This is part ONE! Part TWO will be out TOMORROW! Details on the return and start of book 2 will be announced with part two! Now let’s get into Chapter 9, No Tears Left to Cry!
Chapter Nine; No Tears Left to Cry
I went to Jamaa Township to find pure chaos and destruction. It looked like my mom had herself an army. Good thing I could have my own too. I summoned a few phantoms and began to march my way towards the blasts and yelling. If it was war she wanted, it’s what she would be getting. I continued my way towards my mother, but halted when I noticed a family of tigers struggling around a collapsing building. I ran over to them, to see how I could assist them.
“Oh my goodness!” The mother tiger screamed. I shushed her, holding my paws up in defense.
“Listen, I’m going to help you. I’m not here to hurt anyone I promise.” I said quietly, using my power to stop a burning piece of debris from falling on the tiger.
“Help? But you’re a phantom! There’s no such thing as a good phantom.” The mother screeched. These tigers were one of my first experiences in the real world.
‘“Sweetie, the phantoms are villainous creatures. They try to hurt us. I refuse to buy you a hat with one of those disgusting creatures on it.” The mother snapped. I growled lowly. That was harsh-very harsh-but true.
“But mommy! Maybe there’s good ones out there!” The boy sobbed into the mother’s dress.
“Highly doubt that, Joseph. All phantoms are evil, vicious creatures who aim to destroy all that is good and beautiful.” The mother explained, taking ahold of the tiger’s hand once more.”’
“Well, ma’am,” I challenged, “maybe you’re wrong.” I helped the mother up from her dramatic fall, and ran off to face my destiny.
***
When I reached the castle, where my mother was destroying, I was in terror. She was about to inflict a powerful blast onto the castle. This was it. I was about to save my father I never knew before-who so happens to be the King of Jamaa- from my mother-who is a phantom. I was still trying to wrap my head around it all myself.
“Mother stop!” I shouted, rushing over to her. I stood between her and the castle, seeing my father rushing over in the distance.
“What?” She growled, still holding the blast in her grasp.
“Don’t do this.” I said, taking a step forward.
“Why does this mean so much to you? You’re a phantom, Mariah!” My mother roared, raising her paw.
“Because my father is here!” I yelled.
“How did you-” My mother lowered her hand.
“Xavier told me. Look, please just don’t hurt anymore innocent people.” I begged.
“Look at you! You’ve become soft.”
“I am not soft.”
“You’re believing that king actually cares that you exist. That’s weak. Nobody cares about you, Mariah.” I froze.
“That’s not true, Hatchi. I’ve barely known her, and I can tell she’s special. She is cared about deeply by me. Even if she was born to believe she was evil, I know deep down that’s not her. That’s you, Hatchi. You’re pushing her just like your dad did. You thought you were destined to be the destroyer, but when destiny failed you, you lost it.” My father intervened, standing between the two of us.
“Your majesty, you need to get to safety.” I urged, trying to pull him back. This was my mistake, and my mess to fix. Not his.
“You’re a disgrace to the phantom name, and the title of destroyer.” My mother hissed. I blasted her, causing her to fly backwards.
“That’s a compliment, seeing that those titles are labels you placed on me.” I commented. She stood up, sending a blast towards my father and me. I shoved him out of the way, and blasted her back. We were in a battle. It was obvious that her magic was winning. She was a more powerful phantom, and it was easy to tell. I tried to hold her off, but I was no match. Her blast hit me, and I flew backwards with a grunt. I noticed Liza and Cosmo rushing over to us, a weird-looking necklace in her grasp. I continued to try to distract her while Liza began to quietly whisper something. I wasn’t sure what she was doing, but I didn’t have many other options. Suddenly, my mother began to disintegrate into thin air. I didn’t want to kill her. She’s my mother!
“Mom no! Stop!” I screamed, running towards her. I reached out to grab her, but she had disappeared. I fell on the ground and began to cried.
“Child,” Liza tried to explain, but I wasn’t listening.
“She isn’t dead.” Cosmo flat out said, holding out the necklace, but now it was purple instead of white.
“Did you just-” I asked slowly, Liza nodding.
“Can I-uh- keep it with me?” I asked, pleadingly. Liza, Cosmo, and King Xavier all glanced at each other. Finally, Liza sighed.
“I suppose there’s nobody better to keep this secured except for you.” Liza concluded, handing me the necklace. I ran my paw over its’ smooth, dark purple encrusted gems. I put it on, knowing that I dodged a big bullet today. Liza and Cosmo bowed to the king before disappearing into thin air. I looked at King Xavier, who was already looking at me.
“I’m going to take you back to the castle. I have some business to take care of.” He said, before motioning for a carriage I didn’t know was in the forest to come. He hopped in, and looked at me.
“You coming?” He asked, holding out his hand. I nodded, hopping into the carriage.
“This was my mistake, and my mess to fix. Not his. ”
Book One of the Ready or Not series is almost OVER! What was YOUR favorite chapter in this book? Personally, Chapter 8 was probably the best one for me to write. Jam On!