Elizabeth stuck her blade into the ground beside the opening of the Geyser. She then dragged it around its perimeter, making a circle in the dirt. When she returned to her initial spot, she twisted the pommel of her sword, pulling out a dagger from inside of it. Elizabeth lined it up to her sword and placed it on the ground on the other of the circle, parallel to her blade. She took a step back to look at her work before she knelt and traced symbols in the dirt with her finger, writing “Youthaniss” in The Keeper language on one side and “Scoldar” on the other.

She faced Greyson, and Axel with a look of uncertainty etched onto her face. “Let’s hope this works.” Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth kneeled and placed her hand on the opening of the hot fountain. She could feel the faint warmth of the mana flowing in the ground. Her fingertips tingled as the little energy coursing throughout the geyser and temple became almost in sync with her.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and said firmly, “Youthaniss.” She focused on the mana she can currently muster within herself, and the rest flowing around her. The symbols she traced in the dirt glowed a faint blue color. A warm breeze blew through the temple as the ground beneath them shook. The opening of the geyser formed a white light that quickly became a pale blue color from Elizabeth’s mana. As the symbols flickered, the shaking became stronger. The blade of her sword and dagger glowed, creating a ring around the geyser, and the warm breeze intensified, becoming a hot wind that filled the temple.

“I think it’s working.” She said as she kept her focus on opening the portal. The ring flickered as the light inside the geyser faded away and the symbols stopped, glowing.

“It’s unstable. You need more power.” Greyson called out to her.

“I don’t have more power!” Elizabeth retorted it.

Greyson analyzed the portal. His eyes darted towards the ring and symbols, furrowing his brows in contemplation. Axel tried to help Elizabeth, taking a step forward towards her, but Greyson halted him. “No, you’ll put out way too much energy. It has to be just right.”

Hesitantly, he stepped forward. It had finally dawned on him just how much the fate of the realms relied on stopping Mimlot. He knew that with the current circumstances, his vow to never practice as a keeper again would have to be put on hold, and he’d have no choice but to dabble in the world of magic again.

Greyson rushed over to Elizabeth and pulled her sword and dagger out of the ground, causing her to break focus. “What are you doing?!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“What you and that stupid prophecy wanted!” He shot back. Greyson made another circle around the one Elizabeth had drawn. He placed a finger into the ground and copied the same symbols Elizabeth had written.

“I’m being a keeper.” He kneeled beside her and placed both of his hands on the ground. His work glowed a bright red as he channeled his mana into the ground.

The light within the geyser glowed stronger. Its faint blue light combined with‌ Greyson’s energy, turning it purple. The flickering stopped and the shaking in the ground came to an abrupt stop. Then, a sudden burst of water erupted out of the geyser, followed by a beam of bright purple light. It was blinding, making Elizabeth and Greyson look away from it.

The light made Elizabeth squint her eyes. “It’s open….” she whispered breathlessly. “It’s open!” she repeated.

She had spoken too soon. The portal shrank as the vibrant purple light rapidly faded and the opening narrowed.

“And now it’s closing…get in now!” he yelled out to them as he quickly scrambled to his feet and stepped into the portal.

The portal flickered rapidly as he entered, causing it to close faster. Elizabeth grabbed her weapons and yelled out to Axel, “Hurry!” as she rushed in. As the portal grew smaller, Axel squeezed through right before it disappeared with a final burst of light.

On the other side, the portal had opened in the middle of the forest. It snapped shut behind them as it dropped them in. Pulling her head out of the water, Elizabeth gasped for air as she frantically kicked her legs around to find her balance. She pushed her wet hair out of her face in an attempt to look around her surroundings. It was eerily quiet around her. The trees stood tall and heavily shaded the area, giving it an unnaturally dim look. The air was damp, with an earthy, sulfuric smell lingering around. She heard rustling in the distance but saw nothing that could produce the noise.

“Guys?” she called out as she made her way to land. Once at shore, Elizabeth shook the water off herself and wrung out her hair. “Liar? Axel?” She looked around when she didn’t get a response.

She heard the rustling again, but this time, a yelp followed shortly after. “Over here!” A voice groaned out in pain.

