Hades made sure everyone left the room. He didn't want anyone to affect Ella's healing process in any way.
"Do you think she'll be ok?" Brooke had been staring at the wall ever since she sat down.
"Do you remember when we went to that water park in 9th grade? There was this one ride that would shoot you in the air when you were strapped in. She was terrified of heights but she still went on it," Harry laughs. "I think if Ella let's anything happen to herself, we're all doomed."
Heads turned as the click from the door is heard. They see Hades walk out of the room looking exhausted.
"Emperor Hades," Harry runs to help him stand. "Is she ok? Are you ok?"
"We're both fine," Hades stands up straighter. "I have healed her as much as I can so she's not in critical condition. After this she will need professional healing that I cannot provide."
"Who can?" Brooke looks at him desperately.
"There is an elder living in the volcanoes that can help you. He has mastered all forms of healing including fire," Hades explains.
"How can we find him? And why do we need to use fire?" Holt asks.
"After you go to the volcano he will find you, he knows everything that's going on. His name is Achak, he is the best shot we have of saving the guardian," Hades says. "He will use fire to burn out the poison in her system. Stonefish poison is very sensitive, if I continue to try to heal her, I could harm her."
"We'll find him," Brooke says. "You should go and rest now, thank you so much for helping us."
"Of course, let me know if you need anything," Hades walks away with some guards.
"You can't all go," Clare says.
"I'll stay here with Ella," Brooke says. "Harry and Holt can go find Achak."
"What about me?" Clare asks.
"I think it's best you go back home, you're risking getting hurt," Brooke walks closer to Clare as she talks.
"I hate that you're right. Let me know if you need any help at all," Clare says. Brooke nods before Clare leaves.
"Guardians," a sweet voice interrupts. "I am here to take you to your rooms. I'm sure you would like a change of clothes."
"Yes, thank you," Holt says.
They follow the maid to their temporary rooms to change before meeting in Ella's room.
"You guys should wait until tomorrow to leave, sleep for now," Brooke sits in the chair next to Ella's bed.
~~~
When the morning came, Holt and Harry packed their bags and said goodbye to Brooke. Ella had been moved into her own room for comfort.
"Be careful ok?" Brooke tells them.
"We will, don't worry," Holt says.
Holt and Harry wave goodbye and drive away towards the volcanoes. They knew that finding Achak was their best chance at saving Ella. It was supposed to take them 2 days to get there. The hike to Achak's house was a long one, Emperor Hades had told them to bring lots of food and water because of it.
~~~
When the guardians reached the volcanoes they parked the car at the bottom of the trail.
"This is gonna be easy but long. It looks like majority of the hike goes up at a steady pace, but it looks long as hell," Holt observes.
"We'll get through it. Besides, we have enough food and water to last us weeks. Empress Persephone really didn't want us to starve," Harry laughs.
"She's really nice. I thought she might be a bit rude because of all the rumors but she's really caring," Holt says as they begin their hike up the volcano.
Every hour, they stop to take a break. They were 3 hours in when they saw a series of caves built into the side of the volcano. Harry suggests looking into them, hopeful to find Achak.
"Do you think he'll be here?" Holt asks.
"I mean, he lives on the volcano and there happens to be caves in said volcano," Harry takes out a flashlight before entering the cave. "I think it's a good guess."
The cave was dark and cold even though it was in one of the hottest volcanoes of Hell. They walked around the cave looking for any sign of life. They hear a voice talking and decide to follow it.
"You know, you really need to stop getting into those fights. Nothing good comes out of them," the voice says.
"I know, Achak, but you have to understand that I want to do this. These fights are making me stronger, the people I fight are kind enough to give me tips after every fight. Isn't that crazy?" a second voice responds.
"Is that?" Holt looks at Harry.
"No way," Harry shakes his head.
They turn the corner and their eyes widen at what they see.
"Ella?"
~~~
"How is this even possible?" Harry asks.
After the guardians made their astonishing discovery, Achak invited them to sit and have tea.
"When the poison first affected my body I could feel it. I was able to tell that something was wrong in my blood," Ella begins to explain. "Ronald had been teaching us astral projection so before I passed out I sent out my spirit. I followed you guys as you took me to Hell and Emperor Hades healed me. When he told you guys about Achak I thought I'd go out and find him."
"So the you we're seeing is your spirit?" Holt asks.
Ella nods in response.
"What fights were you talking about?" Harry asks.
"The spirits lost on Earth started a fight club years ago. They would fight each other just for the fun of it and then go out for lunch or dinner," Ella says.
"Why are you in the fights?" Holt says curiously.
"Ronald is a great teacher, don't get me wrong. It's just that this is like street fighting. There are no rules for it. Everyone is either dead or is a spirit so they can't be killed," Ella has a sparkle in her eyes as she talks.
"I've been telling her not to get tied with the spirits but she won't listen. They're known to use people for their own gain. You can't even use your powers as a spirit," Achak says.
"I promise I won't get in any more fights after today," Ella says.
"Ella," Harry calls out. "Why haven't you returned to your body?"
"As guardians we have to be physically, mentally, and spiritually trained to fight against anything the word throws at us. We haven't done much spiritual training so I thought I'd stay here and learn a few things," Ella takes a sip of her cold tea and makes a face at it. Achak takes the cup from her and refills it with hot tea.
"We were actually hoping to find Achak so he could heal your body," Holt says. "We've been worried about you not waking up."
Ella looks down as she thinks. The gears in her head turning, looking for a solution that could help everyone.
"Achak," Ella looks up. "I think it might be best I go, but you should come with us. We need a spiritual trainer and from what they say, I need a healer."
Achak looks at the hopeful guardians and smiles.
"I will come and help you," he says. "But no more fights for you, in spiritual or physical form."
"I promise," Ella laughs.
The guardians wait as Achak packs a bag with his clothes and other necessities. They start walking down the volcano to the car that Harry and Holt drove there.
It was late at night when they started driving back to the castle. Ella sent her spirit back into her body and woke up to find Brooke sleeping soundly in a chair next to her bed.
She quietly chuckles at her friend's uncomfortable form. Ella looks out into the night sky and slowly falls asleep.