W.I.T.C.H
Chapter 32
At Any Cost
Will was finding it harder and harder to control the power within. Her eyes fluttered close, and the sweat began to drip off her body. She had no idea that the power was coming from the Engine. All she knew was that it was far more powerful then anything she had ever felt before, and that she wouldn't be able to hold it much longer. The pain was getting to be too much, even with the Heart to help her. She used every inch of mental strength she could find to hold back the building power, but she was so tired. She wished she was home, curled up in bed. She imagined just flopping down on the sheets, and pulling the covers around her. She could picture every inch of her room, and wondered if she'd ever see it again. She truly believed that this was the end.
"Girls," Will said, struggling to get each word out. "Did they make it, did you get everyone out."
"Yeah, Will, we did it." Irma said, kneeling by her friend. "They're all saved. Because of you."
"Then get out of here!" Will said. "Get to safety."
"Will, we're not going to leave you." Cornelia said.
"You have to!" Will said. "I won't be able to hold it in much longer!"
"Will,"
"There's nothing you can do." Will said. "This is how it has to be."
"Will,"
"Explain everything to my mom. Tell her I love her."
"Will,"
"And Matt. Let him know that I was thinking of him right to the end."
"Will!"
"And tell…"
"Will, would you shut up for a second!" Irma said. "You're not glowing anymore. The power's gone!"
Will looked at her hands. Sure enough, the golden glow had faded from sight.
"Oh." Was all she managed to say.
She felt the pain disappear and went limp. For a few seconds, she just lay there, listening to her own breath, and smiling.
"Alright, let's not do that again." she said.
She quickly felt the power recede and her strength return. She got to her feet, looked around, and found that the replacement Guardians were also getting to their feet, seemingly unharmed. Although exhausted, Will clenched her fists, ready to continue their fight, but Orube raised her hands in surrender.
"You saved my life." Orube said. "You saved all of our lives. I'll not forget that. We have no quarrel with you."
"Oh. Well, good." Will said, eyeing Orube suspiciously.
"So, so one of you smart people want to tell me what just happened?" Irma asked.
"I believe I am best suited for that job, Irma." Yan Lin said, appearing in the doorway.
"Grandma!" Hay Lin shouted, giving her grandmother a hug.
"It is good to see you as well, Hay Lin." Yan Lin said. "It is good to see all of you. I must admit, I was getting worried there. But it appears that Walli and Raythor did their work on time."
"Walli and Raythor?" Cornelia said. "What about the others? What about Caleb."
"He's fine, Cornelia." Yan Lin replied. "They all are fine."
"So what happened?" Irma said. "Why did everybody start glowing? What was powering the other Guardians? What does Endarno know? Where is Endarno? Who's the Oracle now? Where…"
"Slow down, Irma!" Yan Lin said. "There will be time for all of that later. Right now, there is something very important you must all do."
"Aw, what now?" Hay Lin said.
Yan Lin smiled.
"Enjoy your victory."
And they did. The girls looked around at the mostly destroyed sanctuary. They had fought, and they had won. Yes there was still a lot of work to be done, and yes, there were still many questions to be answered, but they had won! No one got hurt, Endarno would be brought to justice, and within a couple of hours they would be back home with their families.
Will thought of everything that had happened throughout the past few weeks. She remembered Himerish's departure, the loss of the Heart, the time spent with her mother, and having to make the decision to take the Heart back. She thought of all this and did the only thing she could do. She smiled. It was a hard life, but it was a good one. And most importantly, it was hers.
The next few hours were very busy for everyone in Kandrakar. The Guardians helped repair the wall between the council room and the sanctuary, and made sure that Endarno hadn't escaped during the battle. He hadn't, but that didn't stop him from putting his final plan into action. When it was clear to him that W.I.T.C.H was going to survive, he retrieved a small, metal cylinder from inside his robe pocket. Without a second thought, he swallowed it, without anyone noticing. When he was lead to Kandrakar's prison, the tower of mists, the only thing he had to say was "How unfortunate".
A team of elders was sent to the Engine core to retrieve the Honor Guard. Caleb, Elyon and the others who had been unable to make it past the fifth chamber were safely brought back to the sanctuary, much to everyone's relief. They suffered only mild headaches, and a lot of teasing from Raythor. Even Walli, normally reserved and stoic, managed a smile as Raythor poked fun at the others.
Despite their numerous recent battles, the Guardians were all in a good mood, and energetic. Cornelia was talking to Caleb and Elyon. She enjoyed every second that she could spend with the two of them, and this was no exception. She noticed that Elyon seemed happier then she had in weeks. Elyon had finally managed to play a part in the victory, instead of just being a bystander, and her newfound confidence showed in her smile. Caleb was happy to have his queen back, but Cornelia thought he seemed a little distant. Sometime, Cornelia thought, she was going to have to find out what happened in those chambers.
