Crustel

Chapter 16

  I got the gem and ran towards mom and Lama. They were excited and needless to say  Aunt Ayari was disappointed. I showed the shiny green gem but it was not as shiny as Emerald's dad's gem. One of my ancestors took it and asked for my wand. I handed my wand and they started singing holy songs. The gem of my wand was glowing and green sparks were sparkling around my blue gem. The magic of tranquets united in my wand. I felt the power. Suddenly, my amulet glowed. It was a message from the sorcerer. I ran far from them. I peeked, no one was watching me. They were waiting for Emerald to announce the winner. 

  I opened my amulet. The book floated. An image appeared. To my horror, Emerald's attacked by tranquets. She was about to be killed by her own father with a sharp sword! I couldn't believe my own eyes. Then, Emerald grabbed the sword and protected herself. She was about to kill her own father now! This scene was going to happen at the Aventurine mine. The image vanished. I hid the book inside my amulet. I turned back to see whether Emerald has arrived. To my dismay, mom was standing behind me. She was looking at me with her startled eyes. "Cora, what happened to the sorcerer?" She asked me worriedly. "Mom, he is at the aventurine mine..." I tried to lie but mom caught me. "Cora, don't lie to me! Where is he?" she asked me furiously.

   Suddenly, Lama roared. I was shell-shocked. We ran towards him. "What happened Lama?" I asked furiously. Lama pointed our ancestors. "Emerald is in danger. Mounja, only you can save her! Please..?" Aunt Ayari cried. My mom ran and jumped into the river. After few minutes she came back with Emerald. Emerald fainted. After her first aid, my ancestors officially announced that I was the winner of the first round. Ethan came near me and congratulated me. Suddenly, my ancestors announced about the second round but it was time for Emerald's coronation at the Aventurine mine. I had had to follow her. "The second fight is tomorrow morning before sunrise! We will tell you about it tomorrow. Now, you both better get rest!"They told with the same tone.

   I kept my eyes on Emerald. She was too weak to attend any ceremony. Erica flew towards me and sat on my shoulder. She whispered, "Cora, it's time for Princess Emerald's coronation. We have to go there!" I couldn't deny it. I turned myself into an eagle. We flew to the mine. I transformed into a butterfly as I turned Erica back to her human form. I waited at the entrance. I saw the leader of the tranquets was wandering around. He was worried about his daughter. I heard the horses neighing sound. I wondered how did she have the willpower to attend the coronation ceremony after fighting with tranquets. She got down from her carriage. She walked so tiredly. Her arrogance left as tiredness overtook her. They went inside the mine. It was so beautiful but I knew if I hit the wall, I might die there. I flew in carefully. I sat on Erica's shoulder. She covered me with her hair.

  One of the tranquets started the ceremony. First, Erica was crowned as The Head of Lanshirens. She was nervous. She sat in her chair. Next was Emerald's turn. She tripped on the steps. Fortunately, her dad grabbed her. "Sorry daddy," she whispered to him. The leader of the tranquets was worried. He crowned her as the new queen of tranquets. Emerald was wearing a tiara which was made of former tranquet's queen's gem. It was as shiny as her father's. The ceremony finished. I had to stop the blast. I whispered to Erica, "What about the aventurine blast?" her eyes got wider. "Cora, the blast is planned to be done on your second chance test day. How did you know about it?" She questioned me. I replied to her, "Can you walk me till the mine's entrance? I need to get back." She walked me to the entrance. I turned into an eagle form and flew away.

   When I landed in the forest, I turned back into my human form. Ethan saw me. He sprinted towards me. "Cora! Cora! Cora!" He was shouting. "WHAT?" I growled. He slowed down. "We have to go to the secret library! " He was almost screeching. "Are you kidding me? Tomorrow is my second fight! I need rest, Ethan!" I tried to be calm. "Your mom and Lama are heading there. They just went! I think your mom is worried about the sorcerer. We need to tell her." I understood his thought. I nodded. We turned into eagles and flew to Corta. We entered the library. Just like that day, I created a levitating fireball. To my horror, blood filled the floor. I held Ethan's arm. He was frightened too. We tiptoed to know whose blood it was. The moment I saw whose it was, I was broken. Lama was killed. I saw him in his human form. He always spent his time as a black powerful panther. For the first time after so many years, I saw his human face. I was able to recognize him.

   There was a note on the wall. It was written in our ancient Witches Language. I used my wand to translate it. The note said: Cora, this test is meant for you. Only for you! Well, you absolutely don't need a big cat's advice. If you want my gem, fight with me. If you really loved and respected that huge cat, COME AND FACE ME ALONE! I hope you knew who am I...

  My anger burst into tears. I cried. I couldn't accept the fact that Lama was no more. The wrath in me grew. I wanted to kill him, The Leader of the Tranquets right at that moment. He must have turned himself to look like mom. I got up with rage but Lama's lessons calmed me. All of sudden, I heard someone's voice. It was very familiar. "Cora, I am always with you!" It was Lama. That's the last sentence I heard from him. Ethan and I sat beside Lama and cried. We knew we had to do his last rituals. Ethan went to bring mom. I didn't even have the willpower to stand. Lama's death completely broke me down!