As days went by and nothing could be found about this cursed spell that had been put onto Esmeralda, but giving the time and rest she was finally able to walk on her own, giving them the extra hand they needed to find this miracle they've all been endlessly searching for.
"You sure she's stable enough to be helping us?" Zoey whispered while Esmeralda remained close in front admiring the sudden change in scenery, compared to how she used to live. He kept his eyes aimed on the one in front not wanting her to get lost, as today anything could happen to innocent people these days. Especially when they least expect it.
"I know it's risky, but what other options do we have? If the answers aren't in the library, then I'm unsure how we can stop her from dying" Douxie whispered back unsure if Esmeralda knew that her time on Earth was limited, thanks to the curse that has been put upon her core, immediately worrying Zoey once accidentally alerting her of the bad news.
"She's dying?! What the heck, Doux. Why didn't you tell me?" Zoey bursted causing the two to stop as he began to quickly hush her down, making Esmeralda pause for a moment and turn to face them, upon hearing the commotion before the two suddenly stopped and nervously smiled at her. Making him quickly whisper back unsure of what to do.
"She has no idea either.. *normal vocal speaking* Esme, could you please give us a minute?" Douxie said before pulling Zoey making their backs face towards Esmeralda, who just shrugged her shoulders used to their odd behaviour while she waiting patiently for them to finish, but Cleo who remained quiet on the inside thought otherwise.
"Are you sure these.. Friends of yours aren't going to be like Theo and the others? I really don't want us to be sealed away again. And I'm sorry to say this, but it's already annoying enough to hear nothing other than your continuous sobbing to yourself about missing your family, that is clearly long gone dead. Along with your history" Cleo said within Esmeralda's mind not being a big fan when it comes to comforting those who are upset. This caused her to clench both hands not liking such disrespect, but it was Cleo's fault for bonding her own soul with the girl to begin with.
"Last time I remember, you were the one that forced your spirit to bond with mine. So this is your own doing, and my family isn't dead. They're right here with me" Esmeralda thought back within her mind unclenching both hands as if what had felt soon came to pass.
"I get that she's good with books, but isn't it too risky with those things walking about?" Zoey questioned glancing over at Esmeralda for a moment before back at Douxie.
".. Someone has tampered with the shield that's invisibly protecting her house, allowing the Shadowshifter to get in and almost grab Esme. Now do you see why I'm keeping her this close to us? Without her magic or whatever she had learned in Phoenix, she's extremely vulnerable and an easy target for them to grab and then we're all fucked" Douxie replied before turning back to Esmeralda who had her back faced towards them, silently waiting for them to finish whatever they're discussing about. Zoey eventually did the same seeing that their old friend hadn't changed one bit, despite the harsh cruelty they had to endure being trapped away for so long, missing out on several opportunities to find herself in the new world she never knew could exist.
He began to walk towards the unexpected Esmeralda who was casually glancing around, until looking across the road at a guy around her age walking with some of his friends, who then noticed her staring and smiled along with a friendly wave. He had long died red hair that was tied up in a little ponytail with a under shave and green eyes. He wore black designed graffiti joggers, black long tight sleeved shirt with some white boned skeletons and writing on the wrong and sleeves hiding most of his tattoos, black sneakers, choker and a black and red jacket.
"Come on, let's go" Douxie said noticing this and gently pulled her forward allowing them to continue making their way to the library, and meet up with Claire and Jim.
"Who was that chick, Derek? Do you know her or something?" One of the guy's friends asked who watched, as she walked off with her friends.
"Nah, but she's pretty cute and totally not your type dude" the guy she was accidentally looking replied as one of them playfully punched his arm before continuing to walk in the opposite direction.
"I told you he has a soft spot for the cute ones, but ain't that other dude she was with like her boyfriend or something?" They asked again not sure that this one would be easy for their friend to have, but currently she wasn't seeing anyone.
"From what I've seen he's more of a jealous friend than a lover, so you can still shoot your shot if you manage to get her number that is" a taller friend stepped in wearing a ripped shirt, tight jeans, black sneakers as his bulk arms were covered in tattoos, and obvious biker along with his long brushed blonde hair and beard. The oldest friend of the bunch.
"Nah.. I'm going to go in nice and slow this time, and then when she starts falling for me, I'll shoot my shot" Derek replied not wanting to instantly jump into a relationship just yet, without having any knowledge about this girl or her friends and possibly a love life he isn't aware of.
Within the library the five of them were left scattered around, searching through shelf, after shelf, after shelf in search of at least a way to ease down the damage inflicted to her magical core by this curse, but Esme has no idea what she was searching for so she was left to her own devices, admiring the library in her own way.
"Why are they back in town? I thought they were driven out?" Douxie whispered to Zoey who too was shocked to see their arrival or could they possibly be rivals?
