Again I apologize for such long delay between chapters. Originally I intended to have much less delay between them, but unfortunately various aspect of real life don't always allow it. Thanks to everyone who reviewed past chapters.
Chapter 5 : Betrayal
She opened her closed eyes only to notice that she is still standing in front of her deceased friend's grave. It was spring morning and she should be at college studying, but Irma was skipping it for past week .Water guardian knew that her grades will be slipping because of that, but she simply couldn't care less, still no one could blame her – losing two of the best friends in a single instant could drive even most cheerful person into depression. She still couldn't accept everything that had happened during past two weeks. Irma kneeled down to the gravestone and placed two red flowers near to the vases that held still fresh flowers that were placed there since Cornelia died. Tears appeared in her eyes and she tried to reflect how everything could have turned out like this.
"You died to protect her. How could everything go so far and how could I be so blind" Irma muttered at herself.
"Will, you never wanted to have more power than you already had. Why did it have to go that far? Was everything you said, everything you sworn just a ruse?" Irma kept mumbling at herself.
Irma tried to focus her mind on Will, and understand where did everything started to go wrong, but she couldn't remember anything significant. Will never wanted more power. In fact Irma knew that she was even kind of afraid of getting too much power at once. When girls confronted Nerissa on Zambala she could see lust of power and confidence to use even limitless power in keeper's eyes, but after witnessing Kadma and Nerrissas confrontation she locked that wish out of her mind or at least so it seemed. After that day she was even resentful towards idea of having more power, and even considered her own growing skill to control her gift of power as a burden. But now Irma was sitting on her knees near her friend does grave, doubting every word she had ever heard from her friend and leader. Irma focused her mind and recalled events that occurred nearly year ago.
One year ago.
"So how did you managed with that math exam" Irma asked Will as she stepped out of classroom where she had final math exam.
"Quite good, at least I hope so, math is not my favorite, but T helped me out quite a lot, so I guess I should be fine. Want to go somewhere? Both Corny and Hay-Lin had stuff to do at home and Taranne insisted that she have to study for next exam." Will replied.
"Ye sure, I need some rest, this was quite rough day." Irma answered and started to walk away from the school along with Will.
Both girls talked about exam they just took, while walking towards shop. While Will was somewhat concerned about its outcome, Irma retained her usual cheerful self and it seemed that even if she would receive F in her exam that couldn't stop flow of her jokes and sarcastic remarks.
When they reached quiet place near Hetherfields Lake, Irma took out some snacks and couple bottles of cider she bought while they both were walking there, and offered one of them to Will.
Will with some surprise accept bottle she was offered:" Where did you got them, you aren't 21 yet."
"No? Store manager for some reason thought I am" Irma laughed: "Guess I look older than I really am"
"You used your powers again, didn't you?" Will asked.
"Maaaybe" Irma said stretching that word out" But Will, cheer up, its not like I am using power to rob banks or take over the world. Just a little harmless way to get some stuff I wanted to get once in a while. Besides, what with your glassy eyes when you looked towards Taranee back at the classroom? You asked Taranne for help, didn't you?"
"Emm" Will tried to think of an answer and looked down slightly ashamed: "Yes, I guess I asked her for some help with the test."
Irma felt awkward for making her friend feel uncomfortably although she knew it wasn't her fault. Seconds passed and Irma clapped Will on her shoulder and with cheerful voice said: "Cheer up Will; you are taking that power abusing stuff waay too seriously. Of course abusing power isn't good, but you shouldn't center your life on it. Walking over the road at red light is not good either, but people do it all the time, and still they don't become bank robbers just because of that."
"Ye I guess you are right" Will answered, picked up her head and slightly smiled.
"See nothing wrong with that, so just relax and take that drink I gave you." Irma said and opened bottle for Will.
Will sat down and took drink from the bottle and focused her sight towards other shore of the lake.
"You know I really dislike using my power for myself after I created that astral drop, and saw Nerrissa. To be honest I am kind of afraid of becoming like her, that's why I try not to stray from this path. I still wonder why she turned out like that, Yan-Lee told me she was quite like me just little more cold and calculative than me, and still she was kind and caring. Nor she, nor Hallinor ever understood why she strayed from being guardian, did power changed her, or was it her wish all along. Either way it's the last thing I want to have is to be turned against you all, or your duty then will be to bring me down." Will told Irma as she took another gulp from her bottle.
