Dream Walker Shattered: Ultimate Power: Book 2

By Cherise Briscoe

The Dream Walker must protect the Ultimate Power, prevent a war, and maintain the treaty. All while he avoids being killed by the God of Olympus, who has grown tired of the Dream Walkers' ability to spoil every plan he puts in motion. Even death has not stopped the Dream Walker from protecting the Ultimate Power. He could just kill the Dream Walker, who has no knowledge that he is part of the treaty. The God knows killing him, would surely alert the other God and goddess of his betrayal. But, when the true protector of the Ultimate Power is summoned, will knowledge of the betrayal be enough to start a war, no one will survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781794872059

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Copyright © 2021 by Cherise Briscoe

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      Published in 2021 by Lulu

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the Author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

Revised Edition

ISBN 978-1-7948-7205-9

The Ultimate Power

Book 2

By Cherise Briscoe

ADJUSTING TO THE FUTURE

Two years had passed. Joanna was twelve years old, attended school, and was adjusting well. In those two years, Phoenix was working at a metaphysical-supply store. She had also taken some classes at the local community center to learn about computers. She spent a lot of time at the library to learn about history, 1945 to present, and New York’s history. She learned about fashion, politics, laws, cars, and cell phones. She thought, Oh! That’s the tiny device people stare at all day. I guess I need to finally get one. It appears no one has a house phone like me anymore. She shook her head and chuckled. She bought a cell phone and went to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get a driver’s license, but she still thought her wings were better and faster. She learned about home repair because every time she called a repair guy, he spent most of his time staring and trying to flirt with Phoenix.

Phoenix focused on training Joanna on how to use magic and how to control the rage that lived inside her. She also taught her about dream walkers and all the rules and techniques Dain had taught her.

PRESENT DAY

( Trouble at school )

Phoenix found information at the library in the new-age section about witches. She chuckled at some of the information that was available and the pictures of ugly hags. She found some information very interesting; it spoke of witches who could multiply themselves and manifest different parts of their personality into human form. But it said the power died with the last witch who possessed it. So no more information was available. Phoenix thought that was very interesting—the ability to extract your anger and give it a life of its own, or any other part of your personality. She learned there was one downfall to that: the extracted part of the witch’s personality only lasts as long as the witch is asleep or unconscious. Phoenix looked at her watch. Damn it! Joanna would be getting out of school soon.

Phoenix pulled up to middle school. She was at the curb where she usually waited for Joanna to come out. Joanna usually came out bright-eyed and smiling. All the kids started coming out of the school. Phoenix was waving her head, looking past all the kids running out the school, looking for Joanna.

Where is she? Phoenix said out loud.

Right here, Auntie Phoenix. Phoenix jumped and looked in the back seat and saw Joanna slumped down with her arms folded and pouting. Shocked with eyes wide, Phoenix asked, Sweetheart, did anyone see you do magic?

No, Auntie Phoenix. I was in the bathroom. When the bell rang, everyone left. Then I left, Joanna mumbled.

Oh, Phoenix said, looking at Joanna in the rearview mirror, realizing something had upset her. Do you want to talk? Maybe go to that ice-cream place you like so much? Phoenix asked with a sympathetic smile.

No! Joanna says with a little power in her voice, looking out the car window. Phoenix thought it was cute how her little-power voice sounds like a puppy trying to bark, but she contained her chuckle by clearing her throat. Can we go home, please, Auntie Phoenix? Joanna said.

Phoenix could see through the rearview mirror the red specks in her eyes were starting to dilate. Okay. Sweetheart. Phoenix started the car and drove home. When Joanna and Phoenix got home, Joanna went straight to her room and slammed the door then blasted the music. Linkin’ Park usually does the trick; something about the lead singer’s voice helped. Phoenix shook her head and thought, At least she’s using her anger-management tricks we talked about. Music soothes the savage beast.

