On Saturday, it was All Hallows Eve. The city was cheerfully decorated with carved pumpkin lanterns, spider webs, bones, witches, skeletons, and other creepy things. On Saturday, it was All Hallows Eve. The city was cheerfully decorated with carved pumpkin lanterns, spider webs, bones, witches, skeletons, and other creepy things. While their parents handled bags of candy and other snacks, the children ran around joyfully, laughing or screaming in fright. People of all ages milled about in the bustling city. The festive mood floated through the crisp autumn air.
Will agreed to have the girls come over for a last-minute costume fitting. She still hadn't decided what to wear for the Halloween party, but was excited to see her friends and join in on the fun. Her mother already had plans for Halloween, with her boyfriend going to a school party to chaperone kids. Their group was going to the club to listen to Matt's band play. She still avoided Matt, even when he tried meeting her after school. It was too embarrassing to talk to him, and Will just wanted to forget about the silly, unrequited crush. Ignoring him was easier than talking about her feelings, which slowly started to fade. Still, Matt was a talented musician, and going to the club to have fun was exactly what she needed to unwind. All week long, Will felt like someone was stalking her. She had no idea what, or who was following her, but it was very creepy. Since other girls hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary, maybe it was her imagination. Yet the foreboding feeling never left, making her moody and jittery.
In the early evening, the doorbell rang, and Will opened the doors to let her friends in.
'Hey, come in!' Will greeted everyone with a warm smile. The four girls squeezed into the narrow hallway, taking off their outerwear and dumping their bags on various surfaces. Soon, they were all comfortably settled in her room. Cornelia was going through her closet, searching for suitable clothes to wear to tonight's party.
'Will, we need to go shopping. Why haven't you told me you don't have anything to wear? It's a pity Elyon is not here. She would have some original ideas.' She complained, huffing at the piled-up clothes in different heaps.
'Where is Elyon, anyway?' Will asked, trying to gather the scattered clothes after Cornelia, not wanting to turn her room into the pigsty it had already become.
'She had to help her mother with decorating. They are throwing a party, but she will meet us at the club. And, unlike you, Elyon has a lovely wood nymph costume.' Cornelia rolled her eyes and threw down the brown cargo pants Will liked to wear.
'I think Will has lots of comfortable clothes.' Irma expressed, getting into her drawers. 'I mean, look at this? How are you still wearing such childish things?' Irma laughed, lifting the green panties with a frog stamp on them and finding more silly things.
'Hey, stop going through my underwear!' Will shouted, scrambling after Irma, trying to snatch the items away. Hay Lin joined in the fun by reaching deeper into the drawer and pulling out a lacy black bra. 'Ohhhh, look at this! Maybe Will still has some hope of being fashionable!' she happily cheered, holding it up for all to see.
'This is nice…' Cornelia smirked, showing matching black panties. 'Do you want Matt to see this tonight?' She giggled with barely hidden mirth.
'No! Matt has a girlfriend, and that's not me!' Will shouted in embarrassed frustration, feeling her cheeks heat up. After seizing the offending clothes, she threw them into the drawer, closing it with a loud thud. 'This was a present from my mother!' she added in an afterthought. The cheerful mood abruptly disappeared as the girls stopped in awkward silence, unsure what to say.
'Why did you not tell us?' Irma asked, looking at her with sad eyes. 'We would not have asked you to come to the concert. Maybe we could find some other party?'
'I knew…' Taranee confessed, 'Sorry guys. Will wanted to think about it without our interruptions.' She sighed, feeling a bit guilty for not being honest.
'I am sorry, too. It's hard to talk about my feelings, but I am okay now. After thinking about it, I just wanted Matt to be happy. I have not seen him for almost four weeks now. Sooooo, it's ok! One concert would not change things between us.' Will explained, looking at the ground. She did not deliberately hide this but simply couldn't properly explain her feelings. It was slightly painful to think about Matt, but mostly she felt ashamed of herself. And in the grand scheme of things, maybe it was better to remain just friends with Matt. There was not enough time between her ordinary and magical lives. Furthermore, hiding such a large part of herself would most likely jeopardize any chance of finding a good boyfriend.
'If you say so.' Hay Lin gently punched her shoulder. 'Next time, be a good girl and tell us, ok? We could have a girl's night with lots of ice cream and tear-jerking romance movies.'
