(Your POV)
(Seto's POV)
"Lady Kira?!" You gasped as the face of Kira sat before you. Complete shock overwhelmed you.
"What? Is it not right for me to accompany you?" she questioned.
"My Lady, you should be at the palace protecting The Pharaoh's son not with me and these men where you could get killed!" You accused still shocked to the fact she snuck into your party.
"I don't care about getting killed. I want to find my sister. I have failed to sense her presence since she left and I only fear the worst." She argued.
"Apologies My Lady, but you must go back!" you pointed out to her pointing back toward the lands of the palace.
"And how would you do that? Have me walk back alone? What kind of man are you?" She argued. She was right. The group was too far to just have her walk back, and none of the men were on horses.
"You planned this didn't you?" You questioned leaning back in the seat of the kart.
"And what if I did? Maza's life is at stake and I'm the only one who knows her well if we…" her voice stopped short as if not wanting to speak.
"If we what? Our enemy is the bandit group not her. Why would we need to know her if we're not attacking her?" You argued.
"Because priest, you may have to fight her." She countered with a glare in her eye. You were taken back shocked.
"W-Why would you say that My Lady?" You asked almost fearful of the answer.
"Priest, you may find her in a state that is not of herself. This mission was not just for the kingdom, but for her. You see, this mission was a test of her self control. If she failed, you won't find the Maza we know when we arrive. You may find an uncontrollable being who is fueled by anger." She explained.
"So what would you do?" You questioned.
"I've only seen her that way once, and it was many years ago. Then, Master Rubin attacked her with all his might almost killing her to subdue the beast. I may have to do the same." she sighed lowering her head.
(One Day)
The ride became silent as the convoy moved on. Your thoughts filled with images of the sorceries either dead or the beast Lady Kira had told you about. You didn't know what you would return to the palace with. The only thing you could do now was keep Lady Kira in your party and pray Maza was not in any harm. The day seemed to pass so slowly but you made sure every man understood the story Kaban had given the group who ambushed them. With your journey, you were getting closer and closer to their lands and closer and closer to the young woman you hoped to save. But now, dusk was approaching the sky in only a matter of hours. Kira remained quiet through the journey not speaking a word until she turned to you again.
"You have taken an interest to her haven't you Priest?" She asked out of the blue.
"What?" You asked confused by the woman's question.
"You know what. You have taken interest in my sister have you not?" She asked again. Something about the question forced your body to stiffen. How would this girl know about the sorceries?
"Haven't many taken a notice to her?" you asked in response remembering the woman's last words she spoke to you the day she was sent away on the mission.
Flash Back
"Now if you do not mind Priest, I shall be going to the Pharaoh and I suggest you go on with your duties for they are everything but following me around dreaming of something you will never have."
End Flash Back
Why was it so? Why was it that the one thing you desired most was the thing you could not have? How did you fail Ra where he would punish you so?
"I advise you not to advance upon her further if you value your life Priest." Kira spoke up breaking you from your thoughts.
"Why does everyone tell me such things. Why is she allowed in the palace if she is such a danger?" you countered.
"It is not my sister who is the danger idiot! It's the law! She's under the command of The Pharaoh. You are under the command of his son. Both of you harvest powers greater than mere mortals. Not only would a union inhibit your abilities to protect our king, but a child from such a union would be a danger to the people! Think about it priest! Two powerful people what would their child probably be? The child would be a vessel of power not even imagined! The reasons beings like us either marry someone of normal power or none at all is to prevent such power being brought forth and possibly used against our king!" You were about to reply, but you found yourself stopped by one of your men yelling
"Fire ahead!"
Quickly, you and Kira turned your attentions to the horizon. "I believe we may be too late Priest." Kira whispered. Indeed at the horizon stood a large area burning.
"Quickly, we must make haste for we may be too late." You ordered the men.
(Kira's POV)
Once you knew you were close enough, you jumped off the wagon and started on foot.
"Kira!" the priest called jumping off after you. You turned around to face him.
"Stay with your men! Get the innocent to safety, I must go at this alone." He quickly took hold of your arm.
"No! If the worst has happened, you are the Pharaoh's next choice of guardian, and I cannot let you die!" You couldn't let him go against something like that, but he wouldn't let go. You quickly looked at the confused men and shouted your orders.
"Rally the innocent. Save who you can. Place all injured in an area where they can be treated. If we do not return with the sorceries by day fall we are dead! Killed by the sorceries herself. You must leave and tell that to the palace, and warn them of the coming danger." All the men looked at each other in horror as if too scared to advance.
"Hurry. The life of your king depends on it!" the Priest shouted throwing his arm in the direction of a large crowd running your direction. The men finally took your orders and went forth. "Now, let's find Maza." He stated to you. You quickly closed your eyes in hopes to since her being, and just your luck, she came to you hard and strong.
