“I'm not going down without a fight,” I informed him, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in my head. Knowing it to be a sign of confidence and strength, I made eye contact with him.
The Lulin general’s eyes bore into mine. “Bring it, Valida Smith.”
His glowing eyes made it hard to keep the intense staring contest up, but I didn’t break eye contact.
“Oh, I will.”
Chapter 22
I never expected to fight for my life against a laser-shooting, hideous night goblin.
Life is full of surprises.
Sygopsis made the first move, firing a laser at my stomach. I sidestepped, only to be hit in the hand by the next laser. I cried out as pins and needles creeped up my arm, burning like molten iron immediately afterward.
Fire came easily now. Flames leapt from my other hand faster than you could say roasted. Still, Sygopsis dodged it easily.
“Is that all you’ve got, Magenta?” he taunted.
My head was in the game now. My instincts were fully activated—instincts that I didn’t even know I had. I felt like a natural, predatory hunter.
A little sparrow, holding a miniature mirror in its beak, flew into the room and transformed into Akezo. The Silver Mirror, now in his hands, grew back to its previous size. He shoved it into my hands and said, “Find the creature inside of you.”
I looked into my reflection, but what I expected wasn’t what I saw. I saw a lioness, eyes glowing magenta, that didn’t let anyone mess with her. I didn’t just see her; I was her.
“Valida, look out!” Regina screamed at me.
While I was entranced by image, Sygopsis saw his chance and attacked from behind, driving a small dagger into my thigh. I roared, my thigh stinging as blood seeped through my golden fur at the wound. My body tingled from the transformation. I was literally the lioness.
Sygopsis grabbed the Silver Mirror, only to scream as he was thrown back against the wall by electrocution. The Mirror clattered to the ground in front of me, but didn’t break.
Akezo whooped and transformed into a lion, his mane shaggy and tangled. Congratulations, Magenta Valida; you are the new wielder of the Silver Mirror.
His mouth didn’t move, but I understood his thoughts. Cool, I said. Now I have two Objects.
LULIN! he shouted in warning.
I turned just in time to see a dagger sink into my shoulder. I roared, agonized, and hit the ground with a thud. The pain was dizzying. My vision darkened. I lifted my head just enough to look into the Silver Mirror. The tingling feeling came over me again, and I felt myself shift back into human form. My vision went in and out of focus.
Akezo roared and charged the Lulins, but with no avail. They were too fast. One carried a club and smacked it over his head. His eyes rolled back into his head and he fell with a thud.
Sygopsis crouched down by me with a sinister, pointy-toothed smile that made my stomach churn.
“The king will be pleased.”
◆◆◆
I woke up in a cell that was similar the one that the Eikosi Tessera rescued me from in Emparadroy. It was dirty, dark, and depressing. Nothing worth thinking about had happened in the Darkness, especially since Felix hadn’t been there. I felt disoriented and exhausted. Even in my confused state, I noticed my thigh and shoulder had been healed.
“Nice nap, young Magenta?” a Lulin guard mocked through the little barred window in the door.
Childish as it was, I stuck my tongue out at him—and immediately regretted it. The smell of the prison cell was bad, but tasting it was worse.
I gagged. “You guys couldn’t have gotten air freshener or something?”
“Silence, prisoner!” the other guard ordered.
Silence made my stay incredibly boring. Over the next few hours, I got so bored that I shoved my watch in my jeans pocket and just started randomly setting my hands on fire. My hands, now fireproof, never burned or made me uncomfortable. I practiced throwing fireballs at the stone wall, each one from a different finger or combination of fingers. Then, target practice on the individual stones.
Finally, just as I became bored of that, one of the guards opened my cell door.
“King Bimaedonis would like to see you,” the guard informed me.
I was led into a grand throne room, themed black and red. The banners were red, lined with black, hanging on the walls. A massive throne, made entirely of onyx and rubies, matched the crown that sat on the king’s head. The king looked just like Sygopsis, but with glowing red eyes that color of rubies.
