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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:54:31 GMT -5
Hours earlier, Lydrion had a rough hold of Lila’s arm. She was holding Emma and shutting her eyes tight. He was like her father, she knew he was. They kept on walking until the sun was in the center of the sky. Lydrion stopped and gave her arm another tug. Then the pressure disappeared and she opened her eyes curiously. “Take Emma to Imperia.” Lydrion said, his voice quite serious. “Kenetari won’t miss you, she doesn’t remember you. Go quickly and don’t look back.” “What?” Lila said, confused. “Don’t say anything.” He said firmly. Then he turned and went back the way he had come. Lila stood there for a moment, unsure what to do. Then she ran toward Imperia.
****
A short time later Kenetari walked in front of the line of seventeen. She made her way to the end of the line, sword raised. In a single motion, she slit Ketra’s throat. The princess slid to the ground and Rose and Laura screamed. Kenetari moved again and the life left Rea’s body. Dione struggled against the guards holding her and started to swear. Kenetari ignored her and laughed as she killed Kylara. “You monster.” Alice said, voice low. “Can’t you see how much Sabbath twisted you? But it wasn’t him really, was it? It was-” Her voice cut off as her life did. Kenetari stepped to the side and one of her archers shot an arrow straight into Firelight’s forehead. At this point pretty much everyone was screaming, struggling against their captors, weeping… Tallith hit the ground next. “They’re always waiting.” Saria said quietly. “The foxes.” The breath left her body. “Saria!” Kaslon said frantically. Kenetari killed him next. “I guess you will see me along your dead.” Caldria said calmly as the dark girl stood in front of her. David started fighting desperately, but Cally died too. Dione went almost willingly. “Rose, I love you.” Ross said, knowing he was next. “I’m sorry-” “Ross!” Rose shrieked, all the air rushing out of lungs. She watched his eyes close. Kenetari moved back again and Theo died. David had stopped fighting long before she cut his neck. Roland barely seemed to notice. Rose, Anella and Laura all took hands and watched Raythor’s sister with total focus. “Put the last two back inside.” Kenetari ordered. Both of them could hear Rose screaming as they were led away. Her death had not been quite so quick.
****
The entire scene played in front of Markus’s mind over and over again, just as his nightmares had. Markus had never imagined that he could feel this terrible. This time, he wouldn’t let himself fall into the blackness. The other needed him to stay strong. There was still a chance that Laura… He wouldn’t allow himself to think of Laura. “What’s wrong with him?” Dasher said suddenly. Markus gave her an odd look. “Who, Raythor? He just lost everyone who mattered to him. Other than that, he’s fine.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:54:49 GMT -5
“That’s not what I mean. Yesterday, he freaked out and cried for like three hours. Today, he’s not even at her grave.” “I don’t know what to tell you, Dasher. He shut down just like I did.” “He’s going to kill himself.” Dasher persisted. Raythor walked by and Dasher ran up to talk to him. Markus opened his mouth to protest, but in the end he figured it didn’t make much of a difference. The dark haired boy’s mouth moved and Dasher listened attentively. Then her jaw dropped and she shook her head a few times. He just shrugged. Dasher trotted back over to the prince. “Markus,” Dasher said, “Raythor just poisoned himself.” “What? Damn it. Sorry father.” Markus said. He strode forward purposefully and grabbed Raythor’s arm with one hand and jammed his other into his water flask. The prince’s eyes flashed blue and Raythor doubled over and threw up. Dasher’s jaw was still hanging slack just as Blade came back with a rabbit in his mouth. He dropped it and gave all three of them confused looks. “He poisoned himself.” Markus said sheepishly. “Eat the rabbit.” Blade said to Raythor.
****
Laura’s back pressed against the wall, her eyes closed and her face white. Two days. Just two. She didn’t even want to think about where they had taken Anella. Laura turned her head as she heard two voices in the hallway outside. They were Lydrion and Kenetari’s, had to be. She tried to make out the words but it was all too muffled and she was so very tired. “Hello,” A young man said, walking in. Laura felt her heart freeze. She regarded him as though he were a vicious wild animal. “Take it easy.” He said, holding up his hands. “They don’t know I’m here.” “You’re the murderer from Caltha.” “Murderer is such a strong word.” He said carelessly. His features came into focus and there was an unnervingly kind smile on his rather handsome face. Fair hair was swept neatly behind his ears. Everything about his appearance seemed calculated, orderly and pristine. The only thing that the strange, shadowy mask was still covering was his eyes, which were an unfocused ever changing mass of color. “I merely drove them to death; I didn’t personally lay a hand on them.” “You killed none of them?” “Well…” The smile curled his lips again. “Maybe a few.” “Who are you?” Laura asked. The voice was so weirdly familiar… “Aw, ‘sweetheart’, I can’t tell you that. Maybe you’ll figure it out, but I doubt it.” He said. “Call me what ever you want.” “Are you going to kill me?” “No, I promise you that.” He said. She didn’t fully believe him. “I’ll see you again soon.” “I look forward to it.” Laura said darkly. “Promise.” He smirked and disappeared out into the hallway once more, the lock clicking behind him.
