Sorry it's been so long since my last update. School is a pain and my writing course has me writing...a lot. Hope you enjoy this installment!
Chapter 7
It stopped. Thank God it finally stopped. The gut churning, nausea inducing waves of color and spinning sensation ended when I slammed in to solid ground. Groaning, I lifted my head from the ground to discover the 'crystal' in my hand smashed into a thousand shards.
"Just peachy," I growled, getting to my knees and coughing. My stomach really took a beating from that portal thing. I wiped my mouth and looked up. Where the hell is this? It looked like the world turned gold. I was kneeling on a long, wide platform made of some sort of golden crystal. Not trusting myself to stand, I crawled to the edge of the platform. Crystal pillars jutted up from swirling gray clouds that obscured the bottom. How far was it to the bottom? I'm not sure I wanted to find out. Not only were there tall pillars everywhere, chunks of rock large enough to stand on floated in mid air. Floated! Now I've seen everything. I crawled away from the edge and slowly got to my feet. The world seemed to tilt and I bent over to keep all the blood from rushing out of my head. Fainting now wouldn't be the best idea. When the world finally righted itself, I stood up fully and breathed in the air.
"All right. I have to get out and find some allies." I took two steps forward and stopped in my tracks when I heard a strange noise. It sounded like two rough rocks grating against each other.
"That can't be good." I turned around to find the pillars of golden crystals glowing a sparkly white color. Glowing is never good. The grating sound got louder and the pillars started to generate new crystals. They were coming right at me! Shit! I rolled to the side just as a row of pillars zoomed my way. It missed me by inches. I started to run alongside the row but skidded to a halt when a pillar jutted up from the platform's surface. Good God. It must have been 2 stories high. I turned to run the other way but was stopped by another pillar coming up from nowhere. The crystals were trying to box me in!
"You'll never take me alive!" I yelled, running to the edge of the platform and jumping off before a pillar could enclose me. I landed on the top of another one as it burst skyward. I held onto it for dear life, praying it would stop soon. As soon as it stopped growing, I jumped from it onto a floating rock. It wiggled a bit but held my weight. The pillars started to rise up in a circle around the rock. No way was I going to be locked in by spastically sprouting pieces of oxide mineral! Listen to me. Fighting for freedom and I'm naming the specific category of a fancy rock. Well, my chemistry teacher would be proud. My internal monologue was interrupted by a pillar smashing the rock I was standing on. I pulled a dagger from my leg sheath and dug it into the side of the crystal as I fell. It slowed me down enough so when I reached the rock ledge below, I didn't smash my feet. I pulled my dagger free only for more pillars to grow around me.
"For God's sake, stop it!" I yelled jumping onto a pillar as it grew. I hopped from rock to pillar and back trying to keep myself from being trapped by the stuff. This was getting me nowhere. I would rather fall into the cloudy chasm of mystery than be crushed by germinating jewelry-to-be. With this in mind, I looked over the edge of the extremely tall pillar I was perched on and took a deep breath. Time for the plunge. I inhaled, bent my knees, and exhaled as I jumped from the pillar. The wind rushed around my face as I closed my eyes. If there was a floor a few feet under the mist, I would rather not see it. My plummet abruptly ended as someone hooked their arm around my waist and continued their ascent. The wind was knocked out of me from the sudden change in altitude. I gasped for breath as whoever-it-was set me down on the platform. I glanced up to see a brown haired male pull out a pair of swords that looked suspiciously like Zidane's. He wore gray and blue loose boots, gray and white tights (heehee; a guy wearing tights), a gold belt over a blue cloth that wrapped around his waist, a light blue tank top, golden armor on his left shoulder, and a blue cape that looked like one of my grandma's old blankets. All in all, he looked weird yet decent. Better than gay-lord or barely legal girl.
"Need a little help?" he asked, flashing me a boyish smile. I lifted my arm and pointed behind him.
"Freaky growing rock, twelve o' clock."
He turned around to find the gold crystals starting to enclose us. Twirling the swords around in his hands, he started to spin himself in a very fast circle. He went so fast that he lifted up a few feet off the ground. His swords connected with the crystal pillars and they shattered into tiny dust particles. Landing back on the ground, the twin swords flashed a brilliant white and were replaced with a sword that looked like Cloud's. He swung the massive blade as a row of pillars shot towards us. The entire row that extended at least 30 feet back exploded into dust. The dust lazily floated to the ground around us. The loud grating noise stopped and the world went quiet. I stood up and looked at him.
"Cool," I said smiling.
