Then I land softly to the ground. Did my levitation skills activate? Probably. I was high up. A misstep could mean death.
Gwen rushes towards me. “Do you realize what you just did?! That was a risky move!” But a look of relief on her face shows when she sees the item jammed to the tree.
“Awesome! Looks like you developed your own fighting style.”
“Wow, I guess it’s true," I said with a blush.
I chuckle, but this act makes it clear to the two of us that I’m finally ready. Yes, I’m prepared to face evil for greater justice. Just you watch!!
Month Four - June
Date: June 7; Time: Afternoon
Today marks another dull day. It’s been a week since training ended, but I felt to be the longest week of my life. Since I can fight with my new skills, I need some event to put them to use. Otherwise, this training would be wasted effort.
I relieve some boredom by hearing music on my computer. Gwen comes into my room to give me an envelope. I wonder what it is.
“Take this note,” she said.
I open the envelope, and it reads a list of some sort. The note contains an eight-point bullet list with four listed at the top and four listed at the bottom.
“What is this?” I asked.
“A list of basic spells,” she said. “You must know them.”
I let out a sweatdrop. “Are you serious?”
“What? Do you think the Fireball spell is the only one in the world? There's way more. The ones I listed are the basics.”
Gwen goes over the list with me.
“The first four are Fireball, Aegis Shield for defense, Recovery, and Lumination.”
“You expect me to memorize this?”
“Yes.”
Oh, great! But now I know the Fireball skill, so I better learn the others as well. Gwen continues reading the list.
“The next four are Elemental spells: Fireball, Breeze Arrow, Candice Shot, and Wind Gush.”
I assume these are the Western Elemental spells, ones that are easy to pronounce. Still skeptical, I asked Gwen if these skills have always been there or she’d just made up.
“These spells have always been there. Why are you doubting?”
“Sorry, Gwen, sorry...” I throw my hands up in defeat. I don’t know what’s real anymore. Anyway, I open the web browser to look for some event I can go to. But I can’t use my spells without due diligence. I’ll be arrested! Gwen looks at the screen with interest.
“What is this? Is this like a TV?”
“This thing is called a computer, and you use it to access this thing called the Internet. With the Internet, you can find news and other goods. You can even shop.”
“You don’t have to go to the local tavern to find the news?" Gwen asked with a raised brow. "Like, you use this to find news?" Her solemn face gives away to a sparkling expression. "Oh my gosh, so amazing! That's so different from going to taverns and inns! Technology is so cool!"
“I bet it was all word-of-mouth, right?”
“Yeah, all word-of-mouth.”
Gwen spots an article she deems newsworthy: there will be a fundraising event on June 9. I don’t care what the party is for, but I do know it will be held in Simona City’s Glandorf District. Oh my gosh! That’s where the millionaires live!
“I sense something is going to happen there,” she said in a suspenseful tone.
“Is it part of your psychic powers? Being able to visualize things?”
“Yep! And when I vision something, it will happen. Mark my words.”
Wow, Gwen sounds scary when she says it.
This reminds me of a movie about some kid seeing a vision of a plane crash only to happen for reals. Should I take this seriously?
“Do you want me to read the rest of this?" asked Gwen with a tease, but I know better she’s dead serious.
“No,” I replied indifferently.
“I’ll read it anyway: ‘Simona City’s Glandorf District is holding a fundraising event on June 9 for a ‘secret’ project. The event will take place at the Glandorf Maison, where it is expected to raise millions of donations. Spots are filling fast so reserve now. Rezo Pharmaceuticals is the leading sponsor.’”
I notice Gwen staring at the last sentence. What’s so unique about it?
“Rezo Pharmaceuticals, huh?” she muttered.
“Ever heard of them? I asked.
“Never. What is that?
“Rezo Pharmaceuticals is famous. They’re the largest provider of medicine in this world. But I don’t give a shit because I go to their High Priest drugstore chain to pick up my Plan-Z. Ha-ha!”
