Chapter 15:

Adding the last four

Twilight Star: First Goal


Londra awoke to Mara giving her a solid shake. Blinking her hazel eyes, she noticed Alden was already awake, staring at them both intensely with his uniquely marbled blue-green eyes. He was sitting at the table watching their every movement. It was decided last night that the two of them would be the only ones to go, minimizing the attention. Not only that, but Londra could also test out her invisibility spells, while getting a jog in while Mara stretched her fully healed wings. With a yawn and little wave, the two disappeared only to reappear in the road next to the stairway up to their room.

“Are you truly going to jog?” Mara asked, stretching her black wings. Each wing had a single tip on the top, around sixteen inches above her head while her bottom five tips were just below her knees creating a perfect upside-down v. “You are staring at my wings?”

“Yes, they are magnificent,” Londra admitted with a smile. “I was thinking it was interesting that your thin, violet-navy horns look short compared to the height of your wings… I am stopping now,” she sighed as Mara chuckled. “Shall we? Nobody should see or hear us. I am jogging until the time is closer than just a quick teleport. Have fun flying.” Mara jumped into the air, and they were off. Londra knew that Mara would get there and circle while she waited. As her slave they could converse a bit telepathy, but she would learn more in the Learning Room later today. Her body was already changing, and she felt stronger with every stride.

A few minutes went by, and she ran by several on their way to work. Nobody looked or moved out of her way meaning the spell was a success. She was almost enjoying herself when she hear Mara’s thoughts, “get here, now.” Londra rolled her hazel eyes teleporting to the back of the growing crowd staring at the four females standing before a cart as if on display with only a thin layer of magic to protect them. Mara landed behind her, folding her wings and pulling them inside. “This is a big crowd,” Mara commented softly, “for females with the Exploding Curse. It isn’t for show, is it? To help them get free?”

“No, not for show or it wouldn’t work. I can dispel it from here if I need to but…” Londra grumbled. “Listen to this crap. Wait… I know some of these voices. They work for the three Lords that are not supposed to be anywhere near me. They don’t have the money to buy slaves, nor the crests. Oh… I am so… pissed!”

“I don’t know what that means exactly, but I assume mad,” Mara mumbled, watching how the crowd began to separate. Strange looks on their faces since they didn’t want to move. Yes, her new master was powerful and a bit scary…

“Wow, so many men to buy women that will explode if you touch them,” Londra said loudly, bringing attention to herself. “Why would a male do that?” she said louder. “Hello, are we starting early? I am here to purchase all four of them.”

The tall, skinny man looked a bit scared. His blue eyes darting all around before he realized who this woman before him was. “Oh, Miss Londra, I am glad you are here. What is your bid for all four? It is seven fifteen, we might as well start.”

Londra’s name did two things to the males in the group. A few moved closer, looking as if they were going to attack her while others began to back away. “Five silver each,” Londra started. “Then of course, five silvers for appreciation to the King for keeping the slaves... healthy, and two silvers for you. How does that sound?”

“That is outlandish!” a man yelled. “Who would pay that much for four non-human females! Only another stupid female...”

“You are not supposed to be anywhere near me, since I am sure your… Lord knows where you are,” Londra said sweetly. “Please leave. Mara…do stand back. If he swings it will be me who swings back,” she added dangerously. Mara took a step back.

“Everyone remain calm!” the slave trader yelled. Then looked at Londra mouthing, “the females are protected by the force field.” He paused to see her nod. “Is there any other bid? Going once?” he paused. Nobody said anything that remotely sounded like a bid, so he continued. “Going twice.” Men began to move closer to Londra as she smiled at him. Oh, his uncle had warned him, but this was not going to be pretty. “Sold, Miss Londra your contract is validated. Please come so we can complete…”

Before she could move a fist flew at her. She simply leaned back out of the way watching the man fly by her. Another jumped towards her, and she simply sidestepped. It was as if her body was taking over and her mind just went blank. She could feel the attacks coming and didn’t attack back but used their momentum to toss them to the ground. This is what Darcy had meant about being too much in her head. She had been thinking about all the techniques and was trying to use them all instead of just being in the moment. When the group of men stopped attacking, she simply stepped over the injured, making her way towards her new slaves with a warm smile.

“I would advise all of you to leave before you disgrace yourselves anymore,” a loud voice stated. Many looked to see five of the Archduke’s Knights. “We are out for a morning run and find this… well, none of you are supposed to be near her, per the contract. If you don’t want to make your… Lord angry and in pain I would suggest you leave,” Rumbsey stated loudly.

Londra turned briefly to wave, “Good Morning, Rumbsey!”

