Chapter 17: Gretel

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by fade-darker

by fade-darker

Bustling through the halls, I did my best to forget about Hook for the time being. I had to keep my eyes on the prize; closing that rift. The Maelstorm Ocean spanned pretty far, and it would be hard to locate in the water without the Captain-we would need his ship, and it being in Cian (Yup we need his "vessel"), would make it hard to get to it without him summoning it. I might need to sweet-talk him a bit...

"Gretel? Are you sure you're alright?" Kiki asked for the fifth time this morning. I nodded in the most assuring way I could muster, though I think she knew I was lying, but she didn't push any further. She must've sensed that I was worried about Hook, and she opened his door as we passed it. "But-"

He emanated beauty. It was almost blinding. His smile was gone, though, and he looked exhausted. As soon as our eyes met, his blue irises sparkled quickly and he pulled me into his (stronger) arms. I could feel his smile growing against the top of my head (he was SO tall), and Kiki's smile radiated heat against our embrace.

I heard her heels clicking away toward my brother's room, and Hook's flannel pajamas rubbed against me, which reminded me he had to change. I pushed him into the room, and when we pulled away, he smiled down at me-eyes never fading.

I walked out of his room, closing the door behind me. I waited to hear the lock of his door before leaving, but it was drowned out by the stomping of Hansel's boots against the royal carpet. I gasped as he zoomed past me-sword at the ready. Trusting my brother, I summoned all of my energy to use if need be, and rushed after him.

I caught up with him in the courtyard, gasping when I saw the candy witch. Kiki was close behind, and smiled when she saw her brother. Hansel looked as confused as I was, which was understandable-why would WE call on CANDOR?

Kiki answered our question as soon as our minds asked it-"Thanks for coming so quickly! The Captain is... out of sorts, shall we say?"

"Ah, yes. I did feel a bit of a power surge from my student..."

"Don't call me that-" I fumed, frustrated with the witch.

"Well, you, then." Candor brushed me off.

"Anyway," Kiki directed her brother back to the issue at hand.

"Right," Candor went on-looking almost sadly-at me. "Your Captain Hook. There's only one way to reverse the Evil you've put inside him with your revival..."

"How?!" I asked, wanting to do whatever it took to save him.

Candor sighed, shaking his head a tad before thinking for a moment. "He needs to defeat a greater evil to cleanse his heart."

I heard Kiki sigh and shake her head(she reminded me of the Candy Witch at that moment). "Then we have to go to the Rift."