Chapter 29
I tried, I really tried, but there's no escaping, somehow we find the team, and somehow I was able to snap out of the spell, maybe because headcage protected my mind enough for me to break free. I was right, it was weakened.
But now we found my team, till my big surprise they already found the tomb, and were getting attacked by big, well... giant titans. Didn't see that one coming.
I look at them while they're talking, Lok and Sophie look like they've been surprised very much, probably because we're unharmed, Dante only looks, puzzling.
'Is it mind control?' asks Sophie hard enough for us to hear, I give Dante the sign only he could figure out, something between us two look telepathy.
After the professor did his speech I jump over the group of men, I make a big blinding illusion and disappear with Thoughtspecter.
I send Addo home with the Thoughtspecter power too and I appear near my team, we run away, far away from the tomb.
'Did you see the looks on their faces?' asks Lok when we're hiding behind a rock, trying to catch breathe, I'm panting, my ribs are killing me and my head is a little bit clearer but still bouncing.
I take off the sunglasses and hat, too warm for me to keep them on.
'Zhalia, did you just sucker punch the professor?' asks Sophie, softly chuckling.
'And how did you resist the professors mind control?' asks Dante, sounding impressed.
'To be honest, I had almost lost it' I answer, remembering how I lied to them about me being an Organization spy and loyal to the professor.
'Like all the best lies, it was partly true' I explain and tell about the rest of my lie.
'Wait, does that mean you turned us over to the organization, again?' asks Sophie, looking at Dante.
'The professor would've found out this through Addo, if she told him or not' answers Dante, protecting me.
I chance myself into my normal clothes again and shake softly when I feel my ribs protest again.
'How did you lose us anyway?'.
I explain them how we lost them and why we landed in the Organization's hands.
'Are you still hurt?' asks Dante, walking towards me.
'My ribs are killing me' I confess and he lays his hand on my mid riff, i soon feel a cold painful feeling and grab Dante's arm tighter, closing my eyes in pain.
'Sorry' he whispers but soon there's only a feeling of healing, I sight in relieve and turn myself to Dante 'Thanks' I notice my headache is also gone and we then hear giant footsteps. great, just great!
'Why would Guardians Titans leave the place they're guarding?' I ask Dante.
'They wouldn't, unless the professor's controlling them ' answers Dante directly, standing before me.
I soon see Lindorm, attack a giant and I sight 'I begin to hate giant titans, wherever you go they keep following you, from Island till the dessert' I shrug my shoulders and Dante laughs softly.
Icarus takes place in the battle and I feel I have to do something too, but my energy level is still low from the walk through the dessert with broken ribs...
Dante jumps away for a giant fist and invokes Caliban.
'They're a lot weaker now they're far from the mines that power them' tells Dante.
'You call this weaker? Venomhand!' I yell, standing in front of the titan, I just want to attack when a giant hand hits me, I couldn't get away in time after I still have a low energy level and feel a stabbing pain shoot through my body when I hit the ground.
My vision is blurry, my muscles are not wanting to move and I keep my eyes closed while the my head is screaming in pain.
I hear a roar, far away and footsteps coming closer. But I also feel eyes watching me. I hear a scream of Sophie.
'Dante NO!'.
'Dante no' I mutter softly, not loud enough to be heard by anybody.
Then there's another roar and feel somebody hold me, I feel someone get me up and slowly open my eyes, my vision is blurry and I hold my head.
'Come on' whispers Dante in my ear, helping me up, I swallow and ignore the screaming pain while looking at the battle, Fenris, Tollifan and Venadek have joined the battle, so have Monteheu and Tersly.
While Monteheu and Tersly distract one, the teens distract another one and the big giant who slapped me walks towards Dante and me.
'I'm not gonna let you guys show me up, Put them in their place! King Basilisk!' I call the titan with all my power and feel my head protest, I ignore it and the titan appears.
While King Basilisk takes the titan out with a slap of his tail after Monteheu and Dante hit it with Dragonfist, Caliban and Venadek take the other one out. Still one to go...
Then Lok kills the last one and gives a High Five to Sophie, I wipe away the sweat on my forehead and pretend I'm alright and not in pain or completely tired.
After we reached the temple I decide to walk in the back, for backing, while Lok walks in the front, with Springer he can take out all the traps, plus, I've got a better way to survive this, I know, pretty cruel.
Somewhere in a long hall, Stones fall down, Dante jumps up to look what's up there and I hear some talking. I invoked Gareon a while ago and let him crawl up there, he's faster than Dante and with his invincibility, it's easier to distract those suits. We run when the time is right and I hear Gareon scream for beneath, Lok invokes Kipperin and flies up, while Gareon appears on my shoulder again I see him light up Boltflare.
