“Thank you for your hospitality.” Rachel said smiling as she gave the room keys back to the inn keeper.
“It was a pleasure Ms. Oliviero.” The inn keeper said smiling, “Please come back again soon.”
Rachel only smiled at the last part before she bid the inn keeper goodbye and joined the others outside. Upon seeing Rachel join them the group wasted no time in walking to Cloud Mountain, they were just about to start their ascent when Addison ran up to a particular black-haired girl.
“You’re leaving already?” Addison asked.
“Unfortunately, duty calls.” Rachel replied smiling sadly, “Can’t stay here for long.”
“Oh,” Addison said a bit of disappointment in her voice before she perked up a bit, “But you’ll visit, right?”
Rachel chuckled softly at this before she smiled, “Of course I will.”
‘Rach…’ Ace thought smiling softly at his sister before he sighed and called out, “Hey Rach, come on! Gang’s not planning on waiting around!”
Rachel chuckled at her brother’s words before she gave the girl in front of her a mock salute, “I’ll see you around.”
Addison laughed a little before she smiled and waved her goodbye, “Not if I see you first.”
Rachel gave her own laugh before she turned to join the others.
“I’ll see you around.” Ace teased as he repeated his sister’s words.
“Shut up.” Rachel muttered her cheeks dusted with pink.
Hazel giggled at the exchange before she looked ahead of her a slight frown on her face.
“Something wrong Lovely?” Gabriel asked noticing the girl’s facial expression.
“Just a little tense.” Hazel mumbled loud enough so that only he could hear.
Gabriel only softly chuckled at this before he grabbed her hand, “Just breath Love, we’re going to be fine.”
Hazel only gave a nod and a faint smile before she took a deep breath, “Come on guys, let’s pick up the pace! We need any and every wraith on this mountain dead before we reach the cabin.”
The others nodded before they all ran to their respective sides with Abbey, Eve, Hazel, Luna, and Phoenix to the North, Cairo, Gabriel, and Josh to the East, James and Kade to the South, and the twins to the West.
∞
Meanwhile back in the village Addison continued with her daily errands before a trio of girls approached her.
“Hello there.” Addison said smiling kindly, “Do you three ladies need anything?”
“Yes.” One said walking up to her, “We were wondering if anyone named Hazel Abernathy passed through here. She has long brown hair, purple eyes, and she’s with three other people.”
“Oh, she and the others just left.” Addison replied.
“Could you possibly tell us where they went?” The second one asked.
“Just up the mountain.” Addison answered before pointing to the mountain that loomed over the village.
“Let’s go.” The third one said before all three of them started to make their way to the dirt path.
“If I may ask,” Addison said before the three girls fully left her sight, “Why are you looking for her?”
“She’s, my sister.” The third one said her green eyes momentarily meeting Addison’s brown ones.
∞
“Found it!” Gabriel exclaimed catching Cairo and Josh’s attention.
“You’ve got to hand it to these Shadow Elves, they knew what they were doing.” Cairo commented as he joined his inferior with Josh perching on his shoulder, “So how do we destroy a stone statue?”
Gabriel only stood there in silence as they all looked at the life-sized statue of a griffin, “Did you already forget the plan?”
“Can you really blame me if I did?” Cairo asked, “When the nine of us were talking about destroying these things, you just looked me in the eye and said that you’d take care of it without even telling me what you were going to do.”
“Fair enough.” Gabriel said simply before he brought his bow forward, “I think you should stand back.”
“Think?” Cairo asked raising an eyebrow.
“You should stand back.” Gabriel corrected.
“As you wish.” Cairo said chuckling as he backed away, “This better?”
“Yep.” Gabriel said pulling the string back until an arrow appeared, “Leis an t-saighead so luisg mo thargaid le teine mòr.”
Within an instant the arrowhead was enveloped in a blackish purple flame. Without another thought Gabriel fired the arrow quickly engulfing the stone statue in flames.
“You sure that’ll work?” Cairo asked looking doubtfully at the statue.
Gabriel only chuckled at his superior’s doubtfulness before the statue started cracking and eventually exploded to a million pieces, “I’m pretty sure.”