"How am I supposed to know? They're clearly interested in Esmeralda, and we both know for a fact that we can't let her go near those guys. They're bad news especially with their leader Gustin, he's one big rock" Zoey replied mainly talking about the blonde one with his tattoos, who was wanting Derek to drive straight in without any hesitation, but the lad wasn't feeling like doing that.
"Wow.. This place is surely something, books everywhere inching for someone to read them" Esmeralda said as she was riskily separated from the others gently touching the books, as she walked past the shelves seeing how much the material had changed. "They even changed the texture too? That must mean there's new information I could learn, possibly magic too!" She said to herself and excitedly speed walked about searching through what to read, with what time she has been given during the groups search for this 'special book', without no other information adding to its appearance or title.
She spent endless time while others worked away till coming around a book that caught her attention. It's cover shined a glistening blue glow matching its navy blue covering as she gently pulled it out, laying it down on her hands. 'The Secrets Of Phoenix' a very strange title and yet it brought her mixed emotions, wanting to throw this book away and yet another part of her wanted to read it.
"I.. I need to show this to Douxie, he'll know what to do with it" Esmeralda stuttered scared to read or even hold this book in her possession for any longer, and walked off to find him or someone who does.
"We've been searching for over 2 hours! Can we at least take a little break before we continue?" Jim complained collapsing down on a nearby library chair, aching from feet to hands.
"Do whatever. We aren't stopping until we find this accursed book before we run out of time" Douxie replied using both his hands and magic to desperately scavenge through endless amounts of books in search of this one book.
"It's absolutely pointless, we can't find it anywhere" Claire added in not finding any evidence or sign of this particular breach they desperately need to save their friend from a painful slow death.
"We just have to keep searching, I just know we'll find it. I just know it!" Douxie responded becoming even more stressed under the pressure of those who gave already started to give up finding for this cure.
"I know it is hard knowing this after just getting her back, but even if we do find this book it'll already be too late. All we can do now is be there in her time of need and fill her remaining time here with the joy and love she deserves" Zoe walked up from behind as he continued to scavenge through the shelves, ignoring everything they say. There is nothing they can't do, but Esme is one of the many people he refuses to lose.. not again.
"Douxie! Douxie! I found something very interesting you may like to see" Esmeralda called out as his magic deactivated distracted when hearing her call out his name, turning to see her holding that exact book they have been desperately searching for.
"The book! You found it" Douxie happily replied with a smile and hurried over swooping her into a hug, gently putting Esmeralda back down as she handed over the book. "I knew bringing you here was not a mistake" he added seeing the book in his hands and turned away heading towards the table, opening the covers while baring witness to a language they could finally understand. "Now we find the pages we need to stop this nonsense" Douxie was excited to see an end to their friend's pain, but it only showed how to ease and heal than to simple end what had been conflicted. 'Once so much magic is withdrawn from one's soul, it may take years for the core to stabilise itself if dangerously cracked. However, if one's is unstable and delivers pain equal to what is used that is a curse only given by the one who trapped them. Only a living pure sacrifice can heal such suffering before the time comes for those to say goodbye'.
This was not what he wished to read, Esmeralda wanted to peak, but was quickly denied by both Zoe and Douxie as she stepped back a little confused on why they wouldn't let her see, but the others can.
"Why aren't I aloud to see and they can? I know my way around magic too ya know" Esmeralda argued crossing her arms at them very offended which was not the intention they had in mind, but the worry it might bring if she were to know what her fate will be.
"Please, Essie. Just don't read it, I am warning you" Douxie responded using a very old nickname she had heard in centuries and huffed walking away with a grudge. "Come on, don't be mad at me! I can make it up to you with some ice cream" he called out hoping to ease the tension, but she only ignored him and vanished within the library.
"No offence, you really made it sound like she was excluded in this, even though if it wasn't for her we wouldn't have been able to find this book" Claire said knowing it must be hard to hide something bad from her, but pushing her away without a reasonable explanation isn't exactly fair.
"You're right, I'll go talk to her and sort everything out" Douxie replied as he quickly went after Esmeralda in hopes of her forgiving him before things decide to go South. Going through almost every lane past several bookshelf's, he eventually spotted her walking down one of them near the far end and stopped picking out a book, she appeared upset and he felt incredibly guilty. "Oh no.." Douxie quietly said and walked in Esmeralda's directly until she slammed it shut and threw it to the ground rather frustrated, making it clear that a talk isn't going to make things right. "Esme, please wait. I just want to talk" he called out as she stopped glancing over her shoulder noticing him and continued walking, completely ignoring him. "That's quite rude" he said to himself and jogged up behind Esmeralda gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her to a halt as she remained faced away refusing to look at him. "Come on, Essie, don't act like that. You know I didn't mean it in a negative way" he added on trying to explain without letting the cat out of the bag and cause her to worry, but isn't keeping secrets bad? Especially when someone's life is desperately on the line?
