Ancient Mystic's War of the Realms Saga - Lady Adellandra Dratianos (electric book reader TXT) 📗

right.” He said.
“I’ll prove it.” She replied. “Have you ever felt like someone was watching you when you were home alone?”
He didn’t respond.
“How about getting the chills when all the windows and doors are closed?”
He cleared his throat. “That doesn’t prove anything.”
“Sure it does. It proves your parents’ ghosts are in that house.”
“And you can feel them?”
“Sure, and so can you, if you try hard enough.”
“Why didn’t I know this before?” Craig was skeptic.
“You never had Ancient Mystics in the house before.” Claudia replied. “Especially the very two who can sense and talk to ghosts.”
“If that’s true, what do they say?”
“I’ve only seen and spoke to your father.” Claudia said. “Wasn’t his name Wesley Adam?”
“He told you that?”
Claudia nodded.
“You could have gotten that from some newspaper. Or from their room.”
Claudia shook her head. “No, but he did tell me something.”
“What’s that?”
“He’s really sorry for what he did to Andrea and hopes Cara Mae never knows the truth.” She said. “What did he do to her? And what truth does he want to keep from Cara?”
Craig shifted his position. “It’s supposed to be a secret.”
“If you want this relationship to work, Craig, I suggest we trust each other.” Claudia responded. “You know the truth behind the Ancient Mystic secrets, now I want to know yours.”
Craig shook his head. “I’ll tell you, but not now, okay?” He asked, pulling her close to him and hugging her tight. “Let’s just enjoy the night for awhile longer.”
Claudia shrugged. “If you insist.”
She closed her eyes again. This time, both of them were lost in silent thoughts. While his were on whatever secret he was hiding from her, hers were on the past week’s events. They sat in complete silence, enjoying each other’s embrace.
Claudia’s mind was plagued with an intense vision.

She saw gravestones. Looking around, she saw each of those she knew by heart. Mark Grey, Diane Parker, Bonnie Parker, and Jack Parker were all in the same family plot around her. Behind them were her own relatives, Melody Jacobs being one of them. She couldn’t read the rest, but knew who they were.
From the corner of her eye, Claudia saw a tiny light shining. She looked up to see the ghost of someone she didn’t even know.
“Leave here, Ancient Mystic child...” The ghost’s raspy voice moaned.
“Why?” Claudia’s voice echoed.
“The Maiden has returned.”

As Claudia gasped, she opened her eyes and felt her throat for the Dream Locket.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Craig was still beside her. She wasn’t alone after all.
“She’s back, but that’s impossible.”
“Who? Who are you talking about?” Craig was confused.
Claudia was scared as she told him.
“Sabrina.”

IV

Meanwhile, in the Dream Realm, Katherine Hawk-Stargazer and her mate Wolfton were practicing Japanese-style fighting. Each were in their human forms as they were when they were Earthbound years ago. They went through the motions slowly, following one another’s moves with counter-attacks.
“Haji does not know what he is doing by teaching us his Outer Realm arts.” Katherine supplied, throwing a double-punch at Wolf.
“He knows perfectly well what he is doing.” Wolf said, blocking his midriff. “He is a wise teacher, or Lord Guardian would not have sent him to train us.”
“We already know how to fight.” Katherine said.
“True, but now we must learn how to defend if ever we are under attack again.”
Katherine sighed. “I suppose you are right, my love.”
Wolf stopped to kiss her. “Of course I am right.”
Katherine smiled and Wolf laughed.
“Katherine! Wolf!” They heard a familiar female voice calling her name.
The couple looked to see who called.
“Is that Young Guardian?” Wolf asked his mate.
“Aye, but why is she running?” Katherine wondered to herself.
When Ariana made it to them, she huffed, catching her breath.
“What is the matter?” Wolf asked. “Is it Sabrina once more?”
“I used the Crystal. In the Outer Realm ” Ariana said sadly. “I don’t know how, but it almost killed me and my family.”
“What happened?” Katherine asked, terrified.
“It was Gloriana’s fault, now that I think about it.” Ariana replied.
“What did she do?” Wolf and Kat exchanged looks.
“Came to me, taking me from my patrols to the Abyss.” Ariana explained everything Gloriana had said to her. “When I awoke, I went across the street and attacked Luna.”
Katherine bit her lip, nodding. “Go on.”
“Next, I seduced Shane, or tried to.” Ariana said. “I even made Derrick mad at me, not even caring. What’s the worst of it is when Kelly tried to get the Crystal from me, I attacked her.”
“Are you okay?” Wolf asked. “What about the Enchanted Child? How is she now?”
“Oh, everything is back to normal.” Ariana replied. She pulled something from one of her pockets. “I managed to talk Derrick into giving this back to me.”
Katherine and Wolf gasped.
“What can we do to help you?” Wolf asked her.
“I’m here to take it back.”
“Of course, you must!” Katherine cried.
“Back to the Abyss?” Ariana stared at the Crystal in her hands. “I’m not going alone.”
“I will go with you.”
Ariana looked at her. “Are you sure, Kat?”
“You are my Young Guardian and dearest friend.” Katherine supplied. “Need you ask twice?”
Ariana threw the crystal up in the air and caught it. “Alright then, let’s go.”
“I will tell Lord Guardian.” Wolf replied.
Story #3:
Through the Abyss

