EVABELLE

It's today. No longer tomorrow. Evabelle stared up at the ceiling, her mind spinning around with the thought of their mission. Today we are practically jumping blindly into this insanity. A knock on Evabelle's door didn't even stir her. "Bellz? Are you up? Are you ready for an adventure?"

A small smile managed to slide onto Evabelle's face. So this is the adventure? Do tell me what the rest of this has been. She thought and then frowned as the same two words repeated through her head. The same two words that had been cycling through her mind since seven o'clock that morning.

Golden wings.

Those were the words that were dragging her on this death trap. Golden wings. Evabelle sat up. "It turned gold." She shook her head and rose. Having dressed already, she went and opened the door for Aza, who grinned and linked arms with Evabelle. "Let's go!"

Breakfast was a bit of a rushed meal. Everyone zipped in and out of the room, speaking with each other in urgent voices, not helping Evabelle's nerves. Aza, CJ, and she were the only ones sitting eating their food. It was just some simple cereal, which was a first in the Sanctuary. Normally a delicious hot meal was made, but not now. Calandra was far too busy getting the precise location of the portal at the dwarf kingdom.

Evabelle watched the mage dash in and pick up two pieces of toast, toss one to Lucis, who stood in the doorway, waiting for her, then leave with the Anahalian. Evabelle swallowed her bite of cheerios. He hadn't even acknowledged her that morning. Well, she supposed. Most of the others haven't either.

Faux entered and slid casually onto the stool next to Evabelle. He snatched up an apple from the bowl at the center of the counter and took a bite. "A bit chaotic, ain't it?" He murmured after he swallowed.

Evabelle turned away from the doorway to look at him.

"No, kidding." Aza agreed. She took her bowl over to the sink and then turned, leaning back against it. "So why aren't you joining in the fun?"

Faux examined his piece of fruit, his eyes not really seeing it. "I prefer to stay out of the stressful planning situations."

"But apparently, stressful executions of dangerous missions are good with you." Aza folded her arms.

Faux grinned wryly up at her, but didn't say anything.

"Is something wrong?" Evabelle asked. Faux wasn't acting like his usual self.

Faux placed his apple down on the counter, still with the single bite out of it. "I—" He began and then shook his head. "It's nothing, really."

Aza's eyes narrowed. "What's up?"

The Anahalian eyed Aza for a moment and then glanced at Evabelle and CJ. "I suppose I can tell you." He relented. "I overheard something that makes me think that this may not be the wisest decision."

Evabelle could have told him the millions of reasons why it wasn't the wisest decision, but she remained quiet.

"I heard Lucis and Del talking this morning. They were saying how Del's visions have never happened the way they did last night." Faux stared at the apple on the counter. "He's never had them be disjointed, like that." He looked up at them. "You know, how he seemed to have finished, and then his eyes lit up again and he gave the last bit?"

Evabelle swallowed. Golden Wings.

Slowly, Aza pulled herself away from the sink, her arms still folded as she processed this. "So it was like two visions, but that's never happened before?" She checked.

Faux nodded. "Yeah, and they also talked about how they think that maybe there was a fake."

"A fake?" CJ piped up suddenly. "A fake what?"

"Fake vision?" Evabelle whispered.

Faux closed his eyes for a moment and then nodded again. "Yes. They think that one of the visions was somehow fabricated."

"How do you fabricate a vision?" Aza asked.

This time Faux shook his head. "That's the question isn't it? But the twins figure it was the traitor, which makes sense. They think this might just be a trap."

Suddenly the door opened and Tru poked her head in. "We're ready, so come on and get out here." Then she withdrew back into the hall.

Silently Evabelle placed her bowl beside Aza's, feeling nauseous. She had already figured it might just be a trap, but now it practically confirmed she really felt like she was going to be sick.

When she and the others from the kitchen reached the entrance, Evabelle saw Lucis, Del, Tru, and Kai encircled around Calandra. The mage gestured the others over. "Now, that everyone is here, I can explain this better." She pointed at the black star at the center of the marble. "I've managed to lock in on the portal in the dwarf kingdom, so that is done with. Now I need to tell you, I'm going to keep this open for fifteen minutes, in case of danger, and for Aza and CJ coming back."

