The Locket

Chapter 24- "That's some Harry Potter stuff right there,"

"Now we really gotta get out of here," I said.

"Lex, what is this place?" Lucy asked me.

"It's a long story," I said as we started to run "I'll tell you when we get out of here,"

I led the others towards the portal. 

"Lucy, quick, take out the locket," I said, panting, as we reached the portal.

Lucy took it out from one of her pockets and gave it to me. 

"Lucy, try to open it with the locket," I said.

She stepped forwards and tried opening the portal, but that didn't work, either. 

"It's as if someone sealed it," Oliver said.

"We should go to Uncle Erik," I said "now,"

We speed-walked to the castle. 

I quickly explained who Uncle Erik was on the way.

"So, you're trying to say that your uncle is the king of thid place?" Oliver asked "So, wouldn't that mean that you're-"

"A princess, yeah," I said "but that's a story for when we get back,"

We went to the castle and Oliver and Lucy couldn't help but gape at it. 

We entered the gates and went to the hall. Uncle was sitting at his thrown, and, I think, napping.

"Uncle!" I said, reaching his thrown, panting "It's urgent!"

He snorted and woke up. "Oh! If it isn't my favorite niece. And..." he drifted off, his gaze going to the other two.

"My friends," I replied hurriedly.

"How did they come in?" Uncle said, looking rather shocked. 

"Long story, I'll explain later," I said "Did you seal the portal?"

"Er- yes," he said.

"Why??" I asked. We couldn't afford to wait much longer.

"Well, the spottings of Ansley is making people worried, so we sealed the portal," he answered.

"Uncle, Ansley's son is alive," I said "Nathaniel. He- He's been my friend since I was twelve, and I found out he's been from here all this time,"

"How can you know for su-"

"He confessed," I said "and...and he tried to murder me tonight," I said. 

"WHAT?"

"It wasn't him, though!" I said quickly "It was The Voice thingy-"

"No," Uncle said, looking thoroughly panicked "it can't be,"

"Sir, please," Oliver said "Me and Lucy witnessed it, too," Lucy nodded.

"They saved me from it," I smiled lightly. "Please, we need to do something about it. Let us go home, and you guys should evacuate the area,"

"Alright," he nodded after thinking for a moment "we'll have to do something about The Voi-"

There was a loud crash and the ceiling above broke down. Large rocks hurtled on the ground as me, Lucy, Oliver and Erik  hid under a table. Then we heard a deep, evil cackle.

"You think you can hide from me?" it said "You're powerless," it said, and it flipped over the table we were under.

It looked nothing like anything I'd ever be able to imagine. It was like this purple-black cloud, in which a few faces were barely hidden. Past victims.

"It's game over for you, your royal family, and the rest of the world," it said and there was a roar, and a storm of this, like, purple- gray haze. Oliver grabbed my hand and I grabbed Lucy's,  and we all ran out as quick as possible.

"Uncle!" I said.

"Lex, we gotta go!" Oliver said.

"What do we do now?" Lucy asked as we ran past a bunch of houses.

"I don't know, but we gotta do someth-" I was cut off, as a hand pulled me, Oliver and Lucy into one of the houses.

We all stumbled inside, almost tripping. And the person who forced us in was, none other than, Nathan.

"Nope," I said and opened the door.

Nathan closed it. "Guys, it's me this time," he said. He was as pale as ever and looked sick. 

"I'm sorry, I am so, so sorry," he said "I got you into this mess,"

"Why'd you do it, Nathan?" I whispered.

"So that- thing left me and mom alone," he said quietly. 

"Ansley?" I asked. He nodded.

"She's too weak now. If that thing possesses her anymore, I don't know if she'll be able to survive it. But I can't sacrifice you. I just can't."

"Then help us," Lucy said softly "be who we know you are,"

They looked into each other's eyes, and Nathan nodded.

He picked up the sword from the side. 

"Whoa, buddy," Oliver said, taking a step back "we won't be needing that,"

"No, it'll help." Nathan said "Look, have you noticed that the Locket can't open?" he asked me.

"Yeah, I have," I said.

"This'll open it," he said "and it'll help you open up the portal."

"That's some Harry Potter stuff right there," Lucy whispered and we all chuckled.

"Will you do the honors?" Nathan said, giving me the sword.

I nodded and took the sword. It was cold. Really, really cold and felt uncomfortable to hold. I positioned it.

"Stay back, guys," Nathan said to Oliver and Lucy and they all stepped back and I sliced the locket into two.

A golden light emerged from it. It was just, a cloud. But it was pure sunshine. 

"Lex," a voice from the light came, which sent shivers down my spine. It was too familiar.

"Mom?" my voice wavered.

"That's right, Kiddo," she said "you've made me proud, all of you have."

Everyone smiled. 

"You've gone so far, and I'm sure you'll make it.

"You've been here all this time?" I whispered, unable to stop the tears.

"I've always been, and always will be here," she said. 

"That- that thing Uncle Erik was talking about-" I said "this was it?"

"That's right," she nodded "I wanted to make sure that if something happened to me, I'd be able to tell you about this place and make sure you helped protect it. Now, I'm pretty sure you all needed my help here?"

"Yes, we, er- need to open the portal," Nathan piped up.

"I certainly know where the controls are," she hummed.

"Could you please show us?" Oliver asked.

"Of course, follow me," she said, and she floated through the door. We all followed her.

We all went quickly but at a pace good enough so we could keep up with her. I honestly had so many questions, but now wasn't the time to ask.