The Recap:
Either my dream would come true and not in the good way or I would just make a complete fool of myself. Life, what I have I done to deserve this…A teardrop went down my cheek, as Rhianna took a step toward me. Apparently, my heart wasn't hurt enough. The gods wanted to take all the good in my life, in one day. But, I have to face whatever comes my way. That's what living life is. Rhianna looked me in the eyes. I could see what she planned to do. I only wished that it were my imagination. The few seconds of life left to me, I hoped that what I saw wasn't truly there. Not in the eyes of a friend, who was like a sister to me. Yet again, I thought to myself. This can't be happening.
----------------------------------------------------Rhianna's POV--------------------------------------------------------------
There wasn't much time left. He was watching, waiting more like and I knew it, he was. He watched me to make sure that I was going to finish her for him. If only Elestra knew what I was to do. Perhaps she did, her eyes told me that she seemed to know what I was going to do. If only she knew why. He's a lunatic and I'm just as bad as him, following his orders. If only, I could do something. She needed a chance. A chance to escape. I stepped toward her. If I was going to go through with my own plan, then, I had to hurry. I know he's going to stop me and he sure had the power to, but I had to at least try. I grasped her shoulder. I felt her wince slightly at my hand. She was scared, no doubt. As am I.
--------------------------------------------Back To Elestra's POV -------------------------------------------------------------
Am I imagining it, I wondered. I thought I saw tears in Rhianna's eyes. Was it truly a dream? Hope entered into me again. She stepped toward me. There was a conflict, in that mind of hers. If she were truly my friend, she would have a conflict inside of her. Perhaps, I'm just fooling myself.
"Elestra," Rhianna said, grasping my shoulder, causing me to wince. "Listen to me. You have-"
She nearly collapsed, but she steadied herself and I helped, letting her grasp my arm.
"Rhi," I said, concerned. "What's wrong?"
She was breathing a bit heavier, shuddering slightly. Her pupils were dilated and she looked horrible. Her skin was pale and slightly moist. She looked me in the eyes in anguish. She was in so much pain. From what, I didn't know.
"Run, Elle. It's a trick. It's too late for your mother. Go now!" She said, quickly.
Each word seemed to take a lot out of her and I feared that she was dying. I barely registered what she said about my mother.
"Not until I get help for you."
She shook head, tears starting to fall. She recovered some of her strength and pushed me away, back in the direction that we had been walking from.
"Go now!" She said, firmly.
Suddenly, the shadows seemed to reach out and it pulled Rhianna away, into them.
"Rhianna," I cried, trying to grasp her hand, before it disappeared into the blackness.
I was alone in this dank, dark pit. I had to do something to save Rhianna and mother, although I felt that I was the least likely person to do any rescuing. I started running down the hallway. She couldn't have actually thought that I would leave her behind and mother too. Especially what she did for me, for that chance to escape. I had a feeling whoever took Rhianna was waiting there and it wasn't going to be easy to get out of this situation. I silently prayed, as I ran down the dimly lit alley that mother wasn't dead yet and neither was Rhianna. When there's a will, there's a way. The air became colder and frigid, the deeper I went. The shadows were watching me. I knew they weren't ordinary shadows. They had captured Rhianna with their inky hands. I didn't know the way around, but luckily, there was only one path ahead of me, which I followed. I hoped I could make in time. I knew whoever harmed mother and taken Rhianna away would make Rhianna pay for trying to warn me. I couldn't trust that I was heading toward some evil with nothing to protect myself or fight with, except my bare hands. This is the most foolish thing I have done, but it was worth a try. Strangely enough, I didn't feel any fear. Perhaps, I did lose my mind, but then who doesn't eventually?
Finally, I came to a stop. I stood before a huge wooden door that seemed to accommodate a large grown giant. How I was to open it, I had no idea.
"Umm….Open Sesame?" I said, hesitantly.
