Liz shook her head furiously as if to shake something off. When she finally opened her eyes she looked at us horrified. “I’m so sorry,” she told us. “I’m sorry.” “Who is Wolvina?” we asked her. Liz stood and held her hand into the air palm outward and fingers spread apart. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I knew Liz was doing something to us. “Liz…” I started but didn’t get a chance to finish. I felt as though a veil had been lifted from my eyes. It was the feeling of just waking up, but then actually being awake after morning coffee. “I’ll come back for you I promise, ” echoed through my mind. “Ulrica,” I whispered. My eyes were open but I saw nothing, only Ulrica’s face. “Illusionist, what have you done?” Dane stormed into the room, teeth bared. His large chest heaved with suppressed rage, and the heat of his fury caused his sandy blond hair to cling to his forehead with sticky sweat. “I’m sorry!” she told us. I blinked and the room came spinning back. I jumped in front of Liz in time for Dane to crush his teeth against my armor. I pushed him back, and he stumbled into a table. “Calm down!” I ordered him. “Aaaagh!” screamed Adam. He clutched his stomach in agony and I noticed his eyes had turned yellow. I sucker punched him and he was out like a light.
“Quick thinking, Goldenflame, we don’t need another dragon on the loose,” Carmen complimented me. Honestly, I didn’t know that Adam was about to turn, after all I didn’t see him turn into a dragon the first time. I just felt like hitting something, but I didn’t tell Carmen that. I accepted her compliment with grace. The room grew loud as several Reciliux soldiers, Tio, Gonzo, and Cicero entered the room while Carmen began barking orders, “Dane,” she pointed at him. “Take Adam to the medical wing, instruct the medics to keep him pumped full of drugs so that he doesn’t wake up anytime soon,” she told him. “Why me?” Dane growled. “Because you are of no use here.” Dane started to argue, “Go now!” Carmen told him before he could object. Dane was seething with anger, but he flipped Adam onto his back as ordered, however, he didn’t care enough to watch his head as it banged against the doorway. “That’ll hurt in the morning,” I grimaced. “Why are we drugging Adam?” Liz asked Carmen. “Adam’s emotions are completely out of control. I feel the slightest disturbance, and we would be seeing Mr. Red and Scaly again. We can’t chance him in a fight right now.” Carmen told us. “Casper, what are you doing here?” Liz spoke to Gonzo, an apparition we had met when first discovering our powers. “I’m here for Wolvina actually,” he told her. “Yeah, well we’re working on that,” I told him. “Tio, I want five of your witches on the roof immediately,” Carmen told Tio. Tio only stared at her. “What are you waiting for?” I yelled impatiently. Tio ignored me, “You know as well as I that these witches are not as strong as you, Jade Magician, yet you would have me risk their lives over one wolf?” Tio questioned Carmen. “That one wolf fought to protect Earth you…you big horned twit!” I screamed at Tio. “They can handle it,” Carmen answered. Tio waited then nodded to one of her soldiers who then ran off down the hall. “Breaking into the Wind God’s strong hold means breaking the truce,” Tio told Carmen. I saw Carmen’s expression, saw her rethinking her orders. “I’m going with or without you,” I got in Carmen’s face, but she avoided my gaze. I didn’t care that she was the leader. I left Ulrica once, I wasn’t about to do it again. When Carmen didn’t answer me I began to leave the room. “Not necessarily,” said Gonzo. “What?” I asked him. “Wolvina is wanted for the murder of several humans. Therefore, under supernatural law she belongs in Reciliux custody. Your mission is to retrieve the wolf, which does not conflict with this truce I have just been informed about,” said Gonzo. I didn’t hear the part about Ulrica being under arrest. All I heard was that I had the green light to rescue her, and that was all I needed.
