Pawns
Chapter Fourteen: The Proposal
It wasn't long enough.
That was the first thought to swim into Kimberly's foggy mind when finally pulled from the comforting arms of sleep.
A restful, peaceful, dreamless slumber. The first one she'd had since her life had taken such a bizarre and dramatic turn.
She felt consciousness slowly encroach, and for a brief moment, yearned to fight it. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed before they even opened, desperate to lose herself in that perfect nothingness.
It was so much easier facing that empty nonexistence than what lay before her.
Unfortunately, her attendant noticed the flickering signs of wakefulness, despite her attempt to hide it.
"I have done all I can," a soft, clinical voice informed her, "The torn arteries, muscle, and skin have been mended, and the hole in your bone has been closed. The area will be tender for a few days, but otherwise your recovery should be complete."
Kimberly jolted awake when she realized she'd never heard that voice before. She blinked her flame eyes into focus, and stared at the middle-aged man hovering above her.
For a fleeting moment, she locked her gaze with narrow green eyes, set into a worn face made older by years of distress. His cheeks were so wan, and eyes so cold, even the spawn of evil felt a slight tremor at the sight of him.
"Where am I?" she demanded.
"Memory lapses aren't uncommon when dealing with extensive injury," he narrated, keeping his eyes off her, "You are in your personal quarters in Lord Zedd's palace."
That piece of information jogged her memory. She bolted upright, bouncing slightly atop the soft mattress. Her gaze darted around the chamber like a bee.
The room was spacious; larger than her entire apartment in Florida. The bed itself was by far bigger than any she'd seen before, covered in plush blankets and pillows. Beneath the bed lay a radial rug of thick fur, that finally tapered off into the cold stone of the floor. The rest of the furniture was equally elaborate: a soft sofa, full vanity, sinfully enormous closet, and expansive balcony overlooking the barren hills and craters of Earth's satellite.
Kimberly's eyebrow slowly rose. "Nice cell."
She turned at the sound of clanging metal, and watched the man pack his medical utensils at a feverish pace.
Without thinking, her hand shot forward to clutch the man's wrist. He froze at the physical contact, harsh gaze sliding to her.
"You're human, like me," she noted. "What are you doing here?"
It was clear he found it difficult to look the girl in the face. His eyes lingered on her insistent fingers. "I am a scholar, who happens to owe Zedd a debt. Nursing you to health these past few days will hopefully repay what I owe, and terminate our dealings."
The young woman blinked. "Few days"
"You may not recall, but you were impaled by a magically-enhanced arrow, that severed your brachial artery, gouged your biceps brachii, and penetrated the marrow of your humerus," the man recounted. "The spell of Maligore may have enhanced your strength and speed, but you are still quite mortal. With that would, you would have quickly bled to death." His eyes narrowed. "Please remove your hand from my person."
Kim blinked again, as if she'd forgotten she was holding him. She released her grip, her hand then sliding to the soft white bandage wrapping her arm. Clenching her teeth, she tore the bandage from her arm, and gawked at the perfectly healed flesh.
"Amazing," she murmured, fingers lightly tracing the skin that had been ripped open the last time she'd seen it. Her brow creased thoughtfully, "Why does he care whether I live or die?"
"That is a question best reserved for the Emperor himself."
Kim nodded slowly, yet the man noticed her cast a furtive glance at the balcony. The open balcony, hanging over the empty expanse of the moon.
"You could run, of course," he noted, hefting his supply bag. "There is an artificial atmosphere surrounding the palace and all lands within a quarter mile. Then, it is only a matter of contacting your pirate friend, or even stealing one of the Emperor's vessels. With the help of the Fates, you might be able to escape." He shrugged carelessly. "Of course, you would never know what he wanted to speak to you about."
Kim stared at the man as he stiffly crossed the room, her face a perfect blend of surprise and confusion. She heard the door whine open, and then snap closed, the faint sound echoing through the hollow room.