****
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:55:09 GMT -5
Markus stared down as his own hands with mute horror. Blood… they were covered in blood. He had killed someone unarmed, someone who couldn’t fight back. The prince pushed to his feet, palms held out and facing up. Markus felt sick as he glanced down at the body. “Does this look familiar?” Graves asked, the chain of Laura’s necklace sliding through his fingers. Markus started. Everglade’s main river, halfway to the castle, flowed between them. He hadn’t been expecting anyone to be here this early in the morning. His eyes followed the movements of the necklace, barely comprehending that Graves was there. Markus had lost his sister and his friends. He had watched Anella die and seen her killer fall apart. Markus wasn’t going to stand here and have this… “She’s still alive, you know.” Graves said tauntingly. Markus drew his sword but didn’t say anything. Graves tried to ignite his fire powers without thinking, forgetting he was standing in water. Markus was already knee deep in the river. He had walked through it like it was nothing. By the time Graves had drawn a sword, Markus had already landed an attack. The younger boy’s entire body shuddered and his feet slipped in the mud but he still managed to block Markus’s next swing. The river around them turned a bright, terrible red along its surface. The sound of metal against metal crashed through the air again and again and Graves struggled to his feet. Markus barely felt any of the hits that he took. The blue energy encased him like a crystal. He stopped feeling anything at all. Before he knew it, Graves’s sword had been swept away but the river and he blocked the next attack with his arms. A terrible scream erupted from his throat, the cut went almost to the bone and Markus hit again. Graves slipped into the water again, barely alive, eyes shut in agony. Markus’s eyes flashed blue and Graves’s blood vessels exploded in unison. Markus watched what remained of the body be swept away by the river. The blue energy left just as quickly as it had come. Somehow, he had Laura’s necklace clutched in his hand.
****
“Raythor?” Dasher said tentatively. The dark haired boy didn’t respond. He’d been at the rivers edge ever since the sun rose, barely even glancing at the water. She came a little closer. His sleeves were pushed back and his arms were crossed so that his fingernails could dig straight into the skin. Dasher could see all the faded, white scars that covered his limbs clearly for the first time. “Raythor!” “What do you want?” Raythor asked. His voice was more blank and empty and dead than it had ever been before. “Are you…” Dasher faltered, unable to say it. His sleeves… “Are you trying to kill yourself again?” “No.” He said simply. “No?” “I can’t.” “You… you really don’t want to?” Dasher said, sounding relieved. His eyes blazed with anger.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:55:32 GMT -5
“Of course I want to!” Raythor practically yelled at her. “I’m living my worst nightmare! Every second I breathe is torment!” “Then… then why?” “I realized that she wouldn’t want me to.” He stopped looking at her and gazed into the water. “I don’t want her to be disappointed in me.” “Where is your sword?” Dasher said desperately. “At the bottom of the river.” “Look, Raythor, I know what you’re-” “No you don’t.” “Yes I do. I lost everyone too. You aren’t the only one who matters.” “You don’t understand because you don’t love anyone but yourself.” Raythor said cuttingly. “You’re too obsessed with being right all the time. You don’t know everything, Dasher.” “I’m sick of your stupid speeches!” Dasher shot back. “The ‘poor little me’ act is getting pretty old.” “The only reason you came to find me is because you wanted to prove yourself right.” “I was worried about you.” “You wanted me to try to kill myself again because that what your image of me would do.” “Raythor, you aren’t thinking clearly.” Dasher said, managing to control her emotions again. “The grief is driving you crazy.” Wordlessly the dark haired boy got to his feet and turned away, taking something from his belt that Dasher couldn’t see. He held the black dagger against his wrist, just staring at it. Raythor dropped down in a chair, listening blankly to the click of Anella’s sword on the table. It was two years ago and Pallas had just died. The two of them had buried the elementist already. Anella sat across from the unconscious Rose, who was lying on the bed. The three of them were in Anella’s guest room, waiting for the princess to wake up. “Oh… do you want me to take a look at that arm?” Raythor asked blankly. “S-sure.” Anella said. She pushed her sleeve up as far as it would go, wincing slightly as she did. “That dress it pretty much ruined.” “It’s all right.” “It’s actually not my blood this time. I’m surprised.” “Raythor, you haven’t bled on me.” Anella said. Raythor looked up at her skeptically as he started cleaning the wound. “Well… much. But you are continuously bleeding. It was bound to happen.” “Gee, thanks.” He said sarcastically. “You’ve got to stop doing that so much. It’s a terrible habit.” Anella teased. Raythor shook his head and finished bandaging. His fingers lingered for a second longer than they needed to and their eyes met. They both looked away and his arms pulled back. “About the moonlight thing…” Raythor said. “Is it still, I don’t know, bothering you?” “I just don’t remember any of it. I didn’t say anything too bad, did I?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:55:59 GMT -5
