24 Dreams Of You And Me

90) The Final Straw

"She never seemed shattered; to me, she was a breathtaking mosaic of the battles she's won."

***

Pieces began fitting in Levi's mind like a jigsaw puzzle. He felt a hollowness inside him.

"Dear God," he whispered and took his phone out. He dialled Robb's number but he didn't pick up. He mumbled a combination of prayers and curses as he dialled Rachel's number.

She picked up on the last ring.

"Levi?"

He felt as if life came back into him. "Rachel, stop Robb right now!" He shouted.

"What, I don't-"

"Now! Tell him to stop! We don't have all the ingredients! Now, go!"

Back in the dungeon, Robb had mixed four ingredients together and was reading the words off the paper that Alice Cahill had given to Levi for the procedure.

She turned around and shouted, "stop, you can't complete the ritual!"

Robb groaned. "Ah, now what?" He scrunched his face up. Will I ever get to do anything in peace? He thought.

"Uh.. Levi says we don't have.." She said to Robb and then paused. Then she said into the phone, "what'd you say?"

"Rose! Purple rose! There's another!"

"Right. Rose. There's another one." She repeated to Robb.

"What?" He narrowed his eyes and Rachel turned the speaker on.

"What do you mean, there's one more? How'd you know?" Robb asked.

"I found it with a soldier." Levi said and looked down at Trisha and the flower in the box. He hadn't yet touched it. His eyes went to the cabin and spoke, "Robb, get your brother and Rachel here along with the ingredients. You've not used them, right?"

"Not all. Just four."

"Okay, good. Bring the mixture along. We might have to do it here."

They hung up and Levi hid himself behind the trees, waiting for them.

Robb and Rachel explained the situation to the Angels. Crystal was no longer present. Robb tried to overlook it so he could focus on her last wish; getting the spirits where they belong.

The Angels were astonished to know there ritual wouldn't have broken the spell world, let alone kill Aradia. A little persuasion and reminding them that gates were open, Alyssa was MIA, and once these ingredients were used, they'll be a waste so they had just one chance. The Angels agreed.

They said they'll hold Aradia until the Walkers destroy the flower in their spell, but not without stating that they'll provide no special protection. Their motive was only Aradia and they wouldn't mind causalities.

Regardless, Robb accepted.

"Ian's resting in my room. I'll go get him." He walked away.

....

The Angels teleported Robb's car to the backside of the cabin. Ian was strapped to the passenger seat.

"I wanna help, Robb." He said to his little brother as he got to his side.

Rachel watched them from the window, while standing behind Robb.

"You can't," Robb smiled. "Even if you could."

"How did you get so.." Ian couldn't speak anymore. His voice was too hard.

"Rest, Ian. I'll be back soon."