Across Worlds - Chapter 43 Part 1

Akia

Akia ran her thumb along the silver metal of the locket again and again. She was relieved that she was able to get it back. This was what they had been after the entire time. And now they had the upper hand. It was obvious that Rhys managed to absorb some of the other magics, but once he used up all of their powers, he’d have nothing left. The locket wouldn’t be there for him to draw more powers from.

"A sixth world,” Falyn said, as if she were testing out the words. “When did you find out about this? And how?”

Sam looked expectedly at Akia. She sighed and stuffed the locket into pocket. Why was she always the one left explaining? “You know that there are five worlds here in our region. That’s all there has been for decades; five worlds, five magics. Fighting Dorrin got me thinking that there might be more out there than when we think we know. His magic is strong, much stronger than any magic we have here. Not even my magic was enough to stop his.

“So I got Aidan and Phillip to research. A few hours and a half dozen old maps later, they were able to prove that there is indeed another world out there, one that Dorrin is the leader of. It’s home to the elementals.”

Falyn's face scrunched up. "Elementals. Like terra, wind, and fire? That kind of stuff?”

Akia nodded. "It’s rather strong magic. If Dorrin had chosen to overthrow the worlds decades ago, none of our worlds would’ve existed. Like I said, not even my magic is a match for his.”

“So you’re saying,” Falyn started. “There’s been a world out there, just across the Dryss sea, the same sea we send ships across to get supplies, that we never knew about?”

The more Falyn talked, the more Akia realized how strange it must sound to her. The mages were the smartest of among them all, always keen on knowing history and understanding what’s happening in the here and now. Knowing that there was a world out there that no one knew about didn’t give the mages much credit.

Before they could discuss anything else, Akia heard footsteps rushing towards them. She was immediately on guard, not daring to assume that the others took care of the Warriors. She wasn’t really in the mood for another fight, but she wasn’t about to back down from one if it came her way.

She only stood down when Aidan rounded the corner and dashed into the room. He stopped immediately, his eyes raking in the destruction. Books still littered the floor and a cool breeze flew in through the open window Rhys had escaped through. It had to be an odd scene for anyone who didn’t experience the fight.

Phillip was the next one to reach the room, followed by Mina and Layna. They all froze beside Aidan, each one looking around with wide eyes. Akia couldn’t have been happier to see them all there and all safe.

When Aidan’s eyes met hers, they pulled him from whatever trance he had been in. He rushed forward and wrapped her in a tight hug, one that felt like it was crushing her sore bones. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” he whispered. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had lost you.”

For one reason or another, a certain memory rose in Akia’s mind, counteracting the happiness that had filled her upon the sight of her friends. “Probably the same thing you did when we lost Dad. Disappear.” She snapped. Her brother pulled away quickly and she immediately realized her mistake. His eyes were wide and she could see the hurt he was trying to hide. Those words were out of her mouth before she could’ve even considered what they would mean to him. It wasn’t her intention to hurt him.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t really mean that. Look, I’ve spent years living without you, wondering if you even cared anymore because you never found your way back to me. Then you show up a few days ago and bombard me with stories of what’s been happening to you… I just have to process it all and get used to you being back. I love you, Aidan. I just need to know that it isn’t one sided.”

His eyes softened and it was his turn to look ashamed. “I made some stupid decisions when I was younger. The brother that you know now isn’t the brother you knew growing up. You’re the bravest person I’ve ever met. Sometimes I forget that you even need me.”

His words stung her heart. She’d spent years thinking that he didn’t care, that he didn’t want to be there for her. Yet all that time he had believed in her, knowing that she could get along without him.

“Thank you,” she murmured, not daring to speak any louder as her voice might’ve failed her. Aidan’s lips morphed into a smile and he winked.

“So we got rid of Rhys, right?” Layna asked as she bounded into the room, a hop in her step. Akia couldn’t help but laugh. Layna was the only person she knew that could be so giddy after all of this.

“Not exactly,” Sam replied. “He got away. But Akia did get the locket.” At the mention of it, everyone looked in her direction.

“How’d you manage that?” Phillip asked.

She smirked. “I told Rhys that he didn’t understand the other magics. He never believed me. He and Falyn were fighting when he shifted into a mouse. I guess he assumed the locket would shrink to his size, but of course it didn’t. The locket fell off his neck and I stuffed it in my pocket before he could even think where it went. Oh, and Falyn figured out her shapeshifting magic.”

“You did?” Phillip asked, turning to beam at Falyn. “Impressive.”

Her cheeks flushed and she trained her eyes on the ground. “I was born with it so I knew I could do it. Just had to figure out how it worked.”

“I’m so proud of you!” Mina squealed as she ran over to give her a hug. The two almost fell under the force of the embrace. They immediately started talking, Mina rambling on about one thing or another. Soon they were lost to the conversation.

Akia searched for her brother, only to find him talking with Layna and Sam. Her spirits fell. She felt like she needed him more than ever, but she wasn’t about to interrupt their conversation. They all looked so happy.

Mina soon dragged Falyn over to join the others. Everyone was talking loudly like a group of old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years. There were jokes and tears, as if they hadn’t just fought to save all the magic.

Akia turned to Phillip, glad to have someone to talk to about the important things. “So what happened out there?”

He kept his eyes trained on the group as he answered. “Warriors don’t go down easy. We fought until they gave up and disappeared in a cloud of yellow smoke. Must’ve transported to wherever Rhys headed once he left here.”

“So what now?”

