Air Kingdom

Chapter 57-Light

Father had called Hudson to join him while we made our way to the MA. He happily agreed and the two were chatting like old friends. I walked next to Rodas, making sure to keep a safe distance away from him. It was going to be nasty if people found out I was cheating on Hudson. A rush of guilt went through me. How long am I going to keep lying to him?

Another hour won't kill him. A voice taunted.

But it'll hurt him more. Another voice shot back.

My mind squelched them as we walked in the room. The last time I was in this room, the MA was flashing with bright, neon lights and buzzed with life. Now, the machine was off and there was an uncomfortable silence. It was grey and looked dejected. I gave it a sad look. Hudson, who pulled away from my Father, squeezed my hand.

"Don't worry, Emma. It'll be up and running in no time."

I stared at the boy whose heart I was about to break. "Hey Hudson, can I talk to you later?"

"Hmm, oh sure. Anything you want." He replied, shrugging like it was no big deal. But I knew better.

"Wizards," my father said, his deep voice cutting through conversations. "Would you please join me up front."

He said it like an order, not a request. The four of them moved forward, receiving a small round of applause. My father ushered them forward past the fence and around a massive, glass container that reached all the way up to the roof. It was empty, but I vaguely remembered it being full of magic and small orbs of light floating inside.

They moved forward and surrounded it and held their hands up as if they were offering something to the heavens. Everyone held their breaths even I did. The only people who saw this happened were dead as it took place 200 years ago. Maybe Sydney saw it but it was safely tucked away in my bag. I didn't want to miss any second of this. Simultaneously, a small circle of magic appeared in each of their palms. I remember Dylan showing me his and I saw the little luminous, turquoise ball again. Sam had a purple one and Rodas had brown while Natalie carefully held her red orb.

Nothing happened at first for a while. Then a small spark of each of their circular life force broke off and flew in the air, tangling together until they unified as one. Mesmerized, everyone watched as the globe of light flew into the MA, defying physics. The second it reached the glass container, the MA shot up with life and whirred. Everyone cheered and clapped but stopped when we felt a shift in the floor. I grabbed onto Hudson who steadied me before I fell. People were running out the room to see what was happening. A shout from outside made my heart swell with joy.

"It's working! We're floating back up into the air!" A butler shouted.

Sounds of happiness filled the air as everyone hugged their loved ones and congratulated the Wizards. They looked extremely pale and ready to collapse any moment. My father saw this as well.

"What happened today should be marked into history. But for now, let our heroes rest, they are exhausted from the great feat they had just performed. But, we will have a celebration to commemorate their brave actions and their comrades with the whole kingdom.
Butlers, please escort each of them to their rooms."

Eight butlers made their way to the front where the Wizards and my friends were. I tried to make my way to them when Hudson grabbed my wrist.

"Where are you going?"

"To the front. Wanna come?"

He nodded eagerly. "Hell yeah! It's not every day you meet a Wizard."

With a lot of pushing and squirming, we made it through. I introduced Hudson to everyone who seemed awfully interested in Natalie. He kissed her hand and started asking her questions, wanting to get to know her. Despite her exhaustion, Natalie agreed to talk to him after he whispered in her ear. The pair walked off away from the crowd, occasionally glancing at Rodas and me.