainees cheered.
"With that kind of power, the Gate will come down in no time," said Agloolik. "We shall call you Kallik, wielder of lightning." He gazed at the trainees.
"I know you are all young," he said, "the youngest of you twelve, and the oldest of you seventeen. The chieftains of the tribe initially opposed sending you, as they believed older hands should bring down the Gate. However, I can think of no better people to bring down the Gate than those who have lived their entire lives under it, those who have never seen springtime. And now, we shall prevail." He closed his eyes. "Let the Children's Revolution begin!"
A glow surrounded them, and they disappeared. Sharzad gazed around as they rematerialized on the Nanurjuk Glacier. Above them, she thought she could see the Gate pulling apart, a small opening appearing in its unbroken façade.
They're coming through! A tiny dot had appeared at the Gate, looking like a spaceship. She turned towards the other trainees, her eyes flashing. "Now!"
Leif and Agloolik focused on the Spirit of the Arctic, enhancing all of their powers. Siqiniq focused the Arctic Sun, sending a bolt of warm energy over all of them. And as for Sharzad, she focused in on her powers, letting electricity take over every pore.
Lavender energy filled her from head to toe. Her entire body buzzed with enhanced power, power she hadn't felt since eons ago. Transforming into her Enchantix, she hovered in the air, leaning back like a huntress aiming her bow.
And then she let her arrows go.
Lightning shot out of the spear, more intense than she'd ever seen before. With the intensity of a thousand suns inside of her, of a thousand flames, Sharzad sent it into the Gate, watching it crackle and burn.
Energy filled her very veins as she soared, watching the Gate melt. With Siqiniq and Leif's help, she had never felt more powerful, more alive. I will bring freedom to this realm! She closed her eyes.
A storm-cloud appeared above her, stronger than any she had ever made. Whereas weather-fairies usually only had the power to create tiny clouds, this one was huge. Lightning shot from its top, barreling the Gate with its power.
Sharzad continued to feed her energy into the Gate, watching the lavender light up the dark sky. Now! The entire part of the Gate near her was destroyed, completely vanquished.
Then something hit her hard in the back. Tapeesa cried out as she fell to the ground, wincing.
"I got you!" Leif shouted, catching Sharzad in his arms. She could only grin numbly at him, her back aching. What was that?
"The Glacian police have caught us," Agloolik said. "Tapeesa, create a shield!"
"I've got a better idea." Tapeesa closed her eyes, sending ice out of the Winter Wind. A blizzard entrapped the police, freezing them to their core. "That'll take care of them!"
"Only for some time!" Qimmiq stared at the advancing police upon them.
Sharzad cursed. Looks like our diversion wasn't all that successful… She stared at the winter hills, the soldiers advancing towards the glacier.
And then she caught something else.
Tribesmen and women were standing on the hills, staring at them in puzzlement. And… fear. They stared at the broken Gate, their mouths agape with amazement and horror. Sharzad knew they were people who had never seen a life without the Gate before.
Now's my chance, she thought. I must convince them to join in this. I have to convince them that it is in their best interest. She hovered towards them, her eyes blazing.
"Warriors of Nunangat," she said, "this is the moment you have all been waiting for. Sixty-two years this realm has been imprisoned, trapped in an eternal winter. With that winter came an icy dictator, one who has stopped at nothing to make sure your sovereignty and powers have been threatened."
The people gazed uncertainly at each other, and Sharzad felt her heart sinking. They may not join us. But she couldn't lose hope. She continued on, her voice magnified by the power she held.
"Thousands of people have fallen!" she cried. "People have given their lives to make sure this realm could one day achieve freedom! Do you remember Tootega of Adlivun, the woman who was executed by Isolde's forces? Do you know of Leif Njordsson's parents, people who were killed in the effort of smuggling people out of this realm?" She pointed to Leif.
A few people stirred. Some people poised their spears at the Gate, staring. Sharzad could make out their faces: is it really possible? How could they, as disenfranchised tribesmen, ever make a difference?
"I, Kallik of Adlivun, am here to tell you that we are the Revolution," Sharzad continued. With her auburn hair flowing down her gleaming vest and silver dress, she felt confident, as if nothing could stop her. "Revolutions don't happen at the top. It's always the small people who change things, people like us. And we shall be the ones who break down the Gate. Although, it certainly doesn't help to have the higher powers notified." She turned towards the sky; above her, she could see the planet of Glacia shining wanly in the distance.
"Your Majesty of Glacia," she said, "if you want your kingdom to be prosperous, your people to stop revolting, your reign not under peril, then I tell you: come here to this Gate! Tear down this wall, Queen Isolde!" She sent another boom of lightning into the ice.
Qimmiq activated the Wolf's Cry. A piercing howl set across the plains, stirring in the heart of every tribal warrior who had ever desired freedom. A few men and women stirred. Sharzad felt the cry within her too, a cry of empowerment and liberation. Clear as day, she remembered Anahita's words: Liberate those who do not have your power.
"It's up to us!" she cried. "All of us together, we can do it! So let's tear down this Gate for once and for all!"
The people let out a cry, a cry of a thousand wolves together. Everywhere, Sharzad saw fairies and magically-enfranchised fairy-men flying into the air, the women transforming into outfits as colorful as the arctic lights. They turned towards the Gate, their eyes narrowed.
And then they struck.
