Disclaimer: Check the other chapters.
A/N: Sorry it took so long, it was sort of laziness, but I have also been busy. You see, my family has been working on our log cabin. I also had a birthday on the 22 of july. I was also studying for my permit test. (Don't worry, I passed.) I was also working on my other story for LOTR. Hope you like this chapter, there are a lot of twists in it, and Rachel plays a big part in it along with Kaige.
Chapter Eleven
Follis sighed as he opened his door, "Yes?"
Telan smiled, "My lord Follis, I seek counsel. . ." Follis led him into his room and indicated for him to sit down. Telan listened, "My lord, I am not sure if I like the plan of lord Roeticus. Your younger sister seems too strong to defeat. Josh seems so wrapped up in all the power and glory to even see that."
Follis nodded, "Yes, my little sister is strong, and that power is without the help of being the key to the triforce. She hasn't been able to unlock the power that lies in dormant." He sighed, "That power is locked deep in her mind, and Roeticus wants to retrieve it."
Telan nodded, "Thank you my lord. . . You have eased my mind somewhat." He bowed and turned to leave, "Kaysa says she wishes to speak to you. She says it is important." He then walked out of the room, hiding his smile. After he closed the door, he laughed to himself, "He has just given me information that I could not get, that even lord Roeticus couldn't even get!"
~*With Follis*~
"I can't believe you just gave him that information!" Ivy yelled, walking out from Follis's study. "You know he is just going to go tell Roeticus!"
"That information is not important. The important information is who the key's guardian is. That and Rachel and Jordan are an essential part to get to the triforce. That Link plays an important role to this whole thing! That is important information!" Follis growled, looking at Ivy.
She bowed, "Yes my lord. I now understand. . ." Her curiosity got the better of her, "If you don't mind me asking, who is the key's real guardian?"
Follis laughed, causing Ivy to glare at him. He shook his head, "Just an old friend of mine. He is a good one too, let me tell you!" He smiled, "You wouldn't know him, and I am not about to utter his name in the presence where anything can be heard by anyone." He sighed, "I am going to bed Ivy, you may go to your own quarters now."
Ivy bowed and walked out, "Yes my lord."
After Follis knew no one was listening, he sighed, "Kaige, please hurry, you are really Ryo's guardian, and she is in need of you. Roeticus will try and unlock her true power tomorrow. These next few days are going to be hell for her."
~*With Rachel*~
Rachel crossed her arms and glared at Jordan, "You are hopeless!"
Jordan shrugged, "So? What is wrong with that?"
Rachel threw her hands in the air, angrier than she had ever been, "I hate you! You don't even think about how Ryo might be right now! She probably feels alone and sad, just like Link is feeling right now!"
He laughed at her, "Rachel, you think too much!"
Rachel turned to Sara who was watching them intently, "Sara, could you please go find Link and Kaige for me?" She waited until Sara got up and left before she blew up at Jordan. "You are so self-centered! I don't know what I saw in you! You are one of the most horrible, idiotic, gay. . ." Sara came running back, and Rachel quickly changed her words, "Sweet, caring, loveable man I have ever met!" She glared at his smug face, clenching her fists to her sides. She whispered to him, "You just wait until she falls asleep. . ."
"Why?" Jordan asked, a smirk on his face, "You might be afraid to say anything in front of her, but I don't care!" He glared at her, "We are through! I never want to have anything to do with you ever again! You never care about anyone other than you and Ryo!"
Sara's jaw dropped. Rachel's glare didn't affect him, but her words did, "Fine, I never want to be near you again!" She turned her back to him, "Have fun doing stuff without me! Lets see your wisdom take you places that only my courage could!"
Link and Kaige walked in on the scene at that moment. Kaige looked at Rachel, "What just happened?"
Chris patted Tilo from his perch on his shoulder, "Those two just had a fight. They have decided that they want nothing to do with each other now."
Link shook his head, "This is not happening!"
Rachel turned to him, "Sorry lover boy, but it has!" She glared at Jordan, "He is definitely NOT my type. . ."
"But he was your type earlier today. . ." Kaige stated confused.
"Well, she wouldn't lay off the fact that I didn't want to go get Ryo! We have nothing in common!" Jordan yelled.
Kaige sighed, "This is pointless! I think that Ryo will return to us when she wants too. . ." He saw Rachel's glare and continued, "But we should maybe send someone in to watch over her." He looked around at the group, "Well, it can't be Link because they will know something is up; it can't be Rachel, they know about her already; it can't be Chris, because they know about him also; it can't be Sara, because she used to be a slave there. . ."
"And it can't be Jordan, because they know about him as well. That only leaves you, Kaige. . ." Link laughed at Kaige's expression, "I believe you have just volunteered to do the job!"
Kaige looked at the group, shaking his head as all of them looked at him like they hadn't eaten for the longest time, "No, you can't possibly think. . ."
"You're the only one Kaige!" Rachel pleaded, "please. . . Do this for me. . ." She gave him a puppy dog look.
Kaige sighed, "I don't know, this could work, but then there is that chance that it won't."
Link put his hand on Kaige's shoulder, "Please my friend. . ."
Kaige relented, "Alright! I'll do it!"
"Good, the next time they attack us is when you can go with them." Link smiled, happy that he would have someone to watch over Ryo.
Kaige mumbled under his breath, "Yeah, and lets hope Follis is there or this really won't work."
"Don't worry Kaige, I have a feeling he will be there." Link sighed. He turned to Sara, "Well, I think it is time for some food."
Sara smiled, "Yes, I am hungry."
Kaige sighed and sat down away from everyone, "I guess I am coming to see you again, Follis."
"Who you talking to?" Rachel asked, sitting down beside him.
He looked up at her, startled, "What?" He then smiled, "I'm just talking to myself, that's all."
Rachel handed him a piece of meat, "Well, here." She then looked over at Jordan who was glaring at Kaige. She smiled, "Kaige, I was wondering. . ."
"Yes?" Kaige asked.
Rachel winked at him, "Well, I was just wondering, why do you want to keep Ryo safe?"
"It was a promise I made a long time ago," Kaige stated, looking down at his hands. He looked up as he saw Rachel's hands cover his, "What. . ."
Rachel nodded, "You are keeping true to that promise."
"Not really," Kaige frowned, "I have failed him!"
Rachel felt a pang of sadness at his words, "But how?"
Kaige shook his head, "I should have taken her from her parents a long time ago. Then she would have been trained to kill Roeticus. She would be more powerful!"
Kaige locked eyes with Rachel to see her crying, "Kaige, don't say that! You did the right thing! She owes a lot of things to you already!"
Kaige acted on impulse. He grabbed Rachel in a hug, "Shh, it's alright. Don't cry. . . I guess you are right." He wiped her tears away, "You are right, I am holding true to my promise. I am just faulting myself for every little thing that happens." He looked over to the fire to see Jordan glaring at him. He smirked, knowing that Jordan had made a mistake in letting her go.
