Demetrious was holding hands with Aretha as they were walking around the Royal gardens at the Ronas Palace.
Aretha bit her lip "Demetrious... Can you ask Dante if I can go to see Athena?"
Demetrious stopped walking and took a deep breath. He turned to Aretha "She is still recovering... Dante doesn't want any visitors right now... He won't take kindly to anyone coming between him and his blood match. Not even you who is Athena's sister... In fact I want you to avoid Dante so you don't upset him in any way while he is dealing with the elementals. What if he brings back the dagger spell again? I don't want to ask him anything. I want to keep you away from his way if possible..."
Aretha replied "He must be pleased right now... We brought back Veritas... I helped you track them down and Dante will be interrogating them today... Why wouldn't he be pleased? Besides you can't keep me away from his way. It's inevitable. I am living at the palace with you and see him around. He has encouraged you to take me along to where ever you want whenever you want so I get used to being around here... In fact we have to be going now. The interrogation of veritas society is getting under way... You are allowed to take me where you work... If Athena has recovered Dante may take her with him to the interrogation session and I get to see Athena... Let's go now..."
Demetrious smiled at Aretha and leaned close as he placed a kiss on her forehead. He pulled away and stood close to her as he took her hand in his "Aretha... I love it when you seem so ... relaxed having a conversation with me as though we haven't been through hell recently... You were tortured by that dagger for a long time and we couldn't be near each other... Yet you are willing to even be in the same room as my brother who condemned you to that torture... I admire you Aretha... Your courage and your fighting spirit is so admirable. I love you so much... But you don't have to try so hard to get used to the Ronas life... I don't have to take you to my work meetings to prove to Dante you are loyal... I will protect you with my life Aretha... But trust me when I say it's best you keep out of Dante's way..."
Aretha replied "Being separated from you taught me so much. It taught me how every moment with you is so precious. I love you Demetrious. You are my blood match, a worthy person with a kind heart... You stood up to your brother for what was right and you still do... That dagger spell was worth it. I fought alongside you and I have no regrets...."
Demetrious said "I don't want you to get hurt again Aretha. What if you defy my brother or insult him or attack him... Then he could bring back the dagger spell or worse. I can't take that risk. You are on a conversion program with me as your supervisor. I want you to stay safe... Please play along and act loyal... And please stay out of my brothers way and don't defy him and don't break the Ronas rules..."
Aretha said "You don't have to worry about me... Elementals now are a bigger threat to our lives and they don't fight fair. So I may be focused on defeating them with you after they took my sister and wanted to hurt her badly when she is innocent. I think we have to defeat the elementals before I can carry on fighting against your brother... So you don't have to worry that I will ever openly defy him. You don't have to worry that he will bring back the dagger spell. I will behave..."
Demetrious said "I love you so much..."
Aretha smiled "I love you too Demetrious." She then stood on her tiptoes and gave Demetrious a kiss on the cheek. As she took a step back she noticed Demetrious let go of her hand. She said "Please Demetrious. Can you take me with you... To the interrogation meeting of Veritas society?"
Demetrious said "Why don't you go back to the palace? You can hang out with my mother?"
Aretha said "Your mother now is happy that her sister is law is around. She doesn't complain much when I don't go to her more often... Your uncle Eric's wife is now living at the palace. Remember. I still can't believe Dante pardoned your uncle Eric and let's him live at the palace. His son Archelous is leading a resistance out there..."
Demetrious said "My uncle Eric is a man of peace. Yes. He doesn't agree with my brother. But he doesn't want a war either... He thinks peace is the best option. So he is co-operating with Dante at least for now. That's why he is pardoned and now can live freely with his wife, Alana at the palace. My brother knows that my uncle Eric is compromising mostly because he is hoping he can appeal to Dante to pardon his children Azalea and Archelous if they are captured... I can understand him... I would compromise with my brother to save you... You are my family... my love ... my everything... Please listen to me... Keep away from trouble. I don't want to lose you..."
Aretha said "You won't lose me. I will not put you through pain. I know your brother will punish me in ways that punishes you too if I defy the Arkansan rules."