My voice echoed down the alleyway behind me and suddenly a large click was heard, followed by an ominous creaking of the door. I would have found the whole scene hilarious, if I wasn't about to face something that might be the death of me.
Inside the room was a cozy place. I felt strange to enter such a warm atmosphere. There was a roaring fire in the hearth. Beautiful tapestries hung on the walls, rich with color and scenes of awe-inspiring landscapes of all kinds. The floor was luxuriously covered with a blood red carpet. There were a lot of wooden furnishings and gorgeous statues. The ceiling appeared to also accommodate a giant. It was painted with a colorful fantasy sea landscape with mermaids and the like. I had entered something that looked very much like a study. It was not the typical fighting ground, in the least and it was much different from what I expected. There wasn't even a hanging cage holding Rhianna and perhaps, my mother. Confused was the biggest understatement to express my emotions, right then. The door swung close abruptly and I had to run and then, leap to get out of its way. It slammed close with a ringing boom. I seemed to be locked in. There were no windows or other doorways. It seemed I was to be stuck here.
"Aren't you going to at least face me?" I asked.
I was pretty sure that this wasn't the way to save anyone and frustration pulled on my nerves. I hated not knowing what to do. It was an atrocious feeling and I had enough of it today to last every generation after me. Chuckling caused me to turn, but I couldn't find the source.
"Where are you? It isn't doing your reputation much good, if you're hiding from a girl." I yelled, taunting him.
Taunting was probably not the best way to go, but it was something to do, in this strange place. I didn't even feel like I was in Raea anymore. A strange slowly emanate into the room. The room got a little hazy from the smoke.
"What are you trying to do? Kill me with smoke inhalation?" I said with a tinge of worry and fear.
Smoke inhalation could kill me, but I hoped it wasn't how he or she planned to end me. Villains must always have a dramatic plan, mustn't they?
"Oh no," The voice replied. "Something much better. Just you wait."
"I have no time for this. Just come out so I can kick your rear back to Norsunder." I yelled. {W/R: Information from Sherwood Smith says that is "a retreat for some extremely evil people".}
My fear was overwhelmed with my anger and aggravation. The smoke around me started to choke me. I coughed, trying to breath in untainted air, but only got more smoke. The smell was familiar, yet I couldn't pinpoint what it was. The room soon turned into a smoky mass of gray. My coughs became more severe and I dropped to my knees. I would have been cursing the owner of the voice that had done this, if I had enough air to do so. My sight blurred and before I passed out completely, I heard footsteps. They stopped right by me and the person lifted me, pouring a strange liquid into my mouth. I tried to spit it out, but my mouth and nose was held close. I had no choice, but to swallow and in the process, I nearly choked. The person let me go then and it finally registered what I had taken and what I smelled. It was a blend of chamomile, vervain, and valerian. Herbs whose properties promote sleep. My muscles soon relaxed and I felt tingling sensations throughout my body. I passed out from the smoke and stayed unconscious, as the herbal properties went through my system.
"Wake up, sleepyhead." A female's voice drifted through my groggy head and my eyes forced themselves open.
"Rhianna?" I said, confused.
"Yeah, who else? Don't go back to sleep. Don't you want to be awake when he comes?" She said, excited.
"Who is 'he'?" I asked, catching onto her excitement and opening my eyes yet again, to the warm sunlight.
I sat further up against the tree supporting me. It was clear spring day with pleasant breezes slowly making its way around us occasionally. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I couldn't remember any remnants of the dream and couldn't place much of what had happened or where I was sitting. Rhianna and I sat beneath a beautiful sakura tree. It was in full bloom with beautiful pink-white flowers above us. It looked absolutely heavenly. Sunlight peered through the thin branches and warmed my skin. I breathed in the flowery scents, as another breeze embraced me, rippling the skirts of my gown, like the surface of a pond when it was disturbed. Occasionally, a petal or two would float down delicately, as the winds urged it to take flight into the clear blue sky. Our rich, grassy hill overlooked an ancient, abandoned palace ruin. It gave me a sense of awe and beauty. Wherever I was, it was perfect.
