Book 5: Chapter 25: New version

Book 5: Chapter 25: New version

Heather stepped out of the portal and into the temple as her mind worked on a solution. The collar offered her a chance at something that had eluded her for too long, but would Blackbast agree to use it?

She decided that the best course of action was a direct one and waited for Breanne and went back into the temple as Breanne and Quinny exited the door to stand by the table.

I want to talk to you two, she called and joined them. I know you're wondering why I am entertaining this collar.

I am most certainly wondering that, Breanne scolded. Take that silly thing off.

I will after I use its power to solve a problem, Heather said.

Quinny and Breanne looked confused, so Heather took a deep breath and explained her plan.

I secretly brought the crown with us, she began.

What? Why? Breanne began. It isn't safe to wear, so why bring it with you?

Heather smiled and began to pace as the two watched her curiously. She explained her plan to put the crown on while wearing the collar. If it worked the way, Blackbast suggested then whoever was taking over would be enslaved. She would have to obey Blackbast and, more importantly, answer her questions.

That's brilliant! Quinny laughed. You're an evil genius.

She is most certainly skilled at breaking the rules, Breanne added and sat down at the table. But once we have our answers, then what? You can't take the crown off except at midnight under a full moon.

I still have my recall spell on it, but I suspect there is another way to take it off, Heather said. I bet the person in the crown can take it off.

Again they were speechless, but Breanne shrugged and poured herself a glass of wine.

I suppose you could be right, but there is a full moon tonight, so even if you're wrong, we will have a chance to get it off quickly, she replied.

Good, Heather said with a smile and turned to face the temple doorway just as Blackbast sauntered in. She stared at her over her entire approach until she noticed and made her way to Heather.

For what reason am I getting such a look? the seductive cat woman asked.

I want to be honest with you and ask you to help me with something, Heather said. It is a very sensitive and potentially risky request.

Hmm, the woman replied with a swish of her tail. You are one with many secrets, is this related to your being a necromancer?

No, Heather replied. This is related to me being a long-dead devil woman who raised hell on the server and started a war with the paladins.

Blackbast looked stunned for just a moment as Quinny snickered from the side.

You should perhaps explain what you mean, Blackbast said at last.

Why don't we sit down and have some wine, and I will explain it all, Heather suggested. Blackbast agreed, and they all sat at the table as Heather began her story. She told Blackbast everything from her arrival to her meeting with Frank and her eventual betrayal by the moon. She was focused on the elements to do with the goblins and how they reacted to her. Then she told her about the dragon knight and the hidden temple where she eventually found the crown. Great emphasis was placed on how Heather was able to acquire the gremlin gem just before she needed it to open the door that led to the crown.

It was almost as if somebody meant you to do this, Blackbast said.

We all think that, Breanne added. Heather seems to be following a path laid out for her, but we have no idea by whom.

Heather described the magical void the crown was hidden in and how the gem fit into it and activated it. The rest of the story was harder to tell, but she focused on how the goblins reacted to her new appearance calling her Hathlisora.

They treat you like your some savior back from the dead, Blackbast interrupted.

Thats why Umtha is with us, Heather said. She is convinced I am this Hathlisora returned to fulfill the promise I made the goblins.

How can I help you with this mystery? Blackbast asked.

Just wait; that part is coming, Quinny said.

Heather then explained how she was fine until she walked into the fire to face the dragon knight. She had no memory of what happened, so Quinny and Breanne took over explaining the change of personality and the battle that happened next. Blackbast listened in silence; her eyes narrowed as the tale went on.

I woke up back in our lairs, Heather said. The crown still firmly affixed to my head and no memory of the time in-between. It was like I wasn't there, and this other person had absorbed me.

While she was unconscious, we took steps to arrange a plan to remove it, Breanne said. We didn't trust this entity inside the crown to go peacefully, so we ambushed her when the time was right.

And what happened? Blackbast asked.

She fought back, Breanne said.

Quinny explained the battle in the graveyard and how the voice in the crown said she was there to help Heather, and Heather had agreed to be helped. They took it off anyway and hid it away, afraid to use it again.

But I did use it again, Heather said. To battle a wizard who recognized me as Hathlisora.

So there is a link between this crown and this other woman? Blackbast asked.

Obviously, Heather answered. But we dont know what it is. We have a mountain of questions and no way to get the answers, that is until we met you.

Blackbast leaned away as her cat ears perked up. Me? How can I answer your questions?

