The Chaos Wars

Chapter 6: Tree of life

Jamie woke up with a huge headache and a aching body. When her eyes managed to focus she checked in with Vanth.

“What happened and where are we?” Jamie said

“The soul Parasite took over and linked you to the source. You scared them all witless and Windsoul sent you to sleep. She is related to a Nightmare apparently” Vanth mindlinked 

“You ok?” Jamie asked concerned

“Yeah, the parasite magic does not affect me, plus I have that soul pocket if things ever got tricky” Vanth said assuringly 

Jamie got off the wooden floor and took a few steps before being burnt. She looked at the floor to see elemental runes light up.

“Well I can’t say I blame them for casting a protective circle” Jamie muttered

“I am glad to see you have some sense at least” An elderly women in the corner said whilst knitting. She sat in a rocking chair and had long white hair and pale skin. She dressed in a long dark green dress that was decorated with leaves. There was pearls round her neck and wrists. Her eyes were pale blue, it was clear she was an air user to anyone who could see.

“I would not go that far!” Jamie sighed sitting back down on the floor.

“You look like you have the world on your shoulders child” The old women said

Jamie heard the clicking of knitting needles and the rocking of the chair and she smiled. It reminded her of home and what her Ma use to do in the evenings.

“I am just tired of not being able to fight” Jamie said

“Why?” the old women asked

“Sorry?” Jamie asked

“Why are you not able to fight?” The old woman said 

“I am blind and have a Soul Parasite which makes things tricky. I don’t suppose you know about my friends?”  Jamie said

“They are well and safe. Don’t worry they are being looked after, we are not savages” The old women said.

“Good! So what happens now? Do I meet the Queen? I learned the Queen is firm but fair” Jamie said

“Are you really the Moon Child?” The old women asked

“I am suppose to be, but I am just Jamie to be honest” Jamie said

“Ah I can see you are salt of the Earth type, that is good. I don’t like inflated egos, they cause so much trouble” The old women said 

Jamie felt a wave of sickness and suddenly she vomited black vomit again.

“Kill her! Kill the old women!” The dark low voice said

“NO!” Jamie said out loud

“Oh dear, the parasite wants you to kill me?” the old women said

“I am so sorry! But please,  you must go! I don’t want to hurt you or anyone and I don’t know how long I can fight it!” Jamie gasped

“So you are fighting then, just a different battle from your friends” The old women said seemingly unconcerned about what Jamie had just said.

“I suppose” Jamie gasped as she laid down exhausted.

“I like you, your heart seems to be true Jasmine Blackwell of the Northern Forest. Though in me experience forest folk tend to be, maybe it is growing up near trees” The old women said.

“Thank you” Jamie said closing her eyes. She wanted to ask how the old lady knew her name and were she was from, but she was too tired.

“Polite too! I decided that I am going to help you” the old women said before clapping her hands three times. Jamie sensed three more people appear in the room.

“My Queen” A man said formally bowing to the women in the chair

“By the Goddess you are Queen Gaia! Please accept my humble apologies... I had no idea!” Jamie said shocked trying to get up to bow, but failing.

“Please child, rest. It is I who is honoured that the one of the Prophecy has finally come! Now let’s see how bad the problem is, shall we?” Queen Gaia

“My friends?” Jamie asked again. Jamie was starting to get confused.

“Your guardians and friends are being treated to a good meal and some well deserved  rest. The Arcane and Demon hybrid almost completely drained themselves for you, they earned their soft beds tonight. Now let’s get started” Queen Gaia said.

The Elemental users formed a circle round her, and started to perform the ritual.

“I, Arnav Wavewalker  lend my element Water  to the moon child. May it offer health and insight” Arnva said and instantly Jamie saw the circle fill with blue threads hanging in the air.

“I, Afra Dune lend my element Earth to the Moon Child. May it offer strength and logic” Afra said and again Jamie saw the circle fill with copper threads. Some of the them tangled in with the Blue ones.

“I, Hagan Firewell lend my element Fire to the Moon Child. Her affinity with fire is well known and may it offer courage and steadfastness” Hogan said and the room filled with red threads.

I, Gaia Windsong lend my Element Air to the Moon child. May it offer her life and truth” Gaia said. Jamie expect to see white threads, instead she was lifted up and there was a flash of light. The threads all joined to form a massive oak tree with a huge crown, thick trunk and long twisted roots. It glowed and filled the whole room. Jamie was levitating at the base of the trunk and the whole circle gasped.

“I can’t believe it, it is the tree of life!” Afra said her voice whispering

“I’ve read about such things, but I would never thought I would live to see it!” Hagan said

“She is the moon child indeed” Gaia said.

Jamie suddenly started gasping and a few Leaves fell to the ground and turned black. On closer inspection they noticed the tree had many branches bare.

“Arnav!” Gaia ordered and Arnav nodded.

“Water show me the sickness” Arnav ordered and his hands glowed blue. A blue mist swirled formed and swirled, it eventually landed on the trunk. A large black squid like creature suddenly appeared. It was biting down feeding off the trunk, whilst it’s 12 long black tentacles were wrapped round various branches, roots and branches. 

“Mine!” The low dark voice said

“Foul creature! No wonder she is so sick!” Hagan roared. He could feel the anger of his fire element flowing through his veins.

“Try to burn it off, Hagan. But please stop when I say” Gaia said and Hagan nodded.

“You know what to do!” Hagan said and the soul parasite was consumed in blue fire indicating God’s fire had been unleashed.

The creature screamed and tried to attack Hagan with one of it’s tentacles. Afra caught the tentacles with her vines and was pulling them down to the lava pit she had just formed.

“Stupid morals! She is mine!” The creature said and a suddenly one of it’s Tentacles broke off a small branch of the tree. Jamie screamed in sheer Agony as black blood poured from her ears and mouth.

There was suddenly 5 shimmers as Lux, Dion and her three guardians teleported into the room.

“The tree of life?” Dion gasped

“Stop it! You are killing her!” Fluff voice boomed in everyone’s mind.

“Do as he says!” Lux suddenly turning into Loki. The Princess screaming had brought out Loki’s anger.

“Stop now!” Gaia ordered and Hagan stopped. The creature stopped screaming and went back to feeding on the tree. Another couple of leaves feel off the tree and turned black.

“Close the circle and release your elements!” Gaia ordered. They need to withdraw and come up with another plan. The circle dismissed their Elements and the tree disappeared along with the creature. Jamie fell to the floor with a bang.

“If it was that easy we would have got rid of it by now!” Dion snapped as Loki returned and rushed over to Jamie who was weeping.

“We had to try the simplest solution first. We shall research and come up with another plan” Afra said calmly.

“Let me help!”Dion pleaded

“An excellent idea!” Gaia said before Afra could tell him to shove it. She was very protective over her scrolls and libraries.

“Fine we will start in the morning” Afra said with a nod.

Lux pulled Jamie into his lap and said “Are you OK Princess”

“Oh Lux, I can’t take it anymore! Please take me home to my Mate” Jamie said in between sobs.

“Mate?” Lux said surprised. Jamie had two mates and had never preferred one over the other. Ever. In fact Eric and Richard struggled to get any alone time with Jamie as she wanted to be with both of them all the time.

“Yes, please take me back to see Raoul” Jamie said

“Raoul?” Lux said suddenly getting a very bad feeling 

“Yes, my one true mate!” Jamie said