Truth or Dare – Or?


The Council and the security had cleared the hall. For hours now, they had a triage outside for all those who wanted to get a check-up. The hearing was officially adjourned for the day and the next. Most onlookers simply left to their own kingdoms to heal and report. All Alfea students were sent to Linphea to take part in their classes. Nebula's and Blade's glass had insisted that their class was allowed to stay, though, since security was much better here despite the fact that some assassins had made it through. And no one could know if people tried to get to them through their friends and families. Besides the heavy tantrum Blade's parents made. They were escorted to a safe location to watch the hearing there once it was continued. They of all possible targets were the weakest after all. And there was nothing they could do to help their daughter. Blade's mum, Flaxa, had been like a harpy as they had guided her as gently as possible out of Alfea, while Trevan, her father, as a guard himself understood the point. Still, he made vehemently clear that he wanted an update every half an hour. Councillor Aithlin was super pissed that Reaper's Children had made it past his men somehow and he let his men know. He also called for more security from their Order in Yggdrasor. On top of it all, another set of councillors had to be sent from the Magic Council to investigate the incident in Alfea. Many among the twelve Councillors were rather furious about that fact, but the law was law and, in this case, they were witnesses as well as any other man or creature in the room. Currently, though they were bickering with each other at the councillor stance with Griffin, Shanna and Faragonda.

"Hey, don't you dare pin this on me!" Griffin hissed, "I am telling you, she went berserk once. And I shut it down right away. Those injuries that fool sustained have nothing to do with us Witches."

Councillor Neptune crossed his arms, "Oh really, then how come the Reaper's Children attack anyone but you, Headmistress? Nobel's from Desertia, two material witness Fairies, even the farmers, but not one scratch on any of you. Coincidence? I think not," he glared at Griffin.

"That as easily could have been a mislead. Of course, every noble house will ask for punishment. That's probably what the attackers wanted," Shanna gazed into the room. Her head was still pounding. She had been mind-blasted out cold by several people in a surprise attack, same as with Faragonda. "These targets weren't chosen just random…"

"They never are," Councillor Shiri added. "Still, this was off…I very much doubt that those little runts had the coin or knowledge to hire the Reaper's Children to attack Lady Philopa if things didn't go their way. And yet there is no reason for Lady Philopa to send them after the kids. They got nothing. That ring was a lucky find. Or did your Professors, Headmistress Faragonda, failed to render assistance on purpose and let Lady Eshe die?" She grinned sheepishly. "The report stated one Horror Mud after all."

"Of course not! Excuse you, Councillor Shiri. My staff would never take the law into their own hand. If they say, they had not sensed her, they didn't. And how could they? Horror Muds are notoriously known to frequent the Witches' forest unless you want to cut it open. No one knows what prey they caught. Their priority was to get the students out safe."

"And yet it was corrupted. They should have sensed that black magic," Councillor Neptune added angrily.

"Unlikely," Griffin answered him coldly, "It was starved and if it just got a Fairy snack it might have held off the corruption with its energy from the digestion back."

"You know an awful lot about these creatures, Headmistress Griffin," Councillor Gadiel stated simply.

"It's my forest to oversee. Of course, I know…" Griffin sighed.

"And yet Lady Eshe slipped past you," Councillor Votzaak grinned. "Getting old?"

"You got runes, the Reaper's slipped passed you. Getting old?" Griffin growled back.

Councillor Neptune wasn't taking kindly to this, "You…"

Virion was sitting next to Blade on the ground. He was the best healer in the guard group and had been ordered by Councillor Aithlin to keep watch as they had a word with the three ladies. He held Blade's hand to check the pulse constantly. He had managed to use his healing magic specifically on the internal bleeding, so Blade wouldn't drown in her own blood without infusing the magic directly, it had basically clotted up in the strangest way and therefore one lunge was not working. Yet there was still nothing he could do more to heal her. He was anxiously waiting for her Drion and Mana System to stabilise. 'Come on, wake up already… I can fix this in a second if you just…' He saw her eyes twitch. "Finally."

