The General's Son w***e

XVII

He clenched his teeth, “One day you'll see that I'm only helping you, there are things you need to know and be ready for before the time comes but if you're going to defy me every time, I'll never be able to tell you,” he sighed, “ And for God’s sake put your cape on.”

I stormed out after retrieving my cape, I honestly didn't care about it and I hated wearing it. I hated my father but I also hated disappointing him because my mother had to calm him down whenever I leave. I hated putting that pressure on my mother’s shoulders but I knew the bond between them would always play a significant role in calming him down.

So I decided to get on with my life and mentally prep myself to the place I needed to go. With the snap of my fingers, I transported to the creature shelter in seconds. I was immediately graced with yelling and a lot of crashing noises. At first, I feared the worst that was until I saw Fayette leaning up against one of the counters from across the room. She crossed her legs with a smug look on her face, half waving at me.

I tried to take a step forward but Stacy, Perry and McKenzie ran in front of me screaming their heads off. Since I wasn't able to cross this mayhem in real time, I waved my hand and time froze, except for Fayette.

I weaved through the crowd, careful not to step on the Wallawoos that were chasing them. I finally reached Fayette and crossed my arms across my chest.

I squinted at her, “You sly bastard. You gave them the purple powder, didn't you?”

Fayette smirked, “I figured you didn't have enough excitement in your life. So as your best friend, I knew I had to do something about that.” She pushed herself off the counter and started walking over to Berlin, who was hiding under the front desk. Fayette pointed at Berlin and laughed, “Great receptionist by the way. She's doing an amazing job.”

I smiled, “God you're an asshole.”

Fayette pressed her lips together as she made her way to the group of worried individuals and began to laugh uncontrollably, “Have you … ” she laughed again, “ … Seen their faces!”

She tried to contain her laughter, which didn't work, “Oh my God, I can't. We should take a picture.”

Even though the phones we carried around here were useless to us, the camera setting was still a feature we could find useful. I rolled my eyes and walked over to Fayette as she snapped multiple pictures of them but when I caught a glimpse of their faces, I too started laughing. It took us a while to calm down but when we did Fayette looked at me and wiped a tear from her eye, “Please just let this one happen?”

I wiped my eyes and sighed, “Ok, but you have to clean up the mess later.”

Fayette power pumped her arms, “Yes, you got yourself a deal.”

As soon as we high fived, time resumed and instantly filled the room with shrieks and tiny growls from the Wallawoos. I walked over to Berlin as Fayette enjoyed herself on the counter. I helped Berlin from underneath the desk and sat her at the desk chair while the commotion proceeded.

McKenzie yelled, “We need a sacrifice!”

Stacy agreed and tripped McKenzie then Perry, “Sorry, nothing personal. I just didn't want it to be me.”

McKenzie cried, “They are going to drink me to death. Perry we are going to die!”

Perry shrieked, “It would have been just you if you hadn't mentioned anything about sacrifices!”

I rolled my eyes as Perry and McKenzie hugged each other while the Wallawoos climbed all over them. The Wallawoos would never hurt them but it was kind of fun to watch them think so. The purple powder that Fayette purposely gave to the Wallawoos was a training potion only meant to use in small dosages. If they were given pretty much the entire bottle, it would heighten their love and affection to a whole new level and this was exactly what was going on.

I shook my head when Perry started to cry, I guess this was where I should stop things. I walked over to them and squatted next to them. I started pulling each Wallawoo off, but they kept going back to them.

I yelled, “Berlin, could you please bring out their cages.” Berlin nodded and started bringing me out a couple cages at a time, “Fayette, get your ass over here and start helping me.”

Fayette rolled her eyes, “Fine.”

It took some time before we could get them separated and into their cages but we managed and now all we can do was wait for them to come down from their high. Then I helped McKenzie off the floor and Fayette helped Perry. They dusted themselves off and fixed their hair and clothes.

McKenzie spoke, “You and Fayette are assholes.”

