I own nothing Labyrinth. Another chapter done! I think I like this one! Never too sure until the next chapter if I like that previous one or not! Enjoying, and everyone's R&Ring is always appreciated! ~MB
Pain laced through Sarah's body, worse than she had ever experienced in her life. She doubled over, tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt her stomach heave, but there was nothing to come out. Sarah hadn't eaten since her dinner with Jareth. She tried to hold back, but still she gagged, clear stomach acid dribbling down her chin. She felt to her knees, tears replaced by blood. She could taste blood in her mouth, coppery, filling. It poured down her chin like a river, emptying on to the stone floor, spreading quickly through the cracks. She cried out, choking as a strong spasm cut through her, making her curl into the fetal position. She barely registered that Jareth was kneeling down beside her, his goblins crowded around him. He stroked her hair tenderly, just watching. When the pain lessened for a moment she looked up at him, reaching out to him in desperation. He took her hand in his, squeezing it softly. "Hush, Precious Thing, it will be over soon." Another spasm rocked through her and she screamed.
Jareth watched as Sarah's insides twisted around, cleansing themselves of their mortal remnants. Soon, his spell would reach her heart, turning it from a weak, mortal organ into a strong wild new heart. He felt her grip tighten as she screamed, blood pouring from her mouth, eyes and ears. She lay in a puddle of her own blood, her body convulsing suddenly, sending the smallest of ripple through the red liquid that was her life force. He felt the magic of the Labyrinth taking its place, making new cells, restructuring her.
Finally he felt his spell reach her heart. Her body shook and she threw her head back and screamed with abandon. She looked as though she was seizing, her head hitting the stone hard, cutting in her skin. Jareth finally gathered her into his arms, holding her tightly as the convulsing finally slowed. Her breathing evened out but her eyes were glazed over. He put a hand on her heart, feeling the strength there. He waved the same hand in front of her face, waiting for a response. She was too still. He frowned, shaking her gently. She blinked. Jareth couldn't hold back the sigh of relief that seemed to just flow through him.
Sarah's eyes focused, and Jareth's face was above hers. She felt both weak and strong at the same time. Her heart beat wildly in her chest as she took a deep breath. She looked up into Jareth's eyes, surprised and enraged at the concern she saw there. Without thinking, without knowing what she was doing, her hands came up quickly and wrapped around his throat. Sarah pushed him back with all of her strength until he was pressed against the stone floor and she was straddling him. The goblins drew back in fear as she attacked their sovereign, but none moved to stop her. She squeezed harder, feeling as his skin gave way and listening as his breathing became laboured. He didn't move and his hands remained at his sides. He just watched her, a smirk on his face.
Sarah stopped suddenly, her hands releasing his throat. His pale skin was red with her blood but she could see bruising from where her hands had been. She crawled backwards off of him, nearly falling into the pit before catching herself and stopping. She looked down at herself, covered in her own blood. Her hair was stuck to her face and with shaking hands she tried to pull it off, pushing the long tresses back. Sarah just sat there shaking, looking at the blood on her hands for a long moment. Jareth had moved to stand in front of her, waiting for her to look at him again. She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze; she couldn't tear hers away from her bloodied her hands. She tried to wipe the blood off on her sweater but that just spread it around. She started wiping her hands on the stone, not registering that the stone was tearing her flesh, causing her to bleed more.
Finally when Jareth could stand it no more he knelt down and grabbed her hands, holding them tightly. "Sarah, stop." He commanded; his spell from before still having a hold on her. She stilled finally, her breathing the only way that he could tell she was still with him. He stood, bringing her with him. She kept her eyes ahead nothing in their gaze. He brought his hand up to her chin, raising her eyes to his. There was nothing there, she had withdrawn. He could feel her mind turning, trying to work out what had happened to her. Deep her in subconscious she knew, but she wasn't willing to accept it. He took her by the shoulders shook the bloodied woman, demanding that she come back to him. She put her hands on his chest, trying to twist out of his grip. He held her firm but stopped shaking her. Her eyes cleared and their green gaze more brilliant than he had ever seen.
"What did you do to me?" Her voice was quiet, but the sound! It was still Sarah's voice, but more. It was smooth, strong and lyrical. Jareth couldn't help the triumphant smile that broke his grim features.
