A FORMAL APOLOGY:
To my readers that have committed and stayed with this, I applaud you for your patience. I deeply apologize for my late update, I did not think it would take me as long as it did to even open a Word Doc and write it. The beginning of this semester really hit me hard, and I was stressed out for a long time (I still am, mind you). It wasn't until this past week was I able to find a shred of time in my schedule to work with this, and I really hope you aren't upset with me. I made sure to make this chapter as long and suspenseful as possible, and I believe this is the longest chapter in Thorns of a Rose (just over 5000 words, whaaaaat?) So I know you have all been waiting VERY VERY patiently for this, so I'll stop rambling on. Again, I do thank you for sticking with me and putting your faith in my fanfiction. You readers and reviewers help keep this story alive :)
Sophie awoke to a stream of morning light flooding into the room. She opened one eye, observing the beauty of the Wastes through the large Gothic window. Clouds of fog covered the land below, but the highest peak of the Wastes could still be seen. She smiled and shut her eyes further. Her mind travelled back to the night before, reliving every single, wonderful moment.
Sophie turned to her side and saw a sleeping man next to her. She smiled wide and ran her fingers up and down his bare arm. He shivered slightly, and instinctively turned toward her, still asleep. Sophie snuggled closer to him, their bodies inches away from each other. She lightly pushed his dark hair away from his eyes, though the strands of hair would fall back down and she would continue to push them back. She couldn't stop staring at the man she loved.
"Howl." Sophie whispered softly. "Howl, it's morning."
Howl turned his head left and right, stretching his arms up toward the head of the bed. He groaned loudly and ended with a slow yawn. He blinked lightly before completely opening his eyes, only to smile at the woman before him.
"Good morning, my lovely Sophie." Howl said. He sat up on his arm and his other hand grazed Sophie's chin. He pulled her close to him and encompassed her lips with his. Their kiss was graceful and gentle, yet they could still feel the sensations of their deep intimacy.
He pulled away and ran the back of his fingers alongside her cheek, smiling at the beauty she was. "You're beautiful, you know that?"
Sophie lowered her gaze, but she couldn't hide that silly smile of hers whenever Howl spoke such lovely words. Howl lifted her chin, her eyes following until they locked onto his. "I love you, Sophie."
"I love you, too, Howl." They shared another kiss, neither willing to pull away for quite some time. Just the feeling of being connected through a small act of love was all they needed.
When they parted, their breaths were heavy, air filling their lungs to the brim followed by long, full exhales. Howl smiled and departed from the warmth of the bed. He found his attire lying to the side of the bed, thrown with rashness the night before. Sophie raised her eyebrows as she watched Howl dress himself. After he buttoned his pants together, he noticed her staring.
Howl smirked. "Does someone miss me already?"
Sophie rolled her eyes. "Maybe a little."
"Oh, just a little?" Howl pressed his fists into the mattress as he leaned closer to Sophie, who held the covers over her bare chest. He dropped her gaze for a second, his mind trailing to satisfy his inner temptations. Sophie lightly held his cheek, and Howl naturally rested his chin in her hand. As he returned eye contact, leaning forward for another kiss, the door sprung open.
The door swung forcefully, hitting the back wall with a thud. The couple turned to their visitors, fear written all over Sophie's face. Howl frowned and creased his eyebrows, ready to fight if need be. Sophie breathed heavily as four guards walked in suit and made way for the real threat – Suliman.
The poised sorceress walked gracefully in, standing tall and fierce in a glistening green gown. Her vicious eyes stung Sophie as the poor girl covered herself further, hoping Suliman was oblivious to their actions during the night. She knew all too well, however, that nothing evaded the far-reaching and erudite mind of Suliman.
She stood still, taking in the image of Howl mostly dressed and Sophie covering her – what Suliman assumed to be – exposed body. She kept her eyes on Sophie, though the young girl could not even look up from the bed. Her body shook with fear, which pleased Suliman. Though Sophie was strong, Suliman knew how to weaken her.
