A/N: HERE IT IS!! THE CLIMAX YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! (I do apologize for lateness. My power went out for FOUR days! Pure torture, and by the time I got time to typed everything, well, it was really late. Plus, Brisingr came out and I needed to read it. And I mean, NEEDED. Again, Sorry for the wait, but it's a long chapter with tons of dramatic extras!)

Review replies (...this may take a while. Locate your name or just skip to the next A/N)

nolapeep: ... (grins evil. That's all your gonna get sweetie. Just read the chapter and I hope you enjoy it)

wicca in training: (thinks for a moment) Well, depends on what you say to me first. after all, there are review replies, so if all you mention in your review is pie, then yes, I most likely will respond with a 'PIE!' Everything is equivalent... or at least, it is according to my teacher. Then again, my teacher is very strange and often doesn't know what he is talking about...enjoy the chapter!

Aria Pedrosa: Ah, how I love reading your reviews. Sweet randomness! And I am sorry for making him go emo. I realized later on that it was kind of needed for the chapter to work. But (giggles) 'a suicidal emo Brazilian leprechaun in love'? Thats just too funny! I love it! Truth be told, it's a good description (except the leprechaun part, but I love it anyway!) Also, Chase doesn't have any morals. He didn't get the memo saying that if he threated the cute kids bad things will happen to him. His loss. Thanks for not joining the mob (please don't hold on to the fact that Rai was a pantless leprechaun!) And enjoy the chapter!

Dominosowner: Aw! (hugs Dominosowner) I feel loved now! Enjoy the chapter!

Allendra: hehe, I love making is cliffies, and usually when the readers come at me all wrathful, well, I hide in a closet or under a rock until the mob has passed. It usually works lol! Enjoy the chapters!

uchihakiriko: AHHH! (runs from mob) I'LL PUT THE NEXT CHAPTER UP NOW STOP CHASING ME YA STINKIN MOB!... phew, and thanks! and lol, I think right now EVERYONE hates Chase right now (and if they don't yet, they will after this chapter.. oops, shouldn't have said that...) Enjoy!

Lanny9000990009: Glad you liked it! And I'm sorry for being evil, but it's just too much fun! Anyway, here's the next chapter so you can now find out what happens!

Luiz4200: (grins) someone catches on quick! (I think I've said that before...) And let me just point out that Omi was never really going to play a huge part in the story. He will, I think, come in the last few chapters though. Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

FalseDivinity: Me? Give up? In your dreams FD! WE both know you're better, (well, I know your better, YOU'RE in denial. Don't worry, you'll get over it soon enough... i hope) And Zan's going into demon form (backs away) hehe, tell him I'll catch him later. When he's not ready to rip out my guts... and back to the main topic. You're better FD, and this can be proven from the facts that your story is better then mine. Which means you're a better author. So, we'll just leave iot at that, right? You're better. end of argument. Enjoy the chappy (YOU'RE BETTER!!)

xiaolinwind: Hey, glad you like it! You seriously spent 2 hours catching up? I feel so loved! Anyway, this is the chapter were the going gets good so I hope you enjoy it!

raimundoroks: I KNOW! It's just so crazy! Stupid mobs won't leave me alone! BACK! BACK I SAY! And I hope you and your mom have made up by now. If not, or even if so, you get some virtual chocolate. Chocolate makes the world better! (and I know what it's like to lose a pet. I had a dog and my parents gave it away when I was at school and when I got home... let's just say it was a bad day for me... I also had about thirty birds that my parents let loose and a rabbit that ran away... I have a bad pet history...) Anyway, you get another hug! (hugs) and hope this chapter helps makes you feel better!

windXSchick: hehe, not that many. But here's the next chapter!

stormblueeyes: lol, glad you like cliffys! but please refrain from stabbing any more members of the mob. Gets too bloody. Blowing up or dropping into a vat of boiled oil (grins) well, that's something totally different. lol, enjoy the chapter.

SadieYuki: if i tried to reply to your review, I would end up spoiling something. So just read the chapter and Please enjoy!

Inu Rose Chan: Glad to know I'll have a defender from the mob! And I don't think I can write while I'm running. Then again, I've never tried. Enjoy the chapter!

Anna Maria: lol, you and everyone else. But don't worry, you'll find out (grins) enjoy the chapter!

Ravn MTM: lol, sorry about your head. And no, I'm not trying to make your heart give out from suspense.. or am I? lol, no, I'm not. Please, um.. oh, right, enjoy this chapter! and try not to hit your head this time lol.

dragonridersrock: lol, Ghosty was at your house when I wrote this so how could he have possessed me? He's at my house now though! He says hi! and ... I'm not going to repeat that!... Go to your closet Ghosty! Right now! ... sorry about that, teenager ghosts. What's a girl to do? lol, I'll see you tomorrow B (most likely) 'njoy the chapter (even though I know you will!)

