AN: So its been a while... but I have an excuse! My 's' key is broken... so whenever I need to use it, which I've learned is basically always, I have to legit dig my nail into my computer. But alas! I shall continue to write! So tell me what you think, here's the second chapter. Enjoy, and thanks for reading!
"This is so not happening right now!" Stacie yelps besides me.
What. The. Hell. I've never really been a negative person, but right about now all I can think is, "We're dead." I muter.
"Not me!" Stacie quickly removes her arm from mine and books it to the east entrance.
I stare after her in shock. Luckily no one has seen her because they are all too preoccupied with the walking nightmare in the far side of the room.
Not a second later Aubrey notices what is going on, "Seriously!" She grits her teeth trying to muffle her frustration. Then she's gone too, chasing after Stacie who has left the room.
The battle has started up again, but this time all of the guards are attacking the masked murderer. Every time someone strikes his blade sparks fly out. His movements are far too quick for anyone to keep up. Three guards at the moment are swinging swords at him. The blue saber knocks them away with ease.
"We have to get out of here Chloe, come on." Red grabs my hand and starts to pull me forward toward the east entrance.
We make it about two steps when our feet are knocked from under us. A massive vibration rocks the ground beneath us. For a brief moment I think it's an earthquake, but then the bright blue burns my eyes and tell me differently. I look up to see the damage and a trail of fierce energy blasts inches away from Amy and Bumper. It nearly misses them and slams into a pair of the hooded assassins; they both drop like flies onto the stone floor, electricity still pulses through their fidgeting bodies.
Amy almost died! This nightmare is trying to kill all of the royals, and that means me too! There is no hope for us now.
"I know what you're thinking. I'm not going to let him get you." Red slowly gets back on her feet. Once her too feet are firmly planted, she grabs my upper arms and pulls me up, "Lets get out of here."
Right in that moment I leave her green gaze to look directly behind her, "Red!" I scream.
She whips around just in time to raise her stop a sword from crashing down on her head with her own sword. One of the assassins has made it way to us. Red pushes him back with her sideways sword and gets in a defensive stance. The man in front of her pulls out a second sword and chuckles darkly. Without a second thought he swings the first black at Red's stomach. She lunges with her own sword to deflect the blow, but the assassin slashes her blade with his second sword, knocking Red's to the ground. The sound of metal clashing to the ground breaks my spirit, Red's in trouble.
The assassin raises both of his swords above his right shoulder, preparing to deal a deathly blow. I suck in a deep breath, too shocked to say anything or do anything useful. Red just stands in a glowering manner, anger and fear is radiating off her. I can't lose Red.
The metal slices through the air, but right before contact a white blur whizzes past my vision, causing me to blink. When I open my eyes again, Red is fine, no harm done. It's a miracle, but where did the hooded guy go? I look past Red and see both swords on the ground.
"How…" I begin to ask, only to be cut off by a ferocious growl.
To the left of us a few feet away, is the largest cat I have ever seen in my life standing over a lifeless assassin. It's head reaches well above my waist.
"What is that?" I nearly scream.
As soon as I open my mouth the striped beast turns around bearing it's teeth. The oversized cat aims its sight on Red; the captivating blue eyes narrow for a moment. As if realizing something the cat stops its glare and drops it's snarl. What is going on? Where did this cat come from? It slowly approaches us and Red throws her hands up defensively, but the cat dismissed her actions and continues stalking until it is a mere two inches in front of Red. I hear her breath hitch when it paws her hand, but its not at all aggressive, its like it's telling her its okay. Weird.
"What is it?" I ask again more quietly this time, trying to hide my question from the beast its self.
I see Red lift her head up and point past the bloody bodies and fighting guards to the far window, "A white tiger…" Her voice is full of realization and disbelief.
Ohhh, I should have noticed that, with the snowy white fur and intense stripes. Wait a second… I do a double take at where Red is pointing.
No way! Yet another hooded figure approaches the scene with speed, this time the hood is a pure white and not menacing. The whole light armor and bright colors is comforting, we finally have some hope, "Lakra." I whisper.
"What the hell is going on here?" Red asks taking a step back to be besides me.
"No clue… but I'm with you on getting out of here now." I say.
"Please do." Red says reaching for my hand one more time and bringing me towards the door.
We walk a few feet only to be stopped yet again, this time by the tiger. It plants its massive body in front of us and mass a kind of grunting noise.
"Why can't we go?" Red demands to the tiger… as if tiger can talk… or can they now?
