“If there are other Dimensions,” he said, “then why are you here?”
I thought for a moment about how I could phrase it so I didn’t sound completely insane, but I was pretty sure that the best thing I came up with—which I went with—still sounded like I was off my rocker.
“Well, sir,” I replied. “I need to be here.”
“Why would a twelve-year-old—”
“Fourteen.”
“—girl need to be here?” he inquired.
I held up the Link. “I needed to get this from off Balto’s ear. It’s the only thing that can help me survive the challenge and save the Dimensions.”
“That’s it,” the officer thundered. “Forget being nice. You’re insane and under arrest for theft of priceless artifacts and defying the law.”
“Go!” I called to Darren, Abigail, and Felix as I was handcuffed and the Link was taken away from me by the officer. “I’ll see you at the battle! I won’t let you down!”
They hesitated for only a moment before dashing away, knowing that it would be better this way.
I would rejoin them on the battlefield, no matter what it took.
◆◆◆
I had been sitting on the cot in my holding cell at the police station for a while when the officer from before came back in.
“I’m Detective Johnson,” he informed me coldly. “According to my sources, your name is Valida Smith. Am I correct?”
“Yes, sir,” I answered. “Do you have a family, sir?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?” He was as guarded as ever.
“There is a boy in my grade. His name is William Johnson. I was just wondering if you were related to him,” I replied truthfully.
His eyes softened. “William is my son. He vanished the same day you did.” His expression hardened again. “Do you know where he is?”
I looked him directly in the eyes and said, “Of course I do, sir. But it won’t be of much use to you.”
“And why is that?” he inquired.
My eyes narrowed, still locked with his. “Because William is in the Dimensions, and you don’t believe they exist.”
Mom crashed through the doors of the police station and slammed her hands against the steel counter. “Give me back my daughter!” she demanded, a wild look in her eyes.
Detective Johnson looked up from his work with a sigh. “Cynthia, I know this is hard for you, but your daughter is a suspect. She was found at Central Park, holding that stolen artifact on my desk. She’s insane.”
Mom shook her head angrily. “No, she’s not! Don’t you remember what Roy told you? Back in high school?”
“You’ll have to be more specific.”
“The Legends and Tales of Zajahan.”
Detective Johnson scoffed. “You mean the fairy tale book? The one about Dimensions that he actually believed?”
“They weren’t fairy tales. They’re real!” Mom was on a roll now. “The Dimensions, portals—it’s all real!”
“Oh yeah?” Detective Johnson challenged. “Can you prove it?”
Mom opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off while sitting on my cot in the cell. “No need, Mom. I’ve got this.”
Detective Johnson smirked. “Go ahead. Prove it.”
“What wouldn’t you mind having blown up?” I asked. Then, inspiration struck. “Never mind. I have an idea.”
I grabbed my cell bars and let the heat from my hands melt them. Detective Johnson’s jaw dropped.
“Wh-what?” he stuttered. “How?”
I stepped out. “My name is Valida Smith, and I’m the Magenta. So unless you want to end up like my cell bars, I would recommend not challenging me again.”
“Impossible,” Detective Johnson breathed, staring at the melted bars in wonder.
“Nothing is impossible,” I said. “Can I go now? I have to fight in a battle in the morning, and I’d rather not push my luck.”
Detective Johnson didn’t answer, but Mom nodded for me to go ahead.
“Opatay clekavra Great Valley of Saviena!” I chanted.
I grabbed the Link from off Detective Johnson’s desk and stepped through the portal, ignoring his look of utter disbelief.
Chapter 40
“Miss Magenta!” Felix was the first to greet me when I stepped out of the portal. The sun was setting.
“Hey, Potato Brain,” I greeted. “What’s up?”
He handed me a compass made of brass and a note. “Selene said she found this outside by her sleeping bag this morning. It’s from the Classified Comrade. He stole the Brass Compass from Mallum and left it here for you.”
