Chapter 25 - Next stop!

There's a bright light, scorching lilac, coming from the top of his wand. The light expands as the three disappear into the lilac. Trance's faint laughter and the humans' faint screams echo as they drop in front of Damara's quaint cottage outside of the village. Rue and Monty had both closed their eyes for the trip. Rue was the first to peek one eye open to find Trance shaking with laughter. Monty's legs wiggle from the out-of-body experience which forces him to hold onto Trance for balance. They both swallow hard, mentally wishing for a drink of water as they began to regain their focus.

As Trance tucks away his wand into his boots, he gestures for them to follow him. "Let's go meet Damara." He smiles pleasantly. While the two follow after, they begin to hear wild moans and ferocious growls the closer they traveled. While Trance stood on the porch and knocked, Monty and Rue noticed the herbs and beauty of her plants. Monty was hesitant to follow after because of another pleasurable scream. Two dangerous snarls follow before Trance knocked once more.

A few moments later, the humans made it to the porch before Damara opens the door. Monty was surprised to find a beautiful woman with silver white hair and sparkling blue eyes. Rue swallows at the sight of this witch, noticing the disheveled hair and misplaced robe on her body. "Trance!" The female's eyes brighten as she pulls him in for a hug. They share a brief connection before she turns to the two teens. "Oh, 'ello." She waves, fixing her robe and curling her hair around her ear.

"Uh, hi," Rue laughs nervously, "are you Damara, Bringer of Light?"

The witch's demeanor changes from friendly to business in a split second. "Yeh; state yer business, humans." Her electrifying eyes glare down into their souls. Trance lays a hand on her shoulder. After a smile from him, she softens, "Wha can I help ya chil'rn wit?"

Rue becomes irritated, but hides it with a pleasant smile. "We're actually hoping you can help us. Have you ever heard of "tomb of the wicken?" Rue tries with a gentle smile. She fiddles with her fingers before long. Monty bites his lip at the word "child," but otherwise, he says nothing.

Damara's face becomes slack before she and Trance blush deeply. "Uh, yeh... Are ya inna quest te fuhfill life?" She questions suddenly. Damara stands straighter now, ignoring the calls of her males coming from inside. Her gaze never waivers, only a waiting definite answer lies behind her icy eyes.

Rue turns to Monty, and they both shrug. "Something like that," Monty replies.

Slowly, Damara looks over the two, assessing the road that lies ahead. "'nd wha's te i'em yeh bring meh?" She asks, peering at the two teens, curious as to what she was supposed to provide. There were certain tombs for travelers passing through, and if Damara had to give them a certain substance, she would. Monty rummages through the satchel, digging for the candle and it's holder. Once the golden metal was out for looks, Damara's face pales. A moment later, she nods silently. "Justa moment. Lemme gets'it ready for yehns," she replies, winking.

She closes the door as Trance begins to chuckle. Blowing out a breath, he takes a seat on a beautiful swinging bench covered in blue rose vines. Monty and Rue stare from Trance to themselves. They stand awkwardly on the painted blue porch, curiosity killing them both. The deck was furnished with a table and two chairs to the left and the swing to the right. Monty glances longingly towards the chairs, hoping to sit down.

Trance speaks up, almost hearing his call. "Siddown, Tey'll be goin' at it fir a while." He motions to the chairs behind them, grabbing his wand and zapping up a meal.

Monty drools over the fried chicken and dives for a chair. He forgets all about his table manners and digs in, enjoying the delicious meat. Monty moans at the taste, savoring the flavor. "Oh, my! This chicken is amazing," he comments to himself with a mouth full of chicken. He grabs a can of Sprite sitting next to the bowl of mashed potatoes.

Trance laughs at the boy, smiling happily at his reaction. He gestures the cautious Rue to sit across from Monty, hoping she would taste the food as well. She stands still a moment, not sure whether to accept the meal or not, but soon her stomach does for her. Embarrassed, she takes a seat from Monty and opens a Coke-A-Cola. Her eyes land on the corn and chicken thighs before her hands could. She feasts with Monty as Trance sips on some gin.

Within minutes, the three could hear the same beastly snarls and pleasurable moans coming from the house. Monty freezes a moment, gulping down the rest of the caffeinated drink before eating some cole slaw. Rue grimaces when she hears names being screamed and turns to Trance.

"What the hell are they doing to her?" She asks incredulously.

Trance pauses from sipping on his gin, staring at the child. Another ferocious growl rings out from the second layer of the cottage. "Do yeh really wanta know?" Trance raises a brow as he lounges across the swing. His feet hold him steady as an arm loops around the back of the swing's base. A smirk lifts the corner of his lips as he brings the glass to his mouth.

Monty shivers. "They're fucking, aren't they?" A maroon blush coats his face.

Shocked, Rue spits out her drink and coughs. Trance stills for a moment before nodding to the intelligent boy. They share an intimate moment, deepening the shade of red on Monty's cheeks. When Rue finally gathers herself, she gapes at Trance. Her mouth can't form words as her brain begins processing the situation.

After a few moments, there was a howl before another joined in. Trance winces from the sound as Rue and Monty share a pointed look. Monty munches on the rest of his fried chicken nonchalantly before grabbing a napkin to clean himself. Rue follows suit and finishes her drink. As Rue lets out a loud burp, the food is cleared from the table. Monty turns to Trance, watching the witch with mystifying enchantment. It's Trance's turn to blush a deep magenta.

"Thank you, Trance." A shiver runs down his spine as Monty smiles. Rue nods in agreement as Trance replays the sound of his name on Monty's tongue.

Before Trance can reply, however, Damara's front door opens to reveal her in her robe, only it was tattered and shredded in a few places. A smile litters her mouth as she presents a vial to the three. "Yer gif," she smiles, handing over the vial to Rue, who stands near the witch with Monty, "drench te tip of these in te substance, and te light shall stay." In mere air, the female witch manifests matches made of blue ice. She hands them over as well, smiling as the young beauty takes them.

Rue smiles kindly, "Thank you, very much."

Damara grins in gratitude. "I hope yehns achieve yer quest. May te Anima Luna be gracious of yeh both," she graces their path and tilts their chins, peering deep into their eyes. A gentle smile alights her face as she turns to Trance. "'Nd yeh as well, dear fren'." Damara and Trance hold hands, embracing one another one last time.

Trance smiles. "Ne'er dull, Bringer of Light." They both smile, genuinely kind.

"Mara! Don't tink we're done wit ya yet," a rugged, deep voice calls from inside. Damara shivers delicately before nodding her goodbye and sliding back through the doorframe.

Rue stares grimly at the vial full of thick, warm, blue liquid and the icy blue toothpicks. "Well," Rue swallows and glances to Monty and Trance, "next stop; Faelkyria."