The tiger points its head in the direction of the most fighting. The Dark One is quickly approaching Amy and Bumper. He tosses aside guards and cuts down assassins. Two assassins are in front of Amy now and the masked menace violently stabs them both at once, and leaves them sputtering for air. Amy is left unprotected as Bumper falls to the ground because of an assassin behind him. The Dark One takes another heavy step towards Amy. Before he reaches her something small flashes in his direction and he falters a bit, fumbling with his footing. Looking over to where the small thing came from, I notice Lakra holing onto a bunch of daggers. Lakra jumps around two assassins and puts herself in front of the nightmare's path to Amy. The Dark One tries to get around her, but she holds out her dagger in warning.
What happens next is a blur, but the masked murderer attempts again to push past Lakra, but it stopped and tossed backwards, but from behind her two assassins go unnoticed. In too short of time, one takes a hidden blade and gets her from behind. The next thing I see is her limp body on the floor. Lifeless. Amy is dead.
Then my blood boils. How could this thing come in here with a bunch of killers and murder my whole family! They didn't do anything to him! How can someone be so cruel? He will pay for what he has done to all of these innocent people.
I try and make my way towards the coward, but Red pulls me back, "Let me go!" I yell while fighting her strong grip.
"Chloe, no, its over. I'm sorry we can't do anything about it." She pleads for me to stop.
In my fit of rage I don't realize the tears rolling down my face, this just fuels my anger more, "Why!?" I shout across the room, too far for anyone to really notice.
To my surprise The Dark One turns their shadowy figure towards me. If I didn't know any better, I would say he was slouching more than before, like he was sad. Probably because he didn't get to kill Amy himself. He turns away again and then takes his sword in both hands and drives it into the ground. More blinding sparks fly into the air and I can't see for a few moments. When I open my eyes again he is gone. Disappeared just like the legend. Ruining people's lives and running away.
"We have to go. Now." Red practically picks me up and drags me out of the bloody room.
I want to protest, but I know she's right. I can't help Amy now. We head down the east corridor. I hope that Stacie made it out okay. It's empty on this side of the castle, designed for quick escapes. This should take us to the far wall of the kingdom. Once we get a significant distance from where the remaining guards are fighting we slow down a bit.
"If only it had been a full moon…." Red grumbles through a breath, "I would have torn them all apart." I can see wolf in her slightly gold tinted eyes.
"Red, there was nothing you could do. Those assassins just pulled off the impossible. No one could have seen it coming." I try and comfort her.
She looks at me with sad eyes, "I'm sorry I failed to protect your family."
What? I look at her with surprise before wrapping her in a tight hug, "You didn't fail anything. I'm safe because of you." I hear the slightest of sniffles before she slowly pulls back. She opens her mouth to speak, and a blood-curdling scream is heard. It takes me a moment to realize it's not Red who screamed, but someone else. It was defiantly a girl. May be one of the royals survived, but why would they scream? Unless…The Dark One!
Without a second thought I book it down the corridor towards the scream. I'll get him for what he has done, and he isn't going to tear me down anymore. While running I slip on something wet on the ground. I look down to see a thin trail of blood. I gag a little bit, but at least now I know where to go. There is a cold breeze traveling the length of the halls, but it doesn't deter me.
"Chloe!" Red's voice echoes down to where I am "Stop! Come one this isn't cool!" I don't stop though.
I run faster because I know Red will find me soon enough. I sprint as if my life depends on it, which I feel like it does. I follow the red trail around a corner and then I slow significantly. I don't know what I'm going to find in there. I press up against the wall when at the door to the east entrance foyer. The sound of heavy breathing can be heard, but that's it. No struggle, no gross fighting noises, just the struggling breath of one person. I do a silent prayer and cautiously make my way into the foyer. I keep my back pressed to the wall and drag myself along it until I'm completely in.
The sight in front of me, for some unknown reason sends chills down my spine. A large black clump of armor and cloth is planted against the far wall of the room. The blood trail leads directly to it.
Okay, no big deal right. He's injured. He can't do anything to me, so I am safe. I take a deep breath and summon up all the courage I have to move forward. The clump fidgets and I jump back. Slowly part of the cloth rises and I'm met with and stunningly blue gaze. Those eyes…they're like nothing I've seen before. There is literally electricity pulsing through them. Judging by the small wrinkle between them, I can tell he is furrowing his brow. A strange feeling pulls at my stomach upon looking at him. I can feel pain, a sort of empathy. Our eyes stay connected for a moment longer before his meet the ground. It's like he is defeated, but I know better than that. Then I notice his sword is in the far corner of the room, he's defenseless. Regardless of my better judgment I take a step towards him.
"What are you doing?" Red bolts into the foyer and places herself just in front of me. Her dark hair is flying out in all directions from running. She takes a heavy breath and wipes away the small bit of sweat from her forehead, "You scared the shit out of me! Why are you being so… spontaneous?" She asks with an incredulous look.
