chapter twenty four - b a i

It was just turning morning as I woke up. No blood or dust stayed with me. The only three things that I got to keep from my dream was the gems, the memories, and the guilt.

I opened the door as an act of resolve. I had to keep moving. No going back now. Besides, I'll see her soon anyway. It's not like she's really dead.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked, making my way to the kitchen table.

"Reviewing the map to see if we can find Chrysie. What are you..." Annabeth's voice faded out as she focused on my hand that held the gems.

"Oh you won't have to worry about her anymore," I assured her.

"We won't?" Annabeth's voice was unsure. "Just like that?"

"Just like that," I echoed.

I saw Percy's shoulders relax. "We can go home now."

"Not yet," I spilled the gems onto the table. "We still have to get rid of this useless border. Also, where is everyone else?"

"Getting ready for this 'solstice' thing," Percy said. "I assume you already know what that's about."

"Perfect," I said.

"Perfect?" Annabeth questioned. "They explained it as something really terrifying, something kind of awful, we have to be inside all night—"

I smirked. "You won't be inside tonight."

—

Let's just say Stan and Ruth didn't take to my whole "ritual has to be performed on the night of a solstice" thing. When they told Kendra and Seth that they were to under no circumstances leave their room, I was tempted to tell them I needed a Fairy Maiden and Shadow Charmer. Nevertheless, I decided it would be better to let them cool off before I broke the news.

The gods, Sehvi (when she was the current fairy queen), the other four wardens, and I never thought it'd be this easy with those three requirements. In fact, it was almost unheard of the have both a Fairy Maiden and a Shadow Charmer alive at the same time.

Whatever. I'm not complaining.

I examined the terrain as chilly air pricked my nose. It'd be perfect for the ritual.

During dinner I thought I'd spring a few questions.

"So, since the ritual has to be performed outside, we need people to protect us. Who can fight?"

Warren, Annabeth, and Percy raised their hands.

"Wait, I thought you said you were going to use magic to keep the creatures at bay?" Stan said.

"Yeah, but some creatures can overpower some of my items quite easily. Also, speaking of other things that I have withheld," I took a drink of water. "I need a Shadowcharmer and a Fairy Maiden."

I heard forks fall to their respective plates. "Also, no demigods can be in the ritual, I don't think the wizards and Sehvi trusted you at that point in time."

"What would you need of them?" Ruth asked.

"Some blood from an alive Fairy Maiden and Shadow Charmer."

At their squeamish faces, I decided to backpedal a little. "Just a tiny prick, I promise."

What then ensued was probably a little scarier than the upcoming night, which made sense because I was asking to put their grandchildren in the middle of a battle ground with horrific monsters everywhere. The cherry on top was that I was going to be needing their blood.

I barely saw the demigods decide to take Kendra and Seth somewhere else as I was locked into a staring contest with both of them. Which was kind of weird.

"They can get killed!" Ruth accused.

"Not with Daveigh there. He'll be their personal protector through it all."

"What?" Now I turned my gaze to Daveigh until he resigned with a "fine."

"Doesn't matter if they get killed. Each of those dark creatures has the capacity to scar a grown man for life," Stan pointed out.

"So you want me to blindfold them? That seems even more dangerous," I deadpanned.

"Respect your elders!" Stan said in a rush.

"Hmm?" I raised an eyebrow.

Tensions were high as the sun began to set. I already drew chalk circles in the grass so people would know where would protect them.

Everyone was armed with swords and armor we found in the attic. Percy was using his own sword and Annabeth held her dagger.

I watched the sky until the sun disappeared and I could only see by the lights of the fairy lanterns.

I watched the horizon in suspense at who break through the foliage first.

I nodded as a howl split the night. It was probably time to start. "Daveigh?"

He spilled the gems onto the ground. As I quickly arranged them into a star, I heard a growl and the first clashes of a sword behind me. I heard someone shout Percy's name.

"Kendra?" I gestured for her to kneel in front of me. As she did, I took hold of her hand.

"What do I do?" Her hand was clammy.

"Just stay still."

I sliced a small sliver down her palm, and though the cool air must've stung the cut immensely, she took it in stride. Her shoulders tensed and her eyes watered a bit but she didn't volunteer any sign of pain. The smell of warm fairy blood no doubt riled up the dark creatures behind us.

The blood dropped down and collided with the soil. I couldn't see if it hit the middle of the star, but at this point I was just crossing my fingers.

Craaack—a sapling broke through the surface of the dirt. It was like a magnet to the gems and soon they attached themselves to it, the magic essence oozing in to the sapling itself until the gems were no longer and the tree itself was solid gold with leaves of different metals.

It'd be impossible to cut the sapling in half in this state—which is what the final step is. I can barely hold on as it is, the sapling absorbed my power and now I can feel my body deteriorating quickly.

"Se...th," I rasped out. I looked over at Daveigh and he's not doing too hot either. So much for being their personal protector.

Seth knelt beside me and used the knife to slice him himself when he saw the state I was in.

With each drop of blood the sapling hissed and withered until it was just a weak tree with dried leaves.

I unwittingly coughed blood on it as I reached for the silver axe I made earlier. I strained to pick it up, but no cigar.

I almost weeped with joy when the two kids helped me lift it. It wasn't that heavy, but I was just so weak.

The clashes of battle slowly faded away as we formed our little bubble and swung right into the tree.

Snap! The sky rumbled before releasing a wave of pure energy. Luckily, all of us had been pushed back into the chalk circles and spared the brunt of the energy.

It drove the dark creatures away, but not for long. "G..o...go!" I yelled as well as I could.

I barely saw the crowd flee towards the house as I hugged Daveigh while it all went dark.

a n n a b e t h

We spent the better part of the night locked inside the house. Everyone was a little shaken up, but by the time day came, we just wanted to see if we succeeded and the border was no more.

The grass was green and the flowers were blooming despite being charred the night before. Evil works hard, but fairies work harder.

Grandma Sorensen unhooked the gate and opened it while Percy and I took steps towards the driveway. Percy flinched in anticipation of the shock we received the last time we stepped over the imaginary line, but nothing came. We we over the line. We were free.

We could go home.

We could only hope Bai and David were finally home.

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