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Author's Note: Late again. X_x Someone hit me please, I was sick for two weeks and finally got this up. X_x I hope you all enjoy this chapter, again it's about as long as the last one and I've dropped a few more "hints". While Michael *is* afraid of Tala, he does have a backbone of his own. XD Ahh…poor Enrique seems so disturbed lately and *drumroll* a battle! ^^ For those of you who like Aquana, the next chapter will prove interesting for you because it's a special about Aquana. ^^ I did *cough* drop a few Aquana hints here and there, more next time! Enjoy! And tell me all your thoughts in your reviews!
Oh, I've changed my MSN email @_@, the contact list is cleaner now XD, so if anyone wants to chat, you can add me! forever_sarcastic@hotmail.com
Dedication: My dedication goes to Saffron this time; I swear that I love Michael as much as you do. *singz* I made Michael fanlisting!!! ^^ Thanks so much for reading my fic and I hope you enjoy this chapter and Michael's role in the story! *hugz*
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Chapter 13: Power Beyond Control
Michael tumbled on the floor, slamming into the wall while clutching his wounded face. Breathing heavily, he struggled on his knees, looking up into cold, ice-blue eyes. The blowing air stung his now bleeding forehead and he painfully coughed away the bitter taste of blood trickling down his face.
"I'm losing my patience with you Michael," Tala hissed, his eyes glittering malevolently while he clenched his hand into a fist, "You make me utterly sick sometimes, don't you think this little wake-up call was necessary?"
"But I didn't do anything wrong," Michael mumbled, still stunned from Tala's blow.
"You didn't do anything wrong," Tala sneered, "I warned you to stay away from the princess, but you insist on disobeying, what the hell do you want me to do with you? You're going to give me away and that's something I'm not going to stand for. Michael, do yourself a huge favor and listen to me for once, there's no use for you to get attached, this place is going to collapse sooner or later."
"It was our home," Michael murmured, looking hurt.
"Don't talk to me about home," Tala said bitterly, "I don't want to remember anything from my so-called home. I'll be more than glad to see it burn along with Ithildin. I'd love to burn it myself."
"Tala!" Michael exclaimed, looking offended, "Tala, why must you do this? Why? I know you loved our valley as much as I did. I'm sorry that things didn't go your way –"
"Shut up!" Tala ordered, "Not another word out of you! I told you before Michael, we are never going to talk about our childhood again. Never. Curse you for reminding me, I had almost forgotten it all."
"You can't forget it," Michael insisted, "It's a part of you. Why are you trying to forget it?"
"Are you deaf? Or are you just ignoring what I told you before? I won't stand being ignored," Tala hissed, his eyes glittering dangerously, "Michael, I'm already mad enough, are you trying to push me?"
"No…"
"I want that Imperium Gem, I'm running out of patience, can't you wheedle some information out of the princess?" Tala demanded, "I know she has it, I just can't figure out where she would be hiding it now…you went down with her into that weird dungeon below the throne room, didn't you? Didn't you see what she did with the gem?"
"Errrr…me?" Michael asked, trying to look innocent, but unfortunately his voice came out in a high-pitched squeak. He fidgeted nervously as he remembered the spell that Carly has cast to hide the gem away.
"Am I likely to be talking to myself?" Tala growled, his patience obviously wearing again, "Yes, you - unless there's some invisible person looming around in your room that I can't see."
//If I tell him…what if he goes now and attacks Carly for it? He looks mad enough to do it…// Michael gulped, "I don't know! I went down with them, but once they got to the Imperium Gem, Carly made everyone leave while she performed some sort of spell on it, when I came back, it was gone." Sweat quietly trickled down his face, Michael prayed that Tala wouldn't notice, he had never lied to him before and he didn't want to know the consequences that came with the deed.
Fortunately Tala was too annoyed and frustrated to pay much attention to Michael. "Hmph! I figured that much," he grumbled, sweeping out the room without another word.
Michael finally sat down in relief, touching his wounded cheek tenderly, "I have to be careful about what I say around Tala…I don't want to hurt Carly…it'll never be my intention but I can't go around lying to Tala forever either…what am I going to do? What the heck am I supposed to do now?"
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"And where are you going?" Enrique demanded, slamming the door behind him as he entered, with his cape gracefully swishing in the wind.
"Good morning to you too Enrique," Carly said, raising her eyebrows.
"Good morning," Enrique said shortly, repeating his question curtly, "Where are you going?"
"To wait, I'm sure the Nonda`Kanoste is going to show up sooner or later, I'll be at the top tower waiting for our guest," Carly explained, stringing her longbow tightly, "Oh? You're talking to me, I see."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Enrique snapped heatedly.
Carly decided to ignore her friend's snappish tone and reply, "I heard you in your room last night, you were in a real state, smashing things around and yelling about how you were never going to talk me again."
"I was mad."
"Quite obviously."
"I had every right to be mad," Enrique said defensively, "First you decide to use the Imperium Gem. Then you decide to totally change your emblem. And –"
The door opened quietly and Michael peeked in, "Good morning princess, Enrique. I'm sorry for interrupting…"
"Come in Michael," Carly said, waving him in with a warm smile.