"I remade you. You are not only mine, but you are now my creation." He replied, running his hands up and down her bloodied arms. He saw through the blood on her face, her skin remarkably glistening through the drying liquid. All of these subtle things were simple confirmation of her transformation. She was further into his world than ever before and she would never be able to return to the Aboveground again, the Labyrinth wouldn't let her. He had tied her to him securely, and she would not be getting away this time.
Sarah felt the world shift beneath her. Her legs refused to hold her up and she was forced to accept Jareth's support. He picked her up easily, holding her close to his chest as he sat back down on his throne, arranging her easily on his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder, her hands limp on her lap. Jareth summoned another crystal and let it float above her prone body. Slowly the blood flaked upwards and was absorbed by the crystal. It went from clear to red and finally disappeared after it had turned a deep red. She looked at her hands, open scraps and tears, but no blood. She examined the open layers of flesh feeling sorry for her hands for a moment. When Jareth shifted suddenly her attention shifted back to him, to his words. I remade you. What did that mean? She looked up at him, taking in his scrutiny. "What did you do?" She asked again. His eyes softened and he caressed her now clean cheek.
"You've been changed and the life force of the Labyrinth has changed your heart." He touched her chest, feeling her heart again. "You're something new." He whispered. His focus was on her heart instead of her eyes. Sarah turned her face away from him, refusing to believe his words.
"You can't just change people." She felt tired, drained. She closed her eyes, resting while she sorted out what had happened to her.
"But I can Sarah, and I have. You never belonged in the Aboveground. You know this deep in your heart. You wouldn't have survived my spell if you didn't belong here." His voice was stone, his irrefutable words piercing her.
"I'm never going home, am I?" She could feel herself drifting away, her mind pulling her into the darkness to rest.
"You are home."
When Sarah next opened her eyes she was in a small stone room, lying on the cold floor. She couldn't help but smile at the surge of energy that seemed to feel every part of her being. She felt stronger than she ever had before. Every breath that she took seemed to radiate through her veins, pulsating and stalwart. She stood slowly and stretched, amazed that her muscles were begging to be moved. She looked at the stone floor, her eyes seeing the magic pulsating through the rock. It vibrated, shimmered. Every piece of the floor seemed to come alive, calling to her. It was the Labyrinth, she could feel it.
Sarah turned slowly, her elation dampened by the sight of two doors, wood and glass.
"It's time to choose again Sarah." His voice was behind her. Before it was simply a beautiful voice to her, but now it seemed thoroughly stunning. She closed her eyes and took in the melody of his words for a moment. The meaning of being 'new', as Jareth put it, was slowly dawning on her, its definition just out of her reach but getting closer.
"What will the price be this time?" She turned and her breath hitched as she looked at the Goblin King.
He was beauty incarnate. So masculine yet so stunning. His skin shone with health, his mismatched eyes seemed to pierce her wild heart as he watched her. Just as she had become, he looked more. More cunning, ruthless, determined, strong and yet lovely. She could see his magic pulsating around him, dancing wisps of red and black going in and out of his body. She blinked and they were gone, but she knew they were still there. He stepped towards her and held out his hand. She took it hesitantly but when her fingers closed around his her grip was firm. He led her to stand in front of the two doors and gestured for her to choose.
She felt her inner turmoil bubble to the surface. How could she choose knowing that whichever one she left to wait was enduring something unimaginably horrible? Between wood and glass she knew there was no wrong choice. Her friends needed to be saved and it had to be done sooner rather than later. The longer she spent deciding the longer they were both in their personal hells. Sarah stepped forward and gestured to the door of wood. Within she knew was her knight, Sir Didymus, and hopefully Ambrosius as well. "Name your price." She whispered turning back towards Jareth and looking at their joined hands. He seemed to mull over his answer for what felt like an eternity. Finally when he met her eyes he responded. "A night of living in my world, Sarah, is your price." Her mind whirled with the possibilities. He made it sound so simple, just one night and no details of how that night would be spent outside of it would be in his world. Sarah just nodded and released his hand, moving towards the wooden door that had become the focus of the room.
It swung open and Sarah entered into the darkness once again.