Raythor smiled weakly. She was so innocent and he was so imperfect, but he’d known that from the first time he’d laid eyes on her to the last moment when his lips had left hers. He had never deserved her. He hesitated a second longer, holding the image of her face in his mind. Then he let the knife trace down his vein. Before Dasher could move he slit the other wrist as well. “Raythor, what’s going on? What are you doing?” Dasher asked. She kept talking but her voice faded out. He sunk to his knees, staring at his wrists. There was a red river in the space between the two sides of his arm, the one he had made. The split was so perfect it could have always been there, could have always been flowing, dripping… red…red… His eyes closed and he heard Dasher gasp. Her symbol flashed and the skin mended itself back together. She tried to knock the dagger from his hand, but her paws couldn’t manage to loosen his death grip on the black handle. Dasher switched to her human form and used her fingers to pry his fist open and throw the dagger into the water and out of sight. She reached across his lap and removed the other daggers, tossing them away as well. They both froze for a moment, breathing hard. Raythor’s arms went around her waist and he started kissing her with an almost vicious intensity. The little part of Dasher that had always loved him kept her from resisting. She knew this had, for Raythor at least, nothing to do with love. It was a gut reaction, pure and simple. It was lust and it was hatred and it was grief. It was anything but being in Anella’s arms. Blade walked up just as their lips broke apart.
****
Lydrion had her back pressed against the wall, holding her by the shoulders. “You don’t have to die, Laura. You could be a great use to us.” He kept his eyes locked on hers. “I’d rather die.” Laura said, wanting his filthy hands off her. “Charity, listen to reason.” “Charity?” Laura said, confused. That was her mother’s name. How could Lydrion have known that? Unless… “You killed her.” “What?” “You killed my mother, not Sabbath.” “Yes.” Lydrion said slowly. “Yes… and you look so much like her.” He put a hand under her chin, studying her face. She bit him as hard as she could. He backed up, waving his hand and she ran past him and out the open door. The sound of pounding feet followed her almost instantly. Laura kept running, trying to free her bound hands as she went. When she came to a balcony she hesitated only a minute before dashing out on to it. Lydrion followed her and stood panting in the doorway. Their eyes met again and Laura reached for her bow, forgetting that it wasn’t there anymore. She stepped back and ran into the railing. Lydrion took a step closer. “There’s no where left for you to run.” Lydrion said. “And I’m stronger than you are.” “I think there’s somewhere.” Laura said. He went slightly pale and she didn’t understand why. “You can’t jump.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:56:21 GMT -5
“Phoenix, have mercy. I trust you.” Laura said. Then she climbed over the railing and closed her eyes. She let go just as Lydrion rushed forward.
****
“I can’t find Markus.” Blade said simply. Dasher and Raythor just stared at him. “What?” Raythor said, so confused that his voice had reverted back to normal. “He was gone when I woke up this morning.” “Uh…yeah…” “Look, I know I interrupted you little human grief ritual but I’m not letting another one of us die.” “Grief ritual?” The dark haired boy said blankly. Dasher gave him a ‘let’s just play along’ type of expression. “Oh, of course. It’s no big deal, really. We were just…uh…” “Finished.” Dasher said. “We were finished.” “Exactly. Yep.” “That’s good. I know… losing Anella…” Blade gave Raythor a sympathetic glance. Raythor’s stomach twisted with guilt. “I’m going this way to look for him, if one of you could wait at camp or check the other direction that would be great.” “Absolutely.” Dasher said, a little overeagerly. Blade nodded at both of them and started off. They waited until he was out of earshot to both say ‘I’m sorry’ in unison. “What do you have to be sorry for? I just kissed you.” Raythor said. “That was a terrible thing to do. I’m as bad as Ross.” “Raythor, it’s all right. I know how much Anella meant to you. And I practically drove you to try and end your own life.” Dasher said. “No you didn’t. I acted impulsively and irrationally and without any respect for you at all.” “Yes, but…” “Don’t make excuses for me. The fault was mine and I apologize.” “You don’t have to be so noble all the time, you know.” “Obviously I’m not, if I have anything to be sorry for.” “All you were doing was showing your emotions and you lost control.” Dasher pointed out. “It happens to everyone.” “Not to me.” Raythor said. “Never to me.” They fell silent for a moment, before he added: “We’d better go look for Markus.” “Raythor… I…” “Two years ago you told me not to look back. I’m not going to.”
