Sorry for taking so long to update! School got in the way. But Meagan, Noah, Marian, etc. are back! 

Flashes in the Sky

Merlin's Magical Mints was closed. Merlin himself was already home, snoring away. Morgan was just about to lock up when a midget wrapped in linen burst in. “We're closed,” she said. “Sorry.”
“This is important,” he panted. “Do you have any half-heart jewelry?”
“Um, yes.” She showed him her bracelet. “Are you okay?”
“The original, Morgan,” he said. “Do you have the original?”
“Merlin bought it for me. He'd know where it might be.”
“Take me to him!”
“Now?” She frowned. “What's up with the urgency?”
“Now, Morgan!”
Morgan sighed. “I'll lock up and we'll go. Just a second.”
Noah nodded, though he was very impatient. He paced around a bit, clicking his tongue, and glanced at the mosaic on the counter. “Hey, Morgan, what's up with that pattern?”
“What pattern?” She locked the cash register and looked at it. “Oh, that. The twelve-pointed star? It's a coat-of-arms.”
“It's not our country's.”
“No, it's not from Regnum. Come on- we're good to go.”
Noah stared at it a little longer, then shook his head. “Weird. I thought I saw a gate, but now it's gone.”
“I did too, when I first started working here. Merlin said it has something to do with how the tiles are arranged- it's an optical illusion.”
“Okay.” He sighed. “Let's go.”
The bell jingled as they left, sounding as if it was waiting for them to come back in. Once Morgan locked the door, they were off. The night was cool and still, with a gentle breeze wafting through. Overtime workers hurried home as Morgan led Noah down Main Street. They crossed paths with a cat, one that appeared to be well-acquainted with Morgan. It purred, brushed against her legs, and walked briskly behind her.
After several minutes of walking, they passed a large, mansion-like estate with a large iron fence. Morgan pointed to it. “My brother Arthur lives there.”
“Do you visit?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Nah. We don't talk much. He's almost a stranger to me now. In any case, Merlin lives a little farther. Come on, Noah, Vivian.” It took Noah a moment to realize Vivian was the cat. After some more walking, they made it to an apartment complex. Morgan gestured to a row of apartments up ahead. “104 is mine. Merlin lives across at 105.”
“Thanks. I won't take long,” Noah smiled.
“Knock three times,” Morgan advised. “It's our special knock. He never lets anyone in unless they knock precisely three times.”
“Thank you.” Noah waved goodbye, ran to the door, and followed Morgan's instructions. He waited, shivering even though it was a warm night.
The door opened, Merlin's smiling face peeking through. “Lady. Is that you? Have you come back?” Then he saw Noah, and his grin vanished. “What do you want, midget?”
“May I come in?” he asked.
           “Oh, fine. Just don't touch anything.”
Noah gingerly stepped past the bent old man and into his apartment. It was very messy and disorganized, with clothes, books, and various apparatus strewn about. Paths were carved through the piles of junk, with barely any visible furniture to be seen. The word “hoarder” sprang to mind. There was, however, one area relatively spared of the mess and thus useable, and that was Merlin's desk. Even that, sadly, suffered of major clutter and had only enough space clear to write. Taped to the wall in front of the desk was a string of pictures showing Merlin's life- baby pictures, childhood, adolescence, with some woman in front of a lake (this one was titled “My first date with Lady Vivien), and holding up a dark-haired baby. The largest was of Morgan laughing while Merlin attempted to swallow her cooking.
“That girl is the apple of my eye,” Merlin rasped behind him. Noah tore his gaze away from the picture and gazed at the wizard. “I raised Arthur too, but after he and Morgan had that fight, he never came back.” Merlin chuckled. “Morgan, though... she stayed. Once she got old enough to move out, she took the apartment across to help me, because everyone knows without help I'd be drowning in my mess. She tries to help me clean it, but it's hard. She comes over almost daily with a broom, and she still works at my store. Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for the decision to adopt her.”
          He sighed. “After my wife, Vivien, left, Morgan really helped out. That's why I bought her that bracelet for her twenty-first.” Merlin frowned. “That's why you're here, isn't it?”
Noah nodded.
“It's a replica of some artifact. I bought it from a man named Nikolas. He told me his wife had the real thing; it's from Alenn. I have no clue where that is, but apparently the elite scholars do.”
“Nikolas?” Noah's jaw dropped as he recalled the conversation with Marian. Nikolas was my husband. We lived in Alenn. “Did he mean the Alenn of the Victura?”
          Merlin shrugged. “I don't know. Perhaps. I don't know much about the dead cultures. You can check that map over there.”
Noah searched it, finding first Regnum, then then Dryadales to the south. Nanum was to the west, and in a northwest line from there, the map said, “Wasteland- Aeternam.” Noah, scrutinizing every letter of type, finally found Alenn in its heart, near the base of Mt. Victory.
Noah turned and bowed to Merlin respectfully. “Thank you, Merlin.”
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes.”
“Why don't you stay for a quick drink? I've got some soda- and ham too, if you'd like.”
“Sure. Why not?” Noah sat down on a chair not buried in trash and sighed. “So confusing.”
“What is?” Merlin asked, plopping a plate full of ham down on his lap.
“Nothing.”
“Want some pop?”
           “Yeah, sure. Thanks.”
          “Wait just a moment.” Merlin navigated through the clutter to the kitchen, humming. It'd been a while since he'd had company other than Morgan. He was pleased. He pulled two tall, crystal glasses out of the cabinet reserved for special occasions, and a large bottle of FizzyFun out of the icebox. He frowned. The cube was almost melted. He'd have to pigeon the iceman to bring him a replacement. Merlin shrugged, busied himself preparing the drinks, smiled, and returned to the living room. “Hope you like FizzyFu-” Merlin dropped the glasses, which shattered into a mess of shards all over his floor, and soda washed over his feet. “Aaaahhh!” he yelled.
Noah was covered in red, motionless, his eyes half-lidded and mouth closed. A shadow-being stood over him. Its face was hidden in shadow, yet somehow Merlin had the impression that it was grinning. “Greetings, wizard,” it whispered, its voice smooth and slick, like oil. “Noah here put together some clues he should not have. But where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. Quay here, about to be your executioner.” Gently, Quay pulled her knife from Noah's body and moved forward. “Do you have any messages you'd like me to pass on to that precious daughter of yours? I promise I won't touch a hair on her head if you come quietly.”
There was a creaking noise, but Merlin didn't look to find its source. He could only stare with fear at the shadow-being stalking towards him. Footsteps sounded, but he couldn't turn his head. Merlin couldn't move. His knees trembled, and his hands shook. Quay laughed. “Then again, both of you could die. All of you pathetic flesh-creatures can die!”
Merlin closed his eyes, then gasped and snapped them open as something pushed him to the side, to safety. He heard a cry of pain, one that he recognized. “How-”
          The creature hissed and threw another dagger, one that missed, as lights came on in other apartments, and someone knocked on the door. Cursing, it dove into the shadows, yelling, “Merlin! Count yourself lucky!”
Merlin paid it no mind. He cradled Morgan in his arms, too numb to speak. Morgan smiled weakly. “You forgot your glasses.” She pulled them out of her pocket, quavering. Merlin took them and put them on, unbelieving of what was going on. “I wanted to come in and give them back. I guess no one noticed.”
The door slammed open. “Merlin, I realize just now that you haven't sent me my stuff that I le- my goodness, Morgan? Merlin! You’re both- what happened?”
“Arthur?” Morgan whispered.
“There was a shadow-being,” Merlin choked out. “Just a few minutes ago.”
“Around the time of that flash?” Arthur asked.
“What flash?”
“There was a huge one, just a little bit ago. I bet you didn't notice.” He shook his head.                   “Morgan, you're an idiot, getting stabbed like that,” Merlin reprimanded.
“I know.”
          “I suppose you're angry because your younger brother has been such a jerk all these years, am I right?” Arthur asked.
         “Mmm... no.”
“Why not?”
Morgan shook her head. “Think about it.”
Merlin stood. “I won’t let this be!” he cried. “Morgan, I’d do anything to be in your place!” Then it hit him. “To be in your place…”