"That way!" you told him as you ran to the source of her energy.
(Seto's POV)
Kira and you ran in the direction she stated Maza would be. Soon enough, you were in the bandit camp were many ran blindly but all running from one point. Screams and cries from men, women, and children surrounded you as many ran into the two of you trying to make it to the source of the chaos.
"Prepare yourself Seto! Maza is not herself, I can tell now! Her energy is wrong.. painful!" she warned. Suddenly, the two of you came to a clearing where you stood in the outskirts of a slaughter. Fire burned everywhere illuminating the blood soaked female in the middle of a group of warriors.
"Maza!" You gasped afraid for her now.
"Stand your ground Priest!" Kira commanded.
"She's surrounded!" you pointed out looking at Kira.
"The monster is surrounded, not Maz-" She was cut short by the screams of men. You quickly turned your attention back to find the soldiers that surrounded the sorceries now were scattered about the ground most mortally wounded.
"Oh Ra!" you gasped in shock.
"I can't let this go any further." Kira spoke up her voice cracking more than once as she ran past you right toward the very thing or person who had just killed a small gathering of armed men
."Lady Kira!" you called. She only turned around giving you more instructions. As she left, you looked around you at the devastation the stench of blood and death soaked the air causing you to feel suddenly ill "She couldn't have done this. No…" you whimpered praying that you were right. What would bring Maza to such destruction?
(Kira's POV)
You looked back at the priest for a moment. "I am the only one capable! You go to the men and help treat the wounded as well as get the fires out! If I am not back before sunrise I've perished and you must race back to the king and tell him and Master Rubin that she's loose and on the rampage." The priest looked confused but you had no time. You quickly turned back around and ran right toward your greatest challenge.
"Maza!" you yelled trying to get your sister's attention. Just like your dream, she stood there covered in blood. How many men have died at her hand? The creature's attention turned to you. Your sister's bright sand eyes were replaced with that same blood color that dampened her dress.
"Ha! Foolish girl. A group of men couldn't take me, how much of a difference will you make?" your sister's voice laughed. Maza would never say such a thing.
"Are you the cause of this chaos?" You demanded not giving this creature a chance. Those bloodstained hands raised up as a look of triumph crossed her face. She looked nothing like your sister even worse than your nightmare.
"And what if I was. The Evil must be vanquished. Don't you agree priestess?" she asked mocking you.
"Vanquishing the evil is my task, but not at the cost of life!" you snapped preparing your plan. You couldn't afford to fight here. There were too many innocent people who could get hurt. "Maza," you vowed, "You saved my life, I will save yours " She looked at you as if confused some.
"Save my life... you should have been here sooner if you had wished to do that fool! You shall die like the rest here…" She immediately took a stance ready to fight.
You quickly held your hands out to show you were unarmed as you stated to her, "Then let the Gods decide my fate. But you forget..." To be swift, you carefully planned your move.
"Forget?" the monster asked.
"There are powers I have that neither Maza nor our master know about." You stated as you quickly phased from your position phasing back right behind Maza grasping her tightly only to phase again hoping you reached far enough to keep everyone out of harms way.
It seemed to have worked. You found yourself surrounded by sand. The faint glow of the burning village could be seen far off in the horizon. Quickly, you rolled away from the creature before using your abilities to create an invisible cage.
"Now it does you well to behave!" You told her sternly as you walked up to her.
"Do not touch me!" The monster ordered throwing her arm out forcing you to fly back. You were shocked. She just did that as if your field was nothing. "Why so surprised priestess? I'm a lot stronger than you think." She laughed.
You had to stop her. Quickly, you phased into your surroundings reappearing just long enough to grab the imposter's ankle pulling her down into the sand to where it approached her waist.
"Witch! Release me at once!" She demanded.
Feeling she was subdued, you phased back to the surface. "I told you it would be in your best interest to behave." You snapped grasping hold of the monster's face. "Now who are you?" You demanded.
"I have already told you who I am fool," She barked slapping your hands away, "unless you have forgotten..."
"So you have said," You began, "but where have you come from? How have you come into this realm?"
"Didn't that fool Rubin tell you already," She paused, a smirk falling over her features, "Or has he left you in the dark unprepared?"
"He may have allowed me to know the situation with my sister and I am prepared. There are gifts I even hide from our Master" You warned.
"But you know your master doesn't know all that I can do... he always sealed me before he got the chance," That smirk grew wider and more sinister, "but now that the old fool is not here I have some more time to test those abilities."
"Then why can't you move?" You pointed out pointing out the immobilization spell you casted.
"Now who says I have to move?"
Quickly, you sensed the danger and threw up a field to protect you from the arrows of sand being launched your way. Looking at the creature, you felt the anger rise in you.
