The Circle Had Locked

The storm came out of nowhere. That is, at least, like Prince saw it in his perspective. In a matter of seconds the sky turned black and the first heavy raindrops fell on the deck. The atmosphere on the ship was full with tension, sailors were afraid. Prince tucked himself in brown long gown and put the hood on the head to protect himself a bit. The blows of wind were whistling in his ears, so Prince had to scream to be heard.

"This storm shows us no mercy!! We shall respond in kind!! Reef the mainsail!!"
Somewhere deep down in his memory sounded a warning.

…The history repeats itself…
The figure emerged behind him, dressed in the same gown as Prince was. But hood did not cover the head of the man.

"You said it once." remarked a tired voice. Dark Prince did not look well. As soon as they took course on the Shadowlands, demon felt uneasy and somewhat weak. Dark spots under eyes, loss of weight… He could not sleep or eat. Strange feeling. It was as Dark Prince feared for his life. But who was after him? Intuition was telling the man he will know it sooner than he'd will to.

"So you also noticed it." stated Prince, half – turning head to his brother. "How come? You did not exist at that…"
He got rudely interrupted.

"Please, Prince. Do not be a fool. I share your memory. Partly, though. Particular moments of your childhood, Azad, Island of Time… Probably Shadee's arriving brought great impression as even I can remember every detail of that day."

"My whole crew died there. Each of them."
"You are dangerous to the sea - travellers. Each crew you hire dies in no time." was somewhat poisonous remark.

Dark Prince did not get a reply as his counterpart was distracted by the sailor, that approached them.

"My Prince, the weather is bad, the fog fell on the water and we barely can see ahead of us. Maybe it is better to stop?"
"Continue this course. We do not have much time to stop and we surely cannot turn back." he pet boy's shoulder. "I believe in you."

The face Dark Prince did could be pictured under a name "Kill me for overhearing this!!"
"You cannot be a wise ruler if you do not pay any attention to the people around you. Each one of them deserves some part of you."

"Too cheap for me even to react." was the unsatisfied grumble. Next second Dark Prince gasped and fell on the deck, trying to avoid a burning flying arrow that would hit him right in head if not that famous 'Prince' reflexes he gained.

"What was that????" he yelled, jumping on feet again. Fear in Prince's eyes was the answer. More arrows fell on the deck, people tried to stop fire from spreading further. And then they both saw it. A boat with two eyes on the fodder and little glowing yellow dots everywhere. Eyes. Of the Sand Monsters. A faint sob was heard near. Dark Prince turned head just to see Prince in some kind of trance staring in front of him.

"Wake up and fight!!!!" demon grabbed the cloth on his brother's chest. No reaction. "You want them to kill you?! Wake up!!" finally he took courage and smacked Prince right in the face. No lightning or Kaileena's voice cursing him came on; just Prince muttered something and thought lightened his eyes again.

"I am sorry, this is too much to…"
"No time for all those nonsense, Prince! The ship is getting closer. So you better prepare."

And indeed. Not a minute passed by and both ships touched with borders. The silence fell. Prince was looking, Dark Prince, sailors…. Monsters were waiting for someone…

Tall slim figure emerged out of the mist. Long blond hair rested on shoulders and there wasn't much hidden under revealing outfit the strange woman wore. It partly was reminding Prince of Shadee's outfit, with metal constructions around hips, spine and breasts but what surprised him was the presence of material. Silver – white clothes covered her belly, were strapped around neck and were trying to convince one she was wearing a short skirt.

"Not bad…" purred Dark Prince and due to emotional moment slashed a bit with Daggertail. It brought some pain but he was too busy admiring dangerous beauty in front of him.

Leily narrowed eyes and examined both men, standing on the deck, watching her. Too similar to guess which one must die. He supposed to have hair the colour of the fire, but rain makes everything equal. She started to examine faces then. The male more to the right looked younger then his twin to the left and was cleanly shaved. Eyes slid downwards and then she saw it. The weapon of Sand attached to his arm.

Dark Prince was watching every little move of hers and when she lowered long dark eyelashes he understood that woman had recognised her prey. She raised head again, and crystal blue eyes wandered from him to the Prince. A split second and two little ice cubes caught aware look of the green emeralds.

"Kill him." whispered gorgeous red lips.
"I am doomed." flashed in demon's mind when the first creatures jumped aboard. "Nobody plans to leave me alive…"

He ripped the wet gown off to give himself more freedom. Prince did the same and drew sword.

"Take the sword!" he yelled to his brother. "You cannot fight without anything!"
"I have the Daggertail."

To answer was easier then to put it in practice. The Sand Weapon was slowing him down, bringing pain, taking ability to fight properly. Soon he was dragged away from the Prince and pushed in the corner. Prince was too busy trying to break through the wall of enemies himself so he simply did not have time for his alter – ego.

"I do not want to die! It is not time yet! I am not free!!" screamed Dark Prince, blocking several swords with the deadly chain. His palm was bleeding steadily, for holding sharp blades and pain was weakening him.

…Free your mind and accept the gift I give you…
Demon's eyes became larger as he again heard Kaileena's voice in his head.

"What do you want??"
…Free your mind. I am trying to help you… It is not time for you to die. The journey is only at the beginning…

"What must I…"Suddenly several sand monsters turned into nothing and Dark Prince found himself in the middle of the golden hurricane. The Sand Stream hit him right in the chest and for a second he felt sharp pain in every muscle of the body. Sand twirls started from the tips of his fingers, went up and up, leaving behind black, like charcoal, skin and golden patterns, like scars from the battle. Dark figure stood up from the deck and arrogant smile curved his lips.

"Finally."

Prince was on the other side of the deck when he heard male screaming something. Intonation was hopeless and full of pain but a second later some movement started on the upper - deck. Then Prince heard it. A whistling sound of the Daggertail. Or Dark Prince became too desperate to fight his way through and decided to sacrifice with arm, or…

It was more growl of the predator then a war cry. With one powerful blow Dark Prince smashed several enemies with Daggertail, making them disappear and turn to what they came from. Sand. Not even for a second he stopped or paid attention to anyone of his victims. Finally he reached the spot where Prince desperately tried to get out of the enemy circle.

In five slashes everything was over. Dark Prince raised hand to slash the only figure that remained in front of him when he heard the human exclaiming.

"You do not!!"
Hand stopped in the middle air and slowly went down.

"Prince." it was some kind of statement. Or perhaps a secret word… As after pronouncing the last letter Dark Prince fell on the deck, exhausted as his body was shaking from Sand slowly leaving it and sinking back in the medallion. To Prince it seemed like sand went straight into his brother's chest. He kneeled down and carefully shook him.

"Are you…"

Last words stuck somewhere in the throat as he saw the ship of the Woman in White, that some time ago seemed to sail away, satisfied with destruction it brought, heading straight to them on the full speed. With eyes as big as coins Prince grabbed his alter – ego, who was just starting to understand what happens around and pushed him in the water.

"Meet me there!"

As fast as he could, Prince ran around the ship trying to find survivors. None. All dead. He just wanted to jump in the water when his ship got hit. Loud creaking noise, floor breaking under his feet… Blow in the head. With bleeding forehead Prince fell in the water. If he stayed conscious this thought probably could come in his mind.

…Just like then…

Oh God I updated! And produced a pretty big chapter for my standarts. A new hero is revealed, disclaimer follows. I do not own any Prince of Persia stuff exept for the Girl in White. But I really wished I owned both hot Princes. Lol. Enjoy.

AngelT