Note To Readers: See Guys! I Told You I'd Be Back In Just A Few Days To Post! Bet You Didn't Believe Me Lol. I'm Trying To Make It Up To You Guys Since You Had To Wait So Long. I also updated my last chapter's text. I Changed The Title Because I Thought That This Was More Fitting. Why's That? You'll Just Have To Read And Find Out ;)
Chapter 127: Who Do You Trust? And Who Do You Fear?
Magma poured down, from the pitch-black cliffs above, that seemed to almost form waterfalls as they did so. Stella, Cellos, Yuki, Techna, Selina, and Carlos all watched pieces of the hardened floating lava that crossed their path as it guided them forward. Each step was filled with misery as the immense heat was only made to grow even more intense as bubbling magma shot out from several of the guisers surrounding the large party.
Even salamanders could be seen resting on the heated rock in comfort. However, Stella was caught off guard as one of the guisers blew and spewed out burning magma which had unexpectedly been harboring a salamander from within it. "AHHHHH!" the faerie screamed before she nearly fell over and she lost her balance while Stella stumbled backward. She was only fortunate that Yuki manage to catch her bottom with his left foot before her ass could make contact with the ground. "Geeze Stella! You Have Got To Be More Careful!" Selina exclaimed. "Trust Me, If Your Ass Made Contact With The Ground, It Wouldn't End With Just Hot Cross Buns..." the witch warned.
"Well! Excuse Me! It's Not Like That Was Something I Was Exactly Preparing For! Thank You Very Much!" Stella huffed before Yuki's eyes drifted over towards the faerie as he removed his foot. "The Thing Is...She's Right..." he defended Seilina's choice of words. "Please Keep In Mind...That We're In Uncharted Territory...Which Means...There's No Telling What...We Might Come Across...So...Try To Be More Careful...And Not Get Us All Killed Preferably..." The black-haired male added towards the end before Techna looked around.
"So, First We End Up In Draconia's Aqueduct...Then We Get Carried To A Portal Of Fire...Which In The End Leads Us To This Place...I Believe It's Known As The Firelands If I'm Not Mistaken." Techna began. "I'm Making A Map Of The Area As We Go Along...But According To The Display Ahead...It's Just One Large River Of Magma...Even So, I'll Still If I Can Find A Way Around It." the faerie of technology informed the others as she tried to use her phone to scan their surrounding area. "Yes...You Do That Techna...You Do That..." Cellos remarked rather sarcastically. However, she didn't quite pick up on it.
"Um...Correct Me If I'm Wrong...But Can't You Just Fly Over It?" Carlos questioned as Stella made her way over to the obsidian shore while it reflected her image within it. "That's A Fantabulous! Idea Carlos Darling. Except, We're Trying To Stay Under The Radar Of The Requiem Knights. Otherwise, I'd Be Totally With You!" the faerie of the sun and moon exclaimed. "Oh Yes! Yes! I Quite Agree! Well, Argued Stella!" Cellos quickly chimed in as Yuki wandered off towards the left portion of the obsidian shore and gradually bent down to his knees in order to look at it closer. "...I Believe...I Have An Idea..." the black-haired male finally spoke up.
"Oh, Did You Think Of A Way That We Can Cross Without Being Boiled Alive At approximately 1,300 Degrees Fahrenheit Yuki? My Scans Didn't Seem To Pick Up Any Alternate Routes." Techna informed him as she made her way over. "It Doesn't Happen To Have Anything With The Portion Of The Ground, That You Haven't Taken Your Eyes Off Does It?" Selina asked skeptically before Carlos made a face. "...Why Do I Have A Bad Feeling About This...?" he couldn't help but ask himself out loud.
"...Very Observant Selina...In Fact Yes...In Particular Obsidian...Is About As Half As Strong...As Diamond, However...As The Magma...Strikes And Shapes It...It Also Tends To...Soften It...As A Result...It Can Become Like Glass...That Being The Case...We Can Break Off Portions...Of The Obsidian...And Use Them...To Cross The Magma..." Yuki theorized. "Oh I See, Well In That Case. Allow Me To Lend My Assistance." Cellos mused before he summoned his staff and struck the area before it began to break into several large portions.
