Chapter 11: Deception
Boom! We're nearing the end my friends! *sob* I'm gonna make a Jack and the Beanstalk parody with Thatz as Jack! XD! If I keep this up, I should start a collection of DK fairy tales…anyone got any requests? Or suggestions? I'm always willing to listen ya know =D *coughs* Well, READ ON!
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It was now the eve of Tintlet's eighteenth birthday, and the Water Realm was as hectic as ever, placing protection spells all over the place. Anyone who tried to enter the Water Realm who was neither faerie nor Dragon would find themselves deep inside a large forest. It was also forbidden to bring Tintlet any gifts, especially anything that had to deal with flowers. Everything would be tested on the following day. Everything rested on Miyabi's counter spell.
Miyabi was standing on the windowsill, gazing out the window. Will it work? she thought to herself. A light, evening rain was starting to fall and the drops slowly slid down the glass. It should work. I sacrificed all my powers because I wished it. I wanted to do that…
Or did you? Her reflection from the window moved. Did you really want to sacrifice your powers? The reflection stepped out from the glass and now stood next to Miyabi, who remained silent, unable to move or shout out.
Why do you come again…? Miyabi managed to say weakly. Why do you come and torment me…?
Am I that much of a bother? The other said, her hair blowing in an invisible wind. The strands took hold of Miyabi's neck and arms and legs. Do I hurt you that much?
Let me go, Miyabi said painfully, trying to wrench the choking strands away from her neck. Let me go…
Flames flickered in the shadow Miyabi's eyes. But I can't, Miyabi, the voice said, a hint of glee in it. I'm always with you. I am you…
No…NOOOO! She screamed and a bright flash of light surrounded her, cutting the strands of hair that had bound her.
The other raised an arm to shield herself and cringed. It's useless, Miyabi, she said as the light flickered and disappeared, the real Miyabi now panting heavily. You lost all of your power. And for what? For a silly princess!
… Miyabi could feel herself losing. No…I can't…
The shadow Miyabi walked forward and wrapped her arms around the real Miyabi's neck. Miyabi…you love Rune don't you?
Miyabi stood there silently, numb with confusion. She could feel her body weakening both from within and from the outside. Yes…
But it's rather difficult since you are a water light, the other continued. Maybe…you can take Tintlet's body…
NO! she screamed and tried to push her other self away. Let me go! You're not me!
But the other would not loosen her grip. But I am, Miyabi. I'm the part of you that you left deep within yourself. I'm the part that you refuse to believe that exists. I am all your hatred and desires molded into one. She leaned her face closer. Miyabi…accept it. You want Rune for yourself, don't you? You've known him longer than that princess has. And…you will live longer, she whispered with a malicious tone in her voice.
No…that's not what I want… Miyabi protested, her voice and spirit weakening. I want Rune…to be happy…
He can be happy with you, the other countered. He has always been happy with you, right? So why can he not be happy with you, and just you? Miyabi, I can give you the power you want. You want to get rid of Tintlet. When she is gone, your powers will return to you…
At that moment, Rune had entered the room, escorting Tintlet back for the night. The shadow Miyabi turned the real one toward them. Look at your dear Rune…isn't it obvious? He's choosing her over you…
But…if he's happy… she started to say but stopped. How can Rune be happy with a girl that will die tomorrow?
That's right, the other said, an evil smile on her face. In the end, he'll just be sad. That's not what you want right? You want the best for Rune…
So…I have to make him… Forget all about Tintlet. The thought struck Miyabi with a sharp pang. That was what she had been feeling this whole time. She was jealous of the Dragon princess; of the one who had taken the one she loved the most.
Tonight…at the strike of midnight, the other Miyabi whispered in her, she will be eighteen, and you know what that means, right? The water light nodded her head, as if in a trance. Then, the other said as she leaned forward, let me into your heart and take your soul…
Miyabi snapped out of the trance when she felt the other's lips press onto hers. She wanted to push her other self away, to scream out and warn the unsuspecting Tintlet. But the shadow was too strong, and to the water light's horror, it began to take a different a shape and began to enter her body. "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" she screamed as the form completely entered her body and started to take over. She could faintly see Rune and Tintlet hurry over to her and heard herself saying that everything was all right. But it wasn't her that wasn't talking, for she herself was slowly slipping away from this world.
Rune picked up the water light. "Miyabi, are you sure you're all right?" I've been asking that far too many times now… he thought frowning a little.
"I'm fine," she smiling. "I'm always fine whenever you're around Rune!" And to their astonishment, Miyabi flew up and hugged Rune's neck.
