A/N: Hey everyone. Coming up pretty quick is the 7th, which I enjoyed writing very much so. I don't really want to quit the story, so I think I'll go ahead and finish it. Luckily I have a new reader, and I guess I was being a little bratty and selfish. So expect to see an end to this story if it kills me!
Chapter 7 Siblings
The night's rest hadn't been a comfortable one for Kaileena nor the Prince. The cabin's bearings had been just about completely shattered in the scuffle between Decquaris and the Prince. Causing the night air to be prevalent and nipping to the two lovers' skin. The mere warmth they reveled in was that transferred in each other's bodies as they shared the bed. It was late into the night, or rather early in the morning, Kaileena and the Prince couldn't tell. They just stayed comfortable with each other, in the best way possible.
"That was wonderful, Prince." Kaileena praised generously as she rubbed her male's chest gingerly.
"It truly, truly was." He replied, grabbing her hands in his. "A time spent in paradise."
"A bit brief though?" She mocked with a smile creeping across her face.
The Prince's tanned skin turned burgundy. "I was excited."
"Yes well. It was enjoyable, nonetheless."
"Mm-hm. I pray that I can prolong more sufficiently next time."
"I do too."
Kaileena rested against his chest once again. Her body shuddered as she felt the heat in his abdomen. She was dreadfully cold and her body seemed to react with the new wave warmth. The Prince sensed discontentment and wrapped his arms fully around her. Sending new chains of domestic fire into her system. It was better.
But the air was oddly cold. It didn't make sense, it was nighttime, true. But the icy presence still seemed weird for it to be in the middle of summer. The cold was worse than a few of the winters the Prince had experienced. He was too uncomfortable to even think of sleeping. Kaileena on the other hand seemed cold, but warm enough as if she was used to this weather. The Prince was starting to find it unbearable; his lungs seemed to tighten fiercely, than release sharply. Sending stinging breaths up through his throat.
No, seemed wasn't word. His breathing was definitely becoming harder and harder. As was pumping blood through his body. The beating of his heart was starting to quicken, each expansion sending a massive shockwave throughout his organs. He couldn't take the sudden pain, and yelped as his body jerked instinctively off the bed. His skin cutting against the jabbed wooden floor as he collided with it, Kaileena shot out of the bed alerted.
"Prince! What's wrong?" She screamed as she watched him fall to the floor.
"I don't know! There's—this—burning in my chest! I can't breathe! It's like I'm freezing on the inside and suddenly hot on the outside! It may be some sort—of seizure! Ah!" He screamed as he forced his bare body to roll over, as if that would stop the pain.
Kaileena watched attentively. It was definitely not a seizure. She was aware of most sicknesses, and well aware of what it and what isn't. She thought swiftly, analyzing his words and accessing his symptoms. Realizing the origin of his pain, she darted over to a small half-open crate. (Not bothering to cover herself in the process) When she reached it, she quickly tossed off the lid and removed a small vial from the inside. It was full of a bubbling green liquid with hints of orange and red nestling in it.
She quickly brought it over to the Prince and popped the cork containing the liquid. "Drink this," she said, pressing the tip of the vial to his lips. He struggled to lift his arm and grab the vial. Then, holding his breath. He swallowed it. It was disgusting, reminiscent of swallowing bile and phlegm. The smell was equally revolting, sending airy steams of dung through his nostrils. Slowly but surely, the warmth quickly swept through him once again. Kaileena retrieved the blanket to cover him once his breathing returned to regularity.
"What'd you have me drink?" He breathed out slowly.
"A vial containing a special liquid that my father used to give to his women. It reconstructs the soul and advances it to exist on a higher spiritual plain."
"What?" The Prince sat up in confusion.
"Well, how can I best explain this? In a nutshell, we've arrived at the Grand Continent of Time."
"We're here?"
