A/N: Thank you Heart Of The Demons for the review. Always a pleasure to hear from you. I'm glad that you liked the way I handled the romantic subplot, because, as I said, it is not my strong suit.
One of the reasons why I changed Martin's character was because, even though he was a creep, the show treated him as if he was just an awkward nerd in love, even portraying Irma as mean when she finally gives him a piece of her mind later on in the series. So, I made him an awkward nerd in love. This is actually one of the reasons why I started this fanfic, to make the best possible version of W.I.T.C.H.
Chapter VIII: Ambush At Torus Filney
Phobos, the tyrant of Meridian, had ordered his guards to transport a carriage full of food to the castle. The carriage was heavily guarded by Phobos's soldiers, who were both on foot and riding on the back of fierce war rhinos. The carriage was filled with provisions that were meant to feed the tyrant and his army for weeks to come.
The guards were dressed in their signature armor, which were two spiky shoulder pads, and dark blue loin cloths. Their faces were obscured by menacing-looking helmets. The war rhinos, which were native to Meridian, had armored plates covering their backs and large tusks protruding from their mouths. The carriage itself was made of sturdy wood and had several crates and barrels piled on top of it, containing a variety of provisions.
The villagers whispered in fear of what would happen if the food didn't reach the castle. Phobos was a cruel and tyrannical ruler, and his subjects lived in constant fear of his wrath. As the carriage rumbled along the rocky road, the guards kept a close eye out for any signs of danger. They knew that rebels often lurked in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. But the guards were determined to protect their cargo and ensure that it reached the castle safely, no matter the cost.
Aldarn, one of the most daring and skillful rebels in the land, had been watching Phobos' guards from the rooftop of a nearby building. As he stood in the shadows, his heart racing with adrenaline, he knew that this was his chance to strike. He waited until the guards were right beneath him before he made his move.
With a mighty leap, Aldarn launched himself from the rooftop and landed gracefully in front of the startled guards, his eyes blazing with an intense fire. "Down with Phobos and with tyranny!" he shouted with conviction.
Before the guards could react, Aldarn had already taken off running, weaving in and out of alleyways and darting past startled onlookers. The guards were hot on his heels, but he had a plan. He turned a sudden right and was met by two other members of the rebellion, both of whom were holding a massive pane of glass.
"You sure that's your thickest glass?" Aldarn asked. The rebels nodded, knowing exactly what to do. They positioned the glass in front of the exit and braced themselves for impact.
Moments later, the guards came charging down the alleyway on their powerful war rhinos. But just as they reached the glass, the rhinos came to a sudden stop, throwing the guards off their backs and crashing into the pane with a resounding thud.
Aldarn took control of the carriage and went to the landfill at the entrance of the Infinite City, feeling a sense of relief that they had managed to outwit Phobos' guards. As he walked towards the group of rebels waiting for him, he spotted Caleb among them. The two of them exchanged a nod of recognition, and Aldarn pulled him aside to speak privately.
"Good to see you again, Caleb," Aldarn said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We managed to make it here without any trouble."
Caleb's face broke into a wide grin. "That's fantastic news, Aldarn! You've done a great job leading this operation. The Rebellion owes you a debt of gratitude."
Aldarn shrugged modestly. "It's nothing, really. We just had to be smarter than Phobos' guards, that's all."
Caleb chuckled. "I'm sure it wasn't as easy as you make it sound. But anyway, let's not forget to thank Vathek for his invaluable contributions."
Aldarn's expression turned serious. "He's taking a big risk, spying on Phobos from within the castle walls."
Caleb agreed. "When all of this is over, he'll be rewarded for his bravery and loyalty to the Rebellion, even in the face of certain death. Now let's get the food to the people."
Aldarn and Caleb entered the Infinite City, the ancient underground headquarters of the Rebellion. As they walked through the massive hallway of pillars, Caleb's photographic memory allowed him to navigate with ease. He stopped in front of a particular pillar, examining it closely before pressing it in a special place. With a creaking sound, a hidden trapdoor opened beneath them, revealing a narrow stairway that descended deep into the earth.
As they descended the stairs, the faint glow of torches illuminated their path. At the end of the stairway, they emerged into a vast underground chamber, bustling with activity. Rebel fighters moved around, some tending to wounded comrades, while others sharpened their weapons or practiced fighting techniques. The air was filled with the sounds of clanging metal and murmured conversations.