Everyone's gaze wandered to Virion and Blade. All of them relaxed visibly. Councillor Aithlin was the closest and stepped towards them and kneeled down. "Good work, Virion."

"She's not over the hill yet, Master Aithlin… This simply shows that her body is not going down the drain. And the countermeasures are showing their effect. It will take her-" He stopped the pulse got stronger all of a sudden. One of his eyes lit up as he inspected Blade. 'What? But that's…Drion regeneration setting in…'

"What's wrong?" Faragonda pushed through the Councillors, just to breathe out in relief. "Thank the Great Dragon…don't just scare me for no reason. Councillor Eaden, can you relay the message to her parents?"

"Headmistress Faragonda," Virion rose to face her, "With all due respect, what are you not telling me? I am her healer. This is not the time to stay silent. If you want me to save your student and not make things worse by accident, you tell me right now." Virion had never seen anything like it or even read about it. Sure, there were some Fairies with higher Drion regeneration but this was on a witch's level. "Even with alignment, her Drion regeneration is off the charts for a Fairy. It shouldn't be that strong."

Faragonda was lost for words, how was she to explain the dark Fairy form? They had tried so hard to not let the information slip out until they had answers. Yet she had not found anything on how that Fairy form came to be.

"What. Are. You. Not. Telling. Me?" Virion asked again. He was getting tense and annoyed. The Council seemed to share this sentiment as well. All were staring at Faragonda.

"For the records, that wasn't my fault. She already-" Griffin out of the blue answered very defensively.

"I know," Shanna answered calmly.

"You know!? Since when?" Faragonda couldn't believe this, and neither could Griffin.

Shanna chuckled, "Since the interview I conducted."

"You must be joking? I asked you in confidence if there is anything else you could tell me," Headmistress Faragonda had a hard time staying calm, which was so unlike her.

"And I told you, I am sorry, I can't give you better news," Shanna repeated her words.

"Can't, huh?" Councillor Shiri inspected her claws. "So, they told you to shut it…and you followed suit."

"WHO CARES?!" Virion had stood there and had watched the ladies bicker, but the Council was joining in themselves with the mystery talks. So, he kind of lost it, "Spit it out already. So, I can do my job… Or is being sneaky more important than HER LIFE." He glared at all of them.

Faragaonda sighed shortly, "Blade Ashfallow, has a permanent dark Fairy form in-"

"WHAT!?" Everyone was shouting in an uproar, getting tense, ready to fight. Although Blade was down on the ground, unmoving. But black magic was nothing to joke about even from a child.

"…In the literal sense. We're not talking about black magic," Headmistress Faragonda finished her sentence.

Shanna nodded, "Ms Ashfallow is the master of her own mind on all occasions, where she used that dark Fairy form. I checked. And no, Councillor Eaden, I didn't miss anything."

Headmistress Griffin added quickly, "Indeed. It is simply plain old dark magic … well nearly…"

"Nearly?" Virion had a hard time wrapping his head around what he just had heard. Still, he needed all the information he could get, "What do you mean nearly? Is it or isn't it?"

Griffin searched for words, "It is and isn't… well, how to put this… Unlike Witches or other female dark magic users, she can connect to nature with her dark magic. She used it frequently to link up with Cloud Tower."

"…" Virion stared at Griffin. "So, it's more like a Paladins or Wizard magic?"

"No," Griffin answered shortly. "It's extremely on the Drion side. Just like light Fairy magic uses extreme amounts of Mana. It's the opposite of everything you know about Fairies, well probably… We had no time to check or find out anything of value."

"Right…" Virion was confused. "Opposite of Fairy…great," He sighed and turned to check his patient and relief his Order Master, who had watched Blade's vitals in his stead. 'Iolas!'

'Wow, not so loud?' Iolas answered in their psychic guard chat.

Virion ground his teeth. He placed his hand on Blade but wasn't sure if or how much magic he possibly could infuse, 'Get Lady Nebula here this instant. I need someone, who actually knows what I am dealing here with.'

'What are you-?'