With a heavy sigh, the spawn of evil laid back onto the bed, lips pulling into a contemplative pout. "Fine, Zedd… I'll play your little game."
oooOOOooo
The moment the door clicked safely behind him, Egeon's frozen façade melted. His steady breaths quickened, drying his throat and aching in his chest.
Overwhelmed with feelings he'd tried so desperately to repress, the Kerovan leaned against the wall. His medical bag dropped from trembling fingers, thumping when it struck the stone floor.
It had been years since he'd seen a teenaged human before.
She is so young; far too young to suffer what she has…
She couldn't have been more than a few years older than Karone; provided, of course, his long-lost daughter still lived.
His heart quickened, echoing in his ears.
It just wouldn't end! No matter what he did, how much he accomplished… how determinedly he carried out his revenge… the pain never went away. He could still see his sweet little girl, playing innocently in the gardens of their happy home… and then, brutally torn away from love and safety by the hands of a living demon.
His life had never been the same afterward. Then, when his wife died and son vanished, his loss was complete. He had nothing to live for, save vengeance itself. The prospect of blowing the smirking demon to atoms kept him alive for nearly a decade.
Only after he'd seen the Sky Base erupt, taking that damnable Darkonda with it, he realized the truth: there was nothing after that.
Egeon lifted his hand to his forehead, massaging the tense, wrinkled skin. He'd tried so desperately to take solace in the fact that the victory had been his. Somewhere in the Afterlife, the monstrosity was suffering for his crimes against humanity and nature.
But what would become of him when he departed this realm?
Without the perfect focus of righteous indignation, his mind wandered to such things. And for the first time in his memory, real fear crept into Egeon's soul. Fear for what would become of him, both in the rest of his life, and afterward.
In that terrifying way of his, Lord Zedd seemed to read the emotions that warred within the Kerovan immediately. Rather than let Egeon leave his service, he promised him relief. Relief from the nightmares, the grief, the guilt… freedom from everything he suffered, now that his heart had room for it.
Of course, Egeon knew that freedom came at a price. The Emperor never granted "favors" without seeking something in recompense. And so, Egeon dug himself further into the pit of darkness, vowing to carry out the Emperor's will until that debt could be prepaid.
He helped in the repairs of the Emperor's palace. Begrudgingly, he even assisted with the decorations, to make the guestroom "warm" to a human's taste.
He'd done it all, carefully locking his heart behind a wall of ice, never letting himself realize what he was preparing for. He'd even managed to carry out Lord Zedd's most recent command, when he'd returned to his palace with an injured girl in his arms.
His heart didn't melt until he saw her in the flesh. Yes, the girl dressed as a warrior, and through Zedd's magic he'd seen how viciously she fought against her foes. Yet, when she was up close… lying in sleep against the soft cushions he had selected… Egeon's throat closed.
Asleep, she was just another human girl. At rest, she was innocent, delicate… sweet. Like Karone would have been.
But then she woke, sharp eyes flaming with a wicked power beyond mortal understanding… and silently, Egeon mourned the destruction of another young innocent. The loss of someone else's little girl.
I can't do this… I know I can't…
He could cut himself from his feelings for a time, albeit with great effort and struggle, but he couldn't live in the same palace as that girl. He could never bring himself to look into those hateful eyes, set into the face of an innocent victim.
Lord's Zedd's command rang through his mind. "Mend all her wounds, and alert me immediately when she regains consciousness. And above all, do not let her leave. I will not imprison her with iron; that would leave a bad impression."
The instructions were simple enough to comprehend. The girl was caged, though subtly. And so, despite the churning in his stomach, Egeon obeyed his Lord's commands succinctly; by convincing her to stay in her cage.
Once, he was an esteemed Minister of KO-35. Once, he was a loving husband. Once, he was a doting father.
Now, he was the obedient servant of an intergalactic despot. Now, he obliterated entire species. Now, he manipulated confused little girls.