Demetrious said "I don't know what I would do the next time you are in pain and in danger... My Ronas urges nearly hurt some people seriously Aretha when the dagger spell was at work. People could feel the threat I posed to their lives when they worked around me... I am nothing like my brother... But my powers are maturing... What if I become like him?"
Aretha said "Demetrious. You have a good heart. You are kind. You are selfless. You are brave. You won't turn out like your brother. You don't have to protect me because I won't put myself in danger. I will be good. Now please take me with you to the meeting... I want to get to know the Veritas Squad and their intentions. I helped you track them when you were sent to capture them..."
Demetrious said "You don't give up. Do you? You are very like your sister, Athena. It's scary sometimes. You are both stubborn."
Aretha smiled. "I will make it upto you..."
****
The large circular interrogation room that was reserved for high class captives was empty except for a number of senior commanders and senior enforcers. They were standing around waiting for their master to arrive. They all stiffened when Octavian teleported into the room and took his place in the elevated section. Octavian was meant to be on a mission around Bran Castle but he had been called back for more pressing matters. Capturing Veritas. Him and Demetrious could get the job done fastest. So Octavian's army was on standby to complete the mission in Romania and face Bran castle alongside Archelous.
Everyone then went quiet and still as Demetrious came along with his blood match and stood at the elevated section across from Octavian. Demetrious and Octavian were two powerful Ronas and their powers were slowly maturing. The intensity in their dominance and power was felt stronger and more intensified every day.
Octavian said "Demetrious? Why have you brought your blood match with you?"
Aretha said "You could bring Arethusa. You know she wants to see these events too. Leaving her out is not good...Can you summon her please?"
Octavian reluctantly agreed to summon Arethusa. He didn't want to refuse Aretha. She was Demetrious's blood match and Athena's sister. He wanted to be on good terms with Aretha.
As Arethusa was summoned surrounded by her guards she smiled. She had seer powers. She had seen possibility of being summoned and knew it was Arethas doing. So as Octavian dismissed her guards and explained to her the situation and the interrogation meeting, Arethusa went to Aretha and hugged her as she whispered "Thank you for this..."
Aretha smiled and whispered "You are welcome."
Aretha totally felt the same as Arethusa. They were Ronas blood matches. Being under watch by guards and living the luxury at palace was compulsory. With them not being part of Ronas army and being under the supervision of their blood matches for their conversion program, came isolation and they missed the action.
Minutes later commanders and enforcers knelt as Dante teleported inside the room. Dante said "All rise. Let's begin the session. Shall we?"
Aretha was disappointed Dante hadn't brought Athena with him. She knew why. She was recovering. But Demetrious had told her that Athena was asked to marry Dante willingly. She wasn't sure. Not because of the marriage question ... but because of some visions she had seen as a seer. Athena had agreed to marry Dante willingly but Athena was concerned that now was not the best time to wed... This was war time... Dante was wiling to wait but he was possessive of Athena. She hadn't surrendered fully to Dante because they weren't married so he was not fully satisfied. An unsatisfied Dante meant a more dangerous Dante if anyone made him angry. Demetrious knew it too. That was why he was holding Aretha's hand and was ready to teleport her out of there if anything displeased Dante. Octavian was alarmed too and ready to protect Arethusa.
There was a flash of light and slowly three figures appeared in the room. They had Ronas bindings on their hands. They knelt on the floor as they were summoned. They were the leaders of a rebellious society that was called Veritas but even they picked their battles. They had decided to show respect to Dante and try to be civil. They valued their lives and they knew they had better chances of escaping if they were healthy and not tortured by Dante's spells in captivity.
Dante started walking down the steps of the elevated section towards the three figures. "You may rise."
The three figures rose. They remained silent waiting.
Dante started walking around them "So what we have here? Well well well. The three leaders who manage Veritas. Your society was captured and brought to me with little fight. You chose to surrender. Wise move. You didn't have a chance when facing two Ronas knights." Demetrious and Octavian had been deployed to catch them. They knew they had little chance and did not want their society to die.
Dante continued "If you truly are smart you will co-operate. Let's go over your identities and abilities."
