“WHAT?” she yelled. Laurelin and Jian winced at her anger. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO, her mind repeated. Keelia buried her head in between her legs.

                “Keelia. I’m sorry we haven’t told you yet, but we weren’t sure if it was true. That you were still alive. And now that we know that you are, we couldn’t be more saddened by how we’ve kept you in the dark!” Laurelin said softly.

                “Do Eliza and Helbry know?” she asked.

                “No,” Jian answered. As much as Keelia was angry with the Alies, and Alvis, she couldn’t help feeling relieved that she had a real family. Not an adoptive one, not a U.S one. A real one. Her strength returned and she flung her arms around her real parents. When she pulled away, Alvis was standing there awkwardly.

                “Can we have a moment?” Keelia asked her parents. They smiled and exited the room.  Keelia was at a loss for words, and she wasn’t sure if she should hug Alvis, orrrr…. something?

                Alvis made that pretty clear when he said,

                “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Keelia. I just didn’t know how you’d respond. And if you hated me for not telling you, I’d never have been happy. I wanted it to be real, because it felt right.” She wrapped her arms around him.

                “I’ve always wanted a twin. Now I’ve got one. And more good news, I’m standing up, and walking, so I’m taking a shower. Get out!” Keelia said jokingly, but he obliged and left her alone. Whoa. Her mind was blown. She had a twin brother? She was still frustrated with Jian and Laurelin, but she’d get over it. Once they got Fern back, she would ask to live with them, and if you couldn’t, she’d share a room with Fern, and she was perfectly happy with that. Once she was cleaned up, she went downstairs. Her green emerald key was in her hand, because she was going to give it to Brinely. When she went down the stairs, Jililian and Everie were standing by the kitchen counter.

                “Hey, guys,” Keelia embraced Jililian, “is something wrong?”

                “No, we just wanted to talk to you. We’re sorry that we’ve been huge jerks about being Flareons. It’s just that-” Jililian started.

                “Your powers came from Plydis? I know, I figured that out a few weeks ago. Don’t worry about it,” Keelia responded, “What month is it?” She had a horrible mental calendar.

                “September 2nd,” Everie said quietly.  Keelia froze.

                “Please tell me we don’t have to go to school…” she pleaded.

                “Yep, we do. But we have good news, too,” Everie grinned.

                “What could be better than knowing it’s exam day and we haven’t studied at all?” Keelia wondered sarcastically.

                “Golsvon tried to attack the King and Queen, and the Guardians caught him,” Jililian finished for Everie.

                “Where is everybody else?” Keelia asked.

                “They’re taking their exams, and we should go,” Jililian stated.

                “That’s not all. The Queen lifted the restrictions on us. We can officially walk freely the streets of Crecklington and not get charged with treason!”

                That was great, and all, but when Keelia sat down beside Alvis in the exam hall, her heart stopped beating. She was winging this test, but what was the worst that could happen? She could think of many things, but the worst was not going to the next grade, which in reality, wasn’t the end of the world. Alvis nudged her and she smiled back. Everie looked confused for a moment then went back to his own paper. The closing ceremonies for school would be happening the day of Keelia’s birthday. Keelia took question after question. There was a very random question at the end of the test. Do you want to become royalty or challenge the King and Queen when older? Keelia obviously chose NO. Alvis stifled a laugh when he got to that question, and also circled NO. Keelia wouldn’t be surprised if some people (Kation most likely) had circled the other answer, but she couldn’t be sure. She had no wish to become a royal. Simply because she was horrible with responsibility. After the big exam, the students were sent home in the large boat. “Alvis, will you move into the Alie’s house?” Keelia asked. Alvis shrugged.

                “I haven’t really thought about it, honestly. Only if you will, probably,” he replied. The boat shook and worried murmurs arose among the other students. Counselor Brendson rose from his chair and raised his hands for silence.

                “Please, we just hit a small current! Please don’t worry!” His voice was calming. The small children still whimpered a bit, given all the chaos going around the Nivaran world, but something else caught Keelia’s eye. Creep was standing in the corner of the boat, in the back, and she had a flute raised to her mouth.

