Chapter 9

Selena woke up and the first thing she was her horse's nose. It was nudging her. "Gallant, is something wrong?" Gallant pointed its snout towards the rising sun. "Oh…It's morning. Well then, should we be going then?" Gallant neighed and nudged her again. "Oh Gallant…"

Glen's wyvern was already high up in the air. Selena looked up at it and it reminded her of Glen. The way they always stayed on duty and how serious they had to be during work and how fun they were when it was a day off. She could tell that it had its mind set on finding its master. But so was she.

She headed west to Frelia to see if Glen had managed to get here. She didn't check Grado only because the guards were so intent on protecting their king. But then she felt so pathetic since she had forgotten to ask Amelia if Glen had been captured. But then again, maybe she wouldn't have told.

As Selena traveled on, she noticed that the air was becoming moist and foggy. Gallant tripped due to a crack and slightly stumbled. "You okay Gallant?" Selena asked. It didn't reply but she knew it was okay. Then they heard a cry from above and Selena automatically knew that it was Heros. "Heros."

They heard a crash but they couldn't see anything. The fog had gotten so thick that now it was hard to see the hands in front of you. "Gallant, follow the noise."

Gallant carefully led her to Heros who was screeching for help. Selena jumped off and saw a wound in its wing. An arrow had pierced it. "Oh no…Here, I'll help you." She placed her hand over the wound and used her healing powers to make the wound disappear. "We have to be more careful okay? Someone's out here…"

Then she heard a scream that seemed to come from a little girl. "Let's go you two." She rode off to the sound and as she came closer, she saw what seemed to be a gigantic spider come running at a little girl. Selena quickly grabbed out her book and shot a lightning bolt at the spider. The spider got stunned and that gave time for Selena to grab the girl.

"Are you alright?"

The girl nodded and held herself close to Selena.

"Do you have parents?"

The girl didn't reply. She was much too stunned to talk.

Selena thought that maybe that spider had gotten to her parents already. "It'll be okay. I'll protect you."

From behind, the spider was coming at them. Selena simply recited another spell and this time it was a fire spell. The spider was quickly killed and then she heard the sound of bones of clicking. Before she could see where it was coming from, she felt something fly past her. Then there was a deep cut on her upper arm. Selena looked at it and saw that whatever had hit her was poisonous. The skin around the cut had begun to burn with the color red and her blood was turning black. She felt herself get dizzy and realized how powerful this poison was. I have to hold on…I have to… Selena had passed out.

"Wake up…Come on…" That was the voice Selena heard and when she opened her eyes, she found herself looking up into the face of a red-haired woman. Selena squinted and thought for a second about who she was and sat up once she realized who it was.

"Queen Ismaire!"

"Calm down. And yes I am."

"What're you doing here on the western side of Magvel?"

"Don't be so naïve. We're on the eastern if you haven't noticed."

"But…I was so sure I went west…" Selena began thinking about all the places she passed and didn't remember heading east.

"Look, wherever you are, I know who you are."

"You do?"

"You're Dame Selena. Your father has been searching for you. You shouldn't worry your father like that."

Selena thought for a second and wondered how Ismaire knew about the relationship she had with Vigarde. "How did you know that?"

"What?"

"How did you know he was a father to me?"

"I used to know a mercenary who told me all about the king. He used to be such a sweetheart…But now…he's a plain power-hungry beast." Ismaire frowned and then Selena thought about Caellach. She had to admit that she thought of him as a power-hungry beast as well.

"Queen Ismaire, are you talking about Caellach?"

Ismaire's eyes widened, "How did you know?"

Selena stood up and said, "I've had to work with that man. I don't know how you could describe him as a 'sweetheart'." She went to Gallant who stood not too far waiting for her. "Come on Gallant…"

Ismaire stood up and said, "You're saying my Caellach's alive…?"

"As alive as could ever be…"

Ismaire slowly walked to her and grabbed a hold of her wrist, "Please, where is my love now?"

Selena's eyes widened and then they slowly shrank again. "He's at Grado probably…"

"And tell me, why do you sound so depressed?"