I can't do this anymore…
Slowly, he pushed his tired body off the wall that lent him support. His feet guided him to the chambers of the Emperor himself.
oooOOOooo
"Egeon. Do come in."
The command seemed to flow through the very walls. The Kerovan stopped cold, staring at the large, intricately engraved stone portal to the dark Lord's personal rooms.
The gate slid open, and Egeon found the courage to step inside. The room was overwhelming, more reminiscent of an arcane laboratory than a bedchamber.
In the furthest corner of the triangular apartment, a flat bed of solid concrete sat amidst deep shadows. Tubes of bubbling liquids cast an eerie glow over the area, and long tubes ending in three-inch needles lay coiled around a separate protrusion.
Egeon swallowed his disgust. The chamber only proved how vile a creature the Emperor of Evil truly was. He fed of magical chemicals rather than nature's gifts. He was nothing like a human, save for the mere fact he had two arms, and two legs. How could he empathize with a human's pain, or a father's loss?
He can't. But perhaps… he can ease them with his powers…
In truth, he had no other alternative.
"I take it you have news for me?" a deep voice rumbled.
Egeon turned around to stare into the darkness of one corner. There, he finally saw Lord Zedd himself, standing beside a small granite podium with vials and flasks above it.
The human managed to recover his bearings before he spoke. "I have done all you asked. The girl is awake, and healed from her wounds. She awaits you in her chambers."
The silver-plated head nodded curtly. "Excellent. Once again, your skills reinforce your value, Egeon."
Egeon remained silent, his overly bright eyes suddenly darting around the creepy chamber nervously.
The Emperor noted his servant's distraction, and lifted his hand. "Sit."
The scientist blinked, following Zedd's outstretched finger with his eyes. He stared at the Lord's restorative bed in confusion. "Why?"
Zedd answered the bold question directly. "Your service has been exemplary, my friend. You have earned your reward."
Egeon shuddered. That was the first time he'd ever heard the Emperor of Evil use the "F" word… and it made his skin crawl.
"What is my 'reward,' Zedd? What exactly have I earned?"
Zedd gazed at the Kerovan for a brief moment, before turning the podium behind him. He lifted a clear crystal bowl, at the bottom of which lay a thick, black tar.
"I promised you I would relieve you of your pain. You have had your revenge, so your anguish no longer serves a purpose. I can numb you to your pain, with a spell I have been researching. It took me some time, but I believe I've perfected it."
Egeon looked at the Emperor in astonishment. "You actually put effort into this? For me?"
Zedd smiled, though his mask hid his face from observance. After all, the naïve fool didn't need to know his true motivations for the immense amount of time and power he invested into this little project.
"I had never performed such a spell before," Zedd explained, again gesturing to the flat bed. "Once I found record of a spell designed to numb certain emotions, I needed to refine it for the human nervous system, and adjust what would be blocked. It is finally ready for use."
He held out the bowl, so Egeon could clearly see the contents. "I will activate this salve with my powers, and insert it directly into your brain. It will coat certain very specific synapses within your cerebral cortex and temporal lobes, muting some of your emotional responses and erasing some key memories."
The Kerovan swallowed anxiously. "I don't want to forget, Zedd," he stated, his voice fell but steady, "I will never forget the lives of my family. I refuse to let them… disappear."
Zedd regarded the human for a moment. "Then I will leave your memory intact. You will be free to remember your loved ones, without suffering the emptiness or guilt your mind associates with those memories. You will finally be able to live again, without the handicap of raw anguish." He paused, letting his reassurances sink in. "Isn't that what I offered? What you want?"
The Lord of all Evil waited patiently as the scientist perused the startling proposal.
Finally, Egeon released a long, tired sigh. It ends today.
His decision made, he silently moved to the bed, and sat carefully on the cold, hard surface.