"YEAH!Now That's What I'm Talking About!" Stella cheered before she leaped onto the first one that crossed her path. "Why Thank You Stella Dearest." The Ghoul purred while he followed suit. "With All That Air, You Could've Just Floated Your Way Across." Selina half teased as she began to make her way across the fissure of magma. "Actually, I Wouldn't Object To That..." Carlos shivered as he worked up the courage to grab one of the obsidian chunks while it drifted towards him. Yuki however waited until a slightly bigger one was gradually guided in his direction.
"...I Don't Know About This..." Techna squirmed as she watched as the black-haired male finally stepped onto one. It was only then that she paused a hand extended out towards her. "I'm Not Going...To Let You Fall..." Yuki assured the faerie of technology before she took a deep breath and grabbed onto his hand before the black-haired male pulled her carefully onto the makeshift raft. "See Now That... Wasn't But So Bad...Was It?" Yuki teased before Techna couldn't help awkwardly smile at him.
"Nope, Not At All! A Perfectly Logical Conclusion." the faerie of technology let out a giggle. She wasn't sure if the heat was beginning to get to her or whether her face was just really red. Or Maybe it was both as Stella couldn't help but watch as things were heating up in more ways than one. "Ah, Romance In A Deadly Boiling Volconao! The Perfectly Steamy Get Away For Couples In Love." The faerie of the moon and the sun swooned before she began to fan herself. "Speaking Of Which...It's Getting Hotter In Here By The Minute...I'm Seriously Starting To Rethink My Outfit Choice..."
"Picture This A Fire Resistant Clothing Line! Boots And Way Cute Bags! Like The Skin On Those Creatures Over There, I Just Love The Ember Colored Scales!" Stells continued to fantasize before she noticed that there just wasn't one, but a whole horde of them. "While It Might Be Rather Amusing, To See You Try And Catch Them, Stella My Dear, I'd Have To Highly Advise Against Doing So. Those Creatures Are Known As Salamanders. Legend Has It That They Are Born From The Flames Themselves." Cellos began as he floated on another island of obsidian from nearby.
"That's Correct...They Spit Out Magma...And their Exceptionally Long Tongues...Are Known To Be Able To...Sear Through Both Flesh And Bone...In A Matter Of Seconds...If They Manage To Get A Hold Of You...So I've Heard...In Which Case...I'd Avoid Touching Them...Yes..." Yuki added in his two cents. "I've Heard Of Them, On Pyros, They Are A Common Specimen Next To Dragons Back In The Magic Dimension. Either Way, As Advised, We Should Keep Our Distance As They Are Known To Be VERY Territorial." Techna soon followed.
"I THINK IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT!" Carlos cried out as a group of Salamanders hissed at them and began to charge down the mountains of obsidian towards the end of the shore while some even dove right into the magma that were closer to the party. "Oh No You Don't!" Selina spat as she summoned a huge serpent made out of glowing green energy to try and knock them back while she alone controlled its movement. "So Much For Not Using Our Powers! WINX CELESTIX!" Stella cried out before she began to transform while her entire body was cloaked in stardust. "RIGHT BEHIND YOU STELLA! WINX CELESTIX!"Techna quickly echoed.
Celestix...Celestix...
Like The Brightest Star, We're Shining!
As The World's Revolvin'!
Out In Space We're Gonna Be Rockin'!
Look How Far We're Flyin'
It's A Dream Worth Findin'
Look Up Now Here I'm Comin!
Celestix...Celestix...
Verse 2
Feel It Wakin' Up Inside Me!
The Blessing Of The Stars Have Found Me!
Voices Call Out To Me This Hour
Evoke That Divine Power!
Although You May Try To Bind Me...
Nothin's Gonna Stop Me!
Celestix...Celestix...