Elizabeth followed the direction of the yelp. As she pushed through the branches and leaves, she found Greyson suspended in the air and tangled in vines. They wrapped around him, holding him in place of a tree. “Help would be appreciated.” He said dryly as he looked down at her.

“Hold on, I’ll get you out!” Elizabeth exclaimed as she pulled her sword out to cut the vines. The vines were thick and seemed like they were almost alive as she cut through them. After what felt like an eternity, Elizabeth cut the last vine making Greyson fall to the ground with a thud.

Greyson groaned in pain as he sat up. “I’m convinced you’re trying to kill me before this mission does.” He grumbled.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she helped him up from the ground. “I think you meant to say thank you.”

“Funny.” He huffed as he took her hand. “Because I haven’t gotten one either for the portal.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Thank you, Liar, for helping with the portal like a good keeper is supposed to do.” She raised a brow at him as she continued. “I mean, I assume that’s what you’ve finally decided to be?”

“No, I’m not a keeper, and I’ve already decided that I’ve quit.” Greyson retorted. “The current situation has just made me realize that sometimes you have to step up, even in times you don't want to.” He looked down at his hand before turning it into a fist.

“Well, Liar-Keeper.” Elizabeth placed a hand on Greyson’s shoulder. She squeezed it, almost like giving silent reassurance. “We can figure out what you really are while we find Axel.” She turned on her heel to head back in the direction she came from.

“At what point do you start calling me by my name?” Greyson grumbled as he followed behind her.

“The day you’re not an Earth Mortal.” She said simply. “Matter a fact, the day that I become one.” She laughed at how outrageous it sounded.

“So what I’m hearing is, it’s never going to happen?” Elizabeth hummed in agreement at his statement.

“Amazing,” Greyson said dryly. He rolled his eyes as a small grin pulled at his lips. From there, the two ventured deeper into the forest, beginning their search for Axel.

-

Silence filled Mimlot’s throne room. A loud screech echoed through the room as the door creaked open and a short, stubby man hesitantly entered. He had short white hair that was slicked back, a few strands escaped, giving him a disheveled look. Nervousness was painted on his face as he shuffled closer to Mimlots throne.

“Your eminence.” He said with a squeaky voice. Mimlot narrowed his eyes down at him. His gaze was filled with annoyance and disinterest as he sat slouched in his seat. One hand rested on the armrest, while the other rested on the staff laying on his lap.

“Neburion.” He sighed. Boredom was laced in his voice. He tapped the damaged crystal on his staff. “I assume you’re here because you have what I want?”

The tapping of Mimlot’s fingers against the crystal reverberated through the room. Neburion’s throat felt dry as he swallowed hard. “Yes…Yes Lord Mimlot!” He chuckled nervously

“It was a bit of a challenge but I managed to pull it off.” Neburion reached into the pocket of his cloak and pulled out a purple crystal. Mimlot rose from his seat, he made his way down from his throne and down to Neburion.

“Will it be stronger than this one?” he asked as he hit his staff down on the marble floor. The cracked gem had turned gray, its vibrant red was gone. Mimlot snatched the new crystal out of Neburion’s hand and examined it closely.

“It is significantly more powerful than the last one. It is not tethered to another half like the Siren’s Whisper. You can control as many guardians as you want with it!”

“Really?” A satisfied smile formed on his face.

“However, your eminence…” Neburion began nervously. “There is one downside.” He shifted nervously as he felt Mimlots mood rapidly change.

Mimlot’s smile dropped and his eyes narrowed at Neburion. “A downside?”

“Yes but only a minor one! Much like the Whisper the person you wish to control must wear something that has come into contact with the staff.” His voice wavered as he explained. Mimlot didn’t say anything, almost like he was thinking of how to respond.

“Very well.” He replied simply. “We’ll try out just how effective this thing is.” Mimlot swiftly removed the old stone from his staff and replaced it with a new one.

Mimlot slammed the staff on the ground. “Bring in the girl!” He commanded to whoever stood behind the entrance doors. His order echoed around the room. “She’s been a real pain since this thing stopped working on her.” He rolled his eyes.

The heavy doors creaked open again, guards wheeled in a large iron cage. Valeria was shackled inside of it. Anger was filled in her eyes as she glared at him from behind the bars.

