Circle Quartet: 47

Chapter 47

The celebration is continued after Alse has been totally annihilated. The night is still long since it is winter. I have another 4 hours before the sunrise. The Necromancer Trio cast some spells to re-build some of the serious damage of the buildings. The other minor damages will be repaired on the next day.

We gather again at the Main Dining Hall, but this time Grandfather Vlad joins us too. He is so excited like he’s having his own party and everybody is celebrating for him. There are a lot of things that I need to ask him but I think I should save the questions later and enjoy the celebration one more time.

The foods are served once again and this time they are a lot – they are flooding the tables but I think all of us are going to gobble them up in no time. Those who are injured are completely healed and they have so much fun drinking and laughing – they drink juice because they are still underage, same as mine.

Great Grandfather Vlad is telling his story when he was young. He wants me to call him Uncle instead of Grandfather because he doesn’t want to feel too old to be a grandfather. That makes Granddaddy Saba kind of jealous – Grandfather Vlad looks younger than him.

Everyone is happy for the celebration. Alan makes a special birthday chocolate cake for me and Stefan (he used magic of course). I hope he doesn’t use something else to turn it into a delicious cake. Ace asks Alan about the cake casting spell before Raina does. Raina is pre-occupied with her lover, Tavis – they are dancing on the table. If Grandma Zelda saw this, they’re going to turn into slugs. But I think Grandma Zelda won’t mind. I hope so.

Jeff is enjoying himself eating the chocolate cake even though no one can see him except me and Stefan. Stefan can see him now after drinking the sacred water. I was asked how Alse’s barrier was destroyed back then but I didn’t answer it. I will tell them when the time comes.

It’s nearly dawn so I need to go back to my room. Abbie says goodnight first because she’s exhausted – that’s what she says. I look at the window as the glimmering light shone at the horizon. This is the most beautiful dawn I ever seen for the past 18 years. I’m now 18 although I am not quite sure about my real age. Well, at least I’m still alive.

“Alice,” Jeff calls me and I turn to him, smiling. “I think you should tell them about me tomorrow.”

“What?” I nearly shriek but still can control my voice.

“I can’t stay in this form forever. I promise your brother that I’ll help you to fight Alse. And now Alse is gone. For good. And it’s my mission is accomplish.”

“I thought that you said that you’re going to be by my side. You promised Jeff that you’ll take care of me.”

“I know. I’m sorry for not letting you know about this. And I don’t want to leave your side either. Even though I’ve been with you for such a short time, but I will never forget what we’ve been through,” he puts his hand on my shoulder. “Please, Alice. You have to understand.”

I put my hand on top of his and think for a while. Then I nod. I can’t force him to stay with me. This time, I need to let him go. I don’t want to separate with the person that I care the most – even though he’s only Jeff’s spirit, but I think I have no choice.

Jeff usher me to my coffin – it’s a bed anyway, and kiss my forehead before telling me to go to sleep. He says that he will be here for me until nightfall. This time, I hold firmly to his hand just for the last moment.

The first thing that I do after waking up from not-so-very-nice sleep is telling Stefan of what Jeff had said last dawn. We’re at the library, helping the librarians to re-arrange the scattering books on the floor. Stefan is shock to hear the news but he says to me that Jeff did this for his own good. At least he’s been with me until the end of the war. I hope there will be no more war after this. I want to have a good, peaceful life like everybody else, even though I’m now a nocturnal where some people might hate me for drinking human blood. But what can I do? I only drink blood from the bad guys who are criminals, not the innocent one.

Okay, I think I should stop mumbling something out of topic. Right now, I need to think of the perfect time to tell them about the spirit of Jeff. The Necromancer Trio are still here, helping the others to re-build the Academy. Uncle Vlad – finally I call him Uncle and he’s very delighted, is still talking about his awesome adventures to the young ones. I never thought that he’s that talkative. Sometimes I find him quite funny for a prince.

“Alright. This part is done,” I let out a sigh of relief after arranging the books on the shelves of the second part of the library. The shelves are very high that I need to use the ladder. It’s a good exercise for me, getting up and down the ladder for nearly two hours. My stomach is growling for food.

“I see that you’re hungry,” smirks Stefan.

This is so embarrassing.

“I haven’t eaten a single food yet, okay?” I am annoyed of his smirks. Since when has he become like this?

“Sorry,” he chuckles. “You stomach growls too loud that make my stomach wanting the food too,” he pats on his stomach. “Let’s go and have dinner then we can come back here to finish our work. How’s that?” he asks, waiting for my quick response.

“Hmm…okay,” I shrug. “We need to discuss on the perfect time to tell them about Jeff. Do you think during dinner is appropriate? or should I tell them after we finish arranging the books?” I ask for his opinion.