“I see the Valkyrie,” Morgan pointed. “And the children of Sol and Luna.”
Her mother smiled. “Whose names were?”
“Century and Millennia,” Meagan answered, and laughed. “I know that much.”
          “Look to the west. You'll see the constellation of the Alchemist.” Sitting on the roof, the two had eaten a light dessert and started star-searching. Meagan had done it with her mother before, millions of times, but that day, it was as if it was the first time they ever had. She really missed how things were before all these strings of bad things started happening. Meagan had hoped things would resume between the two of them as it always had once she returned home, but she now realized what a foolish thought that had been. There was a sort of edginess to both of them, a hesitancy to really open up, but the second they climbed on the roof and began naming the pictures the sky had drawn for them, they instantly relaxed and let down their barriers.
“There's the Hero, and next to him, the Maiden.” Meagan chuckled. “She looks ready to kiss him.”
Mrs. Pronozuk grinned. “Mm, I never looked at it like that. Why do you think she wants to?”
“Because he just saved her,” Meagan replied matter-of-factly, as if she knew anything about maidens being rescued.
“Here, I'll show you two I haven't before,” her mother declared. She pointed. “That is the Victor.” She then gestured to the other side of the hemisphere. “That's the Beloved.”
          “How's that work?”
“There's a legend. A long time ago, a great war was fought, and many died on both sides. The Victor was able to conquer the enemy with the help of a strange woman who mysteriously had the power to give him whatever he desired, so long as he gave up his beloved. The Beloved was scared at being alone, but the Victor gave her up- that's how much he thirsted for peace. Now, they are separated, and can never meet again.”
“The Beloved looks angry.”
“She is. She feels double-crossed, because the Victor never told her before he did it. He didn't even say goodbye.” She looked to Meagan. “What do you think of that?”
Meagan opened her mouth to speak when a brilliant flash of white lit up the sky in a fantastic display of dancing light. “Whoa!” she exclaimed. Her mother gasped, amazed by the graceful waltz the light conducted around the constellations. Just as quickly as it came, it left, and darkness returned. Meagan rubbed her eyes. “You saw that, right?”
Mrs. Pronozuk nodded. “I saw that.”
“What was that?”
Mrs. Pronozuk shook her head. “No idea.”
“Hmm.” Meagan gazed back up at the sky again. “Mom...”
“Yes?”
“Is that a band around the Victor?”
          “Yes, it's his necklace. It's only visible in certain conditions. Legend says that it was a heart, one half silver, one half gold, bestowed to him by the woman who also stole his Beloved.”
“Was it there before?”
“I can't recall.”
“All right.” Meagan yawned. “Are we sleeping up here tonight?”
“Not tonight. Hustle to bed, you poor thing. You look exhausted.”
Meagan nodded. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
           Meagan made her way to her room, kicked her shoes off, and jumped into bed. It was her first night back in her own bed in weeks, and it seemed softer than ever. She had barely thought about home after the first few legs of her journey, but now she wondered why. Was it some sort of mental protection? Everything was so comfortable and secure, she couldn't imagine leaving again. It occurred to Meagan that she'd have a hard time resuming her journey, but by the time the thought arrived, she was already drifting off into sleep.

