Chad nodded firmly. "Exactly, Joell. We need to think bigger. The Aether Pirates aren't just threatening us in the present. They're a danger to our entire timeline, past and future."
Dr. Emerson's eyes gleamed with a mix of admiration and concern. "It's an audacious plan, Chad. But the risks are enormous. Manipulating time and space on that scale... it could have unforeseen consequences."
"I understand the risks," Chad said, his voice steady. "But what's the alternative? To keep fighting these incursions one by one until we're overwhelmed? Or until they find a way to break through in so many places at once that we can't stop them?"
The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation sank in. Brianna stepped closer to Chad and placed a hand on his arm.
"Chad," she said softly, "I admire your determination.” Brianna bit her lip, her mind racing. "But the risks... Onewrong word, one misplaced intention, and we could alter entire timelines. We could erase ourselves from existence!"
"That's why we need to approach this carefully," Chad insisted. "We'll need everyone's expertise. Brianna, your expertise is with time. That’s why you were recruited, right?”
“Right. But?—”
“Bas knew the L.A.W. was going to need you at some point. I think this is it. One thing in our favor is the Codex. The pirates don’t have it. Ask yourself why they wanted it so badly. Breaking into the Library of Congress must have taken a lot of juice. A rare smirk crossed his face. “My enemy made one fatal mistake.”
“What is that?” Joell demanded.
“He taught me that Word Warriors are much more powerful than I realized. I have been limiting myself simply by thinking certain things are impossible. He assured me I can do things most people couldn’t even dream of. But I can’t do this alone. We need every advantage. We need all of your skills. We need the Codex.
“Brianna and Dr. Emerson are the only ones who even know where it is.” He focused on them. “You have to study it. Understand it. And learn how to use it… as a weapon, if necessary.”
“What?” Brianna almost shouted. “A weapon? How? Why?”
“Through the ley lines surrounding the earth.”
Dr. Emerson rubbed his hands together. “And that’s why you were recruited, Chad! Notjustbecause you’re a Word Warrior, but also because you see connections and possibilities the rest of us would miss.”
“You’re serious?” Joell asked.
“He is,” Bas said as she strode into the room. “And I applaud his ambition. Now, we will all need to be at our best. I suggest you all reread your books of shadows and refresh your skills. This is going to take a tremendous amount of power. All of ustogether have that power, but we cannot have even one weak link. Not one doubter, so if any of you have reservations, speak now.”
Everyone turned toward Joell, expectantly.
She raised her hands in surrender. “I’m not going to object. I hope it can be done, and I know that we’ll have to be as prepared as we can possibly be. Time may not be on our side, so let’s get to it!”
“Excellent point,” Dr. Emerson said. “Maybe the Codex can help us do something about that.”
Victoria, who had been quietly frowning up to this point, raised her hand. “Are you talking about going back in time with the Codex to give yourselves more time to study it?”
“That’s one possibility,” Bas said.
“Well, don’t back us up before the Saks sale!” she quipped. “I got a great pair of shoes, and they were the last ones. I don’t want to use my powers to snatch them back from anyone who sees them before I do.”
The other witches laughed.
“Seriously, though, Brianna. Please don’t back us up before the last battle, where Damien pulled me over to the other side of the dimension.” He shivered, dramatically.
The other witches groaned.
“Don’t worry. I don’t want to live through that again. How about if Dr. Emerson and I get studying it as soon and as quickly as possible inthistimeline?”
“Sounds good to me,” Dr. Emerson said. “I want Chad to join us too. Would you like to start tonight?”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good plan,” Chad said.
“Wait,” Crystal said. “Is there a plan B? What if the Codex can’t do what you think it can?”
Bas nodded. “Witches, you should also brush up on your witch flight. You may be taking a passenger around the world.”