“I don’t know, Alice. Telling a secret takes time, like what they did before we know who we are. Let’s have dinner first, then we talk about this later,” he pats on my head.

So we tell the other librarians that we need to feed our stomachs first and come back. When we arrive at the Main Dining Hall, the foods are already served. Uncle Vlad scurried here and there, helping Ace, Raina, and Isidro arranging the glasses on the tables. They are glad to see us here. Stefan and I offer our help but Uncle Vlad wants us to take a seat while waiting for the others.

The big feast starts not very long after the foods were served. Look likes we’re having another party. And this time it’s merrier since our family members increase. The Necromancer Trio will spend their days for the whole week in this Academy. They want to completely re-build this building. I learn that those three brothers were the first batch of this Academy, a very long time ago. Three of them are few years younger than Jeff.

Uncle Vlad stands up by raising his glass of blood. “To our heroes, Alice and Stefan, for defeating Alse and restoring the peace once again. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” Everyone clinks their glasses eat merrily.

Stefan and I are nominated to be the heroes for this century. I think that is too far for us. We’re just defeating one horrible person, not the whole battalion.

Jeff taps lightly on my shoulder after I have the last bite of my dessert. “It’s time, Alice,” he whispers and takes one step behind.

I take a deep breath and stand up. I clear my throat, signing that I want to tell something.

“Sorry for the interruption but there’s something I need to tell you, all of you,” I announce. “Do you remember when Alse’s barrier broke that night? And how Stefan was healed when Alse hurt him?” I ask. Some of them nod.

“It’s not only me and Stefan fighting Alse back then. There’s someone else who fought along with us. And that person is Jeff,” I finally reveal the truth.

Jeff appears and everyone can see him. All of them gasp and whisper to each other unbelievingly.

“Jeff, is that really you?” asks Mom.

“Actually, I’m not the real Jeff,” says Jeff. “I’m an ancient spirit called SimpleThing. I came from The Land Beneath The Feet. Jeff was the one who found that place and we made promise before he died. You see, Jeff’s spirit is inside my body and only Alice can see me since Jeff gave her a special necklace that she’s wearing right now. I promised Jeff to take care of Alice until Alse was defeated. And now, Alse has gone, and I have to return to where I belong.”

“I can’t believe it. That ancient place exists,” says Grandma Zelda.

“And Jeff discovered it,” adds Aunt Ada.

“Since you guys know my existence, I can’t stay in this form much longer,” Jeff turns to me and our gaze meet. “It’s been happy to be with you, Alice. You’ve grown and you’ve become a lot stronger than before,” he ruffles my hair gently.

“Jeff, please don’t leave,” I hug him, holding back my tears.

“Hey, don’t be sad, Alice. We’ll be together again one day,” he gently strokes my back. “Anyway, you have Stefan now. He’ll protect you for the rest of his life.”

“That’s right, Alice,” says Stefan. “I will fulfil my promise. I’ll never leave your side and I’ll protect you as I protect my life.”

Warm tears flow down to my cheek. “I’m going to miss you, Jeff,” I sob.

“And I’m going to miss you too, Alice,” he kisses me on the head.

His body glows and slowly disappear. He waves at me for the last time. I won’t forget him for the rest of my life. Never.

Suddenly, someone appear at the entrance of the dining hall.

“Did you guys miss me?” says that person while approaching us.

Everyone is stunned.

That person is Jeff. He’s alive!

Circle Quartet: 46

Chapter 46

Okay, this is a little bit shocking. I never thought that my guardian is my own great, great, great grandfather. But he looks quite young – younger than grandma Zelda, I suppose. Stefan is surprised too. Well, I think everybody is.

Alse grunts in frustration. Her face looks miserable, like a wicked witch in Snow White – she is wicked to begin with. “This cannot be happening to me! You ruined my plan!”

“What goes around comes around, Alse. You already put us all in misery. And now, it’s payback time!” I smirk annoyingly at her.

“You trick me, you little brat! You’re not supposed to know your past! Not tonight!”

“I already knew it, Alse. Of course I felt that I’ve been cheated all this time. But I’m not like you, Alse. Even though we share the same name, but I won’t betray my family. Never!”

“They are not your family!”

“Yes, they were. I was a human before. I died the night you abducted me and killed me. But Dad saved me and turned me into a vampire I’ve been brought back to live and I belong to the Amber family.”

I glance at my family who are standing nearby and wink at them. They show thumbs-up at me. That’s what I love my family. They always support me in whatever situation.

“And once again, you lose, Alse,” snorts grandfather Vlad.

“You’re supposed to be dead, Vlad!” growls Alse angrily. And I, for the first time, agree with her. How come my great, great, great grandfather Vlad is alive?

