Somewhere I

Belong

Chapter 7

I'm Sorry…But What?

Elphaba blinked, and then blinked again. Her mind felt like it was lost in a haze of smoke and silver mist, swirling and crashing like crystal thunder within her aching skull. Closing her eyes, she violently shook her head in an attempt to clear the fog. A ringing vibrated in her ears, making her wince, and blood pounded through her veins. Her limbs ached, and her entire body throbbed.

Inwardly, she swore at her body's condition, for it was no one's fault, but her own. After all, since she had escaped the Wizards palace, she hadn't had a proper meal, nor a place to sleep, or 'freshen up'. She was sure she smelled, and a part of cringed at that thought.

Weakly, her fingers rose, and trembling, pressed hard against her throbbing temples. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment as she forced her breathing and her racing heart, to calm.

"I'm sorry…but what?" asks Elphaba through clenched teeth. Her voice slurred slightly and her body trembled; a silent symphony to the pain raging within.

A hard gasp and Elphaba's body starts to sway dangerously close to the edge of the bed.

"You're in the Underground Elphaba…the hidden base of the Resistance" Chuckling, Atlas reaches a hand out and steadies Elphaba's shoulder. For a moment his fingers lingered, a strange tingling vibrated against the tips of his fingers, and he couldn't help, but shudder.

"I got that" counters Elphaba dryly. Turning, towards Atlas, the raven haired beauty narrowed her eyes at the young mage, kneeling beside her.

Her eyes lock with Atlas's, and for a moment, a flicker of something, flashed within the darkened pools of chocolate and gold. Stiffening, her eyes slowly trailed towards her shoulder, and glared at his hand.

"Oh…sorry" sheepishly, Atlas removes his hand, and shifting awkwardly rises and plops himself back down on the chair. "We need you to defeat the Silence that is threatening all of Oz" continues Atlas, wishing to shift away from this awkward situation.

"What is this…Silence you keep talking about?" questions Elphaba. At Atlas's silence, she arches a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at the man, shifting nervously before her.

Chuckling, Aeryella steps closer, allowing the shadows to slip away from her body. The soft glow of gold's, entwined in fiery oranges, and twists of yellows washes over her, casting her soft skin in an ethereal glow. Her long raven hair was tied back in a half bun, the rest cascaded like a silken waterfall down her slender shoulders.

"The Silence is an unknown presence…darkness…Chaos" smiles Aeryella. She couldn't help but giggle at Elphaba, sitting high on her hunches, a look of confusion and shock painted on her delicate features, her large chocolate eyes wide and sparkling, reflecting the gentle glow of the candlelight.

"A…an Unknown?" croaks Elphaba. Fear coiled around the green witch's heart, for she could feel the darkness, creeping over her body. Unconsciously, she shivered, and her skin tingled.

Nodding, Aeryella steps closer to the bed, her soft, honey hazel eyes stare warmly back at the raven haired witch, trembling before them. Her heart went out to her, for not only had she lost her name, but she had been caste once more out of society, a threat, a danger to the Ozian way of life.

"There's not much we know about this darkness…nor who released it…all we do know…is that it will shake the very foundation of Oz, bringing it to its knees" explains Aeryella darkly.

"A force powerful enough to crumble Oz to cinders and ash…whole cities will fall to its power…buildings will be obliterated, and the people of Oz will be eviscerated…smoldering ash dancing up towards a sky filled with coal and fire" continues Atlas.

"Why…why me?" whimpers Elphaba.

"Your powers are strong Elphaba…the strongest I have felt in ages…and trust me" winking, Aeryella leans closer to the green girls face. "I've lived an eternity and more…and have never come across such power before…until now"

Shivering, Elphaba's hands rise, and her eyes lower. Tears prick at the edge of her eyes as she stares at her emerald palms, strange flickers of emerald and ebony flicker and crackle at the tips of her fingers.

"It's not controlled" Elphaba stared at her hands, and for a flicker of a second, hope, flashes within her eyes. Could it be? Could she be the one to destroy the Silence and herald peace to the lands of Oz. Closing her eyes, she violently shook such ridiculous hopes and dreams from her mind. "I'm not the one you seek…I'm not the 'Savior' your kind has been waiting for" whispers Elphaba.

Sadness vibrated across Aeryella's heart, seeing the defeat flicker within Elphaba's eyes. Did she not see how powerful she really was? How strong she could be? Could she not see the goodness within her?