The note had only one sentence: Here is the Brass Compass, the last piece to the puzzle. Signed, the Classified Comrade.
“Now you just have to have all the Legendary Objects touching both the Link and you,” Felix told me. “Then, the Legendary Power will be released and become linked to you.”
“Got it,” I affirmed.
“The others are finishing up their tasks and heading to their tents,” he reported. “The challenge begins at first light, so you may want to get some rest.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
I let him guide me to my tent. I crawled into my sleeping bag and fell asleep.
◆◆◆
Victory is nigh, the Darkness informed me. I will finally rise triumphant!
“I wouldn’t count on it if I were you, Umarek,” I told him. “The challenge isn’t guaranteed to be a victory for you.”
Yeah, Umarek, Rekala backed me up. You forget yourself. You still have me to rival.
Without the Brass Compass, she cannot be linked with you, Rekala, Umarek retorted. And last I heard, Mallum had the Brass Compass.
“Actually, you need to update your information,” Felix informed him when his silhouette appeared in the Darkness. “The Brass Compass is Valida’s, along with the Bronze Locket, the Silver Mirror, and the Diamond Ring. She has a chance.”
I am the Dark Power, Umarek said calmly. I am the most powerful of all the powers.
Liar, Rekala accused. You and I both know that I’m the most powerful. Why else would you feel so threatened by me? They call me the Legendary Power for a reason!
“Wait, Rekala, you’re the Legendary Power?” I inquired.
Indeed, she answered. I have been imprisoned for years. I look forward to my release. Do not fail me, Valida.
“I won’t,” I promised.
Then I will not let you down, either, Rekala promised. I will do my absolute best to help you win the challenge.
Cheater! Umarek accused.
You’re helping the Frond boy! Rekala countered. If you can help him, I can help Valida. End of discussion.
The Darkness grumbled unintelligibly, then said, Fine.
Thank you, Magenta, Rekala said gratefully. It will be nice to be free once more.
“Someday,” I muttered, “maybe I will be free, too.”
I woke to horns sounding. The battle was about to begin.
◆◆◆
I stood on our side of the Valley, which was a small hill looking over what would soon be a battlefield. An identical hill, this one occupied by Attackers, sat directly across from us. A shallow, but wide, valley separated us. The sun peeked out over the horizon to my right.
“Ready?” Samantha asked.
I jumped. I hadn’t expected anyone to talk to me, let alone the ten-year-old lone survivor of Lythacan’s destruction. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose,” I answered. “You?”
She nodded, resting her hands on her knives in her knife belt. Her deadly accuracy was incredible, especially for her age. I would hate to be on the receiving end of one of those throwing knives. “Yep. Selene and I got here yesterday morning with some allies. Thanks to Teresa, we were able to convince some of the people in Emparadroy to come fight. Apparently, there were some rebels trying to get organized there. We just sped the process up.”
“I’m glad that worked out,” I said.
Samantha looked like she wanted to something more, but the battle horns sounded again. The sun was up. That was our cue to charge.
“Good luck!” she called out as she charged with the rest of our army. The Attackers charged from the other side. They would meet, swords slashing, in the valley.
As for me, I had to free Rekala, the Legendary Power. As the Legendary Keepers charged, they handed me their Objects: the Copper Shield, the Gilded Sword, the Lightning Bolt Amulet, and Leather Book. Gabrielle admitted as she handed the Leather Book to me that she had taken it during the battle with the manticore when no one was looking. She had wanted to keep it safe. And when Tom handed me the Leather Boots, he assured me that he was wearing other boots on his feet. It was probably the best attempt at humor I had ever heard him make.
I laid the Link on the ground and set each of the Objects down in such a way that allowed each Object to touch the Link. Then, I touched the Link where the links that touched the Gilded Sword and the Lightning Bolt Amulet connected.
