Chapter 33

Chapter thirty-three—the team and the Invitation

The trip to Marleybone took two days and a half. We arrived around the evening, with the sun setting, stars twinkling with difference. Smelling the air, I smelled none of Krokotopia. Instead, I smelled a damp city.

And as it smelled, it was. I stepped out of the boat, with a suitcase in hand. Sierra had given Nikki and me new clothing- a slim fit gown with a floppy hat. In a way, I was no kind of girl for wearing dresses. I’d rather be able to spread my legs, like in pants, and run. I held a suitcase tightly, holding on to the belongings I have. The heels of my shoes stepped lightly on the pavement, making a sharp noise. The ground was too hard for my taste; I was used to the soft sands.

Nikki seemed to feel the same way. I didn’t know how long she stayed in Krokotopia, but she wobbled a little bit in her high heels. However, with our special abilities, nobody noticed us stumble. We knew how to correct ourselves daintily and perfectly- especially Nikki. I, however, was as clumsy as… Something clumsy.

I moved my hat away from my head, so I could see properly. Stars now shone, as if watchful and sweet, even though they were just astral balls of fire. Old town buildings rose as high as a cloud, and I sought out a church, museum of some sort, and a large building.

Suddenly, as if in a dream, a dog walked past. At first, I thought it was Professor Wethersfield- but it had a different fur. Also, it was wearing an orange gown, with delicate designs and patterns. “This is where Professor Wethersfield comes from, right?”

“Yes.” Sierra replied. “Make sure to be very polite. Everything here is very… Fancy.”

I nodded. Nikki came up behind me, and set her suitcase on the ground, wringing her hands. “Where are we staying?”

“The department’s home area. It’s grand.” Sierra smiled a charming smile, and we followed her, annoyed by the clacking of our shoes. I wished to take them off and run.

We walked, my slight curls flowing in the wind. I had the temptation to run my hands through my hair in stress, but it was neatly made up in some kind of bun/ponytail that Nikki had done for me. Already, it seemed like I’ve known her forever.

We stopped at a white mansion, with pillars of stone and marble. It was exquisitely intense. Carriages stood in the front of the building, between a large fountain and a statue. Many lights were turned on in the estate, and I could see shadows behind them, laughing and drinking. I wondered if there was some sort of party.

After Sierra was done gazing in wonder at the landscape, she waved us over, and we hurried up the white stairs of the mansion. I almost fell, but I gained back my posture by turning my heel. I was not good with heels.

Sierra rang the doorbell, making an echoing sound that sounded like a bird. After half a minute, somebody opened the door. It was a woman, with dark brown ringlets for hair, and dark, mysterious eyes. She filled us in with her fair eyes, and smiled a shapeless smile. “Hello, you must be Sierra Winterbreeze.” Her eyes flitted to me, and her smile vanished. “And Mary Ravengem. I didn’t think that it was true; that you would join such an association.”

I smiled a sweet smile, disguising the fire in my eyes. “I’d do much to help. Tell me an order, and I shall do it correctly.”

She didn’t look convinced, but Sierra changed the subject nervously. Nikki shifted slightly, irritated as I am at the woman’s mocking personality. “You must be Rachel?”

“Rachel Ice is my full name. Step in, if you please, so we can get you sorted out with the boss.” Rachel stepped back, and waved her hand inside. I did not look her in the eye as I walked past her, but I felt a shiver go down my spine. I did not like Rachel at all.

Before Rachel could lead us to the “boss,” a boy hurried over to her, and spoke loudly. “You’re needed in the Observatory, Rachel. Robert needs you in there.”

Rachel groaned in irritation. She poked the boy harshly in the shoulder. “Make sure the guests are escorted to Courtney, Blaze, and keep your head on the ground; instead of being up in the clouds all day. Got it?” Blaze nodded, his thin blonde hair going over his eyes. Rachel stalked off somewhere, her dark curls bouncing with dignity.

“Is she always like that?” Nikki asked, with her hand on her hip in disapproval.

“Yep.” Blaze moved his hand over his hair, smothering the strands of hair on top of his head instead of on his face. “It’s a hand-full, but she means well.”

“Tsk, tsk.” I spoke through my teeth. I had a strong urge to become better than Rachel; to show her whose boss.

I hope that’s not my father’s genetics in me, this urge. I threw away that thought as we followed Blaze down a hall and onto a room on the right. We entered a very dark room, with only candles alight. A tall lady was sitting at a fancy desk, with golden-brown hair, like waves, by her shoulders and some in her eyes. She seemed to be writing something with a black quill, which matched her black dress and a ring made out of onyx.

Sierra knocked on the door gently, and the woman looked up, showing startling sea-blue eyes. She was a pale woman, but when she smiled, her cheeks turned rosy. “You’re here.”