                “Creep, no!” Keelia shouted, but Creep didn’t listen. The song was low and dark, a different tune than Keelia had played, but black and gray notes fell like wind onto the chairs and the walls of the boat. The moment the notes hit an inanimate object, it would turn that color. It didn’t turn any Sustainers that color, but the boat turned dark within a moment. Nobody said anything, but instead; they watched with shock as the colors dulled the boat. Counselor Alie sprinted toward Alvis and Keelia as Creep advanced to face Keelia.

                “Get away from my children,” Jian yelled. Whispers of surprise filtered throughout the crowds gathered around. Keelia was grabbed by Creep. 

                “Don’t worry, Jian Alie, we’re not here for your children. Summon the Guardians, now,” Creep’s voice echoed through the dark boat. The whispers hushed when Alvis stepped toward Creep.

                “Or what?” he asked.

                “Or Keelia turns into one of us,” Creep arm-locked Keelia and she couldn’t breathe. Oh… right… to become a Crypja, you had to die, theeen put on the necklace. Lovely.

                “Don’t do it, Alvis,” Keelia choked, struggling for air. Alvis didn’t, but Jian did. Creep smiled and threw Keelia down. She coughed for a moment, and looked up. They had just docked into Crecklington’s bay, and then she realized. They were making an immediate attack on Crecklington’s defense. The shrieks of Keelia’s classmates echoed around her as hundreds of Crypja attacked the Guardians of Crecklington.

                The attack was short and brutal. The Guardians attacked the Crypja from above, but that didn’t give them any advantage. Straten never showed up during all the attacks. Music had no effect on the enemy army, but many Musictons tried regardless. Once Keelia had caught her breath, she ran into the fighting trying to disable any Crypja she could. Then she had an idea. What happens if I can rip one of the necklaces off of a Crypja? Would that do anything? She sprinted through the fighting, carefully avoiding any swinging metal fists until she saw a necklace swaying in the open. She wasn’t sure what she was about to do, but she grabbed hold of the necklace and pulled with all her might. The thin metal chain snapped, and the Crypja she took it from collapsed. She knelt down to look at the small person. The metal was receding from his body. A boy around Cligan’s age stared up at her. “Give it back, I’ll die!” he cried out. He never died though, he just gasped for breath until he could breathe easily. The necklace turned to ash in Keelia’s hands. She hooked her arms around the boy and pulled him over toward the side of the battle. She sat down, gasping for breath herself. The boy was unconscious beside her, but still breathing. Alvis knelt down beside her and told her that the battle was over. She didn’t look up, but started to cry softly when she heard about the outcome. They had lost, but the Crypja had gone back to the Shen Drar caverns. Two Crypja had been stolen. The boy which Keelia had stolen the necklace from, and another, who apparently was trapped in a spell cast by a Sustainer. Ten Guardians of Crecklington had been killed, and twenty more were seriously injured, but the physicians thought that they’d all mostly live.

                They brought the unconscious boy to Laurelin and Jian’s empty upstairs room and tried to wake him up, but nothing worked.

                After a few days, the group of friends were summoned to the King and Queen’s palace. Clearly, Keelia was terrified. Last time she confronted the Queen, she got in big trouble. The group of friends decided to walk to the palace, because they all doubted that anybody wanted to be near them at the moment. Keelia’s heart and mind had been filled again with the sadness and recollection of all the pain and suffering that had happened since she had shown up in Crecklington. Would all of this still have happened if I had stayed in Tennessee? Would everybody still be living their peaceful, happy lives? Or would this all have happened and eventually been shown to the rest of the world? What if all the Shen Drar want is to destroy all the Musictons in all of Nivara? Would they still have come after me, or hurt my family (my human one)? Keelia’s mind was buzzing with activity and questions as she and Brinely bumped into Alvis and Delisa. Alvis and Keelia hugged each other tightly. Keelia didn’t mind getting all the hugs from Alvis now that she knew that he was her brother, and her twin. But she also wasn’t sure if Delisa or Brinely had been told, because they looked very confused and Brinely looked furious. Keelia had no doubt that Brinely was overprotective of his siblings, especially after finding out about Fern. “Alvis, I don’t think that we should be hugging in public. I’m not sure if Delisa or Brinely has been told…” Keelia pulled away from her twin’s arms and faced her other brother. When I get home, I have to make a list of my different families. I keep almost saying Cligan to Samuel, Brinely to Alvis, and who am I supposed to call mom and dad? I HAVE THREE!!!!! My mom and dad from Tennessee, adoptive mom and dad (Eliza and Helbry), and real mom and dad, (Jian and Laurelin). I have things that I need to ask them.