I left the room and sprinted to the rooftop not caring to see if anyone followed. The witches Carmen had asked for were already on the roof awaiting instructions from the Jade Magician. “Open the portal,” I ordered. Four of the witches took their necessary positions. The fifth witch did not move. “It’s ok, do as she says,” it was Carmen’s voice as she entered onto the concrete platform. The fifth witch then did as ordered. “Goldenflame, you have to go without us,” I looked to and from Carmen and Liz when Carmen told me this. Was I the only one who cared that Ulrica was back there? That she could be hurt or worse dead? I’m so stupid. I let myself fall for all of Carmen’s nonsense about teamwork and sticking together. Now she’s having me fight Fugin alone. Wow, what a great friend. “Emma,” said Carmen, but I stopped her. “Do not speak to me so informally in front of the Reciliux, Jade Magician. When this uniform is on..,” I addressed my ensemble, “...we are team mates not friends,” I told her coldly. Liz illusioned armor around her hand that mimicked my own and used it to slap me. It didn’t hurt of course, but it sure had a touch of the dramatic to it. Then she squeezed me tightly, burying her head in my chest, “We are friends first you idiot,” she told me. I was thankful for my helmet; it protected me from Carmen’s unrestrained gaze of disappointment. I hugged Liz, “It’s my entire fault you guys,” my voice broke, “Wolvina is only there because of me.” “Goldenflame, I have to stay here and keep the portal open. These witches are not strong enough to maintain it for too long. Taking Illusionist back into Fugin’s palace will be like taking two steps back. We just got rid of Fugin’s hold over her. If she gets captured again that whole mind walk deal will have been for nothing.
Komodo is unconscious, which is how he should stay. However, we will be sending in a team of Reciliux foot soldiers to back you up. Ok?” said Carmen. “They will only slow me down,” I sneered. Carmen untied her cloak and wrapped it around my shoulders. “What’s this?” I asked her. “For protection,” she told me. I started to protest, after all invincible armor kind of speaks for itself. “Humor me,” she requested. I accepted the cloak without complaint. Guilt seeped into my soul. It only took seconds for those nasty thoughts to infiltrate my brain. How could I think so low of Carmen and Liz? After everything we’ve been through. I wasn’t a very good person. I left Ulrica behind, and now she’s in danger and even when my friends are doing everything they can to help me, I’m selfish enough to think that it’s not enough. Life would be so much easier if I didn’t care. People think that caring for others is a good thing, but it only made me cruel. I care about Liz, so I left Ulrica lying under a pile of rubble to help her. I care about Cowboy, so when I found out he was being put into the tournament I freaked out on Adam. Caring about Ulrica is what made me yell at Carmen and caring about Carmen is what is making me feel like a worthless worm right now. Caring is too much Trouble.
“Hurry back,” said Liz, “If Adam wakes up and you’re not here, he’ll definitely grow a tail.” Adam…more than anything, I wanted him by my side.
Sparks flew and the portal grew before my eyes. Sharp wind forced many of the Reciliux soldiers to lose their footing. At the centerfold of the witches was Carmen, in all her strength. In the past year she had grown up more than I liked. She went from a giggling bookworm to commanding an army. I remembered Carmen’s expression when she found the sand bear in Fugin’s realm. She has such a soft heart. I decided that if I had the chance I would try and bring that sand bear back for her. “You are on a retrieval mission only understood? And this is a team effort so do not go gallivanting off without the Reciliux soldiers,” Gonzo told me. “What’s the matter? Don’t you trust me?” I asked him. “Not particularly,” he responded curtly. “Good, trusting blindly is a sign of weakness,” I wasn’t sure where that line came from, but it made me sound tough. The wind was so loud I had to yell into Liz’s ear for her to hear me, “Take care of Adam while I’m gone, ok?” I told her.
She nodded her head in agreement. “I’m coming, Ulrica,” I spoke to the wind. In an instant I was through the portal and in the demon dimension.
