Author's note: Hey everyone how are all of you? I'm so so SO sorry this chapter took so long to upload. Now I understand that a lot of people didn't like the last two chapters and I am sorry about that. I promise that will be the last thing in relationship wise for my story besides some dating. It took me a long time to get this chapter right so that you all will approve. I hope you like this chapter and please accept my apology. I also hope that you all will enjoy my ending (I promise its nothing bad.) Please leave reviews and tell me what you think please. This chapter was proof read by ThePathUntaken, also this chapter was made by me, SpicyCrazyLove2013, and redcristal. Enjoy. GOODBYE AND GOODNIGHT!
Chapter 12 - Face Stealer
(Reim Empire)
Dark clouds covered the sky over the Reim Empire. Thunder roared and lightning crackled. An ominous feeling was in the air. This fierce storm was a warning. Something bad was going to happen. The person and reason was unknown. But it was going to happen soon, sooner than expected. For in the darkness of an alley, a beautiful Reim woman was walking home from the theater. She has beautiful long golden locks, like strings of gold. She had an enchanting smile upon her ruby libs, and illuminating emerald eyes. She clearly enjoyed her time at the theater. Her eyes lit up with joy and her ruby lips curled into a nice smile.
But, unknown to this beautiful Reim woman, she was being stalked. Her beauty had enticed this stalker. As the beautiful Reim woman hummed a tune she heard at the theater, the stalker decided to make their move. They attacked from behind and tackled the unexpected beauty to the ground. The Reim woman tried to scream but her stalker silenced her with magic. The stalker grinned wickedly and took off their hood. The Reim woman screamed at the sight of her attacker. Her attacker was a extremely ugly woman, her eyes looked like those of a demon and her teeth were like fangs.
"My, what a pretty face you have." The stalker smirked. "A pretty face, indeed."
The Reim woman trembled. Whether it was in fear of what this stalker would do, or the stalker herself, she was unsure.
"I will take what is mine!" The stalker kissed the beautiful Reim woman on the lips. Lightning crashed and thundered roared fiercely once more. When the stalker broke their kiss, something frightening had just occurred. The once ugly stalker now had the face of the beautiful Reim woman she just kissed. And the beautiful Reim woman now had the old face of her stalker.
"Ah, I feel so much better now." The stalker spoke. Her voice was as smooth as silk.
The Reim woman was still trying to scream. She now had lost her beautiful face to this horrible lady.
"There, there, dearie; It isn't as bad as it seems. Although, we can't have running around and telling people what occurred here, now can we?" The stalker grinned wickedly. "So let me end your misery!"
And with that, she pulled out a knife and stabbed the poor woman several times, while laughing like a psycho. The Reim woman's blood was splattered all over the stalker. Even when she was dead, the stalker still continued to stab her mercilessly. When the stalker was done with her kill, she took the Reim woman clothes and put them on herself. When she was finished, she put on her cloak and left the poor woman's body there. The once ugly lady was now a sight to behold. But she wouldn't reveal herself to the public...yet. She had stolen the face of a woman, and not just her face, but her life, as well.
"Now that I'm done here, it's time to go to Partevia to fulfill my mission." The stalker who was now a killer smirked.
The storm seemed to have calmed down. But is the storm finally over? Or is it just the calm before the chaos?
(Partevia Empire)
Shame... That is what I've felt every day for the past two months; nothing but shame. Sinbad had left me broken and alone. And what's worse, was that my own body betrayed me. It wanted Sinbad, it wanted his touch. It wanted to feel the sparks that Sinbad's connection left with my body. It wanted that sensation again. It wanted him again. Ryubebe comforted me these two months. Sinbad was mostly visiting Barbarossa most of the time. He was also seeing if Partevia was really going through a "purge" like that kid Judar said. So far, I think it's not true. I haven't been able to walk for the past two months-though, it's more like I don't want to walk. After what happened, I don't think I ever want to go out for a long time again. But still, when my body and, hopefully mind, recover for that experience, I'm going to give Sinbad a piece of my mind.
"Sapphire...I understand that what you went through wasn't easy...but you must get up and move. It's not health for you to stay like this too long."
