A/N: Thank you Heart of the Demons, DJ Scales and W.I.T.C.H.aholic for the reviews. What I wanted to show with James was how if Elyon isn't careful, she can end up like her brother. She has the evil in her, but it's up to keep it locked. Also, in my head, the song that Will played when she tried out Matt's guitar was All About Us by t.A.T.u.
As for my opinions on a magic system, I'll have to see the reboot to make an opinion on that, to see what they wanted to do and if it holds up under scrutiny.
Special thanks to Pirate King Ray for sharing his suggestions with me and helping me better my story. Keep them coming!
Chapter IX: The Seal of Phobos
Elyon, surrounded by the mystery of her secret hideaway, dove into her mission to find a way to stop Phobos. As she flipped through old books and peculiar objects, a spark of excitement lit up her eyes.
She couldn't believe her luck when she discovered an interesting part in a magical book. It read as follows:
"In the ancient art of magic, the process of draining one's magical essence requires the creation of a potent enchantment. To fashion a magic-draining artifact, cast the following spell upon a chosen object, imbuing it with the power to draw magic from its wearer. The enchanted object must then be worn by the target for an extended duration, during which time the device subtly siphons their magical energies."
The text continued, painting a vivid picture of the intricate steps involved in the creation of such a magical vessel. Elyon's excitement surged as she absorbed the wisdom within the pages.
"As the wearer unknowingly becomes a conduit, the magic flows from them into the waiting vessel, absorbing the essence with each passing moment. Patience is key, for the process is gradual, and the magic-draining object must remain in close proximity to its target."
With newfound knowledge, Elyon envisioned the downfall of Phobos, the key to victory resting in the delicate crafting of a magic-draining ring. She selected a ring from a nearby box, its ornate design promising to house the stolen magic.
Placing the ring on a table, Elyon began the incantation, her words echoing in the mystical chamber:
"By moonlit glow and mystic might,
Inscribe the runes, embrace the night.
Object forged, a vessel true,
To drain the magic, I imbue.
Wearer unaware, enchanted bind,
Time unfolds, their essence entwined.
Slowly, subtly, the magic flows,
Into the object, where power grows.
Patience, patience, through the hour,
As energies wane, the magic devour.
Once drained and depleted, seize with care,
The enchanted object, the essence to bear.
In whispered words and shadows cast,
This incantation, a spell to last.
But wield with wisdom, balance the art,
For magic harnessed demands a noble heart."
As Elyon spoke the incantation, the ring responded, bathing the room in a soft glow. Runes materialized along its surface, shimmering with arcane energy. Then, with a subtle fade, the runes vanished, leaving the ring ready to carry out its magical mission. Elyon's heart danced with anticipation as she envisioned the imminent confrontation with Phobos, armed with the power to turn the tide in her favor.
Elyon carefully retrieved the walkie-talkie, the device crackling to life as she eavesdropped on the conversation between Phobos and Cedric.
Phobos's voice echoed with anger, "Vathek escaped?"
"He was helped by the one who brought him here. My legions are in pursuit as we speak," Cedric responded.
The tension in the air escalated, and Phobos's rage grew evident, "Perhaps I should light a fire under your troops, starting with their leader!"
Disturbed by the ominous threat, Elyon hurriedly stowed away the walkie-talkie. She felt a surge of responsibility, a desire to intervene and prevent Cedric's punishment. Yet, as she approached the Throne Room, doubt clouded her resolve. Why should she protect Cedric, who had manipulated her on Earth?
Pausing outside the Throne Room, Elyon grappled with conflicting thoughts. James' words echoed through her mind: "fight every day to be a better version of yourself." Was she a better version of herself if she let Phobos punish Cedric? Well, yeah. He was a horrible person. But how different was she from Phobos if she let that happen? The ends don't justify the means. Besides, who knows? Maybe this act will get Cedric to reconsider the side he's on, even though the chances of that happening were extremely low.
If James were here he would probablly say that the chances were not negligible, thought Elyon.
Taking a deep breath, Elyon entered the Throne Room and addressed Phobos with a carefully crafted plan. "Phobos, look what I found—a ring. When I saw it, I immediately thought about you. What do you think?"