Caleb was immediately greeted with cheers. "Food for everyone!" he called out, his voice echoing across the chamber. The rebels rushed forward, grabbing plates and filling them with hearty portions of bread, cheese, fish and various fruits.
"This was one victory," said Caleb. "We need many more to turn the tide against our oppressor. Eat well tonight!"
Aldarn requested a private word with Caleb. "Do you have any more of that, um, chocolate from Earth? You know, for the little ones."
"No," said Caleb. "But I can get some more. It shouldn't take more than an hour. Where's Blunk?"
"You mean the passling? He's right over there." Aldarn pointed towards a small figure crouched in a corner, seemingly lost in thought. "Gotta say, Caleb, I never saw you as the type to trust a smuggler."
"I don't," Caleb replied sternly, his gaze fixed on Blunk. "But I need him to find portals. He's not a threat right now, but that doesn't mean that I'll let my guard down. Passlings are selfish creatures, they'll betray anyone if it's in their interest." With that, he walked over to Blunk and crouched down to his level. "Listen, I need you to find me a portal," he said, his eyes boring into the passling's.
"No problem," Blunk replied cheerily. "Follow Blunk!" With that, he scampered off, Caleb hot on his heels. The passling led him through twisting alleys and dark corners, until they finally emerged into a dense forest. Caleb couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over him - the dense foliage was perfect for an ambush.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" he asked Blunk, his hand inching towards his sword.
"Blunk sure! Air filled with portal smell!" the passling replied with an enthusiastic nod. Caleb was still suspicious, but before he could do anything, they came upon a clearing, and there it was - a portal shimmering in the air.
Caleb couldn't believe his luck. He had half-expected this to be a trap, but here it was, a portal ready for him to use. Without a second thought, he jumped into the portal. When they emerged on the other side, they found themselves on the rooftop of an apartment building in Heatherfield.
The sun was just beginning to set, casting a warm, orange glow over the surrounding buildings. A few seconds later came Blunk, his beady eyes gleaming with excitement. "Captain Blunk report," he said. This annoyed Caleb a little.
"Don't pretend like you have an allegiance to a higher goal," he said. "You find me portals, I pay you."
Caleb turned and saw the W.I.T.C.H. girls in human form giving him an angry look. He could feel their disapproval radiating off them like waves of heat.
"Oh, hi, girls," he awkwardly said, trying to defuse the tension in the air.
"Caleb, when you find an open portal, you're supposed to tell us," said Will, her voice tinged with annoyance.
"And normally that would be what I'd do, but I need this one opened a little while longer," Caleb explained, his eyes darting around nervously. "I'm sure you understand."
"Absolutely," said Will sarcastically, her eyes flashing with anger. "That's why I'm sure you'll understand me doing this." She took out The Heart, her fingers tightening around its pulsing surface.
"Wait," said Caleb. "I'm taking chocolate back... to little children."
"Yes, it's tragic," Blunk added.
"Wait," said Irma to Will. She took out a wrapped chocolate bar form her jacket pocket and gave it to Blunk. "Take this to the children and DON'T EAT IT!" Will closed the portal right after Blunk went through.
It was lunchtime at Sheffield Institute, and Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Elyon were seated at their usual table in the cafeteria. Elyon was munching on a salad, while Irma was chowing down on a burger. Cornelia was sipping on a smoothie, while Taranee was poking at her unappetizing-looking lunch with a fork.
"Ugh, this food gets worse every day," Taranee commented, pushing her tray away in disgust.
"I know, right?" Elyon chimed in. "I swear, the cafeteria could really use some improvement."
"I heard they're planning on bringing in a new chef," Cornelia added optimistically. "Maybe the food will improve then."
"I'll believe it when I taste it," Taranee replied with a hint of skepticism in her voice.
As they continued to chat, Will's eyes wandered over to a poster hanging on the bulletin board across the room. "Hey, what's that poster over there?" she asked, pointing at it. The rest of the girls groaned.
"Drama night," said Irma unenthusiastically.
"Every year, four groups of kids... I'm sorry, losers, put on these mini plays on a theme," said Cornelia with the same amout of disdain.
"All the parents and grandparents come," said Elyon. "It's a whole big loser thing."