As much as I hated sitting around doing nothing, that was all I could do. Ever since Sinbad did… what he did. I knew that being summoned here to this world would be dangerous. And my life would probably be threatened. But I never imagined that THIS would happen to me. It's done right humiliating! But, that's what I get for underestimating the dangers of this word-and Sinbad. Note to self; never be alone with Sinbad, ever!
"Sapphire...I have something for you."
"Hmm? What is it Ryubebe?" I asked.
"It's a letter...from Muu..."
"What?! How?!"
"It was close, but, the letter was delivered to King Rashid chambers, but I got it before anyone knew it was there."
"That's good, if Sinbad found out about, oooooooh just thinking about his fury send chills done my spine. What does it say Ryubebe?"
"How would I know? I can't open it. I don't have thumbs."
"Oh, right. Well, let me see the letter and I'll open it and read it out loud."
Ryubebe had the letter in his mouth and gave it to me. I was hesitant to open, but, something inside me just had to know what Muu said. I opened the letter slowly and read aloud.
Dear Sapphire,
I hope this finds you well. I just want you to know that I'm ok and so is the crew. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to protect you from Sinbad. It made me realize that I need to be stronger, not only to fulfill my dream too travel the world and to gather all the Fanalis and create a squad of Fanalis to protect the Reim Empire, but also to one day fight Sinbad and take you far away from him. One day I'll come for you Sapphire. Wait for me, please.
Yours truly,
Muu
Tears streamed down my face and fell down on the paper note. Muu is so sweet, even after what Sinbad did, Muu still cares for me. "I'll wait for you Muu. I promise."
"I needed to get away while I have the chance or he'll do something worst! I can't do this anymore!" I think to myself panicking from what Sinbad will do to me next.
My breath was heavy and rapid from that night's 'lesson'. I felt like I almost died a few times. Choking out a sob I let out a soft cry from the pain he put me through, the way he looked at me...there was a moment when I thought he shed a tear but must have been a delusion from all the dizziness from the wounds.
There were scars all over my body I trembled at the memories. 'You don't do this to someone you love' Sapphire thought bitterly trying not to think of what will happen next. My body flinched when I heard a knock at the door, it was Sinbad. He was outside the door I know because he forbade everyone to not see me. After that Ryubebe disappeared, now I was all alone to deal with Sinbad.
"Sapphire I'm coming in. Are you dressed yet?" Sinbad was impatient. He still isn't done I can feel it...I don't know what I'm going to do my body hurts and I can't put my clothes on. My arms can't move they hurt all over there was still some blood on my sheets how can he expect me to dress myself!? I'm bleeding all over! People will notice!
The door knob turned open and with a click of lock I knew he was going to try-no he is going to do something horrible. I don't know what the point of putting on clothing anymore he'll just rip it off later. Besides, he won't let me leave this room.
*Flashback to last night*
"Sapphire I'm disappointed in you! So you won't leave this room unless I'm with you." Sinbad smiles down at me looking at my bruised body; all the cuts and odd colored bruises. And the small blood speckles that covered my sheets, from head to toes everything felt numb. I didn't have the strength to cry I couldn't even breathe properly but he still smiled at me. He kissed me good night and whispered 'I love you, Sapphire.' I flinched at his words. He got up from the bed and started to make his way out of the room. Maybe he had business at this time of night? Is it even night time? Or maybe even midday? I don't even know what time it is! How long have I been in this room? It feels like it's been hours since I ate!
"You don't hurt the people you love...you don't do… these kinds of things to your loved one." I whispered back softly and quietly as I could muster- not loud enough to hear me. I hoped he didn't hear me but he did. I heard him stop what he was doing and felt his eyes on me my back turned stiff and a cold chill went through my sore body not making me feel any better than it was before. He was walking towards me I had to pretend to sleep or he'll unleash who knows what on me!
"Oh Sapphire… I love you enough to punish you when you've been bad and that's the best type of love." Sinbad says.
