A/N Really for some reason each chapter takes longer to write than one before, even though it should be contrary, on top of that last month was filled with all sorts of inconvenient events I wont bother readers with but that really was pain to deal with and they in no way helped to write this story. As always I would like to thank everyone who reviewed, also I would like to remind that people shouldn't be afraid to say their criticism of story if they want to.
Chapter 9. Duty, friendship, vengeance.
Beep, then another one. Taranee's eyes were dully boring into the machine that displayed Irma's pulse and other vital parameters, as she stood against the wall with her back, nervously tapping glass of her wristwatch. Irma's parents were sitting right next to their unconscious daughter, and while Tom was calmly holding her hand, mother of water guardian was almost crushed by her condition, still she tried to maintain cool demeanor, yet one could see that her eyes are shedding barely noticeable tears.
"Once again another one of us, is hurt because of our second life, and for what? Should that be really our enemy then at least I would know she fell to fight for out cause, and yet as foolish as it is we are torn apart because she turned on us " Taranee was fighting her thought as she were examining her lying almost unnoticeable streak of pale hair was now visible amongst her brown hair.
"Why did you do that Will? Did you really couldn't resist it, or was there something more, would I not seen that with almost my eyes of my own I wouldn't ever believe in that. And now you harmed another one of us.. " Taranees trail of thought was suddenly interrupted by young women that entered hospital's room.
"Good day Mr and Mrs Lair, Hi Tar" she greeted everyone inside room and approached bed where her hurt friend lied. She carefully placed flowers that she brought with her into the vase and stared at Irma.
Tom answered her acknowledged her greeting with "good day" while Anna only nodded her head to greet the guest.
"How is she? Is it serious?" Long haired girl asked nervously.
"Doctors said she have slipped into coma" Taranee started and approached her friend :"But they said her condition is stable and it seems to be not life threatening"
"Whats with her?" She asked again nervously.
"Doctors cant say for sure" Tom answered "At first doctors thought its drugs or alcohol, but intoxication tests came back negative."
"Tom!" Anna exclaimed at her husband :"She would never take any of that, we taught her better than that"
"I know my dear, calm down" he tried to soothe his wife.
"So... They don't know?" Hay Lin asked again.
"Well they can only guess now, until more results of analysis comes back anyway, after we told them that she suffered heavy loss lately, they mentioned it could be because she couldn't handle stress. Kind of mental breakdown, but those are only speculations. Tell me girls, when you saw her last time, did she acted strange or anything?"
Taranee was afraid and yet she knew that Irma's father will eventually start to question them as his cop and fathers instincts would drive him to. And while question seemed innocent enough, fire guardian couldn't shake the feeling that underneath seemingly ordinary question hid some ulterior motive, more than one to know what happened to his daughter.
"Irma, she.." Hay Lin wanted to start but Tarenee interrupted her.
"Well Mr Lair, like we all she took really hard passing of Cornelia and missing of Wilma, she was quite depressed and she partially skipped lessons for past week, but it didn't seemed she would do something stupid or anything," She answered and put her hand on Hay Lins shoulder and concentrated on her powers. It was as she thought, Hay Lins exterior although it was noticeably upset, it was mere ruse , inside she was a mess and Taranee had to admire that she had strength to maintain such face despite such inner turmoil and while she believed she wouldn't tell Irma's father anything that could jeopardize their secret, she still was afraid that under pressure she could crack and unintentionally say something unwanted.
Toms eyes fixated on Hay Lin, and he was going to ask something, but before he could do that, fire guardian asked question she knew she will hate herself for asking, yet she knew that it would help her change topic of this conversation:" Mr Lair, I wanted to ask you, Is there any news on Will. Its been like two weeks since shes missing, has there been any progress in the search for her?"
"Taranee, I know she was your close friend and we put a lot of effort in finding her, but... but there isn't really any news. For several days divers searched Heatherfield's lake but they didn't found anything. We have been receiving several reports of people saying they seen similar person, but they turned out false alarms like in most of such cases. I really hope she would turn out well b... " Tom interrupted himself as he didn't had heart to tell his daughters friends grim numbers of statistic that considering time spent and conditions of such event it would most likely mean that their friend is no longer amongst the living. Despite this, Taranee knew those cold numbers no worse than cop that stood before her, but more than that she knew that Will Vandom is not affected by this statistic, however she was not sure if it wouldn't be better if she would be really amongst the people that are missing.
