A/N: Ok, this is the second last chapter XD and it's completely set in the 'past'
Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to Lettuce as thanks for putting up with me complaining, and asking how the hell I was meant to combine two different endings in one story, without giving away the other ending (–groans- Never, ever, ever again!), and all the other help besides XD.
Disclaimer: The world and characters you recognise all belong to TP.
Chapter 14: Fight to the Death
The other mages never saw it coming and now either sat stunned, unconscious or dead around her. Walking through them, she allowed herself a small smile, before turning and hurrying away from the alley that had turned into a death trap. Now to find- her thoughts and movement was cut short as she was slammed into a wall by a wall of power. She swore and turned, wincing as light assaulted her eyes. She swallowed hard as she realised it was the light of the new mage's gift that nearly blinded her. This was not good…
"You can't get away from my Lord like that Spymaster. His mark will always tell us where you are." She felt her eyes widen, despite her best efforts to keep her face blank. The mage smirked, "Yes we knew you overheard-well I knew, that fool Zaos was clueless. He's dead of course, he was no longer useful." Power pinned her to the wall and she swallowed hard again as the mage continued, "And now that you've revealed all of your secrets, we can take you to my Lord. I have to say, I don't know how you managed to hide you had the gift as well as the Sight. A very unusual combination…"
Lungkata's hissing voice filled the air, "I have a score to settle with you dear Spymaster. Now why don't you be reasonable and go with Marik, without trouble." She spat on the ground,
"Dream on. I took out one of your eyes and the next time I see you, I'll be sure to take the other one too. It would probably improve your appearance actually," she added, thoughtfully. The power that slammed into her mind was completely unexpected and she was shoved roughly into semi-consciousness. Darkness gathered around the edges of her vision and she had to fight to remain aware of her surroundings.
Marik watched as the woman fell to her knees, gazing blearily around.
"Bring her to the temple."
"Yes, my Lord." Blood red light flared around them both, and then they were gone.
……………………
The world stopped spinning and the darkness receded from Aly's vision slowly. She looked up, and had to stop herself crying out and backing away from the creature before her. Lungkata smirked. "So spymaster, we meet again."
"Then let's make sure it's the last!" She drew her remaining two knives and tossed one and the god's throat, rolling into a defensive crouch as she did so.
The knife made a satisfying 'thunk' as it hit him, and she relaxed, only to watch in horror as the thing before her wavered and then dissolved, leaving only its cloak and her blade behind. "Do you like my 'clones'? It's one of the spells I'm very good at. It is rather useful to be in many places at once."
Aly turned slowly on the spot, closing her eyes and letting her newly found gift spread across the room like a blanket. She opened her eyes and flung herself sideways as the real Lungkata, tossed a bolt of power at her. It exploded where it hit leaving a small smoking crater. "You couldn't just die, could you. That is all I need, and then your god will cease to exist anywhere but the void I locked his brethren in. But naturally, you have to make it harder for me and yourself."
"Naturally," she agreed, flinging her own bolt of power at the god. He blocked it easily and blinked as she seemed to disappear from sight.
"Now that is a useful trick. Pity it won't work," he commented turning in time to see the knife flung at him. He smirked, and mouthed a single hissing word. Shields flickered into being around him, and the blade slowed, and then stopped completely, dropping to the floor inches before it could touch him. "Blades cannot harm me, spymaster. Nor will your inferior magic touch me. You might as well just give up now."
"No way lizard. I swore you'd pay for killing my loved ones, and for causing so much pain and misery to others. I cannot die until you and your memory are no more." Lungkata broke into hissing laughter,
"You could try, but after all this you are mortal, as admittedly am I. You are strong for your kind…but your strength will never be a match for mine. Do you think you'd have even lasted this long if I didn't wish it?" He laughed again, as she sent another bolt of power flying towards him. He brushed it off, "Really, it would be easier for you just to accept death. Your god cannot help you. He is…busy, with a couple of my better replicas, not to mention that he is still weak from his time in the void."
