Author Note: With the late update, I'm so, so sorry. I always planned on releasing this chapter each holiday. Halloween, El Día de los Muertos, Christmas, and New Years, but something always came up and I had to close the computer. College and time management is a bitch and I'm juggling so many things, but unlike my first semester, I have more control, however, I'm also dealing with a lot of hard times going on in my life. I had so much school work to do, I was busy with other projects, and I'm going through some hard times. I hope I haven't lost any of you and hope you're still around Susanna D, I always look forward to your reviews. They motivate me to write and create more chapters. I forgot to mention in the last chapter, even though she was born in Camelot and speaks English, Veronica speaks with a Spanish accent as she spent her whole life in Spain. Veronica knows how to speak English as she was taught by Elaine but was forced to hide it. Anyways, enjoy the chapter!
I tremble, trying to hide from my nightmare, but I slowly wake up as I feel something warm and gentle wrap around me.
"Claire, wake up." I hear Jim's voice whisper, holding me close.
I open my eyes and see his blue eyes. "Good morning." I yawn.
"Why are you always trembling? Are you cold?" Jim asks with concern.
I shake my head. "No, I'm perfectly warm near you and under this comforter, but I keep having these nightmares of the Arcane Order. They come every night, and I am scared it's real before I open my eyes and find myself back in your arms." I confess and describe.
Jim frowns and pulls me closer to him. "Oh my goddess Claire, I'm sorry I can't wipe those fears away."
"It's ok, Jim; knowing I'm safe in your arms eases my mind," I reassure him and quickly kiss him on the nose.
Jim chuckles and softly kisses me on my temple.
"I think we need to get dressed since we're awake." I yawn, stretching.
"If you feel like it, yes." Jim agrees, getting up, and soon I do as well, stretching as I sit up.
We get out of bed and find our clothes folded near our stuff, which looks like someone cleaned up. I pull up my shirt and notice it's clean—no dirt or mud, making it smell nice. Jim's clothes are identical; my blood is nowhere on his blue jacket.
"Looks like something cleaned our clothes," Jim comments.
"I think the question should be, who?" I reply. We shrug it off and get dressed; our backs turn to each other. Once ready, we open the door, and the same orange fairy from last night flies in. "Seems like you were expecting us, weren't you?" I ask, making the fairy nod their head. I see a wolf and a small changeling standing next to the door when I step out. "Nymeria, NotErinque, what are you doing here?" I ask in surprise.
"We were guarding the door," Nymeria replies, stretching.
"You don't need to always worry about me," I reassure her, but in sight of annoyance. "We're in a castle, and I'm sleeping in a real bed with my boyfriend."
"But you do know what's after you, and I didn't want to interrupt you or Jim." NotErinque reminds me.
I roll my eyes. "Yes, but we also should relax."
"I both agree and disagree with you three," Jim says, budding in our conversation.
The orange fairy grabs my attention and gestures to follow them. "Alright, everyone, let's go; our friends are waiting for us." I remind them and myself.
The fairy leads the way to what we think is where our friends are. We were right; in the courtroom were all of our friends, including Blinky and AAARRRGGHH! Strangely, I see they are wearing their original clothes, in clean condition from what they were before.
"Hey, there, you two!" Mary calls out, waving at us.
"Hey, Mare!" I yawn, stretching my arms out.
"Did any of you get a good night's sleep?"
We all jump as Veronica's voice comes to our ears. I turn to the source and see her smiling sweetly at us.
"How did you do that?" Steve hissed. "Don't do that!"
"I'm sorry. I'm not used to being around other people." Veronica apologizes. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's ok, Veronica," I reassure her. "And we all slept well from the looks of it."
"Good, I have food prepared for you all. After, I will show you what I promised you last night." She replies.
We follow her into the dining hall and find the table filled with food and plates, and silverware for ten people. We sit down and eat warm and delicious-looking food.
"Oh my god! This food is so good." Darci says as she stuffs a piece of bread in her mouth, making Mary and me laugh.
"Hey Veronica, how is there food down here for us?" Zoe asks.
