Chapter 10. Queen's choice.

Will gripped prince's neck with both of her hands, as she saw his eye's and face turn pale. He tried to reach his hand out and say something, but concussion he just suffered and grip that was strangling him was too powerful, and he only managed to let out weak sound that her attacker ignored as he started to pass out.

With each passing second she kept her grip on, guardian felt influx of power and strength inside her wounded body. In a matter of seconds power that now inhabited her body, mended scars that covered left side of her body. Scars that surrounded her eye and pained her arm disappeared almost instantly, leaving only faint outlines of her wounds that she suffered nearly two weeks ago. Still scar that was left from sigil that was etched on her right hand spitefully reacted and refused at attempts to heal it, and even this newfound power could not mend eyesight in her left eye. And while power provided healing effect, remnants of her scarlet hair turned silverly pale like the rest of her hair, giving teenage girl ghastly appearance

Warmth and comfort overtook her body as if frozen hands in cold winter day finally managed to find source of warmth. Soon warm feeling that resided inside her chest overtook her whole body and not long after warmth turned into something more, it slowly turned into intoxicating feeling. Her initial joy of her accomplished goal to acquire power, slowly turned into mind dulling feeling that overtook her mind. She felt as thought she would be seriously drunk. Power that vitalized her body had unexpected side effect. In clear mind she would undoubtedly started to worry about that, but her current condition fogged her mind. Various emotions that she knew isn't hers, but rather product of stolen energy that she just acquired filled her mind. Bravado, hatred, lust for power, that flew in her thoughts mixed into mess and she finally started to lose control over her own emotions as her mind became fragmented into thought of her own, and cloud of memories that now inhabited her mind along with power she consumed. Unable to concentrate any longer, she simply let her emotions loose as she started to hysterically laugh, while hardening grip upon Phobos's neck.

Would former keeper of the heart be at her full senses, she would have noticed that air in the room slowly becomes thick like before summers thunderstorm, even more as a guardian that poses affinity with magical energy she should have to felt almost tangible aura that filled the room.

Moments later energy that filled air suddenly concentrated around the sealed gate and with blinding flash melted down bars that were preventing anyone from entering or leaving cell block, effortlessly consuming energy Will infused them with. When smoke cleared, it revealed that feminine figure clothed in pitch black dress walked inside the room.

Eyes of every prisoner where tied to her, as they recognized queen of the Meridian. Some of former Phobos's elite guards unwittingly took step backward in their cells at such display of power, while some of them watched with interest at the events below. One of inmates that looked like young girl instead took step forward and grinned at fact that the two of her worst enemies, might destroy each other, or at least ironically share her fate by spending years of her life in the very same prison she were sent by her efforts. Grim look upon queen's face only served as further testament of her determination.

Oblivious of attention Elyon took several steps forward as she watched in surprised horror at her former friend gripping her brother and laughing hysterically. Cold dread ran down her spine as she laid her gaze upon now pale haired guardian. Her facial expression, several scars that still surrounded here eye and her pale hair made her appearance look almost ghost like, it reminded Elyon of both Nerissa, the sorcerers that stole her power in order to defy Kandracar, and her brother. She took deep breath and shrugged. It was not a moment she could afford to be afraid and falter because she could not gather herself. She already made too many sacrifices in order to come here alone. How would remaining guardians react to her betrayal against young air guardian, or how would relation of her kingdom will change after she denied Kandracar, those were thought she tried to suppress but she knew it may be price she will have to pay for facing Will alone.

Several more steps forward towards her young women she once called her friend, when Will instantly turned around to face around whoever entered room.

To her sight appeared darkly dressed women. Dress that she had seemed to be almost identical to one she usually wore when she performed her duties as queen, with only difference that every part of it was pitch black, and any decoration that covered it was barely visible because of that, making young queen look incredibly grim and threatening, Her dress, while it was pitch black, it seemed that there is more than meets the eye. Color that surrounded it seemed unnatural, and with each step she took deeper into cell block, it appeared to become even darker to a point its darkness looked void like, and some soldiers who looked at it, could swear to them selves that her dress ignored light that fell upon it, as it was absorbed by the matter. Such unusual visage of queen sent chill down the spine of almost anyone who looked at her.