"More like a lamefest," said Taranee. Then Hay Lin came running to the table. "Great news," she said, beaming. "I signed us up for Drama Night!"
Her friends—Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Elyon—groaned in unison. They knew what was coming next.
"Don't you think it'll be fun?" Hay Lin asked, oblivious to their lack of enthusiasm.
"No," said Cornelia flatly.
"Why'd you sign us up and then drag us into it?" Taranee demanded, her voice rising in anger.
"So I can design the costumes, of course," Hay Lin replied with a shrug. "And because I need someone to wear them."
"What's the theme this year?" Elyon asked, trying to be optimistic.
"Mythology," Hay Lin said, grinning mischievously. "And I know just the myth. Grandma used to tell it to me all the time when I was little."
The girls exchanged skeptical glances, but Hay Lin launched into the story anyway.
"Long ago, there was a kingdom ruled by a powerful but uncaring Jade Emperor," she began, doing her best impression of her grandmother. "Working for this emperor were four magnificent dragons, The Black Dragon, The Yellow Dragon, The Great Dragon and The Silver Dragon."
As she spoke, Hay Lin's friends began to relax a little, leaning in to listen. The story was interesting, at least.
"The beautiful nymph, Xin Jing, the emperor's daughter, was greatly worried for the people, for a famine had been on the land many months. The dragons took pity on the people. They went to The Mighty Jade Emperor, who said he would consider it. After ten days had passed, the dragons decided to solve the problem by themselves.
Two of the dragons boiled the water from the ocean, and the others helped lift it to the skies. The terrible drought was ended. But the emperor was enraged. How dare the dragons act without his permission? He ordered them locked inside four mountains.
Xin Jing, the Emperor's daughter, was outraged by her father's actions. She knew that the dragons had only wanted to help the humans, and she could not bear to see them suffer. She told him 'Your cruelty is equal only to your arrogance.' And with that she gave up her powers and absorbed the essence of each dragon, becoming bound to them forever.
Now, Xin Jing was able to soar freely above the world, and the dragons became the four great rivers of China: the Black River, the Yellow River, the Great River, and the Pearl River. All that was left of the nymph was a crystal talisman containing the four essences of the dragons and her own."
"Wow," Elyon breathed.
"So, I'm obviously the nymph, right?" Cornelia said, a sly grin on her face.
"Why not?" Hay Lin replied, grinning back. "And here's how I see it: Taranee will be the narrator, Irma - The Great Dragon, Will - The Black Dragon, Elyon - The Yellow Dragon, and I will play The Silver Dragon."
"Fine by me," Will said, shrugging.
"This might not be so bad," Irma conceded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
At the School Theater building, the girls were working hard to get everything ready for their upcoming play. Will and Elyon were working together to paint a large piece of cardboard to look like the backdrop for the stage. They were both standing on ladders and using large brushes to apply the paint.
Irma was busy hammering the finished cardboard into the walls of the stage, making sure it was securely in place. She had already finished hanging up several pieces and was starting to work on the next one.
Taranee was sitting at a table, working on the crystal that would be used in the play. She was carefully carving and polishing the crystal to make it look like it was glowing from within. She was so focused on her work that she didn't even notice when Cornelia came up to her.
Cornelia was dressed in an ancient nymph costume, practicing her lines. She walked over to Taranee and said, "Hey, Taranee, how's it going?"
Taranee looked up from her work and smiled. "It's going well, Cornelia. How about you? Are you ready for your big scene?"
Cornelia nodded. "Sure I am. 'Your cruelty is only equal to your arrogance.'"
"That's not too bad," Taranee said.
Meanwhile, Hay Lin was busy designing the Dragon costumes. She had several sketches laid out on a table and was carefully measuring and cutting the fabric for each costume. She had already finished the Silver Dragon costume and was now working on the Great Dragon.
As she worked, Hay Lin couldn't help but feel excited about the upcoming play. She had always loved designing costumes and this was a great opportunity for her to show off her skills.
After a few more hours of hard work, the girls finally took a break. They all gathered around a table and began discussing their progress.
"I think we're doing really well," Will said, looking around at everyone.
"Yeah, but there's still so much to do," Elyon added.
"True, but we're making progress," Irma said.