Jets of dark blue and green hit the Gate, a whirlwind of color brighter than the Palace of Prisms. The people cried out, letting their energy slam the Gate like a thousand storms put together. With their power, they burned the Gate down, the ice broiling under their furious touch.
The Wolf's Cry sounded again. Sharzad turned and saw the Gate being destroyed not in just their small sector, but all around the realm. All over Nunangat, the Wolf's Cry had united people to join forces against the Gate, the anger of six decades lighting up the sky. And Sharzad felt a sense of unity come within her, power she hadn't felt in ages.
She fired her power into the ice, the rage of the people simmering within her chest as the Gate burned, a seemingly-indestructible power now falling in shreds of ice…
Angéle's heart raced as she heard the cry. The voice in my head… Without a doubt, she knew exactly who it was.
"I have to go!" she cried out. "He's calling for me right now! It's urgent!"
Aria ran towards her; by the look in her eyes, Angéle knew she had heard it, too. "I'm coming with you." She grabbed her shoulders, but Angéle shook her off.
"No, Aria," she said. "I have to do this myself. Please, understand me."
Aria nodded. "Then I'll stay here," she murmured. "Good luck."
Angéle nodded, turning around. He's calling for me… She turned to the left, running towards the place she'd heard him call. Taking a right, she plunged into mist, entering a meadow.
The meadow was surprisingly bright, clear of mist. Pink fleurs du rêver dotted the ground, and small lights shined. In the center was a clear blue pool, a window to the life of dreams. This is where he is… She kneeled down, staring into the surface of the water.
Franc du Maurier's face appeared, and Angéle stared at him. He looked worse than she'd ever seen him in life. His face was completely dull, his black hair wild, his eyes devoid of light. As soon as he saw her, he let out a cry.
"Angéle!" he shouted. "This isn't a dream, isn't it?"
"I'm afraid it is," Angéle whispered. "But don't worry. This is me you see, not a cruel apparition." She extended her hand into the pool, to hold him to her.
But her fingers couldn't breach the water. A wall appeared in front of her; confused, she stared down at him. I can't touch him… Her father stared up at her with anguished eyes.
"Angéle, why do you torture me so?" he sobbed. "Why did you do this?"
"Do what?" asked Angéle. Her very heart was breaking in two.
"Why did you leave me here, all alone?"
Angéle stopped. Her father was now glaring at her, fury in his eyes. She shrank back as he turned towards her, his eyes blazing.
"You left me!" he cried. "You left me childless, a widower destined to forever wander the earth. Why did you do it? Why did you abandon me and leave me to wander the world on my own?" He let out a deep, piteous sob.
Angéle felt tears coming to her eyes. Oh, Father… She stared down at him.
"I didn't leave you," she whispered. "Not voluntarily, at least. I – is that what you believed all this time?"
"What else was there to think?" her father laughed sardonically. "I went back to the home we shared – your harp was missing. You took it with you, wherever you went."
Angéle gasped. Oh, stars… She let out a cry.
"It's not how you think it is, Father," she whispered. "Please, let me tell you what happened." She closed her eyes, remembering that fateful day eleven months ago, when her whole world had turned upside-down…
It had been a cool Quadrimensis day. Angéle had been heading to Desirée's cavern for advice; she needed tips on how to pass the Dreamix task. But the prophetess refused, reminding her that the Quest for Dreamix was about self-discovery, something she couldn't impart to her. Worried, Angéle headed back to her home, hoping her father hadn't noticed her absence.
It turned out she had much more to worry about that that.
Angéle knew something was wrong the moment she stepped through the house. For starters, the door was unlocked. Did Father come home? What if he's out searching for me? He's going to be so angry with me when he comes back –
Then she saw the woman in front of her, and all breath ceased to exist.
The woman had the coldest, most horrifying face she'd ever seen. She'd seen light-skinned people in real life before, of course, but this woman brought pallor to a new level entirely. The contrast of her dark mascara and eyes was even scarier, and Angéle fought the desire to turn around and run.
She couldn't have, anyways. The woman walked towards her, her ice-blue dress sweeping the floor as she spoke.
"Don't worry, your father has not returned." She spoke coldly, without any emotion to her voice. "He has an inquiry at work; he will return later this evening. Sad to say I cannot say the same for you."
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Angéle stammered. Who was this woman? What does she have to do with us?
The woman laughed. "Do you not know who I am? Are you such an ignorant peasant?" Her eyebrows rose. "And here I thought the Rêvian High Priestess-in-Training would be smarter than that."
Angéle stared at her; she still couldn't figure out who this woman was. The palliative-skinned woman's smirk grew even wider.
"I am Queen Isolde von Glacia. The UR has been looking for me for decades, decades which have proven to be wasted. Your mother was killed in her attempt to track me down; the fool underestimated the strength of my power." Her laugh sent chills down Angéle's back. "And now, it is time for you to pay the price."
Angéle's mind was whirling. How is this possible? There was a gate in front of Glacia, one that stopped traffic on both sides. It was impossible for anyone to breach those gates and come out to a different world.
This has to be an imposter, Angéle thought. She's lying. She has to be.
"I've been planning this for a long time," the woman said. "Do not attempt to fight me. Resistance is futile."
I need to do something. Angéle frantically reached for the phone, dialing the emergency number. They need to arrest this woman. Her finger reached for the 'Call' button.