A/N: WOW! I'm glad to know so many people were willing to save me from the mob! Because of that, you al get a great chapter! THE CLIMAX! THE AMAZING SPECTACULAR CHAPTER YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!!

Disclaimer: No, no, no and no.

ON WITH THE CHAPTER!


Chapter 28

DONG!

My hand was situated above the king's chest.

DONG!

Now it was moving downward, ready to plunge into flesh.

DONG!

Goodbye everyone.

DONG!

Goodbye Kimiko. I'll miss you forever.

The last chime was about to come. I had to do it now… but something made me hesitate. A mirror beside the bed showing me holding the dagger above an innocent man.

I have to do this!

DONG!

No…

I don't.

I pulled back my arm, letting the dagger slid from my hand and drop to the floor. I- I- I couldn't kill…

The clock had stopped ringing, leaving the room in an eerie silence. The king didn't wake up, his breathing steady. He didn't know how close he had come to death.

I stumbled forward, grabbing the small mirror from the bedside and clutching it in my hands. I stared at the silvery glass, my eyes wide.

I didn't see me. I saw the monster that I hadn't wanted to let out. He was grinning maliciously, knowing how close he had come to escaping. His limp brown hair hung in front of his cold green eyes. And he was still smirking, as if expecting for me to let him out. That wasn't my reflection.

It was who I had become. Who I was now. Who I was ready to be…

I was that monster in a way.

I took the mirror and raised it above my head before bring it down heavily and smashing it into the ground. It shattered into a million shards, the ground littered with sparkling glass. The reflection disappeared, leaving only pieces in its place.

It wasn't me… not anymore.

There was a scream for the guards from behind me and I realized my mistake. The king! How could I have forgotten! Of course the sound of the glass breaking would have made him awaken.

Oh darn…

I dashed for the door, immediate thoughts of retreat filling my mind. I would find Kimiko and get out of here. That was my only choice now.

Well, assuming I didn't get caught.

I managed to make it into the hallway, my eyes darting side to side frantically. There were guards pouring from both sides of the hallway, blocking my escape routes. At least ten went straight for me and tackled me, while the others went for the king to make sure he was okay.

I admit that I've become really good at all this fighting and sneaking around, but even I couldn't take down ten men who were all bigger then me. I struggled and put up a good fight, but in only a matter of minutes they had me tied up and gagged.

Double darn…

I was dragged back into the king's room where I was forced onto my knees. He was now standing, a robe tied tightly around his body. "… You're that slave boy I helped out before, Raimundo! Is this how you repay someone who helps you?" He seemed really angry.

I would have answered, but I kinda didn't have the choice with my mouth gagged and all…

"Aidan! All you all right? I heard a scream?" Chase asked, striding into the room and playing the concerned brother act perfectly. Faker. I wish I could strangle him right now.

"I am fine Chase. I awoke before the killer could do any harm. But it was pure luck that he was clumsy and a mirror shattered. If not…" Aidan trailed off, unsure of how to continue. Chase, on the other hand, was glaring daggers at me. I had failed and I think Chase knew I failed on purpose.

"Brother, this is treason. The only appropriate punishment for the boy is death." He said. My eyes grew wide. Death… I knew that by not killing the king, death would be placed upon me. But now, now that I am actually faced with the possibility of dying…

It was a scary thought.

I'm only fourteen for god's sake! I never wanted any of this. I don't want to kill, that's why I hadn't killed the king. And I don't want to die. Because if I die, there's no do-over. If I die, I'm stuck dead.

"I don't know Chase. He is but a boy… surely there is a different punishment that can be judged upon one so young." I mentally sighed in relief because of the king's words.

"He is a traitor, Aidan. Nothing is good enough for him but the death sentence."

The king looked like he was mulling over the option. I truly hoped that he would keep his current mindset and consider me too young for death. Then again, he had seemed beyond mad when I was before him.

Only time will tell of my fate…

The seconds ticked by, no one making a sound. It was as if a silence had taken hold of the room and grasped us all in it's suffocating hold. My eyes flickered between the king, Chase, and the guards, my mind wondering if I could perhaps escape.

No… it would be too difficult. I'll just have to wait and hear the verdict and hope it is not too cruel.

"Perhaps you are right Chase…" I cast my eyes downward in sorrow, knowing deep within me that this was to be expected.