I hear Dante drop down next to me and look aside, I'm shocked when i see how close he stands next to me and hear him chuckle 'You're a little out of you element, it seems, are you afraid of the dark?' he asks.
'No, I'm just tired... The whole getting hurt thing is very good working out today' I answer softly.
Lok brings the suits down with Ropetrick and now it's my time to do some stuff.
'Thoughtspecter' I send a purple energy down their bodies and see the perfect, same looks in my head 'Sorry guys, but we'll need those clothes' I add and snap with my fingers, my eyes glow a purple light and I see the clothes, except for their underwear disappear off their bodies and appear next to me.
'What do you need next Zhalia?' asks Dante then.
'Hmm... voices' I answer, Sophie kicks against the man's knee, he shouts and I push my hand forwards, I see a red light coming from his throat and I feel it disappear in my ear, Sophie does the same with the woman and the same happens again 'Unusual but effective' I price the younger girl who smirks.
After that I feel weaker, I feel Dante lay a hand on my shoulder but push it away.
We walk further, till we're in a big treasure room, i see a beautiful blue dress and lay a hand on it, the fabric is soft and perfect for this heat, after it's thin and light.
'Wow' i say softly, I look at the other stuff and can't resist taking some jewelry and the blue dress, I also see a white with golden dress and take that too, with a spell i manage to put it all in my backpack and when i feel a hand on my shoulder I gasp air, remembering the time when I stole apples and the man of the fruit cream came yelling after me.
'You don't need those things to be beautiful' says a deep male voice, I smile and turn to see Dante.
'No, but they need me to be beautiful' I answer and see him shift on his feet, a smile on his mouth but sadness and seriousness in his eyes.
'Dante I need this stuff, to buy a house and new clothes, I have nothing left. My life has literally blown up'.
'I know... I just... didn't know you were so materialistic'.
'I am not, but after living on the streets, I know what I need and that it's very fine that you have some things to call yours. I had nothing, and just like then, I want to have something'.
'I understand' Dante nods at me and I smile softly.
'I promise I only take what I need, and on this moment I really need this bracelet' I grin when he bites on his lower lip to hide his laugh and I put the bracelet back, I turn around and bring my hand to his lips, I make him not hide his laugh and smile 'Much better' with that I leave to the next pile of scrolls and other things.
XxX
When we finally arrive at the bridge, I sight when it seems like they boys are annoying the moment, I roll my eyes when Sophie says the same but wink at her, she smiles back and then the ground is shaking, sand falls down and we slowly back off.
A big stone falls behind us before the door and Tersly freaks out, again.
Lok jumps to us when sand falls down from the ceiling, when that's done I make my way to the other door and start top open it.
I hear them talk and I growl while I'm trying to move the stone 'I don't want to interrupt your tea party, but can someone please help me?' I ask when the stone falls back and I'm using all my strength to not be crushed.
'Of course' answers Monteheu and lifts it up with Dante at his side. I'm freed and roll my eyes when they seem to enjoy this again, I whisper "Thoughtspecter" and the two suit costumes appear in the air 'Time for a plan'.
'I agree. Zhalia and I will distract the Organization and free the room, Lok, Tersly and Sophie will unsolved the trap and get the titan, and Monteheu is our backup, if your distraction doesn't work long enough, Monteheu will give us time' tells Dante, I swallow and Dante sees my doubt.
'What's wrong?' he looks at me.
'Nothing, It's just a risky plan, if something goes wrong, we can all be death' I close my eyes but feel Monteheu punch me on my back, I almost fall forwards on the ground if Dante wasn't standing next to me and look at him with angry eyes.
'It's not like you have to worry. You're a master in distraction and infiltrating, isn't it?' he winks at me, it's a playful answer, but I feel only guilt and look away with closed eyes.
'Just kidding' mutters Monteheu.
'yeah, well, let's get it started' I wave with my hands and feel the my body turns into the body of the female suit, When i open my eyes I look at Dante who looks the same as the male and I grin.
'What's so funny?' he asks, slightly confused.
'I think you should keep this face, it looks really nice on you' I grin, bite on my lower lip and then laugh when the others too start laughing. Dante just sends me a glare of: ha-ha-very-funny.
'Yeah well, your white hair is good looking on you too' he gives me an elbow and we walk to our places.
'Don't forget, act like a total idiot, you're a suit' I whisper, he grins and I feel another elbow in my side, I giggle, something I haven't done in years and scratch my throat when we almost reach the chamber.