"I'm just glad I don't have to wear one of those Dragon costumes," Taranee joked.
Hay Lin laughed. "You would look great in one, Taranee."
Caleb trudged through the busy streets of Heatherfield, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jeans. He was seething with anger, muttering under his breath about how ridiculous it was that he had to ask for permission to use the portals. "Please, Please, Will, can I use the portal now? I'm a rebel leader. I don't have time to ask a bunch of girls for permission."
He kicked a rock out of his path and scowled as it bounced off a nearby lamppost. He couldn't believe how much he'd had to compromise since coming to Earth. It was bad enough that he had to rely on their magical powers to fight against Phobos and the other evil forces threatening his homeland. Now, he had to ask their permission just to use the portals to get back to Meridian.
He sighed and leaned against a nearby building, his eyes scanning the street for any signs of danger. It was quiet for once, and he felt a twinge of guilt for being so impatient with the Guardians. They were only trying to protect him and to keep evil away from Earth. He knew that.
But it still felt like a major inconvenience, and he couldn't shake off his frustration. As he continued down the street, he noticed a group of kids playing soccer in a nearby park. He paused for a moment to watch them, his mind wandering back to his own childhood in Meridian. He used to play soccer with his friends all the time. Back then he didn't know just how bad it was under Phobos. He was just a kid.
He began to feel homesick, but he shook his head to clear it. He had a job to do, and he couldn't let his emotions get in the way. But it was hard, knowing that he might never be able to fulfill his mission.
He kept walking, lost in thought, until he heard a loud crash coming from a nearby alley. He tensed up, ready for a fight, but relaxed when he saw that it was just Blunk. "What are you doing here?" asked Caleb.
"Blunk have message," he said.
"From who?" asked Caleb.
"Big blue thing give this to Blunk cousin. Blunk give you." He held up a piece of parchment and gave it to Caleb. Caleb began to read it:
Dear Caleb,
I've heard that the supplies have been successfully stolen by your men. I hope the rebels enjoyed the food. I don't have much time so I'll get straight to the point. The Seal of Phobos has been found. It was near the outpost at Torus Filney. Lord Cedric has sent 100 riders to bring it safely back to the castle in three days' time. Apparently, an old caretaker's had it for years. He doesn't even know what it is. You must get to it first. The Seal will give us the upper hand against Phobos.
Good luck,
Vathek
"And it's at Torus Filney? This news could turn the whole rebellion around," said Caleb.
"What is Seal?" asked Blunk.
"The Seal of Phobos. It's a small metal talisman with a royal crest. It can open anything that's closed, reveal anything that's hidden. It can split holes in the Veil."
"Uh-oh. Blunk out of business."
"Trust you to see the big picture," said Caleb. "It was stolen from Phobos 13 years ago by a mysterious woman who captured the heir to the throne in order to protect the infant and used the Seal to cross to Earth. Phobos has been searching for the heir and the Seal ever since. With it, his powers would be fearsome, but if I had it, I could cross the Veil any time I wanted. He's assembling a squadron to fetch it. I have to get there first. The next portal that opens, tell me before you tell the Guardians."
Blunk gave him the thumbs up. Then he paused. "What?" asked Caleb.
"Blunk smell portal."
Caleb was surprised. He didn't expect Blunk to find it so quickly, but he knew that Blunk's keen sense of smell was unmatched. Caleb followed Blunk as he darted through the streets, weaving between the crowds of people and dodging through alleyways. Caleb was impressed with how effortlessly Blunk was able to navigate the city.
After a few minutes of following Blunk, they arrived at a small alleyway that Caleb had never noticed before. Blunk scampered ahead, disappearing around a corner. Caleb cautiously followed, careful not to be seen by any of the pedestrians walking by.
As he turned the corner, he saw a shimmering blue light in the distance. It was the portal! Caleb quickened his pace, his heart racing with excitement.
When Caleb finally arrived at the portal, he saw that it was located in a secluded spot behind a dumpster. The portal was smaller than he had imagined, but it was still a portal nonetheless.
He stepped through the portal, feeling the familiar tug and twist of magic around him. As he emerged on the other side, he looked around to get his bearings. Luckily for him, he was at Torus Filney.
The place was deserted, save for a lone caretaker who was tending to the grounds. He was an old man with long grey hair and a lot of wrinkles. Caleb approached the old man cautiously, not wanting to startle him.