"Don't say such stupid things Will. We all believe in you. You best of all know how dangerous is to wield our gifts. I know I kind of doubted in you back then on Zambala, and I am sorry for that, but you shouldn't be so uptight on yourself. Cheer up Will." Irma responded and clapped Will on her shoulder.
Will smiled slightly, but remained silent and watched other coast of the lake. Irma sat near her and said:" Listen Will lets have a deal. You just promise me and yourself that you wont ever stray from this path as Nerissa did, and I will believe in you. Your promise is enough for me, deal?"
Will turned towards Irma and said:" Just a promise?"
"Yup, nothing more, we are friends after all"
"Okay Irma. Then I promise you that I wont ever become like her and turn evil" Will said in serious tone to Irma.
"Good" Irma clapped her friend on the shoulder" Now cheer up and stop worrying about yourself or that old hag"
Will seemed more relaxed after her friend promised to believe in her, and she laid her back against tree and watched up to the cloudless sky.
"Yea, but I still don't understand how Neris.." Will started before Irma cut her off.
"That's enough Nerissa talk for one day, Will" Irma picked up her hand to stop red haired guardian from continuing:" Let's just change topic and leave guardian stuff for another day"
"Your right" Will said and shrugged off any thought about Nerissa and her fall." So what are you doing this weekend Irma?"
Irma found herself back at the cemetery kneeling near her friend's grave, replaying that conversation in her head while gazing at gravestone. Few minutes passed and Irma found herself still tied to the same though. She tried to shrug of those thought and stood up. She tried to remember how Cornelia was, when she still was alive. They didn't always seem eye to eye and often quarreled since Irma teased and picked on her friend, especially on her obsession on her looks and overall vanity. To those remarks she always sworn to never talk with Irma again, and now Irma regretted every episode of that, but still even if they quarreled Cornelia knew that Irma is not serious, and is only teasing her and in her heart she is true friend for her and everyone else in the group.
She walked from one side to another, thinking about her friend before sitting on the ground near gravestone and saying: "Corny, did you really have to go that far? I know she meant world for you and perhaps I would have made the same choice as you, but still did you made any difference with your sacrifice?"
Moments passed in silence as if Irma would wait for answer she knew she won't receive and then continued:" Even if you died for her I promise you that your death wasn't in vain, I will protect and take care of her no matter the cost."
Irma felt as anger ran through her as she recalled what happened about two weeks ago. As she spoke to her friends final resting place, she was oblivious of her emotions that now were intertwining with her powers. While sky was cloudless and weather was already warm Irma was oblivious that her powers started to manifest around her slowly creating thick mist.
Irma cleared her throat and cleaned her eyes from some tears and spoke : "Corny, no, Cornelia Hale I vow that no matter what I will protect her, even if it means going against wish of Kandracar, even if it cost me everything. I will protect her with everything I have. I will make sure that your death was not in vain, I will protect your sister from any harm. "
As she spoke and let her emotions loose, mist thickened reacting to growing uneasiness inside guardian's heart. With her vow finished she sat back and recalled what happened nearly two weeks ago."
Thirteen days ago.
Irma held her red cell phone to her ear and mumbled nervously: "Pick up that phone Corny, I need those notes fast." Irma knew that deadline for turning in report on economics for her studies in college is just in couple days and she hadn't even started yet. Of course even if she wouldn't turn report in time she could ask for extra time to finish her work, but she didn't wanted to resort to it just because she was lazy enough to not finish in time.
"CorneliaH is busy" phone displayed after minute of waiting. "Damn it Corny. Where in the hell are you!?" Irma mumbled and placed phone in her blue jeans and started to seek her boots.
Half an hour later she was standing at Cornelias flat door and she ringed doorbell. Moment's later door was opened and it revealed Cornelias younger sister.
Lillian wanted to say something, but seeing brown haired girl behind door instead of her sister she was waiting for, Lillian became slightly confused:" Irma? Hi."
"Hi. Where is your sister Lil? I need to get some college notes from her pronto, and for some reason I can't phone her." Irma said.
Lillian got slightly confused:" She left few hours ago with Will, she said they are going out for some time, but she should have been back already, I guess she ditched me again since I needed help with my math homework."