“Hello Courtney.” Sierra walked forward, and I half expected her to bow. “You’ve got the council staying in a nice place.”

“The Queen gave me full respect. It even surprised me so that she even let us in the Palace.”

I saw Nikki glance around suddenly, as if in wonder. “Are we in Barkingham Palace? I mean, Queen Cecilia’s home? Are you serious?”

“I am serious.” Courtney nodded to Nikki and Nikki blushed at her outburst.

“Who is Queen Cecilia?” I asked stupidly. They all stared at me in wonder. “What? It’s my first time here.”

Courtney sat up, and walked around me, studying me with a strut. She lifted a blonde lock of my hair with one pale finger, and looked me straight into my eyes. Before I could turn away, Courtney spoke. “You and the red-headed girl are different. Very beautiful. Same eyes. Are you related?”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I’ve only been called beautiful once. I felt Nikki suddenly become interested in a thread on her gown. “No, but we are like sisters.” I lied.

Courtney smiled. “I wonder what Queen Cecilia will think of both of you. She is the Queen of Marleybone, and is the wife of King Harold the 3^rd. However, the King has just departed to Krokotopia yesterday morn’, and you will not be seeing him.”

“We’re going to meet a Queen?” My jaw dropped.

“Why, of course, Mary.” Sierra tucked a white strand of hair into the back of her ear. “You’re quite famous, you know.”

I grimaced. “I have been told.”

Nikki gave me a joking side hug. “I feel bad for you.”

“Thanks.” I laughed.

“She will be very pleased to be informed of your arrivals.” Courtney laughed pleasantly. “And you shall join the Law Enforcement team at once tomorrow morning. Now, its time for you to be escorted to your rooms. You must all be very exhausted.”

“Thank you for your time, Courtney.” Nikki thanked with a smile and we attempted to leave the room. However, Courtney stopped us, as if remembering something.

“You know… You ladies seem very polite. Evidently you know nothing of this world. However, I want to invite you to a ball. It is being held for the Enforcement team, and it will be such a pleasure for you to attend.”

I gasped. A ball? As in story book balls?

Courtney chuckled at my sudden gasp. “Darling, it will just be like a large party with gowns. I trust that your maids shall bring you packages from the Queen, obtaining your dresses. They are absolutely wonderful.”

We all replied with thanks, and excited, Sierra hurried us out the door. I was dead tired, and I looked around to see if anybody was as tired as I was.

And they were. We were all brought to separate guest rooms; however, they were all right next to each other.

Mine was pure white, with dark purple settees and canopy bed spread, along with the curtains and paintings. The floor was made out of cold white marble, and the paintings of things seemed to watch you.

And, by surprise, Xena was there, sleeping on the end of my bed like a dog. I giggled, and stroked the Hydra’s back, as it shivered pleasantly. I tried to focus on everything that had happened, however, I was too tired to think. I fell asleep instantly when I hit my pillow.

And, of course, I dreamt of the bad dreams. I dreamt of murder, killing, and the secrets kept away from me.

It was too foggy in my dreams to realize that it wasn’t just a nightmare. It was my past; and unfortunately, perhaps my future.

Chapter 32!

Chapter thirty-two—Marleybone

I didn’t exactly understand if Malistaire was going to come. Surely, he would be here, if he truly believed Krokopatra’s words.

“I’m glad you’re here.” She spoke, as if we were visitors in a little cottage in a fairytale.

I pointed my sword at her, glad it was with me. It worked better than a wand. “I know your plan, now. If Malistaire truly believed we were here, then he would be here.”

Krokopatra blinked, and in her stupid mind, she looked dumbfounded. “He is going to come.”

“No, he isn’t. He thinks you’re stupid. He doesn’t think you would be able to kidnap us- and you can’t. You’re overpowered, Krokopatra, and the Order is here.”

“Mary, careful.” Nikki whispered to me, cautiously. “She still doesn’t know about the S.A.”

I recognized what I had said. I wondered if she was suspicious of my statement: He doesn’t think you would be able to kidnap us. Slowly, I fixed my mistake. “Can you even kidnap us? Two, tiny little girls?”

Krokopatra, overcome with anger, screamed a violent scream. She held a sharp wand at us, taunting. “I will kill you. I am not stupid!”

She was extremely sensitive, I observed. If there was only way to trick her. She was dumb enough.

However, before anything could happen, a wondrous roar came from behind us. At first, I thought we were to be attacked by another Hellhound, but what was behind Nikki and I was very different.

It happened to be a dragon, with three heads, just as the Hellhound. Each head was a different color- red, light blue, and purple. Nikki gasped in amazement, and the dragon flew over to Krokopatra, and began clawing at her face. It was a small dragon- perhaps a baby.

“It’s a hydra.” Nikki laughed. “They’re very rare! I wonder how one got here.”

