Hiya guys! Right, TRIAL TWO: POWER! By the way, recently my laptop has - sadly - broken. So while it is going in for repair on monday for another week, I'm going to borrow other people's laptop's (especially my brother's - it's awesome!) So updating time will take three times as long. At least I have one last week of summer to get ahead somewhat!
So back to the story. Like I said *ahem* TRIAL TWO: POWER! Violet just found out why she is there and a brief note of what Vaati is doing this all for (it's good to finally type 'V' normally - my 'V' fell off on my laptop :P). So, will she tell her friends? And what about Shadow, they'll have to put up with each other - for Vaati's sake.
Please review!
Chapter Nine
Second Trial: Power
I woke up with a start, my empty dreams scaring me more than nightmares. I calmed myself down a little before I got up. I noticed that I had no duvet whatsoever, and I looked over to Vaati. Yet again I caught him sprawled out across the whole bed, but this time he had wrapped himself totally in the whole duvet. I shook my head, giggling at how cute he was when he was sleeping.
Then I remembered something. It was the day of the second trial, power. I remembered what I uncovered last night, and now knew I had to give it my all to win these trials, for Jasmine and for Vaati. If I was chosen, I would be one step away from being locked in the dungeon to rot. Though Vaati may break me out of the dreaded cells, I wasn't going to take the risk. Besides, Jasmine, Raven and I were all friends, thick as thieves despite some circumstances. Raven and I had to be chosen, it made perfect sense.
I got up and peeked out of the window. The sun had just risen, and it would soon be time to go down to the garden. Looking back at the sleeping Vaati, I didn't want to leave him. And if he was to blame anyone, it was to be himself. He was the one who ordered these trials to commence.
Picking up a blank piece of paper from the desk, I wrote on it that I had gone down to the garden for the second trial. Leaving it on the bedside table, I left the room without a sound.
"Found it!" I cried triumphantly. I had at last found the garden, after who knows how long I had been wandering. I burst through the doors, but nobody was there. I guess I still had time to wait out. I walked over to the fountain and sat on its edge. I looked up at the sky, and saw that it was still low in the sky, but a lot higher than last time I checked.
"Oh it's you." A sneering voice sounded, and I snapped my head round. The same dread filled me whenever I saw his face. Those cold, mixed up eyes. Little did he know that I heard his little secret. Some pity burrowed inside me, but I forced it out. Pity would only make him angry if he ever saw it on my face.
I smiled. "The one and only." I tried to act like nothing was wrong. Giving him an angered reply only makes the likes of him laugh.
He walked over to the fountain, and sat some distance away. I was grateful, at least he wasn't close to touch me.
"What are you doing here so early?" He asked in a cold voice, clearly unhappy that I was here at all.
"Why should I tell you? You're just going to turn it against me." Neither of us looked at each other.
Silence.
"Your friend Jasmine isn't very faithful to you." The little rat! For once in his life he had found someone who –he thinks- loves him, yet he still talks about her like that! I was just about to explode, but then I realised I had to keep my cool. Getting myself in order, I replied with a steady tone.
"I could say the same thing about you to your master." I hissed, some anger I haven't yet contained seeping out. But it was alright, he wasn't in the least suspicious of me.
Silence.
The fountain's water flowed.
Unearthly wind blowed gently around the garden.
A door nearby creaked.
Still silence sounded.
Suddenly the door opened, and all the girls burst into the garden. One girl caught sight of me, and pulled a disgusted face. She spoke to her friend, her eyes still on me.
"Ugh, she's here." All the anger exploded out of me again, and in a flash my hand was on her neck, and I was pinning her to the wall.
"Say that to my face, I dare you." I hissed. Everyone was shocked by my sudden action, Raven and Jasmine immediately at my side.
"Violet, calm down." Raven said to me whilst Jasmine pried me off my victim. Thankfully to Shadow this looked like she was in favour of the girl, so her cover wasn't blown.
I turned back to the girls, whose faces were either full of hatred or fear. I didn't care in the least. Let them shrivel and die in the dungeons; I was going to win the future trials.
