Chapter 5: Surmising the Unknown

Seth kept his eyes shut as the Translocator hurled both him and Warren through space. Only a moment had passed between the time they had been in the lair of the Singing Sisters on the Mississippi River, and when they reappeared in the living room at Fablehaven in Connecticut.

At the moment, the only ones who were sitting around in the living room were Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson. The unannounced appearance of Seth and Warren was nothing they hadn't experienced before, but still came as quite a shock to them.

"You're back," said Grandpa, as Seth released his fingers from the Translocator. "Why do you still have Vasilis?"

Giving no response to Grandpa, Seth dawdled over to large armchair in the corner, dropped Vasilis onto the floor and plopped his rear end down.

"Are you okay, Seth?" asked Grandma, as several more familiar faces entered the room, including Kendra.

"How did it go?" asked Kendra. "Did you receive your mission?"

Seth nodded, but didn't want to say anything.

"Warren," said Mr. Sorenson, what happened?"

Warren took a deep breath. "The Singing Sisters put Seth under a lot of pressure. I don't know if he has the confidence to talk about it in front of everybody."

"I can talk," said Seth. "The Singing Sisters want me to defeat the ruler of the Demon Domain."

"The Demon Domain?" asked Bright fearfully. "Th-th-th-that's the demon homeworld!"

"Yeah!" gasped Clover. "Us fairies have heard terrible things about the Demon Domain! If they're even half true, I'd never want to travel there, ever!"

"Lucky Clover is in luck," said Seth. "Cause I'm the one who's gotta travel there, not you!"

"What do you fairies know about the Demon Domain?" asked Kendra.

"Not a lot," replied Bright. "But it's supposedly the polar opposite of the Fairy Kingdom. A harsh realm inhabited by monsters."

"So, it's like Fablehaven on a festival night?" asked Seth.

"Not exactly," said Clover. "Replace the normal creatures of Fablehaven with malevolent monsters, the forest with a vile wasteland, and the one night with eternity. Oh, and there's no safe place to hide like the house here. I'd take a festival night over the Demon Domain any day."

"Not trying to shoot you down," said Kendra. "But, how do you fairies know of this?"

"Fairies have traveled to the Demon Domain long ago to investigate," replied Bright. "The ones who made it back alive described the place as horrific."

"So, it is possible for you fairies to enter the Demon Domain?" asked Seth.

"Yes, technically," said Clover. "Although I'm not quite sure of how to access the Demon Domain myself. But the know-how clearly exists since fairies were able to travel there in the past."

"Would you be able to send someone else in? Like me?"

"In theory, perhaps," replied Bright. She then snapped her fingers, prompting Passion, Larissa and Goldenrod to appear before everybody.

"What's going on?" asked Seth. "I thought you banished all the minor fairies, Grandpa."

"These three are an exception," said Grandpa. "They're here to learn about humans, and are willing to behave."

Bright snapped her fingers again, causing a piece of paper to appear in her hand. She handed it to Goldenrod. "Return to the Fairy Kingdom and give this to my sisters. We need to find out how to reach the Demon Domain."

"Are you out of your mind?" asked Passion, raising her hands.

"As daughter of her Majesty the Fairy Queen, I order you to acknowledge my request."

"Okay!" said Goldenrod, as she, Passion and Larissa disappeared in clouds of yellow, red and blue sparkles.

"Great," sighed Seth. "Since getting to the Demon Domain is possible, I am now obligated into actually venturing there and defeating Murdred."

"Murdred?" asked Kendra. "Is he the successor to Gorgrog?"

Seth nodded. "Since Gorgrog left the Demon Domain, this Murdred fella apparently seized the throne in his absence. The Singing Sisters are asking me to to travel to the Demon Domain and slay him. That's why they're letting me keep Vasilis. If I don't defeat Murdred, I'll die."

Mrs. Sorenson came over to Seth and gave him a hug. "You'll be okay, honey."

"Not if I don't deal with Murdred."

"Does anybody here know anything about Murdred?" asked Kendra.

