Hey my dear friends! Here is the first part to the finale of this ficcy! I hope you enjoy! More will be written at the bottom! See ya!
Mariah Sunshine- The Finale (part 1)
A wolf howled and branches shook angrily in the wind as the moon cast its eerie glow on the courtyard of the Palace. The grass swayed and touched the feet of two horses with riders heavy on their backs. A tiny, white horse neighed angrily pulling away from the rider, begging to be released. The cloaked figure reached out their hand and ruffled the mane of the horse which seemed to settle if for the moment. The wind picked up putting the horse in another fright and making the rider pull their cloak tight against them self. The second rider pulled up along side the white horse on his own black one. He stood beside it blocking both from heavy wind screeching across the land. When the wind finally settled down, the rider on the black horse pulled his cloak down and turned to face the other rider. His hair swirled around his face as the wind gently picked up and tossed it around. He reached over and slid the heavy dark cloak from his companion's head and revealed a bright-eyed redhead.
You ready Lina?
Yeah, as ready as I'll ever be.
Nodding to his wife, he snapped his reins and began a steady trot into the forest. It was agreed earlier that he would go first, being the protector and all. Lina was actually relieved when he volunteered. She felt nothing but shivers run through her veins as wind picked up and the animals stirred. Watching and waiting ten trots behind Gourry she snapped her reins and began her own ride. As she moved steadily behind him, she watched as his black cloak sway in the wind and his long blonde hair picked up leaves and twigs from the wind. She laughed to herself knowing it would be a hard time to combs such things out. Little did she know she was getting the same treatment from Mother Nature in her beautiful red locks.
Slowly the two made their way out the courtyard and into the dark and spooky forest. Lina closed the distance between her and Gourry not wanting to be by herself and Gourry sped up wanting to get the hell out of there. The wind was light in there, almost like gentle touches caressing their faces. Howls, cries and soft giggles made the horses' hair stand on end as they begged to be set free. Lina hurriedly made her way beside Gourry who was in a full gallop. Branches angrily swung at them and all sorts of things picked up and were being thrown at them but they both broke free of the forest, releasing a breathe they didn't know they were holding. Rather than stop for a rest they decided to keep going. Neither wanted to stay near that bewitched forest.
They were now crossing the giant meadow and the moon was still steadily rising. Gourry's black stallion once again led the way its heavy legs pounding the earth. It was almost like a royal warning to stay away. Lina little horse followed behind tiptoeing, it's head low with modesty. Lina couldn't help but be angry at her horse. Her's was supposed to be better than Gourry's! Why was she taking the back stance! She forced her heels into the horse's side and both took off with a rush. Gourry's horse and the horse's arrogance got the best and they took after Lina and her horse. That was how they rode, the rest of the 10 miles to the lake.
When they finally arrived they dismounted and tied their horses to the weeping willow from earlier. Lina stood by Gourry's side and both stared out over the water. The trees around it shook angrily and the wind howled like a banshee. The water was dark as night and still making it the most frightening thing about the picture. It was still even when the wind blew and they both knew that this was where they had to be. Lina made her walked to the side of the lake, her dark cloak flapping wildly behind her. She wanted to see for herself. She wanted to feel the water, see that it was frozen or if her mind was really playing those jokes on her. She reached out to the waters and touched it gently. It didn't move or for that matter didn't even make a wave, but it wasn't frozen. She slide her fingers inside of the water and it allowed her access without even moving. Gourry watched amazed behind her and his curiosity got the better of him. He reached his fingers to touch the dark waters and pulled back after a sharp wave of electricity overcame him. He was shot clear into a weeping willow not far from the lake landing with multiple cracks and cries. The sound was echoed over the lake as Lina ran to his side. He looked like a tiny rag dog, blood cascading down from his forehead onto his face. His cloak was opened and his ribs looked as if they were intruding on his organs. The entire sight made Lina almost sick to her stomach. Lifting her hands to his head and the other to his side, she chanted the strongest white magic spell she could. White light enveloped her fingers flew freely over Gourry's body. It wasn't long after that, that a sickening laugh echoed over the lake and Lina and Gourry looked up to see no other than the evil Laad. A cloak of black covered him and darkness enveloped his face. The only part of him that showed was the terrible pale color of his hands that were holding tight to little Mariah.
Lina stood up, erect and angry as her body shook in tremors. How dare he place his dirty hands on her child! Gourry tried to stand as well, but his ribs and Lina's hand prevented him.
Hahahahaha, what have we here? The princess and the pauper? What kind of husband would really allow a wife half his side to fight in a battle.
He walked over slowly and stopped when he was about 25 feet away. Close enough for Lina to see the child, but not close enough for her to attack. Lina's eyes looked angrily over the figure and stopped on the child in his arms. Her heart beat faster as she saw how terribly the poor baby looked. Her face was pale and her eyes were closed. It looked as it she were… dead. But Lina knew she wasn't… she couldn't be… she felt her heartbeat within her own. She was dressed in a tiny white gown, covered in lace and pearls that ended over a foot past her feet. Her beautiful black curls held back by a headband of lace with a bow. She looked so peaceful and yet, so scary at the same time.
What have you done with my daughter!
Your…daughter? I'm afraid your mistaken Mrs. Gabriev. For you see, she is… my daughter. But if you want her back then you can kindly… come and get her.
