Chapter 11

The mummies are about to enter the place. Chang'e has no choice but to wake up the others. She shook them but it seems like they're in a coma. No response came from them.

"Damn it," she cursed under her breathe, she has to fight them off by herself.

She summoned four moon energy balls again and released them, hitting the first rows of mummies. Still, countless of them still emerged. Her magic seem to be too weak and not enough to kill them. She knew to herself that her magic has not improved quite a lot but it actually hurts more now that she witnessed it herself. And worse, they're in a dire situation wherein her shyness and being sensitive has no use at all but actually makes her more vulnerable.

"I hate this," she murmured. "They are appearing underground, this is not even a Plant vs. Zombies game."

She grits her teeth when the mummies she once eliminated came back to life. She stepped backwards for she does not have any idea as to how to stop the wave of mummies.

"Starmoon shockwave!"

The mummies were sent flying backwards but they're so persistent that they still stood up. They stretched out their hands and the loose bandage at the end of their arms came to life and started to attack her. She released her shockwaves again but she only managed to deflect a few of them. When she looked behind where her teammates are currently located, they are all covered with the bandages. It was as if they're under mummification. It is happening so fast that her is having a hard time to comprehend.

With her guard down, it was too late for her to realize that her arms are gripped by the bandages as well.

"Let..." she snarled, "go!"

The bandage climbed up her legs, immobilizing her and keeping her in place. Running is already out of the choices. She tried to cut them off by using her teeth. But another came and gripped her throat. She was about to cast her own spell but her mouth is suddenly tightly covered as well. She tried to free herself but the grip on her only tightened. She felt her skin being cut, her blood starts to stain it with scarlet.

She's helpless. She couldn't fight back. Her tears slowly welled up and roll down her cheeks.

"Why am I so weak?" she thought as she struggled. "Why can't I be useful even for once?"

"Why can't I be strong enough to protect my friends?!" she yelled as she gathered all her strength and tried to take off the bandages. At first, it did nothing but only worsen her situation. Her breathing is slowly being limited by the bandage wrapped around her throat.

"Crescent moon goddes, I ask thy help. I ask thy power to protect those who I love. In return, I shall turn to you and offer my services with no hesitation. Simply grant me thy strength to defend my friends," she begged in her mind as if she's face-to-face with the goddess.

Her eyes suddenly glowed white and as if the moon goddess has granted her power, a moon with the shape of a crescent, descended from above and blinded the mummies. The bandages that are holding her tight went loose. With her eyes still white, she reached out her hand and the crescent moon came towards her. Like a queen, she sat down on it and looked at the red-eyed mummies.

"Starmoon shockwave!"

Her spell became more powerful than before. The rubies plastered on the eyes of the mummies turned black and remained unmoving.

Chang'e suddenly sensed some other being. She looked at the far end of the hall and saw Angela. She is fighting off the mummies as well.

Angela released her puppet strings and sliced through the mummies. She managed to kill a number of them.

"Fast," she heard her speak. "Release your friends before they turn into corpse."

Chang'e moved towards the others and with her magic, the bandages that covered  them loosened up.

They all gasped for air, coughing.

"What the hell was that?" Harith asked.

"Stay put," said Chang'e as she faced the mummies. Angela came and stood by her side. She released her strings and stopped the movement of their enemies.

Chang'e gathered her power while chanting an ancient spell that her master had taught her.

Harley felt the strong surge of magic around her which left him astonished. Despite feeling weak, he stood up to witness the true power of a mage granted with the power of the moon goddess.

"Within this night, a meteor shower shall ignite!"

With the crescent moon proving shield for Chang'e and her friends, blinding bright stars emerged from the hands of the mage girl. Countless stars keep coming and the enemies are burning to ashes within seconds.

"Whoah," Lolita gasped in amazement. It was as if they're seeing a meteor shower up close.

"Is that Angela?" Harley asked as he adjusts his sight from the bright light.

His brows almost met at the center of his forehead, trying to comprehend as to why the one they considered as an enemy is now helping them.

When everything has gone peaceful again, Harley got his wand and directed it towards Angela.

"Sectusempra!"

Everyone was shocked when Angela was sent flying towards the ashes of the mummies. She struggled to stand up for she had taken too much damage to properly function.

"Harley!" Chang'e yelled as her eyes go back the way it was and the crescent moon slowly vanishes from sight. She spreads out her arms wide and shielded Angela. "Stop! She helped me, okay?"

"She did help you like what happened before. But do you trust her not to betray us again? Have you forgotten how she almost killed you?!" Harley asked in fury.

He grabbed her shoulders and forced her put her arms down.

"Get yourself together, Chang'e! Just because she helped you does not mean that she's on your side! Stop being manipulated!" he added.

Chang'e has gone quiet for she cannot say anything that could counter what he said. He is right but her instinct tells her that Angela is no longer a harm for them.

Lolita stepped in and held Harley's shoulder to calm him.

"Let us not argue, okay?" she said. "Let's take Angela with us and if she intends to do something bad, we'll overpower her. Harley, don't get to worked up. Chang'e, you ought to keep an eye on her. Are we clear now?"

Harley lets out a sigh and released Chang'e.

"Let's get going," he simply said before they followed the flow of the water for it might lead them to the exit.

Chang'e helped Angela who did some repair on herself.

"Are you a robot, Angela?" Chang'e asked. Harley is just in front of them, listening to their conversation but pretends like he is not eavesdropping.

"Doctor Baker said that I'm his angel," Angela replied, "But I can't fly."

Chang'e giggled at her response which made Angela tilt her head in confusion.

"That's cute," she commented. "What are you doing here in the Enchanted Garden anyway?"

Angela did not respond immediately, she simply stared at the back of Harley which the girl beside her noticed.

"Did you, perhaps, follow Harley?" she whispered.

Angela shook her head and smiled.

"The exousia you got for me is the reason why I came," she replied.

"What is it for?" asked Nana who had also been listening.

"I do not know either, I was only tasked to get some sample," the mechanical doll replied.

"Tasked by who?" Harith asked who also got curious.

"Doctor Baker," she simply replied.

Chang'e suddenly looked ahead and stopped walking.

"What's the matter?" Nana asked.

"I can feel the cold breeze," she replied and ran towards the exit. Everyone followed through but as Chang'e step on one block on the floor, it suddenly opened up and she fell with her scream echoing on the hollow and deep opening. Harley voluntarily jumped after her.

"Get out of here! I'll take care of us both!" he yelled before falling down.

"Is it safe for us to push through?" Nana asked nervously for they might as well fall into a trap.