Chapter Ten: Through Trials and Tribulations

Linkara felt a cold shiver run up his spine as he and Layla entered Shadow Town. He could see the ghosts watching them, their eyes wide and staring. "This place gives me the creeps."

Layla shivered. "Same here. It's not a fit place for any sane living mortal. Which probably explains why Doug's twin is living here."

Linkara tried not to look at all the dead people surrounding him. "I still don't know how Critic managed to come see Harvey without being attacked."

Layla sighed. "Ghosts won't dare to attack a Disciple for fear that they'll be Sent On. At least that's what Doug told me."

They passed by the Grey Lady, and Harvey floated out, grinning at them. "What are you cats doing here?"

Linkara gulped, looking very uncomfortable. "It's a long, complicated story."

"Gimme the short version."

Layla took a breath. "Doug's twin has Spoony, Insano and Rob held captive and has threatened to torture and kill them unless Linkara turns me over to him, so I came up with a plan to get close to him so I can Cast a spell that will severely weaken him but in order to make it look good I have to look like Linkara's prisoner."

Harvey blinked against the onslaught of words. "Oh. Right. You realize that this is completely insane?"

Linkara rolled his eyes. "Trust me, we went over this already. Layla wouldn't budge. I can only imagine what Critic is going through right now. But it's the only chance we have."

Harvey sighed. "Well, good luck go with you. But in case everything goes balls-up, the Grey Lady could always use another ghost."

Linkara grimaced. "Umm...thanks?"

Harvey saluted, then faded into the wall. Layla turned to Linkara. "Shall we?" He nodded, and they continued down the potholed road.

Twenty minutes later, Linkara stopped, clenching his head in pain. "We're close. I can feel his Dark Aura. Owww, my head.." He took a deep breath, then resumed walking, trying not to focus on the pounding on his psyche.

Layla was feeling the effects as well, but she kept going, knowing what was at stake. "He's in there, Linkara." She pointed to a run down tenement building, its windows painted over. Linkara grimaced, and led her over to the front door, which was made of reinforced steel with a slit cut into it.

Linkara took a moment to gather himself, then knocked on the door. There was a rasping sound as the metal covering the slit ratcheted back, revealing black eyes. Linkara gulped. "I'm here to see...him. I brought the Healer." Layla waved, and the eyes appraised her for a moment, then disappeared. There was a moment's pause, then the door squalled as it was opened. A large, very ugly ogre stood in the doorway.

"Bring her in. Master is waiting."

They walked into the cold interior, and Linkara nearly collapsed at the magical assault on his senses. Layla grasped his arm and pulled him upright, hissing in his ear. "Don't you dare collapse! Spoony and Insano are counting on you!" Linkara gathered himself, and they followed Tom down a narrow, dusty hall to another steel door. Tom knocked, and a cheery voice called out.

"Come in!"

Linkara had to refrain himself from launching a fireball at Guy as they entered his Sanctum. Critic's twin was lounging in an easy chair, a wide grin on his face. "Well, I must say I'm surprised you did as I told you, Linkara. I thought for sure you'd come in here gun blazing."

"What can I say, I'm unpredictable." Guy laughed, and Linkara felt his blood go cold. "We had a deal. Give me Spoony and Insano, and I'll turn Layla over. But until I see for myself that they're alive, you're not getting her."

Guy bowed his head. "As you say, we had a deal." He snapped his fingers, and Tom came forward. "Be a good boy and go fetch the Split." Tom nodded and left, and Guy smiled. "Would you care to sit and wait?"

Linkara glared at him. "I'll stand, thanks."

"I can't stand this! I'm going after her!"

"Douglas, wait!"

"Don't try to stop me, Dominic! I'm going!"

Dominic watched helplessly as Doug ran towards Shadow Town.

Rob watched as Tom entered the cell, unlocking Spoony's cuffs. The Alchemist was in his Insano persona, and he was struggling with all his might, spewing obscenities. Tom ignored the insults, dragging Insano out of the room-leaving the door wide open. Rob grinned, unable to believe his luck. He began to mutter the incantation, hoping it would free him and not turn him into a grasshopper.