Dante then appeared in front of the middle girl "Vasilica, the sister of Vasco... Cousin to Vasile... A high class witch of elemental bloodline. The most powerful elemental female of your generation. Impressive... You are powerful but how smart are you? Have you picked a side with your dear brother or you wish to co-operate with Arkansans?"
Vasilica asked "Am I meant to answer this question?"
Dante said "Yes."
Vasilica said "I would never betray my bloodline. Even if the path chosen by my bloodline is not my preferred choice I would support it. I fight for it. So my side is my brothers side... I never compromise with any enemies of my brother... My side is not with the Arkansans..."
Dante nodded "I expected honesty... I got honesty." He looked towards the other two figures and then at Basilica "What about them? Your most trusted comrades.... They are from top elemental bloodlines in the entire Transylvania and beyond... Would they co-operate?"
The two figures were looking at Vasilica and it seemed like they were communicating with her in their minds. One was a boy Vangelo and one was a girl, Vania.
Vasilica said "Vangelo and Vania are my top elemental comrades. We fight together. We dont surrender... We dont co-operate with you..."
Dante nodded "Of course.... I can see you dont wish to co-operate... Vasco is your brother.... Your blood... But do you think it's wise to resist the chance to co-operate before you get hostility from me? I offer you a chance to join the Arkansans... Take the chance or become an enemy of Arkansas... You and your comrades are only Seventeen... You dont have your fully matured powers yet to fight... You are not fully powerful yet.... Your brother Vasco is twenty one... You are not... I give you and your comrades.a chance to join the Ronas army..."
Vasilica said "You know what our answers are going to be... We will never join you... You know that..."
Vasilica closed her eyes and then waves of energy went through the room.
Dante watched with fascination and curiosity. His intention was not to harm Vasilica or her comrades. His intention was to find out as much as he could about her kind... Elementals were a mystery. He knew alot about them. But Vasilica was Vasco's sister...He wanted to see what she did and how she reacted .
****
Edwin and Edward were watching Tiberious with a curious expression. They were sitting around a round table in Tiberious's private room at the castle. Tiberious was totally silent as he was holding his face into his hands. This was right after he read some of the articles Edwin and Edward had brought him from the magic science and research division.
Edwin whispered "Tiberious. Are you all right?"
Tiberious sighed and put down his hands. He stood up and started pacing the floor "I need time. I need a long time to think. We may be here a long time...."
Edwin said "I am not a healer but you are not looking too good. You need some rest. You look pale. Your nightmares kept you awake all of last night. You hardly had any rest..."
Tiberious said "How ironic? If anyone needs sleep, its you two. You did a great job bringing me all articles that you could about elementals."
Edward asked "Ask for more. Do you want more articles?"
Tiberious said "Not really. Nothing will prepare me for someone like Vasco except practical experience and not theory. This elemental is not just anyone. He is a lord. He is an elemental lord with the darkest of thoughts."
Edwin sighed "Darkest? You mean darker than our master's mind."
Edward gasped in horror "Do you have any idea what would happen if Master hears your insult?"
Tiberious said "Edward. Its alright. To answer Edwin's question, yes. Master has a dark side but it's nothing compared to Vasco and his ideology. Master has offered liberties to his people. Vasco doesnt believe in liberty. The ideology is quite discriminatory. He believes in total dictatorship with no room for flexibility. He only works with Archelos Ronas because he needs to have allies to beat our master..."
Suddenly Tiberious froze. "Get out of here now..."
Edwin and Edward looked at him confused.
Edwin said "What? Why?"
Tiberious said "Trust me... Leave..."
Edward nodded to Edwin "Let's do as he says. He must have a reason..."
As Edwin and Edward left, Tiberious took step backwards and leaned to the wall. He started breathing heavily. Waves of energy reached him and he created a shield around him resisting the waves. He didnt want to feel it. It was elemental magic. He did not want the waves to touch him. The waves were close to piercing his shield.
The waves could communicate with him even from the other side of the shield. A message appeared in front of Tiberious " Surrender... Resistance is futile..."
The waves were coming closer as his shield was pierced.