Aly's mind worked furiously. She couldn't kill him with a blade, and her gift quite simply wasn't strong enough to hurt him…damn, those shields. There had to be a way…she stopped her thought there, sidestepping another bolt of power, carelessly flung at her. She seethed inwardly at the way he seemed to enjoy playing with her. She had no doubt, he could kill her right now if he wished. 'So he's over confident,' she thought grimly. 'C'mon! There has to be-' her eyes fell on his replica's discarded cloak, along with her first knife. 'This had better work,' she thought grimly, dodging forward and then around him on his blindside. She smiled grimly, as he cursed trying to keep her insight of his one good eye by turning. She threw herself flat as yet another bolt roared over her head, and rolled until her questing hands met cloth, and the hilt of her knife. Grabbing them both she flipped easily to her feet, once again darting to his blind side she flung the material at his head, blinding him completely. She quickly swung her fist into the area where his jaw should have been and he staggered the remaining shields, flickered and disappeared, as his concentration broke completely. Darting backward and then forward again, as he flailed blindly at her, she dodged his clawed hand's swipes and drove the blade into his gut, jerking upwards. He yelled in pain and fury, clutching his stomach, as blood began to seep from in-between his fingers.
"Spymaster," he hissed. "I grow tired of this game." Aly found herself once again slammed into a wall hard enough to break her ribs. She winced, at the sickening crack, the resounded through the room, and as her breathing immediately became painful. For the second time she gagged as clawed and scaled mockery's of hands reached for her, the sickly sweet smell of decay assaulting her nose. A bloodied claw touched her forehead, as the others dug into her abused ribcage. She screamed in pain, retreating into the welcoming darkness that overwhelmed her senses.
She opened metal eyes, and found herself once again facing Lungkata. The pain was a distant red-hot throb. He laughed, "You can't get away from me this way, dear Spymaster."
"Oh really?" She muttered, and dove downwards into the 'doorway' she could see. Dropping into it she immediately, felt cool air caress her form, and the ripple of muscle as her wings beat steadily. Mercifully, free of pain she glided trying to figure out what to do. She would have to return eventually, and when she did Lungkata would be waiting. Not only was she now injured, but he wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. Which reminded her, that he was wounded too. Though she was fairly sure, what would have been a mortal wound for anyone else would only be an inconvenience for the Lizard. He could also probably get it healed, while she hid in her Kudarung form.
Well, at least she could do something in this form. With that decided she glided over Rajmuat, casting her senses out, searching for her own human body.
…………………
It was harder than it sounded. Trying to find an unconscious or sleeping person was always harder, than finding someone who was awake and alert. Aly did find her human form eventually though. Aly's body was, as she had suspected, in Lungkata's temple. Her initial plan to break into the temple and take her body somewhere safe, while Lungkata was weakened was foiled by the fact she couldn't seem to get within 20m of the place. She would fly to wards it and then suddenly, about 20m from it, would find herself spun around and flying in the opposite direction.
…Kyprioth! Busy as you are I can't believe you don't have the time to tell me why the hell I can't get into the temple!...
…If I get hit by a spell because I'm talking to you, it's going to be on your conscience…
…Exactly! So hurry up and answer!...
…Even I can't enter that place uninvited. If there's one spell that bastard has perfected its wards. Someone inside has to invite you in. Now I really have to go…
Frustrated, the former spymaster swore, and turned her mind to her other problem. What to do when she had to return to her human form and a battle that she couldn't win.
A familiar smell assaulted her senses, momentarily driving her from her frantic thoughts and back into the present. Smoke…and blood, people yelling… Wheeling, she sought the source of what could only be some kind of fight. Her blood turned cold at the sight that met her eyes. A virtual sea of black-robed mages, assaulted a crowd of desperately fighting people. Her keen eyes caught a certain small figure rush forward recklessly, towards what had to be one of the more powerful mages and she groaned inwardly, as she recognised Miki. Resigned to the fact that she couldn't simply continue on her way, without feeling she'd abandoned the kid, and the other non-gifted people of her home, for the second time in a few days, she dived into the ranks of Lungkata's followers.
…………………
They had come out of nowhere, throwing exploding bolts of power at buildings around the small square. Miki, Tara and Lykas had looked on in horror as another separate group of rebels had been nearly decimated. Unable to simply stand by, and understanding that if they didn't fight, they would probably be killed by default anyway in the madness that would follow; they flung themselves and what remained of their group into the chaos. They were quickly separated, and Miki found himself alone, surrounded by people he didn't know. With no other choice, he let himself be swept along in the mob, who simply targeted anyone who wore black.
