Chapter 9: betrayal

_Somewhere in the Realm_

He looked at the clear room he was preparing for the gathering. His cheek was starting to burn. Razuka knew the time has come to change. He snuck out of the room into another. He looked around to see if anyone was guarding the gate. "Good, the coast is clear," he mumbled to himself. He walked closer slowly to the switch by the gate. *So this is it huh? Sprites are such idiots. Mistress is counting on me and I will not let her down.* Razuka was about to push the button as Raine came by.

"Razuka? What are you doing?"

His hand froze on top of the button. Cold sweat broke out of his face. "R-Raine! U-uh…this isn't what it looks like!" *This irritating sprite! Why doesn't she realize that she's in danger? This world will no longer be when I release them all. All this time will be for nothing if she doesn't get out of here! Damn it! Why can't I do anything with her around?*

"Razuka? You're horrible at keeping your mind blank. I just heard what you're up to. I'm going to stop this foolishness!" She charged at him head on and attempted to grab him. He tripped backwards and fell on the button. She gasped as he smiled slyly.

"The end is near…and I'm close to my goal."

"Why Razuka? Why are you betraying us?" Razuka came closer to her and whispered in her ear, "I'm not one of you. I'm one of them."

Her eyes widened in fear. *This 'sprite' that has been working with them for so long is actually…no! I refuse to accept it! Princess! I have to protect her!* She came to her senses, created a smoke tunnel and ran to Mona's chambers.

He shook his head in disappointment. "Raine, you think as much as I do…" He heads towards her direction. Raine was running and panting towards Mona in her tunnel of smoke. *No good! This is no good! He pressed the button and now it's doomed. It's up to Mona to reason with them! Please be safe…* Raine sprinted towards the end of the tunnel. The room she entered was vacant. No Mona was in sight. She frantically looked around to see if she was hiding. Under the bed, behind the dresser, in the closet, she looked in every place. She dropped to her knees. "Am I…too late? Is she gone?"

"No, she's here."

"Mona you're here! Thank go-!" She turned to only find Razuka with an unconscious Mona on his shoulder. "She's not dead, don't worry. I promise I won't kill her. All they want is information. Now sleep.

His hand started to glow a dark blue, his left cheek revealed the Sliek Symbol; Raine's eyes were fuzzy and couldn't stay awake. "No….you don't know what you're up against…" She struggled to fight it, but all was for naught. She collapsed on the floor.

_Realm's Conference Room_

(Before everyone's arrival)

Shissou was in pain. Cuts and bruises all over the place, but he managed to endure it all. Meiko smiled approvingly of his progress in training. Hemnos looked at him and smiled. "A year is nearly done here. You are doing well for yourself, Shissou. More than I expected."

Shissou thanked him gasping between every breath. "Congrats! Congrats on completing your training! Ponopon jumped and cheered rather loudly. He jumped onto Shissou happily and purred. He suddenly jumped off trying to regain his composure. "Sorry, I tend to get a bit excited…" Ponopon said nervously.

Hemnos stared at them momentarily. "I haven't finished yet Ponopon. Shissou, you're progressing quite well. However, there is something you still lack. And the thing is, I can't quite place my finger on it. Perhaps throughout this year, your full potential hasn't been released yet." He stopped and faintly heard Raine's thoughts.

*Hemnos…If you can hear me…Mona has been taken by Razuka to the demon world. Your most trusted servant…has betrayed us Sprites. He pushed the button to the gate. You need to summon Meiko and tell her of the princess's situation. Slieks are known to break promises…hurry…*

He shook his head in denial. He couldn't believe that one of his servants would betray him this way; And a Sliek no less. But then again, every servant is to be trusted. Why not tell them? He closes his eyes to sense his sister's aura. The feeling was faint, but he felt purity, but another presence of sorrow. *Hm? Who is this? I never felt anything this sad, but oddly familiar. What am I thinking?! I have to tell them immediately!*

_Demon World_

Mona found herself tied up in the middle of the demon world on the floating rocks. She attempted to use her power to get herself out of this predicament. She struggled immensely for her freedom. Desperate to break free, she even attempted to bite on the rope. "Oh silly princess, you want out that badly don't you?"

She sees Razuka walking towards her along with her crown. "W…what are you doing with my crown? Please, give it back!" He shook his head. "Not until you give me the information I need. You see, in order to get my rank up, I need to know your weakness, along with your people."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "So this is what this is all about? You're going to let the Sprites and Humans die all for a stupid rank?!"