“Good Morning, Londra,” he answered, trying not to laugh. From what he and the others witnessed she simply used their… ignorance against them. Now they had a story to tell the others. They slowly picked up the thugs, shoving those that didn’t need healing towards their jobs.

With Mara standing behind her, Londra offered her right hand to the Slave Trader. He was still a bit nervous but having the Knights there did help. He wondered if his uncle had sent them his way. It didn’t matter. He hated this job and dealing with… those types. A moment later he was done. “By far the easiest I have ever done. Take care… you don’t need the cart, do you?”

“No, but thanks,” Londra said sweetly, waving as he jumped in it to leave. She touched the force field spell, “not bad… Hello, I am Londra. Behind me is Mara, she is also my slave but a little more stuck than the four of you will be. Here, let me get rid of the curse and start healing you.” She paused and held up her right hand, flicking her fingers three times. The curse that was protecting the females shattered. Now she held up both hands, slowly turning them in unison as color erupted from her hands, dancing around them. They all stood with confusion written on their faces but said nothing. “Welcome to the chaos that is the Adventuring Party, Twilight Star. I give you my word, while under my protection nobody will touch you in any… hurtful way again.”

“My wounds are healing,” the grey Fairy murmured. “I feel so… who are you?”

Londra chuckled as the other three also looked to her for answers. “I kind of told you but I guess I am more than just the captain of an adventuring party. I am a survivor of the Spectrum Challenge who has made the most of the friendships I made within and the… gifts attained for bringing it to the attention of the Archduke,” she smiled.

“That is a watered-down version,” Mara smiled. Londra turned around with her sable brown eyebrows furrowed in question. “You went to sleep early last night, which I understand. The others were more than grateful to fill me in on how… humble, kind, and fearsome you can be. Also, a bit… dangerously patient was also added.”

“How much did Anna tell you about me?” Londra wondered, her hands running through her short, uneven, sable brown hair, fixing it around her round, light beige face.

Mara chuckled, “it wasn’t Anna. She was sleeping too. Seems that she and Julius spent an extra forty minutes in the Learning Room as well but didn’t want to alarm anybody since they both used the time well.”

Londra rolled her hazel eyes turning back around. Since they were all grouped together, she teleported them next to the stairs leading up to their room. Then put them in a bubble so they could speak some more. “Okay, this is going to be… overwhelming. But here it goes, since you are all level two slaves, I can free you.” She had paused to figure out her next words when she seen the fear in their eyes. “No, I would never let you be caught again, please just listen. I am offering you a place within our party instead of being a slave. The invitation and contract will be in your Lacramas so you can look at it when you would like. I need an answer after breakfast… we have a bit of a schedule. Now, there are eight males on our team, all dependable. With the four of you there will be eight females.” They looked so confused and frightened, what should she say next. She looked at Mara with such an animated face, Mara almost laughed at her desperation.

“If I may, it will be a lot,” she paused noticing they all nodded slightly. “You should know that Londra specifically asked Master Yevhen to find you all and figure out a way for her to purchase you. What is more, the wind whispers that Archduke Dristen also had a hand in it,” Mara stated.

Londra looked at the grey Fairy starting to show a bit of color, “Fern, I know your healing will be the most dramatic but please don’t fight it. Also, Fenten is one of the survivors that has been with us for the last few months. I am sure you didn’t have a… nice experience but he hasn’t either.”

“Fenton is here?” Fern whispered, looking directly at Londra for the first time, her grey eyes full of many emotions. “Wait, the others… did they leave him?”

“They would,” the female Kaijin with a pale horn sighed visibly trying to will her fear away. She took a deep breath and straightened her spine to stand proudly like the Ogre she was. One didn’t evolve to Kaijin without a strong will. “I was a bit happy to be shoved in a cart with Fern, but she was so sick. Now we are slowly getting better and Fenten is with you. I think I will try to trust you.”

Londra nodded as Fern sighed. She then looked at the dull Elf, “Alden is with us Belle. I can’t remove the curse, but I did find a way to isolate it. As long as he doesn’t see the ones responsible or speak their names, he is himself. He can’t speak but can use thought projection to speak to us. He is a level four slave, like Mara, they can’t be freed unfortunately.” Belle said nothing, but her Elven ears twitched as she tried to hold back tears raising her head. Londra offered her a big smile.

“Now, Calla,” she said, taking the thin hand of the female Goblinesta. “I am sure you remember Julianna and Julius, twin humans with red hair.” A slight smile appeared on her long, light green face. “Well, they are the ones that wanted you found. I know that Anna can be a lot… believe me I know, but she has such a good heart and is a great friend. Be ready to be hugged by her.”

“It wasn’t long,” Calla whispered exchanging looks with the others, “but they were truly good humans and … thank you.”