Irma face became serious in an instant:" Mind if I come in Lil? I need to make a call"
"Yes of course" Lillian invited friend of her sister inside her flat.
Irma picked out her cell phone and quickly searched phone book for Will. She dialed number and waited for a minute, there was no response and she heard short beeps followed by "Will is busy" text on phone display. Brown haired guardian became uneasy after she saw that she can't contact Will either. Bad premonition overtook her body and she searched phone book for one more name. She dialed Taranne, moments later she heard girls voice on her phone:" Hi Irma, so what's up?"
"T do you happen to know where is Will or Corny?" Irma asked in a calm voice, but still Taranee could feel hint of worry in it.
"Nope, haven't seen either of them today, what's happened?"
"Not sure yet, they both doesn't answer phone and Cornys sis said that she should already been back home." Irma said and before continuing watched around to make sure that Lillian isnt eavesdropping." Can you contact Corny or Will, Taranne to be honest I am starting to worry a bit."
"Ok wait a minute, going to try to contact Will" Taranne said and placed her cell phone on the table. Long minutes passed in Irmas mind as she waited for response from Taranne. Finaly she heard Taranees voice on the phone:" Irma, I can't connect either of them. Maybe they are on Meridian. My powers can't breach borders that separates worlds."
"Don't know, they should have told it us then, also if they were there, then phones would be out of zone instead of not answering" Irma responded..
"Now you made me worried too, I think we should look for her. I will contact Hay-Lin and Matt and meet in silver dragon in 50 minutes." Taranee responded in slightly worried voice.
"Ok, T, meet you there then" Irma said and closed her phone.
"Lillian I have to go now, If your sister comes home ask her to call me, ok?" Irma said to Lillian as she was preparing to leave. Lillian wanted to ask something, but noticing that Irma was hurrying she didn't and only said goodbye to water guardian.
Hour later three guardians, Yan lee and Matt were sitting inside the basement of silver dragon discussing where should they start looking. Matt promised to venture to Meridian and subtly ask queen Elyon about Wills or Cornelia's whereabouts. For now they didn't wanted to worry queen with it since they knew that she has enough troubles leading her people already. Taranne decided to check hospitals if there is any sign of their friends, while Irma decided to check places where they used to hang out. One of such places was network of caves that was in close proximity of Heatherfields Lake. Cave was one of the places where guardians often opened portal if they had need for a portal that would be away from usual people's eyes. The cave was also notable that during Phobos rule, portals appeared there more often than anywhere else. It seemed that barrier that separated planes for some reason was more fragile there.
Less than hour later Irma was standing near the entrance of cave. She looked around and noticed pair of fresh footsteps in the sand. Irma didn't have any skills as tracker but it didn't take to be one to understand that two persons have recently entered there. Irma picked up flashlight that she borrowed from Yan-Lee and stepped inside darkness of the cave. Stone ground inside cave didn't have any footprints, at least not ones teenage girl could read. As Irma explored network of caves she started to feel smell of electric and thunderstorm. Irma shrugged and fastened her pace towards source of smell. She bloodied stone spike lying on the ground followed by trail of blood. Guardian kneeled to pick up the spike, but as soon as she touched it, it became brittle and crumbled into dust. Few moments later beam of light illuminated lying body of young girl. Irma shrugs and quickly ran towards her body, to her shock it is body of her friend. She kneeled down and shook her. Water guardian saw that her friend's body had suffered terrible wounds – her chest is almost completely burned, cloth from her chest is almost completely torn and there is slight stream of blood from her mouth.
"Are you ok, wake up, wake up, damn it" Irma shouts as she shook her friends broken body. She carefully placed fingers to her neck. There was no pulse and body was cold. Irma shocked fell back, not sure what to do and watching around hoping that her other friend hasn't suffered same fate. Irma picked out cell phone but she wasn't sure what to say or even whom to call. As her father is policeman she knew that she should call police and medics, but confused and grief stricken she just kneeled down and repeated same phrase denying reality that her friend is dead.
Moments later she heard soft footsteps behind her back. Shocked she turned around and invoked her powers. Nearby stream of water becomes agitated preparing to protect Irma from anything that could harm its mistress. Before she could further charge her powers she noticed that visitor is wearing white robe as everyone in Kandracar. Irma slightly relaxed her hand and watched who is approaching. To her surprise person who approaching was Oracle of Kandracar.