“I am King Bimaedonis.” His booming voice echoed in the room.
“I am Magenta Valida Smith,” I responded, though the words still tasted odd on my tongue. “You wish to speak to me?”
“Indeed,” King Bimaedonis acknowledged. “According to legends—”
“Let me stop you there,” I interrupted. “Legends aren’t exactly the best resources. I would recommend finding a new source for your information.”
“Ignorant Earthen!” the Lulin King snarled. “You know nothing! The legends have been passed down from generation to generation from the Zajahani Elders themselves!”
“Doesn’t that just make it an extremely long game of Telephone?” I questioned. “The stories get changed in the process of being passed down by word of mouth.”
“You dare insult me?” he thundered.
“Calm down, King Laser-Eyes,” I said. “I meant no offense.”
He glared down at me and commanded, “KILL HER!”
As much as I would like to say that I kept a cool head, spoke calmly, and used my wits to get myself out of my situation, I definitely did not.
Lulin guards surrounded me, their swords pointed at me. I was unarmed. I panicked.
“FIRE!” I shrieked, blasting fire everywhere. Guards dove left and right to avoid the flames. “EAT EMBERS! I REFUSE TO BE KILLED! FIRE!”
I think I went slightly overboard with my shrieking, but it was surprisingly effective.
“You idiots!” the Lulin King addressed his guards. “Sygopsis, use the Diamond Ring!”
A blast of water killed my flames and soaked me from my head to my toes. Sygopsis stood triumphant in front of me, his hand formed in a fist and directed toward me. The Diamond Ring glittered on his ring finger.
“You are not the only one with a Legendary Object,” he boasted.
“Yeah,” I acknowledged, “but I’m the only one with two.”
On command, the Bronze Locket appeared around my neck and the Silver Mirror in my hand. I did my best to look confident and victorious.
There was just one pressing problem; I had absolutely no clue how either of my Objects worked. I don’t know how I used the Silver Mirror to transform into the lioness, or back into my normal form. I’d never even used the Bronze Locket.
I could only hope that Sygopsis wouldn’t call my bluff.
“Kill her!” King Bimaedonis insisted.
“Thanks plenty, King Bimey,” I muttered sarcastically.
“Legendary Objects or not,” Sygopsis said, “prepare to die.”
In one last desperate attempt, I shot a fireball directly into his golden eyes. He shrieked, a horrible sound. “MY EYES!”
The others started to advance, but I shouted, “Stay back, unless you want to go blind, too!”
“Kill her!” the Lulin King ordered again.
The guards backed away, ignoring their king. Sygopsis wailed, clawing at his eyes.
“What do you want from me?” he wailed. “I’ll do anything! Just no more fire!”
I knew my request. “Don’t do anything.”
“What?” he questioned, concerned.
“Opatay clekavra!” I chanted, hoping the Lulin King’s throne room wasn’t portal-blocked.
Chapter 23
Good news: the throne room wasn’t portal-blocked. Bad news: I couldn’t see a single living thing in this Dimension.
This Dimension was unlike any other I’d visited. The skies
were gray and cloudy, the ground was rocky and lacking plants, and there were ruins everywhere. Cold embers littered the ground. Two black bats circled above my head.
“What happened here?” I asked aloud, kneeling down to pick up a small piece of what was once a brick.
One of the bats transformed into a boy. He was pale, like snow, and his eyes were blood red. He wore a black and red cloak that reached his feet.
“Vampire,” I breathed, backing away.
“What is a human girl like you doing in Vampousai?” he asked sweetly.
The second bat transformed in midair into a girl that could have easily been the vampire boy’s sister. She landed on her feet, next to the vampire boy, and bared her fangs. “I smell Magenta.”
“We will feast well tonight,” the vampire boy responded, baring his fangs as well.
I willed my hands to burst into flames. The vampires hissed and covered their faces with their cloak sleeves.
“You won’t be feasting on me tonight,” I informed them, throwing them each a fireball.