"Don't be silly. I'm going to go. He'll be here soon and I don't want to interfere." She told me with a twinkle in her eye.
Just what does she think we're going to do? I thought with a smirk. Who is she talking about, anyway? Before, I asked my question, she skipped down the hill, singing a love song. Her sweet lilt faded away before I got up. She must have known I would chase her for her implication with the song. I shook my head, wondering just what had gotten into my friend. A pair of hands snaked around my eyes, blocking my sense of sight.
"Guess who?" A male's voice said.
His voice seemed like it was on the verge of laughter and although, I couldn't see him or know who he was exactly, I knew he had a smile on his face.
"Umm….I don't know. Give me a hint."
"Why not?"
Lips enclosed over mine gently, surprising me. I overcame the shock, as my body melted from the kiss and I returned it. It was a familiar kiss, a familiar feeling, but it seemed like something from not so long ago. I couldn't hold onto the vague memory of what my mind was trying to remember. Now, I really felt that I was in heaven. He pulled away slowly and amazingly enough, I realized that he had kissed me with my eyes still covered. An awkward position it must have been, but he pulled it off.
"I still don't know. Can you repeat the hint again? I don't think I caught it exactly."
He chuckled softly and I could hear the gently whoosh of his hair, as he shook his head.
"Just how much do you enjoy kissing a stranger?"
I smiled, blushing faintly. A stranger. The words repeated in my mind. Then, something clicked into place, halfway. I remembered then, a person. There had been a specific person that had been my stranger. Tears appeared in the corners of my eyes, as I remembered him.
"What's the matter," The male said. "My heart breaks when you cry."
He leaned in and kissed tears away softly. He felt so familiar, so perfect, and so comfortable. I felt my heart flutter with the breathtaking feeling. It felt like something I had lost, not so long ago, but it was given back to me, at least for the time being. I gave a small laugh and opened my eyes when he was done. I gasped. {W/R: You all will love this part. * Giggles like a school girl-wait I am one, rofl.*}
"Flauvic?" I said, stunned.
He looked absolutely godlike. It wasn't nothing like the time when he took food from that woman at the inn, when we first met. This looked more real and genuine. The real Flauvic, deep inside somewhere. Petals flew down behind him and a soft gust blew a couple pure gold and wavy strands across his face. He looked just as I remembered him and so much better. He had more of a human color in his skin. His particularly light brown eyes were softer than I ever seemed them. They were directed at me and they seemed to tell me something that I knew all along, in a way.
This shock brought me out of my fantasy world. I groaned, as I woke from my drugged sleep. I dragged myself into a sitting position. I was slightly muddy from what I hoped to me wet mud on the cold, stone floor and hay stuck all over me. Of all things to dream about, I remarked in silence about my dream. All my feelings were cast away. Of all people.
"Oh great," I cried, as I tried to get the dirt off me.
I looked around my small space. I was in a typical dungeon. It was dirty and nasty. There was slime on the rock walls and water dripped somewhere, resonating. It was dimly lit and I barely saw anything in the cell, I was thrown. The only light came from outside my cage. I got up from my position on the floor, moving to peer from my cell. I looked down the pathway of awaiting cells, away from my own. There was a solid, closed door at the end and it was most likely locked.
"Oh, Just great! Really creative," I said, sarcastically.
"Torture me to death in a cell," I muttered. "That's never been done before. Can't even fight face to face with a girl."
I stuck so many times in one day with no idea what to do. A fairy godmother or anything would really help now! I have to get out and save everyone, if they didn't die already. Life! The hero life is atrociously hard. Outside my barred window, I saw that I had been unconscious for awhile with the sky a purplish-black. I wondered if mother was alive. I wondered if anyone noticed that I was gone or Rhianna. There's no use wondering.
I always heard a rumor that there was always one bar that was loose and I prayed that it was true, although it was doubtful. I rattled those metal things until my teeth chattered. It was hopeless.