Dante holds me back and walks forwards, whistling like a total idiot, I chuckle softly and follow him in his shadow.
When Dominator raises his pointy hand thingy, and throws stores it to my suit companion he shouts in fear, I almost can't hold my laugh so bite on my tongue pretends to fall unconscious.
I make a little laugh on my face and swallow.
'Get over here' says Rassimov 'And report' I run towards them and try not to be scared.
'Sirs! Dante Vale!' yells Dante, I roll my eyes because he thinks he's so great.
'His team will be here any moment as expected, when they arrive we will destroy them' answers the professor, I feel the shivers run down my spine 'take your position' orders the man and Dante and I salute, like I told him they do in the Organization, we run to the places till Rassimov interrupts us.
'Wait! Where have you been all this time?'.
'uh...' I start when I notice Dante doesn't answer 'We got a little lost. You see, there's another room like this one' I answer then, feel my heartbeat lower.
'Like this one? How do you mean?'.
'Well... the two are identical, sir, and we went there by mistake'.
I hear Dante only agree with a kind of moan and I slap him mentally on the head, they're not this stupid!
'This must be a decoy, that's why the port won't open!'.
'You two, take us to this room, immediately' orders Rassimov.
We lead them to the other room and I swallow while thinking of any other room that I've seen while walking here, I think of the room which looks like the other one but has much other stuff which makes it a half-replica.
'I know the room' I whisper to Dante, I know he heard it but i just try to focus on the way to this room. I try to buy them time by acting like I don't really remember where it was till the professor threatens to kill me with Dominator. I walk to that room an sight.
'there is no other room' says Rassimov then, I feel a hand around my throat and gasp air, I can't breathe and try to hit him while he's lifting me from the ground.
'You're trying to keep us away from that room , aren't you? Miss Moon?' asks the professor than 'Attack Dominator!'.
Fenris appears in front of Dante to keep Dante save, when I feel like I'm out of air a spell hits Rassimov and I fall down on the floor, Monteheu tells us to run and Dante grabs my from the ground, we run back to the room and I pray for a wonder to happen.
'You're good at making lies' says Dante then.
'Years of training Dante, years of training' i answer, heavily panting.
'Wait! I think I have some idea' we hear Lok say.
'Hurry!' yells Dante 'The professor figured it out, he's gonna be here in about ten seconds!' Dante pulls of his mask and I do the same.
'Where's Monteheu?' asks Tersly worried.
'Buying us some time' I answer, I put out the suit costume and so does Dante, I see that because of the spell our clothes are exchanged and look my almost naked upper body when I put out the jacket, I feel my cheeks turn red when I feel Dante watching me and turn to see him without any shirt either, his muscled chest bright as sunlight, Then I see Tersly's eyes grow wide while looking at me.
'Don't look!' I snap at the two of them and see them look somewhere else, both having red cheeks, I raise my hands while trying to concentrate 'Thoughtspecter'.
When I look again, I'm wearing my clothes again and sight in relieve.
'Sophie, I'm trying to tell you for a long time, but... I'm not really good at this' answers Lok Sophie's question.
'Lok, I will listen you anything you say' answers the girl.
'Sophie, i know we're from different worlds, sort of like Salomon and Sheba, but I don't want us to end up like them, never having the chance... to be together' he gives his hand to Sophie, I see her gasp air and give her hand too and smile softly at how sweet this is.
I feel Dante's hand in my lower back and my mouth is open while I look at how the port opens.
Then Monteheu's stumbles in, leaning on one of his axes 'They are coming'.
'The port! It's open!' yells the professor when he gets in, i sight deeply and feel Dante's hand tighten around my wrist, then he lets go and grabs something out of his pocket 'Enjoy the vies Professor, cause this is as close as you gotta get, Lok!' he throws the amulet of Will to Lok, who catches it and runs inside, to the ring.
Before I know, Sabriel, Feyon and Tollifan are invoked, I invoke Kilthane, not to show my low energy level and the pain in my throat.
Dante invokes Caliban and runs next to me.
The suits call their titans so we end up with a few enemies, like expected. I feel my breathe has slowed down, and I push myself to hide it.
I see a suit running to Dante to attack him but jump through the air 'Mindsight!' I yell, to make this fight easier, I kick him aside and turn around Dominator ready to attack me in the back, but there's Kilthane as my backing and I see then how a dark spell hits Kilthane, he returns in my amulet and I look at Rassimov. In a rage of anger, I run towards him and feel a dark spell burn in my hand 'Darkopinion' I tell him, but he shakes the spell off. 'Shadowfist' I go on and see my fists shoot at him.