I instantly regret running away. Red has always been there for me and I almost ruined that, "I…I just…" I don't get to finish because a loud roar cuts me off.
The majestic tiger leaps into the room and makes it's way in front of Red and me. It faces the clump on the ground and snarls as if it's prey. I get a weird twinge at the gesture. The tiger is acting as if he is a piece of meat, I know he's a killer but…well, I don't know anything about it…
"Stand back." A stern accented voice sounds from behind Red and I. We both swivel and look to see who has joined us. Of coarse it's none other then Lakra. My God she looks so elegant this close. She is only two feet away, revealing nearly all of her features. She has to be the same age as us, but her deep blue eyes show that she's had a lifetime of hardship. Her features are soft but she holds them in a hard serious manner.
"Wow…" Red is clearly at a loss. Her green eyes haven't left Lakra's since she stepped into the room.
"I apologize, but you need to find safety." I can see how Red would be drawn to her silky manner of speaking. She pulls down her white hood, that now looking closer has gold lining and designs, revealing her long brown wavy hair. Red's breath hitches and I have to nudge her to come back to reality. "I know you've both been through a lot, but let me handle this." She doesn't wait for a response and shifts her attention to the far wall. She visibly takes in a breath and moves towards the fiend, drawing out a long, aerodynamic, silver sword.
Lakra's steps are slow and cautioned as she approaches the Dark One. She holds onto her sword with a tight grip and points it guardedly at the dark figure. Despite my knowledge of her talents and ferociousness, right now she looks scared and unsure. It's like the Dark One brings out a weakness is everyone.
"I.. I don't want to hurt you." Lakra's voice has a hint of a shake, "But I will if I have to." She encroaches in his space, "You need to own up to all you've done." And with those words sparks fly…literally.
A flare of blue energy makes us all jump back. The sinister sword that was previously on the opposite side of the room is now in the strong grip of the, now angered, Dark One.
He stands strong now, with his blade in one hand, hanging loosely at his side, but nonetheless dangerously so. The electricity crackles with intensity all around the relentless steel. He shakes his head darkly, and slowly raises the weapon to the front of his body.
"You've already been injured, I don't want to further harm you." Lakra points to the dark red gash just above his collarbone.
He waits a beat and takes a quick step forward, but Lakra whips out another dagger out of nowhere. The Dark One nearly gets an eye taken out, but his quick reflexes haven't dwindled from the injury. He retaliates with a double handed slash, intended for Lakra's shoulder, she adjust her own sword accordingly, stopping the blade a mere centimeter from her body. The clash of metal makes me flinch, the blue sparks fly out and land by my feet. An unsettling fear lands itself in my stomach, in every battle there is a victor, and the Dark One's power behind each blow looks to be overbearing. His strikes are heavy with strength, but Lakra is faster and more nimble. Each hit she blocks takes a toll on her, but she keeps the murderer on his toes by dancing around him. She steadily backs him into a corner and lashes out with a determined hit to end it. The fiend barley gets the electric current up to deflect it, but the weight of the hit sends him off balance, making him keel over to his right side and leaving his left open for a death shot.
The heat of the fight has certainly taken a toll on both, and the desperation has hit Lakra in a visible way. Her swings have become tired and lazy, and now that she has the chance to end it all the adrenaline kicks in. Her gentle gaze has become tainted. I would want nothing more than for her to end this horrible man, but it's not moral. I want him to pay for what he has done, but not this way.
Lakra brings her silver sword back to ready for the deathblow. She lunges straight for his heart. I suck in a breath of air awaiting the finale, but it doesn't come so soon. The Dark One lurches out an ungloved hand and grabs the piercing steel. Blood instantly pools in his strong grip. His stare is hard and emotionless as he rips the silver sword out of Lakra's shaking hands. He doesn't spare the metal a second glance as he tosses it to the side. He straightens himself back into a powerful stance and brings his sword above his head with both hands. The blue energy is even more treacherous than before.
Lakra bends over in her slightly recovered lunge position due to the shock of the matter.
"No!" Red shouts from beside me, I almost completely forgot that she was here. Red scrambles to do something a bout the situation, running forward only to be stopped by the massive white tiger. Its blue eyes look into Red's green ones sadly, but warning lies in them, enough to stop Red from going any further.
I stand motionless when the crackling sword begins its descend. I hold my breath and close my eyes. I can't bear to watch another life be lost. I wait and listen for the worst of noises. To my surprise my ears are not met with anything gruesome, but rather the sound of metal hitting stone. I snap my eyes open to see the Dark One kneeled beside Lakra, whose head is facing the ground. His sword is spiked to the ground and one hand rests on the handle with the other bracing him to the stone. He didn't do it.
