" No contamination found... I repeat...No contamination found...the chopper is good to land. "
The Watcher, completely suited in his safety gear, yelled in his receiver after thoroughly running his scanner around Rozelle and George . The rescue team had arrived.
" Why didn't Robert come? Was my message not clear? I mean...he is better gifted... " Rozelle asked as the chopper swirled away towards the Watchers' Tower.
" He isn't responding to any of our messages... he applied for leave not citing the number of days or any reason... We have been repeatedly cut off whenever we tried to wire him in. "
The Watcher informed.
Rozelle spent the rest of the journey in silence and with a frown on her face.
She marched straight inside and after reporting their initial status, went to look into Robert's profile.
She got hold of his Watcher transmitter. Luckily, it was still active.
Rozelle immediately sat down to dial his number. But there was no answer from the other end.Rozelle heaved a sigh and then left a text on his pager before going in and reporting what they had been through.
As she had doubted earlier, their testimony was taken lightly. They were sent for psychological help and counseling and were promised that the issue of these Dark Mages, kidnapping and torturing them will be dealt with utmost importance. However, it was also suggested that these Mages might have used sorcery over them, instead of inflicting actual torture.
" I know real from fake... You need to trust me... " Rozelle banged on the table but the elder Watchers looked at her sympathetically.
" Rozelle, it's not like we don't trust you. You are one of our most competent officers out there.It's just that these creatures can manipulate your brain. It's impossible for them to have stayed inside the earth's atmosphere for so long and still go undetected. Besides, your wounds contradict your claims. Unless they fed you some magic potion that miraculously healed you overnight, my observation makes more logical sense... Doesn't it? '' Rozelle watched one of the older Watchers look at her from over her glass that had dropped down her nose.
" Very well... You are right.... Till I have more proof. " Rozelle turned around as she pulled George along.
" Come on George. We need some days off. It has been a rough couple of months. "
***
At Guardian Yvonne's lair
Braze sat at the front porch and he had zoned out, his eyes staring into nothingness.
" What is it? " Xen came and sat beside him.
" Remember the last time I had wandered off in those mountains? '' Xen nodded.
" Well, now that I think harder... I think it was this staff... I mean there was too much light and color but when I tried to focus, I thought it was the staff at the center of what was calling my name. " Braze turned to face Xen. " If it was indeed the Heartstaff calling me there, don't you think Guardian Yvonne is being illogical? I think him being skeptical about Uncle Kilian is baseless. "
They had just informed him about their plan to go back. Yvonne did not like what Kilian had fed them.
" The three of you belong to three different tribes. The tribes at Chemora have always been at war with each other. It's still a mystery how all of you ended in the same place all together.But i have my doubts when told to believe that it might be for a common cause.
Kilian is Kiara's brother and I have no reason to doubt him but going back to retrieve the Heartstaff when there is this huge infiltration of Dark Mages sounds shady as f*ck! "
Yvonne wasn't someone who lost their cool easily.
" Besides, if we agree to the fact that the Dark Devil wants the Heartstaff from you... would it not be logical to go against him? What did Kilian suggest you do after retrieving the Heartstaff? "
Yvonne looked angry.
" Dunno... destroy it... use it against my father... He seems very angry ever since Uncle Kilian visited. I was almost strangled to death.... So yeah... I am going to do what I can to survive... Besides... " Mira didn't look very calm either, " I am lowkey hoping that he himself came after me when we are done retrieving that Staff. I have a few questions for him."
" Mira, The Dark Devil is not someone who will engage in sentimental talks... you should know better... he might have played a role in birthing you but he isn't your average father figure... "
Mira flipped her hair, turning around with her haughty air.
" Really? Are we talking about my birth giver now? I thought this topic was forbidden... I tried to ask you so many times but you always ignored me.... I am the daughter of a Devil.... It took my uncle Kilian to travel here from another world for me to know about it..... I get it... I don't need your expert advice anymore.... the only reason we came here was to ask for those Masking Potions.... Are you willing to give them to us or we leave just like that? "
She looked furious before leaving.
" Mira, wait.... " Kian went after her as Xen walked Yvonne and said,
" There is no point debating. Mira has been suffering every night. We have an option that might or might not help her... for us, it's worth checking... please make those potions for us. The faster we reach the better. The darkness scares me. The nighttime is the worst for Mira. Especially after last night... We are all scared. We almost lost her. "
Xen walked over towards Braze who had settled outside , while Yvonne got busy at his work in complete silence. A dark shadow of deep worry descended on his face but there was nothing that he could do to stop them because it was pointless. He had no idea how to help Mira, hence he had no right to prevent them from looking for their own solution.