"Thank the Goddess you are all here." Sighed Shadow, and even I was thankful that they had broken the spell-binding silence. "Second trial. Right." For one moment, Shadow sounded worn out. Maybe he wasn't the ball of hatred I thought he was. "Jasmine, you can stay here as you won the last trial." All my thoughts were turned aside when I saw the grin on his face. That little creep! One moment he is talking behind her back, and now he wants to – I couldn't think of all the things he could do to her. Before I could give Jasmine even the slightest chance to give her a fleeting cautious look, we had already teleported to the trial.
Suddenly we were in a cave, fires lighting up the dull brown scenery.
We all stood on a island surrounded on a sea of abyss. The bottom just fell to darkness, and far in the distance was another island. There we saw the small but strong red glow of the prize. But how to get there was more bewildering than the distance.
Mine carts. There were four of them. Four tracks led into a labyrinth of complex roots, and I could see this trial was going to be a lot harder than the last one. Shadow's voice sounded from somewhere, everywhere, nowhere. I cursed; can't that boy just adjust his tone so it was less…irritating?
"You will form pairs. The strongest and the fastest will reach the destination first, and then the two of you will duel to reach the prize with magic." That was a lot to say in a few words. I immediately looked to Raven, and we nodded. We would be pairs. Jumping in the nearest cart, it immediately gave a jump start. Other girls were getting in now, but we were just ahead. I looked at the first turn, and shouted back to Raven.
"LEAN RIGHT!" The wheels on the tracks gave the cart a steady heartbeat, it's breath rattling and loud. On top of that was the wind, we were going so fast. Another turning came up, and this time it lead to the right.
"RIGHT!" I shouted, and we successfully turned right without falling off. Laughing, I crouched down to make us more streamlined. The cart suddenly came up against another, and in it was the girl I had attacked. I saw the anger in her eyes, and she tried to punch me over the tracks. I ducked, and watched in horror as the sudden action made her cart off-balance, and caused both girls to fall into the abyss. I never knew their names.
"VIOLET!" Raven screamed, and I looked back at the tracks. A fork was coming up fast, and I felt Raven lean left, so I did so too. We were going so fast now, and I could now see the destination clearly. So close yet so far.
We took various rights and lefts, catching glimpses of the other girls but then they were gone again. I was far from tired though, in fact the thrill of the ride worth our expectations. I gave a laugh of joy, and leant right and left in union with Raven. I looked back at her, and she too wore a face of excitement. Butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I threw up my hands, and felt the wind roar in between my fingertips. I screamed in delight, the wind running as fast as my blood. Suddenly a new rush was coursing through me, and I slammed my hands down on the cart edges. Wind roared past us with an even bigger gust, and the cart gave a new burst of speed. We turned a left, and suddenly we were headed straight for the destination. Seeing that we weren't slowing down at all, I threw my hands in front of me, both ma and Raven shouting. A gust of wind came from my hands, and we slowed immediately.
Arriving safely at the island, I sighed in relief. I may not give them the time of day, but those secret powers of mine were very useful. I looked at Raven, but she was in the least suspicious. Looking up, I saw the prize. Suddenly the cart behind me disappeared, and so did the track that came out from the labyrinth of many more to the island. So Raven or I were destined to be the maiden of Power. But the loser would have to win the next trial. That was for certain.
"You ready?" I asked Raven, full of confidence. It was a win win really; I would just have fun doing the duel. She turned to me, and I met the same confidence in her eyes.
"Ready." We then walked towards it, and as soon as we stepped within 5 metres of the prize, a blue platform of light rose from the ground, lifting us both up. A little unsteady at first, Raven and I used each other for support. We were soon high in the air, and around us many objects appeared. There was a bow, fans, ring, wand, crystal, tiara, staff, cape, helmet, and gauntlet. So this must be a round of magic, as all of them gave off a pulsing glow, all creating a circle around us.
I walked over to the fans, knowing that it would boost my powers over the element of wind. I picked them up, and examined the pair. Each was identical, made of willow as a frame and a blue material to make the fan itself. White designs decorated the surface, and an engraved eye was marked on each. Looking over to Raven, she had picked up the gauntlet. She waved her hand, and an immense burst of fire exploded out at me. Exited, I swiped a fan. A tornado consumed the fire, sending its flames in all directions but mine. Raven blacked oncoming flames, and both of us stared at the power our objects held, and we didn't even notice the other items disappearing, or the fact that Jasmine, Shadow and Vaati had appeared as an audience. We both jumped right out of our skins when Shadow's voice sounded once again.