I laughed, “I know.” Then looked at Fayette, “By the way, I'm going to need you to send me some of those pictures.”

McKenzie questioned, “What pictures?” She squinted at Fayette, “Fayette, what pictures are you sending to Amora?”

Fayette smirked, “Scandalous media.”

Fayette laughed as she placed her arm around Perry and stalked off with her phone in hand which left Stacy, McKenzie and I in the main room. I studied McKenzie's face as she looked around the room quizzically and her face lit up when she finally found whatever she was thinking about.

McKenzie pointed at Stacy, “I know why I ran, but why were you?”

Stacy deadpanned, “Honestly I had no idea why we were running in the first place, still don't … I just heard yelling and I wanted to join the mayhem.”

McKenzie and I laughed. Eventually, Stacy meandered off and I was finally alone with McKenzie. I took her hand and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Can I take you somewhere exclusive?”

She nodded and with the snap of my fingers, we were in a very well illuminated cave that shimmered brightly in many colors. I watched McKenzie slowly walk around as her face casted back with the colors present. She ran her hands gently over every crystal she passed, and spoke above a whisper, “This place is beautiful. I'd never seen so much positivity and energy radiating off these crystals, like I could feel how much love resides here.”

I smiled, “My mom and I created this place when I was younger,” I took a seat on the flat rocks next to the pond, “She said this was my safe place and whenever I felt that I couldn't control my powers, to come here and release them.”

I glanced at the pond, “My mom actually sometimes came here too, there were days she just needed a break.”

I clenched my teeth slightly, “Father and yes.” I pointed to the pond, “That there, is my mom’s creation. Every time she needed to unwind, she'd 'grow' her own water and fill that little by little.”

She rested her head on my shoulder, “Judging from the size of it, she must have been out here a lot.”

I chuckled, “I was a handful, still am … and father, well he … he can be difficult.”

McKenzie grabbed my hand, “It's okay, Amora. He wouldn't be trying as hard if he really didn't care about you.”

I glanced at our hands in silence, she was most likely right about him and maybe it was best if I actually tried. I leaned forward and placed my forehead to her chest and she wrapped her other arm around me, “And if by some chance, he still can't accept you, just know you'll always have me as well as your other friends,” ahe lifted my chin and looked me in the eyes, “Got it.”

I nodded, “Thank you.”

She smiled, “Anything for you. By the way, I know this probably isn't the right time to ask, but what is that mark on your chest?”

*****

“Amora!” I ran downstairs as fast as I could to my father’s voice. He was standing at attention holding my initiation attire and I frowned, “I don't want to go.”

He forced them into my hand, “You don't have a choice, it's every eighteen-year-olds responsibility to become new citizens in Vudos.”

He turned away, “I fully expect to see you at the mass in thirty minutes, now hurry along and for God’s sake, you better be wearing that cape.”

I slouched my shoulders and trudged back upstairs with my attire in hand, life was never fair and I wasn't looking forward to be sworn in, especially not as royalty.

When I arrived, I was escorted to the front stage along with many of my classmates. They were escorted to one side of the stage as I was separated from them and appointed my own throne. I hated getting special treatment and I knew how much my classmates hated me because of my legacy, I only knew because I could sometimes hear their thoughts.

When the service began, I sat in silence as everyone was called up by their name and titles. I knew I was going to be the last to be called and it wasn't helping my anxiety.

The councilman projected, “Everyone please rise for your queen in training.”

He paused, “Dearest Rogues, I present to you Princess Amora Vixen, your future Queen.”

I watched everyone bow, including my classmates as I walked across the stage. I felt ashamed that this would be something I'd have to get used to and I didn't have a choice, but I guess I'll have to get over it and pretend I was okay with it.

I stopped in front of the Master Warlock and he held onto my shoulders before closing his eyes. I wasn't even prepared for what was about to come next when suddenly my collarbone started hurting. I clenched my fists as my skin felt like it was on fire but I couldn't overreact to the initiation because it would start a mockery of my legacy and I knew my father would be furious.

