“No, you can’t go yet, I need answers!” Larissa said.
However, the guardians were now disappearing, like an illusion.
“Father,” she whispered, tears falling on her cheeks.
However, they were gone. Larissa began to feel sleepy and dropped to the ground.
* *
Larissa found herself back in the midst of noise and shouting. The fight was still on. Hadn’t anyone noticed what just happened? She stood up amongst the chaos and, as her father had said, she knew what she had to do! She took the Crystal out of her backpack and held it out.
“Crystal, will you help in bringing this fight to an end?” she asked.
“I thought you would never ask!” the Crystal said. “By the way, I am glad you finally met your father and guardians.”
“How did you know?” Larissa looked at her fighting family and friends.
“I am your Crystal, what happens to you, I get to know,” he said. “Now, shall we finish off those werewolves?”
The magic inside Larissa swelled and as it grew, she felt powerful, able to do anything. Lifting the now twirling Crystal above her head, she felt its power.
“Shashice,” she breathed.
A white light illuminated the fight, and everything stopped. Ice shards flew from the Crystal like daggers, right into the werewolves’ hearts. Encased in ice, they stood. Larissa saw Ripaz, his eyes frozen wide in shock. She put the Crystal down and conjured up a moving ball of mud and stone. It swirled towards the statues and clung to them like glue. The werewolves then turned to dust. A small wind carried the particles away.
Everything and everyone was quiet, and all stared at Larissa in astonishment.
Larissa shrugged, and then, laughed. She put the Crystal back into her backpack. “Shall we carry on?” she said
“Well, now that you have saved the day, yes!” chirped the owl, who flew down to her arm. “I thought the fight was going to take forever!”
“But how did you...?” Marcaria asked.
Jake knew though and caught Larissa’s eye.
“Guardians,” his whisper sounded loud in her ear.
She didn’t know how he knew, but she had plenty of time to find out.
“I will explain later, Mum,” she said. “Right now, I just want to get out of this place!”
Therefore, the group moved on, praying for no more adventures just yet!
24
The group comprising of witches, bears, an owl, and the unisus’, all stood before the gates that lead to the dwelling of the Earth Spirits. The gates and walls had an unearthly feel, a place that looked so delicate that it seemed it should not be here. A calm sensation entered Larissa. Luille, who was now perched on Larissa’s shoulder, also seemed to be in awe at the pearly white entrance.
The walls however, were not made of bricks and stone, but of wisps of white smoke, that held the appearance of dancing animals, a forever-changing picture of illusion. Larissa stared, mesmerised.
The bears bowed their heads and sang a strange song, their deep voices resonating from the depths of their throats. The gates opened and the wisps of smoke became static. As Larissa entered the dwelling, she felt harmony. Here, the air was warm and comforting. She watched the witches take their coats off.
Something else that was remarkable was that it was very bright and earthy, like spring. Daffodils, rose bushes, lilies, lavender, and many other flower and plant species lined the sides of an immaculate lawn. This garden was truly magical. Above, Larissa gasped as the snowflakes petered out as they hit the ‘ceiling’ of the garden.
“The Earth Spirits prefer light and warmth,” said the Great Bear. “They are unable to tolerate the cold. Let me tell you that they are also highly intellectual, they bring peace and tranquillity to all creatures that guard Mother Nature, but those who fail to do so, they can make their lives become a kind of hell.”
Larissa and Jake shivered at hearing these words. “They have witnessed the destruction of the Aurora Borealis and this has weakened them. The Earth Spirits and
the Aurora Borealis are connected and share the same magic,” the bear continued.
“The Aurora Borealis is the mother of connections between the Earth Spirits and the spirits of the other planets in our galaxy, like a spider’s web,” said Mike. “Am I correct?”
“Yes, quite so,” said the Great Bear.
“How did you know that, Mike?” asked Jake, astounded.
It sounded ancient to him!
“Well, young man, I went to witches’ school,” Mike
chuckled, quite pleased with himself that he had remembered
parts of his education.
“If one part of the web is broken, the other threads
begin to weaken too,” Luille said as he flew to a tree, and
shook his right leg, then his left, and then flexed his wings. “I am getting too old for this much flying, oh my poor
wings.”
“So, not only is Earth in danger, but so are other
planets?” said Larissa.
The Great Bear nodded.
“I’m going to kill those Empire Witches!” Luille said
with contempt. Jake and Larissa laughed, it was quite a funny
thing to hear.
“That is our intention,” Marcaria said.
Larissa looked around the garden, expecting to see the
Earth Spirits come out to greet them, but she saw nothing. “Do they know we are here?” she whispered. She didn’t
know quite why she was doing that.
“Yes, they know. They are also aware that the Crystal is
with you. I can feel their excitement,” said the Great Bear. “But why can’t we see them? Won’t they come to meet
us?” she asked.
Take me out, the Crystal spoke from inside the backpack.
Only Larissa heard. She obeyed immediately. Upon taking
the Crystal out, she held it in her palm.