'Just do it…I'm busy not killing her, ask Aithlin,' Virion growled annoyed. He didn't want to make the same mistake as Votzaak.

Councillor Cahagan was still baffled and was in the middle of their discussion, "Wait, so we're not talking about a dark Fairy. But a dark Fairy form… Why, in Magix, would none of you come with this information to the Magic Council? You all know such things are to be reported."

"I am her therapist, not a snitch. She is no danger to herself or anyone else. I would never betray her trust in me," Shanna got a bit riled up. "Politicians…Tch."

"As if I had nothing better to do. I told Faragonda, my duty ended there. Don't drag me into that shit," Griffin rejected all blame.

Faragonda closed her eyes, "My apologies. I simply didn't want her to lose favour with any of you. Simply because she unlocked a new…unconventional transformation." She paused, "Besides can anyone say here that you would have acted differently if one of your own manifested a power that's supposed to be none-excitant? Or would you search for answers first?"

Councillor Aithlin sighed, "That doesn't make it right, Headmistress Faragonda. We already give the schools great leeway in dealing with problems on their own. This trust is not to be misused. You have been Headmistress long enough to know this."

Nebula came running inside the hall with some guards. She ran to the front and around the Council stance, "Blade!" No answer. Iolas held her back before she could crash into Virion as she kind of slid along her knees. "What happened? What's wrong with her Zombix! I, ah fuck…" She had been resting ever since she had fallen unconscious and was still a bit groggy and mindlessly had stormed out of their room like lightning, once the guards had woken her and simply had requested her to help with the dark Fairy form of Blade before she would die.

"Zombix?" Councillor Votzaak tilted his head, "So it has a name?" He glared at Faragonda but she was equally surprised as was Griffin.

"Focus, forget them," Virion addressed Nebula calmly. "She burst her Mana and Drion - I mean body energy systems." He didn't know that Nebula knew about the term Drion. "Her body can't hold magic. If I heal her and it leaks out it can go rampage again. We don't want that- Understand?" He paused shortly. "So, what were her latest bad injuries? What do you know of the form? How did it activate? All Fairy forms have a condition. You know how her dark magic feels, I need to get the ratio correct. If I use too much Drion or Mana it will set her system off balance again. And you don't want to lose now, do you? Not after all the tragedy, you have endured so far. I want to help, but I can't heal this kind of damage if I do not know what I am dealing with."

Nebula was a bit perplexed, 'What did Blade tell the guards? Ah…' She balled her fists, "Eh- urgh, fine… It's not black magic first of all." Nebula made this point clear first. "Blade had that huge infection and got resuscitated multiple times. We all used burnout a few times, we didn't really count though… because we had Wizards in the palace, who charged us up or healed us, straight away. It wasn't a problem… Ehm, eh, she can go berserk like she sacrificed her wings once to gain more Drion in the Tower. She has also sacrificed an arm, finger as well. Generally, that dark magic eats her stamina way too fast. The Sorceresses were able to heal that without a hitch as far as I could tell. …She really sucks at using that dark magic. It constantly took over her Winx form before Griffin and Organa helped her out. So, she got better. Organa said, she isn't using enough Mana with her spells. So, spells are bound to explode in her face sometimes... ehm… we managed to turn voice of nature into a dark version, which worked without problems. I would say she is stronger in her Zom- dark Fairy form in the sense of body enhancement magic…ehm…The Tower likes her like a pet? I don't know… wait, that might help." Nebula jumped to her feet. She used some metamorphic magic and turned into Blade's Zombix form. "Does that help!? I don't know, what else to tell you. I…" Nebula's mind was racing to find information.

Everyone had listened closely. This was the closest thing to honesty and some actual info they had heard from any of the two in a long time. Councillor Eaden stared at her, "You're still holding back information. How do you know it's called Zombix?"

Nebula grinned helplessly, "Well…come on, it looks like a zombie and all forms end with -ix. So… I just picked it… it was funny at the time…"

"So, you don't know…" Councillor Eaden sounded a bit disappointed. "Councillor Votzaak, you're the most read on dark magic here. Do you…you alright?"

