Twisted Souls

Chapter 19

How was it possible that things could go from bad to worst to God awful to absolutely-rock-bottom horrid? Even situations back at home never got this intense.
"So let me piece this together," I say to Sephora. "You're telling me that my necklace and Xalale's ring are turning to stone because they are counting down the days till he eventually becomes stone during that at the same exact time, the darkness that is currently- coincidentally rising- is going to destroy this entire world and can only be stopped by Xalale, who if I don't kiss and break the curse, will in all actuality die and the entire world will be doomed? Am I getting this right?"
She gives me a crushing look. "Sounds about right."
"Good grief."
"I cannot do this. I cannot do any of this. This was all a mistake from the beginning, from falling into that stupid hole to-"
"Mallory. We have to stay calm and analyze the situation. The king can stop the darkness before it gets here fully. He just has to wield his powers-"
"You sound like my 8th grade school counselor!" I wasn't trying to be rude, but I couldn't help but finally explode.
"There is no analysis because he can't control his powers!"
The expression on Sephora's face looks as if someone had slapped her. The words were forming in her mouth but no sound came out to ask the question.
"Nope, he can't control them and when he tries he doesn't try hard enough and it drains him mentally and physically. Yup, we're fucked." I say giving a humorless chuckle.
Sephora seemed to at last get the dire urgency of the situation. All the color left her cream and peaches skin.
"I think we may need to rethink our original plan." She says quietly.
"And what plan was that?"
"It doesn't matter anymore. You have to save the king so he can save the people."
"Uh...yeah he's not fully on board with that just yet, but I'm getting there."
"What do you mean? Why wouldn't he want to help his people, save his land?" The lines of concern keep growing on her face.
"Because he can't control his powers." I explain again. "I'm trying to coax him to use them, but its like he's scared to."
Sephora lets out the sigh I wish I could've. Placing a hand on her forehead, she appears to be in deep thought but then speaks up again.
"I have no experience with the powers he possesses, so I have no clear answer to give you for that except be patient with him. For people who possess powers, especially powers as strong as his, it can be hard for them to embrace their gift sometimes, but it'll come around." Even in this time of panic she sounded wise. Something I could never do."But he'll never accomplish that goal if you don't save him."
"I can't. I'm not there yet." Or will ever be.
She bites her lip looking like she's deciding whether or not to tell me something.
"Mallory," she begins slowly. "I may have discovered a possible solution to get you home."
I'm sure my eyes were so bright, that she had to look away.
"It would only take me a little whiles longer to finish and perfect it, but...but I worry that if I would to give it to you, you would leave us- not that I would blame you, but..."
I look her in the eyes, my face and tone the most serious it had been in ages.
"I would never leave in a time of need. You can make the solution and once my work is done here, I'll return home. Deal?"
I don't know the exact look that flashed behind Sephora's weary eyes, but after a moment of thought she nods affirmatively. "Deal."
"Look, things are getting a lot more intense so I think it would be a good idea if you were to stay here until you fixed up the solution and were here to help." I explain.
"I would need some more ingredients to work with."
"Done." I say without a trace of hesitation. I would count a handful of sand grain by grain if it meant getting home sooner.
"But what about the king?" She says wearily.
"What about him?"
"He is usually the only one that can grant me permission to stay."
"Don't worry about that, I'll handle it. Just make me a list of the ingredients you'll be needing for the solution." I had no qualms about dealing with Xalale. This was my only chance to get home and I wasn't going to let him destroy it.
I signal to a nearby guard to come over.
"Please escort my guest to an available bedroom. Thank you."
He grunts in reply then begins head towards the door. I catch Sephora by the arm and a whisper in her ear so only she could hear.
"Don't worry about all this, we'll get through it." I offer an encouraging smile.
Sephora doesn't look as sure, only returning with a doubtful reply of, "We'll see."
Once she disappears with the guard around the corner, I collapse on the marble bench and let out a tired sigh. I stare out at the pleasant view for only a quick minute before I drag myself up, knowing who I have to find.
Venturing out into the halls, I don't have to search and comb through every room- I already have a destination in mind.
Approaching the throne room, I don't hesitate to barge in. I must've interrupted him from inspecting the ring I returned to him. He hides the ring in his fist and turns his attention to me.
"You seem tense." He observes calmer than I've heard him in days. "What's troubling you?"
I fight between telling him everything, down to the last depressing detail, and giving him some truth but mostly lies mixed in.
"Just tired." Or giving him no truth at all.
"Hm...what do you need?"
"What?"
"You clearly came to talk to me about something. What is it?"
I sigh, finally giving in to the truth. "How much do you know about that ring turning to stone?"
"I plan on reverting it back. I haven't found a way yet."
"Nothing. Isn't this going to be fun to explain?"
"That maybe harder than you think." I begin slowly.
Xalale gives me cold, questioning look.
"You remember that darkness rising? Yeah, well that's sort of connected to you ring in a way." I decide that dragging it out won't help the situation at hand, so I begin to speed through. "Which means that once the ring completely turns to stone, you'll turn to stone as well."
The thundering of my heart is the only sound that is ringing in my ear other than dead silence. I can barely make eye contact with him, but when I do, his expression is unreadable.
"You're lying."
"Huh!?" That was definitely not the response I was expecting. His voice was still calm, never wavering into the furious tone I expected it to.
"I'm not lying." I say a little too defensively. "Why would I lie about this, it's all true."
"You've lied to me before."
"Look, I'm trying to help you. And don't act like you've never lied to me before either."
His knuckles turn ash white as his grip tightens on the ring.
"Trust me, I know what I'm talking about." My eyes don't falter from his for a second. My voice is firm. "Just trust me on this."
"This is a curse, presumably, and all curses can be broken. What can break this curse?" His voice is challenging as if he doesn't fully believe me.
"Haven't found it yet." I add a bit too quick.
I'm half surprised God didn't strike me down at such a lie.
"I know all this is bad and it feels like everything is crashing down." I say. "But being in denial isn't going to help either one of us."
He doesn't respond, but just returns to inspecting the ring.
"So do you believe me now?" I ask impatiently.
"Somewhat. But believe it or not, a curse is not my top priority at this moment. I need to know how exactly this darkness can properly be contained."
I felt like this would be the perfect chance to slip in the part about Sephora.
"I have someone who could help with that. I invited Sephora to stay here for a little while, just to inform us how to go about this. She's skilled in this so..."
"Sephora?" I receive another cold, questioning look.
"Of course he doesn't know her name. I don't think he has ever taken the time to ask anyone's name before he slaughtered them."
"The young witch or sorceress or something or other- the one with the pink hair."
"Why did you invite her here without my permission?" Irritation was notable in his voice, but I let it slide.
"Because, I- we needed help. She knows what she's doing."
Annoyance was still clear in his expression, but he drops the matter.
With that all out of the way, I turn and head towards the door. As I'm about to leave, I can feel him watching me with an intense burning. Not glancing back, I swiftly exit the room.

