The Hunt for the Stone

"Stone of Arch"

This is the second time I am hearing this word. Before walking into this meeting, I had a faint whisper regarding the same name. But I didn't give out any reaction to it, as I didn't understand if I was hallucinating or not.

By this time of time, I have understood magic, and somehow I feel this is the solution to every problem. But how?

What is the " stone of arch " stands for?

Curiosity took the best in me as I asked-" What is that?"

Taking a look at the faces in the room somewhat made me realise, this has something deep and secret history behind it. I looked at grandma as she looked kind of surprised and worried. The news didn't bring smiles to many faces.

They may have definitely known about it.

Ughhh... Sometimes I feel I am still the outsider of this kingdom. I didn't know most of it.

Gina walked forward as she stood before me. Her eyes were holding some deep secret behind it. It was a strong aura around her. Something about her had somehow always made me feel a little confused. It was not like I was meeting someone new for the first time. But to an elementary witch, it was.

Book depicts that elementary witches hold the most secret information from nature. They cannot be lied to. Their original age was still a mystery. And I am sure while looking upon Gina, she was somewhat more than 100 years old... or maybe more. But her appearances made it look like she was in her late 50's.

" "Stone of the arch " is one of the most powerful weapons hidden in the WitchLand." She started as she finally sat down before me. Others took their seat too. I was a little confused but took the seat. She began-" Long ago when Lily made this land, She knew that someday, evil will come lurking for these powerful weapons. It was her power that had created these powerful land and weapons. Her blood and energy were consumed to make each of these."

I looked at her, listening carefully to every word.

" One day, after she died while saving all of us. One of our elementary witches had visited her grave. She use to say that Lily use to communicate with her by the mind. That was the ear when the Witches Lands were forming allies and settling its reign. One day she vanished. Nobody knew anything about her anymore. When taken Information it was said, that Sirens were the only ones to see her for the last time. And she had hidden one of the most powerful weapons in the world within her grave. "

Sirens... the evilest creature knows. The one who stayed in the deep waters. the one who lurk the innocent people with their most desires or haunted thoughts and prey on them. Sirens were one of the secret empires in WitchLands. Nobody knew their real location. Nobody knew if they were real. It was just in the books with mysterious updates.

The first time I have heard about them had given me chills. They live underwater, with the body of a merman and a human. Their faces are what proves them as Sirens. Ultra big eyes, pale skin, sharp teeth and aggressive natures.

It can literally peel out ones' skin. they do not just feed to flesh and blood, it was also known that they will first feed on the energy, and when finally their prey is weakened, they attack and kill them.

How can she even hide something so important with them?

Granma finally spoke in between as she said in a confused face-" B-But... It was a myth..."

Gina looked at her and replied with a small smirk on her face-" myth is the only myth here Harney. "

She looked back at me and said-" It is said that, while she sold her souls to sirens, she created the stone with her blood. The days when Sirens were actually feeding on her body, she formed a red rubric stone, with her last essence of energy which was known as the stone of an arch. It had the power of one wish it. Anyone wish can be held through it. "

A small light of hope lingered from me. The golden wand... is it true that it can bring it back? If yes, we can easily win this war... but... How will we get it? Nobody knows where are Sirens now. The book only contains the information that was reported by the people. Nobody knew their exact location. Gina was an elemental witch which is why she gets every information.

But if the stone holds that much power then it can surely bring back the golden wand... That is the only way to defeat Aya and Felix.

I was lost in these thoughts when Professor Hyle asked-" How will we ever get its location?"

Gina said-" Sirens are deep-sea creatures, and almost known as extinct. But the dark forest... That was a hidden gate towards the 'Seah beach'. The lost sea of WitchLands. A lost city where Sirens amends with Pirates and lingered in the dark. Mostly used by the pirates. The Sirens and the Pirates had a hand to hands, as Pirates had promised them with food and they promised pirates to help them hide their quests."

Pirates? In Witchlands? The Dark Forest... It all flashed before my eyes, how once Lady Georgia had tricked me. After so many years... Once again I will be seeing the forest.

