Disclaimer: I give up. Referred to the last 25 chaps for it.
Author's Note: Wow this is short. I'm sorry everyone, I'm not much for long chaps right now. On a lighter note, to everyone who reviewed: THANK YOU! throws cookies at all You're the best!
Sisters till the End
This is dedicated to Pablo/Cecil because he is such an awesome writer and he has inspired me to go farther. Thank you Pablo/Cecil for your awesome story and your awesome talent!
Chapter Twenty-Six: Homecoming MemoriesIt was hard to imagine the world that she had known before now. A world of happiness and wonders that never ceased and filled with the few people that she cared for. Yet that world now seemed like a far off dream. Rika Avalon looked through the many mirrors that peered into different parts of time, watching as the worlds around her evolved and died. Mistress of Time, she was the ultimate Fate, on a mission to save the world of Time as she knew it. If only they knew, she thought as she watched a field grow and turn brown, then blackened by death. That their actions will effect more then just the world.
Her aim was to reach Gaea and the Protectors before everything happened as she had just viewed it. It was hard to remember that being in the Dimension of Time meant that she was wholly apart from every other part of life, seeing things happen to people years before it took place, or watching a whole village die of a disease years later. The Dimension of Time was tricky that way, with one wrong move you could end up in a whole other year and place then where you intended.
Rika shook her head, watching as the ripples of her movements slowly creped out into the black velvet world and cause the mirrors that floated eerily around her go flying about, some faster then others, and others slower then others. She sighed but kept moving; using her powers to warp the time flow to her will so she could get to her portal quicker. Her powers as a potent Fate had grown with her experience in the dimension and her rule was undeniable on Gaea but with all of her abilities she could still not make her progress any faster. It was a hard lesson that she was still struggling to learn; even the most powerful cannot change Destiny's rules. Even Time is subject to her might, Rika thought. It made her feel vulnerable and violated to think that the one thing she could control, the one thing that made her more powerful then anything, still was not hers.
I don't have time to dwell on such feelings, she told herself. Gaea is in danger and I must go. She remembered the last time she was on Gaea, the last time she had seen her love in person and had touched him… though she had to leave after they had been married she still clung to her last memory.
She stood in front of the long mirror, a stream of moonlight falling upon her from a nearby window, though he doubted that the moon was out. It was just what happened when you were around her. Her beauty would make you see things that weren't normally there, for instance, the moonlight. He smiled as he walked towards her, admiring the way the glow seemed to illuminate her pale lavender hair, and how it made her tan skin dazzle with the power of a million stars. Her whole body radiated with power and warmth. If he had the time he would have lost himself in that body, absorbing her warmth and love, feeling her power as she wrapped her arms around him, a power that could never hurt him.
She saw him in the mirror; a reflection that he knew she had lived a thousand times. Offering him the warm smile that he loved so much she turned into his arms as he began to wrap them around her waist. "Do you really have to go?" He asked, burying his face in her soft hair. Rika gave a content sigh. "I'm afraid so. It's my duty," she said, her voice both sad and yet full of duty. He nodded. He knew her job and he knew what it would mean if she stayed here with him. Still, it didn't stop him from wishing.
"I know. But it was worth a try." Her laugh was soft and musical. "I'll be back before you know it," she said, running her hands through his own brown locks and then resting on his face. "You'll have barely noticed that I left before I come back."
"Of course I'll notice."
Rika grinned. "I know." She kissed him fervently and slowly began to back out of his embrace, towards the mirror that was now starting to glow with the moonlight. He followed wanting to hold on to her for as long as he could. Slowly, she stepped into the mirror, her image and body melting into one as if the glass was only liquid. Merging with the image, she disappeared until only part of her face and outstretched hand were still there, protruding out of the mirror like a twisted image out of a nightmare. "I'll be back," she whispered, her face sinking into itself and her hand quickly following. As the last of her fingers melded into the other, she was gone, her reflection and her body, leaving him there touching the smooth, cold, glass of the mirror where she had been.
How long has it been? It seems like ages, she thought, picking up the feeling of her portal nearby. She picked up the pace and soon was standing in front of the mirror showing a reflection of her room. Reaching out, she touched the glass, feeling as her powers immediately turned it into liquid at her touch. Moving carefully she passed through the portal, enjoying the warmth that flooded her as she moved through it, still fascinated by the fact that time seemed to almost stop before she broke through to the other side like a chick breaking out of its shell. Stumbling, she fell to the floor, coughing a bit to recover air. I've forgotten how it feels to transport, she thought. Raising her eyes from the ground she took in the familiar sight of her room, happy that nothing had changed, and stood quickly, searching for her husband. "I didn't believe it," his voice came from behind her and she turned quickly. "With everything that's happened and going on… but you're here."
