Obsidian.
The word rolls inside Bloom's head repeatedly. What could it be? Does it have anything to do with the Ancestral witches, with her parents? She doesn't dare to think that it's unrelated, Valtor had to have stored it in his memory for a reason. The same Valtor that was still opposite of her, and for some reason wasn't attacking. So Bloom manages to shift her thoughts away, facing the bigger threat. Obsidian could wait a little more. "I know it was you," she states, looking him dead in the eyes.
His brow raises as he cocks his head. "I have done many things Princess, you will have to be more specific," he says and Bloom can tell he is only mocking her. This was all just a big game to him. Get under her skin, get her to break, though some of his recent actions did contradict it.
"In Omega. You kept me alive in there with your Dragon fire."
He doesn't deny it which Bloom takes as all the confirmation she needs. "Why?" she asks when he stays quiet.
Valtor takes a step forward, closer to her, and Bloom can feel her heart rate instantly quicken. This was not the usual reaction she had when they faced each other. She was supposed to be getting irritated, angry, something.
But not- not this.
She sucks in a breath as his left hand creeps further toward her face. She doesn't dare move, doesn't dare even breathe in fear of somehow shattering his calm demeanour. Why was he acting like this?
"I can feel your power Princess," he says more quietly than before. His thumb places on the spot under her chin, the rest of his fingers curled into a fist. But it's neither forceful nor done to cause her harm. For the first time since they've known each other, Valtor is being gentle.
"It's going to burn you from the inside," he continues in an even lower voice, slightly louder than a whisper. Bloom dares to breathe out, her head still spinning with whatever was happening right now.
"You must learn to control it. And I can help you."
Bloom flinches her face away, stepping back abruptly. Valtor's face holds no emotion as she does so, he simply remains standing, watching her as he always does.
"You don't want me to control it. You want to control me," she snaps. Power, it has only and constantly been about power. Why did she think it was any other way?
A smirk plays out on his face. "I offered to help you. Remember that once your magic starts to turn on you. Because eventually it will and you will have no one but yourself to blame."
Bloom would be a liar if she said it didn't frighten her. The fact that her powers seemed to be running so loosely. What if it did go out of control But she hoped that after breaking into Valtor's head, it meant she was gaining her ground. Perhaps Valtor knew better. He had been made from dark magic after all.
"Why do you keep saving me?" she repeats her question, the thing that has been on her mind ever since she figured it out.
"Maybe I don't want to give others the pleasure of killing you," he answers in a whisper which makes the hairs on Bloom's arms stand. But he had to be lying. It didn't add up.
"What about right now?"
He seemed to be taken aback for a second before his confident mask of an expression was back. Valtor appeared to be a mystery she will never fully be able to solve. It terrified her. Because he was pretty good at reading her like an open book.
"At the moment you're too tired to fight. And I don't like easy victories," he answers, the normal tone of his voice returning. She doesn't really know what to say, knowing fully well that both of those sentences were right. She didn't have full control of her powers and frankly was often afraid of what would happen if she used too much of them at once.
"I hope whatever you saw in my head was worth the trouble," Valtor adds when she doesn't respond. He knew, of course , he knew. Why would anything she did go unnoticed with him? But at least she had the comfort of knowing that he couldn't tell what little information she dug up. As soon as he left she was bound on starting researching about Obsidian.
Bloom kept quiet at that, not needing any more attention drawn to the subject. Valtor watched her for a few more seconds then summoned a blue-ish sphere that was as tall as him and in it, she could see objects that looked like rocks. It must be his hideout.
He turned his back to her and said as a farewell: "Don't be foolish to ignore my warning, the offer stands still." And with that he stepped through, disappearing from Domino entirely.
The eery silence settled over the room instantly and Bloom felt shivers running down her hands. So much was accomplished and yet she couldn't shake all her insecurities away. And with Valtor, new ones were consistently being added. Her powers turning on her didn't seem entirely impossible. Especially with how her control seemed to waver. She'd have to deal with it another time, now was the moment to finally get on with her research.
She closed the doors to her nursery and continued down the palace hallways. Every room she entered seemed to be a different type of bedroom or study. But no archive, no books or magic traces that might tell her something more. Then she remembered the treasury Daphne had taken them to when they first visited. It was bound to be some sort of start.
She followed the little turns she could recall, coming eventually upon a familiar-looking set of walls on whose end were huge double doors as old as the rest of the palace. She walked closer, pushing them apart and the shine of the money instantly caught her eye. The money she still didn't dare to touch.
"I see you've found your way back," her sister's voice echoes across the chamber. Before Daphne could say how little time she had, Bloom cut to the important question: "Does Domino have an archive? Some place where we stored valuable knowledge?"
Daphne smiles.
"Thought you would ask. There is indeed one, but no one has been there in a decade. A few miles north of the palace."
