This one and the next couple of chapters will probably be a little shorter. Without doing a bunch of rambling, I can't stretch them out much more. And I can't put them together because they're different topics.

Chapter 10: The Book of Incantations

"Seems they've brought a pig," a voice whispered and Ana's eyes snapped towards the sound. But she still couldn't see the creatures.
Were they invisible? she wondered. They have to be.

The footsteps paced around the camp for a bit, looking around. Ana closed her eyes when she heard them draw close to her. She noted that three sets of feet stopped beside Lucy, Gael, and herself. It would be very difficult—but not impossible—for her to shoot an invisible creature so she waited with bated breath. Perhaps the creatures were simply curious and would leave them alone.

"This one," the voice next to Lucy whispered. "It's female."
"So are these two," a second one observed, standing between Ana and Gael's bedrolls.
"This one reads..." the first said and Ana heard the ruffling of pages as they flipped through the book. She stiffened, wondering what they would do. Why did they want someone who could read?
"Let's take her!" a third voice commanded.

Ana gasped and sat up just in time to see Lucy being lifted into the air. She had been startled awake and was now struggling against some kind of invisible force. Ana made to call out a warning to their friends but in her haste, she had forgotten there were other creatures present. A large hand wrapped around her waist and mouth simultaneously, cutting off her cry. Her bow clattered to the ground as her arms were pinned to her sides. She was picked up and carried off, following after Lucy. The whole time, the others remained unaware of their struggles, sound asleep.

The figures hurried off, leaving footprints behind as they fled from the camp. Ana only struggled with her invisible captors for a moment before realizing she could transform and put an end to it. Just as she began to do so, she got smacked in the face with a branch, throwing her off. Though it was unintentional as one muttered an apology and she recovered quickly. However, by that time they had released her. Ana fell into an undignified heap on the ground, much like Lucy.

Both ladies reached for their daggers, pulling the blades from their scabbards at their waists. But just as quickly the blades were knocked from their hands. Lucy hurried to chase after hers but was pushed away from it. The creatures laughed while Ana thought about their situation. Fighting was hardly any use against invisible creatures, but she could sense their presence nonetheless. She could still protect her friend from these creatures should the need arise.

"There is no escape," a deep voice leered. The other creatures sounded their agreement. They were surrounded on all sides by some unforeseen creatures.
"What are you?" Lucy asked, voice only trembling a little.
"We are terrifying invisible beasts!" a second creature told them.
"If you could see us, you'd be really intimidated," a third chimed.
"You forgot to mention..." another interjected, "... that we are very large."
"Well, what do you want?" Ana asked, ignoring their threats.
"With you, missy? Nothing," the first voice spoke. She assumed he was the leader. "We just couldn't have you warning your friends."
"You, on the other hand..." one said as Lucy stood up.
"You'll do what we ask," the Chief ordered.
"She will. Very clear," voiced some of the others.
"Or what?" Lucy demanded.
"Or... death," said the chief.
"Death?" multiple voices questioned. Then they began to chant. "Death! Death! Death!"
"No!" Ana protested, stepping forward to protect the young Queen.
"Hush!" one of the creatures commanded and Ana found hands around her mouth again. They pulled her away from Lucy, who took a step forward.
"Well, I wouldn't be much use to you dead now, would I?" she countered.

There was a moment of silence in which the creatures pondered this statement. The leader was forced to admit that he hadn't thought of that problem.

"Alright..." another spoke up instead, "then we'll just kill your friends."

At this statement, Ana found herself lifted off the ground once more, and something cold pressed against her neck. It didn't feel like a blade, but she couldn't see what it was. Like the creatures, whatever they held was also invisible. Lucy stared at her in alarm, seeming to realize the threat Ana was under.

Ana chose to remain silent and see how things worked out. These creatures didn't seem all that intimidating or threatening to her. It was more like they were using their invisibility to pretend they were more dangerous.

"What do you want with me?" Lucy asked.
"You will enter the house of... the Oppressor," someone said, shoving Lucy forward. Neither of them could see any house and Ana frowned slightly.
"What house?" Lucy questioned in confusion.
"This one," the leader answered.

There was the sound of a doorknob turning and the soft creaking of a door. A light began to pierce through the empty space and Ana could make out the outline of a door, shimmering in the light. As it opened, she could see a stairway straight ahead along with statues and several other artifacts lining the hall. But the actual house was still invisible. All one could see was the inside and both stared in amazement. Someone had cast a spell strong enough to turn only specific objects invisible.

"Upstairs you'll find the Book of Incantations," the leader said as Lucy peered around for any signs of the actual house. "Recite the spell that Makes the Unseen Seen."
"Well put, Chief. Well put," one voiced in agreement.
"Well, go on!" they urged. "We haven't got all day."
"Remember what'll happen to your friends," the one holding Ana said. She was jerked closer for emphasis. "You've been warned."
Lucy turned to face them. "Why don't you do it yourselves?"
"We can't read," the Chief admitted.
"Can't write either, as a matter of fact. Or add," the others chimed in.
Lucy's face changed from concern to understanding. "Why didn't you just say so?" she asked, turning back towards the doorway.
"Beware the Oppressor. He's very oppressive!" one warned. Lucy made to step inside but suddenly stopped.
"What is it?" the Chief questioned in annoyance.
"Couldn't she come with me? You'll have the others and if this Oppressor is as bad as you say, I might need some help."