"Utterly hopeless," I muttered.
I felt like crying, but for once, the salty pools wouldn't appear and nothing came out. I sighed. I couldn't even cry correctly. I banged my head against the metal bars. It hurt, but I didn't care. I just sent myself to doom and probably everyone else as well, because fate chose me as their heroine for this situation.
"Giving up already?"
I saw a pair of leather shoes move a few inches away from my cell.
"Come to taunt me now? Why don't you just let me out and see truly how brave you are?" I said without bothering to look up.
All evil had the same face anyway. There was always the trademark evil smirk and not to mention laugh that would ring out occasionally. Don't forget the mad glint in their eyes from the loony ideas in their minds. Probably has the occasional ugly scar or something as well. All this was pictured in my head without looking up. I remembered then, the tale my father and mother told about the war against Galdran. Mother had been in a cell once, but then she had help and escaped, very sick, but alive in spite of everything. I doubted that I would have such luck on my side.
"I think you have me mistaken with another." My villain said, at least I thought it was my villain.
"Oh really," I said and looked up. "Life! It's you!"
{W/R: I was going to end here, but your wonderful people kept me going. Plus, I couldn't bear another cliff when you people are so kind to me. I hope you appreciate it!}
I must have really banged my head too hard. Or else, there was more than just sleep herbs in that concoction. I moaned, in the realization that it wasn't a dream.
"This can't be happening. As if it wasn't bad enough, you appear!"
"What, you don't want me around? I'll just leave then and so will your chance of escaping."
"Oh Life! This just gets better and better, doesn't it? Oh fine, come back." I yelled to the retreating figure. "I'm sorry, alright! Come back, please!"
He was looking smug with himself when he stepped back before my dungeon cell. I felt like wiping that look off his face, but then, he was helping me greatly so I controlled myself.
"You have the key to get me out?"
"Why need a key when you're a mage?" He asked with a smile.
He sure boasts about it a lot, now that so many people know, I thought. I rolled my eyes, as he chanted a couple incomprehensible words. There was a small click and the metal cage swung open. I was so happy and relieved that I hugged him before I realized what I was doing a second later. Blushing, I removed my arms from around him and started walking out the door, as swiftly as I could. I turned around when I didn't hear footsteps following me. He was standing there, apparently a bit shocked at what I did. I blushed even more.
"Umm….are you just going to stand there like a tree?" I asked.
He glared at me, whether it was because of my remark or hug, I wasn't entirely sure. A couple large strides and he was beside and then, ahead of me.
"Where do you think you're going? Why are you even here? Why did you save me? How did you know where I was? Do you even know what you are doing?" My mouth sprouted questions of its own accord.
He sighed, shaking his head.
"To think, I thought time away from me would stop that incessant mouth of yours."
"Hey!" I said, stepping in front of him. "You don't have to be here, you know."
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me along, so that I matched his stride, well almost.
"You are wasting time and if you want to save your friend and Mel, then, we had better hurry up."
"You mean, mother's not dead?"
I felt so relieved hearing it. He's probably here to save mother. I thought when the realization hit me. He wanted her back then, didn't he?
"Stuck, but not dead." He replied with a cool mask on his face.
"You have a lot of questions to answer after I'm done with this."