Phoenix went and made a cup of green tea. She had grown to love green tea and a few other herbal teas. After about an hour or so, the music went off. Phoenix smiled from over the top of the book she was reading in the living room. Then she went into the kitchen to make two cups of tea, one chamomile, and one green tea. She put them on the table, then sat down, and started sipping. Five minutes later, Joanna, in a nonchalant way, slowly walked in and leaned on the doorframe. She looked at Phoenix out of the corner of her eyes, moving her foot back and forth like she was kicking something. Phoenix just sat there sipping tea and looking at Joanna over the rim of her mug. Joanna slowly slinked over to the table, always looking down, and sat. She grabbed the other tea mug and started drinking. Both were silent for what seemed like five minutes.

Auntie Phoenix, Joanna said, looking into the cup.

Yes. Sweetheart, Phoenix said.

Joanna sheepishly said, I almost hurt someone today. I had a dream about it.

Really? Phoenix said, examining Joanna’s face with squinted eyes. Hmmm… Do you want to talk about it? When did you have a dream about it? Phoenix said, putting the cup down.

Joanna quickly looked up at Phoenix then looked back in her cup and said, When we got home. I turned on my music like you said to do, lay on the bed. I just woke up. I didn’t know I fell asleep. But, in my dream, I pushed the mean girl. I found her and beat her up.

Phoenix narrowed her eyes. Really? What else did you see in your dream?

Nothing. I woke up, Joanna said.

Phoenix sighed. Sweetheart. It was just a dream because you were angry, Phoenix said.

She’s always mean to me. She took my clothes during the gym period and threw them in the trash, calling me names. I had gym clothes on in the car. You didn’t see? Joanna said, looking at Phoenix.

"Yes. I noticed. I was just waiting for you to talk about it. Joanna, people will be mean. You have to learn to ignore them. People think my eyes are fake, and my hair is colored. Mrs. Gail thinks I want her husband. Like, as if, ugh!" Phoenix said in a valley girl voice.

Joanna snorted a giggle and said, I know, right, like you want a fat, smelly guy sitting at home all day. Joanna said, waving her hand in front of her nose, "Uh, no!" Joanna finished with a valley-girl voice. Then she giggled, and Phoenix laughed; they both finished their tea. Joanna was feeling better after talking to Phoenix.

The next morning, Joanna got ready for school, and Phoenix got ready for work. Phoenix worked at the metaphysical store two days a week. She and Joanna left.

Phoenix pulled up in front of the school. Okay. Sweetheart. I will pick you up later.

Okay.

Remember, your dream was just that, a dream, nothing more, and just ignore that girl.

Okay.

Also, please, no magic at school, even if no one is around. Okay? Phoenix told Joanna.

Okay, Auntie Phoenix. I will remember, Joanna said, then kissed Phoenix on the cheek, got out of the car, and ran into the school before the bell rang.

As Phoenix drove to work, she thought about her conversation with Joanna. She told her that it was just a dream, but Phoenix knew it was a dream walk. The girl must have been dreaming, and Joanna entered her dream. Dain did say in their talks when he was teaching her about dream walkers that they can go into other people’s dreams. That actually is what a dream walker is by definition. The scaping is just something else they can do as a mental escape, Phoenix thought out loud.

Phoenix was at work when she got an emergency call from Joanna’s school. Apparently, Joanna wasn’t feeling well. Phoenix left the job and headed for the school. The school counselor wanted to talk to Phoenix. Phoenix got to the school. Concerned about Joanna, she went straight to the counselor’s office. When she got there, Joanna was in the office crying. Phoenix had to contain the anger that was building inside her; no one knew who or what she really was, and she didn’t think they were ready to know.

Ms. Phoenix, thank you for coming down so quickly.

Auntie Phoenix! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. Then Joanna ran into Phoenix’s arms and cried.

Phoenix, confused, looked at the counselor.

I’m a little concerned about—

Phoenix interrupted the counselor. Why am I here? What happened? Phoenix asked.

Well, there is a young lady in Joanna’s class who got hurt last night. She is in the hospital. Phoenix looked at Joanna. The counselor continued, When Joanna found out about the girl in her class, she started saying. It was her fault, something about her dreams. She just became very hysterical. The teacher sent her to the nurse, but she said she wanted you. We tried to explain to her that there was no way it was her fault, but she kept insisting. We thought maybe you should take her home and we will excuse her for tomorrow if she needs another day.