Phobos, momentarily distracted by the shimmering ring, responded, "It's beautiful."
Phobos placed the ring on his finger, unknowingly becoming entangled in Elyon's diversion. "It appears your old friends continue to reek havoc. I'm afraid I have no choice but to use my powers against them, once and for all." His ominous declaration echoed through the room.
Elyon's heart sank. A subtle help won't get them out of this one. There was no other way, she had to stop them. "No, don't. Please. They'll never bother you again. I swear!"
Will looked at her math test with a furrowed brow, concern etched on her face.
Hay Lin chimed in enthusiastically, "A? Wow! If you can get an A in math, then anything is possible."
Will corrected her, "But I didn't. Taranee, take a look at it and tell me if it's a perfect paper."
Taranee examined the test and shook her head, saying, "It isn't. I'd give you a C at best. What's going on?"
"Well, whatever it is, I guess I'll find out this afternoon. When she was handing out the results, she told me to see her at her house," Will explained.
Cornelia raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "She wants you to meet her at her house? What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything," Will insisted.
The W.I.T.C.H. girls decided to accompany Will to Mrs. Rudolph's house.
"You guys didn't have to come," Will remarked.
Suddenly, the Heart of Kandrakar shot up from Will's neck, displaying an image of a green, plump creature.
Hay Lin exclaimed, "What the heck is that?"
An unknown voice reached them, saying, "I suspect it's me."
The same creature from the Heart's image materialized in front of Mrs. Rudolph's front door, and the Guardians immediately prepared for a confrontation.
"No! I mean no harm!" the creature hastily assured them.
Reluctantly, Will stowed the Heart in her pocket. As she did so, the air around the creature began to twist and turn, shielding its image and revealing the familiar figure of Mrs. Rudolph.
The Guardians tensed, awaiting an explanation.
Mrs. Rudolph looked at the assembled group with a mix of gratitude and apology. "It's good you all came. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you before now. You see, I came from Meridian many years ago, with Elyon."
"You were the nanny who stole her from Phobos?" Cornelia questioned.
"Many helped save her from her brother," Mrs. Rudolph explained, "but I was the one chosen to carry the infant across the Veil."
"So you stole the amulet, the seal of Phobos?" Will interjected.
"But in my haste, somewhere between the portal and here, I lost it."
"Why didn't you retrace your steps and look for it?" Will questioned.
To this, Mrs. Rudolph confessed, "To be honest, I thought, 'Good riddance!' I still do. Plus, the seal can only open things, not close them."
"Well, if you didn't close the portal, who did?" Will pressed further.
"It closed itself. And quite quickly. The Seal of Phobos, or rather, The Royal Seal is a universal key. It can open anything that's closed, but it cannot stop the Veil from repairing its holes," Mrs. Rudolph clarified.
Will connected the dots. "So the Veil can no longer do that. That's why we were tasked to close them."
"Why wait till now to tell us?" asked Taranee.
'Last night Elyon contacted me and asked me to summon the leader of the Guardians here," Mrs Rudolph revealed.
Concerned, Cornelia asked, "Contacted you how? Did she come here? Is she okay?"
Elyon's voice interrupted the questions, "I'm okay."
The missing queen, Elyon Brown, stood there in her Earth clothes, appearing just like she did before she went to Meridian. Cornelia immediately went in for a hug, which Elyon reciprocated.
"You were right," Elyon began. "Phobos is evil, and I'm ashamed that I didn't see it right away. You all have been trying to get through my thick skull—putting yourselves in danger for me. If something bad were to happen to any one of you, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. You were right to keep this from me."
"No, we weren't," Will said. "We should have told you from the start. Cornelia wanted to, but I stopped her. I'm sorry."
"It's all water under the bridge," Elyon reassured. "There's no use in focusing on the past."
"Now that you're here with us, Phobos won't stand a chance," Cornelia said.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Elyon said. "I found out a way to defeat him."
"What?" Hay Lin exclaimed.
Elyon explained her plan, "I'll drain him of his power. He won't see it coming. So, please, leave Meridian alone. I am the Rightful Heir, Meridian is my responsibility. If something bad were to happen to any one of you, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."