The moment my flesh touched the cool, clay links, light began emitting from the Link. It slowly surrounded me, encasing me in a ball of light. It was blinding, so I closed my eyes. I felt myself being lifted slowly and steadily into the air, but I didn’t start panicking like I usually did when I was being confronted with heights. Instead, I felt at peace and calm.
Then, the pain hit.
It seared through my entire body like a sword. I screamed as the pain amplified to the point where it was unbearable. My body tingled, then burned like molten iron. I screamed in agony as the pain continued. I couldn’t move or think, let alone speak, and all I could do was scream. I could hardly breathe. A sharp pain cut into my back, like a dagger.
As suddenly as it had come, the pain stopped. I was lowered, slowly and steadily, to the ground. The ball of light vanished, so with the last of my strength, I opened my eyes.
I was laying on my side on the grassy ground next to the Link and the Legendary Objects. They each glowed. The light had come from them. I closed my eyes again.
◆◆◆
“Miss Magenta!” Felix was shaking me.
My eyes fluttered open. Felix was covered in sweat and dirt, but didn’t appear to be injured. His eyes were wide and panicked.
“Potato Brain?” I said weakly. “What’s going on?”
He sighed, relieved, and visibly relaxed. “Thank goodness you’re alive! You looked dead! We’re in the middle of a big battle.”
Silva nudged me with her head. You must rise and fight. Mallum is growing impatient.
Felix patted her neck affectionately. “Silva is right. Mallum isn’t going to wait for you to show up forever, but I’d also rather you not die. Silva and I can stall him if you need more time, but I don’t know how much time we can give you.”
I stood, new strength filling my limbs. A pleasant, tingling feeling came over me. I smiled, relaxed and feeling strong. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
Felix stared at me, probably without realizing it. His eyes were wide and his lips were slightly parted in surprise.
I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. “Potato Brain, you’re staring.”
That snapped him out of it. “Sorry, but um...correct me if I’m wrong, but you didn’t have wings yesterday, right?”
“Wings?” I glanced behind me. Through the shirt on my back protruded a pair of beautiful, feather wings, pure white in color.
I realized, as I examined myself more closely, that I looked just as I had in the Silver Mirror. I was in my true form, this time with wings. My lustrous, golden hair was braided into a single side braid, tied off with a blue ribbon. My skin was cream-colored.
“What color are my eyes?” I asked Felix.
“Usually or right now?” he questioned.
“Right now.”
“They’re glowing magenta,” he answered.
Thank you, Magenta Valida, Rekala said in my mind. We have been linked. I am free of my prison. Now let’s show Mallum and Umarek who’s boss!
Felix was still staring at me in disbelief.
“Seriously, Potato Brain, you’re staring,” I told him again.
“Sorry!” he apologized quickly, looking away. “It’s just...wow. Um...moving on…”
“Let’s go show Mallum who’s boss!” I suggested with enthusiasm.
He grinned and mounted Silva. “You read my mind, Miss Magenta. I’ll see you at the victory party!”
“Yep,” I said, smiling. “Just don’t die on me.”
“Not planning on it.”
Chapter 41
It took me a few miniature flights to grow confident enough to not panic.
My wings took some getting used to, but soon enough, I was flying over the battlefield. I watched as my allies fought with my enemies, some dying, others emerging victorious. I flew just within earshot of many of these encounters.
One of them was between some of the Sibolani people and the Attackers. Buttercup, the Starch Queen, and Makeki, the Candy Queen, were fighting next to each other. Their advisors were with them.
“Greyson!” Buttercup called. “My staff!”
Greyson, her advisor, handed her a long staff, crowned with a potato-shaped crystal. She and Makeki exchanged mischievous looks.
“Let’s play a party game!” Makeki suggested.
“Queen Makeki,” Malianna addressed the Candy Queen, “this is a war, not a party.”
Makeki, as usual, ignored her advisor. Buttercup smiled and said, “What do you think of ‘hot potato’?”
Makeki nodded enthusiastically. “Launch your hottest.”