“How is it rare?” I asked, while I watched in shock as the hydra began to kill Krokopatra. Blood sprayed the room like a fan.

“It is known that they are descendants from the rain.” Nikki replied.

Suddenly, I knew how the hydra got here. The rains, back in the desert. Either my mother, or the Fates had sent it, or I knew it was ours to keep.

When the hydra was finished, it flew towards us. Nikki stepped back with slight fear, but I stepped forward. The hydra, despite all its gruesome acts, had no blood on itself. It was actually kind of cute.

“Mary, what are you doing?” Nikki hissed.

“It’s sent by the Fates.” I answered, simply. The hydra nuzzled one of its heads into my hand. “Its heads are for Fire, Ice, and Storm, right?”

Nikki nodded, and she ran to get the Krokonomicon. She wiped off the blood off the cover, and I saw a tear run down her cheek. “I despise violent deaths.”

“I agree.” I replied, with true sorrow. I stood up, and the hydra unfurled its wings. I looked down, and thought of a name. “Its name will be Xena.”

“It’s a girl, you know.” Nikki told me, as she held the book to her chest.

I ignored that last comment, not wanting the knowledge on how Nikki knew that. She knows everything, but questioning that might give me a disturbing answer. So, I changed the topic. “Where will we keep the Krokonomicon?”

“I don’t know.” Nikki shrugged. “Definitely not the Order of the Fang. It was already stolen once, so evidently it’s not protected enough.”

“Or in our keeping, considering that Malistaire is already chasing after us. Having another thing he wants will just make him want to kill us even more.” I sighed. Xena followed quietly behind us, flapping its wings cheerfully.

Footsteps suddenly echoed around us, in the tunnel, like a spiraling disturbance. It sounded like running. Suddenly, somebody came into view, with his black hair sticking out of his ponytail, eyes creased in worry. “Are you guys alright? And is that a..?”

“Hydra, yes.” Nikki answered quickly. “And we are alright. Krokopatra is dead.”

‘Did I just hear that somebody killed Krokopatra?” A girl with light golden blonde hair walked up behind Matt, and out of the darkness, five other people stepped out as well. They were all blood smeared, but apparently unharmed.

“Who are you?” I asked, confused. “In fact, who are all of you? I mean your names.”

Sierra stepped up, grinning. She pointed to the white-blonde haired girl, with the slim brown eyes. Next to her, was another dirty-blonde girl, with blue-green eyes. “The white-haired one is Saffron, and the blonde one is Caroline.” She pointed to the light-blonde haired girl next to Matt, and to Laura. “Next to Matt is Shanna, and that’s Laura Raven.”

“And you know Sierra and I.” Rowan nodded curtly. It shocked me that a girl of her age was fighting so violently. However, I kept that thought to myself.

I nodded. “And you’re all in the Order.”

They all mumbled something like a yes.

The girl named Saffron cocked her head, frowning in concentration. “Is that… The Krokonomicon?”

“It sure is.” Nikki replied, with a proud look. “We just don’t know where to hide it.”

Sierra and Rowan smiled, glancing at each other. Sierra spoke up. “I think I know a good area, however, it’s not exactly in this world.”

I raised my eyebrow. “You mean we’re going to have to leave Krokotopia?”

She smiled reassuringly. “We will have books, so you shall learn plenty still. However, I’m going to a place named Marleybone. It’s a city area, and they’ve been having some… Troubles. Anyways, the thing is, I’m joining a Police Force to help out there.” Sierra grinned. “I want you and Melissa to join.”

“Alright?” I told her, and Nikki looked exasperated for some reason.

“What does this have to do with hiding the Krokonomicon?” She asked, irritably. I stared at her, wondering why her attitude was so dull.

“There is a clockwork tower in their grand museum. Nobody knows about it but the high officials. It will be safe there.”

“Could I just… Talk with Mary for a moment?” Nikki smiled charmingly, but I saw annoyance in her eyes. The Order nodded, and Nikki took me aside.

“What is it? Why are you so irritated?” I demanded, wanting to know.

“We don’t have time for this!” Nikki exclaimed. Wringing her hands, she looked stressed. “We can’t just go off to Marleybone, when the S.A. is out there!”

“Why not? You heard Sierra. They are having troubles, and I want to help.” I pouted.

“You will be helping by finding the S.A.” Nikki glared. “Doing so will save the Spiral from your father’s grasp.”

I sighed, and stared longingly at Sierra. She was talking to Matt, Shanna, and Laura.

“Are you alright?” Rowan’s voice startled me, and I jumped. I sighed sadly, and glanced at Nikki’s harsh glare.

“Yes.” I lied.

“You know, you guys should really join the Department.” Rowan grinned, as though she was inviting us to a Play. “We’ve been getting some big cases.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but we can’t. We have too much to do.”