Rachel sniffed, "Kaige, thank you. . ." She sighed and closed her eyes, "I am glad you are on our team."
Kaige brought her closer to him, breathing deep as she rested her head against his chest, "So am I, so am I." He kissed her forehead, "Rachel, are you alright?"
Rachel mumbled, "I am fine. You seem to comfort me." She sighed, "I hate Jordan! I don't know what I ever saw in him!"
"Other than the fact that you loved him and you two have known each other since you were young. . . Have I missed anything?" Kaige chuckled.
Rachel looked up at him, seeing the laughter in his eyes that he was holding back, "What is so funny?"
"The fact that Jordan is glaring at the two of us because he thinks that you have come to me for more than just talking. He is too proud to try and take you back." Kaige smiled.
Rachel smirked at him, causing him to think second thoughts, "Well, what if I have come to you for more than talking? Who cares about Jordan?"
Kaige looked wide-eyed at her, "But, Rachel. . ."
Rachel winked at him, "What?"
He shook his head, "I don't think I'll ever understand people from earth. Especially the women."
Rachel laughed lightly, causing him to chuckle, "Well, then Kaige, why do you say that?"
"You are so unpredictable. Not caring what other people think. . ." Kaige started.
"Not entirely true. On earth, Ryo and I were the only two females that I knew that didn't care about what other people thought of us. Everyone wanted to look the same, have the same attitude. We cared not, we wanted to be our own persons." Rachel smiled.
"Well, now that you have told me that, I know I will never understand them. Why would someone want to be exactly like someone else?" Kaige asked, nodding his head.
Rachel shrugged, "I don't know. It's just how they are." She laid her head on his shoulder, "You know. . . you are more caring than any male on earth would be."
Kaige patted her head, "Well, it comes from the way I have lived my life. What about you, why do you and Ryo rely on each other for everything. You never seem to trust anyone else to do something for you."
"Ryo saved my life countless times, and I have kept our secret. We rely on each other because we had no one else to rely on. It was always just us. No one else." Rachel sighed, closing her eyes, "Then we came here, and Ryo met Link. She then changed, she became soft. I then started wishing that Jordan was here. I then started to rely on him when he came."
"Ryo became soft because she found the one that would make her whole. You didn't become soft, you just thought that you were safe because you had Jordan." Kaige chuckled.
Rachel stared at him wide eyed, "Well, that clears everything up!" She then shivered.
Kaige wrapped his arms around her, "It seems you are cold. . ." He smiled to himself as Rachel's breath came faster. He looked down at her, "Are you alright?"
Rachel tried to slow her racing heart, "Yes, I am fine. . ." She started to shake lightly in Kaige's grip, "Well, I don't know. . ."
Kaige lightly kissed Rachel's cheek, "Well, if anything is bothering you, just tell me."
~*With Ryo*~
Ryo awoke to the sun filtering in on her face. She sat up as a knock came to her door. She cursed a string of words inappropriate as she fell out of her bed onto the floor. The person spared no time as they opened the door and rushed in. Ryo kept her eyes closed, "Follis, get out! I don't want to hear your talk this morning!"
"My lady. . ." Ryo quickly whipped open her eyes to see Telan standing there. She blushed as he helped her off the floor, "Are you alright?"
Ryo mumbled, "I am fine, just tired and hungry." She yawned, "What do you want?"
"My lord Roeticus wants to see you in the throne room," Telan stated, bowing, "I am to escort you there. . ."
Ryo looked in the hallway, "Where is Follis?"
"He is still asleep, my lady. 'Tis still very early. He will not wake for another two hours at least. . ." Telan smiled.
"Then why did you wake me so early?" Ryo asked crossly.
"Lord Roeticus wants to see you know." Telan stated yet again. He pulled her out of the room, leading her to the throne room.
On entering the throne room, Roeticus smiled, "Very good, Telan! You have brought her to me without Follis!"
"What the hell is going on?!" Ryo yelled.
Roeticus smirked, "This is the day your true power surfaces!" He glared at her, trying once again to gain access to her mind. He smirked even more at her screams of pain, "You will fall to me this morning!"
Ryo fell to her knees, her defenses not ready for the onslaught that they were up against this morning. She felt Roeticus tearing the very fabrics of her mind, forcing her to slam to the floor, pain taking over her full body. She screamed again, "Follis!"
~*With Follis*~
Follis awoke to the scream of his name. He listened for a moment before realizing that the scream had not come from outside his mind, but from in. He leapt to his feet, "Ryo is in trouble!" He quickly ran to his door and opened it up. Who he saw standing there made him growl, "Josh!"
"My lord, Roeticus has told me that you are to sleep until he sends word that you may get up!" Josh grinned.
"I do not take orders from Roeticus!" Follis yelled as he pushed Josh out of his way, "I don't take orders from anyone!" He then ran towards the throne room, in search of Ryo.
~*With Ryo*~
Ryo cried as Roeticus finally got access to her mind, forcing her to scream even more. To her it felt as if he scraped a knife against her skin as he searched for something.
"Where is it?" Roeticus asked, growling in anger. He went deeper into her mind, following a bright light. He smiled as he came upon what he was searching for, "I have found it!"
Ryo yelled in anguish again, "Follis!"
Telan laughed at her, "He will not come to your aid, he is stuck in his room!"
Roeticus slammed up against the barrier in Ryo's mind that kept the powers of the key at bay. Every time he did this, Ryo's vision got a little darker. He growled as it wouldn't budge. Finally, putting as much force behind it as he could, he tore at the barrier. The barrier ripped, but with resistance.
Ryo screamed a high-pitched scream of pain at this final attack on her mind. She didn't notice a bright light to her left and right and didn't feel the light hand that caressed her cheek.
"Roeticus, you have just sealed your doom!" Ryo's father stated, glaring at Roeticus through eyes of hate, "You have know idea of what you have just done to my daughter!"
Ryo faintly looked up as she heard her mother calling her name, "Ryo. . ." He mother caressed her cheek again, "Ryo, you know have the power to do anything you wish. . ."
Ryo winced, "I don't want this power."
"Roeticus!"
Ryo turned her head to see Follis fighting to control himself from killing Roeticus right on the spot. He heaved, "Roeticus, what have you done?"
"I have released her true power!" Roeticus smiled as Follis ran over to his sister's side, "I just want you to know that she did put up a fight, but I out witted her by attacking her early in the morning while her body had no defense!"
Follis helped Ryo stand, "Ryo. . ."
Ryo's voice was raspy, "Why didn't you come to help me?" She closed her eyes, "Why didn't you save me brother?"
"Ryo!" Follis yelled as Ryo went limp in his grasp. He glared at Roeticus, "You do not know of what you have just done!"
"Funny, your father said the same thing!" Roeticus laughed, "It's so ironic that you two are so alike!" He smiled, "Her power has been unlocked. The key will now surface!"