"Yeah, it's strange how you are a ghost, but there is food for us living humans to eat," Archie adds, jumping on the table next to Douxie, making us all look at Veronica.
"I can and do eat. This castle is between the real world and the afterlife, and I can control it whatever I wish." She replies, crossing her arms. "Now, if you want to prepare for the battle of the Arcane Order, I suggest you finish eating and follow me once you all are ready."
"I don't mean to offend you or her, but your great-grandmother is weird," NotEnrique whispers to me, making me roll my eyes.
After a while, we all finish eating and follow Veronica through the castle halls with some fairies following us. Veronica leads us to a door that opens by itself and reveals a giant arena, half as big as Arcadia Heartstone Trollmarket's arena.
"Whoa!" Toby says in amazement. "How big is this castle?"
"As big as I want it to be. It was this way when I woke up here."
"But the perimeter doesn't fit the size of this arena," Krel states, showing the castle grid on his hand-held device.
"I thought that too, but this castle changes before I can't even figure out how big it is. So what's on your device would be the same one day and different the next." Veronica replies.
"How is that possible?" Aja asks, confused.
Veronica shrugs her shoulders. "I'm not sure how to answer that properly."
"Whether or not this is a good place for us to train," Jim says, changing the subject.
"Before you start, I have a gift for Mary and Darci."
She shows a tray on a podium behind her. My two friends walk towards the tray and get excited with smiles across their faces. "Finally, a bow and arrow," Darci announce, grabbing it from the tray.
Mary grabs a rope dart and examines it. "Awesome."
"And armor like yours, Claire." Zoe comments as we see them hanging on a wall. Darci's is orange, and Mary's is green.
"Do you know how to use those weapons?" Jim asks.
"Yes," Darci replies, making Jim, me, and Toby look at each other and her with surprise. "I went to a summer camp from 5th-8th grade, and shooting targets was my favorite activity."
"What about you, Mare?" I ask, knowing it's uncommon for people to practice using a rope dart.
"No." She replies, ashamed.
"I can help you after I help my granddaughter. I have some books about martial arts, especially using a rope dart." Veronica reassures her.
"How hard can it be?" Steve scoffs. "If you know how to lasso a cow, you can use a rope dart." He adds, making me glare at him with evil eyes.
How dare he speak that way towards my best friend. Sure, Steve always does that to Jim and Toby, up to the point where I threaten to kick his ass if he does that again. Of course, he laughed it off, and I did what I warned him I would do, making him think twice about what he says towards us, so Steve is treading on thin ice, but Mary does what he said, wrapping the dart around one of his legs and tugging on the rope, making Steve fall to the ground, surprising me.
"Think it's hard for me now?" Mary asks, making all of us laugh, witnessing Steve eat his own words once again.
"I have another trick to show you," Veronica says, drawing our attention to her. She takes a deep breath, and a purple glow appears in her palm. Suddenly, the walls and ground glow purple within the trimming, showing Celtic symbols and designs around us. Above our heads, stars appear, and the air feels like we're in outer space. After only being in this castle for less than a full day, Veronica has a passion for astronomy, as everything around us associates with that concept.
"You're a witch?" I ask in shock.
"Yes, and this castle holds secrets even I don't know of, but from what you did, it will help you and Nari fight off the threats coming your way, but a curse seals this magic. The only way you can use it, you must break the curse."
"What is this curse?" Nari asks curiously.
"I'm not sure. All I know is that it restricted my, and by extension, Claire's magic."
"Wait, there's more to Claire's magic?" Douxie asks, confused and shocked.
"Why so surprised, Douxie?" Zoe says teasingly. "We all know Claire is more than what she is, and that's why the Arcane Order is after her."
"Zoe!" Jim hisses.
"Oh!" Veronica gasps. "Is that the reason why you're here?" She asks with worry.
"Yes, but we also need to defeat the Arcane Order before they take Nari and use her to open the Genesis Seals and destroy and 'recreate' the world and maybe even the universe." I correct before Nari grabs my arm tightly, feeling her tremble.
"Actually, the Arcane Order wants me and Claire to break the Genesis Seals." Nari mumbles but is loud enough to catch everyone's ear.
