Elevate

Resolution

THIRD PERSON’S POV

After the Fire

The fire had consumed almost everything. It was burning hot and lives were being taken. They didn’t anticipate it to happen. Everything had shifted so fast. Her face was covered in sweat and tears as she subsisted still in the corner, beside the aged oak tree. She barely could feel her feet on the ground as she achingly watched those dead bodies being taken by the man’s men. They started to dig for them to bury at any moment. Ian had moved inside his house. Half of his place was burnt and the Cell was completely bombarded. Some of those who have escaped were taken back by his men and temporarily sheltered in another cage which was just a few meters from the Cell, still underground.

They were slowly placed in the pit and buried. It’s the only they could make things easier and faster. Those who have lost their loved ones mourned and sought for their fallen men. They have wished to turn back time to make them alive once again, but they knew that this is reality – that it has already been done. Hollers were heard everywhere. She looked over to Ian and asked as she wiped her tears off.

“What are you going to do with her?”

Ian stared at her with a serious face. “The deaths of my men would never be enough to save her from getting the penance. She should succumb in hell.”

It’s been an hour when they found out that the Healer, Farvella Moniel was actually a part of Penelope’s plans. She was one of her subordinates, aching to help her a long time since then. Basically, she was the person who’s responsible for letting the others get into the entrance in the forest without having those who reside inside recognized it. She was loyal to the woman that she doesn’t care if she’ll lose her life now. To her, her job was now done and she doesn’t fear anymore – it was all worth it to work under her ascendency.

Farvella was caught by Miguel a while ago, making another whirl for those who wanted to enter the Forest to backup Jack Rush and his team. Now, she’s being locked together with those who’re taken back and didn’t make it to free themselves completely.

Guilbert walked in their guidance together with Loshiana. Their eyes were still damp with their tears. They just moved the kids to the safe area and took care of their parents’ bodies. Reality had hit them so well that it had broken their hearts once again. Cody couldn’t stop weeping as he remembered it all too clearly. Vixen was trying to calm him down beside her, rubbing slowly his back. Their reunion was just a few moments before but how the time was so fast and took them away was unbearable. The kids have lost and so they’re. Ian isn’t having fun looking over the things that’re happening.

He moved to Loshiana and Carmilla who were staring over the pit. It was now filled with those corpses.

“They don’t deserve this. Every one of them.” Carmilla said. She darted over the distance and saw Embreal. The gates were still closed and the dome was still standing. Questions have filled her mind as she tried to find some answers on why the city had closed its gates to the people here. It was devastating.

“We need to get back inside as much as possible.” She added and looked at them. “Favia is still waiting for us. I already sent my insect to Trixie and the other kids for them to take care of her body…They’ll give her a proper burial.”

Cody and the others went in their way with slump faces. “That’s good to know. What we need to do right now is secure the shelter of those who have survived and let’s find the flower first. I have a feeling that they’re also in the hunt right now.” He spoke.

“How are we going to do that if we don’t know who the person is?” Loshiana asked.

Carmilla breathed and closed her eyes. And, once she opened them again she was wearing her usual self again – bold. “We’re going to meet the Butcher no matter what. He’s the best option we have right now and I am hoping that he has something to offer…”

“But how are we going to get inside?” Vixen queried.

“We’re going to use Guilbert’s strength.” She added and looked at them. “Are you coming with me?”

“I guessed I’ll stay here with Ian and also to have one to take care of the children.” Miguel uttered.

Cody and Vixen nodded in commitment. “That would be better. At least, someone from us will be kept updated with what’s happening here. All of us are coming with you.” Vixen said.

Ian ogled over them and in a while, he tapped their backs, each one of them. He let out a forced smile and declared, “I’m grateful that you helped us. Although we have lost some of us, still, I wanted to thank you…”

Guilbert held him by the shoulder and looked at him intently. “You don’t need to thank us for that much…”

“You should leave now. We’ll take care of the rest here. Rest assured that I won’t let the kids get hurt again.” He added.

“Okay. We’ll be back here.” Guilbert assured him.

They gathered around in a circle and held tight their hands together and in a snap, Guilbert used his strength to move inside Embreal. But in a weird turn of events, they didn’t teleport in the city. Instead, they remained in their same spots.

“What just happened?” Loshiana asked him.

“There must be something wrong. Let us do it one more time.”

Again, he closed his eyes to ponder, but when he realized that it isn’t working at all and that something strange is happening in the city, he opened his eyes directly.

“What? What’s happening?” Vixen asked.

“My…strength is not working.” He glanced over the city in the distance. “I think something is blocking the Transportation strength of someone to get inside. I’m not sure.”

“Maybe you’re just exhausted, Guilbert.” Cody said.