Tom was visibly distracted by question asked by Taranee, but years of experience of his job couldn't distract him for long. Taranee still felt her oriental friends chaotic emotion and she saw that its matter of time before policeman would resume his subtle interrogation.
"Hay-Li. Play along" she heard telepathic voice in her head. She wanted to ask what she meant by that, but before she could, air guardian felt light hit below her ribs in her stomach, that was caused by her friends elbow. While it wasn't too painful she succumbed to unexpected hit and coughed several times as her face turned paler.
"You all right Hay-Lin?, You look unwell, let me help you to the bathroom" Taranee asked with worried voice.
Hay-Lin nodded her head in approval and placed her hand around Taranee's shoulder as she was leading her out of the room.
"You strain yourself too much Hay-li," Taranee was calming down her friend as she looked back on Irma's father who was giving barely noticeable glare to the two girls.
"What was that all about T?"Long haired guardian asked her friend, when they finally reached bathroom. Taranee looked around, ensuring that they are alone, and took of her glasses. Her nature as guardian over time augmented her body, slowly erasing gap between her regular human form and her guardian one and with that her eye sight was mended to almost perfect. And while regular glasses would be useless for her, she wore glasses simply because she was so used to them, and while she felt foolish about it, she felt vulnerable without them She cleaned drips of sweat from lenses with edge of her shirt and splashed water on her face from the sink.
Taranee sighed and started:"Hay Lin first calm down, I know you feel upset right now, about Irma, Will, Cornelia and all. I can feel your emotion even without trying to."
"I am trying T, its so hard"She almost started to cry and sat against the wall. Fire guardian bit her lower lip, it was hard for her to see another of her friend suffer and last one remaining of guardian at that. She leaned down to her friend and cleaned her eyes wit handkerchief and placed arm around her shoulder.
"I know, it is." Fire guardian answered and placed both hands on her friends shoulders and forced smile on her face in hopes to cheer her up. She slowly answered with same expression of face and tried to pull herself together.
"Why did you took me away from Irma ?"She asked after moment of silence.
"Irma's dad, I think he suspects more than seems, hes cop after all, questions he asked... it seemed he suspects that we know more than we tell, I was kinda afraid that you could crack in such upset state"
"Don't you think you're overreacting, Tarenee, I think he's just worried about Irma"
"Maybe, but I couldn't shake that feeling, and he has every right to be suspicious. Don;t take me wrong HayLi, but Irma wasn't really subtle with her powers, and when three of us gets hurt in such short time and mysterious circumstances, that would make anybody suspicious. We already are walking thin line of not exposing ourselves to police or anyone else for that matter. And I have seen Irma's father before being suspicious of her, as thought he knows she hides something"
"What happens now T, with Will, with Irma,with us? Will Irma be alright" she asked nervously.
"Irma will be fine, if she got her life force drained out of her body she will be fine in couple days. I have been on receiving end of that before, its nothing pleasant, but shes strong enough to recover in day or two. I am more worried how she gonna live with everything that happened. You know? Mentally. I am worried about her, and to tell truth about you too"
"What do you mean? You think she will go nuts, insane?"
"Listen Hay, I know you both are really close, but promise you wont get mad for what will tell you now."
Hay-Lin hesitated few moments in silence as she wasn't sure what possibly could her friend could tell her to upset her: " Of course T"
Taranee cleared her throat and started:" You remember two weeks ago, you know when Irma told us those horrible things Will did to Cornelia, I couldn't believe that, not for a second, I know I promised to never do so, but I red her mind that day. She really saw all those horrible things, but apart from that she herself took that really bad, I sensed deep hatred inside her mind, she in her mind promised to protect Cornelias little sister as it would be her own. I knew I should have picked up that sooner, but to tell truth I was afraid to admit that I red her mind"
"I understand T, perhaps I would do same, to tell truth I don't know how you could keep yourself from abusing that power all thees years. Are you sure Will did that, you know... to Irma?"
