AN – Hello!
That's all I got, let's head in.
The Flames Grow Higher
Sarid sat calmly in a carriage, chains on her wrists. Thin lines of sunlight made it in, just allowing her to see the far side. Outside, she could hear the clip-clop of horse hooves, and birds singing. The lines grew thinner and weaker as time passed, until the carriage stopped. It was still, then the door on the side opened. Looking over, she saw Lance, smiling cruelly. It was somehow a familiar expression.
She stood and exited the carriage, stepping down before the castle of Julo's king. A large crowd was gathered, watching. Her pack had been confiscated, she wearing a black, long sleeve shirt with a mock turtle neck and dark blue pants, tabi still on her feet. Drew and Crew held her by the chain in their hands, Lance starting toward the castle. They followed, guards all around her. One had her pack, holding it in his hand.
The crowd followed as they entered, the grand hall getting crowded. On the throne was the king, his arm bandaged and in a sling. He was clearly unnerved, more guards around him.
"Sarid…Terrarian." The king said. "You have caused a stir and a crime, releasing a criminal!"
"He committed no evil." Sarid told him.
"He knowingly let a woman go through the military academy!" He said.
"He raised me as best as he could, giving me love like any good parent would." Sarid told him. "Part of that is understanding a child must fend for themselves. What better way than to learn from a military?"
"You didn't have to enroll!" Lance told her. "You ruined everything!"
"Oh?" Sarid asked. "You seem stuck, Lance."
"No, he's right!"
Sarid looked to the side, seeing a man and woman she recognized as Lance's parents. His father's hair was silver, eyes dark grey. His mother's hair was silver as well, eyes a lighter grey.
"It's because of you our boy was denied what was his, and now you commit crime like you've done nothing wrong!" His father said.
"Your son is the one who is wrong." Sarid told him. "He has belittled, harassed and outright threatened anyone who he even perceives as a threat to his standing."
"You lie." His mother said. "Our boy is perfect. He would never do such a thing!"
"I see where he gets his delusions." Sarid said, then looking back at the king. "Your majesty, I do not regret what I did, nor have any intentions of becoming regretful. My uncle is a good man."
Lance looked at her incredulously, and she noted Howe's eyes widened.
"Your uncle?" The king asked. "Flint never married…right?"
His advisors shook their heads. Howe's remained still.
"He is my uncle." Sarid told him. "But that aside, what do you plan to do with me? Are you not in the middle of civil unrest with the surrounding countries? Will they not invade to save themselves should you punish me?"
"…" The king notably looked scared. "Er…banished! You are banished!"
"WHAT?!" Lance asked.
"She's banished, not allowed to come back!" The king said.
"Sire!" Lance said. "She is a CRIMINAL!"
"She's royalty!" He said. "I will not have others coming for me!"
He really is not that bright. Sarid thought. I need to get back…I need my pack and an escape…
"Just you?" Sarid asked. "Why, you have countless men to shield you from danger…but you seem willing to let them die for you."
"That's what they're trained for!" He said.
"Now hold on!" Howe said. "We do not train men to throw them away!"
"I'm the king!" The king said.
"Yet you would let your country burn and citizens die to save yourself?" Sarid asked.
"…"
He looked around, realizing how everyone was looking at him.
"…W-well…without me, what would the people do?"
"Not have their land stolen and funds misused." Sarid told him. "After all, you took the family home of farmers and built a vacation home when you have several already."
"Which…?" He looked confused. People were whispering. Some shuffled.
A single blow. "Which? You do it so much, so callously you don't remember? What kind of king claims to care for his country yet does that?"
"You." Lance sneered.
"I have risked my life for my kingdom." Sarid told him. "And I will do so until my dying day…yet your king seems content to let others suffer for him. What kind of leader stands behind you?"
"I will NOT let you smear my name!" The king said, standing. "You will take back your words!"
"No." Sarid said. "I will never redact the truth."
"How do you know the truth?" The king asked, waddling down towards her. "You…you're just a liar!"
"How?"
"Because…!" He stopped, Sarid staring. "You…!"
