iridescent

(3) Eight: pink truths

"Enrii. Noelle, step away from the water right now." Erwin had appeared out of nowhere and seemed frantic to get Noelle away from the spring as fast as possible. Danny and Naomi rushed to help him.

"No! No, I have to drink it!" Erwin tried everything he could, with the help of Danny and Naomi, but no one could drag Noelle away from the spring. Danny backed a few steps.

"Erwin," he said, "let her take a sip. She's probably thirsty and afraid." Naomi backed away too, and without either of their help, Erwin didn't stand a chance.

Noelle wrestled Erwin away and took a sip as she stood up. But nothing seemed to happen. They were all frozen to the spot, holding their breaths in anticipation.

"Uhm... Okay?" Danny looked around, rather confused, "What happened?"

Noelle took a deep breath and was about to speak. Before she could, though, she fired a spell almost instinctively at Erwin, who froze like a statue. It was the end of his reign.

Noelle looked at the frightened couple, "Do not fear, I am back to ordinary."

"But, what happened?" Naomi was as confused as she could be.

"It seems like Erwin has been rather greedy, don't you think?"

"I don't understand," said Danny.

"Our dear Erwin betrayed us since the beginning. He had apparently planned this for a long time, but I believe he only felt confident with going through the plan once he met you."

"I don't understand. What was he planning? To let out the monsters to just capture them afterwards just for fun?"

"Oh no, he was planning on overthrowing me."

Noelle said it so casually that Danny barely believed what she said, "Pardon?"

"Erwin became my apprentice five centuries ago. I don't believe he always yearned to become the apprentice. Not until the last century he seems to have become... ambitious. I didn't believe it at first - he'd always been such a good boy - but I had to accept it when he'd 'lost' two keys. That's where you two come in."

"Us two?" Naomi and Danny looked between each other, "what?"

"Yes; the gnomes hadn't pranked us. It was a lie to cover that Erwin had hidden them himself. He wanted to know what I would do in that kind of situation. I sent him on his way to find two humans, and they happened to be you. Erwin was the one who cast a spell on me. In simple words he gave me what you call amnesia. I don't believe he thought I would unlock all the doors, but he handled it well. The water in this spring," she pointed at the small pond of water, "can redo all spells caused on the mind that can still be traced. Whilst having amnesia I did some research to get back my memories. This was the only thing I found. I searched for the correct realm for quite some time, I actually met Erwin once or twice during your quest."

"Really? We never saw you."

"Anyway, continue," Naomi prompted.

"Yes. Anyway, I found the spring and here we are. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done."

"But we didn't do anything besides helping Erwin."

"But you helped me, too. Without you I would have to find all the monsters myself, and that would take even longer."

A sudden thought entered Danny's mind, "what are we supposed to do with Erwin now? Shouldn't he be in prison?"

"Unfortunately, we don't have prisons here."

"Why don't we kill him?" Danny was shocked at Naomi's suggestion. He never thought of her as the killing type.

"Oh, klak, it is against the Keeper of Life's laws."

"Can't we, like, redo him?"

Noelle looked at Danny, "what do you mean?"

"Like," Danny was hesitant about all this, "can't we make him a normal human? Without powers?"

"And memories," Noelle smiled at Danny, "we could take away his powers and memories. He would become a normal human without the knowledge of all the realms."

"But isn't that the same as killing him?" Naomi had asked.

"Klak, for his body and soul lives on. Though he will become a whole new person, so if you happen to come by Erwin, he will not be the same one you remember."

"But you won't take away our memories?"

"No. At least, I don't plan on it."

"But he will be on earth?"

"Yes, as it's the only realm with humans like you."

"All right. What happens now?" It all seemed so final to Danny. Just like choosing universities or what to eat. He didn't want to say goodbye, not anymore.

"I'll handle Erwin. But before you leave I want to express my gratitude for your help. I will grant you one wish. Though, this wish may only affect yourself and not anyone else. If you abuse your wish in the future, I will know and take it away from you," she turned to Danny, "Would you like to start? As you may already understand, I'm able to take away the flaw in your sight."

"Oh." Could Noelle take away his colour blindness? Seriously? Danny could barely believe it, he would be able to see colours! His feelings burst into iridescence and he was beyond elated. His problems would disappear! He would see green, yellow, brown, orange. What would his favourite colour be? He felt as giddy as he felt tired, and that said a lot. "Seriously?"

"Of course."

"Danny." The gentle whisper came from beside him, and Danny looked down at Naomi, "Think it through. You only have one wish."

Danny tried to think it through. Could he wish for something better? Superpowers? Perhaps super-agility, that would be cool. Fame? Money?

Everyone he'd ever known said he saw in black and white, but what if that were the only colours? What if no one knew better and just labeled him as something due to scientist's lack of knowledge? Danny grew more and more afraid of colours, though he barely understood why. But then he realised, he was afraid of the unknown. I love you, whether or not you are colour blind. It doesn't change who you are, and you should never doubt that.

And Danny had made his decision. He knew it was good to face one's fears, but Danny wanted to see it at a different perspective from now on. He wanted to try something new.

"I wish for... uh, Naomi, what superpower do you suggest?"

She laughed at him, "why do you always have a hard time making decisions?" she teased.

"I don't know. Just answer the question."

"All right, ehm... Superpowers? I guess, invisibility suits you?"

"Yeah! That's a cool one. Noelle, I wish to have invisibility as a superpower I can manipulate."

"All right. Keep in mind you will not be able to control your powers in another day, but afterwards you'll have the ability at hand."

"Sounds good." Danny was a little disappointed. He couldn't use his new powers immediately? Bummer.

"I think I'll go with mind reading."

"Naomi, that would be against the rules. You can only wish for something that only affects yourself. I apologise for not trusting you enough."

"I suggest teleportation," Danny side-whispered to Naomi.

Naomi smiled back, "Teleportation it is, then."

"Same goes for you, Naomi. Your powers will not surface until tomorrow."

There was silence for a moment, "I guess this is goodbye," Naomi whispered. Danny believed it seemed as though she was holding back tears.

"I guess it is," Danny replied.

"Don't cry, child. You will remember me, I promise. Every time you use your powers, and every time you see a key. You'll remember the adventure and the experience. This unsound night has not been for nothing."

"We'll miss you. I hope you'll remember us too."

"Of course. Now, off you go."