One Step Closer

IN THE KINGDOM OF WITCH WORLD, COUNCIL ROOM.

SHAWNA'S POV:

Everything is falling into her trap. Grandma and mother Kelneir had been missing and so are the children. I am sure Felix and Aya are behind all this. Gina was gone too. I don't understand that woman. She could have stayed. With her beside us, we would have been stronger. She could have defeated them in one go.

Why did she choose to leave?

I took a deep breath as I sat on the edge of the bed thinking about Grandma, mother Kelneir and the children's safety. I am not sure if Aya and Felix would have been treating them right. What if the children...

I stood in frustration when Sheera's face flashed before my eyes. How she was stuck in there... How she had to die... Tears rolled down my cheeks as I wiped them quickly.

This was not the time to cry. I told to myself. I have a war in front of me. My people, My kingdom, My family are at stake. And I will not sit back and cry over it. I will fight. And this time, I will not lose any of them.

I took a deep breath and went to the bathroom to freshen up. The meeting was in an hour. I took a warm shower and put on my dress. I didn't want to take any chances. If needed we will be going out today to get them back. I will not let anyone, be hurt this time.

I put on my armours and took the wand. The magic in me tingles through my veins once again. The vibration reminds me who am I.

Priam was with William and Jordan. Probably talking regarding our steps. I took a deep breath and stepped out of my room. I need to visit Patricia before I leave for the council meeting. I stopped before her room and knock at the door softly. I heard John's voice from inside.

" Shawna?... Please come inside"- he welcomed with a forced smile.

I can understand what was going on with him. His life has not been easy. He lost Jenny, He didn't know he had a son for 4 years. Somehow found a second chance with Patricia. And now, Jonathan being abducted and Patricia lying on the bed like this is breaking his heart into pieces again. I know he is falling in love with her slowly.

But he needs to find his son too.

" How is she doing?"- I asked glaring at her fragile body on the bed.

" There is not much progress. The physicians came and said she is in shock. It will take a few hours to gain her consciousness."- He said looking at her with so much pain in his eyes.

" I think she knows something... or maybe saw..."

" I think she saw Jonathan getting abducted... maybe that's why..."- He tried to defend.

I know now is not a good time to tell him anything. I nodded and he kisses her temple. We both left for the council room.

END OF SHAWNA'S POV

As soon as they left Patricia opened her eyes, they were glowing in Grey.

IN THE COUNCIL ROOM

PRIAM'S POV:

How can I express how scared and angry I am at the same time. They had my mother and Shawna's grandmother along with the children. I am the trinity king I have to take any step needed to protect my kingdom and my family.

The council room started filling with people as I patiently waited in my chair. Shawna and John walked in together. John was devasted by now. Looking at his situation I hate to admit that I am helpless right now.

But hold on my friend I will surely bring back your child. I thought. I have invited a few allied kingdoms to fight with us.

" Please take a seat. We have gathered here today to discuss an important matter."- I said while everyone took their places.

" Gina had left us... With just a note"- I said. The last part sounded more like a whisper. Somehow, I have trusted that lady. I have seen her powers, she could have been a help. But regardless, she chooses to leave.

I took a deep breath and continued-" The children who were abducted were missing again. Along with my mother the regnant queen, Kelnier of WitchWorld and Harney of WitchDom."- I said while hiding the pain in my words.

Somehow I felt guilty and ashamed of not being able to protect them.

William took over as he saw how emotionally weak I was becoming-" It is just not suspicion, but it is believed that behind all this, there is no other than Aya and Felix"

An against gasp and murmured filled the room.

" That means, we are not safe here!!!"- One of them said through the crowd.

Jordan said assuring them-" They might have tricked us, but we are no less. This is not the time, we shall be scared... It is the time when we join hands and defeat the evil".

" And do you think we stand any chances before Aya?"- The king of Sienna said with a worried yet mocking tone. " We have heard what she caused in the past few years... And King Priam, I am sorry to say that we won't be having any chance to stand before them."

I was not sure how to reply to him back. In one way he was right. We all knew how powerful Aya has become in these years. And to the cherry on top, he had Felix with her. God knows if Georgia was still...

I heard a huff from Shawna, as I turned to look at her. Something in her was unusual, she started glowing in golden and she flew above the ground. All eyes were on her with an open mouth gasping to the scene in front of them. Nobody had seen such a strong power before.