"I understand it's hard to think." Sarid told him. "Especially for you. After all, you love to hold galas and balls, showing the expensive jewelry and fancy, though useless, weapons you purchase."
"He does that with funds from taxes?" Someone whispered.
"Are you kidding? I've heard servants comment on the wine he buys!"
"I've heard that too, along with the land taking…"
"I…I am a good king!" The king said.
"How?"
"It's my birthright!" He said.
"I was born to royalty." Sarid told him. "But I chose instead to work for my crown. No one is born above anyone."
"I…" He looked around, seeing the stares he was getting. "You…get her out of here! She's banished!"
"Sire, she committed and crime!" He told him. "She needs to be beheaded!"
"She did commit a crime!"
"She shouldn't get away with it!"
He looked back at the nobles, who were watching him. Sarid felt the tension.
"I…" The king looked around, sacred. "She…"
He looked at her, his fear turning to anger.
"You-"
She grabbed his wrist.
"RECLUDO!"
He chains fell from her wrists, and she clasped one around the king's wrist. Lance grabbed her arm and she clasped the other to his, then yanked the chain, Drew and Crew falling into Lance and the king.
"Revenio!"
Her pack flew from the hand of the guard and hit her back. She went with the force of it, putting her hands onto the backs of Drew and Crew, landing on her feet on the other side, closer to the throne. Guards charged.
Out!
Her beetle armor covered her, the crowd gasping. Her wings spread and she looked back, seeing the grad door was closed and the door bar in place.
Going up!
She darted at the door to the side of the throne, landing at it.
I need to slow them.
Swinging her sword, she cut right through a rope that held up a chandelier, making it fall. It hit the floor, no one hurt, though the rug beneath it caught fire. Throwing open the door, she ran down a hall, guards rushing her. She jumped onto a table, then over them and kept running. More guards appeared, and she turned, going down a different hall.
Running through the castle, she dodged guards, getting up higher and higher. She just needed to get to the roof. Throwing open one door, it was the king's study, her eyes falling on the desk.
Atop it was ring, braided silver with sapphires.
She ran to it and grabbed the ring. Looking at it, it was in fact Flint's.
He really is a thief.
It was put into her pack and she turned to leave, then suddenly ducked.
Lance tried to grab her, though she shot up and struck her palm to his chin, arm going up and he fell back, hitting the door frame. She ran at him, then grabbed the front of his uniform and threw his aside.
She kept running, though heard rapid footsteps behind her. The air smelled of smoke, the light coming in reddish.
"FORTE!" Lance yelled. She turned and rushed up a staircase, reaching a door. Throwing it open and keeping on, she found herself up on the top battlement.
She froze.
Part of the castle had caught fire, sending up a pillar of smoke, though she heard battle cries. Down in the city, people were banging against the castle gates, those that had been inside fighting the guards…that still stood with the king. Some had thrown off the royal insignias.
Looks like the Martians aren't alone in their rebellion.
"YOU!"
She looked back, seeing Lance. His hair blew wildly in the wind, his eyes staring with an intense, seething rage.
"You've ruined everything!"
"This again?" She asked. "You need to let it-"
"NO!" He yelled. "I was told all my life that I was perfect, the best, and it was TRUE! I was going to be best that ever was and yet YOU show up and RUIN IT!"
"Lance, NO ONE is perfect!" She told him.
"You lie!" Lance told her. "You're a mistake that ruins everything!"
Mistake…
"You've ruined my life!"
"How?!" She asked. "You have things people would give anything for! You have a home, wealth, education – you had countless opportunities!"
"SHUT UP!" He said. "Everything is your fault! Flint choosing you, taking my place, all of this-"
"This?" Sarid asked, gesturing to the chaos. "THIS? Last I checked, the people are tired of the king, and of people like YOU! You're NOTHING, Lance! You are nothing more than a petty, tantrum-throwing MAN CHILD who can't even conceive the idea of consequences! EVERYTHING YOU ARE, EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING you made yourself to be by your obsession with yourself!"
"SHUT UP!"
