Chapter 13: See No Good
The family ate dinner in the dining room that night as they usually did. They were joined by Sarah, who, beyond being an accidental shadow charmer, turned out to be very friendly. Now that they were not dealing with fairies, demons, or anything correlating to the world of magic, Sarah seemed to be very down to Earth, so long as the conversation stayed casual. Sarah did ask Clover a few questions about her life as a fairy angel, but beyond that, things stayed relatively normal.
After a very fulfilling tortellini dinner, Seth led Sarah up to the second floor, showing her to the guest bedroom where she would currently be staying. It was the same room that people like Lance and Tanu had stayed in during their visits.
"This is great," said Sarah, as she plopped herself down onto the freshly made bed.
"Look, if you need anything," said Seth, "Toothbrush, towels, fresh clothes, whatever, just ask!"
"Seth," said Sarah, patting down on the bed next to herself. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," said Seth, accepting Sarah's offer as he sat down next to her.
"After we stop Murdred... There's going to be no need for me to stay here at Fablehaven. Which is fine. I mean... I need to go home to my family at some point... So..."
"Go on..."
"Well, I don't live on a preserve like you do. "I don't have much involvement with the magical world. And now that I'm a shadow charmer with flourishing powers, I don't have anyone I can relate to."
"What are you talking about?" asked Seth. "I'm right here."
"That's the problem. I live on the other side of the country. Once this whole ordeal is over with, I'll have no reason to stay here..."
Sarah then placed her hand on Seth's shoulder.
"Look, there's still ways for us to keep in touch," said Seth. "Messaging, internet, even snail mail."
"I know," said Sarah. "I just wish there was some sort of... cure for this whole shadow charmer situation. I feel like I don't belong anywhere now that I've been, well... cursed."
"Same here," said Seth. "But consider the fact that you don't live on a preserve a good thing. The fairies on this one have taken a real disliking to me lately. Sure, my family offers me moral support and all that, but so far, you're the only one who actually gets it"
Seth patted Sarah on the back. "I'm gonna go wash up and probably get ready for bed. I've had a long day. Tomorrow we've got to get up and get going to the Demon Domain bright and early. The longer I spend not going after Murdred, the more it looks like I'm not interested in doing so."
"I'm fairly tired myself," said Sarah, "even though it's not late. I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night, Sarah," said Seth, who walked out of the guest bedroom and closed the door behind him. Grandma was presumably still downstairs.
"Seth," said Grandpa, who was standing in the doorway to his bedroom, "may I speak to you for a moment?"
"Sure," said Seth, as he walked up to where his grandfather was standing.
"Come in for a second. I'd like to ask you something."
Seth followed Grandpa into his bedroom. Grandpa then gestured for Seth to sit down in an armchair in the corner of the room, so he did. Grandpa chose to remain standing.
"This whole Necromaster thing," asked Grandpa. "What do you think about it?"
"It sounds like it could be useful," said Seth. "Extremely dangerous if we're not careful with it. But still useful."
"There's a lot that we don't know about it. Except that it was created in the Demon Domain, has the power to kill anything, and is hidden in a vault underneath Lake Superior."
"I don't get it. If this object is from the Demon Domain, then what's it doing in a vault in the mortal world? And why was that note written in Sylvian?"
"If I were to harbor a guess," replied Grandpa, "the fairies somehow found out about the Necromaster and confiscated it from the demons who originally possessed it."
"Why would demons even need something like the Necromaster? They seem powerful enough to me already."
"I'm afraid I wouldn't understand their true intentions," said Grandpa. "Perhaps their power can only go so far. Nevertheless, this Necromaster still intrigues me. Perhaps after this whole Murdred ordeal is over with, you and the others might consider recovering the Necromaster, so that we can study and better understand it."
"I suppose," said Seth. "Assuming I can come out of this Murdred thing alive. Grandpa, I've got something to ask you. What do you think about Sarah?"
"She did seem a bit cautious," said Grandpa. "But then again, I think she was probably just nervous in front of so many new faces. After all, she had just been held prisoner in the Demon Domain, had she not? To be honest, she's not all that far off from you. You should give her a chance, because at some point, she'll have to go back home, and that opportunity will be lost."