Bloom almost squeaks with excitement. "Thank you, Daphne!" she heads for the doors when the nymph speaks again: "Take this." Bloom sees Daphne hold out her mask, the one she never took off. "With it, you'll see Domino as I had. It will be easier to find the archive that way." Bloom takes it with shaking hands and turns to go once again, but before she's out another sentence catches her off guard.
"I saw you with Valtor earlier... I won't tell you what to do, but just think of yourself first," with that, she fades away.
The words cut a little from the inside, but Bloom decides that right now was not the time to get on about Valtor. He had stolen enough of her precious time. She finds her way back through the parts of the halls that remained intact. And just as she sets foot outside, she places Daphne's mask over her face.
Waves of colour and life dance in front of her eyes. Nature blossomed in her wake, flowers on the nearby hills, birds flying across the sky. Bloom releases a long breath in amazement. How she wished that one day she got to see Domino like this as well.
She heads north, taking her time looking at the various trees and the beauty that spread all over the horizon. The word wonderful couldn't cover it. And eventually, she saw a steep hill with a shining outline that looked like a door. Strange energy floated around it like it was calling for her. Bloom crept closer and nearly jumped out of her skin when a ghost-looking figure materialized in front of her. It seemed to be made of the same magic as Daphne, nearly transparent but in a shape of a man. "Who may I have the pleasure of speaking to?" he asks, before actually taking a look at Bloom. And the second he does, all emotions fade from his features.
"It can't be," his eyes examine her red hair, the blue of her eyes and probably the feeling of Dragon fire that was always present.
"I'm Bloom... I-"
"Dear god," the man breathes out, tapping the doors behind him in a weird combination. It slides down, disappearing entirely into the ground. He waves a hand which Bloom takes as a sign to follow. Once inside, she takes the mask off and watches as light and warmth erupt from everywhere. Books line the tall ceilings, scrolls and parchments floating by themselves around the room.
"My apologies, I'm being rude," he says with a nod. "I'm Lord Bartelby, the official keeper of Domino's Archive." He does a small bow and Bloom smiles somewhat awkwardly. No one had ever bowed to her. That gesture was usually meant for Layla and Stella only.
"What exactly is kept here?" she asks, noticing the way Bartelby's eyes fill with excitement. No one had visited this place in years after all.
"Everything some might say. Every event that shaped this planet into what it is, all the battles, the royal family tree, maps upon maps of different places... Is there something specific that you need Princess?"
Bloom almost shivers at the last word, no one had said it in a while apart from Valtor.
"Yes, but could I also take a look at some other stuff too?" Bartelby steps aside and a research stand like one in Alfea appears. "Say whichever topic interests you and I will help if needed, just call upon me," he answers and with a blink disappears.
Bloom swallows, stepping near the stand, remembering her failure of an attempt the last time, back when she wanted to find out about Daphne. Now she was going to learn about her parents.
Bloom clears her throat, nervous about her wording and speaks: "The fall of the royal family." A couple of books fly from their shelves and all gather in the middle of the room. She sees words fly out of all but one and blend together into it. Only one book lands in front of her and with shaking fingers she opens the first page.
Entry one
The date is February 15th 1988.
"The attack happened around sundown-" Bloom begins to read and can't finish the sentence because the room shifts around her.
She no longer stands in the Archive, instead, she's back in the palace. Only now it's in its full glow. The walls are vibrant with shine and colour. Two young people who she can recognize as her birth parents, thanks to Avalon's visions, sit at a desk together with a girl. And Bloom might cry when she recognizes Daphne in her beautiful body. Very much human and very much alive. Her hair is of a golden shade followed by eyes of a deeper orange tint. They seem happy, blissful of what was about to be bestowed upon them. In her mother's arms rests a bundle made out of a blanket and inside it Bloom sees herself.
"You ought to head to bed soon dear," Marion tells her eldest daughter with a smile. "Now, now darling, she can stay for a minute or two," Oritel adds, placing a hand on his wife's palm. Marion watches him with so much love that it makes Bloom's heart, ache. That all of this will be ripped from them. "It's fine dad, I need rest anyways. Does Bloom need to be put to bed?" Daphne asks after standing up and straightening out her dress. "Yes, thank you, dear," their mother responds and lifts Bloom up, settling her inside Daphne's embrace. Before leaving Daphne turns around and kisses both her parents on the cheek. "Good night," she adds with a smile.
"Good night sweetheart."
Daphne walks down the hall, passing the room Bloom now knew was hers and entering the one further down the hall. It must have been their parents'. A crib is a safe distance from the bed and Daphne lowers her carefully, but not before kissing her on the forehead. "Tomorrow, I will teach you how to say 'Daphne'," her sister whispers, caressing her cheeks. Baby Bloom laughs before her small eyes start to drift close. Daphne, taken over by exhaustion lays on the bed, to wait until Bloom falls entirely asleep. But it overtakes her quickly too.