"And then you start listening to this – this –" Enrique scowled at Michael, trying to find a suitable word but failing, "This outcast!" Enrique's scowl deepened when he realized that Carly wasn't even listening to him, which wasn't such a bad thing in case the princess flew into right rage because of his words.
"Michael…" Carly stared at him with wide eyes, "You're bleeding."
"Oh that," Michael tenderly touched the gash across his forehead, "Yeah, I was wondering if you had any herbs I could put on it. It kind of stings…"
"Oh of course, I'll get it right away," Carly said, still gawking at him, "What happened? You've got this huge bruise near your eye. Are you okay?"
Michael stiffened when Carly brushed her fingers across his cheek gently, grimacing slightly and inching away nervously, "It's not a big deal, I just walked into something, that's all." Behind him, he could hear the gagging noise from Enrique change into a loud, derisive snort.
Carly was just about to tell Enrique off when Aquana marched into the room, her golden hair gleaming in the sun. She smiled at everyone in her room and turned to the blond knight, "Enrique! How are you feeling? I was so worried about you last night; I thought I heard you smashing things in your room. I do hope you're feeling better today?"
"Fine," Enrique muttered, looking a bit embarrassed now that Aquana was in the picture. He shut his mouth and said nothing more.
"Hmmm…I just found the perfect Enrique mouth-trap," Carly commented, grinning at Enrique's deep glower, "I'll go get you some ointment Michael and some of herbal things that Flora uses. Be right back!"
"What happened?" Aquana asked Michael in concern, "Are you hurt?"
"I – uh – just walked into something," Michael stammered, covering his bruised cheek self-consciously.
"Walked into what?" Enrique asked sarcastically, draping his arm across his chair with narrowed eyes, "Tala?"
"Just what…are you implying?" Michael questioned uncertainly.
"Oh Enrique, give the poor boy a rest!" Aquana said, frowning, "Look at him, he's hurt. Honestly, you can be most insensitive –"
"I'm not, I'm just being cautious," Enrique protested, standing up, "There something very strange about him and –"
"Then there's a very thin line between being cautious and being rude," Aquana pointed out.
"Rude?! I'm not being rude!" Enrique glowered, his voice getting louder by the second while Michael tried to slink away from the argument.
"But you're being very loud," Tala commented quietly from the doorway, his blue eyes guarded as usual, "And you're disturbing Flora. She needed a good night's sleep."
"Geez, didn't know you cared," Enrique muttered darkly.
"Michael, why are you so foolishly standing in the middle of the room, covering your face?" Tala demanded in disgust, "Why can't you make yourself useful and –"
"Excuuuuuuuuse me Tala," Carly interrupted from the doorway, "If I may get by…" She edged past Tala and approached Michael with her hands full, "Why in the name of Ithildin is everyone meeting here? Michael, stop fidgeting, I can't properly treat you if you don't stop wiggling around, please, sit down."
Michael slumped down on the nearest chair, trying extremely hard not to meet Tala's frozen cold eyes. "Ouch," Michael flinched when Carly's fingers brushed past the gash on his forehead.
"I'm sorry, but it's going to sting obviously, I have to cleanse it properly," Carly said, shaking her head, "Maybe next time you won't be so dazed as to walk into something that would leave you in this state! This gash on your forehead is absolutely horrible."
Tala snickered, his turquoise eyes glittered in cruel amusement, "Oh really Michael? You walked into something? I wonder what it was. You really ought to be more careful, you know, you're lucky whatever you 'walked' into wasn't very mad. It could've done worse."
Michael kept his gaze fixed on the ground, not letting anyone see the spiteful humiliation and helpless shame reflecting in his navy eyes.
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"I'm begging you to change your mind," Flora pleaded, grabbing Carly's arm, her silver-blue eyes watering, "Please Carly, for the both of us, you can't use that emblem. Do you want me to get on my hands and knees and plead?"
"No!" Carly looked at her, horrified, "What are you saying? Honestly Flora, it's not a big deal. Trust me – as future ruler, you must have some trust in me. I can assure you that I know exactly what I'm doing. Father Nomin said it was fine and he knew my father very well."
"I think you're making a really big mistake," Flora said tearfully, "I can see that your mind is set on this – but don't forget this Carly. I can't make you listen to me! But I'll never ever forgive you if something bad happens! And with the way you're going about in this, something bad is bound to happen sooner or later!" She stormed off and disappeared around the corner.
Carly stared after her with wide eyes, "I think she just threatened me. And Flora rarely threatens anyone. The whole world is going nuts these days. I swear, the world is falling apart and I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of it all. I don't think that it could get any worse than this –"
"Princess!" a familiar voice rang out gallantly, "I finally found you, and I've missed you so!"
"Guess I was wrong – it could get worse…much worse. Curses, I forgot about this creep…" Carly rolled her eyes in disgust as William hurried down the corridor, "Well, the feeling's most certainly not mutual. I thought you left, it was actually quiet for a few hours."
"Leave? But I cannot leave! Not without our wedding plans," William protested sweeping his slick black hair to one side with a dazzling smile.
"Oh yeah, our wedding plans," Carly said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "I have a plan, how about you commit suicide and I'll live happily ever after, how's that for a fairytale ending?"
"Princess, you are most cruel," William said dramatically, "But I know it's just an act, I know that deep down you love me as much as I love you."