A few thick moments pass for all of us to catch our breath. Lakra slowly raises her head, the confusion is clear, "You didn't kill me." She states, but its more a question than a fact. The Dark One doesn't flinch. "You kill dozens, but why stop now? Are you trying to fool me into thinking you have morals?" The last few words are spewed with venom. Lakra seems to realize her tone and takes a moment to recollect her thoughts, "It's just odd, and I can't place it…" Her expression turns thoughtful, "Who are you?" she asks in her beautifully accented way, full of wonder. She reaches a hand out to the dark fabric of his hood.
A wrong move on her part, because before her finger even grazes it that damn flash happens again. Only this time when I'm blinded I feel a strong force slam against me. I can't help but cry out. When I finally open my eyes, the flash is gone and so is everyone else. I'm no longer in the foyer; I'm in a smaller unknown room. I'm defiantly still in the castle, but just not a room I'm familiar with.
I glance around a little more looking for an exit, but to my surprise I turn into the intense stare of those electric blue eyes. My heart skips a beat at the proximity of him; he is only three feet away. The sword is held in a relaxed way at his side, hopefully not a threat right now, but why else would I be here?
"Did you take me here to finish me off? One less royal right?" I say with satire that I didn't know I had. I search the blue current for answers, but find none. "Where am I?" No answer, I huff out in frustration, "How did you do that so quickly? Was it magic?" I look again, but no answer. I find only a slightly amused twinkle in the mix of blue. Was that funny? Does he think this is funny? "Why do you kill people?" Just like that the twinkle is gone, back to the cold hard stare. "Are you going to kill me?" The question seems to anger him. His brow instantly furrows and I can almost here the slightest of sounds over the crackling sword, as if he was going to say something. I rethink my question. May be he isn't the type of killer we've all been led to believe. He did kill people though. Heck, I saw it! Why else would he wear the sinister and covert armor?
Then a strange thought hits me. All of the times I've gone out to hand out the clothing I would never wear, there has always been a person or two who spit at me or cuss about where I'm from and how rotten I am. Every time I have to tell myself that they are just mad about something I have no control over, I didn't make myself a royal. I was born into it, and honestly it's not the best at times. They misunderstand me. That isn't my fault; I just have to deal with it. Maybe the Dark One is misunderstood.
Or maybe not. In the midst of my thoughts, I notice him approaching me slowly. My heart speeds up at a rate I don't think is healthy. If he doesn't kill with his sword, my fear certainly will do the job. As he gets closer I begin to see his features more. Aside from the striking blue eyes that always seem to capture my attention, the only other thing I can see are the tops of his cheekbones, are rather soft looking. The bridge of his nose is narrow, in an attractive way, if you can tell attraction from only that… I take a step back, but I hit a wall rather hard. He continues on forward, but a little more hesitant this time, I can see it in the eyes, which have rather nice eyelashes... irrelevant He stops two inches in front of me. An unwelcoming smell reaches my senses. The smell of blood. The cut on his neck is deeper than I originally thought. How is he still standing right now? With all that loss of blood, he should be at least unconscious. My breath hitches when he steps into my personal space more, but I find it in me to ask an important question, at least in my mind.
"Are you going to hurt me?" I hear my voice crack as I push myself as far into the wall as physically possible. I shut my eyes tight waiting for something to happen; I guess I do that when I'm scared…
Then I notice the crackle is gone. He must have dropped his sword along his way into my bubble. I tune my ears into the sound around me. It's silent for a moment, but then I hear him shuffle a bit. A slight breeze reaches my face as he moves shifts in front of me. He is probably reaching for a knife. But no, there is no knife only an angelic sound that shocks me to the core.
"I'm sorry." Is so quiet, it's barely a whisper. I hear just enough to tell that what I thought before is definitely wrong.
I open my eyes desperately and see a sight that is just not possible. The Dark One's hood has fallen behind right brunette hair and the mask is no longer covering the most beautiful face I have ever seen, and it is definitely not a man.
She stumbles backwards, of balance. Her stunning features now very pale. The electricity is gone from her deep blue eyes that are fluttering shut.
Oh no… "Hey, hey, hey…." I say gently, willing her to stay awake. My pleas are to no avail. Without a moment more of notice her now fragile body falls forward directly into my arms. I struggle under the weight, but now I'm sure it's purely the armor, because this girl is not big. I slowly bring her down to the ground and lay her head in my lap. It's like everything that I just witnessed has flown out of the small window in the room. She couldn't have done this…. could she have?
"Who are you?" I whisper the question as I look over her weak body.
What does this mean?