Loud screaming erupts down the halls, startling Daphne awake. She is immediately on her feet, peeking over into Bloom's crib and she's relieved to find it untouched. She raises Bloom into her arms, squeezing her closer. Something wasn't right.
She takes a look out the doors, evident to find her parents. She runs down the hall and parts of the ceiling threaten to fall by abrupt shaking above their heads. Everywhere around them, people are racing, trying their best to reach the main doors.
"Dad!" Daphne screams as she passes the rooms. She almost collides with someone from the kitchen staff halfway to the council room. "Princess Daphne," the woman squeaks in horror.
"Margot, what's happening?" Daphne's voice is shaking, she's panicking heavily now.
"The palace... it's been attacked. You need to get somewhere safe."
If fear wasn't around her by then it sure settled in, Daphne's blood ran cold. "I have to find my parents first, I-" she trembles, hugging Bloom to her chest. "Your father is with the Company of Light..." the woman's voice stopped short, her body falling lifeless at Daphne's feet, drops of blood spilling over her feet and onto Bloom's blanket.
The princess screamed at the top of her lungs, backing away. Someone's silhouette floated forward. Daphne didn't linger, she turned back and started to run. She hoped someone would come looking for them soon.
Dad, mom, please. Help us. Adult Bloom could hear the plead of Daphne's thoughts.
Baby Bloom cried out, of hunger, tiredness or fear, Daphne didn't know. She didn't know anything then, but one thing. She was about to keep her sister safe. It was the only action she could do right.
"There's nowhere to run little Princess," an ancient voice trailed over the rooms, following after Daphne as she ran. She couldn't even transform, for time was something she lacked very much. And she couldn't risk them getting the upper hand.
"Come out, come out, no need for this foolishness," another voice followed and the creeps ran down Daphne's skin. A shot of ice wheezed towards her feet, toppling her over. Bloom slid out of her hands and landed a few meters down, crying hysterically. Daphne didn't have time to even inspect her injury, she had to get to Bloom. Pushing against the probably bleeding leg, she forced herself to run. Bloom's screams stopped as soon as her small eyes settled on her big sister. A smile appeared on her face and Daphne felt relieved as she began to sprint.
"We will spare your parents if you obey us," the third one said. Daphne's head was racing. She had to believe, no matter how scary it was, that her parents hadn't been captured. They were some of the strongest people in the dimension, they had to be okay. And Bloom would be okay too.
Soon she'll run into someone and they'll be saved. Things will go back to normal. She'll teach Bloom to fly and watch her use her first spells.
Daphne rounded another corner and felt her feet stop as she faced a blank wall. No turns, no doors. No way out.
She heard the voices inch closer. They would catch up soon.
Daphne let her tears fall as she knew what was to be done. She pressed a kiss into Bloom's skin, letting her Dragon Flame flow into her. To force her to be the bearer of such great power without guidance, broke what was left of Daphne's heart. She hoped her sister would forgive her once she was old enough. If she remembered. Bloom still smiled widely at Daphne, surrounded by a ring of pure flame, but still happy to be in her sister's arms.
Daphne waved a hand at the wall, a portal to somewhere far away opening. She felt the sting of it as it formed, the lack of her former power. It was a place where the witches couldn't track her, a place where she would be safe and get to have a life.
The planet, known as Earth, where no magic would follow.
Her hands shook violently as she forced Bloom away from herself and towards the portal. "I love you little one," she whispered, tears pouring on Bloom's blanket. Then as the dark magic of the witches drew closer, she willed herself to let go. Even as it ripped her apart, as it broke her into pieces, she let Bloom go. At least one of them would live to see tomorrow.
"Well, well who do we have here?" the frame of the curly-haired witch mocked. But then they noticed, all three of them at the same time, the absence of Bloom in Daphne's arms.
"Where's she? Where is the other girl?" the second one screamed, her hollow eyes igniting.
Daphne didn't say a word, only stood her ground. Even as the leader among them aimed her hand in her direction which lifted her into the air and began to choke her.
Daphne saw the moment the witch realized that the power was gone. All of it.
"You wretched girl. Oh, you will pay, you will pay dearly!"
Daphne, Princess of Domino didn't cry, didn't tremble, didn't even blink as she saw the spells erupt. The pain laced through her body, electricity, darkness and piercing ice. In her final moments, she thought of her parents, hoping they wouldn't be mad at her, of her Bloom, left alone on a planet that wasn't ready for her greatness. And then.
Nothing.
Bloom stepped away from the book, her entire body shaking. She wasn't sure when she started to cry, but tears were now falling without end, down onto the floor. She covered her mouth with her hand to stop a scream from coming out.