"...No Matter How Many Times I See That...It's Still Awesome..." Carlos admitted as he watched Stella and Techna transform into their faerie forms. "Well, They DO Put On A Show I'll Give Them That." Cellos conceded. "...I Believe We Have...More Pressing Matters To Attend To...Right Now..." Yuki reminded them before his entire body illuminated red and slowly lifted his hands up to form a wall of fire to keep the other salamanders from getting anywhere near the shore just beyond them. It was a battle of endurance as he fought the salamanders for control over the magma.
"Remember, We Can't Destroy Them Because They Are Made Of Fire. So We Need To Drive Them Away From The Area Temporarily." Techna relayed that information to Stella and she nodded. "Drive Them Away, Got It! And How Are We Supposed To Do That Exactly...?" the faerie of the sun and moon questioned. "Simple, You're Going To Summon Your Best Sunlight Spell And Direct To Towards Me, I'm Going Molecularly Transfigure It. Then You're Hit The Salamanders All At Once!" the faerie of technology exclaimed.
"...I'm Gonna Use Sunlight And I'm Gonna Do What!?" Stella questioned. "Um, Stella Dear...I Believe Now Isn't The Best To To Be Asking For Specifics..." Cellos sweatdropped as he pointed out the situation at hand while he used his own powers to try and encase some of the salamanders in quartz gemstone. However, it seemed to backfire as the moment they heated up their whole bodies, the quarts shattered and its fragments as well in all directions.
"AHHH!"Carlos cried as he quickly ducked as a hurricane of shards flew right at him. Luckily for him, however, Seilina manipulated the serpent in her control to coil around him and block the quartz from empaling him. The Mexican could only let out a sigh of relief as he still felt his heart pounding in his chest. "PHEW! THANKS FOR THE SAVE!" Carlos cried out as Seilina sent him a playful wink in response. "Anytime." The Witch Of Snakes giggled. "...I'm Not Sure...How Much Longer...I Can Hold Them Back...So Whatever You're...Going To Do...I Suggest Getting To It..." Yuki urged the faeries in front of him.
"Right! Here Goes Nothing! ILLUMINATION OF A THOUSAND SUNS! SOLAR STRIKE!"Stella screamed as stardust filled with light began to be absorbed into her body before she leashed all of it toward the horde of Salamanders. Blades made out of pure sunlight as they only sharpened while they closed in on the wall of fire. It was Techna's turn as she suddenly impeded their path. "TECHNA! WHAT THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?" the faerie of the sun and moon screamed in horror as the faerie of technology stood her ground.
"Just TRUSTMe Stella!" Techna urged before she concentrated all of her power as she immersed her body with dark matter and formed a huge black hole right in her chest as she drew the sharpened blades of sunlight into the vortex. "DIMENSIONAL GATE!" the faerie cried out before she broke down the swords of light into a molecular structure despite it being visible. Little orbs of light manifested around her one after another.
"MOLECULAR MANIPULATION! LIGHT TRANSFIGURATION! ICIFICATION!" Techna cried out as the orbs of light began to turn a light blue as their molecular structure charged. Afterward, the faerie of technology turned towards the wall of fire with the black hole still open. "Ok, Yuki! Let Down The Fire Wall!" she called out before he nodded and dropped his hands which also withdrew the barrier he created. "There's Nothing Stopping Them Now!" Selina observed as she continued to stay on the defensive.
"...I Just Hope Techna Knows What She's Doing..." Carlos shivered. "Well, There's Only One Way To Find Out." Cellos mused. "Yes...Let's Just Watch Her For Now..." Yuki agreed. (...But...If My Theory Is Correct...Then...) he thought to himself while he observed to see if what he was thinking was correct in the end. Without an ounce of hesitation, Techna turned toward the horde of salamanders and unleashed a barrage of blades that were made up of frigid ice instead of light. A slight smile gradually worked its way onto Yuki's face as a result.
"WOAH!" Stella cried as she watched the ice blades cut right through the air. Not only did the boiling magma freeze but the salamanders soon began to flee as the blades struck the area around them which caused the environment to be far too cold for their liking. "...Now THAT...Was Bad Ass..." Selina couldn't help but admit with a smirk of her own. "WOO! WAY TO GO TECHNA!" Carlos cheered with a whistle as the faerie of technology carefully flew back down to the ice-covered ground as Stella quickly helped. "Techna That Was Absolutely Amazing! But How Did You Manage To Pull That Off?" the faerie of the sun and moon questioned.