Lance charged, throwing a fist at her. She blocked it, having to run back as he kept on the offensive. He kept trying to strike her, and she kept blocking. Grabbing the front of his uniform, she pivoted and threw him to the ground, Lance looking up at her with wide, red eyes.
She jumped back, alarmed.
"DIE!" Lance yelled, getting up and running at her. She was running backwards again, his eyes full of anger beyond words.
"Lance…" She said.
"DIE, DIE, DIE!" He yelled, drawing his knife. He swung and she caught his arm, knocking the knife from his hand.
"Lance – do you know who the Shadow Man is?" She asked.
"Who?!"
"…" She stared in disbelief, and he began to fight to escape. "Lance! Please, did you ally yourself with a creature made from shadows? It has red eyes, horned armor-"
"What if I did?!"
"…" She stared. He started fighting again. She put pressure on his wrist to stop him. "Lance, Lance – please, that creature is dangerous-"
"He'll help me KILL you!"
"Then he'll turn on you!"
"LIAR!"
"Lance-"
He fought again, Sarid throwing him away, putting distance between them. Looking at her, his eyes were still red and wild.
"Lance…please." She said. "That creature wants only death and destruction. As soon as it uses you, it will betray you."
"…" He stared.
"Please, just this once – you can spend the rest of your life cursing me, trying to kill me, but just this once, understand there are consequences…that creature, the Shadow Man, he will end you the moment you're no longer useful."
"…" He kept staring. "How do I get rid of it?"
"I can cast a spell." Sarid told him. "It will force him out of your head – no, stay there, too close and it can cause injury-"
"LIAR!" He snapped. "You…you just want to be the best!"
"I've never cared about that!" Sarid told him. "Lance, please-"
"NO! You're nothing, nothing but a mistake that RUINED EVERYTHING!"
His hand shot at her, purple fire coming from his palm.
"Divinus Fax!" She said, catching the fire. It turned blue and she shot it to the sky, the flames dissipating. Jumping over the railing, she ran down the steep roof and jumped down to another battlement, then jumped again, smacking her hand against the castle wall. Her climbing claws let her slide down, getting to a lower walkway. Her wings spread, and she took to the skies.
Looking down, the people were almost through the gate. Looking back, Lance was staring from the roof, the smoke still climbing.
"PRAETRITUS!" Lance yelled, a dark purple hand shooting from his hand. She flew faster, though the hand grabbed onto her wings. A shooting pain shot through her and she was falling. She got her feet under her, spotting a two-wheeled cart. Getting herself at the right angle, she hit the ground by doing a roll, then jumped into the cart, the momentum forcing it forward, down a street.
She got to the end, where the city gates were. Jumping from the cart, she ran as fast as her feet would take her through them. She couldn't feel her wings, all she felt was pain where they connected.
She jumped, trying to fly. It didn't work.
My wings…
She kept running. Her boots were on under her tabi, allowing her to run faster. The city was getting farther away. She kept running.
The road went east, towards the coast.
I need to get back.
The sun was setting, but she kept running. The moon rose. She kept running. Her legs began to hurt. She kept running.
She ran through a quiet town, the people asleep, and the roads empty. Her lungs were burning. She kept running.
She stumbled, but kept running. The sun was coming up, she able to see a city in the distance.
Seafare.
Keeping on, she ran through the city gates. She was struggling to keep her feet moving.
She ducked into an alley and slumped against the wall, almost falling.
Stay awake…
She shook, then pushed herself up. Her legs gave away and she fell against a trash can, knocking it over.
She was so tired.
Her arms pushed against the ground, put she was barely able to lift herself. A door opened, candle light falling on her. She looked up, seeing a surprised man looking at her. His hair and eyes were dark, his face aged.
It was so hard to stay awake.
His mouth moved, she heard her name asked.
It was too hard to stay awake.
She became aware that she was dry and warm, on something soft. Her limbs were free, and her legs sore. Her eyes blinked, until she could see clearly. She was in a small bed room, curtains drawn over the two windows. One of her legs moved, and the soreness created a dull pain. A grunt escaped her, but she pushed herself up. Her mouth was dry and her stomach growled.
