Kiri: Ah, chapter nine, and yet another day gone by. lol.

Ravan:... you're crazy, you know that?

Kiri: I'm quite aware, thank you. But, the stats for this thing are a thorn in my side, peeps! over five hundered veiws, and only ten reveiws... Five hundered...ten... is it just me, or is that not a good ratio?

Ravan: because you suck.

Kiri: ... that hurt, you know.

Ravan: Suck it up.

Kiri: I have faith in my readers. If I could only get them to leave a bloody comment...

Ravan: How do you know you even have readers?

Kiri: just shut up and get back in the story. Enjoy the story, folks!

Chapter Nine

After thinking on what I had witnessed, I started running about the castle like a fool, looking for a way into that time. I was unlucky for a while, and at a few points, I wondered why I had to get to that time at all… Maybe I would've stopped, but it felt like something inside me was compelling me forward…

I shivered as I made my way down a long, lonely corridor. The temperature seemed to have dropped suddenly… I pulled my cloak tightly around my shoulders and kept walking, but got only a few yards when I stopped cold. I could them watching me… Someone's icy stare was upon me. Friend or foe, an uneasy feeling bubbled in my gut. Slowly, my fingers wrapped around the hilt of the small dagger I'd picked up from a weapon rack. My hearing, which had suddenly become very acute, picked up the sounds of soft footsteps behind me. I nervously bit my lip, carefully drawing my ridiculously weak weapon in preparation for battle I was all but ready for.

The footsteps drew closer, staying at the same pace. I waited… just wondering what would happen. I would probably be killed the instant I turned around, or severely wounded and left for dead. My heart started pounding at these thoughts and my grip became so tight around the daggers hilt that my knuckles were white. Something was about to happen, and I wasn't ready. But the footsteps drew closer still. Well, maybe it would be all bad… maybe it'll be a quick death with little or no pain… No. It can't end now. I don't want to die. I refuse to die on this godforsaken rock. Whoever you are behind me, I hope you're ready…

The footsteps stopped. A hand touched my shoulder. I panicked, and whipped around, slashing whoever was there with my weapon. Before it struck anything, though, a rough hand gripped my wrist. I dropped my knife. No… this can't be happening… I can't die here! I—those boots look familiar… I looked up, seeing my father there, a slight look of surprise on his features. I gasped and almost leapt back. In relief, I sat on the ground, panting. My hands still shook and my breaths were shaky, but at least I was safe.

"A thousand pardons," he offered, seeing that he'd scared the hell out of me. "I had no intentions of frightening you." I clutched my chest, trying to calm my heart.

"Never… do that… again…" was all I could manage to say.

"I sincerely apologize, miss." After a moment, I got to my legs, which were still trembling, so I had to use the wall for support.

"I'm alright," I assured him, "This place in making me a little jumpy." My legs quickly gave out from beneath me and I quickly clawed at the wall to stay standing, which didn't work. Fortunately, my father darted forward, catching me before I hit the ground and set me back on my feet. "Thank you." I tensed my leg muscles to force them to stop shaking. "For future reference, don't sneak up on me." I used the moment of silence to regain my posture.

"By the looks of things, I suppose you haven't had much luck finding your brother?" he asked. I looked up, about to say, "Huh?" when I remembered that I had lied to him.

"Oh… well, I have a lead, but I have no idea where it will put me." I picked up my dropped weapon and carefully slid it under my belt. "What about you? Any luck?"

"None."

"Oh… how unfortunate…" I felt much more relaxed and at ease this time around and the instinct to run was faint. I turned. "…Ravan," I said suddenly, almost absentmindedly. He gave me a confused look. "My name. It's Ravan."

"I see. You have a nice name." You gave it to me, buster. I blushed.

"Thank you."

"I am the Prince of Persia." Like I didn't already know that… Nonetheless, I faced him and tried to act surprised.

"You can't possibly be serious!" I exclaimed. He only gave me a look. "What are you doing way out here in a place like this? Shouldn't you be in a palace back in Babylon?" I could be asking myself the same questions.

"It's a long story," he informed, "one that I haven't the time to tell."

"I understand… but before you go, I heard that this island holds the key to time travel. I've looked all over the place and I can't find a trace of my brother, so I'm wondering if he might've stumbled onto it and gone into a different period of time." It felt funny using the same excuse over and over, but it was all I had. "Would you know anything about it?" He just looked at me knowingly.

"There are time portals all over this castle. In fact, I just came from one. Right through that corridor." He pointed.

"You've helped me so much already…" I began, "I have no idea how to thank you. I wish I could help you…" He put his hand firmly on my shoulder.

"There is nothing you can do now, Ravan. Don't look so disappointed." Even if he's not technically my father yet, he still had an encouraging effect on me.

"Well then… just be careful. This is a bad island, I know it." I back up and bowed. "It was an honor to meet you, your highness." Hopefully he has the impression that I'm a simple commoner, and nowhere close to a royal. It's a little weird though, using such formalities with my own father… I started on my way.

"Ravan," he suddenly called out, "Good luck." I smiled back.

"Good luck to you."

The portal my father had told me about was closer than I expected, but considering the traps that protected it, it was hard to get to. Very hard to get to. I think I had more close calls in the five minutes I spent racing under spiked poles and over floor spikes than I've had within my entire life. Thankfully, the portal was still active, but I was a little reluctant to use it. What waited for me in the past? Well, I guess I would find out. Summoning my courage, I stepped into the eye of the portal…

The sands around me began swirling faster and became a vortex. It became more and more violent each passing second. An unseen forced took hold of me and I was lifted up into the heart or the cyclone of swirling sands. I could just make out the overgrowth retracing from the walls and columns through the vortex walls. I shut my eyes and finally, I felt my feet touch the ground again. I opened my eyes. Everything was different, and yet unchanged… I was in the past.