Everyone focused on the Crystal and Larissa, their
curiosity aroused.
“Can you see them?” she asked it.
The Crystal illuminated and whispered, “Yes. Please put
me on the ground,” he instructed.
Once the Crystal was set on the ground, it began to spin.
The smoke that made up the wall came forth and enclosed
the Crystal, enveloping and twisting around it like a mini
tornado. Some witches shouted and screamed in alarm,
jumping back, but the Great Bears, the unisus’, and the Owl
watched in calm fascination.
The Crystal began to expand upwards before their very
eyes, rendering the witches speechless. It expanded to the
full height of a human, taking the form of a man. He wore a
blue tunic and his long hair reaching his waist was tied into a
plait. His eyes were the colour of green flecked with grey, his
face resembling a Greek god, as Larissa had seen in books. She couldn’t keep her eyes off him much to the distaste of
Jake.
“I am Canopus - Witch Crystal, and Earth Spirit,” he
said. “Thank you for freeing me, Larissa.”
He walked to a wall that had four engraved images of
people. They looked similar to the Witch Crystal. Larissa
hadn’t noticed it before. Canopus raised his hands and
spoke, “Earth Spirit, come to thee, I have been released, I
am home, your brother, Canopus.”
He kneeled on one knee, and bowed his head. Larissa and
the others watched in stunned silence as four individuals
came out of the wall, and stood before Canopus. They wore
long tunics with a belt around the middle.
“You may stand,” said the tallest Earth Spirit. He, like
Canopus, had long hair down to his waist, only his was not
tied. “It is good
to see you, boy. Let us embrace and rejoice!” Larissa looked at Jake, who shrugged. He didn’t know
anything about it. As the Earth Spirits embraced, Larissa
shouted, “Wait!”
Everyone looked in her direction. “Sorry, but this is just
too weird. I thought the Crystal was just a magical stone, not
a human. Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked Canopus. “I am not human, but a brother of the Earth Spirits. I
am sorry I did not inform you, Larissa, but I had to keep this
a secret until I was sure it was time. I waited many long years
to return to my natural state,” he replied. “I once guarded
the planet of Earth with my brothers. We were able to keep
Earth from evil as a group, filtering all those that entered. In
the Fifteenth Century, I and my brothers heard news that a
spirit guarding Zrotaz was coming to the end of her
journey.”
“You mean she was dying?” asked Larissa.
“Even Spirits have to die,” stated Canopus. “I was given
the task to aid her in her last few hours, to make her
transition back into the galaxy as peaceful as possible.” “What becomes of a spirit, once he or she passes away?”
asked Jake. He couldn’t see a spirit just turn into bones and
dust.
“The spirits become stars after ‘death’ and they rest
gracefully upon the galaxies, sometimes sending messages to
those who ask for it,” said Eveliyah.
“How did you become a Crystal?” asked Larissa. “That is an interesting question,” trilled Luille. “I want to
know that too.”
“I was coming to that,” said Canopus. “After the Spirit
moved on, I was on my way back to Earth, but I was
intercepted by a sorcerer. He was an evil one; I could smell
it. He wanted my magic, believing it would make him
immortal. There was a duel; he used black magic on me that
weakened my body. I was unable to fight back. However, his
spells backfired on him, and killed him.
“As for me, his final spell had turned me into a Crystal,
keeping me trapped and unable to leave the enclosure. I lay
on the cold ground for many years, undiscovered, just a
shiny stone gathering dust and debris. Then, one day, a
young witch came to where I was lying. I could sense her
greed like the other witch. She found me and took me back
to her castle. I wanted her to release me from my prison, so I
spoke to her. She didn’t seem at all surprised! She played
with me as if I was her toy; she pretended to become my
friend and promised to release me many times. I believed
her. However, that day never came.
“I watched her as, day by day, she grew to be a lovely
and pretty witch, but also strong. I overheard her plans to
take over the galaxy and have the witches of Zrotaz working
as slaves, who would be forced to obey her rules. One day, a
man entered the witches’ domain. I sensed he was a good
one and would help me. I also felt he was telepathic. I spoke
to him and he understood. It was night, and the witch was
asleep in her quarters. Senon entered at his own risk and
found the cupboard that I was kept in, unlocked. Was it
luck? I don’t know, but I felt the spirit whom I had set free, had helped me in this case. Senon took me and hid me in his home.” Canopus paused as his audience absorbed his story. The garden grew quiet.
Larissa then spoke, “That witch...was she the High Witch?
And that man, he was my father.”
“True and accurate on both accounts,” said Canopus. “When did you find out about me, and the prophecy?”
asked Larissa.
“It was a dark day, I remember it very well,” said
Canopus. “It was on the day the Empire Witches came to
take you, and the day your father sacrificed himself for us.
Your father spoke to me that very morning, telling me that
he believed he had found me because he had to take me to
you. He told me about this prophecy that had been made
many years ago.”
Marcaria came to stand next to Larissa, and took her hand
in hers.