"We can't give up on Meridian, it's our responsibility," Will responded.
"Are you the Guardians of Meridian?" Elyon asked. "No. You are the Guardians of the Veil. Your duty is to close the portals of the Veil. Leave Meridian to me, please."
"Elyon, can't you see he just played you?" Will inquired. "Why would he waste his energy fighting us if he can just send you to do his job for him?"
Elyon's face betrayed a hint of surprise, and she replied, "So what? Sooner or later, he will take matters into his own hands."
Cornelia voiced the group's determination, "Elyon, we can't give up on Meridian."
"Which is why, as the future queen of Meridian, I forbid you from stepping foot in my kingdom," Elyon said.
"You can't do that." Irma protested.
"Yes, I can. I swore to Phobos that I'll stop you. It's the only way I can keep you safe. Whether you accept that or not is irrelevant. I will keep you safe, whether you like it or not."
Elyon snapped her fingers and turned invisible.
"Okay, who does she think she is?" Irma exclaimed. "She can't just forbid us from Meridian."
"Well, technically speaking, she is the rightful ruler." Taranee pointed out. "Who's to say she's not allowed to banish someone from her kingdom?"
"Yeah well, I'm sure Phobos didn't want us on Meridian, but that didn't stop us," Irma countered.
Will rallied the team, "And neither will this. This time, we won't give up on her. Right?"
The others chorused, "Right."
Will, in a lighter tone, changed the topic. "Um, Mrs. Rudolph, why did you give me an A?"
Mrs. Rudolph chuckled, "You don't like it? Well, we can always fix it."
"No! I'm surprised, that's all," Will clarified.
Mrs. Rudolph laughed and explained her decision, "Given the present circumstances, I decided to help you out. The next test will be next month, so that should give you some extra time to dedicate to your other duties. Don't get used to it. This is the first and only time that I'm doing this. And only because I saw how hard you worked this year."
"Thank you," Will said.
Caleb, Blunk, and Vathek sprinted through the labyrinthine streets of Meridian, shadows elongating in the dimming light. Their covert plan to glean information about Phobos' schemes had unraveled when the Whisperers directed them to the enigmatic Book of Secrets. Despite their best efforts, the trio couldn't unlock its mysteries.
Their failure didn't go unnoticed. The Whisperers, ancient guardians of Meridian's secrets, sensed betrayal and swiftly alerted the guards. Now, with the heavy thud of boots behind them, Caleb and his companions were forced into a desperate escape.
As the chase intensified, the trio reached a juncture where survival demanded a parting of ways. Caleb, agile and familiar with the city, chose the alleys, swiftly distancing himself from his companions.
Bounding through the city and into the bordering forest, Caleb felt the damp leaves beneath his boots. Emerging from the dense foliage, he found solace in the murky sanctuary of a swamp.
"Now, you're in my turf, creeps," Caleb muttered, a smirk playing on his lips.
Stopping abruptly, he retraced his own steps in the squelchy ground. As the guards hesitated at the baffling disappearance of tracks, Caleb reached a gnarled tree. With the agility of a practiced acrobat, he scaled it and concealed himself among the foliage, a silent spectator to the confusion below.
Amusement danced in Caleb's eyes as the guards struggled to decipher the enigma before them. With whispers of frustration carried by the evening breeze, they reluctantly split up, each hoping to uncover the elusive fugitive.
Seizing the opportune moment, Caleb descended from his arboreal perch and embarked on a silent journey through the swamp. Each step echoed in the stillness as he left the guards behind, befuddled by the absence of any discernible trail.
Like a stealthy panther, Caleb weaved through the murky waters of the swamp, each step calculated to make the least possible sound. The guards, their boots squelching in the muck, regrouped with confusion etched across their faces. They scratched their heads in bewilderment as if the very swamp had conspired against them.
At the edge of the swamp, where the damp ground met the solid forest, Caleb left an enigma. The guards, attempting to decipher the riddle of vanishing tracks, exchanged puzzled glances. Their lanterns flickered ominously as they realized Caleb had once again slipped through their fingers, leaving them grasping at shadows.