He swallowed hard as he was pressed deeper into the ranks of mages. Shouting, he struggled to get out of the press as they reformed around the small group he was with.
Realising, that they were cut off from the others completely, he and the group with him rushed one black cloaked figure after another. Miki watched with a kind of detached horror, as the group around him slowly shrank in size - he was too busy simply trying to survive, to give it much more notice than that though-.
Choosing a target, he charged the mage without a thought for the bolt of power that grew in his hands then flew towards him. Light exploded around him and the next thing he knew he was being lifted far from gently into the air. An oddly familiar voice commenting dryly in his mind,
…Of all the mages you could have picked, you had to go for the most powerful one in this entire mess… He yelled as he was dropped, only to find himself sitting on the back of a massive black Kudarung. …You little idiot…
"Hey! What else was I meant t' do?! An' what right d'you have t' tel-,"
…Miki, shut up, before I drop you back in the middle of those mages…
"H-how'd you know my name?" Aly smirked to herself, well, if he hadn't figured it out she wouldn't enlighten him. Adopting an aloof, smug voice she replied,
…Guardian spirits know these things… She could almost picture his wide-eyed expression and had to fight hard not to laugh…or whatever noise she would have made in her Kudarung form.
"Y-you're th' Guardian everyone's been talkin' 'bout?" f
…No, I'm a dolphin…
"A dolphin?"
…Never mind…
"Uh…Guardian…d'you think you could put me down?"
...And let you get yourself killed the moment I take my eyes off you?...
"…"
…Oh alright. As long as you promise not to go and do something that stupid again…
"I promise. Now can you put me down?" Aly snorted, not at all reassured but used her magic to lift him –more gently this time- off her back and to the edge of the square where Lykas was standing with Tara looking around worriedly for the kid. The people around looked wide-eyed at the massive creature above them. The former spymaster watched with amusement as they turned as one to peer up at her, pointing, as she glided back around to where the mages where.
The scent of smoke assaulted her again and she watched with growing sadness and anger as the mages decimated the non-gifted that opposed them. She let the anger fill her curious that it felt as though something else filled her along with it. Power scorched through her, burning in her very veins. Aly let out a ringing cry as her vision was tinted red. The haunting noise created a momentary lull in the battle below as fanatic and rebel alike turned to see where the noise had come from. The powerful mage, who she now recognised as Marik, raised a hand sending a bolt of power at her. She snorted, at it's frailty, turning it in the air to send it right back 10 fold. She blinked furiously along with everyone else, and found nothing but a smoking crater, where he had once stood.
With cries of anger the other mages attacked.
Her gift swelled, and seemingly doubled in strength, pooling inside only to fight its way out, in a torrent to sweep away the mages below. Aly stared at the havoc she had created with a single attack. Hardly any of the mages were standing, and she swallowed hard as she realised that her anger had probably doubled or tripled her power. That just wasn't normal… but on the other hand, if she could make herself angry enough with Lungkata… With a second ringing cry she let herself drift back into the darkness, following the faint pounding pain, back to her body, lying on the cold stone floor. The rebels could deal with those who remained.
…………………
The last 'clone' of Lungkata shattered, dispersing on the slight breeze that swept the area. With a weary sigh, Kyprioth leaned back, against a wall, summoning an image of his beloved Isles. The show was about to begin, and he wouldn't miss it for the world.
…………………
Aly opened her eyes only to slits as she took in her surroundings. She could hear the sounds of the riot echoing through the huge chamber that she was in. Scanning the room, she found Lungkata sitting patiently on a chair, eyes closed. Light glowed around one of his hands, which rested on the belly wound she had given him. She watched as it healed, leaving only a thin scar and bruised and angry red skin. She swallowed hard; this was not going to be easy. Getting gingerly to her feet, she forced the pain caused by breathing to the back of her mind, now more than ever she needed to concentrate. Swiftly, she drew to the fore of her mind every grievance she had with the Lizard and his followers. As when she was in her Kudarung form, she forced all other thoughts from her mind and let the pure anger flow through her, blinding in its potency.
"Hello Bastard. Did you miss me?"
"Can't say I have really," he looked at her for a moment then smiled. "So, your emotions strengthen your gift. This should be interesting." He raised a hand and let loose another bolt of power. Aly focused on it, and then as quick as thought, sheathed it in her own power, grabbed it and flung it right back at him.