If these Reciliux soldiers had any delusions about me babying them they were shattered the moment we all stepped through that portal. I started running and didn’t look back. I sliced a path through the jungle using the blades protruding from my staff and the foot soldiers trailed behind me. My first time through this jungle I bumped into every tree imaginable until Adam carefully guided me through. I didn’t have time to find my way, so I just hacked at everything in my path. At this pace it wasn’t long before I reached a painted desert. I could easily fly across these red canyons and sand pudding. I turned to the soldiers layered heavily in black padding and already exhausted. If I didn’t find a way to make them stay in the jungle they would die of heat stroke before I could blink. There were twelve soldiers in all and they were huddled in a large group collapsed onto the ground to rest. “Everyone stand up. I have an announcement,” I instructed. The brain dead soldiers followed my orders obediently. I swiftly beat them over the head and tied them to the trees using their own belts. “This should keep you safe until I get back,” I spoke to the unconscious soldiers as I tightened the last belt. I shot into the air like a cannon. The three fiery inferno spheres above me drained all the energy I had. The heat was so intense I began to feel dizzy and weak. If my staff had feelings, I think it would be in pain. I thought the faster I went the more I would cool off but even that neglected to help. It took energy to control my staff and keep me balanced in the air…energy I no longer had. I could see the palace in front of me, “I’m coming, Ulrica,” the words barely escaped my dry throat and cracked lips until I crashed into a pillow of course sand.
“Claudius, wake up,” called a man with an Indian accent. “What did that bitch do to us Ujesh?” asked Claudius. The other ten soldiers slowly began to wake. “My head is ringing like a hammer,” groaned a man. Soon they were all struggling against the bindings that secured them to the trees. A few of the belts broke while others had to wait to be untied by their free comrades. The day had turned to night and the Reciliux soldiers were cold and confused. Stars lit up the sky like the lanterns of a Gorgon festival. “Where do we go?” asked Ujesh. “I don’t see the Angel,” said Joseph, the soldier with the red bandana. “It’s so cold,” complained one of the twelve. “Let’s get going. We are wasting time. We have to retrieve the wolf,” said Claudius. “Um sir, perhaps we should wait for the Angel here? I mean, we have no idea where we are or how to find the palace,” suggested a soldier by the name of Ryan. Claudius beat him down with a club, “We are on a mission that will be completed without fail. Anyone else want to back down?” he challenged the rest of the squad, but no one dared to speak up.
The Reciliux slowly began their climb down to the vast canyon below but when they finally reached the ground they found themselves surrounded. The group of twelve drew their weapons in defense. The Reciliux soldier’s main choice of weapon was chains that when wrapped around an opponent would electrify them. They were cornered against the canyon they had just descended. A large sleuth of what appeared to be bears intruded through the night. Oversized course brown fur was everywhere. A Reciliux soldier burst forward for attack but was smacked backward by the large paw of a sand bear. “Wait!” said a soldier. “I can speak to animals,” said the man. He had the gift of tongue. “What do you want with us?” he asked the bears. To everyone else it just sounded like a deep throated growl. “You are looking for the palace?” Asked the bear that stood in the middle of the group. “Yes,” said the man.
My heart was racing. It was dark; I now understood a person’s fear of darkness. It was not the dark itself, but the idea of dark that was truly frightening. I couldn’t remember why I was here or where here was exactly. Was I back in limbo? No, limbo was bright. I was engrossed by thick black muck up to my waist. My pace was that of a slug’s while I continued to sink slowly into the muck with every step. I screamed for help. Shockingly, I got no reply. The darkness then consumed my body. I wondered if maybe I was actually in some giant monster and was about to be digested. After being sucked into the black goo I landed in a cold red liquid that smelled of blood. A familiar slim figure appeared before me and reached out a hand. Friend or foe? I wondered. As I was pulled to my feet I recognized the smell of pine needles and jasmine…the smell of Ulrica. Then I saw her face perfectly unharmed and flawless. Her long blond hair only inches from my face and her silver wolf eyes bore into me. It was her… it was really Ulrica. “You left me,” she said hollowly. “I know, but I’m back, I’m here to take you home,” I told her. The sound of metal came from my rear and when I turned around. Adam was there, sword drawn. “You left me,” he said right before stabbing me in the chest. “What are they saying?” asked Claudius. The one gifted with tongue did not answer. “Are you here with the girl in armor?” asked the bear. “You’ve seen the Angel?” exclaimed the man in English which he quickly changed back to bear tongue. The Reciliux murmured amongst them with this new information. “If you are here to help the girl, then come with us,” replied the sand bear.
“Why should we trust you?” he answered.
“What choice do you have? You will never catch up on foot,” the furry creature roared in impatience. “What are you suggesting?” He asked. “We will allow you to ride on our backs.
We will take you to the girl in armor,” it spoke.