Then again, 'expect' has never really played a part in my life. Most of the time, my life is filled with surprises, either bad or good. 'Expected' doesn't exist in my world.

And that was not about to change...

"No! Wait!" A disheveled and panting Kimiko burst into the room, screaming out those words. "Please your highness, you must understand. This boy does not deserve death! He was forced into it! He only did what he did to save my life!"

I wondered for a moment about how she had escaped Chase guards, but I was pulled from my thoughts as the king spoke.

Aidan's expression turned from one of serious to one of thoughtfulness. "Miss Tohomiko, if it were anyone but you who had strode into my room, they would be arrested immediately. But, I have a deep friendship with your father, so I will hear you out."

Kimiko bowed gratefully, "Thank you your majesty. I defend him only because I know him well. He worked for my father before Prince Chase. During that time, I came to know him more then just a slave, but as a real person. When I arrived for the ball, he confided in me the plans that someone was forcing him to carry out…" Kimiko paused, unsure how to continue.

"The man," She said finally, "wanted him to kill you. Raimundo told me he would not do such a thing, that he would sacrifice his own life instead. But then Cha- the man endangered my life and he was forced to chose." She glanced at me, before looking back at the king. "He only did it so I could live."

The king stroked his black beard thoughtfully. I didn't know what he was thinking, but I hoped it was in my favor. Either he was mulling over Kimiko's words or thinking of the simplest way for me to die…

I hope it was the former.

"Kimiko, why do you show such devotion to this boy? He is just a slave after all. His life is meaningless in most eyes."

Kimiko froze, not expecting this question. "It's… it's because I love him, your highness."

Silence.

Everyone, even Chase, was shocked by her declaration. A noble? Loving a slave? Unheard of! Impossible! And even if I was true, well, to admit it…

The king looked towards me, then back to Kimiko. "Is this true?"

Kimiko nodded, "It is."

"And does he love you back?" This question surprised Kimiko yet again.

"I believe he does, your highness."

More silence.

"Everyone out! I only want Chase and Miss Tohomiko to stay as I pass judgment!" There was some protest, but eventually, the room was empty for all but us four.

"Hmm," the king finally said, "if he truly loves you, then let him tell us himself." He stated.

Woah… when would the surprises stop?

"Aidan! You can't truly be thinking of giving this boy a chance to defend himself?! He would simply lie!" Chase tried to argue, but the king would have none of it.

"Slaves have no love for our kind. I'm sure many would rather die then admit their love for a Higher-up." I blinked in surprise, having not known that the king knew of our term for nobles. After all, only slaves called nobles 'Higher-ups'.

Perhaps the king is more in tune with his people then I originally thought.

The king walked to stand before me, then bent down and undid the gag. "Tell me," he said, "Do you love this girl? Do you love her even though she was you mistress, even though she was the one who withheld your freedom?"

Ah, he was playing mind tricks. Well, if he can, then I can too.

"There is nothing on this earth that could make me not love her. I would love her even if she whipped me and told me she wished I died. I would love her if she mutilated my body and sent me away to some far place where I would never see her again. I would love her even if she killed me." I said boldly.

The king stood up and shook his head, "Your love for her is that strong?"

I nodded, "It is."

"Why?" I thought for a moment of an answer.

"Because she brought me kindness and happiness. And that's something that can't be replaced."

He studied my face, staring deep into my emerald eyes. "It is not often that you see such unconditional love between two so young. And who would I be to get between two so much in love."

Kimiko's eyes lit up, "So you won't kill him?!"

The king shook his head with a smile, "No, there shall be no deaths today."

"That is where you are wrong brother." All eyes turned to Chase, who glared daggers back at us in return. "There will be exactly two deaths today. One will be your own. And the other shall be of this slave boy who I will kill and claim him to be your murderer."

"Chase, I-"

"Silence you fool!" The king looked shocked. "You are unfit to wear that crown upon your head. You have misused your power and now that responsibility will pass to me."

"Chase, we are brothers! How can you even think of killing?"

Chase smirked, "Don't worry Aidan, you have a few extra minutes to live. I want to deal with the slave boy first." He walked up to me, staring deep into my eyes. I didn't flinch, I didn't break eye contact, I just stared back evenly.

"After all this, you chose death. I thought you were wiser then that." I jutted out my chin, turning my eyes cold.

"If I die, at least it will save me the agony of serving under you." I replied daringly.

"Tsk, tsk. I would have thought you would have learned to control that tongue of yours."

The collar around my neck activated and I screamed out in pain. This shock, it was stronger then any pain I had ever felt before, coursed within my body, making my very skin burn. The burst of electricity stopped and I panted, trying to regain my breath.