Once I endured the pain, the ceremony was over and everyone began to gather out. I was curious as to what happened, so I walked into the nearest bathroom and took off my shirt.

It read,

01-13-15-18-01

*****

McKenzie snapped her fingers, “Amora?”

I looked at her with wide eyes, “It's actually a bran—” I paused when I heard a distant whisper, “Did you hear that?”

McKenzie raised a brow, “Hear what?”

The same whisper I thought I heard earlier happened again, this time it was getting louder and louder until finally it whispered some foreign word in my ear. I clenched McKenzie's arm as it felt like my heart twisted 180 in my chest, and started coughing.

“Amora, are you ok?”

My eyes started rolling in the back of my head as the stone foundation started cracking and the ground began to shake. I heard a deep sinister roar within the walls of this cave-like it was taunting me and I had no way of stopping it. My vision was becoming increasingly blurry but I could make out two figures standing at a safe distance.

One of them approached me, “Amora we need to get you out of here, now.”

I nodded weakly and allowed the person to carry me away. I could feel this 'thing' surge and pass through my veins like it was mixed with my own DNA, only this felt more sinister. I could feel this sinister bond dance with my soul as if it could be manipulated with ease.

“Purgeous, get Amora on the chair and make sure she is well secured. Fayette, I need you to focus, what you're about to do could get dangerous.”

I felt hands all over me as I was restrained. I wickedly laughed when I felt the first restraint, “Not so tight, Purgeous.” I cooed.

While they continued to strap me down, I bowed my head and as soon as I heard someone in the room refer to the language I heard earlier, my head snapped up. Fayette was standing in front of me with some kind of relic in her hand. The unknown voice spoke harshly, “Welcome, Eleanor.”

I stared back at Maximus as he held me by my shoulders, “Fayette, I need you to focus. What you are about to do could be dangerous.”

My eye twitched at his statement, of course, it wouldn't be any other way. I was brought into this world to risk my life for the lives of others, most specifically, my best friend Amora.

I turned to look over my shoulder towards my dearest friends. Perry was restraining Amora as she continued to mock him with terrifying laughter.

I turned back to Maximus, “What do I have to do?” he whispered, “I need you to go to the future. Ask anyone around for a person named Willow.”

“How far into the future?” I asked, confused.

“That is for you to figure out.” He stepped away glancing at Amora worriedly, “You must go, now.”

I had so many unanswered questions that I wanted to ask him but I ultimately knew if I didn't leave now, Amora would, hands down, destroy us.

Focusing back at the task at hand, I jumped up and down as I extended my arms to c***k my fingers.

For once I was useful and I needed to prepare to impress.

I closed my eyes and solemnly focused on Amora. I could hear echoes of Amora's interactions fading in and out as I passed through a blur of faded images.

The voices started to get louder and more malicious which made it harder for me to continue to advance in my work.

A harsh whisper spat in my ear, “Death is upon you.”

I nearly jumped out my own skin and looked around but only to find I was the only one here.

To be honest, this whole Tempus bullsh*t was scary as hell and I definitely felt like I wasn't wanted in Amora's timeline. I could sense this deep feeling of dread and despair; it was sickening really.

I hugged my body as the temperature in this time tunnel started getting colder to where I could see my own breath. My body started getting weaker and I felt my heartbeat slow down almost to the point of death.

I fell to the ground shivering as my vision blurred, this was definitely not something they prepared me in Tempus 101.

As I was laying on the ground awaiting my own death, I got this strange feeling in my soul.

It wasn't sinister … more like hopeful? Or well spirited? Then it hit me.

I rose from the ground with my newfound energy and gasped for a well needed breath.

My eyes glistening with a swirl of hope as I stared at the portal to my side, “I'm going to save you, Amora.” I whispered before slipping through.

At first, I was expecting something a little less depressing but not surprised as I analyzed my surroundings.