Follis glared at him, "You will pay for what you have done!" He then pulled Ryo into his arms, starting to carry her to her room, "She will remember every little detail of pain you have caused her, and she will not be forgiving!"
He then took her back to her room and laid her down on her bed. When he turned to go, Ryo grabbed his arm, "Follis. . ."
Follis turned to see Ryo staring at him, "Ryo?"
He froze as he saw Ryo's eyes change to the triforce. Ryo didn't blink, "Follis, the key is trying to take over me!" She gripped his arm harder as the key tried to take over her. She bit her bottom lip, "Follis, I don't know if I can stay in control! You'll loose the Ryo that you know, and I think the key will be less forgiving than I will!"
Follis put his hand on Ryo's forehead, "I am here for you. . ." He wiped the hair out of her face, "I won't leave your side. . ."
"I'll loose myself!" Ryo screamed as she grabbed her head, "She is strong!"
~*With Link*~
Link awoke to a scream. He looked around, trying to see who it was from, but everyone was asleep. He then felt his heart almost rip in two. He slammed to the ground, grabbing at his chest, "Ahhhh!"
Kaige awoke when Link screamed. He quickly but gently moved Rachel so she wouldn't wake and ran to his side, "Link, what is wrong?"
"I-ITS R-Ryo-o!" Link yelled, grabbing Kaige's arm, "S-SHE I-is in a lot o-of pain!"
Kaige frowned, knowing what this was all about, "The only thing that could cause you serious pain like Ryo herself is if Roeticus unsealed the key!" He grimaced, "She will be in a battle with herself for the next couple of days, trying to stay in control. The key will fight to be in control, and knowing Ryo, she will not let it without a fight."
Link gasped as another wave of pain ran through him, "We have to help her! I can't stand to feel her in such pain!"
Kaige looked over at Rachel to see her staring at Link with a newfound terror in her eyes. She shook, "Kaige, what is wrong with him?"
"He is feeling Ryo's pain. Roeticus has unlocked the power of the key. This is where the real war starts!" Kaige stated desperately, trying to get Link to settle down, "Help me! We have to get him to stop grabbing at his chest!"
Rachel ran over to the two, still shaking, but willing to help. She grabbed Link's hands, and let him squeeze hers. She cried out in pain as he squeezed them hard, "Kaige! His grip is too strong!"
Kaige rooted around in his pack until he found some herbs. He turned back to Rachel and Link, "Don't worry, this will make him fall asleep. He won't feel any pain then. . ." He crushed the herbs in his hands and put them in Link's mouth, "Link, chew and swallow them!" Link did as he was told, his eyes drooping and his grip lessening.
Rachel let his hands rest on his chest as he fell asleep, rubbing her own, "I didn't think he was that strong!"
Kaige sighed, "Ryo seems to be channeling more power to him." He held out his hand, "Let me see your hands. . ." Rachel did as she was told, and Kaige smiled, "You will be alright, he just squeezed them a little too tight for your comfort."
Rachel turned to see Sara and Jordan still asleep. Chris sat in his place, his eyes full of worry. Rachel sighed, "It figures that Jordan would sleep through something like this. . ."
"What about Sara? She is sleeping as well." Kaige chuckled.
"She stayed up half the night worrying about Ryo. She finally got to sleep about two hours ago. I don't blame her for sleeping." Rachel smiled, looking at Sara's sleeping form, "You know, she really cares about Ryo. If I wasn't Ryo's cousin, and I didn't know her, I would say that Sara was Ryo's younger sister." She giggled, "She acts like Ryo is the only family she has. Now that I remember, when Ryo brought her to us, Ryo had that look in her eyes. . ."
"What look?" Kaige asked, smiling.
"She had the look of a child that has just found an injured animal and wants to help it. She gets that look all the time, wanting to help anyone that she can." Rachel smiled back.
Kaige chuckled, "Well, she certainly has helped Sara. You can't forget Chris as well."
"You are forgetting someone very special!" Rachel whined.
"And who would that be?" Kaige continued to chuckle.
"You!" Rachel stated, grabbing his hand. He squeezed it lightly, not wanting to hurt her. She smiled, "She has helped you and you know it!"
Kaige smirked, "Well, I guess she has!" He kissed Rachel on the cheek, "Ryo seems to help everyone she lies eyes on."
~*With Ryo*~
Ryo screamed in pain as the key tried to take over her once again. Follis stood by her side, dabbing a damp cloth on her forehead. Ryo grabbed the sheets in her hands, her knuckles turning white.
~Ryo. . . Let me be in control!~
"Never!" Ryo yelled, closing her eyes, "I will never let you take control!"
"Ryo!" Follis yelled, trying to get her attention.
Ryo stopped her thrashing around and let go of the sheets. When she opened her eyes, they were in the shape of the triforce. When she spoke, it was a voice that was not of any world, "I am free!"
Follis took a step back, knowing the key had won the battle, "What have you done to my sister?"
The key looked over to Follis, smiling, "She is still here, she is sleeping at the moment. After I am done with my freedom, I will let her back in control." She got out of the bed, "It feels good to walk again!"
Follis glared at the key, "Let my sister have her body back! Your time hasn't come yet!"
"She will get her body back in due time," the key smirked, walking over to Follis.
Follis looked into the key's eyes, his eyes going wide when he saw Ryo's form curled up in a ball, asleep. He put his hands on the key's shoulders, shaking her, "Ryo, wake up!" The form of Ryo seemed to stir, but didn't uncurl from her ball.
The key laughed, "Your efforts are useless!" She smiled, "There is only one person that could wake her, and that person is a long ways away!" She put her hand in front of her, an image appearing there, "There are actually two people, her guardian or the one that makes her whole!"
Follis grabbed her hand and closed it, not wanting anyone to see the image of Kaige and Link there, "Are you insane! To show their faces here is like death to you!"
~*With Link*~
Link moaned as he came to, "What. . ."
"Good, you are awake!" Rachel stated, scooting over to him. Kaige turned from his place by their fire.
"How did it get dark?" Link asked, sitting up.
"You have been asleep a while," Rachel giggled.
"The whole day to be exact!" Kaige smiled, coming over to sit by Rachel.
Link then saw Jordan with his arms crossed, sitting across the fire from them. He also saw Sara asleep peacefully close to him. He smiled, "How was Sara?"
"She was ok. She wouldn't leave your side. She told us that if something happened to you, Ryo would get sad, and she didn't want that." Kaige chuckled, covering Sara with her blanket. He looked back at Link, "Link, Roeticus has released the key. Ryo might not be in control of her body any more."
Rachel watched as Chris came into the light of the fire, "Anything Chris?"
Chris shook his head, "No, I can't see anything. There is no danger here. We are safe at the moment."
"Where is Tilo?" Rachel asked.
"He is still searching the skies." Chris answered.
"That's goo. . .d." Rachel stuttered.
"Kaige looked at her, "What is wrong?"
Rachel started to run to Chris, "Chris, watch out behind you!"