As Will jumped to turn around, her eyesight became locked on queen as she instantly recognized her. It was one person she hoped to not meet under these circumstances, but at the same time she understood that risk when she opened portal to this world. As her mind focused on Elyon, it instantly became clear from intoxicating feeling she had moments ago. She stopped laughing and tried to focus her mind to not lose herself again as she did second ago, at same time struggling to maintain her balance.

As their gazes met, they both looked in each other eyes, while still remaining silence, as none of them knew what they should say or act. Will would give almost all to escape this place, and Elyon felt her determination falter as she finally met her and her mind became plagued with thought as how Will sank so far. Only months ago they she knew Will as cheerful friend, while now person that barely remind her of heart's keeper stood before her as her adversary.

"Will " Elyon started after moment as she regained her composure and could speak words in firm voice."Stand down and I promise I wont harm you."

As painful moments passed after Elyon spoke, Will noticed that her clothing slowly lost its void like cover. She knew that such tremendous power she wielded would undoubtedly manifest through her emotions, and sign that it ceased meant that her adversary is trying to retain cold mind. Fact that she wasn't already dead meant that queen had no, or at least immediate, intention to kill her, as in her unsuspecting state and with her power Elyon could kill her several time over if she would wish it.

"I..... I .. can;t Ely. I cant turn back now. Too much it at stake for someone to stop me now" Will answered in a voice as firm as she could gather herself to. She knew that if Elyon stops her now, that it will mean that gamble that Hallinor was making and thus putting herself at risk, Cornelia's death. Irma's current state, would all be for nothing

"That was not plea Will, You know as well as I do that even in your full power, you cant compete with me. Now cease this foolishness and stand down. I promise I wont hurt you if you do. But know that I wont allow you to leave this place alone."

As friend before they were, Will still felt that Elyons reaction was rather odd, as if she thought that person who killed one of her most precious friends, she expected it to be repetition of events at the cometary, and yet she asked only for her surrender, even more after she had witnessed her wrath when Elyon stood besides Phobos as guardian's enemy years ago. Will maintained silence as she was unsure what to do, and she felt that her leg slightly twitched from fear, an emotion she hadn't felt in a long while.

"Will, what made you do that, did you really did that to Cornelia's, to Irma?" Elyon shouted at her as she wasn't receiving answer from her former friend.

"Would you believe me if I would say that it wasn't my fault, would you trust me I if I would say there was no other choice? Why do you ask it. Or you want your conciseness clean before you kill me" Will answered as she could not believe herself what she just said and felt that her words were not her own. Once again she felt struggling against same feeling as it filled her mind with alien thought. Fear slowly replaced by bravado and sense of superiority over the queen. She pressed her eyes close, and tried to regain her mind.

"I want to know why, Will"

"It was not my choice Ely, and I would give everything I ever had so it would never come to pass"

Elyon shook her head and brushed of any thoughts of reasoning with her friend for now as she noticed that Will's right hand started to crackle with energy."Will, I asked you to stand down, I don't want to fight you, but I will if I have to."

"And what becomes of me, if I follow you, will you turn me over to Kandracar so they execute or cage me, or will you keep me in one of your own cells"

"You wont go back to Kandracar as long as I have something to say in this. And as of now you are on my land and thus Kandracar have no say here" Elyon shouted out and sighed" This is pointless, I should have known better than to reason with you, after all I was same as you once. Lost, thinking that my friends are enemies,and no words from you or even Cornelia could reason with me, and yet you were one of people who never doubted in me, and that is debt I will always have towards you. Even if you stand against me, I intend to bring you back as you gambled everything to help me, wish that or no ."

Will shrugged, as luring it could be, that even accepting queens help, it would not disperse veil of lies that surrounded whole situation, even worse it would make every sacrifice pointless, and prime movers of whole situation would simply disappear in darkness and it would only postpone any plans they had.:"Even so, I cant let you have me, If you truly want to help, then don't stand in my way Ely and let me leave"

"Damn it Will, you are not leaving this place even if it kills me." Elyon shouted as she snapped

and three orbs appeared around her right hand that circled around it" I will get back Will I knew even if I will have to rewrite and erase months, even years of your mind. I dont know what goes in your head now, but if Will I knew is even a little alive inside you, I will get her back even if I have to break your body and mind first. I wont lose any more friends, no matter what the cost is."