"Don't kid yourself," Carly snapped in disgust, "Me? Love you? I'll love you all right, so very much when you're looking pretty with my poison dart through your throat."
William clucked his tongue disapprovingly, heaving a drastic sigh, "Very un-ladylike – as usual. Have it your way, my lovely fiancée, but you can't fight destiny. Within a few weeks, you and I shall happily be on our honeymoon. It is agreed upon already by contract, so I'm afraid you have no say in the matter."
"Listen you!" Carly hissed, grabbing his collar with a murderous gleam in her emerald eyes, nearly strangling the poor fellow, "You think you've got this whole marriage thing figured out, but guess again. You don't know me – when I say I'm not getting married, I mean I'm not getting married. Wild stallions wouldn't stop me. You had better be careful around here, or you may fall asleep and never wake again. I swear to you that we will not marry and we will not, even if I have to kill both of us to do it." She threw him down in deep revulsion and stormed away.
She was marching so that fast that she didn't notice someone turn the corner and walked right into him, "Michael!"
"Sorry princess, my apologies," Michael said with an embarrassed smile, "Gosh…you look mad."
"Mad is understated," Carly replied, her anger slowly melting away at the sight of Michael's confused, but genuinely sincere face, "I'm not getting married that disgusting animal."
"Then I wish you luck in escaping marriage," Michael added, "But didn't you say you were to head to the Ithildian Gates to look out for the Nonda`Kanoste? I sense trouble."
"Really?" Carly gasped, her emerald eyes burning "Now? We've got to go then - I'm ready to get revenge!"
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"Look boss," a Gurtha grunted beside Johnny, pointing warily up at the tower as they approached the Ithildin gates.
Johnny followed the Gurtha's gaze and for a short moment, surprise caught his face. "Well, well, well," he sneered, testing the edge of his axe grudgingly against the ground, "If it isn't my welcoming committee…" His amethyst eyes glared up at the girl standing at the top of the tower, quickly scanning her body for weaknesses, //Hmm…it doesn't look like she very injured…or maybe she's just hiding it well…still, I would've expected her to stay down for at least a few days…hmph…//
"I can't believe you can back for more," Carly hissed, "I warn you Nonda`Kanoste, leave now or you'll sorely regret it."
"Leave? Oh, I don't think so Tariena," Johnny drawled, "You see I'm scheduled to destroy the sculpture of the late king today –"
"Touch my father's sculpture with your filthy hands and you won't live to see another tomorrow," Carly threatened icily.
"Your so-called father was a fool," Johnny snarled, "I'd gladly smash down all representation of him anytime. You're wasting your precious life Tariena, wasting it on protecting this dying land."
"You're a murdering scum which shouldn't even be allowed to roam this world," Carly retorted, "The sight of you poisons my eyes."
"Then would you like me to rip out your eyes for you?"
"I'd like to see you try, fool!"
Johnny tapped his foot impatiently, trying to control his rising anger. She was getting to him, he'd admit, she was really getting on his nerves. The impudence, the insults, the attitude was getting unbearable. Cracking his knuckles, Johnny sneered at her, "Very good Tariena, your insults are most effective."
"I told you before Nonda`Kanoste, don't ever call me Tariena," Carly snapped, "I refuse to hear that name from your lips."
"Too bad, Tariena, too bad, it's already a habit," Johnny snickered, "What's wrong, don't fancy the nickname?"
Carly growled, clenching her fists angrily, a vein throbbing in her head reflected her fury, //What's he getting at? If he thinks I'm going to stand around and let him tease me like that, he's in for a rude awakening. Why Tariena? No one's ever called me that!// Something tugged at the back of her mind, stirring her mind into a blurry haze. She could hear a voice shimmering in her head.
"Hold the bow like that Tariena, aim carefully, don't let your eyes leave your target and just release the arrow. Great job, that was much closer, you're really getting the hang of this, with no time at all, you'll be a professional archer!"
Carly winced as her head gave a twinge in response to that memory, //I have no idea where that came from, it's annoying, all these little flashbacks. Who was that person? Was it…Kane? I haven't seen Kane is years…I don't even remember anything about him…could he be the one who gave me that nickname…? Kane will have to wait – I have more important matters to attend to right now.//
"Tariena," Johnny drawled, "Stop daydreaming already. Now, are you going to let me in nicely or do I have to knock this whole wall down?"
"Just try it!" Carly snarled, "Your stupid attack last time nearly had me killed and I assure you that I'm ready for you this time! If you think you can just keep coming here and destroying things, think again! I don't make the same mistake twice."
"Pelekta yassen runya!!! (Flame Strike!)" Johnny yelled, bursting black power from his hands and smashing down a good portion of the wall without much effort. With an evil grin on his face, Johnny advanced slowly, juggling black fire in his hands and laughing, "You don't stand a chance Tariena, Pelekta yassen runya!" With another blast, the wall that Carly was standing on collapsed.
Carly managed to leap away, landing on the ground in front of the rubble, "Oh! Why you!" She whirled back around to see the front portion of the Ithildian Gates disintegrate into a pile of useless, broken stones.
"Attack," Johnny ordered, pointing to the Gurtha, "Storm the city."
"Not on my life," Enrique growled, appearing from the mess and twirling his sword, "It won't be that easy."
