The Third Power: TTS AU

Chapter Eleven

Rapunzel and co were in the princess' room, again discussing how to save Varian.

"I say we go back and do another investigation," Lance said to the group.

"Lance-" Eugene started.

"No no no, hear me out," he said quickly. "Maybe there wasn't a way in from the bottom but maybe there is higher up?"

"Why would there be a way in higher up?" Kiera asked.

Lance shrugged.

"Gut feeling. A very strong one too."

They all looked at him with incredulous looks until Rapunzel got up from her seat on the bed and smiled at Lance.

"It couldn't hurt to try could it?" she asked the others.

Silence.

Eugene eventually sighed with defeat. It was so hard for him to say no to his princess.

"Alright fine. How do propose we get high enough to look for a way in?"

Rapunzel giggled.

"Easy," she said. "Rope for all of you and," she ran a hand over her long braid and brought it over her shoulder. "This for me."

—————

"Varian."

Varian stirred as he heard someone calling his name. Whoever it was was also shaking him gently. He opened an eye to see who it was and his attention was immediately drawn to the bright blue hair.

"Cassandra?" he muttered sleepily.

Cassandra nodded and smiled.

"You've been sleeping for a long time - longer than usual. Time to get up," she told him.

The alchemist rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he forced himself into a sitting position. He then realised the absence of chain around his ankle and looked down. The chain wasn't there.

"You're letting me go?" he asked.

Cassandra laughed.

"No," she said bluntly. "Unfortunately, Rapunzel still hasn't come and I can't let you go until she has."

Varian stared at her, confused.

"Aren't you worried I'll try to escape?"

Cassandra laughed again.

"You won't. You're too curious about this whole magic thing right?"

Varian said nothing. She wasn't wrong. He did want to know more about this magic business but, at the same time, he wasn't sure if this was something he wanted.

Cass could see the thoughts spinning in his head and rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey," she said. "You'll be fine." She sat next to him. "Take it from me, having magical abilities is... it's exhilarating. You can do things that no one else can. You're special, different in the best way possible! If you do want to get the item so that you can use your powers, I'll be with you the whole way."

Varian stared at her with amazement.

"So are you still the Cassandra who kidnapped me or...?"

They both laughed.

"To be honest," Varian started once the laughter had died. "I don't know if I want magical powers. It sounds amazing, don't get me wrong, but it..." He trailed off, unsure of how to voice his thoughts.

"But it..." Cassandra prompted.

Varian took a breath.

"It... it feels like I'd be turning my back on everything I've ever known and done. All those years I spent trying to keep my distance from magic and now here I am, sitting in a fortress made of magic rock next to the embodiment of the Moonstone, learning about how I'm, apparently, also the embodiment of... s-something and..." He trailed off again and hoped Cassandra had the gist of what he was saying.