“A hero won’t be dead that easily, Alse. Besides, I’m a vampire. I’m immortal,” he says boastfully. I think he wants to make Alse more depress. Then he pats on my shoulder. “I think you should show her the thing that you’ve been saving for a special occasion.”

I look at him and nod. “Alright. Prepare to get scared, Alse. Because this is your nightmare,” I laugh excitedly and release my power. I feel great and pair of wings appears on my back. This is the transformation after drinking the sacred water from the fountain. It is too bad that Alse doesn’t know about it. And I like to look at her terrified face right now.

Everyone looks at in awe. I never have this kind of transformation before. I look at both of my palms. Have they grown bigger? Or it is just my imagination.

I turn around to face my family and the others. “Hey, how do I look?” I point to my face.

All of them show thumbs-up. “Awesome!”

Grandma Zelda and Grandma Maegan shake their heads while smiling. Granddaddy Saba lets out a loud cheer together with Grandma Tanya.

“Thank you for the cheers, guys. That’s really cool!” says great, great, great Grandfather Vlad.

“Alright. Let’s finish our business!” I crack my knuckles and so Stefan. Jeff shows some hand signs so that I know the next plan. This time we’re going to crush Alse.

Alse is scared now and she can’t run away because Jeff already put an invisible barrier. Stefan and I attack her together, showing no mercy. Her elegant face (that’s what she looks like before trapping us in her barrier) is now turns into – I can’t describe it by words. It’s too ugly to say. She falls into our trap and now she’s totally lost.

“This can’t be happening to me! I’m supposed to make Alice to join me so that I can drink her blood and that bloody werewolf!” she screams like a mad woman – she is a mad woman anyway. “This is not fair!”

“Fair? I tell you what fair is, Alse. You killed so many people just to show that you’re powerful so that people will look high upon you. You’re jealous to your sister because she’s stronger than you even though she’s younger than you. Face the fact, Alse. You can’t beat Zelda. Not in a hundred years!” says great Grandfather Vlad.

She screams again and this time she tries to lunge towards Grandfather Vlad. Grandfather Vlad just stands there, smiling. Stefan and I run towards Alse before she attacks.

“Repulsio!” Suddenly someone stops Alse’s attack.

“Nice move, Isidro,” smiles Grandfather Vlad.

Isidro? He’s one of Beatrice brothers. He’s one of The Necromancer Trio!

“Heroes always come late, Your Grace,” says Isidro.

“Isidro! You came!” Raina shouts excitedly.

“Isidro, you should wait for us, you know,” says another guy, Yardley, walking towards us with another guy whom I respect the most besides Jeff. His name is Alan and the three of them are the great Necromancer ever!

Alse tries to break free but she fails to do so.

“Look likes we catch a big fish this time,” whistles Yardley.

“Come on. Let’s seal her so that she can’t even break free no more,” says Alan in a serious tone. Well, he’s a very serious guy. Sometimes I feel scared when he looks at me with his sharp eyes.

“Okay, big bro,” winks Yardley and Isidro. Both of them stand in a circle around Alse.

“Zapec!” A chain appears from their sleeves and wraps around Alse’s body.

“Velka!” More chains appear and this time Alse is wrapped from head to toe. Then it turns into a huge metal block. This looks scary.

“Where shall we put this, Grandma?” asks Isidro.

“I’m not going to let you seal that horrible person. It’s better to kill her. She’s no longer my sister,” says Grandma Zelda.

Alan nods and gives signal to his two brothers.

“Sortkiste!” The metal block is crushed in an instant.

That’s the end of Alse.

Circle Quartet: 45

Chapter 45

“Don’t listen to her, Alice! She’s lying!” shouts Mom as she pushes Grandma Zelda out of her way.

I stare at Mom, and then Dad, and then to both of my grandmothers, who are avoiding my gaze.

So it’s true.

“Alice,” Mom calls me out as if she’s pleading not to listen to the truth.

“You’re hiding something from me, right Mom?” I lock my gaze to hers.

“I know that I should tell you, but – ,”

“But what?” I raise my voice.

Mom turns her gaze to the floor.

“You lie to me all this time,” I grit my teeth and grip my knuckle, hard. “All of you! Liar!” I shout in rage.

Alse chuckles. “See? I told you I’m not lying, Alice. Let me tell you the real truth of who you are. You were human. I abducted you when you’re very small. I wanted to make you my descendant so I killed you by stabbing you right to your heart. But those fools found me,” she points to the Elders, “and sealed me. Your dead brother took you away from me. Because they pitied you for your death back then, your father turned you into a vampire. You’ve been sleeping for 22 years and after that you woke up, being a fully vampire. But they have to feed you with special blood.”

“Double-purify blood,” I mutter.