"I'm looking for my love as well…" Tears came pouring down out of her cheeks and she quickly wiped them away. "I never knew there was another person who was searching for their love…"

"To be honest, I was never searching for Caellach. I was just searching for someone. Not him." Ismaire looked at the ground and then back up at Selena's face. "Please, I beg of you, please take me with you."

Selena looked at the queen and never thought that she would see her bow down to her. She must've been very desperate if someone of her standards were to ever be the beggar. "Please, don't beg to a subject such as me. It ruins who you are. I would never say no to you Queen Ismaire."

Ismaire looked up at her and said with tears in her eyes, "Thank you…I owe you…"

"No you don't. I just want to find my love and I'll be satisfied." Selena looked at her and remembered what had happened the last time and asked, "By the way, what happened to me?"

"You were inflicted with deadly poison."

"And the girl?"

"She was taken back by her parents. I defeated the enemy and took care of you."

"I see…Well then Queen Ismaire, I guess we should be heading west now, shouldn't we then?" Selena smiled back at the queen and held out her hand.

Ismaire smiled and said, "Please, just call me Ismaire. People should only address royalty by their full names if they are in the castle. I however am not in the castle am I?"

"I guess not."

"Exactly. So call me Ismaire."

"Alright then Ismaire…Let's go." Selena jumped off her own horse and pointed to it. "Hop on."

"What? This is yours."

"I'll be riding a wyvern. Now hurry on Ismaire. Gallant, obey." The horse neighed delightfully as Ismaire hopped on.

Selena got on Heros and realized that Ismaire wanted Caellach back. But was it possible? He was a fool now. Even if he did come face to face with her, would he realize himself and take her in his arms? She didn't want to see Ismaire's hard journey come to nothing. But then again, she didn't want to see her journey be all for naught either. So she breathed and whispered to herself, "I won't fail…"

Heros didn't fly too high. That was because they needed to keep their profiles low and keep the enemy away. Plus, Selena could talk to Ismaire now instead of animals. "Ismaire, how come there are monsters?"

"I believe it's because the Sacred Stones have been tampered with. Those were the objects that kept them away but ever since I heard that Frelia's Stone shattered, the monsters have been coming from the Black Forest and coming down to Jehanna."

Selena looked down at the wyvern with a frown on her face. "I believe this is all my fault then…You see, I'm the one who broke the Stone of Frelia…It was the emperor's orders and I wasn't able to know right from wrong yet…I just thought that following orders was the good thing."

Ismaire looked at Selena with a hopeful look on her face, "Look here, we all make mistakes. No one is perfect. In fact, the only way to be perfect is to be imperfect."

Selena looked at Ismaire and realized that the rumors of her were true. She had a way with words and phrases. "Thank you Ismaire…But I do wish I had never done that. Now Magvel will be overrun with monsters."

"I'm sure this isn't your entire fault. This is too big of a mess for just one person."

"You think?"

"I'm sure more Sacred Stones have been destroyed. I just hope my nation's Stone hasn't been destroyed…"

"I'm sure it hasn't…At least I hope…"

"Same here…"

Things seemed to be only down for the two at the moment until Selena felt her leg hit against something in the saddle on Heros. When she grabbed it out, she saw that it was a little golden box. It was marked with the sign of Grado and it shined even though Selena knew it was old. She opened the box and found a pencil drawn picture of the Imperial Three. She remembered at that moment when she first received this picture. There was Glen and Duessel…Selena smiled and whispered, "Of course…Those two are never far from me."

Ismaire saw the picture and asked, "Tell me, what is that?"

"It's just a picture of my friends…I'm searching for one of them while the other one is at home with his family."

"So one of those two men is your love? Tell me which one."

Selena felt a little embarrassed but pointed to Glen. "It's that one. His name is Glen. He was such a gentleman…"

"Both chivalrous and sophisticated I see. It's no wonder you love him. If I wasn't in love with my Caellach, well that man would be mine." Of course Ismaire was just joking and smiled, "I'm kidding Selena. You deserve him."

Selena sighed and said, "I was hoping you were…"

"Don't worry, my Caellach is all I need."