She screamed as a wave of icy energy blasted her in the chest, knocking her into the base of the tiny stove. Something else fell off the table as she sat up, grimacing. Isolde was holding a photo frame, her eyes narrowed. "Is this your dear father?"
No… Angéle stared up at the photo. It had been taken on her tenth birthday, just before her mother's death; the three of them had been smiling for all the world to see. The woman smiled, scratching her long fingernail over the glass.
"Your dear father is all you have left," she said. "I know all about your life, my girl. Wouldn't it be a shame if I took him away from you?"
"No!" Angéle cried out in fear. Instinctively, she held her hands in front of her, and a burst of sky-blue energy shot forward. I have to stop her… The energy shot towards the glittering woman.
But Angéle wasn't a warrior-fairy. She'd never been trained in martial arts; she was from a long line of priestesses, after all. It was their duty to ensure peace and security, not start wars. The woman easily stopped Angéle's spell, smirking at her. "Is that all you've got?"
"Please… don't take my father!" Angéle cried out. "He doesn't deserve this!"
"No?" the woman was smirking. "What are you suggesting, my dear girl?"
"Take me instead," Angéle cried out. "Take me with you, wherever that is. But don't hurt my father. Please." She began to sob profusely, tears staining the floor.
The woman sighed. "I would've enjoyed the battle"… She smirked. "All right. We're going." She reached to grab Angéle's shoulder, then added, "anything you want to bring with you?"
Angéle thought for a moment. So many things I could bring… my mother's quilt, her photo…
"You can only bring one thing," the woman ordered.
Angéle thought fast. "My harp," she said. An ancient family relic, it would provide her comfort in a way a quilt or picture never could. Without her harp, she knew she would surely die. It'll be that, then.
"Let's go." She grabbed Angéle roughly, and they disappeared in a whirl of ice. Angéle gasped as they landed on the snow, falling unceremoniously to the ground as she stared at what was in front of her.
She was in front of a castle made entirely of ice. I've never seen that before… It was just as magnificent as the Rêvian Castle, in its own horrifying way. Oh Mierve…
"This is your new home," Queen Isolde said. "And this is where you shall remain for the rest of your days."
And Angéle believed her. With a heavy heart, she was shown to her room, where the harp was installed, and sat down there, wondering what was to become of her and her quest for Dreamix.
And now she stood in front of her bereaved father, her heart breaking as she poured out the story to him. She stared beseechingly into his eyes.
"I didn't want to leave you," she cried out. "I love you, Father. Please, don't harbor any resentment towards me."
"How can I not?" her father said, and his tone wasn't angry anymore – it just sounded tired and dead. "You disobeyed me – I told you to stay put in that house. And yet, you went out to see that mad Prophetess behind my back, without me knowing. Yes, I know about that," he added at Angéle's stunned expression. "I know all about that. And I also know about how you embarked on that mad quest for Dreamix, the one that only fools think they can surmount!" He let out a long, bitter laugh.
Angéle stared down at him. He knows… She whispered, her voice barely an echo. "Father, look at me."
"What?" her father laughed coldly, refusing to look at her. "Why should I look at you?"
"No, just look at me."
Her father stared up, confused. "What?" he asked, and then he gasped, as if seeing her for the first time.
Angéle closed her eyes. I've got to make this work… Pushing into the barrier, she focused all of her Dreamix energy, willing herself to appear right in front of her father. Please let this work… The barrier disappeared, and she felt herself dissolving into the pool. She appeared in front of her father, staring up at their surroundings.
They were in a field of meadows. It was a land of white clouds, dotted with flowers of all the colors Angéle could ever have dreamed of. This was Mother's favorite place in the entire world. She knew instantly, without a doubt, why her father was dreaming of this place.
They had taken her here several times, first as a little girl, and last on her tenth birthday. The week before her mother had died. She could remember it so vividly, the last time they'd been here, their last moments as a family together…
And now she gazed down at her father, who was staring at her, an entirely different light in his eyes.
"Angéle"… He stared at her. "You – you have your Dreamix."
Angéle gazed down at herself. The scared little girl she'd once been was gone, replaced by a mature, young woman who was ready to face any and all problems that came her way. I'm ready to tell him what's going on… She walked up to her father.
"I pushed through the task," she whispered. "I got my Dreamix, which is the reason why I'm even able to communicate with you like this. You'll see, Father. Everything will be all right."
For a moment, he stared at her, unable to speak. But then his gaze hardened, and then he said, "That doesn't make what you did okay."
"I know it doesn't," Angéle murmured. "But" –
"I never wanted you to live anything other than a normal life," her father interrupted. "But from the moment you were born, we knew you were special and that you'd change the world. In hindsight, I should've known something like this would've happened – the hottest flame burns out the quickest, but also the strongest. I never wanted you to go this way, lying and going out behind my back!" His eyes flashed.
"I did what I had to do," Angéle whispered. "When I went out with Prophetess Desirée to continue my studies as a priestess, it wasn't because I wanted to spite you – it was because I loved you. Just look at who we are, and what we've become! We're so broken inside, so defeated and stone-cold. Mother would never have wanted this."
"Don't you dare use your mother's name like that," her father said coldly. "You don't know a thing about what she wanted."
"No, I do," Angéle insisted. "Father, you've become so bitter inside. You have so much pain inside of you – pain at losing her, losing me, and losing everything in your life. But Mother – she was a beacon of joy and happiness." She paused, staring at him.