Smirking in triumph, Zedd dipped his razor claws into the dense black lacquer. Then, the shadow of his powerful frame bathed Egeon in darkness, as sharp fingers carefully penetrated skin and bone.
Egeon sat silent, eyes wide in mute terror as those fingers began to glow with vibrant electricity, power burning into his very mind… altering him forever.
oooOOOooo
Ten minutes after the strange man left, Kimberly's anxiety made it impossible to sit still an instant longer. She hopped off her luxurious bed; energized by the refreshing sleep she'd enjoyed, yet shaken by the bizarre interest Lord Zedd had taken in her.
She stepped to the balcony, and stared at the brilliant expanse before her. The stars shimmered in the sky, their light unmarred by atmosphere or pollution.
Yet she wasn't in the mood for quiet reverie. Three minutes later, she turned her attention to the room she inhabited.
For now… she reassured herself.
She spent some time sifting through the elaborate closet, utterly dumbfounded by the variety of clothing. Everything from silk gowns to leather jackets to fleece pajamas greeted her, and hundreds of clearly alien fabrics and styles brought a grimace, a grin, or even a blush to her face.
Still, despite her inherent interest in clothes and shoes, the closet could only hold her attention for so long. She eventually began to pace anxiously, peaking under every piece of furniture as restlessness began to shift to paranoia.
By the time Zedd did appear, she was leaning far over the edge of the balcony, mutely calculating whether she could survive leaping straight down to the distant lunar surface.
"Leaving so soon?"
She managed to swallow a squeak of surprise at his sudden appearance.
"A girl can wait only so long before she gets bored," she retorted over her shoulder. She turned around casually, her expression neutral as flaming eyes fell upon the Emperor of Evil himself.
He stood just inside the open door, arms hanging loosely at his sides. "If you leave now, you won't know what I wanted to talk about."
Kim shrugged. "Yeah, that's what Gramps said… two hours ago."
Zedd's voice carried a touch of amusement. "Egeon is by no means old enough to be your grandsire. He is forty-four of your years old."
Kim did her best to hide her surprise. "Sure didn't look it. Must've spent too much time soaking up UV rays."
"He has lived an arduous life, Kimberly." She still shivered at the sound of her name uttered in his voice. "He lost his daughter to a kidnapper, and his wife and son in a war that culminated in the desolation of his entire planet. Such suffering would age any human."
Kim stared at Zedd, wondering why he decided to share that information. But then, she recalled the frozen green eyes of the doctor who saved her life, and shivered anew.
She decided to change the subject. "Okay, Zedd, let's finish our 'conversation.'" She went so far as to gesticulate the quote marks with her fingers.
He strolled slowly into the room, his hands folded behind his back. "I offer you the one thing you cannot achieve without my aid: happiness."
Flame eyes narrowed suspiciously, hands unconsciously falling to her hips. "You sound like one of those corny self-help videos," she huffed, "Why would I need your help?"
"I understand the Flame, Kimberly."
She grimaced openly. Why the hell does he keep saying my name like that??
"You can only feel dark emotions with the power of Chaos and Destruction. To wield that power, you had to sacrifice your purity: your ability to feel compassion, true joy, or most importantly, peace. There is no peace in the heart of Destruction."
Kim's jaw slowly dropped, the surprise blatant on her face. Was that true? Could that be the reason why she didn't feel any peace, when she stared Tommy's death in the face?
She knew she could be satisfied, and even temporarily gleeful... but happy? Content? At peace? The feeling of lull... true freedom from the anxieties placed upon her. When her hatred finally passed, when her enemies were dust at her feet, what would be left to fill that hole?
Every time her mind wound down that dark path, she'd yanked it back with bitter frustration. But now, staring in the face of the most dangerous man she'd ever known… she couldn't think up an acerbic retort, or ignite a surge of fresh anger, to get her passed the roadblock.
She looked away, turning her back from the Emperor and staring again at the glittering expanse of the celestial dome. But she couldn't hide her unease from Zedd's experienced gaze.