"I thought you said we only had to come back if there was danger." Aza interrupted.

"We decided that we would let you come for about ten minutes." Lucis explained. "We're allowing you to come for Evabelle, but we can't keep an eye on you guys for this. I'm sorry."

Del grunted. "The fact that we're letting them come at all is just plain stupid." He murmured without glancing at Aza.

She glared at him though, her mouth, no more than a thin line. "Well what about Del? He passed out last night. You said The Oracle stuff was really taxing. Shouldn't he stay back and rest?"

Del stiffened. "I'm perfectly fine!" He shouted.

"Would you all just shut up?" Tru exclaimed. "This is important, and we don't need you love birds squabbling!"

Both of their mouths snapped shut.

Calandra sighed. "As I was saying, the portal will only remain open for fifteen minutes. Then I will be closing it. I will open it every hour on the hour for five minutes for everyone else's return. I can't continuously have it open in case something not so nice comes through." She turned to CJ and Aza. "When you get there you will also be on a star carved into a stone. To return, all you will have to do is stand on it again. Just remember, both feet have to be on a part of it." She looked at all of them. "And that goes for the rest of you." Calandra stepped back, so she stood at the back of the staircase, and everyone moved into position on the black star.

Evabelle glanced over at Lucis. He wasn't looking at her. He hadn't said anything about the possibility of this being a trap. Evabelle almost spoke up, but then Calandra lifted a large leather-bound book and began to chant.

Evabelle clenched her fists and closed her eyes, waiting for some sensation of teleportation, but just like the other times, there was none. Only the moist, dank smell and the cold draft gave Evabelle the notion that their location had changed. Her eyes opened to stare into darkness. It wasn't pitch black, luckily. There were small, dim torches along the tunnel's sides, but Evabelle definitely couldn't see the end to the underground channel.

For a moment all of them stood on the stone star and said nothing. Lucis was the first to step off. He turned to face them. "Alright everyone," he said softly. "Remember this is reconnaissance mission. We are here to find Averno and the Annihilator virus. Our goal is to find and destroy it and hopefully fully awaken Evabelle's power."

Evabelle swallowed. She had yet to perform any sort of magic from the munera. Golden Wings.

"So we're just going to find Averno and not do anything about him?" Aza asked, stepping down as well.

Lucis shook his head. "If we find Averno, then we have a chance of finding the virus. If all possible. I'd like to avoid going against him today."

Considering how improvised this overall plan was, Evabelle had to agree.

"Besides," Lucis went on. "You won't be here to find that out. You and CJ will be going back soon."

Aza pulled a face, obviously she hoped that Lucis would have forgotten about that.

The others began climbing down from the raised flat rock, silently following Lucis down the dark passageway. Evabelle glanced up at CJ, the last one on the star. "Are you okay?" She asked. The memory of the night before popped into her head. "Tell me your shoulder is feeling better. I forgot to ask you earlier."

CJ glanced down at her and gave her a bit of a shaky smile. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

"What's wrong with your shoulder?" Aza asked, making Evabelle jump. She hadn't realized her friend had stayed behind. "Is it hurting again? I thought that crazy Patrick guy helped you."

"He did." CJ replied. "It just hurt a bit again last night, that's all. Seriously it's no big deal."

"Oi!" Yelled Tru's voice from up ahead. "Are you three coming?" Her harsh words reverberated off the cavern walls.

CJ hopped down. "Let's hurry." He urged. The other two didn't argue and dashed after the rest of their group.

When they caught up, Aza remained close to Evabelle. For a while they all walked in silence, until Evabelle's friend leaned closer to her. "Are you sure you'll be alright when we leave?"

The answer was no, but Evabelle would never say that. This was so incredibly dangerous already. The fact that Aza and CJ had come, was a blessing to her. It made her feel like she might be able to get through this. But the thought of either of them getting hurt just so they could make Evabelle feel a little braver, made her sick. They had come to help Evabelle get started, but deep down she knew she was going to have to go on without them.