"You want to fight me?" Johnny laughed, "Just the sight of you amuses me. I cannot believe that you haven't realized that you'll never be able to match me, neither in skill nor power. I think you should go back and take the knight's initiation again; surely, you cannot be fit for a knight."
"Why you repulsive snake!" Enrique snarled, "I'll kill you with my own two hands if I have to."
"Sorry Enrique, but this one's mine. I'll make him pay for storming Lanthir," Aquana added, emerging from the rubble with a long weapon in her hands.
"Aquana, you weren't supposed to come," Enrique protested, "I thought I told you to stay in the castle!"
"You're not going to stop me from fighting for a good cause," Aquana said stubbornly, whipping her weapon skillfully, "I have to record to settle with him."
"That's a halberd!" Enrique croaked, staring at the weapon in her hands in awe, "Those things are mighty hard to wield."
"You're underestimated me Enrique," Aquana replied with a smile, "I'm not just pretty to look at; I can be pretty dangerous too." She held her halberd firmly; the shiny silver weapon was much like Michael's two-headed spear, except that there was only a spear head at one end. And a bit lower the spear head was double blade; the one on the right was curved into a scythe-like blade while a small hook-like blade was curving downwards on the left. The weapon stood a good couple of inches above her.
"So you all want to play, huh? You all want a piece of me, do you?" Johnny sneered, "Why not? Then let the fun and games begin. Let's start, Gurtha, go after that blond knight and his pretty female acquaintance. I'm watching you Aquana Nenuvar, there are many people who are immensely interested in you."
Aquana looked taken back, her turquoise eyes surprised, "Interested…? In me?"
"What the hell are you babbling about?" Enrique growled, a storm stirring violently in his hazel eyes.
"Did I ask for a second opinion?" Johnny demanded before sneering at Aquana, his amethyst eyes laughing at some secret joke, "Don't you wish that you were dead sometimes? Your poor hometown Lanthir – flooded – burned – demolished –"
"SHUT UP!" Aquana screamed, alarm reflecting her eyes, "I'll kill you!!!" She whipped her halberd forward furiously, breathing heavily.
"I don't have to kill you," Johnny laughed, knocking her weapon aside with his axe, "Only a week left until the next Dark Moon, Aquana of Lanthir. Time has already past after the Half Moon; the Dark Moon looms closer with each passing day. So I leave you with that thought to haunt you – like Lanthir's destruction will haunt you for the rest of your miserable life."
"You – be quiet," Aquana ordered, her voice shaking in anger. Her face had gone very pale and the dread reflected in her clear turquoise eyes.
"You have a miserable life," Carly sneered, "Honestly, Nonda`Kanoste, I'm so very jealous, paying all your attention to her or have you forgotten that I'm still here?"
"Let's get this over and done with, maybe this time you'll stay dead," Johnny snarled, whirling his axe in his hands, "You know you're no match for me, Tariena."
"Quite the contrary," Carly laughed, "Don't move Nonda`Kanoste, because I'm about to kill you. Just stand and watch. I'll be kind – I'll even dig your grave for you."
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"How sweet, she's tending to you like a little puppy," Tala mocked Michael, "The more I hurt you, the more she seems to sympathize you."
"I didn't say a thing," Michael muttered, "Tala – just let me be for once, please, I'm begging you. I don't want them to know."
"To know that you work for me?"
"You know what I mean."
"Of course," Tala sneered, "There's no shame attached to working for me, Michael. Unless, of course, that you think that your newfound friends would think less of you…much less." He shook his head, a wicked smile overtaking his handsome, but cold features, "Michael, Michael, Michael, you should've learn by now, your pride, your honor, you have neither. I control your life, every single aspect of it, there's no need to be ashamed."
"Tala!"
Tala looked up, annoyed, "Can't you knock?" His tone softened when he saw who it was, "Oh – it's you, Flora."
"Tala, Michael, we should head over to the Ithildian Gates, a messenger told me that the Nonda`Kanoste is here already!" Flora exclaimed.
//And the princess might use the Imperium Gem…excellent…// Tala thought slyly. "Thank you Flora. Let's move," he commanded.
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"What the hell are you doing?" Johnny demanded, "Some sort of sorcery?" He watched as a white glow appeared between the princess's hands, surprise overtaking his eyes as a crystal orb appeared in the princess's hands. "That's – that's –"
"The Imperium Gem!" Michael gasped, rushing into the scene with Flora and Tala behind him.
//The Imperium Gem…// Tala thought with a smirk, //Finally…finally…//
"Just what are you going to do?" Johnny demanded, looking warily at the shining jewel hovering in the princess's hands.
Carly smirked, "Just what I said I was going to do, knight, kill you. I think it's time you felt a taste of your medicine. Pela en' bela templa! (Energy Vortex!)"
Johnny almost fell forward when he felt the power of the attack; the suction was so strong, he could see everything around him being warped and destroyed.
"Carly! Be careful!" Enrique hollered above all the noise, "Carly!!"
"Do you want to match my power?" Carly taunted, aiming the Imperium Gem forward at the two Gurtha standing close by Johnny.