'Yeah, maybe… I had many things on my mind.' Will apologized again. 'Can we focus on the important stuff? What should I wear?' She diverted the conversation, pointing at Cornelia.
'You know, we should put you in something gorgeous to make Matt realize what he lost,' the blonde girl insisted, once again digging through her closet. 'You must wear that bra set. It will shape your figure and make you feel sexy on the inside.' She advised, taking the garments out and placing them on the bed. 'Now, we have to find everything else…'
'How about this?' Taranee pulled out a black dress from the back of the closet. It was long and silky, with a flowing gauze skirt and a high neckline fastened with a ribbon around the neck, leaving almost the entire back bare. This was a dress she wore to her mother's friend's violin concert years ago.
'It could work.' Cornelia carefully inspected the garment. 'Will, dress up. I think it should still fit you.' She pushed the silky dress into her hands and smiled at her. The redhead stood up and pulled off her sweater and comfy sports pants, leaving her in simple, mismatched cotton underwear.
'I have my work cut out for me.' Cornelia sighed dramatically, motioning at Will, 'She will never learn how to be fashionable.'
The girls laughed around her, and Will shrugged, going into the bathroom to change underwear. It was not like she did not want to be stylish - she just preferred casual clothes with easy movements. Will typically wore hoodies, sweaters, cargo pants, or jeans with sporty shoes. It was the exact opposite of Cornelia with her flowing skirts, dresses, and high heels or Hay Lin with her crazy colors and creative uses of clothes. Taranee preferred more tribal things, and Irma had a beach girl style going on. Considering everything, Will was the most ordinary of them. Looking into the mirror, she just saw that. She slipped the dress over her head and smoothed the fabric. Because the dress was a smaller size, her chest was squeezed into the fabric, but it looked great, hugging her curves. Going back to the girls, she awkwardly stood in the middle of the room, waiting for their opinion.
Cornelia's eyes widened in approval. 'Wow, you look nice.' she said. 'I knew this dress was meant for you.' Will blushed at the compliment, suddenly feeling more confident.
'Spin around, Will!' Irma ordered, observing her from every angle. 'The dress looks good, but it's overly simple for Halloween. Hay Lin, now is your turn… Show us some magic!' She nudged Will to sit in the chair placed near the mirror.
'Guys, stop acting like I am hopeless!' The redhead girl complained about being manhandled like a child.
'I need someone to find black gloves, a shawl, and a makeup set.' Hay Lin ordered everyone around. 'We could make her into something like a mourning widow?' She instantly offered an idea, but the others looked skeptical. 'Or we could just let her be herself and find a way to incorporate those items into her outfit.' Hay Lin said. She was determined to help her friend look her best for the upcoming event.
'With her hair, it would not work.' Taranee refuted, searching through the accessories.
Will sighed wearily as the various ideas flew around the room. It just seemed like so much work for one party, but the girls enjoyed the hassle, unlike her. Will looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her red hair stood out in vivid color against her black ensemble, making her skin appear even paler. It reminded her of the crimson roses she saw in Phobos' garden.
'What about some roses?' Will whispered, caressing her red tresses, trying to set it up in a more elaborate updo.
'Roses?' Hay Lin grabbed her by the shoulders, making her jump out in a scare 'Roses! Brilliant idea! Cornelia, can you conjure some?' She asked frantically, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
'I can try, but they will disappear after some time.' Cornelia nodded and sat on the bed. 'What color do you want them?' she inquired, already gathering the energy.
'White?' Hay Lin suggested the color, tapping her chin, but Will shook her head.
'Crimson and black… I want the petals as dark as you can make them.' She instructed, already imagining how to use the flowers. Maybe it was an odd choice and not to her usual taste, but Will briefly contemplated what Phobos would think of seeing her decked out in roses, all made in his colors.
'Interesting choice, but whatever you desire.' Cornelia closed her eyes, and her hands glowed green. Magic swirled and concentrated into the shape of a rose on her palms. Within seconds, the air filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, and Hay Lin let out a delighted squeal. Will watched in amazement as the bloom grew larger and more intricate until it was a perfect replica of the exotic flowers you could buy in a shop. One, two, three... Before long, her bed flowed with dark blooms.
'Now what?' Cornelia panted. It took a lot of energy to conjure things without her Guardian form.