Phoenix was cradling Joanna in her arms and stroking her hair, making shh sounds. Phoenix nodded to the counselor, got up to walk out, and Joanna walked on the side of Phoenix, with her head buried in her shirt. Phoenix took Joanna home.

When they got to the house, Phoenix carried Joanna into the house. She put Joanna on the couch, cradled her, stroking her hair and rocking her. Joanna looked at her with bloodshot eyes, full of remorse and tears, and said, I’m bad, Auntie Phoenix! I’m a bad witch, right? You said only bad witches hurt people.

Phoenix took out a tissue and wiped her face, brushed her hair back, and held her by the shoulders and said, Don’t you ever say that! Don’t say that! You are not a bad witch. A bad witch doesn’t cry and feel sorry. They definitely don’t worry about being a bad witch. Then she kissed her on her forehead. Now, sweetheart, tell me exactly what happened in your dream.

Joanna began, Well, the girl took my clothes and threw them in the garbage. It was the new jogging suit you bought me from the Navy store, remember? The pink one with the sparkles that said ‘Pretty Girl.’

Yes, honey, I remember, Old Navy.

Right. She took it and was teasing me, saying, ‘Little rich girl living around poor folks, but I wear rich clothes.’ Then she said, ‘Little amnesia rich girl, can buy another suit.’ I was so upset.

Okay, honey, then what happened?

I got so mad, then I yelled at her, and she fell down. Then she called me weird and said I pushed her, but I didn’t touch her.

Then?

Then everyone was pointing at me, teasing, saying I hit her. Then I ran into the bathroom, and the bell rang to go home.

Um-hmm. Then we came home, right?

Yes.

What happened when you went into your room?

I put the music on, like you said, and fell asleep.

What did you dream, sweetheart?

I dreamed about what happened in school, and something inside of me got very, very mad.

Phoenix thought about it for a minute then said, You told me that you dreamt about beating her up, remember?

Yeah.

Did you beat her up, or did it feel like you were there and she got beat up?

Huh? Joanna said with a confused look on her face.

What I mean is, did it feel like a dream, or was someone telling you they beat the girl up?

Joanna thought for a minute then said with her head tilted, Actually, I think someone was telling me that in my head.

Okay, Phoenix said, nodding.

Auntie Phoenix, I don’t understand. I didn’t do anything.

Phoenix thought about what she read at the library and wondered. Then she looked at Joanna and said, No, sweetie, you didn’t. I think because you were upset and your mind was just playing tricks on you because you were angry. I will buy you another outfit tomorrow. It wasn’t your fault. Go wash your face. We will go out to supper. Okay?

Okay. Can we have Chinese? Joanna said, excited.

Yes, honey, Phoenix said.

Woo-hoo! Joanna ran to her room.

Phoenix sat there thinking. She had read something at the library about a power where parts of their personalities can take form and do the witch’s bidding when the witch is asleep or unconscious. But, she ran her fingers through her hair, the last witch to have that power died. Phoenix sighed and said, I wonder…

Joanna came running out of the room and said, Ready! smiling.

Phoenix smiled and grabbed her keys.

The next day, Phoenix decided to teach Joanna how to create a dreamscape. She felt it was time for her to create a scape world of her own, someplace she can retreat to so she can escape this world if she needed. Phoenix tried her hardest to remember what Dain said and improvised the rest. She gave Joanna some warm chamomile tea and played some relaxing music, then she told Joanna to think of things she liked that made her feel calm.

Joanna said, A field of Purple flowers, trees, a stream, ocean birds—big white ones—a red bird with big wings that made her disappear, clouds, a big rock to sit on, a really tall man who was nice, and dolphins. Phoenix was shocked to hear what Joanna was saying. Joanna seemed to pick stuff from Dain’s dreamscape, the field where their house was and Phoenix’s own wings.

Phoenix asked Joanna why she chose those things.

Joanna raised an eyebrow, twitched her mouth around and said, I don’t know and shrugged.