The whole room shook their heads.

"Maybe this whole thing won't be so bad," said Warren. "Seth, remember how effortlessly Kendra defeated Gorgrog using Vasilis?"

"Yeah. That was pretty impressive. If her fairy powers give her an edge, maybe Kendra should be the one to travel to the Demon Domain and slay Murdred. The Singing Sisters don't care who actually does it. As long as Murdred gets killed, I'm off the hook!"

"If the Demon Domain really is terrifying, like the fairies described it," said Kendra, "what makes you think I'm keen on travelling there just to deal with your stupid problem?"

"Kendra," said Seth. "You're a perfect balance between human and fairy. Out of everybody here, you're the best candidate for this."

"I was joking, Seth. Of course I'll do what I can to help you. I'll join you on your journey for sure."

"It'd be better if Kendra didn't go if she doesn't have to," said Grandpa.

Mrs. Sorenson whistled with her fingers. "Excuse me! Now, I know you kids have gone on some wild adventures before, but they've always been within this universe!"

"Your mother's right," added Mr. Sorenson. "What's travelling to this demon realm going to accomplish? You'll be on the demons' home turf, and stand to have a good chance of getting killed. And even if you do manage to kill Murdred, what's to stop another demon from rising up and taking the throne from him? It sounds way too dangerous."

"It's going to be a lot more dangerous for me if I abandon this mission," said Seth. "It's what the Singing Sisters want. Believe me, I'd rather just fetch them a chest full of gold or rubies or something. Wait... That's it!"

"What's it?" asked Kendra.

"The Omega Star! What's to stop us from using it to defeat Murdred?"

"Well, it can't be used to harm anybody," said Bright.

"So what? I don't need it to harm him. We could use it to extract Murdred from the Demon Domain and deal with him without ever physically leaving this world!"

"It'd be worth a shot," said Warren.

"In theory it could work," said Clover. "The Omega Star could only banish Navarog when it did, since he had already wished to live as a dragon forever. And it couldn't destroy Tritanoss either. But, if we use the Omega Star to stop Murdred right here and now, we won't have that problem!"

"You've got a point," said Bright. "But Scott mentioned that if Murdred even were to be vanquished, another demon might take his position."

"I don't care if another demon replaces Murdred," said Seth. "The Singing Sisters asked for me to go after Murdred specifically. Whatever happens regarding his successor is not my problem."

"I've already sent Goldenrod and the others back to the Fairy Kingdom to seek my sisters' knowledge," said Bright. "But this theory regarding the Omega Star is starting to sound much more manageable and safer."

"Have you fairies ever tried using the Omega Star to eliminate evil in the past?" asked Kendra.

"It normally doesn't work that way," replied Clover. "Since its power cannot be used to harm any living being, one must take careful consideration into its use. Another thing is that what it's actually used for can be quite controversial. There are many problems plaguing your world, but trying to fix them with the Omega Star could achieve imperfect results."

"Well, I've got what I want the Omega Star to be used for all planned out," said Seth. "Even if it can't fix what's wrong with me, it can at least get me out of this crazy mess I've gotten myself into."

"I'm going to head back to the Fairy Kingdom myself and see if I can appeal for us to use the Omega Star to resolve this whole ordeal the smart way," said Bright. "I'll be back soon."

Bright snapped her fingers, disappearing in a cloud of rainbow sparkles which slowly fell to the floor as they faded out of sight.

For the next half hour or so, Seth had gone back up to his room, where he laid on his bed again. The stress that he had been under had not left him in the best of moods.

Kendra herself was not taking the situation much better than Seth was. She was sitting out on the porch swing next to Clover. Raxtus and Geminus were nearby, playing with Vanessa.

"Poor Seth," said Kendra. "Why does he keep getting himself into so many predicaments?"

"Must just be his nature," replied Clover. "Warren keeps telling me that he used to have terrible luck himself. What with becoming albino for two years and getting trapped in the knapsack. Not to mention his injuries. And unlike Seth, he didn't even have to rattle any cages for those things to happen. I know he doesn't always look before he leaps, but things don't always go his way."