"I said I'd be back," Rika replied in her silky voice. Dalet stepped out from the shadows and embraced her, digging his hands into her hair and holding her as if she was about to slip out of his arms. "It wasn't long, now was it?" She laughed, returning the embrace.
"Exactly five months."
"Five!"
Dalet laughed, silencing her outcry with a kiss. She had picked up the talent from Kat a year ago and she hadn't dropped it yet. Rika deepened the kiss and when they finally broke apart, breathing hard to regain lost air, she pulled back a bit and stared into Dalet's eyes. "What's happened?" She asked, reading the concern in their depths. "What's happened since I've been gone?"
With a sigh, Dalet released her and walked over to the bed, picking up his sword and beginning to strap it on. He hated what was going on and to start over from the first sign of trouble was too much for him. "I have practice," he said in a monotone. Rika cocked an eyebrow and in a flash was by his side, reaching for the sword. "It'll wait," she said, her voice serious.
"Lord Dilandau will be mad-"
"It will wait."
Her hand caught the sword and with a jerk she had it back on the bed. Dalet looked at her determined eyes and her set face knowing that he was fighting a losing battle. "And here I was thinking it was hard to get you to relax," he said with a small laugh. Still her face didn't ease and Dalet took a seat, patting the space next to him. "It started right before you left. No one noticed because it was never really a problem, I guess, until that day… We were coming back from a battle a day after you had left-the next morning in fact-and we had just reached the hanger…"
"All of you go to the Training Room and start your workouts!" Dilandau yelled.
"No… that's not fair," Kat moaned as she slouched against the wall of the hanger. She was shaking with exhaustion and her skin glistening in sweat, blue eyes contorted into a look of distress as her body trembled. Looking at Kat Dilandau quirked an eyebrow. "What?" He repeated sounding amused.
Kat fell over and lay on the linoleum floor, looking up at him with exhausted eyes. "I said that wasn't fair," she repeated.
"And why is that not fair?"
"Look around you Dilandau!" She suddenly screamed, motioning to the troops all around him, all looking like they were about to die. "Look around you! We're tired! We're exhausted! We can't take anymore! We battled our hardest and now you want us to train? Just look around, look at Miguel," she motioned to him, who was practically passed out on Alex, "he can't even take a step without passing out and he's always the one to go the farthest!
"What about Chesta?" She motioned to the soldier, who was swaying as Nicole tried to make sure he didn't fall down. "He's willing to do anything and right now he's having trouble standing!"
"You are defying my orders, Kat?" Dilandau roared, anger in his eyes. "They are weak, they need to work!"
"You're going to kill them!"
"Then they die weak!"
"Dilandau look at me!" With one single movement, she was standing, her legs shaking furiously and her eyes aflame with anger. "Look at me," she repeated, suddenly her voice softer and her tone not so harsh. "I can't take anymore. God knows I'm willing to kill myself just to make sure that you're happy and all's well, but I can't even move. Dilandau, we battled like demons out there. I pushed every part of me to the limit-physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. I fought like hell and now I'm paying the price. We're all paying the price."
"Then you're weak," Dilandau spat and left the room in a storm.
Kat lowered her head, biding the tears back. Nicole and Alex both came forth. Alex put her arm around Kat's shoulders and let Kat burying her head in her shoulder. Nicole stood next to Kat holding her hand, her eyes saddened. "I'm losing him…" Kat whispered. Nicole and Alex only looked at each other.
"Soon after that Lord Dilandau threw Kat out of their room and practically off the Vione. They were always fighting-I mean screaming fights-and everyone just about flinched every time they in the same room together…"
The Dragon Slayers sat in the Mess Hall, eating quickly, not one daring to even speak or cough. The moods that their Lord had been in lately were most fearful and none wished to risk the wrath of Dilandau. Even the Protectors had been avoiding the silver haired general. Some occasional glanced up at the man, quickly lowering their gaze before they were caught, and trying to figure out what had their Lord so angry.
Weeks had gone by with the screaming of he and his wife echoing throughout the halls. At times such noise could be heard coming from their room that people would think a storm was brewing on the horizon with the crashing of furniture and the howling of Dilandau. They both were a match for the other in strength and will. All the servants shook when they had to go into the room after a fight. It had gotten so bad that they fought over who got to deliver messages and who went in to do keep. Even the Dragon Slayers shook when they were called into a meeting.