Oh my god! I sniffled a small cry afraid of what he was about to do. But he only ran his hand through my hair, kissed my ear, my cheeks, and on my lips softly as if they were the most fragile thing in the world. I felt my heart pound it was the only good feeling I had in a long while like a heavy rock was removed from my body-but it still didn't make me hate him less.
"You're supposed to be my friend...and you said you love me… why did you do this to me..!" I couldn't raise my voice it was to strained and whatever he used on me was wearing of but it still was affecting my vocal cords. The feeling in my hands and legs are coming back to me now but it was replaced with pain.
"Someday you'll understand and see it my way. And someday you will love me- I will make you see. Now go to sleep." He stayed there patting my head until I started to falls asleep. It was hard to sleep that night, day whatever time it was so I think I just fell unconscious but not before Sinbad whispered something to me.
"Don't leave again. Not without me. No without my permission." Sinbad gave one last kiss, on my forehead, and said one last thing "I'm locking the door stay where you are I'll be back tomorrow morning. There is a new set of clothing on the counter wear tomorrow. And if you are good we might go outside!" He got up and covered me with a blanket then he walked away from me. I heard the door opened and closed shut, and the lock from outside clicked and tumbled. He locked me inside this room it felt cold and lonely I miss my friends. Now I wish I could go home!
Falling into a deep sleep I dreamed nothing but darkness and demons-a demon named Sinbad.
End Flashback***
My eyes snapped open and noticed a pair of smoldering golden eyes looking back into mines. He was only a few inches away from my face, maybe an 3 inches from nose length away. I can see a frown adorned on his face.
"Well?" Sinbad said but I don't know what he wants I zoned out I wasn't paying attention. What did he say to me?!
"Uh..." my throat is so sore it was felt scratchy I needed water. Sinbad looks closer and asks me again.
"I said why aren't you dressed yet?" He smiles at me but it wasn't a sweet smile not like how it used to be. How can I answer that? I barely got my shirt one.
"My body hurts and can't raise my hands or arms...I need help..." I managed to whisper. I wish Jenna was here to use her magic to heal me. This pain is unbearable, both mentally and physically. But Sinbad smiles at me ear to ear and it was a happy smile not the cruel one from a second before.
"Well then I'll help you need to look your best for our meeting with Barbarossa!" Such a cheeky smile like he never did anything wrong.
I hate him so much. But my bruises are worst now than they were on that night I felt him trace his fingers over his handy work and looked me in the eyes again. He got up and left me alone again and just like before he locked the door. I felt so ashamed, so weak. I collapsed on my side and drifted off to sleep again, too tired to stand up.
A few days later***
"Ugh…my head hurts." I was so groggy and felt sick from everything I don't want to go outside and let people see me like this! Sinbad isn't here so that's good but how long will he be gone for? Taking in a breath of air I smelled food.
"I'm so hungry..!" gasped out and reached for the fork but I stiffened remembering what happened last time.
'I can't take that risk again..! I can't go through that again!' I thought. There is no way I can eat this food! I sigh with laid back on my bed but noticed my body didn't hurt as bad as it did before. I saw my arms and parts of my legs wrapped in bandages my chest was covered to with a shirt over my wrapped wounds. "Someone bandaged me up and clothed me?" I said to myself and saw that I had a simple shirt and shorts they went above my knees but only by an inch or two. Plain white shirt and a baby soft blue shorts...did the maids cleaned me?
"I see you're awake now!" My head whipped to the desk and saw Sinbad sitting on a chair looking at me "You were asleep for a few days I thought might have never woken up!" for a moment I thought he was concerned about me but does it really matter if he was. It can't undo what he did. We looked at each other for minute and I turned away from him trying to find the words to talk to him but nothing was popping in my mind. Sinbad got up from his seat and walked towards me and sat right next to me, still watching me. I had to look at him I know that's what he wants me to do. So I did...
"Did you-?" Sinbad grabbed my face with his hands roughly kissing me. He kissed me mumbling something out I couldn't understand his hands loosening his grip on my face and down my shoulders. He stopped for a moment, bringing me closer to his body burying his head in the croak of my neck breathing in my scent. Feeling his soft breath exhale on my shoulder blades gave me goosebumps while hand circled my body in a hug.