“And one more thing. Do you know why they named you Alice?” asks Alse.

I stare at her, waiting for the answer.

“It was after my name. My real name is Alice. Alice Black. I changed my name to Alse after I regain a powerful magic. When I abducted you, I put a black seal inside your body so that you’ll be my descendant. But Zelda knew about that seal and she purified it so that you won’t be like me. She’s afraid that when I consume your blood, I will be unstoppable.”

I hate ugly truth! I hate it!

“You named me after this ugly witch?” I scowl to Grandma Zelda in anger.

“I have my own reason, Alice,” says Grandma Zelda.

“Is it because I’m part of her?” I try to control my anger.

Grandma Zelda doesn’t say any word.

“Tell me!” I growl.

“You should tell her, Zelda, that she and I share the same blood,” says Alse.

My brothers gasp in horror, and so as the others who has just known the truth.

“Is it true, Grandma?” asks Sable in trembling voice.

Grandma Zelda nods.

Alse laughs once again as if she’s achieving victory. “So, Alice, since you know the truth, why don’t we work together? They’re not your real family. They lie to you. You don’t want to live with bunch of liars, don’t you?”

I look at my family and my grandmothers then I turn my gaze to Alse.

“You belong with me, Alice. I’m your real mother, the only family that you have, not them. Come, Alice. Let me drink your blood and together we’ll gain eternity,” she smiles as she reaches out her hand to me.

I take a deep breath and slowly walk up to her.

“No! Alice! Don’t!” shouts Mom and Dad.

“Alice, she wants to trick you!” shouts Ace. “Get away from her!”

I hear all them shouting, trying to prevent me from believing Alse’s words.

“It’s too late now,” I tell them without looking at them and smirk. “Gotcha!” I grab Alse’s hand and twist it to her back. Alse screams in pain.

“What are you doing, Alice?” she growls fiercely. Suddenly, the barrier vanishes. Jeff has broken the barrier.

“Let’s say, I was pulling your leg just now. Do you think I’ll fall in your trap? Okay, Stefan! Time’s up!” I shout to Stefan.

Stefan stands up and brushes the debris on his black jacket and jeans. “Good! I’m tired of being dead, you know,” Stefan smirks and cracks his knuckles. “Let’s take care of this business.”

His eyes turn silver and he takes off his jacket. Hairs start to grow swiftly on his half-naked body. He’s now a were-man – he has werewolf features but stand on his two feet. Everyone is shock of his new appearance.

Alse struggles to break free but I grip her right hand tight. She mutters a spell so I have to let her go and jump backward.

“You should change too, Alice,” says were-Stefan in a deep voice.

“Not yet, Stefan. I’m saving it for a special occasion,” I wink at him. Then, both of us dash towards Alse who is trying to heal herself.

Alse attacks us with several spells but we manage to dodge them as Jeff is fighting with us too. Alse didn’t know Jeff’s existence and she was confused why her attacks don’t work on us.

Suddenly jumps up and floats in mid-air. “I’m tired of your play, you fools! I’m going to destroy all of you!” she shrieks. Then she summons a sword, a black sword.

“Let’s start with you two!” Bolting like a comet, she strikes her black sword towards us.

I want to grab my double sword from my waist but they’re not there! I totally forgot that I left it to where Stefan lied moments ago.

“Look out, Alice!” shouts Dad and so the others.

Stefan covers me with his huge body.

“Die!” Alse shouts in excitement.

I close my eyes and hold Stefan tight. If something bad happen to Stefan, I’m going to kill Alse!

Suddenly I hear a loud clank. Somebody stops Alse’s attack. Who is it?

“Who the hell are you?” asks Alse, gritting her teeth.

Stefan and I turn to the person who saved us just now. It’s the hooded man. My guardian!

“You…you saved us,” I say.

That man turns to me and smile – I can only see his nose and mouth.

“Answer me, you damn creature!” scolds Alse.

The man chuckles and takes off his hood. That blond hair looks familiar. He looks over his shoulder to us and smiles.

It’s my great, great, great grandfather, Vlad!

Circle Quartet: 44

Chapter 44

“Aww…looks like poor little puppies got trap,” says Alse mockingly.

I hate this kind of situation. How can I be so careless? I should have been more careful since she can sense me and also Stefan.

Stefan stands with me, side by side, ready to encounter Alse’s next attack.

“You want to play brave, don’t you, little brats?” she scowls at us. “Guess what? I won’t kill both of you in an instant – since I have this golden chance, trapping both of you here. I’ll torture two of you slowly, until you shred to tears!”

She said ‘two of us’? That’s mean she can’t see Jeff who is standing beside me. Great!

“Get ready, Alice! She’s going to attack!” warns Stefan but he still doesn’t change into werewolf.