Johnny watched in horror as the power literally ripped the Gurtha apart, //Oh great…it looks like I'm in for it this time…no wonder Daeloth wants that thing…it has limitless power!//
Carly was about to aim towards the remaining Gurtha, when she felt herself being thrown forward. Finding it very hard to breathe, she tried to settle down the gem, but it flared even brighter than before. Hopelessly, she realized that the magnifying power in the Imperium Gem was beyond her control. //Oh no…the gem's taking over…I can't control it…it's destroying everything…I can't stop it…//
"Carly, aim carefully!" Aquana cried, as the wall in front of her burst up without warning making her leap back in horror, "Carly!"
Carly dug her heels into the ground, trying to keep on her legs, "I'm trying…it's too…strong…" The power of the Imperium Gem burst up in front of her, sending her tumbling back and crashing into the nearby structure. Everyone watched in horror as the structure completely blew up. //It's out of my control! It's feeding its power off my energy…I'm weakening…no…no…there's too much power in the gem…it'll explode with any movement…//
"It explodes on contact," Flora cried, "Carly! Are you okay?"
"Can't…control…it…" Carly gasped, struggling on her feet, "It's…too…powerful…I can't settle it…"
"I knew something like this would happen!!" Enrique shouted, wincing as random objects around him blew up, including all of the Gurtha that had followed Johnny's command, "Now what the hell do we do??" He gasped when the loose rocks fallen from the walls whizzed past him, cutting his face. "Ow! Carly!"
Aquana spun her halberd protectively in front of her, stopping the impact from reaching her while Flora quickly cast a protective barrier around her. Tala had his back against the nearest tree, more interested in seeing how the Imperium Gem functioned than protecting his own life.
"Carly!" Michael yelled, looking alarmed, "You've got to stop it from impulsing, its powers are magnifying!" He tried to advance towards her.
"No Michael!" Carly shouted, "It's too strong, stay away from me or I might kill you!" She winced as electricity starting forming from the Imperium Gem, grimacing with each crackle of electricity. Things were starting to blur before her eyes, and she realize that she was slowly being drained of her energy. And the power – it was hurting her, it was so strong that was pulsing like seismic waves, and with every pulse came gashes of pain to her body.
"Princess…you're hurt…" Michael whispered.
Johnny's mouth curled into a slight smirk, "How every convenient, trying to use the Imperium Gem against me, but not being able to control it. This is so very amusing…"
"It's not funny!" Carly yelled, thrusting the Imperium Gem forward purely by accident to get a better grasp on it and forwarding a mega burst of energy towards Johnny, smashing the opposing knight high into the sky.
Johnny was so shocked at the impact that he didn't even have time to react as he was thrown into the air. He could feel blood dripping from his cheek and the power ripped his black cape to shreds. He could feel numbing pain from the rest of his body and the feeling of cuts and gashes ripping his shoulders. Realization that he was beaten suddenly hit him as his armor cracked, crumbling to pieces. The roaring over the power overwhelmed his senses and all he could see, hear, and feel was the amplifying power. It was so incredibly strong that he landed a good distance from Ithildin, collapsing on the sandy dunes by the outskirts of the kingdom.
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"At least that's one problem taken care of," Enrique muttered at the Nonda`Kanoste was thrown out of sight.
"Enrique, what are you going to do about the Imperium Gem?" Flora cried, looking desperate, "It's destroying everything, it's out of control!"
"This is entirely my fault…" Aquana murmured, tears stinging in her eyes, "My stupid suggestion…now Ithildin's going to be destroyed thanks to me…"
"That gem is going to destroy Carly if we don't stop it!" Enrique yelled desperately.
"Carly, let it go, let it go!" Flora shouted.
"I can't – I won't be responsible for destroying Ithildin," Carly said with a grimace, "If I let it go now, the gem will attack the ground and then there might an earthquake and I can't afford that…Ithildin's my kingdom, I will protect it!" The gem impulsed again and sent Carly flying backwards until she smashed into another portion of the wall, causing it to explode again. She narrowly escaped the tumbling stone by thrusting herself to one side, unfortunately aiming the Imperium Gem at the tree which Tala was standing behind and causing the whole tree to flare up in flames.
Tala backed away, looking very shocked, "Such power…shocking…"
"I'm going to stop it," Michael told Tala, throwing down his cape and spear quickly.
"Why?"
Michael stared at Tala incredulously, not believing that he actually asked why. "Because I don't want her to get hurt, it's not her fault she can't control it!" Michael snapped.
Tala shook his head, "No. If she was stronger, she would be able to control. Only the weak are not able to summon such power."
"The Imperium Gem is consuming! It feeds off the energy of its user, you know that and it's feeding too much off Carly. She could control it if she had known, but she wasn't prepared!" Michael protested.
"I forbid you to do it Michael."
"I have to help!"
"I said I forbid you."
"Tala!!!!!!!" Michael growled in frustration, almost frantic now, "Please? I'm begging you. If I don't step in, the Imperium Gem might destroy us all, then how would you get it?"
Tala snarled at Michael, obviously dissatisfied with his choices. But when the tree in front of them toppled down with a huge crash and the flames licked the grass ravenously, it seemed to have confirmed his decision. "Since you put it that way, I have no other choice. Fine, go work your little magic!"
Michael nodded and sprinted past Enrique and Aquana. "H-hey, wait!" Enrique stammered, "What the hell is he doing??"
"Michael!" Aquana cried, "Michael, wait!"
