Mystique

the portal

Mystique was walking as quickly as possible towards her bike because she had seen one of the assassins sent by the enemy after the bell rang. She didn’t use her big bike yesterday because she hated drawing attention especially if it’s not really necessary. For the centuries she’s been living in this mortal world, the more costly and extravagant you look, the more popular you’ll be. She glanced over her baby and admired how she stood out from the cars parked in the lot now. Suddenly, her mind snapped back to reality. The new king of the underworld has sent someone for the long lost prince. She knew they suspect of someone by now and she must lead them away from Chase.

BUT…

Where the hell did Chase go?? He’s just behind me earlier, right?

Mystique searched around the parking lot to see the man but didn’t see even a shadow of him. His car was just four vehicles away from hers. She panicked right away and went back inside searching every pathway leading to the parking lot. She went further even to the locker room expecting that he might forgot something before they walked earlier but no sign of him. She went to the male comfort rooms but neither of the young lads who came out knew or even saw him.

It’s not like he’ll just disappear like this. Unless…

Mystique went to the roof top and immediately inhaled the scent of the wind. This is her way of calming her nerves and being part of the surroundings. By the second and third time she inhaled, she caught the scent of Chase and his…blood. Mystique jumped from the roof top and made her way to the forest at the back of the school grounds in just a matter of two minutes. She’s very quick because of the frantic thought she had in mind, that the strangers eventually hurt or dare she thought of it, tried to kill her prince.

Almost there Chase…

She found Chase moving wildly and tied in his wrists and ankles. She rushed over him and untied him. Without looking at the young man, she sensed danger and stood up to face the assassin hired by the new empire. She still faced Chase who’s trying to stand and she helped him until he’s able to balance himself.

“what do you want from him?”  Mystique asked the stranger while turning her back from her prince as if she’s trying to protect him because she knew the man wasn’t alone.

Why don’t they attack us while I’m not that attentive?? There’s something wrong here. And Chase got only a cut. He was not attacked or something. He was just clumsy enough to hurt himself because of struggling with the ropes in his wrist. But why?

“we are here to get you and the other traitor. We know you have found the prince.” He said very calmly and then signed his hands for the group of shadows to go into the light. He, himself, walked into the light as well making his face known to them. Mystique was shocked the moment she saw who the stranger was. In fact, he was no stranger to her at all. She glanced over her shoulders to see Chase still bewildered at what he’s seeing.

“we have not found the prince yet. And if your intention is to get me and Elioth, why take this young man in here?” Mystique was very conscious on how to say something hoping the man with a scar on his left eye wouldn’t question or even doubt every word she said.

“since when did you learn to lie  my dear apprentice?” the man said with a smug on his face. Mystique snarled in anger and pure hatred to his master. She arched her body ready to defend Chase when another shadow appeared on their side… Elioth.

Elioth held Mystique by her arms to stop her from fighting. He glanced at Chase who cannot move at the time because of mixtures of shock and horror. He faced his old comrade and frowned. He never knew that a time like this would come when he must fight his bestfriend for the sake of their beloved kingdom.

“Scar, it’s been a long time. What made you go here? And how did you find us?” Elioth knew that they were being followed but still, he want to know why. He wants to know something.

“yes indeed. It’s been a long time and I nearly forgot how long since the last time we talked. And now, here you are, making fool of yourselves telling us you haven’t found the prince when he’s just right behind both of you?” Scar shook his head in utter dismay and signaled the left troop of shadows to attack.

They hovered around the three and the two warriors tried to attack but Elioth gave another instruction as he whispered, “if there will be a chance, leave with the prince.”

“but..how about you?” Mystique asked still in her position to defend the person behind him.

“we both know that this day will come. Better not throw all of our hardships for centuries just to help me.” Elioth smiled an impish smile before making his first move.

Both of them fought with all the strengths they reserved for this very day. When Mystique found a way to escape, she dragged Chase and held his hand all the way. They both found the exit of the forest but by that time, the moon and the stars are the only source of light and the road was just one kilometer ahead of them. Mystique was about to lurched on her way and drag Chase when the man stopped and pulled his hand from the grip.

“wait!! What the hell was that?!! Who are you?!! Who is that man!!!” Chase almost shouted at the top of his voice and they both stopped but still shaking and catching their breath because of the run.

“I’ll explain…” Mystique said after a few seconds but they both heard a weird screech from the nearby bush. “later…”

Both of them rushed to the now empty school road and made their way to the busy alley to lure the shadows away. Mystique, knowing that Chase couldn’t walk or even run as fast as she could, carried him on her shoulders where the man’s face was on her back and protesting wildly with his feet kicking hard. However, the woman didn’t bother listening to his acclaims and rushed to the familiar road of her villa.

When she had already assured that there are no shadows following them, she relaxed a bit and put Chase down the front door of her house and put the alarms on. Chase was still bantering but Mystique focused on one main thing:

Why is Scar helping the new empire? How’s Elioth? What would they do to him if they catch him?

Mystique made her way to the secret room at the basement where she hid all the high-tech and even the ancient gadgets she collected for the past five centuries of existence. She checked on the radar which looked like what the military had and tried to locate Elioth. They had planted a tracking device on both of their arms just in case this thing happen. She was very fast that Chase was too stunned to even ask by this hour. He was totally amazed and dazed by what he saw: all the gadgets and artifacts he had ever wanted in his entire life was all here!

Then, without even asking the lady, he had a screw ready in his hand and started assembling things like he was a techy maniac. He, himself, didn’t even know what he was doing. After almost half an hour, he was almost done.

“how… how did…” Mystique was utterly speechless after seeing what Chase had built. She was not paying attention when he started but was caught off guard when she noticed the presence of the emblem now in the hands of Chase.

“i.. I don’t even know what this is… I just, my hands just moved as if they have a mind of their own..” Chase said defensively and then looked at Mystique’s shocked face. Though he was still mystified by the new discovery of his subconscious head, he found the words to ask, “what did I built?”

“the portal…”