Mother Kellneir said with a sudden shock-" Pirates? Aren't, they banished from these lands long ago?"

" Indeed they did... But just like Sirens, Pirates are now a mystery"- King Makenzie said while he glares with a poker face.

King Alan said with a long pause-" Well... I have been through many lands now, Pirates are not a mystery anymore. They have just evolved. There was a small country towards the northern border in this realm, Known as 'Jora'. They have been attacked by pirates at the night. Their kingdoms were torn apart and people were running in fear... The kingdom was small and that is why Pirates have outnumbered them. results in the broken kingdom. Since then, the Jorans were lost. Some turned into pirates, some banished. Pirates are seen first after 100 years. They have turned into something nasty. They are threats. They have turned into ruthless monsters who killed people and take anything in their way. "

" I will go, John and William will be with me. "- Priam said while standing up.

What is wrong with him today? Why is he acting so caring and protecting about me? Is he stupid that he wants to go there alone? Sirens, basically lure men's. And they wanna walk in that alone? Did he forget how he was tricked in the same forest that they were near to their deaths? Anyways... Why even am I caring about him?

Maybe it is because... Yeah. just my baby's father.

I cleared my throat and frowned at him. I was unnecessary annoyed with him right now. I couldn't understand the range of emotions inside of me.

Gina finally said-" Is shall be only possessed by the true heir, which is only... Queen Parshawna. "

Me...

" But she is pregnant... It is dangerous if she goes there.. and we are stronger than her."

That was not true!!! Given the chances of powers, I was the stronger one.

I frowned and said-" You need me"

He looked at me for some time as she slowly smirked before slowly mumbling-" I will always need you". He sighed and continued-" But that doesn't mean, I will allow you to walks in the danger in this condition!!!"

" I am not sick okay!!!"

" I never said you are"- Priam said at the same time as me. His voice softened as he said-" I just want to protect my baby and you from everything"

I was still determined to go along with them. I know It was mine to be uncovered. and I, solely, shall be responsible for it. Even if they tried, they will not be able to find it. Something inside of me wanted to go there.

Junnie said finally breaking our arguments -" Don't worry, I will go along with Shawna."

King Alan said-" I will too"

Priam looked at us finally with a defeat as he sighed and said-" Well... In that case, Junnie will accompany Shawna always, and King Alan, Me and John will proceed. The rest of you must be here to protect the kingdom."

They all agreed.

" We don't know when the to attract shall be emersed. Jordan and Jennifer you two shall be guarding the place and the rest of the people. Professor Hyle, professor Dunston, William will be along with you to protect the WWS. And Luna Megan, please start the training... Brad..."

He stopped thinking where to put him in, but he replied after a long pause-" I-I want to come with you too"

He finally spoke after all these years.

Priam smiled and accepted.

Two days from now, we shall be leaving to the west. The dark forest was lying on the lands of WWS. It was five years maybe... or more since I have been there. Fear and anxiety were at the peak inside of me. I was nervous, to be honest. I have lost many people since I came here. And since then I have tried to control that emotional rage inside of me. Dark forest... Lady Georgia... all of my friend's body lying lifelessly in the ground... Everything flashed in my mind.

I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath before opening them again. I was looking at my reflection in the mirror. Fragile body. I couldn't find the strong girl that has always been within me. I tried and tried to find her again... To find a little ounce of power within me. To feel anything that I use to feel years ago... Nothing... Empty and disappointed. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

" Shawna,? Are you okay? Why are you crying? Did anybody hurt you?"- Priam dropped his bomb of questions to me as he panicked, came towards me. He held me by my shoulders as he examined me carefully.

"For god's sake reply to me Shawna!! What happened?"- He asked.

I was quite confused and shocked by his sudden change of behaviour from the past few hours. I was already a mess, and he was making me more confused. " I am okay"- I said in a low whisper.

He frowned and asked-" Then why were you crying in alone?"