Gwen shrugs with a sweatdrop. “You really are something. You know that?”
Anyway, I look at the entrance fee, and the price is sky high. How am I supposed to afford it?! Gwen immediately comes up with a solution.
“I know! Let’s go to a magic shop to sell these magical rocks.”
I can’t help but laugh at this stupidity, but my laughter died when a bag of mystical rocks lay next to my keyboard. I don’t know where they came from, and I don’t care, but Gwen keeps pushing them on me.
“I know it’s already afternoon, but if we go to this shop, we’ll get the money needed to pay the entrance fee. Once spots are filled, we won’t be able to get in. I definitely know something will happen, so I insist we must go.”
“Okay, fine! But does such a shop still exist?”
“I can sense it.”
I rolled my eyes, but I asked Gwen to guide me. We quickly hit the magic shop, and to my shock, we received the money required by selling these dumb rocks. We rushed back home and reserved my spot online by pre-paying the fee. Now we can breathe knowing my place is secured. I sit back on my bed taking a deep breath.
“I’m not sure to call you crazy or amazing.”
“See, I know a few things about this modern world.”
I drag Gwen next to me as I tease her.
“Come here, silly kitty!”
By the way, Gwen’s been sleeping in my bed for a while now. It’s much better for her than sleeping on the floor. Though a stuffed animal, she’s warm to hug. I sleep at ease.
Date: June 9
Time: Dusk, Full Moon
Gwen and I are outside the building where the fundraising event will be held. We rode the 2-hour train plus a lengthy Lubber ride.
Glandorf is known for its isolation from the rest of the city. Because of this, the district attracts wealthy people. Yet the area can be crowded when it comes to parties such as this one. The building we’re going to sits on top of a steep hill.
We got off at the parking lot and looked up at the building. It's enormous, like Simona City's parliament building.
“How’s everything so far?” Gwen asked.
Gwen is inside the bag. I can’t risk getting her exposed to many people. Even though she’s light to carry, the money bag to pay the fee isn’t.
“Nothing suspicious so far,” I said.
Going off topic a bit, I asked Gwen for her opinion on my black dress.
“I like the dress, Glen. Why that one?
“Because it’s my favorite for parties like this.” I’m wearing a black fit-and-flare sleeveless cocktail dress I got as a present some time ago. My short bob is done nicely with a hairpin for my fringes. I’m also wearing minimal makeup with pink lipstick. And as for shoes, I’m wearing a pair of shiny black flats. Ain't I cute?
I see two separate lines: one to enter the party and another to pay the pre-orders. Since I pre-ordered, I must line up there.
“Aw, man! I bet only rich old people are here. I wish there’d be a cute boy to flirt. And if I’m lucky, I’ll take him home!”
“You’re hopeless...”
Oh no! Security check! I didn’t realize we must pass through security first before paying the fee. Security is super tight here. Gwen assures she’ll wait at the entrance. That makes sense. With her small size, she’s hardly going to be noticed.
S
ecurity checks my handbag, pulling out the money bag. His face looks puzzled, so I had to explain. “That’s just money needed to pay the entrance fee. My credit card was stolen!” The guard shrugged and allowed me to pass. I roll my eyes as I creep through him. The thing with the credit card was a lie. I don’t have a credit card because well... REASONS!
I went up, paid my fee, got my ticket, and made it inside the Maison. Giving the heavy money bag to the awestruck vendor was a huge lift off my shoulders.
“You got inside!” said an odd voice coming from my bag. And I realize Gwen is back in without me noticing.
“How did you get back in? Did you teleport?”
“Um, yeah...”
“Figures...”
The building is fancy inside as it is outside. It’s crowded. I scan the room looking for a cutie, but most are old farts. Gwen gets offended and gives me a scolding.
“Hey! Respect old people. You’ll be old too!”
These old people (more like middle age) are into themselves. Like I care. Anyway, I look around as I make my way to the buffet.