Before Lina could even move, Gourry jumped up and charged Laad, with his drawn sword. Lina opened her mouth to scream, but words were oblivious to her mind. Gourry ran but the man neither dodged nor moved. He simply waited until Gourry was face to face with him. Gourry's sword ran though him, making sure to miss the baby, cutting him before stopping and being electrocuted away and into the same tree he was before. His arms and legs were clearly broken and he howled in pain as blood oozed from various compound fractures on his being. Lina ran to his side and began healing him. Her face was frantic and her fingers covered in blood as she worked to save her terribly injured husband. Her fingers enveloped in an orb of white magic and her eyes fearful and wide. She heard the hooves of horses pounding the dirt but she knew who they were, she could feel their presence. They were her friends…Amelia and Zegaldis. They dodged into the scene their heavy black cloaks and their horse's panting as they landed by Lina and Gourry. Before they could even move, they heard Lina's pleading cry.
AMELIA! ZEGALDIS! Gourry, please come here and heal him! PLEASE.
Closing the distance between them, they quickly kneeled by Gourry and began to pump out their spells, jumping in where Lina left off. Lina, after knowing her friends would help her dear husband, looked at Laad and dropping her cloak, walked slowly over to where he stood. She heard behind them her friends pleading with her to be careful and she paid them no mind.
Give me Mariah!
I'm sorry but I do not think she belongs to you.
You Bastard! What have you done to her!
Done? Oh I've done nothing to her yet. She is merely in an induced deep sleep. It what I'm going to do that you should be worried about.
What the hell are you talking about?
Oh, now you can't be the Ms. Gabriev that I've heard so much about. Not the same one who used to be Ms. Inverse. You should have heard the old wives tale by now! If not from Rhina!
I've heard the tale, what of it?
Well, then you must know that the soul of the Priestess has not been put just yet to rest because-
Her killer lives on, get on with it!
Ah, so you do know something Ms. Gabriev. Well, then you must also know that every one hundred years she comes out looking for a soul to be sacrificed so that she may rest in peace.
But doesn't she need the soul of the one who killed her?
Sheer brilliance you are! Sadly, the soul she wants is not willing to be taken away, so she must have the blood of the one she wants dead. I'm not going to die, Gabriev. So I'll allow Mariah to take my place and at least settle her for another hundred years.
That's barbaric!
That's life. Say goodbye to your little one.
With that Laad turned and began to walk out onto the lake. The waves jumped and cried at each of his steps as he crossed over the graves of those he had killed before. He walked over the angry darkness until he was standing in the middle, where Lina had found the skeletons before. The lake angrily jumped up and splashed at him and the wind picked up howling. Lina ran over the water to him and watched as he held the baby up high and dropped her into the lake. The lake seemed to open its mouth enveloping the child like a dog, hungry for its next meal. Lina ran after him screaming. She watched as the tiny child lifelessly plunged into the water and she dove in afterwards.
She swam hard after the Mariah. The baby didn't kick, scream, or cry, she just sank. Tears swam into the surrounding water as Lina paddled after the baby, watching the curls of her hair as they dance gently around her face. She was showered in the darkness of the water and Lina almost didn't see her had it not been for her light spell projecting from her fingers. The child fell and continued to fall until she gently hit the bottom, resting beside the bones of others. Fear plagued Lina's mind as she paddled for the bed, would she manage to get up past the water line this time? Gourry couldn't come into the water to save her. The water's souls refused him. They wanted the blood of a Laad, and the mother of the child. They wanted…. both of them dead, and she would have to get out of there right now.
She grabbed the child off the bottom of the lake pulling it close to her chest. Oh God! She was so cold and her face looked so blue. Panic rushed through Lina's face, would she be able to save the child? Oh God, what if Mariah died! It flashed through her mind like lightning. The surface, get to the surface! Kicking her skinny legs Lina shoved off pushing herself to the surface. Where she coughed out water and began to wade. Lifting the daughter up, she covered her mouth over the baby's and blew hard. The child remained lifeless and Lina allowed a frustrated scream to escape her lips. Please… please, don't die Mariah… please! She blew harder and harder into the child's mouth but she remained still, and her face turned a rare shade of purple. Lina stared down at the baby and tears appeared from nowhere and streamed down her face. She released a low painful cry and looked up for Gourry. She needed him! Now! Where was he, oh god where was he? She finally caught sight of him over 50 feet away by an oak tree not far from the willow. He stood by the waterside as close to the lake as possible and called out to her. The waves picked up and thundered roared across the cloudless night skin. Lina was carried with waves. Amid all the chaos and screaming, Lina held the baby close and began whispering frantically to her.
Mariah… wake up please. Mommy and Daddy need you. Please, get up. I swear I'll never let harm come to you again, please, just wake up.
The baby remained silent and Lina's heart shattered. Lina's birthmark began to glow as did the baby. The child opened its mouth and coughed out water, as it began to cry bitterly. Lina screamed happily and brought the baby tight to her breasts and smiled happy. Just then the waters calmed and Lina looked up from the child. She saw the face of an angel and the body of a tortured woman. She was a pale sheer and her spirit waved and flickered over the water. Suddenly, the water surrounding the spirit turned an eerie red, and continued out until the entire lake reeked of the blood. Lina merely pulled the child tighter as she screamed with fear. Her senses were going wild and she had never felt so cornered and helpless in her life. The Priestess silenced all her thinking and anything going through her mind with a few simple words.
Give me the blood of Laad….
Hey you guys! Here's the beginning of the end! The grand finale. I'm sorry this chapter may not be up to parts. I'm a bit stressed, and haven't been up to parts with everything I've been up to. But I assure you, I've been working on this for days. if not a week. I hope you enjoy it all right? I'm sorry, new policy on the reviews but I'll be sure to give thanks in the very last one and maybe a few comments. I hope the fiction network won't mind. Heh. Well, thanks guys Hope you enjoy! Heads may roll in the next chapter, depends on how I feel, Heh, see ya! --8---