"I thought I lost you for a moment. You stopped breathing and I thought I killed you-I didn't-...you promised you wouldn't die..!" Sinbad was seething with anger every word he spat out. Was he blaming me for what he did? Does he not understand he almost killed me is he really going to justify his actions instead of admitting what he did to me was wrong!?
"Sinbad..." I tried to say something but his hold on me tighten I feel my arms and chest hurting again. 'Please not again..!'
"You said you weren't going to die..! How could you do this to me?" He was angry at me not looking at me his breathing growing rapid.
"No Sinbad…you almost killed me. I didn't want to die you just...whipped the life out of me..." I thought to myself but then I realized I said it out loud. I didn't shout it I whispered it but he heard me and his heart beat slowed down taking large gasp of air and releasing his grip on me. Sinbad's body relax into mines but I couldn't he hurt me more inside then out and the last thing I wanted was for him to be this close to me after last night-wait how long did I slept for?
A few…days, he said? I was asleep for a few days! Have mercy...
"I promise it won't happen again. I promise. Let's eat and you'll be fine-we'll be fine. We will leave back to Reim tomorrow morning." Sinbad seemed to be sincere but it's wouldn't last long. I couldn't trust anything he said to me anymore! What he says today won't mean anything tomorrow and what would I say to the others about my wounds? What will I say to Jenna? Or Muu? What will Sinbad do to Muu! I can't let him get hurt because of me Sinbad wouldn't hesitate to act on his aggression. I have to say good bye. A few tears ran down my cheeks. Sinbad cradled me and tried to force me to eat. He had to take bites out of every food just so he can convince me to eat.
"Everything will be better tomorrow. I promise!" He smiled at me with a big toothy grin as if nothing really mattered.
Tomorrow we go home but… I can't go back with him! 'I'm sorry Jenna. I just can't...' I made up my mind I needed to get out as soon as I find a way to get out!
That night, Sinbad left me all alone in my room. I had a hair pin and I tried to pick the lock. Since I already had clothes on, I didn't have to change. The door opened, and then I snuck out with some money. I dressed as a maid and I plan on going up to the country side. On my way escaping from the palace I hid in random spots like in allies ways and around houses so I won't get caught by anyone. Then a small cat-like creature jumped on my shoulder.
"I see you're running away again Sapphire."
"Ryubebe I have no choice. If I stay with Sinbad, he will lock me up forever and throw away the key. I refuse to live my life like that."
"Where do you intend to go then?
"The Reim Empire."
"So back to Muu, then?
"Yes, I would be safer with him in Reim, then being with Jenna in Balbadd."
"I admit you would be safer with Muu in Reim, but, Sinbad is sure to follow and when he does...I'm not sure if he'll spare Muu next time."
"...You're right...Muu is no match for Sinbad in his Djinn Equip. And who knows what Sinbad will do to me next." I started to panic. Maybe running away again wasn't the greatest idea.
I went into a Tavern to get more food before I set sail to now "whose knows where", but unfortunately someone sees me. She is a worker from the palace who lives in the palace and that worker points her out to some of his friends, one being a palace guard.
"Sapphire! Quickly you must run!"
I did what was I told without hesitation; and ran deeper into a back alley, it was darker than in the open, but it will hide me better, looking about I found my hiding place and so I hid behind some old crates that smelled of rotten cabbage, the smell made me gag, and I felt my nose wrinkle, the smell even stringed my eyes it was so foul. To ward of the worse of it, I pulled the scarf I had over my mouth and nose.
"I really think this is a bad idea Sapphire." Ryubebe said, her eyes shining with worry for me.
"Well what else can we do?" I whispered, barley moving my lips, so that my voice did not carry in the darkness that wrapped sinister about us, I never liked the dark.
"How about die!" the voice vibrated down with malice behind us, how did she get there? "Like the miserable wretch you are!"
Ryubebe and I turned sharply around and saw a shadowy figure on top of a roof, it had the shape of a woman clad in hooded cape, with the hood up so that it cast shadows over her face, I could not tell the shape of her face, or the color of her hair, everything was hooded by the cloth she wore.
