Chapter 22

A Chapter by Rose of Gondor

The gray of the pearl suddenly went bright, turning silver, a blinding white light around the phoenix as it flapped its wings wildly. Papa clutched at it wildly, wanting to restrain it�"there was a mind-blowing bang�"and then the bridge cracked, tumbling beneath. Still, the pearl floated just above it, beautiful in its silver light…

Chrysanthemum leaped up and grabbed me, dragging me as the section of bridge behind us crumbled and fell. I watched the scene before me, my eyes never leaving the pearl as it shook violently in the air, falling with the bridge.

Papa’s eyes were wild. He glanced back at us, at the bridge, and then at the wide abyss and the silver light somewhere below illuminating it.

“No…” I moaned.

And then he leaped.

I couldn’t help it. I covered my eyes. I couldn’t watch my father leap to his death, all because of silly thing, all because of ambition and power.

I had given up all hope to fight. I’d just watch someone die. Someone as close to I as anyone had ever been. Someone whom I had called Father.

Chrysanthemum screamed as the bridge beneath our feet crumbled, and began to lurch downwards. I stared into the abyss, faced with the growing urge in my stomach to throw up. And then the floor toppled and we plummeted down into the deep nothingness.

I sank into blissful silence.

* * * * *

I cracked one eyelid open. Someone was singing a strange song. I could understand the words, but the language seemed to be something I had never heard of before, constructed of strange, flowing sounds.

“Mayflower Hsia and Chrysanthemum Lee,” the voice was soft and feminine, melodious and yet ringing with power, “You have done me a great service. Rise now, for danger has passed.”

Groggily, I staggered to my feet. Chrysanthemum stood beside me, blinking. I was vaguely aware that we were standing on the altar the pearl was a few moments ago, just before it floated into the air. I didn’t really care, then. I was still very tired and certainly not in prime condition.

“I am Lady Air,” the lady standing before us seemed unearthly. Her dark hair was coiled up in an elegant chignon, and she wore a silver kimono that pooled around her feet. There seemed to be a silver glow around her form, and her features were fairer than any that I had ever seen upon this earth. The Pearl of Air settled in her hand, and she appeared to be more powerful than any man. “Rarely do I appear to mortals. Yet you have done a great deed, Mayflower, Chrysanthemum.” She smiled at us. “And so in return I shall do a deed for each of you. What do you wish of me? I may not interfere directly, but you may each ask a question of me, if you wish.”

“My father…” I blurted out before my brain could process my words, “Where is he?”

The lady’s face darkened and the glow around her seemed to dim, as if she was saddened. “He is not yet dead, if that is what you mean. He lives still, and plots to return to the surface of this earth. Your task is not yet done.”

“Do you know of anyone who could heal Aiko?” Chrysanthemum’s brows furrowed together.

“My brother Earth’s monks could do that,” Lady Air smiled, “There is at least hope for recovery. I do not promise that your friend will heal, but she will have a chance to be well again. And there is also this,” she placed a slip of paper in my hand, “The next riddle. You will be able to find the Pearl of Earth through this riddle. Be careful.”

Chrysanthemum grinned at me, and I grinned back.

And then suddenly, the earth began to rumble, and I lost my footing, falling over, Chrysanthemum tripping over me.

Lady Air cursed. “What is he doing?” she hissed, “He will bring down the mine!”

And then suddenly, the pearl shot from Lady Air’s grasp. It flew into the darkness below, its silver light disappearing into the smallest hint of silver.

A look of horror was on Lady Air’s face. “No…he does not dare…”

But she never finished her sentence, because just as the rumbling continued and the mine collapsed around us, she had evaporated and turned into thin air.

* * * * *

The sun tickled at my eyelids and I moaned, turning over.

“Mayflower! Mayflower! Wake up!” it was Kyo’s voice�"wait a second�"KYO!

I leaped to my feet, grabbing my friend in a fierce hug. We were once again bathed in the sun, in the forest outside the mine. Mr. Guan was no where to be seen, but at this point, I could care less. “Oh by the gods I can’t believe it’s you!”

When I released Kyo, I noticed his face was grim. “What?”

“Mother is dying,” he replied simply.

And then I suddenly remember Lady Air’s words. And how she had vanished. And how my father probably has the pearl of air this instant.

“Oh no,” I murmured to myself.

“What?” Kyo asked.

Chrysanthemum sat up beside me. “Your Papa�"he has the…”

“I know,” I cut her off, “But there’s no time. We have to get Aiko help first.”

“She’s nearly gone,” Wen-Ling said gravely.

“Lady Air said the monks of earth can help Aiko! And we’ve got to get to the Pearl of Earth too, before Papa gets there. He’s got the pearl of air.”

“What?”

“There’s no time. Hurry. Help me lift her. We don’t have much time.”

And so it was, half-carrying, half dragging Aiko, we went on our way. And during this whole journey, I pushed Papa and the pearls to the back of my mind. I did not look back.

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© 2012 Rose of Gondor

Author's Note

I expected a few more chapters, but this is the last chapter before the epilogue. :D I'm sorry I haven't written in such a long time, but, you get to finish Pearl of hte Gods today. I'm working on the Epilogue right now. :D