Tainted Soul • Lightwood. [ON HOLD]

T W E N T Y - S I X

The Seelie Glade. It looked like taken out of a fairytale, one that Justin used to read to Clary when she was younger. It was peaceful, and very beautiful.

"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore," Clary said as she admired the view. "Welcome to the Seelie Glade, Clary and Justin Fairchild," Meliorn said. "The remotest edges of it."

Justin was taken aback by Meliorn's words. He was practically the only one that didn't call him by his father's last name. And to be completely honest, he was glad.

"How did we get here?" Clary asked. "There are entrances all through the mundane world," Jace explained. "You just have to know where to look."

"Why did we have to come here to find my father?" Clary asked again. "Because of your necklace. And his bracelet. They're Portal shards," Meliorn told them. "Tell us something we don't know," Jace said, sarcastically.

"How does it work?" The Seelie questioned. "When I touch the crystal and I think of someone, I can see where they are," Clary amswered. "I'm curious, Shadowhunter, who knows so much about Portals, did you never wonder why these Portal shards don't behave the way normal Portals do?"

Justin, now that he really thought about it, realized that what Meliorn was saying was true, the rocks worked a lot differently than a normal Portal would. "Normal Portals can only take you to places you've been," Justin said. "I guess I never really thought about it," Jace added.

"I see Isabelle is the smart one in the family," Meliorn said, making Justin snort in amusement. The redhead recieved a look from both Clary and Jace which made him shut up. "Your Portal shard works the way it does because it's a piece of Portal from another dimension," the Seelie explained.

"Another dimension?" Clary asked. "You're saying there's a Portal in some other universe that can take us to anyone if we just think of them?" Jace questioned. "If you can find the only Portal still standing in that dimension... it will take you to your father," Meliorn finished.

"Okay, I know you guys don't like my comments but you've got to accept that's pretty awesome," Justin said. He recieved a scoff from Jace and a small chuckle from Clary in response, and he was happy with it. It was something.

They continued walking until Meliorn started speaking again. "These trees are where the alternate dimensions intersect the Seelie realm."

"How is it possible that the Clave doesn't know about your dimensional doorways?" Jace questioned the Downworlder. "They are our most guarded secret. We are their protectors. Only Seelies know of their existance," Maliron told him. "Then why are you telling us?" Clary asked him.

"I owe you a life debt... and I don't like being indebted to anyone," Meliorn answered. "What would happen if-" "If the Seelie Queen finds out I've shared this with you? I could be executed," Meliorn interrupted Clary's question.

"Well, we'll be extra careful then," Jace said. "There's no "we" in this scenario. Only Clary and Justin go in to find the Portal. My debt is to her, and he has the other piece," Meliorn told Jace.

"You've given us no reason to trust you, Seelie," Jace grumbled. "Actually, he did brought us here," Jace responded. Meliorn smiled at the boy, who he came to acknowledge just because Isabelle cared so much about him.

The Seelie then started to do some hand movements in front of the tree arc, energy pulsating out of his hands and moving tree leaves, opening the arc even more. Justin was mesmerized by the action, not taking his eyes of Meliorn's hands.

"This will establish a connection to the other dimension," Meliorn informed. "What's it like? The other dimension. Is it like this one? Clary asked him. "It is... but it isn't."

"Wow, that helped so much," Justin told him, rollimg his eyes in annoyance. "It is an alternate timeline, in a sense. There, Shadowhunters and demons no longer exist. And Downworlders have conformed to the mundane way of life to avoid detection," Meliron explained.

"Sounds like the dream life, if I'm being honest," Justin said. "What happened to the Shadowhunters?" Clary questioned. "Their services were no longer required, because they won the war against demons, centuries ago," Meliorn responded. "Once they sealed the rifts between their worlds... their culture faded away."

"I stand by my previous comment. That's the dream," Justin said once again. "Once you arrive in the alternate dimension, you will assume the body of the Clary and the Justin in that world. You will think and feel just like them," Meliorn told the siblings.

"But we'll still know we're us, right?" Clary asked. "We'll know we have to find thd Portal?" When Meliorn didn't answer, Jace looked at him with suspicion. "There's a catch. With Seelies, there's always a catch."

"Your alternate self could consume you if you let it," the Seelie said. "So, is there a way to not let it?" Justin asked. Okay, maybe that was not the life he wanted. To forget everything about this dimension? No thanks.

"Focus on the differences between that world and ours. Find something or someone to keep you grounded to this one," Meliorn answered. Justin shrugged his shoulders, thinking about the Lightwoods immediately. "It will be more difficult than you think. If you don't hurry, you could cease to be this world's Clary and Justin Fairchild."

"And be stuck in that world forever," Clary concluded. Meliorn nodded. Justin sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Nighttime came by pretty fast, the door to the other dimension almost ready. Justin was sat on the ground facing the arc of trees waiting to go in. Clary and Jace were a couple of steps away talking about who know what, not that Justin had any interest in finding out.

"It's time."

Justin quickly stood up, almost tripping as how fast he got up. He watched as Clary walked away from Jace and to stand besides him in front of Meliorn. "Meliorn, I appreciate the risk you're taking, but a life debt requires you ensure my safety." The Seelies looked at her then at Jace with slight disgust on his face before turning to Clary again sending her a nod and a smile.

"I'll agree to go with Justin... but if we find this alternate Portal, we won't be able to face Valentine on our own," Clary said. "They'll need backup," Jace stated.

Meliorn sighed deeply, closing his eyes. "If you find the Portal, you may come back for him. Shadowhunters need Seelie permission to go through. Only demons can pass through unaided."

The Seelie turned around, facing the door and started speaking another language Justin didn't know. The door opened, and Meliorn nodded to the Fairchild siblings. Clary walked through the Portal first, Justin following quickly after her.