"Let the battle commence! Last one standing will win!" What? How can I fight with them watching? Oh crap, Vaati was also there. But it didn't matter, both of us were equal. I looked at Raven, and we nodded to each other. There would be no hard feelings. It was purely to survive, and if I lost this one I would definitely get the next.
I raised my fans, and she raised her gauntlet. This time I made the first move. I gave out the same big tornado, right at Raven. Whilst she was preoccupied, I gave out another smaller one that went round to the side, the deadly blow. Raven gave out the same burst of fire to deflect the first tornado, but when the second tornado came she was unprepared. Excitement and dread both filled me, as she was just about to fall off. I sighed in relief and disappointment as she caught herself. Grunting, she got back on her feet. However I hadn't even used the raw power inside me, but she hadn't used the full power of the gauntlet yet either.
With the dread gone, excitement took over. I sent out a flurry of wind slices. Each one hit her, pushing her little by little closer to the edge. The results would be more productive if she would stop defending. Annoyed now, I rose the fans up, and swung them down with all my strength, and a huge gust came from it. The power in me had added to it, making it three powerful gusts. She was so close to the edge, but suddenly she gave out a tsunami of fire, destroying the bottom half of my gusts (I gave a huff of frustration as the top half carried on harmlessly). The fire was now approaching me and I swiped the fans at the floor, causing me to jump right over the fire. I spun in the air, transforming my dodge into an attack. I slammed the fans together, sending drill of wind into her. The fans glowed blue, a dazzling and bright light ebbing from the tips of the fans. I could feel the powerful gust pushing me back in the air. My own attack sent me flying off, and I was now falling back down to the ground below. As I fell I saw that she raised her arms in defence, but my attack was too powerful. She too was now falling, and we were now side by side, falling together. I smiled to her, and swiped the fan at her. She flew up, and landed back on the platform above. She turned in shock to me, and I held the smile for her.
I looked back down to where I was falling, and I sent a tornado to catch me. It died eventually, letting me land gracefully below. I could've sent myself up. But I chose not to. I would get another chance, and now I was sure it was fate for me to win.
I looked up as the platform floated back down, and as soon as it landed safely, Raven ran up to me, attempting for a hug. I stopped her in her tracks, and held out my hand.
"Good game." She grinned, and shook my hand. I lurched as she tugged me forwards into a hug.
"Thank you." She whispered in my ear. I gave her a squeeze, and we then let go. A bright light shone beside us, and we watched in disappointment as our weapons were disappearing. Shame, I really liked those fans. I looked up at Raven, and we both burst out giggling. I didn't even know what what was so hilarious, but I just couldn't stop.
"How touching," I looked up to see Shadow walking over to us, followed by Jasmine and Vaati. "You sacrificed yourself for her. Sweet." His voice was slithery, lapped in sarcasm. I dreaded every footstep he took, and if only I had those fans. Otherwise he would be flying off this very planet. My hatred subsided when Vaati gave him the whack that he needed, and then walked over to me. I looked over his shoulder, and I triumphly saw envy on his face - as well as pain.
"You are a very loyal ally, Violet." He said with a smile, his white fangs showing yet again. I loved how his little 'T' on his cheek moved slightly as he smiled. I loved how it looked like the wind was blowing in his hair every time he turned, wisps sticking out underneath his hat. "I just hope you win the next trial." I smiled, giving him a confident look.
"Don't you worry, you throw whatever you can at me and I'll conquer it." I moved closer to him, and he was just about to continue before Shadow interrupted.
"SO sorry to interrupt, but I need to perform a ritual, if you don't mind." He sent daggers my way, and I scowled back. Way to ruin the moment, Shadow. "Right" He sighed to himself. Reaching up, the prize automatically floated down to him, landing in his palms. I could now see that it was a crystal fire, frozen but still obtaining the fiery look. He stepped forward to Raven. "Hold out your hands." He ordered, and she obeyed. He placed the prize in her hands, and then moved his hands above it. Suddenly a burst of wind the colour red exploded around the two. It was just like Jasmine's reaction, but this time tongues of flame swirled amidst the gales.