Evabelle nodded, her mouth dry. "I'm braver than you think."

Aza took Evabelle's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I know you're brave." She whispered. "But I believe you're braver that you think."

Evabelle returned Aza's squeeze and thought. What would I do without her?

"So," Tru said from the front, a few paces behind Lucis. "Are you going to tell them the truth now that we're officially here?" She said coldly.

Lucis continued on without responding.

"Don't you think they deserve to know?" She said a little louder.

Evabelle and Aza glanced at each other.

"Well, if you won't tell them, perhaps your brother will." Tru turned her head to Del.

"We're trying not to draw attention to ourselves, so why don't you shut up Tru?" Del replied softly.

Evabelle's gazed moved along to each member of their little group. All of them appeared to be quite uncomfortable. They all knew something that her, Aza, and CJ didn't. They knew something about Del and Lucis. They knew.

She wasn't sure what came over her suddenly, but before she could talk herself out of it, she slid her hand from Aza's and made her way passed the rest of the group until she walked beside Lucis.

Evabelle felt all eyes on her, except Lucis's, who kept his gaze determinedly forward. "Everyone has secrets." Evabelle said. "I know that, but there is something, something important that you're not telling us." Lucis still did not look at her. "I think that Tru has been going about this the wrong way, but I do think that you are keeping something from us that we deserve to here."

Suddenly Lucis stopped, making Evabelle lurch in surprise. She blinked up at him. "Do you hear that?" He hissed.

Everyone went silent. Evabelle did hear something. Someone was whispering, but the warbling echoes of the cave mixed up which direction it was coming from. The words didn't sound like they were English. They reminded Evabelle of when Calandra chanted one of her spells. The hiss grew closer until she realized it was coming from where they had come.

The group whirled around to see a gangly teenage boy step into the firelight, the glare reflecting off his Harry Potter like glasses. His mouth moved quickly, making the whispery words.

"CJ?" Aza, who was closest, tilted her head to one side. "Wha--?" Suddenly Faux jumped between them, his arms spread wide, blocking Aza from him.

Del leaped into a fighting stance. "So you're the traitor!" He snarled.

CJ did not react. He continued on with his hissing chant, staring passively ahead, not appearing to see any of them.

Evabelle shook her head. "What? No! What are you talking about?"

Del plucked one of his munera and turned it into his twin blades. "He's a warlock."

A high pitched laugh cackled over them, making them all spin back forward. Black high-heals stepped into view. A shockingly familiar girl stood in those shoes. The tiny girl removed her overlarge glasses, her frizzy red hair smoothing down into glossy, modelesque locks as her thin frame curved out to go with the perfect hair. Her grin was so familiar and yet it was so alien. "Not quite, my little vampire. Christopher Johnson is my familiar."

Then Sophie raised her hand above her head and snapped her fingers making all the torches go out.

* * *

Sophie? How could it be Sophie? It was just not computing in Evabelle's brain. Sophie was a...was a...a witch? That's impossible! Before Evabelle could move, someone slammed her into the stone wall. Strong arms wrapped around her protecting her from the jagged rocks. Lucis's warm breath gasped next to her ear. "Evabelle you have to run!" He whispered urgently.

Evabelle's hands clasped Lucis's shirt. "I can't--"

"Don't argue with me now. You have to get out. CJ's calling the vagi. You have to hurry back to the portal, it should still be open. Once you get back tell Calandra to close it."

Evabelle could already hear the moans of the horrible zombie-like creatures. She shut her eyes tight, even though the complete darkness of the cave already obstructed her vision. "I can't just leave you."

"Evabelle you have to." Lucis whispered. "We will hold them off. You have to escape."

She could hear the others begin to fight. "What about Aza?"

"I will do everything I can for her, but you can't look back. You have to run."