Oh, my legs…
The covers were pushed off, she still wearing her ninja pants and black shirt. As well, the tabi were still on her feet, though her boots and pack were by the room's door.
The door opened, the man from last night stepping in.
She looked at him, seeing he looked worried.
"…You…Sarid Terrarian?" He asked. An alarm sounded in her head.
"…Who are you?" She asked.
"…" He took a breath, then closed the door. He went to the window and barely pulled back the curtain, looking out. He looked back at her. "The military is looking for you…again."
"…" Sarid stared. "Who are you?"
"I'd Edwin." He told her. "Your mentor saved my life."
"…" Her eyes narrowed.
"I understand if you don't trust me." He told her. "But I want to help you. The Royal Paranjay, it's out in the international waters and the navy has a barricade set up."
"…" Sarid stood, then went to the door. From her pack she got her binoculars, then went to the window. She pulled back the curtain a bit, able to see the ocean a distance away. There was in fact a blockade, another ship just past it. Looking through the binoculars, she saw the name.
Royal Paranjay
As well, the jay on the keel of the ship was there.
She lowered the binoculars and went back to her pack, grabbing her boots.
"What can I do?" He asked.
"…You are right, I don't trust you." She told him, getting her boots on. "But I also don't want anything happening to you."
"No, your mentor-"
There was a faint sound, Edwin going stiff. They stood in silence, then heard the sound again. Edwin rushed back to the door and through it, Sarid following him. They went down a hall and Edwin went down a flight of stairs, Sarid stopping at the top. The downstairs looked to be lighter, she hearing a door, followed by a shop bell.
"Yes?" Edwin asked.
"We're looking for Sarid Terrarian." A man's voice said.
"Who…you mean Sarid Forte?"
"No." The voice said, footsteps on the wooden floor. Sarid backed away. There were several people down there, going by the pitches. "I received a tip that you started working here after Flint helped you."
"W-well, yes-"
"Where is the shop owner?"
"He's passed, bless his soul, but-"
"The gate guards saw Terrarian come through the gates last night!"
"P-please!" Edwin said. "I don't even know that she knows about me!"
Sarid stepped lightly, going back to the bedroom. The door was shut behind her, she made the bed and went to the other window, unlocking it. She climbed out and shut it back.
"Recludo."
It locked, and she climbed down the side of the building, getting to the alley beside it. She looked out around the corner.
"FORTE!"
She jumped, and coming up the other side of the road was Lance, horse galloping.
She bolted, running down the street.
Think, think!
She came to a break in the road, three others coming off of it. An idea came to her, and she stopped, then looking back. Her hand went back to her pack, pulling out one of the smoke bombs Sparkle had given her.
Lance's eyes got more intense, his smile twisted as he got closer. Sarid pulled the pin and threw it at him, his smile disappearing.
It exploded, the horse whinnying, smoke erupting into a cloud. Sarid booked it toward a building, grabbing the downspout and climbing up it, getting to the roof. Running along it, she looked out at the water.
I need to get out to the ship…
Her eyes moved, looking at the lighthouse, the tower up on a point. She ran faster.
"She's on the roof!" Lance yelled.
How-?!
She ran faster, her legs ready to give way from pain. Men in uniforms came out onto the roofs, taking aim.
Please, no.
She jumped down off a building, grabbed a beam between two buildings in a narrow alley, swung around, then let go and did a roll, coming up on her feet. She kept running. Horse hooves sounded behind her, she looking back to see Lance. His teeth were grit.
She came out of the alley and grabbed and lamp post, using it to help her turn. Lance came after, his horse faster than her feet. Her hand went to her bag, and she pulled out her Venus Magnum.
The bullets.
Her hand went back, finding the box and fingers pushed it open. From it, she pulled bullets, and put them into the gun. The hooves were closer. She rolled to the side, jumping up crates and back onto the roofs, running along them. She jumped to another building, then another, the lighthouse close.
