Chapter 7: Image from the past

'Was this going to be the end? All for some necklace he just found?

He wanted to just give it to the crazy wizard but some part of him wouldn't let him. The last thing he was going to do was lose that necklace.

The red glow crackled with energy swirling around Veron's fingers.

"Felento!" The wizard spoke flicking his wrist at Arron. The same red bolt formed flying from the tip of his fingers.

He could see Dorothy trying to come to his rescue but the pressure the room gave off had slowed her down greatly. Aaron braced himself realizing she was not going to make it.

This time the bolt was larger and looked like it would hit a lot harder. Not only that but it was aimed at his head. If it was anything like the first he was not going to survive.

He knew it was to late to dodge and being injured on the ground didn't help. Time felt like it slowed as his death encroached mere inches from his forehead.

Then in the blink of an eye it was gone. The bolt had simply vanished into thin air.

'What…I'm alive?' Aaron thought, feeling his head for an injury.

The sound of screaming drew his attention to Veron who looked to be in great pain. Clutching the hand he had just used to attack Aaron. Blood gushed from it covering his arms and forming a puddle at his feet. An arrow was embedded, sticking out of his palm from both ends.

Aaron was confused but then it hit him and sure enough he could see Toms bow drawn aiming straight at Veron. For once he looked angry no trace of his goofy demeanor. He strung another arrow ready to fire again when Dorothy arrived. She gave Tom a look and he reluctantly lowered the bow.

Veron groaned in pain as he pulled the arrow from his hand and more blood gushed out. The wizard quickly reached into his bag grabbing out a small bottle containing some light green liquid. Uncorking it he poured the contents on the hole in his bloody hand. Aaron couldn't quite make out what happened but he saw his bleeding stopped and the injury looked far less severe.

"Are you ok?" Dorothy asked crouching down to inspect where the first bolt had hit Aaron.

The cloak had burnt slightly around three inches in diameter just above his heart. Aaron could feel the skin there was charred and he was not in the best condition.

Seeing the injury herself Dorothy knew that he wasn't. She leaned Arron on his back before trying her best to treat it. Pouring cool water over the burn helped calm the stinging pain but whatever paste she tried to apply next did the opposite. Aaron trusted her and didn't stop Dorothy from rubbing it in and wrapping a few pieces of cloth she tore from her own shirt around his chest.

She and Tom had helped him so much. He didn't understand why they were so nice to him but he was extremely grateful. He felt he was growing attached to them and didn't want to leave them.

Dorothy finished bandaging up Aaron and stood facing the old wizard who was now turning his attention to Tom. Pure anger and rage were evident on his face.

"You are dead! Dead you here me!" Veron screamed trying to cast another attack.

Dorothy stepped up grabbing his hand before it was even fully raised.

"Veron stop this madness! You can't just kill people. Don't think I won't report you to the guards. They have already been watching you since you came to town." Dorothy said attempting to get the wizard to back down.

"You dare to threaten me! That rat had the nerve to steal my necklace and as if that wasn't enough the orphan tried to kill me! Death is to good for them." Veron replied yanking himself from Dorothy's grip.

Aaron really didn't like the way things were going. All the trouble he was causing over this stupid accessory. Even Tom was now in danger because of him.

'I need to give it up' he thought trying to drop the necklace.

His fingers that were wrapped around it only squeezed tighter. Then to Aaron's surprise he felt the black gem at its center give way pushing into the necklace with a click. He slowly opened his hand noticing a thin gap along the edges of its intricate design.

'Is it a locket?' He thought widening the gap until it was fully open.

On one side a few words were written but Aaron couldn't understand the language. But on the other a light projected into the air forming a shimmering image.

Veron was still angrily yelling at Dorothy until he noticed Aaron was up to something. He could see an image made of light coming from his palm and Aaron's frozen expression.

"What did you do boy!" He yelled trying to get around the woman blocking him.

Aaron sat there tears streaming down his face focused entirely on the picture before him. A tear dropped onto the locket causing the projection to fizzle briefly.

'Am I crying?' Aaron internally questioned.

The projection wasn't very clear but it showed a beautiful woman with long silver hair and golden eyes. She was wrapped in a soft white cloth with a small baby in her arms.

The wizard had somehow gotten past Dorothy and was standing above him. He reached out attempting to grab the locket from Aaron's open palm only to be met by another barrier. This one was different covering a much smaller diameter but it knocked his hand back none the less.

"What did you do brat? Do you think this artifact belongs to you now? Well your tragically mistaken." Veron uttered out energy once again forming around both of his hands.

Aaron didn't show the slightest bit of response completely distracted by the projection. Veron looked at the image as well seeing the small child nestled in her arms. The energy crackling in his hands sizzled out as he looked between the image and Aaron several times. The expression on his face of pure rage turned to one of confusion and curiosity.

"It can't be. Could it? N-No, no it's not possible." Veron spoke looking at the image closer.

The baby boy projected was only a few months old but his pure white hair and bright blue eyes were clear.

"That woman…you look so much like her. Huh and the baby. Wait, is that…you?!" Tom said appearing next to him.

'Why am I crying? I don't recognize her but why does she feel so…familiar. Is she my mom?' Aaron thought trying all that he could to remember something.

"He can't be the baby. These ruins have been here for hundreds of years at least and that object with them." Veron responded.

Dorothy walked over sword drawn and angry.

"If he was though that would explain how he is able to interact with this place. But it can't be, I mean how could it? How could he still be alive and so young? No, I need to leave and test my theories at once" he continued having lost all traces of his rage.

The old man grabbed Arron by the hair shaking him from his thoughts only to be met with a sword to his throat. Veron gulped letting go and taking a step back.

"You use magic on me again wizard and you won't cast another spell ever again I promise you that. Now get away from him." Dorothy spoke coldly obviously not messing around anymore.

"This isn't the end of this." Veron muttered bitterly walking off towards the others who were watching from afar. Well John appeared to be taking a nap but Emily was leaning against a large shelf with a smirk. Making eye contact with her she winked at him. A shiver ran down Aaron's spine.

"Well what do we have here?" Dorothy said.

Her sword had already been sheathed while her fingers went through the light projecting the image.