Seekers of the Stone Maker

Cecille turned toward the tunnel, enveloping herself in shadow. Mr. Muffins could see that she was trying to make a run for it. He rushed forward, rotating the chamber of his weapon. Finding the right crystal, he slammed it in place and took aim. She reappeared on the other side of the tunnel, the wall of ice keeping him from doing anything else. He fired a concussive blast, which zipped through the air and passed through the barrier. Her body lifted off the ground as the spell smashed into her back. She rose into the air, fixed in place, unable to get traction to move her body further.

“That oughta do it for a minute.” Mr. Muffins stated plainly.

Leaf walked over to him, and Mr. Muffins grabbed him around the collar and gave him a shake.

“What kinda racket is up in your head to make you think that touchin’ stuff is the right move? How many times do I got to tell you?”

“It wasn’t his fault,” Lyla said as she ran forward.

“No?”

He looked into Leaf’s eyes, waiting for a response. It took Leaf a second, but he quietly mumbled out.

“No.”

“Then we’ll figure that out in a second. How are we gonna get through this ice and get her?”

“I don’t think that’ll be an issue,” Myla stated while looking through the tunnel.

Cecille’s grunts and angry screams had stopped. Mr. Muffins watched as Medusa slowly walked out of the shadows and stood before her. Through the small hole they had made in the ice, her words echoed through Zidingris’ lair.

“Cecille… It has been a long time since I’ve felt your presence. It is as cold and empty as the day I met you.”

Cecille tried to swipe at her face, which was just out of reach. Medusa stepped forward and grabbed her wrist to stop her from attacking again.

“You made me this, but you’ve never looked into my eyes since you’ve cursed me. Allow me to introduce you to the monster you created.”

She raised her other hand behind her head. Untying the cloth around her face, she allowed it to fall to the ground. She reached higher, pulling the cloth off her head as well. From underneath, snakes writhed and snapped in Cecille’s direction, their fangs dripping with venom.

“You are the reason my family is dead. You are the reason I have been cursed here for the past two decades. You are a blight on this world, and I will never allow you to harm another.”

Mr. Muffins watched as she opened her eyes. They glowed, causing the snakes to rise away from the light. Then, Cecille’s body became rigid. Slowly, from the inside out, her body turned to stone. He imagined that she could feel every second of the pain it caused as her organs shut down inside her, growing heavier on her body. As the last of her skin petrified, the levitation spell’s power became too weak to hold the weight of the stone. Cecille’s body fell a few feet down and smashed onto the ground, causing it to shatter into hundreds of pieces. As the sound faded, Medusa crumpled to the floor, and the sound of her crying filled the air. He turned to see Ana wrapped around Myla.

“You guys came back for me?”

Myla took a step back, a look of frustration on her face. Alyk walked back over, clapped his hands once, and rubbed them together.

“Well, that was less terrifying than it could have been. Now, we have a few things that need to be moved.”

He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. Mr. Muffins watched as Zidingris’ lifeless form disappeared.

“Body and horde moved. Why don’t I take us somewhere a little warmer and safe, and we can discuss more?”

“Wait. Did Mikella arrive?” Ana asked.

“No,” Leaf answered. “We also have Darion bringing people here soon to assist.”

“Then maybe I should stay back. I can assist in communication. Besides, I have a promise to keep,” Trista added, her gaze focused on Medusa.

“That settles it. Anyone who would like to go, step right up!”

Alyk created and threw down another blue flame a few feet away. Mr. Muffins followed behind, letting the rest of the group go through first. He stopped at the sigil and looked back at Trista.

“When you get the chance, let your mom know we found you. She asked us to come and get you.”

“Yes. I imagine she’s missed me.”

“And your sisters…”

“Sisters?”

“Ramona brought the others back to life to try and raise one of the Hounds. She tried to kill us and a lot more.”

“Mother must miss me quite a lot then to send you all to find me. I’m the last of her legacy.”

Mr. Muffins nodded, then walked into the flames.