The soldier relayed the bear’s message to the rest of his squad. “I don’t trust them,” said one. “We don’t have much time,” argued another. “Stop, all of you,” Claudius hushed the squad. “Our mission is to capture and return the wolf into Reciliux custody,” said Claudius. “Then let us ride,” said Ujesh I woke up screaming and searching my chest for wounds. I relinquished my armor and buried myself into the cloak Carmen had loaned me for warmth. I walked with my staff for support, hobbling towards the palace.
When I reached the entrance, I leaned against the doors for support. Please don’t let there be guards. I shook my head. I needed strength I needed to save Ulrica. I needed water. After a few deep calming breaths I decided I was ready to face whatever came my way. With my armor now on I thrust against the giant doors with all my might, but they refused to budge. I clasped my staff and attacked the doors. I didn’t even leave a scratch. I forced the blades out of the ends of the golden staff; something I hardly ever do even in a fight, but that was also to no avail. I screamed and punched in frustration. I then collapsed against the doors holding back the tears that stung my eyes. That was when I noticed a window on the top story far above me to my right. I grinned wildly; flying up and crashing through into the palace. I made it in! After shaking off the glass I realized I wasn’t alone.
Five guards the size of a Victorian statue with spears stood at the ready. “Let me pass,” I demanded. I loved that I wore a helmet because I wasn’t sure I would have been able to hide the surprise on my face when they moved out of my way. 'Trap?' was my instant reaction. I ignored my instincts and began searching the palace. The palace was a maze of corridors and random dead ends. “Bloody hell, Harry, the stairs are moving,” I was ready to return to Fugin’s guards and demand they tell me where they were keeping Ulrica when the smell of blood reached my nose.
My heart tightened and time slowed. I grasped the door handle in front of me tightly and thrust the door open like a mad woman. Lying before me was a large silver wolf. Its fur matted and wet with blood. It was chained to the wall. Around the wolf’s neck was a collar placed so tightly that it dug into her skin. I recognized the wolf to be Ulrica. I skidded to a halt and kneeled beside her. “Please don’t be dead,” I pleaded. I released my helmet to lay my head on her chest, covering myself with blood and straining to hear a heartbeat.
“Ulrica,” I whispered into her ear, I gasped as I heard the sound of a slow steady heart beat. It was small, but I couldn’t mistake the sound. I nuzzled my face into her matted fur. “I’m here,” I told her. I unchained her and slowly lowered her to the ground. Her wolf head looked up at me. A hint of recognition glimmered in her eyes and she returned to her human form. That was when I saw them. The lacerations, burns, bruises, and other marks covered her entire body. Her leg was twisted into an unnatural position. She had a black eye and a cut lip. The rest of her body was just too gross to put into words. I draped Carmen’s cloak over her hoping it would help somehow. “This might hurt, but I don’t know how else to move you,” I told her. I managed to lift her unto my back and started searching for an exit. The corridors were dimly lit though some had no light at all. I followed the lights wondering where they would lead me. My question was answered sooner than I thought, as I entered the main hall and was greeted by Fugin himself. Well a smoky image of him at Least.
“Hello Angel. It’s nice to see you…alive,” he whispered beautifully. I started shaking. I was scared, more scared then I had ever been in my life. Why did he affect me so? Because he is a God that has the power to squish me like a bug, that’s why, I answered myself. “You are always taking care of people, Goldenflame, when they obviously don’t care about you. Pretending nothing is bothering you, just so you don’t put a damper on their day. Going out when you’re sick just because they said please. Loaning your skateboard out because someone’s bike breaks leaving yourself to walk home, but you didn’t tell them that because you didn’t want them to feel bad. Going without food so your brothers could eat. You spend so much energy on the rest of the world. Have you ever noticed that they never ask how you are feeling? Do they come to your house and take care of you when you are sick? Do they go out of their way to cheer you up when you are down?” his wind encompassed me. I managed to overcome my fear enough to speak, “Maybe I just like making people happy,” I answered. “Because you are not,” he stated flatly. “Shut up,” I snapped. When you died, your friends went on with their lives, didn’t even take time to mourn and when you returned they put you straight back to work. “Shut up!” I yelled, but he didn’t listen. “It feels good to be bad,” he crooned, “Stop pretending you are just a shell of an ill mannered girl named Emma and embrace your destiny…embrace Goldenflame.” My breathing grew quick and shallow. Before I could respond to Fugin, Adam appeared in front of me. My eyes were wide. What was he doing here? He was supposed to be unconscious back in the underground Reciliux base!