"He's gotten better," said Kendra. "Especially since he met you. No matter what happened, you and the other fairies have always been there for him. Whether it's getting maimed by Navarog, consumed by Khaarupt or absorbed by Oblivion. The love and magic of fairies ensured his survival. I'd say he's very lucky that you fairies have always been there for him."

"Too bad the fairies aren't very keen on hanging around with Seth," said Clover. "If he wasn't a shadow charmer, I bet Bright or one of the keepers would be fawning over Seth. Even if he has no fairy qualities, he'd still be the brother of the royal handmaiden, and a prize catch to someone."

Kendra blushed. Even though she was used to her status, it always tickled her fancy whenever someone reminded her that she was the Fairy Queen's handmaiden. "Thanks, Clover. But I just wish Seth and the fairies could co-exist peacefully. I bet he'd be a lot happier as well. Besides, the yard is awfully lonely with all of the fairies relegated to the pond."

As Kendra spoke, she looked over in the direction of the pond, which was to the west. The sun was starting to set across the horizon. However, what really caught her attention were the several fairies that were flying towards the house.

"Look, they're back!" said Clover.

A moment later, the group of approaching fairies landed in front of the porch. Bright had returned to Fablehaven, bringing with her Bracken, Brillia, Bravia, Brook, Tiara and Opal. Also with them were Passion, Larissa and Goldenrod.

"Kendra," said Bracken, as he walked over to where Kendra was sitting. She immediately stood up and gave the fairy prince a kiss.

"Hey Bracken," said Kendra. "All of you, welcome back!"

"From what Bright's told us, this sounds like quite an ordeal," said Opal, holding onto the Disapirit in her hands.

The instruments! Kendra was relieved to see that Opal and the rest of the keepers had gotten clearance to bring their instruments over to Fablehaven.

"Come on," said Bright. "Let's get inside and figure out what we should do."

"Hopefully this'll work," said Tiara.

The news of the keepers coming back with the instruments was the most promising thing that Seth had heard in quite some time. Newly invigorated, Seth bounced off of his bed and bolted down to the living room, where the rest of his family and the fairies had already gathered.

"That's everybody," said Mrs. Sorenson, once Seth had sat down on the couch between his father and Dale.

"Bright's already given us the lowdown on what needs to be done," said Bravia. "However, as the Omega Star is not a toy, we will allow it to be used by someone we trust more than Seth."

"I can't make my own wishes?" asked Seth.

"Look, at least they're actually letting us use it," said Kendra. "Just roll with it."

"Very well," said Brook. "Kendra, we'd always trust you. We'll unite the five instruments for you to use."

Everyone watched as the five keepers each placed their instruments down onto the coffee table, arranging them so that their golden bases were aligned with each other. Each base magically attached itself to its neighbors, allowing the Omega Star to form itself. It was now glowing far more vibrantly than the individual instruments had when they were kept separate.

"So..." said Kendra, bending down in front of the table. "Where do I begin?"

"First thing I would do is strip Murdred of his power," said Seth. "Then we can mess with him without any real risk."

"Okay," said Kendra, placing her palms upon the Omega Star. "I wish that Murdred was powerless."

Everyone remained completely motionless, waiting for the Omega Star to work its magic. However, nothing happened.

"It didn't work," muttered Kendra.

Brillia shook her head. "I had a feeling it might not."

"Are you sure it's working right?" asked Seth. "Try again, Kendra!"

"It won't make any difference," said Bravia, disconnecting the Drakesoul from the rest of the Omega Star "The power of the Omega Star must be ineffective towards the Demon Domain."

"What?" exclaimed Seth, who was feeling beside himself. "What do you mean?"

"Well," said Brillia, "you're all aware of how the Omega Star can't be used against evil. But do you know why?"

"Because the five instruments have been imbued with fairy magic," said Grandpa. "Five fairies, one for each instrument, sacrificed their lives in order to power them up."