Linkara heard footsteps behind him and turned. "Insano!" Without thinking, he let go of Layla and ran towards them, only to be knocked back by Tom.

"Linkara!" Insano wrenched themselves free and ran over to the Mage, kneeling next to him. "Linkara, are you OK?" Linkara looked at their bruised and bloodied face, and smiled.

"You're asking me if I'm OK? Babe, you look like you've been dragged backwards through a tractor. Is Spoony...how's he?"

Insano's face shifted, and Spoony smiled at Linkara. "We're better, now that you're here." Linkara chuckled softly.

Guy mock-sighed. "Aww, what a touching reunion. Now that you've seen that the Split is alive, I'll be taking my prize!" He yanked Layla forward, spinning her so her back was pinned against his front, and ran his tongue along her neck. "Mmmm...exquisite taste. You're going to do so much for me, my dear. With you by my side, I'll be unstoppable."

Layla tried not to vomit as his hands roved over her body, instead focusing on recalling the words of the Spell. "You...you need something from me first."

Guy smirked. "Yes, that is true. Will you give it freely?"

"Let me go and I will. I swear on my Soul." Guy released her, and she shuddered, then walked over to Spoony and Linkara. "You guys might not want to be here for this."

Guy laughed, loud and long. "No, no please let them stay. I think witnesses would be of use. Don't you agree, dear twin?" Guy asked, staring over Linkara's shoulder. Layla spun around, eyes going wide. Guy continued to laugh. "Aww, have you come to rescue the fair damsel in distress, Doug? How noble."

Critic stepped closer, his gun pointed straight at Guy. "I don't do noble, Gerrick! I'm here to kill you."

Guy manifested a ball of black flame. "DON'T CALL ME GERRICK!" He sent it flying at Critic, who muttered a Shield Spell, blocking the flame and sending it back to Guy. Guy ducked, and the flame slammed into the wall, setting it ablaze. "Not too shabby, Doug. But let's see how well you hold up against a Mind Spell."

Critic went stiff as Guy assaulted his mind with horrific images of blood, torture, and death. He staggered, falling against the wall as he gasped in pain. He couldn't think,couldn't see. Guy's triumphant laugh was filling his head. "I...can't..." He felt something else gently probing his mind, and whimpered.

Images began to fill his mind-Layla in his arms after a long love-making session, watching her sleep for a bit before pulling her close and falling asleep himself, the time they made cookies and ended up covered in dough and flour, her holding him when he cried over his brother, and the numerous times she would give him her own special smile while she was singing. He smiled, feeling the grip of Guy's spell starting to loosen.

Guy growled in rage and telekinetically slammed Layla into the wall, knocking the wind out of her. "STAY OUT OF THIS!"

Critic snarled in anger and manifested a ball of electricity, sending it straight at his twin's head. It struck true, and Guy yelped in pain, then sent his own ball at Critic, who blocked it. "Try a bit harder, Gerrick!"

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

Linkara and Spoony were about to provide Critic some backup when the back wall exploded outward, revealing:

"ROB!" Critic yelled, unable to believe what he was seeing. Rob gaped at his brother.

"Oh my gods...Doug, you're alive!" Rob started towards him, stopping when he saw the tattoo on his arm. "It's true, then. You're a Disciple." Critic nodded, and Rob gulped. "Well...you're still my brother, no matter what." He grinned. "And it looks like you could use some help."

He stood next to Critic, and they both turned to face Guy, who was looking less than confident. "Do you want to try your Skill against both of us?"

Guy smirked, then yanked Layla forward, pinned her against his body, twisted her arm behind her back and wrapped his hand around her throat, squeezing hard. Layla gasped, and Guy twisted her arm even harder. "Shut up, cunt. Doug, here's how it's going to work. You and Rob are going to back off, or I'll kill her. I've studied Necromancy, so it will be simple for me to bring her back. Of course, that will mean that Doug will be forced to kill his lover."

