Lucan
What's keeping these people from showing up in front of Vampy's crystal ball?
"They must have got a good reason Lucan," Kaoma said as he placed the book on his lap.
"Whatever it was, it better be a good one," I said.
I better save up enough mermaid tears and try not to waste them on another dead air conversation. Three knocks suddenly interrupted my thoughts, another three came in; it was a sign that something strange is going on.
"Kaoma, how about you talk to them this time," I told him as I went directly to my small work table.
The white-haired elf slowly placed the book on top of his stool and silently stood at the door. He wasn't opening it, but it might mean that something's going on. I quickly noticed his mixed hand signal and threw one of his daggers at him.
He swiftly caught the hilt of his dagger and hid it behind his back. I watched him as he slowly opens the door. I was expecting some sort of a surprise attack from the Olc followers, but it wasn't even what I've expected.
"Leda, what are you doing here?"
Oh great, it's one of pretty boy's 'girlfriends' what a guy. I should follow his 'example'.
"Good morning Sir Aegaeus,"
"Please call me Kaoma," he said as he smiled at her.
Oh please, don't forget what Vampy had told you.
"Can I come in?"
I quickly spilled my potions all over the floor (except for the important ones of course) and began to create some fake smoke by blowing the boiler real fast.
My efforts weren't wasted when they finally took notice of the drama I created.
"Oh, I see that you're friend is working," She said.
I smeared some grease on my face and ruffled my hair and pretended to walk in zigzags towards Kaoma.
"Hey, Elf! Help me," I called out in a high squeaky voice.
"Whoa, are you okay?" He quickly grabs my arm to prevent me from falling on the floor.
I shook my head and smiled at the lady.
"Good morning Milady," I said as I bowed mockingly at the lady who didn't actually smell right to me.
"Hello, good wizard,"
Her face was actually kind but in her eyes, she was hiding something. It wasn't good old Monday where visitors would usually come to buy some potions from me. This lady particularly came on Thursday and her arrival brings some bad omen.
Her red hair flowed almost too perfectly down to her hips and her smile was actually dazzling. I bet she must've used a lot of magic just to make sure elf boy here would fall for the trick and let her in.
"I guess I came on the wrong time," She said as she bowed at elf boy.
He immediately tried to toss me behind the door but I quickly grabbed his knees and hugged them.
The lady smiled at Kaoma and her eyes were filled with disgust and mockery but it wasn't shown on her face.
"Leda do you need help with something?"
He asked without even thinking about why she came on such an ominous day!
"It's not really important, Kaoma," she blushed upon saying his name.
Kaoma only scratched his head and helped me stand up.
"If you ever need help milady," I said while creating an irritating high squeaky sound.
"Come back on Monday!"
"I will, thank you, good wizard,"
The lady bowed and slowly descended the stairs of my workshop and rode on the carriage that was waiting for her outside. When the coast was finally clear I stood up and clapped two times to activate my magic broom and mop.
"What was that for?" He asked.
He wasn't even mad but I know he was somehow irritated because of what I did.
"Didn't Myrtle tell you not to let visitors INSIDE my workshop?"
He raised his brow and closed the door behind him.
"I wasn't going to let her in," He defended.
"Yes, if I didn't do anything,"
I said as I opened my arms dramatically for him to notice the effort I did just to prevent that woman from entering into our secret mission.
"Look, you're just—"
"Jealous? No, I am not jealous, Elf, I was only being cautious,"
I said as I slowly lowered my arms.
This time I must've ticked on his nerves because he immediately threw his dagger on the board that I created (which is mainly where I test my potions)
"Don't be mad," I told him
But he became deaf to explanation and sat back on his stool and shifted his position towards the window where the north sun was facing. I gave him space to reflect on what he almost did; he almost spilled our secret to a woman that is acting quite strange.
"I better do something with this grease,"
I said as I went to the sink to wash off the grease on my face.
Athene
I began to examine the symbol that was inside my pocket watch and stared at the symbol that's on the crest of what seems to be an ancient scroll.
"How is this possible?"
I asked as my fingers began to trace the crest.
"This must be a coincidence," I said as I stared into his lilac eyes.
"Athene, it's not just a mere coincidence,"
He said as slowly as he could so that I wouldn't freak out in this very weird and magical situation that I'm in.
"We've been looking for you,"
He said as his hands slowly unclasped the crest that binds the scroll.
The scroll was filled with weird symbols that I couldn't even read but I have a feeling that it's their writing system. It's just that I couldn't really understand what the contents of the scroll are.
"Can you please explain to me what's written on the scroll?"
I asked him as I sat on the floor to examine the writings.
"It's about a prophecy and that you will defeat the Vashtas and the evil that threatens to conquer Gregaia again."
Gregaia the place sounds like one of those weird places I made up in my head when I was still a child.
"Is that what your realm is called?"
Neo nodded and also sat on the floor just to make me feel comfortable.
"But, how can I defeat these demons that are trying to kill me? I can't even protect myself from those weird creatures that are chasing me."
Neo smiled and pointed at the pocket watch that I was holding.
"You can, by using that," He said.
It only made me more confused, how can Pa's pocket watch save me from the demon that threatens to kill me and the people of their realm?
"How can I do that?"