Suliman turned to Howl, who held his fists at his side. She knew all too well the prison she set up was incapable of holding Howl for too long. His determination to see Sophie matched with the abilities of his magic were more than enough to break the pseudo prison she conjured.
She crept a smile. "Good morning. Did the happy couple sleep well?"
Before Howl could response, Prince Justin stormed through the doorway, his teeth clenched and muscles flexed. He darted his eyes between Howl and Sophie, his supposed bride seemingly undressed under the covers. He covered his eyes and turned away.
"Sophie, my darling, dress yourself!" Justin shouted. "I cannot believe you have betrayed me like this."
Sophie turned to Howl, and he motioned with his hand to stay where she was. He picked up her nightgown and his shirt. He handed her the nightgown and buttoned his shirt, his eyes permanently locked on Suliman's. They were all still, none of the guards even mustering their weapons for attack. He had assumed they would at least defend the King's Royal Sorceress, if not the Prince of Ingary, in the event of a battle.
As Sophie dropped the dress over her shoulders, doing her best to stay concealed while doing so, Howl shot a bolt of magic at one of the guards, instantly transforming him into a mouse. Sophie jolted out of the bed and hid behind Howl, though the other three guards remained as they were.
Suliman laughed. "Oh, please. Is that the best you can do, Howl?" Suliman returned the fallen soldier to his original form. Howl kept his focus on Suliman. There was something different about her façade than before. She seemed more content, more triumphant. She had a plan; something worse than Sophie marrying Justin, perhaps. Whatever it was, Howl was intent on escaping before finding out.
Justin marched over to the couple, ready to use his cane for attack, but Howl grasped it before the Prince whacked him. They had a matched battle, the cane motionless between the two.
"You don't deserve her." Justin seethed through his teeth.
"She doesn't love you, Justin." Howl said, his voice coarse and unrefined. "She never wanted to marry you and she certainly doesn't want to have anything to do with you anymore."
Justin laughed uncontrollably, unable to perceive his own psychotic tone. He turned to Sophie, his eyes warming in her presence. "Sophie loves me. She can learn to love me."
Sophie took a step back, fearful of the man she had obviously never known. His eyes expressed undying love and affection, but now Sophie could see through his eyes like they were open doors. He was a liar, a deceiver, an abuser – he was a monster.
Suliman stepped forward and levitated the cane out from between the two gentlemen. She held the cane and pointed it to Howl. "Seize him."
The guards, having not moved once since entering the room, all lunged for the wizard at once. Justin leapt out of the way as Howl battled the four guards, dodging the chains and shackles meant to constrain him. Sophie screamed in pain and tried to save him, but Justin held her wrists and pulled her close to him.
"Let me go!" Sophie shouted, her eyes only watching the man she loved being chained like an injured animal, Howl's strength completely worn out with one blow to the head. Suliman held the cane over his lifeless body, satisfied.
"Make sure to send him to the correct prison this time." Suliman ordered. "I want him to stay there for good now."
Howl hung his head on his shoulders, trying to catch a glimpse of Sophie before he was taken away. "Sophie…"
"Howl, I won't let them do this." Sophie said, pleading on her knees as Justin held her restrained. "I promise, I'll find you."
As the door closed behind them, Sophie fell to floor, completely broken. Locked away – forever. Suliman was not going to let him get away as easily as last time. She didn't know how she would find him again.
Suliman walked around the unmade bed, her hands holding the cane behind her back, as she went to shut the door. Each step of the heel was a knife pressing farther and farther into Sophie, closer to her end. Sophie looked down, defeated. They had lost.
Suliman returned to Sophie and Justin, her heels clicking in a perfect beat. "Sleeping with Howl was a big mistake, Sophie."
Sophie breathed heavily. She closed her eyes, reliving the moments of becoming one with Howl. The way they moved together, breathed together, kissed like it was their last, the words of unfaltering love and adoration… it was no mistake. It was beautiful, like an orchestra playing a piece so mild that time stands still, and the music is the only thing in the world.