Critic gasped. "You bastard."

"Indeed. Now, put the gun away, and we'll get on with it." Critic pocketed the gun, and Guy laughed, then sent him flying into the wall, knocking him senseless. "Well, that was easy. Rob, don't try anything stupid. You Cast, and I break her pretty neck." Rob knelt next to Critic, trying to rouse him.

Guy whispered in Layla's ear. "Time for you to do what I asked, Healer."

Layla nodded, then shut her eyes. "It might take a moment to recall the exact words...OK, got it." She began to speak, her voice echoing through the building.

"Life and Death are one and same,

And one shall never the other tame.

Life waits for all who trod the Way,

And Death is put off for one last day.

None can escape from Death's cold embrace,

As Life prepares for one last race!"

She wrenched free of Guy, turning to face him.

"Oh Death, oh Life, hear my Call!

Upon this man let your Wrath Fall!

Condemn him to Eternal Night,

And set all wrong things right!

If my life must pay the price,

I give it freely!

CAST THE SPELL!"

There was a hellacious flash of light and noise. Critic could hear someone screaming, but he wasn't sure who it was. He collapsed, hands over his eyes.

Spoony was the first to recover. He blinked, then cried out at the sight before them. Linkara and Rob saw it next. "Oh my gods..." Rob gasped out, and Critic turned.

"No..."

Layla was on her back, her arms and legs bent at impossible angles. Her eyes were closed, and Critic couldn't see her chest rising and falling. Her face was covered in blood.

Guy lay a few feet away, frozen, with a look of horror on his face.

Critic stumbled over to Layla, falling on his knees beside her. "Layla...baby...come on, wake up...Heal yourself...please...please don't leave me...you can't leave me...Layla, please..." He choked on a sob. "Please...give her back to me."

There was a sudden rush of air, and Death stood before him, a look of uncharacteristic sympathy on His face.

"You realize what you are asking?"

Critic nodded, not even bothering to hide the tears. "I do. And I know I can only ask it of you once. I love her...so much. Please, don't let her die like this."

Death nodded. "Fate's Student has Seen that she will be an asset in time to come. So Cast the Spell, Doug. I will not stop you."

Linkara gulped. "Umm..pardon me...Mr...umm...Reaper, but if Critic casts Revival, Layla will be a Ghoul."

Critic smiled. "I'm not casting Revival, I'm casting Resurrection."

"But I thought only Healers could..."

Death laughed. "I'm making an exception in his case." Linkara tried to process this.

"Oh. OK."

Death chuckled once more, and vanished.

Critic knelt by Layla, placing his hand on her forehead. He took a breath, then Cast the Spell. There was another flash, and Critic shut his eyes as negative images were printed on his retinas. They flew open seconds later when he heard the most wonderful sound in the world.

"Doug?"

"Layla!" He pulled her into his arms, kissing her with such passion that her toes curled. Linkara and Rob politely stared at the wall. Spoony whistled and catcalled.

Layla pulled away, smacking Doug. "You goddamned idiot! Why couldn't you just stay at the Palace! You..you..." She groaned, then laughed. "I guess you do have a noble streak."

Critic pulled her close. "No, I'm an idiot. I know it. But I couldn't just sit there."

Layla muttered something that sounded like "dummy" before pulling him into another kiss.

Linkara broke the somewhat awkward atmosphere. "Ummm...what happened to Guy?"

Layla smiled grimly. "I gave him what he wanted. Eternal Life. He'll never grow old or die."

"By turning him into a statue?" Rob asked, puzzled.

"The thing with Eternal Life is, you have to be very, very careful how you define the term. After all, what's more eternal than a statue?" Layla asked, a wicked grin on her face.

"Not much. Now, what say we get out of here and go have a few stiff drinks at the Pixel Palace?"

Rob's suggestion was met with great enthusiasm.

Later that night, while Layla was asleep, Critic slipped out of bed. He went into the kitchen, heading for the fridge, and his gaze fell on the flowerpot on the table. He gasped, then beamed in joy.

A white rose was blooming.