Together, they made their way through the chaotic library, dodging spells and ducking behind bookshelves for cover. As they approached the main entrance, they could see the rest of the L.A.W. team engaged in a fierce battle with Cassandra and her crew.
Dr. Emerson was at the front lines, his wand shooting out bolts of lightning as he shouted orders to the witches. Chad's heart swelled with pride as he watched them fight against impossible odds.
"We have to help them," Bas said determinedly.
They joined in the fray, their combined magic helping to turn the tide in their favor. Cassandra's crew was quickly overwhelmed, and the pirate first-mate herself was no match for the combined might of L.A.W.
In a final burst of desperation, Cassandra raised her cutlass high and bellowed a curse at Chad and Bas. But before she could finish casting it, Dr. Emerson's wand shot out a beam of pure light that struck Cassandra square in the chest.
With one last scream of defiance, Cassandra vanished into thin air—banished back to whatever dark dimension she had come from.
The remaining Aether Pirates, without their leader to guide them, quickly surrendered. The battle was won. Dr. Emerson banished them with a wide sweep of his wand. Chad wondered where the heck he had been hiding that thing.
As the dust settled and everyone caught their breath, Bas addressed the team with a proud smile. "Today we have proven once again that nothing can defeat us when we stand united," she said firmly. "We are not just a team. We are a family. That’s a strength the other side doesn’t have."
Amidst cheers and hugs of celebration, Chad couldn't help but feel grateful for everything he had learned and experienced with the L.A.W. They were more than just his friends and allies. They were a formidable force for good, and he was humbled to be part of it.
Soon, Bas was shoring up the broken back wall, while the rest of the witches looked on, impressed.
“Very cool, Bas. Can you teach us to do that?” Rayna asked.
“Yeah, it would come in handy next time one of my potions blows up,” Magda joked.
“Later,” Bas said, as she smoothed the remaining cracks.
The library looked as if nothing had happened there. “Meanwhile, why don’t the rest of you put your own protection spells on this place. I can’t always be around to do it for you.” Her posture slumped, and she looked extremely tired.
“Right,” Joell nodded. She seemed to be the one to step up whenever Bas was unavailable. “Gather, sisters! Let’s pool our power.”
The witches held hands. When Chad stepped into view, they grinned. “Join us, brother!” Joell added. She reached for his hand.
A warm flutter settled in his chest. He smiled and took the welcoming hands offered to him.
“Though pirates try to invade and plunder, nothing here will be torn asunder,” Joell said. “Does that sound good to everyone?”
“Maybe say ‘Our reality will not be torn asunder’ instead of ‘nothing’?” Chad suggested.
“Oh, yes! The goddess could misinterpret that, and our efforts would be useless. Thanks, Chad. You are indeed a Word Wizard as well as a Word Warrior.”
“Just the result of training with Dr. Emerson all these weeks.”
“And how about saying IF pirates try to invade instead of implying WHEN they do,” Dr. Emerson added.
Joell nodded. “Again, thank you. I am willing to be corrected to get it right.”
He shrugged, “Just the result of practicing with Chad all these weeks.”
Bas chuckled.
The witches and Chad joined hands and chanted,“Ifpirates try to invade and plunder, our realitywon’tbe torn asunder.”
A shimmer began to grow from the witches themselves. Chad tried to see if his own aura was adding to the whole, and it appeared that it was. The light grew in size and intensity, radiating out to encompass the entire floor of the library.
“Hold…” Joell said. “Push your power through the ceiling and the floor, to encompass the entire building.”
The witches concentrated. The light seemed to seep into the ceiling, floor, and walls, and then dissipate, leaving only a faint shimmer over everything.
The remaining witches who’d stayed outside the fracas rushed in. Brianna threw her arms around Chad’s neck and punctuated her words by kissing him repeatedly. “I was (kiss) so scared (kiss) when Lioness (kiss) drew your (kiss) capture!”