Malum had been waiting for her. They had conversed almost every time she'd fallen asleep since the time she'd first met him, and now Meagan felt as if she knew him almost as well as she did Ayana. She had talked with him for what felt like years, for time in the dream land was not the same as time in the real world.
“Meagan!” he greeted, and gestured to a seat beside him. “Did you see that beautiful phenomenon in the sky?”
          “Yeah, I did. It was magnificent,” Meagan said as she sat. They were in front of a hearth, in a palace. Everything was so lavish it was very easy to realize she wasn't awake, yet at the same time it felt as real as anything. It was difficult to imagine it as a dream-thing.
“Glad you liked it!” Malum grinned. “I made it just for you. Think of it as... my grand entrance to your lovely country, to herald my arriving to a young valkyrie that I know would just love that light show.”
“Really? Wow!” Meagan smiled. He must be very powerful to pull something like that off, she thought. “Thank you.”
         “No, thank you, Meagan. I really do enjoy talking with you.”
         Meagan felt warmth spread over her cheeks. Why am I blushing?
        Malum continued, “In fact, I'm quite close now. Perhaps you'd like to speak in person?”
Marian's warning sprang to mind. It means evil, and that's what he is! Pure evil... Meagan didn't know how much of Marian's story was true, so she asked, “Malum, were you ever called Risus?”
Malum betrayed no emotion. “Ri...ri...” He laughed. “Dear me, I can't say it! Laughter?”
“Yes.” Why can't he say it? It's not that hard.
“Who told you that?” he asked, his voice cool and sharp. When no answer came, he yelled, “Who told you that?!”
Meagan cried out in pain, clutching her head. Malum towered over her, a figure of wrath and anger. His fists clenched, and then his expression softened. She screamed, and the pain subsided. “I'm... I'm sorry, Meagan,” he apologized. “It's... hard to control sometimes. Especially when I'm scared or upset.”
             “It's okay,” Meagan replied. The pain had completely vanished; she could barely recall so much as a ghost of it.
“In all honesty, I am wondering who told you,” he said. “It might be an old friend, or an old enemy.”
“Her name was Marian.”
“Marian? No, it doesn't ring any bells... unless... Marian in Latin would be Mariale, wouldn't it?”
“Yes.”
“Did she have a scar on her cheek, right here?” He pointed, and stuck his tongue out.
Meagan laughed at the funny face. “Yes, she did.”
“She wasn't very creative with the name change,” Malum mused to himself. He smiled. “I was looking for her, actually. I have some questions to ask her. Thank you.”
There was a silence. Then Meagan asked, “How and why do you plan to get my heart?”
Malum grinned. “I'll tell you when we meet face-to-face. We will, right?”
“Definitely.
“You barely know me.”
“Oh, please. I talk with you all the time in my dreams. You can't be much different in real life.”
Malum nodded to show his assent, and a door opened behind him. Malum stood in surprise, a sword materializing in his hand. Another Malum stood in the doorway, but he had blonde hair and violet eyes. “You!” Malum snarled. “What are you doing here, Ri-ri- confound it! You shouldn't be here!”
Behind the newcomer, a second Meagan, with wings strong and erect and eyes sharp indigo, frowned. “You didn't think we were that easy to get rid of, did you?” She smiled. “Meagan and I are linked, as are you and Risus.”
Meagan stared at the not-her, and her eyes widened in surprise. All those times she'd seen a second her, that had been this... well, she didn't know what the copy was. “Were you the one who saved me from the Changeling?” Meagan asked.
The Dream-girl nodded. “I'm your dream-self. You can call me Jemma. Most people are able to keep the two selves together, but your people never could. That necklace helped you do that. You were careless. You lost it. My goodness, and now you're with Malum! How much saving do you need?”
          Meagan was thoroughly confused. Risis pointed to Meagan. “Your people have been idiots,” he said. “You allowed the dream-self to exit to the real world. You do not belong in Htam, Malum, or any continent in that world. Let me out, Malum!”
Meagan shook her head. “He'll always be on Htam if you are, Risus. Even awake, we dream.”
Behind Risus, Jemma nodded. “She's right. None of us are really parted from the other. What a stupid curse.”
         Malum leaped at Risus, the blonde boy deftly dodging to the side. Jemma grabbed Meagan's hand pushed her towards the light that signaled awakening. “Go. GO!” she urged, glancing back as the two boys dished it out. “Don't you dare talk to him, you understand? Don't tell him anything impor-”
“It's too late!” Malum crowed. “I know all I need to and more. You think I rely only on Meagan? She's just the final piece, and besides, she talks quite a bit. I've got it already!” He dashed forward, aiming at Jemma.
Meagan cried out...