“Fair enough.” Cairo commented before he threw a Starspark in the air.
∞
“Seems like Cairo, Gabriel, and Josh already got theirs.” Rachel commented before she eyed the stone turtle statue that her brother carried, “You sure you don’t want to break it?”
“I’m fine.” Ace replied before he readied himself, “You ready Sis?”
“Oh definitely.” Rachel replied spinning her sword in her hand before readying herself, “Throw it.”
“Incoming.” Ace said before he threw the statue at his sister and in a blink of an eye the stone turtle was in two pieces on the ground, “Clean swing.”
Rachel chuckled at her brother’s comment before she threw a Starspark in the air.
∞
“Only two more.” James said seeing the silver sparks in the sky before he turned to his relative, “You sure this is a good idea?”
“How else do you plan on destroying a seven-foot-tall stone statue?” Kade asked as he placed the bundle of explosives by the panther statue’s feet.
“Not really.” James admitted as he hid behind a tree far enough away from the explosives, “But do you really not think that these Shadow Elves won’t hear it? I’m more surprised they haven’t seen the Starsparks yet.”
“I promise they won’t hear a thing, James.” Kade reassured his older brother before he drew a pentagram on the ground, “Oculta este clamor incluso al oído más agudo y reemplázalo con el sonido que cae sobre los oídos sordos.” The pentagram glowed a bright cobalt blue before dissapearing into the ground, leaving Kade to give his brother a knowing look, “Light it up J.”
James playfully rolled his eyes at his younger brother as he shook his head, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips before he faced his palm upwards, “Fuego.”
‘A bit of warning would’ve been greatly appreciated!’ Kade thought as he quickly ran to his brother right after he had thrown the fireball near the explosives.
Fortunately, Kade had joined his brother right before the bomb went off causing them both to cover their ears. Once the older brother was sure that there weren’t any more debris flying, he quickly threw a Starspark in the air.
“Was that really necessary?” Kade asked looking at his older brother questioningly.
“You used a Silencing Spell, Kade.” James reasoned, “Of course it’d be necessary.”
∞
“Looks like we’re the last ones.” Abbey observed as she saw the third Starspark.
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“The others should be gathering at the meeting point by now.” Eve said before she turned to Hazel who was crouching beside a wide river, “You ready to go Hazel?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Hazel said taking off her shoes, pouches, gloves, and hairclip, “Cast the spell, Eve.”
The brunette nodded before she put a hand on Hazel’s shoulder, “Mithl al'asmak alati tusbah fi albihar alsabea. Asmah lihadhih alsafinat bialtanafus taht albahr al'azraq aldaakin.”
The hand that Eve had placed on Hazel’s shoulder radiated a pastel pink glow before the same glow appeared on Hazel’s neck, “That should do it.”
Hazel quickly nodded before she dived. It took Hazel only a couple of seconds to adjust before she scanned the deep riverbed.
‘Bingo.’ Hazel thought as her eyes landed on a medium-sized horse statue.
Hazel quickly swam to the stone statue before attempting to drag it to the surface. Letting out a frustrated sigh, something in the corner of the girl’s eye caught her attention. It only took Hazel’s brain a few seconds to register what she just saw before she quickly used her dagger to parry the spear that was aimed at her head.
‘Siren.’ Hazel thought as she glared at the scaled fish-like creature a few feet away from her.
The upper part of the creature resembled a well-built man, his lower body resembling a black fishtail, slits on his lower and upper neck, his snow-white hair being moved by the current, and yellow eyes giving off a faint green glow.
“Ngx qte erkcqrhar dn igdt Ciogstz Tnt.” The Siren said staring sternly at the girl.
‘Thank the Gods Gabriel taught me Mermaidian.’ Hazel thought thanking her blue-eyed lover, “Io iqtej lgdt wxlerklestl ikarkt.”
The Siren’s glare only worsened at her answer, “Io qstorqrn iqtej dungxui hkgwstdl teruqkrhar zeqz hkgwstdqzioe rgqzxt.”
‘Well, that explains the sudden attack.’ Hazel thought the Siren earning some of the girl’s respect, “Zeqz iol win ioqd ikarkt.”
