I published this a few hours after I posted the previous chapter. If there had been any reviews, thanks a lot. I am unsure for I haven't checked it yet. P.S. This chapter is told in Merlock's point of view.

Chapter 9: In the Heart of Equilibria

As Cerville and his companion led Sara and me to a battle arena, various thoughts filled my mind. Ever since the first time we arrived here, I had been pondering who the person behind all that happened could be. I had been thinking about what his purposes might be for doing this to me and to my dear Sara. Everything was going well in my life the time before we ended up in here. I mean, I was not able to remember anybody I encountered before who could be taking his revenge. I had always accomplished my missions in the Bureau of Time and Space and my family had been supportive. Oh well, I guess that made me think more than twice. Why would Magore work for someone who wanted to put me in the face of danger? If I had committed wrongdoings to my younger brother in the past, too bad I could not recall any. Oh, reflecting about so many matters could cause my head to ache. I would just try to prepare myself for a physical duel then. Quoting the cloaked guy, if I defeat him, Sara and I should be back home. Yet, what would be our fate if I lose? There was no mention of that. Also, who could this masked man be? One of my siblings again? That was unlikely, for his height was a few centimeters shorter than mine. My older brothers were much taller. Moreover, when I last saw Magore, I observed that he grew to be at least three inches taller than I was. As for Harien, I could not be sure at the moment. Could this cloaked guy be my sister? But then, even though Harien did well in martial arts, she had never been taught how to handle a sword. Oh, I had been meditating so much that I almost did not notice that we were already in a place where a vast stage was present. In Equilibria, that stage was the first thing I came upon that was not made of glass.

"Alright, Merlock, let's go," the cloaked guy said.

Suddenly, Sara brushed her lips against mine. Although I was not expecting it, it felt really comforting.

"For luck," she said. Without waiting for me to reply, she turned away and sat on a glass bench where she could watch us in action.

Cerville seated himself on the same bench where Sara was, as I and the other guy stepped on the stage. We positioned ourselves a few meters away from each other, yet face to face. The cloaked guy stretched his arms towards me and flexed his gloved fingers. Just then, my cane appeared in the air, before my very eyes. I took it without any hesitation. Then, the guy threw his cloak off. His outfit then consisted of a baggy dark blue shirt which was tucked in his long trousers of the same color, and a tight hood covered his head that no hair strand could be seen. He still had the mask on, and I couldn't help but wonder whose face it kept hidden. Yet, I would just have to focus on fighting him, and winning.

"You will be considered the winner if you were to confine me in a state where I cannot, by any means, defend myself. This need not be a fight to the death, especially if you wish for me to live long enough to be able to give you the key. I am warning you, I am not going to be kind," he told me.

I sensed something in his voice, most probably an emotion he attempted to suppress. But what it was, I had no idea.

"Fine," I said rather carelessly, then both of us posed for the beginning of a duel.

Upon Cerville's signal which indicated that we should start, my opponent unsheathed his sword and quickly rushed toward me with his weapon directed at my heart. I blocked it with my cane which I gripped at both ends. He did not stop pushing the sharp point in an endeavor to overpower my defensive move. I shoved my own weapon in utmost force to protect myself. Because of what I did, he lost balance and nearly fell on his back, if not for his sword which he reflexively thrust to the ground in order to maintain standing. He swiftly took a few steps away from me, while I pointed the ruby tip of my cane at him. I shot a fireball at his location, and he picked his sword up and dodged the flames by moving to his left.

"You're a better fighter than I thought," he said.

I responded to his statement with another fireball. This time, he held his sword in a vertical position and rotated it, extinguishing the fire. He ran with that damned weapon of his pointing toward me again. I aimed a series of fireballs to him until all I could see was fire. Several seconds passed and I did not witness even a shadow of my opponent. Just then, I got the feeling that I always get when something was about to fall on me. I looked above me, and was surprised when I saw my opponent with his blade about to hit my head. I kneeled, and prevented his weapon from getting near me by using my cane as a shield. The hooded guy landed on the ground on his feet, and his weapon barely missed my neck. I moved backward a little bit, then he followed, lunging his weapon. I allowed him to rush forward. When the precise moment came I struck his ankles with my cane. He tripped and dropped his weapon, and rapidly moved his body until he was in a sitting position. I stood before him with my cane's end a few inches apart from his face. Just then, he did an impressive somersault in order to escape my clutches. In the process, he kicked me hard on the chin. I fell to the floor.

"Is that everything you can do, Merlock Holmes?" were the infuriating words I heard from my opponent who was again holding his sword and pointing it at me.