Sophie clenched her fists and stood up, stronger than ever. She narrowed her eyes. "It was the greatest moment of my life."
Suliman laughed lightly, but continued. "You do understand the consequences of your actions, right, dear Sophie?"
Sophie widened her eyes. She knew. All her life, her mother warned her to stay pure until she married someone of high stature to bear children in a wealthy environment. Honey threatened her and her sisters, saying they would never be allowed to live under the same roof again and with no support should anything other than her plan work. Sophie knew the consequences all too well.
"Do you realize how difficult those chances are?" Sophie said. "It took my mother and father years before they became pregnant with me."
"True, nature has a way of evading such effects." Suliman said. She placed her hand over Sophie's stomach, her fingers tingling and warm. "But when you add a little magic…"
Sophie backed away forcefully, unknowingly into Justin's arms. "No!"
Suliman cackled loudly. "Scared, are we now? Allowing Howl to take the one last piece of innocence you had left may not have been the right choice, dear Sophie."
The look on Suliman's face was too contented, too pleased. Sophie panted hard, the feeling of Justin's hands caressing her arm reminding her that he was still with them. She pulled out of his grasp and centered between the two, both of them staring at her, wanting something from her.
Sophie thought about Suliman's words. The chances of her becoming pregnant were very slim, but Suliman knew how to morph fate, and if Sophie chose differently than what she wanted, the consequences could possibly come.
Sophie smiled softly, her fears slowly fading away. "Whether I become pregnant or not, you will no longer torture us, Suliman."
Suliman held her head high. "I admire your courage." She walked closer to her, not surprised when Sophie stood her ground. "But believe me when I say that I have no reason to hunt you down. You've already done exactly what I was hoping for."
Sophie froze. Her arms became weak and slumped to her side. "You… you wanted this to happen?"
"Suliman, what are you talking about?" Sophie turned to Justin, who was just as confused as Sophie, but more enraged than anything. "I thought the plan was to make Sophie my wife."
Suliman nodded. "And it still is, dear Justin. We have just found ourselves in a tight situation. May as well make the most of it."
"By having her bear a child that belongs to another man?" Justin's voice was hoarse.
Suliman turned to Sophie. "I will offer you this once more. Marry Justin, and there will be no baby, except with him. I will leave you and Howl be if you continue with this wedding."
Sophie sighed in disgust. "You're a monster, Suliman."
Suliman leaned closer to Sophie, whispering, "How about you have the rest of the day to give me an answer." She motioned to Justin. "Better yet, why don't you and your future husband share a few words on the matter."
Sophie turned to Justin, watching his anger build over and over upon itself. As the door slammed shut, Sophie jolted in fear of being left alone with Justin, for fear of what he would do.
(-)
The little boy stood frightened as he and his companion were in the midst of a dozen Palace guards. Luckily, having been trained in the art of magic and sorcery proved to be very beneficial in this instance. They stood in plain sight, surrounded by Suliman's henchmen, yet neither were in danger.
"I think we should look down this hallway." Kenta whispered. Markl nodded and followed the older wizard to the West Wing, the same area that Kenta had discovered the prison for their fellow magical friends.
Markl had not known that the wizards and witches that Howl had trained with when he was an apprentice had been locked in a prison, the powers that they once possessed slowly draining from their souls. Before, Markl paid little mind to things outside of the castle; now, he was thrown into the lion's den with only the training from Howl.
Markl followed Kenta's steps exactly, turning his head both ways as they passed rows of Palace guards standing in uniform position, prepared to attack at any moment if the spell wore off. This was a rather simple spell, but as long as Markl continued to whisper the chant, they were safe from sight.
"You're doing great, Markl. Keep chanting." Kenta whispered. Markl smiled lightly as he continued the chant. He always thought he was too young to work his magic and show off his skills in a setting where it was beneficial, but just seeing how he reacted in this situation – which at any point could turn deadly – Markl knew he was only holding himself back before.