The two rode through the desert and they were able to see some water where they could rest up. Gallant was no good in moving through this soft sand while Heros flew over all of it. Selena cheered Gallant on when he was falling behind and Ismaire saw how tender this woman was. She could tell that Selena would grow up to be a magnificent wife and give birth to children that would surround her during story time. Then Ismaire thought about her own child. He had disappeared on a journey but never returned. And as for her own husband who she was forced to wed, he died so many years ago…How long have I been a widow? Ismaire wondered.

"Ismarie, hey are you okay?" Selena woke her up from her dozing and pondering.

"I'm fine…I was just getting sleepy. The heat gets to me."

"That's okay. By the way, we're almost at the lake. You wouldn't mind if we hurried do you?"

"No, that would be okay with me. Let's go."

They rode faster and in a few minutes, they were at the lake where they decided to spend the night. "Gallant, you could take a rest now…I could see how hard it is for you to go walking in both this heat and sand. Don't worry, though. We'll be out of this desert in no time." Selena rubbed water over the horse's snout and then let it take a drink. Selena looked over at Ismaire and saw her praying with her sword stabbed into the ground. She thought that now wasn't the time to disturb her.

Ismaire looked up into the night sky and picked up her sword, "Joshua…Caellach…Both of you please be okay…"

Selena saw that Ismaire was done praying so asked, "How are you doing Ismaire?"

"I'm fine. Is the water cold?"

Selena dipped her hands in it and said, "Yes. How about we go for a swim?"

"That's what I was thinking. Let's get camp ready first and make sure the two animals are asleep."

"Right."

Selena let the wyvern lie down and let her horse lay down too. Ismaire got the fire going and looked over at Selena. "Are you finished?"

"Yes."

Selena hid behind a bush as she undressed and she was always so sure that she heard something. But that was how she was. Whenever she was anywhere undressing, she was always thinking that someone was watching. But finally, Selena finished undressing and crept to the water. It felt so nice to finally feel something cold. And also, she felt clean.

Ismaire came right after and she looked much different. She had nothing on her hair and she had wiped off all her make up. However, she was still beautiful. Selena could see that Ismaire wasn't nervous or shy of showing her figure. But then again, who would be if they had a beautiful physique such as hers.

"Ismaire…You look beautiful."

Ismaire flushed pink but replied, "Thank you…"

The two women looked up into the sky and thought about both of their loves. They also wondered about each other's man. They wondered if they should ask the other but they didn't know when.

Finally, Selena spoke up, "Ismaire, why is it that you love Caellach?"

Ismaire smiled, "He always cheered me up when I needed someone the most. He always got caught by the guards though. But that never stopped him from coming back. I don't know what was able to keep him away to be honest. I've known him since I was a teenager. I always thought that he'd be the one who I wed until my father had to pick one out for me. A greedy slime ball he was…How I loathed him…"

Selena would feel mad too if she wasn't able to marry the one who she loved. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to make you tell me so much."

"No need to apologize…Everyone in the castle knew I hated him anyways. I would slap him whenever he tried to sneak a peek at me when I was undressing. And the worst part was night. I couldn't go one night having my body to myself. I was his mere slave…"

"That sounds so horrible…Forgive me. I don't want to make you angry anymore."

"Thank you Selena. By the way, what about you and your man?"

Selena looked at her hands and blushed. There was so much to tell about why she loved him. "There's so much to tell…I don't know where to start."

"Start at the part at why you started to love him. And then explain the rest."

"Okay…" Selena took a deep breath and put her hand over her heart. "I began to love him when this whole war started. He was never far away and he knew that I was in pain so he did things for me. I felt bad seeing him do all of my duties but he always held a smile on his lips whenever I wanted to speak to him."

Ismaire smiled and patted her on her shoulder and said, "I could understand how guilty you felt. Caellach used to do the same things when he heard that I was getting married."

"Did he?"

"Of course. And when he saw me cry after my wedding, he came to me and said, 'Why are you crying? You're married now, be happy. Just don't forget about me in your life, got it?' Then he left…He stopped coming to my castle to throw pebbles at my window in the middle of the night. It just came to a sudden stop."

Selena never realized how torturous her life was. Sure none of the pain was physical but it was definitely mental. How she managed to make a successful living was beyond her. "Ismaire…I never knew how a life of a queen could be so hard."