****
“Blade, I just murdered someone.” Markus said. Blade looked at him with immediate concern. “Excuse me?” “It was one of Archer’s men.” “He was attacking you, right?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:56:44 GMT -5
“He was fighting back at first. Then he dropped his sword and I…I… exploded him from the inside.” “What?” “Not all the way. Just his blood…and…” Markus stopped talking. The look on Blade’s face made continuing impossible. Blade couldn’t answer for a long time and Markus burst out laughing. “I fail to see what is funny.” Blade said, blinking. “Obviously you lose control of your magic when your emotions come into play.” “I know it’s a completely serious problem but the look you just gave me…” Markus said. Blade, very slowly, smiled. “I didn’t think anyone could laugh through this.” “My sister always used to say I’d laugh through my own coronation. It’s probably true.” They both lost their smiles knowing they’d never see their sisters again. “Dasher will have to work on controlling your powers with you.” Blade said briskly. “Graves, the one who died… he told me there were three people like me.” Markus said. His hand went to his hair. “He was the fire one, right?” “Yeah. I guess he won’t be telling us who the third one was.” “It wasn’t murder, Markus.” “Let’s go find the others.”
****
“Why is he so happy?” Dasher whispered to Blade, sounding slightly annoyed. “I don’t know.” Blade said. “It’s probably just for show.” “Stupid Markus…” “We’ll make it to Imperia in the next few days.” Markus called back, clearly not listening. “I’m so glad we get to travel with chipper Charley.” Raythor said under his breath. Dasher and Blade snickered. “Raythor, did you get rid of all your weapons?” Markus asked, falling in step with the dark haired boy. Raythor sighed. “I had some help, but yes. I’m completely unarmed.” “Do I have your word?” “Yes. I’m not going to force any of you to save me again. That’s selfish and Anella wouldn’t want that.” Raythor said resolutely. His tone changed slightly. “How can you smile?” “There’s a chance Laura might be alive.” Markus said. “I’d be looking for the same way out as you are if I didn’t have at least the hope that she was alive.” “You have your country to think about. You don’t have to try to fix me, like you do everyone else.” “I lost my friends, my sister, my child and my sanity. I think I have some grasp of what you’re going through.” Markus said seriously. Raythor smirked. “Why am I the one everyone wants to understand?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:57:11 GMT -5
“Because you’re the one who keeps trying to ‘off himself’, as Ross said.” Blade said. Raythor raised his eyebrows. “What?” “He told Anella that you’d kill yourself if you never saw her again.” “I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but…” Raythor said. He swore. Blade nodded. They all walked on in silence for a moment before Raythor said: “Let’s do this for Laura. We can’t let Everglade lose its prince.”