"You." Another shock, just as strong.

"Will." Again. It hurt. It hurt so much.

"Die." I screamed louder, though screaming did nothing for the pain. The agony, the pain. It was too much. Too much…

Then it stopped. I gasped for breath, my body shaking and trembling. I tried to calm myself, but all my nerves were on the fritz. My heart was beating quickly and my head throbbing. In the background, I could hear Kimiko pleading for Chase to stop, but it was distant in my mind.

All I could concentrate on right now is how much my body hurt.

"What's it like? Knowing you are about to die in front of the girl you love?" Chase hissed into my ear.

"How 'bout you die yourself and find out." I growled.

"There's that sharp tongue again." Another shock, though this time I didn't scream. I didn't have enough energy left.

"Now," He said, "it's over."

I watched with wide eyes as he pulled a knife from his belt, unable to do anything but fear the inevitable. All my focus was on the dagger, and all Chase's focus was on me.

Maybe that's why we both missed a vital detail.

I saw the dagger coming down, ready to plunge into the area that my heart would be thumping quickly now. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and whispered a small prayer. Goodbye world… I was ready for the pain to shoot throughout my body when the dagger would hit.

I was waiting for it all to finally end. For the pain to come and for the trails of my life to be over.

But the pain never came.

I heard a cry from in front of me and my eyes flew opened to see someone had stepped into the path of the dagger.

I felt my knots twist in my stomach and fear clench my heart.

No, no, no! No one was supposed to get hurt… No one but me!

How can I live with myself now, knowing it was my fault that the person had walking in the path of the dagger to save my life? I could only hope they still had a little life left in them.

Be alive. Please, be alive.

Kimiko came rushing towards me and untied the ropes that bound my wrist and ankles. I sat still for a moment, before scooping up the wounded person in my arms.

Eli…

His shoulder was spilling blood and he was convulsing with pain. I cradled him in my arms, his lithe form far too light. "Eli, Eli please answer me." I said. The small boy opened his eyes weakly, managing to give me a small smile.

"S… Sorry Rai… t-that I… told on you… before. I-I hope… you… f-forgive me…" He whispered. I clutched him close to me.

"I forgive you Eli. Don't die. Please, don't die." I choked back tears. He said nothing, just closed his eyes as if fatigue had overcome him.

"No, No! Eli, don't! Please! Stay alive! Please!" I sobbed. "You can't die… you can't…" I held him even tighter, wishing he would open his big teal eyes. But they stayed shut.

I closed my eyes and cried softly to myself. I was crying for Eli, I was crying for Fung, and I was crying for my mother. All the people who hadn't deserved to die, those were the ones I cried for.

I felt the weight of Eli's small body lifted from my arms and I opened my eyes to see that the king held him now. He was chanting silently, his arms grasping the boy tightly. He was using Xiaolin magic. Maybe, maybe he could still save Eli…

But I think it was too late.

…This was all Chase's fault. Chase had hurt Eli. He had hurt part of my family.

And there would be hell to pay for it.

I got up slowly, my legs weak beneath me. My eyes were red and puffy from the tears, but now they were set in a glare, a green fire shinning in them stronger then any light could shine. "You. Hurt. Him." I growled, taking a step forward.

Chase, who I had ignored until just this second, looked shocked by what happened. I don't think he thought he was going to be killing a small boy. But, as always, he covered his shock with a look of calmness.

"He stepped in the way."

"You! Killed! HIM!" I yelled, the fire in my eyes burning brighter. I felt a faint tingling from around my neck, but ignored it. There was one thing and one thing only on my mind right now.

Chase hurt Eli, so now I was going to hurt him…

I grabbed the dagger, covered now with blood, from the floor and twisted it around in my hand before pointing it at Chase. No one moved to stop me.

"I've put up with you for so long, for so LONG! I've trained, I've suffered, I've done every little thing that you made me do! I would have rather died then kill someone, but you, you're a monster! You could kill me, you could torture me, and you could even make me your permanent and cause me to suffer for eternity. But when you kill someone I care about… that's when I'm done."

Chase, for the first time ever, looked fearful. He was chanting something silently, and I assumed he was trying to activate the collar around my neck. But it wasn't working anymore. Maybe because he was too afraid to concentrate, or maybe it was because it just didn't effect me anymore. I don't know.

So now, the collar that I had come to hate, was just that. A collar. Nothing else. There was no pain, no electricity coursing through my body. It was just a necklace now.

It meant nothing now.

His hold on me was nothing.