“Hqkrboon?” The Siren asked tilting his head curiously, his previous behavior gone.
“Io eqdt ikarkt ku rlestufgn ioz.” Hazel answered.
The Siren only hummed in response before he eyed the statue then at Hazel, “Vgxsr ngx sioat lgdt quhiorgunet?”
“Nlest, quhiorgunet.” Hazel said smiling at the marine creature.
“Nebraska.” The Siren said smiling slightly.
“Hqkrgf?” Hazel asked.
“My name,” Nebraska said his smiling at Hazel shocked expression, “is Nebraska.”
“Hazel Abernathy.” Hazel said smiling.
∞
“Hazel’s been down there for a while.” Eve observed as she peered at the river before looking at the older girl, “Think we should go after her?”
“It would appear that Ms. Abernathy doesn’t require any assistance after all.” Luna said capturing the girls’ and Phoenix’s attention, “It seems that someone is aiding her in bringing something to land.”
Abbey furrowed her brows at Luna’s words before her eyes caught sight of her brown-headed inferior dragging a stone statue of a horse, along with a white-haired siren that seemed to be helping her. Seeing this, Phoenix wasted no time in shifting into his human form to aid his mistress.
“Hazel!” Eve exclaimed as they all ran over to assist the girl and the half-fish, half-human creature, “De regar nach terne, de guelra nach polmore, por mi poder potere dich respirare la arejar aus subida.”
“Thanks,” Hazel said smiling at the two girls and Phoenix as they helped her and Nebraska drag the statue to the shore.
“Io violi ngx ujvr sxea Ciogstz Tnt.” Nebraska said smiling at Hazel when the statue was finally on land.
“Thank you, my friend,” Hazel said smiling at the white-haired siren.
“Ioy ngx totlk fbahr itsh ykgd zit ltq, qou ngx fbahr rg iol eqss dn fqdt.” Nebraska said offering Hazel one last smile before disappearing into the river’s depths.
Hazel chuckled at Nebraska’s departure before the sound of falling rocks caught her attention. Turning to the side she saw Phoenix’s outstretched fist and at his feet were what was left of the stone horse statue, she gave her two superiors an amused look to which they only shrugged before she let out a small laugh and threw a Starspark in the air.
∞
“Seems like Hazel and the others finally got theirs.” Ace said as he saw Hazel’s Starspark go off, “The five of them should be heading here now.”
“Oh, thank the Gods,” Gabriel said as he let out a sigh of relief.
Rachel laughed at the boy’s comment before she saw his eyes widen, “What’s wrong?’
“Someone’s here.” Gabriel said as he smelled the air, “Seems like Carla, Eliza, and Kimberly have finally arrived.”
“I suppose this means I should step in.” Ace said as he jumped off of the boulder he was sitting on.
“Be careful Ace.” Kade warned, “They might have something up their sleeve.”
“If you’ll excuse my bluntness Mr. Snow but when have I ever not been careful?” Ace asked before he tilted his head towards Gabriel, “It’s usually Hazel and Gabriel that attract trouble.”
“I partially take offense to that.” Gabriel said chuckling slightly before nodding forward, “They’re over in that direction, just a few feet away from the hidden grotto.”
“Understood.” Ace nodded before the small ritual circle that he was standing on glowed, “If you hear screaming the chances of them being me are slim.”
“Little Swank,” James said chuckling a bit as the boy disappeared.
∞
“We’re here,” Hazel announced as she, Abbey, Eve, Luna, and Phoenix arrived.
“Where’s Ace?” Eve asked as she noticed the black-haired male’s absence.
“Went to take care of Eliza and the other two,” Gabriel explained as he and Hazel separated from their earlier embrace.
“My sister is here?” Hazel asked.
“Unfortunately, came just-” Gabriel began before his eyes widened, “Ace!”
“What happened?” Rachel asked urgently, worried for her older brother.
Before Gabriel could say anything, a glowing blue ritual circle appeared beside them after which Ace manifested panting heavily.
“Ace!” Rachel exclaimed hugging her brother in relief, “Are you okay!? What happened!?”
“I’m alright Rach.” Ace said trying to ease his sister’s concern, “I simply almost got shot.”