"Carly!" Michael yelled, "Carly, give me the Imperium Gem!" He winced when his voice broke, the power of the Imperium Gem was creating such a racket that he couldn't hear himself think.
"You guys, get out of here!" Carly shouted over the noise, evidently her voice was much louder than Michael's because everyone heard her. "It's too strong, it's raging out of my control!" As if to prove the point, the gem blew up another part of the marketplace before hurling Carly back again. Preparing herself to smash into another wall and start the whole cycle of blowing up again, Carly was surprise to bump into someone else instead.
Stopping her from another smash contact, Michael fought to keep his hold on the princess's shoulder. "Give it to me," Michael insisted, digging in his heels to stop himself from being pushed back by the force.
Carly could barely turn around, horror reflecting in her eyes, "M-Michael, what are you doing? Stay away from me, I might blow you up!"
"No, you are not going to blow me up," Michael assured, "Just give me the gem." He tried reaching for it, but the electricity crackling around the gem just intensified, causing both of them to leap back in shock. "Ow," Michael winced when a jolt of electricity stung his face.
"Michael…get lost…" Carly said, trying to talk through all the power that was bursting in front of her, "I can't hold this up much longer, when I collapse, this whole place is going to blow, just get lost…"
"Carly, give the Imperium Gem to me RIGHT NOW!" Michael snapped. His voice was very sharp and harsh, unlike his usual calm and rational manner.
Carly stared at him in shock, "B-but…"
Michael gently grasped both of her wrists, looking in her eyes firmly, "Trust me princess, give me the gem, I know what I'm doing."
Carly didn't know why she did it, but the look in Michael's eyes was so determined, so sure, and so worried that she found herself reluctantly passing the electrifying, power-bursting hazard jewel into Michael's hands.
"Nebel a i arrn (Calm of the storm)," Michael whispered as soon as he had possession of the gem and the orb immediately blinked out its power. Everyone sighed in relief as the air became normal and pressure-less, and the roaring of intense power died down.
"Thank…you…" Carly murmured before her eyes glazed over and she collapsed forward into Michael.
"Princess!" Michael gasped, catching the falling girl in his arms.
"Carly!" Flora rushed forward with Tala, Aquana, and Enrique behind her. "Oh Carly – I told you this was a bad idea, now look what happened!!"
Aquana's face reflected shame when she heard those words and she turned around silently, walking away, alone.
"Is she all right?" Tala asked curiously, "Is she dead?"
Flora made a face at Tala, "No, of course not, she's just exhausted; a good long rest will do wonders for her."
"That's good," Michael commented, looking a bit uncomfortable with Carly in his arms, "Umm…should I – hey!"
"Thank you," Enrique said curtly, snatching the Imperium Gem from Michael's grasp and throwing it back into the glass case, "You have a lot of explaining to do Michael." His hazel eyes faced Michael coldly and full of mistrust.
Michael looked nervously at Tala who pretended he hadn't heard a word. "But the princess…shouldn't we get her back to the castle?"
"Good heavens, yes!" Flora exclaimed, "She needs to be in bed. Do you need help carrying her?"
"Umm…no…I've got her," Michael said awkwardly, blushing.
"Aquana?" Enrique called, "Where are you going?"
"I need to be alone," Aquana said miserably, slowly walking further and further away from Enrique as if she was in a trance, her golden hair streaming in the wind, "I just want to be alone…"
"Aquana…" Enrique whispered, watching her lone figure disappear from sight, "Aquana…"
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Johnny stirred a few hours later and fought to get up on his knees, realizing that his entire body was shivering in aches and pain. Bitterly spitting out sand from his dry mouth, he staggered on his feet spitefully. He wiped the blood from his face, and gingerly threw away his shredded cape. He looked at his torn cape in disgust as the piece of cloth floated on the ground, //I was so stupid…I just stood there and let myself get blasted…so much power…you are so going to pay for this Tariena. I won't let you off so easily…I'll kill you for this!//
Ignoring his painful wounds and the blood trickling from the various cuts on his body, Johnny mounted the horse that had faithfully returned after the battle and rode off towards Daeloth's castle. When reaching the gloomy structure, Johnny stormed up the stairs to the throne room and burst inside.
Busy toying with his cobra, Daeloth glared up at Johnny in annoyance, "What is your problem? I sent you hours ago, I almost thought you were killed."
"I was almost killed!" Johnny snarled, "And it's all your fault!" He wiped blood from his mouth and spat distastefully on the stone floor.
"How so? It is none of my concern that you weren't able to match up against the princess and her pathetic army," Daeloth scoffed, surveying Johnny with loathing, "Look at you – you're bleeding everywhere, what in the name of hell happened?"
"I'll tell you what happened!" Johnny growled, "She used the Imperium Gem – on ME! You cheating scum, you never told me that the princess was capable to wielding the Imperium Gem! In fact, you told me that she would never use it against her opponents!"
Daeloth looked shocked, "You mean, the Imperium Gem was actually used against us?"
"Yes!" Johnny snarled, "Otherwise how would I have gotten so beat up? She used some sort of spell and starting blasting everything with that stupid jewel. I want an explanation Daeloth, why did you lie to me and tell me that the gem would not be used against me."