One of the fireballs hit its target. The girl cried out in agony, turning to dust. The boy shouted, “Kulaya!”
There was nothing he could do. The girl—Kulaya—was gone. He turned to me and snarled, “I will drink you dry, Magenta!”
I formed another fireball. “Do you really want to try to do that?”
He snarled and charged. I threw my fireball, but it missed by a few inches. Still, he stopped, a shocked expression on his face. He turned to dust, revealing a girl holding a pointy stake.
“Quick!” she said, grabbing my arm and pulling me along. “Before they reform!”
“They reform?” I asked incredulously.
She nodded as she opened a door in the ground. “Welcome to Vampousai. Get in.”
Figuring that it was better to trust her than face Kulaya and the vampire boy again, I climbed down. She followed, closing the door above us and turning on a flashlight.
“Good, you’re back!” a boy exclaimed, relieved. Then, he realized that the girl wasn’t alone. “Katie, who’s that?”
Katie shrugged. “I dunno. She almost got vampired by Kulo, and before that, she turned Kulaya to dust. I think we can trust her.”
“I’m Valida,” I introduced.
“Adam,” the boy introduced. “We’re the last survivors. Everyone else either died or got vampired when the vampires first showed up about a year ago.” He pulled a box of granola bars. “Hungry?”
I accepted one gratefully. “Thanks. So, if this is such a dangerous place, why don’t you two just leave?”
“And go where?” Katie asked, tossing her granola bar wrapper in a little trash can. “Neither of us have gone outside of Vampousai. We don’t know anything about the other Dimensions, let alone how to get to them.”
“I can open a portal,” I offered. “I learned from my friends.” My eyes widened. “Oh, chicken nuggets. The Legendary Keepers. I forgot all about them! I’ve got to get back to them!”
“Legendary Keepers?” Katie asked.
“Chicken nuggets?” Adam questioned.
“My friends are the Legendary Keepers,” I explained. “When I got captured by the Lulins, they weren’t with me. They’re going to be worried sick and I don’t know where to find them!”
“So, in other words,” Adam said, “they could be anywhere in the Dimensions.”
I nodded. “Meaning that I’m on my own.”
Katie and Adam exchanged looks. “You’ve got us,” Katie said.
I let myself appreciate them for a moment. I’d only met them two minutes or so ago because of vampires, but they were already my friends.
“Thanks,” I said. “Now how about that portal?”
◆◆◆
What awaited us on the other side was the exact opposite of Vampousai.
Fields and meadows filled with colorful flowers surrounded us. A clear blue stream gurgled nearby. Not a cloud filled the sky. Horses—specifically, unicorns—pranced around, their heads occasionally dipping down to graze.
Paradise.
I breathed in the fresh air, sighing with content. There was an unmistakable feeling of lighthearted joy in the air. I could get used to this.
Katie smiled, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. “This place is incredible,” she breathed.
“It’s nice to see the sun again,” Adam said.
A beautiful pegasus trotted over. Her coat and mane were a lustrous silver and her hooves were golden. She greeted us by lowering her head, as if about to graze.
I am Silva. Although I heard her neigh, the English words popped in my head.
“Nice,” Adam commented. “I haven’t seen a horse since the vampires came and now I can understand horse talk!”
Pegasi, Silva corrected. You can understand pegasi because of a mental translation spell, courtesy of my sister, Krystalla. What brings you to Equestralan?
“I’m looking for my other friends,” I answered. “Have you ever met the Legendary Keepers?”
Silva shook her head. No, but I have heard much about them. They are the descendants of the Rebels of Emparadroy, correct?
Adam gave a low whistle. “The Rebels of Emparadroy? Those guys were incredible! I mean, even I’ve heard of Roy Smith!”
“Roy Smith?” My throat went dry.
“Yeah!” Adam said with a lot of enthusiasm. “He defeated Zykno, saved the Dimensions—”
“—and vanished,” Katie finished for him. “Hasn’t been seen for the past five years. Last I heard, anyway. He and Cynthia West made a great team.”
