The New Candidates, New Dangers

By Fallen Angel

Chapter 6

      “What do you mean”, Kizna asked walking in, “What’s the matter with Lilly?” “There’s no time to explain”, Crystal said, “We have to get to the village soon. Or Lilly might not make it.” Kizna saw the worry written across Crystal’s face. “Okay”, Kizna said, “I’ll get the others. You start on your way. We’ll catch up with you.” Crystal started walking to the village.

      She would have been able to walk faster if she wasn’t carrying Lilly. After about three minutes, the others caught up. “What’s up?”, Kizna asked, “What’s the matter with Lilly?” “When we were still on G.O.A.”, Crystal said, “We got into a fight against this guy named Shadow. He had used his poison needles and I think that one of them escaped our attack and grazed Lilly’s arm. You can see where her arm is bandaged. It must have only grazed her arm, or this would have already happened.” They continued to walk in silence. After a few minutes, they made it to the village.

      They walked on until they got to Chris and Jason’s house. “Jason”, Crystal yelled as she laid Lilly down on the ground, “Jason! Chris! Come here fast!” Jason stuck his head out. “What is it?”, he asked, “Why so much yelling?” “It’s Lilly”, Crystal said, “We need you to help her.” Jason saw Lilly laying on the ground. He came out and picked her up. “Okay”, he said, “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” They went inside. Chris was sitting in the corner shaping his spear. “Why are you here”, he asked. Crystal pointed to Lilly. “What happened to her”, Chris asked putting his spear down, “It looks like she just went through a really tough battle.” “It’s her left arm”, Crystal said. She unwrapped the bandage to show them.

      “She has been poisoned”, she said, “Before we came here, we had to fight. The person we were fighting against used this thing called poison needles.” “Shadow”, Chris said under his breath in disgust. “You know him?”, Crystal asked surprised. “Not really”, Chris said, “I’ve only heard rumors. They people who were fortunate enough to escape him told others. Finally, the rumors came here. They say that he comes in the protection of the night’s darkness. He’s a trained assassin. he always gets his prey. His finishing move is called Poison Needles. Everyone he’s been assigned to kill is dead.” “Except us”, Crystal said, “He is the one you heard all the rumors about. He tried to kill us, but we showed him. when he used his poison needles attack, I think that one of the needles avoided our attack and grazed Lilly’s arm. That’s why she didn’t start acting like this until today.” “She needs medical attention”, Jason said, “And fast. I’ll go get the doctor.” Jason left the tent. “We’ll need some water”, Crystal said. “We’ll go get some”, Zero said. Then Zero and the other candidates left to go get some water

      Lilly was getting worse with every minute. Crystal felt her head again. This time it was freezing. “Do you know anything else about the poison needles?”, Crystal asked, “Lilly’s getting worse.” “No”, Chris said, “I told you everything I know.” Jason finally came back with the doctor. She told everyone to wait outside while she examined Lilly. After a few minutes, she came out. “I need to know how she got herself into this state”, she said. Crystal told her everything. “So what’s the matter with her”, Crystal asked when she got done, “Will she be okay?” “Yes”, the doctor said uneasily, “Only if she gets the proper medicine by nightfall.” “What’s the matter?”, Crystal asked, “Why do you sound doubtful? Do you have the medicine?” “No”, the doctor said, “The only cure is at the Palace of Lights.” “Are you sure that’s the only place to find the cure?”, Jason asked nervously, “Is there another place?” “I’m afraid not”, the doctor said, “If she doesn’t get the medicine, her chances of survival are slim.” “Thank you”, Crystal said as the doctor left. “I want you to go back to the house and get everything”, Crystal told the repairers, “We’ll have to move into the village. Lilly won’t be able to make the trip to and from the village everyday and I want to stay with her without leaving you by yourself.” The repairers left.