Chris turned around just in time to see Telan's smiling face before he fell unconscious. Telan laughed, "This is too good!"
Rachel growled, "We'll see about that!"
She slammed hard into the ground, the cause was Josh. He smirked, "You never learn!"
Follis and Ryo appeared out of the shadows as well. Follis looked at Kaige, and then to Link. He held a sadness in his eyes while he held out his hands, "Take care of them!"
"As you wish my lord!" Josh and Telan stated, bowing to him. Link looked at them all, "Ryo. . ."
"I am not Ryo! I am the key to the triforce!" the key yelled. She smirked at Kaige's look, "Leave that one alive, I want him!"
Josh turned to her, "My lady, those weren't our orders! Our orders were to. . ."
"Your orders were to destroy the threats!" the key yelled, "He is not a threat! I want him alive!"
Follis looked at Link, silently willing him to understand. Link seemed to understand what they were doing. He unsheathed his sword, "You want to destroy us? You'll have a hard time doing it!"
Josh sent a force at Link, causing him to slam into the ground. The key screamed in pain, the two's link too close to cut off the pain. She glared at Josh and snarled, "Do not harm him either! He is part of me as I am a part of him! You kill him, you kill me!" She walked over to Kaige, "I will take him back with me, I will leave you two hear to do some damage. . ." She stopped mid-sentence and grabbed her head. She shook her head, mumbling something under her breath.
Follis watched as Kaige reached out a hand toward Ryo. He smiled, knowing that his friend was trying to bring Ryo back into control. He placed a hand on Ryo's and Kaige's shoulder, "We are leaving now. You heard what the key said, don't kill the hero of time!"
All three then disappeared. Link smiled, knowing that he could harm the two, and they couldn't harm him. He yelled to Jordan, "Hey Jordan, we need a storm!"
Jordan stood, rubbing his hands together, a smirk plastered on his face, "One storm, coming up!" He glared at the two and thunder was heard. Lightning struck close to the two. He laughed as they jumped out of the way, "How long can you keep dodging my attacks?"
Josh growled at him, "We won't have to worry about that!" He then sent a force at Jordan, smiling as he slammed to the ground, "It seems that you won't be able to do anything now!"
Sara yelled as she woke up. She looked at the sleeping form of Kalinoc, "Kalinoc, you lazy tiger! Get up!" Kalinoc roared as he awoke and took in the scene before him. Sara pointed to Josh, "Stop him boy!" Kalinoc growled as he lunged for Josh. Sara smiled as the tiger pounced on Josh, "That is for all the years of hatred that you put against me!"
Fridge growled as he walked over to Telan, barring his teeth. Rachel clenched her fist, "You have the fury of the winter's ice to deal with, you will not survive!"
All heard the screech of Lightning Strike. Jordan whistled to him, "Lightning Strike! Now is your time! Strike them down with the fury of the heavens!" Lightning Strike screeched once more before soaring from the skies. His body was engulfed in surging lightning. He dive-bombed Josh, sensing that was the reason his charge was on the ground. Josh disappeared, not wanting to feel the wrath of the eagle.
Rachel inched her way to Telan, "I'm going to make you regret everything that you have done wrong in your life. . ."
"What about the bear?" Telan asked with a sneer.
"Fridge?" Rachel asked. She smiled, "He is just here to end your suffering after I am done!" She slammed her fist into her other hand, willing ice to freeze Telan to his place. She smirked as ice froze his feet to the ground, "Well, let's see you get out of this one!"
Telan smirked at her, "You might have frozen me to my place, but I can still harm you!" He held his hand up, revealing a ball of black energy. It sparked and crackled in his hand, "It seems that your attempt to finish me is going to end!" He pushed the energy towards Rachel.
Link lunged in front of Rachel, taking the blow for her. Rachel spared no time and did the same thing Telan had, but instead of dark energy, a ball of ice appeared. She pushed it at him, yelling in anger. It slammed into Telan's hands, causing them to freeze. She watched as Telan disappeared and then ran to Link's side. He was sweating heavily, "Link, are you ok?"
Link grabbed his chest, feeling very cold, "I think so. . ." All at once, he felt a warm presence wrap around him. He heard whispering.
'My love, I grant you power and warmth. I am here for you.'
Link closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, "Ryo." He stood, dusting off his leggings, "I am fine Rachel." He saw Rachel's saddened face, "Rachel, what is wrong?"
Rachel closed her eyes, putting a hand on Link's shoulder, "I worry for Kaige. . .What if they find out about our plan? What if they throw him into the dungeon? What if they torture him? I couldn't bear to see him in pain!"
Jordan growled, "All I want is to settle this and go back home!"
Rachel glared at him, "Well then, when this is all over, you can go home! You can ask Ryo and her brother to send you back, but I am staying here!"
"And why would that be?" Jordan asked. He sneered, "Is it because of Kaige?"
Rachel lunged at him, wanting to kill him, "So what if it is!? What if we love each other! It is more than what you provide!" Link grabbed her, and she started to cry, "I don't want him be get hurt! I could never live with myself!"
Link rubbed her back, "So we both lost someone we love, it is alright Rachel!" He looked at Jordan, "This isn't helping us! We are going to end up killing ourselves!"
"What's new?" Jordan shrugged, "Rachel and I fight like this all the time when Ryo isn't around! I think that was the only reason we were together, it was Ryo!"
~*With Kaige*~
Kaige looked at Ryo's form on the bed. It was sweating and pale. He sighed, "I didn't think the key would be so strong. . ."
"It is stronger than we all thought. Ryo is fighting it, I think seeing you and Link made her fight even more. When she gave Link some of her strength, I thought she was back, but the key had other plans." Follis shook his head, coming over to the side of the bed, "Kaige, if you can awaken her, please do. She needs to be Ryo and still have the powers of the key. . ."
Kaige smiled, "I can awaken her, and make it so the key is Ryo, and not a separate being. That's what my powers as her guardian can do. But it will take hours to complete, and we can't be interrupted."
Follis nodded, "Yes, I will make sure no one bothers you. I will bring your meals in here."
Kaige nodded and grabbed Ryo's hand, "Here we go. . ."
Follis walked out of the room, praying to the goddesses that it would work. He walked down the hall to the throne room, seeing Telan and Josh. He smiled to them, "Well, it seems that you failed."
"My lord, our attempts were all foiled!" Telan yelled.
Roeticus held up his hand, "What is it you wish to talk to me about Follis?"
"The key needs to rest today. She told me to tell you that no one is supposed to go into her room. She wishes to be alone and sleep in peace." Follis bowed.
"Yes, if it is the wish of the key, then so be it!" Roeticus yelled. He nodded, "You will watch over her, will you not?"
Follis smiled, "Of course."
Roeticus turned back to Telan and Josh, "I am going to send you back out to kill those nuisances!"
Josh bowed, "Yes my lord. . ." Both then turned to leave.
~**~
There ya go! I will work on the next chapter. I wonder what will happen next. . .
