Mystic: Sword of Kragnor

Chapter Two, Part 1. Return of Rowan

For readability, this chapter has been split into three parts, though it is my recommendation you read both parts in one sitting if possible. If you enjoy this, a vote would be really encouraging to me. Happy reading :)

Katrina took a deep breath and looked around. The tables were packed with people; The sounds of chatting and laughing to good food filled the café, enhanced by the appetizing smell of hash browns, bacon, and waffles. The evening light poured through the large windows into the dining area, bathing the tiled floor and brick walls in rich orange light. It had been a hard day for Katrina, the evening rush was always busy, but usually, Katrina had Alex and Bailey to share the load with.

Katrina wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead, "I'm going out back for a few minutes" she said to one of her cooks, "I've got to take a break, cover for me."

The cook looked at the packed café before him and reluctantly sighed. Katrina weaved her way through the dishes and cooks to the back door. She began to open it, eager to take a short break, when she heard the bell go off alerting her a new customer had entered. Curiously she glanced behind her. Standing in front of the large glass door was a familiar grizzly figure, a wide smile on his face. Katrina quickly doubled back and hurried across the kitchen to meet him, "Rowan!" she shouted.

"Good to hear your voice again, old woman!" Exclaimed Rowan grinning, casually ignoring Katrina's costumers who now stare at him.

"Old woman!" Katrina scoffed, "This grey hair merely means I'm wise beyond my days! Can't say the same for you!"

"I think my lack of any hair is an even bigger testament to my all-knowing wisdom." Rowan chuckled, "Can't you see the light shining from my head?"

Katrina took a look at Rowan's shaved head and shielded her eyes, "Yes, the suns glare on your head is quite blinding."

"It's not a glare..." Rowan began, "Its wisdom."

A smile formed on Katrina's lips, glancing at the crowd of eaters awkwardly listening to their conversation.

"Would you like to go out back? Asked Katrina, "We have a lot to catch up on."

"I would love too."

They again walked through the kitchen, opening the loud metal back door and being greeted by large green boxes and concrete surroundings.

"It's not the most beautiful, or well smelling place to talk, but it is quite tranquil here." Said Katrina.

"Tranquil." Rowan began, listening to the sounds of nearby traffic, the honking of horns, the chatter and rustle still audible from inside the café, "That word must mean a lot less here on Earth."

Katrina nodded, "You get used to it in time. I think after all these years it will be hard to adjust to the true peace and quiet on Kronos. I am looking forward to finally coming back home, however."

Rowan paused for a second, "Do Alex and Bailey have any idea-"

"No," Katrina cut off Rowan, "I still haven't told them. That's been something I haven't looked forward to doing, I thought I could have you with me for that."

Rowan nodded, "Well, that's part of why I'm here. Speaking of which, where are those girls?"

"No clue," replied Katrina, "They were supposed to be back an hour ago to help me with the evening rush. Alex probably got them into some sort of shenanigans."

"Shenanigans?" questioned Rowan.

Katrina exhaled, "Yes, 'shenanigans.' I would rather not talk about it right now, their 'shenanigans' here won't matter for much longer anyway."

Rowan looked up to the sky as if in deep recollection, "I seem to remember a young woman who got into all sorts of shenanigans, often getting into deep trouble with the high council, known for her stubbornness and unquenchable spirit." Rowan then looked straight at Katrina.

Katrina couldn't help but grin, "I know, I know. She reminds me more of myself every day, but that's why I worry so much about her." There was a brief period of silence, "Anyway, tell me what's happened on Kronos since the last time I've seen you."

Rowan leaned against a concrete wall and began explaining long the things of Kronos, telling of his role in the wars of Cyrill, the growing fears of the council, the sightings of various monsters and beasts long forgotten, and much more. During Rowan's long retelling Katrina felt herself lose focus, she began to drift, her mind grew out of touch with reality.

Suddenly, she found herself in the back seat of a car. Katrina curiously looked outside the car window, lost was the quaint brick buildings of her street, now concrete structures towered above to each side of the road. Dazzling colorful graffiti contrasted vividly against the droopy concrete walls. A graffiti of an eloquent peacock stood out among the rest. She almost immediately noticed a ringing silence, though she could see all, she could hear nothing. Looking to her left, she saw Alex and Bailey sitting together tightly, their eyes seemed to be filled with some emotion- fear.

Katrina was intrigued, she must have dozed off during her conversation with Rowan, though she didn't remember being that tired. This was the most detailed dream she'd ever had- save one, the vision of her sister. Vision! Katrina thought, This is a vision! It must be.

Katrina now paid very close attention to her surroundings, the car was clearly not Bailey's, it had a black, leathery interior, a luxury car to be sure. Alex and Bailey looked scared, terrified in fact.

"Alex? Bailey? Can you hear me?" Asked Katrina.

Alex and Bailey's mouth moved, but Katrina heard nothing. Whatever Alex and Bailey were saying, it didn't seem to be directed at her. She then looked on in front of her where two men sat, both in a black suit. Who are they?  Katrina wondered, before a thought appeared in her head, Surely it can't be... the day before I take them back to Earth the hunters find them? Katrina dreaded what she would see, the last vision brought the death of her sister, would this bring the death of her niece?

Though a part of Katrina wanted desperately to wake up, she watched on, uneasily eager to see what would happen. If this was a vision of the future, her niece may yet have hope. Alex and Bailey continued talking for quite some time, then the men in the front began laughing, a fit of hysteria seemed to wash over him.

Suddenly the face of the man in the passenger seat violently contorted, his mouth widened and his jaw unhinged like a snake. Tentacle like tongues sprang from his mouth and wrapped around Bailey and Alex, and the girls desperately struggled to escape its grasp. The tongues squeezed around their neck beginning to suffocate them. Katrina watched terrified for several seconds before Alex and Bailey seemed to go limp and the man's tongues rapidly drew them both down into his wide mouth, swallowing them whole.

Katrina wanted to scream, to cry out for Alex and Bailey, but she couldn't. She was in complete shock, having just witnessed something out of her darkest nightmares. She continued to stare on for a little while taking in what she had seen before she realized the scene around her once more changed. She could hear again, the bustling sounds of New York returning to her ears. Rowan still continued his story, oblivious that anything had happened.

Katrina slowly got up, her knees shaking, her breaths heavy.

Rowan stopped, "Are you alright?"

Katrina stared off into the distance a second before getting her thoughts together. "Get in my car quickly!"

Rowan complied, immediately pacing to Katrina's rusty blue car. "Where are we going? What's wrong?"

"Alex and Bailey, I think they're about to find them, we need to get to them now!"