Kenta led him down a hallway to the side, no one in sight. "You can stop if you wish. We're safe for now."
Markl stopped the chant midsentence and they became visible to their surroundings, though to their eyes nothing seemed to change. The hallway was dark and dingy, as was most of the castle. The only difference was that there were less doors on the sides, only about four or so. The hallway size was still the same as the other floors, but they were closer to the top floor.
"Where are we?" Markl asked.
Kenta walked along. "The Royal Family's floor. This is where Prince Justin, King Rolland, and Madame Suliman reside."
Markl froze as he watched how calmly Kenta walked through these halls, not a shred of fear coursing through his body. It was strange to see how vulnerable and fragile Kenta was when they had first met compared to the Kenta Markl had just witnessed. He was determined to find Howl and Sophie and bring them back home.
"Come on, boy." Markl rushed to Kenta's side and hid behind him, almost tripping on his cape. He hoped they wouldn't run into a trap or hidden guards. He didn't know what to expect in the Palace. He knew how to set traps and lead people into a trick, but those were for fun and childish play. This was real, and much more dangerous.
Kenta stopped by one door, holding his hands out and pressing softly against the wood grain. He closed his eyes and concentrated his energy. After some time, he released his hold and turned to Markl. "This room is clear."
He opened the door and they walked in. It was a very extravagant style. An intricate and detailed fireplace stood in one corner, next to an open window. The drapes were a dark violet, and most of the furniture and décor matched. The king size bed was covered in white rose petals, something Kenta thought he had seen before. The only light seemed to come from the window and the closet, which housed two rows of suits in bright yellows and whites and blues.
"This is Justin's room." Kenta confirmed. "He's most likely scheming with Suliman, trying to find another way to force Sophie into that absurd marriage."
Markl gulped, holding the top of his cape. "You don't think Sophie will marry him, right?"
Kenta turned to the boy, noting his fearful eyes. Markl loved Sophie liked she was his own mother. Though Kenta was not aware of Markl's predicament and how he came upon Howl, he knew that the relationship he shared with Sophie was one as if she were his true mother.
He wanted Sophie to stay with Howl as much as Kenta did. Though Markl was more optimistic that Sophie could evade Suliman and her plots, Kenta saw the situation with a more realistic eye – and realistically, Sophie barely had a slim chance, even with their help.
Kenta sighed. "We will do everything possible to bring them back. I promise."
Markl nodded. He was young enough to believe Kenta, but smart enough to know the dangers of being in the presence of Suliman. Though he personally had never come face-to-face with the sorceress, the stories Howl and Sophie spoke of after returning were not lightly said.
Kenta searched the room for a vent, though there were none in plain sight. The room was cold, and it wasn't due to the open window. There wasn't even a breeze. The Palace was the only such place in Ingary with such advanced technology, and it was a plus to have the vents connected to every room throughout the Palace.
Including the prison.
"Suliman said she wanted Howl locked in the prison with the wizards. Help me look for an opening in the floor, Markl." Markl did as he was told and searched around. He checked under the large bed, in the closet, and behind the writing desk. He sighed in annoyance. He wished things happened like in the books, where whatever the hero was looking for somehow jumped out right in front of him. It would make things easier for him.
As he stood up from under the desk, he noticed a bouquet of white roses on the desk. Markl tilted his head and looked closely at the bouquet. He remembered watching Sophie walk down the aisle with a bouquet similar to this one. Though he watched from the indoor balcony, he was still able to note the repetitive white coloring to the majority of the ceremony.
Markl widened his eyes as he remembered his brief encounter with Suliman merely minutes before the wedding ensued.
"Oh, right. They… didn't have the color she requested, Madame."
"Oh, what a shame. You know, we are one short for the bride's bouquet… This will do."
Markl breathed heavily. Gwenda was in there. She had become one of the roses in the bouquet. Maybe, she was still there.