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A/N: Sorry it took so long, it was sort of laziness, but I have also been busy. You see, my family has been working on our log cabin. I also had a birthday on the 22 of july. I was also studying for my permit test. (Don't worry, I passed.) I was also working on my other story for LOTR. Hope you like this chapter, there are a lot of twists in it, and Rachel plays a big part in it along with Kaige.
Chapter Eleven
Follis sighed as he opened his door, "Yes?"
Telan smiled, "My lord Follis, I seek counsel. . ." Follis led him into his room and indicated for him to sit down. Telan listened, "My lord, I am not sure if I like the plan of lord Roeticus. Your younger sister seems too strong to defeat. Josh seems so wrapped up in all the power and glory to even see that."
Follis nodded, "Yes, my little sister is strong, and that power is without the help of being the key to the triforce. She hasn't been able to unlock the power that lies in dormant." He sighed, "That power is locked deep in her mind, and Roeticus wants to retrieve it."
Telan nodded, "Thank you my lord. . . You have eased my mind somewhat." He bowed and turned to leave, "Kaysa says she wishes to speak to you. She says it is important." He then walked out of the room, hiding his smile. After he closed the door, he laughed to himself, "He has just given me information that I could not get, that even lord Roeticus couldn't even get!"
~*With Follis*~
"I can't believe you just gave him that information!" Ivy yelled, walking out from Follis's study. "You know he is just going to go tell Roeticus!"
"That information is not important. The important information is who the key's guardian is. That and Rachel and Jordan are an essential part to get to the triforce. That Link plays an important role to this whole thing! That is important information!" Follis growled, looking at Ivy.
She bowed, "Yes my lord. I now understand. . ." Her curiosity got the better of her, "If you don't mind me asking, who is the key's real guardian?"
Follis laughed, causing Ivy to glare at him. He shook his head, "Just an old friend of mine. He is a good one too, let me tell you!" He smiled, "You wouldn't know him, and I am not about to utter his name in the presence where anything can be heard by anyone." He sighed, "I am going to bed Ivy, you may go to your own quarters now."
Ivy bowed and walked out, "Yes my lord."
After Follis knew no one was listening, he sighed, "Kaige, please hurry, you are really Ryo's guardian, and she is in need of you. Roeticus will try and unlock her true power tomorrow. These next few days are going to be hell for her."
~*With Rachel*~
Rachel crossed her arms and glared at Jordan, "You are hopeless!"
Jordan shrugged, "So? What is wrong with that?"
Rachel threw her hands in the air, angrier than she had ever been, "I hate you! You don't even think about how Ryo might be right now! She probably feels alone and sad, just like Link is feeling right now!"
He laughed at her, "Rachel, you think too much!"
Rachel turned to Sara who was watching them intently, "Sara, could you please go find Link and Kaige for me?" She waited until Sara got up and left before she blew up at Jordan. "You are so self-centered! I don't know what I saw in you! You are one of the most horrible, idiotic, gay. . ." Sara came running back, and Rachel quickly changed her words, "Sweet, caring, loveable man I have ever met!" She glared at his smug face, clenching her fists to her sides. She whispered to him, "You just wait until she falls asleep. . ."
"Why?" Jordan asked, a smirk on his face, "You might be afraid to say anything in front of her, but I don't care!" He glared at her, "We are through! I never want to have anything to do with you ever again! You never care about anyone other than you and Ryo!"
Sara's jaw dropped. Rachel's glare didn't affect him, but her words did, "Fine, I never want to be near you again!" She turned her back to him, "Have fun doing stuff without me! Lets see your wisdom take you places that only my courage could!"
Link and Kaige walked in on the scene at that moment. Kaige looked at Rachel, "What just happened?"
Chris patted Tilo from his perch on his shoulder, "Those two just had a fight. They have decided that they want nothing to do with each other now."
Link shook his head, "This is not happening!"
Rachel turned to him, "Sorry lover boy, but it has!" She glared at Jordan, "He is definitely NOT my type. . ."
"But he was your type earlier today. . ." Kaige stated confused.
"Well, she wouldn't lay off the fact that I didn't want to go get Ryo! We have nothing in common!" Jordan yelled.
Kaige sighed, "This is pointless! I think that Ryo will return to us when she wants too. . ." He saw Rachel's glare and continued, "But we should maybe send someone in to watch over her." He looked around at the group, "Well, it can't be Link because they will know something is up; it can't be Rachel, they know about her already; it can't be Chris, because they know about him also; it can't be Sara, because she used to be a slave there. . ."
"And it can't be Jordan, because they know about him as well. That only leaves you, Kaige. . ." Link laughed at Kaige's expression, "I believe you have just volunteered to do the job!"
Kaige looked at the group, shaking his head as all of them looked at him like they hadn't eaten for the longest time, "No, you can't possibly think. . ."
"You're the only one Kaige!" Rachel pleaded, "please. . . Do this for me. . ." She gave him a puppy dog look.
Kaige sighed, "I don't know, this could work, but then there is that chance that it won't."
Link put his hand on Kaige's shoulder, "Please my friend. . ."
Kaige relented, "Alright! I'll do it!"
"Good, the next time they attack us is when you can go with them." Link smiled, happy that he would have someone to watch over Ryo.
Kaige mumbled under his breath, "Yeah, and lets hope Follis is there or this really won't work."
"Don't worry Kaige, I have a feeling he will be there." Link sighed. He turned to Sara, "Well, I think it is time for some food."
Sara smiled, "Yes, I am hungry."
Kaige sighed and sat down away from everyone, "I guess I am coming to see you again, Follis."
"Who you talking to?" Rachel asked, sitting down beside him.
He looked up at her, startled, "What?" He then smiled, "I'm just talking to myself, that's all."
Rachel handed him a piece of meat, "Well, here." She then looked over at Jordan who was glaring at Kaige. She smiled, "Kaige, I was wondering. . ."
"Yes?" Kaige asked.
Rachel winked at him, "Well, I was just wondering, why do you want to keep Ryo safe?"
"It was a promise I made a long time ago," Kaige stated, looking down at his hands. He looked up as he saw Rachel's hands cover his, "What. . ."
Rachel nodded, "You are keeping true to that promise."
"Not really," Kaige frowned, "I have failed him!"
Rachel felt a pang of sadness at his words, "But how?"
Kaige shook his head, "I should have taken her from her parents a long time ago. Then she would have been trained to kill Roeticus. She would be more powerful!"
Kaige locked eyes with Rachel to see her crying, "Kaige, don't say that! You did the right thing! She owes a lot of things to you already!"
Kaige acted on impulse. He grabbed Rachel in a hug, "Shh, it's alright. Don't cry. . . I guess you are right." He wiped her tears away, "You are right, I am holding true to my promise. I am just faulting myself for every little thing that happens." He looked over to the fire to see Jordan glaring at him. He smirked, knowing that Jordan had made a mistake in letting her go.
