Chapter Twenty-Four

It's a cliff-hanger!

So, I know some of you might be coming back to read my chapter again, or just reading my humble little story fragment for the first time. Whatever the case is, I'm telling you that this is the 2nd edition of the chapter. For those of you that read the chapter before I edited it, you will know all about the hag/ wicked stepmother; she has been changed to a better fitting character. Also, I don't own this character; all y'all should know that before we delve in. The character change definitely makes more sense in the next chapter, and in the whole 'big picture' of the storyline. Anyways, thanks for reading this addition to my story, and I really hope that you enjoy the rest of the book because there's no way in hell I'm leaving Stella and Co. to dangle in the ever-ending infinity of unfinished stories.  

I had recklessly entered what seemed to be a narrow passageway, only colored by the rapidly disappearing light from the still corridor I had just left. The walls were cool to the touch, not to mention dusty. I looked down, and lifted my foot up slightly; the ground was covered by a suffocating layer of dust, similar to a gray dusting of fallen ash. There were no other footprints.

Fear wrapped her icy fingers around my heart; the muscle within my chest pounded against the steel-hard bones of my ribcage to be let out. A shaky breath escaped from between my near-frozen lips. I turned back to where I had come from, doubt surging in my veins like a wintry gust of the coldest of arctic nights. Behind me lay safety, in front of me uncertainty, danger, and unmade choices. Yet also, adventure…

I inhaled raggedly, steadied my shoulders, gathered what little courage I had, and stepped forward. A melody sprang to my lips- whenever my nerves were frayed, I sang.

Gather your wits,

Fear won’t help you a bit.

Your heart is in a fit,

But you can’t submit.

Rise to the occasion,

Don’t relent until you’ve won.

This is your legend,

And it has only begun.

I repeated the two stanzas, feeling my bravery return in small portions, like sand slowly trickling through an hourglass. My voice resonated with the walls, using them as a sounding board to add depth to my melody, building, enriching…

Until I heard someone shuffle in the darkness. Bravery drained from my limbs, until I forced it back into my chest, willing my heart to begin once more. I glanced down quickly, then behind me, finding another pair of footprints leading following mine, then surpassing me to lead into the darkness.

I patted my sides for a weapon, and found nothing. Withholding a string of curses that would have made Da palen and Clovis chuckle, I groped for something, anything that I could use to defend myself.

Nothing, and the shuffling was getting louder, coming from the black abyss that filled the path before me. What was it that the first trial manager had said, right before we got our rooms? It came rushing back to me…

“You will need to be competent in the musical and living natural magics. If you are not already acquainted with them, the field has already been leveled out by the fact that you have extensive knowledge on music and the living natural world.”

I stiffened, wishing I had seeked out help on musical magics, whatever the hell that meant. Still, since I knew so much, I should have a chance.

“Show yourself!” I whispered, trying to prepare a song in my mind that would help me out of the situation my recklessness had put me in.

Someone chuckled. “You have courage, then. Yesss, you will do just fine.”

“Who are you?” I asked, suddenly calm. I knew what to do.

“Maleficent, of course.” This chilled me- what was it that Melinda had called them- the Tales?

I chuckled quietly, even though my heart was pounding like a bass drum. “Really?”

However, in the sparse light, I saw a glimmer of a very familiar golden dragon I had forgotten to ask a certain someone about…

“Of course. Why don’t you just come back with me?” She asked in a syrupy-sweet voice.

I froze- I wanted to know more, but this reeked of danger from a mile off. “Why should I?”

“You can go back to your ‘dear old Da’, and live without Felicity.”

“She moved in between worlds; what would stop her?”

“Our power, then your’s.”

I wavered- I could see Da? Go back home? My heart thrummed in response. “And why should I believe you?”

“You are not meant to be Maeve, dear Stella. No, not at all…”

“Then, who?”

“Why, my Ella.” With that, her arm latched onto mine, her talons hooking into my skin. Her voice tickled in my ears. “My Ella, a better Ella, one that would do us all some good.” The woman’s voice was filled with sorrow.

“No one lays claim to me,” I retorted, ripping my arm from her crushing grip.

“Get her!” screeched the old crone.

Naturally, the torches all ignited, blinding me. I ran forwards, trying desperately to adjust to the dazzling light. That, or I was just dying… I can see the light! Thankfully, I wasn’t dying, but adjusting to the new lighting.

What I saw made me wish I was dead. It was a mountainous, beautiful, silver dragon with glinting blue eyes. Cursing, I swerved underneath its feet and ran farther into the tunnel. I hoped that this came out to another corridor- it had to, right? I just kept running for my life, my thoughts racing. There had to be a way; there is always  a way.

Instead, I came to a chamber containing a tree that had to be at least 20 metres tall, and ten thick, with bark swirling in a kaleidoscope of stunning color. Had I been running for my life, I would have just sat and stared for days. It was set on a huge circular platform, a bit like the circular beds that are often choking trees in gardens. This one allowed for 2 metres of walking space, accessed by a set of stairs twice as long. I mounted them, then turned to the tree just in time to see the crone riding the dragon.

The sight inflamed me- how dare she enslave such a beautiful creature? I dreaded having to fight it though- how could I hurt a piece of nature, albeit from another world. “Please,” I whispered. “Don’t make me do this.” I took a deep breath in; they were still coming closer. “What do you want?” I shouted, my voice like steel.

“Join me!” she shouted. Again, the dragon looked less than eager.

I swore mentally- it would have to be me, them, or escape. I groped at my clothing again, hoping for a weapon of some sort.

Nothing.

I backed up to the trunk, falling flat against the ridged bark. As sweat rolled down my palms and out of my pores, I squeezed the tree. Please, not today. Not now, and not to the beautiful creature in front of me.

The tree warmed underneath my forlorn, grasping fingers, as if to say everything would be all right. However, they kept on advancing, and I still had no way to escape. Dread gushed into my chest; I wouldn’t make it.