"Well...I'll Try To Explain It...But I Don't Know If I Can...How Should I Put This? In A Way That You Or The Others Will Be Able To Understand." Techna confessed. "Let's Put It This Way...When I Gained Celestix...It Wasn't Just Founded In Technology Itself. It Was An Understanding Of Greater Knowledge...The Worlds...Their Make Up...The People And Creatures Living With Them...Magic And Elements Which All Connect Them. Creation, Destruction And The Science Involved It Along With The Magic Aspects." the faerie of technology continued. But Stella only looked at her blankly.
"I Can Control Matter, That Makes Up Everything And Everyone In The Universe. So I Could Take An Element Like Yours, Light, And Turn It Into Something Completely Different Ice." Techna tried to simplify her explanation. "Basically, She's Got The Powers Of Both A Shape Shifter And That Of An Elementian Whom Controls Elements." Cellos broke it down for the confused blonde. "Oh Right...Matter..." Stella repeated with a nervous giggle.
"Normally...If One Wishes... To Turn One... Element Into Another...It Must Be A...Similar One...Such As...Water And Ice...But It Would Seem...That Law Doesn't Apply...To The Powers...That Techna Currently Possesses...It Was Definitely Something..." Yuki admitted rather fascinated as to how she was able to perform what should have been an impossible feat. "Thanks..." Techna murmured sheepishly as she couldn't help but lightly twirl her hair on her right finger.
"Riiight I'm Thinking We Should Bounce Before The Ice Thaws...Any Objections To That? Carlos questioned as he eyed the blades of ice that were within the obsidian. "Nope! Let's Get A Move On!" Stella beamed as she cheerfully led the way. "Oh Dear..." Cellos sweatdropped as he watched the overly enthusiastic faerie begin to stray from the group. "Errr Stella, Perhaps You Should Consider Ceasing Your Quickened Pace, After All, We Aren't Certain As To What Lies Ahead!" the Ghoul called out as he felt a strange chill in the air. Seilina only rolled her eyes.
"As If Little Miss Loud Mouth Would Listen To A Word You Say." the Witch Of Snakes remarked. "Yes, Stella May Often Be Eager, And Sometimes She Doesn't Think Before Acting, But She's Doing Her Best To Help In A Darkened Situation." Techna defended. "Perhaps...But It Can't Be Argued...That She's Being Reckless...All The Same..." Yuki retorted as he let out a heavy sigh as they crossed over to the other side. It was only after they did so, that they ran into what appeared to be a mountain of obsidian that they would have to scale in order to continue their progression.
Luckily, With Wings That Wasn't A Problem For Stella As She Flew Right Over It. However, What She Saw Next Caused Her to Stop In Her Tracks As Her Brown Eyes Widened With A Mixture Of Horror And Disbelief. "Stella?" Techna questioned as she passed by the others and made her way over to her best friend. "What's Going On? Why Did You Stop All Of A Sudden?" the faerie of technology inquired before the faerie of the sun and moon pointed in the direction ahead of them. Techna slowly followed Stella's finger until a horrified gasp escaped her as well.
"GUYS! GET OVER HERE THERE'S SOMETHING YOU'RE GONNA WANNA SEE!"Techna's voice echoed. Before Cellos turned in the direction that he heard the faerie call out to them, the ghoul gradually began to levitate and flew toward the source of Techna's voice. The rest of the party began to follow on foot as they attempted to scale the large obsidian mountain. However, Selena heard the sound of something else entirely. Almost like a rattling or shaking. "Do You Hear That?" the Witch of Snakes finally asked before Carlos turned towards her as he struggled to climb up the obsidian cliff.