****
“You’ve got to let it go.” Blade said, noting the regretful expression on Markus’s face. “We’ve all done things we regret in battle. I’ve ripped out throats before. There are few more vile experiences than that. And he wasn’t unarmed to begin with. He intended to hurt you.” “Yes…” Markus said. “It’s just…” “What?” “Humans have their age old stories too. Ours is that, when you die, there is a great river and on the other side are the faces of everyone you’ve killed in battle or otherwise. They’re the ones who judge whether or not you’re eternally damned. Those that you’ve killed rightfully in battle forgive you, traditionally. Those that you have murdered…” “Aren’t quite as understanding?” “It’s just a little weird to be thinking for the first time that you’re going to hell.” “You get used to the idea.” Raythor said. He was busy setting up camp and he had refused all help. “What I’m still struggling with is the idea that Anella is going to be there now sending me to hell. That bothers me a little.” “She died in battle.” Dasher said. He didn’t answer. “She’d forgive you anyway. The last thing she did was express her love for you.” “I don’t deserve her forgiveness.” “She truly loves you. If you’d slit her throat while she slept, she wouldn’t send you to hell.” Blade said. “You wanted to see her again.” Dasher said. “Even if it meant ending your own life.” “What if that meant seeing yourself on the other side of that river?” Blade asked. “Then I’d go to hell. I can’t forgive myself.” Raythor said. “Anella’s better off dead!” Dasher said loudly. Raythor dropped the pile of firewood he’d been carrying in a very deliberate manner. Markus looked worriedly between the two of them. “I’m sorry.” Raythor said and it was obvious Dasher hadn’t been expecting that response. He looked away and went back to building the fire. “Dasher, how could you say that?” Markus said, in a low quiet voice. “We all know he’s been a little… suicidal as of late, but that is no reason to harass him.” Blade agreed voice equally low. “He’s grieving, we’re all grieving. You’ve got to cut him a little slack.” “He tried to cut himself some slack up and down his veins.” Dasher retorted. “You don’t know what it’s like to feel like that.” Markus said. “You’d do anything just to make it stop.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:57:29 GMT -5
“Why didn’t you?” She asked pointedly. “I’d be letting down my-” “Country. You were still thinking about other people, even then. You’re selfless. He’s not.” “Can you blame him? He was alone for-” “There’s comes a point when you have to stop blaming past and position for every action you take. Raythor needs to grow up.” Dasher said harshly. Markus and Blade just stared at her with disbelief. Their eyes flicked over the dark haired boy, who stepped back as the fire finally started and sighed, completely oblivious. “You owned up to every action you took while you were pretty much insane, Markus. You are not like him.” “He lost the love of his life.” Markus said, but weakly. It hurt to remember what it had been like for him personally, hurt to hear Dasher say it and hurt to make it real again. Blade was about to speak, his eyes narrowed, when Raythor came up and sat unceremoniously next to them. His blue eyes were as blurry as they had been when he’d seen Anella nearly die, but they no longer made Dasher want to cry. “The fire’s done.” Raythor said smoothly, his arms draped loosely over his legs. The blank mask was etched into his features once more and his eyes were no longer betraying a thing. Three pairs of eyes focused on him with uncertainty. “My sister was wrong about you, Dasher…” Blade said, so softly that she didn’t hear him. He closed his eyes and flicked his ears back. “You don’t love me.” “I’m sorry about all that.” Raythor said. “I’m not going to show it anymore. We’ve got to protect each other, right? So I’m going to stop being so selfish and self indulgent and protect the rest of you to the best of my ability.” “We’re still the Royalty of Everglade.” Markus agreed. “And we need each other to get us and Laura out of this alive.” “And to kill Kenetari. I think that’s the best for all of our countries.” Blade said, baring his teeth slightly. The three boys look surprised when Dasher started crying. “I’m terrible. We do need each other.” Dasher said. “I can’t believe they’re gone, I can’t believe it…” Blade eyes opened wide. Unconsciously, he tucked her head beneath his chin and covered her paws with his. She leaned into his neck, the tears weakening. “Feeling a little hormonal?” Blade asked quietly. She laughed, licking his neck. He tried to pull back but she wouldn’t let him. She started telling him something in a language Markus and Raythor couldn’t recognize. The prince started playing with his wedding ring again, trying his best not to think about Laura. If she was dead… Laura had always been there; as far back as he could remember. If she hadn’t been there, he would be completely different. She’d kept him from letting himself become his father’s perfect prince. Laura was the only one he could tell anything and everything, the only one who could make his heart race whenever he looked at her. If she was dead his father would make him marry again and he wasn’t sure he could do that, even for the good of Everglade. Losing Laura would be a blow that he couldn’t take, prince or not. If his father wanted him to take the throne after that, it would be without an heir. Markus absently took out Laura’s necklace. He held it up, watching it dangle in the air. The other three glanced up. Dasher’s ears perked and Blade moved slightly, studying her. “What?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:57:48 GMT -5