Councillor Votzaak stared at Nebula or rather the illusion she had created and didn't react to Eaden. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.

Aithlin didn't like it, "Councillor Votzaak?" He stepped closer to him. "What's wrong?"

"I thought it to be a joke…" Councillor Votzaak continued to glance at the imagery before him. "My grandpa knew a guy…old crazy dude, he lived off in some forest. He always had the craziest stories… most proven to be wrong or bonkers from the start. In age, he grew dement. But then he started to always tell a story of a dark Fairy he loved and had killed accidentally. The older he grew the more he swore that his love came back to haunt him, but that was simply not the case. My grandpa actually dug up the old record. It stated the Fairy in question died horribly, burned to ash by an enemy wizard. Back in those days, kingdoms fought each other all the time and with no mercy. But the description with no glitter and eerie green wings… like a ghost…like a shadow. Yes, Shadion, that's it! Old crazy dude's brother was a drunkard, who made a horror story or rather a Fairy tale out of it. He called the heroine Fairy Shadion… ridiculous story. Princess meets prince. They fight the dark phoenix, but in the end, the prince kills the princess for no good reason. - And the moral of the tale, trust can fail - or something like that…"

"Ha, indeed," Griffin laughed, "That's why the Witches always say trust always kills you."

"Oh right, that's how the young folks end the tale now. There is always some moron that tells the story at every festival. And it gets wronger each time," Councillor Votzaak nodded.

'For crying out loud, are they all so inept, how is that supposed to help me heal her!?' Virion cursed in the guards' psi-link.

'You took the word right out of my mouth,' Councillor Aithlin answered him back before any of his buddies could warn Virion that their boss was still linked-up.

Counillor Eaden grinned at Virion, "What else does our esteemed healer still need?" He still was listening in on all psychic chats as it was his duty.

"The ratio of the dark magic for once. I need to fix the Drion system first…" Virion stayed focused, besides his social blunder.

"Got it," Faragonda had been still for quite a while and now there was a dark flame in her hands. She had used the time to get the ratio correct to show Virion, while the others had talked about all sorts of things. "My that's really hard. It's been ages since I used the dark arts…"

"What the…" Nebula stared at Faragonda, who used dark magic. It really felt very close to what Blade used. "But. What? Ehhhh…" It dawned on her now. The reason that Organa had been nicer and much more patient. "You're…" A few people glared at her to shut her up.

"I am a Fairy Godmother. Of course, I analysed her powers once she was here. That's my job," Headmistress Faragonda smoothed it over.

One of Virion's eyes lit up again and he stared at the flame. "Finally…" He amassed some Drion in one hand. '…someone competent.' The other guards smirked shortly. "Now quiet please, I need to concentrate."

"Good evening, Lady Avocet," Lady Philopa smirked. "I had a hard time reaching you. Are you watching the night birds, as always?" She came out of the shadows of some trees. Lady Philopa was in one of the Magix city parks, which was deserted around this time of the night. She had waited for Lady Avocet for quite a while.

"Oooh, Lady Philopa, how nice. Should you be up and running again already? I heard that one Fairy had been resting all day long. You still seemed rather under the weather, yourself," Lady Avocat of Songwind greeted her. "Didn't you have a guard set up by the Council?"

"Ah, well, you know, I prefer my own guards. They are less likely to stab you in the back," She glared at the Lady.

"Well, by the looks of what the Reaper's Children did, no one is safe but those Witches. Deceitful pack," Lady Avocet sat down on a bench. "You hear that? That's a Big Ear Owl, it's rather shy. Come sit with me," She gestured to sit down on a bench and sat down herself first.

Reluctantly Lady Philopa joined her, 'It was you, wasn't it? You used some of your crystals to stage the attack. There is no way the real Reapers were behind this. They don't fail so horribly.'

'Fail? You wound me. Why ever would I want your death? Or of the Fairies or the farmers?' Lady Avocat crossed her legs as she relaxed on the bench under the stars.