“Wait a moment.” A light lit Nikki’s eyes. “Could you tell us some of the cases?”

I gazed at her, trying to understand why Nikki was so strangely reactive. Why would she want to know the cases that they had?

“Well,” Rowan started, thinking. “Murder on the rooftops, scratchings, the mysterious woman-“

Suddenly, that caught me off guard. “Wait, whats the ‘mysterious woman’ about?”

“It’s a strange one, but apparently people have been seeing a woman in black on the rooftops. A common person would call her a thief, but she has stolen nothing! She just wonders around, until somebody found her covered in blood. Not her own blood, but something else. She is now known as a murderer- but nobody can capture her. Mysterious, huh?” Rowan twirled a curled lock of dark red hair, her green cat eyes glinting.

Nikki and I made eye contact, and nodded. This case of the woman was no case at all. It was something more dangerous, like us.

“Let’s go to Marleybone.” Nikki announced, and the Order cheered.  

Later that night, with my arm now healed with my powers, I packed. Nikki sat on a bench as Sierra and I organized our suitcases. Ronan was back with his boat, but this time, we were apparently going to ship to be directly under the Northern lights. That was the Marleybone portal.

“I wish there was a better teleporter invented.” I sighed, stacking my clothes. “So we wouldn’t need to ship out every time.”

“I know, right?” Sierra grinned. Strangely, I never saw her so cheerful. I wondered if she thought Nikki and I were up to something. It was hard keeping the S.A. secret.

In the dark of night, we left the tent. I kept that tent in my memory, knowing I would miss it. Despite the times I’ve spent here, I still loved the place. The deserts and beautiful sky was my paradise- even though I’d always have to wake up.

I breathed in a deep breath of the sweet night air. Deep inside my mind, I prayed and promised that I would listen to the rain. That I shall not fall.

While the stars of beauty watched with sorrow, missing us, we walked upon Ronan’s ship, and set sail.

I leaned against the wooden railing of the ship, treasuring the low wind running its fingers through my hair. I treasured the serenity in the darkness of the water, and the brightness of the stars. I closed my eyes, and let the wind take us away.

I blew a kiss to the world I loved, and we disappeared from view.

Chapter 31 (Short, but the next one will be longer)

Chapter thirty-one—The Help

I gasped at the golden blood on my hand. Suddenly, as if in a visionary flashback, I remembered the golden blood of my mother’s blood on the knife of which Malistaire slashed her throat with.

Nikki was trembling, and I knew only slightly about what she felt. The searing pain was in my arm, as if there was a knife stuck into by bone.

“Nikki, stop moving so I can heal you.” My hands shook, as I forced her on her stomach. She cried out in pain as the new position of her back made her bleed even more. ‘I’m so sorry, Nikki, and I know this hurts. I need your full back to heal all if it. Just wait, Nikki, and the pain will go away.” I begged.

Suddenly, three different growls came out from behind me. I turned, now aware, that I’m in danger.

A Hellhound stood behind me, with three heads. It bore fire for eyes, black needle teeth, and as big as a small elephant. I gulped, and suddenly, my necklace fell off. No, was pulled off.

Now, truly afraid, I had first thought that without the amulet, that I was not protected enough. However, my fear died the tiniest bit when I looked down, and instead of a citrine amulet, there was a golden sword.

The amulet had been pulled off my neck by the weight of the sword. Quickly, I picked it up, and it seemed to fit into my grasp. I gasped at the beauty of the sword, but then watched the Hellhound warily. It stepped over to me, baring its sharp teeth in hunger.

I held the sword towards the beast, both hands on the sword. I’ve never fought with a sword before, but it was probably like a sharp wand. Right..?

I stood before Nikki, protecting her. Immediately, the Hellhound lunged at me, and knocked me down with its power. It was like being hit by a horse. It was on top of me, breathing into my face with the breath of a dragon. It burned my face, but there was no fire. I felt some of my hair singe. Its claws dug into my chest.

My sword was crushed between me and the beast, his red fur rippling in the coldness of the sword. I held the sword to the Hellhound’s throat, making it hard to crush my head with its three jaws. It was like holding back a five hundred weight boulder every time it threw its jaws at me. I felt hot blood pouring over my chest, while the beast slashed itself with my sword as I held it back away from me.

My hands sweaty and bloody with the blade digging into my hand, my sword slipped. Now, with nothing between the Hellhound and I, it lunged at my throat.

Then, suddenly, a large burst of light hit the side of the Hellhound, knocking it off of me, and into the wall. I heard a crack, but it did not stop. Instead of running back at me to tear my throat out, it jumped over me and roared with its three heads.

“Laura, get Mary out of the way!” Someone yelled. It sounded familiar.