Razuka gave her a blank stare. "Huh? No one's going to die. I only released because they wanted freedom. They promised they wouldn't hurt anyone if I let them out. Then again, it really doesn't matter to me, even if they die."

"Even Raine?"

"Yes, even Rai-" He stopped and started to think. *Raine…will she disappear too? I'm a Sliek! I'm not supposed to care and yet…*

Mona sees the conflict in him. "So tell me Razuka. Is this all really worth it? We both know quite well you have a crush on her. Sliek or not, no one can abandon love, no matter how hard you try."

"Well, well…It looks like someone developed a familiar feeling eh, Razuka?" They turned to find one of the 5 Elite Slieks coming towards them.

Razuka rejoiced as he saw his superior. "Blaze! So glad to see you! Well, this one's a tough nut to crack. She's not giving me any info. And uh-" Blaze looked at him with disapproval. "What a pity, but your time is up, Razuka. Mistress has no use for emotional fools."

Razuka's smile had faded. "Wh….what do you mean? Wasn't my job just to bring information? And the portal opening; you won't hurt anyone right? You guys promised."

Blaze only laughed sneeringly. "Oh, that's rich! 'You won't hurt anyone, right?' 'You guys promised.' What a load of bull. Since when do we keep promises to anyone? Not us, that's for sure. You honestly thought that us Slieks keep any promises at all? Hey guards! Come and get this guy and throw him in the cell!" He looked at Mona and grabbed her arm. "And as for the princess, Mistress wishes to see you."

Armed guards pinned Razuka down as he kept struggling all the way through. "Alright, this is gonna be a pain, but my power is out of order and we need to walk over there. Get up." Mona resisted and kept on the floor. Blaze smacked her and ordered her to get up.

"Damn, at this rate, we're toast! We need to get out of this hell hole, princess!"

"Persistent little bastards aren't they? Don't let those idiots overpower you."

[You jerk! Let go of my master!]

"And more pests? No one can come through without dying. Razuka stopped struggling as he heard the voice. His skin became pale and his blood ran cold with worry. "No. It can't be!"

They see Raine in front of the portal, readying herself to go inside. Blaze motioned the guards to keep moving with a chained Razuka. He struggled again as he attempted to speak with her.

"Raine! What the hell are you doing?! Stay away from here! Run with your own life while you still can!"

[And abandon my princess?! Not in the slightest!]

"You serious? Coming in here is just committing suicide!"

[I don't care! If it means to sacrifice my own life, I'll rest in peace as long as I know that she's safe.]

She walked back for a running start, jumped through and made it in one piece. She ran towards where everyone is at, but she suddenly felt dizzy and fell to the floor right after she came through the entrance.

"Raine, you dummy!" Razuka screamed. "You'll die half-way through here!"

"Shut up... Now if you'll excuse me…I'm taking my master back now..."

She felt worse and worse as she was getting closer. She staggered along the way as they all watched. "Mona...I'm here...Please… your...po…" Raine fainted as she was a few inches away.

Razuka looked as if part of him has been shattered to pieces. "Raine…I told her to stay away…Is she that loyal?" He looked at Mona who was concentrating on something. Blaze shook his head. "Sprites are such idiots, thinking they can come and save everyone. Pity, but that's what she deserved. Let's go, prisoners."

A strange light was glowing from her to Raine. She woke up, glowing white from Mona's power, stood up and carried Mona who is now unconscious. "You play dirty, don't you? Mess with her again and I'll personally give what's coming to you." As she was walking back, Blaze was getting angry. He was being ignored by the 'lowly' servant and ran towards her. His hands were now balls of fire.

"You better not think of me as an inferior!"

As he was about to attack Raine, she kicked him on the side of the face, which sent him flying and a footprint on his cheek. The guards and Razuka looked at her with astonishment. Without looking at them, she headed back to the Realm. The servant finally arrived in Mona's room with low stamina and stayed by her side. She then fell asleep from exhaustion. A little while later after Raine woke up, she found Mona sitting next to her, with red eyes.

"Raine...what you did was pretty stupid...I really thought I was going to lose you, don't do anything reckless like that again, you hear? Promise me."

Raine thought for a moment. *I'm not like them. Not like him either.* "I promise. Sorry for making you worry."

"Duff! Mella! Raine!" She heard Hemnos's call. "You stay here and recover. I'm going to see what he needs." And thus, she went to the conference room.