"Oracle?" surprised Irma asked.
"Yes guardian, when guardian falls, it is my duty to be there, to guide her in her last journey." Oracle explained to guardian.
"No, this can't happen, can't you revive her? I seen as Nerissa did it, you could do same. She followed you loyally; she probably died as a guardian. You must revive her" Irma shouted to Oracle, but he seemed emotionless to guardian's plea and continued approach Irma and her friend's broken body.
"Guardian, it is true that she died fulfilling her duty as a guardian, yet I am afraid that it is beyond my powers to help her. I can try, yet I believe that her physical body may be beyond healing." He walks past Irma and kneels near Cornelia and places his palm on her chest, as Irma watch in hope. Red light appears on his hand and both flesh and cloth starts to mend, yet there is no sign of life. Moments later he distances his hand from her chest and clenches his fist.
"No, there is no way she can be revived, her body have suffered terrible blow. Attack that damaged her harmed her very essence of being. While her spirit in afterlife will be unharmed there is no chance she might return." He continued,:" However I can only help to hide cause of her untimely death from the human world so secret of guardians remain intact, it is all I can do for you now"
"And Will, where is she? Is she ok? What happened here?" Irma started to scream almost hysterically.
"Calm down young guardian. While Keeper of the Heart is still alive, she might have suffered worse fate than young earth guardian. Same as her predecessor, gift of power opened aspect of her soul that should be closed to anyone bearing such power. She didn't manage to fight her own demons and now she has strayed from her path of guardian." Oracle kept talking in his calm voice.
"No, that's a lie, a lie, you hear me, she would never do it, she is stronger than that, she promised me. Do you have any proof?" Irma was shouting to Oracle completely disregarding his higher position.
"I am sorry guardian. I know that faith in your friends is essence of guardians, but you must open your eyes and see what happened here." Oracle said and placed his fingers to Irma's eyes. Sharp jolt passed behind her eyes and when she opened them she saw ghostly visages of her two friends in their guardian forms.
"So what are you going to give Irma for her birthday, Will" Cornelia asked to Will as Irma watched them both in her vision.
"Not sure yet, I will think something, I promise. We should better look for that portal. I can feel it is nearby." Will responded and calmly looked backwards to Cornelia.
"You sure it is here, we are seeking it for good half an hour, maybe it is already closed" Cornelia asked. Will turned toward earth guardian and stopped.
"Well to tell truth, there is no portal here, I wanted to talk with you, so I had to make that up" Will said to her friend.
"I don't understand, we can talk at home. What the matter with you?" Cornelia answered and was unpleasantly surprised about this deception.
"Cornelia its about your sister." Will started
Cornelia shook her head and frowned: "Mm what is it about her?"
"Well it's not only about her actually; it's about everything we do." Will placed heart in her right hand and it started to glow creating several wisp like balls:" This is how much power we have and we are bound by it, as long as we keep to it we are prisoners, council gives us only as much power as they deem necessary. Just remember how many times we almost were defeated just because our opponents were stronger, how many times we could do things our way if would just have more power, remember that night when Elyon wiped us across the street with wave of her hand. Just imagine Corny.."
"What does this have to with my sister Will?" Cornelia asked with heightened voice.
"Don't you understand, remember Nerrissa with two hearts she easily could do anything she wanted."
"But power belongs to regents now, and that power is rightfully hers, I was chosen as guardian to watch over her"
"Regents? Only one of them is human being. Rests are just mindless animals, enhanced by power they are sworn to protect. The power of your sister governs itself. We are guardians. We were chosen because we are humans to wield such power, they were chosen as a desperate measure to protect the Heart. That power would be better in our hands."
"What are you talking about Will? Her power was given to her, not to us. You know better than me that it is dangerous to have such power in one person's hands.."
"Cornelia now listen me for a moment please, I didn't came here to discuss that with you, I came here to make a proposal. I am offering you a power in exchange that you will ask your sister to surrender her powers to us once she reclaims it." Will asked in unusually cold and calm voice.
"Will no, I am not going to do it, that power is her and we should be satisfied with the Heart we already have"
"As a friend I ask you that you reconsider Corny. I offered you that only because you are my friend." Will said in slightly higher tone.