                “But Jian and Laurelin said that they would tell everybody, didn’t they?” Alvis whispered.

                “Well, given the reactions of your other sister and my other brother, I don’t think that they know. Wouldn’t you say the same?” Keelia asked.

                “Do you guys have something that you want to fill us in on?” Brinely asked, staring fiercely at Alvis. Yep, definitely overprotective… Keelia thought. Delisa nodded in agreement with Brinely and the four of them looked at eachother.

                “Are…. you-?” Delisa said so quietly that Keelia could barely hear her.

                “NO!!!!!” Keelia and Alvis cried unanimously.

                “NO! Nothing like that! We’re just, how do I say this,” Alvis paused for a moment, then continued, “twins.” Brinely and Delisa stood there, and didn’t say a word. They still hadn’t said anything by the time that Rachel got there. And by the time that Everie and Jililian showed up, a few minutes later, they spoke.

                “That makes no sense. Keelia, you grew up in Tennessee. Alvis, you grew up with me!” Delisa stated.

“What are we talking about?” Rachel asked. Before Keelia or Alvis could say anything, Brinely responded for them.

                “They’re twins.”  When all of that conversation was done, Keelia had affirmed that yes, Laurelin and Jian were their parents, and they were twins that had been thought to be dead, but weren’t. Everybody was furious that nobody had told them this, but they had to get going, or they’d be late. They would stop in to see all the parents on their way back to their own houses, and confirm things later with Jian and Laurelin.

                The palace was just as glittery as it had been the day of the wedding. The bronze and silver towers were reflecting the sun’s glow and blinded Keelia as she entered the gates. Palm trees were overhanging the sides of the walkway and flowers were blooming brightly. The only thing that nobody wanted to see was at the very ends of the courtyard, just beyond the blooming flowers. The other palm trees were black and withered, and the once golden walls were gray and white. Keelia would have been more comforted by the fading trees if the darkness wasn’t inching its way toward the other life around them. Slowly, the darkness was taking over the courtyard. Rachel took Keelia’s arm and pulled her away from the sickening sight, and into the palace. The blackness was also on the inside as well. They passed wounded Guardians of Crecklington who had been hurt during the battling the previous day. There were old winged creatures, and young winged children beside them, holding their hands and crying at the sight of their dying parents and friends. Keelia’s eyes teared up and she longed to go and comfort the small-winged children. There were dulled colors all around the Guardians of Crecklington, and it wasn’t long before the whole corridor was black and gray. Keelia could barely see her hand in front of her, and she wouldn’t have been able to find her way around if it weren’t from the bioluminescence of the Guardians’ wings. I really need to see what else these marvelous creatures are capable of! They are amazing! Keelia promised herself that she would go and find books about the Guardians of Crecklington. They were powerful, and Keelia wished to know everything about them.  Queen Johanna was wearing an intricate navy-blue gown, and her hair was free around her shoulders. The King and Queen were in deep discussion when they entered. They ceased immediately once they heard their subject enter. Keelia and the rest of her friends bowed, then rose to face the King and Queen. Queen Johanna’s eyes had dark circles under them, and Keelia wasn’t surprised. If she was queen, she doubted that she would even have a bedroom. She would stay up all night being stressed! “I’m sorry for the late notice. We have had many things going on in Nivara these past weeks,” Queen Johanna began. Well, that’s an understatement! Keelia thought, and almost snorted in the presence of the King and Queen.

                “We know that we have been hard on all of you. And we’ve brought you here partly because we want to ask for your forgiveness for being such careless rulers,” the King finished. She looked around at her friends to see if they were just as surprised as she was. Sure enough, her friend’s eyes were wide, but they still said nothing. They looked at her, expecting her to say something.

                “Of course, you’re forgiven. We would have done the same if we were in your shoes, Your Majesty,” Keelia said and lowered her head in a sign of respect. They all stood in awkward silence as they awaited to hear anything else they were meant to.

                “You have also been informed that we have caught a certain man from the Shen Drar, by the name of Golsvon Bare,” Queen Johanna paused when Rachel made a strangled whimper sound. “Does that name mean anything to you, Miss Bare?” The Queen already knew the answer to that, given the last names, but she chose to ask regardless.