Somebody grabbed me with a large grip, and I, suddenly awoken from shock, stood up suddenly. I gripped my sword with my uninjured hand, and rushed to Nikki; ignoring the person whom attempted to bring me out of the battle.

Nikki was wide awake, grimacing in pain. I didn’t expect her to be unconscious, considering that it was only her back. However, she was losing a lot of blood.

Thank the Fates that I was experienced in Life magic. Thank myself for doing it. I put both my hands on her back, aware of the blood and the pain she was feeling.

I closed my eyes, and began whispering incantations that I’ve learned with Moolinda Wu. Concentrating on the elements of Nature, I breathed in and out. Almost meditating, I felt my hands vibrate, and Nikki sigh in relief.

I opened my eyes to see my hands glowing, bright and shimmering gold. I moved my hands away from Nikki, and my hands died out slowly. However, they still vibrated slightly. I helped Nikki up, and she brushed herself off, as though doing so would help clean off the blood stained on her clothes.

Nikki looked up, past me, and gaped. “Mary, look!”

I turned around, and gasped. There were was an amazing amount of people in the room, some still porting in with blue smoke. Matt, Sierra, and Rowan were the three people I had recognized. Everyone else, however, I knew not.

“Are you okay?” A girl with brown curly hair and chocolate eyes asked me, bending over to gain her breath. I saw a scrape along her cheekbone.

“Yeah. We both are.” I glanced at Nikki, and she nodded. Then, I looked back at the girl. “Are you Laura?”

She nodded. “Indeed.”

I moved my eyes eagerly around the scene. I noticed that three more Hellhounds had occurred, and they were all fighting ferociously.

Two girls, one with long blonde hair, and the other with white blonde hair were fighting a Hellhound in the corner. They slashed their wands, and blood spurted out of the Hellhounds as it screamed.

Matt and a girl with golden hair were fighting another hound and three other girls fighting the third. I noticed there were a lot of females in the room.

“Who are these people?” I asked, but I already had a feeling of who they were.

“The Order. Not the whole Order, of course, but most of it.” Laura replied.

I nodded, but I had no time to waste. And neither did Nikki. Nikki grabbed my arm, and led me away from Laura, to a barred door.

“This is the way upstairs.” Nikki told me, studying the bars. She touched one of them, and the bars glowed red. Fortunately, Nikki moved her hands away fast enough for it not to burn her.

“Gee, Nikki, be careful. Don’t get hurt again.” I warned. I rolled up my sleeves, and gripped my wand tightly. “I think I know how to open it.”

I thought back to when I was Richard, and remembering home, I felt a pang to my heart. I ignored it. I remember back in the Haunted Cave, when I found killing so gruesome, where we found that exploded door. Questures opened that barred door, then I could open this one.

I stepped backwards, avoiding a puddle of contents of a body, which I did not need to know was there. I grimaced in disgust.

I pointed my wand at the door, and squeezed my eyes closed tightly. Tightly holding the wand, I whipped it, makes a huge-bending-metal sound, then a large crash. Everybody glanced over at my mess of fire and burning metal, and continued fighting, unable to stop us. Nikki and I stepped over the fire and its contents of metal, and wandered off into the cold darkness.

  It felt like we were walking through a cave. There was little light, and we slowed our pace down when we saw shadows. We glanced at each other to see if we both saw it, and the answer was correct.

Nikki and I peeked in. Surprise hit us like a rock. Instead of two people as we were expecting, we found one. A Krok. The one with the horse hair, with a woman’s ancient garments and ugly complexion.

Where was the S.A. angel? Why was only Krokopatra here?

I felt as if I knew the answer, but I didn’t want to think it. I didn’t want it to happen. After all we’ve gone through?

Krokopatra was turned around, trying to do something. I saw the book- The Krokonomicon. It looked as though it was an ordinary book. However, then again, things don’t have to be beautiful to be magical.

I stepped out of the corner, my footstep echoing out in the room. Krokopatra froze, but did not turn around. I turned and glanced at Nikki, and she, terrified, walked out next to me. Evidently she did not expect me to walk out.

“Step back from the book, Krokopatra.” My voice was so hard and powerful, it surprised me. I’ve never been one to speak without fear.

Krokopatra turned around, eyes level with us. Her eyes were deep velvet, the color of the purple tulips my mother loved. My heart ached. However, she had no kindness in her eyes, and I breathed deeply. There must be some way to defeat her, without killing her. Nikki and I weren’t capable of killing anything else today. It was as though it was against our nature, despite our legendary mission.

I was blindfolded, but now I could see. I knew the S.A. wasn’t here.

But whatever Nikki saw, it was true.

The S.A. Krokopatra was waiting for…

Were us.

Chapter 30!!

Chapter thirty- The three challenges of Us.

