Next Mage
40.The Disasters Begin (Part One)

~Narrator

The Ragnarok knew it was getting closer and closer to its destination.

The terrain began to change. The musty dampness seeped away and transformed into dry, hot air; the lush foliage and cramped undergrowth changed into wide-open, desolate spaces. Rocks and dry, wispy plants began to dot the landscape. A large lizard skittered pass the Ragnarok, and the Ragnarok shot out it's head to grab it with it's teeth. Slowly, it crunched delightfully on the lizard's juicy bones, the cold blood spreading onto it's tongue deliciously. The lizard thrashed its head from side to side, tail whipping at the Ragnarok's neck. Then it stopped.

The Ragnarok swallowed, breathing in the hot desert air, the tempting scent of tiny animals flooding it's senses and warming it's bones.

The Ragnarok knew it was getting closer and closer to victory.

~ Oliver's POV

"Major natural disasters are happening all around the world," the TV host exclaimed. "Various tsunamis have destroyed ports and harbors in Japan. Many tornadoes are occurring in the Central Area of the United States. Small-scale earthquakes have also been happening throughout the entire world. People are wondering: Is this the end of the world?"

I glanced at Marilla as a crowd of people suddenly flashed onto the screen, screaming about how the end was coming and holding up signs reading, 'THE END IS NEAR!' Marilla was staring worriedly at the screen. I looked out the window and realized that Adrian was still frozen in the front yard.

"Oops," I scrambled off the couch. "Hey, Marilla, I'm gonna call Elvira, okay? We still need to un-freeze Adrian. And I'll probably call Emma for backup," I nudged Marilla's shoulder gently. She looked upwards, her brown eyes vacant, and nodded silently, her head moving with the tiniest motion. I frowned and closed my eyes.

Elvira? Are you there? I asked. My body stiffened as I realized the Ragnarok could currently be in the telepathic conversation instead of Elvira.

Yeah? Someone responded. I sighed in relief as the tension flew out of my body. Elvira's voice. Well, technically, her thoughts.

Could you come over quick? I forgot we still haven't un-frozen Adrian yet. And bring Emma.

Oops. Coming over right now.

dashy line thingo

"How do we know for sure he won't attack us?"

"We don't," Elvira replied, and Emma bit her lip worriedly. Elvira closed here eyes and concentrated, rubbing her temples and inhaling sharply.

Then the golden dust that had encased Adrian dissolved into the air. Elvira exhaled. We all stiffened, hands curled into fists in case of emergency. Adrian was rubbing his head.

"Urgh...why do I feel so hungry?" He grumbled. Elvira and I exchanged glances and moved towards Adrian.

"You're alright, Mr Adrian. You just need water, food and some rest," I reassured. Adrian looked at me gratefully as I helped him towards the door. His body was limp in my arms, as if he didn't have any energy left inside him. Marilla was already heading into the house, her mouth a thin line, as if she didn't want to associate with Adrian at the moment. Emma followed after her. Elvira and I brought Adrian into the house, and Marilla's mother, who had been sitting at the dining table and typing away at a strange rectangular object, scrambled up so quickly that her chair tipped over behind her.

"Adrian?" She exclaimed, shocked and delighted at the same time. I heard a muffled grumble coming from Marilla's room and stifled a grin.

"All yours, Mrs Waterson," I said, tugging on Elvira's wrist and leading her into Marilla's bedroom.

Marilla was sitting on the carpet with Emma, the red-headed girl obviously trying to reason with her.

"They love each other," Emma said, glancing at me for a split second, then turning her green eyes towards Marilla once more. She whispered loudly in Marilla's ear, which sounded something like, "Don't you understand that too?" Emma grinned impishly as Marilla's face reddened. Marilla slapped Emma playfully on the arm.

"You better shut up this instant," Marilla muttered. "Or I will slap you again. Harder." Emma rolled on the floor in fits of laughter. I grinned confusedly, and Elvira humphed. Then the ground was shaking.

Marilla's part-science-part-magic lamp fell off its shelf. I reach out and caught it just in time, my fingers slipping for a moment before grasping the smooth glass firmly.

Books and other items fell off the shelves, stationery fell from their place on Marilla's desk, and we all pinwheeled our arms, trying to grab on to the nearest table or bed or chair.

Marilla dived under the bed, pulling me with her.

"Emma! Elvira! Get under my table!" Marilla shouted as dust began to fly from the ceiling and onto the carpet. "Oh, please let mom be safe..."

"What are you d-d-doing?" I stuttered as I tried to stuff my arm under the bed.

"In an earthquake, it is vital for your survival to find a table or bed and hide under it," Marilla explained, sounding like she was repeating a practised speech. "If you don't, you may end up with broken bones, or a concussion, due to falling objects." I nodded.

"Uh huh..."

The room continued to shake, more items falling to the ground with loud thumps and sharp shattering noises. Every time something fell, Marilla winced. I noticed she held two things in her pale, shivering hands: Two pictures.

One, with a glittery purple and pink frame with giant, fake, reflective silver crystals studded all around the surface.

It was the most obnoxiously ugly and sparkly thing I had ever laid my eyes on.

The photograph was the only thing that redeemed its appearance.

The photo was faded, but the smiles of the two young girls shone through the frame. It was Emma and Marilla, looking about six years old and beaming as they put their arms around each other's shoulders. I smiled and looked at the other photo.

It had a plain white frame. In the photo, little Marilla, who looked about three years old, was sitting on the shoulders of her...father? And clutching his slightly greying, brown, curly hair. Standing next to them was Marilla's mother, looking as happy and radiant as the young Marilla did. I frowned and squinted as I tried to distinguish the father's face.

I gasped.

The earthquake stopped.