Disclaimer: I own the plot and many characters, however Tammy owns the rest. *sigh* you can never win.

Eep! I'm past my due date with this. Let the self-flogging commence.

Pyre: You can stay but I'm leaving *begins to separate*

S~ Oh no you don't *grabs Pyre* it's part your fault why we did not update at the proper time. Yes, you, the amazing fire drow, sulking and playing Covert Ops, because Cardinal Carter got first. Don't try to deny it.

Pyre: *whimpers* You promised not to tell *still half in and out*

S~ Well it's pay back, now get back in here or I'll tell more of your secrets to the readers.

Pyre: *deflates* okay…*resumes spot in my head*

Now that *that* is settled, may I present you with…(sorry it jumps around a bit)

The Wavewarrior

Chapter 8

He ran through corridors. No one was there. Lost. Destination gone.

Derrin stopped, Selenia still unconscious in his arms. Looking around at the walls, he furrowed his brow. Nothing was where it should be. Watching carefully, he spotted movement his right. Turning to face whatever it may be, he watched mystified as the wall split and another hall spread out from where he was.

The new hall was of where he started, the Gallery's hall. Sighing, he sat down parallel to the new corridor's mouth and glared into the murky light of the hall. Something gripped his arm. Hard.

Looking down as he winced, Selenia's eyes shot open. But in place of the green cat eyes were red fiery orbs. She floated out of his lap, hair tentacle-like. Once vertical, she landed and trembled. Blinking her eyes reverted back to their original cool green. Turning away from him she spoke,

"Please don't act like you care," silencing his protests with a finger she continued, "You will hate me when my job is complete." Turning to face him, tears in eyes. "I wish I didn't have to do this…"

"Then don't." Derrin cut in, pleading in his voice as he took her hands. She looked away then back, the tears gone. Yanking hands back, she glared at the kneeling boy angrily.

"You don't understand! I'll die if I don't fight and I may die if I do fight. If I fight I at least have a chance." Breathing in deeply, a red aura flared out from her form. Eyes blazing red, voice back by thunder. "I'd rather die in combat, than be struck down for incompetence." Voice softening, she continued, "Forgive me if I live, for these acts I am sorry to do." Turning, her aura sweeping out like a cape she plunged into the Gallery's hall and sped down it.

Too stunned to do anything, Derrin slumped back against the wall and sat head in hands. 'Now that went well….'

~~~~~~~

Zak looked up at Ailin. Small lines of agitation coursed through his mind. The bluish glow dimmed and he lit a lantern. Pulling out the full version of the spell, he arranged everything so he could read it while his palms were on the statue base. Breathing in he began to recite the lines he had decoded. "Ima nay to kashi…."

~

Life began to fill her, her soul sighed with pleasure. Ailin was happy, soon she'd be free.

~

The glow brightened as he neared the fifth line, grinning he continued.

~~~~~~~

'No no nonono!' Selenia's mind screamed as she neared the Gallery. The light flooded out of the Gallery. It…hurt. Emptying her mind she tried to force the pain away and fell to her knees. Determined, she commenced crawling to the grand double doors. 'May I be prepared, Kidunka, so mote it be.'

~

He saw her fall with a small cry of pain. Derrin pulled himself up and tried to enter the hall only to be halted by an invisible being. Stepping back he watched helplessly as the girl half-dragged herself across the flagstones. Something brushed his shoulder lightly. Turning he was met by a slender woman with pale blue skin in a navy toga. She smiled and pulled him back.

::You have done enough Derrin of Hollyrose:: the woman spoke to his mind ::It depends now on her and your friend::

Looking at her curiously, he asked, "Wave Walker?"

:: Only when I have to be:: the water goddess replied.

~~~~~~~~

The stone about her began to loosen as he neared the fifteenth line. Strength began to course into her. Overjoyed.

~

The glow was an intense fire now. It spread out from around his hands. Stone shifted, he looked up as he recited the seventeenth line, she lifted her head. She was coming alive.

~

She neared the door. Throwing out her hand she caught the door handle. Pulling herself up, she felt strength wash into her. Kidunka had come to her aid…

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Mwa ha ha ha! Another cliffie! (and another chapter where the story progresses very little). I would have given you more, but time is cut short on this computer. *sigh* Hopefully, I'll be back with #9 soon, but meh, life gets in the way.

S'you,

~Sarai