Evabelle heard Faux's voice cry out. "Lucis!" At first she thought it was for the Anahalian, but when she opened her eyes, she saw a light burst to life, and then caught sight of the loping men and women. There were hundreds filling the cave. How did they get here so fast?

"Evabelle promise me you won't stop. Promise me you will run until you are back at Calandra's."

Evabelle wrenched her gaze away from the horrific scene unfolding around them to stare up into Lucis's eyes. Normally a boy over her in such a position, would have terrified her, but once he moved, she knew it was going to be much more horrific.

Ever so slowly Evabelle found herself nodding. "I promise." She whispered.

Lucis breathed out. "Good." Evabelle felt him adjust above her. "Now!" And he pushed himself off, spinning around, and smacking several of the vagi out of his path with his great, powerful wings.

Evabelle thrust herself up as well and began to sprint back the way she believed that their group had come. She felt like an utter coward. She had always known herself to be just that. But her friends were just behind her fighting, giving everything for her, and she was abandoning them. Her eyes burned as she dashed passed Kai taking on at least seven vagi all on his own, Faux fighting to keep his munera lit in one hand and the other fighting with a Duren-Dal basic blade. Evabelle couldn't see Aza. Everything thing else just seemed to blur by.

Suddenly a hand caught her upper arm, which brought her legs out from underneath her and sent her sprawling. The vagi grinned stupidly down at her. This one, a rather large woman, sat on Evabelle's stomach, knocking the breath from her lungs. However, before the woman could do anything else to Evabelle, an arrow pierced the vagi's shoulder. The woman grunted and fell over Evabelle, allowing the terrified girl to roll back to her feet.

Evabelle glanced up to see Tru turn her crossbow on other vagi, not meeting Evabelle's eye. She shook her head. She had to get back to the portal. Spinning around, she continued her mad dash to the entrance.

Collapsing in the alley, being saved by actual angels, staying at sorceress's home had all been shocking incidents, but now it was as though Evabelle was having an out of body experience. It was like she was watching some horror film. The fact that the vagi had just attacked her or that her back and hands were sore, couldn't penetrate through her skull. Her body was on autopilot, doing exactly as she had been told. Distantly she became aware of other vagi loping after her, but they quickly fell behind.

Finally the far wall of the deep cave came into view, and that was when the lightning struck mere feet from the running girl. Evabelle flew through the air and slammed against the hard rocks. The pain suddenly became unbearably sharp. She let out a cry as blood ran down her forehead. Her singed hair brushed her bare shoulders where the jagged stones had torn her clothes and skinned her arms and legs. Evabelle slowly rolled to her hands and knees, even though they screamed at her. Blinking back the tears, she looked up at her surroundings that had suddenly come back into harsh clarity.

The black heels moved with ease around the uneven ground, crunching over the rocks, toward Evabelle. Sophie! And yet not Sophie. Evabelle's eyes widened as the changed girl approached her. She reminded Evabelle of Calandra more than Sophie, but Calandra never smiled with so much cruelty in her eyes.

"You're majesty," Sophie gave a mock bow, her cold grin sending shivers down Evabelle's bruised spine. "Perhaps I should formally introduce myself."

How Evabelle wanted to get answers, but she had to get back. Lucis's words echoed in her head. The pain in her body increased as she spun around and scrambled for the portal, but she froze.

Behind Evabelle, Sophie laughed. "Did you honestly believe I was going to leave you a way back?" The raised stone where the black star had been carved was no more than a pile of broken fragments. "I had my familiar take care of it."

No, no, no, NO! Evabelle's whole body shook. Not knowing what she was doing, she began to dig through the pile of shattered rock. Bits of star were on the pieces, but none of them were large enough.

Sophie's voice hissing another spell sounded behind Evabelle right before another painful flash of light sent Evabelle crashing against the back of the cave, but even through the pain she crawled her way back to the pile of rubble.

"You really are pathetic." Sophie continued to stalk toward Evabelle, who fought to keep herself from losing her mind. Her heart raced as her aching hands scraped through the hopeless heap of rock. "You do realize what you are doing is the most cowardly thing that you can do?"