"Whoa, what a rush!" he replied, grinning. His swords disappeared into thin air and he put his fists onto either side of his hips in a victory pose.
"Rush of adrenaline, maybe."
"I know. Feels good doesn't it."
"If you like that heart-in-your-throat-we're-going-to-die feeling."
"Exciting, isn't it?"
I gave him a tired smile, put my hands over my eyes, and flipped them open multiple times while making a coo-coo clock sound.
"Awww, that's mean."
"Sorry." I stopped the action and rubbed the back of my head. "It's been a long day."
"I'm Bartz," he said, extending his hand in greeting. It took it.
"Kai."
"Oooh. So you're Kai." He looked closely at my necklace then spun me around. "Let me see your back!"
"What? No!" I spun back around and backed up a couple of steps.
"Awww, I'd like to see the wings."
"Who told you about those?"
"Zidane."
I smiled evilly. "Then his name goes to the top of my Death Note list."
"What?!"
I ignored Bartz and rubbed my hands together like a mad scientist giving a low chuckle. Yes, yes my precious. He must die in the most inconspicuous way possible. It must be a secret. Hee hee hee. Ho ho ho. Ha ha ha.
"You feeling okay?" Bartz walked over and put his hand to my forehead. "Do you have a fever or something?"
"Nah, I'm just poking fun at monkey boy." I brushed his hand away and smiled. "Oh, that reminds me, how do you have Zidane's swords? Doesn't he need those?"
"These aren't Zidane's real swords, their copies."
"Copies?"
"Yeah! I'm a mime!"
"Really? Can't be one of those pasty faced ones." I imitated a mime trapped in a box. Bartz laughed at me and my funny expression.
"Not that kind of mime. I can copy other people's weapons and abilities."
"Hmm. That's kinda cool."
"Yeah! Gimme your sword." I raised an eyebrow but unsheathed it and gave it to him. He looked it over, running his hands over the smooth metal, absorbing every detail.
"I don't think it's going to be very happy the way you're feeling it up. Pervert." Bartz shot me a smile and gave the sword back.
"Watch this." He reached out in front of himself and plucked a sword from mid air. The damn thing just appeared in his hand! Not only that, but it was my scimitar. I looked from his copy to the sword at my hip and back. I then drew my sword and compared it to his. They were exactly the same.
"Damn, kid. That's ridiculous."
"Show me some attacks, Kai."
"No way. You're not copying my abilities. Those are mine."
"Come on. One little move."
"No."
"Please?"
"No. Drop it."
"Aww. Just one?"
"Zip it, bothersome pest."
Bartz was so busy pestering me he didn't notice the slight noise in the air. It was quiet but persistent. I looked down to see the ground glowing beneath his feet. I grabbed the front of his shirt and tugged him forward. He weighed a bit more than I thought and we fell to the ground. The area he was standing on erupted into a giant pillar. Bartz glanced back and gave a low whistle.
"That was close."
"This is even closer. Could you get off?"
"Oh! Sorry!" He stood up and helped me to my feet.
"Let's move. I don't like this place."
"I agree."
I followed Bartz since I had no idea where I was going. I looked past him to see the platform we were standing on stop. Beyond was a bunch of floating rocks and pillars. Hopefully the crystals won't kill us while we try to cross. Unfortunately, my luck is usually shitty.
After we crossed the floating rocks of doom centered over the pits of death, we reached solid ground once more. I was just getting comfortable when the wide open floor condensed into a narrow bridge. Luckily, the bridge was wide enough so four or five people could cross at the same time. Unluckily, it was situated over an expansive pit of lava. Life is full of compromises; some good, some ridiculous. These absolutely nonsensical places and events were starting to get on my nerves.
"Hey, Bartz. Why are you here? Isn't this place close to the enemy stronghold?"
"What makes you think that?"
"I was teleported here by flamboyant gay-lord and attacked by moving rocks. It's way too asinine to be near the good guys."
"Haha! Good point. I got trapped in a portal and teleported to Kefka's evil lair. I escaped without a hitch and found you in trouble."
"Kefka? Demented clown man?"
"That's him."
"Huh. So tell me about the wings on my back."
"Well, they are the source of…wait, no. Sorry but I can't tell you."
My eye twitched in annoyance. "You are the sixth person to tell me that. Why can't you?"
Bartz shrugged his shoulders and gave me an apologetic look. I slitted my eyes and grabbed the back of his shirt.
"Tell me."
"No."
"Tell me."
"Show me some abilities and I will tell you."
"No."
"Then no."