With this, Heather said and pointed to the collar. If I put the crown on while wearing this, the woman inside will be enslaved to you. You can force her to obey you and answer your questions.

I see, Blackbast replied and looked around nervously. I suspect this crown of yours is a domination device like my collar, but there is no way to be sure mine is the stronger one.

So it might not work? Quinny asked.

Blackbast stood up and paced away, her tail swishing in irritation. The collar is probably the stronger because it has to be willingly put on. I understand why you want this but do you understand what you are asking me to do?

Probably not, Heather admitted. But the woman in the crown might know things we will never learn otherwise. Your collar might be the only method we have to question her safely.

I will feel terrible if I lose control and this woman runs off with your body, Blackbast said.

I understand, but the choice to take the risk is mine, Heather argued. Please, I need to know things, and she is the only one who can tell us.

Blackbast sighed and agreed to help but wanted to examine the crown first. Heather got up and went to her room, fetching both the collar and Webster, who was sleeping soundly on the bed. She returned to the chapel and handed the slender band to Blackbast, who turned it over in her hands several times.

It seems harmless, the cat-woman said after a few moments. She traced a finger over the greenstone and then studied the horns mounted to the back. It wasn't a very elegant crown, but after a long moment, she handed it back. I can sense nothing about it.

But you do think it is one of these domination devices? Heather asked.

I can only assume it is, but of a different nature, Blackbast replied. Putting it on will be a risk.

Maybe we should ask Frank what he thinks? Quinny said. He always has something to say about stuff like this.

Frank will tell me he doesn't want me to put it on but will support me if I am determined to do it, Heather said.

We do need to tell him, though, Breanne said. We should all be ready for what might happen.

As if on cue, Frank walked into the temple with Legeis. The two boys made their way to the table as all four women stared silently at them. When he finally arrived and noticed the stares, he and Legeis stopped in alarm.

Whats wrong? he asked and looked about the four until his eyes settled on Heather and noticed the crown. What is that doing here?

Frank, don't be upset, Heather began. I brought it with me in secret.

Why would you bring that thing? he asked and moved closer.

I was able to use it safely once, and I thought we might need it, was her answer. Please, sit down and listen for a minute, I have a plan, but I want your approval.

Why would it harm Heather to have the truth? Breanne asked.

Because the last time she learned the truth too soon, it drove her mad! the woman cried. Look, she has to discover her path in small steps, slowly uncovering the truth as she grows strong enough to accept it. If you are truly her friends, you won't force me to tell you.

You have to tell us something, Blackbast urged. She will want to know what we learned.

Alright, let me try to explain this, the woman began. Heather has attempted this five times. Each time she gets a little closer, but her inquisitive nature always puts her on a path to discovering the truth too soon. When she does, she can't live with herself any longer. She goes insane with grief and ultimately goes to the source and dies. When she does, it takes an enormous effort to trigger her respawn because the visitors will try to block it. They always wipe her memory of the last time she here, and she arrives thinking she was just abducted.

Heather has been here five times before? Frank asked.

Frank! the woman cried. You should have figured it out by now.

I should have figured what out? he asked.

The woman reached up and touched his cheek as a gentle smile graced her face. You are always her protector. Every time you have been at her side and the sacrifices you have made for her are legendary. How tragic she is so absorbed in her tasks that she almost never sees the truth in you until it is too late.

Frank looked visibly hurt as the woman stepped back and looked to Quinny and Breanne. You two are new to the tale, but I am grateful youre here. She needs all the help she can get.

You still havent answered the question, Breanne said. Tell us why the ring is so important.

It's her panel, the woman said with a shake of her head. It's designed to survive every iteration of her resets. With it, she can finally access her essence and unlock so much more about herself.

What is essence? Quinny asked.

Nobody else has it, the woman said with a pleased tone. The research they were doing into how the magic system worked showed that there were methods of creating new systems. The visitors used it all the time in updates when they added new classes. Hathlisora found a way to access the creation system and added one all her own. Heather agreed to be a guinea pig in the process and is the only person in all the land with essence.

What is it for? Blackbast pressed.

The woman folded her arms as she laughed lightly. It works the same as mana but in an entirely unique magic system. It taps into Heather's own power and gives her a way to stand both in the world and the buffer at once. Inside the buffer, she has direct control and can bend reality.

Why does she need such a power? Blackbast gasped.

Its the only way to open the door, the woman said in a sad tone. Its all she wants. Its all that matters to her.

What is? Frank asked as the woman turned to look at him. A tear ran down her cheek as she looked into his eyes.