When her father didn't speak, she moved on. "She may be gone, but the happiness she instilled in us is here to stay. Father, look at me." She took his hands. "When I lied to you and went behind your back, it was because I wanted to learn how to make things better for us. In hindsight, I should've talked with you about Mother instead of keeping her behind closed walls. But now I know that keeping things behind closed walls never helps. It only hinders relationships. And so we can't keep living like this, Father. We can't keep hurting each other – we have to move on."
"How have you done it?" her father whispered, and Angéle saw who he truly was – the broken remnant of his former self. "How have you moved on?"
"Well – I met a girl," she admitted. "Her name is Aria. Father, I wish you could meet her someday – she makes me feel so whole and complete and happy with myself. She helped me pull out of this dead rut, this broken depression that has taken over our lives. It's because of her that I got my Dreamix." She saw her father's eyes stir. "And I'm never going to let fear take me over again! I can't keep doing this to myself, or letting you do this to you. I'm going to pull us out of this pain, and we're going to stop moping and move on with our lives! I may not be with you physically, Father, but I will always be with you in spirit. And for whatever it's worth… I love you." She placed her hands on his shoulders.
Father was silent, watching her slowly. For a moment, Angéle saw his brown eyes flicker. And then, for the first time in five years, a small smile stretched across his face.
"You've grown up to be just like your mother, Angéle"… He laughed, holding her tightly in the hug he'd held her in when she was a little girl. "Since when did you become so much stronger than me?"
And just like that, Angéle knew her father was back. The pain had lifted, and he was now there, solid and whole against her chest. She held him tightly, willing herself to never let go.
But the moment soon diminished. Her father drew back, and for the first time, Angéle could make out the fear in his eyes.
"I do not have much longer to live," he said gravelly. "Angéle, I am dying. You know that, don't you?"
"What" – Angéle stared at him. What is he talking about? "No, you can't go, Father, you can't leave me here!"
"I'm afraid this is goodbye," her father whispered. "I can feel my spirit slipping away, taking me to the Otherworld. I shall rejoin your mother in the heavens, and we shall watch down on you forever, my child."
"What?" Angéle cried. "No!" But he was right. She could feel the world around her blurring, fading darker and darker; only her father remained in this ancient childhood expanse.
"I am sorry," her father said heavily. "It is like you said; I may not be with you physically, but I will always be with you in spirit. You'll see." He released her, closing his eyes. "And I forgive you."
"No!" Angéle cried.
A blinding flash of light burst over her eyes. She screamed as she was ejected from the dream, landing unceremoniously out of the pool. She ran up to the pool, trying to penetrate through its surface, but there was nothing.
"Father!" she screamed. "FATHER!" But there was no voice.
She lay there, sobbing and crying. He's gone… She collapsed next to the waters.
My last surviving family member… all gone…
"Your Iciness, we have another problem!"
It seemed that Isolde had only just resumed reading over her books when the insufferable general stormed in again, followed by the Commander of Aviation and Commander of the Navy: General Sven and General Linnea. Isolde threw down her book and glared at her generals, crying, "What is the meaning of this?"
"The people are rioting," Tyr said urgently. "All over, they have united to fight against our forces!"
"So?" Isolde gritted her teeth. "What is the problem? Why can you not send our forces?"
"They are breaking the Gate of Glacia!" Linnea cried out. "All of Nunangat has joined those protesters! Everywhere, it is going down!"
A storm brewed in Isolde's heart, and ice filled her veins, covering her in fury. No! She cried out in rage, nearly forgetting herself in front of her generals. Not my Gate! Not the one I labored so long to create! The generals jumped back in alarm.
"How is this possible?" she snarled. "What happened to our police force, to law and order? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU?" She slammed her fist against the table, freezing its wooden surface.
"Your Iciness, the situation is dire!" Sven cried out, his face aghast. "My aerial forces have spotted spaceships hurtling through the gap in the Gate. It is going to land!"
Shock ran through the ice queen. No… Her worst fears were coming true, fears she had harbored ever since the UR had sent the order to have her arrested. She slapped Sven across the face, and he cried out in pain, ice shooting through his cheeks.
"Don't just stand there!" she snarled. "Show them the full force of our military! Send your forces to shoot them from the air. You" – she pointed to Linnea – "go and quell the disturbance at Nootaikok. You and Tyr shall work together."
"What about the airships?" Linnea asked urgently, her eyes flashing.
"I'll take care of them," Isolde snapped.
"But there'll be no military left to protect you, Your Iciness," Sven pointed out. "How will you" –
"ARE YOU QUESTIONING MY ORDERS?" Isolde shouted. "YOU FOOLISH PEASANTS! I AM THIS CLOSE TO ENCASING YOU IN ICE" –
She never got to finish her sentence; the three generals scattered. Growling, Isolde focused her crystal ball on the spaceships, the one that was flying over Nanurjuk Glacier. She growled.
The spaceships were approaching the troposphere; it would only be a matter of time before they landed. Such a big fleet, indeed, she thought sarcastically, glaring at it. There were hardly a hundred ships landing, a far cry from the thousands of ships she had at her disposal. The way Sven was acting, one would think this was a full UR invasion. She smiled.