'This cannot be!' yells Rassimov, when I land on the ground I feel Dark wave hit me in my stomach and shove backwards, I see every body's too busy to care about me and for one moment I feel like I'm going to faint.
'Keep it together guys. We got to hold off the organization till Lok's ready' tells Sophie.
'Relax Sophie, I'm ready' answers Lok.
The next things go on like a intoxication for me, I feel a gentle energy float around my body when there's some kind of attack from the big blue legendary titan, and I'm proud that I can keep up standing.
The next thing I know is the Organization gone, Lok who calls back the titan and falls on the ground, cached by Sophie with a scream.
We run towards them and as I see him sleeping I feel certainly jealous. 'He's just exhausted from invoking a legendary titan, right? Dante?'.
'Come on, let's get him out of here, he beat back the professor himself but our fight is just getting started' answers Dante.
I feel he's right, not only the fight against sandstorms, heat and the night of the dessert, but also the big fight against the Organization.
XxX one hour later XxX
I'm exhausted, I can barely see the ground and feel the heat anymore, everything is blurry and warm, everything is sticky and everything has the same thin air around me. I try to keep on breathing but when i se the others are far in front of me I lose myself, I fall on my knees and try to make any sound, but I can't.
Suddenly I hear voices and feel two arms lifts me up in bridal style, I look at Dante and see him look back at me 'Lok was not the only one who has pushed himself to the edge end proved himself' Dante then smiles at me, I smile softly back and feel darkness and tiredness come over me, my head falls aside and the last thing I hear is Dante's voice 'It's all right, sleep for now... My love' I don't know if I really heard the last part, but I can't fade a smile from my mouth and smell his smell while falling asleep.
XxX
When I wake, the sun is going down, how long have I slept? I ask myself.
I wink and feel my muscles protest when I move them, I feel my eyes are heavy and hear voices from downstairs.
When I look at the beds around, I see we're in Addo's house, There're three beds in the room, one behind the door, one across the first one and mine across the door. I look at the half open door and slowly get up, i dress myself in a few of shorts and a top, I slowly walk downstairs, leaning against the wall while walking to the living room, where laughter comes from, when i stand in the doorway I see everybody laugh, Lok's sitting in a chair, looking great and full of energy like always. I scratch my back and clear my throat.
'Now, look who decided to wake up' grins Monteheu.
'I think I pushed myself too hard' I admit, with a light smile, thinking of the day I pushed myself so hard to keep on walking.
'We know' answers Sophie with a grin 'Lok slept for one day long when we arrived in the night, you, on the other hand decided to sleep two full days'.
'Oh' I whisper and walk a little unsteady to the couch, I sit down next to Dante and take a cup of tea from Addo.
'You look a little pale though, and the blue marks in your neck are still there' Dante moves his hand to my neck and I feel my breathe slow down while he lifts my chin to take a better look at my neck 'If it wasn't for you, I was death' I answer, and look at him.
'No problem' he smiles lightly.
'I almost heard Zhalia scream 'Ass Hole", when you said "Sirs! Dante Vale!" grins Monteheu then. I start laughing and see Dante blush while looking at me.
'is it just me or is this moment more often then I remember?' asks Sophie then.
'What?' I ask, curiously.
'You laughing, and then a real laugh not the ones you gave before you moved in with Dante' answers Sophie.
I almost choke in my tea and so does Monteheu.
I hear Lok, Sophie, Dante and Monteheu laugh, even Addo joins them, I just look at them with red cheeks.
'I'm not the one who has been holding hands with Lok ever since he told you he loved you back' I grin and see Sophie turn red while looking at the hands they're holding 'I don't care what you think' answers Sophie loftily.
'Whatever' I answer, drink the rest of my tea and then yawn softly.
'You're kidding me, you're still tired?' asks Lok then.
'You are not the one walking through the dessert with a few broken ribs and concussion, without water and the Organization following you' I snap back and see his face turn into guilt.
'Are you alright?' asks Tersly then.
'Yeah, I managed to forget the pain in my ribs when we got caught' I answer, now less angry, I lay my head back on the couch and close my eyes for one moment 'I feel like I've been crushed by a giant'.
'That almost happened, if Monteheu and Tersly weren't there' sights Sophie.
'Yeah Dante, why did you jump in front of Zhalia and didn't even use a shield to protect you two?' asks Lok then.
