Emerald

Chapter Five- Test

I was terrified. I didn't expect to see the great artist himself protecting the room! He was, in fact, quite handsome. His pale skin seemed to glow in the torchlight, his eyes were blue as the sea, and his long white hair and beard suited him very well. He seemed to be staring at something. Then, I saw his eyes turn a piercing blue, almost white color. I gasped and turned around to face my friends. Their eyes were the same color.

"Stop!" I yelled in panic. Suddenly, his eyes went back to normal, as did my friends'. He looked at me and smiled.

"My lady, Emerald. It is good to see that you are well," he said. His voice had a very strong French accent, but it was smooth and calming.

"How do you know my name, monsieur?" I asked, calmly. He looked at me with a sly smirk, and I sent one back. I could tell what he was thinking. "You knew my father, didn't you?" I giggled. He slowly nodded.

"Just so you are aware; I, in fact, know that I am deceased. I am but a ghost of my former self. I speak fluent English, but that is one of the only details that has changed." he responded. At least he understood what was going on. Rose, then, decided to speak up.

"Um, pardon me, monsieur; but can you tell us what the heck is going on here?!" she yelled. Leonardo started laughing and I couldn't help but giggle. I heard Ari and Matt laugh, as well. "What?"

"All I did was take a look in you to see if you were the companions that were destined to follow my lady, Emerald." smiled Leonardo. Ari's eyes widened.

"Does that mean you looked inside of us?! Yuck!" she said, meekly and, obviously, grossed-out.

"I am afraid so, mademoiselle," answered Leonardo. Matt and Rose began to laugh their little hearts out. I walked over to Ari and put a hand on her shoulder to try and calm her down. She smiled at me and I smiled back as I looked to Leonardo.

"Now, all of this information is coming a bit rapidly, but I'm doing my best to accept it," I began. "Now, didn't the prophecy say that I had more magic?" He nodded as I cocked my head to the side in confusion. He saw this.

"What are you so confused about, my lady?" he asked.

"What magic do I have? All I know about is my dreams and the messages and such..." I answered, disappointed. He saw this as he walked towards me. When he put his soft hand on my leather-clad shoulder, I felt a small bolt of energy. I gasped and my friends looked at me, concerned.

"Leonardo?! What did you just do?!" yelled Rose in concern. I just looked at her with a smile that said 'I'm fine'. She nodded and stepped back.

"I gave her a small 'boost', as you say, to help her discover her powers," he smiled. I stepped back to my friends to notice that he was fading away into the light. "That, unfortunately, drained my energy. I must take my leave so I can 'recharge', as you say before I get any other 'visitors'."

I felt sad, then. I didn't want the artist to go. I wanted to know so much more about myself.

"Wait! Tell me about my father! Quick, please!" I pleaded. He looked at me and smiled.

He answered, "You will discover all answers on your journey, little jewel. Now behave yourself; I'll be keeping my eye on you. Until we meet again, au revoir mademoiselle," as he faded away. I tried to reach out to him, but I surge of energy pushed itself at me. I felt it in my system, it burned. I stood, frozen in pain. I didn't know what that power was, but it hurt. It seemed to be coursing through my veins, up and down my body.

I couldn't take it. I collapsed with a large gasp. I felt a hand underneath my head to stop it from hitting the hard, cold ground. I could hear my friends telling my name, but they faded as my vision grew darker and darker.

I knew what was happening. It was one of the tests that I would have to go through on my journey. It was a test of my powers and will. But, why did it force me to pass out?

***

It was so dark. I couldn't see a thing. I started feeling around me to try and find any source of light. Suddenly, there was a small, silver glow illuminating itself from below me. I looked down and saw my silver key glowing. I felt powerful and magical like I could do anything. Then, I began to feel a warm tingling in my right hand. I held my palm out in front of me and was surprised to see a small spark illuminating in it. I gasped in awe of the magic I had just seen.

"This is coming from me?" I said in awe as I grinned. I cast the spark up into the air and it immediately lit up the room...I was back in that grand hallway.

"Ugh, why is this dumb place so important?" I asked myself. I looked around and noticed something odd. Where the golden path once laid out, there was a gravel path with vines as an outline. I cocked my head to the side in confusion and followed the path.

After walking for what seemed like an eternity, I stopped at a glowing door. I couldn't even see what material it was made of, all I saw was the glow. It was a beautiful deep blue but seemed to be radiating a dark energy. I tentatively walked towards it and put my hand on the doorknob. Once my fingers touched it, I felt a bolt of dark energy surging through my skin. It burned and I could barely move my arm to let go, but I refused to show weakness and held in my screams.

Eventually, I got my hand free and saw a small mark appear on the back of my hand. It looked like a circle with some sort of crescent in the center. I took a quick picture with my phone, that was still in my pocket, and held it in pain as I thought of a way to open the door.

"Use the key," I heard a soft voice whisper. It sounded so familiar. The voice was calming, melodic, and obviously female. I looked around to see if I could find the source and, sure enough, I saw a golden orange light behind me. Transfixed, I listened to what it had said. I took off my silver chain and held the key in my small hand. Then I noticed something...off.

"But there's no lock," I said to the voice.

"Tap the knob with the key. When you arrive in the room, don't touch anything and don't give into the darkness. I will always be here to guide you and keep you safe, my dear Emerald," she answered. I was confused. What darkness would I have to face?

"Wait, what's your name? Who are you?" I asked in response. The voice giggled.

"You and I know each other quite well, and we will truly meet when your journey is complete," she answered.

"Thank you," I smiled. Turning back to the door, I tapped the knob with my key and it swiftly swung open. I gasped in awe and fear of what was inside. There was a girl, a bit older than me, chained to the wall. Her deep blue hair was waving in the cold breeze that somehow made its way into the metal room. Her tanned skin looked quite smooth and beautiful. I couldn't see any of her other features, for her hair was covering it all.

I slowly walked towards her as quietly as I could. I was terrified. She gave off a very dark aura and it was, in fact, painful. Suddenly, I heard a small crunch underneath my feet. I looked down in fear to see that I had stepped on a vine. My downward cast was lifted when I heard the girl groan. She looked at me with the more horrifying features I'd ever seen.

There were blood red eyes with a pupil similar to that of a cat's. Her nose was pointed and sharp. Then, there was her mouth. Her lips were coated in silver lipstick with black fangs clearly seen. She looked at me and gave a sly smirk that clearly showed the black daggers that were her teeth.

"It is good to see you, Emerald," she whispered. Her voice seemed similar to that of a snake's, sharp and uninviting.

"H-how do you know me?" I stuttered in fear. My heart was pounding out of my chest.

"You do not remember me? Little one?"