“You almost got what!?” Eve exclaimed in disbelief.
“Are you okay?” Rachel asked holding her brother’s face.
“Ray I’m fine.” Ace reassured her as he gently got her hands off him, “I got away before they could spot me.”
“What did you even do to them?” Gabriel asked.
“A simple smokescreen.” Ace said simply as he finally managed to compose himself.
“Are you sure you’re, okay?” Rachel asked, “You can still-”
“They’re coming.” Gabriel said suddenly, “And fast.”
“We can’t stay here.” Abbey said urgently before she turned to Ace, “Can you run?”
“He’s still in mild shock,” Rachel stated.
“Guess it can’t be helped then.” Gabriel sighed before he slipped off his bow, “Could you hold this for me, Hazel?”
“Sure?” Hazel said questioningly as she slipped the weapon over her shoulders, “But why?”
The boy sighed before he turned to the black-haired boy, “Get on.”
“Excuse me?” Ace asked baffled by Gabriel’s reply.
Gabriel groaned at Ace’s response before his form started to morph into a more canine form.
Hazel and the others gawked at the dark brown wolf in front of them before Eve turned to Ace, a playful smile on her face, “Well what are you waiting for Ace? Get on him.”
‘Don’t get too used to this.’ Gabriel thought as he felt a weight on him.
“This feels so weird.” Ace commented as he shifted uncomfortably on Gabriel’s back.
‘To you AND me.’ Gabriel thought as he readied himself.
“I would steady my grip if I was you.” Hazel suggested when she saw the subtle changes in Gabriel’s stance, “And probably close my mouth.”
“Why would-” Rachel began before Gabriel began running.
“Because of that.” Hazel explained as they heard Ace’s wails fading in the distance, “We should catch up to them.”
The others nodded in agreement before they ran to catch up with the other two boys. By the time they had reached their destination, the trees were bathed in golden orange light.
“We made it.” Ace said as he got off of Gabriel’s back.
“Barely.” Hazel said as she and the others caught their breath, “You okay Gabriel?”
“Recovering.” Gabriel replied after he shifted back to normal, “Let’s get going, we need to get everything ready.”
The others nodded their heads in agreement before they quietly made their way to the Abernathy’s family cabin.
“You all know what to do right?” Ace asked glancing at the people who stood beside him.
“Get all of these,” Rachel began, showing her brother a scrap of paper with glowing blue writing, “on as many trees as possible.”
Hazel nodded before adding to her friend’s explanation, “Remember we need to move quickly and quietly, we can’t have Gorolar and the others know we’re here or that we’re onto them.”
The others nodded in understanding before they quickly go to work.
‘The four of them really have gone far.’ James thought as he smiled at Hazel and her friends while they placed the slips of paper on the tree trunks.
∞
“They went to the Abernathy girl’s home on Cloud Mountain.” A hooded figure said as they peered at the crystal ball before them that sat on a small stone brick pillar, “I suggest you move swiftly My King, Dark and his followers draw nearer.”
“I see.” A low and raspy voice answered as its owner gazed at the dark blue crystals growing all around the room.
“You’re Highness.” A blue-haired male, wearing obsidian armor exclaimed bursting through the room’s doors, “News from Cloud Mountain.”
“Thank you, Triton but Seer Victoria has already informed me about the happenings on Cloud Mountain.” The king said gently dismissing the guard.
“Sir, it’s from Seer Jeremiah.” Triton clarified standing straighter than before, “I was simply to tell you that ‘The Northern Gate has returned.”
Triton saw the king’s jaw visibly tighten before he finally spoke, “Triton gather your best men and have them ready for travel and the possibility of a fight.”
“As you wish My Lord,” Triton said as he bowed before leaving the room.
“Off to retrieve the children?” Seer Victoria asked as she watched the king peer into the depths of her crystal ball from under her hood.
“The Northern Gate has returned Seer Victoria.” The king said firmly, “The hands of time are moving, the kingdom will need those children more than ever.”
The Seer said noting as she stared at the stone floor already knowing what the king was trying to tell her, just like what she saw all those years ago…
THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT WAS DRAWING NEAR.