"Ugh...I Don't Hear Anything...Besides My Regret...Skipping Out On Gym Class..." The Mexican confessed as he swore he could feel his back pop. "I'd Have To Agree...With That Sentiment...Honestly...Being The Guild Leader... Of A Famous Black Market Guild...Didn't Do Me...Any Favors Either...As I Stayed Out Of The Field..." Yuki admitted. (...Still...What Could Of Possibly...Unsettled Stella And Techna...To This Extent...? Just What Is It...That's Awaiting Us...On The Otherside...?)The black-haired male pondered silently to himself towards the end. However, as they climbed over the last portion of the obsidian mountain, the party was given the answer.
Immediately as the view over the mountain came into Cellos's sight, a sharpened gasp escaped the ghoul as his eyes widened. Ash rained down from above while the world below contained pitch-black flames that trapped a large group of black and red dragons chained to each other. Within the ruins of a city no more, all of them appeared to be dormant except one that was mostly colored red with black scales down its back and tail.
"...This Is...The Firelands...?" Stella almost choked out. "Yes, According To My Geographical Layout Of Draconia...But..." Techna answered but she couldn't seem to even bring herself to finish her sentence. "It Looks More Like A Prison To Me...That's For Sure..." Selena pointed out before Carlos tried his best to cover his mouth. "Ugh...The Air In This Place Is Unbearable...I Can Hardly Breath Without Getting The Heated Ash Down My Throat..." The Mexican coughed in between.
"...Do You See...That Black Fire...Down Below Us...? Those Are Darkened Flames...That Can Be Summoned...But Not Extinguished...Without A Spirit Flame...And The Most Likely...One To Do So...Would Be That Remaining...Dragon Over There...I'm Guessing...He Used Such...A Method Out Of...An Act Of Desperation...At Any Rate...We Should Go...And Get It's Side...Of The Story...At The Very Least..." Yuki encouraged the party through his observations before Stella turned to the former Guild Master.
"HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY BE SO RELAXED ABOUT THIS SITUATION!? IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN, THOSE POOR CREATURES ARE BOUND IN CHAINS! SURROUNDED BY FIRE! FORGET ABOUT THE REASON! WE NEED TO HELP THEM! SOMEONE'S OBVIOUSLY DONE THIS TO THEM!" Stella cried out as she found herself seething with frustration before she quickly turned towards Cellos. "You Agree With Me Right!? Saving The Dragons Comes First! The Questions Can Wait! Right? Right!?" the faerie of The Sun and Moon questioned Cellos.
It was only then that she saw The Ghoul was holding his head while his body couldn't seem to stop trembling. Even his eyes were closed tight, almost as if he was in pain while something pulsed within him. "ARGHHHH!" Cellos cried through his gritted teeth. Images kept flashing through his head the ruins of a large city, covered in icy blue flames and crystal spikes. Falling Snow that was dyed with crimson followed a vision of chains that bound a pair of arms to a burning tower.
{CELLOS!} The Ghoul heard the cries of a male's voice before it someone transfigured to a more feminine one. Cellos took a sharpened breath as he snapped back to reality while he found himself on one knee in the midst of an effort to catch his breath and to also regain his composure. "It Looks Like He's Coming Out Of It." Techna's voice echoed from nearby. "Oh Thank Goodness! I Was So Worried!" Stella breathed a sigh of relief as she watched him gradually yet slowly get back to his feet.
"While I Appreciate Your Concern, Over My Wellbeing. You Need Not Worry About Me, I Believe The Collected Heat In The Air, Just Proved To Be A Bit Much To Handle All At Once, That's All, Besides We Have A Much Pressing Matter With The Imprisoned Dragons, Wouldn't You Say?" Cellos quickly changed the subject as he put on a cheerful mask. It was only afterward, that The Ghoul began to make his way down the obsidian mountain. "Yeah...But...I'm Worried About You Too..." Stella almost whispered as he slid down past her. Techna gently placed her hand on her best friend's shoulder.
"Come On, Let's Follow After Him." the Faerie of Technology suggested. "Yes...I Believe That's... The Wisest Course... Of Action...Given The Circumstances..." Yuki agreed as he led the way with both Stella and Techna behind him. "Well That Was Bizarre..." Selena admitted as she remained slightly behind the others as did Carlos. "Yeah...Cellos Was Totally Freaking Out Just Now..." he observed in agreement. "Let's Just Keep An Eye On Him..." The Witch Of Snakes Advised while The Mexican only shot her a confused glance in her direction. "And Just What Is That Supposed To Mean Selena?" Carlos questioned.