"I know I'm dying, Doux. And you know full on well that I hate it when you lie to me, it only makes me wonder if you can even be trusted anymore" Esmeralda replied tugging her arm away and gently held it in response, letting out a tired sigh in the process.
"You know? Oh wow, I didn't see that coming, but at least you know why we're here. I just didn't want to worry you if you didn't know" Douxie was quite surprised coming up closer placing a hand on her shoulder, not liking the thought of being someone she hated. It only hurts even more knowing they could've done loads of adventures together, but with how she used to be trapped away for centuries inside of a crystal only makes things a bit more complicated. "Please, Essie. This isn't like you" he said hoping to at least create some peace between then and prevent any possible negative escalations for the future to come.
"Just like you said he use to lie, and he did it again! These humans aren't worthy of your attention, leave this city and become a better person before they decide to tie you down for the rest of eternity" Cleo called through trying to change Esmeralda's mind, as she had her eyes closed trying to think independently without anyone judging her decision.
"What I do with my friends is none of your business, Cleo. And I know them better than anyone else, Douxie is one that would never inflict harm to his friends. He isn't like that" Esmeralda argued back within her mind and exhaled subconsciously without realising, hearing Cleo's agitated growl as it disappeared within the distance leaving her be for now.
"Esme? Are you really that mad at me?" Douxie asked not realising what was happening as she calmly snapped back into reality, until unexpectedly hugging him tightly feeling his arms slowly wrapping around her back. "Never-mind.." he surpassingly muttered not expecting this kind of odd behaviour out of her, but with what's happening no one can exactly blame her either. The fear is real.
"I'm sorry.." she apologised squeezing him tightly winding Douxie, immediately feeling the tightness of her arms increase and tapped lightly against her shoulder blades.
"I forgive you, but y-you're breaking my ribs" he replied almost out of breath as she quickly pulled back giving him air, not realising how tight she had him as he caught his breath. "Okay, I'm good now. But you aren't acting like yourself recently and it's becoming rather concerning me" Doxuie said seeing the worry in his face causing her eyes to glance away in shame, wanting to tell him, but how?
"It's far more complicated than you think, I have another soul living within my body and from what I know they do not like humans" Esmerelda explained without telling the whole story of how this happened leaving him confused and speechless. Cleo on the other hand was absolutely furious.
"What the heck, Esmerelda?! Are you trying to get us both sealed away again?" Cleo roared from within not liking the idea of being ignored by their host as well as their partner.
"Oh really? How did this happen? Before your sealing or after? You don't have to answer if it's too much for you to recall" Douxie asked not wanting to put any additional weight on her shoulders, as she appeared calm and yet quite anxious.
"It is fine, I can talk. It all changed after finding a secret passage way within the library that led down to this weird place, that's where I found them chained up like some sort of monster, but really they were a misunderstood creature that made a mistake. I bonded with them for a while until they sadly passed, but their spirit chose to live on a little longer, just inside of me leading to myself being chained after a tragic betrayal of a friend and lover I thought cared about me. It was all just a lie, chaining me down for 400 years without any remorse forcing my magic out of me to keep their place alive, until having enough of my presence and sealed me away for all eternity" she explained even further as his eyes widened in horror of hearing such a tragic past she had been forced to live for centuries without any hope, but why hasn't she turned to get revenge is still resting on his mind.
"That's absolutely horrible! If I knew what was happening I would've gone over there and show those idiots who they're messing with" he replied as a little memory popped back into her mind about the tournament leading before the sad reality her life once stuck in.
"Oh, and another thing. When the tournament happened within Phoenix, Merlin came and watched me in the arena. I won of course, but it was fun showing that jerk who I am and what we Camelot losers are truly capable of!" Esmerelda's demeanour quickly changed to something more positive right before his eyes changing the subject, along with the weird nickname those in Phoenix would call those from Camelot or whatever kingdom that used to exist.
"Camelot Loser, really? The heck are these people running on? Cow dung" Douxie asked with an arm crossed while the other rested on top so his knuckles could rest underneath his chin. This was enough to make her chuckle brightening the mood and relationship between then two back to how it should be, unbreakable. "Now that's the kind of Essie I love to see" he added with a soft smile immediately softening his gaze when seeing that smile and laugh he had missed for so long. This cause a light blush to creep on their faces alone together away from the others, finally having some time to chat and laughing like the good old times.
"They're flirting again like pure usual. I wonder how long they can take it till one of them cracks?" Zoe thought glad to see that somethings haven't changed between the two, but prayed that somewhere in the future one of them decides to confess to the other before it's too late.
A few more interesting books were found within a private area of the library that proves more useful than the last one, but how long it will last to pause this process remains unknown. While Cleo remained silent leaving the two to do whatever they please, as this body she's trapped in typically doesn't belong to her therefore she cannot tell Esmeralda what she can and cannot do with it, creating some sort of truce between them for now at least.