      Crystal sat down on the ground. “Where is the Palace of Lights”, she asked the two boys, “do you know where it’s at?” “Yes”, Chris said, “But there’s something you might want to know about it first.” Crystal looked at him puzzled. “No one has ever returned from the Palace of Lights like they were when they left”, Chris said, “They come back sick or crazy. They die after about a week. Are you sure you want to go?” “I don’t have a choice”, Crystal said, “Besides, Lilly would go if I was the one who needed the medicine.” “I’ll come with you”, Chris said, “I’m the only one who knows were it’s at.” “Okay”, Jason said, “I’ll stay here and look after Lilly and the others.” Crystal stood up. “Then let’s go”, Crystal told Chris. They started flying toward the mountain in the north where the palace was at. Jason went back inside and sat next to Lilly. When the others came back with the water, Jason told them that the others were at the house.

      After they left Jason went back inside and sat next to Lilly. Lilly’s arm was still bleeding freely. Jason saw this and tore a piece of his robe sleeve off and tied it around Lilly’s arm. Then he tore another piece off and dipped it in the water that the others had brought back. He squeezed the extra water out and placed it on Lilly’s forehead. “Hang in there”, Jason said quietly, “Crystal and Chris have gone to get the medicine. Everyone wants to see you get better. We’re all counting on Crystal and Chris to get your medicine and you to get better.”

      There was a knock outside. “Who is it”, Jason asked grabbing his spear. “It’s me”, the elder said walking into the tent. Jason put his spear back down next to him. “The doctor told me about Lilly, so I came to see how she’s making along.” “Crystal and Chris have just left for the Palace of Lights”, Jason said, “We told Crystal about the high risk of not coming back, but she still wanted to go. So Chris went with her to make sure nothing happened to her and to show her the way.” “Has she woke up yet?”, the elder asked, “She may just be tired from all that has happened the last few days.” “Crystal told me”, Jason said, “That she tried waking Lilly up earlier this morning to eat breakfast, but she wasn’t hungry. Then when she got done eating, she tried to wake Lilly up again before she came here the first time. When she got back, she found Lilly asleep still. That’s when she spotted the blood and she discovered that Lilly was poisoned.” “Where is she bleeding at”, the elder asked. Jason pointed to the bandage. The elder untied the bandage and looked at Lilly’s wound. “Yes”, the elder said, “Now I see why the symptoms didn’t show earlier. It looks like what ever poisoned her just grazed her arm barely piercing her skin.” “It was Shadow’s Poison Needles”, Jason said, “They met him before they came to Zion. They destroyed him.” “I see”, the elder said, “Well I should be getting back. I have a meeting I need to attend to.” The elder left, leaving Jason more confused than he was to being with.

      Crystal and Chris were making good time by flying to the Palace of Lights. Chris was going to ask Crystal if she still wanted to go through with this, but the look on her face was too convincing. “How much further is it?”, Crystal asked. “About two more miles”, Chris said, “Do you still want to go through with this?” “I don’t have any choice now”, Crystal said, “I did have some doubts before, but now that we’ve made it this far, there’s no turning back.” “When we get there”, Chris said, “There’s going to be a guard. If he thinks that you are worthy of going in, he’ll let you pass. If not, he’ll trap you in a time vertex for all of time. After that, I don’t know what happens.”

