That night I got no sleep.
I was up every second thinking about how I was going to get Cal back. About this...other world. I confronted my mother about it but she blanked again. Staring at just one place in the room.
And I especially couldn't stop thinking about what I was going to do with Cason once I found him. He was going to die for this and I was going to do it myself.
I have never been an aggressive person. I was scared of the smallest insect.
But when it comes to Cal... another side of me awakens. I told Raiden to leave around 3 even though he insisted on staying. And I just sat there staring at the ceiling.
Crawled up in a ball.
No more tears came. I think I drained every drop.
And all that was left was fury. The sun shone through the window and I left my room. I was exhausted but didn't care. Starving but pushed it back. All I could think about is the worst possibilities for where he is.
He said he was having dreams of being locked up. Is this truly the dream coming true? Is that even possible? But this is the place where dreams come true. And I guess nightmares fall into that category. I called out for the random man several times. What was he even going to do about it?
Then I called Raiden and he met me at the coffee shop. I got their strongest coffee and already chugged one cup. He must have noticed the bags under my eyes because he said "You didn't sleep last night did you." "I-I can't. Not now." "You need to rest Mer." "What I need is to find my brother." "Mer I'm going to tell you something but you have to promise not to flip out."
I put a hand up and chugged down another cup of coffee. It burned but I didn't care.
"I'm not from around here."
"Ya no crap. You're more British than American."
"There is this place...Lazius." My jaw dropped. "I'm guessing you have an idea of what that is then. I am Draxin, Mer. I'm not human. And neither are you."
"No. That's not...possible." "In my world there is this.... Curse. It is plaguing the..magic in my world. It was caused the day your father smuggled your out of that world and people believe you can break the curse because of your...gifts. And when you told Dazian that you have a biological brother. He thinks that Cal can break it."
"Wait Dazian. Thats Cason?" "Yes he used a fake name. So nobody would recognize him here. Mer your power becomes the strongest on your 18th birthday which makes you easier to track."
"But that was only a month ago-"
"Yes and someone brought you here to California because the rifts are most abundant here." I rested my head on the palms of my hands.
"This is crazy." I whispered. "He's in...another world. Why not just take me?" "I-I don't know. You said he drugged you right? How didn't he take you?"
"The man. This man has been following me. He... saved me i think." I pictured him. "Tall. Muscular. Brown hair. Hazel green eyes." "Did he have a mark like this?" Raiden pulled down his shirt to show the whorls of tattoo stretching to the side of his shoulder from his chest. There was a lion like creature in the center of it. I remembered seeing a glimpse of it under his shirt.
"Yes but with a.... Bird. Dragon. Some kind of winged creature." Raiden cursed. "One of Allister's men." "Who is Allister?" "King of the night." "So you think this man works for him?" "Yes." "Than who are you? How are you...More like why are you here?"
"Because I had to see for myself. The girl that every kingdom is after." "So you're not just some normal sweet trouble maker custodian?" "No." "Than who are you?" "Let's go somewhere more private." "How can i trust that you won't snatch me away?" "Because if i wanted to i would have already done it."
We exited the shop and drove to his house. "So you don't actually live here?" "It's a rental." "So run this again. The man said there are 5 houses. Is that true?" "Yes but we call them fields. The dark field, water field, air house, earth field, and last but not least fire."
"And you are?"
"I am Raiden, prince of the fire field." He said giving a little bow. "Prince? There is royalty in your world?" "Our world Mer. You come from it too." "Then what house was I from?" "Err i'm not exactly sure about that." "H-How long have you been here?" "A few months to learn your ways. And it was easy to find you. You're like a literal beacon."
"But i don't have...magic." "Well not that you know of. See one has to know they have it to be able to use it. If you accept it I bet you could use it whenever you want."
"So you can...control fire?"
"Used to. See the plague blocks out our magic. All magic is gone from our world. A Weaverax.... Something like a witch, took it. Drained our powers after your father left. Nobody knows why but rumors spread of the girl who's magic was used by the Weaverax to take our powers. The day one is born, their magic is at its strongest point. It is thought that she harnessed that power."
"But why now? They could have came after me my entire life. Why now?" "Because the portal to this realm only opens every Sheiour. A world wide phenomenon when the cracks open. And they are going to close very soon. In a months time."
"And then he will be trapped there?" Raiden frowned and nodded. "Then bring me there." He nodded. "Midnight. The only time the portal is open. That's when we will go."
"But go where?" "To my kingdom of course. Find out how to get into the Water Field where your brother is being kept." I rubbed my temple.
"This is crazy." He grinned. "I have to tell my mother i am going." I stood up. "I'll be right back." Before he could say anything I went to the hotel. She was crawled up into a ball on the floor.
"Mom?" No response. "Mom I'm leaving. And it's going to be for a while. You know about Lazius." She stiffened. "Well i'm going to rescue Cal. All of the money is in the safe. I called Jenny to look after you." She didn't say anything. Right as i left the door her soft voice said "Wait." It was almost a whisper. I turned around but she was still facing the wall.
"Mercury you can't go." "Cal is there-" "Mercury he's gone. There.... If they have him already there is no hope. If she has him he is gone."
"No-"
"She is evil Mer. She influences people. Makes them do her bidding. Makes them someone they are not." She turned around and her brown eyes met mine.
"Mer she will twist you and can control your mind." Her voice was so shaky it was hard to understand her. "One command and you will have to do her bidding. And she can do this because of you. She took some of your power all of those years ago which makes her the most powerful Weaverax alive." My mother stood up and took my hands.
"Don't let her break you. You are strong. Don't let her make the light inside you die out." I have never heard so many words out of my mother's mouth at once. "Mom why did you never tell me about this world? What does dad have to do with it-"
"Because it is a world filled with evil now that she is there. It was beautiful once but has been turned to darkness." "I need you to tell me more-" But then she gripped her throat. It was like she was choking.
"Mom!" I yelled. She collapsed and I could only catch her head before it hit the ground. "Mom what is happening?"
"S-She is killing me. I have said too much." She choked. Then the light left from her eyes. "Mom? M-Mom!" And her body started to fade. Just disintegrate. I held her hand but suddenly it flaked away. Until nothing was left of her.
"Mom?" I sobbed. She was gone. Just like that. Was she-she dead? But her body disappeared. I stood up and the tears dried. I was alone now. Only emptiness filled me.