“Ash” was the only word that came to mind. Why? Because this place was covered in ash like a blanket of snow.

I couldn't make out any buildings due to the heavy ash falling from the sky which made it difficult to find what I was looking for.

Nonetheless, I continued forward, shielding my eyes from the particles.

The further I walked the more disturbing this time frame got. It felt like an ominous energy weighing down on me as menacing whispers told me to go back.

I shook off the vibes and trudged along, shortly coming into view was a silhouette of a person.

“Hello?”

I listened for a response as I continued to move forward with caution. I started to get nervous the closer I got as nothing but the howling wind could be heard. With my last step, my eyes went wide as I stared cross-eyed at the arrow pointed directly at my nose.

I put my hands up in surrender, “Look, I'm not here to cause harm. I seek not an item but rather a person.”

I heard the tension on the bow get tighter, “Willow. I'm looking for a Willow.” I closed my eyes, “Please don't kill me.”

“Address yourself.”

“Fayette Swanson.” I nervously spoke, “I'm just trying to help my friend.”

“Fayette?”

I opened my eyes and noticed the arrow that was once pointed at my face was now pointed towards the ground.

The silhouette stepped closer and I flinched but felt something in my soul lift with some kind of kinetic spark.

I was awestruck when the glow that radiated off her body began to shine brighter the closer she got.

She smiled, “I've been waiting for you.”

I raised a brow, “I take it you're Willow?”

She nodded, “Precisely.”

Two words,

True Goddess.

She was exactly how I envisioned a goddess would be. From her beautiful blonde hair that had one brown lock tucked behind her ear to her tall and very lady-like curved stature.

I felt her hand in mine and snapped out of my trance.

She spoke, “We mustn't waste time.”

“Where are we going?” I questioned.

“To save your friend.”

I didn't question any further because I was still smitten by her beauty. She was so enchanting and something about her felt so pure, like somehow I knew her all my life.

We stopped at a rundown building and I watched as Willow pulled something out of her pocket. I tried to peak around her to see what it was but it was so bright I had to cover my eyes.

Willow spoke in a foreign language and I raised a brow as I watched her lips part, “What language was that?”

I looked at what appeared to be a stone with an engraved symbol on it. It was extremely warm and swirled with white and black smoke.

I could feel the emotions inside of it and it felt extremely polaric, as if this stone was an actual person.

“Fayette, we need to go.”

I shook my head, “Right. Sorry.”

I watched Willow pull her bow over her shoulder before conjuring a ripple in time.

I spoke, “Do you really need the bow and arrows?”

She chuckled, “Mom always told me, expect the worst because you're always the best and when in doubt don't trust it because it probably tastes like mango.”

“What did you jus—”

I didn't get time to ask her about her inspirational quote as she pulled me through the portal in one quick swipe.

We fell at a fast rate and immediately passed through another time ripple. I was fully expecting to hit the ground hard, so I closed my eyes anticipating the pain.

When I didn't feel anything at first, my first thought was; wow, I died fast.

Then when I opened my eyes, I saw that we were in some kind of bubble, so I poked it. It popped, leaving a slime-like residue around us and I started giggling.

Willow was so cool.

I was quickly silenced when an arrow whizzed between Willow and me.

“D*mmit.”

Willow jumped towards me and hugged me. Everything happened so quickly and next thing I knew we were back in Amora's kingdom where chaos was surely to come.

Our attention was soon caught when the door to the room that Amora was being restrained started shaking violently and I nervously bit my lip.

“You ready?” she asked.

I prepared myself with my usual exercises, “Hell ya.”

She smiled and stalked towards the door, me following pursuit. As soon as we approached it, Willow kicked it down.

I stopped and questioned, “Now was that really necessary?”

She smiled, “Absolutely not but I've always wanted to do that.”

I rolled my eyes, “Kids these days.”

Maximus quickly walked over to us, “Time is everything.” He said pushing us closer to Amora.

