Crustel

Chapter 17

    Mom came to the Library. It was midnight. I was sitting near Lama's corpse. I couldn't believe the truth. The bitter truth. Mom cried too. Ethan was strong. I saw his eyes. The pain was hidden in them but tears didn't fall. We took Lama's corpse back to the forest. We saw the disappointment in my ancestors too. They haven't left yet as the fight was not over. I remembered my ancient ability. I ran into the dark woods. No one noticed me, not even Ethan. I opened my amulet. The book levitated. I whispered slowly, "I need Lama's guidance!" The book levitated higher. I looked around to ensure that no one was noticing me. I heard the sorcerer's voice. "Cora, Lama was killed..." I cut him. "I know! I just need him back....or can't you bond his soul in this book?" There was only silence. 

  Suddenly, the amulet glowed but the book was outside and levitating. I was stunned. I knew what it meant. I saw a panther shaped light glowing around my amulet. I grabbed the book and locked it in my amulet. "We will be there for you! Always with you!" I heard Lama's voice. I smiled but realizing the rituals, I ran back to Mom and Ethan. It was about to finish. They buried Lama's corpse. Ethan pat on my shoulder, "I know how you feel, Cora... I wish this didn't happen. That tranquet is so in trouble." I cut him, "I know. You think Lama is defeated just like that?" He stared at me. Mom interrupted us as she held my hand, "Cora, I can understand your feelings. I know you're broken but you have left with no choice. Prepare for tomorrow's fight!" I just smiled. Mom was worried. I just went to my tent. 

  I sat on the edge of my bed. I laid on my bed. I couldn't sleep. Emerald's tent was beside mine. I could hear Emerald speaking to her mom. Aunt Ayari was shouting, "How come you couldn't kill any of those tranquets! You have to win the next two fight!" To my surprise, Emerald's reply was surprising. "Cora is too powerful now! There is no way I can win tomorrow. The utmost vital thing is, I can't kill any tranquets. I lived my childhood as a tranquet. Everyone loves me. I enjoyed being tranquet. I really loved being tranquet...until you came and destroyed my happiness!" Emerald was upset. I was shell-shocked. Her mother was outraged after hearing her reply! "YOU! Emerald, I know what you mean! You mean I destroyed your happiness? What do you think was making you feel happy? The power of the throne. Your dad's fame and power was the reason! I wanted you to be the queen of Crustel....and you...You are simply rejecting such opportunity!" That was really a thunderous voice. 

   "Cora, can't they be quiet for a while. I need rest. I was just killed and they are not giving me time to take rest?" Lama roared. I giggled. "Calm down. Wait! Who killed you? Was it the leader of the tranquets?" I shoot him with questions. I knew Aunt Ayari and Emerald would not hear as they were shouting but I wanted to be extra cautious. I peeked out, Mom went to her tent. Ethan was outside at my tent. I held his hand and ran to the dark woods. He was shocked. I shook my amulet. The figure of a panther glowing with red light was levitating between us. I saw Ethan's eyes as he was mesmerized. "Lama?" he whispered. Fortunately, Lama answered, "Yes kiddo! It's me. Before we discuss my death, I need to tell you guys something important. Erica is not a Lanshiren. She is a Taleasean, kidnapped by The leader of the tranquets. I wanted to meet Erica but I was unlucky. Cora, before sunrise, you have to find out about Erica's parents and her little brother because only Erica can control Aventurine!" I was speechless. So did Ethan.

   Ethan and I nodded. Lama got back into my amulet. It was already one o'clock. I had to come back before sunrise and I haven't slept yet. These missions were overtaking me. I have heard about Taleasean. They can control any magical stones but they can't overtake Crustelicians Magic. Taleaseans and Crustelicians are best friends. During the war, Lanshirens controlled Taleas before taking over Crustel. So, Erica should have been under their control but WHY? Who was Erica?

   Ethan shook me to bring me back to reality. "Ethan, do you have your sphere shield?" he nodded as I asked him excitedly. " We are heading to Taleas! Come on!" I said. Ethan's eyes got wider. "Are you kidding? It takes five hours to travel there. We don't have much time Cora!" he growled. It was really annoying. I just ran towards the Aura river. With no choice, Ethan followed me. "Aura for your service!" I commanded, "We need to go to Taleas in five minutes!" A boat was in front of us in no time. "Please tell that you're kidding me. How come we could go there in just fiveeee minutesss....!" as I pulled him into the boat, the boat was super fast. Just like my command, we were in Taleas in just five minutes! I saw the golden gate of Taleas. The magnificent entrance has every stone from all over the world on it. I was gazing at them. Needless to say, Ethan was gazing at the amusement of the beauty too. 

    We walked in. Everyone was sleeping. The guards were sleeping too. We tiptoed. We entered the castle. Actually, to be honest, we sneaked in. I knew sneaking into a castle as humans could cause us trouble. So, we changed into butterflies. We flew in. No one noticed us. When we entered, Ethan whispered, "What's your plan?" I whispered back, "We have to go to the dungeon! The former Taleas king, queen and their youngest son are in jail. They were sent to jail when the Lanshirens took over Taleas and Crustel." He understood. We flew towards the dungeon.