“No. I still have the energy to get us back inside Embreal. I also tried going to a different direction, but it’s still not working.”

“Then, we’re going to take the route that Mr. Elikai had offered before to William.” Carmilla responded quickly.

Guilbert sighed in frustration and agreed with her recommendation.

“So, where can we find this route that you’re talking about?” He asked her.

“Okay. But first, I need your help for us to get there in the secret passage.” She eyed. “Will you take us near the Old Mill?”

Guilbert agreed and in a snap they have ferried there. Vixen examined the thick layer that was taking the barrier from them. It was the dome. She darted at them, her eyes were in deep anguish as the moon’s light reflected on hers. She could clearly see those people inside, looking over to the forest. They couldn’t do anything but to look at the result of such a deed. They were apprehensive. And at that period, she realized that they also needed to keep themselves away from harm and in which maybe it was the reason why they have to close the city. But why would it be sealed from the moment the Forest was set on fire? It was as if it was already planned from the start.

“Where are we going? We can’t enter.” She asked them.

Carmilla moved to a certain spot, cupping the dome. She was searching for something. “I know that it’s here somewhere.” She said.

“What are we looking at?” Cody uttered.

“Wait. I think I found it.” She answered him. In an instant, her hand stopped in a certain spot and she pressed her finger. Slowly, they saw how it passed it and a light had shimmered around her hand as her eyes glistened with her strength. “Grab my hand.” She said to them and offered her other hand. Vixen decided to grab it and trust her. Next, Cody had clasped her hand and the others followed what they’re doing.

In a strike, Carmilla dashed and completely passed the barrier and pulled the others fast. When they entered the city back again, the passage had disappeared in an instant. Guilbert eyed to her and probed. “What just happened?”

“It’s the passage that William had used before which was recommended by the Informant.”

“How did you find it?”

“When he went to Mr. Elikai to ask for help, I followed them silently up until here. And, that’s when I was able to know about this place. And, I found out that it was the course that he was taking to get to the Forest secretly for information.”

“Do Ian know about this?” Loshiana asked.

She shooked her head. “I guessed not. Probably, Mr. Elikai didn’t meet him at all. Maybe he’s meeting someone else there. Who knows. After all, he’s the Informant. He also lived in the shadows somehow and being paid by his bizarre skills.” She added.

Vixen exhaled and peeked everywhere. “No matter what the man’s agenda before outisde the city, we should thank him for the information about this path. And, I think it will be better if we’re going underneath….the sewers.”

“She’s right. Our presence needed not to be watched by the others right now. The way to deal with them is to move where they’re moving too. Let’s progress through the shadows.” Cody said.

Everyone agreed. Now, Guilbert could use his strength once again. Somehow, the dome didn’t stop some in the Forest from using certain powers. When they saw it, all has expected that it will bring back the past where the only ones who could use their powers are those inside Embreal. But, things right now are a bit different. They could still use them even so that the dome was established once again. They have realized that its field wasn’t fixed at all, it just obstructed those from the Forest from getting inside the Embreal. Still, they needed some answers – answers that would make them believe.

Era together with Carmilla had transferred in the sewers. They decided to shift below straight to the base. She instructed the kids to meet her there and get things ready. She fully gave the trust to Trixie. Even so that the kids were under her father’s training for quite some time, she was the one who built a strong bond with them rather than him. She knew that they would trust one another and betrayal is already forbidden. She became a big sister to the three.

Cody scraped his arms as he felt the colds down his crest. His thick lenses had gone blur when he breathed in with his scarf. He decided to use the it once as they went to their place. He had missed it. Vixen had recognized what he did and tapped him by the shoulder, putting on confidence on her face. “It looks good on you.” She commented.

“Thanks. Did you get anything from the man that you killed a while ago?”He asked with his low voice.

“Not really. He didn’t talk much at all even I forced him to...He’s a pain in the ass. Really.”

“I bet he was. Things are getting shoddier as time goes by, don’t you think?” He added.

“You are right. Hey, I was thinking about her tomb. We still didn’t know why Jack had put Hannah and Macky there of all the places. It’s just alarming and wondering. Do you think he doesn’t know that we got a thing to trespass it? Well, luckily…Cody was gone to see that necklace all of sudden.” Loshiana butted in their conversation, walking beside Vixen.

“We’re fortunate that he was able to discover it and we destined to go there. If not, then the kids will not be here.” Guilbert said.