Willow spoke, “All I need you to do is hold out that stone.”

I nodded as I pulled the stone out, “Ready.”

When Willow spoke a word in the same foreign language I heard her speak before, Amora's head snapped up and I stared into her soulless eyes. I looked at her in confusion when I noticed how her eyes swirled like the stone in my hand.

It was mesmerizing to witness how the black smoke swirls danced in sync with the white like swirls.

Willow spat, “Welcome Eleanor.”

I glanced at her as she proceeded to kneel in front of Amora and placed her hand on Amora's restrained one.

She sighed, “Mother, I know you are in there. I need you to feel our bond so you can rightfully seek yours.”

My jaw nearly hit the damn floor and when I turned to look at everyone else, they too were in a state of shock.

Except for McKenzie, she fainted.

Celestia and I quickly aided McKenzie off the floor. She didn't look so good and appeared to be drained of color.

“What's wrong?” I asked.

Her voice was shaky, “I don't know.”

There was a loud crackling noise and the ground began to shake, “Girls, get McKenzie out of here, now! And make sure the other one is safe too.”

I picked McKenzie off the floor and ran out behind Celestia. We ran as fast as we could and found Stacy causally laying on a bed singing to Thor.

She immediately stopped as all of us heard loud growls and Thor jumped off the bed to hide.

There was a still silence as we waited in anticipation. So I quietly walked McKenzie to the bed Stacy was on and laid her almost lifeless body down then tucked her in.

My head snapped up when there was yet another loud noise coming from the main corridors.

I ran out of the room towards the chaos and soon came into view was Maximus and Perry running towards me.

“Get back.”

I witnessed Amora's beast slam hard against the wall causing the entire building to shake. What I didn't expect to see was another beast five times her size emerging through the doorway, taking out both sides as well as the top.

Perry ran past me, pulling me along with him,

“We're doomed!”

I was completely speechless as I waited for Maximus and Perry to cool their sh*t and give me some explanation.

In the meantime, we remained completely quiet as we waited out the commotion outside of these walls.

The last thud had everyone looking for something to hold onto to keep us steady. When nothing happened after that, everyone stayed calm as we talked with our eyes. As soon as my eyes met Maximus's, I knew we were in trouble.

The door to the room burst open and Amora's snarling face appeared through the opening.

I gagged when I saw the drool run down her long terrifying teeth.

When she took a step forward, I stood in front of McKenzie and Stacy. There was no way I'd let her hurt innocent Munds.

She smiled wickedly at me and as soon as she took another step forward, she was immediately mauled by the second beast.

They went crashing into the next room and the bigger beast clawed Amora's face, leaving a gash wound on the side of her face.

The bigger one began to speak, mostly sounding like growls but Amora didn't seem to like that.

A bright light illuminated from Amora's body sending the bigger one back into our room.

I was interested in the creature, so I poked my head around the corner to see the beast morphing back into a different state.

My eyes went wide as I noticed the creature wasn't just another creature, but rather Willow.

She panted, “I need momma.”

My brows furrowed, “Who?”

I shook no, “Absolutely not. I'm not putting

McKenzie in danger.”

Willow looked me dead in the eyes, “Fine. Then I'm sorry I have to do this.” Then snapped her fingers.

She walked past me towards McKenzie's still body. I couldn't let her put McKenzie in this kind of danger, so I went to stop her but couldn't.

I looked down at my feet and tried to move them physically with my hands but they wouldn't budge.

D*mmit.

I looked around at everyone else and they were completely still like frozen statues, apparently, I was the only one that had some movement.

I pleaded, “Willow, I don't think you know what you are doing.”

She ignored me and placed her hand to McKenzie's forehead. She closed her eyes and moments later, her hand started to glow causing the spot on McKenzie's forehead to illuminate as well.

As quick as it was, it was quick to go and shortly McKenzie sat up looking as if she was never ill.