Jumping, she grabbed onto a small crane, making it swing. She let go and did a roll, coming onto her feet again. She was running, but looked back. Lance was still after her.
She looked back forward, jumped over some barrels and then jumped, turning as she did. Lance was right by the barrels. She took aim. She fired.
The bullet hit one of the barrels-
BOOOOM
The barrels exploded, Lance sent flying. Sarid felt the heat and force, though she was able to do another roll. Coming up on her feet, she ran down an alley. Leaving it, she ran up the path to the light house, reaching back to her pack. She got on her climbing claws, jumped, and caught onto the side of it.
Her legs screamed in pain as she climbed, she already tired. The wind pushed against her as she got higher, until she reached the top, pulling herself onto the roof. She stood, looking out at the Royal Paranjay. Another navy ship was heading for the blockade.
…If I do this right…
She pulled out the rod Merlyn gave her, gripping it tight. She shot it out, ice shooting from it. She swung it again, then jumped.
Ice appeared from the end of it as she ran along it. The angle was just right – if it was kept, she could just reach international waters.
BANG
The sound echoed.
A gun?
BANG
She heard the ice behind her break.
Focus!
She kept running. There were more gun shots, the angle declining. She was sliding along the ice now.
Almost…!
BANG
Something hit her shoulder blade, so hard she spun. The ice went off course and she was falling. She was confused, but then felt an intense, burning heat in her shoulder blade.
I'm falling.
Suddenly the thought registered, and she started to turn to point her feet down, rod going into her pack.
She hit something, pain followed by numbness on her lower knees and front lower legs, along with the bottom on her arms. Hundreds of tiny air bubbles rushed against her, the water around her dark.
Her lungs burned. She looked up, the sun looked so far away. She was deep underwater. Her arm moved.
Pain. Horrible, intense pain shot out from her shoulder blade, the heat dying down from the water no doubt. She tried to breathe without thinking, water rushing down her throat. She choked, panic setting in, followed by her exhaustion.
…Oh…
She was sinking.
…This is it, then.
The surface was dark.
…My death.
The pressure from the water was awful, her lungs burning worse.
And…it's how I always expected.
I'm alone.
Her eyelids were heavy.
…Does it even matter?
What could I have done to save the world? I'm…no one. The Shadow Man? He's a fallen god, with who knows how long to practice…
Her eyes closed. Everything hurt.
He'd win…he'd…
…want revenge.
The villagers appeared behind her eyes.
He'd destroy any good thing.
He…was beaten once.
…
…
…
He'll go after them.
She saw their faces again.
No.
Her eyes opened, glowing a solid blue.
I won't let him.
"She's dead!" Lance said, staring at where Sarid had hit the water. "No one could come back from that! She's DEAD!"
Drew and Crew exchanged a look, the rest of the men on the ship doing the same
"FINALLY!" Lance said, throwing aside his rifle. "SHE'S DEAD!"
Sinbad stared in horror at where Sarid had hit the water, the rest of the men with him. The hope in his eyes faded, and his shoulders dropped.
"…He killed 'er…" He said quietly.
They could hear a maniacal laugh from the other side of the blockade.
Light appeared in the water, light blue.
His eyes lit up.
"Lassie…?"
Water suddenly shot up, like there had been an explosion. Lance stopped laughing, watching the pillar of mist fade.
Held up by a pillar of water was Sarid, eyes glowing blue.
"WHAT?!"
The pillar moved toward international water. He grabbed his rifle and started shooting again. The pillar was fast, going right between two ships. He reloaded.
"What are you doing?!" Drew asked.
"Killing her, what else?!" He said.
"She's in international-"
"SHUT UP!" Lance yelled, aiming again. Hand grabbed the barrel of his rifle, and it was yanked away, the gun firing. The bullet hit the railing, blowing off a chunk of wood. He looked up, seeing Drew and Crew holding the barrel.
"You wanna start a war?!" Crew asked.
Lance yanked the gun.
"SHE NEEDS TO DIE!"
Sinbad and the sailors watched anxiously, Sarid getting closer, but the light in her eyes was fading.