          I opened my eyes, and the first thing I noticed was that it was cold. So unlike Krokotopia’s weather, it seemed icy. We were in a large chamber, with the largest door I’ve ever seen. Two ponds were next to the large door, and were complete ice.

“Where are we?” I whispered, and I could see my breath.

“I can’t believe it.” Nikki spoke, gazing all around. “We are inside the Sphinx of the Order’s island. It’s almost impossible to get inside.”

I recognized where we were now. We were inside that huge monument, the Sphinx, that I saw when I had first entered the island. “What now?” I asked.

“Through that door.” Nikki nodded, and we started forward. There were no traps, no killer monsters. We opened the door. It was almost too easy.

“Something is wrong here,” I frowned at the easy process. “Why is it so easy to get inside?” Inside, it was a small blue room, made out of cold stone. There were six squares on the ground, each with a picture on it; a tree, a snake, a sun, a bird, a moon, and a beetle. In front of us, there was a pedestal with a piece of parchment upon its table.

“The parchment has words written upon it.” Nikki pointed out. We walked toward it, cautious of everything around us. This was a dangerous area.

Nothing happened when we approached it. Carefully, attentively, I tried to read it:

Le soleil fait la lune

La lune éclaire de l’arbre

Le serpent dévore le dendroctone

Et le serpent est le dernier repas de l’oiseau

“What does it mean?” I wondered. I’ve never seen this language before.

“It’s French, an ancient language from earth.” Nikki answered eyes wide. “I studied it in my library at home, before I left.”

“What does it translate, then?”

“The sun makes the moon,

The moon lights up the tree,

The Serpent devours the beetle,

And the serpent is the bird’s last meal.”

I contemplated the pictures on the ground. “They didn’t think that we would understand the language, but I get what we have to do. We have to do something with them, but in order.”

“The sun,” Nikki touched the picture of the sun on the ground, and it lit up. “Makes the moon.” She touched the moon, and it lit up.

“And the moon,” I added, “lights up the tree.” I touched the tree’s picture. It lit up. So far, three pictures were glowing with white light, shining out of the ground.

“The serpent devours the beetle.” Nikki touched the serpent’s image and I touched the beetle’s. Then, we looked at each other for whats left.

“The serpent is the bird’s last meal.” We touched the image together. All a sudden, a piece of the ground opened up. Bright blue smoke came out of this gaping hole, and out rose a large pedestal. With a Portal.

 “I think that’s our ride.” I grimaced, and we walked forward. Close enough for us to go through the portal. However, I felt something hard and thick under my foot. I looked down in horror, realizing that I had just stepped on the images; ruining the order.

Nikki, realizing what I’ve done, screamed: “Mary, in the portal now!” She took my arm, and right before the white, glowing portal turned into a red, smoky one, we went through it.

Then, a sharp, horrible pain went through my arm. I screamed, and couldn’t open my eyes. I knew we were in another room, but the only thing I could do was hold my arm. I felt a warm seepage through my sleeves, and opened my eyes with difficulty to see my arm ripped open; from shoulder to elbow. “What happened?” My voice shook.

“The portal was closing when we went through it, Mary.” Nikki replied miserably. I tore a piece of my clothing off, and tied it around my arm. The pain didn’t stop throbbing. It felt like somebody was slapping it every other moment.

“We have to keep going.” I urged, and I looked up. Instead of images and parchment, there stood a horrible creature, with a bloody grin that reminded me of Malistaire. It was scaly, with claws and black skin.

“N-nikki.” I whispered. “What is that..?”

“I’m not so sure.”

I took out my wand, and gripped it tight. I pointed it to the creature. “What are you, and state your business.”

The creature turned all the way, facing us, and pointed its insane lightning eyes at us. “Demon.” Its voice was not human.

I stiffened. I’ve never experienced a demon before, and I didn’t know how to fight one. I felt Nikki tense. “Why are you here?” She asked, bravely.

The demon-lizard smiled, showing jagged teeth, stained red. “It’s been so long since I’ve tasted an Angel’s blood… Golden and delicious, with their soft flesh in my possession. I asked the Master if I could have this delicacy… He said I was a good demon. Good demon.”

He spoke “Good demon” twice, and I knew who his master was. Who else would summon demons to attack us? “You can go right back to my father, and tell him that he shall expect a slit to his throat.” I growled.

The demon chuckled, licking its teeth. I noticed blood spurt out of its tongue. I gulped, but stepped forward, wand in hand and ready. I’ve studied and worked hard, and I knew how to fight. This beast was severely underestimating me. “Don’t fight with me, demon. You shall regret it.”

“Same here.” Nikki stepped up beside me, with a staff in hand. It glowed with power, and I didn’t notice it on her before.

The demon evidently had enough of waiting. It lunged at us, and it happened to unfold its wings, making it ten times the size it really was. It looked like a black, bloody dragon. White veins showed in his wings like a bat.