Will took step backwards as she saw queens power manifesting in orb around her hand. Even more it seemed that despite her good willed agenda towards her, it seemed that there is no way she will let her go. No less than that guardian knew that she could barely protect from one or two such orbs and it would take her almost no effort to summon as much as she would wish. Once again intoxicating feeling manifested in her mind, while this time it was more than random feeling. Pale haired, incorporeal figure appeared just few yards in front of her. Will instantly recognized him as prince of Meridian. And while she knew that he isn't real, and just figment of her imagination, she shrugged.

"Do you really think she will let you live after what you done to her friend. You should have taken my offer" phantom like prince spoke.

"Shut up" Will mentally tried to brush him away, as her head filled with anger and bravado.

Prince laughed with grim laugh that sent shiver down the guardians back:" You gambled by taking fragment of my soul, thought you can gain power by feeding upon my life force? Do you ever though why your kind never used mortal souls as source of their power? No? Do you think its because of their noble ways? No guardian, their minds are too fragile to contain it, with every bit of power you absorb in your worthless little body, you absorb essence of their being, a fragment of their soul, and such fragile mind as your own cant possibly govern them all. That is why your masters feared me, they knew that even without the source of power I can fight them by taking power from my people, and unlike pathetic warriors that you and your sisters in battle were, my mind could suppress even thousands of their cries as I absorbed them. My presence here and your inability to fight me is testament to that."

Again Will tried to shut him out, for a moment it seemed to help, but in the moment she lost her focus her efforts went into vein" You are just figment of my mind Phobos, you are nothing , I can unmake you if I wish."

Prince laughed again as he went past her." Doesn't work doesn't it, well maybe in time, but as for now, I will stand besides you, after all, because of your efforts we both stand before my sister. And even as such, even though I have little love for you, I don't intend to die just because you were weak, so you will have to accept my help. Open your mind and I will wipe that cowardice that governs over you from your mind. "

Will tried to resist and opened her eyes, and noticed that while it seemed that she talked with apparition for few minutes, only mere seconds have passed as she noticed Elyon stand in front of her. Foreign feeling of bravado started to invade her mind.

"Yes guardian, you know there is only one way out of this room, kill her, take her power. I sense how you feel. Do it, kill her." Will resisted as she heard voice in her head. But for all the bravado she had, her rational mind both wished to never harm her friend and knew that to attack queen would be suicide. And yet she was not sure how long she can resist it. She had to escape now and yet what could she do. Will knew that cell block is warded against teleportation, borders between planes were so thick that it would require power of several hearts to penetrate it.

"Will lay down before I harm you, I don't intended to ask again" Queen shouted and stretched her hand against her and unsheathed Calebs sword in her other hand as it glowed with bright light. Will noticing it instinctively summoned dozen of wisps that surrounded her while chaotically looking around for any chance to escape, and while she knew that it wont hold queen at bay for long it was better than nothing. Weapon rack and several discarded swords that were left behind fleeing guards attracted her attention.

"Quintessence" Will murmured and unleashed blast of lightning that overtook floor of the room, infusing every weapon that was lying on the ground. More than dozen of weapons glowed and crackled with energy as they started to tremble and started to lift into the air. Closest sword that lied just couple yards away from her almost instantly flew into guardian's hand as she grabbed it, and while Will never had used real sword, it felt so light and it was unmistakably moving on its own volition in her hand, intent on protecting its mistress. Seeing Will actions, Elyon reluctantly unleashed two of orbs that surrounded her right hand into Will's direction. First one as soon as it closed to Will , instantly clashed with wisps that surrounded young guardian and it exploded in bright flash that filled room with blinding light. Second one as it clashed with remaining wisps, continued its path and hitting its target, throwing her against wall behind her back.

As flash from explosion faded, it revealed queen standing in the same place she was before keeping new set of orbs around her hand, while Will was staggering and struggling to retain her balance.