"She won't make it!" One of them yelled.
"Then we will!" Another yelled, running forward. In his hand was life preserver, rope attached to it. Payo grabbed it from him and threw it, the preserver flying through the air. It hit the water, Sarid's head looking down at it. The glowing stopped, and she fell right onto it.
"PULL!" Payo yelled, Sinbad running over. They all pulled the rope as fast as they could, Sarid's good arm hooked onto the preserver, head rested against it. It reached the ship, pulling up out of the water. Men ran to the railing as she came up, grabbing onto her and pulling her over. Blood ran over the deck, they getting off her pack to see it coming from the wound on her shoulder blade. One of the men put his vest over it, applying pressure. She looked so tired. Sinbad lightly smacked her face.
"Wake up!"
Sarid's eyelids refused to move. Something hit her face again. There was a stinging, her eyes barely opening. Her vision was blurry.
"Lassie, stay awake!" Sinbad's voice said. "Terraria! Set course!"
Feet hit the wooden deck, Sarid's eyes starting to close again. Someone shook her.
"Yer needed back home, lassie." Payo's voice said. "Stay awake."
She wanted to sleep.
"WHY WON'T YOU DIE?!"
Her eyes opened a bit more.
Lance…
She felt herself being lifted up, held in arms.
"Won…win…" She said.
Whoever was holding her was running.
Evil…Hate…it'll never win…
Her eyes were closing. She was shook again. A door opened. She was set down on something.
Something was put in her arm, and she was asleep.
Asher sat on the end of the dock, watching the horizon. The sun was setting, the sky dark and stars appearing.
"Hey."
He looked up, seeing Hannah. She looked worried. He looked back at the horizon.
"I know you're worried." Hannah said, sitting beside him. "All of us are."
"…" Asher blinked.
"…" Hannah sighed. "She's strong."
"…I know." Asher said. "But…it's just, she's been through so much – and, she still has to fight the Shadow Man and last time she was near him was the Golem and that freaked her out so much…"
He was shaking.
"…I just want her to be okay."
"…" Hannah put a hand on his shoulder. "I know. We all do."
He blinked, his worry turning to fear.
A spot appeared on the horizon.
His eyes got wide, hope and fear filling him.
"The ship…"
They both stood, staring at it. It grew as it got closer.
POW
A red flare screamed up into the sky, black trail behind it.
Their faces fell. Asher felt full panic.
"Sarid…?!" He said, Hannah putting a hand on his arm. The ship got closer, villagers running down the dock. The Royal Paranjay pulled up alongside the dock, roped thrown down to the mooring posts. The villagers ran along the dock to where the gangplank came down, sailors rushing down with a stretcher.
Asher was horrified.
Sarid was on the stretcher, down on her stomach. Bandages covered her, more over her shoulder blade. She looked so tired.
"Get her to the clinic!" Hannah said. Everyone was running. Asher was terrified, shaking as he ran, getting to the side of the stretcher.
His hand touched her face, brushing her bangs back to see a bruise above her eyebrow, and a brief, faint smile.
He felt some relief.
Sarid was aware of being warm, dry, safe, and everything being in pain.
Her eyelids felt stuck, like they refused to move. She was on something soft, a blanket over her. Most of the pain was in her shoulder blade. Someone held her hand.
She laid still, her eyelids starting to feel less heavy. They opened, seeing Arthur was sitting beside her bed, holding her hand. He stared down at her hand, idle tears streaming down his face.
"…Uh…"
He looked up, his eyes wide.
"Sarid." He said, reaching out and cupping her face. "Sarid, sweetie, are you…how do you feel?"
"…" She blinked, aware of how hungry she was. "Food…"
He stood and rushed out, Sarid feeling a hand on her other arm. Rolled her head, she saw Asher sitting on the other side of the bed. A faint smile graced her face.
"…" He blinked, then looked like he was about to cry. "I…I got scared."
"…" She nodded. "Sorry…"
"No, no…I…" He took a breath, then reached out and cupped her face. "You're here…you're here."