"Yes, but as I've told you, the Grand Continent of Time isn't visible to human eyes. That is because it has an aura surrounding it that exists on a higher spiritual plain. Whenever humans enter this area, they immediately start having strange contorting spasms. The vial I gave you contained a magical liquid that basically just re-did your whole soul. Now you can see the Grand of Continent of Time, and exist on it."
"Fascinating. A bit more scientific than magical if you asked me."
"Maybe. But anyways, my father used to give that medicine to his women whenever he brought them to this place. The effects only last for 24 hours, however. So whatever we're doing we have to do fast."
The Prince picked up the empty vial and studied it, turning it amongst his fingers.
"If you're father uses this, how'd you manage to get it?" He asked.
"Oh well, I stole it one year. I was seventeen and my father was finally going to give me my own temple to rule in. To celebrate, he said, he came in there and raped me once again. I remember it because by that time I was slightly enjoying it. Still disgusted thoroughly of course, but I was older and fully developed. So it wasn't as painful. The next day, before I was about to leave, I noticed he had brought another woman to the island. So I found his last vial and took it with me." Kaileena had a look of self-satisfaction in her eyes.
"Forcing him to take the woman back to her homeland?" The Prince finished.
"Yes. I was lucky to have that vial. I haven't been in this place in so long, so the effects of it on human had completely slipped my mind until now."
"Well, I'd appreciate it if you didn't let anything else slip while I'm here?"
"Of course not. But you better be careful. I'll have to leave you and meet my father in the throne room. So it's up to you to keep yourself hidden. And by the way, most of the traps in my temple are nonexistent here. But there are still some very dangerous ones. They only activate within three feet of a human soul. It's my father's insurance policy. Luckily they don't alert anyone else in the castle when they activate. So you'll be safe if you can dodge them."
"Are they worse than the one's at yours?" He asked with a slight look of worry on his face.
"No." She assured. "If anything they're a bit weaker than mine. Just about no humans make it to this island without my father's consent."
"Won't he sense me though? I mean, he's a god. You mean to tell me that he won't detect a human?"
"Yes, he does detect humans. But for 24 hours, you're just like me. Therefore insusceptible to godly detection."
The Prince stood and walked over to the side of the bed to retrieve his trousers, as well as him armor. In the midst of gathering his own dressings he noticed Kaileena's red garment lying near the cabin door. He casually tossed it to her and he put his boots. After strapping the Water Sword to his side, he stood and began to help Kaileena with her clothes.
"I can do this own, you know?" She said childishly.
"Yes, but I may be killed. I'm trying to see you naked again." Kaileena laughed and playfully pushed him away as they felt the boat turn direction smoothly.
"What's going on?" The Prince asked.
"We've shifted with the current. There's a river that flows from the ocean into the continent. Go have a look."
The Prince anxiously made his way out of the boat's cabin. He gave out an astounded gasp as he traced his gaze over massive hills of trees and plains of all sorts. Their green brilliance shone brightly throughout the Prince's eyes. He looked down and saw the glittering stream the boat was being carried by it strewn shimmering droplets onto the deck. He kneeled and caught a few of the droplets in his hand. The water was divine, more pure than any water he had ever tasted. No, he had tasted this water before. At Kaileena's temple. As per usual to the mystifying water, he suddenly felt his muscles loosen, his bones tighten, and all the cuts and scrapes he had gained during the trip suddenly disappeared as if they were never there.
I love this water. He thought to himself. Suddenly, the beautiful water started to turn white. The Prince was worried first, but upon further inspection discovered that it was nothing more than a reflection. He looked up, and even Kaileena could take his sharp intake of breath as his eyes dances around the proximities of a brilliant marble castle. It was grand, with stone wings that seemingly spanned half the island. (Of course, wings like "east wing, west wing" stuff like that)
"That's where you used to live?" He asked impressed. He extended his arms wide. "This is where you've been running away from?" He asked again, referring to the island this time.