She looked at everyone with her angry eyes and said-" Do you want to stay like a life of a leach? A servant of evil? Or do you wanna die life of a warrior?"- Her voice roared in the room. She was engulfed with the inner magic that we haven't ever seen before. She smells of power and truce. Her voice had a dual sound which indicated she was not alone, it was her "chi" speaking along with her.

"Chi" was termed inner energy. The one who could find it shall find the peak of ultimate magic within. In the terms of 300 years, not many witches/wizards had ever found it before. It was a very rare case, that we have heard of like this. Those were known as great warriors.

I was proud to see she is one of them.

On one side, it was the pride that made me happy, the other side was the fear, that was somehow making me choke. It was said, that not everyone can hold this Chi for a long period of time. Either, it ends within so badly that it can make one paralysis for the rest of the life, or it can lead to death...

The sight of her being hurt had made in wince in pain inside. I want to stop her... but only if I could.

She continued-" This sacred land has been the birthplace of us... our kind... this has been our home, and nobody... I mean nobody can ruin it with the evil within. If it takes to fight the veil itself... I will... I shall not live the life of a low leach that bows down before the evil and her servants...."

She glared at the shocked yet amazing face in the room. Her words had somehow made them feel what we stand for.

" Unite we stand... Unite this land... If that is what we tend to believe... No one can defeat us. This is our home, We shall not give it up. I Parshawna Macduff Willboard... Queen of trinity lands, daughter of Jonny and Gracious Macduff... Granddaughter of the great queen, Harney Macduff and wife of Priam Willboard, the king of Trinity lands... promise you, that I shall fight till my last breath for this kingdom... The one who shall stand with me say Aye, and can live a life of a proud warrior." Her eyes were glowing in golden as she scanned the room full of people,

I didn't know she could give a speech like that. I don't know why but her word " wife of Priam Willboard" had managed to make up butterflies in my belly. I snapped myself of these cheesy thoughts as I came back by telling myself, now is not the time for this.

We waited.

"Aye"- I saw Professor Dunston say with a proud smile at her.

"Aye"- Professor Hyle and Hudson said.

The faces in the room looked at her with hope and trust. She was building a Kingdom. I was so happy for her.

Slowly the room filled with "Aye" and we smiled at our fist victory.

She called down and gained back to her normal self. She looked a little puzzled but she managed to hide it as she took the seat beside me.

I said-" Okay, as for the plan, what we need is our army to get ready. our spy had informed us that they have gained allies with the kingdom of Harnem and Kingdom of Quinn"

I explained our plan while showing it on the map. " The first army shall be attacking the Harnem and Quinn in sudden so that they will not get any time to prepare. While they think that we don't know the hideout of Aya, and mostly be busy with the war. One of them will find a way to reach Felix to bring him in the war. that is when we must attack her den too"

The plan was completely based on our assumptions as we didn't have a clear idea about her hideout. But we were sure they will reach out to them and that is when we must take the step.

According to the plan, John, Brad, King Alan along with two other kingdoms and Junnie would lead the Army towards Harnem and Jordan, Jennifer and William along with three other kingdoms will lead to Quinn. Professors will guard the WWS and the sacred Tomb, as we suspect she will come back for the book. Luna Megan will come with Shawna and me. We will be leading the army towards Aya and Felix's den. Ruby shall be here in the kingdom to guard the palace. We had no other choice other than this. Shawna doesn't want to drag her to the war. I am sure she was pissed off by this but had agreed somehow.

With the plan sorted, tonight by 2 in the night, we must leave. It was a benefit for us to know that finally, Felix cannot hear Shawna's thoughts. I came to know last night about it and somehow I am not okay to find he had been along her side all these years. But now was not the time to get jealous, so I let go.

John was standing with a still face, as I approached him. I placed my hands on his shoulder slight pressed it and said-" Don't worry brother, we will get your son and will kill the bitch". He nodded with a forced smile.

All we have to do now is wait.

SHAWNA'S POV:

My magic took over me, and it kinda feels awesome and terrified at the same time. It was a feeling I cannot explain in words, I was overwhelmed and scared at the same time. It was great to feel the magic in me once again. I was once again connected with the wand. The hope. But I don't want to get lost in the power once again. I need to stay in control.

The plan was settled. We leave tonight. I was about to leave my room when I noticed Patricia. She was sneaking from her room. Her behaviour looked odd. I waited and approached her. She went to the room where the children were before. She looked carefully around her to make sure nobody saw her.

There was something fishy about her.

Just when I was about to approach her there I saw Priam pass by with a soldier. he was explaining something. It would be probably about the war. I needed to tell him.

" Priam?"- I called.

