Part 2:
I felt considerably better in the light of day.
The unique individuals guarding us no doubt eased my mind.
Criss Sallis chatted happily with the orange plants, engaged in a lively discussion.
She’d replanted them in a new bowl, their stalks peeking out from a red bowl.
Elena sat at the kitchen table with the recently arrived Colin.
Upon seeing us awake, he bounded over and threw big hugs our way.
“You’re unharmed? I so wish I’d been there to help.”
“We’re all right, don’t worry,” Rick told him.
“Count me in for any battle.”
“This one is not what he appears?” Elena said.
“Colin’s our friend, we’ve seen his true form.”
“He was well-scrutinized prior to entry. I did guarantee your safety, after all."
“Never doubted it."
“And with Uubiquatus gone, I am the only spell-caster here.”
I looked around and realized we were one hero less.
“Where’d he go?” Dale asked.
“Communing in an alternate plane of existence whilst in ethereal form.”
“Uh yeah, sure. That’s what I figured."
The unique individuals guarding us no doubt eased my mind.
Criss Sallis chatted happily with the orange plants, engaged in a lively discussion.
She’d replanted them in a new bowl, their stalks peeking out from a red bowl.
Elena sat at the kitchen table with the recently arrived Colin.
Upon seeing us awake, he bounded over and threw big hugs our way.
“You’re unharmed? I so wish I’d been there to help.”
“We’re all right, don’t worry,” Rick told him.
“Count me in for any battle.”
“This one is not what he appears?” Elena said.
“Colin’s our friend, we’ve seen his true form.”
“He was well-scrutinized prior to entry. I did guarantee your safety, after all."
“Never doubted it."
“And with Uubiquatus gone, I am the only spell-caster here.”
I looked around and realized we were one hero less.
“Where’d he go?” Dale asked.
“Communing in an alternate plane of existence whilst in ethereal form.”
“Uh yeah, sure. That’s what I figured."
“I’ll contact him and beckon his return.”
“Is everything all right?” I asked.
“Uubiquatus is doing what he does,” Criss Sallis said.
“We trust him, of course."
I trusted everyone in the room.
With my life.
No question.
But the witch?
That witch had now twice tried to kill me.
“Is everything all right?” I asked.
“Uubiquatus is doing what he does,” Criss Sallis said.
“We trust him, of course."
I trusted everyone in the room.
With my life.
No question.
But the witch?
That witch had now twice tried to kill me.
We quickly prepared for the moments to come.
Although some us ... had guessed incorrectly.
“Gen," Rick said, “you'll watch the orange plants until we get back.”
“Uh, how can they be here with me … when I’m going with you?"
“Nothing personal, but you need to stay here.”
“Colin’s going, but not me? You’ve known him like five minutes. I’ve known you three years.”
“This fight is supernatural. Magical. The rest of us are used to this stuff.”
“You’re no more magical than I am! And who saved you that time by the Easy-Save? Me! That truck would’ve flattened you.”
“Genevieve … ”
“I’m coming along. Don’t even argue.”
“You sure you know what you’re getting into?”
“I can handle it.”
Purple light exploded in the room, bubbles popping, heralding the arrival of Uubiquatus.
Genevieve jumped back in surprise, tripping over Dale and nearly falling to the floor.
“Get used to it,” the lion chuckled. “You never know who’ll drop in.”
Although some us ... had guessed incorrectly.
“Gen," Rick said, “you'll watch the orange plants until we get back.”
“Uh, how can they be here with me … when I’m going with you?"
“Nothing personal, but you need to stay here.”
“Colin’s going, but not me? You’ve known him like five minutes. I’ve known you three years.”
“This fight is supernatural. Magical. The rest of us are used to this stuff.”
“You’re no more magical than I am! And who saved you that time by the Easy-Save? Me! That truck would’ve flattened you.”
“Genevieve … ”
“I’m coming along. Don’t even argue.”
“You sure you know what you’re getting into?”
“I can handle it.”
Purple light exploded in the room, bubbles popping, heralding the arrival of Uubiquatus.
Genevieve jumped back in surprise, tripping over Dale and nearly falling to the floor.
“Get used to it,” the lion chuckled. “You never know who’ll drop in.”
“The moment is now,” Uubiquatus said. “Fear not, I have learned much about our enemy.”
“New information?" Rick asked. “Anything you’d care to share?”
“This knowledge is mine to use alone. We must all play our part, Richard Hatcher-Hyung.”
“But there’s at least a plan? A strategy in place?”
“Our foe is magic-based,” Criss Sallis said. “And so magic shall take the lead. The rest of us will back them up.”
“Really?”
“This isn’t a football game. No practices. No trick plays. We’ll take it as it comes.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Don’t worry. We do this stuff all the time."
“I'm ready," Gen said, grabbing an umbrella and holding it firm.
“We don't usually bring props," Rick told her.
“Can't hurt. Seems right, right? You big, magical beast."
Elena nodded towards the purple hero.
“Uubiquatus, if you please?”
“Certainly.”
He grabbed his cape and clipped it around his neck.
With one last look at the orange plants, we departed for the heart of the candy forest.
“New information?" Rick asked. “Anything you’d care to share?”
“This knowledge is mine to use alone. We must all play our part, Richard Hatcher-Hyung.”
“But there’s at least a plan? A strategy in place?”
“Our foe is magic-based,” Criss Sallis said. “And so magic shall take the lead. The rest of us will back them up.”
“Really?”
“This isn’t a football game. No practices. No trick plays. We’ll take it as it comes.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Don’t worry. We do this stuff all the time."
“I'm ready," Gen said, grabbing an umbrella and holding it firm.
“We don't usually bring props," Rick told her.
“Can't hurt. Seems right, right? You big, magical beast."
Elena nodded towards the purple hero.
“Uubiquatus, if you please?”
“Certainly.”
He grabbed his cape and clipped it around his neck.
With one last look at the orange plants, we departed for the heart of the candy forest.