Kaileena folded her arms shyly. "Yes. This is it. Beautiful I know, but it's what's on the inside that counts. And the inside of the castle has nothing but bad in it."
"Purifying waters, beautiful flora, and a magnificent castle. All made horrible by a bastard of a god."
"Yep." She said nonchalantly.
"So, where does this river head?"
"To the mouth of course. There's a small pier there, from there we follow a road to castle. Once we reach the doors though, you'll have to go your own way."
"Sand creatures are here, no?"
"Correct, and you don't have your Amulet of Time, so you can't make any mistakes. At least, not fatal anyway."
The Prince spent his last few minutes in preparation. First he took the vial that Kaileeena had given him, and re-filled it with the water from the river. Its magic would revive him if he needed it. He then found a few more small glass jars and vials in several disbanded drawers and filled them up. After strapping as much as he could carry, he found the second sword that he had used against the Dahaka and strapped that to his belt. He finally stopped when he was beginning to feel like a mail carrier.
Kaileena had also prepared herself. Mostly by gathering her two swords and holding them it hand. She had no place to strap them. But she did do something rather odd, she suddenly shrieked and removed all her clothes. Then sprinted to the side of the boat and began splashing massive amounts of the river over her body. When the Prince inquired of her actions, she replied "my father can't be able to smell another man on me, that'll be a dead giveaway." The Prince was truly starting to think Kaileena's father a sick man when the pier came into view.
It was nothing spectacular, just an average wooden docking walkway with a wooden pillar next to it for tying. When the boat neared, the Prince removed a rope from the ground and tied it to the pillar carrying the sail and then to the small pillar near the dock. Upon further pondering he quickly jumped back to the boat and let the sails down.
"If they can't discover me through spiritual methods, I don't want them noticing a boat 'cause I carelessly kept the sails up."
"No worries. If they did, I'll just tell them it was mine."
The Prince suddenly wondered how Kaileena was going to explain her Dahaka being killed, which they undoubtedly were aware of, and Decquaris's death as well. But for some reason, he just didn't ask. It was a sort of "you'll find out" kind of thing that he decided was best to ignore. With that thought in mind, he joined Kaileena on the pier.
When they reached solid ground Kaileena knees buckled and she nearly tripped, the Prince fortunately had grabbed her arm just in time to avoid the incident.
"I'm sorry." She said, trying to sound strong again. "The solid ground is just a new feeling after being on the boat for so long."
"Yes, but it's a good feeling."
"Truly."
The walk to the castle's entrance had been a pleasant one. The Prince had become accustomed to desert and rare trees. The dew of the morning and the soft grass and dirt was new to him. He took his mind of whatever was in store for Kaileena and him. Even if briefly. The Prince had made a comment on the flora of the area, describing it as "beautiful" but the fauna was equally impressive. Revealing types of four-legged, animals big and small, that he had had never seen in his lifetime. He even saw a cat for the first, which he only new of because of the Egyptian goddess that reveled in them. But sadly, this pleasantry could not last as he and Kaileena soon greeted the massive wooden door that lead into the castle.
"So, do we knock or what?" The Prince asked sarcastically.
"Actually, yes." Kaileena replied as she stepped to the door. She shifted one sword to the other hand used her now free hand to briskly tap the door.
Who goes there? A voice thundered into existence suddenly.
"That's a bit corny father." Kaileena said.
Hmmm? Is that the voice of my darling, Kaileena? How I've longed for your return. How come you never visit your father?
"Because I fear that I can't make it half way in without having a penis rammed up me."
Such vulgar talk isn't required Kaileena, my interest in you is now merely that of a lonely father.
"Lonely is the last thing you are you son of a bitch." Kaileena jeered.
Hahaha, as cold as you ever were. That's why I love you. Come to the throne room at once, you siblings are already here. Except, for that damned she-male of bile you call your brother.
"He's your son as well. So don't call him that. Maybe that it is your punishment for what you've done."