"You don't truly want to be incapable of happiness," he reasoned, "Or the other positive emotions the Flame has stripped from you, to fill you with the Chaos necessary to serve as its avatar."
"I sure as hell don't want the Flame stripped from me," she hissed, absently wondering why she was even telling Lord Zedd anything, "I like it." Without it I'm weak; vulnerable to heartache, guilt… everything that touched me when Lerigot tried to break the spell…
He made his way closer to her, watching the faintest of trembles in her shoulder. "I have the power to selectively numb certain emotional reactions, letting you experience everything you miss. I can free you, Kimberly."
"Suuure you can." After all, she wasn't dumb enough to take the Emperor of Evil's word at face value!
She heard his metal footsteps tap ever closer.
"I understand your hesitance to believe me. So, I ask you to give me a chance. I will provide you unequivocal proof that I can relieve you of your pain, so you can lead a fulfilling life without the sacrifice the Flame demands. Then, once we defeat the Power Rangers, and exact your revenge, you can live… how do they say it on your world? 'Happily ever after'?"
Kim's hand slowly rose to her face, absently kneading the taut flesh of her forehead as she turned Zedd's offer over in her mind. Everything that happened since Zedd's 'rescue' was too bizarre to fathom. What was he doing? Did he really have the means to actually help her? If so, why the hell would he want to? But, if he didn't, why would he even bother going through all this trouble to make her think so??
Her eyes narrowed. I'm missing something here… She didn't turn to him when she finally spoke. "What's the catch?"
He answered without hesitation. "Be mine."
Finally, the spawn of evil whirled around, her eyes brightening as her anger began to flare. She fixed him with her most menacing glower, eyes burning with such intensity it would turn a lesser man's resolve to jelly. "I am no one's slave."
He was unphased. "Be my Queen."
A long silence hung between them, as Kimberly slowly processed the shocking proposal. She blinked her confusion, and went so far actually tap her cheek. She seemed to be awake…
"What?"
Zedd wasn't surprised by her stupor, and patiently elaborated. "Rule by my side as Empress of the Phlegethon Empire."
This time, she knew she heard right. So, instead of mind-freezing astonishment, her face folded. "Why?" she demanded.
"I have reassessed my strategy in dealing with the Power Rangers, Earth, and my Empire. I have decided I require a companion… an Empress suitable to join me in my quest to expand my holdings. I always knew you had potential."
His last words brought to mind years passed, when Goldar kidnapped her right after her visit to Madame Swampy, the fortune-teller. He'd claimed Zedd sought to make her his queen then, and went so far as to doll her up in that hideous brown tent Rita Repulsa liked to prance around in.
She scowled as a thought occurred to her. "I thought you already were married. So even alien men can't be faithful?"
The Emperor had already prepared an answer to that question. "My marriage to Rita was a sham from the beginning, and it only soured. She is unfit to be Empress."
"So you never loved her."
Zedd frowned. That was a question he hadn't prepared for. Still, he answered quickly. "No."
"Do you love me?"
Where is she going with this? he wondered, silently contemplating the best answer. He decided upon simple honesty. "A being such as myself cannot feel what you humans term 'love'. Yet I offer you wealth, power, and healing, which more than compensate."
Her expression was, for once, completely unreadable. "If you don't love me, what's to stop you from tossing me to the side when someone 'better' comes along? Just like you're doing with Rita?"
Perhaps this little game has scarred her more than I anticipated, Zedd considered. He decided to take a different approach. "I doubt anything I can say to you at this moment will convince you to accept my proposal. You don't trust me-"
She snorted - very rudely - in agreement.
Beneath his mask, he smirked at her brazen attitude. Despite everything she endured, she is still a challenge… "It would be wise to consider what I offer. At my side, you will utterly crush those who have hurt you. What could horrify the Red Ranger more than you becoming Empress of the largest evil Empire in this galaxy?" He leaned forward in an unspoken challenge. "How would you accomplish your revenge without me, Kimberly? And… what will you do when it's over?"