"I'm still a normal human Selena. I'm sure there's another woman out in this world who has lived a more difficult life than me."

"You're right…" Selena shook her head and said, "How about we both try to get the ones we love back now? We both know we want them back so let's do it. Besides, they've done so much for us; it's our turn to shine."

Ismaire smiled and said, "That's why I came with you right, Selena? To get back my Caellach…"

"…and my Glen."

Both of them fell asleep now and what they didn't know was that someone was watching. "Nighty-night my beauties…" The man whispered. "This man will come back with two lovely angels." A man with pale blue hair came walking out from behind a bush and looked down at Selena then he looked over at Ismaire. "Beautiful…" This man stepped so silently that neither of the animals heard him. He put his arms around Selena and picked her up. "Ah…Both striking and light. Maybe I should just taste her lips now…" The man slowly got his lips close to Selena's and once they touched, he was absorbed in her.

Selena woke up and immediately pushed him off. Selena fell to the ground and wiped her lips. "Who are you?"

"Relax my voluptuous angel. I'm Lord Tirado. You didn't think I was going to hurt you in any way did you?"

"Then what were you doing?"

"Kissing you, what else?"

Selena felt so disgusted at the moment. For one thing, she felt as if she were betraying Glen. "That's it. You better leave now if you don't want to fight me."

Tirado put his hand over his heart, "You, an angel, would hurt me? Why my angel, you could only hurt my heart with your harsh words. That is the only way you could hurt me."

"If that's what you think, then why don't you just stand there and take my hits?"

He watched her take out a book and immediately he ran over to her and grabbed it out of her hands, "No my dear. You are not allowed to use this."

"Give it back."

"This will only get in the way of our love. Come now; let's just talk about our future…together."

"Look, I don't know who you are but if you think I'm going with you, you're very wrong."

Tirado raised an eyebrow. "Why? It's not as though you're taken or anything. I could just take you at this very moment and no one would care."

Selena slapped him across the face and then the man closed his eyes, trying to hold in his anger. He let out a breath and grabbed Selena. He pushed her into a position where he was leaning over her. It was actually a dancing position. "Now, you will enjoy this kiss my beauty."

Selena couldn't do anything to stop him from getting his lips onto hers. She was leaning on his arm that held her up from falling on her back. "Stop!" Her yell wasn't of any help. He kept coming and soon there they were, kissing. But Selena felt all dizzy and everything went blank.

Tirado caught her and put her over his shoulder. "I guess one woman is good enough for now." He looked over at where Ismaire was last and saw no one there. "What the? Where'd the other one go?" He turned around and saw no one but when he looked forward, there stood before him, Ismaire.

"You! How did you wake up?"

"Like I didn't hear Selena scream stop. Now, drop my friend."

"And if I refuse?"

"You will be the one to fill my blade's appetite then." Ismaire pointed the sword at his face and he could see it shine.

Tirado smirked and said, "Bring it to me then, sweetie."

Ismaire had an anger management so immediately slashed at him. Tirado had jumped away and he said, "You missed."

Ismaire growled and went chasing him. "You coward! Quit running and come face me! Or are you too scared?"

"Scared? Come now. I'm only being a gentleman by not hurting you. But if you want me to fight back, I assure you, you'll be on the floor bleeding."

"Then do it! Fight me!" Ismaire was obviously not afraid of this man.

"Fine then." He looked at Selena and placed her in his arms once again. He then kissed Selena one more time before placing her on the floor.

"You overgrown pig…" Ismaire muttered under her breath.

"Now come on. I'll let you take the first hit." Tirado held out his arms and spread his legs to get a good standing position.

Ismaire didn't care if it was just a trick. As long as he allowed her a first hit, then she wouldn't waste it. "My first hit will be my last." Ismaire crouched down and slid her left foot out in front of her. She held her sword over her head and pointed it at Tirado. "Now, are you sure?"

"Come on."

Ismaire smirked and spun back and just like that, she disappeared. Tirado smiled and mumbled, "Tsk, tsk, tsk…All of you Jehannans have the same technique…" He waited for her to strike but he never felt it. "Hm? Where did she go?"