I pulled my hand out of his grasp and started running toward Lord Devin's room, the correct or possible route. I faintly heard Flauvic mutter the word optimist, as he ran to catch up with me. {W/R: So he's BACK finally, right? Happy now? As if you guys didn't realize he'll come back eventually. The sneaky fellow. Rofl.} With him by my side, no matter what brought him, I felt much safer. It was strange, seeing as that he nearly tried to kill so many, so long ago. Who cares why he came, he just did. I couldn't help all the same, but smile. I had missed him, even though I didn't think about him as often. Maybe, I did have a chance to save my mother and Rhianna and then, finally get some questions answered. I braced myself for the worst, as we neared the open door to our destination. Here goes everything…
{W/R} Doesn't everyone feel much happier now that Flauvic Merindar has finally returned? It's going to get really interesting from here on, I hope. Sadly, these are going to be the last few chapters, so you better savor them and review a lot. I hope to write a sequel, but it ALL depends on my schedule and my kind reviewers. Hmm…now what else to say? Oh yes, THANK YOU to those who have reviewed. You all make me extremely happy!!! And I hope you review yet again for this chapter. Come on, you know you want to. Everyone is doing it. Okay, not everyone, but don't be a follower, be a leader. That position can be so cool, sometimes. Yeah, lots of babbling right now. So shut me up and go review.
Don't think that I forgot my INDIVIDUAL thanks.
Rane2920072~ *Hug* Thanks for getting me out of my boredom!! And for your reviews (of course)!!! J Clubbie!!! Rofl.
FelSong~ Sorry about confusing you. The little star section thing was the unknown pov, if it's the Mr. Mysterious (a.k.a. mystery/ dream guy) or Lord Damien, you'll see. When Elestra is FINALLY on the ground, the person she thought caught her (for a second until she looked up at him) was Mr. Mysterious, but it turned out to be none other than Lord Damien. After Lord Damien leaves, the Mr. Mysterious comes. Oh heavens, I just realized that there are too many guys in this story, especially mystifying and secretive types. And to think, I thought I'd have more girl characters than guys in the beginning of this story. I hope that helps and again, sorry about the confusing characters. Don't forget to work on your fanfic, as soon as you can. :D
Emerald-Random~ Ahhh!!! *Jumps up and down crazily* It's your lucky day, because Flauvic, THE ONE AND ONLY FLAUVIC has finally arrived!!! Whoo hoo!!!! Aren't you filled with questions about how and why and whatnot? Don't worry, hopefully I'll answer all of them. If not, my email address is in my profile, so you can email me your question. I hope you update your fanfic!!!
Loup Garou42~ I was wondering where you went. I'm glad you read both chapters and you reviewed. Heehee, I'm happy that you like the drama, so do I. I hope your question was answered with this update. Don't forget to review. :]
Rhexi~ Glad you like. You know I can't tell you whom she ends up with. Yeah, I'm going to miss Vidanric. I will bring him in the epilogue, of course, I think. Enjoy this chapter? You'll like the next one better, I think. I joined the LiveJournal thing. I can't believe you drag me into these things so easily. Evil mind, I tell you. Lol.
The Jade Lady~ Thanks for the review!! Enjoy this update?
Erkith~ You seem familiar. You reviewed when I first started this story, right? If you did, I'm glad you came back and reviewed twice. It really made me happy (And even happier when you put me on your alert list)!!! I'm glad you look forward to the sequel. About reviewing your story, it was my pleasure. I hope you continue writing and update soon!!!! So many people want the mystery guy to be Flauvic. I'm not surprised, I mean he's FLAUVIC for goodness sake, rofl. I knew from the beginning who I would make the mystery guy be, as to if it is who you expect, you and everyone will have to wait to find out. As to my interest in the unpredictable, I actually do find it quite amusing when story twists. We'll see if it happens later on. :]
Starbrush~ Lol. Thanks for the review and the compliment. As for who the mystery guy is, as of yet, still a mystery. Stay tuned and you'll find out soon at the end.
Wow EIGHT reviewers for this chapter. I have a total of two people who put me on their favorites list and three who put me on their author alert. Yup, I totally feel so spesho and loved from all the reviews I got!!! I'm honored as always to get such kind reviews and wonderful reviewers!!!! Thanks so much for all your support. I hope you liked this chapter, as well. So three more chapters or so and an epilogue to go. Excited? No? Oh wells. Lol. Laters. Don't forget the ever-wonderful review button before you leave. GO PRESSY AND GIMME A REVIEWIE!!! (Lack of reviews makes me nuttier and stranger than I already am.)