'Help me decorate.' Will smiled eagerly, taking a few vibrant roses and pinning them on the neck of the dress. She also attached it around the waist, while the girls helped with the hemline and the back. Swiftly, the dress was overflowing with dark, blooming roses.
'What are we doing with these?' Taranee picked up a few leftover buds.
'We can put it in Will's hair?' Cornelia suggested fastening the roses to an unused hoop and placing it on Will like a crown.
'That's a great idea,' Irma chimed in. 'It will complete her look for the party tonight.' Will smiled as her friends worked on the finishing touches of her outfit, grateful for their creativity and support. 'Girrrrrl, you look good! Matt's jaw will hit the floor when he sees you.' She complimented the finished product.
Will checked herself in the mirror, looking like she'd stepped out of a twisted fairytale. Crimson roses glistened against the dark fabric, complementing her red hair, adorned with a black flower crown. Aside from the gloves and a sheer black shawl, her only accessory was a pair of long, glittering earrings.
'Girls, put on your costumes!' Will smiled and suggested, glancing at the clock, 'I do my makeup.' She took out red lipstick and black eyeshadow, going for a smoky look. As she applied the makeup, chaos ensued around her when the girls got ready to party. It was already dark when they finished, and Will's room was a mess, as if a hurricane had come through and jumbled everything. Cornelia was the first to finish, dressed in a long white robe with many golden decorations and her hair plaited in a complex way reminiscent of an ancient Greek woman. Irma wore a short blue puff gown and glittery makeup to resemble a water fairy, going for her magical element. Taranee went for a Native American look, wearing a brown leather dress with many strings and feathers in her hair. Hay Lin borrowed her grandmother's traditional red robes. She pinned her hair into two buns with elaborate gold flower decorations, making her look like a woman from a Chinese painting. To complete her look, she added a pair of red silk slippers and carried a delicate fan with intricate designs.
The party was already in full swing when they arrived at the club and stepped out of the taxi. They pushed through the door and went into the building, waving to the guard, who looked bored at the teenager's party. The first noticeable thing was a stairwell covered in spider webs and plastic candles in every corner leading down to the basement - a spacious room with a low ceiling stuffed with creepy decorations and people. Loud music vibrated through the air, and multicolored lights flashed, creating the ideal atmosphere for a Halloween party. People dressed in various costumes danced and stood around small tables covered with drinks. Will noticed Elyon, dressed in a green gown, dancing with a tall, long-haired man wearing a beige coat and a beanie. His face was white with a thick purple line around the eyes. After breaking through the crowd, they chose a free table near the wall, overlooking the scene. Because the band Cobalt Blue was still getting ready, the DJ handled the music, playing fast-paced dance songs that made the girls tap their feet and sway to the rhythm. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was eagerly waiting for the show to start.
'I'm getting us some drinks and saying hello to Elyon!' Cornelia shouted through the noise, disappearing into the crowd.
After some time, the stage lights flickered on, and the band members took their positions ready to rock the night away. As the lead singer belted out the first note, the audience erupted into cheers and applause, signaling the start of an unforgettable performance. Will laughed seeing the guys in coordinated costumes. They were dressed in fake blood-splattered soldier fatigues and gruesome zombie makeup. Matt had his throat slashed. Joel's entrails were protruding from a shirt, and Peter wore a fake eye on his cheek. They looked ridiculous but perfectly dressed for Halloween. The band began a heavy rock song with a few testing guitar strums, and the crowd went wild.
'I'm going dancing!' Will yelled and strode onto the dance floor, followed by the girls. She relaxed and moved with the flow, lifting her hands into the air as the beat picked up. The music was so loud that she could feel it pulsing through her body, and Will closed her eyes, letting herself get lost in the moment. She noticed girls swirling around and Matt singing in the background, but Will just let her worries go and danced her head off. Songs changed, and the girls came and went, but Will relished the freedom of spinning without thinking. A few guys tried dancing with her but were turned down because Will felt comfortable moving on her own. As Matt began to sing a ballad, the music slowed, and she finally moved to the table.
'This was so much fun!' Will panted, wiping the sweat from her brow. She couldn't believe how much energy she had expended on the dance floor and was grateful for the chance to let loose and have a good time.
'Hey Will, long time no see!' Elyon greeted her with a small smile, finally joining their group. She was dressed in a green gown with leaves wrapped around her waist and hair. Those long, twisted braids reminded her of Phobos and even their coloring appeared similar. Will shook her head, dismissing it as a coincidence and her overactive imagination.