"Fine. Whatever." I walked away in a huff. How dare these people keep secrets from me? Especially since they pertain to my foggy past. I guess I'll just have to find Squall and beat it out of him. Bartz is too nice to threaten. Yes, Squall would be perfect. That quiet, over working, half-baked, son of a pack mule. I stopped and gave a long sigh. I was getting too worked up.
"You okay, Kai?"
I glanced back to see a worried looking Bartz staring at me. I quivered a bit. He is too damn nice to be mean to. He's also cute in a brotherly sort of way.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." He smiled in return and I looked away. How could I have been so demanding to him? I hit myself on the head as punishment and started to walk forward. He caught up and we walked for a while.
"You look kind of down."
"Do I?" In fact, I probably looked dreadful. All that's happened is just too much to handle sometimes. I wish I could go back home to the guys and play in the band like a normal person. I miss my biology research, my best friend Jade, and gooey pizza. I want pizza.
"Here, take this." I looked over to see Bartz present me with a feather. It was larger than an eagle feather and a nice yellow color. I took it and looked it over.
"What is it?"
"A chocobo feather from my beloved chocobo Boko!"
"Boko?"
"Yeah! I want you to have it."
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
I smiled and reached into my pocket pulling out a piece of string. I tied one end of it to the feather and the other to a lock of my hair near my shoulder. Once in place, it hung over my shoulder.
"Thanks, Bartz."
"Anything to see you smile."
I blushed at his comment and walked ahead of him. I hate blushing in front of other people. It's a sign of weakness or embarrassment depending on the situation. This one was embarrassment. I stopped and Bartz bumped into me.
"Whoops. Sorry about that."
"Why is there a giant-assed sword sticking out of the ground?" This thing was huge. It was at least 3 times taller than me and sticking straight up. The blade actually looked sharp.
"Wow," he said.
"Do you think whoever wields this thing is trying to compensate for something?" We looked at each other and laughed. We stopped when we heard a weird sound behind us. It was kinda like a boing. I turned around to see a tall, beefy guy encased in teal, dark blue, and gold armor. He had some sort of blue skirt loin-cloth type thing around his waist and a white cape fastened at his shoulders. What is with all the funky colors people wear? I really have only seen silver armor. Where did he get teal?
"Hmfp, a mouse and a princess. The void has been gracious indeed."
"Shut the hell up! Why do all you bad guys insist on calling me that? I'm gonna knock your head in!" I yelled, pointing a finger at his fat head. This was the one…two…three…well, something time the bad and good guys have both called me princess. Was there something more to this nickname? Whatever. I'm going to find out one way or another. If this lummox keeps pissing me off, I'm going to beat it out of him.
"It seems the girl has just as much spark as Kuja said."
"Gay-lord? What does he have to do with this?"
"Gay-lord?" Bartz asked, raising his eyebrow.
"Ever seen Kuja?"
"Yes."
"Then you know what I'm talking about. Creepy guy."
"I agree but more importantly…" Bartz drew a copy of Zidane's sword from thin air and pointed it at armor guy. "Come down here Exdeath."
"Exdeath is your name?" I shouted at the guy.
"Yes. Though you don't need to know. You both shall return to the void soon."
"Void. Barely legal woman said something about that."
"Yes, the Cloud of Darkness. The void is a place of nothingness. In it, all power will fade."
"I don't give a rip. I like to keep things simple. You bad guy, us good guys, we beat your ass in."
"You wish to fight?"
"Yes!" I yelled.
"Maybe not," Bartz yelled.
"What do you mean maybe not?"
"I'd rather not fight."
"I don't really want to either, but this guy is annoying."
"Then ignore him."
"If we beat him, we don't have to ignore him."
"Enough!" Exdeath shouted. "I will take your powers, girl, and use them to send this world into nothingness."
"Why do the bad guys always have to monologue and tell us about their dastardly plans? And what is with your voice? Sounds like your straining voice is one step away from extinction."
"I wouldn't taunt him any more if I was you," Bartz whispered to me. I ignored him and summoned a bit of energy. I threw it at him in the form of crackling lightning. He laughed and disappeared.
"Whoa," I said, whipping my head around to find him. Bartz pushed me to the ground as Exdeath appeared directly above us. I pointed my finger at his ass and unleashed a powerful fire spell. It hit his armor and heated it up to a glowing red color.
"YEEEEHHHHHH!" He yelled, jumping into the air. I smirked because he couldn't move around very well in all that armor.
"Nice one!" Bartz exclaimed, pulling me to my feet.
"I aim to please."
"You will die painfully slow for this," Exdeath wheezed, floating down to the ground. I could only imagine his eyes behind the armor where burning with a fiery passion.