Rachel sniffed, "Kaige, thank you. . ." She sighed and closed her eyes, "I am glad you are on our team."
Kaige brought her closer to him, breathing deep as she rested her head against his chest, "So am I, so am I." He kissed her forehead, "Rachel, are you alright?"
Rachel mumbled, "I am fine. You seem to comfort me." She sighed, "I hate Jordan! I don't know what I ever saw in him!"
"Other than the fact that you loved him and you two have known each other since you were young. . . Have I missed anything?" Kaige chuckled.
Rachel looked up at him, seeing the laughter in his eyes that he was holding back, "What is so funny?"
"The fact that Jordan is glaring at the two of us because he thinks that you have come to me for more than just talking. He is too proud to try and take you back." Kaige smiled.
Rachel smirked at him, causing him to think second thoughts, "Well, what if I have come to you for more than talking? Who cares about Jordan?"
Kaige looked wide-eyed at her, "But, Rachel. . ."
Rachel winked at him, "What?"
He shook his head, "I don't think I'll ever understand people from earth. Especially the women."
Rachel laughed lightly, causing him to chuckle, "Well, then Kaige, why do you say that?"
"You are so unpredictable. Not caring what other people think. . ." Kaige started.
"Not entirely true. On earth, Ryo and I were the only two females that I knew that didn't care about what other people thought of us. Everyone wanted to look the same, have the same attitude. We cared not, we wanted to be our own persons." Rachel smiled.
"Well, now that you have told me that, I know I will never understand them. Why would someone want to be exactly like someone else?" Kaige asked, nodding his head.
Rachel shrugged, "I don't know. It's just how they are." She laid her head on his shoulder, "You know. . . you are more caring than any male on earth would be."
Kaige patted her head, "Well, it comes from the way I have lived my life. What about you, why do you and Ryo rely on each other for everything. You never seem to trust anyone else to do something for you."
"Ryo saved my life countless times, and I have kept our secret. We rely on each other because we had no one else to rely on. It was always just us. No one else." Rachel sighed, closing her eyes, "Then we came here, and Ryo met Link. She then changed, she became soft. I then started wishing that Jordan was here. I then started to rely on him when he came."
"Ryo became soft because she found the one that would make her whole. You didn't become soft, you just thought that you were safe because you had Jordan." Kaige chuckled.
Rachel stared at him wide eyed, "Well, that clears everything up!" She then shivered.
Kaige wrapped his arms around her, "It seems you are cold. . ." He smiled to himself as Rachel's breath came faster. He looked down at her, "Are you alright?"
Rachel tried to slow her racing heart, "Yes, I am fine. . ." She started to shake lightly in Kaige's grip, "Well, I don't know. . ."
Kaige lightly kissed Rachel's cheek, "Well, if anything is bothering you, just tell me."
~*With Ryo*~
Ryo awoke to the sun filtering in on her face. She sat up as a knock came to her door. She cursed a string of words inappropriate as she fell out of her bed onto the floor. The person spared no time as they opened the door and rushed in. Ryo kept her eyes closed, "Follis, get out! I don't want to hear your talk this morning!"
"My lady. . ." Ryo quickly whipped open her eyes to see Telan standing there. She blushed as he helped her off the floor, "Are you alright?"
Ryo mumbled, "I am fine, just tired and hungry." She yawned, "What do you want?"
"My lord Roeticus wants to see you in the throne room," Telan stated, bowing, "I am to escort you there. . ."
Ryo looked in the hallway, "Where is Follis?"
"He is still asleep, my lady. 'Tis still very early. He will not wake for another two hours at least. . ." Telan smiled.
"Then why did you wake me so early?" Ryo asked crossly.
"Lord Roeticus wants to see you know." Telan stated yet again. He pulled her out of the room, leading her to the throne room.
On entering the throne room, Roeticus smiled, "Very good, Telan! You have brought her to me without Follis!"
"What the hell is going on?!" Ryo yelled.
Roeticus smirked, "This is the day your true power surfaces!" He glared at her, trying once again to gain access to her mind. He smirked even more at her screams of pain, "You will fall to me this morning!"
Ryo fell to her knees, her defenses not ready for the onslaught that they were up against this morning. She felt Roeticus tearing the very fabrics of her mind, forcing her to slam to the floor, pain taking over her full body. She screamed again, "Follis!"
~*With Follis*~
Follis awoke to the scream of his name. He listened for a moment before realizing that the scream had not come from outside his mind, but from in. He leapt to his feet, "Ryo is in trouble!" He quickly ran to his door and opened it up. Who he saw standing there made him growl, "Josh!"
"My lord, Roeticus has told me that you are to sleep until he sends word that you may get up!" Josh grinned.
"I do not take orders from Roeticus!" Follis yelled as he pushed Josh out of his way, "I don't take orders from anyone!" He then ran towards the throne room, in search of Ryo.
~*With Ryo*~
Ryo cried as Roeticus finally got access to her mind, forcing her to scream even more. To her it felt as if he scraped a knife against her skin as he searched for something.
"Where is it?" Roeticus asked, growling in anger. He went deeper into her mind, following a bright light. He smiled as he came upon what he was searching for, "I have found it!"
Ryo yelled in anguish again, "Follis!"
Telan laughed at her, "He will not come to your aid, he is stuck in his room!"
Roeticus slammed up against the barrier in Ryo's mind that kept the powers of the key at bay. Every time he did this, Ryo's vision got a little darker. He growled as it wouldn't budge. Finally, putting as much force behind it as he could, he tore at the barrier. The barrier ripped, but with resistance.
Ryo screamed a high-pitched scream of pain at this final attack on her mind. She didn't notice a bright light to her left and right and didn't feel the light hand that caressed her cheek.
"Roeticus, you have just sealed your doom!" Ryo's father stated, glaring at Roeticus through eyes of hate, "You have know idea of what you have just done to my daughter!"
Ryo faintly looked up as she heard her mother calling her name, "Ryo. . ." He mother caressed her cheek again, "Ryo, you know have the power to do anything you wish. . ."
Ryo winced, "I don't want this power."
"Roeticus!"
Ryo turned her head to see Follis fighting to control himself from killing Roeticus right on the spot. He heaved, "Roeticus, what have you done?"
"I have released her true power!" Roeticus smiled as Follis ran over to his sister's side, "I just want you to know that she did put up a fight, but I out witted her by attacking her early in the morning while her body had no defense!"
Follis helped Ryo stand, "Ryo. . ."
Ryo's voice was raspy, "Why didn't you come to help me?" She closed her eyes, "Why didn't you save me brother?"
"Ryo!" Follis yelled as Ryo went limp in his grasp. He glared at Roeticus, "You do not know of what you have just done!"
"Funny, your father said the same thing!" Roeticus laughed, "It's so ironic that you two are so alike!" He smiled, "Her power has been unlocked. The key will now surface!"
Follis glared at him, "You will pay for what you have done!" He then pulled Ryo into his arms, starting to carry her to her room, "She will remember every little detail of pain you have caused her, and she will not be forgiving!"