The barrier is quite spacious so I think we can move around a little bit. We jump high in the air as Alse throws two red flaming balls towards us. I use my strength to attack her back but she’s not easy to defeat. She must have some tricks under her sleeves.

I throw some punches and kicks towards her but she dodges them easily. Stefan quietly moves behind her back and attacks her from behind but she seems she has eyes at the back of her head. She catches Stefan’s foot as he’s trying to kick her and throws him down on the ground. Stefan coughs blood as his back hit the ground.

“Stefan!” I shout and kick Alse on the head and send her flying to the corner. I help Stefan to get up. He groans in pain as he tries to get up.

“She’s stronger than I thought,” says Stefan, wiping the blood from his mouth.

“We have to be careful. I don’t think my kick just now can hurt her,” I sheath my double swords.

Alse stands up and cracks her neck. “That wasn’t so bad. You have a very good kick, Alice.” Then she points her index finger to us. “Sevurzans Murniya!”

An electric current flows directly towards us. Stefan quickly pushes me aside until I tumble on the ground. Then he screams in pain.

I shout in rage and dash towards Alse and swing both of my swords to attack her. I finally manage to scratch her arms. Black blood drips from her injured arm. And now she’s mad. She mutters a spell and her fingers become long and sharp, just like the night that Jeff died. I need to be careful.

We fight for more than 10 minutes until we’re out of breath. I got some scratches on my arms and legs. Lucky me the scratches are not too serious because Jeff fought along and at the same time he healed me. Even though I fight Alse by using all my strength but she seems she’s not in bad shape.

Stefan can barely stand now and he’s panting hard. I crouch next to him, trying to help him stand. Alse is laughing her head off, seeing us in this kind of situation. Her wounds are now healed. Jeff whispers something to my ears and I whisper it back to Stefan.

“Alice! Stefan!”

I hear someone shouting out our names. Dad and the rest are running towards us.

“We’ll save you!” shouts Granddaddy Saba.

“So, you managed to escape my Dark Fences,” Alse turns to them with unsatisfied face.

“That was easy to break,” Ace smirks and so as Sable. Those two are very good in breaking any barriers and shields.

“But you’ll never save them inside here,” Alse chuckles.

Then Grandma Zelda, Grandma Tanya and Grandma Maegan step in front. I think they’re going to barge through this stupid barrier. I don’t know how long Stefan can bear the pain because he’s getting weaker and I’m running out of energy. I need to consume more blood and I need to get out of here!

“Well, well, well, look likes my own sister and her best friends want to stop me,” Alse puts her hands on her hips. “Interesting. You think you can stop me, Zelda? I’m much stronger than you can ever imagine. Once I get the blood from these two little brats, I will annihilate all of you. I’ll wipe out all the entire clans and rule this world!” She laughs evilly.

“You never change, Alse. You never change,” Grandma Maegan shakes her head slowly. “You think that you’re unstoppable but you’re wrong.”

“Alice and Stefan will stop your evil doings! They are going to crush your lunatic dreams!” says Grandma Zelda firmly.

This time, Alse laughs harder.

“Alice and Stefan? Look at them,” she points to us. “They can’t even move. Besides, do you want me to tell her the truth?” she glances at me and turns to Grandma Zelda. “I know that you’re still hiding that secret from her.”

I turn to Grandma Zelda. Her eyes widen in shock as Alse mentioned about the secret just now.

“Grandma, what is she talking about? What secret?” I ask. Thank goodness this barrier is not sound proof.

Grandma Zelda just stares at me, and so the rest of the elders who are standing behind. I don’t like the look on their faces.

“Do you want to know, little Alice?” asks Alse in a gentle voice. “I’ll tell you the little secret since your grandmother can’t say any word.”

“Alice, don’t listen to her!” Mom warns me.

“You must know the truth, Alice. You are not the real daughter of Zavier Amber. You are not the genuine vampire to begin with,” says Alse, ignoring those people outside of the barrier, especially Mom and Dad who are trying to stop her from revealing the little secret.

“What do you mean I’m not my Dad’s daughter?” I ask curiously.

“You were human before you became a vampire,” Alse smirks.

Tell me this is a lie!

Circle Quartet: 43

Chapter 43

Tonight is my birthday! I wake up an hour earlier than usual – it’s winter so the night time is kind of long. I’m thinking of throwing a party, maybe a small party since Alse had destroyed some parts of this Academy, including the Dining Hall – but half of the damages were rebuild two days ago. When I was small, Mom and Dad will throw a surprise party for me, and Stefan. The best part of it, we could choose any cakes that we want – of course I chose chocolate cake. And the birthday party is still going on until today.