      They landed at the front of a huge wooden gate. There was a small person standing in front of the gates. Crystal walked up to the person. “May we have passage into the Palace of Lights?”, she asked, “We need the medicine for my sister who is poisoned. She needs the medicine before today is over.” The person stepped to the side and the gates opened to let them pass. Crystal walked on confident, while Chris walked behind her nervous. After they passed through the gates, Crystal noticed Chris. “What’s the matter?”, Crystal asked him, making Chris jumped, “Are you scared?” “No”, Chris said, “No one has ever made it this far. I’m just proud I was one of the first people to make it through the gates.” Crystal was trying to fight back a laugh. A scream echoed through the air. “What do you think that was?”, Chris asked. “I don’t know”, Crystal said, “But we should check it out before getting the medicine.” “But Lilly needs the medicine before nightfall”, Chris protested, “We don’t even know where the medicine is at!” Crystal had already started down the hall. “Hey”, Chris yelled, “Wait up!” Crystal stopped a door at the end of the hall. Chris finally caught up with Crystal when she stopped. Crystal dropped to her knees trembling, holding her head. “What’s the matter?”, Chris asked. He tried to touch Crystal, but his hand met a bolt of lightning. He pulled his hand back, rubbing it. “Get out”, Crystal said, “Leave me alone!” “Huh?”, Chris asked, “What are you talking about?” “Get out of my head”, Crystal moaned, “Leave me alone. Please.” Chris looked at Crystal. He tried to touch her again, but his hand met another lightning bolt. This time he didn’t pull it back, he kept trying to force through the lightning. After a few seconds he pulled his hand back. crystal”, Chris said, “Crystal, what’s the matter? Come on. Talk to me.” “She can’t hear you”, a female voice said. Chris turned around to find a young woman walking toward them. She looked like she was an empress of some country. “Who are you?”, Chris asked. The woman walked right passed him. “I am the guardian of the Palace of Lights”, the woman said, “Only those worthy of being in the palace can hear the taunts of the souls. Souls that have been at this palace since before people started to go into space.” “Why can she hear the souls”, Chris asked. “Because she is not ordinary”, the woman said, “She is the one.”

      The woman tapped Crystal on the shoulder three times. Crystal stopped trembling and holding her head. The woman kneed down next to Crystal. Crystal looked at the woman. “What just happened?”, Crystal asked looking back and forth between Chris and the woman, “Who are you?” “I am the guardian of the Palace of Lights. What you just heard are the souls of different people”, the woman said, “Those people died here and they have not been restful. You must be the one.” Crystal stood up. “What do you mean by the one”, she asked, “All I came here for is medicine for my sister. That’s all I want.” “Here is your medicine”, the woman said standing up, “This will cure your sister’s poison state. She will be weak for a while, but she will make a full recovery.” The woman held out a small package. “Thanks”, Crystal said taking the package, “Can we leave now?” “Yes”, the woman said, “But you must come back here in one month’s time.” “Deal”, Crystal said, “Come on Chris.” Crystal and Chris started back.

      When they got outside, it was already getting dark. “We’ll never make it”, Crystal said, “I’ll have to use my super mode.” “Okay”, Chris said, “You have gotten more confusing than ever.” “All you have to do is hold on to my hand and not let go”, Crystal said, “I’m going to fly at a super high speed. If you let go, who knows where you’ll land.” Chris took Crystal’s hand. “Here we go”, Crystal said. She took off running at first. Then once she got enough speed, she took flight. She was flying faster than usual. “So how much faster is this?”, Chris asked. “I go about five to ten times faster”, Crystal said, “I don’t usually use it because it drains a lot of my energy.” They landed outside of the tent. Crystal ran inside. Jason was reapplying Lilly’s bandage.

      “How has she been doing”, Crystal asked, “How’s her condition?” “She seems to have settled down”, Jason said, “I’ve changed the bandage on her arm three times before this. Her bleeding has decreased, but she’s lost a lot of blood.” “Is that it”, Crystal asked, “How much blood do you think she lost?” “It’s hard to say”, Jason said, “But if she stops bleeding soon, she’ll survive without needing blood. She still needs some blood, but not that much. There’s only one person I know that can give blood to Lilly.” “And that’s me”, Crystal said, “Well we got the medicine. But first, I’ll have to stop the bleeding. She must have lost a lot of blood because her blood isn’t clotting like it should.” Crystal walked over to Lilly and lifted her arm. She skimmed her finger over Lilly’s wound. The wound slowly started to close. “How did you do that”, Chris asked. “It’s easy” Crystal said, “Me and Lilly have a bond. It’s not like a bond between sisters. It’s more like a blood bond. We both have the same abilities, but at the same time, we don’t have the same abilities. We’re just like, but at the same time, we can be totally opposite.” “I don’t get it”, Jason said, “How can you be the same and not the same at the same time?” “It’s complicated I know”, Crystal said smiling, “But it’s true. I can act like two people at once. Lilly’s the same way. She does it more than I do.” “How is she going to take the medicine?”, Chris asked.