'Who's tall, dark, and handsome?' Irma teased, smirking at the girl.
'Just a guy from a bookstore.' Elyon rolled her eyes, dismissing the question as unimportant.
'And his name is?' Cornelia curiously pried, raising an eyebrow. She was curious about her friend's love life, especially since Elyon had been single for a while.
'His name is Rick, so stop hounding me! I met him recently!' Elyon bumped into Cornelia's shoulder, playfully pushing her away. 'Honestly, it's not a big deal. We're just getting to know each other.'
Will had no idea why that answer was bothering her. She had seen them in the bookstore a few weeks before. Why hide it? Maybe Elyon was embarrassed? Not wanting to ruin the good mood, Will dismissed the thought, and when the song changed the strange moment was forgotten.
'I am going on the floor again! Just give me something to drink.' She requested it, feeling parched but still full of restless energy.
'Here… Its cranberry juice with some other stuff in it. They gave really silly names to some of the cocktails today. I present to you "Siren's Song". It's non-alcoholic, by the way.' Elyon reassuringly smiled and pushed a glass of red liquid into her hand.
'Thanks!' Will nodded, taking the glass and swallowing a huge gulp. It was a pleasant, sweetened drink with a hint of sourness and a bitter, tart aftertaste that left her tongue strangely numb.
'Come on girls, we are going to dance!' She set the glass down and drew Cornelia along with her. They enjoyed the party, dancing, rocking around, singing, and laughing. Soon, Will felt exhausted and oddly shaky after so much exercise. The room began blurring, and she stumbled on the dance floor.
'Will, are you ok?' As if by magic, Elyon appeared beside her, holding her arm.
'I don't feel so good... Can we go to the bathroom?' Her stomach rolled with unease, and Will leaned on Elyon for support.
'Sure...' Her friend tightened her grip on her hand and dragged them through the crowd. Will's vision swam with bright neon lights and loud sounds. Somehow Elyon vanished into the mass of swaying bodies, abandoning her to the mercy of the crowd. It was disorienting. They pushed and pulled her like a dry leaf in the wind. By accident, Will reached the nearest wall and leaned on the cold surface with unsteady legs. Everything felt off. Her vision swam like a kaleidoscope as she sank to her knees. Someone roughly jerked her by the shoulders, abruptly hauling her away. She could feel the strength leaving as she was carried outside like a sack. When frosty air hit the overheating skin, making her shudder, Will knew she was in trouble but was too drugged to panic. She tried to fight against the person carrying her, but her limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. Will's mind raced with questions about who could have done this and why, but slowly, her consciousness slipped away...
She awoke sitting on the chair with a dull throbbing in her head. Her eyes felt gritty, and she couldn't make out what was going on around her. Will jerked her arms in an attempt to reach her head, but encountered significant resistance. Coarse ropes were tightly wrapped around her wrists and ankles, cutting into the skin and not letting go an inch. The skin around the ropes was irritated, and her arms were numb. Her headpiece and shoes were gone, most likely lost while being carried away from the club. The hardback metal chair dug into her bare back, sending shivers down her spine. The air was chilly, and her body uncontrollably trembled to generate heat. Even if she struggled to get free, it was a futile effort.
A strange slithering sound came from the dark. Will stilled, feigning sleep, and assessed the situation. Her heart thudded in fear as the adrenaline raged inside. When the creepy noise disappeared, she pried open her dry eyes and looked around. The room was filthy, and the cement floor was slightly damp. The musty smell of dust, mold, and decaying paper clogged her nose. Nothing identified her location—old office equipment crammed around corners, rows of old boxes, and used paper spilled everywhere. An odd light flickered behind her, and Will turned her head for a better view. A portal inside the wall swirled around, radiating a bluish glow. She held her breath as the monster emerged from within. He was massive and green—half man, half something else. The monster's face was elongated, with a red stripe running down the slatted eyes. Sharp teeth protruded from the elongated jaw. Ears with pointed tips protruded from the long, unbound blonde hair. Yellow stripes littered his bulky and muscly body, making him look like a hybrid between a snake and a man. With grace, which such a big body should not possess, the monster slithered around the room. He was followed by a brown-skin soldier dressed in a leather vest, cargo pants, and metal shoulder guards. He carried no heavy weapons, only two sharp-looking daggers strapped to his waist.
