Next Mage
32.Stubborn-1

Oliver's POV

"We need to warn Elvira first. She's the most powerful spirit mage left. And I heard from the... R-Ragnarok that it has the ability to...control spirit mages," Marilla's voice shook when she mentioned the Ragnarok. I shuddered as well, trying to clear my mind of all the red eyes and teeth and blood.

It didn't work.

"It's convenient too, because Laila is there as well..." Marilla continued. I frowned.

"You're forgetting it's literally the middle of the night right now," I said. Marilla looked over at me and rolled her eyes.

"Way to ruin the plan," she said. "I guess you're right. The bikes won't get us to Emma's house quick enough anyway. Oh, and I forgot! We'd have to drag Kuro along somehow," Marilla slapped herself, looking at the unconscious Kuro on the ground. Suddenly, a thought came to me.

"Hey, why don't we use the portal?" I suggested. Marilla whipped her head around to glare at me disbelievingly.

"Argh! Seriously? We could've been using that stupid portal to travel instead of using my bike? And you bring it up now?" She whisper-yelled. I flinched.

"I mean...I'm sorry...maybe, well..." I muttered.

"Maybe, well what?" Marilla snapped.

"Maybe I wanted to go on a bike ride with you?" I said shyly. I flushed, thankful that it was nighttime. Marilla's expression changed. "Oh, and also, that was in broad daylight, so..."

"Aw, that's so sweet," she said, pinching my cheek affectionately. Then she slapped me on the arm. "But hurry up and open the portal already!" I grumbled and muttered the portal spell. I blocked the light from the portal with my body, careful not to draw attention, and when I made sure it was clear I stepped aside.

"Ladies first," I said, grinning. "Just tell it where you want to go." Marilla leaned in close to the glimmering portal, and I could see excitement and fear brimming in her eyes in the rainbow light. "Emma's house," she whispered, her voice cracking a little. Then, as quick as lightning, she hopped into the portal.

"Wait for me!" I exclaimed, throwing Kuro in the portal before following after her.

dashy line thingo

Marilla landed on top of me, her hand squishing my face. Luckily, Kuro had landed next to us.

"Mrrph!" I exclaimed, shoving her off. Marilla was laughing. "Ugh. Next time, I'm gonna make sure I land on you instead," I grumbled. "Where in Emma's house are we, anyway?" I rubbed my head. Marilla looked around at the scenery. We seemed to be high up on one of the mansion's many balconies, with the moonlight reflecting off the white marble handles. Small swans and clusters of...grapes? (Or were they cherry tomatoes?) Were carved into the balcony's handles, and I wondered how rich Emma's family really were. Marilla was walking towards a large glass door on the other side of the balcony.

She fiddled with a beautiful silver necklace that I had never seen before, took it off her neck, and moved it towards a small lock in the door. I realized that the charm on the necklace was a key. A key to the house, huh. Smart. I suddenly appreciated Emma and Marilla's friendship a whole lot more. Emma probably gave that to her, I thought. If it weren't for that necklace we would be stuck out here. But then it would be kinda fun if we were stuck out here... I slapped myself and Marilla turned to raise an eyebrow at me. The door gave a small click and swung open.

We stepped into a carpeted hall. Marilla gestured for me to follow her. I took Kuro in my arms and half-dragged, half-carried him off the ground.

"I know this place as if it were my own home," she explained. "But we'll have to be quiet not to wake Emma's twin brothers. Or Alfred. Or any of the other staff, for that matter. Hopefully none of them are awake." I nodded and followed after her quietly. We sneaked past a room that had loud snores coming from it and gently echoing into the hallway.

The twins, Marilla mouthed. I nearly laughed but stopped myself just in time. They snored like dragons! We crept past a fancy-looking toilet, a large room with nothing but musical instruments in it (and a large grand piano in the middle!) a giant games room and more fancy-looking toilets until we came to an abrupt stop.

"Ugh, finally, Kuro's kinda heavy," I complained.

Marilla inhaled a sharp breath and gestured for me to open the door.

"You're the expert," she winked. I grinned at her mischievously and handed Kuro over. The door swung open and we slithered into Emma's enormous room. I dumped Kuro on the carpet with a grunt as Marilla crept up to where Emma was sleeping and shook her gently. Emma rolled over and muttered in her sleep. Marilla shook her harder as I closed the door gently. Emma eyes fluttered open.

"Wuh?" She said, her voice muffled from underneath the covers. Her eyes focused and widened. Emma jerked upward in a sitting position. "What the h--"

"Shh!" Marilla clamped a hand over her mouth. "We're hear to warn Elvira. And Laila. And everyone else." She whispered hoarsely, taking her hand off Emma's mouth. Emma raised her eyebrows when she saw me, then raised them higher when she spotted Kuro on the ground.

"My hunch is that this must be something important? Mind-blowing even?" She guessed. Marilla and I nodded vigorously. Emma scrambled out of bed.

"I'll show you where Elvira and Laila are. By the way, what's with Kuro?"

~Marilla's POV

Emma led us to Elvira's room. Sadly, I had the pleasure of dragging Kuro this time. Emma creaked open the door and Oliver woke Elvira.

"Wh-what?" Elvira stuttered. "What's happening? Darling, why are you here? And what the heck happened to Kuro?"

"We need to get Laila first. Then we can explain." Oliver said quietly. Elvira nodded, but as she did so, a faint shadow appeared in the doorway. We turned our heads to look at who had showed up.

Laila was standing in the doorway, rubbing her eyes wearily.

"Mwaht's happening?"

dashy line thingo

Oliver took in a deep breath.

"Okay everyone, uh...please try not to freak out." He started. Oliver frowned and put a hand to his head. "How am I going to start this..." He muttered. "Ahem. Anyway, um, the...Ragnarok..."

Elvira's head shot up from where she was staring at her nails, and Emma's green eyes flashed. Laila looked on, clueless.

"The Ragnarok...how am I gonna put this...it can, uh, control spirit mages." Oliver gulped. Elvira looked shocked, but only shocked, as if she couldn't, wouldn't, let a single drop of fear seep into her bones and take over her body. Laila still looked confused.

"Who this Ragnarok?" She asked. Emma and I looked at her sadly.

"The Ragnarok is an evil creature. It has killed thousands, if not millions, in it's quest for power." I explained.