“Give that to Raythor for a second.” Dasher said. “I want to test something.” “Is this going to hurt?” Raythor asked jokingly as Markus dropped the necklace into his palm. It started to glow blue. He dropped it with surprise. “What was that? Besides unquestionable proof that I’ve never slept with Laura.” “How?” Markus said. “She never takes it off.” “Oh… right…” “That was proof of your link to the reverse world.” Dasher said. “Try it again.” “All right…” Raythor said gingerly picking up the necklace. It glowed blue again and blackness swirled from its center. He held it tighter. “What’s happening?” Markus asked. “Tell me that portal isn’t coming back.” “I don’t know. This was based on a guess.” Dasher said, shrugging her shoulders very slightly. It was a trick she had picked up recently and it amused Blade to no end. “Speak to the heavens, speak to the darkness…” Raythor said automatically, his voice changing. The blue and black mixed together and became purple. “Markus, are you there? Markus?” Her voice came from the necklace quite clearly, but none of them could believe it. “Laura, I’m right here.” Markus said, one of his hands reaching out for her. She, of course, wasn’t there. “I’m not the only one here, we all are.” “Where are you?” “The reverse world.” “Aren’t you… dead?” “More like frozen. I know you saw our bodies but this is a spell. Phoenix sent me this dream… you have two days left to destroy the weapon that killed us or we die for good.” Laura explained. “It doesn’t matter that you buried us, our bodies are here now.” Raythor went white, thinking of his sword at the bottom of the river. “All right… did Kenetari kill you too?” Markus asked. “No, I had to jump out the window actually. Because I killed myself the weapon is already destroyed. All you need is Kenetari’s black sword.” She assured him. “You killed yourself?” “If I didn’t die within the time limit, it wouldn’t work.” “What if any of us die?” Blade interjected. “Then you’re dead. The spell doesn’t cover the four of you… it’s complicated. “Is there anything else we can do?” Markus said. “No, sweetheart. Lila and Emma are in Imperia, so don’t worry about them. Just take care of yourselves. All of you are still in danger. I love you, my prince.” “I love you too.” “Raythor?” The voice changed and Raythor’s grip on the chain tightened considerably. “Anella…” He said almost reluctantly. “You didn’t know it was me, Raythor.” “Damn it, Anella, I killed you. After I broke your heart and tortured everyone else with my stupid selfishness.” “You didn’t have a choice, Markus would have died.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:58:29 GMT -5
“I shouldn’t have risked fighting my hardest. So what if you had killed me? Dasher could have protected Markus.” “I’m the one who had to die for this to work.” “She could manipulate me into killing you again.” “I’m willing to die for you.” Anella said automatically. “Prove that you’re not going to be selfish anymore.” Dasher said to Raythor. He nodded. “I’m never going to leave you again. I promise you, Anella.” Raythor said. “We’re really going to get married when you come back, all right?” “All right.” She said softly. “I…I love you.” “I love you, Anella and I don’t care who hears me.” Raythor said coyly and he could hear her laughing. The energy faded and he dropped the necklace.
Chapter Thirty Seven Breaking Kenetari’s sword
Raythor had left almost immediately after Laura and Anella had spoken to them. Dasher theorized that it was to go find and break the sword he had thrown into the river. None of them were that concerned about it. The three of them had been talking and laughing normally for the past few hours. It was like they’d all been waiting for the sun to rise and it finally had. Blade and Dasher were casually flirting with each other and Markus suspected that she’d told the shadow prince the truth about the dead ‘light’ elementist. That was good; it was nice to see them happy. “Destroy it.” Raythor said, shoving his sword into the ground with so much force that it stuck. Markus started. “Raythor, is that…?” Markus asked, peering at the sword. “Yes.” “How did you find it?” “I memorized the place where I threw it in and went from there.” “How long did that take?” “How long have I been gone?” “I don’t know… three hours, maybe four.” “That’s how long it took.” Raythor tossed a flask filled with water at him. The dark haired boy was completely soaked through with water but he didn’t seem to care. Markus glanced at the flask curiously. “What is this for?” “Use it to destroy the sword.” “I’m not sure I can.” “You blew up a person, you can destroy a sword.” “All right.” Markus said unsurely. He dipped his fingers in the flask and felt the familiar sensation of the blue energy channeling into his other hand. He focused as hard as he could on the sword. Raythor looked on, arms crossed, waiting. The sword glowed blue, shook, and shattered into a million pieces. “There, see? Now what are we doing for Kenetari’s sword?” “We were going to send Dasher.” Markus said. “Tommorow morning.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:58:45 GMT -5
“No. We’re all going. She thinks Anella’s dead so she’s going to be very distracted by me. It’s too risky to send Dasher alone.” “You, Raythor, are unarmed and she will be targeting you.” Dasher said. “There’s no way you’re going.” “There will be four of us. Even Kenetari will have trouble with four.” “You’re going to use yourself as bait?” “As a scapegoat.” “Are you trying-?” “No. I’m not going to miss my own wedding, am I?” Raythor said. He grinned. “There is safety in numbers.” Blade said. Dasher’s ears flicked back with disapproval but she relented. There was no point in arguing with a stubborn bunch of males.