When they reached the Abyss, Ariana changed from her regular clothes to her Guardian’s gown. Katherine couldn’t help staring.
“It is different now than the last time.” She remarked. “I like it.”
Ariana bowed. “Thank you, Lady Katherine.” She stood. “I fashioned a cloak made from rough materials. Tough enough to withstand any weather, yet light and comfortable enough to wear. It has a hood on it so I can cover my head if I want.” Her hands touched the Amulet at her throat. “The Jewels Amulet keeps it on. Pretty nifty, huh?”
Katherine nodded. “Resourceful.”
“I also have a belt that holds my wand and short-sword. The harness I carry under the cloak holds my broadsword.”
“A real Guardian’s gown.” Katherine remarked. “When did you change from a dress to breeches and tunic?”
“Soon after beginning my Guardianship.” Ariana replied. “I noticed the dress was getting dirty and ripped every time I patrolled, so I did my research and came up with this.”
“Brilliant, yet lovely.”
“Thanks again, Kat.” The girls walked, silent.
“Sabrina has not bothered you lately, has she?” Katherine asked.
Ariana shook her head. “I haven’t seen her since our encounter.” She explained. “Do you think we should tell O’Dell?”
“Aye, definitely.” Katherine replied. “Especially if she is holed up in the Unknown, buying herself time.”
“You’re right. It was too easy to get rid of her.” Ariana supplied. She pulled something out of the purse that hung at her belt. “In the meantime, let’s get this to the Gatekeeper.”
“I still do not understand how you got it to the Outer Realm.” Katherine responded.
“Can you keep a secret?”
She nodded. “Always.”
“I wanted to learn about it, so I made a wish and took it with me.” Ariana said. “After what happened with it, I feel I’ve learned more than intended.”
“You are strong, Ariana. You know this, or you would not be here, returning it.”
“I guess so.” Ariana’s voice was depressed. She fingered the crystal’s inscriptions.
“Definitely so.” Katherine supplied. “In any other’s hands, this Crystal would take over their minds, making them want power. In yours, though it may not have been pretty, it taught you a lesson.”
“Yeah, never take evil objects out of the Dream Realm.” She said sarcastically. Ariana looked around her. “Where would we find it, anyway?”
“I would not know. The Gatekeeper could be anywhere in the Abyss.” Katherine said. “It is the only living being here.”

II

While Ariana and Katherine searched the Abyss for the Gatekeeper, Wolf arrived at the Ancient Mystic Palace. O’Dell himself answered when he pulled on the hanging chime.
O’Dell looked at his Companion follower. “What brings you here, Sire Wolf?”
Wolf stood from his bowed position. “Young Guardian has the Black-as-Night Crystal. She claims Gloriana made her use it in the Outer Realm. It nearly broke up the entire family.”
“Where is she now?” O’Dell asked.
“In the Abyss.” Wolf supplied.
“And the Crystal?”
“She and Katherine took it back to the Gatekeeper.” Wolf replied. He stared at O’Dell. “Do you know anything about it?”
“Unfortunately, yes, I do.” O’Dell agreed.
Enchantra came into the room to greet them.
“It had been hidden for many generations.” Enchantra said. “No one knows how Sabrina got it in the first place.”
“However she did, she risked life and limb.” O’Dell remarked.
“So, Young Guardian must risk life and limb to return it?” Wolf asked, worried.
“Nay, her heart is good while Sabrina’s was not.” O’Dell said. “If what you claim is true, she was forced to use it in the Outer Realm. She did not want to use it of her own free will.”
“That is the difference.” Enchantra replied.
“What are we to do, my Lord?”
“What can we do?” O’Dell replied. “If no one knows where Sabrina disappeared to, there is naught to do.”
Wolf sighed. “What of Shenara, Albrath, Damian and Gloriana?”
“Let us handle them.” Enchantra said. “If they should bother you, come to us immediately. Is that understood?”
“Aye Mistress.” Wolf nodded, agreeing. “I am yours to command, as always.”
“That is good to know.” Enchantra smiled.
“In the meantime, go home to Celine.” O’Dell told him.
“Aye, my Lord.” Wolf nodded before disappearing.
O’Dell suddenly had the foreboding feeling of woe.

III

Back in the Abyss, Katherine and Ariana found a shack and knocked on the door.
Who dares interrupt me? The Gatekeeper’s voice was more terrifying now than in her vision.
“The Young Guardian of the Dream Realm and her friend Lady Katherine Hawk-Stargazer of Stargazer Castle and the Ancient Mystic’s Canine Valley.”
Why bother my peace and quiet?
“We wish to return something of yours.” Katherine’s voice shook. She nudged Ariana, who showed him.
What would you be doing with that?
“Returning it to you.” Ariana said. “Sabrina stole it from you and I stole it back for you.”
The Gatekeeper stood above them, contemplating its next words.
You wish not to use it?
Ariana shook her head. “I was already forced to use it, in the Outer Realm. I don’t want it.”
Katherine agreed.
Ariana and the Gatekeeper stared at one another. Ariana couldn’t see it’s eyes, nose or mouth, but knew it had them. She reached her hand out, the Crystal glowing.
“Please, take it. I said I don’t want it.”
You told the Lady here you wanted to learn about it. Do you still?
Ariana nodded. “Yes, will you tell me its story?”
Do not answer a question with another!
Ariana and Katherine jumped back when it bellowed.
“Please, Gatekeeper, tell us why my cousin would want it.” Katherine stammered.
Why would any creature want it? For its power.
“In the wrong hands, it became destructive.” Ariana replied.
Correct, Young Guardian. The Gatekeeper remarked. You have used it. Do you know what kind of power it holds? Or what it does?
“Shows your hidden desires, making you act upon them.” Ariana replied. “Sabrina used it against myself and my sisters to scare us into using our most feared power.”
What are your feared powers?
“Anna, she was afraid of the clairvoyance.” Ariana told it. “Mary Ellen, she was afraid of the premonition. My twin Luna was afraid of the Empathy and Claudia was afraid of her Healer’s Power.”
What about