"What?!" They all shout, looking at her.
"You knew why they were chasing Claire down and didn't share it with us?" Douxie asks, stunned.
Nari sheepishly nods her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to create a panic."
"Well, that did the job quite well!" Jim says sarcastically, making Nari shake like a leaf.
I shiver and feel scared, but I'm not mad at Nari, and I get down to her level. "Jim, shhh! Don't blame Nari. She's just as scared as I am about the Arcane Order. I think I figured that out too from my dreams, but I didn't understand it or tell anyone, including you or Douxie." I reassure him.
"I'm sorry, Claire," Nari says softly, sounding like she's about to cry.
"It's ok, Nari. I'm annoyed but not mad at or blame anything on you." I reassure her.
Nari smiles and wraps her arms around me. "You are way too pure for the Arcane Order to take away."
I find that odd to say, but I'll take it as a compliment. "Thanks!" I reply, hugging her too. We prepare for training before I notice Veronica can disappear and reappear as a ghost in a person's shadow or the shadows. "You know Shadowancy?" I ask in surprise; Veronica's powers seem very similar to mine.
"Yes, and I see you are also blessed with the gift." She replies clearly. "If you want, I can teach you what I know."
I turn to Douxie, wanting his opinion and reassurance. He smiles and nods, telling me it's a good idea. "Yes! Yes! Of course! I would love to learn!" I say in excitement. Veronica smiles, but I turn to my friends. "But that means I can't train with my friends."
"It's ok, Claire," Douxie says reassuringly. He places his hand on my shoulder and smiles. "You need to learn more about your powers, and I think this is good that you get to spend time with one of your ancestors."
I smile and nod my head. Douxie takes his hand off my shoulder, and I turn around. "When do we start!" I ask Veronica.
"Right now."
"Ok! Let me get my spell book!" I reply before almost sprinting off.
"Hold on, Claire," Veronica says, making me freeze and turn to her.
I suddenly remember her advice about the halls in the castle. "Right, I forgot; I need a guide."
Veronica chuckles and shakes her head. "My fairy will lead you to your room and take you to the library, where I will await you." She replies, and the orange fairy appears in front of me.
I thank her and the orange fairy, and I get to me and Jim's room. I grab my spell book and almost leave before noticing a glow in my bag. I open my bag and find Morgana's journal, the glow coming from within the pages. I decided to open it, and the pages flipped themselves. I just remembered that I need to read it; it's trying to show me something I should read. The book offers a page of another diary entry.
Winterfylleþ nigon twentig,
My pain hasn't softened since I lost the dearest ones in my life. It has been almost a wice, and I hope she's ok with Elaine. I still cry over her as well for my beloved Pericvale. I try to hide my sorrow and cover up what happened over the past eight moons, Gwen, Brother, Merlin, and the court of Camelot. But I sense there is something wrong or someone is watching me. Since coming back, I see Merlin is trying to hide something from me, which he sometimes does, but this is different. I tried to get into the lab to get my spellbook, but Merlin snapped at me when he came in. I don't understand why he's acting so callous and cold to me as a monster recently attacked me, and a loyal Knight of the court was killed. Sometimes I wish I would run away and find her and Elaine again, but I have to stay to keep her safe, but I dreamt of her since I gave her up, crying for me. I wanted to reach out and hold her, but I couldn't touch her and keep her safe, but I knew I would soon find her again, one day, but when will it come?
That's odd; what is Morgana talking about? But also the date. 'Winterfylleþ nigon twentig, October 29th. That's today, 900 years ago. I didn't read Morgana's journal chronologically; it shows me what it wants me to read or I request it. Suddenly, I feel a shiver go up my spine as a distant baby's cry hits my ear, making me look around the room. Since entering, the castle's walls have been familiar and strange. I shrug it off as the sound is gone. Veronica is waiting for me, and I already waste enough time, so I set down Morgana's book and leave the room with my spell book, shadow staff, and the orange fairy; however, I can't shake off the distant cry as it echoes through my mind. What is it? Is there a baby within these walls? The orange fairy stops and looks at a door. I open it and amazement at the beautiful hall in front of me. I walk in and see the walls covered with shelves of books. The room contains astronomical items, sofas, and beautiful spiral staircases.