Meanwhile, on the other end, the professor walks along with Aster, who’s wearing his black hood. Aster and the professor must always be together when in public because he can’t be left alone. This was an order handed to her by the university out of safety concerns.
“Why we’re here?” he asked.
“This is a last-minute invitation. My cousin Alejandro was called to a sudden meeting and asked me to come in his place,” she said.
“I see, but do I have to be here?”
“Don’t complain. You should know better.” She spots an empty bench in a corner. “Go sit there. It’s unlikely you’ll be noticed.” She instructs him to sit next to a huge flower pot, which he reluctantly does.
Then a group of random people approaches her for a chat. They seem to be critical figures who know her somehow.
“Hello, Professor Agnes. I’m surprised to see you here,” said a woman.
“Ah yes, hello. It’s nice to see you."
“I expected President Alejandro to show up,” said a man in the group.
“Well yes, he was called for a sudden meeting regarding university matters. So, he told me to come here in his place instead. I had to come because he paid his fee in advance.”
“Mr. Alejandro is always busy, but he knows what’s best for students,” said another man.
“He is the university president, after all.”
“Ah, professor, I read your dissertation on Queen Lizabeth’s life as a princess. Mr. Alejandro praised your paper to the point I had to read it. I’m amazed you managed to gather material when little is known about her princess years. The fact that you are a descendant of the royal family truly shows.”
The professor blushed a bit. “Please, it’s no big deal. I simply grouped any data I could.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, professor. You have no idea how people would give to be descendants of royalty. Given the Simone family name, this is especially true.”
The gal lowered her head. She looks sad.
They continue the chat among themselves.
As for me, I yawn. I'm getting bored.
Sure, there’s music, but it’s classic type not the dance club type. I couldn’t spot a single cutie. Whatever! I should drink something to ease the boredom, but Gwen urged me not to.
“Why now?!” I asked.
“I don’t like the looks of this drink.”
“What’s so odd about it?”
“Just don’t drink it, okay?”
Aster continues to sit by himself in the corner. It seems no one has noticed his face so far. He spots a familiar figure (me) at the table.
The music of the piano suddenly stops.
People around me instantly drop dead like flies! What the heck’s going on here?!
Aster reacted fast enough to knock the cup off the gal’s hand just as she was about to drink.
“What are you doing?! I’m thirsty!!” she cried.
Aster swiftly turned her to see people lying dead before them. Her eyes widen in horror. “What happened here?! Tell me!”
Even the group she was speaking with died also.
Before she screams, Aster covers her mouth.
Wait a sec? Could this mean the drinks were spiked with poison? Aw, man! This isn’t good. Next, I hear voices that prompted me to hide behind a giant plant pot.
“We got the job done...”
“Good...”
No way! It’s them! It’s them again: the white-robed guys from the museum and the dance joint! There’s no way they’d be here... NO! I feel lightheaded.
“Are you okay?” Gwen asked.
“I’m fine.” I tried to brush off, but I knew better. No! I’m a skilled sorceress now. I should keep my head in the game.
The robed guys are going around shooting whoever survived the spike. Gwen and I remain hidden for the time being. Aster does the same with the professor as well.
Two guards rushed down the stairs, but they were killed. Yes! I get to show up and finally face these crooks.
It’s payback time!
“Alright, let’s blow this place up.”
“Not so fast!” I dashed right in the middle.
“What?! Survivors! You fucking idiots! You didn’t do the job!!” cried a random crook.
“You won’t get away with your evil schemes! This ends right now!” Wow! I’m so awesome!
Aster sees this and shows up too. The professor tries to hold him back though. “What are you doing? You can’t go!”
“No! I have a job to do.”
“Aster!!”
Good timing! Aster approaches to back me up.
“I’m not letting you be the only one to have fun. Let me have some too.”
“No shit! More survivors!” cried the dude with the machine gun. He’s so ready to fire.