Just then the doors slid open and Kat walked into the room. At her entrance, everyone froze, forks stopped in mid motion, chewing forgotten, glasses held above the table inches from the owner's lips, and all eyes were focused on her. She took one look at the room and then focused on Dilandau. It seemed that everyone was holding their breath, praying. The tension was thick in the air and it settled upon everyone like a heavy wool blanket in the summer.
Alex and Nicole stood and walked over to Kat, whispering something to her and escorting her out of the room. "That's it, turn tail and run, whore," Dilandau called and Kat stopped, whirling around. Instantly both girls had a grip on Kat's arms, restraining her and at the same time trying to pull her out of the room. "You're not so fearful. Tell your masters to release their pathetic hound," Dilandau taunted. Kat's eyes blazed and everyone dropped what they were holding, scattering from the table as suddenly it was flipped over, crashing onto the floor with a loud sound that echoed throughout the room. "Only a hound would recognize another hound," Kat replied, her voice crystal clear. The hearts of everyone in the room dropped at her words; another fight started.
"That was when Kalirice took over Kat's position and became commander of her own force, the Star Dragons, and then the Second came to Gaea. Kat got kicked off the Vione within days when Nicole found out she was pregnant. But Lord Dilandau wasn't going to let Kat get away that easily, or perhaps it was Kalirice's doings, but they put out a warrant for Kat's capture, dead or alive. Luckily, Nicole changed it…"
Suddenly the door opened behind Nicole and she heard a pair of footsteps enter. She stood and saluted as Dilandau and Kalirice walked into her room, arm in arm. "Nicole," Kalirice purred, looking at her. "Put out a search warrant for your friend, Katrina."
Nicole hesitated, looking slightly slick. "Uhm, excuse me, ma'am," she said, trying to keep her voice even. "I need Lord Dilandau's permission to put out a warrant."
"Do as Kalirice says, Nicole," Dilandau shouted. Nicole flinched and turned to her consol, quickly typing something in. There was a small beep and confirmation of the warrant flashed through the screens. "Make it Class A, Type Three," Kalirice grinned. Nicole hesitated. Dilandau's eyes bored into her, ready to snap at her, ready to eat her alive, and Nicole only hesitated a second, acting as if she had made a deadly decision, and obeyed.
"Very well," she muttered, typing in something. Kalirice laughed. "Very good choice, Nicole. Make sure you get a team on it right away," she said as she sauntered out of the room, Dilandau hot on her heels. Tears sprang up in Nicole's eyes as she paused in her typing. Without thinking she changed the warrant type and ran from the room.
"Kat disappeared for a long time and after the warrant Nicole was able to track her down and talk to her, only to find that Kat had met up with some company and had tried to get Scott away from the Dark Stars, a rogue league that had popped up…"
A branch snapped from somewhere to her right. Kat's head shot up and she stood, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Her eyes quickly scanned the clearing for a figure. For a minute her heart jumped in fear but that relief quickly replaced the fear as the form of Nicole quickly took from in the darkness. "Expecting someone?" Nicole asked with a small smile as she saw the state her friend was in. "No, not really. You scared me girl," Kat replied, hugging her friend. Nicole returned the embrace and when they let go punched Kat in the arm. "Ow, what was that for?" Kat demanded, rubbing her arm.
"For totally disappearing on us! Where the hell did you go?" Nicole replied hotly.
"I got some help and went and retrieved the Second."
"The Second?"
Kat motioned over to the slumped over figure. "There he is. He's been brainwashed by the Dark Stars."
"He was with the Dark Stars!"
"Yeah, Coran and I-"
"Coran? As in Coran Duskblade!"
"Jeez, get a grip. Yes. I called in a favor and he's helping me. He knew where Scott was and we went and got him."
"Oh my God, Kat, now I'm going to have to report this to Alex and you'll really be dead! You know she loves those retrieving missions." Nicole smiled, showing that all anger had been forgotten. Kat laughed lightly.
"Well, tell me, why are you out searching for me?"
Nicole sighed and took a seat. Kat followed suit. "Kat, I was searching for you to fill you in on what's been going on in the Vione since you left. It's not good news I'm afraid."
"What's going on?"
"Kalirice has put out a warrant on you, Kat. It's Class A, Type Three and she's informed everyone to look for you. I went back and changed it to Class B, Type One."
"But she can't put out a warrant without Dilandau's permission!" Kat cried incredulously.
"He was with her when she put it out," Nicole said sadly. "He agreed to it, Kat."
