Chapter 421 - Office Entrance

"Yes." Bertha said as she started scaning the books in the piles. "Bertha?" Ariana called out. "We don't have much time to talk." Bertha replied. "Bertha, are the others going to be okay?" Ariana asked. "We betrayed the Headmaster... We can't escape our fates now." Bertha replied. "Your fates? What fate?" Ariana asked. "Found it." Bertha shouted as she grabbed a thin, indigo coloured book, completely ignoring Ariana's question. She pulled it and toppled the towers in a domino affect. 

"When we get into the office we can talk for now we have to keep moving." Bertha said as held the book tightly in her hand. "Okay." Ariana said as she watched the three piles topple over and land in a semicircular pattern. Bertha then opened the book with one hand and stared. She started to chew but Ariana didn't see her put anything in her mouth. Bertha then spat a gooey, green liquid in to the book. She then tossed the book in the center of the mess and watched as it didn't land on the floor. It stopped a foot in the air and glowed a soft green colour.

"I'm bypassing all the stupid rituals and locks that man placed on his office. " Bertha explained. Ariana watched and nodded her head in understanding. "But it will only take two in. You'll have to leave the others here." Bertha continued. Ariana looked at her Lumas and then held out Loralei. "Please take care of her." Ariana said as she watched Aroha and Duko approach her. 'We will.' Aroha replied.

Suddenly Ariana could feel Bertha's hand tremble. She looked back and Bertha and her leaves started to lose its lush green colour. "Bertha?" Ariana called out. "T-t-the others...." Bertha mumbled, tears started to well up in her beady, black eyes. "The others?" Ariana repeated but then a pain struck her heart. She knew exactly who Bertha was referring too. 

"Hide Loralei!" Ariana instructed as she pushed Loralei towards Aroha, waiting for Aroha to take her. "If something tries to come in here you need to protect the office." She continued as Aroha stared at Loralei. 'Is there really a threat coming in here?' Rahul asked doubtfully. Ariana turned to Bertha and stared.

"... Yes... I can feel it. The others failed and are now gone." Bertha said in a pitiful voice. "Gone?" Ariana asked in a trembling voice. Her hand shook as Loralei laid in it. "And I am next." Bertha admitted. Aroha picked Loralei up with her claws and flapped her wings, keeping both of them suspended in the air. "Then there is no time to lose then." Ariana said as she pulled Bertha along and was a step away towards the semicircular mess.

"Bertha is there anything we need to do before we go in?' Ariana asked. "No." Bertha mumbled. "Alright, let's go." Ariana said. "No." Bertha said as she rooted herself into place. Ariana looked back and her eyes rounded in surprise. "What are you doing?' Ariana asked. "This is where we part ways... Take the purple one and let her absorb the magic in his office. It will revive her." Bertha said as she gave Ariana a bittersweet smile.

"No. I can find another way to wake Loralei up, she just needs rest! Besides Murray said not to let go of your hand." Ariana said as she shook her head no. "There is no use. Ya'll need both hands to search his office." Bertha explained. "I can use one hand I don't have to let go of you!" Ariana shouted furiously. Bertha let out a small chuckle. "They're gone... his dogs will find me, even if ya hold my hand. So let me protect ya." Bertha replied gently.

"No!" Ariana shouted as she clutched Bertha's hand. "I won't let go." She continued. "Alright... I'll stay with ya." Bertha sighed. Ariana let out a sigh of relief. 'We will protect you. Go in and look for what you need.' Aroha said but in one swift movement Bertha uprooted her feet and kicked Loralei up into the air. She then spun around and kicked Ariana in the gut. Ariana lost her grip on Bertha's hand and Loralei was flying in the air. Bertha jumped up and caught Loralei just as Ariana fell back first onto the floating book.

"Goodbye." Bertha said as she threw Loralei into Ariana. "No!" Ariana shouted as a light green light surrounded her and Loralei. In an instant Ariana and Loralei were transported into another office. Ariana rushed up to the first wall she saw and started to pound it with her fist. "Bertha! Bertha! Bertha!" She shouted but she heard no one respond. "Bertha." Ariana cried as she placed her forehead against the wall. "This is why I should be alone." Ariana whispered as tears spilled out. 

'But... ugh... but we don't want you to be alone.' Loralei said a in quiet voice. "Loralei." Ariana whispered as she brought her chubby body up to her face. "You're awake." She continued. 'There is so much dark magic in here it's hard to stay asleep.' Loralei said in a weak voice. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have tried to use magic. Ingemar told me that I was overflowing but I thought I could handle it. Now, now everyone is in danger." Ariana said as she slowly dropped down to her knees.

'Is that why you pushed Edlyn away?' Loralei asked. "... Yes. I need to push everyone away.... Loralei, the Goddess is dying because of my selfishness." Ariana said as she pulled Loralei away. 'She's what?' Loralei gasped. "If I push her hand any further she will disappear from this world and so will Ingemar." Ariana said as she gently put Loralei on the floor.

'That can't happen... If they both disappear.. It could mean the complete destruction of everything. Nothing will be left, no one will be spared... Everyone will die and not be put back in the reincarnation circle.' Loralei ranted as her eyes shook with fear. "I need to find a book... Otis told me about it before he went back." Ariana said as she wiped back her tears.

'Book?' Loralei asked. "Yes. There is a book that Gautum used to write in everyday, he wrote every spell and theory he ever had since his first days of magic. Otis said he can't let go of Evangeline, so there is no way he will teach me. So I have to steal the book and learn on my own." Ariana said as she got off of the floor.