He then took her back to her room and laid her down on her bed. When he turned to go, Ryo grabbed his arm, "Follis. . ."
Follis turned to see Ryo staring at him, "Ryo?"
He froze as he saw Ryo's eyes change to the triforce. Ryo didn't blink, "Follis, the key is trying to take over me!" She gripped his arm harder as the key tried to take over her. She bit her bottom lip, "Follis, I don't know if I can stay in control! You'll loose the Ryo that you know, and I think the key will be less forgiving than I will!"
Follis put his hand on Ryo's forehead, "I am here for you. . ." He wiped the hair out of her face, "I won't leave your side. . ."
"I'll loose myself!" Ryo screamed as she grabbed her head, "She is strong!"
~*With Link*~
Link awoke to a scream. He looked around, trying to see who it was from, but everyone was asleep. He then felt his heart almost rip in two. He slammed to the ground, grabbing at his chest, "Ahhhh!"
Kaige awoke when Link screamed. He quickly but gently moved Rachel so she wouldn't wake and ran to his side, "Link, what is wrong?"
"I-ITS R-Ryo-o!" Link yelled, grabbing Kaige's arm, "S-SHE I-is in a lot o-of pain!"
Kaige frowned, knowing what this was all about, "The only thing that could cause you serious pain like Ryo herself is if Roeticus unsealed the key!" He grimaced, "She will be in a battle with herself for the next couple of days, trying to stay in control. The key will fight to be in control, and knowing Ryo, she will not let it without a fight."
Link gasped as another wave of pain ran through him, "We have to help her! I can't stand to feel her in such pain!"
Kaige looked over at Rachel to see her staring at Link with a newfound terror in her eyes. She shook, "Kaige, what is wrong with him?"
"He is feeling Ryo's pain. Roeticus has unlocked the power of the key. This is where the real war starts!" Kaige stated desperately, trying to get Link to settle down, "Help me! We have to get him to stop grabbing at his chest!"
Rachel ran over to the two, still shaking, but willing to help. She grabbed Link's hands, and let him squeeze hers. She cried out in pain as he squeezed them hard, "Kaige! His grip is too strong!"
Kaige rooted around in his pack until he found some herbs. He turned back to Rachel and Link, "Don't worry, this will make him fall asleep. He won't feel any pain then. . ." He crushed the herbs in his hands and put them in Link's mouth, "Link, chew and swallow them!" Link did as he was told, his eyes drooping and his grip lessening.
Rachel let his hands rest on his chest as he fell asleep, rubbing her own, "I didn't think he was that strong!"
Kaige sighed, "Ryo seems to be channeling more power to him." He held out his hand, "Let me see your hands. . ." Rachel did as she was told, and Kaige smiled, "You will be alright, he just squeezed them a little too tight for your comfort."
Rachel turned to see Sara and Jordan still asleep. Chris sat in his place, his eyes full of worry. Rachel sighed, "It figures that Jordan would sleep through something like this. . ."
"What about Sara? She is sleeping as well." Kaige chuckled.
"She stayed up half the night worrying about Ryo. She finally got to sleep about two hours ago. I don't blame her for sleeping." Rachel smiled, looking at Sara's sleeping form, "You know, she really cares about Ryo. If I wasn't Ryo's cousin, and I didn't know her, I would say that Sara was Ryo's younger sister." She giggled, "She acts like Ryo is the only family she has. Now that I remember, when Ryo brought her to us, Ryo had that look in her eyes. . ."
"What look?" Kaige asked, smiling.
"She had the look of a child that has just found an injured animal and wants to help it. She gets that look all the time, wanting to help anyone that she can." Rachel smiled back.
Kaige chuckled, "Well, she certainly has helped Sara. You can't forget Chris as well."
"You are forgetting someone very special!" Rachel whined.
"And who would that be?" Kaige continued to chuckle.
"You!" Rachel stated, grabbing his hand. He squeezed it lightly, not wanting to hurt her. She smiled, "She has helped you and you know it!"
Kaige smirked, "Well, I guess she has!" He kissed Rachel on the cheek, "Ryo seems to help everyone she lies eyes on."
~*With Ryo*~
Ryo screamed in pain as the key tried to take over her once again. Follis stood by her side, dabbing a damp cloth on her forehead. Ryo grabbed the sheets in her hands, her knuckles turning white.
~Ryo. . . Let me be in control!~
"Never!" Ryo yelled, closing her eyes, "I will never let you take control!"
"Ryo!" Follis yelled, trying to get her attention.
Ryo stopped her thrashing around and let go of the sheets. When she opened her eyes, they were in the shape of the triforce. When she spoke, it was a voice that was not of any world, "I am free!"
Follis took a step back, knowing the key had won the battle, "What have you done to my sister?"
The key looked over to Follis, smiling, "She is still here, she is sleeping at the moment. After I am done with my freedom, I will let her back in control." She got out of the bed, "It feels good to walk again!"
Follis glared at the key, "Let my sister have her body back! Your time hasn't come yet!"
"She will get her body back in due time," the key smirked, walking over to Follis.
Follis looked into the key's eyes, his eyes going wide when he saw Ryo's form curled up in a ball, asleep. He put his hands on the key's shoulders, shaking her, "Ryo, wake up!" The form of Ryo seemed to stir, but didn't uncurl from her ball.
The key laughed, "Your efforts are useless!" She smiled, "There is only one person that could wake her, and that person is a long ways away!" She put her hand in front of her, an image appearing there, "There are actually two people, her guardian or the one that makes her whole!"
Follis grabbed her hand and closed it, not wanting anyone to see the image of Kaige and Link there, "Are you insane! To show their faces here is like death to you!"
~*With Link*~
Link moaned as he came to, "What. . ."
"Good, you are awake!" Rachel stated, scooting over to him. Kaige turned from his place by their fire.
"How did it get dark?" Link asked, sitting up.
"You have been asleep a while," Rachel giggled.
"The whole day to be exact!" Kaige smiled, coming over to sit by Rachel.
Link then saw Jordan with his arms crossed, sitting across the fire from them. He also saw Sara asleep peacefully close to him. He smiled, "How was Sara?"
"She was ok. She wouldn't leave your side. She told us that if something happened to you, Ryo would get sad, and she didn't want that." Kaige chuckled, covering Sara with her blanket. He looked back at Link, "Link, Roeticus has released the key. Ryo might not be in control of her body any more."
Rachel watched as Chris came into the light of the fire, "Anything Chris?"
Chris shook his head, "No, I can't see anything. There is no danger here. We are safe at the moment."
"Where is Tilo?" Rachel asked.
"He is still searching the skies." Chris answered.
"That's goo. . .d." Rachel stuttered.
"Kaige looked at her, "What is wrong?"
Rachel started to run to Chris, "Chris, watch out behind you!"
Chris turned around just in time to see Telan's smiling face before he fell unconscious. Telan laughed, "This is too good!"