Irma and Hay Lin walked over to Blunk.
"Hey, Blunk, does this mean you're part of the Honor Guard now? Is Caleb gonna give you your own sword?" Irma asked.
"Blunk hope so! Although, Blunk not get own sword. Aldarn not let him."
"Why not?" Hay Lin asked.
"Bad training day. Aldarn walk with limp for week. Blunk not want to talk about it."
Irma smiled as Hay Lin laughed.
Taranee was helping Vathek and Tynar clear some rubble.
"Why don't you just let us handle this?" Vathek said to Taranee, who was about to lift a particularly large piece of stone.
"Why? You don't think I can lift it?" Taranee asked.
"Well, to be honest…"
Before Vathek could finish, Taranee grabbed the stone and flew it high into the air, before placing it gently back on the ground.
"Guess you shouldn't underestimate me, Vathek." she said upon landing.
"Wow." Tynar said. "First the Knights, then the second and fourth Chambers, and now this. You're just not having a good week, are you Vathek?"
Vathek looked around at the smiling and laughing people around him.
"I've had worse." he said with a smile.
"Girls, once again, thanks for everything." Elyon said, giving Cornelia a hug.
"Don't mention it." Taranee said. "Besides, I think we have your boys to thank for saving us."
"Well, two of them at least." Elyon said, looking at Raythor and Walli.
"Yeah, what exactly happened with that?" Cornelia asked Yan Lin. "What was that power? And why did it go away?"
"I will happily explain everything." Yan Lin said, as the rest of the Guadrians gathered around. "But let's not do it here. I think we all need a change of scenery, and I know just the place. Elyon? Will you join us?"
"Love to." Elyon said. "But I really should be getting back to Meridian. We're all pretty anxious to go home."
"Especially Blunk!" Blunk said, jumping up and down. "No more icky Kandrakar baths! Just Mud! Mud! Mud! Mud! Mud! Mud!"
"Will somebody please shut him up?" Caleb said, holding his ears. "You would not believe the headache I have! Stupid Chamber!"
"Should have done what I did and made it to the other side!" Raythor said with a laugh.
"You're not going to let me hear the end of that, are you?" Caleb replied, glaring at Raythor.
"Nope."
"I'll try to swing by tomorrow." Cornelia said, waving goodbye to her friend.
"Can't wait." Elyon said, waving back.
Then, with a slice of the mage ring, the Meridianites headed home.
"Please tell me we're going home too." Hay Lin said.
"Yep." Will replied. "Next stop, Silver Dragon."
Heatherfield
A few minutes later, Yan Lin was pouring several cups of tea. The Guardians, now back in human form, sat around a table in the closed restaurant.
"Oh, I need this." Irma said, taking a long sip. "I've got work tomorrow."
"You know, I don't think I ever expected to hear you say those words." Cornelia said.
"Are you finally going to explain what happened?" Taranee asked Yan Lin.
"Yes." The ex-Guardian said, sitting down.
For the next twenty minutes, Yan Lin filled the girls in on everything they didn't know. She told them about the Engine, and what the Honor Guard had done to shut it down.
"Way to go Walli!" Irma said once Yan Lin had finished. "Oh, and Raythor."
"Why would Endarno hook his new Guardians up to the Engine if he knew it was so dangerous?" Taranee asked.
"He was desperate." Yan Lin said. "And desperate people do strange things. Trust me, I know."
"But why was he desperate?" Will asked. "What did he know? Why did he want to get rid of us so badly?"
"Will, not now." Cornelia said.
"Huh?"
"We can play detective tomorrow, or next week. But we just won. Let's enjoy the moment. Not to mention get about twenty hours of sleep. We have exams coming up next month."
"Cornelia's right." Irma said.
"Wow, something else I thought I'd never hear you say." Cornelia said, causing Irma to stick out her tongue."
"Alright, alright, I get the point." Will said. "Rest now, work later. Got it."
"I want answers just as badly as you do." Taranee said, putting her hand on Will's shoulder. "But if we rush into things, we're just going to make mistakes. Best thing is to just be patient."
"Besides, we've earned a break." Hay Lin said with a smile.
"Yeah, you may not have noticed, but we're pretty awesome. Let's hear it for us!" Irma added
The five of them toasted their cups of tea, and smiled.
"Well, I better head home and get a good night's sleep before work tomorrow." Irma said, standing up. "Wouldn't want to mess up my first day."
"Nothing will stop me from going out with Eric tomorrow." Hay Lin said. "I owe him a date, and Hay Lin always pays her debts."
