Don't die! I refuse to let you die! I have so many plans!! ...That said, I'm very sorry I haven't been posting. I've joined a new sport, and I'm in 8th grade, so I have a huge workload. But I promise I WILL keep this alive for as long as I can! Don't give up on me!

Part Six

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Glowing steel pooled into the cast, filling out the shape. The second it began to cool, pliers snatched at it and thrust it into the cold water, steam spilling out with a hiss. The blacksmith lifted it out, smiling in pleasure as the sword cooled into a shining piece of weaponry. He set it down on the table and stomped over to the fire. "Keep it going, girl!" he barked, and the girl frantically began shoveling more and more coal onto the flames, building them higher and higher. The blacksmith sniffed and shuffled off to put the cooled sword away. Rea waited until his back was turned, then stuck her tongue out at him. She felt a little ashamed at the childish action, but her arms were shaking from the effort of shoveling the coal, and sweat dripped down her forehead to land on the coals. 

Once she couldn't hear the boss any more, she dug the shovel into the coals and raced for the back door.  She knew she might get in trouble later, but really, all she wanted right now was to run, run so fast the wind whipped her hair out of her face and cooled her skin. She dashed out of the shop and whirled around a corner, feet pounding at the pavement. Dodging around startled townsfolk, she slipped through alleys and darted across roads until she finally came to the very edge of town. Peering out across the grassy plains that encircled her town, she imagined running just as fast as the wind that blew across the prairies. She slowly stepped out onto the short grasses, preparing to take off, but stumbled as a blast of light appeared in front of her. She crashed onto her back, feeling a sharp pain in her wrist as she landed on it. Unable to stand for her smarting wrist, she could only watch as it morphed into an eddying whirl of energy and a silhouette of a tall, elegant figure appeared. 

Out of it stepped a stately woman with dark hair, wearing a shimmering cerulean gown. She almost stepped on Rea until she tried to scrabble out of the way, crying out as her wrist bounced against the ground. The woman let out a small gasp of surprise, but quickly recovered and leaned down to Rea. "Who are you?" she asked. Rea grunted and tried to push herself up, but her wrist hurt so much she simply just fell onto the ground again. 

"Well I'm Rea, but who are you?" she shot back, more angry at her helplessness than anything else. The woman laughed, seemingly not at all offended.

"I go by the name Queen Brightstar," she replied. "And I believe you may need some help." Before Rea could protest, the queen reached down, gently clasped her wrist, and whispered, "No need to cry." Rea's wrist briefly glowed, then the queen stepped back. Rea tested it slowly at first, then pushed herself straight up. 

"You're Queen Brightstar? But you're from the magical world. Why are you here?" Queen Brightstar straightened up, suddenly seeming much more powerful.

"I come here on a peacekeeping mission. Tensions have been rising between my world and yours, unfortunately sparked by my mother, and I am seeking out worthy individuals to heal them. Once I discover them, they will return to my world with others members of my diplomatic party. " Rea's heart jumped in sudden excitement. Could she really?... but surely the queen wouldn't be taking kids. Still, she had to ask. 

"Could I go?" she asked before the queen could go towards the town. The queen only looked mildly surprised, and she turned back and looked at Rea carefully. Rea began to feel small and awkward beneath the queen's burning stare, but she held her ground and looked right back. Finally the queen gave a small nod and took Rea's hand. The girl stared at, dumbfounded. Could this really be the break she was looking for? Could she really be escaping from her terrible job into a world of magic? Before the queen could change her mind, she nodded and plunged into the portal, completely ready to turn away from the town she'd grown up in, but had never truly loved. 

Part Seven

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Brook sat alone in her room, Excelsior winding around her feet. The staff's stone was glowing unlike anything she'd ever seen before. Just looking at the thickly red glow sent chills of fear down her back, and that was uncommon among one as strongly-willed as her. But the strangest thing was that it had activated around the rich Normal World girl. Brook had been suspicious of Queen Brightstar from the beginning--she still remembered the time when Moonlight reigned--but the girl?

So odd...

- - - -

A ways down the corridor, Owlgirl was also in her room, alone except for Bree and a little cat who'd crawled into her room last night. Bree was perched on her bedside dresser, head nestled beneath her wing, and the gray tabby was curled up next to her, batting at a tassel on the fringe. Owlgirl absentmindedly played with a throw pillow, counting under her breath. "Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf. Good." It reminded her of her mother, kneeled next to her, counting along. It was a Normal World language, but her mother had loved the elegant sound of it so much she'd decided to teach it to her daughter. 

"Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq--" She was suddenly interrupted by a crash in the corridor. The kitten, who'd told her his name was Jay, leaped up, his blue eyes wide. Owlgirl tripped out of bed and raced to the door, throwing it open. Cleo was there, back against the wall, chest heaving. 

"Cleo, what is it?" Owlgirl cried. Cleo whipped towards Owlgirl, her hands shaking.

"Th-there was a bomb in my room!" she said, voice trembling. "I-I was just sitting there, reading Helmock Nomles, when something started ticking! It was so loud, right underneath my bed! And--" Now she paused, looking uncertain. "I only heard, like... like, um... fiteen ticks, but now it's stopped. I..." She stopped talking, and an uneasy silence hung over the hallway. 

"So odd..." Cleo murmured.

- - - -

Silvara sat in the grand hall, picking at her meal. The vegetables looked severely unappetizing, and the meat rather chewy. Though perhaps that was just because she had never liked her greens. It's not like you got many, growing up in a prison. Finally she gave a heavy sigh and pushed the plate aside. She wasn't really that hungry anyways. Blizzard meowed plaintively, and she lifted the plate and put it down for him, listening at he lapped up the food. 

No one else was in hall, but the emptiness and quiet felt familiar, like an old friend. So quiet it was, in fact, that Silvara could hear the quiet but hurried clicking of heels in the hallway. She snapped up, instantly going on guard. No one came rushing towards her, ready to attack, but she did see the silky train of a gown swish out of sight. Curiosity tugging at her, she silently got out of her seat and followed the gown. 

Peering around the corner, she saw Queen Brightstar standing at the wall, running her hand down it. She traced out a pattern in the shape of a crescent moon and a ray of light, then pushed hard against the wall. For a second, nothing happened. Then, with an almighty groan, the wall shifted back to reveal a long, spiraling staircase. The queen quickly lit a candle and disappeared down the stairs, the wall--or could it be a door?--closing behind her. Silvara waited until she couldn't hear anything any more, then rushed to the wall. She threw her shoulder against it, shoving as hard as she could, but nothing happened. What had the queen been up to? It was so odd...