I watched as Willow helped McKenzie off the bed and guided her towards the giant blowhole in the wall.

Amora got up from the other room as she saw Willow and McKenzie, hand in hand on the other side.

Amora approached and I was dreading every moment the closer she got to them. They were now inches apart, so close that one wrong move, McKenzie would be dinner.

After Willow nudged McKenzie, she reached for Amora's claw and spoke above a whisper, “I'm in love with you, Amora.”

After the words escaped my mouth, Amora morphed back into human form and went completely limp. The girl next to me immediately helped me keep Amora upright.

She spoke, “I got this. Just go back to bed and rest, you'll need it.”

I nodded because whoever she is, she was right because I felt so weird, like there was energy flowing in my veins and it didn't feel like mine.

I touched her shoulder, and questioned, “Are you sure you'll be okay, sweetie?”

I heard Fayette snicker behind me and I turned to give her a look. Apparently, my look was intimidating to her because she actually hid behind Perry of all people.

I raised my brow not fully understanding what exactly was happening right now. So I looked around the room for clearance and suddenly I couldn't remember who these people were.

The older male walked up to me and asked a question but I kept zoning out, so I couldn't figure out what he was asking of me.

When I came out of my second trance, I heard him ask, “So is that a yes or a no?”

I scrunched my brows and held my temples, “Yes?” I asked hoarsely.

“No, I need an answer. Not another question.”

Oh my God, this dude was annoying. All I wanted to do right now was sleep, my head was killing me.

“Yes” I stated, then pushed past him when I saw a bed in the distance, “Now leave me alone so I can sleep.”

I smiled at the mattress in front of me, and spoke, “Sweet heaven, I shall join you.”

Then fell to the bed for some much-needed rest. I quickly shot up as soon as I felt a slap to my face.

I yelled, What the f*ck? As I held my sore cheek.

Perry spoke, “I told you not to do that.”

Fayette rolled her “eyes, “Yeah, I know and I told you I wanted to make this quick.”

I questioned, “So slapping me was your first thought?”

I rolled my eyes before getting up from bed to clean up so I could see Amora. From the bathroom I yelled, “Do you know where they keep the spare brushes in this room?”

Perry shouted back, “The left drawer.”

Once I found what I was looking for, I carried on about my own business. When I saw Fayette and Perry standing in the doorway, I tried to close the door for privacy but Fayette stopped it with her foot.

Seriously? Is this how Amora felt?

Fayette spoke, “I need to tell you something but promise me you won't do anything stupid.”

I rinsed out my mouth and turned to them, leaning to one side, “What is it?”

“It's about Amora.” Perry addressed.

I thought they were being annoying but for once they actually sounded sincere and I needed to know whatever they knew about Amora.

I questioned, “Is she hurt?”

“Amora's dad … he locked her up.”

I clenched my teeth, “What?”

“But she is unharmed.” Perry interjected.

“I don't give a damn if she is unharmed. Why the f*ck would someone's dad lock up their own daughter?”

I tried to push past them but Fayette stopped me, “Seriously you guys? Let me through. I got words to express.” And I meant it.

Fayette pushed me, “Chill out dude. You're barely pushing five feet; it'll take more than words to break Amora's dad.”

“I'm 5'2,” I protested.

“Besides, he'd shut you down in a heartbeat since you agreed to put her down there.”

My eyes flickered to Perry, “I did what?”

“Ummm … you don't remember earlier today?”

I shook my head as I tried to remember anything about the earlier events but nothing was coming to mind.

Fayette stepped in and spoke, “How about we go and wait in the main corridors. I'll tell you everything that happened earlier and hopefully you'll be able to see her later.” She wrapped her arm around me, “Sound good?”

I nodded, “Ok. But where is Stacy and Thor?”

Perry answered, “In the kitchen cooking with

Amora's mom.” Then he stuttered, “I meant just

Stacy … Thor isn't cooking … but he is with them.”

I chuckled, “Oh, good.”