"Last warning Will, I don't want to maim you, but you just as well as me know that you wont survive next hit" Elyon shouted at Will, as she tried to regain balance from concussion.

"My, my. Seems my sister is serious about you. Yet it surprise me that she didn't killed you out right. Perhaps she want to enjoy it, or maybe she's too afraid to stain her white, innocent hands. Now guardian how long do you intend to play fool here ?!" Prince that appeared near her taunted.

Will tried to ignore him, yet she knew that both persons are right. She cant do nothing anymore as every next hit from her can knock her out cold at best. Swords that were infused by guardian's energy lifted into air awaiting their mistresses command.

"Oh, so you gonna fight my little sister? How interesting. Aim well guardian, aim for the heart. Even with all her power she has at her command, she wont be able to mend such wounds. As she lies dying, take her power and we both can use it to destroy our enemies, isn't it why you came here in first place. If my sister wont get you, then your old masters will. They are persistent bastards, trust me." Prince urged Will to do his bidding.

"For the last time, shut up Phobos!" Will mentally shouted back and once again noticed that she had lost sense of time a only mere seconds passed during their mental conversation. And yet, even as she defied her newfound advisor, she felt his influence in her mind as indeed she felt slight urge to obey his command. Elyon stood in before Will, as new set of sparkling orbs appeared around her arm and once again her dress started to lose its natural color as it turned into dark abyss.

Will looked around franticly thinking her next move. Sword that she just animated would only serve as nuisance to her adversary even if what Phobos said just now was true, as gap between power of two were just too great now. And while in her clear mind she would expect herself to do it, she realized what she have to do. She lifted her hand and waved it sending more than dozen of blades towards prisoners. As soon as they approached them, they instantly stopped, each of them pointing towards neck or chest of inmates.

Queen's eyes became filled with fear and surprise as she saw what Will did with her powers, as that was move she certainly did not expected. She took step backwards and carefully spoke:"Will? Don't do this. You don't have to harm.... "

"I dont want to harm them Ely, I want you to let me go, you don't understand...." Will shouted at queen as she abruptly stopped due to repulsive laugh behind her back.

"Didn't expected that from you guardian, still it seems your more resourceful than I thought, it seems you can do whats necessary after all." Voice behind her back whispered in her mind as Will tried to ignore it.

Queen took one more step backward and dispersed orbs that were cycling around her hands." Will listen, I want to help you, it don't have to be this way, you still can go back, I promise, just lower those weapons, no one needs to get hurt.." Elyon chaotically tried to reason with her former friend.

"Just let me leave and I promise that I wont hurt anybody here" Will said as she struggled against foreign influence in her mind.

Elyon hesitated and just kept her hand lifted in hopes to calm her adversary. Elyon knew that she could try to dissipate power in those blades, but if she fails then perhaps blood of dozen of people, no matter that they are criminals, would be on her hands. Even more she knew that she could kill her former friend instantly and that would end this threat instantly, but that was option she was not forcefully trying to shut out of her mind.

Elyion was hesitating in place as Will was keeping her hand outstretched, maintaining her focus on blades. Several drops of sweat appeared on her forehead as she understood that she wont be able to keep her hostages for long and time was becoming her enemy.

"My dear sister is struggling with her little thoughts, I wonder what is more important for her, you or these prisoners. Why don't we find out, kill some of them and perhaps that will make up her mind faster. Lets say kill that one on the left, and one near him, I never liked them anyway. If she still cant make up her mind we can always test her limits for more" Phobos walked past her and pointed at two imprisoned human soldiers, that were once captains of Phobos army.

"Your despicable, Phobos. I already told you to shut up, for how long do you intend to pester me."

"Were not you the one that took fragment of my being into your own? You will have to put up with me guardian. And despicable? I simply did what was necessary to survive, and so do you now, when I opposed you and your cowardly masters I didn't had luxury of having infinite source of power to conquer other worlds as they did with mine."

"This is pointless, you are not even real. I am arguing with my imagination."

"What ever you say guardian. But as you see, you cant unmake me just because you wish so."