Frank, poor sweet Frank. She wants to go home, but she doesn't remember where her home is. Please, Frank, when the time comes, you must tell her to go. You can't keep her.

Frank stepped back a few paces, and the woman looked away as a few tears hit the floor. The room was quiet as the rest looked on, dumbfounded by what was said.

Where is her home? Breanne asked.

I cant tell you that, Alluzora said. If I did, it would change everything, and she would be on the path to madness.

We cant tell Heather any of this, Quinny said. I dont want her to be upset.

Tell her to put on the ring, Alluzora pleaded. Or let me do it.

What is your reason for helping her? Breanne asked.

Alluzora looked up with a broken smile. I want out too. She promised to take us with her. She promised so many that she would get us all out. Now, most of us are trapped in Abbadon, and only she can get us out.

I thought Hathlisora promised that, Quinny said.

Alluzora smiled and nodded but said no more.

Where is Heather while youre here? Legeis asked.

Asleep. I can put her to sleep when I have to, but once she puts the ring on, that won't be necessary.

What is King Kevins role in all this? Blackbast asked.

Alluzora laughed and resumed a more defiant stance. He knows the truth and seeks to stop it. He and Hathlisora were close, closer than anyone has ever been. But Hathlisora wanted out, and he wanted to keep her. When she was close to finding a way, he grew resentful and hatched a plan to trap her here. Love makes one do crazy things, I suppose.

What should Heather do to follow the plan then? Blackbast asked.

Find the rest of the things left behind for her. One of our agents already told her to seek the hand. Now go and find it!

What is the purpose of the egg? Frank asked.

A fool's plan concocted by the goblins to try and restore Hathlisora, Alluzora replied with a glance at Legeis. No offense.

None taken, but explain the plan if you will, Legeis replied.

The egg is a vessel attuned to her. They believe they can literally resurrect her from the void just as she was using a machine they built. It is a marvel of engineering. I have to admit goblins are skilled at crafting things.

I so want to see this machine, Legeis said excitedly.

Well, you will see the second one, Alluzora interrupted. The first one was in the middle of the desert here, and Kevin discovered it.

The sea of glass, Breanne said. He did all that damage just to destroy the machine.

He will stop at nothing to keep Hathlisora from coming back, Alluzora said.

So he doesn't want Heather? Frank asked.

Oh, don't let me give you that impression. He is fully aware of who Heather is and what she is trying to do. He has played a role in every one of her downfalls and will again if he learns she is here. But, Frank, whatever you do, don't let her and Kevin meet.

So you are telling us that Heather is a willing participant in a plan to free you and rescue Hathlisora? She has tried and failed five times before, and now she is back to try again. Frank is also involved in this. Together they are hoping to open a door so she and all the others can go home?

You got it, Alluzora said. The visitors have gone to some great lengths to stop us. They even offered her a chance to go alone, but she refused. She knows she can open the door wide enough to get us all out; she just needs the time to do it.

And Kevin won't let her, Quinny said. What a jerk.

He has his reasons, Alluzora said and sat in the chair. I cant tell you any more about them because it will only drive Heather to want to meet him.

Heather wants to know if she can trust you, Blackbast said.

Trust is hard to earn, but I will tell you this. Once she has access to her essence, she will have complete control of the crown. I won't be able to put her to sleep anymore. I will be able to watch and listen, and if anybody manages to knock her out, I will take over. It's a safety measure to ensure she can keep fighting even when the visitors come for her.

Why do people accuse her of being Hathlisora when the crown is on? Frank asked.

This is how Hathlisora looks, she replied. Heather and her are near-identical twins. It was one of the reasons they liked one another. The more of the items she collects, the more she will resemble Hathlisora. It was what Hathlisora wanted, and the only way to transfer the power Heather will need in the end.

How can she safely remove the crown? Blackbast asked.

The woman sighed and reached up, gently pressing her fingertips to the green stone in the center. Like this, she said and pushed up. A green light formed around her head, and suddenly the crown appeared as it was lifted away.

They all stood in silence as the woman froze, holding the crown an inch over Heathers head.

What are you looking at? Heather said.

Heather? Quinny asked as she approached.

Yes? Heather replied. Did we just do it? Do we get the answers? She looked around at pained faces as Blackbast carefully reached over and took the crown.

We got our answers and more, Blackbast said with a sigh. I am sorry, you may not be happy to hear them. Come sit at the table and have something to drink. This is going to be a long story.