He neatly rolls the scroll and binds it again with the crest.
"We can train you. Myrtle and I can help you, along with our friends back home,"
Back home? Wait a minute? They want me to go back with them? What?
"Wait, can we at least slow down? I can't just disappear without a trace and leave Ma penniless. What's inside this pocket watch that can help me fight with those creatures?"
Neo smiled at me and began to ruffle my hair. Oh shoot, this guy is actually getting comfortable on ruffling my hair.
"Easy kid, we still have two months left before we go back to Gregaia for the rest of your training,"
He grinned trying to ease the weird feeling inside my chest, I hate to admit but it's actually working.
"Oh, kid, where did you get that pocket watch?"
I slowly lowered my head and began to play with its cooper chain.
"It actually belonged to my grandfather," I told him.
I took it off and placed it on top of the table.
"He gave it to me as a remembrance,"
Sadness filled those beautiful lilac eyes; he slowly patted my shoulder and smiled at me,
"Does he also have some kind of ability?"
I nodded and smiled as I fondly remembered how I watched him grew those flowers in my tiny garden with just a snap of his finger it later became our little secret.
"He can actually grow plants with just a snap of his fingers, and he can also talk to animals, it's something that I got from him,"
His face was suddenly confused when he heard about my deceased Mom.
"You mean, you have the same ability as your grandfather?"
"Yes," I replied even though I can feel that he was very uneasy about what I just spilled.
"What's the name of your grandfather?"
I was about to answer his question when my phone rang all of the sudden.
"Excuse me; I need to answer this,"
I suddenly raised my eyebrow when I realized that it was already past one in the afternoon. What's worse is that my boss was also calling. Think Athene, think!
My phone continued to ring. I'm going in blind!
"Hello, Ms. Kara? Sorry, I had to head home because I ate a bad taco downtown. I'm really sorry… Yes, it's really bad." I said trying to sound in pain because of a bad taco.
Good thing she believed it because I don't really eat tacos.
"Talk to Ma? She's currently at our kitchen,"
Why did she suddenly sound like my teacher who was suspecting that I was lying?
Pale blond curls began to cover my vision when I raised my head, Myrtle's ice-blue eyes were staring into my gray ones.
"Give it to me," She whispered to my ear
I gave her the phone and watched her as she sat on the couch.
"Hello Ms. Forest, yes. Yes, I did tell Tinny to call you. I'm really sorry; she did complain that the taco was bad enough to make her stomach ache,"
How can she copy Ma's voice? Did she look into my mind again? After exchanging a few conversations with my boss and even mentioning not to tell Lulu about what happen, she handed back my phone and smiled.
"She sounds like my headmaster at my Dark arts class," she said.
I knew she was just making that up to make me feel better.
"Are you okay now?"
She nodded and rushed to hug me.
"Wait, your head is going to hurt again,"
She raised her head and gave me puppy eyes,
"You don't like me?"
I scratched my head and gave her a shy smile.
"It's not like that; I like you a lot Myrtle,"
Myrtle hugged me real tight and started to pinch my cheeks.
"Don't worry about me, Athene, I can handle myself," she said.
Did I just saw Neo rolled his eyes? I guess Myrtle must've noticed it too because he immediately lowered his head.
"Wait; let me ask you, does my power smell really bad?"
She laughed at my question and playfully slapped my arm.
"Silly you, it's not really bad, it's just too strong. Depending on the person, each power smells differently. You actually smell like a rose garden,"
I'm confused; can a rose actually make Myrtle dizzy?
"Do you hate roses?" I asked her
She smiled and nodded,
"But I like you, Athene,"
At least that's a good relief.
"Athene,"
I turned to face Neo who was back to his serious mode.
"We want you to know that this is really important. If we won't stop the Vashtas, they will also take over other realms, including this realm,"
But, I don't really know where to begin. I'm scared, what if I messed up?
"Take your time,"
I can only nod as a response because I am not really sure how should I react in this situation.
"Athene, it's time for you to go home," Myrtle chirped in.
Neo helped me stand up and I muttered a thank you for what he did. But honestly, it wasn't enough.
Myrtle and I were about to head out when I suddenly remembered Neo's question.
"Aera,"
I said Pa's name out of the blue,
"My grandfather's name was Aera, but everyone calls him Ace because they were having a hard time pronouncing his name,"
Neo nodded and smiled at me and it was a sad one, anyone can point it out, even Myrtle as we headed down to the parking lot of her apartment.
"Oh, I already took your things as well, it's on my car Athene, and I already rearranged everyone's memory, including your Ma's"
We stopped in front of a red mini-cooper and I did saw my things inside Myrtle's car.
"Myrtle, Neo said something about being a Pandora,"
She slowly cupped my face and smiled at me,
"Don't ask complicated questions if you're not ready for complicated answers, okay?"
She's right; I wasn't ready for the answers. I should prepare myself first. They're running out of time. But, I'm confused. They're willing to help me, but I'm scared.
Myrtle was silent while she was driving, I guess she was also thinking about something or maybe she is reading my thoughts.
"Myrtle, thanks for everything,"
We suddenly stopped in front of the café where we first had our conversation.
"How about I buy you some donuts to lighten up your gloomy mood?"
I think that would be a great idea.