Fourteen days till the Solstice...
This was a dream.
Yes...
Richard could tell...
He was underwater. But... he couldn't have been. His curse would never allow him to. It had been quite some time since he dreamt of being back home; the ocean. Richard had almost forgotten this feeling. Cold, gentle waters caressing his skin, his body transformed... able to breathe and talk under the magnificent depths. His eyes... able to catch even the smallest amount of light, making Richard see the brilliant and majestic creatures that roamed these dark waters.
Richard smiled as he moved his tail. Yes... true freedom... it was only a dream but Richard felt it and, in his own way, enjoy it.
"But this isn't real," he said to himself. He would wake up soon but he still... he wanted to enjoy for much longer.
"You always were exceptional at clinging to fantasy."
Richard's heart jumped. That voice... Richard turned to his right. He suddenly found himself standing on the cliff... the cliff were he fought... Richard's eyes widened. It was dark and all Richard could see was a silhouette but still, there was no mistaking it; it was Ethan. He sat at the edge of the cliff, his head facing the night sky.
"Atlan, Fertia, Ti, Seilt..."
Ethan was counting in an ancient language. Richard looked up and realized that there were only fourteen stars in the sky.
"Soon Richard... Soon..." Ethan said.
Darkness began to close in on him and eventually everything went black.
Richard opened his eyes. The loud crackling sound of lightning and thunder echoed throughout the woods. Even louder was the rain that fell on the roof of his villa.
He got up from the couch.
I must have dozed off he thought. Richard remembered the dream. Ethan... Perhaps that was Richard's mind's way of reminding him that only fourteen days remained until the solstice. The solstice was the only celestial event that would give Sebastian the necessary power to activate the Orb. He looked outside through the rather large glass windows. It was pouring so heavily that Richard could barely see a thing.
Everything had been quiet since the funeral. For the past ten days, Richard, Sara, and even Claudia had been helping Ashley get stronger by helping her gain control her powers. A smile formed across Richard's face. Ashley was a natural. She had already mastered in a few days techniques that usually took months or even years.
There were no sightings or incidences involving Sebastian or Jacob in the past ten days as well. Richard wondered if the two were working together.
Wouldn't be a surprise he thought.
The other problem they hadn't managed to solve was Luke's father. From what Richard gathered, Jacob was hell-bent on revenge... revenge against everyone who mistreated and ridiculed his sister Stacy. Richard felt bad. Ashley had told him all these things but he neglected to tell her anything about himself. She also kept her word and never even bothered to ask.
Perhaps it wouldn't hurt if she knew Richard thought.
Regarding, Luke's father, Claudia and Sara thought it best to leave things the way they are. The man was already locked up in an asylum and according to Sara, the Hunters already knew that Jacob was the one who attacked the woman and Mr. Anderson to crash the car into the school that day. The Hunters had agreed that the asylum was the safest place for Mr. Anderson. It took a lot of convincing but eventually, Ashley also agreed. She already knew that Adrian, her boyfriend, was a Hunter but she couldn't tell him or the rest of her friends about what she was. Richard could tell that she hated lying to Adrian and her friends but this was the reality of things; Sebastian was out there and involving more people... they would eventually end up like Alex. Ashley understood this.
Richard heard a knock at the door.
He wasn't expecting anyone today. The weather wasn't ideal for going out which is why he strictly told her not to...
Wait... it was Ashley. Richard was able to sense her aura; warm, vibrant, determined and something else... something hidden within her.
Richard walked to the door.
"Hi Richard!" Ashley shouted.
"You know I can hear the birds a mile away from here right?" Richard replied with a smile.
"Really... I know of long-sightedness but I never realized it applied to your sense of hearing as well cause I have been knocking for the past five minutes."
Ashley's clothes and hair were drenched and she was breathing hard. She must have run all the way here.
Richard chuckled.
"Come in," he said. "And I thought we didn't have a training session."
"I don't need a training session to visit a friend," Ashley replied cheerfully.
Friend
It had been so long since anyone called him that.
Richard suddenly found himself feeling quite conscious of what he wore. He was in a white T-shirt, long and loose grey slacks and he was barefooted.
Presentable at least he thought.
"Since you're here we might as well make the most of this time," Richard said.
Ashley stood still, took in a deep breath and gracefully crossed her arms near her chest. She then stretched out her hands sideways and Richard watched as the water clinging to her clothes and hair slowly left her body and formed two small round balls in the air.
Ashley dropped her hands and the water fell, making a wet splashing sound on the floor.
"So what do you have in mind sensei," Ashley said proudly.
"How about mopping the floor first?"
"What?" Ashley replied, with a confused face.
