Chapter Twelve Help Is On The Way
In the aftermath of the chaotic confrontation, the atmosphere in the abandoned amusement park seemed to shift, as if the very air held its breath. The sword, once a focal point of tension, had seamlessly transferred into the hands of an old, sweet-looking woman who materialized from the shadows. "Sarah, Barbara?" Mary called out, her voice a mix of confusion and relief. With a mere flick of the newcomers' hands, a mystical force separated the men from the kids and fairies, leaving the two groups on opposite sides.
"Please don't hurt us; we're just kids. It's those men – they're the ones who tried to hurt us," Roy pleaded, his eyes wide with innocence. The old ladies exchanged a knowing glance, their demeanor reassuring. The sword whispered comforting words in Roy's ear, alleviating his fears, while Mary, still in shock, couldn't help but recognize the familiar faces before her.
These were the same sweet old ladies she assisted in the library every week, seeking her help with books and sharing friendly smiles. Suddenly, it all made sense—their subtle hints about magic, the playful jokes about pointers, and the desire to offer her a few tips. "You have magic too?" Mary asked, a random thought escaping her lips as the two ladies dealt with the bewildered men.
"Not now, Mary," one of them replied cryptically. The attention shifted as the librarians interrogated the captivated men about their involvement with Keith's enchantment. Accusations flew, and the men desperately tried to break free from the spell's influence. The librarians, with unwavering resolve, declared that justice would be served at the courthouse of magic.
A swift motion of their hands brought Keith before them, and a decree was made – he would face punishment for his crimes. The librarians then turned their attention to the men, assessing the extent of Keith's influence on them. Closing their eyes, they delved into memories and magical binds, determining the culpability of each individual. "Keith had no magic hold upon you until today. Everything you did was of your own will," they declared, whisking the men away to join Keith for their impending reckoning.
Finally, the librarians addressed the children and fairies, assuring them of their safety and releasing them from the magical grip. Gratitude filled the air as the kids thanked the ladies in front of them. Roy, uncertain about the future, asked, "What do we do now?" The librarians, offering a sense of closure, advised them to go on with their lives.
Roy hesitated, looking at the sword. "Do I need to…?" he started, but the librarians reassured him that the sword of Kollam had chosen him. Mary, concerned about Eva and the fairies, questioned whether she needed to bid them farewell and return them to the wood. The librarians, in a gentle tone, explained that the fairies could choose to stay with her.
"As for what just happened here," they continued, raising their hands. With a bright flash of light, the abandoned amusement park returned to its desolate state, erasing any trace of the recent events from everyone's memory. The librarians had once again woven their magic to restore normalcy, leaving the protagonists to contemplate the surreal adventure that had just unfolded.