Chapter 40 — Prepare for War
Susan materialized before Vivian. “What is it?”
“It’s time,” Vivian said. “Chadwick is here. Hannah has been called back to the blood sea to join the bloodstone army. Dena would be joining her. Janice and I have also been called back.”
“What’s with the big preparation?”
“He comes not alone, but with an army. There are things you need to do to ensure our victory, else, the casualties would be so great.”
Susan gave a single nod. “What about the lines of powers, and all those under our control?”
“They are currently preparing,” Vivian said. “The war will be fought on the surface. It won’t be beneath the blood sea like before.”
“This means he has us at a disadvantage.” Susan briefly looked away.
“There’s nothing to fear. You’re all he should fear. Remember that. I must go.” A red diamond armor appeared on Vivian’s body, and it gleamed. “We’ll be expecting you.”
“So far you’re there, you can be certain I’ll definitely make an entrance.”
“Take care, Susan.”
“You too, sister.”
Vivian vanished.
Susan’s form split into four, and they all turned to face her. “Watch over Beatrice, Jake, and Elvis.”
Three nodded, and moved with the speed of light.
“Eleanor!” Susan called. “Take me to grandmother.”
In that instant, Susan disappeared.
***
A lady with gray hair was tending to the red roses in her garden, Susan appeared behind her.
“Welcome, granddaughter,” the lady said without turning to look at Susan.
“You know who I am?” Susan asked.
“I know who all my grandchildren are. You are Susan. Who do you think sent Eleanor to you?”
“I thought she was a rogue element.”
“No. That’s my daughter. She helped me tend to this garden before you made her your prisoner.”
“She tried to kill me.”
“Susan! We all know you can’t die.”
“I was led to see you,” Susan said.
“I made Eleanor bring you here. I made her make you find me.” The lady turned to Susan, and save for her gray hair, she could be mistaken to be one in her forties. “Hence, why you were led here.”
“Why?”
“To understand what Eleanor got herself into, first, you have to understand the gravity of the power she stole, one you now carry. Eleanor and the blood Queen were carved within the same period. I don’t remember who came first, because my mother deems such information a trifle. Well, Eleanor was naturally more diabolic, and as evil as they go. She always wanted to kill the blood Queen to take control of the throne, but I banished her and set her on another course. The blood Queen never even knew she had a sister, until she crafted her first bloodstone. Then, Eleanor already had two. Before Eleanor sent them, she was a power hunger maniac who delighted in stealing power from anyone, and anything.
“She had the ability to draw the power of anyone, and use it against them. She stole from everyone, including the lines of power, but she wasn’t able to come close to the blood sea which was always her main goal for she wanted to bypass the curse. When she claimed that she wanted to be part of the Red Haux, they saw past her intentions and sought to destroy her. Well, with all the powers she had, she put up a strong fight with them, stole a few of their powers, and was able to escape. It was after she escaped the Red Haux that she realized she hadn’t just stolen any kind of power, but the kind that gave her the will and ability to create any kind of power she wanted. She created a curse, one called the ring of Eleanor which she used to bypass the barriers set around the blood sea. It was how she cursed with the curse you now carry. I didn’t last a day with that curse. I couldn’t, for I was Queen. I needed a clear head to rule.
“So, with the will of the blood throne which gave me the ability to transfer any kind of power, I transferred the power to the blood Queen. I saw the power as a virus, so I sent the blood Queen out of the blood sea, and I monitored her from the throne. She was mad with the desire to kill, but with each kill, it only made her stronger, and we felt her strength in return. She sought not to control it, or bring it under submission, till I talked her to it. Each time she resisted to kill, it only made her edgy for blood. Well, eventually, she embraced it, and it became part of us. Eleanor made herself part of the blood sea, and your mother became Queen. They both fought, and Eleanor did say to me the curse terrified her. It was a curse created out of jealousy. It causes alterations to reality and the natural state of things. Hence, that’s why it’s way more deadly than anything we’ve ever seen.
“Eleanor became a silent celebrated and feared spirit, but since the power of the blood throne challenged and hated her, her name was never said amongst bloodstones. Any who dared say her name were put to death. The rejected daughter caused quite a stirring. She made us ask what power fashioned the power of the blood throne. She made us seek answers that had never occurred to us. She’s been on the run from the Red Haux who need their powers back, especially the power to create powerful curses that deal devastating effects. Now, since you stopped her and took the powers she had, that made Chadwick form an alliance with the Red Haux because alone, he knew you’d be a challenge for him. You’ve made him stronger, as killing his followers has made you stronger. The Red Haux is coming with their full strength, and they’ve chosen the surface to fight. You may have to blend into their environment, or if you want, you can seek a better one. Either way, do not eat Chadwick this time should you tear him to pieces. I do not worry about Chadwick, however. His doom is all but certain. But the powers I’ll say you should be worried about are the Red Haux. They take no prisoners, and their language, isn’t just that of death, but extinction. Be careful. Think, and you’ll know what to do. In other words, prepare for battle.”