Castaways: Origins

Chapter 12 ~ Phobus

Phobus was angry. His friend Prism has been less trusting of him, and he just couldn't guess why. The elf leaving the castle and the other two inhabitants at the time behind was already a while back now, so something was definitely up. The wizard was usually very forgiving, but this time he seemed to really distrust the elf.

Then, it clicked. The wizard could see the future. Maybe Phobus did something terrible later on? He looked at himself in the mirror. His brown hair was messy, and his mustache was in need of a trim, but he still was the same old Phobus that started this journey, right? Right??

The elf decided to stop pondering, and was ready to confront the wizard. The two were actually somewhat close, Phobus considered Prism his best friend out of all the people here. So he was going to sort this out, and he was going to do it right now.

When Phobus walked into the library where the wizard spent most of his time, he saw something weird happening in front of his eyes. Everybody was there, and sat in a circle.

"Oh Phobus, we were waiting for you. Didn't you hear me call? Flora thought it would be a good idea to open up to each other about our pasts, so that we can grow closer together as a group. Friendship is one of the most important things on this mission," the wizard spoke, while smiling kindly and leading him to the empty spot next to him.

This threw Phobus off. A lot. Prism just acted like he wasn't basically ignoring him for a few days now? What was that boy up to...

When Phobus sat down, Cinder started talking with a loud voice, like she always had. Her accent made him chuckle sometimes, due to sometimes being barely understandable. However, Phobus couldn't help but admire the dragon. She is one of the only outcasts from the dragon race, and she isn't affected by it in the slightest.

"So, me past is a weird one, mateys. So buckle up, savvy?" the dragon started, and everyone listened like she was telling a pirate story, which she actually was. "I'll now tell ye the story... of how I got cursed." Everyone was on the edge of their seats, Cinder's storytelling was amazing.

"It was 6 years ago. I was on me ship when I sensed a big treasure. When I went on land and entered the cave, I saw a gorgeous ruby just waiting there for me. Naïve as I was, I picked it up, and everything turned black." Cinder noticed people were holding their breath due to her storytelling, and chuckled before continuing. "I hallucinated as I do now, and saw a shadowy figure run away. Even though I've over travelled every sea, I still haven't found him to this day..."

Everyone gasped. Everyone except Aviary. Phobus sighed; what was the angel up to this time...

"Heh, you think THAT is a good story? Get ready for this." Aviary started, while spreading her wings, which barely fit in the room. "I... raised a thief." the angel spoke dramatically. She turned off the lights. "Angels are supposed to raise and protect a good kid, y'know? Well, my first and only kid wanted to be a thief, so why not? I really didn't mind." The thief then started to move around the room, walking back and forth, as she continued, "Of course, I got banned... But I really didn't care, because I had learned the way of the thief. That pissed the other angels off so much that the leader stepped down from the cloud kingdom and stripped my wings of their purity, thus turning them black."

Flora mumbled about how that was an upgrade instead of a downgrade, and Aviary overheard. She flew over to her girlfriend and quickly gave her a peck on the cheek, with Thunder rolling his eyes and gagging behind them. This made Phobus laugh, the boy was a 14-year-old after all.

"So, as you all know I'm elf royalty." Phobus started, breaking the silence. "Honestly, the guards might be after me right now, but I really don't care." He then picked up a book about the royal house and browsed the pages. "Huh, apparently we like to play chess. Well, my cousin does, but he takes it a step too far for being 6 years old..."

Phobus was done with this 'group therapy session', and walked outside. He heard Prism sigh before the elf closed the door behind him. Why won't the wizard tell him anything? He thought Aviary was the one nobody trusted, why is it him right now?

Phobus walked towards the Poppy temple in the middle of the castle gardens. Maybe the goddess could give him some insight about what was going on with Prism. The elf cleared up the temple again, kneeled down before it, and brought his hands together as if he was practically pleading.

But to no response. He stayed there for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour. No response, not even a flicker. The last time Poppy showed was with Prism. It was always Prism and would always be Prism. What does the wizard have that he doesn't? Phobus cursed at the sky, but obviously, with no response as well.

He sat there for about another hour, when he heard the giant door to the gardens creak open. The elf didn't bother to turn around, still angry at everything. He then heard a familiar voice speak to him.

"Phobus, it's getting late. Please come inside." Prism spoke with a worried tone in his voice. The prince only turned his head further in spite. "What has gotten into you lately? You can talk to me about anything, my friend."

"I could ask the same to you. What has gotten into you lately as well? You and everyone else has been less trusting of me the last few days." Phobus questioned, still not turning around to face the wizard. "I just can't guess why, can't you tell me?"

"Well... I..." Prism started, hesitating to tell Phobus, "In the near future, I saw an elf set the castle on fire. I'm not sure if it would be you or not. But talking to you right now really proves that you wouldn't and couldn't do such a thing. I apologize."

Phobus turned around in shock. Someone wants to set the castle on fire? Why would an elf ever want to do that? Phobus himself certainly wouldn't ever do that, but now completely understood Prism's worries. He didn't quite forgive the wizard for being distrusting of him that easily, but Prism did that fairly quickly. It was a side effect of being able to see the future.

"How near in the future was it?" Phobus asked, but Prism only shrugged his shoulders in response.

"I don't know, that part is always hazy..." the wizard responded, putting a hand on his forehead as if he was having a sudden headache. Then, both males twitched upward due to a familiar smell. Before any of them could say something about it, the door opened once more, and Thunder appeared. The boy looked terrified, out of breath and sleep deprived. He spurted out one sentence before he fell to the ground;

"The castle is on fire!"