"At first I was unsure also, but I spoke to acquaintance of my mum that works here, she told me that Irma was brought in here from cemetery after anonymous tip to 911, but whats more when medics found her she was covered by pink coat, just like one Will used to wear."
"Why would she do that, after she do all those horrible things, why should she do something like that?"
"Don't know,maybe guilt,maybe she sending us message she's back, maybe its a challenge any way we need to find her and as fast as possible before she does any more harm."
"And then what? Turn her over to Oracle so he locks her up like he did with Nerissa?" Hay Lin asked with noticeable sadness in her voice.
Taranee sighed, despite her unofficial role as leader of two remaining guardians she didn't have answer to that question. She was torn apart by various feelings, part of her simply refused to believe in anything that have happened, another facet of her mind as much as she tried to deny that to herself that she felt hatred for their for former leader and wanted her to receive retribution for everything she done , yet another part acknowledged her wrongdoings yet she wanted to return everything to way it was before .:"I.. I am not sure, I want to see her myself before we do anything, even if she did all those horrible things, I want to hear what she has to say for herself, we owe her at least that much"
"But we will have to turn her over to the Oracle eventually, don't we?"
"Perhaps, but maybe he can really help her, you know maybe she ,unlike Nerissa, can overcome it, I don't know, we can only hope for the best. Beings on Kandracar are tens if not more times older than us, they have seen thing we couldn't even imagine. Perhaps they can really help her, maybe Nerissa simply was beyond redemption, but if Will is as well then … then there is nothing we can do, and stopping her is only thing we can do for Will we knew. In our place old Will would do same, even if it meant hard decision." Taranee answered and sighed, despite her calm looks in her heart she was unsure if she was doing right thing.
"And what do we now, how do you suppose we find her, even if she started to move?"
"Kandracars diviners cant locate her they said she somehow manages to mask her presence,he mentioned that it would require great deal of preparation to be able mask ones presence to such extent, but perhaps someone with mastery over the Heart would be able to find her"
"Your thinking of Regents of the Earth, Matt?"
"No, I would rather avoid involving them, specially Matt, for as long as possible"
"Why is that?, he would give all to help Will.."
"Exactly, it may cloud his judgment once something involving Will comes to pass, more than that if what Irma told is truth then to "them" Will is liability, and I don't intend to test Matt's loyalty to his friends or duty. No one should ever be forced to make such choice."
"Then what do you propose?"
"One of us should go to Meridian and meet Elyon, and ask her to help us locate Will, I know that she may take Cornelia's passing harder than we all, but shes our best bet to locate her, and to talk frankly, she owes us favor or two."
"Taranee!"
"If there would be options I wouldn't involve her or anyone else for that matter, but now we must use what we can, Hay for Will's sake I ask you to go to Meridian and talk with her"
"But Irma?"
"I will stay with her, and I will contact you if there is any change in her condition. I promise."
Hay-Lin reluctantly stood up and wiped her eyes:"OK Taranee, I entrust Irma to you then"
Elyon was sitting on top of her throne, keeping her elbow against side of throne and fixating her head against her hand, as though locked in thoughts, brooding. She dully looked forward, but her mind was occupied far away from here. As in dull lesson in school she was nearly ignoring her adviser who was reporting on the state of her peoples welfare and other domestic topics. And while he knew that young queen is not listening to him he continued his speech as he knew that even though queen is not emotionally capable of hearing him, there was person that had taken burden of reigning upon himself in this, so dire for queen, time. To right of her throne stood person, only slightly older than queen herself, with untypically simple clothing for someone who would take such a high standing - long leather jacket, clothing more suited for battlefield rather than queens court and bright,shining glass talisman on his neck that served as prison for one of his most relentless enemy that also happened to be his mother, stood her closest adviser. Despite fact that he shared same grief as queen, he knew that someone must lead affairs in kingdom, even after such personal loss and allowing his emotions run unchecked was luxury Meridian couldn't afford .