'Don't play coy. I'm not blind. Lady Eshe screwed up when she went on a revenge trip and failed. But the Fairies got nothing. Esra is a child, no one will take her seriously. Her rejection of the family heirloom is nothing but a child's tantrum. We all swore we were going to turn the kingdoms back into the flourishing kingdoms they once were. Strong with a lot of magical power, kings and queens that can actually protect against menaces like a Tritannus or Valtor or whoever might be the next threat. Killing the King and Queen and that bloodless runt of theirs was just the start for Desertia. I am not faltering now, just because I lost my husband,' Lady Philopa bared her teeth. Her loss had hit her hard, but her rage was greater, 'Those Faires are done for. I'll squash them in court. They'll regret ever coming back.'

Lady Avocet chuckled, 'So you didn't come here as a snitch. But to secure my support and those of the others. But why ever should we jump on a sinking boat? It is too risky, I am-'

'The only real problem we have are the Fairies you failed to kill in that mess. With a bit more finesse we can get rid of them. The Witches have nothing more than those farmers' statements. They simply want to save their asses. They don't need justice. They don't even want it as long as they can live their petty lives. Don't think me stupid, I know you wanted me dead. But if I fall, you all will at some point. We need each other,' Lady Philopa made her case.

Lady Avocet sighed, 'I'm listening…'

'We sacrifice Shadaka, he's an idiot. He'd fall for anything, unlike his father. Damn, what I wouldn't give to have the Court Mage still with us. Shadaka is more trouble than his loyalty is worth and a brawling hot head. We sent him to assassinate the Fairies as one of the Reaper's Children. That way, they are dead and he gets killed or injured, I don't care. With the fairies dead the Witches' case will fall apart. And people already think the first attack was the Witches, so we get rid of all nasty players in the hearing and blame the Witches.' Lady Philopa's eyes reflected in the moonlight. 'Surely you have more crystals ready. You're not one to waste all at once,' She suggested with an ice-cold and fierce tone. She was sure of herself and her plan.

'Hmmm,' Lady Avocat leaned back, 'Interesting… I never liked that commoner. A sorry excuse of a Fairy. I do have one red crystal that should suffice. But that all would depend on if the young Lord lets his guard down. He is a Paladin after all,' Lady Avocet enjoyed that idea.

Lady Philopa gazed at the lawn yard where a mouse rushed across, 'He is as dumb as bread. His magic is weak compared to his father's. Shabaka always sent him on easy missions far away. Or have you ever heard him brag about his son? Believe me. He is in a tavern right now, half drunk. Go to him now, set everything up. He will be eager to prove himself after the harsh scolding I gave him for his blunder in the hearing.'

'Very well, I see you are as competent as ever and just unlucky with your given noble parties. We will support you. But that will cost you some trade discounts later on, when you sit on the throne. Don't forget that,' Lady Avocat stood up at the same moment as an Owl swooped down to snatch that mouse. "Magnificent, isn't it? Silent hunters of the night. Well, I feel fresh. Good evening, Lady Philopa." She turned to leave for the tavern.

'The Spectacular Knight… This is a tavern? …My, what a shithole, besides the name that place is a run-down…urgh, yuck,' Lady Avocet gazed at the bar in the red-light district. She used her magic to enhance her psi ability and projected the image of a woman in a revealing red dress. 'I wouldn't be caught dead in such a slump.' She giggled loudly and approached the bouncers, who whistled and let her in after one squeezed her ass shortly and she laughed at it. 'You son of a… focus Avocet…focus…' She searched the Tavern filled with questionable people and tastes. She spotted Shadaka with several empty and full mugs in front of him talking to some women, who currently fed him some nuts, at his table booth while they let themselves be tipped generously.

"I am telling you. Those Reapers… you know everyone was screaming and shouting and then I took five at once and held them back. And infused my magic and BAM! All turned back to normal…" Shadaka caught the next nut with his mouth. "Ha ha, told ya, a hundred! Not one dropped!" The girls giggled.

'Five at once? …Pfff… he was down on the ground before he even noticed. My word… Philopa wasn't joking…' Avocet ignored the whistles from other tables and walked straight up to his table. The other girls looked grim at her. 'LEAVE!' She took command over them. "Hello there, Shadaka…" The girls slowly left his table booth.