She knew Daphne died protecting her. She knew she had sacrificed her life so Bloom could be kept safe. And yet, seeing it play out broke whatever little self-control she had left in herself. Bloom leaned on the shelf behind her, needing something, anything to ground her. Otherwise, she might break.
The book she was reading floated back up, the words separating and returning to their place at the stacks.
"No, no wait! I wasn't done- My parents-"
Lord Bartelby appeared opposite of her. "I'm sorry Princess, but the fate of your parents is as much of a mystery to us as it is to everyone else."
"No, that can't be. This can't be it, I... I need to know what happened. I need to know where they are! Bartelby please show me, please. I need to see," Bloom begged, her voice cracking at almost every word. Bartelby's eyes only saddened as he moved them from her.
"You can take a look, but there's nothing there Your highness." He handed over the book after the content of it gathered again. Bloom frantically flipped through it, words of Daphne's death playing out all over again. But right after it... Nothing. Blank pages greeted her and she eyed every single one. "There has to be... there has to be something . Anything about them. There has to be..." Bloom's voice trailed off but she continued to flip the papers. Valtor wasn't even mentioned.
This could not be all there is.
Her parents were out there. They had to be. Because there was no way she spent so much time trailing after nothing. She just wasn't looking carefully enough. "Get me more books Bartelby."
"But Princess, there is nothing else. What we have on your sister was given to us by Daphne herself, in her Nymph form."
"Get me. More book. Now !" Bloom snapped, surprised by her own boldness. The man recoiled from her, and she could see it for what it was. Fear. All around them the shelves started to shake, books falling from the top, scrolls going up in flames.
"What happened to you?" he asked instead, which made Bloom boil further from the inside. She didn't care if her eyes changed or if he sensed the shift in her powers.
She needed more answers.
"There has to be some other place then, if not here. Someone in this dimension other than Valtor must know something!" Bartelby seemed to go cold at the mention of the wizard's name. "I think it's time you leave Princess."
"What? No, no, I am not leaving until I find out where they are Bartelby. And you must help me," she straightened, pointing a finger at the ghost. She would learn what happened. Now or never. This was where they perished, this was where they lived. At least a piece of something had to be buried someplace here. And she would dig up the entire planet to find it.
"Princess... you're not well," he tried, his voice lowering as if he was speaking to a disturbed child. But she was anything but. She was a daughter without parents. A sibling without a sister. A princess without a kingdom. She had nothing anymore. She was nothing. And now it all seemed to stack up against her.
"Not well?" she repeated, her tone turning cold, a dark chuckle leaving her mouth. A few piles on the floorboards sparked into flames next to them, the line of fire spreading onto the next one and along the shelves which rounded the entire space.
"I haven't been well ever since I learned who I am Bartelby," Bloom responded and let out a laugh.
"I'd love to see you used as a slave, kill your boyfriend, get infused with so much dark magic that your own goes out of control, get locked up in the Omega Dimension, want nothing else but die and be unable to, get freed by the wizard who fought your parents, become exiled from Magix and then be able to find no information on where your parents may be. I'd really like for you, Bartelby, to envision that" when Bloom finishes she's entirely out of breath. Letting it all out like this made it seem like someone else's story, not her own.
Bartelby only stared at her. And didn't say a word.
"I need to know..." Bloom speaks again, her words turning into sobs. "I just need to know they are not dead. It's all I want."
One by one the tears fall and when she thinks the situation can't get any worse, Bartelby simply vanishes. She screams his name over and over and over again, coming out empty. Soreness spread inside her throat. "Bartelby!" Bloom shouted, folding over on the floor. She was truly alone now.
But there was still one other thing that slipped from her mind with all that has happened. Something else she could try, wherever it may lead her.
Obsidian, a word still echoed in her thoughts.
She picked herself back from the ground, ignoring the fire which formed around her and walked back to the research stand and said: "Obsidian."
Only one book budged towards her, from a stack on the shelf that had not yet been burnt. But it flew slowly as if something or someone was trying to stop it.
Bloom wasn't sure what to expect when she opened it but hoped it was not another one of those hallucinations. Inside she found only a sheet of paper, without any additional pages. She read out the sentence, and when nothing out of the ordinary happened, she continued:
"Dimension of Obsidian, also known as the prison and current resident to three Ancestral witches."
Bloom's skin shivered instantly, but she kept reading.
"The land of Obsidian is inaccessible to those without dark magic for its core is dead, conjured up from evil itself. It is unknown whether anyone ever came back from it alive. It is undetectable by any technological devices or objects."
Bloom eagerly turned it over, finding the space blank. Just like all the rest.
Obsidian seemed to be as much of a mystery as the location of her parents. Unless the two were one and the same. It was a stretch, a long one. She had nothing but a few words to go off of, but it was the only clue she had. If Ancestral Witches truly resided there, in their true forms, then it was worth looking into.
It wasn't over yet.
"Thank you Bartelby, I think I got all I wanted to know."