Chapter 10: Similarities and differences

The Prince didn´t take long to reach the Mechanic Tower. It was all a show. The machinery in there was huge. Huge gears which moved circuits that took water to the track. Though there were many enemies from different categories, like the Keepers, the Golems, the Shadows and the Blade Dancers, in addition to the Spike Beasts, dog-looking creatures which exploded when they were defeated. The Empress had brought them from Aresura among the Golems.

In the time the Prince was trying to reach the mechanism of the central Tower, Kaileena had met again the Crow.

"What are you doing out of the Throne Room?" He asked, irritated.

"You speak to me like if you could control my actions." Answered a disgusted Kaileena.

"It´s for your own safety!"

"For my safety? You disappeared! I´ve had to manage to get rid of the Prince without you. Where were you in that moment?"

"I was flying over the Island."

"Flying over the Island! That's the only thing you do! I´m tired of you and your poor excuses, Crow! You´ve been using me to avoid the punishments you deserved! Enough! I don't want to see you again! Never!" She shouted, indignant.

"Do you really think you will be able to kill the Prince alone?" He confronted her.

"You aren't going to confuse me this time. So, don't star with your games. I have a plan and it will work!"

"Ambush the Prince? Are you going to fight him?"

"I won´t have to do it if he falls before."

"And do you really think he will?" The Crow used his skills to speak with sarcasm and rattle the Empress.

"If he doesn't die in the Mechanic Tower, something I really doubt, he´ll fall in the next one. Besides, the Dahaka is on the Island. I´m sure it has already hunted him."

In that moment, one of the locks of the Throne Room doors opened. The Prince had activated the first Tower. Kaileena´s heart stopped for a second, and the Crow enjoyed seeing despair in her face.

"Look … One less." He said, trying not to laugh.

Kaileena answered with one of her magic attacks, making the Crow vanish in many small crows that escaped flying. She couldn't believe it. He had activated the first Tower, and faster than what she had thought. Her hopes faded again. She had to eliminate him if she didn't want to fight him face to face. At least, she had to weaken him! Any other human had survived so long on the Island.

Just as she had told him, she´d have to meet him the Access Hall again. She would give him a new Sword, the Lion Sword, another one from the Order. However, this Sword held a horrible curse that Kaileena had spoken.

She waited impatient his appearance. She hoped that the Prince couldn't get there because to some kind of terrible accident. But, finally, he arrived.

"It´s you …" She said, disappointed.

"You seem surprised to see me …" He said.

"Surprised only to see that you insist on prolonging the inevitable."

"I see that the Empress hasn't discovered us yet."

"She won´t. She trusts me. I am not like the rest of the inhabitants of this Island."

"I know …" When the Prince spoke these words, Kaileena stared at him. Was he trying to seduce her? He looked at her with different eyes, not the same look from the last time. He seemed much more relaxed." I thank you your help. But, why do you do it?"

"Why do I do it? You threatened me with your Sword."

"Yeah, maybe my methods weren't the appropriate ones. But I just asked you where the Sands will be created, some information. However, here you are again, in front of me. What´s the reason of this?"

"Well, I …" Kaileena didn't know what to say. "I don't know … Perhaps half because you remind me of the Empress … Or who I wish she could be."

"What do you mean with that?"

"You see, like you, she knows her own fate. She has seen it in the Timeline, not much ago. She is also going to die."

"The Empress is going to die?" That made him think that he would fulfill his mission.

"Sadly, she is."

"Sadly? The Empress is a monster. She´s been tormenting humans for centuries."

"I know the Empress more than what you think, Prince. I´ve been with her my whole life. If she´s still here, it´s because of a punishment."

"If she was punished, I´m sure she deserved it."

"She knows she made a mistake. But her pride, in addition to the fear and despair she feels for her fate, don't allow her to behave in any other way."

"Sincerely, do you really think that after all the things she has done, she deserves a second chance? She continued doing evil after her exile, if I´m not wrong. Do you really think that?" Those words hurt Kaileena. But, after all, he was right.

"No …" She sighed. "But you don't know her. If someone tried to take her through another path, to show her that her hate for human kind has no fundaments … She might change." She said with sadness, speaking of herself. "The truth is that if she could get rid of the death that waits for her, she would be another person. She has thought many times about her actions. You don't know how much she suffers knowing the date and manner of her own death. The closer it draws, the greater her pain …"

"You speak of her like if YOU were the one suffering and not her." He said, thinking that Kaileena was exaggerating.

"I owe that woman my existence. If she suffers, I suffer too."

"I see …"

"They say knowledge is power, but I say it is a poison. Knowing these kind of things, when and how are they going to happen is such a torture … No one must suffer like that. It´s better that those things arrive when they have to, without notice. At least, this way you can enjoy your last days."

"That's true. But you said that was just half the reason. What is the other half?"

"I´ve known my whole life that what is written in the Timeline cannot be changed. Yet something inside me wants you to succeed."

"And do you think I will?" He asked, proudly.

"No. But I admire you for trying. The Empress does also. She never saw anyone so disposed to defy the Rules of Time. Nobody never travelled to this Island and survived so long."

"Thanks for your words."

"Take this." She said, giving him the Lion Sword. Then, she turned to leave.

"Can I ask you your name?" He asked.

"It´s … Kaileena."

"It´s a honor. Mine is Cyrus."

"It´s a pleasure." She lied. "The Hourglass is more than half empty. You don't have much time."

The Prince was ready to leave for the next Tower. Kaileena was also leaving, but the talk she had shared with him had made her to remember some feelings she had forgotten long time ago. Why did she feel so well in his company, in the company of her murderer? She couldn't let him go without asking him something else.

"Prince?" She called.

"Yes?" He said, turning to her.

"You´ve come here to kill the Empress, haven't you?" She asked, showing fear in her look.

"Yes." He just answered. Kaileena looked down. "I wouldn't do it if it wasn't necessary, Kaileena. But I must do it to save me."

Kaileena left without saying goodbye. That was a proof that the Prince´s words had hurt her. He saw her leave slowly, with her head low. She seemed to have no reasons to live for. She had to be really close to the Empress, he thought. Little he suspected that they were the same woman.

Kaileena didn't understand. How could her death fit with avoiding the creation of the Sands of Time? It had no logic! The Prince must be thinking that by killing her, he would stop its creation. But it was too late to try to make him understand the truth of it. She had to keep on, she couldn't back down. She had already had some chances to be sincere and tell him who she really was, chances to speak with him and try to reach a deal. But it was late. By the time the Prince would discover the truth, it would be too late to apologize.

They were not so different, after all. They both wanted the same, but only one of them would get it. However, she looked at him with other ayes now. She had enjoyed their conversation. Telling him her feelings had relieved her. But that wouldn't stop the Prince when he tried to take her life. All she could do was to get ready for the battle.