Kat's voice was very soft now. "Why?"
"Because Kalirice is now Second in Command of the Dragon Slayers. She's replaced you, in more then one way. Kat, Dilandau has been sleeping with her."
Kat looked sick for a long time before it was replaced by anger. "Nicole, I want you to disappear. Leave the Vione and don't tell anyone where you're going. Cover your tracks and flee. Find somewhere safe and stay there until I call you. Retain total radio silence no matter what," she said, speaking fast and breathless.
Nicole stared at Kat with surprise. "Kat, what are you saying?"
"You need to leave Nicole before they find you!"
"I can't, Kat, and you know that. You've already left and if I leave it will just be Alex. I can't do that Kat."
"You have too." Kat's voice suddenly became cold.
Nicole stood now, anger starting flaring up in her. "No, Kat, I will not. We need to stand together not separate. We need to be a team-we need to be friends-now and stand together."
"We can't, Nicole. If we do we'll all die! It is better like this. Hide yourself and stay hidden, Nicole, unless you want to get caught."
"We need to stand together!" Nicole yelled. "There are things you need to do together-"
"And there are things you need to do alone! This is one of them!" Kat bellowed.
Nicole stood shocked to see the anger in Kat's eyes. She turned away and started walking. "I will not hide, Kat. No matter what you say this is something you need to do as a team. You used to think that once before but you've changed. You've changed for the worst."
With those words said she disappeared into the darkness, leaving Kat behind.
"After that Nicole returned to the Vione. Word spread that the Dark Stars had taken back Scott but Zaibach who also captured the girl who brought him to Gaea, Zorya Aradia Belok, had captured him. Zorya escapes and suddenly Kat contacts Alex and Nicole, informing them that she and Coran are going to infiltrate the Vione so they can set up a deal with Lord Dilandau…"
"You scared?" Coran whispered in Kat's ear, bringing her out of her apparent trance. "Of course not," she muttered back. "That would be a flaw in my character."
"And you are nothing but flawless," Coran sneered. Kat rolled her eyes. They were already standing in the all too familiar Throne Room of Dilandau. Besides her stood Nicole and Alex, behind them the Dragon Slayers, the Star Dragons and Kalirice strangely gone.
Just then Dilandau entered with what could've been his twin. A tall, slim man entered behind him with shocking white hair like Dilandau's and sharp green eyes. His skin was extremely pale as though he had never seen the sun before and there were burn marks, old and faded, on his hands, but still very visible: Dilandau's personal assassin, Shadow.
As Dilandau sat down in his throne, he gazed upon the group with sadistic eyes. "Ah, Kat, my beloved wife," he said, sarcasm coating his voice. "I'm surprised to see you back here after I threw you out."
Anger flared up in her eyes as she moved forward to attack, but her movement was hampered. Surprise came over her as she looked down to see that Coran had put his arm out, stopping her. "Threw her out, Dilandau? Honestly, you think that this woman would let you throw her out?" Coran laughed. "You must really need an ego rush."
Kat smirked at the look on Dilandau's face. "We're not here to trade insults, Dilandau," she said, stepping around Coran's arm and walking up so she stood closer to the throne. Shadow went on edge so she stopped and looked into Dilandau's eyes. "We're here to make a deal that will interest you."
Dilandau sat up a little. "What sort of deal?" He growled.
"We'll bring you the one person that can insure your plans to rule Gaea," she said, leaning back on her heels. "Guaranteed."
Dilandau quirked his eyebrow and Kat seemed totally cool. "We'll bring you Zorya Aradia Belok."
Silence insured for a few seconds and was broke by a peel of small laughter from Dilandau. Coran stepped up to Kat and put his arm on her shoulder, leaning on her, looking cocky. "I wouldn't be laughing Dilandau," he called over Dilandau's laughter. "Because you'll look like not only an idiot but a laughing idiot if you don't accept our offer."
Dilandau's attention went up and he stopped laughing, standing up and making him draw his sword. "And why should I believe what a couple of runts have to say?" He sneered, pointing his sword at Coran as he slowly descended the stairs towards them.
"Because Zorya Aradia Belok is the only thing that can control the Second," Kat said. At the look on Dilandau's face shock was sent through the air. "So, what's the word, Dilandau?" Coran asked.