"...I Don't Trust Him...Not When Undine Has A Chain And Collar Around Him...Nor Do I Trust Her...We Both Need To Be Careful..." Selena warned as Carlos quietly listened. "Good Point...I Hadn't Thought Of It Like That..." he admitted before they both quickly hastened their steps in order to catch up with the others. Luckily, they appeared to be just in time, as Stella cautiously approached The Dragon whom for some reason remained awake, unlike the others of his kind. As she did so, the crimson-red dragon pried its eyes open and directed them toward the party.
"You Whom Possess The Power Of The Sun...Why Have You Come To Disturb Us Within This Place? For Those Whom Have Claimed To Be Allies Of Light...Have Instead Only Spreads Darkness In Their Wake...Do You Not See It Before You? My Brethren Whom Slumber Bound In Chains And Walled In By Black Flames...Our City Destroyed...This Is But A Projection Of The Eternal Nightmare That We Are Imprisoned In...A Hell Of HIS Own Making..." The Crimson Dragon Hissed. Stella couldn't help but tremble within the dragon's intimidating presence. For right now, it looked as if it wanted to do nothing more than incinerate her, however, she couldn't back down now.
"Wait...So This Is Just A Dream That We're Seeing? One That Is Being Made Real By The Dreams Of The Other Dragons. If That's The Case, Then There Must Be Something That Is Fueling And Creating This Living Nightmare." Techna reasoned. "Yes, I Believe, If We Were... To Find The Source... We Could Then...Return Things To...How They Were Originally...Before..." Yuki added with a firm nod as Cellos finally stepped forward while he clutched at his staff for support. "If It's Not Too Much Trouble...Would You Mind Telling Us What Happened In Detail? To You And The Others?" The Ghoul questioned.
The Crimson Dragon paused as he stared back at Cellos who dared to approach him. It was almost as if the creature was studying him in nothing but silence, in order to decide whether to comply with his request. "...Very Well...I Shall Tell You...Kinsmen...Since We Share The Same Blood...Even If It Has Been Tainted...Beyond Your Own Will..." The Dragon's voice echoed as the entire group paused upon hearing the words that came from the beast's mouth.
(...The Same Blood...Wait...Is That Dragon...Saying Cellos Is One Of Them...? But How Can That Be? Both Noah And Loore Refer To Him As A Ghoul. A Spirit Being That Was Once Dead Which Can Maintain A Physical Form Using An Anchor To Hold The Spirit To The Mortal Plane...Professor Wizgis Used To Teach Us All About Them Back At Alfea...) Stella couldn't help but question.
(But What's All This About Being Tainted? Was He Made Like This Against His Wishes? Is That What The Dragon Meant By That? Ugh This Is So Confusingly frustrating!) The Faerie of The Sun and Moon groaned as she held her head. "Hold On, I'll Record The Conversation, In Case We Need To Use It As A Reference Later On..." Techna chimed in as she pressed a few buttons on her phone and held it as still as possible. "Yes, I Believe That's Wise..." Yuki conceded. "Please, Go On, We Need To Here More About What's Happened Here." Carlos urged. "So, That We Can Help Put An End To It, This Is," Selena added after the fact.
"Our Clan Twas Once A Proud One...Among The Many Dragon Clans That Exist Within Draconia Itself...The Firelands Where We Carry And Protect The Sacred Flame Hath Always Been The Duty That We Were Given...Yet...The Elder Council Of Draconia Turned Their Back To Us...Whom Once Swore An Oath To Protect The Interest Of All Dragon Clans...This They Did Not Do...For We Soon Learned The Truth...
"That Within The Council Itself...Were Those Whom Secretly Aided And Supported The Angels Of Justice Ideals...And Therefore Formed An Alliance With Its Leader. While Some Of The Dragon Clans Accepted Their Treason For Mere Survival Alone...We Of The Firelands Did Not Bend Out Necks To Them...As Such...We Were Chosen To Serve As An Example Of Those Whom Dared To Speak Out And Rebel..."