Once I reach the dungeon, I let the day's frustrations and shock roll off me. Despite the grim situation, I can't help but have a small smile across my face as I approach Elle and Coxen's cells.
Elle perks up the moment I'm at the bars, getting up where from where she was previously sitting and rushing over to the bars to squeeze my hand. A bright smile broke out on her face.
"I'm so glad to see you." She says. "I hate it down here, it's unbearable."
"I can't even hear my own thoughts above the screaming." Coxen adds with irritation. "Can't even sleep with them screaming so loud. Things like this will cause you nightmares."
Elle nods sorrowful. Her smile is replaced by a face wrenched with fear and sadness. She looks seconds away from crying and it kills me to see her like this.
"I know it sucks down here." I say genuinely. "I'm trying to come up with ideas on how to get you guys out of here. We have some time though."
Coxen shakes his. "You sure about that? The king hates traitors and it's foolish optimism to believe he'll wait around to kill me."
Elle freezes up at that, but I reply assuredly,"The king currently has a lot on his hands right now. He probably even forgot that you exist. Just give me a little bit more time and I'll have something soon."
In response he lets out a long breath and closes his eyes.
"Are you alright though?" Elle ask searching my face.
"I'm fine. Hanging in there, but still fine."
"How do you deal with him? The king?"
"Oh I survive somehow. But he's very difficult to predict." I say tiresome.
"Promise me you'll be safe and not take any risk. Please."
I give her a little chuckle. "I promise. Just promise me you'll be safe."
"We'll try."
Coxen groans, returning to his cot.
"Don't worry, we'll all get through this. Remember what mother and father would always say to us, Elle?"
This time a lone tear did slip, sliding down her rosy cheeks.
"Yeah. Though you feel like all is dark, there's always a ray of sunlight to guide you home." They finished together and I couldn't help but feel my heart break for them at their loss.
I couldn't ever imagine losing my parents and being left all alone with nothing but their memories. Luckily, Elle and Coxen have each other, they grew stronger by their connection- always there for one another.
"I have to go." I apologize. "Be back soon. Just hold in there."
"Holding in there but feeling exhausted." Coxen replies.
Something in that response makes me stop and think. Elle notices my pause and peers at me curiously.
"Mallory, what's wrong."
Coxen too looks at me like I have two heads. The gears are turning in my head as I address them again.
"I think...I have a plan for you to escape."
Both glance at each other in question before looking back at me and asking,"What?"
"I've got it! However insane is was, I have a plan."
I face the both of them with eagerness rolling off of me in waves.
"I have a plan. Both of you have to be ready though because it could happen at anytime and timing is crucial for this to work. You'll have to trust me."
After another exchange between the two, Elle reaches out from the bars and grabs my hand.
"I always trust you, Mallory." A new expression of determination was written on her face.
We both look at Coxen, who is shaking his head in disbelief.
"I knew you were kind of strange from the moment we met you, but-" He looks up at us and finally places his hand on top of ours. "I knew I could always trust you to come through on your promises and I hate living in this hellhole."
We all share a smile before I pull back and turn to go. My mind is working overtime more than ever trying to formulate and plan the details out. We only had one shot at this and I need to break out of this ditch I'm always in. This had to be done right, without any trip ups.