"You're here." I hear Veronica's voice behind me, making me jump again.
I turn around and see her smiling sweetly with Nymeria beside her.
"What took you so long?"
"Sorry, I was... distracted for a bit," I say with embarrassment. Like everyone else, I don't want to tell Veronica about Morgana's book.
"It's alright, Claire; I often wander off myself." She giggles. Veronica is so kind yet odd, just like Abeula. "So, do we want to start?" She asks.
"Yes!" I reply, nodding my head.
"Then sit, and we will begin." She says softly and shows me something of a desk with a luxurious-looking armchair. I eagerly sit down to hear Veronica speak. "In Shadowmancy, there are three types of powers, Algiakinesis, Evocation, and Necromancy. In Algiakinesis, it is the ability to manipulate or transfer pain to someone else. You can either transfer the pain to a different part of the body, consolidate pain into one aspect of the body, or even turn emotional pain into physical pain or vice versa." Veronica explains.
"That sounds like what I did to Steve yesterday," I comment. "It was an accident!" I say defensively when Veronica looks at me in surprise.
"Evocation is the ability to call spirits' presence into the mortal world at will or communicate with them. With this ability, you must be careful, as spirits will possess your body while others only speak to you. Evocation is tricky to master because spirits are their person and can do as they please if not controlled. If not, some spirits may fight or hurt you. I have that ability, and that's how I was able to communicate with you and help your body move."
"Wait, you were the one who controlled my body when I created a portal to this castle." I accused her.
"Yes. I could see you struggling from what happened to you from the Gwyllgi, and I felt I had to help you. Please don't take offense." She justifies herself, and I nod my head. "With the last one, Necromancy, it is one of the most dangerous and darkest magic abilities. It is the ability to reanimate corpses and manipulate the dead. Depending on the corpse's age and the sorcerer's ability, some can speak for themselves and pass as living people. Necromancy is a severe and powerful ability, but I don't suggest anyone do it."
"What abilities do you have?" I ask curiously.
"Some are gifted, and some try to master it. Aside from Evocation, I do not have the ability of Algiakinesis or Necromancy." Veronica replies.
"How come?"
"Since I woke up here, I have been trying to master Algiakinesis, but I'm unable to. It's a struggle and a headache for me after centuries of being alone with only fairies as companions, and I refuse to give them pain after what they endured. With Necromancy, I refuse to master it as the concept scares me, and I have no use for it, but it seems you have all three gifts."
Evocation for allowing me to talk to Morgana and seeing Veronica come to me. Algiakinesis for causing pain to Steve. And Necromancy when I was able to bring Jim back to life. Suddenly, something comes to my mind. "Veronica, can I ask you a question?" I ask, interrupting our lesson.
"Of course!" She says politely.
"It's about why the Arcane Order is after me and of a prophecy."
"A prophecy?" Veronica asks, confused. "Do you know it? May I hear it?"
I nod my head and recite the words I know by heart. "A birth of a child in the middle of the 10th month of the year, another wizard born 900 years later on the same day. Skin the color of golden sand, hair as dark as night, and the eyes the color of coco beans. With the power between light and dark, the child, born out of the blood and magic from one of the two elders sorcerers of mankind's history, holds a staff of shadows and emotions; they will either be the world's savior or doom. The choice is theirs to make."
"Interesting." Veronica reacts calmly.
"I dreamed of the Arcane Order saying that, and Nari repeated it to me. I believe this prophecy is about me, and trying to dissect it. I think I figured out the first part, 'A birth of a child in the middle of the 10th month of the year, another wizard born 900 years later on the same day.' being the dates between you and me. You were born 900 years before me on the same day, October 18th, and the 18th is about the middle of the month. The second part, I think, is the sight description of me, 'Skin the color of golden sand, hair as dark as night, and the eyes the color of coco beans.' I'm of Latino descent, I have dark hair, and I have brown eyes. But with the next part, I'm confused. I have the gift of Shadowancy, dark magic, but Douxie knows I have light glowing inside me. My staff, the shadow staff, conjures shadows and is controlled by emotions, but the other parts, 'the child, born out of the blood and magic from one of the two elders sorcerers of mankind's history' and 'they will either be the world's savior or doom. The choice is theirs to make.' I can't figure it out."