"Because it has never been used, it has not been used in nearly three centuries, how would I have guessed that today would be the honored exception?" Daeloth demanded, "This princess is different, she runs things differently…she's not afraid to try new things. Any ordinary ruler would not have used the Imperium Gem, it would've have violated their standards. Rulers are usually wary of using objects with such power for fear of what would result…I am very surprised that this happened…"
"I'm very ANGRY!" Johnny roared, shaking in fury, "You know the princess is different, for one thing, she's a woman and she's ruling. I can't believe I'm still alive!"
"Neither can I."
"WHY YOU!" Johnny yelled.
"You were the one who said it first," Daeloth reminded, drumming his bony fingers, "But she can't have done a very good job with the Imperium Gem because you're still alive. You should've been blown to bits."
Johnny's eyes glowed with hatred, "Thanks a lot! She couldn't control it…"
"Oh?" Daeloth looked interested.
"She tried to attack me with it, but she ended up blowing up a good portion of the wall before she actually hit me, she couldn't control it at all. I could tell. Who knows? It might've destroyed her by now, and hopefully Ithildin too." Johnny spat on the floor again.
"Very interesting, I shall investigate. You look exhausted; go clean up before you get infected." Daeloth said in a dismissing manner, "We will talk more later."
"I delivered your message to Aquana of Lanthir," Johnny added with a snort.
"Excellent," Daeloth smiled wickedly, "Most excellent."
With that, Johnny disappeared from the throne room, hate clouding his lilac eyes. //How dare you do this to me Tariena…you will pay a high price from the damage you caused me today…I swear…a thousand curses upon you!//
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"Start explaining," Enrique ordered angrily, "And this better be good."
Michael sat helplessly by Carly's bedside, his navy eyes avoiding all contact; silently pleading that Enrique would go away.
"How can you control the Imperium Gem???" Enrique demanded, "I want to know! Don't make me get rough."
"Tsk tsk," Tala said as he and Flora entered the room, "Is this the way you treat him after he saved us all?"
"You shut up, I didn't ask for your opinion on this!" Enrique hissed, "Why don't you look at the way you treat him??!"
Carly stirred weakly, turning her head so that the cold cloth resting on her forehead slid off. Ignoring the others, Michael gently placed it back on the sleeping girl's forehead, "Carly? Are you awake?"
Emerald eyes fluttered open and Carly moaned, "My head…owww…what the hell happened? Did someone knock the living daylights out of me or something? My head hurts like hell…"
"Carly! Are you okay?" Flora demanded, "I want you to drink this right now." Before Carly could respond, Flora tilted her cup in her hands and dumped its contents down her friend's throat.
Carly choked, gagged and finally swallowed, gasping for air while she sat up, glaring at Flora, "Are you trying to kill me??? Blah! That tastes disgusting! Gross!" She looked around at the flurry of faces around her in annoyance, "Well?? I haven't died yet, you know! Go stare at someone else!"
"If you wish princess, I shall take my leave," Tala said calmly before disappearing outside.
"I'm going to brew you some more broth," Flora said, her eye twitching at Carly's careless attitude, "And you had better drink it all! Rest up now!" With that, she exited huffily.
"Fine, fine. Enrique, why are you glaring at Michael like that?" Carly asked, frowning, "What happened anyways?"
"Why don't you ask him?" Enrique said pointedly.
"Michael? Are you hurt?" Carly cocked her head to one side and peered at his weary face, "Michael…thank you for saving my life."
"It was nothing," Michael mumbled, flushing red from embarrassment.
"You're very good at saving me," Carly added with a grin, "I'll have to remember to think over what I do next time. I'm just lucky that you keep a level head."
"Much obliged princess," Michael replied, still blushing.
"Hello?" Enrique scowled, the conversation that was happening before him was not at all going the way he was hoping it would, "Michael, I'm warning you – you had better tell me how you managed to control the Imperium Gem. I won't let you off so easily."
"Enrique please!" Carly said with a frown, "Do you have to talk to him like that?"
Enrique threw the glass containing the Imperium Gem down on Carly's bed, making the princess scramble to catch the rolling container before it tipped over the edge. "He's a liar – and trickster. An outcast. And I want to know why he's here!" Enrique fumed, "You can't tell me that you don't wonder how he could stop the Imperium Gem!"
"Enrique, please, Michael saved my life, I don't think that screaming at him would be showing much appreciation," Carly reasoned, her voice was tired but her eyes provoked no more argument.
"Argh – you!" Enrique threw his hands helplessly in the air and stormed out.
"I'm sorry Michael," Carly said with a weak smile, "Enrique's been very – rude lately, we've all been under pressure and such, I'm sure he didn't mean it."
"Frankly, I don't really care if he meant it or not," Michael shrugged, "It makes no difference to me."
Carly's head disappeared under her bed covers, her voice muffled, "Next time Michael, don't risk your life like that – please. I can't have people sacrificing themselves like that, it's my business, and I'll take care of it."
Michael tried to pull the covers away so he could talk to her face to face, but gave up when Carly was firmly hidden underneath, "Princess – it's important that you keep the Imperium Gem safe. It's extremely important. I can't be there to help you all the time, but I will help you when I can."
"Stop calling me 'princess', it's Carly. I know I have to keep the stupid thing safe, but I can't control the stupid thing, a fat lot of good that'll do…"
"I'd like to help you – but I can't…" Michael hesitated and then groaned, yanking the covers down, "Would you look at me when I'm talking to you?"
