Flower Falls and Crystal Calls

Through the Gate Again

Chapter 49

Elle immediately headed for the ladder, but Kurt grabbed her arm again. He was giving her an incredulous look. "You can't just say something like that and run off without an explanation! What- how? I can't even."

She was nearly frantic as she grabbed her brother's hand. "I don't have time to explain it all, but I can say that I walked away once. I can't do it again. I finally found a place that I belong. I thought it was right to come back here, but I've been nothing but miserable. I love you, but-"

He held up both hands. "Wait. Are you telling me you have gone through that gate once already?"

She made a frustrated noise at the delay but answered. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. I know this is sudden, but I don't want to miss this chance."

He looked in her eyes for several moments before he stepped toward the stairs. "Okay, fine. Let me go down first, so you don't fall, and for crying out loud, give me at least enough time to send a message to Pops. It will kill him if we both disappear without any clue what happened."

She froze as she realized what he was saying. He was already halfway down the ladder and looked up expectantly. "I thought you were in a hurry."

She looked down with shock. "I am. What are you talking about?"

He huffed and waved her down from the bottom. "I already told you. It's been me and you for years. If you're going to go on god knows what kind of adventure, I'm going with you." When Elle opened her mouth to protest, he shot her a glare. "Nuh-uh. Don't even bother."

She glared at him and hurried down the ladder as fast as she could. When they were both at the bottom, she grabbed his arm. "You can't throw your life away like this! You have college and your friends. You have a future here!"

He scoffed. "I have drinking buddies, and potential for a nice, long, boring career. No deal. I'm going, so quit arguing."

As aggravated as Elle was at her brother's stubborn streak setting in now of all times, she was a little glad that he wanted to go. That this happened when he was with her. Still, she was worried. "Fine, I won't argue, but I don't know if you will be allowed through it."

He gave her a sidelong look. "Why not, if you can?"

Both of their heads shot up at the sound of a woman's voice. "Edelweiss, you are being given a choice, though I cannot keep this open much longer. I see no reason why your brother could not attend as well if he is truly willing."

Elle turned to see a woman standing next to the gate. Something about her face was familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. She walked to the edge of the portal and gave the woman a curious glance. "Who are you?"

The woman gave her a soft smile as she reached out and put her hand on Elle's shoulder. "Do you not already know?"

Elle almost thought the woman looked like an older version of Yeul, but there was something else about her that was different. Some feeling that pulsed in her veins. It wasn't until she once again felt the tingle of her magic as it spread through her chest at the woman's touch that she understood. "Etro!"

The goddess smiled and nodded. By that point, Kurt stepped next them both and looked between them. He gave the goddess a wide-eyed stare. It was several seconds before he was able to speak. "I sent Pops a message. I told him we went on a trip, so not to worry. I also said we love him, and told him not to be concerned about us no matter what he hears."

Elle closed her eyes as a wave of emotion passed through her. She was excited and relieved that her brother could go and wanted to. She was also nervous about her return, but most of all, she was looking forward to seeing her friends again. She grabbed her brother's hand and stepped forward. She looked at the goddess once more and wondered briefly if there was more to her assumption about Yeul and the goddess than she thought.