"That last part caught my attention, 'They will either be the world's savior or doom. The choice is theirs to make.' it sounds like a choice, but the problem with prophecies is they can't be avoided, according to the poems and stories about them." Veronica replies.
"What do you suggest?" I ask.
"If this prophecy is about you, the last part is most important. Some people say that prophecies can be influenced, causing them to try desperately to avoid or change them, but it's different for this prophecy. It says, 'The choice is theirs to make.' meaning the person can decide whether to become evil or good. If the prophecy says they are destined to become evil, you'd never be able to change it, no matter what you do to try and prevent it."
I find this surprising. "You seem to know so much about prophecies; do you believe in them?"
"No," Veronica replies, shaking her head. "I think they make the person who hears it become mad, and Aunt Elaine disgusted them, thinking their lies to hurt the ones who listen to them,"
"You remind me so much of my grandmother," I say softly. "Kindhearted, sweet, wise, forgiving, and mysterious. But you also remind me of my mother. Intelligent, clever, and have her beauty."
"Thank you for your compliment, Claire, and according to some of your friends, we look the same too." She giggles.
"Veronica, do we own something so powerful that the Arcane Order wants me to open the Genesis Seals?" I ask with concern, making her smile turn to worry.
"I'm not sure. Even though I've been here for 850 years, I don't fully understand my magic and heritage. I didn't understand why I was born a witch because Aunt Elaine didn't have magical abilities and didn't tell me much about my mother, no matter how many times I asked."
"Douixe says that witches and wizards can't pass down their magical abilities to their children, which confused him, Archie, and Zoe when they found out my mom and Abuela are both witches. The only thing is my mom has three siblings, and I have a brother who all don't have any magical abilities."
"Same with my daughter and first child. She showed her magical abilities a few days after her birth, but none of my other children after her had magic. I had thought my magic was hereditary from the firstborns, but I died before my first grandchild was born to my first child."
"In our family, we treat the firstborns of our families as the most important person in the world. That was the case for Abuela, Mom, and me whenever I was around my family. With our magic, no one expects our parents or spouse to know about it. However, when I showed my magical abilities the day I was born, Mom felt guilty, saying she 'didn't want me to live a life she did' up to the point where Mom modified my memories when I was eight, making me forget my magical abilities until I rediscovered them a few months ago."
"Oh my goddess," Veronica says in shock. "Claire, I'm so sorry."
"It's ok. I'm starting to remember my past of my magic slowly; however, the memories Mom modified are permanent, making her guilt worse, but I understand why she did that. She wanted to protect me." I reassured her. With saying that, Veronica lowers her eyes and looks a bit sad. "What's wrong?"
"That's what Aunt Elaine said to explain why my mother gave me up; she wanted to protect me, which I believe she did, no matter how painful it was for me to admit I never got the chance to see her." She replies calmly. "Now, come on, Claire, let's meet up with your friends. We with discuss this later." She adds, changing the subject quickly.
I want to ask her more questions, questions running through my head, but I follow her and the orange fairy without complaint or protest. Before we leave, Veronica collects some books for Mary and Darci and hands them to me as she's a ghost and can't hold them. While walking through the halls, the orange fairy floats near my ear and flies over my head, making me laugh.
"She likes you," Veronica says, giggling.
"What's her name?" I ask.
"Amber. None of the fairies have names, so I name them."
"Amber," I repeat, making her swirl around me, making me laugh. "I like it, but how can they know how to travel around the castle even though you've been here for 850 years?" I ask.
"Fairies are sneaky and clever creatures. You can throw them in an ever-changing maze, and they can still find where they need to go or locate each other; that's why they led me around the castle." Veronica explains.
"Why does this castle change like a maze?"
"I don't exactly know why. It seems like something in this castle doesn't want me to find it; however, when I really need to find something, the castle, and the fairies help me."