He halt in his place as he looked at me. he asked-" is anything important Shawna?"

I looked at the soldier in his side and he bowed to me showing respect. I looked back and said-" yes, I need to tell you something in private."

Priam frowned and said-" Shawna, we are leaving tonight and there are so many things I need to attend to right now. Can we talk after this?"

Before I could tell anything he left with the soldier. I sighed in frustration as I searched for someone to tell about this. My eyes fell on Junnie who was standing with Brad and Alan. I could tell her but she was busy too. There was Jennifer who was leading the group of archery soldiers. I couldn't tell her too.

I cannot wait. Then my eyes fell on John. But he was not the suitable person whom I could share about Patricia's odd behaviour. Then I guess I am alone in this. I need to find out.

JENNIFER'S POV:

The war was near and as I tensed, to be honest. Jordan and I were leading an army along with William and other kings. I was nervous. I have never done this before. This was a great responsibility. But I was thankful and happy they believed in me. There was also something I know. I will meet my dad on the battlefield. I was ready for it.

FLASHBACK ONE HOUR AGO.

I was in my room thinking about the ways where we can save this kingdom. I was scared to face the challenges like this. I have never been in a war before. But I cannot ignore the fact that many things have changed in these six months. I have learned a lot of things and lost a few. But more importantly, I have found my worth. I have found my other half... My soulmate. Jordan. I was thankful for that.

I was looking at myself in a mirror when something glowed inside of my room. I was alert and sacred at the same time. I waited for the person to show and the second his eyes met mine small gasp left my mouth-" Dad"

I cannot believe it was my dad in front of me. He was not like other days, string and dominating. Rather this time, he was weak and emotionally drenched. His eyes were looking with love and guilt.

" Thank god you came back... dad!!! I know you work with the evil Aya... But don't worry I will not let anything happen to you. I will call Jordan and Priam. They will... guard you. And-And Shawna... She-she will help us, dad." I was talking all my emotions out while looking at him as he just stood there still looking at me with teary eyes.

" Why are you, silent dad? I know... you may have reasons... But you know what Shawna... she changed me. She is the one I found Jordan. Oh... You must not know who Jordan is... Well, Jordan is my hus-"

"Husband"- He said for the first time. I looked up and smiled while nodding my head. " Yes. I am sorry I couldn't tell you. But I promise dad he is the best man I could have. He showed me love and mercy..."

Before I could finish he said-" Come with me, my child... only then I can save you"

" what are you talking about?"

" You don't know what will happen in this war... I know... I have seen and I have been part of the plan. Everyone will die. You must come with me, only then I can save your life."

I backed off with confusion and asked-" Wh-What do you mean? I can't leave them, dad. They are my friends. My family. I can't leave Jordan"

This time his expression changed and he held me by my wrist. He hissed as he said-" Since when did you start caring for others? this is not how I raised you. You must save yourself. I can only save you if you come with me"

I cannot believe the man who is standing in front of me is my own father. I chuckled in pain as tears started forming in my eyes. I said-" Right. You didn't raise me like this. And I thanked god Shawna and Jordan have made me realise that. I don't need your protection dad". I replied while looking straight into his eyes. I tried fighting with my tears as I removed his hands from my wrist.

" I choose to stay and fight with them, Even if it means that I have to face you on the battlefield I will not back off. I finally had learned to fight for my family dad."

His eyes look defeated and hurt. He knew there is no way he could convince me. He left with the last glare at me. I didn't know why I saw the death in his eyes. My heart sank and before I could say anything he disappeared.

I could no way betray them.

END OF FLASHBACK.

I took a long breath as I watched walked towards me. He held my hands and kissed on top of it slowly. He said-" I will always protect with all my life"

I know. I believed him.

END OF JENNIFER'S POV.

Shawna decided to follow Patricia to the room. She stopped before the door and leaned to hear anything from inside. She had doubts about her behaviour since the first time she saw her in the place today. There was something off about her.

He carefully leaned in the door and can hear a few voices. There were probably two people inside. The first one was Patricia and she couldn't recognise the other one.

the 2nd voice-" You must fulfil what you came here for"

Patricia-" Yes, master."

Shawna was filled with curiosity. this could lead her to her granny and mother kelnier along with children's. She didn't waste any more time as she opened the door. As she peeked inside, she saw no one. The room was empty as she scanned the room carefully.

She was defeated and turned back with a sigh. But then she faced Patricia. She noticed her unusual glows of her eyes. But before she could say anything, Patricia throws dust on her and she fainted in her arms.