Phoenix smiled and said, Okay then, how about you just choose the most important things that make you happy? Joanna picked the field, trees, stream, and the man. Phoenix told her, Okay, but not the man. Joanna shrugged. Then Phoenix told her to close her eyes and think only of those things. Joanna closed her eyes, and Phoenix saw Joanna’s body completely relax, and she knew that she had successfully taught Joanna how to create her own dreamscape. As she watched Joanna, Phoenix thought, Dain would be proud of me, and she smiled.

Phoenix was washing the dishes when Joanna came running in the kitchen excited. Auntie Phoenix! Auntie Phoenix! That was nice, very pretty. There were those purple flowers—

Lavender, Phoenix said.

Yeah, lavender. They were everywhere, trees, the sky had beautiful white clouds—it was awesome!

Well, sweetheart, that is a dreamscape. Your fa… Mother used to go there when she was upset or just wanted to be alone. Now, remember, only you can go there. No one can bother you there or go there without your permission. Okay?

Yep. Thanks, Auntie Phoenix. Then she hugged Phoenix and ran in her room. Joanna used her dreamscape every time she had a bad day in school.

Joanna did very well in elementary and middle school. She got high grades and skipped a grade. In high school, she had a little bit of a tough time. Some of the girls teased her about her streak in her hair and called her a goth girl. But Joanna had a good bunch of friends who thought it was a cool statement. She dated but didn’t really date seriously. Phoenix was a little concerned about that, but not much. Joanna was active in sports and even was a cheerleader. But Phoenix noticed that Joanna was just participating and showed no real interest in anything particular. When it came time for the prom, Phoenix was sure that there was someone who would ask. When she asked, Joanna said, Nah! My friends and I will just go stag. Joanna didn’t really show any real interest in any one particular boy. Phoenix could see in their little group that used to come by the house that there was one particular boy who was interested, but Joanna just didn’t seem to be interested. Phoenix thought in the back of her mind if the pass had affected her even with the amnesia. Joanna had become an adult and seemingly not been able to form relationships before they were sent to the future to start over. Phoenix asked about it, but Joanna would just shrug and say, I haven’t met anyone I'm interested in. I haven’t found.... Him.

Joanna graduated from high school but decided not to go to college full-time. She just took classes here and there but didn’t really take it seriously. She got good grades, but it just seemed like she was never really interested. She just eventually stopped going altogether. Now Joanna was twenty-one years old and working in the retail, garment district. She liked it because she liked clothes and she got to see the new fashions firsthand. Some of the designers even asked her to step in for models who didn’t show for photo shoots and fashion shows. She didn’t need to work, but it kept her busy, and she received a discount on the new designs. When she modeled or did a fashion show, she received the outfit she wore for free.

MY FATHER’S LAND

Auntie Phoenix! Auntie Phoenix! Your home?

Yes, sweetheart, in the kitchen, Phoenix said. How was your day? Joanna asked. Give me one second, I’m finishing dinner. Want some tea? Phoenix said.

Yes, please. Raspberry, Joanna said.

Phoenix brought two mugs full of tea to the dining-room table and sat down. So, tell me about your day, Phoenix said.

You first, Joanna said, flipping through the mail that was sitting on the table. Was your day productive? Joanna asked without even thinking about it.

Phoenix looked at Joanna, smiled, and chuckled.

What? What’s so funny? Joanna said.

Phoenix just smiled and shook her head. Joanna had Dain’s eyes and now Dain’s words.

Auntie Phoenix, is this all the mail? Joanna said.

Yes. Sweetheart. What’s there, bills?

No worries. I will take care of them. Put them to the side, Phoenix said.

Hey. What’s this? It’s from Salem, Massachusetts, Historical Society. It’s addressed to me.

Phoenix’s eyes widened. Umm…really? What does it say? Phoenix asked.

Something about an estate owned by the Walker family, sixty acres. I need to claim the deed or sign over ownership, Joanna said nonchalantly.

Her heart pounding, Phoenix swallowed hard but tried to keep her voice calm. So, what are you going to do? Call them? Phoenix said.

No. I think we should go to Salem and see the property, Joanna said.