"Excuse me," he said, trying to keep his tone calm and friendly. "I was wondering if you could help me. I'm looking for something very important, and I think it might be in your possession."
The caretaker raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?" he asked suspiciously.
Caleb hesitated for a moment. What if it was a trap? Even if it was, he couldn't risk it. If Phobos got his hands on The Seal then that would mean the end for The Rebellion. "It's a small metal talisman," he said finally. "It's very powerful."
The caretaker eyed Caleb warily. "You are the second to express interest in this metal talisman. Six years ago I found it. Is it valuable?"
"You'll be well rewarded," said Caleb.
"Then follow me," said the old man. Caleb was right behind him. The man took him through the fields of Torus Filney. Then they reached a lake of sand. Caleb followed the caretaker through it. The old man got out of the lake and stopped.
Suddenly, the sand beneath Caleb began to grab his legs forcing him below. He panicked, trying to free himself, but the more he struggled, the more he sank. "I'm sinking! Help me!" he shouted.
Just then the caretaker rushed out to Caleb's aid. "Don't worry, young man, I'll help you!" he called out.
Relieved, Caleb let out a sigh of relief. As the caretaker reached him, he extended his hand, beckoning Caleb to grab hold of it. But just as Caleb grabbed hold of his hand, the old man twisted it with unimaginable strength, breaking his wrist.
As Caleb screamed in pain, the old man snapped his fingers. A ring of light travelled up his body. The rags he was wearing turned into a robe, his skin was now smooth and his voice began to sound less human. Caleb immediately recognized his face. It was Lord Cedric in human form. He began to speak.
"So, Phobos' suspicions are confirmed. Now as the sands of Torus Filney consume you, I must go find the traitor who passed you this news."
Caleb's heart raced as he tried to fight against the quicksand, but it was no use. He was sinking deeper and deeper, the muck pulling him under. He could see Cedric's smug expression as he sank, his last breaths ragged and desperate. He had failed, and he knew it. As the quicksand consumed him completely, Caleb realized that he had underestimated Cedric's cunning. He had walked right into his trap, and now he was paying the ultimate price.
The girls were backstage, frantically getting ready for the drama night. The audience was starting to trickle in, and they were feeling the pressure mounting. Cornelia was doing last-minute touch-ups on her makeup, Taranee was practicing her lines, and Hay Lin was trying to keep everyone calm.
"Where's Elyon? She's supposed to be here by now," Will asked, looking at her watch.
"I called her," Cornelia replied, "but her parents picked up. They told me that Elyon was in bed with high fever."
Hay Lin looked worried. "But who's going to play the Yellow Dragon? We can't do the play without her!" The girls all looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
Suddenly, Yan Lin, Hay Lin's grandma, burst into the room looking concerned. With her was Blunk. "Girls! Girls! Girls!" she called. "Caleb's in danger. He went to Meridian and left me this note." Yan Lin gave the girls the note. It it Caleb explained the situation and why he was gone. "If the Ancient Seal had been found, Phobos wouldn't wait to retrieve it. It is a trap."
"How did Caleb find a portal?" asked Will. Everyone looked at Blunk.
"Why girls stop?" he awkwardly asked.
"Blunk," said Will angrily. "You promised that you will come to us if you found a portal." Blunk didn't know what to say. He did make a promise to the Guardians, but at the same time he made one with Caleb. Blunk wasn't sure which side to pick.
"We have to go," said Will urgently.
"We can't walk out on our own play. We'll get expelled," said Hay Lin.
"No. No, you won't," said Yan Lin firmly. "Will, hold the Heart and repeat these words. Spord Lartsa."
"Spord Lartsa?" said Will confused. "What did that do?" Suddenly, their bodies began to glow with an intense light that illuminated the entire room.
Will felt a moment of panic as the light grew brighter and brighter, wondering if they had made a grave mistake. But then the light moved in front of them, swirling around and taking on a strange, ethereal quality. It was almost as if the light had a life of its own, moving with purpose and intent.
As quickly as it had begun, the light dimmed, and 5 new girls were revealed. Will squinted, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Three of them were wearing dragon costumes. But as Will took a closer look, she realized that the girls were identical to her and her friends. It was as if they were looking into a mirror.
