Allies of Plaxas

Chapter the sixth: Opal

"I can't do it!"

I frown and concentrate harder on the object. "Come on, Ruby. Concentrate. I know you can do it. Concentrate harder. Please, just try."

Mitali paces back and forth in front of us, studying our actions. "Ruby, straighten up your posture a bit. Focus more on the object's matter. And try to get a link with your sister. Since your power had been split, it's easier when you two are working together."

I slip into her mind, mentally squeezing her hand. Work with me, I tell her. You're always so used to working independently, but we need to work together now. It's the two of us against the world.

"You're doing it tonight, aren't you?"

I jump and my mind slips out of Ruby's, my concentration on the object diminishing. "What? Mitali, what did you say?"

"You're going to go down there tonight, aren't you? To try to find the remaining elf."

I glance at Ruby. "Ask her. I still think that we should work harder on using our powers together, but she insists we do it soon, before the last elf dies."

Ruby stays silent, still focused on the object.

Mitali nods. "That's a very good argument, but I feel that the two of you should see this before you go any farther," she snaps her fingers and an image appears from midair. It shimmers around the edges and it's slightly blurry, but you can still watch it fine.

Ruby's head snaps up. "A holographic vid. Those are pretty rare, right?"

Mitali nods approvingly. "You recognized it. Most people wouldn't. They are rare. I only have this one because....I stole it from my sister. But anyway. I thought that you two should see this video."

It shows a room at first. After five seconds or so, Saimad walks into the room. He sits at a desk in front of the computer and presses a button.

Instantly, a picture blooms onto the screen. The remaining elf stands there, the dark rocks of a cave behind her. "Saimad." she says calmly.

He nods. "Hello. You wanted to meet right now?"

"Yes. I want to talk. We are not fighting because we want war. We are here because we came to tell you a message."

He holds up his hand. "I do not want to hear it. The elves have never seeked help from the humans before, why should we help you now?"

She nods. "I don't want to tell it to you. I want you to send three of your students to my cave tomorrow night. I will tell them there. And they will decide whether to help us or not."