His voice was so gentle it was actually creepier than normal. But the questions… the powerful, thought-provoking questions… lingered in the air, just waiting to be answered.
Kimberly turned her back again, shaken by the Emperor's reasoning. "I'll think about it."
A smile of triumph pulling the bare muscle of his face, Zedd nodded once. "Then I will let you do so."
She heard his footsteps again, this time moving away from her. "I will leave the door open," he decided aloud, "You are, of course, free to explore the palace at your leisure."
His footfalls disappeared down the hall, leaving Kimberly alone once again. Her arms tightened around her body, hands gently trailing along her shoulders.
With a burst of nervous energy, she hurried to the door, slamming it shut in an anxious attempt to keep the Emperor away. She leaned heavily against the door, squeezing her eyes shut.
Two hours ago, she felt completely refreshed after her long, surprisingly restorative sleep. Suddenly, she felt more tired than she'd ever been in her entire life.
oooOOOooo
Whether hours or minutes had passed, Kimberly could not tell. Yet her mind swam in that foggy bank between dreaming and wakefulness, as odd images danced through her head. Some were utterly absurd: skinless children running around her ankles; walking down the aisle with a black gown and dead flowers, seeing Zedd at the altar wearing a black tuxedo. Others weren't quite that far-gone, but still surreal: herself, sitting beside Zedd in a matching throne of stone; herself, crossing her scepter with his at the balcony, launching a barrage of energy to the hapless planet below…
Her eyes shot open at the thought. He… he wants to conquer Earth. My home. I don't want to do that. I don't want to kill millions of people…
But, at the same time, she didn't feel any particular qualms about doing so.
Because I don't care about them anymore. Because the Flame burned away my ability to care for someone else. I'm… I'm less than human now. That's not what I want.
What she wanted, apparently Zedd could give her… but at what cost?
He doesn't love me; but I can't love anyone anyway, so what difference does it make? she rationalized. But what if that spell of his restores my ability to love? Then I'd be miserable married to him! Unless misery is just another emotion the spell numbs?
She huffed in irritation. What am I supposed to do now…?
As if in answer, a hesitant knock drew Kimberly's attention outward. She sat up on the thick mattress, her eyes locked on the heavy door.
"Come in," she called, though her tone was far from inviting.
The door yawned open, and when she saw her visitor, her jaw just dropped.
The not-as-old-as-he-seemed man stood at the entrance, holding a covered tray, and wearing a smile.
"Considering you haven't eaten a thing since you joined us, I thought you might like dinner this evening," he said, casually walking toward her.
Kimberly found she couldn't take her eyes off him. The wrinkles of constant frustration and anger had smoothed, and lines of… of happiness creased the corners of his… warm green eyes.
The Kerovan sat the tray down at the table, and waved at her. "I probably should have asked you what you liked to eat, but my Lord was confident this would suit your tastes."
To her credit, Kimberly managed to recover enough to stand up, and make her way to the table. Yet her eyes lingered on the visitor, peering so hard one would think she was trying to see right through him.
At a distance, he seemed to glow like the sun. Yet, upon closer surveillance, his eyes were overly bright, and his smile a little sleepy.
Still, he looked worlds better than he had that morning. "What happened to you?"
"My Lord freed me."
Her eyes widened as realization slowly washed over her. Zedd said he'd suffered in his life. He must've cast that spell he was talking about on this guy! Is this the 'inexorable proof' he promised me?
She was distracted as he lifted the silver cover, and unveiled her meal: a thick, grilled beefy patty, topped with red onions, iceberg lettuce, ripe tomatoes, bacon strips, and plentiful cheddar cheese. On the side sat a mound of thick French fries, with a pool of red ketchup beside them. Beside the plate sat a tall glass of Coke, and something told her it wasn't Diet.
