CHAPTER SEVEN
Continuing onward through the newly accessed section of city streets, the Prince found himself needing to stop for a quick breather (taking a few sips from an intact fountain which inexplicably continued to generate clean drinking water).
While he refreshed himself, Kaileena found herself deep in thought (knowing of her new pre-ordained fate in this altered timeline). She had refused to confront the Prince about this vision, knowing full well that he'd likely try to change her destined path yet again for her sake and sabotage any chance at restoring Babylon from the brink of destruction as a result.
No. She knew with absolute certainty that the best path forward for this world, was in her no longer continuing to remain within it. It stung Kaileena's pride hard to admit that honest fact to herself.
Back on the Island of Time, she had been just as determined as the Prince was in avoiding her fated death at his hands (going so far as to send her own loyal servant, Shahdee, to the slaughter). Shahdee had even blatantly admitted to her face that her predestined killer was too strong a fighter for even her skills to keep up with, reminded her that she had already seen everything which was destined to occur in the timeline...
As far as she had known, fate couldn't be changed, not even for an immortal goddess.
And yet, the Prince... her own identified timestream assassin, had found a way out of the dilemma they had both found themselves wrapped in, suggesting a third option that would benefit the both of them.
Funny, she thought. Here I stand now, a warrior such as I who's come to love a mortal man, being willing to give up everything at a moment's notice for him, for what needs to be done... in order to set everything right again.
She continued internally debating with herself. 'The old Empress would have done everything within her power to avoid such a choice, but I guess the Prince has a habit of bringing out that trait in those he meets. Even in his more formative adolescence, I was helping him from across time and space, strengthening him in whatever capacity I could provide... I've enjoyed what little time I have had and still have left with the Prince. But I don't feel I'll ever truly be ready to sacrifice myself for what needs to be done. I...'
She started to cry a bit, the Prince noticing something a little amiss as he finished rejuvenating himself through the fountain.
'Kaileena, what's wrong?' he inquired.
'It's... nothing,' she responded, quickly wiping the tears off her face. 'Let us continue on to the Babel Tower. Try to keep up!'
Kaileena started running off and jumping while the Prince found himself a little dumbstruck for a moment before proceeding to follow her.
'Hey!' he shouted. 'Whatever happened to sticking together till the end?'
The Prince let out a smile as he rushed towards Kaileena's current position, blissfully unaware of what would happen next as their inevitable clash with the Doppelganger grew ever closer.