Inexperienced Heart

Chapter 23: Breaking the Bond

That morning, Landa told the others of her experience last night. They were shocked and concerned.

"Is Capriana Palson evil, Galadriel?" Landa finally asked after they had gotten over the strange happenings of last night.

"So-so," he answered. "Why?"

"It's just that you said she was evil, but she didn't act evil. She was really pleasant in greeting her son."

"Well, that's to be expected. She does love her son. She's not evil compared to her husband. I think she's more like Roco. She doesn't like being evil, but everyone views them as if they're evil. They're a symbol of evil, so people don't expect something different."

"What changed Roco? Why isn't he evil anymore?" Landa pressed.

Galadriel's answer amused Landa. "You," he said.

"No, seriously, what changed him?" Landa persisted.

"I am serious," Galadriel argued. "You changed him."

"What do you mean? How?" Landa did not think this was funny if it was a joke. It was irritating her.

"Really, it's obvious. You're beautiful for one thing, so Roco got attracted to you. You're nice. You have a temper. Boys love a girl with a temper. He liked you and became good for you. Just ask Logan," Galadriel explained.

"Yeah, it's all true," confirmed Logan unhelpfully. Landa sighed in annoyance and dropped the subject. Landa told Galadriel what Roco said to her in order for the curse to be reversed, how she has to be in front, how the others have to be behind her, and all the details.

"Sounds fine. Did Roco say how far we have to be behind you?" commented the wizard.

Landa shook her head, noticing her loose hair about her face for the first time in a long time. To her annoyance, Logan flattered her with a "Nice hair" compliment. She looked at him to see if he was serious or if he was mocking her. He was wearing a wide idiotic grin that made him look drunk. Landa turned away, dismayed. Logan was not serious!

She turned to Galadriel, but he had the same look as Logan! Goltin was no different. Landa was frightened. She knew something was terribly wrong with her friends, but she didn't know what. She had no idea what to do.

An idea came to her mind. Roco! He may know! But even that brings another problem. How was she to locate him right now? He was probably being punished currently. Landa did not want him to risk his life again for her.

Her friends did not look like themselves. How was she to help them? How was she to restore them? She stood up slowly and watched her friends' movements. They did not even glance up. As she was walking away from them, she noticed that they were unconscious of her actions. Soon, she could not see them.

Landa walked blindly, hoping to find Lost Surfer's Hollow and Roco by chance. Straight ahead of her, she saw a boy with blonde hair coming towards her. It could be Roco! But what a coincidence! As she got closer, she knew it was Roco. She stopped and waited for him to join her. He stopped directly in front of her.

"Roco," began Landa, "I'm sorry. You have risked your life so many times for me. I appreciate it, but I don't want you to be cruelly punished. Please, will you help me one last time? My friends, they're-they're not themselves and I don't understand."

"I will help you, whether it's the last time or not. Your friends are being controlled, not by my father, but by Xenos. You were controlled by my father and no one can stop him, but Xenos is less experienced in the art of Controlles Magna-"

"Controlles Magna?" Landa asked in puzzlement.

"Yes. That is how you control people or hypnotize them. If you show me where your friends are, I will break Xenos' bond with them. I will explain the bond idea," Roco added as he noticed Landa open her mouth in question.