Chapter 14

"So Prince… as long as we're alone…" I began, hovering nearby as the Prince worked his way around, jumping onto beams and poles and whatnot, "Why don't you tell me you're name?"

"Naomi!!" he cried, sounding exasperated.

"What? I wanna know! You keeping it a big secret had only sparked my curiosity, and I'll only keep pestering you about it until you tell me!"

"I'm not telling you my name! I don't care how many times you ask, I'm not telling!"

"Well, why not? What's the big secret?"

"I don't like it! I told you that!"

"Why don't you like it?" I pressed.

"It—it's just strange, alright? It doesn't sound normal, nor does it sound fitting for a man. I've begged my father to let me change it, but he won't!"

"Well, if your father likes it…"

"Of course he does! He picked it!"

"Oh, come on! Tell me! I promise I won't laugh! And if I do, then you can kick my ass later!"

"No, Naomi, I'm not telling you."

"Why not?!"

"I'm not risking you laughing and humiliating me!" I snorted.

"Prince, unless you have a name like 'Buttiches' then the chances are I won't laugh at it!" He stopped and nearly fell over.

"A name like what?"

"Buttiches!" I replied cheerfully.

"Who in their right mind would name their poor child that?!" Again, I snorted.

"You'd be surprised what people do where I come from, Prince." I stretched my arms. "So, are you gonna tell me?"

"No."

"Aw, please? You know I'll only keep pestering you until you do tell me!"

"Naomi, please, just drop it!" by now, he was really pleading with me.

"Oh, alright. I'll cut you some slack this time around. But don't expect any mercy from me later." He didn't say anything and just kept climbing.

At the top, I heard the familiar whoosh of sand monsters appearing, and then I heard the twang of Farah's bow. Hearing that, the Prince and I both hurried our butts out, where yet another battle began. This time, though, I had open skies, and a nice big area to fly around it.

"Over here!" Farah yelled at us, already firing arrows. The Prince and I drew our weapons. He immediately charged into battle and began vaulting over the guys with hammers and rebounding off walls to knock over the big burling guys with swords, but this time around, I hung back. I wasn't sure why I hadn't thought of this before… but hell, now wasn't the time for regretting stupidity. I took to the air and flew over the beasts' heads, swiping at them with my swords, making the Prince's life a little easier. They couldn't catch me, since I was too fast. Hell, I was even lucky enough to knock a few down. But the battle went on like that, until the Prince finished off the last one.

At the end, he stepped into the vortex, leaving Farah and I with nothing to do but wait for his ass.

"Is it just me, or are those things getting bigger and uglier every time?" I questioned, sliding my swords into my pant legs. Farah smiled.

"They're definitely increasing in number," she agreed, "Probably because we're getting closer to the Tower of Dawn."

"I get it. We're closing in, so now ol' Zangarth or whatever his name is, is panicking and sending more and more monsters to stop us. That moron, doesn't he realize that if he starts small and sends them out increasingly that all we do is get stronger?" She giggled.

"I suppose not." I sighed.

"So… what are you gonna do after all this is over with?" I asked, changing the subject. She seemed a little off-put by the question at first.

"Well, I—I don't know… I…" she looked up at the Prince, whom was still in the vortex having visions. At this point, I smirked. I knew she was in love with him. I just had to tease her about it.

"Admit it, Farah! You like him!" I said accusingly, "It's written all over your face!"

"What? There's nothing… I mean I don't…" she stuttered. I grinned slyly.

"It's only obvious. Just the way you look at him! Besides, after everything the three of us have been through by now, it would shock me if you weren't fond of him! I know I've warmed up to the big lug." She held her arm and looked down at the ground uncertainly.

"Well… I suppose I have formed feelings for him…" she admitted.

"Oh, bah! You love him. You've fallen head over heels for the guy. Completely, hopelessly in love. Go on and admit it. We're both girls here!"

"Well, I…" she was interrupted when the prince was thrown out of the vortex and hit the ground with a thump. Forgetting about the conversation she quickly went over to him. I just watched smugly as she drug him over to one of the benches and started stroking his hair again. I was tempted to say something along the lines of "I told you so" but I refrained. I just stayed where I was, watching them.

Only a moment later, the Prince's eyes fluttered open. I don't know what was going on in his mind, but he must've freaked out a little, because he practically jumped off the bench and pulled out the dagger. Farah got up after to try and comfort him. He looked uncertainly at the dagger, and then held in behind his back, backing up all the while.

"It's all right," Farah cooed, "it's me." She gently put her hand on his shoulder. "It's me." the Prince didn't say anything, but looked like he now realized what was going on.

"Yknow, I think you should take it easy on those vortex thingies, Prince…" I interrupted, "I think they're starting to mess with your head a bit!" He still didn't say anything.

"Look," Farah said gently, pointing towards the big tower with the creepy vortex whirling over it. "At last we're here. The Tower of Dawn."

"And it's about flamin' time, too!" I added irritably. As Farah went over to wait by the gate, I approached the Prince, whom wasn't looking too good. "Princy? You ok over there?" He dropped his head into his hand and didn't answer for a long moment.