"Markl, I found it." Kenta said from across the room. "Now we need to–"
The bedroom door flung open and a group of guards funneled in. "Intruders! Arrest them!"
"Markl, run!"
Markl grabbed the bouquet and jumped down the hole in the ground, his cape trying to break loose flowing with the wind. Kenta followed soon after, wanting the boy to get to safety first. Markl screamed as they flew down the air shoot, but Kenta reached down and covered his mouth. He didn't want anyone on the other floors to become suspicious.
"Any second now, we should land near the prison." Kenta said. "Hopefully, they haven't brainwashed Howl to the point where he can't come back from this."
Markl held onto the flowers for dear life. He didn't know exactly which one was Gwenda, and if one managed to fly away, she could be lost forever. He was the only one who knew of her predicament, and he wanted to save her.
Markl looked down, noticing there was an end to their fall. Before they plummeted to the ground, Markl breathed a gust of air to lift them for a few seconds, slowly lightening his exhale to drop them safely on the ground.
They panted slightly, and Kenta rested his hand on Markl's shoulders. "Quick thinking, kid. You saved us."
Markl blushed and laughed lightly. "Yeah, I guess I did."
"Hey." Markl looked up at Kenta, the older wizard bending down to his height. "You're a great wizard, and you'll do great things in the future."
Markl smiled wide. He wasn't too confident in his abilities, so hearing some form of praise from another wizard gave him the strength to be the best he could.
Their conversation was interrupted by a painful scream. They turned to look through the metal bars and saw four guards leading a wizard to one of the chambers, that wizard being Howl.
"I won't let you turn me into Suliman's slave!" Howl shouted as he thrashed in their arms, failing to break free. "I won't go through that again!"
Kenta used a spell to increase his strength and broke the bars that restrained them from the prison. As they entered the room, the guards were in process of jailing Howl. Markl started running toward them, but Kenta pulled the boy to the side behind a metal pillar, out from sight.
"Get him in there." One guard said. "I don't want any trouble with this one anymore."
Howl lashed at one of the guards who held his chains, but the other kneed him in the gut. Howl arched his back forward, only held up by the guards holding him. The final guard lowered one of the prison cages, the same one Kenta was about to be imprisoned in earlier. They threw Howl in, the loud clang of metal echoing throughout the room.
"Prisoner is secured in the cell." One said to his supposed leader.
The leader nodded. "Finally. As long as he's stuck in here, he'll be magic-free and out of our hair for good." He locked the control box and led the other three to the exit. They filed one by one up the staircase.
Markl looked up to Kenta, who merely nodded. "We don't need to fight them, Markl. All we need to do is save Howl."
Markl nodded and they walked along the pathway surrounding the hanging cells and the strange, glowing orb in the center of the room. Markl was captivated by the orb, its power so strong and alluring.
"Markl, don't be fooled. Its only goal is to draw your magic away from you." Markl followed Kenta, though his eyes continued staring into the light. For some reason, it was quite beautiful. He almost wanted to be a part of it.
"Markl!" The boy jolted when Kenta grabbed hold of his shoulders, shaking him out of his daze. "Do not look at the orb. It will take away your powers."
Markl widened his eyes. "Is that what Master Howl is going through right now?"
Kenta turned to Howl's cage, the wizard screaming in agony from the life slowly draining from his body. Kenta knew this feeling all too well, and he would rather Howl not experience this torturing act of anguish.
"We can't be taken by this power, but we need to get to Howl's cage." Kenta turned to Markl. "Did Howl ever teach you the blacken sun spell?"
Markl froze. "He said that was a mage spell, I… I haven't gotten there yet."
Kenta bit his lip. "It's a two-person spell… I guess I'll have to teach you now."
"Are we going to save all the other witches and wizards?"
Kenta bobbed his head back. His only focus was on Howl. He wasn't sure if they had the resources to save the others. He remembered how it felt to be prisoner to Suliman, following her direct orders and when the day was over, mindlessly returning to his cage and returning his powers so they could only be used for her. If they completed this spell to perfection, things may turn out for the best.