"I already said Will this conversation is over" Cornelia answered and wanted to turn around.
"Then this cant be helped" Will said and made slight wave with her hand. Wisps that were circulating around the Heart instantly reacted and flew towards earth guardian, hitting her in the chest leaving burned spots. Irma that were watching almost screamed in terror seeing what her friend had done.
Cornelia screamed and fell backwards. When she looked up to the Will, she noticed that both her hands are now sparking with bright light. Cornelia reached out her right hand against Will and covered.: "What are you doing Will, don't."
"I offered you a chance to join me because you were my friend, and yet you threw it away. I am sorry but I can't allow you to stand in my way." Will said and Irma could see almost sadistic glare in her eyes as she reached her hands against her friend. :" But don't worry Corny, I know your sis will miss you, but you can sleep peacefully knowing that I will be there for her. Without doubt she is going to need a close friend if she loses such close person as a sister."
"You are despicable. I already told you that I won't anyone to harm my sister, not even you" Cornelia coughed; she felt sharp pain in her chest. Wills face turned angry, and she let loose several more wisps towards wounded guardian. Several of them hit Cornelias chest and arm she was covering with. She again screamed and almost instinctively invoked her powers. Several sharp stone spikes instantly rose out of ground towards keeper of the heart and one of them impaled her through her left shoulder. Cornelia surprisingly watched what she just did.
"Bitch, you dared to hit me after all" Will screamed as she pulled spike out of her shoulder and quickly approached lying Cornelia who were barely sitting, keeping her up on one hand. Cornelia tried to cover her face, but before she could Will strongly kicked her in the chest leaving her lying on her back. Irma instantly tried to grab Will, but her hands passed through her.
"What have you done? " Irma whispered.
Cornelia coughed several times as Will leaned down to her and pressed her wrist against her neck and placed her other hand on Cornelias heart.
"You should have taken my offer Corny, you made me do this" Will said and bright flash of light appeared on her hand sending massive amount of energy through her body. When Will noticed that her former friend's body is no longer moving, she stood up and touched her shoulder in pain. She staggered for a few moments before invoking hearts power to teleport herself away.
"No, no that's a lie, it's a lie, I don't believe it." Irma screamed.
"Guardian I know your pain" Oracle said in calm tone:" but you must remember that to change the truth, to not notice the truth, to not be able to grasp truth, to step away from the truth, those all are action that leads to falsehood. Yes your friend is dead, but take pride in fact that she died protecting her most treasured person, and remember that even if you lost one of your friends to the death, the other one is lost, she may yet be redeemed. She have strayed from her path, she thinks that power will bring her happiness. You must deliver her to use before that fully consumes her. If you will deliver her to us, there is still glimmer of hope that she might return from the darkness."
Tears appeared in Irmas eyes as she could barely listen to Oracle. She slightly nodded her head , and anger appeared in her eyes. That glare didn't went unnoticed by Oracle:" Guardian , you must not allow anger consume you. As long as you are motivated by vengeance rather than duty and wish to help friends you lose your sight from what's truly important. Overcome your grief and deliver young keeper to me. I promise that I will do anything in my powers to not allow her to repeat Nerissas fate."
Irma slightly nodded her head, and she looked at her deceased friend. When she looked at place where Oracle stood seconds ago, the place was empty. Irma sat down and concentrated" Taranee, make it so that Hay Lin hear it also, I doubt that I can repeat it"
"What is it Irma, speak Hay Lin hears you" voice in her head answered.d
"Cornelia is dead" Irma telepathically spoke.
Irma found herself again grave of her friend. She lived for past week as in half asleep. She often awake in the night hoping that everything was just a dream. But even if she tried to not think about it, it was of no use. She could remember funeral of her friend. While she would rather stay at home she somehow gathered remnants of her strength to attend it. Almost every Cornelias friend was there. Elyon was dressed in almost black dress and she was completely lost in tears. Caleb was standing behind her, keeping his hand on one of her shoulders soothing her. Caleb himself had completely calm face, and it was barely noticeable that he was in grief also.
Taranne and Hay-Lin was standing close to Irma and holding their tears back.
Irma again found herself in the present as she heard familiar footsteps behind her back, she instantly turned around
"Alchemy?" Irma said and slightly relaxed as she noticed who approached" I thought you were someone else."
TBC