I felt Vaati hold me closer, as if he didn't want me to blow away. I snuggled closer, happy that he was close. I felt him place something in my hand, and I looked down to see the two fans that I was holding, yet these were a different colour. The wood was dark brown for a first, and the blue had turned into a dark purple, the decoration turning into red eyes all over. I looked up to him, and he pit a finger to his lips. No-one was to know...okay. I whispered thankyou in his ear, and held the fans close.
The wind died down, and the pair reappeared. Raven now had a flame on the back of her wrist, symbolising power. I felt happy for her, and it was meant for her. Flame was my antonym in elements. She looked over to me, and winked. That was always her way of saying thankyou. Often when I covered for her at school she would wink at me across the classroom.
Suddenly a bright flash of purple blinded me, and I saw that we were back in the garden. Only two other girls remained from the trial. Half of me was sad to see them go like that, the other saying 'good riddance'. I didn't know what was up with me, it was like two halves of me wer finally battling each other for dominance. Then I remembered. If I was going to be the...maiden of wisdom, I would be the one who is half good, half evil. Everything was falling into place, the legend, the subtle hints from Vaati. I may be over-confident, but I was going to win the next trial. End. Of.
The dorm was silent, swallowed up in complete darkness. Everyone was sleeping, and i had made sure of it by waiting for the past 15 minutes or so. Silently, I pulled out one of the fans. I gave it a small wave, and a miniscule tornado came out. It roamed the room for a moment, then went out. I then swiped it downwards, and a gust came out. I then picked up the other fan. I tapped the two together, and sure enough a drill appeared. So all in all, I had three moves down. Side slash, down streak, and clash. Were there others?
I decided to make an experiment. Going outside, I looked around to see if anybody was there. The answer was of course no. Gathering up my courage, I jumped right off the edge of the balcony. I was falling yet again, and I felt my heart fall through a pit when I realised Vaati wasn't here this time.
I was falling through the clouds, just like last time. Yet it wasn't as magical, and I was only getting wet. Thankfully, the solid cloud was soon approaching, and I formed a tornado beneath me to soften my fall.
THUMP
I heard a loud sound, but I had fallen as swift and quick as Vaati did. I looked around, and saw in gloom a lonesome figure, standing at least 7 metres away from the dark mirror. It wasn't Vaati, that was for sure. He was too small. All too soon I realised it was Shadow. Damn! I was really hoping to get practice here. Better bail, before he notices me.
I lifted my fans to propel me back to the dorm, but suddenly the clouds moved from the moon, letting the light shine us.
"Who's there?" I heard him shout. Thank the goddesses he hadn't recognised me. Maybe... could have some fun? Smiling, I resumed the action I was going to take but this time I propelled myself forwards a little, and I created a tornado underneath me. I glided over to the dark mirror, and perched on the top. "Who are you?" He asked again, not being able to see my face as the moon was shining behind me.
"You don't recognise me? That's a shame." I teased. I could see him stiffen, finally recognising me.
"Get off the dark mirror." He growled. I looked down as the huge mirror I was sitting on.
"What, this thing? Let's see..." I thought about it for a moment, lengthening it out to tease him. "no." I smiled. The only people I treat this way was the boys on the farm back at home. They were real jerks. Shadow then jumped up, and tried to get me off the mirror with force. I saw this attack coming, and sprang up in the air using the fans. I somersaulted and landed perfectly on the other side, facing the mirror's front. I saw my reflection, tainted and dark. For one moment I could've sworn my own reflection winked at me. I dismissed it, and looked up at Shadow.
"I was going to practice these fans here on my own, but it seems that I have now got a test subject. Much better, if you ask me." I chuckled darkly. I was going to enjoy this. Not only could I beat the crap out of him, but I could also try out new moves.
"Bring it on, bitch." He growled, who was standing on the top of the mirror with perfect balance.
Just what I was hoping he'd say.
They're finally fighting! Yay! Well, it's easier to type on this computer for sure :D
Plus, I don't know how Shadow fights, apart from observing the four sword plus manga. Can you give me tips on how he should fight? I vaugley remember someone mentioning humungous bombs... tell me in the reviews! Thank you!