"Just kidding," Richard said. "There is something I want to show you."
Richard had hardly taken a step when a blue light followed by electric crackling appeared in the middle of the room.
"She is a rather feisty one Richard," Shira said, looking at Ashley who was already in a defensive stance.
"Ashley it's okay," Richard said. "This is Shira. She is an Arzyrian from the realm Arzyria."
"R-Realm?" Ashley asked.
"I see Richard hasn't been teaching his apprentice everything," Shira stated. She walked to Ashley. Ashley was as frozen as an icicle and looked like she might melt any second. No one would have blamed her for being frightened. Azyrians were an acquired taste for Richard as well... they were significantly taller than humans, had blue skin and glowing white eyes. But they were also one of the most peaceful and caring creatures out there. They involved themselves in protecting even other realms like earth.
When Shira was close to Ashley she studied her curiously.
"Hmm, bit out of shape but I can make it work," Shira finally said.
"M-Make what work?" Ashley asked.
"I have decided to take you as my student," Shira declared and that was how Ashley became one of the very few humans to ever study under the guidance of an Arzyrian.
"Okay..."
"Okay? Clearly, you don't understand what an honor it is to be chosen as my student little one and as your master, I think this would be the perfect opportunity to teach you some manners."
Shira grabbed Ashley by her hand, walked to Richard and held his shoulder.
"Um... what is going on?" Ashley asked.
Shira smiled. Richard knew what that smile meant.
"Ashley, brace yourself," he said.
Like all the times Shira teleported, it happened in a blink of an eye. An electric feeling coursed through his body and a bright light filled his eyes.
When Richard opened his eyes, he was greeted by a beautiful sight. It was a large pasture of long purple grass. The was a huge mountain in front of them and a river spiraled around it, flowing from the bottom to the top. The sky was bright orange with blue clouds floating in the air. Large creatures that resembled birds flew in the sky. They had four large blue featured wings and fiery red eyes. They were called Goillers if memory served Richard well. In a distance, Richard saw some Ditons hopping on the grass. Ditons were creatures with fairly transparent bodies, large snouts and ears, and very long legs and hands that they used to jump as high as a tall tree. Everything they stepped on or touched would immediately change color and right now, the grass underneath their feet was glowing blue.
Indeed, it was a beautiful sight but even more beautiful was Ashley. Her body turned around as she stared in awe of what lay before her. She wore a black tracksuit and black snickers.
"Allow me to personally welcome you to Arzyria Ashley," Shira said.
"Are we really in a different realm?" Ashley asked, her face lit up in awe.
Richard simply nodded.
"Now then..."
Shira pulled out a sword from her back.
"Let's see what the prince has taught you so far," she said.
"Wait... Prince..."
Ashley was even more confused.
Richard's hand was behind his head... embarrassed.
"I see you two still have a lot to discuss," Shira commented.
She then disappeared.
"Where did she go?" Ashley asked, walking towards Richard.
They stood near the river that flowed to the mountain.
Good Richard thought.
Shira appeared right above Ashley and her sword was aimed at her. Ashley's reflexes kicked in and she controlled some water out of the river, molded it into the shape of a lasso and caught Shira by the leg. Shira teleported again and this time appeared behind Ashley. Ashley dodged the attack and countered with a sidekick. Shira blocked and held Ashley's leg. Ashley controlled the water to form the shape of a sword made of ice. She used her Ice Sword to block Shira's. Even Shira was surprised when Ashley's Ice Sword managed to remain intact even after suffering a blow from Arshetia... Shira's enchanted weapon.
Ashley pulled her leg away from Shira's grip.
"Not bad Ashley," Shira said. Her sword glowed and transformed into a bow and a silver quiver appeared on her back.
"Awesome," Ashley exclaimed.
Shira pulled out three arrows from her quiver, aimed her bow at Ashley and fired. Ashley didn't need to use her water abilities. She dashed in the direction of the arrows at incredible speed, caught two arrows in mid-air and dodged the other.
She then charged at Shira.
Ashley shouldn't have held those arrows, Richard thought.
A blinding light emanated from the arrows in Ashley's hands. Richard saw the arrows transform into ropes that bound Ashley's hands and legs.
Ashley fell to the ground.
Both Richard and Shira walked to Ashley.
"Not everything is as it seems Ashley," Shira said. "Remember that. My Arshetia is a weapon that bears many others."
Ashley tried to struggle out of the ropes.
"It is no use," Richard said. "Those ropes are made from Silyth... it's light yet almost impossible to break."
"Can I get up now," Ashley frowned.
Shira raised her hand and the ropes, the arrows, and the bow transformed back into a sword.
"Tolae..."