"I am the coldest woman in the Magical Dimension," she said aloud. "The power of Freezix thrives within my body, the power of ice and snow. I have spent decades learning the secrets of winter; sixty-three years ago to this date, I earned this power. And what is frozen shall forever remain frozen, throughout all of time." She focused her powers. "Ice-storm, strike fear in the hearts of those who dare to invade!"
Through the crystal ball, she saw a blizzard forming, growing over the spaceships. Isolde let out a maniacal laugh.
"Kill them!" she snarled. "Kill those who dare invade, and freeze them until they are nothing but ice!"
Wind began to batter the ship, knocking it down. Laughing, Isolde watched as the ship struggled, unable to stand the chill of the night.
There we go, she thought. Nothing will end my reign. Nothing shall stop me from controlling the realms. She glared down into the crystal ball.
Invaders, your fate is now set in ice.
"Something's happening!" Daewon shouted.
Maire screamed as the ship began to shake. Natura, no… The wind battered them relentlessly, the chill penetrating through the walls.
"Those clouds aren't natural!" Arishtat shouted. "Someone is creating them, inflicting them upon us! They are going to freeze us, and make us crash to our death!"
And so they were. The spaceship shook even harder, gravity exerting its toll as it fell.
"Do not panic," Saraswati's voice rang from the headset. "Panic is our enemy right now. We must stay calm and find a solution" –
"I can think of one right now!" Maire snarled. "I'm going out right now and giving this chill a burst of fire!"
"Maire, no!" Darius grabbed her hand. "Priestess Saraswati's right. That'll do nothing other than freeze you to death!"
"If we stay here, we'll freeze to death!" Maire pointed out. The chill was now unbearable, and Daewon was shaking in his seat. "My chances are just as good out there as here. And I'm going for it!"
"But that wind is too strong!" Darius protested. "You'll be blown to shreds!"
"My Enchantix wings can handle it," she said boldly. "Besides, I am the fairy of elements, which includes wind as well as fire! If any wind comes my way, I'll beat it down!"
"She speaks sense," Arishtat spoke up. "There's not much I can do from my end. I think she has to go."
Darius narrowed his eyes. At last, he gave in.
"Go," he said. "Be careful, Maire. I don't want anything to happen to you." He gave her hand a quick squeeze, and then she was off.
She headed down to the lower compartment, watching as it opened. Gasping at the cold, she transformed and flew down into the sky.
It was worse than anything in the ship. Even a heating spell would take all of her energy, and she didn't have time to use all of her energy. I have to harness the wind… She focused on her powers, making the wind lift her into the air.
The wind carried her down, following the spaceship. It took all of her energy to control the wind, and she grimaced, crying out. I have to use the wind! I have to make it stop the ship from falling!
But there was barely anything she could do. The cold was draining her energy fast, and she was losing traction. She gasped as her wings gave way, and she was pulled in by the wind.
"Maire!"
She cried out, icy pain overcoming her. I have to fight this… She fluttered her wings hopelessly, focusing on the blizzard winds that were so intent on slipping out of her control.
I'm not giving up without a fight…
Aria walked through the sea of bubbles, gazing uneasily. I have to find my bubble… She stared around, trying to find the one that was hers. She stopped as soon as she saw the one that sang out to her the most.
It was a sunrise-pink bubble. It was deep and expanded, the largest thing she had ever seen. Hesitantly, Aria lifted a finger to it, staring. For a moment, Angéle's words came to her, and she shivered.
What if you find something you don't want to know?
But she needed to know. She had to know what had happened in all of those training-sessions. For she suspected something deep and foul, something darker than her mission in life. I have to know… She thrust her head into the bubble.
For a moment, she stood stupidly, trying to figure out what was going on. And then she heard voices. The world became dark, and she heard a woman's voice, cold and raspy and dark.
"You do not want to know the truth."
"What?" Aria gasped, staring at the dark expanse ahead of her. "What do you mean?"
"You are a fool," the voice cackled. "You wish to know the truth, when anyhow you will refuse to change. In that regard, you are a coward."
"I need to know," Aria said, her voice shaking. "I need to know!"
"So be it," the woman answered. There was a silence, and then the scene changed before Aria's eyes.
She was in Solaria, seeing everything through her past eyes. Her magical energy was powerful, soaring through her veins and making her feel alive. That's some crazy negative energy in me… Wearing her Winx outfit, she zoomed towards her parents' house, holding an axe in her hands. She slammed it down, sending ripples into the sky.
"Mamma, Papà, at last you show yourselves!" she cried. "Come out into the open, and I'll spare the rest of these nobodies from harm."
Her voice sounded louder than she'd ever heard it, fiercer and with more power. What's going on… why am I doing this?
"Don't do it!" yelled a girl in an olive-green Winx outfit – Maire. Her mother bowed her head.
"We made you into this," she said, bowing her head, "and we accept our fate. Come on, Luigi, let us take our penance."
It had been years since she'd seen her parents. They had greying hair and downcast eyes, their faces broken and distraught at what had happened. Why are they so pained… I thought they didn't care about me! The present Aria, the one outside of the vision, tried to coax her mind into stopping this mindless rampage, this pain and this horror.
The past Aria hurled a fatal blow at her parents.
But Darius leapt in front, dealing out his shield. Molten liquid oozed over his arm. With a roar of fury, Past Aria shook her axe. Present Aria watched in horror as houses were burned to the ground, not least of all the Cacciatore house.