Phoenix spits out her tea with a surprised look on her face. Joanna raised her eyebrows and said, You okay, Auntie Phoenix?

Yeah! Yeah! How did they find you? To send the letter, I mean?

When I was in the hospital. When I ran away from my parents’ funeral gathering. They ran tests, remember? They had my DNA on file, from the tests. They did an international search. It says something here about the City of Salem searching for the heir of the property, Joanna said, shrugging and putting the letter down. Then she looked at Phoenix. You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

I’m fine, Phoenix said.

Joanna giggled and continued, Sometimes you’re weird, Auntie Phoenix. Then Joanna went into the kitchen.

Phoenix sat there frozen, looking at the piece of paper, with the cup twisting in her hand.

Joanna came out of the kitchen and asked, So, you coming, right?

What? Phoenix snapped out of it. Where? Phoenix asked.

To. Salem. With. Me! Joanna said real slow as if talking to a person who didn’t speak English.

Oh… Umm, Phoenix said.

Come on, Auntie Phoenix! You have to come! I don’t want to go by myself. Please, Auntie Phee-Phee, Joanna said with her lips poked out and hands in a praying position.

Phoenix said, Fine. Okay. Then she sighed and thought to herself, This should be interesting.

"Awesome! I will call the guy tomorrow! This should be fun! Road trip!" Joanna said, skipping to the bathroom.

Yeah, fun, Phoenix said in a low tone.

The next evening, Phoenix asked Joanna if she had called Salem while they were having dinner. Joanna nodded. Joanna cleared the table and washed the dishes. Joanna came back into the dining room and sat in the chair with a soda and passed Phoenix one. What are you thinking, Auntie Phoenix? You look like you have a lot on your mind, Joanna said.

Well, I was wondering what you found out about the letter. Did you call today? Phoenix said.

"Yeah, I did. We are moving. We are going, right?" Joanna said.

"What! Moving! You didn’t say, moving!" Phoenix said, shocked.

Come on, Auntie Phee! Please. What’s up with you and Salem? Joanna said with a confused look.

Okay! Okay! Fine. So, you sure you want to move to Salem, Massachusetts. There may not be a house or anything on the property, Phoenix said, thinking about the log house she blew up to escape Aphrodite.

Of course. Why not, Auntie Phoenix? We can build another house. It’s sixty acres, I’m pretty sure we can build any-size house. I’m thinking of a... log house.

Phoenix choked on her soda so hard she couldn’t catch her breath for a minute.

Joanna looked at her and said, You okay? Then she patted her on the back and continued, We will just stay somewhere, rent or sublet until the house is done, Joanna said.

I was just asking. I’m just surprised. What about your friends here? Phoenix said.

Not many friends left here. Some went off to college anyway, and when they graduated, they either stayed in the town or state of the college for work. I think our time here is up, Auntie Phoenix. Time to move on, Joanna said, sipping her soda.

Or move back, Phoenix thought to herself, smiling at Joanna.

"So…sixty acres, huh?" Phoenix said.

Yeah. It says here in the letter with another letter from some historical society. It has lavender growing on it, isn’t that weird? It’s like my dreamscape. Cool, huh! Here, listen. And Joanna started reading,

Dear Ms. Walker,

Our records show that there are sixty acres of property with a farmhouse deemed to be the home of your family. The grass and lavender that grow here do so all year. A few developers have tried to purchase the property, but there is always a phenomenon, either a fire, explosion, workers get sick unexpectedly or animals die unexpectedly. When left alone, it glows with life.

After careful research, we found that there are two descendants to this property, which is now deemed a historical site. We ask that you return to Salem, Massachusetts, Historical Society and retrieve your deed.

Sincerely,

County Records

Phoenix was sitting there, shock on her face. Auntie Phoenix? What’s wrong? Are you okay? Why are you crying? Then Joanna put her hand in Phoenix’s hand. Phoenix looked at her hand, and it mentally took her back to the day when Elizabeth saw Dain at the dreamscape. Phoenix was looking out the window and astral projected to Dain and she believed Dain was calling her soul to save him. Then Elizabeth put her hand in her hand and said, "Why are