****
“Markus,” Anella shook him gently. Markus slowly opened his eyes, yawning as he did. “What is it, Anella…? Anella!” “The spell broke when the sun rose, for me at least.” “Are you all right?” “Yes, I just have a scar where Raythor stabbed me.” Anella said. She put her hand over her chest unconsciously, biting her lip. “He’s going to be fine, now that you’re here.” Markus said with a weak smile. She looked away. They both stood up, glancing at the still sleeping elementists. “I guess…” “I’m just glad to have you back.” Markus said. She managed to smile but then her face fell and she hugged him. “Anella, it’s going to be all right.” “Why does everything we do have to be so difficult? This was supposed to be a three day trip.” “And you’re supposed to be dead. Maybe its better things aren’t simple sometimes.” “I’m sorry I had to hurt you.” Anella said, biting back all the questions she wanted to ask. She let him go. “Where’s Raythor?” Markus asked, wondering why Anella hadn’t found him first. “You don’t know?” “Markus, I thought I should just…” Raythor said. He caught sight of Anella and dropped every piece of wood he’d been holding to the ground. Blade and Dasher’s heads jerked up instantly. “How many times do you plan to do that?” Dasher demanded. Then they both saw Anella too. “Hi Raythor.” Anella said tentatively. Raythor took a few steps forward and stopped. “Hello Anella.” He said. “How about you two take a nice long walk?” Blade suggested. Anella and Raythor nodded, still staring at each other. As soon as they were out of earshot, Dasher said:
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:59:27 GMT -5
“Let’s go get that sword.”
****
“Anella…while you were dead…” Raythor said. Her eyebrows rose. “What?” She asked. She felt her heart clench, worried that he’d tell her that he’d tried to kill himself or something equally terrible. “I kissed Dasher.” “Oh.” She said, feeling relieved and slightly nauseous at the same time. That beautiful girl in his arms… “O-on the lips?” “Yeah…” “Oh.” Anella sat down, frowning. “W-would you rather be with her? B-because you shouldn’t feel obligated to me.” “Anella,” He dropped down to her level, “I never want to be with anyone but you. I wasn’t thinking straight and I was furious with myself and I’d just…” He shook his head. “Never mind.” “What?” “I killed you Anella; we are not discussing my problems.” Raythor said insistently. Anella leaned forward so that their faces were almost touching. “Tell me, Raythor.” “I… I slit my wrists…” He confessed. Anella just stared at him, her throat burning from holding back the tears. “I’m sorry…” “I’m sorry you felt that terrible. Why would you do that? What could make you feel that way?” “You, Anella.” “You did that because you thought I was dead?” Anella said. He nodded, looking at the ground. “Raythor how could you want to… don’t you know how much I… Raythor…” His jaw clenched and he looked miserable. Anella felt a terrible pang in her chest and she desperately needed him to feel better. She put her hand against his cheek. “I never want you to do that again, please never do that again… You didn’t want to…?” “I wanted to see you after I was dead, yes…” Raythor said. “I can’t live without you.” He hugged her and she held him. “How often do I get to comfort you, huh?” Anella said. He laughed and drew back. “Here, this is yours.” He said, fastening her crystal cross around her neck. His fingertips ran down her skin to rest on her shoulders. She trembled as his lips touched hers. When she responded, he kissed her more adamantly. His hands went down her arms and wove around her waist as he pulled her up against him. He whispered ‘I love you’ every time their lips parted. Anella was still fighting back the tears, still fighting with the fact that she’d come so close to losing him. It was impossible to think that he’d wanted to end his life because she wasn’t there and he thought she never would be again. It was incredible that he loved her that much, that he was willing to go through anything just to see her again. Even if it meant watching her send him to hell, because she was positive that’s what he had been thinking.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:59:42 GMT -5
Raythor could feel her heart beating against his chest. Alive… she was alive. He couldn’t believe it, hadn’t even imagined that he’d feel the sensation of the crystal cross pressing into him ever again. Just her warmth, just the touch of her lips and the sound of her voice… It seemed like nothing he could ever say or do would give her back half of what she had given him. He finally let her go, meeting her eyes and just looking at her. “Did you kiss her like that?” Anella asked softly. “No.” Raythor said. “I’ve never kissed anyone like that but you.” “I love you more than anything.” She told him, caressing his cheek. “I’m never going to leave you. I promise.” “And I’m never going to hurt myself again.” Raythor said seriously. He kissed her once more, so gently that she could barely feel it. “I love you.” “Raythor…” She said. “You’re the first thing I think about when I wake up and when you’re gone all I want is for you to come back so that I can see you, and talk to you and just… be with you… losing you would make me want to die too…” “I really make you happy?” “Yes, more than anyone I’ve ever known. More than I thought anyone could.” Their lips met again and the tears no longer wanted to snake their way down Anella’s cheeks. “We should go back.” Anella said. “Yeah.” Raythor admitted reluctantly. “Can I have my ring?” She said. He nodded, careful to give her the right one. “How can you forgive me? I cheated on you.” “No you didn’t. I was dead. And I know it can’t have been easy for you to live with that all this time.” “Anella…” “I forgive you. I’m always going to forgive you.” Anella said firmly. They were silent for a moment before Raythor said, attempting a grin: “If you can forgive me for that, I guess you can forgive me for anything.” “Come on.” Anella said, kissing him softly. “I love you.”