"And fairies cannot use their magic to destroy non-dark entities," said Warren. "They purposely designed the Omega Star so that it could not destroy anyone, dark or not dark."

"But, why can't it de-power Murdred?" asked Seth. "Unless the Sisters lied to me and there is no Murdred."

"I'm not entirely sure about this," said Brillia, "If I were to guess, I 'd say that the sheer force of the entire Demon Domain is so dark and wicked, that even the power of the Omega Star isn't enough to penetrate it."

"But I thought the Omega Star had unparalleled power," said Kendra.

"Not against darkness," said Tiara. "And the Demon Domain is an entire world that's rooted in darkness. Simply put, it just won't work. As long as Murdred resides in the Demon Domain, its safe to assume he's protected from the power of the Omega Star."

"Well, so much for that plan," said Warren. "Looks like we've gotta do this the old-fashioned way."

"Great," said Seth, "we got the Omega Star set up for nothing!"

"If it's any consolation," said Kendra, "it would've cheating. At least now you can do it the honest way."

"I'd rather cheat and have it count than put my life in unnecessary danger."

"So," said Clover, "if cheating is out of the question, it looks like you're going to need a method of entering the Demon Domain."

"That was our backup plan," said Bravia. "We brushed up on some tomes, and there is in fact a way to access the Demon Domain."

"What's that?" asked Kendra, who wasn't quite sure that she even wanted to learn the answer.

"There is a method that a fairy angel can use to open a portal between this world and the Demon Domain."

"Does it involve a demon shrine or anything?" asked Clover.

"We don't believe so," said Brook. "The Demon Domain isn't bound by the same forces as our Fairy Kingdom. Because of this, it's not too hard for demons to breach their realm and enter the human world. Likewise, travelling to the Demon Domain from this world is much easier than travelling between here and the Fairy Kingdom."

"We'll go over the specifics with you fairies later," said Opal. "Not that we've tried it ourselves, but accessing the Demon Domain doesn't seem all that hard. Also, one can open a portal from within the Demon Domain and use it to return to the human world."

"So, we have a way into and out of the Demon Domain," said Warren. "But how exactly do we find Murdred and get to wherever it is he lives?"

"The Oculus?" asked Seth.

"How?" asked Kendra. "None of us have ever seen Murdred or the Demon Domain with our own eyes. We can't envision something that we don't even recognize."

"If fairy magic is needed to pass between this world and the Demon Domain," said Bracken, "then a fairy is going to have to accompany Seth. Is that even wise?"

"Wise, no," replied Brillia, "but mandatory, yes. Regrettably, the environment of the Demon Domain would be hazardous to even the mightiest fairy. I recommend to any fairy who goes to spend as little time in the Demon Domain as possible. Or they would lose the power to escape and fall prey to the harsh world."

"But... we don't know how long this journey will take," said Brook. "They could be in there for a few hours, or days even!"

"I think at least two fairy angels should accompany Seth on this mission," said Tiara. "If one should start to feel faint, the other can use their power to escape."

"What if both of them start to succumb to the darkness at the same time?" asked Kendra.

"Let's pray that such a thing never happens."

"So, who's going to come with me?" asked Seth, holding up his hands. "Tiara said I should have at least two fairy angels with me."

"I'll go," said Bracken.

"Me too," said Bright. "Clover, I want you to stay behind and watch over the preserve."

Clover nodded in response.

"I'm coming too," added Warren.

"Same here," added Kendra.

"I'd rather you didn't," said Bracken, placing his hand on Kendra's shoulder. "I don't like the idea of you putting yourself in such a dangerous situation. It's enough stress on your family that Seth needs to go."

"What about Raxtus?" asked Seth.

"Better not," stated Bright. "He and Geminus are fairy dragons. The fewer fairies who have to enter Demon Domain, the better. By going on this mission, we can't even fathom just what we're getting ourselves into."

"Then it's settled," said Grandpa. "Warren, Bracken and Bright, you three will accompany Seth on his journey into the Demon Domain. It's getting close to dinner, so I propose that you retire for the night and make preparations to head out first thing tomorrow morning."