"I understand," said Seth.
"Also, it might be best if Sarah travels with you back to the Demon Domain. As a shadow charmer like yourself, her power combined with yours would give yourself an edge that no amount of fairies could ever provide. I realize that there's a risk, but I spoke with her parents about the situation, and they ultimately decided that coming along on this mission might be a great opportunity for her."
"I understand," said Seth, getting up from the chair. "I guess I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Seth," said Grandpa, as Seth walked over towards the door.
The following morning, Seth woke up and headed downstairs to the dining room, where the rest of his family, as well as Sarah, were eating breakfast.
Sarah was sitting next to Kendra. Apparently, they were discussing the courses that Sarah was currently taking at school.
"I feel like there's so much that I'm missing," said Kendra, "now that I'm being homeschooled. I mean, I'm still learning, but there isn't much opportunity for drama."
"I try my hardest," said Mrs. Sorenson, "but when you only have two students at different academic levels, there isn't a whole lot I can do to emulate a proper social curriculum."
"Sounds like you two get off easy," said Sarah, taking a sip of orange juice from her glass.
"Yeah, it is easier than regular school," said Seth, taking the seat next to Sarah.
"You'd all better eat up," said Grandpa, who was sitting in his chair at one end of the table. "You've got a big day ahead of you."
"Who's ready for Grandma Ruth's homemade pancakes?" asked Grandma, as she walked into the dining room from the kitchen, carrying a tray with a large stack of piping hot pancakes, which she placed down on the center of the table.
"I was born ready," said Warren, holding up a fork, "but Sarah, you're our guest. You help yourself first."
"Oh... thanks," said Sarah, who took a moment to shift her view from Warren to the pancakes. "I've never tried these before."
"You've never had pancakes?" asked Seth.
Sarah laughed. "Not this recipe, of course," she said, as she took two pancakes from the tray with her fork. She then poured some maple syrup on them and took a bite. "Hey, these are pretty good!"
After eating breakfast, the group had made their final preparations before getting ready to head out to the Demon Domain. Before long, they had all gathered around outside on the front lawn.
"This preserve looks amazing," said Sarah, smiling as she gazed at the landscape around her.
"I'd love to give you a full tour," said Dale. "But, now's not the time. Maybe after Murdred is dealt with."
"Oh, Sarah," said Bright, producing a small bracelet in her hand. "This is for you. Straight from the Fairy Kingdom."
"What is it?" asked Sarah, accepting the bracelet from Bright. Seth and Kendra were quick to recognize what it was.
"This bracelet will suppress your dark energy, so we can use magic on you."
"I've got one too," said Seth, showing off the bracelet he was currently wearing upon his wrist. Sarah's appeared to be more or less identical.
"Really?" asked Sarah, slipping on her new bracelet. "That's great! I just hope it works."
"So, what exactly is the plan?" asked Kendra, holding up her hand.
Warren took in a deep breath. "I must confess. We don't really have much in the way of a plan. I mean, I came up with a theory on what we can do. It should help, but it won't make getting to Murdred any easier.
"What exactly is your theory?" asked Seth.
"Whenever we venture into the Demon Domain, we always get spotted. So I thought maybe we should just make ourselves invisible before going in. I know I shot down the idea before, but the unicorns should be able to sense themselves telepathically. Isn't that right?"
"Should work," said Bright. "Even in the Demon Domain. But we need to try to stay together. And if we're going to be invisible, it's going to be extra difficult."
"Still, this may be the soundest plan we've had so far," noted Bracken.
"Third time's a charm," said Warren. "Kendra, I want you and Seth to ride together on Bracken. "Sarah, you and I will be riding on Bright."
"Okay," said Sarah.
"Is everybody ready?" asked Warren, slinging his bag onto his back. His comrades all gave a positive response. "Okay, let's do this!"
"First, we'll transform ourselves into unicorns," said Bracken, as he and Bright proceeded to shift into their four-legged equine bodies.