“That’s something I should be asking you.” Phillip smile down at her. “You’re in charge, Akia, and you always have been. I’ve been distancing myself over the past years so you could get used to it. Did I ever tell you what your father told me before we evacuated Vertfay?”

Her heart raced with anticipation. “No. What did he say?”

“He said, ‘Keep a close eyes on my daughter. She has the heart of an adventurer and the mind of a leader. Make her feel important, because she is. And when the time’s right, hand her the reins.’ Your father always thought highly of you. It’s about time I officially grant his request. This is yours to lead.”

Akia closed her eyes, savoring her father’s words. It never seemed like her father wanted to be close with her, but she always idolized him despite that. She wanted to grow up to be everything he had been. Knowing that he thought of her like that gave her renewed strength.

“Okay. I’ll do it.” She said.

“Great. Where do we go from here?”

She pulled out the locket again and saw her own reflection shining back at her. “We give everyone their powers back. Starting with those in Lightport.

* * *

Lightport looked exactly like it had when they left; empty, destroyed. It was eerily quiet, not even the sounds of chirping birds could be heard, a noise that could normally be hear from any part of the world. Where was everyone?

“There!” Sam suddenly cried out. “At the dock.” Akia craned her neck to see what was happening. Sitting in the Sumner river was a large ship. It was a plain vessel, one that she couldn’t tell if it were meant for transporting goods or people. There were windows lining the bottom half, which suggested cabins below the decks, and boxes on the deck, which suggested a lot of cargo. Maybe it was built to hold both.

When she noticed there were people climbing onto it, she panicked. “We need to get down there. Now. Someone transport us.” She hadn’t meant for it to sound demanding, but it came out that way. No one said anything though as Sam grabbed her hand.

In a flash they were by the dock, huddled behind a large crate. Akia stuck her head out so she could see. She didn’t recognize any of the people specifically, but she knew they were all from Lightport. Warriors herded the line, forcing even the stubborn ones onto the ship. It was a strange sight to see.

“What’s happening?” Falyn asked, her worry obvious.

Phillip had been looking around the other side of the crate and answered. “They’re loading the ship. It’s going to take them somewhere.”

Akia’s gaze met Sam’s. The ship was being sent to Ebron; there was no other explanation. It was the only world standing now. Not to mention now Dorrin and Rhys were there. She could only imagine what would happen once everyone got to Ebron. They had to protect them. But how would they get to Ebron without being seen?

A sudden idea popped into her head. “Falyn, can you disguise us? Turn us into different people?”

There was a silence before Falyn responded. “I don’t know. I could try, I guess.”

“She can,” Phillip interjected, his eyes still trained on the loading of the ship. “It’s tricky, but it can be done.”

Taking a deep breath, Akia announced, “We’re joining that ship. Falyn is going to shift us into someone else so we’re not recognizable. No doubt Rhys warned his Warriors about us. Once we’re on the ship I’ll explain everything.”

“You mean explain about Ebron and the fact that Rhys has moved everyone from the worlds there?” Layna asked.

Akia gaped at her. “How do you…” Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Phillip leaning back against the crate, trying to hold back a laugh. “Oh, he told you didn’t he? That’s the last time I ask him to keep a secret.”

Phillip let out a laugh, not even bothering to keep it quiet. “They needed to know! You said wait for the right time, and I did. You know, you’d be much better at this if you lightened up. That serious face you always wear makes me laugh.”

“This is no time to joke!” Mina snapped. “I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t want to get caught back here. I’m not used to all this sneaking around. None of this is fun for me.”

“And it’s not fun for any of us,” Sam said. “Phillip, get it together. You and Akia can act like six year olds later. Right now we have a ship to catch.”

Akia turned to Falyn. “Ready?” The girl nodded, but Akia could tell that she wasn’t as confident as she was letting on. “Hey, don’t worry about it. Just do what you can. There are other ways we can get on that ship if this doesn’t work.” That seemed to lift her spirits.

She sat straighter and looked at them all. “Who’s first?”

Akia volunteered, and then Falyn went through the rest of them. It took longer than Akia had hoped, but Falyn was able to shift them all. Akia didn’t recognize any of the faces, but Mina seemed to know them well, as she laughed at Akia turning out to be an airheaded girl they she and Falyn knew from Agathi.

“I can only change you into people I know,” Falyn said apologetically. “It’s like the magician magic. You can only conjure something that you see in your mind.”

Akia understood. “Right, well, let’s get on that ship.” She led them out from behind the crate and to the end of the line. The Warriors didn’t even give them a second glance as they boarded. Once they were safely on, Akia let out a sigh of relief.

The ship took off, traveling much faster than any ship that size should’ve been able to go, and they all hurried to find somewhere quiet to talk. The deck was almost completely empty, save for a large stack of boxes on the opposite end. She led them there, making sure not to draw any attention. But no one seemed to care who she was.

Being someone else really has its perks. She thought. It was something she could get used to.

Once they were all behind the boxes, she started outlining the plan. “We have to figure out what’s going on in Ebron. We’ll have to stick close together because it’s bound to be crowded. Once we find somewhere to stay, we can start going after Rhys.”

“And Dorrin,” Sam reminded her. “He’s behind this too.”

“You’re right.” Akia looked over at Mina, who had her hand covering her mouth. “What’s your problem?”

“I’m sorry,” Mina choked between laughs. “I just still can’t get over the fact that Falyn turned you into Amella Shillens!” She burst out laughing, doubling over to clutch her stomach.

“Right… Anyway, at the rate this ship is going, we’ll be there in no time.”