Liz paced back and forth in the medical wing of the Reciliux underground base. Dane stood in the corner watching her as he smoked his third cigarette. Liz continued to pace when she ran into one of the moving beds which she kicked over in her frustration. She was in her Illusionist uniform and her hands shined a sparkly blue color. “We haven’t heard from Emma in over twenty four hours and now Adam is missing!” she ranted. “Why are you so messed up? It’s not like the love of your life is in danger and the rescue mission is being performed by someone you don’t even trust. Calm down,” Dane growled. He wore his brown leather jacket and dark blue jeans. His black t-shirt clung to his muscles making him look intimidating, not that he needed any help in that department. “Calm? You wanna see calm? I’ll show you calm!” Liz proceeded to tear the room to shreds at least until Dane was able to subdue her. He pinned her to the wall and waited for her anger to die down.
Adam’s sword was drawn and he stood before me with fiery anger in his eyes. For a moment I thought my nightmare was about to come true but then he turned to face Fugin. His skin started to turn red and lizard like scales appeared around his eyes. I placed a hand on his shoulder and said his name softly. His skin returned to normal and he sheathed his sword. Adam took Ulrica and cradled her like a baby in his arms. “Let’s go home,” he told me. We left the entrance hall to the giant doors that had given me so much trouble earlier now opened with ease. For once I was happy to feel the sand under my feet. I knew it meant freedom and leaving that palace suddenly a weight lifted from my chest. It had felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off my shoulders now that Adam was here. “How did you get here so quickly?” I asked him. “I convinced one of the witches to help me,” he answered. In other words, he either threatened or flirted with her until she caved. “Do Carmen and Liz know you are here?” I questioned. “No,” he said angrily. I guess he knew that they would have prevented him from coming…just as I had. “Sorry about hitting you earlier,” I said meekly. He turned to me in shock. “What?” his expression made me feel insecure which usually lead to me getting pissed off. “Nothing…it’s just I don’t think I have ever heard you apologize before,” he told me. “Whatever”, I said pushing past him into the desert. Fugin has somehow managed to drive fear into my heart, but I was still me. I was still stubborn and brash and incredibly annoying.
A cloud of sand threw my promenade off guard. Behind the cloud of sand that blurred my vision was the unmistakable sight of Bubba the sand bear and he had brought some friends along with him. “It’s ok, Komodo,” I told him as he tensed up. Then I saw the Reciliux soldiers riding on the backs of the sand bears. “Hey fellas?” I greeted, “Have a nice nap?” They didn’t find that too funny. The twelve good little soldier boys hopped off their rides to glare at me, but instead of a smart retort or a lecture about the rules they ignored me and advanced on Ulrica. “Ulrica Daciana aka Wolvina, you are hereby under arrest for unlawful actions committed in the human world,” Claudius spoke senselessly to Ulrica’s unconscious body. When he reached for her, I freaked out. “Do not touch her,” I spoke slowly but surely with as much menace in my voice as possible. I could see the cogs and wheels turning in Claudius’ mind working through whether or not I would really hurt him or if it was an empty threat. We played who would blink first for a few seconds until Claudius moved away from Ulrica, still glaring at me. “Fine,” he said, “But when we get back she’s ours.” As if, I thought to myself. The bear I recognized as Bubba walked over to me and nuzzled my shoulder so that I would pet him. “Hey buddy,” I smiled, “I’m glad you’re ok,” I told him as I stroked his thick course fur covered in sand. Our reunion was short lived as Claudius and the other soldiers pulled out what looked like a taser gun from their cloaks. Together they formed a circle and by releasing a shock wave they created a portal. “Um why couldn’t we use that on our way here?” I asked them. “It only works when we know where we are going,” answered a soldier. I was relieved to know our trip back would be much shorter. The sooner we got Ulrica medical attention the better.