Tom prepared his bag. He put a few books. It was time for him to leave. He already left a message to his friends and they would wait for him near the portal. He was going to miss them, but it was time. He had no idea if the elementalists might do something drastic or not. He wouldn't take the risk. He took a deep breath and sighed quietly.
His body guard from the Overworld watching him, "You are sure you are going there alone? I have to come with you to the island. I'm sure-"
"I already told you; I have to do it. I can't explain why, but it's important that I do that. I'm also going with Milla'iin," the teenager replied without giving a proper explanation.
Arias grumbled. He was a bit frustrated that Tom was uncooperative. He couldn't let the boy put his life in danger alone. He already failed him last year and had no intention of repeating that mistake again. Not only that, he would go with Milla'iin. The invader of the Cothica. Even if he surrendered, he couldn't put faith in that M'arrillian.
The teenager let out a small apologetic smile, "You can tell Maxxor that I'm thankful for his help. I'll see him again eventually," he gazed down, "I hope."
He grabbed his scanner and typed a message for Codemaster Crellan. It was time for him to leave and let him know that he wouldn't have his scanner on him anymore.
He walked out of his room.
Arias followed him down the stairs as Tom and talked with his mother. She looked strong, but he could see the mother could break down in tears at any time. She tried to change his mind, but he didn't.
The black-haired boy walked out of his home and saw the car that would drive him to the underground city of the Guardians of the Cothica. His mother and Arias came with him. The creature managed to convince him to let him come before he gave his report to Maxxor.
They climbed in the car, the ram creature with difficulty and left the city.
Chapter 44: It Began
Tom made himself comfortable in the car as they quickly approached their destination. He talked with his mother about his father being present to give his good-bye.
Him and his mother lacked a bit of space with Arias size taking a large part of the back seat. It was the price to pay to be together.
His mind focused more on what was unsaid. He couldn't speak about the other reason he went on this. Why he had to be a prisoner of the elementalists. Still, he was ready. His training allowed him to control the light pretty well. He knew enough to practice on his own when he would be on Perim. He closed his eyes and wondered how Maxxor would feel, if he knew he would be gone today. He didn't bring his scanner. He didn't need it for now. His mother would watch over it.
He glanced at his mother, talking with Arias. He couldn't hear what they said. The two whispered together for some reason. He found it a bit suspicious, but didn't call them out. He hid things from them and didn't want to spill the bean. He sighed as they reached the tunnel. He had little time now.
He put his hand on his chest. He was a bit nervous. His friends would be there with his father. Maybe his grand-parents too.
Tom would go with Milla'iin as a prisoner of the elementalists. He knew he wouldn't be threated the same way as the M'arrillian. He would keep an eye on his friend and made sure everything would be fine.
"Are you okay?" his mother asked. Annie didn't know what else to her son. She knew he would be gone soon, "You can tell me anything."
"What were you two talking about?"
The creature was a bit nervous and coughed nervously. He avoided the gaze of the teenager.
"What are you planning?"
"Something," his mother replied.
He didn't like this at all.
Annie grabbed his hands and declared, "Tom. I know what you are going to do. Just know that I will search you everywhere in Perim. I'm a Chaotic Player and I have a few ideas where you might be. I will help you. I'm your mother."
"Thanks mom. What about Arias? What did you plan together."
The Overworlder didn't like being put on the spot again. He crossed his arms and devolved to look at the boy severely, "How I'm going to protect you. You are still our guide to the Cothica. Even if we are in the Cothica now, I'm sure your duty isn't over."
Tom almost said that the ram creature was close to the fact. It was true that it wasn't over. He was a bit sad he didn't have time to speak with Alexander about the Cothica and how he might actually be the Messenger of the Cothica. The creatures were right about their world. It was a fact that felt a bit scary.
The boy saw they reached the underground city. It was weird that some humans lived a bit like Underworlders… In a way.
Arias was a bit nervous. He might feel the same way.
Thankfully, they climbed off the car. The driver and the other Guardian of the Cothica climbed off after them and guided them towards the portal.
"Tom!" Kaz and Sarah yelled loudly as they joined him. The two hugged him. They already seemed like they cried a bit. Both were already worried sick.
"It's okay guys. I'm okay and I will be okay," he promised. Once they stopped hugging him, he did the same with Sarah. He hugged his girlfriend for a few seconds, ignoring the snort from Khybon, "Where is your body guard?"
"He will be here soon. Anyway… Are you sure this is such a good idea? You didn't explain why you have to do anyway," she commented.
"I just can't say it, but I have to do it. I know I have too. Before I go," he looked at her in her green eyes for a few seconds. He then kissed her on her lips. She was taken aback, but didn't care for the witnesses.
They had no idea when he would return and why he had to leave.
Kaz declared, "We will find you Tom. Wherever you are in Perim. We also have to save Peyton."
"We have to save both you and Peyton."
"I won't get kidnapped. I decided to go there," Tom chuckled lightly. He sighed when his friends still looked worried for him.
"Settle down a little bit," someone said.
Tom recognised his father. He came from the base to see him go. He was a Caucasian man with short black hair and pale green eyes. He wore a green shirt with black pants. He had a scar on his left cheek, one he got during the war against the M'arrillian last year.