The Past Aria let out a laugh, a high-pitched cackle that didn't sound like hers at all. What's going on with me? She frantically tried to move her body, but Past Aria was set on her destructive course. Nothing would change her, or make her give up her revenge –
"Aria," Maire cried, "this isn't you. Someone else is controlling you. Don't do this! Just because you're mad doesn't mean you" –
"Move out of the way!" a voice yelled. A fairy in a Sirenix outfit, none other than Princess Stella, the guardian fairy of Solaria, was flying towards Aria, with hundreds of police cruisers behind her. She shot a beam of sunlight straight at her.
But it only made Past Aria angrier. She deflected the blow, turning it on the princess. The fairy fell, shot out of the air, and her crew of policemen shouted in alarm.
Past Aria let out a cruel laugh, turning towards her parents. Present Aria stared down at her parents, wondering how they felt. I bet they hate me – they've hated me all along, haven't they…
But Papà lifted his head, eyes filled with tears and nothing but sorrow. "I know this isn't you, Aria," he whispered. "I – I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Then he collapsed into sobs.
Past Aria lifted her axe again, sending out more bolts. A ripple shot from her, across the entire city. She felt powerful, indestructible, as if nothing would ever get her. No, no, no… Present Aria thought in horror, feeling her past self as it shot a bolt at the roof of the Cacciatore house.
The roof detached from its base, swirling over them. It levitated over her parents, slowly and methodically. Then the purple aura around the roof disappeared, and it began to fall.
Present Aria watched in horror as the roof fell down into the lawn, hitting her parents square in the head as they fell to the ground –
"No!" she cried. All she could hear was Past Aria's cold laugh, cruel and evil. I've got to get out of here… She pulled herself out of the vision, her heart racing as she fell to the ground, her butt slamming on the grass.
I did that, she thought. I – I attacked my parents! She cried out again, lowering her head as she stared down at the ground.
I can't believe it. She felt a few tears leak from her eyes, and brushed them away. Crying wasn't going to do any good – not when she'd crushed the people who'd brought her into the world. Mamma, Papà… She let out a shuddering sigh.
"FATHER!"
Aria jumped up. The voice was coming from outside the grove, she knew – it could only belong to one person. Angéle! She's in trouble!
She didn't even think. Whirling around, she flew into the air, bursting past trees as she made it into the mist-swirled grove. She saw Angéle lying next to the pool, crying her heart out as she lay on the ground.
"Angéle," she whispered. "I'm here"… She stared at her girlfriend's distraught face. Angéle stared at her, her eyes filled with pain.
"My father's dead," she blurted out. "And it's all my fault." She began to sob again.
"Angéle"… Aria stared at her, at a loss for words. "I'm so sorry." She moved towards her girlfriend, but Angéle pulled away.
"Listen to me!" she cried. "He's gone and he's never coming back! Please, Father, I'm sorry. Don't hurt me like this"… She pounded her fists against the grass.
Aria moved closer to Angéle, grabbing her by the shoulders. "We're going back," she said. "We can talk later." Holding Angéle in her arms, she pulled her into the air and towards the east.
Her parents are both gone… just like mine… A wave of grief ran over her, and she bowed her head, feeling guilt and misery come over her.
But I can't feel sorry for myself – now's not the time. Angéle needs me more. She flew towards the east, her eyes determined.
Let me do one thing right in this life…
Gabriel stood with Doctor Liya, her face grave as she opened the door, letting him into Franc's room. She let out a sigh.
"Franc is dying," she said gravelly. "He hasn't been able to push through. Your Majesty, this is the end."
No… Gabriel stared at his old friend, at a loss for words. At last he said, "What can I do?"
"Nothing," Liya responded. "There is nothing you can do, Your Majesty. He has given up on life."
"Then let me stay with him," Gabriel declared. "I will stay with my friend in his final moments."
Liya nodded. "As you wish, Your Majesty." She sat down in the chair across from Franc, watching him as he lay there struggling, his eyes closed.
Gabriel sat across from Franc, staring down at him. He was shaking uncontrollably, and his breath was coming out in haggard, rasping sobs. Gabriel placed his hand on Franc's breathless chest.
I wish there was some way to comfort you, he thought, a tear trickling down his cheek. Wish there was some way for you to find peace.
Gabriel had never married. He had taken a vow of celibacy at age fifty-three, swearing that he would put his kingdom above all else. The throne was to pass to his nephew, Prince Louis, after his death. Sure, he'd had friends, but the Kingdom of Rêve had been his only pride and joy.
But if he could have one wish, one that didn't correspond to state affairs, it would be for Franc to pass peacefully out of life. After all, he had seen his wife's suffering, and the way her pain had torn Franc's family apart. It had to end. This whole family saga has to end… He closed his eyes.
And then a bright glow began to fill Franc's body. Startled, Gabriel opened his eyes. He stared at the pink glow that lit over Gabriel, encompassing him from head to toe.
"What"… Doctor Liya was on her feet, staring down. "How is this happening?"
"This can only come from the Land of Dreams," Gabriel said. He stared down at Franc, the way his chest soothed itself, the way pain seeped out of his soul.
The body began to lift itself into the air. Gabriel and Liya stared in astonishment, watching the colors of the heavens descending upon it, bright and beautiful. Mierve… He was at a complete loss for words.
And as his body settled back down onto the mattress, Gabriel knew Franc had forgiven himself, just the same way he forgave Gabriel for that fight all those years ago. He is at peace now… He watched Gabriel let out his final breath, echoing across the walls and into the sky.