Soon, we get to the giant arena and see all my friends training. I spot Darci and Mary practicing with their new weapons, and they seem to be fast learners, Darci shooting a bullseye and Mary cutting targets with the dart.
"Hey, Claire!" Aja calls out, drawing everyone's attention to Veronica and me.
"How was your first lesson with your great-grandmother?" NotErinque asks, walking up to me.
"Good," I admit as I walk over to Mary and Darci. "Veronica and I brought some books for you to read," I say and show them. One is for Darci, The History of the Arrow, for her learning how to shoot better, and two for Mary, The History of Martial Arts and How to Master Chinese Weapons. The books aren't too big, but Mary and Darci groan, seeing they're the size of textbooks from school.
"I'm so tired I don't want to do homework," Mary whines.
"Suck it up, Mare," I reply. "I have to read a spell book this large every day."
She mutters under her breath, and the girls take the books, but then my heightened sense of smell detects a disgusting smell and sniffs the air, making me gag.
"What's wrong, Claire?" Darci asks, making the smell worse as she walks towards me.
"You guys…smell," I whisper, but it catches Mary's ear.
"How dare you say that?" She hisses. "I haven't had a shower in over a week."
"She's not wrong, Mare," Darci replies, rolling her eyes.
"I can't help it; my senses are so heightened," I mutter, wrinkling my nose.
"If you need it, I have a place for you to wash up, one for boys and another for girls." Veronica offers us.
"Yeah, because the boys smell too." Zoe laughs.
"We do not!" Steve shouts, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, you do." I groan. "I can smell it, and I'm five feet away from you guys."
Mary scratches her hair and notices so much dandruff on her scalp, making Jim chuckle. "What's so funny?"
"Claire used to do that when we traveled to-"
"Jim!" I hiss, causing him to shut up.
"Where are these 'wash up' areas?" Steve complains.
"Emerlde, the green fairy, will lead you boys to where it is while I will lead the girls," Veronica replies and asks the other girls and me to follow her, including Nari and Nymeria. Even though Nari is a demi-god, she identifies as a girl, and Nymeria is a wolf. Veronica shows us a large pool of dark water with shampoo, conditioner, and soap on a flat, surfaced rock.
"This is a 'washing' area?" Mary asks with shock.
"Yes, this is how I and people in the 11th century bathe." Veronica.
"I'm not going in there." Mary protested, crossing her arms.
"Oh, come on, Mary." Zoe laughs. "I used to do this all the time, and it's safe."
"You're only used to it because you lived in the 11th century!"
"Well, if you don't want to be clean, Mare, I will," I say as I take off my jacket, getting ready to strip.
"Wait! Should we do this one at a time?" Darci asks, blushing.
"It's your choice, girl," Zoe replies, taking off her shirt to show off her bar. "But Claire and I have already made up our minds."
I went behind a rock and stripped down where everything, including my underwear, was off my body before diving into the water, making me shiver. It isn't deep as I can touch the bottom with my tippy-toes, but the darkness helps cover my body if you don't look closely. "Come on, guys, the water might be cold but safe," I shout to them, swimming. Soon, Zoe gets in, and we swim a comfortable distance away. While moving through the water and how it reacts to my naked body reminds me of what Jim would say. During our travels to New Jersey, I would sweat and get dirty, which did not make me smell good. At first, it was uncomfortable, but I quietly dealt with it. Because of Jim's strong sense of smell as a Half-Troll made him be bothered by the issue, so one day, he told me to bathe in the pool of water down under the cliff, where we stopped for rest. I was embarrassed, but he promised me he wouldn't look. We made a system where whenever we stopped, if it were by a pool of water, I would have to wash up. No troll saw. Jim kept his back from me while keeping guard. It was embarrassing for me, but I felt a bit better despite the water not being clean, and I was constantly afraid there was something in the water that would hurt me, but I was lucky.
"Hey! Throw me the shampoo!" I hear Zoe shout and see Mary and Darci in the water. "I guess you're not a chicken anymore, huh?" Zoe laughs, catching the shampoo bottle from Darci. "Girls like you who live in comfort all their lives can't handle swimming naked in the water."