I discuss with Jeff what to do for tonight. We’re planning to make a surprise party for them since they’re not so happy in this past two days. Everybody is busy with re-constructing the damage – but for the Wizards and Witches, the work is much easier, just cast some spells and things get back to normal. I also helped the librarian to re-arrange and sort the books. I also volunteer to give help at the Healing Chamber as well as visiting Joseph who is recovering day by day.

And now here I am, thinking of what kind of foods that need to be served for my birthday party.

“How about simple delicacies? We don’t have to think of the supreme foods. Simple is better and it doesn’t take much time. I can help you with the cakes,” says Jeff as I’m scribbling the recipes on a rough paper.

“Okay, simple is nice. But we need some people to help us. We can’t prepare all those things by ourselves. Stefan said that he’ll do the decoration, which I highly doubt it. Ace will do the cooking – but I haven’t consult with him yet. And Beatrice and Saffron will help me with the dress,” I scribble those three name on the paper. “How’s that?” I turn to Jeff who is leaning against the wall beside my study table.

“That’s great. All we need is to consult Ace and tell those guys not to spread the word, not until 12 midnight tonight. I’ve checked the Dining Hall this morning and afternoon. They won’t use it until it is completely re-build,” smiles Jeff.

“Good! Let’s consult Ace at once!” I grab Jeff’s hand and teleport to Ace’s room where he shares it with Sable. And thank God, Sable is not here. If not, he’s definitely going to spread this whole plan. Sable is not good in keeping little secrets.

Ace is lying on the bed, reading comics. He’s taken aback by my presence. After that, I tell him about my plan and he agrees to help me with cooking. He says that he’s going to make a special chocolate cake, just for me.

We don’t take much time to decorate the Dining Hall. Most of the Elders are having discussion upon Alse who will come back sooner or later. I know that she’ll come back to get her revenge but there’s no way I’m going to cancel my birthday party! At least I’ll have some fun before facing her for good.

Beatrice and Saffron are very helpful in choosing the right attire for me. This time I don’t wear gown or anything with skirt. I’m wearing my vampire suit and yes, it is perfect! We gather at the Dining Hall 15 minutes before midnight. Most of the clans are already there, taking their seats. I wave at Stefan who is talking with Zayne and they compliment my look. Stefan wears his best werewolf attire and I really love seeing him in his black leather jacket and black jeans. The Elders enter the Dining Hall few minutes later and they’re very shock to see the decorations. Even Mom and Dad slightly forgotten about my birthday today!

Stefan and I stand on a mini stage, made by Nash and Tavis. Ace pushes a food trolley where he puts the cakes on. All of them sing ‘Happy Birthday’ song delightfully. Stefan and I blow the candle and make a wish. Then the hall is filled with round of applause. Then the eating ceremony begins. Grandma Zelda and Grandma Maegan enjoy the meal, made special by Ace himself.

Stefan and I receive lots of present and we are still waiting for the special gift soon. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake menacingly. All of us are starting to get panic. Then, we hear an evil cackling right from below. It’s Alse! She’s going to ruin my birthday party!

“Well, well, well. What do I see here? A party!” she smirks as she looks around.

“You finally came,” says Grandma Zelda calmly.

“Of course, Zelda. I don’t want to miss this lovable party. You know I love to go to parties. I always got the invitation back then,” she looks at Grandma Zelda and scowls. “But I didn’t get the invitation this time. Too bad for you for not inviting me.”

“Who wants to invite an old devil hag like you, Alse?” shouts Granddaddy Saba.

Alse chuckles. “You never change, Saba. Do you think a low life like you can stop me? You’re too old for that, the four of you. And your children, they aren’t strong enough to fight me.”

“Don’t get so cocky,” says Grandma Zelda.

Alse throws her head back and laughs. “Is that a joke? Zelda, dear, you should know me better,” Alse stops laughing and smile evilly. “I’m the strongest Witch in this universe and no one can stop me now. I’m more powerful than you can ever imagine.”

Alse walks slowly towards us and her evil smile never fade from her face. The Elders order everyone to leave the Dining Hall. They are ready to encounter the attack. Alse stops on her way and swings her right hands. In one blink, half of the Dining Hall is ruined. Lucky for us that Mom and Aunt Ada create the shield for us.

Dad and Uncle Azure whisper to me and Stefan to get out of here quickly before Alse knows it. I look at Stefan and he nods. I summon Jeff from my necklace and he’ll show us the way. Stefan and I quickly slip off from the crowd and we head to the Sacred Fountain as Jeff tells us to go there.

This place is bright as tonight is the full moon. Stefan and I walk towards the fountain where the crystal water flows gently. This is the Sacred Water where it will appear during full moon.

“Both of you need to drink the water," says Jeff.