"These are your astral-drop doubles," said Yan Lin. "When you repeat their name again but forwards, they will disappear. They're identical to you."
"We still need someone to play The Yellow Dragon," said Irma.
"Blunk help," said the little goblin. "Knew real dragon once. Wanted egg back. Bit uncle's butt off. Never the same."
"So, they save Caleb and we do the play?" asked Cornelia.
"Erm, I think it's the other way around," said Taranee.
"Weird," said Will, "but they are identical. Let's go." The girls exited the School Theater building, feeling uneasy about Caleb's sudden disappearance. They decided to consult The Map of Portals. Taranee took out the map from her backpack and unfolded it. Will took out the Heart of Kandrakar. The map started glowing, indicating the location of the portal.
"The portal is in an alley," Taranee said, pointing to a small alley marked on the map. "But it's not too far from here."
The girls made their way to the alley, their steps echoing in the empty street. They looked around, trying to find the portal. After a few moments, Irma spotted it behind a large dumpster. "There it is!" she exclaimed, pointing towards it.
As the girls approached the portal, they could feel a strange energy emanating from it. Without hesitation, the girls stepped into the portal. The world around them blurred and twisted until they were standing in a completely different place. They were now in Torus Filney, a desolate landscape of sand and rocks.
"We made it," Cornelia said, looking around at the barren wasteland. "But where do we go now?"
"First we get rid of these costumes," said Will. "Guardians Unite!" And with that the girls transformed into their guardian forms. The girls flew above to get a better view. It really was a desolate landscape of sand and rocks. There was a very, very small village there, composed of five houses. As they were flying, the sand shot up and caught Will's legs. Fortunately, Irma and Hay Lin caught her and eventually the sand let go. The Guardians landed on grass.
"A boy fell in the sands," a young voice said. The girls quickly turned around and saw two kids, a boy and a girl, both dressed in rags and looking no older that 8.
"Then why don't you have it roped off, or something?" asked Cornelia.
"It moves," said the girl.
"Great," said Taranee a little frightened. "A wandering man-eating sandpit."
"Um, how long ago did the boy fall in?" asked Will.
"About an hour ago. Our brother Michael fell in, too. That was a long time ago."
"We've gotta go in," said Will.
"We've gotta what?" asked Taranee. The thought of being consumed by sand made her sick.
"But we need something to pull ourselves back out with," Will continued.
"I'll take care of that," said Cornelia. She slammed her palm into the ground. Five thick vines emerged, wrapping themselves around the Guardians' ankles. With a swift motion, each of the girls dived headfirst into the quicksand, determined to get to the bottom of the mystery that lay beneath it. It was an unnerving experience, sinking into the soft, sticky sand, with the vines tightly wrapped around their legs.
As they sank deeper and deeper, the girls could feel a sensation of being sucked down into a dark, murky abyss. The light above them began to dim and fade, until they were engulfed in complete darkness.
But just as they thought all was lost, the sand shifted and parted, revealing a room made of sand that resembled a cave. It was a welcome relief from the stifling heat and claustrophobic feeling of being trapped in quicksand. The girls quickly discovered that the vines didn't hold up. The cave was entirely made of sand with pillars acting as support beams. It kind of looked like The Infinite City but more natural.
As Will got closer to the ground, the sand tried to grab her legs. Will, however was now prepared. She dodged the sands before they could grab her. "Don't touch the ground or the walls!" yelled a familiar voice. It was Caleb. He was trapped on one of the pillars.
Taranee looked closely at one of the pillars. There was a man there, fully covered in sand. He looked like a mummy. Occasionally, he breathed. Taranee made a fireball which illuminated the other pillars. There was a mummified person on each pillar. Thankfully, Caleb was still intact but there was already sand hardening around his arms.
"I was tricked," Caleb said. "I'm sorry, okay? Just get me out!" The girls gabbed hold of different parts of his arms and started pulling. Eventually, Caleb came free.
"Let's get out of here," said Will. She and Cornelia grabbed Caleb and the Guardians plus Caleb started moving. But as they flew a sand tornado appeared, trapping Hay Lin. Fortunately she freed herself thanks to her air powers. Another grabbed Cornelia and as Irma and Hay Lin tried to free her they were caught by a third tornado. The tornadoes hardended themselfs, turning into pillars.