" I was just looking at my weak body... I am not sure how long will be able to hold on anymore..." I said... Letti9ng my heart out for the first time after so many years. I was feeling the same bond with him as I used to feel years ago. Something in me had the urge to hug me immediately submitting myself to him, but the other part said to hold on. Not to believe.. not to be naive anymore.

The next moment I felt is I was in his embrace. He was hugging me. I could feel his warmth. His strong manly smell filled my nose and somehow calmed me. I don't know what was that, which was making me weak towards him. It always has been.

He rocked me in his arms as he said-" Don't worry Shawna, I promise to make everything okay again. Hmm?"

Some part of me wanted to believe in him, rely on him, love him. But the other one was still fighting. I was not a naive girl anymore. I was alert now. The pain and sufferings made me realise, it was not about me now. I have a whole kingdom to save... and my child... My home...

Can I do it alone?

I was feeling a burden... Unknowingly I wrapped my arms around him. I could feel the smile on his face, but I was too weak to look at them.

NEXT DAY

We were sitting in the meeting room as very one gathered. The last preparation before we leave. We don't know when the kingdom will get attacked... So we need to prepare before we leave, in case...

"Willam will be in Charge of the WWS and the Doah Kingdom."- Praim said while looking down at the map kept in the table. He was intersecting the team and duties. Prepared and alert. " William... You will lead the army to the southern borders okay?"

William nodded his head in agreement.

"King Jordan and Jennifer will be in charge of the Western borders and the Forest of Mollis Lux forest."

Jordan nodded his head in a serious note as he said-" Don't worry about it... Mangus?" He called. Mangus stood before him bowing his head. He replied-" yes my King"

"You will lead the army towards the forest and shall bring another army here to the western side.". Jordan said with his voice firm. "Yes, my king. I shall do thee"- He said while nodding. he left immediately towards the 'POD'("Paradise Of Doom") to assemble the army.

Jennifer was a little upset and scared. I can understand her feelings. I walk up towards her and said-" Jennifer... No matter what We all are with you okay?" I squeezed her shoulder assuring her that my words are true.

She nodded. Priam tear up the gaze from us as he said-" Luna Megan... You and the army of werewolves will be leading to the northern borers of WitchDom."

Luna Megan agreed as her followers growled in agreement.

"Professor Dunston, and Professor Hyle, please make sure that the tomb is safe this time. The most probability was that they will try to get in there for the book. We have to be careful."

Professor Dunston said-" Don't worry King Priam, I have secured the Tomb with my blood magic this time."

Praim nodded as his eyes shift to the last, the southern part of the map. He gaze up to King Makenzie as he said-" King Makenzie I am sure you will take charge and will lead the southern borders of WhiteScale."

He smirked and replied-" Don't worry about it... I will take care... My hair didn't turn grey without any cause.". he said that mockingly. he was still the rude king I saw years ago.

Praim ignored and finally looked at us. " Junnie, Brad and King Alan, you will go ahead of us and John and your knights will be behind us. Make sure Shawna do not get any harm in this"

His voice was stern and speaks of authority. He was serious and I was confused. I shrugged off the thoughts as he said-" We are leaving tomorrow morning."

Finally, he turned to Gina and said-" I am trusting you with my kingdom, mother and my grandmother. their safety must be your concern now." His eyes were soft and he sound pleading. This was the first after 4 years he called granny his grandma again. Gina smiled and nodded as she replied-" I will King Priam"

NEXT MORNING AT 6 PM

We all gathered at the gate, with our armours on. The journey was long and hard, The dark forest was known to be the deadliest part of the whole WitchLand. We have to be alert all the time. Junnie, Brad and King Alan went up to their horses as they left ahead of us.

I stood along with Priam. He gripped his forbidden sword before looking at me. He asked one of the guards to bring my horse. He carefully helped me to get up. I was somehow liking his concerns but sometimes I was getting irritated. Maybe it was the hormones.

John and his knights were just behind us. Ready to march ahead.

With the final blow of the bell, we finally gripped tight and we went towards the journey to the dark forest once again.