"Come get your comeupins," I taunted. Exdeath only laughed as the world around us went dark. Bartz grabbed onto my hand and we were teleported into pitch black. I clung to Bartz's shirt as we started to spin uncontrollably in the dark. Fortunately, the sensation only lasted for a few seconds and we were dumped onto the grassy lawn of a stone castle. At least, I think that's what it was. It was a square stone fortress with a few small windows and turrets at each of the corners. I looked around to see floating turrets and blocks of stone with grass on the top. I was so busy looking around that I forgot I was clinging onto Bartz's clothes for dear life.
"Kai, you can let go now," Bartz gently said, prying my fingers from the fabric.
"Whoops," I flung myself back a few steps and grinned in embarrassment. "Sorry about that."
"No problem for me." He grinned at laughed back.
"It seems the worms find something funny," Exdeath's voice said from somewhere. Bartz and I looked around franticly to discern the exact location.
"Look!" I yelled pointing straight up. Exdeath hung in the air for a few more seconds and dropped to the ground like a rock. Bartz and I rolled opposite directions just in time to avoid getting smashed.
"Come quietly, Kai. Let me use your power and return this world to the void."
I rolled my eyes and looked around Exdeath. "Hey, Bartz. Do you want to take him or should I?"
"I'll do it. He threatened you and is going to pay for it."
Exdeath turned around to look at Bartz. He laughed a bit and drew his sword. Bartz summoned Squall's gunblade and rushed Exdeath. He sidestepped Bartz easily and threw his sword at him. Bartz whirled around and blocked the attack. The sword stayed in front of Bartz and kept attacking him. Exdeath was controlling it with his power! I growled in annoyance and walked over to Exdeath. He was so busy fighting with Bartz that he didn't notice me behind him. I drew my sword and rammed in into the space between his helmet and breast plate. Exdeath screamed and dropped to his knees. I retracted the sword and back stepped a few paces. Bartz ran over to stand beside me.
"Nice work," he said holding out his fist. I bumped it with mine and smiled.
"He's as slow as a tree." My smile vanished as Exdeath wobbled to his feet and turned to face us. He exhaled slowly and stood fully upright. There was no sign of damage or anything that might show that he had just been skewered through the neck. I pointed at him in horror. "What the hell are you?!"
He laughed his annoying, egotistical laugh. "Nothing can defeat me."
"I'm starting to figure that out."
"Then you are getting wise. Give your power to me, Kai."
"Hell no!" Bartz and I yelled in unison. He grabbed my hand and started to spin me around. When I was spinning in the air, Bartz released me and I sailed at Exdeath. He easily blocked the spinning attack and sent me flying into the wall. I smashed into it and slumped to the ground. That hurt!
"Kai!" Bartz yelled, running toward me. Exdeath blocked his path and laughed.
"You will not help this girl. She is mine now." Exdeath summoned his power and created a small black hole. It started to suck everything around it in. I stumbled to my feet and tried to move away, but the blow I had just received left me dizzy. I fell over from the force of the black hole and was easily sucked in.
"Kai!" Bartz shouted. He leaped over Exdeath and grabbed onto my hand keeping half my body in this world. I gazed at him with fear. I didn't want to be sucked into the void. I didn't want to be transported somewhere different. I wanted to stay here with Bartz. All these emotions flowed through me with devastating power. My back started to ache and I began to glow a bluish white. I want to stay. I want to stay. I want to stay!
"No!" I screamed as Bartz's grip was broken. Exdeath grabbed his shoulder and flung him away. I fell into the void. Exdeath laughed as darkness consumed me. I fell through the air and landed hard. It hurt, a lot. Stars dance in my vision as I struggled to stand up. It was difficult to gain my balance because everywhere I looked it was black. I saw no light anywhere. I stumbled a bit through the darkness. The only light was a blue white glow radiating from my body. Not only that, but the area on my back where my tattoos where hurt. It ached like a muscle does when you over use it. I groaned and fell backwards onto the ground.
"Now what?" I slowly inhaled and exhaled. This was no place to get into a panic. It was also no place to give up. I had to keep going. "I have to keep going, damn it!"
As I yelled into thin air, an area of the darkness opened up to reveal someplace new. I got to my feet and walked over. It was just like the portal Exdeath used to send me here, except it wasn't trying to suck me in. It was giving me a choice. Anywhere was better than here. I stepped through the portal and the absolute darkness closed behind me. As I did, my back stopped hurting and I stopped glowing. That was good. Now, I didn't know where this was, but I sure as hell was going to find out.