“There is no way,” I breathed. “Not possible.”
Silva tilted her head to the side. Huh?
“There is no way my parents are Dimensional legends.”
“You’re Roy and Cynthia’s daughter?” Adam asked with widened eyes.
I nodded. “Yes. I’m their daughter, and the Magenta. To top it all off, I only found out about the Magenta thing about a week ago.”
“Why wouldn’t they tell you?” Katie wondered aloud.
I shrugged. “I don’t know, but when I find them, I’m going to have some questions.”
I think you mean when you rescue them, Silva corrected. I know where they are. The Attackers have been keeping them in the dungeon in Emparadroy.
I groaned. “I hate that dungeon. So, does anyone want to come with me to rescue my parents?”
“I’m in!” Adam blurted.
Katie raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you agree to life-threatening missions without thoroughly calculating the risks first?”
Adam turned red. “What?” he demanded. “Her parents are Roy and Cynthia! You know I’ve always wanted to meet them!”
Katie smiled. “I was teasing, Adam.”
His face grew redder. “Oh.”
“We’ll both join you,” Katie told me.
I will as well, Silva offered. I have grown bored over the past year or so. I could use an adventure.
“I guess it’s settled, then,” Katie said. “Lead the way, Magenta.”
“You can call me Valida,” I responded. “Opatay clekavra Emparadroy!”
A portal opened, and we stepped through, not fully understanding what we were stepping into.
Chapter 24
“Where are we?” I breathed.
A dark cloud hung overhead. People milled around the marketplace we had appeared in, purchasing and selling goods. Those near us backed away slowly.
“Portal-users!” one exclaimed.
“Is this normal?” Adam whispered.
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
We come in peace, Silva said, lowering her head in greeting. I am Silva of Equestralan.
Someone screamed, and the marketplace fell to chaos. People ran, panicking back to huts, slamming and bolting the doors and windows.
“Well, weren’t they welcoming?” I said sarcastically.
“You really can’t blame them, you know,” a gentle voice stated.
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I turned to face the speaker. She was a woman with a dark tan like Tom’s and beautiful, waist-length, raven-colored black hair. She wore a simple, floor-length purple dress and carried a basket of goods.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“My name is Teresa,” she introduced, a small smile on her lips. “You’ve grown much, Magenta Valida.”
“Why the chicken nuggets with French fries and onion rings does everyone know me?” I exclaimed.
“Long story short,” Teresa answered, “I knew you when you were small. I was a Rebel of Emparadroy with your parents. Come, we should talk.”
I looked at my newfound friends. “Detour?” I suggested.
Katie shrugged. “Why not?”
“Well—” Adam started.
Katie shushed him. “That was a rhetorical question.”
“Oh.”
We followed her to a small hut, simply furnished but cozy. Silva had a bit of trouble fitting through the door, but she made it through in the end. Teresa set her basket of goods down and started up a fire in the wood-burning stove. As she started preparing her meal, she talked to us.
“Like I told you before, I’m Teresa,” she began. “Thomas Jones is my son.”
I tried to figure out how a kind, gentle-mannered woman like her could be the mother of a hothead like Tom. It didn’t seem possible.
My facial expression must have given something away because Teresa laughed and said, “He is...an interesting boy, isn’t he?”
I shrugged. “I suppose.”
Her expression saddened. “He hasn’t been the same since his father, Ryan, went missing two years ago. He became angrier, more vindictive, and more short-tempered. He and Ryan were always close.” She looked wistful for a moment, then snapped back to reality. “So, what brings you four to Emparadroy?”
We need to get into Mallum’s dungeon, Silva answered. Roy and Cynthia Smith are being held captive there. We need to release them.
A small smile played on Teresa’s lips. “I can help you with that. Stay for dinner, then we’ll talk.”
◆◆◆
The Magenta (The Legendary Keepers Book 1) Page 10