Carly pulled them back up over her face, "I feel awful for what you did today. You could've died, you know that? Then I would never be able to forgive myself…"
Michael sighed and forcefully jerked the sheets away, looking deep into the girl's emerald eyes, "Princess – stop hiding from me. This is ridiculous, I feel like I'm playing hide and seek. I assure you that I knew exactly what I was doing. I will try to help you."
"Okay…" Carly said reluctantly, noting how crystal clear his eyes were, not clouded by hate or blinded by power, "Regardless…thank you…"
Michael smiled, a faint blush creeping up his face, "You are most welcome princess. I think I will take my leave now; you should get so rest and replenish your energy. We can talk later if you wish, I'm sure you are as curious as your friends are."
"Thank you Michael, I'll see you later."
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Michael scowled when he saw Enrique standing outside the door, tapping his foot impatiently, "You."
"I don't like you toying with Carly," Enrique snapped, "And I don't like you spreading your lies everywhere."
"I am doing neither."
"I warning you – I want to know how you manage to stop the Imperium Gem, that's a very dangerous power you have," Enrique threatened.
"I learnt how," Michael said defiantly, "It's a gift – that's all you need to know." He stood up and faced Enrique, eye to eye, man to man, "I respect your opinions of me Enrique – but I'm afraid you have neither the evidence nor the right to judge me so."
With his eyes raging in fury, Enrique hissed back, "I won't let you off sp easily Michael, I'll figure out what schemes you and Tala are planning! Don't worry, once I have Tala figured out and caught, he will lead me right back to you!"
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Fire Archer: Aaaaaaaaaaah, you can do real archery??? REAL ARCHERY? I wanna learn, I SO wanna learn!!!! XD
Lightning Strike: *nodz proudly* Yeah, I know, I'm usually right! XD XD J/k!
Keri: You mean souvenir? Lol, I'll steal it. XD ^date, that's a cool way of writing it, it took me a minute there to figure out what you were trying to say. XD
Silver Eyez: Who are those people? O.O No! Don't die, *hugz*. Wow, someone had a feast, lol, XD
Silhouette Neko: Thank you! ^^
Mariam Hiwatari: YAYZ! You read it! ^^ Aw…*blushes* compliments. *hugz* I'm glad you like it so far, hopefully it gets better! ^^
kai-cutie-angel: I'm glad you love surprises, lol, cuz I don't. :P :P I feel your homework pain! X_x
Fatal Effects: *cough* He's so cute, Legolas, that is! ^^ The fic is a bit like LOTR, I'll tell you that Anglachel is a he, gosh I have trouble spelling that name. X_x You people guessing so closely are making me so nervous, I think I should mess things around a bit. XD I think it's rather cute how Michael acts. Johnny's just downright ruthless when he's angry, that's why he killed another messenger, plus he's never had a liking for them. :P I'm glad the end was creepy, it was supposed to be. :P
Silver Swiftness: Aww…*frownz* Wahhh, I don't get to read your long review now. X_x *hugz* ^^ At least you reviewed :P *bouncez* Hope you picked up some hints. ^.^
Star_Blizzard: I love killing things – I mean, Johnny love killing things. XP It was supposed to be 'unusually' long XD, oh well, I think I'll get back to Johnny attacking Ithildin again…
The Great Kuro Neko: Enrique's supposed to be attracted to Aquana, XP. There's supposed to be romance in this story, it's the other half of the genre and it's rated PG-13! X_x But it's just going to be kissing, nothing too extreme (I hope).
Merodi: Glad you like it! *hugz* There's been so many Mary Sue OCs that some people auto. think that all OCs are Mary Sues, but I don't think mine are…are they? *pokez warily*
Saffron: Dude…Michael has a HUGE part in the fic now that I've recently become Michael-obsessed. Enrique finds out a lot actually, but I don't see how he could take in all that. XP Foreshadowing is a big word *laughz* and I can do it! *bouncez*
Sae: *shakez* No! It won't hurt at all, the more the merrier and the greedier I become. _ *cough* *cough* You didn't hear me say that. I love Johnny's ruthlessness *starry eyes* Michael's much stronger when provoked too, but he just has to figure out his place in the world right now. Now I have to make it so that everything doesn't come together nicely…:P Maybe I'll try to settle down Johnny long enough so you can get that cuddling in…^^ *hugz* I never see you online. X_x
UniGirl: *sweatdropz* No screaming. :P Kane won't be here for a while, but he'll be talked about for some time. ^^ Anglachel…childhood pet…*cough* I can't say more. :P
whisper*2*imaginary: No hitting. ;_; Just *hugz hugz hugz* I'm so glad you've changed everything back. *hugz hugz hugz* Yeah, I've heard of Hellsing, it's available for rent at the nearest DVD store. =D Maybe I'll get rent it although vampires make me nervous. @_@
Magical Soul: You're welcome, you're quite an inspiration. ^^ *hugz* You are so close that it makes me nervous, I need to add more things in. X_x Anglachel is a dragon. ^^ Carly will be responsible for all William bashing, lol, and she's very fiery-tempered when she wants to be. :P And plus, William hasn't even appeared for more than a couple chapters and he's already gained so many hate fans. XD