Determined, I shot a stunning spell at its scaly heart. It made a horrid screaming noise, like nails against a chalk board, but it whirled around and lunged at us again. We ducked, avoiding its monstrous claws.

Nikki began shouting spells that I’ve never heard of and colorful beams poured out of her staff like bullets. Every time it hit the beast, it would scream, but not die. “Why won’t it die?” I cursed out in frustration, as I threw fire at the demon from my wand. It caught its wings on fire, and it flew down to the ground once again. Still on fire, it was oblivious to the pain. It threw its large claws at us, and I heard Nikki scream.

I turned to see what had happened to her, and I realized the claws had gotten her with her back turned in a twist. Before I could see the damage, she whipped around with fire in her eyes. She looked like a bonfire, ready to kill anything in her path. She screamed, and stabbed the demon in the heart with her staff.

Eyes opened wide, I watched as she stabbed it another time, each time coming out with more blood. One time, there was a chunk of the demon’s heart, black as night, stuck to the staff as she pulled it out of its horrid, gory chest.

The demon wailed, and fell to the ground. Black blood pooled around it, like a swamp of goop, with its burned wings like ashes.

Nikki stepped back, hands with black blood and staff covered in the demon’s body parts of the chest, she leaned on a pillar. Out of breath, I noticed her breathing was short and hollow, as if in lots of pain. Suddenly, she wretched over and threw up.

I rushed over, and helped her up. I felt something sticky and warm on my hands when I was patting her back. I looked up to see what it was, and I saw four large gashes on her entire back, and my hand dripping of Nikki’s blood.

Chapter 29 :)

Chapter twenty-nine—Krokonomicon

I gazed dumbfound at her. “How?”

“Have you ever heard of the Krokonomicon, Mary?” Nikki asked, with a new kind of seriousness in her eyes.

The Krokonomicon sounded familiar to something. Perhaps Matt had explained it to me once, but I could not remember. “Vaguely.”

“It’s the one thing that keeps all the schools together, forever to make Balance. It’s the bridge between Death, Myth, Life and Storm, Ice, and Fire; which makes Balance possible.”

“Okay. What does this have to do with the Seraphina-Alleyen?” I questioned quietly.

Nikki sighed. “Lets just call it the S.A.”

“Alright, the S.A.”

Nikki pulled her red, sweaty hair back, away from her face. “This has little to do with the S.A., but it’s a link to where our next sister may be. Do you know who Krokopatra is?”

“No?” I scrunched up my eyebrows in curiosity. “Who is he? Or she, for that matter.”

“A power-hungry Krokotillian. She wants the Krokonomicon, and so does your father.” She nodded with concern. “She thinks that if she kidnaps one of us, then Malistaire will let her have the Krokonomicon for the S.A.”

“B-but, “I stuttered. “She doesn’t even know about the S.A. By the Fates, why does everybody have to be so power-hungry?”

“I have no idea, but its getting on my last nerves. Also, your right; she doesn’t know about us. However, what she does know is that Malistaire wants people who are different. Unfortunately, I believe that she has found one of the S.A.” Nikki explained.

I stared at an item of machinery in the far corner of the dim-lighted room. It looked like some kind of scale, and in its hands it held three, glowing blocks of some chemically strange substance. But I wasn’t thinking about that; I was thinking about the S.A. that Krokopatra could possibly have. “How did you figure this out, Nikki?”

Nikki rubbed the side of her head, near her temple in urgency. “I told you, the Fates have been sending me messages through dreams. I’m quite sure that you have been experiencing them, too.”

And I have. I told her about all the dreams that have occurred in the past, and even about my family’s death. She sat there quietly, with pursed lips and a blank expression. “That’s terrible.”

I ran my hands through my hair, stressed. “It’s more than that. The fact that he slit their throats and threw them into the fire on purpose… It’s hard to believe that he is my own father. The person whom everybody else gets to call “Daddy.” By the Fates, I’m never going to experience the position of “Daddy’s little girl.” I’m never going to have somebody to be proud of my grades, or worry about the boys I’m seeing, or give me the “Talk” ever again.”

Nikki watched me with strong sympathy, and twirled a piece of red hair with her fingers. “That’s very sad, Mary, and I wish we could talk more about it; but we need to figure out a plan.”

Embarrassed, my face reddened and I nodded in agreement. “Alright, where should we sta-“

“I heard you were awoken, but I didn’t believe it.” Alhazred stood at the door, with slight fascination and wonder.

Nikki stood up, and held a pillar for support. I noticed her legs wobble, and I realized that she probably hasn’t walked in a while. “Professor, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Whats your name, child?” Alhazred spoke gently, and they shook hands. Nikki grimaced at the touch of his rough, lizard skin and claws.

“Melissa Nicole, professor.” She replied kindly. Her eyes glowed with charm.