“I want to say this before it’s too late,” says Stefan as he puts his hand on my shoulder. “Happy birthday, Alice.” He kisses my forehead.

It makes me stun for a while. I thought he wants to kiss on my lips.

“Yeah, happy birthday to you, too, Stefan,” I hug him.

“I’ll save my last kiss for the special occasion,” he pats on my head. And now I’m blushing!

“Okay, lovebirds. Time to drink the water,” Jeff clears his throat. Stefan and I chuckle. We scoop the water with our hands and drink it.

It tastes funny – I never drink this kind of water before. Then, I get this funny feeling inside my body. Is it true this water is sacred? Because I think I have a little headache.

“Biparita Mauntena Kristala!”

Suddenly a barrier appears around us! We’re trap!

Circle Quartet: 42

Chapter 42

This is disastrous. Everything is a total mess, like a hurricane just passed by.

This is where our proud Night Café was. Everybody loved to hang out here after the night class or training. The back door will be opened so that we could have some fresh night air and also moon-bathing; vampires and werewolves love it very much because it will gain our strength. There were stalls here and there, selling most delicious foods and mid-night snacks.

I loved hanging out here after training, especially. No matter how exhausted I was, it was compulsory for me to grab chocolate ice-cream stuffed in a bun or fresh lemon shake. There’s also a garlic bread stall which sold the most sumptuous garlic bread in the whole world. I always grabbed more than 5 sticks per night.

But now, no more Night Café. No more students hang out here, laughing and chatting in excitement. Everything was destroyed in one blink.

Suddenly, we hear someone’s groan not very far from here. There are still wounded people around here. We search for the sound but carefully step on the debris and broken tables and chairs for we don’t want to step on the injured people.

“Guys, over here!” shouts Ace as he found one of them. Three people are injured and one of them is Jeff’s best friend.

“Joseph!” I gasp. He’s lying on the ground helplessly with deep wounds on his chest and stomach.

“Alice…,” he calls me weakly. “You came.”

“Did Alse attack you?” I ask furiously.

Joseph slowly shakes his head. “Monsters…,” then he groans in pain.

“We need to take these wounded guys to the Healing Chamber,” says Stefan and carefully lifts Joseph wounded body by slipping his arms under Joseph’s shoulder.

“Let me do the teleportation. You need to save your energy, Alice,” says Ace and cast a teleportation spell.

As we arrive at the Healing Chamber, I shout for Aiden. There are lots of wounded people in here and the doctors and nurses are rushing here and there to treat them. Aiden comes within no time and asks Stefan to carry Joseph in the Emergency Room for his injuries are far worse than the other two.

My Mini beeps as I’m waiting at the Waiting Hall with Ace and Stefan. It’s from Dad.

“Dad,” I call him as I push the blue button.

“Alice, where are you, honey?” Asks Dad worryingly.

“I’m at the Healing Chamber with Stefan and Ace,” I reply.

“What? Are you guys hurt?” Now Dad is super worry.

“No…not at all. We found three wounded people as we entered the back door; one vampire and two shape-shifters. We quickly sent them here,” I explain. Dad lets out a sigh of relief.

“I’ve just got rid of several monsters with your uncles. We’re now at the Elders’ Chamber.”

“You want us to go there?”

“It’s okay. I’ll meet you guys there. Bye.”

Dad hangs up the phone and few second later, he appears in front of us. Ace squeals in surprise as Dad appeared. Dad laughs out loud and I shush him. I point to the sign ‘Silent Please’. Dad clears his throat but still wants to laugh.

We tell him about Joseph and the other two. Dad tells us that Alse sent her underlings and monsters from the underground. She wants to lure me to her trap because she thought that I was here in the first place. Those monsters and the underlings have been defeated but Alse may send more and we need to get ready for that.

“By the way, your grandmother has contacted them. They will arrive soon,” informs Dad with a smile. “Oh, I need to go to your Mom. Make sure you guys drop by to the Elders’ Chamber. Everybody is waiting for you.” Dad ruffles my hair. I roll my eyes irritatingly and Dad chuckles then disappears.

Aiden comes out from the Emergency Room just about Dad has gone. He tells us that Joseph is quite stable but he needs to rest for he lost too much blood. I thank him and tell him that I’ll be visiting Joseph soon.

Everyone is so delighted to see the three of us unharmed. Mom and Aunt Amethyst hug me and Stefan tightly. I know they’re very worried. Ace gets a little jealous because no one hugs him. Then Mom pinches his cheek and everybody laughs. Ace doesn’t like his cheeks getting pinched.

There are foods served on the dining table. I’m starving right now so I gobble the food up, as well as Ace. Stefan is hungry too, I guess, but he doesn’t gobble up his food. I know this one has manners. Mom scolds me and Ace for gobbling up the food like hungry wolves. I drink two bottles of double-purify blood. Dad says that the blood is enough for me to stay awake for two weeks.