"Oohh," the Paladin gave the newcomer an elevator look, "You're hot…is this the special I ordered?" He asked super drunk.

"Sure…" Lady Avocet opened the cords, which held back curtains, and they fell shut.

"Oooh, direct. I like it," Shadaka was giggling and his cheeks got red.

Avocet shook her head, and dropped her projection for him, "Not gonna happen."

"Lad-" He choked on his drink. "What are you doing here? It's not what it looks like…" He tried to concentrate.

'What you do with your money and free time is not my problem,' She swapped to a psi-link. 'I need your help, my dear. The help of a strong and smart Paladin like you. Actually, Lady Philopa needs you as well.'

Shadaka had a hick up, "Suure, for you Ladies anything," He suppressed a burp, 'I'm all ears. All ears… ahaha… all mind would be more accurate because we are talking in…'

'Indeed,' Lady Avocet rubbed her nose bridge in disbelief. 'Well, you know the Reapers. We actually used them to try to kill the fairies and blame it on the Witches, but it failed.'

'Those things were your doing?! They nearly killed me!' He shouted so loud in the psi-link.

'Exactly, nearly. That was our plan from the start - Of course, we had to make it look good,' Lady Avocet explained even if she wasn't sure if he would even get her point.

'Oooh smart…' Shadaka grinned like a buffoon. His concentration was already gone again. 'It didn't work though.'

'…Yes, exactly… So, we came up with a new, even better, plan. And Philopa said it's right up your alley. She could think of no one better than you.'

'She did?' Shadaka sounded a bit confused.

'Of course, you're her most loyal ally after all,' Lady Avocet smiled at him charmingly.

'Right, right… Yes, I am. Ha, you can count me in!' He jumped at the chance to redeem himself or maybe he was just too drunk to grasp the scope of things yet.

'Well, we're going to use the Reapers again… but last time we only could make weak people into Reapers. This time you go as a Reaper yourself. That way you can infiltrate the girl's room when the guards are distracted with the other Reaper's Children. You can kill all the enemies of the kingdom. And the best thing of all. If you do it as a Reaper's Child. You can't be prosecuted because you are innocent. So, two birds with one stone.' Lady Avocet explained the plan in its outlines shortly.

'That… sounds like a plan…but how do I become a Reaper? You need black magic and Psi. You would be caught if they catch our psi-link. Councillor Eaden is…' Shadaka tried to think, but his head was hammered.

'Sh, sh, sh, don't sweat the small details. All I need from you is that you take this red crystal with you and open your mind up completely to me. So, I can plant a seed,' Lady Avocet shushed him quickly as she placed a red crystal on the table. 'Rest will sort itself out. Unless you don't feel up to the task?'

'Why didn't you say so, that's easy. I can do that drunk!' He joked. 'Go ahead. Do it now. I want to see how it works!' Like a little child asking for a lollipop, he grabbed the crystal and actively let his psi guard down. The crystal lit up shortly and his eyes turned into a blank stare.

Lady Avocet had used her chance, and with the tiniest leak of black magic no one would even feel in this shithole, had taken complete control of Shadaka. 'Oh, you truly are a fool. I never saw anyone able to let his psi guard down so absolutely without a second thought…' She thought to herself. Shadaka had not turned into a Reaper's Child because the red crystal had a different purpose inscribed, but he hadn't known that. He was nothing more than a mindless puppet now. 'Now, listen closely to me. You will stay here all day and spend as much money as you like, drink wine and enjoy yourself. You are not going to the hearing in Alfea. Next night, you will make your way to Alfea and use this red crystal,' She pushed another one over the table towards him and took the other one back, '…When you see other Reaper's Children distract the guards you'll activate this red crystal I just gave you. You turn into one yourself and you'll go and kill Lady Nebula and Blade Ashfallow. Use all the magic you can muster. And once you killed them or if you fail... Kill yourself.' Lady Avocet grinned devilish as she cast her spell, 'This is my command, follow my will, for my will is your will.'

