Chapter 5
“Child, why are you lying there? You are a Munik now. Nothing can stop you when you are on the path of good. You have proven that on your journey to the palace. Why now, do you delay?”
“Oh Alva, I’m a failure. I didn’t get the magnacore back to Aldrich, I got myself stuck in the dungeon, and I’m completely lost,” Acacia began to cry again.
“Oh child, you are never lost when surrounded by the light of good. You are part of it now. You will never be destroyed as long as you don’t give up. The balance of nature will protect you.”
“Alva, I can’t do it. I’ve failed. I let down everyone. Even Zeke isn’t as bright as he was when we started.”
“Oh, he just needs a battery change.” Acacia giggled at Alva’s joke, despite her sadness. “Now buck up. You’ve got some serious ass to kick.”
***
Lucia made snorty noises between breaths as she slept soundly in her deluxe bedroom. Acacia walked quietly in and stood at the foot of the bed.
Lucia awoke with a start as Acacia blared a foghorn in the air.
“Did you rest well, Sleeping Beauty?”
“What are you doing in here, you little sniveling blemish,” Lucia grumbled under hateful eyes.
“Did you miss me? I didn’t think so. Get up, you sorry sack of smoke-weed.”
“I am going to blast you from here to the next solar system!” Lucia was hurriedly putting on her slippers. “How dare you disturb my sleep. Hans!” When no answer came, Lucia called him again. Acacia spun around, and when she stopped, she looked exactly like Hans.
“Looking for me, madam?” Acacia said, in Hans’ voice. Lucia looked at her and nearly fainted. Acacia spun around again and was dressed like a page. “Is there a problem, miss?” Then Acacia duplicated herself threefold and the three said in unison, “Do you need something, Your Majesty?” By now Lucia was about ready to have a heart attack. The three clones smashed back into one normal Acacia. She just stared at the queen as if Lucia were a misbehaved child.
“I’ll stop you! I’ll get you if it’s the last thing I do!”
“Oh that’s original,” Acacia said sarcastically and rolled her eyes. Lucia picked up a shoe and flung it at her. “Now that’s just rude. You know things have gotten a little too uncivilized when you start throwing ladies’ footwear at someone.” Acacia concentrated hard on the wall behind Lucia. A small black circle appeared, and began to grow. Turning around, Lucia noticed the circle. She watched as it grew until it was at least six feet tall. Then she face Acacia again.
“What is that?” Lucia asked.
“That is your true place. I have created a vortex. It’s full of evil phantoms and specters. It’s where your king is.”
“I’ll kill you!” She rushed at Acacia. Thinking quickly, Acacia kicked Lucia in the stomach. She was sent hurtling into the vortex. Acacia waved her hand and the opening disappeared, forever trapping Lucia in her a world of hate.
***
Everyone was cheering and congratulating Acacia as she arrived home. She handed the magnacore to the councilmen, where they installed it into the new, locked electricity box where it could never be taken again. Doran was holding Molly, and Acacia was introducing him to everyone. Molly was just enjoying the ride. Livia came up and hugged Acacia.
“I knew you could do it,” Livia said through joyful sobs.
“Liar,” Acacia answered facetiously. After hugging Livia, she walked over to Alva’s hut. Alva was sitting down, drinking hot tea.
“Oh you made it back! I’m so glad,” she came over and embraced Acacia.
“Why didn’t you know? Everyone’s being pretty loud out there.”
“Oh you know me, my old ears are just as bad as my memory.” Alva looked closely at Acacia’s face, studying it.
“What is it, Alva?”
“You have it. You have the eyes of a true fighter. I can see the wisdom and insight in you. You have made it. You’re finally a warrior.” The two hugged each other tightly, no longer as student and teacher, but as hero and friend.She didn’t know how long she had been laying on the floor, stuck in a daze, when Alva called her.