He laughed delightedly, as it slid off his shield, "Oh yes, your power has grown. It would be an achievement, except, you're not going to be alive long enough to appreciate it. Now this battle can truly begin."
Light flared from him, in ripple-like waves, as he raised a hand and flicked it in her direction. They hummed ominously as they sliced through the air like blades, towards her. Throwing up a shield, Aly strained to keep them from cutting through. Slowly, one by one, they flickered out. Her shield caved in long enough for the last one to slice her arm, before it vanished like the others. Sparing a quick glance at the cut she swore, as she watched smoky tendrils of power cling to it and begin to sink into her skin. The pain hit suddenly in a wave driving her to her knees. She clutched her now useless arm and hissed through clenched teeth,
"What did you do?" She tried the same trick she had used in the alley, and he simply, threw up a shield and pressed himself to the ground as it swept over and around him, tearing up the floor as he went.
"How many times can you use that attack? Once? It must put quite a bit of strain on your gift's reserves. And as for what I did…well, it will slowly poison you, every time you call on your gift." He flung another spell at her, and unable to dodge or block it she braced herself as the sparking sheet of fire wrapped around her. She screamed, falling to the ground as it sent more waves of burning pain through every muscle in her body. The Lizard watched with morbid fascination as her body convulsed, her muscles unable to respond to her mental commands.
Biting her lip until it bled, Aly forced herself to her knees, still shuddering uncontrollably. Summoning the anger to drive away the pain from her wounds, she slammed a wave of power at his shield. It was enough to break his concentration and control over the spell. She was not the only one tiring quickly. With an act completely of will, she managed to drag herself to her feet, and crouch in a fighting stance. Without a thought she raised her good arm, hand open and flung lightning at him that made the air crackle. He blocked it again, and stared as it simply spread out to coat his shield in crackling blue-white energy. Closing her open hand and making a fist, she watched his expression carefully, as it gathered, pressing in from all sides. His shield shattered completely, the lightning collecting and lancing into his already wounded stomach with eye-blinding speed. The air was knocked from him in an audible 'whoosh', as he was lit up eerily from the inside.
Lungkata screamed, feeling as though he was being turned inside out. Collapsing, onto the floor, he lay there twitching, as the light inside him died, leaving only the intense pain as a reminder of its presence. Struggling onto his feet, to stand on trembling limbs, he ignored the pain to smirk in satisfaction, at Aly. Her face was white and pinched from the poison, blood loss and pain. Not to mention the amount of her gift she had used. He laughed, as she sank slowly back onto her knees, exhausted. Every muscle in her body felt watery as she felt her now numb body slammed back into a wall, the spell breaking through her attempt at a shield.
Desperate, Aly watched as Lungkata approached. She tried to force trembling limbs to move, and only managed to lift herself about a centimetre before her exhausted body gave out and she collapsed to the stone floor again. The lizard's hissing laughter echoed around her, and although he wasn't in a much better state than she was, he still had all the strength he needed to kill her. He raised a hand, a bolt of power hovering malevolently above his palm growing by the second. Pressing herself closer to the floor as if she could somehow avoid being hit, she let hopelessness sweep through her.
'I'm sorry,' she thought. 'I couldn't fulfil my promise…' It was then that the memory came to her. Her mother, looking down at her and Alan, telling them of the time she'd spent as a shaman of the Bazhir. …She said it was a constant danger with the gift-accidentally tapping into one's own life-force to complete a spell… Well, what other choice did she have? Die one way, or die another and take the Lizard with her.
With an immense effort of will she gathered the tattered remnants of her gift, and tossed them towards Lungkata, incanting the words that burned before her eyes in lines of fire. Power coursed through her, lancing down her arm and from her palm as sheets of pearly white fire that burnt even the stone floor. It felt as though she was trying to tear her own heart from her body, and she watched as the world shrank to flickering pearly white, and the agonised screams that seemed to rent the very fabric of reality.
A/N: Yeah, well I'm leaving it there. Not to worry though, the last chapter should be up soon. God, you have no idea how much trouble this chapter (and the next one) gave me –beats head against desk- . But after a lot of complaining and sugar, I've finally done it! YES! –dances. Catches sight of pile of homework I've been putting off doing.- Well, guess what I'm going to have to finish before I can put the last chapter up? -sighs-. Please review!