'That is your command, I'll follow your will, your will is my will…' He answered blankly.

'Now enjoy your last day, my little puppet,' Lady Avocet waited until Shadaka securely put away the reaper crystal. She threw him some more coin. "Enjoy…" She stepped out of the cabin and left the establishment.

On her way to her hotel, Lady Avocet made yet another detour through yet another park and set down on a bench again. Shortly after she was joined by a man.

'So, are we proceeding as planned?' The guy asked through his own psi connection.

Lady Avocet smiled, 'Yes, here is the amulet. That should enhance your psi abilities enough to do your job.'

'So, we're still on schedule?' He was rather nervous as he turned the amulet in his hands.

'Of course, we are. The bomb is in the amulet; once you use the amulet, you have five seconds. Those fools will never see it coming,' Lady Avocet answered as she smiled satisfied.

The guy breathed out, 'And you promise, you keep my little girl out of it all? She had nothing to do with my jobs. You'll take care of her. She'll have a good life?'

'Of course, you saw the papers. She'll go to a good school and marry a man of higher class. Just as you requested. She'll live her dream. A dream you never could provide her from a prison dimension. - Now, you better don't forget, that we know all about you. Where you live and what you did to earn a living. Where you did it…We also know where your daughter is at all times,' Lady Avocet stared grimly at the man, 'We don't want any accidents happening to her, now do we? So, don't be a fool and don't misuse your little present.'

The man ground his teeth, 'Of course not, well then…to a successful hearing.' He clicked the amulet around his neck. "I need a drink…"

"Wasn't that what got you in trouble in the first place? …Oh well, bad habits die hard," Lady Avocet stood up and vanished into the darkness of the dimly lit park.

The girls were in Nebula and Blade's room. Blade had woken truly in the evening. Virion had stayed by her side until she woke up. Once she had been conscious Virion had taken one thorough check-up and then left the room to the girls. The girls were relieved and simply couldn't sleep at all. Everyone had placed their sleeping stuff around Blade's bed to keep a keen eye on her. And they were still chatting with Blade about all kinds of things and of course the hearing.

Blade stretched her neck, "… Damn, I feel so stiff…"

"Come here, I can give you another massage," Dahlia offered.

"No, no, all good, just still feeling weird…" Blade could feel that her magic had weakened.

Sienna jumped to her feet, "I get the guard."

"Chill… we already got him like ten times…" Nebula sighed, "He said, the rest is up to rest. And you not using magic." She glared at Blade.

"I get it. I get it. Alright…At least I used burnout in a life and death situation just like Griffin had told us. How was I supposed to know that there is a chance of overusing it? It has been one battle after another you know," Blade defended her actions.

"Ah… we went over this. Can we just celebrate for once," Snow pouted as she rolled around on her mattress.

"Tss," Rise smirked, "Well, I hope that the boys get here fast. If Reapers are running amok they better get back to Red Fountain… Can't believe that Lion is not answering his cell…uuurggh…"

"Maybe you shouldn't text him every minute when he is on a mission?" Amber laughed out loud.

"Yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if he turns you on mute every time he starts one," Blade chuckled.

"Ha, ha. He would never do that. I am his twinkle star after all. Hmpf," Rise crossed her arms.

"Shhh, hear that?" Sienna asked the others.

Everyone listened in. "Ha, engine of an Owl. Hm, two to be exact," Blade stated proudly.

"Must be them!" Rise threw away her blanket and stormed to the balcony. The guards were up in arms as they saw her dash out like a wild horse but relaxed as she waved towards the gate. "What are they waiting for? Let them in." She glared at the balcony guards. Shortly after her complaint, the guys were let pass. Security had been tightened by quite a bit. The guys rushed through the courtyard and up the stairs.

"Hey there," The guys entered the room after they knocked and waited a good ten minutes before the girls had dressed up again and parked all the sleeping stuff in a corner of Blade's room.

Rise hugged him tightly, "Lion!"

"Someone missed you," Seth chuckled.