The two of us are poised ready for battle. Aster does something unusual: he pulls his hood, converts his robe to full cape and reveals his sword. That's so cool! I never saw that coming.
“Damn it! We had enough of this shit! Let’s kill!” The cloaked guys fire their guns. I react fast to put myself before Aster to summon a spell.
“Aegis Shield!” I yelled.
The spell formed a large shield that blocked the attack. I can’t believe it worked!
Gwen and Aster stare speechlessly.
“That was very bold...” he said. I can tell he's grateful given his grin.
Another presence comes close to us. It’s not Gwen but rather...
“Hey, Liz! Come join the fun! We need an extra hand here!” I waved urging her to join but...
“Say what?!” Gwen and Aster yelled jointly.
“What? Did I say something weird?” I asked with a sweatdrop while scratching my head. There’s an awkward pause here.
...she hesitated.
What?! The great Queen Liz hesitate? No! This must be a mistake! She was fighting me before, and now she hesitates?
“I’m sorry... I can’t, I can’t...” she mumbled.
Oh great, I figured as such. That's not Liz but rather Professor Useless.
She is hiding, cowering in fear before running behind Aster. “What the heck?!”
“Hey, professor! Get the hell out of here!!”
She didn’t listen. She clings to Aster like a scared kid. She’s even shaking.
“Ugh, fine! Gwen, get her out of here!”
“Hey!” Gwen shouted, calling out to her, “Take the bag and go upstairs. Hurry!!”
I’m surprised she listened. She picks up my bag with Gwen in it and runs upstairs at Aster’s silent encouragement. The crooks fire their guns as they run, but I throw a quick fireball to distract them. She keeps going until she’s out of sight. Aster and I remain on the floor to battle the crooks ourselves.
***
Gwen and the professor hide in the first room they find. Gal closed the door behind her and walked to the opposite wall whe
re the window is.
“I think we’re safe for now,” Gwen said.
Gal freaks out by throwing my bag across the room. Gwen winced in pain.
“You... You can talk.” She slowly walks to the bag and kneels before Gwen.
“Yeah, I can talk.”
“I see...” She picks my bag up and places it on a small table. “You’re not a toy, are you?” She rubs Gwen’s chin, which makes her purr since she is a cat. She also pats her head which makes Gwen ticklish, prompting her to giggle. She seems to be having fun petting Gwen around.
“Who are you, Kitty?”
“I am Gwendolyn, but please call me Gwen.”
“I am Agneyastra Simone.”
“Agni-what?”
“Call me Agnes if it's easier for you.”
“Okay!”
She takes Gwen out of the bag and holds her while looking at the window.
“You know,” said Gwen, “You look familiar for some reason.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Um, never mind. You look sad, by the way.”
The professor sighs with melancholy.
“I don’t like people treating me nice just because I’m her descendant.”
“Something wrong?”
“There’s nothing wrong. I find it disgusting people use the royal family name for their benefit. That’s not what she wanted.”
“Who is the royal family you’re descendant of?” Gwen asked. Before the gal can answer, a robed crook randomly bursts into the room.
The enemy approaches them bit by bit. Gal runs around, circling the room as she hopes to exit the door behind his back, but gets caught. Next, she’s slammed into the wall with his large hands gripping her neck. Gwen jumps to defend, but she’s knocked, hence falling and wincing in pain. Gwen gasps in horror.
Meanwhile, the crook maintains his grip on her neck. She struggles to breathe and slowly loses resistance. Still, she placed her hands on his arms. She presses in a futile pursuit to escape his grasp. Gwen struggles to stand up.
“That’s enough!” Gwen yelled.
Just as Gwen is about to use her psychic power on the crook, magical energy gathers on the professor’s hands. Gritting her teeth, she presses harder. Then something odd happens: the enemy’s arms shatter with a sickening crush! Blood splatters and the figure screams in agony like a wounded specter.
Legacy of Dolyn Page 6