Meanwhile, Caleb blended seamlessly into the night. The moonlight cast a ghostly glow on the tangled branches above as he melted into the shadows like a phantom. His form, barely discernible from the surrounding darkness, became an elusive specter vanishing into the folds of the Meridian night.
In the hushed aftermath of his escape, the guards stood there, whispers of uncertainty lingering in the air. The swamp echoed with the croaks of unseen creatures, lending an eerie ambiance to the unfolding mystery. That however changed when Lord Cedric himself showed up.
Caleb ran as fast as he could. Where exactly? To the Infinite City. That was the safe spot. He looked behind him and saw Lord Cedric in all of his lizard glory.
"Change of plans," Caleb thought. "Shake off snake face, then go to the Infinite City."
Caleb sprinted through the dense forest, his breaths quickening with each step. The towering trees provided both cover and obstacle as he maneuvered through the shadows. His heart pounded, a rhythmic drumbeat accompanying the adrenaline-fueled chase.
The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor. Caleb's agile movements resembled a dance with the shadows, a fleeting figure determined to elude his pursuer. Behind him, Lord Cedric, still in his lizard form, hissed menacingly, the sound echoing through the silent woods.
Branches snapped beneath Caleb's boots as he zigzagged through the labyrinth of trees, using every trick he had learned over the years to outsmart the relentless lizard creature on his tail. He leaped over fallen logs, expertly dodged protruding roots, and even swung between the trees, relying on his agility to gain an advantage.
The night air whispered secrets to the leaves, carrying the tension of the chase. Caleb's mind raced, considering the next move to throw off the persistent pursuer. He abruptly changed direction, veering into a thicket where the underbrush clung to his clothes like desperate fingers.
Lord Cedric, however, proved relentless. His slithering form maneuvered through the foliage with an unnatural grace, determined to capture the elusive rebel leader. The chase intensified, Caleb's every footfall echoing through the forest, a frantic beat in harmony with the nocturnal symphony.
Caleb's eyes scanned the surroundings for the telltale glimmer of an open portal – his escape route from the relentless pursuit of Lord Cedric. As luck would have it, he spotted one just 3 feet away from him. However, it closed in his face.
Frustration etched across Caleb's face as he stumbled back from yet another closed portal. "Come on, stay open!" he muttered under his breath. His eyes scanned the darkened foliage. It seemed as if the forest was full of portals. And every time he reached one, it closed abruptly, as if mocking his desperate attempts.
With each failed attempt, Caleb's urgency increased. He knew he couldn't afford to be caught by Lord Cedric, especially when the secrets of the Infinite City and the rebellion's plans were at stake. As he continued his desperate run through the forest, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was interfering with the portals.
The realization struck him – it had to be Will. The Guardians were entrusted to close any holes in the Veil and it just so happened that they were closing portals right as Caleb needed one. A sense of hopelessness gripped him, but he refused to give up.
Praying to whatever forces might be listening, Caleb approached the next portal cautiously. He focused on maintaining a semblance of calmness, knowing that panic could jeopardize his chances. The portal flickered open, and with a burst of speed, he lunged towards it.
But, as before, the portal sealed shut before he could pass through. Caleb slammed his fist against a nearby tree in frustration. "Curse you, Will!"
The moon cast an ethereal glow over the twisted trees of the Meridian forest as Caleb grew increasingly breathless and weary. The rustle of leaves beneath his feet echoed his desperate flight, but the lizard-like creature behind him closed in, a living shadow in the moonlit night.
Cedric's reptilian eyes glinted with malicious satisfaction as he finally caught up with Caleb. With a swift move, he overpowered the resistance of the young rebel leader, shackling his hands with cold, iron restraints.
"You've been quite elusive," Cedric hissed, relishing his victory. "Now, let's take you somewhere you can't run away."
In the eerie moonlight, they left the dark embrace of the forest and ventured into the vast expanse of the Meridian desert. The once-twisted trees transformed into sparse silhouettes on the horizon, marking the boundary between the realms of shadow and desolation.
