TAoP Chapter 21

Decision Time

"Why hasn't she woken up yet? It's been two days."

"She used up a bunch of magic from what I could understand from Belle. The gloves she wears blocks her powers from getting out of control. That's why Master Yensid gave them to her. She's never to take them off but I guess he didn't tell her that."

"She's really that powerful?"

Penny listened to the voices around her. She recognized them and knew she had to wake up, but her eyes were glued shut. She felt something cold touch her cheek and heard whining in her ear.

"I told you, her powers are ten times stronger than mine, maybe even more, and possibly stronger than Donald's. Her powers are focused around fire and water. I don't even know if that's where it ends. We also can't forget her ability to sense the Hearts."

Penny twitched her hand and the room fell silent. She slowly opened to eyes to bright sunlight shining through the window. A fuzzy black face blocked her view until her eyes focused to see Midnight. He whined again and licked her face.

"Midnight…there you are." She patted his head. Someone had put back on her gloves.

"Penny," Illiana sat on the bed, her face looked relieved, "Do you remember anything about the other night?"

"I only remember the Shadows coming in…" Penny winced at the pain that shit through her head. "That's about it. The rest is blurry."

Illiana put her hand against her forehead and her head felt immediately better. The girl's eyes began to droop again as if the healing magic was forcing her.

"We should head out soon. I think we over stayed our welcome," Max warned. "The people of this world are starting to ask questions."

"Can we leave when she's like this?" Illiana asked as Penny slept.

"We have to. We'll leave tonight. She can rest on the boat. We have some supplies that could last until the next world but that depends on how much Penny will eat," Jayden said thinking it over. He took off his glasses. "I'll see what world it is and hope that it is close. I'll ready the transport spell."

It was night when Penny woke up again. Her room was finally dark and empty except for the dark shape curled by her feet. Also on the nightstand was Star, sitting on one of the Hearts beads. Penny slowly sat up, but stopped short when the room spun. Finally, she was sitting on the edge of the bed putting the beads back in. She felt a wave of emotions from the Hearts. It caused her head to ache more.

"Argh!" she gasped, clutching her head. She quickly pulled the beads back out and the pain slowly drifted away.

That's why they took them out, so your head wouldn't hurt so much, Midnight said gently as he sat next to her.

She tried to talk to him through her head, but the pain! "Why does it hurt so much?"

The others say it has to do with your magic.

"Hmmm…okay, until my head feels better, we shouldn't talk. It hurts way too much."

As you wish.

Illiana came in with Max, "Good you're awake. We have to head off." Max came around to check on her.

With his hand on her forehead he said, "Her fever has gone down, but you never know."

"Wait, we're leaving?" Penny asked.

"Yes we stayed too long in this world."

"Max, maybe you should carry her. She shouldn't be walking around so soon," Illiana said picking up both their packs, making sure nothing was left behind.

"I can walk," Penny said roughly, pushing Max's hands away. She stood up, staggered a bit, but the floor rushed up to meet her. Max caught her in time and carried her out. Midnight and Star followed behind them.

Jayden joined them outside the hall, "I think I got everything. Someone should be here to do more research."

"We should go," Max said anxiously as he hurried to the door.

"Wait!" Belle came into view carrying a book.

"Sorry Belle, but we must go," Illiana said moving away with Max.

"I know but," she moved to Penny who was half unconscious, "stay safe and I hope you feel better soon." She gave the book to the girl and moved away. "I wish you all a safe journey." The group left the Heart and went into the dark night.

Once they were on the ship, Illiana took the wheel and set a course that Jayden gave her. Max headed down below with Penny. Midnight followed patiently, making sure his girl was safe. Max made it to the sleeping quarters and put her into her hammock. He turned to leave but she stopped him.

"What happened and why does my head hurt?" she had grabbed onto the back of his shirt, determined for some answers.

Max hesitated then knelt down to her side, "You used up too much of your magic, causing it to go out of control. It sucked up your energy making you weak and tired. You've been sleeping for two days trying to get all that energy back."