Then he was no more.
"No!" Darius cried. "No!"
His girlfriend had been sucked up by the winds, and he could only watch helplessly as the storm beat on. There was Maire disappearing in a whirl, never to be seen again.
"You can't do anything, Darius!" Arishtat cried. "Please, help me steer this ship!"
"I can't!" Darius shouted out. "She's gone!"
"Control yourself, young man," Saraswati said from the headset. "How do you, as our commander-in-chief, think you will be able to help us, if you let grief and panic take over?"
Priestess or not, if Saraswati had been there, Darius would've punched her on the nose. "That was my girlfriend!" he snarled. "And we're not going to be able to manage without her! She knew all of the elements better than anyone; she's the only one who can activate the Elements spell"…
Winds battered the ship, knocking the breath out of his mouth. He watched hopelessly as the ship flipped around, turning upside-down.
Then it began to fall.
Darius screamed at the feeling of free-fall, the pure, unadulterated horror of it all. With the force of gravity beating upon his head, he felt nausea build up inside of him, as if his head was being banged into a wall. No! He could hear the others screaming as well.
We're never going to make it, he thought. We're going to die, right now and here. We'll hit the ice right now. He closed his eyes. Maire, Sharzad, and Aria, I'm so sorry.
And, quite suddenly, the ship halted. It was hovering in the air, a bubble winding around it. Confused, Darius stared out the window from his upside-down position. He gasped.
Maire was flying in front of them, waving. The wind was pulling her, and he watched as she righted the ship, sending the wind to turn it back to its normal position. Darius stared in shock as she lit a flame in her hands, sending heat everywhere she could.
With that, everything happened in slow motion. Warmth returned back to the ship, and Darius felt his fingers melting, numbness ceasing. Daewon leaned over and retched, gasping at the sudden calmness falling over him.
"That was quite some ride," he muttered, and then he passed out.
Thank Tistyra! Darius thought, overcome with gratitude. She saved us! Maire blew a kiss at him and flew down towards the ground, smiling.
Darius looked up. Maire had created bubbles around the other ships as well, but he could tell they weren't too strong; they were soon going to fall. Arishtat grabbed the wheel, shouting. "Darius, we have more problems!"
Darius stared down. Cadets were firing up into the air, narrowly avoiding the ship. Sorry, but they're going down. Aiming the cannons, he sent Fulgurian electricity at them.
He could see Maire flying towards them, shooting wind to whip them, fire to beat them. The soldiers collapsed, their spears falling to the ground.
And now the plains were appearing closer. Darius saw tribal people lining up, working together to batter the Gate of Glacia. They're making it come down… He watched as Arishtat steered the ship, turning towards an empty patch of land.
"Prepare for landing!" he shouted.
They shouted out as the spaceship hit the snow, soaring over the bumpy ground and creating slush in its wake. Eventually it cruised to a rolling taxi, and then a full stop.
Darius ran out, ignoring the chill as he ran into the snow. He gazed at Maire, running to hug her, but Maire smiled and shook her head.
"Don't hug me," she said, pointing behind him. "Hug her."
Darius turned around. The breath was knocked out of his ribs as he turned around, seeing his sister with new eyes.
She had grown up so much. She was wearing a flowing silver dress, one that reached her knees, the same attire of the huntresses of the old days. Her gleaming armor vest and her flowing hair made her look like a warrior princess, born and bred for battle. A shining silver spear was in her hands, shaped like lightning. Her red wings, contrasting beautifully against her silver dress, fluttered quickly as she landed on the ground, smiling at him.
He ran forward. Grabbing Sharzad in a bear hug, they stayed like that for minutes, refusing to let go of each other.
"I'm so glad you came," Sharzad whispered, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Me too, sis," Darius whispered. "I thought for sure you were dead." He stared down at her.
"But you're here," Sharzad said, smiling. "You're here to help us liberate the people of Nunangat, saving them from the tyranny of Isolde." She pointed to the thousands of people fighting against Glacian soldiers and breaking the wall down. "And next, we'll go to the heart of Glacia, and bring Queen Isolde to justice for once and for all!"
"We will," agreed Darius. "We'll make sure these people's sacrifices were not in vain." He gazed over at the planet of Glacia.
And then, we'll bring Aria back home. Determination rose in him, and he knew that he, as the prince of Fulgur, was unstoppable. Isolde will fall, just as surely as the Gate. He gazed up at the shreds of what had once been the Gate, ice falling to the ground, and up into space, where, far beyond, lay the UR.
And now, what belongs together shall grow together once more.
Angéle sat on the mound, her sobs racking the air as she leaned against the tree. Aria sat next to her worriedly, brushing her hair out of her face.
"Please, Angéle, don't do this to yourself," she begged. "Tell me what it is. Whatever it is, I'm here for you."
Angéle sobbed even harder. "I don't think you'll still be here for me after you've found out what it is I've done."
"Really?" Aria asked, her eyes narrowed. "Are you serious, Angéle? Have you already forgotten what I've done? I'm a murderess – and yet, you still stand by my side!" She let out a sigh. "And apparently, I've done even worse now."
Angéle's tears subsided. Oh right, she went to the Land of Lost Memories… Now she remembered. Staring up at Aria, she asked, "What happened?"
Aria looked away. "I don't think you want to know."