As they approached the edge of the desert, Caleb's mind raced with thoughts of escape and resistance. "You won't get away with this, Cedric," he retorted, a defiant edge to his voice despite his predicament.
Cedric's sinister chuckle echoed through the stillness of the night. "Ah, the bravery of a doomed rebel. We'll see how long that lasts."
The transition from the forest's cool darkness to the stark, barren landscape of the desert was abrupt. The sands stretched endlessly before them, a desolate canvas under the vast canopy of stars.
A sprawling work camp emerged on the desert's edge – a place of forced labor and confinement. Cedric dragged Caleb into the camp, the clinking of his shackles a dismal symphony in the quiet night.
"You are fast and strong. Let's put that to good use, shall we?" Cedric sneered, his reptilian grin revealing the sadistic pleasure he derived from Caleb's predicament. "No one will ever find you in the work camp."
Caleb, undeterred, shot back, "Don't bet on it, scale face. I have a lot of friends."
Cedric's mocking laughter echoed through the desolate landscape. "Yes, and they're all here."
In the heart of an orchard, bathed in the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves, the W.I.T.C.H. girls found themselves surrounded by an unusual spectacle – portals scattered across the orchard like magical stepping stones. Will immediately sprang into action, determined to close the mysterious rifts.
Will's focused efforts, however, seemed to be in vain, as new portals continued to materialize after each closure. A sense of urgency and confusion permeated the air.
Will voiced her concerns. "Why are there so many? Is the Veil disintegrating?"
"Use the map " Hay Lin urged.
From her bag, Will retrieved The Map of Portals, a magical artifact that held the key to understanding the mystical network. Activating it with the Heart of Kandrakar, the map displayed a series of 'x's forming a peculiar line.
Will analyzed the map. "Look, they're all in a line. And they stop... where's this?"
"Isn't that near the old junkyard?" Cornelia asked. Then it hit her. "Blunk!"
Irma's suspicions arose. "Do you think he had something to do with it?"
Determined to unravel the mystery, the W.I.T.C.H. girls made their way to the junkyard, where they discovered Blunk engrossed in his usual scavenging.
Blunk, oblivious to the magical mayhem he had caused, delightedly exclaimed, "Mega-goodies! Blunk need bigger pockets."
Cornelia intervened urgently. "Blunk, stop! You're making portals all over town!"
Hay Lin, noticed Blunk's peculiar necklace. "Nice jewelry."
Blunk sported a small metal necklace shaped like a rhombus, and realization struck Will. "An amulet that opens portals? Oh, my gosh, you guys, I think that's the Seal of Phobos."
"Blunk, don't move!" Taranee warned.
Undeterred, Blunk countered, "Blunk talk trade."
"You don't!" Irma exclaimed. "That thing's got incredible..."
In a sudden burst of arcane energy, The Seal, once nestled around Blunk's neck, ascended and began a tumultuous spin, transforming into a menacing black circle. It unleashed bolts of black lightning, striking anything in its path with ominous intensity.
Reacting swiftly, the W.I.T.C.H. girls assumed their magical forms, determined to quell the chaotic manifestation. However, to their dismay, none of their elemental powers proved effective against the dark force.
"That's one wicked disco ball," Hay Lin remarked.
Amidst the chaos, The Seal targeted Will with a menacing black lightning bolt, sending her crashing to the ground, the Heart slipping from her neck.
The abrupt loss of the Heart caused an immediate transformation, reverting the girls back to their human forms. Will, struggling to regain her composure, attempted to rise.
In an unexpected turn of events, the Heart of Kandrakar, having fallen to the ground, began to levitate. The Seal of Phobos retaliated with its dark lightning, but to no avail. It surged towards the Heart, making a direct impact. Astonishingly, the Heart absorbed the entirety of the Seal, returning to Will's hands.
As Will gazed upon the Heart, a vivid image materialized on its surface – a distressing scene involving Caleb, forcibly being dragged by the menacing Lord Cedric.
"Caleb! Where is he?" exclaimed Cornelia with genuine concern.
Blunk chimed in, "Work-yard in Hugong Gorge."
Determined to rescue Caleb, Taranee suggested, "We'll have to find a portal."