“Did you know this?” Larissa asked her mother. “No, I was unaware,” said Marcaria.
“He loves you, Mum. I met him when we fought those
werewolves.”
“What do you mean? That’s just not possible!” Marcaria
looked into her daughter’s face. “He is...”
“I can’t explain it but somehow I was transported into
this new world. Father was there with four others. He said
he and his friends are my guardians,” Larissa said. “Larissa is telling the truth, Marcaria,” Canopus added.
“After Senon died, he was taken into another realm that we,
the Earth Spirits, know about. He was initiated into
Guardianship for his bravery and true sacrifice. He has been
looking out for Larissa these many years.”
Marcaria didn’t know what to believe.
It is true, Mum. I know it is hard to believe. He asked after you,
Larissa spoke telepathically.
I love you, darling. Thank you for telling me all of this, said
Marcaria. Tears started to well in her eyes.
“I’m sorry to bring up distressing memories, Marcaria,”
said Canopus.
“It’s quite alright, Canopus,” Marcaria smiled, and wiped
the corners of her eyes. “Please tell us the rest of your
journey.”
“But you already know that, dear Marcaria. It was you
who took us to Earth. I was elated when I realised I was
back home, and I waited until it was time to show myself,
when the signs showed themselves. Do you remember the
silver lining behind the sun, and the freak thunderstorms? It
was the Empire Witches’ doing, wasn’t it? You came to the
attic to check and see if I had matured. It was then that I
decided to show you some of my magic. It meant that I
would soon be free of my prison,” finished Canopus. “And
now, here I am.”
All the while Canopus was speaking; the Earth Spirits
listened intensely for they also wanted to know where their
beloved brother, Canopus, had disappeared.
“We thank you, Senon,” said the eldest Earth Spirit,
looking up to the skies. “Without you, we wouldn’t have our
brother back.”
The eldest Earth Spirit turned to face the witches and
the creatures.
“I am Krakus, and these are my brothers, Shempr and
Xixle. We are so grateful to you, Larissa, for returning our
younger brother to us. Now it is your turn, what can we do
for you?”
“Earth Spirits, we have come to you, in hopes that you
can show us the way. How do we repair the Aurora
Borealis?” asked Larissa.
Krakus pointed towards the wispy smoke wall. It then
split in the middle, showing a path in the horizon. Dark
mountains dominated the now indigo coloured sky. “That is where you must go.”
25
They stood on a hill, overlooking the expanse of country that housed the dangerous and foreboding Dark Mountains. It had stopped snowing now, and the clouds had moved on, allowing the moon to shine down brightly. A green and red hue shone around the mountains, the light
reflecting on the snow-caps that tipped the Aurora Borealis.
“You will need to bring back the magic that was stolen from us, Larissa,” said Krakus. “Only that will repair the Aurora Borealis.”
“What is this magic? I don’t understand. How do I bring it back?” asked Larissa.
“You will journey to the Dark Mountains, where the Dark Spirits have hidden the stolen magic. The magic is bound inside a sphere. Beware, it will be protected by the strongest of charms that can harm you,” said Xixle.
“The Dark Spirits like to play games,” added Shempr. “They won’t be your usual school games either and they will use anything and everything to defeat you.”
“But how will I know what to do?” Larissa swallowed, trying to hide her fear.
“Canopus will accompany you, and will aid you in this dangerous task,” replied Krakus.
“I will also go with her,” Jake stepped in. “She won’t go alone.” What he wanted to say was she won’t go alone with Canopus!
Krakus looked at Jake. “Ah, very well then. You will go as her protector but I hope, not as a hindrance.”
“I take my duties seriously, sir,” said Jake, somewhat offended.
Krakus gave a slight nod.
“Please, let me accompany Larissa as well,” said Marcaria. “She is my daughter...”
Marcaria’s voice faltered as Krakus’ hand went up.
“It is against the rules for you to enter their realm, please forgive me, councillor Marcaria,” Krakus responded, and Larissa could see the regret in his eyes. “According to the rules, only three young ones will enter the Dark Mountains.”
“And naturally that would be Larissa, Canopus, and young Xyth, who has bravely volunteered. No one else will be allowed to enter their domain,” said Shempr.
“Do you mean to say that everybody else will have to remain behind?” Cyle asked. “We are magical creatures. We could fight any demons who try to stop Larissa from obtaining the magic.”
“If Larissa is trapped or finds herself amongst unwanted company, she has Jake and Canopus to help her. She is also a witch who has remarkable talent, which will only show when it is needed,” Xixle said.
Krakus stationed himself in front of Larissa, Jake, and Canopus. He chanted a spell, and three backpacks appeared, standing like tombstones.
“These bags contain everything you’ll need for this quest,” he said. “Now you must go. Good luck, Larissa. We all await your return.”
Suddenly, a long, swooping sound broke the moment of intensity, and everyone turned their faces towards the sky. It was Luille, who came to land on Jake’s shoulder.
Witch Crystal (Witches of Zrotaz Book 1) Page 15