“Okay, we are going up,” Londra smiled, using magic to teleport them into the room just beyond the door. She didn’t take down the spell of protection yet because she wanted to see who was awake. All of them.

“Take down the spell, Londra,” Anna yelled happily, a smile on her light tan, heart-shaped face. “I can’t wait to see who is behind it. You have been so secretive...” but when the spell vanished, she didn’t run towards them but fell to her knees sobbing. “You found her… oh, I am so… you are so…”

Calla tested her feet, so glad they didn’t ache and made her way towards her sobbing friend and her brother that was standing ready to hold them both.

“Fern! Zerina!?” Fenten yelled before zooming towards them. His excitement with the fact he wasn’t completely used to flying again had him being caught by Mara’s wing. He laughed, what else could he do before changing sizes and jumping into their arms. The three held each other as Londra and Belle moved away.

Mara vanished then reappeared near the dumbwaiter next to Zeke and Alden. Food was on its way up and she was starving, plus… she gave Alden a shove towards his sister.

Alden was a proud Elf once, not anymore, how could he be after all that had happened. It was twenty years ago this curse was put on him… His blue-green marbled eyes teared up as his long, Elven ears vibrated before pulling his little sister into his arms. She was sobbing and apologizing while he stroked her back. How short her poor, platinum hair was… disgusting. “Her hair is cut worse than yours, Londra.”

“Ha, ha,” Londra said, pushing her own tears away. “I will get it shaped since you keep nagging me about how uneven it is. I still haven’t decided if I want it long again.”

“I don’t,” Belle sighed. “They used it… I don’t want it long ever again. I heard you… I haven’t heard you in over twenty years.”

“Wait, how old are you two?” Sasha wondered since everyone was moving towards the table. Belle couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful snake Beastwoman. She had never seen a snake tail so vibrant, yet the woman appeared that way too. The top of the snake tail was pure brown while the underside was a few shades lighter. The sides were pure yellow with red and green crisscrossing in an exact pattern from her hips to the tip of her tail.

“I am fifty eight,” Belle responded, blinking her dull blue eyes. “He is twenty six years older, while our brother is forty this year…”

“I hate beautiful Elves,” Icarus joked. “I am an old twenty-three if anybody was wondering. Let’s eat this delicious smelling food. Then you can all stare at my unique beauty!”

“Yep, a bald leather head,” Trenton joked with his low voice causing the females all to chuckle. “Yea, I get that a lot. Hear that, I am funny.”

“They are laughing because you forgot to tone down your voice,” Mara sighed, rolling her unique navy-blue Demon eyes. “You want me to show you what I mean?” she asked moving closer to Trenton. "I can assure you it won't take to many words to make my point." 

“No!” Londra and Anna yelled before everyone laughed again.

“So, who told them we needed sixteen meals this morning?” Robbie wondered, pushing his short, auburn hair back, a slight smile on his soft, oval, buttercream face.

“I did, before I went back to bed,” Londra sighed while yawning, and stretching. “Being in the Learning Room for a day is exhausting. I think I will take a nap while they are healing.”

“Figured that,” Zeke commented, trying not to stare at the four new faces that were trying to figure out what Londra had meant. He hid his laugh in a cough behind his large, strong, green hand with slightly pointed, white fingernails.

“Oh! But first let me streamline it. Pardon the finger, it is just easier,” Londra started since everyone was at the table. She started with Mara, “That is Damaris who prefers Mara, next is Trenton, Zeke, Icarus who prefers Rus, Julius, Julianna who prefers Anna, Calla, Zerina, Fern, Fenton, Peter, me… Londra who doesn’t mind being called Lonnie but doesn’t care too much, Alden, Belle, Sasha, and Robert who prefers Robbie. Now let’s eat. Then you can tell them all how the Learning Room isn’t scary and Spella is fun, so we can convince them to join us… Twilight Star!”

“You are still exhausted, captain,” Alden projected. “Don’t fall in your breakfast.”

“Yes, as are you. I can tell by the way your marbled eyes look,” Londra countered after finishing her forkful of eggs. “But I think I figured out what Darcy was trying to tell me yesterday and these eggs are too good to waste.” This caused Alden’s long Elven ears to wiggle, making his sister smile slightly with Londra.

“I was thinking,” Robbie started causing many to grown or chuckle. “Today we work more on body control then tomorrow we divide up and take a few gathering quests. Include our supporters so they have another task done. I have a feeling we will have several that want to switch out after they hear about the Learning Room. I can see you are all apprehensive but no pain for us. The secret is to be extremely nice and respectful.”