                “Yes, Your Majesty, he’s my uncle,” Rachel muttered, clearly ashamed to admit it.

                “I understand that you have a struggling background, Mrs. Bare. Forgive my asking, but would it affect you to speak with him?” the King said. Rachel agreed to step out of the room while they spoke with her uncle, and Keelia longed to give her friend an embrace as she left the throne room. “Bring him in,” the King ordered two unharmed Guardians. A few moments later, they reappeared with a tall man with shaggy black hair who was dressed in a gray leather jacket and black pants. His eyes were pale green, so pale they almost looked gray themselves, but somehow, Keelia could still see the resemblance between him and Rachel.

                “Ah, Keelia Cobell. Happy that you quickened up the process? Or are you still cowering in shame?” the man, Golsvon, sneered.

                “Golsvon Bare, are you cowering in shame at being caught?” Keelia asked in the strongest voice she could muster. He scowled at her.

                “Why were you spying on the King and Queen?” Everie stepped up to him, igniting a flame in his hand, and holding close to Golsvon’s face. Golsvon didn’t flinch but laughed heartily at Everie and Jililian.

                “Enjoying your newfound strength? Plydis must be pleased with this turnout!” Golsvon laughed again when he saw Everie’s flame extinguish in shame.

                “Leave him alone,” Jililian hissed and lit her own flame.

                “What are you going to do about it, girl?” Golsvon asked. Jililian stepped closer and increased the gray flame.

                “Where is the cure for the Crypja?” she hissed. Keelia never wanted to get on her bad side, ever.  At that remark, Golsvon did cower a bit. They had a lead, and Keelia wasn’t going to let it go.

                “There is a cure, and you know what it is?” Keelia pushed.

                “Of course there’s a cure! Do you think that Straten would create all these magnificent beasts without thinking of a counter if anything went wrong? Nothing has gone wrong, if that’s what you’re wondering. I’m not saying anything! Besides, no one would want the cure when they found out what it was,” Golsvon said smoothly, carefully regaining his former stature. “Nobody except Straten and I know it!” he snarled.

                “He’s lying,” Rachel’s voice echoed through the hall, and Golsvon’s head whipped around. To Keelia’s surprise, his eyes and facial expression softened.

                “Rachel?” he asked softly, then quickly, most likely hoping nobody had noticed his softened expression, changed back to his former state. “Rachel! How dare you betray us like this! Your mother must be ashamed, and think of what your father would say-”

                “My father is dead. It doesn’t matter much what he’d say. Besides, even you knew that he was only doing that job because he wanted to feed me and my evil mother and younger brothers!” Rachel defied. Golsvon winced slightly at the mention of his brother, Bolsvar’s, death. He moved his glare from Rachel to Brinely.

                “And you. You rotten thing! Straten had faith that you would someday become the leader of the Shen Drar! You were so talented and knew every single rule that we had! And you followed them all, too! Whenever I see Straten next, I will make sure to tell him how pathetic you’ve become,” Golsvon began, but Brinely didn’t allow him to continue.

                “Flattery doesn’t work on me! Tell us what the antidote is!” he shouted. All Golsvon did was laugh, and Keelia was sick of it. The darkness was creeping its way under the thick metal doors of the Throne Room. Queen Johanna was beginning to stand up and walk over to Golsvon. Her hands were glowing with white light as she made her way over.

                “Helu el ji anido ie,[1]” Johanna spoke in the Nivaran language, but waved her hands in front of Golsvon’s face in a strange pattern. Rachel sucked in a breath.

                “It’s- in this-room,” it looked as though Golsvon was trying not to say the words as he spoke them. They all began to rapidly search the throne room, but found nothing.

                “He must have been lying,” Keelia said, mostly to herself. Queen Johanna heard her though.

                “No, he’s telling the truth. That spell makes people tell the truth no matter what.” The group left in the darkness of the blackened halls. As they were leaving, Keelia heard the King order the Guardians to lock Golsvon in the most fortified cell in all the dungeons. When Keelia looked at all the glowing wings, her heart ached. The healthier the Guardian, the more strong its glow. Keelia saw three glowing wings fade all together and heard the sounds of crying children as they walked silently down the hall. Keelia’s tears fell and she was forced to walk on.  

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[1] Helo el ji anido ie: Tell me where the antidote is.