Tiberious only had one choice. He issued a help call to his master.
****
Dante waved his hands blocking her waves making her open her eyes in shock and confusion. Dante had blocked her waves. Not many people could. She had almost succeeded to get to Tiberious.
Dante narrowed his eyes. Dante said with a firm voice that made the room freeze in fear "You dare attack my wisdom sorcerer ? You were given a chance to join the Arkansans .... You wasted your chance and used the opportunity to throw your waves at the closest biggest threat nearby..." Dante of course had felt how far waves had penetrated. He knew Tiberious needed saving before he had issued a summon call. His call for help proved his loyalty. Tiberius's instincts trusted Dante more than they did Vasile. That was a victory within itself.
Vasilica whispered as she was recovering from the shock of her waves being blocked"You wont win... My brother will destroy Arkansas if I am not handed over to him .... You have until the grand wedding day to hand me to him or you can suffer the consequences..."
Dante was ready to punish this elemental who thought she could walk in and issue ultimatums and threats. Dante thought it was time to start the trial and punish the there... He was about to strike Vasilica and her comrades with a spell. But he stopped as he felt some calmness as Athena mind linked with him. Her beautiful voice said to him in his mind "I feel her... I feel Vasilica close... Keep away from her... She is dangerous..."
Dante said in his mind back to her "Dangerous to whom? To you? She wont touch you...."
Athena whispered "She is powerful... She gave you a warning.... They are attacking Arkansas on our wedding day... I told you they will..."
Dante said "Do you need an excuse not to marry me?"
Athena said "I dont... I want to marry you..."
Dante felt calmness like no other as he heard her declaration of commitment and loyalty. "I am coming to you my love... We will talk about this ..." He then came out of his thoughts and looked at the three elementals. He wanted to hurt them but he did not have time for that. Not now. He had to go to his beloved. If she had mind linked him it meant that resting had worked and she felt better so he could spend some more time with her.
Dante waved his hands and the three figures disappeared. The room was in shock. Where were they sent? What was the verdict? Dante said "Meeting adjourned... The captives are locked up in one the most secure towers ...... Valerians have declared war officially.... Be ware of our enemies... Be vigilant ... Threats will be dealt with harshly and efficiently.... You are dismissed. " Vasco Valerian was attacking Arkansas on his wedding day... Great timing on his part.... Athena had warned him he would. She had seen visions as a seer. But visions could change if actions changed.
****
Vasilica was sitting in the tower with her comrades Vangelo and Vania. They were sitting on the floor with closed eyes in a triangle trying to focus on spells to penetrate the walls. But these were secure Ronas walls protected by many spells... They needed enough concentration to send waves outside again. Dante had placed counter spells.
Vasilica opened her eyes "He allowed me to send those waves and didnt resist it on purpose. He wanted to see what I did. I have no doubt.... Focus hard... We need to find a way out..."
Vania and Vangelo nodded and closed their eyes.
Vasilica closed her eyes too "Only if Vasco can join forces and piles up the pressure on mind links we can defeat the protections around us and escape. But the Ronas spells are too powerful. Vasco cant get through because Dante placed a very strong spell on Arkansas with the help of Eric Ronas, Eros Ronas, Demetrious and Octavian... It's hard to penetrate but every protection has a weakness. There is no shield that cant be pierced. None... We will escape... And we never know... Maybe we can capture and take that wisdom sorcerer as a souvenir..."
****
Vasile was sitting with Arielle next to Serena's bed. Serena had lost consciousness again.
Arielle said "Arwayne does not look healthy. What's going on here? She should be waking up by now... I know touching that amulet that got her here made her go into coma but she should be up now.. Why is recovery taking so long?"
Vasile said "I think being close to you is waking up her instincts... She cant adapt here... She needs that guy who she likes... What's his name? Zachary...."
Arielle said "That Ronas commander that we sent back? Damn it. I wish I hadn't sent him back now... You think he could help wake he up?"