"Exams are in less then a month." Taranee said. "How can you possibly think about dating?"
"I'm not dating or studying." Cornelia said. "I'm going to put tape over Lillian and Napoleon's mouths, and I'm going to sleep. 'Till June."
"What about you, Will?" Irma asked. "Another date with Matt?"
"Eventually." Will said. "But right now, I owe my mom one mother/daughter dinner, and that's just what I'm going to do. Where can I get a good meal?"
"Just get Irma to make one. She's a chef." Cornelia said.
"Would you Irma?" Will asked.
"Sure." Irma replied. "$27.95 plus tax."
"What? Don't I get a friend discount?" Will said.
"Sorry girl, I'm an entrepreneur. I can't just go around giving my meals away. I need to make some money." Irma replied.
"Irma, you can't even spell entrepreneur." Taranee said with a smile.
"Sure I can." Irma replied. "E-N-T-E-R-P-A-N, ummmm, -E, uhhhhhh, have I already said N?"
The girls started to laugh, Will especially. Sure, there were still many things that hadn't been explained, and sure, some things didn't make a lot of sense right now, but it didn't matter. All of that just made tomorrow more interesting. And she couldn't wait to see where tomorrow took her and her friends. Only one thing still bugged her. Endarno. What did he see?
Balsilide
8 Years Ago
Endarno sits across from Ezerial and stares at the jewel he holds up.
"I'm afraid I don't understand." Endarno says. "What is the Heart of Balsilide?"
"The Heart of Balsilide is one of many Hearts across the universe. Most of these Hearts are the magical representation of their worlds. Some represent even more then that, but lets not worry about that for now." Ezerial says. "Now, most people think of these Hearts as nothing more then a pretty jewel. A weapon, or at best, an instrument. But they're wrong. The Heart is alive! It's sentinent! And yesterday, she did something she had never done before."
"What?" Endarno asks
"She screamed."
The impact of this statement is lost on Endarno.
"Why did it do that?"
"Because she saw something." Ezerial says. "Something that's going to happen. The future."
"Can you show me what you saw?" Endarno askes.
"Yes, but…"
"But what?"
"No magic is free." Ezerial says. "There is a price you must pay, and it is this. This must be your burden. Only you may know what it shows you. If you tell any one what you see, while you live, then the knowledge will be lost forever, and any chance of saving everything will be lost along with it. Are you willing to pay the price?"
"I am." Endarno said, without hesitation.
"Good boy. Buckle up."
Ezerial drops the Heart into Endarno's hand.
"What do I OH!"
Endarno is suddenly swept away from his office. He feels as if he is one with the universe. He sees hundreds of planets, each one full of life and hope. As he watches, the living beings on these planets slowly begin to die. One by one, every living thing in the universe dies. Every last breath of life is extinguished. Great civilizations disapear in seconds. Eventually, Balsilide is shown. Endarno witnesses the death of his home world. He watches as the city he loves becomes empty and deserted.
Endarno doesn't know what to think about these images. He knows that they are true, he can feel it. He little about this Heart, but he knows that it does not lie. He knows that this will come to pass, unless he stops it. What he doesn't know is how this will happen. He feels anger and determination swell up inside him.
"Why? Why does this happen?" He thinks to the Heart.
As soon as he thinks this, he is whisked away to a far corner of the universe. Soon, he sees five people. Girls, to be precise, each one wearing a green and purple uniform and wings. He understands that his question is being answered. These five, strange girls will be responsible for the death of everything. He memorizes their appearance and their powers. Five girls, five powers. Water, Fire, Earth, Air and some kind of lightning. For now, he only knows that they must be stopped, no matter what the cost. And while all this is happening, one word is repeated over and over again. Kandrakar.
No sooner then has he memorized what the girls look like then he finds himself once again in his office. His mind is spinning, and he takes a seat. Ezerial is dead, the Heart is gone, and he was just shown a horrible future. The message is clear, however. Those five girls will be responsible for the death of everything in the universe.
He does not, of course, know what Kandrakar is, or that the five girls in his vision will be known as W.I.T.C.H.. That will come later. For now, he is simply focused on his task. These girls must be stopped, no matter what the cost. If he has to kill them, so be it, for the alternative is worse. Those five girls must be stopped, for if they are not, it means the end of everything.
And so concludes W.I.T.C.H. Season 4:Wants and Needs. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I know there are still a lot of questions at the end of this story, but be patient, answers will come. I guess you'll just have to wait for Season 5 to know what they are. Shout out to Lexvan, AshleySwift13 and Heart of the Demons for all the great feedback. Good luck on all of your own stories, and keep watching for an epilogue that will get you ready for next season. Happy readings,
-HeartofMeridian