"Hiding like a weakling are we?" the woman said mockingly, "I'm surprised; I expected more from you than this."
At that the woman jumped off of the roof and landed with unnerving grace on the ground. "You know, you're a disappointment." she clicked her tongue with mock disappointed as she gave a graceful shrug, I could not help but be slightly jealous at the woman's unnatural grace. "I expected better from a Conjuror and her fairy guardian."
"You know what I am?" I asked as I hopefully without my opponent noticing, readied myself for whatever this woman had in store for me.
"Oh" she drawled the world, looking me up and down like a predator would its prey, her eyes shining with malicious light, "I know a lot about you sweetheart. I know you and I know of two other girls who were summoned here to 'save' this world from our Master."
My eyes winded in realization. "Master? Then you must work with Zadimus and Sceledrus for the Great Evil!"
The woman threw her head back, as she let out a loud "Ahahahahaha!"
Her maniacal laugh made me shudder.
"Yes I am indeed a servant of the Tenebris Bominum, Our Great Master. The bringer of darkness, the destroyer of worlds, he will be this world's savior!" The woman declared with proud laud voice.
"I don't know if the meaning of 'saving' is the same in any world." I pointed out to the lady with a crazy laugh. "But, the meaning of 'destroy' is the same anywhere." I said with conviction, spine straight, I won't let her intimidate me. "Your master wishes to wipe out all life on this planet!" I proclaimed my eyes locking with hers in a challenge.
"No."
Her deadpan replay surprised me. What did she mean by 'no'?
"Huh?" equivalent replay I know, but honestly, her denial surprised me.
"That job belongs to someone else." She waved her hand dismissing the subject, like it was annoying fly passing by.
"I'm confused..." I whined. I could not help my response so much bad stuff happened to me I could get some break could I? I was at the end of my rope.
"The 'destroying the whole world' thing." the woman rolled her eyes at me, and gave an exasperated sigh, like I was some kind of a whiny child. "That job is for Al-Thamen."
Who the heck is that ... vegetable or a mineral?
"Al-Thamen?" I asked, just because I was so done with all the bad events, most of them caused by Sinbad to me personally, that didn't mean I won't fish for information...and stall... hoping that somebody will help her, and if Fate will be kind to me for a change, perhaps Muu will come...a girl can dream, right?
"The Al-Thamen is a mysterious shadowy organization whose goal is to cause chaos and darkness upon the world and its inhabitants. They are an organization that originated in Alma Torran under the leadership of Arba." she lectured.
"Alma Torran? Arba? Who or what are that?" I asked. Hoping she'll be inclined to answer, this woman is just filled with answers for questions that I had about this world.
"Hahahaha!" there was that shudder inducing - where my skin wanted to crawl away and hide somewhere. "That information really doesn't concern you." her face flushed and she gave me toothy smile that creep me out. "I mean-" she paused then suddenly like a cobra she lunges towards me.
"YOU'RE ABOUT TO DIE!" she screamed laughing.
"Sapphire, look out!" Ryubebe screamed.
But I was for the moment frozen like a mouse when hypnotized by a viper. It was enough to miss the opportunity to evade the attack I knew, 'Nuts, I'm not going to make it', I thought, and then a light smell of ozone tickled my nose - great now my nose has a hallucinations.
The crack of blue lightning stuck between the attacking woman and me, cutting her off her access from me. I think some of that electric struck her; I could see that she was in pain, clutching her arm- yes there was electricity dancing around her like an Elmo's Fire.
"I prefer not to treat women this way." a tight voice knifed trough the silence that electric strike left behind, like calm before the storm - it was familiar voice, through the cold in it gave it a unfamiliar pitch, I could not quite place it.
"But if something that is mine is threatened. It doesn't matter who it is, I will make sure that threat is annihilated."
Now I did not know how to feel at my rescuer identity, Hoping I was wrong and squashing down the amber of anticipation, I turned around and saw a figure emerge from the shadows - muscular physique, blue scales on certain parts on his body, a elegant golden necklace, and a large blue tail. Yup, it was definitely him.