'it was an instinct, I stood there before I knew it and... That giant would've broken the shield anyway' answers Dante shrugging his shoulders, I lift my head and feel hurt in my heart, he didn't do it because he loved me, he did it because of his instincts.
I swallow and feel a pain in my head.
'Are you alright? You're looking like you're going to throw up' says Monteheu, sitting in front of me in the chair, he looks at me worried.
'I think I'm going to lay down... again...' I slowly stand up and get back to my room, there I close the door and lay down on the bed, I feel tears stabbing my eyes and pull the blanket over my, to cover my body.
'Zhalia?' I hear knocking on the door, it's Dante.
'I'm... I don't feel well' I tell him.
'Yes, that's why I'm here, maybe I can do something for you'.
'Believe me, you can't, you've done enough already' I answer, all this time I was just his team matter, he didn't do everything because he liked me, no, why have I ever thought he wanted more than friendship?
'Zhalia... are you at least dressed?' he asks me.
'This is the bedroom, why wouldn't I be?' I answer, I push the pillow in my face and hear the door open.
'Are you cold?' he asks me then.
'No, I'm fine' I answer and try not to sound in pain.
'Zhalia... are you crying?'.
'No! Why would you think about that?'.
'Because your voice is all shaking and I can hear you sob by every word, what's wrong?' he closes the door and sits next to me on the bed.
'There's nothing wrong' I growl and crawl out of the bed, not showing him my face, I crawl into the bathroom and lock it before him, I look into the mirror, splash some water in my face and see my red eyes get less red.
'Zhalia open the door' says Dante from the other side.
'I'm naked' I snap at him and sit down on the ground.
'Even better! Open the door' he answers with a sight, I can't answer that.
'Dante...' I start.
'Yes?' he asks, now calm like always, i sit next to the door and sight softly.
'What am I?'.
'A female...'.
'No! I mean. What am I, to you?'.
It's silence for a while, I feel tears streaming down my cheeks and hear someone leaning against the door, slowly landing on the floor.
'What are you to me?' he repeats the question 'You're my friend, and my teammate' he answers.
'And?' I ask.
'And I think you're the most powerful and stubborn woman I've ever met. You're funny and beautiful, you're talented and... I think you're great'.
'And?' I ask further.
'And? Well... I think... I think you're the first woman who ever made me feel so weird that I didn't know anything else to do than jump in front of her to save her from the death while I knew I was going to die' he answers. I feel a slight smile coming on my face.
'And?'.
'And... and I'm totally in love with you' he says then.
I don't know what to do, I just know there's a silence and no moving, I open the door and he falls backwards inside, I wipe the tears away and look at him.
'What about you? What am I to you?'.
'You're my friend' I answer 'And my teammate'.
'And?' he asks hopefully.
'And I'm totally in love with you' I answer with a little chuckle, I see him smile a big smile and before I know we're kissing. It feel good and so right.
Though, I'm sitting in the floor of a bathroom in Africa while the Scorpio's are crawling to the shadow under the closet, I feel happy, I feel more than happy, I feel great. I feel like I'm the luckiest girl in the whole universe.
I feel his hand in my neck while his arm is around my waist and pulling me on his shot. My hand is in his hair and the other one on his cheek. He enters my mouth with his tongue and I feel fireworks.
I don't know how long it lasted, but when we stop kissing for a break, we're heavily panting, looking into each other's eyes and I smile softly.
'So, when did you fall for me?' he asks .
'somewhere in Iceland, you?'.
'From the first time I lay I eyes on you' he answers, I smile and kiss him again, then we hear someone scratch his throat and look around to see Monteheu and Lok standing there, Lok has an open mouth and Monteheu just grins at us, arms crossed.
'How much I hate it to interrupt your romantic, sweet, sugar talk and kissing on the bathroom floor stuff, I have to tell you, the plane leaves in two hours, we've to hurry'.
'I guess we have to pack than' answers Dante, I stand up, my cheeks burning a red color and walking to my bed, while Dante stands up too. I turn around to see both of them give each other the box and I roll my eyes 'Why do I get the feeling you guys are still not grown up?'.
'That's because they're not' answers Lok wryly.
'And probably never will' chuckles Monteheu, I give them both a glare and they walk laughing away.
'What about another one of that kiss?' asks Dante, holding me from behind by my waist, turn my head and give him a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth 'Later, when I packed my stuff' I answer and push him away 'Now pack yours Superman, because I want to eat something before we get on the plane'.
TBC
You asked for them be together, you get it! I think Ethiopia was the place where they got together, I mean, Dante jumping in front of Zhalia? Too obvious. But I'm still in the plot, so... review!