Lucy's question did not surprise Ana. She was negotiating for her safety as well as wanting company. Their response, however, did catch her a little off guard. Whoever was holding Ana, released her and she once again fell into a heap. Standing and dusting herself off, she was shoved towards Lucy. The Valiant Queen smiled in relief and nodded her head towards where she thought the creatures were. Then, taking Ana's hand, she pulled her through the doorway.

"'What Makes the Unseen Seen' got it?" they repeated. "Don't forget that!" The doors slammed shut behind them and they were left alone.

Stepping inside, the two glanced around. The place was well lit with candles and lanterns. It held the statues that Ana had seen before and several other objects that they didn't waste their time with. They needed to find the spellbook and get out of there. Something felt off to Ana and she suspected Lucy felt the same, judging by how she hesitated.

They ascended the stairs and began the walk down a long hallway. There were several doors and any of them could have held the book they were looking for. So they stopped at each one and peaked their heads inside. They found several bedrooms, mostly covered in dust, and what appeared to be a sitting room. But there were no signs of the book. Or the Oppressor for that matter.

Finally, at the end of the hall was a large open room. As they approached, Ana realized it was a library. There were thousands of books lining the many shelves and she prayed they wouldn't have to search through all of them. Thankfully, in the middle of the room was an ornate stand that held a book. As they approached it, they realized it had the look of a spellbook but you couldn't make out the title. The letters were all jumbled.

Lucy reached forward and fumbled with the lock. It was stuck fast and wouldn't open. Frowning a little, she stopped. Both noticed a cupid in the corner of the stand that blew air towards a cloud. The cloud moved a little and the two exchanged a look. Lucy leaned forward and blew on the book's cover. The effect was immediate, the jumbled letters rearranging to form words and a floral design appeared on the cover. The Book of Incantations. Lucy looked at Ana and grinned before trying to open the book again. This time, it opened easily.

Lucy flipped through the first couple of pages. She turned them slow enough that Ana was able to catch some of the titles. There was a spell for curing toothaches, a remembrance spell, and a forgetting spell. Lucy giggled about a spell for curing warts before turning the pages and finding one for snow. Her face lit up and looked cheekily over her shoulder at Ana before turning back to the page.

"With these words
Your tongue must sew
For all around there
To be snow," Lucy read.

Immediately after, a snowflake landed on the dark page. Ana felt something on her head and looked up to see snow falling inside. Lucy grinned widely in awe, staring up at the ceiling as she slowly spun in a circle. When they looked back at the room, they found it completely covered in snow. It reminded Ana of when she first met Lucy when Narnia was trapped in an eternal snow.

Done with their fun, Lucy turned back to the book. It was covered in snow and she took a deep breath to blow it away. The spell ended and all the snow magically disappeared as the book's pages began to turn rapidly. Lucy slammed her hand down on the book to stop it and suddenly Ana felt uncomfortable. She swore she heard voices and began to wildly look around the room for the source.

As she walked away from the stand, Lucy turned back to the book. Vaguely, Ana heard her reciting a spell but she was drawn towards the hall and not paying attention. She felt on edge as she walked past one of the doors and approached it. Her hand was on the handle when she finally picked up on the whispered voices.

Foul creature of magic. Disgusting beast. Traitor.

"No..." Ana whispered, backing away. "It's not real." But they sounded so real.

Abandoned. Unwanted. Who could ever love you?

She stumbled back, hands going to her ears in an attempt to block out the unwanted voices, the insults. Ana tried to make her way back towards the library, towards her friend but the voices followed her. She saw Lucy rip a page from the book and the action was followed by the sound of loud roaring. Aslan's roar. And suddenly the voices stopped. Everything grew quiet.

Lucy scanned the room calling out Aslan's name. Ana stood frozen, rooted to the spot. Both had heard Him, but neither could see the Lion. She couldn't feel His presence either. The pages of the book had been flipping wildly by itself. But they were slowing down and Lucy tucked a piece of paper away. Ana frowned but said nothing as she approached the book.

"A Spell to Make the Unseen Seen," Ana read and Lucy turned back to the book. "You should read it. They chose you for a reason."
She nodded and began to read. "Like the 'p' in psychology,
The 'h' in psychiatry,
invisible ink and the truth in theology..."

It was quiet but Ana suddenly felt like they were not alone. She had already scanned the room so if anyone was present, they were invisible. Still, she wondered why she hadn't felt the presence of another or why they hadn't made any indication they were there. As Lucy finished the spell, they discovered they weren't alone.

"The spell is complete. Now all is visible," she read.

The wheels of a ladder squealed as it was pushed away from the current shelf and both looked towards the sound. A book was thrown to the ground. The outline of a figure began to appear. They were transparent at first but became more visible by the second. By the time the figure reached the side table, they could tell it was a man. Lucy tensed up and a look of fear crossed her face. But Ana was calm. If the man intended to harm them, he had plenty of time before he became visible. Unless he had somehow just entered the room and Ana had missed him.

The man looked up from the book he held, making eye contact with the girls. He paused in his steps and Lucy took a few steps back. Smiling a little mischievously, he spoke.

"Well, I see the Duffers found two who can break the spell."

Ana and Lucy exchanged confused looks, wondering what he meant.