De Vil-Radcliffe

Chapter 23- Hades and Chernabog

"Ready to face the woman's son that haunts your nightmares, Sophie?"

"See? Better already."

"Dude, this is Carlos. Carlos, this is dude. He's the campus mutt."

"Now I see the resemblance! What did your poor parents do to you?"

"They made the greatest person I've ever met."

I immediately moved as we unfroze, pink dust surrounding us. I continued to hug Carlos, realizing what had just happened. But what happened? Where was Mal?

I let go of Carlos and looked at the group. "I'm going to fly ahead," I said, transforming before flying off to look for Mal.

I found her at the top of the tower. Audrey was lying on the floor while Celia sat beside Mal. Mal looked at me desperately as I landed and looked at Audrey. She was asleep.

"She will suffer the same fate her mother would if you don't get your father and another involved."

"Dad and Hades. They'll help," I said knowingly.

"Chernabog?" Mal questioned.

"Of course. He has the ability of necromancy," I reasoned.

We nodded and started walking toward the direction of the school.

Mal led me to the tower, and I helped move Audrey to her dorm. I laid her down and tucked her under the sheets, folding her hands on her stomach. She looked peaceful as the others gathered in the room.

"She's slipping away," Evie whispered.

"There's only two people in the world who can do something about it, and that's Hades and Chernabog," Mal sighed.

"Hades? Chernabog? They wouldn't do it. I won't risk it." Ben shook his head.

"Actually, Hades might do it for me. He's my father," Mal explained.

"And Chernabog's my father. And not some villain anymore, Ben. He's changed," I assured him.

There was a shocked silence as everyone looked at each other.

"Well, I'll have to send guards to get them," Ben murmured.

"Maybe I can hitch a ride," Uma said. "The Isle is my home. Somebody needs to be there to protect it."

"Well, then. You'll need your first mate," Harry said, walking up and standing next to Uma.

"The Isle will be in very good hands." Mal smiled.

"Can I go too?" Celia asked. "I wish I can be in both places."

Mal stood up, looking at them. "I really think Evie was right. And, I do think we could've been friends. And I'm really sorry I lied to all you guys. You deserve so much better than that," Mal apologized.

"You were just trying to do the right thing." Jay shrugged.

"Yeah," Uma agreed.

Evie reached a hand over to Mal's. "I get it."

Later, I heard shackles from two people coming down the hall. The guards walked Dad and Hades into the room, holding them in front of us.

Mal stood in front of him. "Thank you for coming."

"Didn't have much choice," Hades sighed.

"Can you wake her?" Ben asked.

"Since when do heroes care about villains?" Hades retorted.

"She's-"

"One of your own?" Dad finished.

Hades smiled. "Right. When you guys tried to destroy the world, this is just an error in judgement. But, when it's one of us, lock 'em up, throw away the key. Right, Beast?"

Both of them held up their hands abruptly, and Mal stepped back. I remained unfazed. "We need to use our hands."

The guards unlocked their hands, and Dad flapped his wings in relief. He looked at me as I suddenly shifted. He smiled as my eyes glowed red.

They removed the spell on Audrey quickly. The guards took them by the hands and Hades was led out the door by guards. Dad stayed in the room with me. Mal chased after her father as I hugged mine.

"I'm going to miss you," I mumbled.

"I wish I could have raised you. But your mother-"

"I know how she is. I understand. But I'll come by every so often, once King Ben lifts the ban," I assured him.

"Looking forward to it."