"Amaira,
get Rinoa's body away from Advina, now! " screamed Raina as
she continued to fight Advina. "No, I am not leaving you to
fight her alone!" shouted Amaira. Raina snarled at her and
heaved her at Rinoa's body. "Quit trying to be the bossy one and
do as youre told for once, damnit! This isn't the time or the place
to be bitchy!" Amaira sighed frustratedly and did as she was
told. She picked up Rinoa's body and moved it to safety. "Itachi,
you watch her while I help Raina." Itachi nodded and kept a
close eye on her and eyed Raina from time to time. Amaira went back
to the fight only to find Raina and Advina locked in a deadly fight
of black bolts and lightening. Raina swung her now lightening filled
fist at Advina and hit her head on, sending the witch rolling into a
wall and slamming into it hard enough to leave a body print. Advina
chuckled and cracked her neck. "Well done, insect girl. I see
you are quite strong indeed."
Raina smirked at her comment
and bowed her head slightly. "I tend to keep a few tricks up my
sleeve, hag. It's a witch thing, but I guess you wouldnt know about
that, now would you, fraud?" The hatred poured from Advina's
eyes. "You insolent little..." "Ah ah ah," tsked
Raina. "Temper temper, hag." "HAG?" screeeched
Advina. "That's it. You snotty little brat. I'll make you pay
for that!" Itachi and Amaira looked at Raina in worry as Rinoa
watched from her silent perch as well. Raina's body continued to glow
as her power increased,as Amaira's became greater by the minute. "You
see, HAG, we true witches can do more than measely spells and
incants. Any true witch worth their spellbook is also a spirit
medium." This garnered a wide-eyed look from all involved. "A
medium?" inquired Amaira. Before Raina could answer, there was a
terrible noice from above them, as if a nuclear bomb had exploded
right on their heads. All of them ducked for cover, except Advina,
who simply laughed. Rinoa, still floating about, found this curious,
and moved closer to Advina so she could read her thoughts.
Concentrating
all of her remaining energy on getting the complete thought, she was
able to figure out what was amusing Advina so- something was
coming...or someone. Just as she began to wonder if it could be
Blaine, Rinoa started to feel a current in the room just as the
ceiling caved in and a great blue light formed just to her right.
Rinoa turned to see her sisters and Itachi staring at the blue
enigma, which seemed to be hovering close to her body now. Itachi,
suspicious, took an automatic defensive stance of both himself and
the body, but backed down a bit when the light dimmed just enough for
him to see the form of someone standing there. Amaira gasped,
recognizing in an instant that it was, in fact, Blaine...but
yet, it wasn't.
"About time you showed," chuckled
Raina. Blaine did not even look at her, as he was focused on the body
laying before him. He leaned down and brushed the hair off Rinoa's
face, then immediately turned around and began to talk to air, or so
it seemed to the others. Little did they know that Rinoa was now
standing right next to him.
"Tell me what to do...tell
me what her weaknesses are", he addressed the spirit only he
could see, referring to Advina, who suddenly looked a tad bit
frightened. Amaira looked confused, as did Itachi.
"Who on
earth are you talking to?", Itachi asked, clearly thinking this
man had lost his mind. Raina, giving Blaine a knowing look, came
closer and simply said "He is talking to Rinoa." Amaira,
with a single tear running down her face, looked shocked.
"She's
still here?...I didnt think she was, because I couldnt see her
this time...", she trailed off. Blaine, throwing a cold look
in Advina's direction, asked Rinoa again.
"Weaknesses...does
she have any?" Rinoa looked at him, still a bit surprised
herself that he could see her, and shook her head.
"None
that I know of, aside from sheer ego...I do know that she wanted
you here, she did this to get you here. Blaine, I dont know what she
intends to do to you..." At this, he simply gave her a look,
then turned to Advina.
"You are going to regret every single
moment of this...I promise you that."
Advina laughed,
raising an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, well, Come to save your
beloved?" She laughed loudly, then pointed towards the body on
the ground, "Youre a bit late, I'm afraid. No matter what ghost
you have been talking to, you cant change the fact that she is dead
as a doornail. No amount of anger or diffuse blue light can change
that. But since you're here...maybe you'll see fit to give back
what is rightfully mine."
Raina looked at Blaine in
confusion. "What the hell do you have, damnit?" Blaine
didnt answer, just kept looking at Advina with a steel gaze.
"I
dont have a damn thing that belongs to you."
Advina shook
her head." You see, thats where youre wrong...that power
inside of you...the thing you call Fury...that is mine. And I
want it back", she said , then raised her staff, which began to
glow a bright purple. Raina, unamused, moved up beside Blaine, as did
Amaira, then Blaine watched Rinoa position herself right behind
Advina.
As Advina gathered power, the rest of them watched with a
certain amount of trepidation as Blaine began to give off the intense
blue glow again.
"You think this power is yours?", he
said, smirking," I got news for you...you were just the
opening act...in case you haven't noticed, you missed the main
event. But you're going to have front row seats for the encore."