'Our guessssst is awake,' a growling voice said, forcibly grabbing the girl by the hair and forcing her head back. Will's entire body tensed, attempting to maintain the unnatural position, but the ropes interfered preventing movement. They dug into the skin, causing it to chafe and bleed. Tears gathered in her eyes from overloaded senses, and the monster wickedly grinned while observing her struggle.
'Do not worry, these ropesss are charmed. We don't want you to escape so easily.' He chuckled gleefully, patting her cheek as if comforting a child.
Will was panicking inside, desperately trying to think of a way out of the precarious situation. With an empty and terrified mind, she was at the mercy of the creature. Will glared defiantly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of looking so helpless. As if sensing her inner struggle, the monster laughed and took a glass vial from the soldier. The liquid inside swirled with vivid violet and purple colors.
'Bottoms up, Guardian!' He forcefully grabbed her chin and poured the liquid down her throat. Will heaved at the bitter taste and spat half the liquid out, but the monster was relentless, and she swallowed the rest in fear of choking.
'Help!' She screamed inside her head, and her inner voice strangely echoed as if traveling a vast distance. Happy with the outcome, the creature released his grip, and she coughed and sputtered miserably, trying to clear her throat.
'What did you give me?' Will groaned as suddenly everything was getting fuzzy.
'Ssssomething to trick your mind and body into cooperation.' The snake chuckled, slowly dragging a razor-sharp nail down her neck, leaving a trail of blood. With one sharp cut, the ribbon on the neck was sliced, causing a shower of rose petals as the dress fell around her waist, leaving her half exposed.
Will was terrified, but whatever she drank made her weak and unable to fight back. Everything spun, making her dizzy, and her body felt heavy, and sluggish. She was drugged out of her mind. Will sobbed in humiliation as greedy, repulsive hands searched her down below. She tried screaming, but her voice was hoarse and barely audible.
'Where issss it?' The monster hissed, painfully squeezing her neck.
'Give me the Heart of Kandrakar!' He roared, almost hoisting her out of the chair. Will thrashed around, feeling the unyielding grip crushing her windpipe. It was getting hard to breathe. It hurt! Every little breath she took hurt! The room grayed around the edges. As she hung helplessly in the balance, the Heart of Kandrakar fluttered like a little spark hidden deep within her soul, sending a slight warmth through her being. With all her heart, Will wished to be far away, and the world just slipped…
Grass. The first noticeable thing was green grass. It tickled her face, and she could smell the fresh scent of the damp soil. Dimly aware that her body still sat slumped in some basement as she astral walked, Will clutched her tattered dress, curled up, and cried out in anguish. Fear, anger, humiliation and shame for being weak—all of it washed away with loud sobbing and endless hot tears. She had never felt so vulnerable and exposed before, gasping for air but unable to breathe in...
A distant voice was calling to her. Will did not recognize the words because of the buzzing in her head. The sound came and went like a wave. Loud, then silent, the meaning of it escaped the distraught mind.
'Guardian, snap out of this!' someone commanded in a harsh tone. There was a sharp stinging pain on her cheek, and Will opened her eyes. She gulped the precious air, blinking rapidly, and got a clear image of Phobos' face. He was gripping her by the shoulders, kneeling on the grass beside her. Startled, Will yelled and pushed him away with a violent shove.
'Don't touch me, don't touch me, just please don't touch me!' She mumbled, hugging herself and crouching low to appear less of a target. With the closing of her eyes, the world shifted again...
Will was trapped in the dank basement. Groaning, she heard things moving around, but everything was out of focus, like swimming underwater.
'Lord Cedric, the prisoners are being transferred to a secure location. We are waiting for your orders.' A gruff voice spoke from somewhere nearby.
'Excellent. I have to finish here. The Guardian is uselesssss for now. I did not calculate the proper amount of the drug. What a failure… Humans are so weak. Guard the room! We do not have enough time.' A growling voice expressed frustration. She felt a tug on her hair as her head lifted, but she could not respond. The world tilted again…
She was lying on the ground, and a pale hand hovered just at the edge of touching her face.
'Guardian... No... Will? What is happening to your body? You are flickering between the worlds...' Phobos carefully inquired, trying to assess the situation.