My dear Kaileena, gods don't receive punishment. That is why we are what we are. Now, answer the question, where is he?
"He's been killed."
He's been killed! A tone of elation had entered his voice. Oh my! What joy! That pitiful heap of dung has been killed! By whom?
"The same man that killed my Dahaka. You know, the one you are afraid threatens life itself?"
Oh. Well, I hate him a bit less now. He truly deserves credit for killing my son. I hated that bastard. His mother was just as unworthy of me. I don't even know why I gave her the time of day.
"That's my aunt you're talking about."
Why care? You never met her.
"It's the principle of the thing. Now let me in."
Fine, fine, I trust that you remember your way?
"Sadly like the back of my hand."
Heh, heh, Kaileena, you truly should stop being so bitter. You'll end up like, Decquaris. Which I don't wish of your fate. By the way, I would truly like to enjoy you once more, I won't let you leave until I am satisfied, so you might as well meet me in my bedroom later tonight.
Kaileena could've vomited right then. The man was insatiable.
"Fine." She replied icily. "Open the damn door."
As you wish.
The massive door slid open suddenly, being pulled by an invisible force that the Prince wasn't even sure if he wanted to be aware of.
"He actually requested your body before you even saw him face-to-face." The Prince commented as the two walked in. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside, with marble white walls and poured floor with streaks of gold and red. They were in a long hallway which had at least six other hallways that one could make their way down.
"He's like that. And I apologize, but he may harm me and won't let me leave the island until I comply."
The Prince nodded. "It's a horrible thought. But whatever you have to do—Kai, how come he didn't see me?"
"He didn't see either one of us. You notice he wasn't alerted of my presence until I knocked. And still wasn't sure of who I was until I spoke. He had no idea you were there."
"Oh, well that's good to hear. So what's the plan?"
"I'll head to the throne room and see what he plans on doing about you. Remember, he still doesn't know that you're the one that killed the Dahaka. He doesn't even know who you are. Most likely he's formulated a plan that does nothing but search the lands. Okay, while I do that. You need to find an alternate way into the throne room so that you can hear his plan as well."
"How do I do that?"
Kaileena pointed a slim finger down the long hallway. "Take the third turn on your left. Then follow the path until you reach some stairs. Take them and it'll get you to the balcony of the throne room, you can observe from there. And Prince, before I leave I leave you with these words, be careful. Not only are sand creatures throughout the castle, but there are mild traps and most importantly three Dahakas roaming the castle."
The Prince's heart lurched. "Three Dahakas! I completely forgot that each of your siblings had one of their own. Wait, what happened to Decquaris's Dahaka?"
"It died; the Dahaka's automatically die when their owner is disposed of."
"Wait, but when I killed you your Dahaka was still alive."
"That's because you didn't kill me."
"I thought that the Dahaka stayed alive because the Hourglass of Sands filled up right as I struck you dead, thus causing the timeline of me bringing the hourglass to my father to be fulfilled?"
"That too. It's complicated but when you killed me, the Sands were created just then, causing me to be able to use them in a last chance to suspend my body into restoration mode. It's like I remained in a coma while the Sands slowly rejuvenated my body. So for both the reasons the Dahaka was still after you."
"So my initial plan had failed miserably." The Prince felt stupid.
"Yes, you would've been dead surely hadn't you discovered the Mask of Wraith. But now is not the time to discuss this. None of the Dahaka are after you for you are not under their jurisdiction per say. So if you run into them it's truly by accident. But chances are you won't, so just follow the plan and hurry."
The nodded and the two went in their opposite directions.
It wasn't too hard to follow the path that Kaileena had set for him. Her directions were spot on, and it wasn't long before he noticed the stairs. There weren't too many complications; the traps set had been minor. Just a spiked floor that avoided by sprinting a long the walls. A feat that was more difficult than dodging the spikes. Marble walls weren't exactly the best material to try to maintain good footing across. Then two spiked pillars that spun back and forth than he easily ran between. Like Kaileena said, they were of the same appearance as the traps at her temple, but nowhere near the same caliber.
