The Enchantress

Chapter 9: Leilanni and Emira

I stepped closer to the frightened girl. "We mean you no harm," I calmly said.

The girl put her hands on her hips. "Then why the heck are you in the Forbidden Islands? We don't get many visitors." She warily shot a look at our small group. "And why are you guys dressed like you are going to war?"

Maybe because we potentially could go to war. I tried to stop thinking about the former enchantress, and how she turned evil. I lowered my gaze and let out a soft sigh. I was overthinking again.

Azira, who had been camped out in the diary the whole time, decided it was time for her to come out. When she saw the islander-girl, she ran- or should I say, "floated" over to her with ghostly tears in her eyes. "Leilanniii I haaaave miiiiisssed youuu sooo muuuch!"

"Um what?" The island gir- I mean Leilanni defiantly asked? "How do you know my name?"

"I ammmm yoooour moootherr." Azira whispered.

"A mother who left me is NO mother of mine!" Leilanni shouted, clearly feeling disorted.

"It was for your own good..." Azira softly said. "The plague was spreading, and at that time, only the adolesents were affected..." Leilanni rolled her eyes, but allowed Azira to go on. "The plague was spreading faster and faster. It had reached the borders of The Forbidden Islands. I had to leave for it to leave you alone."

Leilanni opened her mouth, as if she were to say something, but then closed it. "Um... maybe we can swap stories later..?" Markus hastily mumbled. "We need the recipe for the remedy to the plague."

"What makes you think I trust you?!" Leilanni angrily shouted, glaring daggers at him. "The remedy has been passed on for decades, and I am not just going to give it away to a band of strangers with my mother!" For a few seconds, I actually felt bad for Markus, under the intense dagger-shooting glare of Leilanni.

"Listen, Leilanni, it's for a good cause. Our friend over here is in need of help." Celesto reminded her. 

"SHUT UP DUMBASS YOUR SWEET TALK IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE MY MIND!" Leilanni retorted. Then she spat under her breath, "Aughh boys are all the same." I snorted as I tried to hold back a laugh at Celesto's surprised face.

"Listen, Leilanni, it's completely your choice to give us the recipe. You don't feel the need to, and I respect that decision completely." I added, discouraged. "But Astraea needs it. If you are going to let her die, then do so." I plopped down on a nearby rock, dejected. Then I jumped up, surprised that the 'rock' I was sitting on actually was the edge of the island, and water sprang up, barely missing my hair. Celesto, however was not that lucky, and water slooshed on him. He let out a birdlike shriek and jumped back. Suddently, there was a sound of laughter, of laughter that had been concealed for decades, coming from the person whom I least expected it coming from.

Leilanni was laughing her head off.

More water decided to splash up, and Leilanni kept laughing. "Should I be concerned?" Astraea, who had not talked at all since we arrived, whispered. I shook my head.

"Don't worry!" Leilanni smiled for the first time since we talked. "Aspidochelone is friendly!"

"Aspi-what?" Markus wondered out loud.

"Aspidochelone! He is the guardian of this island. Well technically, we are on his back." Leilanni cheerfully stated.

"No way....." Astraea grinned, her eyes shining. "That is why it is called The Forbidden Islands! Aspidochelone refused to give up the land to the council of kingdoms. All folks have been banned from going there ever since!"

"Wow Astraea!" Markus grinned. "You sure did your work!"

"Thanks!" Astraea softly replied, a large red blush appearing on her cheeks. "You're not too bad yourself at geography." At this, Markus evidently beamed with pride. I mean, who wouldn't beam? Astraea was awesome.

Leilanni let out a small groan. "Can we skip the lovey-dovey eyeing of each other now?" At these words, a kitsune, walked away from the other animals and batted her tails to Leilanni. "Ok... ok... I get it Emira! And no I AM NOT JEALOUS BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE ANYONE!" Leilanni looked sooo flustered! "Anyway, the recipe. I'll give it to you if you pass a test. You, and only you will take it." She jabbed a finger towards me. "I didn't catch your name."

"Oh. My name is Celeste Heavenly. My friends call me Cece or just Celeste." I figured I should name the others too. "These are my best friends. That is Markus, with Scorcher, Astraea with Sakae, and lastly, that is Celesto, and his guardian animal is Nimbus." Nimbus snorted at my words and stamped his hooves anxiously. He then shook of his wet wings and proceeded to splash Celesto again. I laughed and pryed off all the water from them.

"Why are your names so similar?" Leilanni questioned.

I shook my head. "Probably just a coincidence. Anyways, what about the test?"

Leilanni sighed. "It's getting dark. Come with me. I am going to have to trust you guys for this night." She spun around. "Do not betray that trust. OR ELSE EMIRA WILL WHACK THE HELL OUT OF YOUR HEADS!"