"Whatever it is, I'm here for you," Angéle repeated, taking her hand.
Aria shuddered. For a moment, Angéle thought she was going to pull her hand away, but she didn't; instead, she held it tight. "All right then." She took in a deep breath. "Angéle, I killed my parents."
Angéle stared at Aria, at a loss for words. "You did what?"
"Well, I don't know if they're actually dead," Aria whispered. "But I collapsed their house over their head. This was during one of Isolde's 'training' sessions. Angéle, you were right. I should never have checked there to see my fate."
Angéle's head was spinning. Oh, Mierve… She stared up into her girlfriend's eyes, eyes that were filled with pain and guilt.
"Why?" she whispered. "Why do we do any of this?"
"Why what?" asked Aria.
"I mean, why do we hurt the people we love?" Angéle cried, her voice rising. "I hurt my father, by leaving him and coming to Glacia! And I hurt him by undertaking the Dreamix Quest, one which he'd expressly forbidden me from undertaking! Why do I always do this to everyone?" She let out a piercing wail.
No matter what she did, she hurt everyone she loved. First her mother, who had died because she couldn't save her. Then her father, who had spent his life torn with grief, right up to his very death. She lowered her head, closing her eyes.
Then she felt Aria's voice ring above her, gentle and pure.
"Angéle," she said, "that's not true. Your mother made her own choices – so did your father, for that matter. You never did anything wrong, not even the slightest bit."
"But I went against him," Angéle sobbed. "I hurt him."
"I know," Aria whispered. "But we can't keep living our lives trying to avoid causing anyone pain – we'll only pain ourselves in the process. Angéle, I may not have known you your entire life, but I have seen the past two weeks of it. You're so much more whole now than you ever were without your Dreamix. You need Dreamix, Angéle. It completes you. You did it because it was best for you."
"But that's so selfish," Angéle sobbed.
Aria glared down at her, her blue eyes blazing. In fright, Angéle backed down.
"Well, if it was selfish, you had every right to do that! Because I know if you hadn't have done something at that moment, it would've killed you! Angéle, answer this question: when was the last time you ever chose something without worrying about someone else? When was the last time you were – to use your word – selfish?"
Angéle closed her eyes, completely stumped. The words had a completely foreign meaning to her, and left her absolutely bewildered. The last time I was selfish… Suddenly, she came up with an answer. Opening her eyes, she gazed at Aria.
"The day after I met you," she said, "I wanted to be friends with you so badly, Aria. Even back then, I had this feeling for you. Like we were meant to be together. And, well, I decided to spend more time with you. I wasn't really thinking about your feelings, per se, I was thinking only about mine."
"That's what you call being selfish?" asked Aria, in a strange tone.
"Yes," said Angéle in surprise. I never had any friends before you… How can such a desire not be selfish?
To her amazement, tears were appearing in Aria's eyes. Angéle placed her hands on her shoulders, whispering, "Why are you crying?"
"Why aren't you?" Aria sobbed, pushing Angéle's hands off of her shoulders. "Angéle, if I'm the most selfish person in this universe, then you are the most selfless person the Magical Dimension has ever seen, a thousand times over. How fate brought us together, I'll never know! And yet, we're so meant to be together… you and I"… Her tears subsided, and she gazed at Angéle.
"I'll make a deal with you," she whispered. "I am going to do something selfless. Right now." She lifted her head to the sky, her eyes determined and fierce. "From here onwards, I hereby renounce all plans of revenge."
It seemed as if the world had stopped spinning. Angéle stared at Aria, amazed and shocked. "What?"
"I said, I renounce all revenge," Aria repeated. "I've seen what bitterness and hatred does. It's never done me any good – not one bit! It's the worst feeling in the world, Angéle." Her eyes seemed wider than the moon. "I won't let it control me any longer. No matter what, it will not take me over."
"But Aria"… Angéle stared at her. "What about Isolde?"
"What about her?" For a moment, a flicker of Aria's old haughty self had returned, and she lifted her head. "I'll deal with her. I'm never going to let anyone get in the way of the two of us, least of all a twisted queen like Isolde. Angéle, I've lost my friends, my parents, my self-respect, and probably my job, too. You're all I have left."
You're all I have left, too, Angéle realized. For now that she'd lost both of her parents, and had no hope of getting back home, she truly had no one – no one except Aria. I'd give up this whole world for her… She gazed into Aria's eyes.
"I'm going to do something selfish, too," she whispered. "Aria, I forgive myself for what happened to Father. For – it wasn't me who caused his pain; he'd already died in spirit, the moment my mother passed on. They were two halves of a whole, the same way you and I are. And we will stay together." She lay down on the mound.
She could feel something release inside of her, something heavy and burdensome. The weight she'd been carrying for five years now disappeared, never to bother her again. I'm free… Aria lay down next to her, closing her eyes.
And that all they needed to say. Angéle collapsed on the mound, tired yet relieved. She soon drifted off to sleep in Aria's arms, with nothing but peace in her mind.
The Gate has come down! DARIUS AND SHARZAD HAVE BEEN REUNITED! Aria has made some promises – what do you think about them?
And yes, part of this chapter was inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall. I made several references to it – can anyone point them out?
Next chapter:
- The full moon approaches rapidly.
- Sedna, Darius, and the chieftains plan their attack.
- Stormy and Darcy are discovered in their hideout.
Can't wait until next time!