Lovespell
Chapter 7
A/n: Here it is, sorry about the mix-up last chapter. For those who care, I think there will only be one more chapter, but I'm not sure. Depends.
Disclaimer: YW is NOT mine. Atin is.
Key:
Regular words
"Dialogue"
thoughts
LP talking
Chapter 8: In My World
…and snapped it back at the last moment, jumping swiftly out of his reach.
The Power snarled and spoke a guttural word in the Speech. The spell at Kit's neck charged up further, only a few triggers away from being fully activated.
Give it to me, or Kit…will…die the Power spoke slowly, as though to a baby. The look of anger both on his face and the overshadowed Atin's was apparent.
Nita's mind worked frantically, trying to come up with a plan. I've got to save Kit…but what can I do?
Did you hear me? the Lone Power raged, angered at her lack of response. You have approximately two minutes to change your mind before your…what was that word you used…oh yes, love, is gone forever.
Though rationally Nita knew she shouldn't be thinking of anything but how to save Kit, a thought crossed her mind quickly. How is he communicating with me that way? Nobody else seems to hear…
She glanced over at where the Lone Power stood, his cultured face distorted with anger. Kit, trying to keep a fearful expression off his face (as though to lend her strength—she loved him more than anything right now) hung beside him. Atin stood on his other side, her formerly expressionless face now twisted in rage. Behind the trio was the glass case holding the world's kernel…
…except it was gone.
Gone. The simulation-glass case that had held the ball of light was still there, but it was completely and utterly empty. That's weird, the girl thought, nobody was here to take it, and none of us have got it…
…Then it clicked.
Nita's face suddenly split with a gigantic grin.
They weren't in any world of the Lone Power's creation, they were in her world. Within Nita. All the pieces of the puzzle were there, she'd just had to fit them together. How could her alter-ego Atin exist anywhere but in her own world? And how could the Lone Power speak within her mind unless they were in her own world? And finally, the biggest clue—why did the kernel of the world disappear as soon as she called up her own.
"You can't trick me any more, Fallen Power," Nita remarked, "I've foiled your plans yet again. You can't trick me anymore—I know where we are. And I also know something even more important: I've got control."
Calm flooded through the wizard. She knew now what she had to do. She could save Kit yet. Grasping the glowing kernel with both hands, she flicked an invisible "lever" on its surface. Kit flew from the Lone Power's grasp to land beside her with an undignified thwump. Another flick, and the destruction spell fizzled from existence, leaving her enemy unguarded.
Nooo…the Lone Power wailed, You fooled me…again…
Juanita grinned and nodded. "Now, for the final touch," she began dramatically, watching the Fallen One's eyes widen as she pointed the kernel straight at him. "One little click and this particular fragment of the Isolate Evil will be blasted from existence forever…"
Not so fast…the Power cut in. I've got one last little trick for you. Atin! Come here!
The overshadowed black-clad girl gave a small smile as she walked over to stand between the Lone One and Nita. "Now try and defeat me," she said, "In order to defeat the Lone One, you'll have to kill me…which involves killing yourself…"
Nita froze. Her heartbeat sped up. A lump formed in her throat. If I shoot, I die…she realized.
For a moment, she remained caught in limbo. She didn't want to die…but as a wizard, defeating the Lone Power in any way possible was her duty. She looked to one side—and saw the crumpled form of Kit, her best friend, wizardry partner, and true love lying on the hard gray stone.
This steeled her. All I ever wanted was to make you happy, Kit. I might die…but I'll save you in the process. Never forget—that I love you. Always.
"You can't scare me with death threats, Lone Power," Nita stated firmly. "I will die—but I will die protecting the one I love."
With no further hesitation, Nita pressed an invisible "button" on her kernel, sending a copper beam of light at where the Power stood. As soon as the light-beam touched Atin, the girl exploded in a thousand black motes of light. It continued through as though it had not been opposed, striking the Lone One full in the chest. His mouth opened in a silent scream as he crumpled to the ground…
…but Nita did not see this. As soon as Atin exploded into ebony sparks, her grasp on the kernel loosened as she slid like a rag doll to the hard stone floor. The light-ball dimmed as her eyes fluttered closed, a final sigh pushing itself from her lungs.
She could have sworn she heard an anguished yell of "Nita!" come from Kit, but she couldn't tell.
"Love…you…" she whispered, and then no more.