Stellarlune - KOTLC Book 8.5 Fanfic

Chapter 41

"Whoa."

That was the only word that everybody could say as they stared at the new hideout.

Whoa.

Sophie couldn't believe her eyes, when they were leaped to a place full of shimmering crystals, reflecting every colour there was, even black. Though it seemed like a peaceful darkness. The colours almost looked transparent, which gave the welcoming feeling, that it had nothing to hide. In fact, the whole place radiated peace and harmony. Even the Councillor's castles didn't look this extravagant. With transparent crystal stairs that showed the beautiful underground garden that looked like it had came straight out of a fairy-tale, and shiny golden railings, twinkling high rooms above that looked exactly like starlight. She had thought she'd seen a castle. But this was a real castle. It seemed as if it had all the elements intertwined with it, yet the end result wasn't horrific. It was... Unbelievable. The shape of it reminded Sophie of the Disney castles, though the Disney castles were nothing compared to this.

"It's -" Biana started, awestruck. "I can't even describe this..."

They all were quiet for a few seconds, admiring the hideout. Sophie even spied Mr. Forkle getting misty eyed.

Mr. Forkle cleared his throat.

"Now, shall we get introduced?" he asked.

Sophie couldn't bring herself to nod, her senses weren't working. She had never seen anything so... exotic.

Mr. Forkle led them up the stairs, and Linh brushed her fingers across the railings. So did Dex. The front doors looked as if made of a waterfall, and Mr. Forkle met eyes with Linh, and she nodded softly, opening the doors with a small flourish of her hands. Sophie held her breath, as the doors revealed the interior.

The inside was completely made of crystal, or so it seemed. Tam was staring at the dark crystals, hand reached out, eyes closed, appearing to be in deep thought. While Biana was examining a hole in the delicate crystal wall, that suddenly revealed a piece of crystal covering it once she closed her eyes as well. Dex was examining the whole place, soaking it in, as if the structure alone, made him awestruck. Fitz looked also deep in the interior, embracing the atmosphere of it. Sophie could also feel a silent lure and hum, towards different directions. A flourish of her emotions that she could read more clearly, a silent song that made her somehow understand what prophecy the castle beheld before them. A lure to the top of the castle, to jump, and embrace her future, or just run, free, with no worries, in harmony, and sink inside. Another feeling of being one with her friends, to help them increase their skill, to give them a boost. Give them hope. The whole place felt like a reminder to her, of what she and her friends were meant to be, and if that wasn't possible, how they would face their future together. Mr. Forkle broke her from her thoughts, as he cleared his throat.

"You kids will -" he stuttered, and stopped at a whisper.

Nobody answered, too enthralled into the scene.

Mr. Forkle finally walked forth, into the expanse, triangular area, until he came to a misty crystal door. There were many identical doors surrounding the area as well, all mysterious than ever. Sophie suddenly had the very instinct to run the doors over, but somehow found the instinct to hold herself, as Mr. Forkle gestured for them to come over. Everybody's footsteps clicked and clacked onto the gentle yet fierce spiral of colours decorating the crystal floor.

"This is your room, Tam." Mr. Forkle smiled as Tam walked over, raising his eyebrow. They were getting separate rooms? Mr. Forkle directed them to their individual rooms until he called Sophie up.

"Miss Foster," he stated, pointing to the door. Sophie reached her hand out, anticipation rising up her stomach, and opened the handle, to find a cozy, expanse area, somehow styled similar to Havenfield. It was truly amazing. She wasn't sure if she had seen something more bitter sweet, but she could definitely make it count in the top ten. The room was organized somewhat, how her human room had been like, while the decoring was like Havenfield's. The thought of Havenfield reminded her of the heartbreaking fact that it was no longer a home. She wasn't sure if she would live without it forever, but knew she had to keep away for now, for her safety. Though, she also wondered, where Edaline and Grady were. They had to be safe. The Collective would take care of them. Or she hoped they would. She would have to ask about it soon. Sophie stepped out of the room, worrisome shadowing her eyes. How could have she forgotten?

"Now, this place was built very recently," Mr. Forkle started, before Sophie could fit in a word. "It took a lot of work from our gnomes, and dwarves, yet they managed to finish it off before this phase of the crisis started. We thought, you kids may need a reminder. A reminder that you're united, but all have your own physical strengths. Where you came from. How much you've grown. This may not make sense now, but it will start to unravel once you explore and take in these sights a bit more." They all nodded, and Sophie calmed herself, trying to be open-minded, and have a bit of logic. Though what if her parents were not safe?

"What about my parents?" she asked, giving in to the temptation to break the long silence. "Are they in a different place?"

"Yes," Mr. Forkle answered. "Everybody is safe, right now, we thought it may be better to place you in different places. Half for anonymity, and another for a different reason." Sophie's heart thumped in relief. But what had been the other reason? She opened her mouth to ask that very question, but Mr. Forkle started talking.

"You kids please go to your room, or explore, this place is all yours. I and Granite have to meet, and we will not be back for a day, so take care of yourself, everything you need is here," he said, crossing his arms and fixing each of them with a hard glance, as if he expected them to own up to the responsibility. They all nodded grimly, and Sophie found herself pushing herself back from the questions she wanted to ask. Over the years, she had definitely learnt that she wouldn't get all the answers she wanted in a snap. Though maybe she and Biana, Tam, Dex, Fitz, Linh could discuss the upcoming plans. They had lots to do. And little time. Keefe could be getting tortured at the very moment, as much as Sophie hated to admit, but they had to pace themselves and be patient, as well as be reasonable.