Crustel

Chapter 52

I passed the guards at the entrance of the room. It seemed like a castle. It was enormous till I lost my way out. "Hey, stop. You look unfamiliar," a serhen stopped me. I stopped and remained silent. "Who are you?" He asked. "I...I...I...uhmmm...," I trembled with words. He was staring at me. All of sudden, my eyes met some serhens treated like servants. "I am the new maid sir!" I said awkwardly. "Hmm, that took you so long? Hurry up! Clean up everything," He said as he headed towards an empty room. I had a quick peek then left the place. My amulet levitated a bit and pulled me the way out. I followed its direction. Finally, I got out of the palace. I realized that I was still in the Dark World. I have to stay reactionless. I changed myself back to normal. It gave me relief. All I did was running as far as I could. I grabbed my wand and cast an invisibility spell. Lamentably, serhens were able to notice me. I kept running.

As I passed a huge forest, I witnessed the serpent statue. It was it. I changed myself into an eagle and flew up. The moment I landed at the peak, I turned back into my human form. Steadily, I recollected vividly the spells I learnt and powers I gained. I closed my eyes. I saw everything that happened. Ethan was under Lexter's spell. When he tried to save me with Kanyal's help, Lexter heard him. He took Ethan's crown from his castle. He threatened Ethan with the crown. It all made sense. All of sudden, memories clashed. Older memory stroke in my eyes. Ayari and Emerald's father were here before. The memories were haunting me. My amulet glowed in purple as my surrounding became darker. After a long time, I felt fearful again. My hands were cold. Seeing Ayari was my weakness.

Although she hated me since I was born, I loved her. Not anymore. I felt the tears rolling down. It fell on the ground. Three drops continuously dropped. "Thought I found a way," I whispered. I took out the map and the gem. The map was fine but the gem was strange. When Uncle Melyon grabbed my hands to give the gem, it was ruby red but now it was partially purple. The ruby-red part was normal but the purple part was glowing. I pressed my amulet and closed my eyes. "What is going on?" I whispered. I heard an unfamiliar voice. "You have more powers to be enabled. Each will be introduced to you when you are ready for it. If you're hearing me, then you gained this power," I was a bit confused about it. "What are you telling me?" I asked her back. 

"Cora, listen to me. You have to head back to Hatakuna! You don't have much time. Lexter is not what you think he is. He is under Ayari's control! You have to believe Isa and Lama," She said. "Fine. What's your name?" I asked her. She remained silent. I took the map and gem. I put them back into my pocket and bent my wand as a bracelet. I heard her. "ERELA," She said. "Took you so long?" I smirked and left the place as I turned into an eagle. Luckily, I remembered the way back. I met a few serhen on my way to the entrance. I didn't want to be suspicious so I kept flying. I saw the portal. It was open. I stepped in as I changed into my human form. I witnessed the tree. I was back.

The huge man bowed and showed me the way out. I followed them. Erica was still there. I grabbed her hand and ran far away from the cave. She was cautious and didn't scream. She kept running with me. I tried to find locations slightly off the beaten track. "I have to tell you so many things!!! It is just too much!!!" I cried. "Uhmm, Cora where are Ethan and Kanyal?" She interrupted. "I need to find an unfrequented place," I urged her. She looked out with me. We walked till both of us saw a gigantic tree in front of us. I leaned against the tree and took a deep breath. Erica did the same. Suddenly, she patted my shoulders. "Cora, I guess we came to the Forbidden Temple," She gulped. Before I opened my mouth to speak, I felt the ground quaking. Erica held my hand tightly. Everything went dark as we were pulled down. 

It seemed like an underground slide. "I guess we're done," she mumbled. Erela whispered again. "Cora, to go to Hatakuna, you have to fight against some Serhen and Tranquets." I was terrified. "You're kidding me! I am so done! I don't have my weapons," I growled. Erica looked at me thrilled. "Who are you talking to and what do you mean with WEAPONS???" Erica burst. She was startled but the difference between us was, I acted brave and she didn't. "We have to fight with serhen and tranquets," I said slower than a whisper. Before Erica reacts, we rolled on the sand. All we witness were statues and sand! The ancient statues were carved so perfectly. I took my wand as I was prepared for anything. Erica was terrified. "Cora, just imagine, you were not the queen. You were the Goddess of the Temple. We don't have to fight right?" Erica asked me. "If I was the Goddess, why would I be scared to come to this Temple. Just stay silent or we will get into trouble!" I said as I shooed her. 

We got up and walked towards a gold ancient door. It seemed to be unlocked. I went quicker but Erica stopped me. "If it is unlocked, then there might be someone. We have to check first!" she said. I nodded as I cast a spell to see through the door. It was a hallway to an unknown place. It was dark and I couldn't see much vividly. "All I see is a hallway with statues by the sides," I told her.