Kenta smiled. "We can try."
Markl placed the white bouquet in the pocket of his cape that held his wand and exchanged them, holding the detailed wood stick before Kenta. They continued running down the path, using all their strength to avoid giving in to the temptations of the glowing orb. However, Howl's screams were too painful to ignore.
They saw his cage shaking and moving from side to side in the air. He slammed into the sides trying to break out, but the material was able to contain anything and everything Howl threw against it. Kenta could hear spell after spell being cast against the cage, but nothing worked. After some time, the spells slowed.
"Howl! We're coming!" Kenta and Markl stopped when they were near the lever. Kenta was positive if the spell worked, their comrades would be free. However, he feared that releasing the witches and wizards wouldn't do any good without their powers.
"All right, Markl." Kenta pulled his wand from the constraint of his belt. "This is a very powerful spell and can be mistaken for another if not properly done."
Markl gulped and nodded. His arms quivered as the uneasy feeling of messing up crawled in. He was scared to say the least, and his skills would test him in this one moment, this one chance to save Howl and Sophie and quite possibly an entire population of witches and wizards.
Kenta was a little skeptical of their plan. He knew the spell well, but he always performed it with a wizard of higher stature than he was, like Howl. He never expected to be in this situation with a minor apprentice. Though Markl was very wise and skillful for his age, he was not trained in the mage's spells, which were pertinent for many of the dangers Howl had faced in the past.
Kenta pointed his wand to the glowing orb. "Follow as I do."
Markl immediately raised his wand in the same direction as Kenta.
Kenta nodded. "Repeat after me. Kiefse dogaf disfocx, fohalk fouvics saef sidadt bobagh."
Markl's hand began to sweat as he tried remembering the words. Some of them he remembered, just from previous spells Howl had taught him, but others he had never heard of before.
Kenta nodded. "Together."
Kenta touched his wand to the boy's as they repeated the spell. Their wands glowed and a darkness gradually formed from the tips. It shot out, starting from one side of the orb and gradually encompassing it. The darkness would block the effects of the orb that had been absorbing their magic. However, when the orb looked like a half sun, the darkness retreated back into the wands.
Kenta stared in awe. "What?"
Instead of darkness, their wands emitted bolts of electricity in all directions, sparking against the metal prisons hanging from the ceiling. Kenta covered Markl as the sparks continued shooting from the wands. They heard a loud clang, and Kenta raised his head to see where the commotion occurred. One of the prison cages had fallen, electricity running wildly along the sides. The sparks jolted near the locked door, and the creature inside started pounding recklessly.
The animalistic screech caused Kenta and Markl to jump in fear. The pounding grew louder and louder until the last strike flung the metal door across the room, Kenta once again covering Markl for protection.
A soft growl escaped through the room, and Kenta was afraid to witness the monster unleashed. He turned slowly, a long, grizzly beast hiding in the darkness of its cage. The eyes glowed a vibrant green, like the newborn leaves in spring. They were beautiful, but the creature itself was frightening.
Kenta walked backwards slowly, keeping himself between Markl and the beast as it departed from its cage, finding itself in new territory. Kenta heard the electricity from the spell still in full force, and all the cages came tumbling down.
The creature growled fiercely as its brethren joined the freedom from their prison. The creatures came in all forms; wings, claws, sharp teeth, even multiple eyes. Kenta knew this side. He had become one of them at a time. And they were all too far gone.
"Markl, we have to get Howl. Now." Howl's cage had fallen, similar to the others. The door hadn't flung off, but Kenta assumed he was too weak to break through it. Kenta darted his eyes from the creatures nearing them and Howl's cage. He still held his wand, and with a flick of his wrist, he flung the door open.
The creatures jumped and targeted the two wizards, and in a flash Kenta grabbed Markl and rushed toward Howl's cage, locking them all inside. The creatures clawed and pushed and attacked the cage, but they were unable to break it down.