“It is a sentient spell after all,” Anna continued, after her mouth was gloriously empty, such delicious food. “Being kind and friendly would mean a lot to me if I was trapped in a room and used as a tool. No wonder everyone received horrible headaches. I would give them more than that... oh so much more.”

“I am sure you would,” Calla smiled at her friend, the violet slowly returning to her dull eyes. “This is great by the way.”

“Wait, are you tell us,” Belle started in a crisp manner, with her long Elven ears ridged. “All we need to do is be kind and there will be no headache?”

“That, and never ask to practice,” Rus added. “It is an insult. Once she… we named the spell Castaspella. She chose to be called Spella. Anyways, once she confirms you have learned it just go on. We used wide blanket type questions to make sure we didn’t lose focus. There is just so much to learn.”

“For example?” Fern wondered looking around the table stopping to see a bit of color returning to the other females that were with her.

Fenton gave her a big smile, his light blue full of light. “Would you please look within me to find the easiest, yet strongest spell I can cast. Then may I learn all the spells I need to make it worthy of your greatness, dear Spella. After taking the name Spella she looked more female and actually blushed. But wow, the spells I learned in succession just by that one question. That is why we are all still a bit… sleepy.”

Fern and Zerina laughed at his smile but also at the situation.

“Flattery is good,” Zeke started after wiping his mouth. “But just the truth works well too. Open honestly, kindness, and gratitude make things smooth. Oh, by the way Zerina, not sure which level Kaijin you are or want to be, but Spella can help you evolve the simplest way possible.” With that he stood to take a group of empty plates to the dumbwaiter.

Alden smiled at his sister before collecting another group of tableware. Belle didn’t know what to do… so she activated her Lacrama to look over the contract.

“None of you had any side effects other than sleepiness?” Zerina asked, sitting back in her chair. Everything felt so… strange but in the best way. “I haven’t been in a Learning Room in years. I wanted to learn Purifying Flame, which I did, but it hurt so much.”

“We were a bit… afraid too,” Robbie admitted, his green eyes looking around the table. “We came up with the idea while trying to occupy our minds. Londra asks some interesting questions. She couldn’t find anybody who had been in a Learning Room who thanked the spell or was polite.”

“Since we were nothing but skin and bones,” Julius started a slight smile on his square, light tan face, “and we needed to know how to heal our vaults, we decided to go for it. Best plan the three of them came up with.”

“Three,” Calla wondered, while looking at the simple contract.

“Londra, Robbie, and Anna,” Fenton answered. “So? What do you think? Londra is fading again,” he looked over to see her head was down on the table.

“Stuff it, firefly,” Londra slurred, but didn’t lift her head. Fenten chuckled.

“It is this simple?” Fern asked. “We just say yes, ask our questions in the Learning Room, then work with the rest of you on quests?”

“Yep,” Rus nodded. “Just to be warned, we are going to be the best party ever known, find a way to take out Green Goblins, and conquer a trial.”

“That is in the contract… with the fact that the Green Goblins is the first real goal. I understand that they are more than a nuisance,” Calla mumbled. “Okay, I don’t have anything else to do…” she accepted with a smile. A moment later, blood was collected and distributed and her Lacrama status changed while her slave marking faded away. “Wow, how strong are you, Londra?”

“Don’t really know,” Londra yawned, sitting up. The other three also accepted. Now she just started accounts for them all and… done! “I am sure they will fill you in on some of it. Okay, Anna, the Victim’s Revenge spell started at seven-thirty. So… wait until nine-thirty to fill their brains with questions. The spell works better if you rest. Female beds on the left side, near the bathrooms. Whichever ones aren’t messy are not in use at the moment…”

“One more thing…” Anna started happily, “it is only eight. Meaning they could start at ten thirty instead of eleven. Also, Darcy is strong arming the Archduke and they plan on starting soon. Seems Deven laughing at her yesterday had her up early…”

Londra just laughed, while nodding. “I can’t wait until I am not exhausted all the time. Sorry, but my bed is calling. I really can’t wait to truly meet you all,” with that she headed to her bed, weaving enough Alden and Zeke were moving closer.

“Belle,” Alden started after Londra was safely in bed, “you really should rest. I didn’t think I needed too much healing but that spell… it goes deep. Did you see it?”

Belle stood, smiling at her brother. “I think I will take her suggestion,” she said sweetly, nodding to the others. “I did… it was amazing, and she did it without any words or sounds just her mind. It is nice to hear you again… can I do this?”

“Can any of us? Their goals are huge but as I learn more about those in this room… nobody else could have those goals. Look at the ones that were with you,” Alden projected just to her. “I believe that between Londra, Anna, and Sasha all of you will open up and find things even you didn’t know about yourself. Sweet dreams, dear sister.”

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