"Well, Kat and Coran double crossed Zaibach and the Dark Stars, slipping onto the Vione and taking the Second when the two forces were fighting. They almost had him too. But then a force gathered by Queen Hitomi arrived and took him, declaring war. Kat then takes Nicole and Alex away from the Vione and all three disappear…"
Sitting alone where dead wood and browning leaves continued to curl up and fall from old branches, trees long gone or dead, lumps of blackened coal in the cold dawn, grass scattered in patches that reminded her of an old mutt's patchy fur with the occasional chirping of the lonely cricket, was Kat. "Because friends can see through that," came Alex's voice, echoing all around her, answer an unspoken question. "We still come when you call."
"Even though we disagree with your actions," Nicole added, appearing like magic out of the brush. Jumping up, Kat greeted the woman with a powerful hug, relieved to see her best friends. Alex appeared next and was greeted with the same enthusiasm as Nicole had been.
"It's good to see you Kat," Nicole said fondly, watching as relief flooded her friend's face. "You too, both of you," Kat said, smiling. "Now come on, we've got a mission."
"What?" Alex asked, a little shocked. She glanced over at Nicole and saw the same expression on her friend's face. "Kat, you said that you needed to see us. We weren't expecting a mission," Nicole said.
"Well, we don't expect a lot of things to happen, do we? Remember going to Gaea?"
"I admit things happen without reason to us, but come on. It's strange that you call us and then suddenly say we're going on a mission. What mission?"
"Did you honestly think I would call you out here for a chat?"
Now Nicole and Alex had extreme surprised on their faces. Sending an infamous look to Nicole, they followed their friend. They walked through the forest, the scenery never truly changing. Kat was taking them into the heart of the Fanellian forest and there could only be one possible reason for that. To break into the Queen's Palace. Annoyed, Alex stopped and Nicole halted behind her. Kat didn't seem to notice.
Alex cleared her throat, which caught Kat's attention. She turned to them with a quizzical look on her face. "Okay, you've taken us far enough Kat. What the hell is going on?" Alex demanded.
Kat heard Alex's tone and instantly went on the offensive. "This isn't the time or the place, Alex. Keep moving," she growled.
"I'm not moving another inch until you answer me. What the hell is going on Kat? You disappear and then we try to get you come back and you act like we're trying to kill you. Then you go all Rambo on us. What the hell is with these changes? You were never like this before!"
Crossing her arms, Kat glared at Alex and Nicole. "If you're scared to go on then you can leave, cowards."
"See? That isn't you talking Kat!"
"It sounds strangely like Dilandau," Nicole commented.
"This is not the time to be accusing me of things that I am not! The world is about to be destroyed and we need to save it! So keep all that "you're changing" crap to yourself for now! Unless you want to discuss it while we're being blown up!" She hollered.
"I think I will. Answer us this Kat-things were the same until Dilandau started slipping away from you! It's like ever since Kalirice showed up she was more of a match for Dilandau so you're trying to be more like her to get him back. Well, he isn't coming back Kat so you can give up!"
"SHUT UP!"
"It's true! You say you want to save the world but how can we save it together when we're not wholly together? Answer that!"
Kat turned her back to the two and started to walk off.
"Something changed Kat, or so I was told. The last I heard from them they were headed towards the Fanellian castle to free the Second and Zorya who they believe to be taken also. But they also found out that Kalirice wants the Second for herself so she can rule Gaea alone. Now they have four forces fighting of the Second, two from Zaibach, Fanellia, and the Dark Stars. That was the last I heard from them."
Rika looked at Dalet, her eyes shinning with remorse, as she absorbed the information. "This has done a lot to you," she whispered, her hand on her husband's face. He nodded a bit and Rika embraced him. "I'm sorry I wasn't here… I could have done something."
"No, you had your duties. Some things have to go this way."
"And some things don't."
Dalet pulled back and stared at her incredulously. He suddenly had a bad feeling about what she was going to do. "No, Rika, you can't-"
"I can do whatever I want in Time," she said, suddenly standing straight. Turning her head she seemed to stare off into a far off mirror, as if she could see something that Dalet could not, and slowly nodded as if agreeing to some unspoken challenge. Her golden eyes glowed brighter then before and she reached out, making a circle in the air with the flat of her palm, and then reached into the shimmering air. Slowly she pulled out her sword, sheathed in a black scabbard with diamonds that sparkled like stars in the sky, and Dalet's family insignia upon it. "Rika, don't," he said slowly.
Rika looked at him and offered a smile. "Dilandau won't be putting any more stress upon you," she whispered, her voice as vile as a viper's bite. Dalet's eyes widened and he jumped to try and grab her but she was gone within a second, spirited away into the thin air, leaving him behind with only an idea of what was going to happen to his Lord. "Shit," he muttered, running from the room.