"Tom. I can't believe you decided to accept something like that," George chuckled when he saw his son whined a little bit, "Calm down" I needed to tell you that in person too or I would regret it. I won't stop you. I can't anyway when you can use some light superpower."
"It's not superpower," the Matriarch came as she greeted them. Her followed made sure that everything would be fine for the old woman, "It's the power that we all have within us, but very few can use it anymore."
Kaz and Sarah didn't finish their training yet.
"Where is Remi?" Annie asked as she looked around.
"He couldn't come today. He went to meet with his grand-parents and he is far away," Tom replied. He remembered he got that message on his scanner yesterday. In the morning, he told him that he should think a bit more, but he had no intention of changing his mind.
They talked together as they approached the large portal that would bring him to Perim. They had no idea if the elementalists would show up or Tom and Milla'iin would go through there.
The M'arrillian was present, near the portal. His tendrils behind his back while his large eye avoided looking at the creatures in shame. He didn't forget what he did in the past. He couldn't endure the furious glare of the two creatures that came with the humans, "H-" he shut himself up. He guessed it was a terrible idea to speak with them. He gazed at Tom, the boy had no judgement on his face and waved at him. They would end up in the grasp of the elementalists soon anyway. It was his fault that the boy ended up in this mess. Not completely. He knew, "I am ready to leave when Tom is ready," he focused on the Matriarch.
The old lady nodded and turned towards the teenager, "Tom. You should say your final good-bye. You will be gone for a while and the elementalists…" she approached him and whispered, "Won't let you leave that easily."
"I know. We'll be careful."
Kaz and Sarah glanced at each other's. They had to make plans together. They had to decide what they would do from there. They already sent a few messages, but didn't tell Tom yet.
"Tom," they said.
Kaz decided to get on first when they got his attention, "Sarah and me decided how we should help you and Peyton."
"You should search for Peyton. He is a prisoner of the metalists."
"I will help Peyton," Sarah said.
It surprised Tom a little bit, "Okay."
"It's because Kaz convinced me that I might do crazier stuff to save you than him. I also have more luck with the metalist and with the danians help," she admitted. She looked at him, "I rather help you, but Kaz has a better chance at finding you."
"I'm not your girlfriend, but I'm your best friend Tom. I know there is much more going on in there," he tapped the forehead of his friend. Kaz went on, "Sarah had more encounters with the metalists and the danians are more interested in them than Chaor it seems. He is a bit distracted with Van Bloot to fully focus on them," he sighed and went on, "So the Underworlders cannot help me as much in the matter."
That made sense for the black-haired teenager, "No worries. I'm sure you will get a scan so she can port quickly," he let out a small smile.
"All part of our plan. If she finds Peyton first, it will be the same," Kaz replied.
"We won't let you on your own and we'll find out what's going on here too. I know you aren't telling everything Tom," Sarah commented as she looked straight in his eyes.
Tom looked away from her gaze, "Yeah."
"And he can't tell you. Unless you find him," the Matriarch warned them with a small smile.
The group talked more as time advanced. Eventually, it was time for Tom to prepare to leave with Milla'iin.
The boy and the M'arrillian walked towards the portal. It was activated and ready to send them to Perim. Specifically, the land under the control of the elementalists.
The boy took a deep breath. He turned around and waved at them, "Good-bye everyone. I'll see you as soon as we can," he promised.
"We will find you," his friends replied.
His mother crossed her arms, "I'm going to chase you all around Perim my boy," she let out a sad smile. She wished it would be different, but what she knew. She knew how much were at stakes, without seeming that way.
Milla'iin spoke, "Tom. Even if they threat me as a prisoner, I will protect you from any arm they might try on you."
"I will do the same," he glanced at the creature.
"There is so much I have to do to make up for everything I have done," he commented.
"And it's just the beginning. You can change like the others," Tom optimistically replied.
The boy took a deep breath. It was time to leave his world. His real self to Perim. He didn't know what to say. He pushed away his fear and nervousness.
(You are not alone,) Milla'iin reminded him, (I will prove myself worthy of your faith you put in me.)
"Good-bye," he said. He waved his hands at the group. He turned around and approached the portal with the M'arrillian by his side.
They were near it when they heard someone yelled, "What are doing?"
The two turned around and saw a humanoid ram charging at them with everything he had. He quickly closed the distance.
Milla'iin eye shrunk a bit at the unexpected action of the creature.
"Arias?" the boy asked confused.
The creature grabbed both of them and passed through the portal without anyone stopping him.
The three disappeared in the portal and it deactivated.
The group were quiet. Annie let out a small smile at the plan. It was a terrible one, but it somehow worked. Just rushed in when no one expected it.
The Matriach sighed as she let out a smile, "It's the elementalists problem now," she turned towards them and added, "I hope that won't put them in trouble."
The group were a bit nervous and uncertain. Still, they each had a mission to accomplish. They decided to focus on their duty.
AC: This is the end of this chapter.
Next: The Elementalists Island.
Tom, Arias and Milla'iin ended up on the land of the elementalists and were in trouble.