Disclaimer: I do not own the "Avalon: Web of Magic/Quest for Magic" series or the song "Spellbound", they belong to Rachel Roberts and Lacuna Coil respectively.
So, this story is going to be 15 chapters instead of 20. Because I said so.
Oh, and check out the song in this chapter, it's Lacuna Coil's first single off their new album Shallow Life,and it's really addicting. Great song.
Burning here, in the room
Feeling that the walls are moving closer
Silent scene, the dark takes me
Leads me to the ending of another day
I'm haunted
Emily held her breath, biting her bottom lip to keep from whimpering with anxiety. Dreamer had finally gotten the window open as far as he could (not having opposable thumbs made some things difficult), and the rest of the group was now at the ground level window, going through one at a time. Ozzie and Adriane were already in, keeping guard at the dining room's door, making sure that no one noticed the rest of them. Lyra jumped through the tiny space with relative ease, and then Kara smiled at the Healer and followed her bonded. Emily waited until the Blazing Star landed on the other side of the window with a muffled "oof", and then swung her leg over the windowsill and climbed in after her blonde friend.
Tell me who you are
I am spellbound
You cannot have this control on me
Everywhere I go
I am spellbound
I will break the spell you put on me
The emotions hit her like a wave as soon as she crossed over into the mansion.
She grabbed onto the windowsill again to keep from falling over. Her eyes began to lose focus and cloud over with black. She dropped to her knees, holding her had in her hands. Kara rushed over, placing a hand on her friend's back. Ozzie weaved worriedly around her.
"Em? Are you alright?" Kara asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Adriane shot them all a furtive glance, but quickly turned back to watching the door.
"I'm fine," Emily said, her eyes still tightly squeezed shut. Images flashed in front of her eyes faster than the blink of an eye. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and her vision came back.
Velvet drapes, glowing candles
Silent whispers of words inside of my head
The night that comes, it waits for me
Lift me to the ending of another day
I'm haunted
"Come on," Kara said, holding out her hand. Emily grabbed it, and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. "Let's find Ruin." She nodded to Adriane, who took Dreamer and darted out of the door, making sure that they still had the advantage of surprise. Lyra, Kara, Emily, and Ozzie followed the Warrior and her wolf out into the corridor. The group stealthily snuck through the mansion, Dreamer in the lead, given his gift for magic tracking. Emily vaguely remembered some rooms and hallways from her visions, but it felt like deja vu. They passed the large parlor room, and the Healer signaled for them to stop. The group looked at her questioningly, waiting for her to speak.
Tell me who you are
I am spellbound
You cannot have this control on me
Everywhere I go
I am spellbound
I will break the spell you put on me
The redhead tapped her healing stone. "I know where we are," Emily said telepathically. Her friends glanced at one another, but allowed her to continue. "Ruin's sorcery room is just ahead of here. Lyra, I know you know what I'm talking about."
The leopard nodded. "We should ambush him while we still--"
The big cat was cut off, however, by a loud stomping coming down the corridor. The group scattered into the parlor, but that room was mostly open. They were exposed and unprepared to fight, with Ruin coming into the room in a matter of seconds. Adriane and Kara drew their magic to the surface of their jewels, knowing that they would not go quietly. A black boot crossed the threshold from the hallway into the parlor, and the room exploded with light.
(Break the spell)
Ruin fought back with his own green-silver magic, protecting himself with a shield of the magic. When the Warrior and Blazing Star's attack faded, he stepped away from the smoking remains of an old chair and laughed. It was an unpleasant sound, filled with gloating and condescending.
"Really, girls?" He asked. Out of nowhere, five orc guards filed into the room and began to restrain the girls and the animals. Emily shrank back, wishing once again she could attack her magic. An orc had cornered her, and finally grabbed a handful of her curly hair in his giant fist. His other hand reached for her wrist, covering her gem. She saw a flash of gold magic out of the corner of her eye, and strained her neck just enough to see another orc twist Adriane's arms behind her back and let her body hang limply. With the way the orc had trapped her, Emily couldn't turn her head to her right and see Kara or Dreamer. Lyra,who was in front of her, managed to hold off her opponent for an admirable amount of time, snarling and snapping with her razor-sharp fangs.
Tell me who you are
I am spellbound
You cannot have this control on me
Everywhere I go
I am spellbound
I will break the spell you put on me
"Emily, dear," Ruin strode across the room towards the mage. He signaled to the orc to drop her. "I've been waiting for you. Take them away," The sorcerer told the other orcs, one of whom, Emily noticed, was holding both Kara and Ozzie.
"Come. Walk with me," Ruin motioned for Emily to follow him. She cast an uncertain look in the remaining orc's direction, and decided it would be better to follow him than risk being attacked by the huge creature. The redhaired mage walked beside the sorcerer in silence, save for the squeaking of her old, beat-up grey and white sneakers on the magnificent, expensive tile floor. She couldn't help but think that was at least a little bit funny.
(Everywhere I go)
I am spellbound
(Everywhere I go)
I am spellbound
(Everywhere I go)
I am spellbound
I will break the spell you put on me