Red Sun Rising

Chapter 10: It's Just One Surprise After the Next

Crystal:

When I set out to merge the gemstones into the Omnistone, I 'll admit I was a tad bit overconfident.

They'd told me the spell would require the combined power of a Traveler and a Hood, and being both, well, I figured it would be more efficient if I did it alone. And I figured it couldn't be a coincidence that the one involved in the making of the Omnistone, the one with a direct and recent history with Red Hood was also the first Traveler from Earth in a long while who had also been chosen to be a Hood at the same time, meeting the requisite of the two necessary figures of the spell. 'Chosen One' Syndrome, I guess you'd say. I'd insisted on taking the weight by myself and consequently got crushed.

Finding out I'd been put into a cryogenic sleep to restore my energy after the spell wasn't much of a shocker. What did surprise me was the brief time I'd spent under. When I woke up to find Shayera standing next to me, I figured I'd been out at least more than a week.

"Shayera?" I'd rasped out. "What—"

The lingering cold of the chamber I still lay in finally registered in my brain and I'd made to climb out. Cryogenic sleep chamber. Not good.

"How long has it been? Where are Steven and the others? Did the Omnistone—"

Shayera had helped me to my feet, guiding me to a nearby seat. "It's only been a few days, Crystal. The Omnistone is safe with your brother and his team. Malachi and Kento are currently staying with them."

I'd shaken my head, still a little light-headed and sure I'd heard her wrong. "A few days? But that's not possible. I couldn't... well..."

She'd held up a familiar green stone. "I am not sure why, but when I was walking around the dorm, I had the sudden urge to check your room. I found this on the bedside table and... felt like you needed it."

I'd taken the stone from her, a grin forming on my face. "Zerbantimum. Lee."

There hadn't been time for further conversation. Kento had sent Shayera a message, saying she was needed on Tyton and I'd insisted we go as soon as possible.

What could've been happening at D.T.C. Headquarters? Another Orange Hood attack? Or could it already be Red Hood? I'd worked myself up as we made our way to HQ, so it was a relief to find that the only chaos going on was a duel between my Knights of Black.

After the warm welcome, we sat down to eat. But the guys didn't let the meal pass by in silence.

"You shouldn't have done that," Steven began his reproach next to me, clearly getting over most of the delight at my return.

I shrugged and popped a toffee in my mouth. Kento had put a handful on my plate, insisting it would help keep my strength up. Kento himself had sped through his own meal and was now going around the room, trying to solve a puzzle Shayera had given him.

"I got overconfident, okay? I thought I could handle it."

Sitting across from me, Max snorted. "She admits it."

I fixed him with a glare, and he stuck out his tongue in response.

"But I could've sworn Malachi said it'd take some time for you to regain your energy," Danny said. "It's great that you're back now, but did the Travelers exaggerate?"

"I wouldn't be surprised. They're probably where Crystal got her dramatic ways," Max commented.

"You're more dramatic than me, Maxie."

"And we didn't exaggerate," Benjin piped up from down the table, face stuffed with food. "We really thought it'd be at least a week before there were any changes."