"I will not let you lay a single hand on Sapphire." Sinbad firmly said, his entire being vibrating with confidence and deadly intent.
"Sinbad..." I whispered, and did not like the pleased feel that curled inside of me; I should not feel any fuzzy warm feelings toward Sinbad, not after what he did.
"Sinbad..." Ryubebe echoed my whisper. My companion sounded relived. I did not like it that either, or the echoing relief I also felt.
I kicked relief with reality check - Sinbad is not Prince Charming that came to slay the dragon that is guarding me in the tower. He is that dragon. And he came to whisk me back to that tower.
"Oh my, your quite handsome young man." the woman that I forgot was there purred. "I like you." My attacker took off her hood and...
She had a hair of such a golden color that it shone like strings of finest polished gold and eyes so green that that they put emeralds to shame and below the perfect nose on the face that was one of a perfect porcelain doll ruby red lips glittered in the silver moonlight.
I could only stare in awe at the woman's Elven like beauty. I slanted a look toward Sinbad, seeing that he was also stunned by mesmerizing siren before us.
How could this beautiful woman be my attacker?
"Enchanted are we. Haha, yes, I am very pleasing to the eye, to both men and women. All who gaze upon me instantly fall in love." She boasted - I fought the urge to nod at her words.
"Ok, she may be pretty, but falling in love at first sight with this chick is kind of overdoing it...especially since she's so sick and twisted." was Ryubebe's sarcastic comment, as she stepped beside me; I bent down to pick her up. Never taking my gaze of the woman who attacked me, but she didn't pay me no mind all her attention never strayed of Sinbad.
"Well?" woman batted her eyelashes, and smiled, "What do you think, First Class Singularity?" She flicked her long golden lock of gold playfully over her shoulder and threw a sultry look at Sinbad trough her long butterfly like lashes.
Sinbad chuckled deeply it had an echo of darkness in it - like a dragon before opening its maw to flame you. "I know not why you would call me that. And if you wouldn't have tried to kill my precious treasure, I might have just kissed you." Now his grin matched his voice - it promised retribution. But ...
"His 'Treasure'?" I hissed so did Ryubebe who - like a bristling cat with her tail puffed up - I felt offended.
"He doesn't even have the audacity to call me by my name?! Just a treasure?!" I bit my lip - was I actually disappointed at that? That he saw me, wanted me, and loved me as possession and not a person?
"At least Sinbad came to save you." Ryubebe pointed out smartly. I was not grateful - she could not let me wallow in the land of denial could she?
"Really, now?" Her eyebrows pulled together in displeased frown. "I'm surprised, I thought someone like you would just DIE to go on a date with me, and maybe even something more." she said suggestively.
Sinbad watched her with impassive face. "I don't know what it is," he said with precision, his golden eyes unwavering, "but there's something about you that's not natural. And I'm not saying that just because you attacked my Sapphire, it's just, you don't seem natural."
The woman's perfect eyebrow twitched her lips curled into viscus sneer.
"I don't seem natural? I DON'T SEEM NATURAL?!" her voice climbed until it screeched like a cry of the cat that had its tail stepped on. "What would YOU know about natural? You beautiful people have the world at your feet! You don't UNDERSTAND the pain I've been through; the hardships, THE AGONY!"
Oh great now she sported the insane mad woman look, he just had to tick her off now didn't he? Didn't anybody teach him that some things you just don't say to a woman?
"What did you do Sinbad?" I whispered, distressed. "You got this crazy lady all worked up now." I could not help it, I felt worried for Sinbad - something that I could not when Queen Mira tossed him, into that valley that time at Artymeria.
"This isn't how I get women worked up." He quietly countered and just like that worry evaporated.
"You dirty minded freak." I replied. I relay hope you kill her and she kills you and then all my problems will go away.
"This isn't gonna end well..." I heard Ryubebe mutter. And did I detect sarcasm in my companion's voice?
"I will show you pain! I WILL SHOW YOU FEAR!" She pulled out a coal black dagger and stabbed herself in the stomach, crimson blood drenched her clothes.