During his speech only Caleb noticed that figure of young woman slowly entered throne room. Moment Hay-Lin crossed threshold, Hay Lin shrugged. Room was decorated in same way it always was, vines and autumn yellow leaves that enveloped every wall of the room, but this time something was different. Unlike last time she visited her friend, room emitted sinister cold rather than usual warmth. Leaves that covered wall, was yellow as in early fall, but some of them was noticeably become black and wither. In center of room she saw, both source of overwhelming magic and its corruption that enveloped whole room. Young queen sat oblivious to the visitor, and Hay Lin could see that unlike her usual cheerful exterior, she was wearing deep black dress and only silvery crown stood out from her depressive outfit and under her eyes were noticeable, bluish rings, that were testament to the fact that sleep and dreams couldn't grant Elyon much needed respite from thoughts that plagued her mind.
Caleb noticing visitor, leaned close to queen and whispered to her. Her reaction was almost instant as she changed her poses on her throne, and focused her sight first on Caleb and then on visitor. She silently whispered to Caleb and he took step forward:"Thank you for your report Arandiel, however we will have to finish this at some later time."
"Yes my lord" He slightly bowed down and threw his sight at air guardian as he was leaving throne room.
Elyon looked around and waved two of her servants to leave, they quickly bowed toward their queen, and left. Caleb turned his attention to Hay Lin:"Glad to see you Hay, what brings you here? Is there any new on Earth?"
"It seems to be so, that's why I am here, I need Elyon's help"
"What happened? I would like to help, but Elyon..."
"That's okay Caleb" Elyon interrupted him, knowing that he will try to protect her from any stressful news that Hay Lin would like to deliver.:"How are you Hay Lin? What news do you bring?"
As Elyon snapped out of her brooding state, dread that filled room almost and corrupting magical aura that queen emitted faded almost instantly. Hay Lin shrugged as she felt aura of room change and at thought of her friends power:"Its Will … she, she have started to act, but we have no means to find her. Without a Heart of out own we have no means to find her, Kandracars diviners are powerless to help and we need to find her before she does any more harm"
By hearing Will's name Elyon became noticeably agitated, and she cleared her eyes.:" Will, where is she? "
Elyon wanted to ask something more, but she was interrupted by sound of opening doors, as captain of guards, along with two soldiers walked inside. He knelt down and reported:"Lady Elyon, prison block underneath infinite city is under attack. Soldiers report of single assailant with magical powers. She sealed herself inside prison block, and soldiers are waiting outside, but gates seem to be sealed magically."
"Will, its her, we need to go there" Hay Lin whispered to herself.
"I am going there" Caleb exclaimed. He wanted to take step forward, queen placed hand in his way.
"No Caleb, you are staying here." She interrupted him and stood up.
"But El.., my lady, I cant let you go there."
"That is for me to decide, your sword Caleb, give it to me" She said and stretched her hand against Caleb, waiting for him to give her his sword. He reluctantly unstrapped his sword from his belt and gave it to his queen.
"I ask that you reconsider, you are in no condition to go there and it's too dangerous"
"No, someone needs to stay here, also she may be after your mother so you will have to stay here"She said as she pointed at his necklace. Caleb wanted to continue arguing, but understood that Elyon both have point and she is stubborn enough to not reconsider.
"Raythor" She addressed captain:"I will go there personally, Raythor you are coming with me"
"I want to come too" Hay Lin interrupted.
Elyon slightly hesitated, but understood that she cant deny her friend to come along:"Okay Hay, you are coming too"
Elyon placed her palms together, closed her eyes and concentrated. When they opened them they stood deep below the ground, just less than hundred yards away from now sealed prison.
"Raythor tell every guard to stand down and return to the castle"
"My lady? You cant be serious, you cant go in alone"
"Raythor, my orders aren't up for discussion. Tell everyone here to leave, I don't want more people to get hurt as already as it is."
"It will be done my lady" He bowed down and left towards guards to give them orders, leaving both Elyon and Hay Lin alone.
"Will, what do you meant she started to act?" Elyon asked once her captain left.
"Nothing much, I will tell you afterward" long haired guardian answered.
"HayLi, what did she do?!"