He looked behind and found that "his angel" was gone. "You little cheat!"

Ismaire, Gallant, Heros, and Selena left the camp while Tirado was too busy with Selena. Ismaire had taken Selena and escaped without him noticing. Hopefully, they were far enough so he couldn't find them. Ismaire took Selena and shook her, "Selena, Selena…"

"Huh…? Where am I?"

"You're with me now."

Selena bolted to a sitting position, "But Tirado…Where did he go?"

"We left him and saved you. Are you okay?"

Selena nodded and touched her lips, "I hope Glen doesn't find out that I just kissed that man."

"Even if he does, you couldn't stop it. Besides, it's not as though you wanted to kiss him."

"You're right. But I feel so sleepy…"

Ismaire giggled and held out her hand, "You didn't get your daily hours of sleep, huh?"

Selena blushed and nodded, "Un-huh…"

"Well I'll continue while you sleep on the wyvern. You're okay with that right?"

"Okay." Selena got on Heros while Ismaire went on Gallant. They began on their journey with a new enemy to watch out for.

Ismaire held onto the reins with a strong grip and felt her own heart thump. She was very good at hiding the fear she had for Tirado. For a mere human, she felt his unnaturally strong power. It was unbelievable…But good thing she knew he had a weakness now. He had a dying urge to have women or was it just an act? Ismaire looked at Selena who was sound asleep on Heros and sighed. "I just hope we don't see him again…"

Selena woke up and nearly fell off the wyvern but regained her balance. She let out a yawn and stretched. "Good morning Heros. You look sad today. Something wrong?" She looked down and saw that Grado wasn't' too far. Selena knew that Ismaire would definitely want to go to Grado and find Caellach. She flew Heros down and then Selena said to Ismaire, "Ismaire, you do know that Grado is coming up, right?"

She nodded.

"Let me guess…You want to get Caellach…"

"That's the reason I came right? I need to get him."

"You can't be imprudent though Ismaire. You'll no doubt get captured and then what will you do? You won't see Caellach and of course you won't live to see the next day."

"How do you know?"

"I lived in that castle long enough to know what happens to prisoners when they get captured during this time of turmoil." Selena remembered all of it as it was just one horrible dream. Innocent people being killed and the bloodshed was what Selena remembered.

Ismaire looked at her and asked, "So how do you expect us to get Caellach back?"

Selena put her finger on her lips and thought for a few seconds. Then she thought of something, "We right a letter and use a messenger to deliver it."

"That sounds genius but who would be our messenger?"

"A girl that I met while heading out, Amelia. She could deliver it for you."

Ismaire thought for a while and said, "Alright…But she has to make sure it gets to only Caellach. I don't want the whole court to find out that a girl had betrayed the nation."

"Right. Now what are you going to write?"

Ismaire cleared her throat and said, "Have you forgotten that we have no ink or paper?"

"Not to worry. Glen carries everything in this saddle of his." Selena grabbed out a scroll and some ink. She wiggled the pen in her hand and asked, "So what are you going to say?"

The queen snatched the pen and paper from Selena, "I'll be the one to write. He might recognize my handwriting."

"Okay…Go for it."

Ismaire stuck the pen in her mouth and then began writing words down upon the scroll. She wrote fast but it was neat and legible overall. Selena could never write so fast and then finish it making it look tidy. She looked over Ismaire's shoulder and asked, "So what does it say?"

She didn't reply but continued writing instead. Then once she signed her name, she read it over, making sure it didn't sound so dull or foolish. The scroll read:

Dear My Beloved Caellach,

I ask of you to please come to me at night and speak to me. You must understand why I ask this of you. You're the one I need at the moment. You've disappeared for so long I can't stand but to worry. Caellach, I know what you've changed into and we can start over. Once this war is over, we could both live a peaceful life together. If you still have a heart, you would do as I ask.

Love,

Ismaire

Ismaire thought that it didn't sound as great as she had wanted it to be but it was good enough. Besides, when did her Caellach care about the quality of a letter?

"So, do you like it?" Selena asked from behind.

"Yes. Now, where do you expect to find this Amelia character?"