"Hey there, twinkle," Lion smiled kindly at Rise. "Read your texts. And yes, we are safe."

"We can see that now," Sienna leaned against the wall.

"What was that all about anyway? We were quite busy, you know," Julius asked a bit irritated.

"Haven't you read my messages?" Nebula was utterly confused.

"Of course, they didn't. We had radio silence," Memphis gave Nebula a nod.

Blade shook her head, "Boys…"

"We are men. Don't insult us," Kai protested and grinned. "Why are you not dressed up and still lying in bed?"

Mercury had checked his phone and had scrolled through the messages, "What!? Reaper's Children attacked… Lady Eshe was the assassin and you nearly died again?! Girl, when will you start watching yourself? Every two months there is another death trap you jump into." Mercury was a bit riled up and scolded Blade. The boys all stared at Blade.

Blade looked at him speechlessly, "I…"

"Hey, she did very well to the point the Reapers attacked. Give her some credit," Nebula butted heads with Mercury.

Keith sighed, "That's not good." He had checked the chat as well. "Can you even make the hearing tomorrow?"

"Of course, I will. I'm hurt, not senile," Blade hissed back. "I'm not made out of cotton."

"Still, you should take better care of yourself," Michael noted and joked around to ease the tension, "We need you. You're our Team E's secret weapon."

Tyson stood next to his brother Keith, "That they would go so far. Hiring a black magic cult to kill you."

"You got that wrong. The Reaper's children attacked not just Blade but Nebula too. And the farmers and the Desertian nobles. It was a mess," Dahlia explained in more detail.

"Yeah, only the Witches weren't attacked," Snow added.

"The witches?" Alex from Team A asked confused. "But… why? Please tell me, they weren't so stupid and sent them."

Damon laughed, "Of course not. That's probably what the client wanted everyone to think. But if you already getting that idea…"

"… then it's just a question of time before the rumours spread," Dean the giant rubbed his eyes in annoyance.

"Well, good thing we came then," Max sat down on the ground.

"You got some updates?" Rise asked straight forward.

"Yes," Memphis stood up, "After I finished my supply trip. I took chaos squad to one of our allies. They said they are ready to go. Call on them, whenever you are ready."

"Yours too?" Julius was surprised.

Lion rejoiced, "That's great! Ours as well."

Blade and Nebula stared at each other and then at their arms. The crests were still glowing brightly unchanged. They could bring their friends back home, the three kingdoms had given their go. After all this drama they would be all together soon again. "…Then… then we better make the best use of it. We'll smash it in their face when they least expect it. We'll prove it, in Court by their chosen rules." She clawed into her blanket. She could already taste her victory.

"Sounds like we should plan a barbeque. A big one," Nebula couldn't quite believe it.

"I can bring my family's sun sauce," Rise looked at Lion with sparkling eyes.

Kai seemed very thoughtful, "Uhh…yes, I make a salad."

"Salad? You carnivore making a salad?" Keith chuckled.

"Yes, with beef and sausages and tiny chicken chunks and hmm parsley?" Kai suggested.

"Oh, boy… please let the girls make the salad…" Mercury shook his head and then glanced at Blade for just a second longer. 'She seems fine. Nothing makes her flinch…incredible…' He was irritated that his heart was pounding a bit faster than usual as he gazed upon Blade. This wasn't the first time Blade had been in trouble after all. 'Man, why am I so stressed out? Don't tell me, because of all what we are doing behind the scenes…'

Blade smiled brightly, "Uh, I can get some fireworks! My Uncle has the best stuff lying around."

"Awesome, I know a good spot at the lake here in Magix. No Professors, no trainers. We could do a race with the Wind riders."

"You're on!" Alex and Damon were quick to accept the challenge.

"Yes, and how about…" The group babbled on for at least half an hour until there was another knock at the door. And shortly after a grumpy Griselda stepped in.

She stared at the guys and girls having a blast, "It is way past bedtime. And Master Codatorta is missing two ships and some trainees…" She adjusted her glasses. "And you Ms Blade should be resting. No magic for a week remember? Now, out with you, boys!"