"Well,promise you wont be upset, but the thing is that we think she attacked Irma, but dont worry she'll be fine."
"Why didn't you told me sooner!?"Elyon exclaimed
"I I.. thought you would..."
"Never-mind Hay, I understand, sorry I lashed out at you. Just past week I am really nervous because of this"She apologized.
"Why did you forbid Caleb to come with us Ely?" air guardian asked, breaking silence that was in air after Elyons outburst, with hint of fear from her.
"I dont want him to face someone that killed his loved one. Once challenged he would be torn between his duty to obey me and drive for vengeance, I dont want to see him making this choice, also if I cant be sure of actions he would take I cant take him with me. As thus I must make every choice here myself"
"And unlike him, do you trust me?" Hay Lin asked little startled.
"What do you intend to do when you find her Hay" Elyon asked, thus moving topic of conversation to slightly different theme."
"I don't know yet, not sure, but you didn't answered my question Ely"
Elyon looked around and saw that most of guards left already and Raythor is approaching her. She lifted her hand ordering him to stay still for now, while she talks with her friend.:" Hay, I lost one of my dearest friends because of her, I cant allow that to happen again. Its not that I dont trust you, but your loyalties lie in Kandracar, and even if you want it to be different I cant allow you to have Will."
"What are you talking about?" Hay Lin somewhat felt it was mistake to come here, but considering Will is here already it perhaps was better than nothing.
"Let me put it that way. This is my world, my land, and thus she is my prisoner, Kandracar has no rights here. And as long as shes here and as long as I can help it she wont go with you to Kandracar." Elyon knew that even though Kandracar formally didn't had affairs in her kingdom, their influence was noticeable, after all because of them she was able to ascend to throne and survive her brother's plot. Going against them, would mean putting to risk her people, she understood that it was rather selfish, but her determination was firm to defy any force that would stand in her way.
"I don't understand Ely..."
"I know that your oaths of loyalty are within Kandracar, so tell them I used force against you" She lifted her arm and unleashed wave of energy that threw air guardian at least ten yards away, before she could even react and summon her powers. Before Hay Lin would fall against ground, Elyon clenched her fist, summoning energy that softened her fall. When Hay Lin opened her eyes, young queen was standing above her with golden dust on her palm:"I am sorry Hay, but there is no other way, It's something I cant trust anyone else with. It will be over when you wake up,after all she is same as me...."Elyon released her hand and let dust fall on the air guardian, as she instantly fell into deep slumber.
"Raythor" Elyon summoned her captain, and slowly took of her crown, and signet ring from her finger.
"Yes my queen?"
"Bring my friend to my room, when she awakens, order healer to see her and deliver her some food, if she wants to leave, don't stand in her way. Also take thees,and give them to Caleb, he is in charge if I don't make it back." She ordered and gave him both of her regalia's.
"But my queen..."
"Do it god dammit, I said my orders are not up for discussion."
"Yes my queen" He bowed and took sleeping body of guardian in his hands and left.
Elyon sighed, she was now alone in hallway, and only barred gate separated her from prison block. She unsheathed sword and walked up to the gate, magical energy was flowing through bars preventing them from opening. While she could feel that energy was quite powerful it was miniscule compared to one she could muster, her eyes glowed with silvery glow and bars of the gate simply melted away allowing queen to pass.
As expected she saw feminine figure kneeling at her brothers cell, yet something was different, she didn't wore her earth clothes, nor her hair color was familiarly red, still she could recognize her even in such changed form. It was Will, person that as far as she knew took away one of her most precious persons, and harmed yet another one. Unexpectedly it seemed that she wasn't interested in setting her brother free. On contrary, much to Elyions horror, Will held unconscious Phobos by his neck, and much to her horror, Will was hysterically laughing, and moment she noticed queens arrival, she instantly threw Phobos against the wall and turned around to face her.
TBC
A/N So ends chapter 9, and I cant say for sure when I will have time to write new one. But I hope I will find it. Again have to apologize to people that expected further advancement of story line, also have to admit I pretty much took liberty with many character when creating their attitudes for this story, for example creating both Ely and T as quite cold blooded, but I hope readers wont take that for bad.