"I can see what is in your mind Maza, and in your heart. I know the one I have come to know and love like a sister is there. Now come tell me where you are from?" You yelled.
"Then read my mind and find out witch…" She challenged as the onslaught stopped. You placed your hands upon the side of your sister's face and could only see darkness. No answers, no memories.
"Can't find your answers witch?" She smirked, "Release me from what ever treachery you have set upon me and I may give you those answers..."
"I was not born a sand glass ago" You pointed out not falling for her trickery.
"That you weren't but neither was I." She replied.
"That I do know." You stated.
"But it's what you don't know you want... it is too bad I can't give you that" She teased.
"Indeed. Now, what to do in this situation we find ourselves in?" You asked glaring at the beast in front of you. She was so much like your sister, but her mind and actions were the opposite.
"Release me so I don't kill you." She threatened as the wind around you began to pick up.
"I am not the village fool I have seen you commit vile crimes with the hands that do not belong to you." You snapped trying to figure out a way to free your friend and sister.
"Don't belong to me?!" She scoffed, "These hands indeed are mine and those crimes you speak of.. are all of defense. I was merely protecting myself from that of evil. You should understand."
"What have those people done upon you? Other then merely live out their lives" You challenged feeling your own anger grow. She killed innocent people for what?!
"Live their lives! They lived wicked lives witch! Thieves were they all! Thieves and murderers. That's why I took things in my hand. I did nothing to them but they took me away finding it to their pleasure to do me harm. But I could not blow my cover so I endured their rash actions until I could take no more and made them all pay for their crimes." She yelled as you notice her body trembling. She shouldn't be moving! What was happening? Most of all, what had they done?
"Maza what did they do to you?" You asked worried by her words.
"Where to begin is the question?" She spat in hatred.
"Perhaps at the beginning. It is normally the best." You replied.
"Hm, you really want to hear of their crimes?" She questioned with a smirk.
"If this is how I can understand you." You replied studying this creature.
"Foolish girl." You heard her mutter. But this time, you were too late to react. A pile of sand hit you with great force knocking you to the ground breaking your concentration. You tried to move, but it was as if you had no control. "You dare try to entrap me! I have had enough of your games! I played along thinking you were sincere. Then I realized, you helped them. As we speak, your men are helping those bandits. If you help them, then you side with them. If you side with them, you are an enemy to me." She snapped. You looked up as you felt the wind around you become deathly wild. There, stood your friend. A look of evil and hatred embedded to her features. Was this your end? Had you failed?
"Good bye priestess." You heard her laugh as she conjured a spell in her hand. Its intended target, you. This was the end! You had failed! You could only hope that the Priest could escape her wrath and tell your master. That's when the sound of choking filled your ears. Glancing up, you saw Maza falling to her knees.
"Get out my head!" You heard her command as she coughed up what seemed to be blood. Was that your sister? Was she fighting? What was happening to her? "Kira, run." You heard her whisper. At that moment, you felt the weight leave your body.
"No!" you argued kneeling at your side.
"Fool!" She snapped in that other voice. You felt the force hit your stomach and erupt through the rest of your body . You were sent to the ground away from where Maza was still on her knees. Slowly, the creature stood to her feet and walked over to you. "I will remain. Once you're gone!" She stated wiping the blood off her lips. "She thinks she can fight, but I'm the only being keeping her alive."
"Why?" You asked weakly. It was true. In one blow, this creature had brought you to such weakness. Master Rubin was not telling lies when he told you how strong she was. The look in her eyes changed as she contemplated the answer. Was your sister fighting again?
"You must die!" She snapped. You quickly closed your eyes waiting for the pain, only to be deafened by Maza screaming. You opened your eyes to see her hand had set itself where her palm faced her abdomen. She had fired a spell at herself!
"Get out of my head!" She demanded once more as fire erupted from her palms and the elements around you seemed to go chaotic. She was trying to gain control. You could feel the emotions erupting from her. Pain, sorrow, anger, fear, and many others. What had happened to her? You watched on as your sister endured even more pain screaming in agony. You wanted to help! You wanted to save her, but you were immobilized.
That's when the worst happened. The elements calmed, but you noticed a change within your sister. Many gashes and wounds appeared upon her body as she began to bleed. You sister seemed to sway as she held out her bleeding hands.
"There," she choked as you heard the blood rising from her chest, "just like before it happened." With that, she fell to the ground defeated. With new adrenaline, you reached out to her.
"Maza! Take my hand." You ordered as you thought of the only way to save you both. You saw her weakened eyes look up.
"I told him he'd have to kill me." she muttered delusional.
"Maza, please! Give me your hand." You pleaded not wanting her to die this way.
"He said he'd do it, but he would still get what he wanted from me." She went on.