He hastily climbed up the stairs and entered an archway which a gleaming golden light rested. He entered and quickly scoped a massive golden chamber. Everything was gold. The floor, the four pillars that spanned the room, the throne where the God of Time and even the balcony the Prince stood on. Which reached to the far side of the room. There was another balcony directly parallel from him that also stretched across the room. The throne sat near a large stature shaped like diamond. Tapestries of red were draped all along the walls. One was also at the end of the balcony, and it reached to the floor. It would come in handy if the Prince ever needed to quickly reach the bottom.
He then focused his attention below him. Sitting in the throne was a very tall and slim man with long silver hair that covered a lot of the throne. From what the Prince could make out his face was stern, but he had a sort of majesty around him that even the Prince was oddly enticed by. The man wore heavy golden robes that glimmered in the firelight of the entire room.
Standing in front of him in the middle of the room were three figures. One was in the middle and taller than the two that stood one each of him. The middle one was obviously a male and had dark blonde hair that stopped just at the base of his neck. His face was nonchalant, and he wore black spectacles that added to the feeling of intelligence and coolness that exuded from the man. He wore a green gown that was very regal looking. The two women standing on opposite sides of him were obviously twins. Each having brown hair that fell to just above their buttocks. They were very beautiful, the Prince would dare to say even more so than Kaileena. They also were more voluptuous, with massive breasts that seemed to not even fit in their clothing. Clothing that resembled Kaileena's, but was much more revealing. The garments they wore were identical, with straps that barely covered their bosoms, and traveled down to provide light coverage of their vaginal area. Their buttocks were just about completely exposed, with a mere strap covering the crevice of it. The sad part was, although one garment was pink and the other light blue, they were almost transparent.
What's with this father and dressing his daughters in those whorish clothes! The Prince thought. Soon, Kaileena came trumpeting in, the heels of her boots clicking against the floor loudly.
"Well, finally, look whose here." The twin wearing pink said with distaste. "It's always a pleasure to see the favorite."
"Now, now, be nice." The male sibling said. "Nice to see you once again, dear sister. What have you been doing all this time? You haven't been back to the island for any reunions. I'm sure you've gotten the message." His voice was deep and sultry.
"I have. But I've been busy recently. There have been a lot of problems in my region as of late." She lied, everyone else could tell. They knew almost better than she did that she didn't want to come back at all.
"I heard Decky, got killed." The twin in blue said, she had a fondness for Decquaris, although it wasn't returned. "Who killed him?"
"The same one who killed Kaileena's Dahaka." Their father interrupted. He stood up. "Enough chit chat my dear children. Now that I have you are all here, we have important matters to discuss. Arlyn, my beloved son, the second eldest, and the emperor of the North. Aria and Evia, my beautiful twins, the eldest of my children and the empresses of the East and West respectively. And, my favorite child, the youngest of my children, and the empress of the Central area, Kaileena."
"Father!" Aria, the one wearing the pink, bellowed. "What have you called us here for? What do you mean one who destroyed the Dahaka?"
"Let him explain, sister." Arlyn snapped. "Continue father."
"Yes, my son. You see my daughters; you are unaware because I only told my sons what was going on. Men are the only ones deserving of knowing the matter beforehand."
Sexist bastard. Aria, Evia, and Kaileena all thought in unison without realizing it.
The God of Time continued. "You see daughters, one of the Dahaka's were destroyed. In fact, it was Kaileena's. Thus causing a major shift in the balance of time. But now a new problem has arisen. My hateful offspring, Decquaris, had recently been destroyed, apparently by the same man. This means another Dahaka's death."
The Prince watched on interestedly.
"Now, we, as the guardians of time. Have been called upon by the Supreme God to the correct this wrong. A task that we shall complete easily and effectively. But first, we need to ask Kaileena. Who was this man that destroyed your Dahaka and brother?"