Vasile said "Serena' instincts, I mean Arwayne's instincts are telling her who she is... He powers are maturing.... They were dormant for some reason before... Its genetics... She is different to you abit... Being close to that guy helps I bet... Zachary is no ordinary wizard. He is special... His sister is a healer... That guy can do alot of things.... He just hasn't matured... He has some healing touch too and even some elemental traits in him believe it or not... He is not an elemental... He is a protector wizard... But he has many abilities..."
Arielle sighed "Do you think we can bring Zachary here?"
vasile said "Vasco nearly wanted to kill you for saving the commanders... You are welcome by the way for saving you from his wrath..... If I bring Zachary here and something goes wrong, I dont think I can save you again.... But are you out of your mind.... You saved that guy by releasing him.... And you want me to bring him back? How am I supposed to do that anyways in the first place? Unless I travel to Arkansas I cant get him here... The protective spells are too much now over the Arkansan skies... Before you could summon but enforcers intercepted you... Now there is the jinxes Dante has placed and also the enforcers that intercept summon calls from outside Arkansas..."
Arielle said "I need to wake Arwayne up... At all costs... Vasco wont object if you succeed and bring Zachary...."
Vasile said "I wont bring Zachary here...He is a Ronas commander... Vasco is very angry at Dante Ronas for causing havoc around here... Do you know how many hours is spent by Vasco and everyone around here in elemental army to fix the damages to the Stonehenge base? Vasco may kill Zachary out of rage... He would be lamb for slaughter..."
Arielle said " He wont kill him... We need him to wake Arwayne up..."
Vasile said "No... Bad idea... You cant convince me... I wont help you..."
Arielle said "I owe you one if you do this... A favour from an enchanter witch can make a difference to your life..."
****
Vasile sneaked into Arkansas and looked for Zachary. He found him wondering around town with a pile of books in his hand and then saw him enter a library. He followed him in the library. He was about to grab him and knock him out when he saw him enter a classified area surrounded by enforcers. Vasile knocked them out easily and entered the classified area. He couldn't believe his eyes. That Edwin kid that Arielle fancied was reading and Zachary approached him with the pile of books.
Vasile said "I am killing two birds with one stone..."
Zachary and Edwin could not react on time and were knocked unconscious... Elementals had tricks that not many could deflect fast enough unless they were on full alert.
Vasile was about to teleport them out but then felt some calls for help from a Ronas tower. No chance. She did not want to try to save Vasilica. He could get captured. The fact that he wasn't tracked till then was because Archelous had given him some Ronas speciality potions he had made to use in emergencies. He couldn't risk getting captured. But he had to answer her call for help. He cast a spell as he closed his eyes and spoke with elemental language and disappeared with Zachary and Edwin.
That spell from vasile sent clouds above the tower where Vasilica was. Those elemental specialty clouds could be used by Vasilica. If she penetrated the walls of tower she could manipulate them for some actions.
****
Vasile returned to the room where Arwayne had been with uncosnocous forms of Zachary and Edwin and laid them on two separate beds.
Arwayne came in the room and gasped "Oh my god.. You brought the cute one too with you..."
Vasile said "He has a name you know... His name is Edwin..."
Arielle walked to Edwin "I prefer to call him cute one..."
Vasile said "I brought them... You need to convince Vasco not to kill them..."
Arielle said "I already did... I had to do a trade with Vasco but he agreed... Its your responsibility Vasile to keep them confined here... If they leave this room your head is on the line..."
Vasile gasped "What? Are you mad?"
Arielle said as she turned to Vasile "Just secure the room and the Ronas commanders wont escape. This place belongs to your cousin.. You command the walls. They obey.... These Ronas commanders cant do much..."
Vasile said "Why dont you cast spells on the place..."
Arielle said "I want to focus my energy on Arwayne... Thats why..."
Vasile said "I need to go to Archelous to help if he summons me.. I cant guard these two commanders all the time..."
Arielle said "Octavian has called off the attack. The Ronas army wont attack Bran castle... When Dante Ronas decided to go after Vasilica, the Ronas plans changed... I dont know if the Ronas realise it... But capturing Vasilica maybe their lifeline in this war..."
Vasile said "I think she is not easy to contain... I gave her a helping hand with some spells... Not that she needs it... But she may cause havoc soon in Arkansas..."