"Amazing," said Sarah. "It's not everyday that I get to see unicorns. Even at Mythic Grove."
"Come on," said Warren, as he helped Sarah climb up onto Bright's backside. "You can even sit in the front."
"I love this rainbow mane," said Sarah, fondling a section of Bright's mane with her fingers.
Before long, Kendra, Seth and Warren had all gotten onto the backs of their designated unicorns.
"Can we come too?" asked Passion, who, along with Larissa and Goldenrod, had flown up to Kendra.
"Of course not," said Kendra. "You have any idea how dangerous this whole thing will be?"
"And you fairies are solely lacking the power needed to endure a place like the Demon Domain. I understand your desire to help, but don't up and sacrifice yourselves like this."
"We haven't had much to do since we got here," said Larissa. "It's just been Murdred this, Demon Domain that."
"And all the other fairies are confined to the naiad's pond," said Goldenrod. "This garden got boring fast."
"We just want to help," said Passion.
"I'm sorry," said Bright. "But the answer is no."
The three minor fairies flew off.
"I hate to do this to them," said Bracken, "but it's for their own good. It wouldn't matter if a thousand fairies went into the Demon Domain. They'd all be just as vulnerable as two."
"Now, when you say turn invisible..." said Sarah. "Are we just going to make ourselves undetectable to the demons or something?"
"Not just that," said Clover. "But real invisibility. You'll be completely transparent. First, I'll cast a distractor spell to keep demons away from us all."
Clover waved her hands around, sprinkling green sparkles all around the two unicorns and their four riders.
"You sure this'll work?" asked Seth.
"It worked last time," said Bright.
"And now, here comes the fun part," said Clover. Once again, she conjured up a wave a glimmering green sparkles, which rained down on the group before her.
Kendra and Seth both looked around at themselves, as well as Bracken, Bright, Warren and Sarah. They watched as their bodies all seemingly faded out of existence. Despite not being able to see one another, they could still sense where they were.
"Amazing," said Sarah, whose voice was coming from nearby. Although she was presumably still upon Bright with Warren, Kendra and Seth were unable to detect their presence.
"Okay," said Bracken. "I can sense Bright."
"Right back at you," replied the other unicorn.
"This is really strange," said Seth. "How are we supposed to tell where we are?"
"You don't have to," replied Warren. "We're just going to remain on the unicorns until they get us to our destination. Once we're good and ready, they'll make us visible again."
"It figures," said Sarah, "I actually get to become invisible, and I don't get to have any fun with it."
"At least you're being optimistic," said Warren. "I don't see anything fun about paying another visit to the Demon Domain."
"If everybody is ready," said Clover, "I'll open a portal."
"We're good," said Bracken.
"Here goes," said Clover, as she used her magic to open up a portal. Swirling before everybody, this new portal would no doubt lead to an unknown area within the Demon Domain.
"Well," this is it," said Bright.
"Please, be careful this time," said Clover. "And Bright and Bracken, please don't allow yourselves to become nightmares again."
"Believe me," said Bracken. "We've learned our lesson."
"Goodbye, Clover!" said Kendra.
"We'll be back," said Warren.
At this point, Bracken began walking towards the portal. Once he approached it, he proceeded to step through.
Bracken, Kendra and Seth then emerged somewhere in the Demon Domain, as the unicorn stepped out from the other side of the portal.
"Where are we now?" asked Kendra, gazing around at her surroundings. From what she could tell, they were now on standing on the floor of a deep chasm. Higher than it was wide, it appeared to be no more than thirty feet across.
"You guys here too?" asked Sarah.
"Yup," said Bracken. Kendra watched as the portal closed behind them, presumably due to Clover's influence back at Fablehaven.
"What is this place?" said Seth.
"If we stumble upon a map at some point, feel free to consult it," said Warren.
"I guess we should just press forward," said Bright.
The two unicorns proceeded to walk down the chasm, trying to keep as silent as they were invisible.
"So far, so good," whispered Bracken, a few minutes into the walk. "We're all still here, and nobody's the wiser."