Raina, Amaira, and Itachi all backed away a bit as the blue glow
became brighter and the man they knew as Blaine transformed right
before their eyes into the alter they knew Advina both feared and
wanted to possess- Fury. Opening his now red eyes, he aimed a blue
energy ball straight at Advina, which when she ducked, passed right
through Rinoa. "HEY!...watch where you aim those
things...,"she yelled, then realizing you have to be alive
to get killed, gave it up. Fury stood there, building up his
strength, as Advina's power reached it's full potential.
"Fury,
so we finally meet, "she looked at her staff, "
now...should we see which of us has the real power here?" Fury
did not move, just glared at her.
"Hey
Cookie Monster, you gonna attack or am I going to have to do it for
you?" Raina said smugly to the blue hulk of anger. Amaira
stepped back, Itachi moved in, sure Fury would launch a blue flame at
Raina, which he considered. Knowing this, Rinoa moved right in front
of Raina, just as a form of distraction, knowing that Fury would be
just as quick to knock her out the way if he so chose. Sensing that
Rinoa was close, Raina immediately set about locking on her soul
energy. Advina, annoyed by Raina's walking about, sighed loudly and
came towards her.
"What on earth are you doing? My lord, you
are more annoying than a fly on the wall..."
Raina
spoke to her while concentrating. "I'm locking onto my sister's
soul energy, you insolent hag. There are three types of energy in the
physical body; adrenaline, which is a quick rush of energy, aural
energy, which is less known and harder to spot and soul energy. You
see, the soul has it's own energy signature. its the hardest to sense
unless you are a spirit medium, which I am."
Advina rolled
her eyes. " I know I know...for the love of the goddess, I
know. What good is that going to do you, you lunatic?" Raina
smirked at her, then threw a knowing look at Amaira. "You'll
see". Just then, Raina finally got a lock on Rinoa and began
chanting. Advina, realizing what she was about to do, stepped back
and threw a bolt from her staff at Raina, who flew back against the
wall. At this, as Itachi rushed to her aid, Fury moved forward so
fast Amaira didnt even see him until he had Advina by the neck,
holding her off the ground. Amaira moved beside Fury as he let go of
Advina, yet she still hung in the air, as if suspended there. Amaira
realized that he was holding her there by sheer power of the mind. As
Advina raised her staff, Fury raised one hand, and with a slight
movement, threw Advina across the room, just as her staff discharged
a bolt so massive it knocked even Fury to the ground. As he got up,
now even more angry, Advina shot another bolt at Amaira...but
instead hit Raina, who was suddenly standing right in front of her
sister. Advina, confused, walked right over and looked Raina straight
in the face. Breaking her concentration, Raina opened her eyes,
revealing that one remained purple and one was now Rinoa's infamous
blue. All looked at her in awe as Raina/Rinoa spoke.
"You
want power, "both voices spoke in unison," youre going to
get it." The sisters locked eyes on Advina and let out a loud
snarl.
"Now it's time you pay for what you have done."
As Fury came to stand next to her, Raina began to radiate a great
black and blue aura. Amaira, knowing what was coming, joined the
frontline and began to build her own power. Advina, suddenly nervous
looking, closed her eyes and collected her thoughts...and moments
later a great purple forcefield surrounded her.
"Get through
that. I dare you...", she taunted. Raina just tilted her head,
let out a small laugh, Rinoa's laugh, and with a flick of her wrist,
shot a blast of combined energy at Advina. Unable to penetrate the
barrier at first, she kicked it up a bit, putting both hands in front
of her and pushing all of their combined magic into the energy
stream. Sensing her strain, Amaira let loose with her own energy
stream, which combined with her sisters'. As the strain became worse,
Raina's face began to blur with Rinoa's and then, for a brief moment,
Rinoa stood on her own beside her sisters, with Fury standing in wait
on the other side. Then, just as the barrier around Advina collapsed,
Amaira screamed to Fury.
"NOW. You have to finish this, they
cant go on", she said, then watched Raina/Rinoa sink to the
ground, unconscious. Fury, not waiting to find out their condition,
threw himself at Advina, grabbing her and taking flight, rising up
out of the great hole he had blast in the ceiling upon arrival, with
Advina in one hand. She lost grip on her staff, and it fell back to
the ground in front of Amaira, shattering and sending dark purple
energy everywhere. Amaira looked up through the haze and saw only a
bright blue light above her. Itachi, sensing danger, came and grabbed
Raina/Rinoa and Amaira's wrist and pulled them to the safety of the
corner where he had Rinoa's body. It was just in time, as a moment
later, Fury, in a fit of rage, threw Advina down to the floor. She
hit the ground with a sickening thud, and laid there, not moving.
Fury, not done yet, landed next to her. Looking down on the clearly
defenseless witch before him, he contemplated the energy built in his
hand for a moment, then pulled back and threw it at her, dissolving
her into nothing more than dust on impact.
In the
moments after, the silence was unnerving, as Amaira and Itachi walked
towards Fury, unsure as to what he did or how he did it. He looked
up, rage still in his eyes, and began to look around. He walked
directly over to where Rinoa's body lay, stepping over Raina in the
process. Itachi made a vain attempt to stop him, but he just walked
right past him and picked Rinoa up, readying himself to take flight
again, just as Raina sat up and screamed"STOP!".