"IN THE NAME OF TENEBRIS BOMINUM, I SHALL KILL YOU NOW!" the black foam and smoke enveloped her form like a cocoon - i had a feeling that what will came out won't be a pretty and harmless butterfly.
"My name," it came from that smoke oily veal, that covered my attacker from sight. "Is Scarlet La' Rouge," the substance settled over the the body of the woman - no, not woman, Scarlet, as she just introduced herself.
Now Scarlet was covered from head to toe in entirely coal black form fitting armor - she looked both beautiful and terrible at the same time -her chest plate was lined with several curved spikes running from top to the bottom, the plate extended down both her arms with multiple layer shoulder guards leaving her arms bare but for spiked bangles and braces. I could not but to take a step back - to see her better, Scarlet's collar was high, and ended with spikes that curved back into a wicked serrated edge, guarding her neck and the side spikes framed her face. The same spikes were on a simple belt that was attached to multiple layered spike skirt leaving an exposed skin at the top of her legs right before the high boots with 20 inch heels, start. The weapon she was holding in her glowed hands was equally spiked balls on the long chain.
"I live to serve my Master," Scarlet intoned and then she started to laugh again - and then abruptly stopped, and her look she leveled on Sinbad, who shifted his stance for better to meet Scarlet in battle, and then me, her gaze freezing my blood.
"My beloved Master, who will one day return and devour the light, so in preparation of his return to us, I was given the task of killing those who are threat to him. As such, YOU ALL MUST DIE!" she creamed while laughing and lounged directly at ME - but Sinbad blocked my crazy would be attacker, with his swords and lightning before Scarlet could get to me.
Scarlet herself looked shocked, at being stopped so efficiently, that appeared more of a ugly grimace from the lightning Sinbad's sword emitted, the mark of Djinn Baal shinning at the tip of the sword.
"If you wish to harm Sapphire," Sinbad barred his teeth in a snarl, challenging, "then you'll have to go through me first!" he finished with a tight lip smile as he gave Scarlet a push, that had woman nearly falling down when she stumbled back and away.
"Sapphire is mine and mine alone! I will not let you harm her!"
After that possessive proclamation from Sinbad, Scarlet and Sinbad stared each other down.
It was a Mexican Stand Off - I could almost hear the suspense cowboy stand of music. The Clint Eastwood like.
And I could see, in partial darkness that Scarlet's hands were shaking. Why? Could it be that she was afraid of Sinbad?
I fidgeted for a bit, looking from Sinbad to Scarlet, and back again, they were still staring each other down- unblinking - how could they not blink? Did the breath, I could have sworn they did not move a muscle...
My breathing quickened because of my growing entirety, Ryubebe nudged me to remind me that he or she is there, watching over me - it didn't help that I still wanted to hide in the corner.
I never liked horror or suspense movies - horrors scared me, and suspense unnerved me.
Suddenly, like a cobra from the grass, Scarlet launched her attack, tiny flames igniting on spikes of her mace - those spiked balls arched and strike at Sinbad, raining sparks when they hit the spot Sinbad seconds ago.
The sparks however stayed bright on the floor - they didn't went out - it was like watching firefly's blinking on the ground - except they were not firefly's - and I had bad feeling about this.
A clang of metal rang in my ears and I looked up, away from blinking blue, white, red and brown lights littering the stomped ground to see Sinbad blocking Scarlet's mace with his sword.
Sinbad maybe a pervert, but put him in position to fight - he will fight and, loath as I was to admit it, he will win. He won every fight - except against that Fanalis boy. And even the redhead with kitten eyes of cute joined Sinbad, along with other, now free, child slaves.
Sinbad yet again parried Scarlet's attack, making her retread couple of steps away, she looked a bit worse to than before - there was some smudges of dirt on her arms - no,I realized, those were electric burns from Baal's magic. - And why does she look smug - I yelped as one of the colorful firefly's, that were innocently blinking beside Sinbad, extended into a spiked blade and slashed him across his stomach making a thin line of red, that started to slowly bleed down, and drip into the ground - not that I could see it - it was too dark.
I thought Scarlet's Djinn Equip was fire and not whatever that was ... or can Scarlet regenerate the fire embers into separate spiked blade?! How?
