Chương 97: Chapter 96 – Change of Direction

"Where is Seraphina?" Celestia asked herself more than anyone else. Her voice betrayed the fear and frustration she tried to hide.

"She should have been here by now." She shifted nervously from one foot to the other, eyes flicking between the silent teleport and the group. Noticing her growing apprehension, Ray moved closer and asked in a voice barely above a whisper, "Are you thinking there was trouble in Fairytopia? Like Mordak's men?" He tried not to draw unnecessary eyes to them.

"I don't know, and I have been trying to figure out how I can find out," she said, pursing her lips. Her eyes suddenly lit up as the idea hit her, but I think I may have just found a way." She hurried to Shirley and displayed her modified credentials. The door slid open immediately, allowing Celestia to step inside.

"Yes, Celestia, how may I be of service to you today?" Shirley asked in her almost natural but obviously synthesized voice.

"Shirley, can you track Seraphina's most recent movements for me, please?" Celestia asked, her voice brimming with hope.

"For that operation, I will need the passcode, please," Shirley said mechanically, with no emotion or pretense of feeling.

"Accidoodles," Celestia answered, snickering at the word. No matter how many times she'd used it or heard it, it still made her laugh.

"Thank you. Passcode verified. Give me a moment to compile the data you requested," Shirley said, then fell silent. Celestia glanced at Grimwald. His pacing betrayed his growing impatience. Around the room, restlessness spread like wildfire. Thai sat kicking her legs back and forth wildly, clearly testing Sheera's last nerve. Rowan sat quietly, staring at the wall, probably wishing he was anywhere but here.

The plan was to reach the safe house and settle in before dark, but this unexpected delay was making that nearly impossible. Celestia knew from previous trips to the Dwarven Realm that Shadowborne Villa was not within city limits. She had heard from fairy dignitaries who came to meet with the King about patrols that it was a palatial estate far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

She had no idea how long the journey would take, but she knew the longer they remained at the station, the less time they would have to make it before darkness descended.

"It appears Seraphina's last three trips were as follows: Fairy Gate 149 to Elven Gate 987; Elven Gate 987 to Fairy Gate 149; Fairy Gate 149 to Fairy Gate 12," Shirley reported, pausing.

"Her credentials were just activated at Fairy Gate 12, and her destination is this gate. Please remove yourself and any personal belongings from the device so I can proceed with her transfer," Shirley added methodically. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Thanks, Shirley," Celestia called out as she quickly stepped out of the machine. The door closed, and the machine began to whirr in its incoming passenger growl. Stepping away from the teleport, Celestia's face and posture relaxed as a wave of relief washed over her. She stood watching the door, eyes fixed, eagerly awaiting Seraphina's arrival. As the door opened and Seraphina stepped through, Celestia sized her up quickly.

"Okay, where have you been? You look fine, so obviously you weren't fighting off enemy agents or running into trouble. We've been waiting for hours, Seraphina," she said sharply, nodding toward the restless group still gathered in the vestibule.

"Was it that long?" Seraphina asked casually.

"Sorry about that," she added, subtly signaling Celestia to drop it without drawing the others' attention.

"I didn't realize I'd been sidetracked for so long."

"Well, where were you?" Celestia asked, hands firmly on her hips.

"You were supposed to drop off Illianna and Roxie, then come straight here. At least, that was the plan," she said coldly.

"I had to meet with Jasper, Celestia. It's not like I had much choice," Seraphina replied, her patience wearing thin.

"If you must know, he detoured me to him." She paused, then added curtly, "We'll discuss the details privately in a moment."

"I'm sorry for the delay, everyone. Official business got me sidetracked, but if you can hang tight for a few more minutes, I promise you'll be on your way," Seraphina said before pulling Celestia aside, giving her a warning glance.

"Celestia, I'm sorry you were worried, but when I look at you like that, it means quit… it's not the time or the place. I don't want everyone to be in a state of panic, okay?" Seraphina began once she was certain they were out of earshot of the others. Celestia nodded. She could tell just by the way Seraphina was behaving that something was amiss.

"I get it, sorry. I let my heart dictate my head there. So, what's going on?" she asked softly, keeping a gentle smile on her lips so she wouldn't alert the others to the potential crisis unfolding.

"Okay, there's been a change of plans. I'm being sent back to resistance headquarters. There have been developments regarding your friend Armand, and Jasper feels I need to stay with Elena and Alex as the situation unfolds. Since only you and I have the overrides to Shirley, they think it's crucial to have one of us there," Seraphina explained quickly.

"What do you mean… developments?" Celestia asked wearily, a shiver running up her spine at the mention of Armand's name.

"It appears that our little unicorn friend has friends of his own. They're working on locating Armand now, but it seems he took a play out of our playbook and vanished. You know how crucial it is that we create and distribute a cure and a vaccine for that virus. Jasper believes I'll be integral to the distribution process, considering Shirley will have to remain in lockdown to prevent Blackwood's team from hijacking it," she said, glancing over at the others as they continued to wait patiently.

"Okay, then. I guess this is goodbye?" Celestia asked, her voice heavy with sadness. What had started as a supervisor‑employee relationship had grown into a friendship, and now Celestia saw Seraphina as the kind of surrogate mother she'd always wished for growing up.

"For now," Seraphina said, reading the sorrow in Celestia's eyes.

"Chin up. You'll be fine, and it's not forever." She wrapped her arms around Celestia in a tender hug.

"Keep them safe. All our futures depend on it." She released her gently.