The unicorns continued walking down the chasm, but were caught off guard by a loud rattling noise coming from the rear.
"Bright," said Warren, "Bracken. Move to one of the walls. Now."
Kendra and Seth witnessed as Bracken trotted up towards a wall of the chasm, just as the rattling noise got closer. They then looked back, and saw a massive, quadrupedal skeleton of some nature stampeding through the chasm towards them, causing the ground to vibrate. The skeleton, which was over twenty feet tall and resembled a buffalo in facial structure, charged up towards where the group was, then came to a screeching halt and began sniffing around.
Had the skeleton sensed them? Seth looked up at the monster. It reminded him of the woolly mammoth skeleton he had seen at the museum, only with horns rather than tusks, and was a lot larger, to the point where it seemed like it might not be able to turn around within the chasm. Either way, he did not want to mess around with it using his shadow powers, and wouldn't blame Sarah for thinking the same way.
After sniffing around for a moment, the skeleton stopped, then proceeded to run further down the chasm.
"I think we should get out of here," said Bracken. "Even if it means flying."
"We might be safe," said Kendra. "Since that skeleton didn't actually spot us."
"Are skeletons even supposed to have olfactory perception?" asked Warren. "How's he supposed to smell anything?"
"Well, if he comes back for us, we're out of here," said Bright.
"I guess we're safe, then," said Sarah.
The group continued down the chasm, still remaining invisible, for several more minutes.
"I don't know what's wrong," said Bright.
"What's the matter?" asked Kendra.
"I feel... weak."
"Me too," said Bracken. "We're using magic to sense each other, but it shouldn't leave us feeling so drained."
"Are you two okay?" asked Warren.
"I feel like someone's knocked the wind out of me," replied Bracken. "It can't just be us sensing each other and the invisibility."
Kendra and Seth looked up ahead and saw three figures jump from the top of the chasm down to the floor. It was Xipp, Xeero and Xillch, and they were only a few acres away.
"Where'd they come from?" asked Kendra in a whisper.
"I hope they can't sense us," whispered Seth.
"Or hear us," said Sarah.
"Or smell us," added Warren.
The three adlets, down on all fours, scurried towards the group, using their sense of smell to guide them.
"They're here somewhere," said Xipp.
The adlets now only a few feet away from the group, Kendra and Seth watched as they all somehow reappeared, right in front of the adlets, startling them.
"Bracken!" cried Seth. "What's going on?"
"Hey geniuses," said Xillch. "If you want to sneak around the Demon Domain so badly, try not to give yourselves away!"
"Are you guys trying to get to Murdred?" asked Xeero. "We can take you straight to him!"
"Get away from us!" huffed Bright, as Warren wielded his sword.
"Are we supposed to be afraid?" asked Xipp.
"Now, Bright!" yelled Bracken, as he shot a blast of rainbow energy spiraling out from his horn at the three adlets. Bright joined in as well, shooting her own blast of energy at the adlets, causing them to all scream in pain.
After only a few seconds had passed, Bracken and Bright ceased their magic attacks. They then transformed back into their fairy forms. As their riders were still on their backs, Kendra, Seth, Warren and Sarah all caused Bracken and Bright to fall face first to the ground while still seated.
"Ow..." moaned Bracken.
"Giving up so soon?" asked Xillch, as Xipp grabbed Sarah, while Xeero lifted Seth up off of Bracken.
"Put them down," snarled Warren, getting up from off of Bright, flailing his sword.
"Why should we stick around and fight?" asked Xillch, as Xipp and Xeero slung Sarah and Seth over their shoulders and proceeded to climb up the wall of the canyon. "We got what we came for, and you don't have the power to follow us! Thanks for bringing those two back for us, though!"
Xillch laughed as he followed Xipp and Xeero up and over one of the chasm walls. Kendra and Warren looked down at Bracken and Bright. Both of the fairies looked quite flush. What had happened to them so suddenly?
"Bracken?" said Kendra. "Bright? Are you two okay?"
"No," said Bright, shaking her head. "We are not feeling well at all."