"Elphaba" licking her lips, Aeryella gently, rests a slender hand over Elphaba's. Shifting slightly, she lifted her eyes back to the emerald witch, trembling before her. She was about to speak, when a hand reached out, and grasped onto her shoulder. Turning, Aeryella's eyes softened at Atlas, standing beside her, a gentle smile etched at the tip of his lips.

"We can teach you to control your power…to harness it…to become strong in both body and mind" offers Atlas gently.

Elphaba stiffened, her head jerked up and her eyes widened. Gasping she snapped her gaze back towards Atlas and Aeryella, standing before her.

"But…how?" asks Elphaba softly.

Smiling, Atlas clasps a gentle hand on Elphaba's shoulder.

"By making good"

An few hours later, Atlas and Aeryella left Elphaba's chambers. It had been a long day and much had been discussed and agreed upon. The first and most important item of discussion was setting up a time for Elphaba to meet with the Elder's and be welcomed into the fold; something only the 'Wise Ones' could do.

Aeryella went into further detail, describing the Resistance and all that they have done and hoped to accomplish in the near future. Elphaba listened intently, asking a few questions here and there, but for the most part, had remained silent. After all, this was a bit overwhelming, for she had only heard "rumors," speculation of the Resistance, and of what its members had done.

Every week, she anxiously snatched up the newspaper, searching for any news regarding the Resistance and their latest accomplishments in usurping the present government of Oz. And every time she read the articles, she would dream of one day becoming a member, fighting for a just cause.

Her dreams of becoming the Wizard's Grand Vizier only grew more fervid, the more she read and heard of the violence being dealt upon the heads of the Animals. The slaughters, the many villages burned, and children being left parentless, homeless, left to starve to death or worse, be killed left a permanent scar across Elphaba's heart, fueling her desire to see the Wizard, and help bring an end to the Animals suffering.

Everything shattered that one short day, when the hero, the man she had looked up to the most, had been nothing but a fraud, a charlatan, hiding behind a golden head that creaks and groans with every movement; an elaborate show of lights and smoke if ever there was.

He had no real power, and what made it worse, he the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the man she had hoped, would help free her from this wretched verdigris, was the one behind the slaughters, the mutilations of the Animals.

To say it was taxing would be an understatement, Elphaba felt as if she had been slammed into a wall, pummeled by an entire contingent of Gale Soldiers, ran through by a blade engulfed in flames and pancaked into the ground below. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically. And after many yawns, and squeaks of protest, Elphaba finally collapsed.

"Do you think she'll agree?" sighing, Atlas leans against the wall, his soft emerald eyes gaze back at Aeryella.

"I don't know" sighing, she turns and stares back at Atlas. "She's strong…much stronger than she believes…her desire to help protect the Animals is irrevocable to their plight. As is the safety and lives to the people of Oz"

"A women condemned by society…rising up to save them" chuckling, Atlas's hand rises and cups the back of his head. "Kind of ironic isn't it?"

"In a way yes…" sighing she eyes Atlas before shifting her gaze to the darkness, slowly encroaching around them, held back, by flickering flames, dancing seductively against the walls. "It will be slow…but I believe she can do it"

"The training?" asks Atlas.

"Strengthening her control over her magick…honing her skills as a member of the Resistance…becoming a master of the sword, the dagger and bow…she has it in her…it's just a matter of if she will allow herself to"

"She'll become a master in no time" smiles Atlas.

"Indeed" smirking, Aeryella steps up close to Atlas, her heated breath, wafted across his face, making him shiver. Her hand rose and her fingers pressed tenderly against his chest, making his heart leap, Oz how she loved teasing him, making him uncomfortable. "She may one day…surpass you" breathes Aeryella softly.

"Impossible" gulps Atlas.

"Oh?" smiling, she rises on the tips of her toes and she leans in closer, until her lips were but a mere whispered breath away from his. She could see him shudder and she loved it. "Wanna bet on it?" asks Aeryella.

"What are the terms?" squeaks Atlas.

"Winner takes all" chuckles Aeryella, her voice vibrating against her pursed lips.

"I…" squeaks Atlas. Coughing, he nervously clears his throat. "I accept"

"Good" leaning closer, she presses a soft kiss to Atlas's nose. "Then the winner shall take it all" winking, Aeryella pulls away, and turning, seductively steps down the hallway, and disappears in the shadows.

Groaning, Atlas falls to his knees, his hand rises and cups his aching balls.

"Oz…woman"