Taranee was having none of it. She shot a fireball at the pillar that was holding Irma and Hay Lin captive. Immediately it crumpled, setting the girls free. She did the same with the pillar trapping Cornelia. "We've got to save the others too," said Taranee.
"But there's no way they're still alive," said Caleb.
"They are," she countered. "But they're not far off."
The Guardians emerged from the sand, pulling out the sand mummified bodies one by one. The bodies were dry, shriveled, and almost lifeless. The girls laid them on the ground and took a step back, looking at them with a mix of sadness and confusion.
"What do we do now?" asked Irma, her voice laced with hopelessness.
Will stood silent, her mind racing with thoughts of what to do. She knew that the odds were against them, but she couldn't bear the thought of leaving these people here to die. She focused hard feeling the electricity crackling in her body. She slammed her hands into the ground, and a surge of energy traveled through the ground, causing lightning to flicker and dance through the grass.
The hardened sand around the mummified bodies began to crack and break, and the mummies started to move. The Guardians watched in awe as the sand fell away, revealing the faces of the ten people they had just pulled from the cave. The Guardians gasped in shock as the people began to stir, their limbs slowly coming back to life.
The mummified people sat up, their eyes blinking open in confusion. They looked around at the Guardians, their eyes wide with wonder.
"Where are we?" one of them asked, looking around in bewilderment.
"Torus Filney," said Caleb.
"Julian?" he asked confused.
"No," Caleb responded. "Caleb."
"I saw a Caleb yesterday. He was with his dad learning how to make a tent. He's the smartest 5-year-old I've ever seen."
"That was me," said Caleb a little flattered. "I'm 15 now. You were trapped in the sands of Torus Filney. Form what I can tell, for 10 years."
"I have to get going then," said the man. "Nice to see you again." And with that he got up and left. The girls looked at all the people that have been freed. Among them was a red haired boy who was hugging the girl that they encountered when they first saw the sands. After all this time of separation, brother and sister were finally united.
"Irma, help me!" Taranee called. "When I give you the signal, blast it with water."
"Alright," said Irma.
"Now!" yelled Taranee. She and Irma blasted the lake of sand with both water and fire. When they were done, all the sand had turned into glass. Everyone cheered.
"Silicon plus heat equals glass," said Taranee with a large smile on her face. "Let's see its wandering sandy butt move now."
The girls returned to the theater, their costumes and makeup still on from the play. They were exhausted from their adventure in the sand cave, but also relieved that it was over. As they made their way backstage, they saw their astral drops waiting for them.
"Hey, astral drops," said Will, as the girls approached them. The astral drops turned towards their real-life counterparts and looked at them with blank expressions. As soon as Will said the their name, the astral drops vanished into thin air. The girls sighed with relief, happy to be back.
As they made their way towards the curtain, they heard a commotion from the audience. The girls looked at each other, wondering what was going on. They peeked through the curtains and saw that the play was in complete chaos.
The props were falling over, and the stage manager was frantically trying to salvage what was left of the play. The girls were horrified. This was not how they had envisioned their play to end.
"What's going on?" asked Irma, looking around in confusion.
"I have a feeling the astral drops messed up big time," said Taranee, her face grim.
Feeling embarrassed and defeated, the girls decided to sneak out of the theater as quickly as possible. They slipped backstage and out the stage door without anyone noticing. As they walked away from the theater, they couldn't help but feel disappointed that their big night had been ruined.
"Well, that was a complete disaster," said Hay Lin, breaking the silence.
Will nodded. "We'll have to come up with a better plan next time. But for now, let's just be glad that we made it out alive."
The sun had set over the city, and the streets were bathed in a dim glow from the streetlights. The girls, tired from the events of the day, were walking towards the Silver Dragon restaurant. As they walked, they talked about everything that had happened.
"I can't believe we just saved 10 people from being trapped in that sand cave forever," Irma said, shaking her head in disbelief.
"I know," Taranee replied. "And it's all thanks to Will's powers. I never knew she could do something like that."
Will blushed at the praise. "I didn't either. It was like something took over me and I just knew what to do."
Cornelia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, you're the hero of the day. Can we talk about something else now?"
"Like the fact that our astral drops completely messed up the play?" Hay Lin interjected.