Selena looked around and frowned, "You're right…I guess we'll have to sneak in…"

"But how?" It was obvious that Ismaire was quite persistent in getting the letter to Caellach.

"Fine…Maybe I didn't think this out as good as I was to but if there's a will, there's a way."

Ismaire scoffed, "That's the oldest saying ever Selena." But Ismaire smiled and said, "But whether it is or not it is true."

"Great. Now let's just head to Grado while I go find a way to get this letter delivered." Selena rode off, thinking the whole way.

Once they arrived at the castle grounds, Selena spotted a mage in black. He was wandering around the castle, head down. He seemed suspicious and untrustworthy. He stopped in the middle of his walk and turned around. Selena and Ismaire were hiding behind a bush and tree, hoping that he didn't see them.

"You two can come out now…" He spoke slowly and quietly.

They gulped and Selena was ready to head out until Ismaire put her arm out in front of Selena's way. "What?"

"Let's get out slowly…"

"Why?"

"He might not know that there are two of us." Ismaire explained.

"But he already knows that there are two of us. So let's just go."

Ismaire reluctantly agreed and once they got out of hiding, the mage turned around and seemed surprised.

"Wh-what?" The man said.

"You told us to come out didn't you?" Ismaire said.

"Well I did but I didn't know there were actually two people out here…"

Selena raised an eyebrow, "Then why did you say that?"

"I…You see…I always talk to myself. I just say that so no one spies on me." Selena sighed while he continued, "But looks like I caught two of them…Dame Selena and Queen Ismaire." He looked over them and continued, "Why are you two here? You, Selena, are wanted here and Milady, don't you understand that my king has sent out enemies after your Sacred Stone?"

Ismaire's eyes widened and she said, "Impossible. That's a lie."

"It's true. He sent General Caellach and his men to go destroy it."

Ismaire turned around and said to her friend in a disappointed tone, "I'm sorry Selena…I shouldn't have wasted your time." Ismaire turned on her heel and began leaving until a hand grasped her wrist.

Selena held on with a sad look in her eyes. She clearly didn't want the queen to leave her. "Ismaire, you begged to come with me so I let you come. Now you have to stay with me until I find Glen. And you need to find Caellach."

"But I know where my darling is. Now let go."

"But…"

Ismaire let out a sigh and no longer struggled to break loose. "Selena, sometimes you have to let things go…I understand why you need me but you are able to continue without me. Besides…I came here to search for Caellach. Now that I know where he is, I don't need your help."

Selena let go of her wrist, shocked. Ismaire had just become her friend and then in less than a week, she had just called Selena useless to her now.

Ismaire took one last look at Selena and ran off in the direction in which they came from. Her footsteps were slowly fading and soon they were gone. A wind blew and then it was just silence. Nothing stirred and it seemed that the world had just stopped.

The mage still stood there looking at Selena. He watched her turn to face him and he listened to her speak, "Well, now that you know that I'm here, are you going to turn me in?"

"I have no intention to turn you in. I couldn't care less about that emperor of ours anymore. The whole cell beneath the castle is filled with prisoners. They're getting slaughtered one by one in there."

"I see…By the way do you know if General Glen has been captured or…killed?"

"Valter returned one day and I believe he said he had a prize…Do you think…"

"Glen…" Selena gazed down at the soil beneath her. She didn't know what else to say. "Thank you mage…"

"Please call me Knoll. And if there is any other way for me to help you, I would be willing to help."

Selena felt a paper between her hands and she remembered about Ismaire's letter. There was still a little bit of hope in this little piece of paper. "Knoll, if it's not too much to ask, would you mind giving this to Caellach if he returns?"

Knoll stared at the paper in front of him. He took it and nodded. "Of course. Anything else?"

Selena shook her head, "No…I just need to find Glen now…I'll see you." She boarded her horse and was ready to begin trotting off until Knoll called back to her.

"Dame Selena, I must tell you one more thing."

"What's that?"

"There's something happening in this castle. It's something other than this war too. I believe that there's darkness looming around here…Please be ware Selena."

"Your warning will not fall on deaf ears Knoll. You be careful yourself now." She nodded to him and trotted off with Heros flying overhead.