I glanced again at embers blinking innocently in and out on the ground, wondering what the pretty colors meant.
Despite the pain, that bleeding wound had caused, Sinbad didn't falter, even more, it appeared he was even more determent to win this fight as he paired yet another of Scarlet's attack with lightning and steel.
Until Scarlet made a mistake of swinging her spiked weapon to far, and Sinbad used her over reach to slip past her defenses.
Sinbad pierced her with her sword, at the same spot, Scarlet buried her own dagger in order to trigger her own Dark Equip. Pulling the sword out abruptly, made Scarlet stagger backwards. She doped her weapon in to press both her hands on the gaping wound to stop the immense bleeding.
She was getting paler – and her Equip broke, melted away... her pretty face pulled into hateful grimace, while her emerald eyes glared hatefully at Sinbad.
"Damn you, First Class Singularity!" Scarlet scorned, her eyes a green fire and suddenly, unexpectedly, her face, her beautiful face started to melt away – like a wax – the face that I and Sinbad could see now was ... a nightmare – something I saw only in horror plays with horridly painted masks.
Large, vertical , snake-like eyes that covered her temples, her mouth was a thin red line reaching from one ear to the other filled with razor sharp, shark-like teeth ...
I knew that I was staring – bug eyed at her, I'm pretty sure my jaw drooped as well, and I could see from my eye corner that Sinbad was in shook as well, all wide eyed and gaping, just like I was.
How someone was born like that? It was beyond any comprehension.
"By the stars, she's-she's-?!" Ryubebe whispered, in my shock I forgot that she was here – that I was holding her even – ups!
"NOOOOO! DON'T LOOK AT ME!" Scarlet screeched like a harpy.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" Scarlet pointed her claws at Sinbad. (CLAWS! Where did those claws come from?)
"THIS ISN'T OVER FIRST CLASS SINGULARITY; I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THIS! YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF ME!" And with that she vanished without the trace.
A blink and she was ... just gone. I stared at the empty spot – only a puddle of crimson blood remained behind, proving that Scarlet was standing there just moments ago.
The sight of Sinbad dropping to his knees and his Djinn Equip vanished in bright lights brought me back to here and now.
I rushed over to him, looking over his injuries and pulling my scarf of.
Yes, I know what he did to me was unforgivable. But he also saved my life just now and was hurt for me in the process. Scarlet would have killed me if not for him and my mother always told me to forgive and help those who need help.
Sinbad was panting and in pain, he needed help and I had to help him. But forgiving him won't be that easy; perhaps I'll never be able to forgive him what he done. But maybe I'll be able to forget it for a while. Sinbad had saved my life, so it's natural to help him now.
I may not know why Sinbad did what he did, but, maybe I'll understand it...someday.
I but one of Sinbad's arm around my shoulders and helped him back to the castle. Where the palace nurses would stop the bleeding and heal his wounds. But, I had more things to worry about, then Sinbad's injuries. I have met a new enemy, and this enemy was a whole butt load of information. When one question came up, two more came after. I'll never understand this world, and I don't think I ever will.
Back at the castle, the nurses hurried to heal Sinbad. He must not be that hurt because he was hitting on all the nurses. I sighed. Some things never change. I went to my room for the night, happily knowing Sinbad won't come. But, I worried about my future in this world.
I soon had a vision of my life, maybe ten or twelve years from now. I was in a place I did not know, and I was standing in front of a small, log cottage. A young boy came out of the cottage and quickly went to play with a blue ball. Then an attractive older woman followed the boy. Somehow, I knew she was an older version of me.
"Come on, mommy! Quickly! I want to go play in the river!" The young boy cheered.
"Yes, yes, yes, I know my little darling." My older-self smiled brightly.
Then the young boy ran off in the direction of the river, showing no signs of slowing down.
"Slow down." My older-self smiled. "We have to wait for your father."
Both I and my older-self looked towards the direction of the lodge cabin. And the door opened revealing a man coming out. I saw his face and watched him offer my older self his arm and she took it. And I watched the couple as walked off after their darling son, and smiled.