Rachel growled, "We'll see about that!"
She slammed hard into the ground, the cause was Josh. He smirked, "You never learn!"
Follis and Ryo appeared out of the shadows as well. Follis looked at Kaige, and then to Link. He held a sadness in his eyes while he held out his hands, "Take care of them!"
"As you wish my lord!" Josh and Telan stated, bowing to him. Link looked at them all, "Ryo. . ."
"I am not Ryo! I am the key to the triforce!" the key yelled. She smirked at Kaige's look, "Leave that one alive, I want him!"
Josh turned to her, "My lady, those weren't our orders! Our orders were to. . ."
"Your orders were to destroy the threats!" the key yelled, "He is not a threat! I want him alive!"
Follis looked at Link, silently willing him to understand. Link seemed to understand what they were doing. He unsheathed his sword, "You want to destroy us? You'll have a hard time doing it!"
Josh sent a force at Link, causing him to slam into the ground. The key screamed in pain, the two's link too close to cut off the pain. She glared at Josh and snarled, "Do not harm him either! He is part of me as I am a part of him! You kill him, you kill me!" She walked over to Kaige, "I will take him back with me, I will leave you two hear to do some damage. . ." She stopped mid-sentence and grabbed her head. She shook her head, mumbling something under her breath.
Follis watched as Kaige reached out a hand toward Ryo. He smiled, knowing that his friend was trying to bring Ryo back into control. He placed a hand on Ryo's and Kaige's shoulder, "We are leaving now. You heard what the key said, don't kill the hero of time!"
All three then disappeared. Link smiled, knowing that he could harm the two, and they couldn't harm him. He yelled to Jordan, "Hey Jordan, we need a storm!"
Jordan stood, rubbing his hands together, a smirk plastered on his face, "One storm, coming up!" He glared at the two and thunder was heard. Lightning struck close to the two. He laughed as they jumped out of the way, "How long can you keep dodging my attacks?"
Josh growled at him, "We won't have to worry about that!" He then sent a force at Jordan, smiling as he slammed to the ground, "It seems that you won't be able to do anything now!"
Sara yelled as she woke up. She looked at the sleeping form of Kalinoc, "Kalinoc, you lazy tiger! Get up!" Kalinoc roared as he awoke and took in the scene before him. Sara pointed to Josh, "Stop him boy!" Kalinoc growled as he lunged for Josh. Sara smiled as the tiger pounced on Josh, "That is for all the years of hatred that you put against me!"
Fridge growled as he walked over to Telan, barring his teeth. Rachel clenched her fist, "You have the fury of the winter's ice to deal with, you will not survive!"
All heard the screech of Lightning Strike. Jordan whistled to him, "Lightning Strike! Now is your time! Strike them down with the fury of the heavens!" Lightning Strike screeched once more before soaring from the skies. His body was engulfed in surging lightning. He dive-bombed Josh, sensing that was the reason his charge was on the ground. Josh disappeared, not wanting to feel the wrath of the eagle.
Rachel inched her way to Telan, "I'm going to make you regret everything that you have done wrong in your life. . ."
"What about the bear?" Telan asked with a sneer.
"Fridge?" Rachel asked. She smiled, "He is just here to end your suffering after I am done!" She slammed her fist into her other hand, willing ice to freeze Telan to his place. She smirked as ice froze his feet to the ground, "Well, let's see you get out of this one!"
Telan smirked at her, "You might have frozen me to my place, but I can still harm you!" He held his hand up, revealing a ball of black energy. It sparked and crackled in his hand, "It seems that your attempt to finish me is going to end!" He pushed the energy towards Rachel.
Link lunged in front of Rachel, taking the blow for her. Rachel spared no time and did the same thing Telan had, but instead of dark energy, a ball of ice appeared. She pushed it at him, yelling in anger. It slammed into Telan's hands, causing them to freeze. She watched as Telan disappeared and then ran to Link's side. He was sweating heavily, "Link, are you ok?"
Link grabbed his chest, feeling very cold, "I think so. . ." All at once, he felt a warm presence wrap around him. He heard whispering.
'My love, I grant you power and warmth. I am here for you.'
Link closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, "Ryo." He stood, dusting off his leggings, "I am fine Rachel." He saw Rachel's saddened face, "Rachel, what is wrong?"
Rachel closed her eyes, putting a hand on Link's shoulder, "I worry for Kaige. . .What if they find out about our plan? What if they throw him into the dungeon? What if they torture him? I couldn't bear to see him in pain!"
Jordan growled, "All I want is to settle this and go back home!"
Rachel glared at him, "Well then, when this is all over, you can go home! You can ask Ryo and her brother to send you back, but I am staying here!"
"And why would that be?" Jordan asked. He sneered, "Is it because of Kaige?"
Rachel lunged at him, wanting to kill him, "So what if it is!? What if we love each other! It is more than what you provide!" Link grabbed her, and she started to cry, "I don't want him be get hurt! I could never live with myself!"
Link rubbed her back, "So we both lost someone we love, it is alright Rachel!" He looked at Jordan, "This isn't helping us! We are going to end up killing ourselves!"
"What's new?" Jordan shrugged, "Rachel and I fight like this all the time when Ryo isn't around! I think that was the only reason we were together, it was Ryo!"
~*With Kaige*~
Kaige looked at Ryo's form on the bed. It was sweating and pale. He sighed, "I didn't think the key would be so strong. . ."
"It is stronger than we all thought. Ryo is fighting it, I think seeing you and Link made her fight even more. When she gave Link some of her strength, I thought she was back, but the key had other plans." Follis shook his head, coming over to the side of the bed, "Kaige, if you can awaken her, please do. She needs to be Ryo and still have the powers of the key. . ."
Kaige smiled, "I can awaken her, and make it so the key is Ryo, and not a separate being. That's what my powers as her guardian can do. But it will take hours to complete, and we can't be interrupted."
Follis nodded, "Yes, I will make sure no one bothers you. I will bring your meals in here."
Kaige nodded and grabbed Ryo's hand, "Here we go. . ."
Follis walked out of the room, praying to the goddesses that it would work. He walked down the hall to the throne room, seeing Telan and Josh. He smiled to them, "Well, it seems that you failed."
"My lord, our attempts were all foiled!" Telan yelled.
Roeticus held up his hand, "What is it you wish to talk to me about Follis?"
"The key needs to rest today. She told me to tell you that no one is supposed to go into her room. She wishes to be alone and sleep in peace." Follis bowed.
"Yes, if it is the wish of the key, then so be it!" Roeticus yelled. He nodded, "You will watch over her, will you not?"
Follis smiled, "Of course."
Roeticus turned back to Telan and Josh, "I am going to send you back out to kill those nuisances!"
Josh bowed, "Yes my lord. . ." Both then turned to leave.
~**~
There ya go! I will work on the next chapter. I wonder what will happen next. . .
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Just press that little button down there and put something down.