Evabelle could feel herself shaking. Tears were building behind her eyes.

"You're friends are giving their all for you, their precious little princess," Sophie laughed again, a high almost crazed cackle. "And here you are running away, abandoning them. I've never seen such a display in all my life."

Evabelle tugged at the largest piece she had yet to find. She prayed that it would still work.

"What a pitiful creature you are." Sophie hissed right into Evabelle's ear, making her scream. Blindly, she snatched one of the other rocks and spun around, the stone managing to make contact with Sophie's jaw. Sophie staggered back, an angry shriek escaping her, as Evabelle clutched the large stone to her chest and rolled further from the witch. Then she planted the rock with the carving facing up, quickly jumping onto it. Calandra had said you had to have both feet on it, but would it work if it had been broken like it was?

The stone rocked, and Evabelle did her best to balance. She looked up just in time to see Sophie glaring at her, the witch's hand outstretched, an orange light building at the ends of her fingertips, before it was gone.

AZA

Aza pushed easily passed the vagi freaks, making her way to the back of the cave. The creepy zombies seemed much more focused on the more supernatural members of the group, which made getting to Evabelle all the easier for her.

The only thing that made Aza pause was CJ. An orange radiance surrounded him as he shot more of the weird light at Del, who swung his knives around using them to repel the magic. Anger almost made her change her course to charge the boy she had thought was her friend, but then he turned his head and their gazes met. There was something wrong. There wasn't an evil look in his eye as she had just seen in Sophie's. There was just blank nothingness. He was like a puppet, in a way more lifeless than the vagi.

Before Aza even realized what was happening, one of CJ's orange beams was streaking toward her. Suddenly something dark and feathery slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. Del hissed into her ear. "I think I'm going to have to start keeping track of how many times I have to save you."

Aza opened her mouth and spat out some bits of dirt and stone. She craned her neck and was about to tell the jerk off, when a scream echoed from the back of the cave that made Aza's insides clench. Evabelle!

Del rolled off of Aza who jumped to her feet. Another blazing orange light came and crashed right into Del, sending him hurtling toward the stone wall where he hit and crumpled.

Aza froze, right as she was about to sprint to the sound of her friend's cry. "Del!" She shouted, whirling back to him.

Through gritted teeth, he gestured dismissively. "Go!" He grunted, one hand pressed against his side.

Aza bit her lip, but did leave him and ran for the back of the cave. She made it just in time to see the hyped up Sophie shoot one of her own orange magic stuff at Evabelle standing on a rock, but Aza's friend vanished before the spell could hit her. Instead it hit the rock she had been standing on, which exploded into dust on impact. Aza let out the breath she had not realized that she had been holding. "She escaped." She sighed in relief.

Sophie whirled to her, and instantly boiling hatred rose in Aza. The monster looked almost as mad as the blonde felt, but then Sophie smiled a sickening smile. "Perhaps she has. But what was she going to do? She's useless." She shook her head. "Yet Averno still wants her dead." Her eyes glittered. "I wonder if she'll come back to save you."

Aza said nothing. She glared at Sophie, her hands were curled into shaking fists at her sides.

"Do you think she will?" Sophie began her way to her now. "I don't even know."

Oh how Aza longed to hit, to punch, to kick that smug face into mush.

Sophie paused a few feet from Aza. "So are you going to shout at me? Try to fight me?" Sophie laughed. "It wouldn't surprise me. You're so stupid and impulsive." When still Aza did nothing she went on. "Well, I was at least expecting some questions. How could I? Why would I your friend do such a thing?" Sophie put her hands on her hips. "What? Nothing?"

"I don't give a crap for how or why you did this. I've been betrayed before, and those answers aren't worth spit. The only thing that matters to me right now is that you go to Hell after I'm done with you." That was when Aza leapt at the red-headed girl.

Sophie sighed. "You have no idea how hard it's been for me not to kill you."

Then a large puff of dust clouded in Aza's face making her cough and instantly collapse. Her vision and consciousness went black before she hit the ground.