“Well, Melissa, we need to have a talk.” He looked at me, “You too, Mary.”

I noticed that Nikki didn’t contradict him at first to call her Nikki. Perhaps she didn’t want a professor calling her a nickname. However, Alhazred was the only teacher that I had ever met to not call me a “Ms. Ravengem”. Instead, he called us by our first names.

“What about?” Nikki asked, frowning. She glanced at me, questioning with her eyes. I shook my head to translate that he didn’t know about the S.A. 

“About,” Alhazred took out a piece of parchment, and unraveled it. There, drawn with a unique kind of quill, was a large drawing of a book. On the book’s cover was an intricate symbol, strange and mysterious. It seemed to be some kind of spiral. “The Krokonomicon.”

“So,” I breathed out. “It’s a book.”

He nodded. “I couldn’t help to hear that you are now searching for Krokopatra. Unfortunately, I’m quite disappointed to tell you that the Krokonomicon is gone.”  

“It’s what?” Nikki yelped, suddenly sitting straight up, her face was drawn to a complete desperate gaze. “Does she have it?”

“Indeed.”

“How could you let her get away with this?” I growled, glaring at him.

“I am an old Krok, and she is still young. I am wise, but I am not powerful. She obtained it right under my snout.” I saw a silver tear leak out of his golden eyes.

“Ugh, what are we to do now?” I groaned.

“Well,” Nikki suggested, “First, we have to find Krokopatra, take back the Krokonomicon, and save-“

“To get back the Krokonomicon.” I interrupted, as Nikki was just about to say what Alhazred couldn’t hear.

“I have a solution.” Alhazred decided. He turned, and took a glass vial out of a drawer from a cabinet. Inside it was a black piece of what looked like horse hair.

Nikki frowned. “Is that..?”

“Krokopatra’s lock of hair.” Alhazred answered, smiling, holding it up to the candle light. “It will lead us to a searching potion, and you shall be able to port to her.”

Nikki and I exchanged glances, and smiled. “Perfect.”

“When will the potion be due?” I asked, not quite pleased yet.

“A day, at the most.” He replied.

“Well.” I rubbed my hands together for the dirty work. “Let’s get started.”

Alhazred taught us the recipe, and left Nikki to correct my mistakes. She is the Angel of remembrance, after all.

We had one pot over boiling toad water, with a hint of mint. In the pot, bubbling and hot, was two raven feathers, dirt from the earth, salt water, a Krok’s skin, a Mander’s eye, two drops of blood, and finally of course: the hair of Krokopatra.

During the time to make the potion, we talked about our lives. Where and how we came to be, where we come from, and our family.

“My parents are strange. Like, mentally strange- I don’t even know how to explain it. Its not like they’re mentally-challenged or anything. It’s just that they are weird people.”

“How weird?” I asked.

“Like elderly obsessed and embarrassing weird. It’s not even normal.”

I laughed. “Any siblings?”

“Besides you guys, I have none.” She looked solemn about this.

“Oh.” I didn’t explain anything about my family. I’d rather not, and she had a good idea of what is not to talk about, and what is a good conversation.

She glanced and looked into my eyes. “We have the same eyes, don’t we?”

“Yes, we do.” I agreed, looking back. “Moonstone with a shimmer of rainbow.”

We chuckled. “Do you think that the other’s have the same eyes?”

“Most likely, if we do.” I thought, thinking on what the other’s looked like. I wondered if they would have blonde or red hair like we do.

“I hope they’re okay.” Nikki frowned, as she added a raven feather to the potion.

“Me too,” I replied with worry. “Who knows what the curse had done to them.”

We stayed in silence for a while. Suddenly, Nikki changed the subject. “Did you find that newspaper that I left for you?”

I almost dropped a glass vial I was holding out, while Nikki poured the potion. “That was you?”

She nodded. “I wanted to see how you would react. If you did anything that was connected to the S.A., which you did, considering that I heard you say it-“

“I knew someone was watching; I just excused it as a passerby.” I added thoughtfully.

“But when I figured out that it was truly you, I got so excited; but scared at the same time. When you heard me, I ran.” Nikki continued. “Then the curse hit me, later that night when I was admiring the moon.”

I took the full glass of the finished potion, and held it to my chest. “I don’t get it. Why did you guys get the curse, but I didn’t?”

Nikki smirked, a hint of a laugh on her face. “That’s because you’re Prince Charming. Probably another reason you were able to awake me- Malistaire must have forgotten to change the spell.”

“I find that quite disturbing, Nikki.” I grimaced.

“Sisterly love is the greatest love of all.” Nikki smiled, and we linked arms. We glanced at each other, and nodded. I threw the potion on the ground, and it foamed around our feet.

Then, we ported.

Little did we know what lie upon us.