Arielle sighed "You did what? You could get captured... That tower is in a secure area... Why did you do it? It was risky..."
Vasile said "why not? I live to risk my life..."
Suddenly Serena woke up and breathed heavily. She sat up "Zachary..." She spotted Zachary and ran to him. She was stopped before getting to him. Air particles werent letting her go further.
"What's happening?" Serena asked.
Vasile said "You cant get to him because I have stopped you with air control."
Serena turned sharply and gasped at Vasile "You?"
Vasile said "Hello... The one and only..." She turned to Arielle "Meet your sister Arielle..."
Serena froze. She looked at the girl in front of her. She shook her head "Sister?"
Arielle smiled and walked towards her "Yes... I am your sister... Arielle... You are Arwayne... Your name is not Serena,..."
Serena said "But I am Serena..."
Arielle said "We are enchanter witches... Your name is Arwayne amongst our people..."
Serena said "I am not an enchanter witch... I have never been one.... I have no special powers..."
Arielle said "Yes you do..."
Serena said "I have never felt them..."
Arielle said "Because you are half enchanter witch... I am full enchanter witch... Our fathers are the same... Our mothers are different... We are half sisters... But to me you are my sister... Having different mothers wont make a difference to me..."
Serena gasped "We have different mothers? How? How was I born? What happened..."
Ariella sighed "Well... Its a long story... Our father, an enchanter wizard married your mother, an ordinary witch who was not an enchanter witch... They had a divorce because our father found her blood match... My mother... My mother was an enchanter witch like our father... Your mother never told anyone she was pregnant... She gave birth and put you up for adoption... She is in Alaska now...She is a healer..."
Serena whispered "Why did she abandon me?"
Arielle said "She could not get over our father's betrayal to her... She gave you up because she was not coping with the divorce... When she went to Alaska she became a rebel... And then ... And then she couldn't get to Arkansas... She would have been captured and placed in dungeon... She is a leader of freedom fighters.... She is fighting Dante Ronas..."
Serena felt tears in her eyes "I want to see her...."
Arielle said "You can see her... You can go to Alaska... I can get you there... But then why dont you join me here... You can help me fight Dante Ronas... I have chosen my side and so can you... You can stay here and get to know me or you can go to Alaska..."
Serena said softly "I want to get to know you.... But I want to meet my mother too and our father..."
Arielle said "That can be arranged... All in due time... We are at war now.... But I know you better than yourself... We are enchanter witches... We dont get enchanted... We do the enchanting... You are in control of your emotions... very in control.... You should be a crying mess right now.... You have just met me, your first real blood relative... But you are composed... You have one thing on your mind.. I can tell you what that is... Truth and revenge..."
Serena said "I want the truth..."
Arielle said "But you want revenge too... Dont deny it... I give you a choice... Stay here or postpone the family reunion... You can return to Arkansas... You can take these two with you and credit them with being the ones to save you... Make a up a story and get into the senior commanders' good books. Fight from within... We can do it... We can defeat Dante Ronas... There is Bran Castle... Alaska protected by Athena's protective pearls of Mississippi... And Some elemental bases that are safe from the Ronas... You collaborate with those who want to follow Vasco Valerian, the most powerful elemental lord of his time... And we will defeat Dante Ronas..."
Vasile asked "You want her to go back? Vasco wants her here to help you... You can train her to learn her abilities that are about to speed up maturing now after the shock from the portal that brought her here..."
Arielle said "Her powers mature either way... She is close to turning eighteen... She wont need training... She can help us from within Arkansas... Choose Arwayne...."
*****
Tiberious was in his room . He was looking into the fire place. He was standing there pale looking at the flames. He felt his powers were multiplying now. He was sensing danger. Maybe an elemental close by had woken his instincts. He communicated with his master, Dante Ronas. He murmured spells. He spoke in a language that the Ronas understood. He knew his master, Dante Ronas heard him. He had seen new visions and his master wanted to know. for sure. Elementals were a threat to be reckoned with. The prophecy was there for Dante Ronas to conquer all. But elementals had their own prophecy too.