“Let me out!” Valeria yelled out. She banged on the bars, rattling the cage. Mimlot could only smirk at her as he watched the scene unfold in front of him. He stepped closer to her prison, amused by the anger she displayed.

“I hear you were a soldier before becoming a guardian.” Mimlot began. His voice was taunting. “This takeover isn’t going to be easy you know, all those… strong-willed keepers your order has running around won’t go down without a fight.” Valeria glowered at him, her lavender eyes were filled with anger as she stared.

Mimlot traced his finger over the bars. “You’re resolute Valeria. Unlike Axel, this wasn’t enough to keep you under my control.” He turned to Neburion and gestured for his staff. He quickly handed it over to Mimlot with shaky hands.

Mimlot examined his upgraded staff, before showing it to Valeria. It glowed as he held it, pulsing with his power. “You are exactly who I need to lead my army to victory. Think about it.” He said in a coaxing tone.

“Won’t it be nice to be the leader of your troop? To have everyone under your command again like when you were alive in Freedus? Together, we would be unstoppable!” A wicked smile grew on Mimlot’s face as the excitement for his plans seeped into his voice. “My offer still stands Valeria. Be my right hand and lead my army to victory across the realms.” He stuck his hand between the bars for her to shake.

Valeria's eyes flickered from Mimlot’s face to his outreached in outrage and disgust. Silence filled their surroundings as the tension rose between them. “Be your right hand? How pathetic.” Valeria smacked his hand away from her, knocking him back in shock. “What you offer will never be enough to make me turn my back on the oath I swore to the guardians and the gods.” She spat, her voice dripped with venom. Hearing her declaration made Mimlot’s smile falter, and his eyes narrow.

“How honorable. But my offer wasn’t a request.” All traces of amusement were gone from Mimlot’s voice. Mimlot tapped his staff on the ground, causing a deep purple glow to emerge from it. “I was hoping you made the right choice, so I can try out my new toy on those idiots locked down below. But it seems like you’ll have to be my lab rat.”

“You won't get away with this. Katsumi and the others will come to stop you and when they do, you and that traitorous Neburion will go to Pryeford where the two of you will rot together for eternity!” She moved her cold gaze from Mimlot to Neburion. Her eyes were filled with contempt causing him to flinch in discomfort from her glare.

Mimlot laughed at her declaration. “The era of your little order is over, and the reign of Mimlot has returned,” he said sinisterly. “The fall of your gods and and the realms starts with you!”

Mimlot looked over Valeria for any form of weakness, anything he could use his staff on. She stood there silent, with a glare that could kill if possible. He scanned her battered armor until something stood out to him. A small silver pin. It held her surcoat together, it was slightly weathered. The emblem of the order was somewhat visible, yet worn down.

Mimlots lips curled into a smile when he saw it. Satisfaction was painted on his face as he looked at it. “It’s funny how the thing that shows you’re commitment to your order will be your downfall.” With his staff, Mimlot reached into the cage and then touched the pin with the tip of the crystal. The dark energy surging through the staff spread to the pin, turning the shining silver into a tarnished purple.

Valeria, once standing tall and proud fell to her knees. She grunted in pain as she grabbed her head. She trembled as she tried to fight off the evil surging through her but she just wasn’t strong enough. She looked up at Mimlot with hatred and anger filled in her lavender eyes but soon, the life drained from them. Her head dropped as Mimlot had full control of her. He watched with a cruel satisfied smile as he turned to face Neburion.

“It worked.” Triumph was plastered on his face. “You have yet to fail me Neburion. You have proved to me again the reliability you and your family have for my cause.”

Neburion nodded with a smile, “Thank you, Lord Mimlot.” A wave of relief washed over him as the god was satisfied with his work.

Mimlot hit his staff on the ground again. “Your first order: Find Axel. and round up the rest of your guardian friends, I can’t have them getting in the way of my plans.”

“Yes Lord Mimlot,” Valeria replied in a monotone voice.

“Good.” Mimlot laughed sinisterly. He opened the cage, freeing Valeria to carry out her new order, marking the official beginning of Mimlot’s takeover.