"Miyabi…you're flying!" Rune exclaimed.
The water light blinked and flew around some. "I am!!! Rune!! I got my powers back!!" she exclaimed gleefully as she flew around him, light sparkles falling from her.
"I'm so glad, Miyabi!" Tintlet said smiling. "Everyone is going to be so happy when they see you!"
The water light slowly turned to her. "Yeah…I'm sure they will!" she said slowly, smiling.
Rune blinked. Something didn't seem right. The way Miyabi was looking at Tintlet made him shudder. There was something else, too…but he couldn't pinpoint it. What was it? He gently caught the excited water light and held her in his hands. "Okay, Miyabi," he said, smiling softly. "We need to let the princess have her rest…" His voice faltered for a moment.
Tintlet blinked and looked at him. "Rune, are you okay?"
His hands shook for a moment, making Miyabi fly back up looking cross. He stared at his hands then shook his head. "No, it's nothing…" That presence…
Miyabi hovered around the elf. "Rune, you should get some more rest," she said in a parental tone. "You've been staying up worrying over Lady Tintlet for far too long…" And it will soon come to an end, my dear Rune, she added silently, a smile playing on her lips.
"Maybe…" I have to clear my head, he thought wearily and walked to the door. His hand paused at it touched the handle. This might be the last time I'll ever see her, he thought with a sickening shock. He remembered holding her that other night, how soft and warm she had been, so delicate and yet also so strong. What had compelled him to do that? And now, after tonight, everything could shatter and she would… He shook his head. He couldn't bear the thought of being without her, and was about to tell her so when she started talking in a soft voice.
"Rune, thank you for everything," she said smiling. "I've really enjoyed my stay here."
He whirled around angrily. "Don't talk like that!" he yelled. He was about to yell some more when she placed a gentle finger on his lips.
"Don't worry," she said softly. "I have trust in Miyabi…and in you," she whispered as she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
The elf blinked and stood there in shock. Miyabi hovered above him for a moment then pulled on his shirt collar. "Come ON, Rune," she urged, making Rune snap back to reality and fumble with the door handle.
With a hasty "Goodnight," he left, Miyabi following swiftly after him. He walked up the stairs, up through the tree that held the secret passage into the Water Realm, and through the hidden door. He leaned against it and sighed, some of his long hair trailing over his shoulders and down to his waist. He placed a tentative hand to his cheek and held it there. What is this…feeling?
"You love her."
Rune blinked and looked at Miyabi, who was hovering next to him. "Miyabi?"
"I said, 'You love her,'" she repeated, this time with more ferocity. "You love her, don't you Rune?!"
He straightened and looked at her puzzled. "Miyabi, what's wrong?"
"Answer me, Rune!!" she shouted. Your answer seals her fate, she thought and smiled inwardly. Listen, Miyabi, for he will now tell you the truth.
The elf prince stood there in silence. I love her? Is that it? Is that why I always want to be with her, to hold and to comfort her? To stay by her side and be there, ready to protect her…? "I…I do…" he said softly. He reached up and plucked a flower from one of the hanging vines. "I…love her…"
As the clock struck eleven, Miyabi turned her back to Rune. "I knew it," she said, her voice hard and cold. "I knew it all along…"
Rune blinked and looked up at her. "Miyabi?"
Rune! The real Miyabi cried from within. Run away!! Save Tintlet!! But her small, weak voice could not reach him, and all she could do was stay bounded inside her soul, which was slowly being eaten away by the yokai that possessed her now.
The water light slowly turned, an evil gleam in her eyes. "Yes…I guess you can call me that…" Her voice had changed dramatically. It sounded as if it would fit an adult woman than the small body of the water light. "It's a shame that you love her," she continued. "For it will be by my hands that Tintlet shall die."
Rune stared at her horrified. "Miyabi! What are you thinking?! You're the one who protected her from Shyrendora's cu—" He blinked and straightened. "You're…"
Miyabi smirked as it drew closer to midnight, her hair blowing around her wildly. "I must thank you for giving the…princess that rose from so long ago," she said laughing. "It makes things so much easier!!" She started to fade. "And it being in full bloom…what a pity that love will destroy everything!" she laughed maniacally as she disappeared completely.
Rune quickly turned and tried to go through the entrance but found the door locked. "What the hell?!" he yelled frustratingly as he shook the door. "TINTLET!!" he screamed as he banged on the door. Why won't it open?! His blood ran cold as a loud scream could be heard from within. "NO! TINTLET!!!!"
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From a fairy tale to a romance to a slightly horror fic? O.o odd…But anyway, we're nearing the end! R&R!