Kenta and Markl breathed heavily, Markl holding tightly to Kenta. Kenta ran his fingers through the boy's auburn hair, trying to keep him calm, though he had difficulty doing that himself.
Lying in the cage, Howl looked weak and broken down to his worst state. His long hair covered the majority of his face, and he lay curled in a ball. His body shook uncontrollably, unable to control his own muscles.
"Howl…" Kenta whispered his name softly, and Howl jolted suddenly from hearing the sound of his name. He looked up slightly, backing away when he saw the intruders in his cage.
"Master Howl, it's us." Markl said, trying to comfort him. "It's Markl and Kenta."
"Howl, you're safe now."
"No I'm not." Howl spoke low, like his life was finished. He was barely audible from the shrieks and cries from their deformed friends. "I feel so weak."
"Don't worry, the light is gone, Howl." Kenta said, inching closer to him. "We'll get you out of this."
Howl rolled his eyes back into his head and collapsed, Kenta's cries mixing with that of the creatures. He rushed to his friend's side and held him up, the wizard completely defeated. He slapped his cheeks multiple times, hoping to wake him up, but it was no use. Howl barely had a breath, consumed by Suliman's power.
"Howl, don't do this to me." Kenta begged, his eyes shutting tightly to restrain the tears. "You can't leave Sophie. You can't leave your family. Markl and Calcifer and that dog and even that crazy witch – I won't let you."
The prison cage shook in all directions, the mindless creatures using all their strength to pry open the metal walls designed to keep them locked inside. The amateur apprentice, the dying wizard, and the tenacious comrade safe inside, but only for so long.
Such a cliffhanger! Arrghhh! Sorry, I had to give you something crazy to make up for my lack of writing. I can't promise fast updates, but I can promise that I will not leave this story open-ended. I also may have mentioned a little surprise at the end of my last chapter (which is coming up faster than I had hoped... sad face), so stay tuned... this story is not over yet!
REPLIES TO REVIEWS:
pointlesspadding - Thanks for your review! I love you described Sophie's contemplation as a raw moment, it was just something I felt like she would do. And it's true, Howl and Sophie are perfect, like more than perfect. Thanks again! I love hearing everyone's input!
Deadiez - They are probably the best Ghibli couple, you're right. But that may be because they are one of the few who actually get together in the end (Miyazaki, you break my heart but I love it anyways). I took notice to your comment about how Howl escaped, and I made sure to mention that in this chapter. Suliman always has a plan, and Howl escaping for a brief time was a part of it. Thank you for your kind words on my writing, it means so much to hear things like that because I'm usually self-conscious about that sort of stuff. I'm sorry this update took so long, but thank you for being such a great reader!
obsessive-anime-freek-1 - I don't care if you say you love it every time, I love hearing that you love it! It makes me jump for joy to hear you say this is how you envisioned this as how the story should have continued, it means a lot! And I love your enthusiasm for Howl and Sophie, Justin is kinda getting in the way, huh? Anyway, thank you for reviewing and I hope to hear from you again!
James Birdsong - thanks for the review, always love to hear from my readers!
CarlaMonte - Thanks for your review! Wow, hearing that was awesome, thank you so much. I love any kind of praise, but you just topped it all! Sorry my update took so long, but I thank you for the kind words about my story, they are much appreciated. Thanks again and happy reading!
hyperspeedno.5 - I'm so glad someone caught the references! I love thinking that all Ghibli movies are connected (kinda like the Pixar Theory for Ghibli) so I like incorporating those in. So thanks! I'm glad you like where the story is going and how I worked with the characters, it makes me feel like I've done my job (score!). I showed my boyfriend this comment and he practically said to tell him when this is finished, so who knows! I will continue writing this until it is finished, mark my words! Thanks again!
Thank you again, all of you, for being so patient. I will do my best to update faster and not keep you waiting for so long. Until next time!