She smiled a bit more, then noting she felt something in her arm. Looking down at it, she saw a needle with a clear tube.
"…" She blinked. Asher followed her gaze.
"Oh, uh…that's an intravenous." He told her. "Side project that Ada, Autumn and Xanos had…it can put medicine and water right into your blood."
"…" Sarid blinked, then closed her eyes again. The door opened, followed by footsteps. Many footsteps.
"Sarid?" Hannah's voice asked. Her eyes opened again, head turning to see Hannah beside her, villagers behind her, Flint next to her. Sarid looked up at him and smiled.
"Uncle…"
He sat down and cupped her face, clearly worried.
"Your wounds…"
"They're fine. I'm fine." He told her. "What about you? Are you in any pain?"
"…Everything hurts." She told him. He looked more worried.
"Your…Mr. Arthur, he told us you were hungry?" Hannah asked. Sarid nodded. "Ted brought some broth over. I'll go get it."
She left the room, Doc coming and standing in her place. Asher held her other hand. Her eyelids got heavy again.
"Sarid." Flint said. She looked at him, Arthur standing beside him. "The sailors told us what they saw, but…what happened?"
"…Lance." She said, remembering. "…He's coming."
"Again?" Flint asked.
"What do you want us to do?" Asher asked.
"…When he comes…evacuate." She said.
"What?" Arthur asked, the others alarmed.
"Lance…" Her eyelids were so heavy. "He…Shadow Man…"
She was asleep again.
When she woke up next, she was more alert and in less pain. Asher was still sitting beside her, holding her hand. She smiled at him. He looked hesitant.
"…Lance…he…he's allied with the Shadow Man?" He asked. Sarid nodded.
Asher's face fell. The door opened and Flint came in, Asher looking at him. His expression told Flint everything.
"…" Flint stood a moment, then went to the bedside, sitting again. "…They were looking at your armor…the wings…"
"He cast a spell." Sarid told him. "…Oh, my pack…"
Flint reached down to the bedside table, then set her pack on the bed. Sarid used her free hand to open it, and from it she pulled his ring. His eyes widened, and she held it out to him.
"…" He blinked, then took it, looking at it. His eyes softened, and he looked up at her. "Thank you."
She smiled. He tucked it into his pocket, and she was confused. He noticed.
"…I've seen what happens when you cling to the past." He told her. "And…I've held on too long."
"…" She smiled a bit. "…My…mother…"
Flint's eyes were dim, looking at her.
"…Arthur knew her better than I did, admittedly." He told her. "I…I know I called their marriage one of convince, but…it was better than that."
She nodded, her eyes closing again. Asher's hand brushed her bangs back.
Safe…for now.
YOU IDIOT!
"Shut up. You were the one who missed."
Lance stood in his room, a broken chair at his feet. It was dark, his teeth grit.
Oh yes, I DIDN'T aim at her! SHUT UP! It was your idea to bring her here, and now?! Now we have an uprising, taking resources I need to march on Terraria! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG THIS COULD TAKE?!
"You think I WANT to wait?! I need to get there! Her bloodline NEEDS TO DIE!"
You don't say! Oh, those two IDIOTS! I could have gotten her, but nooo…if the ship had gone out for that idiotic merchant, we could start a "war" and "people would get hurt"! I DON'T CARE! The world can BURN for all I care, she NEEDS. TO. DIE!
"I KNOW." The Shadow Man said, rolling his eyes. "But her time to die is nearing…I have other allies, after all…"
A person in a long, white mask stood before the dungeon, looking up at it the pale moonlight. Behind them stood their unholy followers, dressed in orange, purple, grey and blue. They went up the steps to a seal in the entryway, showing an angry octopus with three eyes, four circles above it. They held out gloves hands, red light glowing in them.
The circles glowed, one grey-green, one blue, one orange, and one pink. The eyes glowed yellow, and dust flew up from it. The glowing subsided, and the seal lowered into stairs, showing a hidden entryway.
The masked person looked back at the followers.
"Let us begin."