The moment of truth, the Prince listened anxiously for Kaileena's response, surely she wouldn't reveal him.
"I don't know." She replied indifferently. The Prince reared back, taken aghast by her pitiful excuse.
"You don't know!" Evia screamed. "You stupid tramp! How could you not know who killed your precious Dahaka and Decquaris? What are you? Some idiot?"
Kaileena kept her composure despite the mass skepticism. "I retain my statement. Someone snuck into my temple. Which I was completely aware of. So of course I sent Shadi to dispose of him. I gave the matter to other thought as I thought she would come through. Next thing I know, I find Shadi dead and my Dahaka destroyed. Decquaris had happened to be visiting this same day, when I told him what happened. He immediately sought out the intruder, but he was killed as well. And before I knew it, the intruder had gone. I don't know where he went. Later I received the message from your sand crow."
Everyone still remained skeptical. But it was a very good lie if the Prince had to say so himself. Everyone had no choice to believe her. What other thing could've happened? They still believe Kaileena as cold and heartless as the rest of them, they would never fathom that she actually fell in love with her murderer.
"Wait a minute." Aria pressed on. She was easily the one who hated Kaileena the most. "Why didn't this man come after you before he left?"
'I don't know. I suppose he was looking for something, found what he wanted and then left."
Aria opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by her father.
"Whatever has happened. We need to take great care. First of all, I want all of you to return to your respective regions and search thoroughly. I fear the man may be trying to find a way onto the continent. How he has knowledge of it we have yet to find out. But he most surely has some sort of time relic, so make sure you order your Dahaka's to find and kill anyone who possesses one. Kaileena, you shall stay here with me and help me make new Dahakas. That is best for you since it is too hard for you to travel without a Dahaka." He smiled, knowing the real reason he wanted Kaileena to stay.
"Just one minute!" Aria screeched again. "How the hell did you get here in the first place?"
"I made myself a boat traveled here."
"Where'd you learn such a skill?" Aria asked again, struggling to find some fault in Kaileena's excuse.
"Aria, my sister, I've lived on my own for over 10 years now. Such skills you pick up. Surely you know that?" The two stared each other down, they hated each other so much.
"Hmph." Aria grunted and turned back.
The Prince above watched triumphantly, Kaileena had successfully taken all suspicion off of her. Well, save for Aria. But she was just a hateful harpy who was trying to find something wrong with Kaileena anyway. The fact that Kaileena had to stay may be a problem. But he knew that the father truly wanted her for only one night. And he could hide out in the forest until then. Secondly, he just about couldn't be found, the Dahakas were to be programmed to find anyone with a time relic. The Prince had none. The God of Time just assumed he did. The Prince and Kaileena had successfully outsmarted a god. For how long they didn't' know. But for now, he was safe.
A shiver went down the Prince's spine as he dodged the slam of a slimy green tendril. He looked up to see none other than a Dahaka standing in the door way. It was identical to Kaileena's except it was green. The Prince quickly associated it with Arlyn, who was wearing green robes.
"Damn." The Prince said as he looked at it. The Dahaka made another attempt to smack him with a green tentacle, but he Prince dodged that one as well. The green Dahaka couldn't get past the archway, thankfully. Any other wall and the Dahaka would've slammed through it. But the Prince was sure that the God of Time had walls that were impregnable to the Dahakas. He silently said a thankful prayer. Until that is, he heard—
"My Dahaka has spotted someone!" Arlyn did an amazing jump that sent him straight to the balcony. The Prince was now in between a time emperor and his Dahaka.
"Oh no." Kaileena muttered under her breath.
A/N: Phew! Okay, well, done with that. It was fun, but a bit long I suppose. Alrighty, hope you guys like it. Read and review. Oh, I did spell check, but it still may be a few mistakes. Any questions just ask.