Now if Selena was heading west, she would be at Serafew in no time. She hoped that Serafew wasn't in the war as much as the other nations. Selena looked around at her surroundings and felt so lonely now. Ismaire was gone now and she was used to traveling with friends. "Hopeless…I don't know what I'm supposed to do…" She jumped off Gallant and took a seat on the floor. "This anxiety is getting to me…"

A very faint voice said in her ear, "How about you relax then?"

Selena looked behind her and found nothing. She shook her head out of disappointment. "I must be hallucinating…C'mon Gallant. We better not waste time…" As she grabbed the reins, she felt a hot breath on her neck.

Once she turned around, she saw the face of Lord Tirado. "You!" Selena jumped back and stumbled a little. She pointed a finger at him and said, "What do you think you're doing here?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk…I hate when beautiful angels have to ask questions that they know the answer to." He shoved his face near hers, "I'm here to claim you." He brusquely grabbed her wrist and lifted her into his arms as if she were a loved one.

"Let me go!" Selena pounded on his back but it didn't prove fruitful. She then touched his back with an electrified hand thanks to her magic.

Tirado glanced at her, "Now what are you doing?"

"Drop me this instant."

"Will you run?"

"What do you expect? I'll just talk to you?"

"Then no my love. We shall get back to my mansion where we shall get married."

Selena scoffed, "Sorry Tirado but I already have someone in my heart. Not you. I would never love a man like you."

Tirado dropped her and stared at her, "Listen my angel. You don't know how many women would die just to be touched by me. You are lucky my sweet. Now come."

Selena summoned up a bolt of lightning upon him but he jumped back and landed on his feet. He gazed back at her but this time in his eyes, there showed no sign of light. "You asked for it. I hate to hurt women in which I come to like." He rose up into the sky as if levitating and held his hands up into the air. "I summon the power of darkness into my hands. This sanctified woman has chosen her path. Now she will follow her destiny."

A dark orb came into Tirado's hands and it grew with each breath he took. Selena knew that she should be running but her body was frozen with fear. This negative energy…How can there be such a power so high that I could feel it? Tirado grinned and unleashed it upon Selena, yelling at the same time, "I expected us to be together my love but this is the path you have chosen! You should've chosen me instead of death! Now goodbye."

Selena felt the power rushing towards her and she knew that if this hit, she would be dead but the confusing part was, she wasn't dead. A barrier had surrounded her, protecting her from the attack. "Are you okay Selena?" The voice of Ismaire had said.

She looked up and there was Ismaire herself and in front of her was Knoll. "You two…You're here."

"Of course, why wouldn't we be?" Ismaire asked with a smile on her pink lips. "I couldn't just leave you…"

Selena looked at Knoll and pointed, "What about him? Why's he here?"

"Seems as though he didn't want you hurt either. Who knows? He proves to be quite useful. He's absorbing Tirado's moves like their nothing." Ismaire said looking at Knoll.

Knoll absorbed the last of the dark magic and once everything was clear, he muttered under his breath and then shot the blast right back at Tirado. Unaware of what was going on; Tirado was hit with full impact. He fell to the ground and couldn't feel his own body anymore. "Wh-what did you do to me?"

Knoll walked to him and said, "Just what you were going to do to Dame Selena…This is what you deserve…"

Tirado smiled and shut his eyes, "Do whatever you want to me…I give up. It's not as though I could move anyways."

"You know Tirado, you may not possess a pure heart but I'm sure we could use you in Grado." The mage extended his hand.

Lord Tirado scoffed, "Like I said, do whatever you want."

Selena was pulled up to her feet with the aid of Ismaire and dusted herself off. "Knoll, thank you but I feel that this meeting will come to an end. I owe you so much but at the moment I have nothing…"

"That'll be fine. Knowing that you are still alive is all I could ask for. Besides, I got Tirado to give to the king."

"You're right about that. Well Selena how about we go find Glen now."

"Right Ismaire. See you soon, Knoll…"

And the two women walked off, waving goodbye to the mage. However, the mage felt a disturbance in the direction in which they were walking. He shook his head, "It's nothing or at least nothing that those two can't handle…I hope…"