Fury
turned, angry, and looked at her. Raina, unsteady, stood up and once
again repeated,"Stop. You cant take her body from here...this
is where her spirit is...Or...was...", she trailed off,
looking worried. Amaira, sensing her panic, rushed over. "What
is it?".
Raina looked around frantically, then suddenly
burst into tears.
"She's not here! She's gone!
She's gone now...I dont sense her, I dont see
her...Rinoa...she's just...gone." Amaira, taken aback,
looked towards Fury as Itachi took Raina into his arms. Suddenly
looking conflicted, Fury laid Rinoa's body on the ground and stared
at it. He shook his head as he heard Blaine talking to him from
somewhere within.
"You
know what has to be done, now do it, damnit. Dont stall on me, you do
this. You give her back to me. You have half of my life, you give me
this." Fury, knowing this would mean giving up much of his
power, hesitated, pondering escape. As he contemplated his next
action, Raina began to scream at him.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING
FOR! I know you can help her! I know you can...now DO
IT!" Raina fell back against Itachi, drained. Fury
looked down at Rinoa's lifeless form, and grudgingly picked her up.
As Amaira, Raina, and Itachi watched with baited breath, Fury held
Rinoa's body against his chest, then wrapped his wings around her and
closed his eyes. As they stood there, spellbound, blue sparks began
to flicker around Fury and Rinoa as the blue glow returned, this time
even brighter and more radiant. Itachi shielded his eyes as the glow
became so intense it filled the room. Suddenly, an energy stream akin
to a solar flare burst forth from Fury and found it's way back down,
into Rinoa's body. Amaira stared, slackjawed, as Raina simply
watched, waiting for the final result, prepared to give it a shot
herself if it didnt work. As another energy stream exploded in front
of them, Itachi pulled Raina and Amaira farther back, unsure of what
such energy would do to a living being. They closed their eyes, sure
that the entire place would go up in flames any moment, but just as
quickly as it had begun, suddenly, it was over. They opened their
eyes to see Fury drop Rinoa, then stumble back, dazed. Raina and
Amaira ran to Rinoa's side, lifting her head off the ground, as Fury
and Itachi looked on.
"Rinoa?",
Raina said lightly, timidly, looking down at her sister. Amaira began
to cry, as Rinoa still lay unresponsive, cold. Raina, enraged, looked
up at Fury.
" What happened? Why isnt she back!" As
she glared holes in him, Fury's form began to soften and give way,
and in the blink of an eye, was replaced by Blaine. Amaira looked at
him, then at Rinoa, then pulled a hesitant Raina away from her
sister's body so that Blaine could be next to her. He leaned down,
then sat, pulling Rinoa close to him. He said nothing, just simply
put his forehead to hers, and closed his eyes. The other three
remained motionless, waiting for something, anything, to happen.
Blaine, opening his eyes, got a small smile on his face as he
whispered into Rinoa's ear.
" I know youre in there, so you
might as well quit being dramatic and come back to us, Gorgeous"
Raina, leaning into Itachi, leaned forward as Rinoa slowly opened
one eye, then the other. Blaine smiled at her as she looked up at
him, confused.
"Am I...im back?" He nodded at
her.
"You sure are, Gorgeous. How you feeling?" He sat
her up a bit. She rubbed her head, then looked around.
"Where's
the hag?" Raina laughed at this, and Blaine looked up and
around, getting a playful smirk on his face.
"Oh...here,
there...everywhere" Rinoa looked lost, and Raina laughed
loudly through her leftover tears as she came walking over. "She's
dust, sissy...literally."
Rinoa looked
wideeyed, then began laughing hysterically. "Fitting, I say"
She sat up, then got to her feet with Blaine and Raina's help.
Amaira, in disbelief, looked her over, then grabbed her and hugged
her so tight she thought she might break.
"Hey...I just
got back...attempt to refrain from squeezing the life out of me
until tomorrow." Everyone laughed at this, as Raina remarked, "
Oh yeah...she's fine". Rinoa turned to Blaine, who suddenly
noticed something off.
"Your eyes...Rinoa...theyre
different." Raina, curious, looked at her sister.
"Hot
damn he's right...theyre darker and brighter all at the same
time...but still blue, so dont freak out." Rinoa shrugged,
then threw herself against Blaine, putting her arms around his neck.
"Now who's strangling people?", he joked. Rinoa looked
up at him, then put her head on his shoulder.
"I was
scared...I thought it was over for me. But then, I just knew...",
she trailed off, looked up at him again, "I knew you were
coming". She smiled at him, then turned to look at her sisters
and Itachi, sighing.
"You ok?", Itachi asked, ready to
get the hell out of there. Rinoa nodded.
" I just have one
question, " Rinoa said, looking up at the sky, then at her
sisters, then at Blaine.
"Can we get out of here now? Cause
im getting witch dust in my lungs."
Raina looked at her as
if she were insane, then bust out laughing, as did the others.
Blaine, amused, grabbed her and looked her square in the eyes.
"Ready when you are."