...and found herself screaming in terror, clutching her pillow in the middle of her room. She heard someone run down the stairs, and her mother came in, worry evident on her face.      “Meagan! Are you all right?”
           “I... I...”
“Was it a dream?”
Meagan nodded. “It was a dream, all right.”
“If it's only a dream, sweetheart, go back to bed.”
           Only a dream? Dreams are a menace! Meagan wanted to scream, but instead, she shook her head. “I'll stay up.”
She climbed out of bed and crept into her father's study, which she had not entered since his death. There were books there that she knew would help. She chose a rather lengthy volume, Myth and Truth of Lost Cultures, and scanned the “V” of the index. She had an inkling that the Victura were the lost people of the northwest, and she wished to verify her suspicions. The book was a tedious read, however, and far above her comprehension. After several minutes, she had managed to read only a couple of paragraphs.
Frustrated, she slammed the book shut as the phone rang. Meagan picked up the receiver in puzzlement. Who'd call at this hour? Her family didn't even use the phone often- pigeons were so much cheaper- and it was reserved only for long-distance or emergency calls.
“Hello? Pronozuk residence?”
“Meagan, it's Jenni, Linius has me, he's a traitor, he's evil, come get me, please Meagan!” The words came fast and almost unintelligible, and once Meagan understood, her breath caught in her throat, but she forced herself to choke out a response.
“Jenni, where you are?”
No reply came. Meagan hung up and knocked on her mother's door. “Jenni called.”
Her mother frowned. “Again?”
“What do you mean, 'again?'”
“She called Carmen before.”
“Why didn't you tell me?” Meagan felt rage well up, something she had hoped not to feel for a while. Why was she not informed?
“I didn't want you to do something rash.” The words echoed Lynn's. Because you'd try.
Meagan sat down and started to cry. “That was cruel, Mom. You and Lynn and the Sheriff... you're all cruel.”
“We're only trying to protect you.”
“Well, you're doing a fine job!” Meagan snapped.
Hurt, her mother retreated to the kitchen. Meagan instantly regretted making her upset, but then changed her mind. She shouldn't have kept that hidden from me. She walked back to the study and skimmed the titles of books. “Let's see... How about The Legend of the Dream-Boy? No, no, here's a better one: The Valkyrie Exodus. I wonder why most of them left anyway?” She picked the book out and opened it, but it proved to be just a rewarding read as the previous book she'd attempted.
Exasperated, Meagan lay her head down on the desk, too afraid to close her eyes lest she fall asleep. She hated the feeling of self-righteousness conflicting with the guilt for what she'd said. I'll apologize, she decided. Right after I cry. Why do I cry so much?
Sometimes a good cry is really needed, and this was one of those times. Knowing this, Meagan let herself surrender to the tears.

A user of this : He's evil, all right. Sort of. 

Glad you like it! I personally did not like that chapter. It's funny, lots of people are telling me the chapters I hate are actually pretty good. It makes me feel funny and happy at the same time.