"I'm all right, Naomi," he answered quietly. I gripped his shoulder.

"You sure about that? You look out of it…"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Well… if you say so…" I saw where he was going and stopped him. "Hold on. You go over there and wait with Farah. I'll get the gate open this time." He just looked at me for a moment, but nodded once and turned back. It was easy, since all I had to do was fly up and hit the orange pressure plate on the wall, then zoom out the gate before it closed, not that I needed to, since I could've just flown over the wall.

We ran across the bridge, killing the birds that awaited us. After a winding hallway, we found another fountain. The Prince easily smashed through the wall with his super uber sweet princy skillz.

"I love it when you do that," Farah said, her voice a little low and husky.

"Come with us," the Prince invited, "please." She shook her head.

"No, you go."

"Aw, are you suuuure? It's some gooooood water in there you be missin' out on." She only smiled. I shrugged.

"Ok, suit yourself. Let's go, Prince." We walked in.

"You know, you and Farah would make a real good match, I think…" I told the Prince when we were out of earshot.

"What do you mean by that?" he questioned.

"Oh, yknow…" He just looked at me.

"Naomi, of all the women I have ever known in my lifetime, you are definitely one of the strangest."

"Uh, 'one' of the strangest?" He shrugged.

"Alright, the strangest."

"That's better." We were quiet for a moment. "So, eh, what are you gonna do when all this blows over?"

"Return to Babylon. Perhaps find a wife. What about you?" I hummed in thought and folded my arms behind my head.

"Well, it's starts with a waffle cone, ends in sprinkles and a cherry and everything in the middle is pure gold!" I grinned. The Prince, however, didn't seem to understand. "I'm talking about ice cream, you dolt! But then again… it depends on if I get… home…" I trailed off. I hadn't even thought about that! My mom… she was probably worried sick about me! I may have been gone for days, or weeks!

"Home?" the Prince repeated, "Say, you never did say where you were from, anyway. I know you aren't Persian or Indian. You don't have the complexion, and your manner of speech and accent are different." I didn't answer. I was too busy drowning myself in thoughts about home. My mom, my friends, school… what became of them all? Would I ever get back? Fat chance. I was probably stuck here for the rest of eternity.

"I guess… I guess I'm not going home…" I muttered. The Prince looked at my oddly.

"You aren't? Why not?"

"It's not important." I shook my head.

"Well—well then, if you aren't going back to your home—why—why don't you come back with me? To Babylon?" he asked, obviously a little shy. I met his gaze, my eyes wide with disbelief.

"You mean it?"

"Of course! My father would love you! I know he'd let you stay!" He stopped and faced me. "So, will you?" I smiled.

"Prince… I would love nothing more than to go to Babylon with you," I answered. A big smile spread across his face at my answer. I almost didn't have the heart to finish what I was saying. "But," he smile faded, "I have obligations I have to fulfill first. Sorry."

"What obligations?" he almost demanded, almost looking… hurt.

"Just… Angel business," I sighed, "But after I'm done with all that, I'll meet up with you then. I promise."

"Alright… but don't keep me waiting too long, or you'll be in big trouble, missy." He stuck his finger in my face to emphasize his point. I giggled.

"I make no promises on that."

Kiri: BUTTICHES! XD!!

Prince: ... (shaking head in embarressment)

Kiri: What? It was funny!

Prince: Who in their right mind would even considergiving their child a name like that?

Naomi: do you really want a answer to that question, Princy?

Prince: er... no, actually... I don't.

Kiri: Well, let's just get to the FAQ. Who be doing it today? hmm... Eenie...meanie...chili...beanie...PRINCE!

Prince: But I already did it!

Kiri: Too bad1 Do it again!

Q: Don't tell me his name is-

A: IT IS NOT! DON'T EVEN ASK!

Q: Sheesh, ok, I won't. So, what is his name?

A: ...I am not telling.

Kiri: He knows that if he tells before the time comes, that there will be hell to pay. (pats bazooka) Isn't that right, Prince?

A: er... yeah...(sweating)

Q: So, is it going to be the Prince and Farah and not Prince and the OC?

A: we still don't know. Kiri is keeping it a total secret... but by the way she sits there and daydreams about it...

Kiri: (snickering) that doesn't tell anyone anything. but I know what's gonna happen romance-wise.

Q: Will Naomi get home after this?

A: In all honesty, it's very unlikly.

Q: why was the Prince out of it when he woke up from the vortex thingy?

A: Well, I just saw Farah stealing my dagger in those visions, not to mention I woke up and felt something in my hair. I was a little startled.

Kiri: Oh, you liked it and you know it.

Prince: ...

Kiri: See? Is that sunburn, or are you blushing?

Prince: SHUT UP!

Kiri: Well, that's all the time I have now. It's movie day today, and I have my first day of summer school tomorrow. And on a final note, YOU GUYS ARE MAKING ME THE HAPPIEST AUTHORESS ON THIS SIDE OF THE NUT HOUSE! I LOVE YOU GUYS SOOOOO MUCH!!! HUGS ALL AROUND!! Stay tuned for the next chappy!