Ravan – Soul/spirit (Persian)
Erik – Always Ruler (Scandinavian)
Hesam – a sharp sword (Persian)
Adel – Righteous (Persian)
Hadi – Guide/leader (Persian)
Ravan: I love how the dark prince's name is the only foreign one…
Kiri: Well… whatever. It was close to Malik, which was what I originally wanted to call him, but it's already taken. So, I just settled for Erik. Anyways, I also want to say that I finally, FINALLY finished the third game, so I know what the hell happened and basically, I'm thinking that this story has gone in a direction that is just… way off the wall.
Ravan: So change it.
Kiri: I might… but it depends on my readers… it they love it the way it is, so be it. If they want me to change it so it makes more sense, so be it. But anyways, enough of my babbling. Enjoy the story!
Chapter Eleven
It was all being documented within the Waters. He had sat and watched it all happen. From the moment she had awakened in the past to the moment she was joined by the talking feather brained bird.
The Dark Prince had yet to leave the chamber in which the Waters of the Ages sat, recording every move she made. The entire time, he had sat, patiently waiting, picking the grime from under his fingernails with the Dagger of Time, which had since been cleaned, but still bore traces of Ravan's blood.
He couldn't stop thinking about her. Many times he had tried to force thoughts of her away and replace them with thoughts of the future, and how wonderful his revenge on the Prince would be. But his mind wouldn't have it. It lingered on her, wondering about her progress, remembering the last moments he'd spent with her. He'd nearly killed her.
That was what he couldn't understand. He knew he would have to strike her down if the waters were to corrupt her and give her the power to control time. He had planned it since he had arrived at the ruined city of Babylon. During their short time together on the island, all she had been was a nuisance. She'd been a thorn in his side and he couldn't wait to get rid of her. He had been very certain that he hated her… but now he was having his doubts.
He glanced down at the waters again, seeing that the girl had already made little to no progress. How typical. Sighing heavily in ever growing frustration, he returned to picking his fingernails. A small voice in the back of his head kept insisting a certain attraction to the girl, but each time it made itself known, he would immediately drown it out with his certainty that she was only a young, naive little girl who was the offspring of his enemy. That alone was reason enough to despise her.
However, the more he drowned the little voice out, the more persistent it became until he finally decided to consider it in some small way. She did have a pretty face… He once again looked at the Waters. She had still made minimal progress. Stupid girl.
"If only her brains matched her body," he thought out loud, "why must the ones with the nice curves always be the ones that can't think things out on their own?" He started wondering what her beloved father would do if he confronted him with a blade at his only daughters neck and grinned. The look the King of Persia would give would be MOST satisfying. But the girl would no doubt have a few tricks up her sleeve. After all, she now knew who he was and what his intentions were.
Cursing under his breath, he stood up. His patience for the princess was wearing thin and the sudden slew of mixed emotions wasn't helping at all. At this rate, he would be waiting a lifetime.
"Looks like I'll have to help her along. Again." He was becoming annoyed with having to do all the work, but he knew that in the end, his revenge on the prince would be well worth it…
Learning to use my new power had exhausted me. I had started to feel drained of energy about a half hour ago, but didn't say anything and continued practicing my abilities until I was ready to keel over on the ground. I knew Hadi would've encouraged me to keep going, so I did, but when I couldn't even stand up because I couldn't summon the strength, he decided it was best if I regained my posture as soon and as quickly as possible. So, I fell asleep for the second time that day while the black bird kept watch for monsters.
While I slept, I dreamt pleasantly about Babylon. Home. I dreamt about the city, my citizens, my family… But I had a strange one, as well. I wasn't sure exactly what it meant… perhaps I should share it with you… yes, I will do that.
It started out simple enough. I was home in Babylon, walking through the hanging gardens. I had no worries in the world, to attackers, but Island, nothing… just me walking through my favorite place to be alone. I was wearing what I have on now: simple white pants and boots, a midnight blue top and my purple cloak.
Well, I rounded a corner, when I spotted something, or rather, someone. His back was toward me and he was wearing a dark hood. Wondering vaguely who it was, I approached the figure. But with every step I took, my surroundings seemed to change. The sky grew darker. The plants seemed to wilt. Time seemed to slow…
I came up behind him, but kept a good enough distance. I started to speak, but he seemed to sense my presence and slowly turned around. I still couldn't see his face, since his hood kept his face covered in shadows. Something about the man felt dark and foreboding, and it gnawed at my insides, which unnerved me, enough to consider just turning and leaving.
I started to turn around. I glanced over my shoulder to make a run for it, but the stranger clasped my wrist with icy fingers, preventing me from leaving. I faced him again. He stepped towards me. Again, I started to try and escaped, except something else stopped me. It seemed like a certain part of me… didn't want to go. Something inside me trusted the stranger and wanted to stay.
My muscles betrayed me and locked in place when he placed his other hand on my hip. Swallowing hard, I looked up at his hidden face. A familiar smirk played on his lips… Suddenly, those lips were firmly against mine and a pleasant ache shivered through me. But my soul was torn in half. One part telling me that it was where I should've been, the other telling me to run away. I couldn't make up my mind…
"Ravan, what are you doing?" a voice asked suddenly. I was suddenly back in control of myself and I turned, seeing Adel standing there. The stranger only replied with a smirk of triumph. I pushed out of his grasp. "Come on, princess," he offered his hand, "that man… he's not what you think. A shadow will consume everything it touches. Come with me before he consumes you as well!"
"Trust in me, Ravan," the stranger offered, "Embrace me…"
"Don't believe his lies. He wants you only to take what belongs to you." The hooded man started backing away. I looked between them, at a loss. "Don't let his façade fool you…"
Everything became dark again and I was suddenly in the palace thrown room. I stood at the base of the stairs. I was watching two men sword fight at the top, and a strange feeling of shame crept through me. I looked away. My mother was on the ground not too far from where I stood. I couldn't tell if she was dead or unconscious, but there was blood around her.
Finally, one of the swordsmen fell to the other. The victor loomed over the body, a terrible sense of revenge about him. Something fell down the stairs. Something metallic. It clinked on each step as it tumbled down, and landed at the base of the steps. A crown… With trembling hands, I picked it up and looked towards the swordsman again. He descended the steps to join me, and took the crown. The same hooded figure from the gardens stood before me, holding a symbol of power… My symbol of power. He placed it on my head.
"This is yours until you marry." He smirked wildly and added, "Just think… the most powerful empire in the world… is ours."
"Tyrant," I whispered. Then I woke up.