Rainbow Guardians: Chapter 18

 Chapter 18: The Ancestral Bond

The chromatic spectrum illuminated the gloomy heavens of the depths. They had finally penetrated the armies of black goo, almost draining. The matter they dealt with was neither fish nor fowl; it was the black matter, one of the unstable and vague forces in the Harmony Dimension. The black holes, setting momentum and even transporting were associated with it. The Achilles heel for this thing was its consuming qualities because metaphorically or physically it could devour you.

Meanwhile, another explosion radiated near the gates of the hourglass prison. Mistress Persephone and her acquaintance were heading in that direction. They checked everywhere against any signs from Lord Stephen Hugo and the Shadow Galactica. 

Everywhere was silent even the lightning bolts had hidden behind the clouds. With her elf ears, Persephone listened to the surroundings. The vapour from her breath hung in the mist, and she went in front of everyone with some strides. ‘This is freakishly odd… Do you feel something?’ She asked mentally to her comrades, still scanning.

‘The army we barely made through or the air you mean?’ Eleanora replied and dusted herself. 

‘We had quite the challenge, but could you consider the statuses of the princesses or the enemy first?’ Penelope reminded the other concerns.

‘It is bizarre indeed. My transmitter is flipping with the abnormal flow here! Something is breaking the usual time fabric of this dimension.’

Persephone nodded and gingerly reached to the knob of the door. Then, they all paralyzed just as when sleeping beauty pricked her finger to a spinning wheel; the core charms began to glow.

* * *

Blackness…The only thing I could see was it. I attempted to get up but winced with a sharp pain in my lower parts. I stared at my bones: my torso and hips were bent like a wire. I gasped. How the hell was alive with the upturned spine and hipbone? I looked around for the others and spotted them. They were lying down almost lifelessly inside the blanket of ashes.

Then, the last events passed my sight as a storyboard. I had to wake everyone up before it was too late! Mistress Persephone, Lord Hermes and our teachers were still fighting outside. Even though they were professionals, the black-goo army could end them. I tried to connect telepathically with my friends; however, the thought transmitter sent a shockwave. I tried again and again… There was no response at all. ‘C’mon, work! Damn it!’ I yelled, punching the ashes. 

My core charm was still active; I could feel it due to the slight heat at the centre of my chest. With one last endeavour, I deeply sighed and focused, murmuring:

I call upon the forces upon me,

With the most precious thing, I shalt pay the fee.

To bring people peace and glee,

And to never let my enemy flee!

I shouldn’t have uttered it. I really shouldn’t… These words were cursed since their first articulation. The legend says that a nymph king made an oath with the Creator to win against the armies of darkness, to save his land. Then, he got his wish but in return, he paid it to who he loved the most, his only daughter…Her line along with their descendants died in a massacre. Since our earlier years, they taught us to not speak of this prayer due to its tragedy, but why did it matter now? The whole dimension was on the brink of extinction. I began to laugh. I failed my mission; we all failed it. Perhaps, we had already died and transferred to the afterlife. It could explain the black, liquid area I was in. 

The images of my family and planet lit in my head; I would give everything to hold or even see them again. A tear cascaded from my cheek to my core charm. Suddenly, my chest burnt in agony, and a familiar, golden silhouette appeared before me. Her long, wavy locks radiated like the sunlight in the dawn.

“Nelly Elizabeth Starius Starland!” She called my name.

“Queen Starla? What are you doing here?”

"We don't have much time, so listen to me please," Starla replied, looking at my friends.

"I won't listen until you tell me what's happening," I answered and slightly gritted my teeth.

“Your psyche probably summoned me for assistance via our ancestral bond.” She answered calmly and cradled her chin. “This is the collective subconscious of the elemental cores my dear, and I’m the trace of Starla’s memory. I think your charm is trying to reboot your being.” 

“Could you guide us out of here? Our kingdoms and dimensions need us.”

“Yes, but if only you complete our lineal contract.”

Starla projected a sword from her right wrist. It was connected here with glowing swirls, reflecting my face. I gulped and grabbed it.

"This is my legendary blade, the Light Breaker. Combine it with your core essence, and our bond shall be done."

I brought it towards my chest. Would it be enough to exit here or solve everything? I didn’t know for sure; however, it was my only option. The sword and charm reacted to each other with bursts, dissolving. Like a city reverted from the blackout, my whole being began to twinkle with the light particles. My eyes were blinded with brightness, and my hair danced as the sea sparkled. The pain in my body gingerly evaporated.

"It's finished my child, but before I go, there are things I have to remind you," Starla said and put her hands on my shoulders. Her gaze was warm yet firm. "Never forget to use your powers with honour and grace. Help the ones truly in need or wronged. The light isn’t something igniting the mundane but also the ethereal, the hope.”

Her presence started to ascend and gradually vanished, leaving a golden-white trail. I examined the sword fused with my weapon. My arm had returned to its previous status when we dissolved our bodies. I raised it into the air and wished to heal everything and exiting here. A brilliant burst of energy formed a dome around us, distributed. One by one, the girls woke and stood up. Our elemental colours spread on the black surface like marbling paper.