A Tale of Traitors

The Assassin--Part 5

      Adresin had barely finished attempting to getting answers out of an unconscious Syrnafin when his phone started beeping. He hadn't gotten much from Syrnafin except that Willow was in Realm Five. Adresin wandered the chilly streets of Earth as he read the multiple texts he had received from spies across every realm. Rebellion in Realm Five. Spirits ordered there immediately. Disruption in the wreckage of an ancient pirate ship. His eyes widened in disbelief. Willow was seriously going on a quest for some piece of a mystery weapon that only she believed existed. Well, they. She wasn't alone in her belief. Adresin had encouraged her to locate it until he saw how dangerous it was. She had found some kind of flash drive from one of Tormod's army generals, and she believed it hid the key to building the weapon. He was excited when she showed it to him. Then he realized what he was getting her into. He warned her there would be plenty of challenges, that it would be a hard journey—even for someone like her. He practically assured her she'd die if she tried to assemble the weapon. But, being the person she is, she asked him to help her. Just because of the person she is, he said he would.

He didn't regret deciding to help her take down the king.

He did regret getting her into this particular mess.

Maybe if he hadn't helped her in the first place, she'd still be safe. With him. They'd be happy.

Better yet, maybe if he hadn't gotten involved with her at all, she wouldn't be in any danger. He never would have had the chance to put her through that pain and now... whatever this was. She was going to die, surrounded by selfish strangers, with not a clue who she truly was. She deserved better than that. 

Fueled with fresh determination and, more importantly, anger, Adresin forced the stubborn griffin to swallow the water breathing potion. He figured it would be incredibly weird for the winged beast to explore the ocean floor, but he knew he couldn't part with the animal. They were alone against the rest of the universe—at least, until Willow remembered who he was—and it would be unfair and unwise to leave his faithful, winged friend hidden somewhere on Earth where he could be found by spirits.

So, they launched into Realm Five.

     Adresin was there, watching, as Willow slipped right into Realm Eight. He was calling her name, urging the griffin to go faster as her body fell unconscious into the arms of her new friends. He even screamed after the professor, who saw him and hurried Willow through the portal. He hated the feeling of being so close and still unable to help her. How had they managed to rip a hole into Realm Eight without his father knowing? At least, it must be Realm Eight... how--it didn't matter. He mumbled every spell he could think of, which was... a blend of a few spells...

With thoughts not forming nearly as fast as they should, and a griffin that was having a really hard time swimming without panicking, Adresin finally stumbled over the border in hot pursuit of the traitors he sought.