The other girls groaned. "I can't believe we trusted them to act in our place," Will said, shaking her head.
"Hey, at least we learned something new about our powers," Irma said optimistically. "Now we know that we can create astral drops of ourselves to act in our place."
"Yeah, and now we know not to trust them with anything important," Cornelia added.
The group laughed, the tension from the day slowly dissipating. They soon arrived at the Silver Dragon, the aroma of Chinese food wafting towards them as they approached the door. However they were not there to eat. Instead they went to down to the basement where they were met by Yan Lin and Caleb.
"You owe us an apology," said Irma.
"For what?" asked Caleb.
"Oh, I don't know, for ruining our reputation!"
"That's not my fault," said Caleb. "You could have literally picked any other option than using astral drops. Everybody knows that they can't think for themselves. They're essentially light with weight, they're not alive."
"Yeah, well, how were we supposed to know that?" said Corneila angrily.
"Besides it wouldn't have been necessary if you would have come to us," said Will. "If this Seal really had been found Phobos would have retrieved it immediately. How could you be so dumb?"
"Just so you know," Caleb responded, "I suspected it was a trap. But I couldn't risk it. The Seal of Phobos is almost as powerful as the Heart of Kandrakar. It can open anything, The Veil between the worlds, The Infinite City, even the Ancient Book of Secrets, which contains every plan Phobos ever had. If Phobos would have gotten his hands on the Seal, given the state of the Veil, he would have had enough power to destroy it completely. Then there would have been no portals for you to guard. You girls have only been Guardians for three months and you think you are better then everybody else. Well you're not!"
"In case you forgot," Will said, "we saved your sorry butt three times."
"Yeah," Taranee continued. "And we've always used our powers responsibly."
"Oh yeah," Caleb retorted, "like that time Will used her powers to cheat in a race all so she could sit with a boy?"
"That was different." Will said. "Besides, you always throw yourself in harms way without thinking it through!"
"Thinking it through like you?" Caleb responded. "I'm no expert, but I'm sure one ancient book and a shopping list is not sufficient evidence to zap someone and to cover him with crickets."
"Give us a break!" Irma yelled. "We're not as experienced in the art of thinking critically as you."
"Exactly my point!" Caleb yelled back. "And given the circumstances, maybe you should start listening to me once in a while! I mean what do I know? I'm only The Rebel Leader. No. The little girls with 3 months experience know better."
"You little-" Irma started.
"Enough!" Yan Lin yelled. They were all taken aback. Yan Lin almost never raises her voice. "Girls," she said more calmly, "Caleb has a point. Given the fact that he grew up on Meridian, you should trust his instincts."
"Thanks," said Caleb, a smug smile on his face.
"However," Yan Lin continued, "the girls also have a point. You do throw yourself head first into dangerous situations without thinking it through."
"Yeah, well, I usually don't have time to think," Caleb explained.
"Which is exactly why you should keep us informed about anything that happens," Yan Lin said. "Like I always say, six heads are better then one. You remind me of an old friend. She too was just as relentless as you. Once she got an idea in her head she was off and running, and there wasn't much you could do to stop her." She paused. "I must say, I was impressed that you decided to do a play on the origins of your powers."
"What?" asked Hay Lin.
"I never told you?" asked Yan Lin. "Well, the story of the four dragons and the nymph Xin Jing was actually the legend behind your powers. Each of the four dragons was fond of a specific element. The Great Dragon liked to explore the oceans, The Black Dragon lived inside volcanoes and was the only one who could breathe fire, The Yellow Dragon spent most of his time on the ground, and The Silver Dragon flew the highest. The nymph Xin Jing had the power to give life to anything she touched." The girls were in awe.
Will was the first to speak. "And the crystal that remained was-"
"The Heart of Kandrakar," said Yan Lin. Will took the Heart in her hand. It was pulsing with light as always. She thought about the girls before her who held the same crystal, they were all leaders. Then she thought of Caleb. As much as she didn't want to admit it, he was partially right. If Phobos would have gotten the Seal then things would have become a whole lot harder.
Will put the Heart back in her pocket and held out her hand to Caleb. "Truce?" she asked.
Caleb took her hand and shook it. "Truce."
Another chaper done. Nothing much to say here.
Next is Chapter IX: Return of The Tracker