“Now that reminds me, did Alse’s stupid monsters destroy the Underground Chamber and Blood Supply Room?” I ask as I lick my fingers heartily. Ace lets out a loud burp and Mom threatens him to turn into cockroach if he did that again.

“They appears around the compound before destroys the four main doors,” replies Grandma Zelda.

“Then the blood supplies are safe?” I ask excitedly.

Grandma Zelda smiles and nods. I cheer in delight.

“But you don’t need to drink that kind of blood anymore, Alice,” Grandma Maegan cuts in. “I’ve made a special drink for you and this is for the upcoming war. We need your strength,” Grandma Maegan turns to Stefan who is wiping his mouth with the kerchief as he finished his meal, “and you too, Stefan. Only the two of you can destroy Alse.”

Two of us? I look at Stefan and he looks at me too. Now there’s something fishy is going on here. It likes the Elders know something that we don’t.

“What do you mean, Grandma Maegan?” I ask.

“The answer is in the library,” says Grandma Maegan without averting her eyes on me.

My heart crumbles when I see my favourite spot is nearly destroyed. Half of the books were burned. The shelves crushed on the floor. My favourite reading place is also turn into dust. I think I’m going to cry but Stefan slowly pats my shoulder and points to the librarians who are busy re-building the broken shelves and walls.

I approach them and they greet me with pleasure. One of them, Mr. Dun, whom I close the most, tells me everything. He, too, is sad to see this library being destroyed and he couldn’t protect all the books here.

“And they stole some of the books too,” says Mr. Dun.

The monsters stole the book? What for? Can they read? Are they trying to…wait a minute!

“Mr. Dun, where are the old inscriptions were kept?” I ask as I realize something.

“Now that you mention it, we keep them in the secret room. Only we, the librarians know the code word. Come, let me show you,” says Mr. Dun and we follow him behind. He stops at the old grey shelf with full of dust. Then, he taps his wand on the shelf and says the code word. The shelf opens like a door and Mr. Dun asks us to come inside with him. And lo and behold, bundles of old inscriptions neatly arranged in the box like pigeons hole.

“Wow…this is amazing!” I look around with an amuse expression. Stefan, on the other hand, whistles amusingly.

“Not all people from all the clan can enter this secret room. The Elders told me once that when the time come, I have to give this to both of you,” Mr. Dun hands us two old golden inscriptions, wrapped in leather folders. Our names were carved on the folders.

“Thanks, Mr. Dun,” Stefan and I say in unison.

Mr. Dun nods and smiles. “All the answers that you seek are in there.”

Tagging Time!

Yeah! Tagging season. Thank you Sui for tagging me. I'm so delighted to answer you questions! Oh, here are the rules!

Link back the blogger who tagged you.

You must post the rules.

Answer the questions given by the person tagged you.

Tag eleven new bloggers.

Set eleven new questions for the bloggers tagged by you.

Inform them about the tag.

These are my questions that I need to answer :)

1.      Do you enjoy being tagged or is it annoying?

I really enjoy being tagged. Haha!

2.      What does hardship mean to you?

Hardship means challenge!

3.      Is it reasonable to be judgemental?

I think it depends on the situation.

4.      Would you be friends with a person who disagrees with your opinions and beliefs but doesn’t mind hanging out with you?

Yeah. I be-friend with all kind of people, except the evil ones.

5.      What are the actions that make you believe that you are treasured by a certain person?

That person shows that he/she accept me as I am.

6.      What do you prefer to do in your free time?

Writing my novel.

7.      What is it that cheers you after a day of hardwork?

Food!

8.      When is your birthday?

20 October

9.      What do you think of the current state of the world?

More people are living misreably.

10.  You had been saving money to buy an item that you had been eyeing for days. How would you feel when you finally buy that item and found it to be a defective piece?

OHH! Frustrated! I’ll lose my appetite for 5 days in a row!

11.  As far as you have come to know about me, what kind of person do you preceive me to be?

Be who you are!

Okay, my turn to ask the questions!

Do you get scared in the dark?

Who is the last person make you cry?

What’s you worst fear?

What kind of hair/eyes colour do you like on the opposite sex?

Where can you see yourself proposing/being proposed to at?

Do you prefer coffee or energy drink?

What is your favourite pizza topping?

 If you could eat anything right now, what would it be?

What was the most meaningful gift you ever received?

Do you have crush?

Your favourite clothing brand?

You've been tagged!

Stuart

Chakir

Miss Boo

Mr. Key

Ashabul Islam

Einstein

Nani

Atiqa

Kopurians

Sis Bet

Farid