They turned left. Now, they were underneath the main road in a moment they would arrive at their base. They smelled the familiar scent which was a sign that they just stepped in below their place. And in the distance, they saw a hoary brown door with a padlock. There were no lights at all to shed the place, but they were skilled to locate it somehow using their instincts. They have been using the sewers to get in different directions lately and somehow they have adjusted with the unscrupulous smell of it. They all stood in front of the door and Guilbert took his rung to open it and they entered the room directly. Breathing the air that felt like home, they abruptly heard a gnashing sound from the distance, near the place of Quinten. The walls were being scratched by something sharp. They moved silently to the top and went to different corners, looking over the outside. They heard some soft mumbles.

Cody had decided to use his power and made those razor sharped knives float in mid-air, following him. He evolved to the main entrance and he saw a silhouette proceeding from the left side of the house. He instantly went outward and followed those steps that just came running. The others went with him. The moon was full radiant and they could detect those burnt trees from the Forest. When the steps stopped he dashed on the distinct side and the forks flunk in front of him and suddenly stopped in front of someone. She froze as she stared over those knives and her hair glowed with the flames. Cody heard the others came running into their position and saw the other kids, taking refuge behind the tree. They were peeking as their eyes showed quiver.

Cody took a profound air and lowered those weapons, falling them off the ground. “Goodness! I thought you’re a foe.”

Carmilla and the others arrived, she went directly to the kids and hugged them closed. “It’s great to see you again.”

“How are you?” Trixie asked them.

“So far, we’re still shaped in one body.” Vixen clarified to her.

Annie was wearing her cute, furry boots and faded blue trousers and orange shirt. Her hands were filled with dirt and her face was slightly covered with it. “Where’s Macky and Hannah?” She inquired them with her endearing voice as she held Trixie’s pants.

Cody moved to her and knelt on his ground. He gently rubbed the child’s head. “They’re in the Forest still, Annie. But, they’re safe.”

“We buried the woman, near the Informant’s place.” Trixie uttered. “You don’t have to worry at all. We made sure that everything will be settled with her. Favia now resting.” She added.

Cody offered in a diminutive smile and patted her by the arm. “Thank you.”

The boy beside her, Howard, was curious about what they’re going to take in. Basically, it’s his first time to do a mission together with only the three of them. The twins have left the group and are now living with their new family and now, they have joined the force with Era under Carmilla. Zyrender had decided to let his daughter take care of the kids and train them continually, hence, he’s seized by his own plans, making himself as a busy bee.

“Where are we going now?” He questioned

“We’re going to meet Mr. Butch. He needs to know about it and everything that is arising right now. We also need to find some answers on why Embreal was being enclosed once again.” Carmilla answered him.

“I think Uncle Zyrender knew about this thing. I remembered he was talking about the dome a month ago when you’re still on a mission.” Trixie uttered

“I see. Then, we should go, give my father a visit and talk to him about it.” Carmilla added with a stiff expression.

Guilbert shoved in and said, “We need to go now. We don’t want to waste this damn moment. There are still those who’re waiting for us in the Forest.” He clasped the child’s hand and offered his other one to Cody. Slowly, everyone of them held each other. The man looked at them. Vixen nodded at him, saying that they’re all ready. And in an instant, they faded away.

AT THE BUTCHER’S CLUB

A spark of light suddenly emerged in front of the man as he was occupied in keeping his things. He was scheming to get back in the first ground, but was bombarded. Era and the kids were sent inside his office. Loshiana fastened the door immediately. The bar was now empty as to the streets. All of the people were near the barrier waiting for any updates about what happened.

“I thought you couldn’t enter Embreal right now. What’s happening right through there?” He asked worriedly. “

Vixen walked and helped him in carrying his stuff behind the couch and said, “Penelope escaped. Jack Rush brought his comrades. They were able to get inside the forest to fetch their queen. One had betrayed Ian and helped them get inside and set the Forest into fire. They slew those who reside there…Uncle William and Aunt Liech were murdered by one of them…”

“How about the kids?”

“They’re safe somehow. Miguel is taking care with them in the Forest.” She added.

“What brings you here?” The man inquisitively interrogated and hurried to his desk. Mr. Butch pulled over his folders that were piled on the right side of his table. He wrapped his bandanna around his neck. He eyed on Trixie and is obviously uncertain about her presence. “Why are the kids here?”

“We need your help and they’re coming with us. It’s the best option we got right now.” Carmilla promptly answered him.

He was about to say something again when they heard someone coming in the place. The sound suddenly stopped in front of the door and a single knock with a familiar voice wailed. Cody recognized the voice of the man and moved to conserve it and there they saw him standing still with his damped, shadowy trench coat. His shoes were openly cracked on their tip, conveying his toes. His body was wrapped with profanity as well as his face. He was reeking off, but they didn’t mind. He slowly held his head to meet their watch and a smirk was gradually twisted on his lips.

“Sorry, I’m late.”