"Maza." You whispered as the tears overwhelmed your eyes. She was bleeding out, and you were too weak to treat her as she seemed too weak to heal herself.
"Kira, is that you?" you heard her ask weakly as her eyes seemed to brighten.
"Yes, I've come to take you home. Take my hand." You instructed as the tears still flowed from your eyes.
"Kira." She whispered as you saw her hand slowly making its way to your own.
"There you go, give me your hand, and I'll take us home." You encouraged hoping you had that much power. You had never tried phasing that far, but it was worth a try. You concentrated as hard as you could on that one specific spot. As her hand reached for your own, you closed the gap taking old of her hand. "Hold on Maza." With the last bit of energy you could muster, you felt yourself phase into the ground and reappear only seconds later. Where were you? Did you make it? Opening your eyes, you saw you had, indeed, phased back into the palace walls. "Thank Ra." You whispered feeling the last ounce of your strength leave you.
(Pharaoh's POV)
"How are they?" You asked Rubin as he stepped out of the room where he had been treating the two girls.
"They're not out of trouble yet. Maza still worries me. Her fever won't subside and it makes her delusional. If it doesn't break soon, she will probably pass on, because there is only so much more her body can take. As for Kira, she is just too weak on her own to heal. The two have never been this badly injured, and I don't know if there's much more I can do" he explained glancing back in the room.
"You are doing as much as you can my friend. That's all I ask. We can only leave their fates up to Ra." You replied setting your hand on your friend's shoulder. The two of you felt the same pain. Like him, you saw these two as your own flesh and blood. Now, they were at death's doorstep.
"Sire!" Yelled one of the guards down the hall.
"What is it?" You asked not knowing if you could take anymore excitement. The past two days with the girls had been eventful enough.
"It's Master Seto! He's returned he says he needs to speak with you and Master Rubin quickly." The guard replied motioning you in the direction you were to go.
"Seto?" You asked shocked.
"Yes sir, He's in the throne room sire." The guard told you.
"Let's go see Rubin. The boy may have some answers for us concerning the girls." You suggested quickening your pace to where the boy waited.
(Seto's POV)
How were you going to tell them? Kira told you if she didn't return she was dead. If that were so, then her killer could have only been the sorceries. What happened to Maza? What had changed her so?
"Seto." Announced a voice behind you. Quickly, you turned around bowing at your king.
"Sir, I have horrible and regretting news." You spoke up as you tried to bring about the courage to announce the death of one of his main guardians.
"Seto, what could be worse than what we have now?" The pharaoh sighed.
"S-sir," You spoke up, "It seems Lady Kira snuck into my party. She was the one to take Lady Maza away when she lost control. Lady Kira's last instructions were that if she did not return to us my day break to come here and announce that.. that she was dead and to warn the palace of the coming danger. The lady is no longer herself. She's-" but the pharaoh cut you off.
"This isn't horrible news!" He announced.
"What?" You questioned. How was your explanation not horrible news.
"Seto, did Kira do anything strange before she left you?" Rubin asked.
"Well, it was all so fast. But that was it. She was suddenly there, then next to Lady Maza, and next thing I know they're both no where in sight."
"Pharaoh, I think I know how they got here." Rubin stated. Who got here? What was going on?
"Speak Rubin." The pharaoh announced.
"It seems Kira has some talents she is yet to tell me about. I have suspected such, but I've had no proof. But now, I think we can assume that Kira can manipulate herself and her surroundings. That's how they were found where they were. Kira loves the Lilly garden, and it would only be there where she could concentrate on most. But I will say, I am surprised she reached that far."
"What's going on?" You asked not understanding.
"Seto, Kira is not dead." The pharaoh explained.
"But she-" You began.
"She and Maza were found two days ago in one of the gardens. Both are still under strict care, but they're here with us. I think Master Rubin made a point. Kira probably used all her power to bring her and Maza back here for care." He told you. You didn't know what to feel.
"Both are very weak. We're hoping they'll pull through soon." You heard Rubin add.
"Can I see them?" You asked not knowing what to expect. The two men seemed to glance at one another for a second before someone answered.
"Follow me." Rubin instructed. You did so after giving a quick bow to the Pharaoh. You followed the older gentleman until he suddenly stopped at a doorway. "It can't be.." you heard him whisper. You were confused until you stepped to his side looking into the room. There, before your eyes, Maza stood. There were many cuts and wounds amongst her body and many of them were bleeding. "Child you must lay down!" You heard Rubin order as he took a step into the room.
"There's no need." You heard the sorceries whisper. You were confused until you noticed the wounds on her skin closing on their own. The blood seeping from the wounds also seemed to disappear. "There, back to normal." She sighed.
All was silent until she looked up at the older gentleman next to you "Master Rubin, you have some answers to give me." She pointed out in a dangerous tone.