"I swear to god, Zoe, you will regret that!" Mary hisses but doesn't dare come close, covering her chest.
"Zoe!" I growl, making her shut up. "Not everyone has the experience you and I have."
"I had to bathe like this for centuries; you had to do it for a few months."
"That doesn't mean you should undermine Mary and Darci. Many people who live in the Western world in the 21st century don't need to bathe like this; you shouldn't judge or shame them."
"But they wanted to come on this journey," Zoe argues.
"Yes, but they didn't truly understand what they were getting into. They wanted to follow me with our friends, and that's all they care about." I correct. "I didn't either when I left Arcadia with Jim and the trolls. I wanted to be by Jim's side, not thinking about what would happen to me." I say, tears coming to my eyes as I think of New Jersey.
"Fine! It looks like I can't win this debate." Zoe hisses and throws the shampoo at me, which I catch. Zoe swims to her clothes, and I turn away, mad at her. I love Zoe, but I hate her bold attitude and feel bad. She spent 900 years alone and struggled with her social skills. She has Douxie but refuses to admit that she loves him. I want her to be happy and ease up, but it's hard for a 17-year-old girl to help a 923-year-old witch. Mary, Darci, and I finish washing up and separately change into our clothes before heading back to the courtroom. I hope to see Zoe here, but she's not.
"Where's Zoe?" I turn around and see Douxie and the boys walking over to us.
"She ran away after Claire reprimanded her," Darci replies, making me tense up as Douxie sighs.
"Well, she's going to get lost." Steve comments, making Douxie glare at him.
"I'm sorry, Douxie, she was being vulgar to Darci and Mary," I say, worried for my friends.
"It's ok, Claire, you did nothing wrong. Zoe is still struggling with how to be social." He reassures me, calming me down. "I'll check up on her," And leaves with an emerald fairy leading the way to find Zoe.
Hours later, he doesn't come back. Since then, Archie has been conflicted with checking up on his wizard familiar. He is concerned for him, but at the same time, if Douxie finds Zoe and is with her, Archie doesn't want to interrupt them and upset Zoe even more, so Veronica sends Amber to sneak and search for the two wizards. Amber finds them in Zoe's bedroom and tells Veronica this, who translates it to us. I almost crack a smile, hearing my mentor is with his crush, comforting her, but I still feel ashamed of what I said to her. While waiting, I train with Jim and am excited to spend time with him like I did when I started as a trollhunter. Then soon, Douxie shows up with the emerald fairy but missing someone.
"Where's Zoe?" I ask with concern. "Is she alright?"
"Yes, but she doesn't want to leave her bedroom. Sorry I took so long." Douxie replies calmly.
"I bet you two were busy, huh?" Steve snickers, making Douxie blush.
"Steve, stay out of me and Zoe's business before she has the idea to jinx you." He hisses, warning him, making Steve shut up again.
"When will she come out?" Darci asks, concerned too.
Douxie shrugs his shoulders. "Tomorrow."
"She's really stubborn." Toby comments.
"She's mad because of me," I say softly, lowering my head. Then I feel Douxie's hand on my shoulder, making me look up at him.
"No, Claire; she feels guilty and ashamed because she snapped at you and her other friends. She wanted me to tell you did nothing wrong." He replies seriously, making me show a bit of a smile, and we hug.
"I'm hungry," Tody says, changing the subject, slightly ruining the moment. "What time is it?"
"6:30 pm, according to my deceive," Krel replies, pulling it out.
"The castle will make food for you in the dining room when ready," Veronica replies.
"Should we call Zoe for food?" I ask Douxie.
"I'll bring her food to her room, don't worry." He reassures me.
We all walk to the dining room and find the table filled with delicious food; unlike yesterday and this morning, everyone scarfs down the food on their plate. Since we know Veroncia is a witch and knows how the castle works, we don't ask how this is all here. Due to doing nothing but training today, we are all so exhausted we are retiring early to hit the hay, but Douxie whispered to me to get the gemstone and met him with Veroncia, Nari, and Archie in her study room. I know what he means and agrees before walking to my bedroom with Jim. When there, Jim immediately changes to go to sleep while I quickly stuff the blue-purple circular gemstone in my pocket.
