Chapter 10

Alan would swallow softly witnessing Musa was beginning to gain her magical powers. This was a battle he had hoped to avoid, never having a chance to train against a magic user. Only specialist and other soldiers in the kingdom of Eraklion. "I suppose there is no other way. I am truly sorry."

Musa would then throw the ball of sound. The implosion alone would nearly wake the dead. Her vision slightly blurred by the sound itself. "Did I get him?"

Alan slanted his eyes hearing no words, but actions to come from Musa. The sight of the ball of sound coming was half expected. This allowing for him to leap to the side, the explosion of sound actually forcing him to roll several feet along the grass. Groaning a little, his head fuzzy as well. "I can't let her do that again. Get up Alan!"

Musa looked left to right trying to see where Alan had landed, only to see him getting up. "Oh no you don't!" Quickly summoning another ball of sound, only to toss it toward Alan as he was rising.

Alan groaned a little more, faintly hearing Musa say no you don't? Alan's reflexes saved him as he rolled forward the sound bomb going off behind him sending him toppling face forward into the dirt. Blood leaking down his lip, it seemed to be true. He couldn't win this, not without trying to kill Musa. That thought plagued Alan's mind. His hands weakly falling at his side, losing the grip on his phatom blade.

Musa lowered a little in her flight stance, "Stay down and I won't hurt you Alan." Musa's voice carried an unusual sharp tone. "Tell me what's going on! Why are you attacking us!"

Alan felt his vision a little more blurry, his head fuzzy from the sound that echoed in his head. "I. I have to get those pixies. Diaspro's life depends on it. I am sorry. I cannot let you stop me." Alan pushing off the ground quickly, the phatom blade in his left hand would be brought up and swiped along Musa's chest.

Musa listened to what Alan said, "Diaspro's life? What do you?" It was to late his body up faster than she realized. Attempting to fly back to avoid it the swipe now at her chest missing it's target. Musa quickly raising her hands to summon another sound bomb. "I am sorry Alan!"

There would be a sharp voice echoing through the area. "No!" The voice would belong to Layla quickly tossing a shield of liquid in front of Alan. This would cause the exploding sound bomb to bounce back into her.

Alan had realized he failed and that would truly cause him to be defeated. Though when a familiar voice touched his ears. This forced him to slightly turn seeing Layla, but she actually rose a shield in front of him. The small shield doing its task to bounce Musa's attack back into her.

Musa was more suprised than anyone to see Layla step in, but not on her behalf? This would in turn cause that powerful sound bomb to expode into her. The force alone in the close range would knock the fairy out, collapsing softly onto the grass, her clothing changing as she turned back to normal.

Layla looked at her hand realizing she had turned on her friend. "Musa I?"

Alan was more suprised than her turning to move in that direction. "Why did you do that?" Alan's phatom blade unignited and placed at his belt.

Tune had watched all this quickly fluttering away, not sure if Layla was under a spell or not.

"I just. I didn't want you hurt, why are you attacking the others?" Layla's concern seeped in her voice.

Alan sighed looking down, "Diaspro is in danger, I couldn't defend her. I failed." A set of clear crystal tears leaked down Alan's face. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to face you. I was just going to take the others pixies to that creature. I have to, he won't release Diaspro unless I do."

Layla listened to Alan's explanation shaking her head, it was unreal. Noticing the tears the truth hurt to hear, "Alan, why didn't you ask for help? We can help you?" Pleading now heard with Layla, hand softly put on his shoulder.

"I can't... I have to do this alone, she is counting on me." Alan's voice stern even as soft tears fell down his cheek.

Layla listened to Alan, so he was in love with her? It would be that case wouldn't it? "I see, you feel it's your responsibility because you love her. I."

Alan listened to Layla, hearing her say he loved Diaspro, wait that wasn't right? Hearing her about to say more, hand sliding up to cover her mouth. Standing right in front of her, "Shhh, hold on Layla." Alan trying to gather his voice to form a coherent sentence. "I am indebted to Diaspro, she has been my best friend forever. I would go anywhere to save her. I love her as a friend, but not like you think. I.." Alan stopped in his mid sentence looking to Layla, before speaking slowly, "I was going to avoid facing you because I care about you. I mean." Alan's hand sliding from her lips as he sighed.

Layla was cut off feeling Alan's hand slide to cover her mouth stopping her from speaking. Only for a quick explanation to come. This added with the fact he was going to avoid fighting her all together. Even further when he said he cared about her. He did like her, it wasn't just one sided feelings it was true. Hearing him stop his words she just hugged him tightly, it was like they were saying goodbye.

Amore would float up behind Layla looking at the two as they embraced in a hug. "This is so beautiful. True love is so rare." Amore looking to Tune who appeared beside her, "What will we do?"

Tune had listened to the explanation, the boy's passion. Even in this situation he remained a gentleman. Now sighing, "I think we are going with him aren't we?"

Amore would nod, "It's to save the life of that princess, do we have a choice?"

Tune would simply nod in agreeance. The two floating over to Alan waiting to be placed away.

Alan had felt the hug, it was something he truly needed. Eyes closed feeling the cool air wisp by him. "I need this Layla. I don't deserve it, but I need it. I am sorry."

Layla softly leaned back witnessing the little pixies move to give themself up. It was a suprise, hearing Alan Layla softly smiled. A tear leaking down her cheek, "It will be okay. I am not going to give up on you, we will help you." Not needing to be told it was Darkar she knew already. "Take Piff, if you don't he will know." The little sleepy pixie being handed to Alan.

Alan was shocked by the two pixies even more by Layla handing over the little sleepy pixie. "Layla I." Stopping he simply took the pixie and opened the container, the guilt finally reaching its maxium feeling. Eyes cutting toward Layla as both Tune and Amore floated into the container being sealed away. Alan left with a simple nod. "I hope you are successful, do what you have to stop me." It was sincere Alan feeling that he was tied and unable to stop his choices. Maybe the fairies would stop him and save Diaspro he hoped for it. Now moving to leave, head lowering that much more. Leather jacket being lifted as it was put on his shoulder.

Layla swallowed slowly as Piff was taken, it was painful. But in truth she felt she could save Alan from this mistake. Willing to put her pixie in danger. Watching as Alan moved away, hearing him say to stop him at all cost, hoping it would never happen. Hand quickly reaching out as she pulled Alan to her. Lips softly touching his, a shy quick kiss was all. "Please be careful."

Alan was leaving only to feel the pull back, blinking. Only to feel Layla kiss him quickly, a slight redness to his face. Only for her soft words to touch his ears. "I. I will. You to Layla." Alan now quickly running away time was almost up, guilt now replaced with fear and a building hate for Darkar.

Inside of Shadow Haunt Stormy would groan, "Ewww that's so disgusting. I hate that stuff!"

Darcy laughed, "Such a sappy reunion, so sad. Shouldn't we tell Darkar those fairies are coming?"

Icey shook her head, "No, lets see if he can deal with them without us. Prove he is waisting his time with that girl."

Darcy had to grin, "Oooo revenge, I like it. Lets wait and see."

The three witches would laugh together as the darkness in Shadow Haunt would seem to grow.