"Thus My Kin And I Were Imprisoned Here...Bound In These Chains That Will Not Break...And A Burning Cage That Cannot Be Extinguished...The Wretch Even Tained Our Sacred Flame To Use Its Great Power Against Us...THAT Is Why We Are Here...For The Flame Used To Fight The Darkness Of A Nightmare...Has Been Used To Create One Instead...If It Is Truly Your Desire To End It...Then One Of You Must Be Willing To Enter The Temple And Enter The Sacred Flame Itself. To Cleanse The Taint And Restore It...This Is The Test I Give To You As Its Keeper..." The Dragon's voice echoed loudly through the desolate space filled with only ash and fragments of dying embers.
"...Which Means...The Moment One Of Us... Is Sucked Up Into That Thing...We Could End Up Living Out Our Very Worst Nightmares...?" Stella questioned as she shivered slightly. "...I REALLY Don't Think I Want That!" the faerie of The Sun and Moon admitted. "But, It Sounds Like That, That Flame Is One Of The Eight We Need, According To What We Were Told To Open The Draconian Archive. No One Said These Tests Were Going To Fun..." Techna pointed out.
"That Does Seem To Be The Case Now Doesn't It?" Cellos surmised. Although, while he may have said that, however, he couldn't push back this icy coldness that seemed to be taking hold of him. For a voice kept echoing through his head from earlier that he just couldn't cast out and the darkness that came with it.
{Such A Pity...You Could've Been A Gem At My Side...To Put An End To This World's Sufferings...Yet...Instead, You Reject...All That Could Have Been...And THIS Is The Price You Pay...Twas Your OWN Doing Keeper Of The Draconian Archive...You Cursed This Sanctuary To Burn...The Very Moment You Left The Twilight Tower That Day...To Be With HIM...Them...Over Me...So Tell Me...Cellos...The Mighty Blue Eyes White Dragon...Whom Is Really To Blame? Do You See Now? Destruction...Death...Are The Products Of The Magic And People You Valuely So Highly...Cellos...}
The Ghoul distanced himself from the others slightly as his hair concealed the expression on his face. Once he turned around, Cellos clutched at his chest while it began to burn as it had many times before. But this was the worst it had ever been. It was all he could do, to take short calm breaths to maintain his composure. "Why? Does This Pain In My Chest...Continue To Persist...? When I Am Absent A Heart...?" The Ghoul questioned before everything began to turn dark.
Interestingly enough, Yuki hadn't stopped watching Cellos the whole time as he began to wander away from the party. However, that came to an abrupt end as he saw him suddenly collapse. "CELLOS!" Yuki cried out as he hurried over to the unconscious ghoul before his cries also drew everyone else over towards the two of them.
Unknown to the rest of the group, Stella had wandered off herself as she found her way deep into the temple that she had spotted nearby. The Faerie paused as she swore she heard someone yelling. "What Was That?!" she asked herself out loud as her uncertainty couldn't help but begin to slowly set in. "...Maybe I Should Turn Back After All...The Others Could Be In Trouble...But I'm Not Even Sure If I Could Find My Way Back...Ohhhh Why Did I Have To Try And Prove Myself!? For Once I Wish I'd Actually Give Myself GOOD Advice!" Stella whined.
"Well, No Turning Back Now Stella...You just Gotta See This Through...No Matter What You See In Here...Remember...It's NOT Real..." The faerie continued as she tried to give herself a pep talk. As she wandered further and further side, she finally came to what appeared to be a destroyed throne room, and covering the throne was a pitch-black flame that burned even the shadows created with any source of light that dared to shine. However, Stella was going to make sure hers would pierce the darkness.
The Faerie of The Sun and Moon wouldn't allow the fear of the flame to rule over her as Stella walked through the layers of black flames that licked at her legs before she found herself battling against the manifested fire of ebony while it tried with all its might to push her backward. The faerie of the Sun and Moon dug her heels in and stood her ground until she was finally able to grasp the arm of the throne right in front of her.
