Crustel

Chapter 9

  I felt warmth. I was nervous as the ceremony went on. The sky dusked and the shadows got long and hard. It was really a long day. Lama sat beside me. The eagle conducted the ceremony. The holy songs were sung and the circle was decorated with beautiful flowers from the royal garden. I was expecting a miracle. "Lama, can we bring mom. I haven't seen her for a very long time," I asked Lama calmly. He understood my feelings. Everyone would expect to be with their loved ones during important occasions. So do I. Lama patted my shoulder with his paws. The last time he did that was when I was crying after I heard the terrible news; the Lanshiren girl who killed my dad and grandfather at the war. He reminded me of that moment. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

 The ceremony was starting as one by one my ancestors surrounded me. Every male spirit was in dark blue and female spirit in black. I recognized Bargan, dad, and grandfather. Everyone else looked different but I greeted them in our traditional way. We sang holy songs and showed them the place to stand. When everyone was standing at their place, there was space for another one to stand. I was wondering who it might be. Someone tall, loosen dirty blonde hair, with a tiara on her head walked and stood to complete the circle. It was my mother. I was so excited. I wanted to hug her. I tried to get up but Lama pulled me down. If I get up, the ritual will be incomplete. I waved at mom. She smiled and waved me back. I could witness her watery eyes. It was the tear of joy in her eyes. 

  "Now, the Madzitateguru begins...The test starts in few minutes. The first test is about your knowledge about your powers." As Lama instructed, I didn't know how to react because I lost touch with my power practices years ago. One of my ancestors, she was the first female leader of Crustel, commanded me, "Cora, turn yourself into something that can fight against a giant wild elephant. You will have to defeat the elephant," fear ran through my blood. My body was cold. I was shivering. I was puzzled. I couldn't take a wise decision. Before I transformed myself into something, I heard an elephant's trumpet sound. I turned myself into a lion. I thought as the lion was known as the king of the forest, maybe I would be able to defeat the elephant.

The elephant went wild. I roared so hard. My voice was so strong but it was not enough to scare off the elephant. I roared again from my core, till my ancestors shut their ears but it made the elephant wilder. It came running towards me so fast. I jumped over it and landed behind the elephant. It tried stomping on me. I grabbed its tail. It swung me so fast and hit me on trees. I flew away from the elephant and landed on mud. I couldn't even get up to change myself into some other animal form but it was too late. All I saw, at last, was the elephant was about to stomp me with its gigantic leg. I knew my ancestors or Lama would save me but there was another bitter truth. I failed my first test. "It couldn't be happening" I reminded myself but it was too late. The elephant disappeared. 

  After the elephant disappeared, Ethan ran towards me. "Are you alright? I was so frightened. I wanted to help you but I am not powerful enough," Ethan asked me but my dad pulled him and threw him aside. My jaw opened wide seeing Ethan flying. "I thought you were different. You are but disappointingly different. I am ashamed of you. Come and face the music." Dad and grandfather growled at me. I was ashamed. I got up and turned back into my human form. I walked near to the circle. I could witness everyone were upset. Even Lama. I turned him down this time. That hurt me.

  "Cora! We told you to think wiser. Choosing small animals like mouse or ant might have been wiser. Wild elephant and lion was not a great choice but we still had hope in your strength and we realized that it was a useless hope." Bargan sighed. I knew what they were going to tell next. The second chance. If I miss it too, I won't be able to save Crustel. Things were becoming more serious. The ancestors went a bit far and discussed my second chance. I was accompanied by Ethan and Lama. Suddenly, the ancestors came back. "We have made a decision. If you fail this second test, we are afraid that our enemy will take over Crustel and you definitely know what happens then. Crustel would vanish. If you want to get that throne and save Crustel don't miss this second chance! We believe in you but don't turn us down. You have two weeks to practice your powers with your mother and Lama," everyone faded at once except Lama, mom and Ethan.

    I was elated to see mom back and safe. Not much safe but she was with me. I hugged her tightly. "Mom, why did Bargan kidnapped you?" mom laughed. "Some things need to be confessed about its seriousness its own way. It was my plan. I knew when you and Erica went to Crustel without telling me. I thought you might know the history of Crustel there but you came back of the fear that you might be burned. At that point, I was upset with you." Mom explained. I was looking at the ground as truth gave me a tight slap. "Mom, so you're Queen Mounja?" Mom nodded. "Then who was Queen Mounja in Crustel before you came?" I asked her again. "You know Tranquets like to transform into my form. You know right that we have arrested some for turning into my form for more than twice?" Mom questioned me back but something hit me. "Mom, is Erica really Lanshiren? I mean she told me that she is the daughter of Queen Mounja," my question made mom puzzled. "Cora, you know right that Lanshirens love to lie? She used you. My only fear is, when you have the necessary to fight against your ex-best friend, you might fail...Don't forget about Crustel. Now she is a traitor. Not your best friend anymore." Mom made it clear but I couldn't accept the fact. Erica might be different too.