      “I’ll give it to her through a shot”, Crystal said. A needle appeared out the air. Crystal opened the package and took out the bag of powder. A note fell out when Crystal picked up the powder. Chris picked it up and read it. “Hey Crystal”, Chris said, “This note says how to make the medicine. It says to mix it with water and give it to the person.” “Does it say how”, Crystal asked. Chris shook his head. “Well then I was doing it right after all”, Crystal said, “I was going to mix it with a little bit of water before I inject it into Lilly’s arm.” Crystal got a little bit of water and put it in the needle with the powder. Then she shook it until it looked like it had mixed well. She stuck the needle in Lilly’s arm and injected the medicine. “Now we just have to let the medicine do its work”, Crystal said. She noticed that the others weren’t back yet. “Did the others come back yet?”, she asked. “No”, Jason answered, “They haven’t come back here. They might be in the village.” “I hope so”, Crystal said. “Don’t worry”, Jason said placing his hand on Crystal’s shoulder, “If they are in the village, the villagers will give them shelter. They know that they are with you and Lilly, so they’ll protect them.” “Something still doesn’t feel right”, Crystal said, “It may just be my self conscious.” “You should relax”, Chris said, “Oh yeah. I almost forgot.”

      He went to the corner, looking for something. Crystal looked at Jason, but he just shrugged. “I found it”, Chris said, “You left this here when you left a few years ago.” He held out a bow and some arrows. “No way”, Crystal said her face lighting up, “Are those my Shadow Arrows and Bow?” She took them happily. “How did you know I left them”, she asked, “I didn’t even know I left them until it was too late to come back.” “You remember when I was running along the plane”, he asked. Crystal nodded. “Well I was trying to tell you that you left them. The villagers held me back, so I wasn’t able to give them to you.” “Speaking of that”, Jason said, “I have something that belongs to both of you. You guys left a lot of stuff here, but it was mainly just your two special weapons.” “You mean you have Lilly’s gem”, Crystal asked. “Yeah”, Jason said, “but it’s been acting weird.” “What do you mean by weird”, Crystal asked. “Well it has been coming out of the case that I found it in”, he said, “And it ever since the party last night, it’s been glowing. And this morning it was floating in the air like it was enchanted.” Crystal knew what it meant. “The gem has sensed Lilly”, she said, “That’s how we found it. It has some kind of connection with Lilly’s heart and soul. It chose Lilly because of her strong will to accomplish things and her extreme care for her friends and family.”

      The ground started shaking. They all fell to the ground. “What’s going on?”, Crystal yelled over all the noise. “It must be an earthquake!”, Chris yelled back. “It can’t be!”, Crystal yelled in reply, “My earth band didn’t give off any warning about it!” The ground started to shake even harder. “I think I know what’s causing this”, Jason said. He pointed to Lilly. “Look at Lilly. Do you know what’s going on now?” Lilly was floating in the air with a bright blue glow surrounding her. The gem was floating above Lilly. “It’s the gem”, Crystal said, “It must have awaken Lilly’s power that I told her to keep under control.” The two boys looked back and forth between Crystal and Lilly. “If she didn’t, she could have blown up G.O.A. when we were first transported. I still have my power under control. But...” Crystal looked at the ground. “What is it?”, Chris asked, “What’s the matter?” “If this doesn’t stop soon, she’ll destroy Zion”, Crystal said. “Then what’s the matter”, Jason asked. “The only to stop this is to stop Lilly herself”, Crystal said.

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