Chapter Eleven:

The Disease of Madness

Joan

I barged through the doors of the next gate and entered a dark chamber. The light from the fire behind me was the only thing that illuminated the dark room… Well, until the doors shut behind me.

My hand immediately shot up to my nodachi. I heard a sadistic giggle all around me, but I couldn't pinpoint where it was. Just what was my greatest fear?

But then I realized just what it was.

"Did you think you could get rid of me that easily, Joan?"

My hand started shaking and my heart pounded violently. I activated my fire in the hand that wasn't grabbing hold of my nodachi and jumped back in shock. Kayce stood in front of me, that sadistic smile plastered to her face.

"I missed you so much," she said. "We have unfinished business, you and I."

I clenched my fists. "You're dead. You're dead! You don't exist!"

"I exist as long as you do, Joan." She reached for the nodachi on her back. "But I can't believe how sentimental you are! Naming your child after me—what you could have been—for what? Were you upset that you killed me? Was it like losing a part of yourself?"

"Kayce…" I muttered dryly. "I named my daughter after you because it's a feared name, even after these four years, like Kessler. I know that, one day, she'll make people forget about you, and when that name is said, it will be to praise my daughter."

Kayce laughed. "Age has made you foolish, not wise. I liked it better when you spoke after fighting."

"Well then, let's fight!"

We both unleashed our nodachis, and began the fight.

Lance

My hands were clenched tightly. Kayce was being held by Helen as she cried quietly. All of us had to go through the pitch-black chamber, and it seemed like we all faced our fears. Most of the Egyptian workers that went through with us didn't make it.

Joan… I thought. Dammit! Please, be okay!

My dad looked back and me and grinned. "We're almost there, son."

I clenched my fists tighter, to the point where I was actually drawing blood. "I don't even know you. Don't call me that!"

"Let's not do this, Lance," he said to me. "You're grown up now. Stop acting like a child."

"Look who's acting like a kid!" I snapped. "You're trying to take over the goddamn world! What the hell? Do you know how many people Joan, Cole and Alec have stopped who've wanted to take over the world?"

"They were nothing but idiots," my dad said. "I'm not. Plus, it doesn't matter. I know what is in the chamber with the Conduit Gods. It doesn't matter what anyone could do; I would win, because I have far more experience than anyone here." He smirked. "And your beloved wife won't be coming. I had my men drop her into the sandstorm outside. She wouldn't see her hand in front of her face, let alone get back here."

But you don't know Joan, I thought as I unclenched my fists. She's as stubborn as they get. And you knocked her out, you idiot. She probably remembers everything.

Joan

"Is that all you've got?" Kayce screamed at me. "Pathetic! I wanted a battle! Not a warm-up!"

I stabbed my nodachi into the ground and used it to keep myself standing. From a wound in my forehead, blood was pouring into my right eye, and there were several more wounds on my body.

Kayce, however, barely had a scratch on her. "Looks like the years have taken their toll, eh, Joan? This is what happens when you stop playing 'Hero'."

I glared at her. "Don't even, Kayce! I don't wanna hear it! I know that I stopped, but it was for Kayce! Yeah, I admit after fighting you the first time, I could barely sleep for months because I kept wondering if you'd ever come back, and I wouldn't be lucky enough to survive. But…" I held my nodachi tighter. "But I came out better for it! I'm a mother, and I wouldn't have it any other way! I miss fighting, but I wouldn't trade being with Kayce for anything! And while I can still stand, I'll fight, and I won't ever give up! I never gave up against Sasha, Alden, Bertrand Jr., or you! And I'll be damned if I start now!" I attacked her swiftly, taking her off-guard. Kayce raised her nodachi and blocked, but I grabbed the blade with my hand and sliced across her chest. "I don't care how many times I have to fight you; I'll win, as long as I have Lance and Kayce that I need to protect!"

Kayce leapt back and touched the wound tentatively, the she snarled at me. "You'll pay for that!"

"Bring it on!"

We clashed again, our nodachis meeting in a shower of sparks, made both from our blades and our fire. I ducked as she sliced at my head, and slammed the hilt of my nodachi into her jaw. She backed-off, but I chased after her and attacked. Under pressure, it didn't seem to be in her favour.

I pushed her against the wall and punched her quickly, then elbowed her jaw. When she hit the floor and spat out blood I replaced my nodachi onto my back and faced her.

"I don't wanna be afraid anymore," I told her, "and I won't run away from this. If you wanna die again, get up."

She got up and rushed at me, her nodachi coming at me in a wide arc. I side-stepped and kicked her in the face, sending her flying into the wall.

"What I find weird is that you aren't using any powers. You always used them because I didn't have the same ones." I smiled. "That means you don't exist, right?"

"I don't know what you're on, but I'm solid, and I'm right in front of you!"

I grabbed the nodachi as she attacked me with it. "I get it now. We're nearly in the Egyptian Underworld, so lots of strange things happen here. I think you're dead."

Kayce gritted her teeth. "Fuck you, Joan!"

"Language," I muttered, and punched her in the face.