AN – Uh…okay, shorter, MUCH shorter than I thought it would be and…not much plot admittedly. Sorry if this disappoints. Though, fun fact: this was supposed to be put in with last chapter, but, I noted how long that one was and two future chapters were VERY short/small, so…I put those together and this one became its own…yeah.
Giboney: I, admittedly, would like to go over this again and do some improvements, but…I won't say anything else. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up. And thank you!
Gabrote42: Thank you! And yeah, intrusive thoughts are…FUN, huh?
Bencharmanderb: Thank you so much! :D
Gizmo Gear: Thank you! I DID IT, I LEFT SOMEONE NEAR SPEECHLESS!
Pinkpony4: I understand.
YEP , LAST CHAPTER WAS 99 PAGES NOT INCLUSING THE BOTTOM AN. Altogether, with the word document I have for this is, RIGHT NOW, at 1,104 pages with a 12 point Arial font.
Yeah, Huxley is not a likeable guy. Purposely made him that way.
Fun fact: Originally, Sarid was going to go right in the front door all…cool, cutting down and fighting her way in like…some movie guy. I've never really seen anything like what I had in my head in media, so I have no comparison, BUT, since she has grown out of her "kill them all mentality", it wouldn't make sense for her to fall back into it for that one time. However, for the king getting shot, it's also because he was quickly rushed out and the crowd's attention was fully on Lance and Flint.
Stomp on your heart? ME? I would never! (Heh heh) I also like how you're saying I have a reputation for impending doom. :D
Yeah, though like we talked about, I just want to see them in a sitcom now. It'd be great. Anyway, YEP. Alex does not put up with anyone's nonsense:
Mortimer: Bada bing!
Pip, across the street: Bada boom!
Flint: *opens window* FORGET ABOUT IT!
Doc: *from the street* I'M WALKIN' HERE!
Alex: *tired sigh*
Also, in some AU:
Flint and Joan: *in their wedding attire, kissing*
Doc: *high-fiving Flint*
Doc's wife: *rolling her eyes*
And,
Arthur: Life's a party, and I'm the piñata.
(Though, this could be Sarid as well…)
Anyway, Arthur and Jane's relationship will be explored further.
Thank you! :D And yes, had Jane lived, she'd of also of given Shadow Man a run for his money. AND YES, I MADE A READER CRY. YES!
Flint is a good uncle. (Iroh's great) And I never thought of the ring thing like that, I really just imagined it as a plot device to hint at his past and then eventually explain it.
There will be more of her ripping into him. Hee hee. As for Lance's state and position…the king's a coward, and as shown in this chapter, he's perfectly content to just hide behind them, regardless of what happening so long as he's protected.
Man, this would be a long book. About as long, or maybe longer, that Brisingr.
-Fun fact, the goat and sombrero were the only things I thought of, the rest I used a random item generator.
-YEEES! TEARS HAVE FALLEN! (and thank you!)
-She's a sweetie.
-Aw. I wish them the best.
-I will be honest, I actually prefer Oblivion to Skyrim in…many ways, mainly the quest lines. They feel more filled out and…reasonable? Like, with the fighters guild, it takes time to do it, while with the companions its like "Good job on that one job, now you're a member of the higher ups."
Thank you!
Any memes are better than none!
Oh gee.
Lol.
That's it, that was the scene.
Looks like they could kill you but is a cinnamon roll: Sarid
Looks like a cinnamon roll and is a cinnamon roll: Asher
Looks like a cinnamon roll but could kill you: Flint
Looks like they could kill you and will kill you: Lance
Sinnamon roll: Shadow Man
Alex, off to the side: *looks into the camera like he's on the office*
THAT'S IT, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
Lol.
Basically. XD
A shortened version, as true.
Lol.
XD
Story time: I took shop class in high school. The teacher told us a story where, to make pudding, he took a fork and attached it to a drill. It worked very well, until one day it didn't. He was cleaning up pudding for hours.
*After that*
Doc: Why did you drop my cell phone into soup?!
Flint: I wanted to see if it would float.
Kevy365: Thank you! :D
Seven. Seven chapters…
Stay safe! :D