"If only there was a faster way," Will mused.
In a surprising turn of events, the Heart of Kandrakar began vibrating in Will's grasp. Without hesitation, she released it, and a portal instantaneously unfolded before her.
"The Heart of Kandrakar just got turbocharged," Hay Lin exclaimed.
"It looks like the Heart absorbed the Seal's power to open portals," Taranee observed.
Eager to rescue Caleb, Cornelia declared, "Well then, let's go!"
With a unifying cry of "Guardians Unite!" the girls transformed into their Guardian forms and gracefully entered the portal.
On the other side awaited the work camp, embroiled in chaos as rebels valiantly confronted the guards.
Caleb, taken aback by their swift arrival, questioned, "How did you get here so fast?"
"The Heart of Kandrakar got a sort of an upgrade," Will explained.
Hay Lin eagerly demonstrated, "Watch this! Go on, do it!"
With confidence, Will opened a portal. "All aboard for Earth," she declared.
Impressed, Caleb inquired, "You can open them anywhere?"
"Yep," affirmed Will.
"As much as I'd like to get everyone to safety," Caleb said, "there's just something about an unfair fight."He kissed Cornelia on the cheek and went directly into battle, leaving her blushing.
"Boys," Will remarked with a knowing smile. With that, the Guardians plunged into the fray, unleashing their powers against the guards with determination and skill.
Caleb's voice carried urgency as he revealed, "The Whisperers said all Phobos' plans for Elyon are in this book."
Gathering in the Silver Dragon basement, the W.I.T.C.H. girls, along with Caleb, found the elusive Book of Secrets on the table.
"Which we've tried everything but dynamite to open." Hay Lin exclaimed, frustrated by their previous attempts.
Yan Lin interjected reassuringly, "You don't need dynamite. You have something better. Remember, The Seal Of Phobos is a key. A universal key."
Will, seizing the moment, took out the Heart of Kandrakar and gently touched the book with it. Miraculously, the book sprang open. However, their excitement was short-lived as the pages revealed themselves to be entirely blank.
"Did those flowers whisper anything about invisible ink?" Irma sarcastically asked.
Caleb responded, "They said Phobos' plans for Elyon were..."
Suddenly, an image of Prince Phobos materialized in the previously empty pages.
"Thirteen years of searching have culminated into this very moment," Phobos declared through the magical projection. "Elyon Brown, the Heart of Meridian, has finally returned home. Now it is time to put my plan into action. Her coronation as queen of Meridian will mark the moment of my ultimate triumph. With the recording of these words, may her fate be sealed. In two months, her powers will reach their peak, and I will drain them all, leaving her withered soul to spend eternity as a Black Rose."
As Phobos concluded his ominous message, the book sealed itself shut, leaving Yan Lin visibly distressed.
"The Heart of Meridian? Oh no," she murmured.
"What's the Heart of Meridian?" Irma inquired.
Yan Lin explained, "Every world has a heart, the source of that world's magic. It manifests itself as a person. When that person dies, it chooses a new host. A Heart holds immense power."
Caleb added, "But a heart cannot be taken by force. There's no way Phobos can trick her into giving it up, now that she knows the truth."
"I'm afraid he doesn't have to," Yan Lin said. "The Rightful Heir has a special magical source, gifted by the Heart of Meridian herself. All of the royal family has access to it."
"So you're saying that Phobos can take Elyon's power without permission?" Taranee sought clarification.
"I don't know. There has never been someone who was both the Heir and The Heart," Yan Lin admitted, revealing the complexity of the situation. "Judging by the wording, Phobos made the entry Elyon left Earth."
"That was the beginning of December," Cornelia noted.
"It's almost the middle of January," Irma pointed out.
Realization dawned on Taranee as she exclaimed, "That means we have two weeks before the coronation."
"Does Elyon know of this?" Will asked.
Cornelia hesitated before responding, "I don't know. But she was adamant that she could defeat Phobos on her own."
Yan Lin, with a sense of urgency, concluded, "You must get Elyon to listen to reason. Or all hope will be lost."
Another chapter done!
Next is Chapter X: Escape From Cavigor