"Why aren't you getting ready for bed?" Jim asks as I turn to him.
"Sorry, Jim, but I have to meet up with Veronica. I want to talk to her more after all these lessons and training, but I promise I will come back and sleep next to you." I lie.
Jim smiles and walks over to me. "Take all the time you need with her. You deserve this after what happened to your Abuela." He says kindly.
"No, that's not why, Jim!" I snap.
"Claire, I'm just worried about you. I want you to grieve over her so you can heal, and I don't want you to bottle up all of this."
"Jim, this isn't the time. The Arcane Order is chasing us, and I must prepare for what's coming. I just want to talk to Veronica, not about Abuela." I remind him.
Jim sighs, looking a bit disappointed but nods his head. "Ok." He replies and kisses me on the forehead. "Just promise to tell me if you need help. I want to help."
"I promise," I reply, thankfully of my boyfriend's support, but I want to drop this subject. I can't grieve; I can't, and I want vengeance that will let me heal. I open the door as Jim gets on the bed.
"Claire." He calls out before I walk out, making me turn to him. "I love you."
"I love you too," I reply before closing the door where Amber waits for me. "Seems like Veronica sent you," I whisper, and Amber nods. She leads me down the halls and gestures to a door, and I open it, seeing Veronica, Douxie, Nari, and Archie waiting for me. "Hey, guys!"
"Come in, Claire; I heard from Douxie you want to talk to me." She says calmly, and I obey.
This room looks a bit like Merlin's laboratory in Camelot, big, has some fancy devices around, and even a circular, astronomic table.
"Now, what do you need to tell me?"
"This is a bit complicated to explain, but we need to create a magical artifact and hope you can supply us with help and materials," Douxie replies.
"Alright," Veronica asks in slight confusion. What is the artifact, and what materials do you need?"
"It's a magical amulet called the Amulet of Daylight, a magical amulet created by Merlin, which acted as both the source of power and a symbol of office for the Trollhunter, capable of summoning the Trollhunter Armor and the Sword of Daylight. However, my boyfriend, a human, was chosen to become the Trollhunter, making him the first human Trollhunter. Unfortunately, the Arcane Order destroyed the Amulet, and Jim is no longer the Trollhunter. But I want to restore it. I have a circular gemstone similar to the original, and we need more materials to restore it." I explain, getting out and showing Veronica the gemstone.
"We think she's crazy, but we're willing to try," Archie commented, making Douxie glare at him.
"Well, I can certainly help and give you all I can. This castle can supply anything I need, and it will do the same for Claire because she's my granddaughter." Veronica replies. "But why ask me this in private?"
"We haven't told anyone else this as we want it to be this way. We don't know if this will work or not, and I want to protect Claire." Douxie justifies.
"Alright. I will help you in any way I can." Veronica agrees, making me and Douxie smile. "But why won't you think it will work?"
"Because to unlock the Aumlet, two master wizards must be able to do it," Archie replies, making me roll my eyes. "Even though we have three wizards, only one is a master wizard."
"Even though that Claire doesn't have the status of a 'master' wizard, it doesn't mean she can be as powerful as one," Veronica says. "You can't judge a person based on their status but their skill."
"You're a very knowable and wise woman Veronica." Douxie complaints. "Wiser than my master."
"I have lived a long time Douxie and read a lot."
With that said, we agreed to the plan and went to our rooms. Amber leads me back to my room, and when I quietly open the door, I see Jim sleeping on our bed. I smile, seeing him so peacefully. I get dressed into my long nightgown and get under the comforters next to my boyfriend. I wrap myself in his arms and snuggle close. I lay my head on his shoulder and slowly drift off to sleep,
Author Note: What is written in Morgana's dairy is Old English, a language said in 11th century England. When Claire opens the book, it translates from Old English to New English we use in the 21st century, however, some of the words are still written in Old English and thanks to Strickler, he gave Claire, one of his brightest students, a book on the language of Old English, so Claire understands a bit of it.