Kim felt a wave of Vertigo as the absurdity of it all struck her. She hadn't indulged in a real cheeseburger since her training started! "How did Zedd know I like this?" she wondered, popping a fry into her mouth.
He smiled artlessly. "He watched you sometimes."
Kim nearly choked on her food, that familiar shudder running over her skin again. Why should I be surprised? Not like the guy has morals or anything.
She looked again at her visitor, gazing wonderingly at his soft, dazed smile. What was this guy's name again? Oh, right… "Have a seat, Egeon."
"Yes, my Lady."
Kim eyed him suspiciously, watching him sit beside her. "Why did you call me that?"
"Because Zedd is my Lord, and you are his intended bride."
"Intended" being the operative word in that sentence, she grumbled internally. "And why is Zedd your Lord? I thought you wanted to leave. You said you wanted to pay him what you owe."
"Yes. I owed him for this freedom. And once he purged me of my pain, I decided freely that I wanted to serve him."
Her eyebrow quirked. Great… this poor guy's been lobotomized. Wow, Zedd sure is laying the universe at my feet!
Surprisingly, Egeon seemed to read her thoughts in her expression. "I am of whole mind," he assured her, "I can remember everything I've done… only now, there is no guilt. I can remember everything I've lost… only now, there is no remorse. I still love my wife, Andros, and Karone. Only, when I see their faces in my mind, it doesn't hurt anymore." His face once again became passively happy. "It has been so long since I had reason to smile, I can't seem to stop!"
Kimberly watched the play of emotions on his face avidly. His smile had faded when he began speaking, only to grow brighter with each word he spoke. Then, after a beat, his smile grew contemplative.
Kim nearly jumped in surprise as out of nowhere, Egeon touched her cheek with his finger gently. "When I first saw you, I couldn't bear to look at you," he confessed, his green gaze drifting over her entire face. "When I look at you… I see what Karone might have been. I wonder if she would have kept her blonde hair, or if age would've darkened it. I wonder if she would have your complexion, or if her childhood freckles would have remained."
His finger stopped its journey at her chin, and then dropped down to his lap. "You are a beautiful young woman, my Lady, but I see the sadness and anger in you. I pray to the Fates my Lord can make you happy again."
He rose to his feet, and inclined his head in a respectful bow. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Kimberly found herself staring blankly at the man before her. Incredibly, it seemed he had been pulled from the brink of self-destruction in a matter of hours… by Lord Zedd, of all people.
He does have the power to ease my pain. He didn't lie… he actually didn't lie.
She blinked when she noticed Egeon's inquisitive stare. Wracking her brain to recall his question, she waved him out. "I'd like to be alone."
He nodded once again, and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Kimberly stared at the door for a moment, and then turned to the food sitting before her. Yet she couldn't bring herself to take a single bite.
Instead, she again drew inward, losing herself in contemplation of this latest incredible turn of events.
oooOOOooo
After another hour of thought, during which Kimberly weighed the options laid before her, and the ultimate consequences of each, she decided to stop thinking. Taking a breath, she gathered whatever courage she could muster, and strode out of her chamber.
The hall outside was long and narrow, with flickering torches casting shadows along the stone walls. However, despite never being in that particular wing of the palace before, she knew instinctively which way to go.
Maybe I can feel his evil… she considered, listening to her heels clap against the hard floor. Maybe, on some level, I'm even drawn to it.
Trying to quell the visceral reaction to that sickening thought, she took another slow breath.
After a few more yards, she came across a set of large, ornate doors. Without even breaking stride, she pushed them open.
"Have we reached a decision?"
Kimberly glared at the Emperor, folding her arms contemptuously. "What 'we' have are some questions," she informed him.
"Then ask."
"The spell you cast on Egeon… is that what you intend for me?"