Potatoes of all dishes launched from Buttercup’s staff, pummeling the enemy soldiers. Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, raw potatoes—she launched them all. Makeki cheered while Malianna dueled with those trying to attack Makeki.
“For crying out loud, Your Majesty!” Malianna exclaimed as she dueled two Attackers at once. “I could use some help here!”
Lono came to her rescue, taking on one of the Attackers. “I gave up on Makeki developing common sense long ago,” he stated.
“Haven’t we all?” Malianna sighed.
Felix and Silva dived right at an Attacker. Felix held a sword—which was pointed right at his target—in one hand and had the Copper Shield strapped to his arm. He stayed steady on the pegasus even without holding on with his hands. Silva kicked the Attackers below them with her hooves just as a raw potato came straight at them, aimed at the Attacker. Felix caught it easily with his free hand.
“I name you Joe,” he told the potato.
The potato said nothing.
“You’re welcome, Joe,” Felix said. He gave me a huge grin and a thumbs up, then he and Silva flew away to kick some more Attackers.
Not too far away, figures clad in Eikosi Tessera cloaks fought with the Lulins, who had allied themselves with Mallum. I flew over to Kappa and shot some fire at her opponent. Her opponent crumpled over, dead.
“So you convinced Alpha to help us?” I prompted.
She nodded. “It took a lot of different methods, but we won out in the end.”
“Who changed his mind?” I asked.
Her eyes twinkled. “Me. Alpha and I go back to the beginning of the Eikosi Tessera. Once I explained things to him my way, he understood and agreed.”
She went back to fighting, and I went back to flying. I had to find Mallum.
I didn’t have to look far. He was in the middle of the battlefield, with wings like mine but black, and irises that glowed red like the Lulin King’s. I landed in front of him and drew my sword.
“Let the challenge begin,” I declared.
He drew his sword as well. “Indeed.”
Feint left, strike right, Rekala instructed in my mind. I followed her instructions exactly. Block, but don’t counterattack this time. The fight was full of the sound of swords clanging. Rekala gave me many more tips and instructions throughout the fight, and without her, I would have been dead long ago.
Not that it seemed to matter much in the end.
Mallum and I had been dueling for a while before he finally outmatched me. Our swords clanged together one last time, but this time, he gathered enough strength to shove me to the ground.
I landed hard on my back and wheezed. Mallum pointed his sword at my throat, the blade’s point just inches from it.
It was over.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked softly, knowing that I had nothing to lose. “Why do you want to kill me?”
A fiery anger burned in his eyes. His sword shook with his voice. “It’s your fault she’s dead. It’s your fault she’s gone for good.”
I was not going to die without knowing why. “Who are you talking about?” I asked. “Who’s gone?”
As if I just reminded him of suppressed anger, the fire in his eyes intensified. He raised his sword high above his head for one final, fatal blow.
The end was near. I had failed.
I closed my eyes, completely exhausted, and whispered, “I forgive you, even if you can’t forgive me for living.”
When I realized that the sword had not come down and killed me yet, I opened my eyes. Mallum still stood above me, his sword still above his head.
But he was frozen, as if ice.
Mallum’s hands opened, and his sword clattered to the rocky ground, just inches from me. His wings slowly shrank, then vanished. His eyes stopped glowing red. With a strangled gasp, Mallum Frond sank to his knees, silent tears streaming down his face.
“I can’t do it,” he whispered. “I can’t kill you.”
Cautiously, I stood. He didn’t stand, or even lift his teary eyes from the ground. I grabbed his sword, which had been gleaming in the sunlight, and took a moment to admire the dwarven metals and the Elven workmanship.
Mesmerized by the sword, I didn’t notice when Mallum crawled over to me, but when he grabbed my wrist, my attention switched from the masterpiece in my hands to my tear-stained opponent.
“Please,” he croaked, the fire in his eyes gone, “I failed. I can’t live without her. Please,” he begged, “just kill me. End this.”
The Magenta (The Legendary Keepers Book 1) Page 18