'Don't touch me!' Will spat out with helpless anger, suddenly understanding the nature and significance of the monster's identity. 'It's your fault! He is your general!' She shouted and cried out in pain, clutching her chest. The pink energy emanating from the Heart of Kandrakar crackled, sending wrenching spasms through her body. Momentarily blinded by the pain, she stumbled and landed awkwardly on something soft. Will realized how severely she was trembling when an unexpected warmth enveloped her like a blanket, easing the pain and soothing her nerves. She gasped for air as the warmth spread through her body, calming her racing heart. The delicious aroma of sandalwood, roses, and sweet spices surrounded her. It was familiar, but from where? 'Shhhhhhhhh….' A silken voice comforted, muttering inaudible things into her hair.
Slowly blinking away the blurred view, Will realized she was resting in Phobo's embrace. There was not enough strength in her body to get out of the comfortable position. And for a moment, she did not want to. Everything ached too much. He gently drew her away, looking straight into her weary brown eyes.
'Guardian, listen to me carefully. You need to return to your body. Regardless of the situation, you are using your life force. At this moment, your connection to Kandrakar has been severed...' He released his hold, giving her space to process his words. Will took a deep breath and nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
'Why are you helping me? If I go back, your general will kill me.' She swayed, relying on Phobos' hands to keep her straight. Something inexplicable flickered in his eyes, and the magic began to form and condense around him. He leaned so close that Will could count individual eyelashes and feel the warmth from his skin. It left her breathless.
'Only I can kill you…' Phobos murmured, lightly caressing her forehead with his lips.
'Oh…' she breathed out of genuine shock, her voice barely above the whisper. The chaste kiss resembled a feather's touch, and despite the cruel words, the heart fluttered. Everything tingled as if electricity had suddenly traveled down her veins. It was hot enough to burn, but not enough to hurt. Gradually, the world around her became clearer. The pain and coldness faded, and she felt lighter, as if she had received an unexpected energy boost. A strangely rich taste of spiced sugar was on her tongue, washing away the bitterness from before. Will avoided his gaze, confused and embarrassed, but much more herself than before. What has he done to make her feel this way?
'Farewell...' Phobos smirked and pushed her away with a firm shove of his palm.
Once again, Will's view blurred, but she landed back in her body. Her hands and feet were numb from the cold, but she could now think clearly. The previous deep fatigue had almost completely vanished. Whatever Phobos did, she was indebted to him for it. It was better to die by his hand than to be bound and killed in some abandoned basement. Will looked around from the corner of her eyes while pretending to sleep. Cedric was slithering beside the portal, talking to a few soldiers gathered nearby, unaware of her awake state. She tested the bonds discretely, attempting to loosen them slightly. Concentrating on the work, Will noticed a silent voice calling her, but nobody was around except the monsters.
'Will! Will! Answer me!' Taranee desperately called, hoping her friend could hear the telepathic message.
'Taranee?' She asked in her mind, feeling quite silly trying to communicate with a friend who was not around.
'Oh, thank God, you finally answered! Before you freak out, yes, we are talking telepathically,' the girl eagerly explained, her voice echoing back into her head.
'We heard your call for help, and you were missing. It took some time to discover my telepathy powers. Ok, I am rambling… have to stop… Sorry, it's still difficult to think... We discovered your location by following the rose petals and some clothing. Anyway, give us our powers!' Taranee rapidly talked as if trying to sound brave. Will frowned and tried to figure out what was going on, but all he felt was relief. The girls found her. She was going home; she just needed to escape first. Calling out the Heart of Kandrakar, Will whispered an order. 'Guardians unite!'
Five different colored lights shot out of the pendant as it passed through the wall. Only one warm pink light surrounded her in a comforting way, transforming her human form. The Heart of Kandrakar painfully snapped in her palms, sending out pink sparks. The drugs were still in her system, altering her magic. Will sagged in the chair, feeling like the additional strength was evaporating.
Outside, there was a commotion, and the door slammed open with a bang. She was able to observe the battle. Water balls were flying around, and wines seized the soldiers... Cedric was roaring and dodging fireballs when everything caught fire...
'Will, close the portal!' Cornelia screamed, pushing the snake monster into the vortex with her vines. Will focused with all her might, and the portal slowly got smaller until it vanished, leaving behind only the bare wall. The basement was ablaze. They were surrounded by burning empty boxes and trash. Will coughed, inhaling the acrid smoke, and the flames sizzled around her ankles… Hay Lin's face swam into her vision. Irma was frantically shouting… She was so exhausted… Then everything faded away…