"Mostly." He stepped toward a lab table, lifting a bowl containing the black salve. "I used this potion, activated with my magic, to selectively numb his feelings. Personally, I'm quite proud of the result."
Kim's eyes slid to the potion, then back to Zedd. "He seemed a little loopy," she observed, slowly beginning to pace near the exit, "What exactly did you 'numb'?"
"In Egeon's case, I numbed the ability to feel emotional pain," Zedd elaborated. "That includes anger, hate, remorse, guilt, longing, depression… the entire spectrum."
"So he's high."
Zedd shook his head. "I am unfamiliar with that expression. Though, if your concern is not to become 'loopy', I can reassure you that I will not change you as drastically as I have Egeon. It would not do for an Empress to be unable to express anger at all. I have already begun refining the spell to suit your specific needs; targeting specific memories to remove the source of much of your pain. It is more difficult than blanketing emotions, but it can be done."
"Is the change permanent?"
"Yes. I cannot reverse the effects."
"Then what happens to me if you mess me up?" she challenged. "I'll be brain-fried?"
The Emperor managed to contain a chuckle. "I don't 'mess up' spells, Kimberly."
The spawn of evil huffed anxiously. "Whatever." Her hands unconsciously rose to her head, weaving through free-falling waves of hair. "If you remove Maligore's power over me, you'll erase more than my hate. You'll erase my power."
Zedd remained silent for a beat, watching her failed attempt to maintain composure during the discussion. He could feel her inevitable submission draw nearer. Confident in his victory, he made his final play. "You realize, of course, that the spell of Maligore no longer holds you."
She froze in her tracks.
"As I said, I have researched the Flame," he smugly reminded her. "It only imposes upon an individual at Maligore's will. Since Maligore no longer exists, he cannot hold you under its sway. Originally, you were forced to sacrifice your purity when you were tossed to the Flame. Only now, you choose to relinquish your feelings, in order to keep the power. The only reason you are still bonded to the Flame is because you are desperate to hold it. Correct?"
Kimberly remained frozen, shock warring with the slow dawning of understanding. For some reason, the words Zedd spoke felt true. Almost as if she had unconsciously realized it, but chose not to dwell upon it.
The implications quickly hit her. If I'm holding the Flame, then it's entirely my choice whether or not I feel joy or pain. Only, it's all or nothing. And once I smother the Flame completely… it'll be gone. Completely.
After giving his prize enough time to ponder her latest epiphany, Zedd answered the question she had asked. "Once the Flame is gone, you will become human again. You will lose your enhanced strength, speed, and mastery over fire. However, that power can be easily replaced. I have imbued inanimate objects with the power to topple mountains. I can infuse you with any of a variety of superhuman abilities." He stepped closer to her, suddenly invading her personal space. "The choice is yours."
Surprisingly, Kimberly didn't pull away. Instead, she folded her arms, lifting her head to look her suitor in the visor.
"I want revenge," she stated coldly, her tone brooking no argument. "I won't let Tommy and Kat get away with what they've done."
Zedd hovered at half an arm's length from the human girl, meeting her intense gaze. "I cannot cast the spell for at least another week," he advised her, "It will take me that long to recover my strength after testing the potion on Egeon. The more precise the spell, the more energy it requires." He cocked his head slightly. "That will leave you plenty of time to consider how you would like to proceed against your enemies."
He watched her relax minutely at his accommodating answer. "Does this sound like a favorable arrangement?"
Another lengthy silence hung between the pair; so quiet, all that could be heard was the shallow breathing of one stricken human.
Kimberly's gaze focused on the Emperor's face, searching for some clue to his motivations. Yet his expressionless mask of silver and ruby gave her very little insight. Absently, she wondered if there even was a face beneath the gleaming metal.
Even without that simple reassurance, Kimberly found herself moving toward a decision.
Swallowing, Kimberly again locked her eyes pointedly with Zedd's visor… and spoke the word that sealed her fate.
"Yes."
To Be Continued…