"I WON'T BE BEATEN!" Stella swore as she pulled herself up the rest of the stairs. "I AM THE PRINCESS OF SOLARIA! AND I WILL NOT BE RULED BY FEAR!"the faerie declared before she sat right down upon it. It was only, then that the darkened flames reacted to Stella's light and began to cover her body. However, once the pitch-black flames swallowed her, the faerie soon found herself wandering through what appeared to be an almost endless dark abyss. Only the sounds of the faerie's footsteps echoed with nothing else but silence to greet her in the unknown place. That is, Until from within the depths of the darkness, a figure lurked within the consciousness of Stella's mind.
A Mysterious Shadowed Silhouette hidden from her sight, sat in front of what appeared to be a chessboard. Each of the pieces that rested in front of it had yet to be moved before suddenly the figure's right hand extended out in front of them and picked up one piece out of the many among them. It was a chess piece that resembled an emblem of the Sun. It was only once the piece was in their grasp, that they moved it from its original position and placed it on the board.
Stella let out a surprised gasp as she watched the darkened room illuminate the instant stained glass lanterns colored orange and yellow began to manifest themselves before her from above. "AH!" the faerie cried as she quickly shielded her eyes from the sudden exposure to the unexpected light. Gradually, Stella removed her hand from her face as her eyes widened in shock and confusion. For, the floor that was cloaked in shadow was now replaced by a beautiful marble white flooring.
The faerie continued to struggle to adjust her vision to the shift in her environment before she noticed a shadowed hand cast upon the wall right next to her. Only this time, the piece on the chess board resembled that of a banner. Then, just like before, black satin banners began to appear one after another, each one with the Sun embroidered in the middle and outlined in gold. As a result, something began to stir with Stella. "...Wait...That Symbol...Those Colors...I've Seen That Before...The Question Is Where?" she asked herself.
Unfortunately, the faerie wasn't given very long to think it over as the shadowed silhouette picked up another pawn and placed it into its chosen position on the board. However, this time, A door appeared towards the very end of the room. "Look! It's A Door! That's Gotta Be The Way Out! Guess This Means That I passed the Test! This Was lot easier Than I Thought. No Time To Blow This Popsicle stand!" Stella cheered before she quickly ran towards the door. However, as the faerie quickened her pace, several more banners began to reveal themselves as they unfolded with each step she took.
However, Stella only focused her eyes on what lay ahead of her as she began to break into a sprint. Yet, the banners continued to unroll faster and faster until yet another piece was added to the chess board. It was an oil lamp with was painted in ebony. Once it hit the square, a black substance began to manifest itself from out of nowhere. After it was unleashed, it took it upon itself to begin filling the crevices in between the white marbled flooring that lay at The Faerie's feet. As it poured out from an unknown source, Stella gasped as she slipped and fell onto her stomach with a HARD thud.
"OW!" the faerie cried out as a pained groan couldn't help but escape her. As Stella struggled to lift up her head, a sharp horrified gasp came out of her mouth. There was nothing she could do she watched the oil taint the pure white marble with but only the squares it chose to claim. "Ok, Ewwww...This Is WAY Beyond Gross...Where Did All Of This Black Yuck Guk Come From Anyways!?" Stella questioned as she made a face while she tried her best to gain traction with her boots. Once she appeared to be steady, the faerie carefully rose to her feet as she peeled herself up off the floor.
Stella's nose curled from the stench as she soon realized that her clothes were another casualty of the unexpected oil slick. "...So Much For My Designer Boots And One Of My Favorite Outfits...Next Time I'm Dressing Practical Not Fashionable..." the faerie muttered before she suddenly paused. Her clothes were the least of her concerns as she saw that the white tiled flooring was no more, instead, some of the squares had been painted black. It was in the image of a Chess Board and she was the Pawn.
(...Quite The Predicament...You've Gotten Yourself Into...Wouldn't You Say...Princess Of Solaria...Descendant To The Order Of The Sun...)
To Be Continued: Next Chapter: The Test Of Fear...