Penny stared at him trying to remember anything, but coming up blank, "But how did I lose control?"

"From what I understand from Jayden, it was your gloves. They block out most of your powers. When you take them off, it becomes wild and your body can't handle that much power."

"Oh…"

"You should sleep. Illiana is trying to heal you, but the best medicine is sleep. She is guessing you might be better tomorrow." Max excited the room, leaving Penny to think things over.

"I don't know if I can do this…" Penny whispered when she was alone. "I just want to go home. I knew this was a bad idea." She turned and fell right asleep. Midnight watched her with sadness and slept at her side.

The next morning the group was eating when Penny came into the room. She looked pale, but healthier than she did in the past few days. She sat down next to Illiana and put a few pancakes on her plate. The conversation slowly started back up.

"As I was saying, the next world is close. We are stopping there no matter what to get supplies. Hopefully this world will have plumbing," Illiana said, cutting up fruit. "I would like a bath and wash our clothes."

"The odds of that happening are slim but I agree. I couldn't get a good reading off this one," Jayden said.

"I don't think I want to," Penny whispered, pushing her food around the plate.

"What? What are you saying Penny?" Max asked as the others stopped talking.

"I'm tired of this journey. I want to go home."

"Penny, we had this discussion before…" Jayden said wearily.

"I want to go back."

"The Hearts, what are you going to do with them? This is whole point of this adventure," Illiana explained, trying to keep everyone calm.

"And you mean to tell me that you wanted this? I know that you didn't imagine your adventure to be like this. In fact, you probably wish I wasn't here! Well, you can have your wish come true for I want to go home!" Penny started to get louder and louder. "And I scared her! I don't ever want that to happen again!"

"Penny, Penny," Max knelt down in front of her, but she ignored him. "We are glad, happy to be here. I mean, we can go to every single world imaginable. We actually get to stay in worlds, meet people, and see everything. I, personally, couldn't have asked for a better mission."

"But, I…I don't know anymore. I miss my island," Penny said lamely.

"I think we should discuss this later when Penny isn't so tired. Besides you need to be healed before any decision is made. Not to mention we are close to our destination," Illiana said briskly getting out of her chair.

"I'll set up the spell. Max, grab any things we might need," Jayden said as he drained his coffee.

Penny sat in her chair as the boys left. Midnight sat waiting for any orders the humans might give him and keeping a watchful eye on Penny. Star flew to Penny to see if her fever is down and Illiana did the exact same thing.

"Fever is quite down. It spiked back up last night but it could be the after effect of your magic. You should eat more too, at least fruit. Vitamins are good for you. How's your head?" She put a bowel of fruit in front of her.

"It hurts depending on what I'm doing. I can't even talk to Midnight or the Hearts." She pulled out the beads from her pocket. Midnight whined as he listened.

"Well you did used up a lot of magic."

"So I hear."

Illiana watched her as she ate, "Despite what you think, I like this adventure. It reminds me of my father."

"Your father? Who's he?"

She hesitated but began her story, "He was a sharp shooter for the protectors much like I do. He was one of the first ones to become one." Illiana pulled a picture out of her pocket. "He was a great man. He used to take me with him when he practiced and he let me try sometimes."

"What happened?"

"It was the Great War against the Darkness. The protectors were ordered to protect the mages as they worked on the spell to banish them all. Dad was asked to help. I was ten and Angie and Andy were five and four. He died protecting them. After it happened, I used a magic potion that Jayden created for me to permanently dye my hair purple for him. My mom got really angry with me, but as angry as when she learned I was going to become a sharp shooter. I was taking his place instead of taking over the flower shop." Illiana had small tears rolling down her cheeks as the photo shook in her hand.

Penny reached out to hold her hands, "I'm sure he would be proud to know what you are doing."

She wiped her eyes and gently took her hands from under Penny's, "Thanks, but I think I should go get things ready. And you should also finish up eating." She left the room in a hurried pace.

Penny tried to eat as much as she can. With each bite, she could feel her strength returning.