I kicked the sword off his hands, then hurriedly reached for my cane. As he ran to retrieve his weapon, I shot loads of fire at him until I could no longer see his body. His pathetic voice was audible, though, for he was suffering from the heat.

"It appears that Merlock is gaining advantage. How about I provide him with a little distraction?" said Cerville, his icy voice loud enough for me to hear.

I ignored Cerville and did not even glance at him. I continued to fire at my opponent. I knew that one would not die if subjected to what I was doing, especially if the said person was not a human. And given the fact that all the previous keepers were not humans, it was likely that the masked person, who was now experiencing how it was to deal with me, was not human also. I showed no mercy as the red-orange warmth engulfed him. I wanted to burn the mask, to lay eyes on what was behind it. Just then, I heard weird sounds coming from the area where Cerville and Sara was.

I turned my head to check what was happening. Cerville had his shirt off. One of Cerville's hands held the back of Sara's head while the other was on her waist. His lips had captured hers, and he would not pull away even though her fists were punching his chest. Sara was powerless against Cerville. I would kill that guy for daring to touch my dearest Sara!

Forgetting the masked guy, I brought to a halt my scorching torture. I dashed to the direction of the scenario where my beloved needed my help. However, before I could be near to actually attack Cerville, the guy in the dark blue clothes emerged in front of me. Bloody hell, nothing of what he was wearing was affected by the fire. And he still seemed to be in perfect health.

"Where do you think you're going? We're not finished!" he said, raising the sword to my face.

My eyes glowed with anger as I brandished my cane against his sword. After that we engaged into a combat resembling that of two samurais, for I handled my cane like a sword. I had to remove this person from my path. My Sara couldn't wait for me forever, at least in her current situation.

I couldn't resist minding what Cerville was up to even though I had an opponent to take care of. I saw him planting kisses on Sara's face and nape, while his hands played against her delicate curves. She was using all her strength to push him away, but her efforts were not sufficient. And this kind of scene presented before my eyes was making me furious. Enough to erase Cerville's existence in this world.

The sword and the cane went on clashing into each other, yet none of them overcame the skill of the other. I learned that it would not be wise to use fire against this mysterious guy again, for fire didn't even harm him. It would be a waste of time. I had to plot up a plan. It was required of me to come to Sara's side as soon as possible!

Just then, I felt something inside my pocket. What could it be? The dagger that Jinni gave us. Why was it still here? The other keys have vanished after Sara and I were transported to another dimensions. Perhaps I could use this dagger . . . but how?

The battle between the masked guy and me was interminable. And so were Cerville's advances to Sara. In the corner of my eye I saw Cerville seeking to get rid of Sara's clothes. Once her top was ripped off, Sara stopped beating Cerville's chest. Instead, she folded her arms protectively on her upper body, for her thin undershirt was the only material left on it. Cerville licked her collarbone. With tears in her eyes, Sara screamed.

That was the last straw! I could not bear what Cerville was doing. In a flash, I passed between the legs of my opponent, accidentally dropping my cane as I did so. I hasted to Cerville while I pulled the dagger from its sheath. I grabbed him by the hair and without reluctance I plunged the sharp tool in his stomach.

Cerville did not bleed, but like the glass sculpture he resembled, he got broken into tiny pieces of glass. I embraced Sara as the slivers flew to all directions.

"It's okay now," I whispered to her ear.

She was continuously crying, but then I had to leave her side and win against the masked guy. I searched for my cane and took it upon finding it. I stood before my opponent once again.

"You saw how I made your friend perish! Now it's your turn!" I yelled.

This time, I used my full force in hitting him with my cane and I lunged forward whenever I could. His sword proved effective as a hindrance to my attacks, but then my strength caused him to move backwards. It was clear that I was on my way to triumph.

And fortunately, I was able to give him a tough blow on the head. The impact caused him to release his sword and to fall on his chest. Taking the best of opportunities, I pinned his arms to his back with great pressure. He tried one remaining tactic, which was to use his feet. I easily dodged his kicks. He persisted for several minutes.

"Just accept your downfall. You are lucky that I need something from you, otherwise I must have ended your life as well," I said.

Panting, he replied, "Alright, I lost! I shall hand you the key!"

"Good."

I permitted him to stand up. Out of thin air he produced a brooch shaped like the letters "DH." After I took the key, he disappeared.

I approached Sara, whose eyes were still filled with fluid.

"Don't be scared, milady. It's over. We shall be home," I said.

She did not say anything, but she flung her arms around me and buried her face in my chest.

Moments later we felt ourselves being transported to another place . . .

Yep, the ninth chapter is done! I admit that his had been the most challenging chapter to write. By the way, this is the second to the last chapter. I promise that everything will be explained in Chapter 10. Please review!