I took a step forward, the dagger still pointed at Chase. He looked surprise that the collar didn't work. "You've hurt so many people. You've ruined so many lives. You destroyed so much hope. And you've killed innocent lives." I was right in front of him now, and even though physically he's taller then me, I felt as if I stood above him.

Still no one stopped me. I thought at least the king would, but not even he moved.

"Now, now is the time that you will pay for all your deeds." I said, gripping the dagger tightly.

"And you will kill me? You?" He hissed. I looked deep into his eyes, placed the dagger above his chest, and said one simple word.

"No."

I took a step back, lowering the dagger. "I'm not going to stoop to your level. I'm not a killer like you. You will be punish justly… but not by me."

Chase laughed harshly, "Just like your father. You think you can do whatever you want. Didn't you ever wonder why I chose you Raimundo? Didn't you ever think it was strange that I wouldn't use someone else to kill Aidan? I could have hired any assassin and they would have gotten the job done easily. But I wanted you."

My eyes widened. I had wondered, but I had never come up with a good answer.

"Tell me." I whispered. "Why me? Why did you put me through all this!" My voice raised with each word.

Chase's golden eyes glinted. "Revenge."

What? What!?

"You really don't know who you are, do you? Did your father and mother never tell you of your origins? Then allow me. Your parents were as close to royalty as they could get. Your father was Aidan's and my best friend and lived with us in the palace, while your mother was of noble birth and her family was very close to ours. She was beautiful… but both me and your father loved her and she chose him." He smiled grimly.

"They stayed at the palace for a few years after they married, until she became pregnant with you. After you were born, they left to 'build a life'."

"I knew I recognized the name 'Raimundo'." The king said quietly to him self, "How did I not see it? She looked just like you."

"As I was saying, they left. My best friend abandoned me and took the girl I loved with her." He said bitterly, but then he grinned, " I already got my revenge on her and your father. The only one left was you."

My eyes, though it seemed impossible, grew even wider. "You… you're the one who killed my mom. You're the one who killed her" After believing for so long it was my fault… I found out it wasn't…

"Oh I did more then that. I hired a man to kill your mother. I drugged the food your father received. One of the drugs I used was a drug that made the taker compliant; I told him to sell you and then I told Nicolas to break you. I had him sell you again, to give you a little hope, only to rip it away from you. Don't you see?" He laughed, "I've had my revenge. You're life and your family's has been ruined."

I couldn't help myself. I bunched up my hand to form a fist and punched Chase in the nose. And again. And again.

It felt so good.

He fell to the ground, his nose bleeding heavily, knocked unconscious. Those few hits wouldn't make up for my lost life, but it was a start.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see the king looking at me sadly. "My boy… I can not begin to explain how sorry I am. If I had known what Chase was up to…"

"It's not your fault." I whispered. It was true. The king did nothing against me. It was all Chase. Guards had come in and were tying Chase up and it pleased me to see he would finally get what he deserved.

"It is not much consolation, but know that he shall be punished harshly for all he has done. He may be my brother, but I will not excuse him for such behavior."

"Thank you."

"And… if you accept, I want you to come live in the palace. Sara and Darin were both very close friends of mine. I'm sad to know that Sara has died... but Darin and you, perhaps you'll come live with me..."

Darin, my father. I had spent so long hating him.

And now I find out that he didn't even mean to sell me.

I felt tears filling in my eyes.

"Thank you." I choked out. The king removed his hand. "Your highness, is Eli…"

The king sighed, "I have done all I can for him. There is a chance he will survive if he fights for it." The ghost of a smile traced over my lips.

"He'll survive. Eli is a fighter."

I was so tired… I wanted to go to sleep and never wake up. Small, warm, arms engulfed my body, hugging me tightly.

"I thought I was going to lose you." Kimiko, it was my sweet Kimiko who was holding me. I smiled, falling slowly to the ground from fatigue. She held me tighter, sitting next to me and stroking my hair.

"You'll never lose me Kimiko. I promised." There were tears in her eyes, but a smile on her lips and her beautiful face was the last thing I saw before darkness over took me.

It was over.

It was finally over.


A/N: Um...

Um...

Um...

I've got nothing.

I'm just wondering how many of you thought it was Kimiko who stepped in the path of Chase's dagger? Hehe, I also did, but then Eli just wiggled his way in.

Um... well... Hope you enjoyed the chapter! There will be maybe three or four more. No more then that I think. Those chapters are just going to be tying up loose ends.

And please guys, just one review! That's all I need. If you want the ending of the story, someone is going to have to give me one review!

Wow, I can't believe it's almost over...