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“How was I supposed to know there would be four Kenetari’s?” Dasher asked. She screamed and ducked another of the enemy elementists’ attacks. “It’s just that your little mistakes keep getting us nearly killed.” Blade said, using a shield to block the next attack. “In fact, your last mistake did get Anella killed.” “Well, Blade-” “This is not the best time to have this conversation.” Markus interrupted. The three of them were crouched down behind the remains of what had once been a stone wall. “All right, I have an idea. Obviously, the one who keeps firing spells at us isn’t Kenetari. The one on the far left is Ghost. And the third one is using my fighting style. So that one,” He pointed, “is the real Kenetari.” “Are you sure? Because-” Dasher began. “I think you’d better let Markus call the shots this time.” Blade said. “No offense.” “What about the three chances idea?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 16:00:02 GMT -5
“I’m afraid I’d be part of your third mistake.” “Blade, I’m going to go out there and get hit by something. You can use that protection spell to knock them down. Dasher gets to run as fast as physically possible to get the sword from Kenetari. We’ll back her up as best we can. All right?” Markus said. The two elementists nodded. “Get ready.” He jumped over the wall and waited. A spell hit him full force and knocked him backwards. His back hit the wall with a terrible thud. Blade cast his spell and all four Kenetari’s fell down. Dasher sprinted by and grabbed the dark girl’s sword in her teeth. Blade started fending off the recovering Kenetari’s while Markus struggled to his feet and rushed forward. The prince dipped his fingers into the water flask and Kenetari’s sword shattered. Blade got overwhelmed and hit the ground, sliding a few feet before he stopped. Dasher ran to his side and created a weak shield, using the rest of her powers to heal him. Markus got hit by another spell but kept standing. He had to get them out of here somehow…
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Raythor bit back another scream as his sister’s sword grazed the skin between his eyes. Kenetari smiled. “I hope your friends don’t die too quickly with those elementists.” She taunted. “None of them are me, of course. But they don’t know that.” Raythor blocked her next attack as best he could. Anella had given him her sword when he’d induced her to stay behind. They couldn’t let his sister know Anella was still alive. After that, Raythor had run off looking for Markus and the others. He’d caught sight of his sister disappearing into an old, small castle and he’d followed her. A stupid mistake, no one else was here. Kenetari stopped for a moment. “How did you get that sword? Isn’t that your little beloved’s?” She demanded. “I took it from your store room.” Raythor said. Anella had said their weapons had accompanied them to the reverse world, but she had no explanation for it. Kenetari slashed quickly down his left arm when he wasn’t paying attention and he struck back and missed. She hit his other arm and he kept his grip on his sword, managing to cut her shoulder. Kenetari ripped across his chest and he grabbed her blade in his left hand, crying out as he did. He fell back with all his weight and got the sword from her. Raythor pushed to his feet and dropped her sword from the window. Before he could see what had happened to it, Kenetari slammed his wrist against the wall and his sword hit the ground. She grabbed it and kicked his legs out from under him, pressing her elbow against his neck. “You’re going to live to regret that, but not much longer.” Kenetari snarled. Raythor tried to focus on her face, but his vision was blurring from lack of air and blood loss. Suddenly her weight left his neck and he rolled on his side, gasping for breath. “Let’s see if you can kill a ghost, Kenetari.” Anella said coldly.
****
Markus had managed to kill one of the Kenetari’s. The one with his own fighting style was so familiar that he broke her defenses and stabbed her through the stomach
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