Will shrugged and once again she found herself faced against queen of Meridian, while focusing on dozen of weapons that threatened her hostages. With each passing second, maintaining focus became harder and it seemed that queen cant take decision. She took deep breath and hoped her gamble will pay off, as she took step towards melted gate that was standing behind queen. As she moved Elyon instinctively raised her hand, in hopes to prevent Will from leaving.

"Lower your hand Elyon, and let me pass or I swear to god, I will hurt them."

Elyon still hesitated to let her leave. Noticing that Will took deep breath and moved her right index finger as blade obeyed to her command and made slash against small, black haired girls neck leaving deep slash in its stead. As blade danced near her, her evil grin was replaced by genuine expression of fear as she noticed that guardian that now governed over her life is serious .Elyon tried to reach out for will but then instantly pulled her hand back in hopes to not provoke her former friend any further.

"Will no..!" She cried out as Will took step forward, while wound that was inflicted upon girl already started to mend because of her inhuman nature. Will knew that shapeshifters can mend wounds just as easy as they can change their appearances, and with that she hoped to prove to queen that she is serious.

"Bravo guardian, so you did it" Phobos apparition applauded her:" Though it seems she wont die, as she isnt mere mortal. I never liked that creature. As useful they are shapeshifters can change their loyalties just as easy as they change their skin. I would have killed her though, as you see that even that scratch makes my sister cry, perhaps killing some would make her even beg mercy and she will part with her power"

Indeed, such thought as of now that Will had upper hand appeared in her mind to demand her power in exchange for lives of prisoners. But still, more than absurdity of such idea to make another transgression against her friends, last dieing words from her blond haired friend kept her from such demands." Dont involve them" echoed through her mind as dark prince suggested to demand her power.

"Elyon I am serious, I am leaving, I have no intention to fight you"WIll shouted out while struggling to maintain her focus as she made steps towards queen. As Will took step past queen she noticed that queen is holding her left arm behind her back, and her chin is almost unnoticeably but yet franticly twitching. One more step and she heard unsure voice from her:" Will,... , If you ever hurt anyone close to me, ever again! I swear to God I will kill you no matter where you will hide"

Cold shivers ran down her neck, even though she heard uncertainty and blind anger in her voice:" You can find me and take your revenge when this is over, as for now let me go as I made a promise to my friend."

Elyon disregarded Will sentence, thinking of it as just a product of her corrupted mind. She clenched teethes and fist and closed eyes to let her former friend leave. Elyon heard as running footsteps faded in distance as Will was running away into darkness of infinite cities tunnels. As footsteps ceased she heard dozens of metallic clashes against the stone floor as weapons that were infused with her power fell down to the stone floor. Apathetically she followed them and fell to her knees. She understand that just now had just lost, she had failed Cornelia, she had failed Irma, Hay-lin, and most importantly Will. She looked at her left arm that were still holding white stream of light, that would be enough to instantly kill a human being. She knew that if Will would have demanded her power, more than anything she could not allow to fall it in wrong hands no matter what and perhaps she would have to use it. She thanked God that it never came to pass as salty drop appeared in her eyes.

Will ran for at least several minutes never looking back. When she finally was out of breath she sat down to regain her strength. She noticed that once again prince that she unwittingly invited in her mind sat near her:"I knew you had it in you, to do whats necessary, still I hoped for more, but then again we still have our freedom, doesn't we guardian."

Being too tired, Will didn't even bothered to respond. Without anything threatening her anymore she noticed that she can focus her mind to suppress his voice, leaving her alone in silence. With regained strength she stood up and slashed fingers against air leaving blue rift in air that led her back to her sanctuary.

Tired and shaken she staggered towards former Nerissa s study, and while she was tired she felt that something is different, and perhaps even she isn't alone in her sanctuary anymore.

TBC

A/N

As always thanks to those who reviewed I know that it take REALLY long time to make this chapter. As always I hope next one will come sooner than last one. But RL always calls. Also I really hope to save some time in order before last chapter is written to rewrite first ones as I understand they arnt really up to quality I myself would like.

As for story itself, initially Phobos wasn't planed as acting character past last chapter, but felt that extra character in given conversation would be useful.