Welcome to the Whale Pit again. I thank everyone for visiting and hope you will stay for a while.
I would like to thank everyone who read my last chapter, and especially to those who left reviews: Heart of the Demons (congrats on being the first to review the chapter. Go Voltron!); XV Dragon (I was hoping someone would notice Luba's actions); Lost Prince (Greetings to you and mom); Nemrut (Sorry to disappoint with keeping Irma alive...but keep reading. You have good instincts); Starwin (I love your reviews...Phobos in a miniskirt? Eww...); Nerd4eva (No panicking...she's not dead. Yet...); The Pink1 (Thanks for the chuckle...I loved the review); Wolfgurl211 (Thanks for the compliments. Sorry about the tears...); Krystal of Nol (Sorry about the scare.); cartoonloverfan101 (Let's find out what's up with Nerissa); Nightroad (Hehe...Irma does seem to have nine lives); Shocklance (Will saves Irma's butt again); Darev (I always enjoy reading your reviews...they always make me smile); DayDreamer9 (I laughed at your first line); Darkyse (Welcome to the Whale Pit...thank you for your compliments).
I thank everyone who submitted a review...I do read them all many times, and I appreciate every one of them. So thank you, thank you, thank you. Now without further ado, may I present, for your enjoyment...
Chapter 14
Three Guardians huddled in a massive cave, a small fireball their only respite from the imposing darkness. Cornelia had sealed the entrance with large stones, while Hay Lin provided the breath of life they so badly needed. None of them believed for one second that Nerissa couldn't find their hiding place, but it was the only option available.
"Thank you for the light, Taranee," Hay Lin said, breaking the silence that had existed since the cave entrance had been sealed. "It helps to be able to see a little."
Taranee nodded but said nothing. She had been trying to contact Will for the past several hours, but was having no luck. She hoped her leader was simply in her Chamber and that Nerissa hadn't found some way to block telepathy.
"And thanks, Cornelia for sealing the entrance to the cave. Maybe it will take a while for the KOV to get through all those rocks."
"Maybe..." Cornelia replied, although her voice inflected little faith. She had every confidence that Gargoyle could make short work of her feeble attempts to keep her friends safe. Without Will and Irma, her powers just weren't what they should be, and she knew her friends' powers were in the same dire straits.
"Aw come on, guys," Hay Lin urged. "We have to have a little faith in Will. She'll find us and then we can regroup."
Cornelia knew what Hay Lin was trying to do, but could only offer a weak grin. Still, she had to try to be strong for her friends, in spite of her broken left arm.
"The important thing is Irma is alive," the tallest Guardian said, cradling her arm against her chest.
"Right," Hay Lin echoed, pounding her fist into her hand. "And if that's the case, then her Chamber can heal her completely. Then we can all take the fight to Nerissa instead of being forced to run and hide."
"Long as Irma doesn't come out of this a carrot," Cornelia mumbled.
Hay Lin was about to retort when something made her stop. She thought about the damage Irma had taken mentally and emotionally after being held for five days and tortured by Nerissa. True, she had only endured a few hours at most this time around, but what if it had been enough to undo all the healing Irma had done? That girl had fought so hard to keep her sanity, and now...? What if Cornelia was right and that fight had been in vain? Hay Lin closed her mouth sadly, and said nothing.
Taranee paid little attention to the banter, as she tried again to contact Will. After the attempt proved unsuccessful, the Guardian sighed and decided to take a different approach.
Halinor, can you hear me?
Silence...
Halinor, please, it's Taranee. We need help.
Several minutes went by, then...
Taranee, I can barely hear you. Your voice is so faint.
Taranee rejoiced slightly. At least Nerissa wasn't responsible for her telepathic messages not getting through...at least, not directly.
Halinor, it's a relief to hear you.
What's happening, Taranee?
We've been running for hours. We're exhausted and hurt. We need Will.
Will passed out a few hours ago and the Oracle took her to her Chamber to recover. She's been there ever since.
I was afraid of that. How is she, Halinor?
She's been burned pretty badly, but her Chamber should be able to handle it. She may have some scars when it's all said and done, but she'll be alive and able to fight.
Taranee held her breath as she asked her next question.
And Irma?
There was a slight pause. Irma is not so good. She took a brutal beating and her burns are extensive. She has multiple cuts and the bruising is quite deep. I'm with her now.
Halinor, tell me the truth...will she recover?
I believe she will, yes. But it's going to take some time. The good news is she was awake when she was carried to her Chamber. She recognized Will, so that means there's little, or no, brain damage.
Taranee let out the breath she had been holding. No brain damage...that was excellent news.
Taranee, hold on a minute, please.
Taranee wasn't sure she liked being put on telepathic hold, but what choice did she have? She waited impatiently for Halinor to return. While she did so, she reported to her friends what she had learned. When she had finished, Cornelia was the first to speak.
"Sounds like we got lucky again. You know...I'm really tired of just barely escaping this bitch. We so need to go on the offensive for once."
Hay Lin nodded, though her lower lip was quivering. "Nerissa probably wouldn't expect us to come after her right now. Maybe we should try to fight our way back to the desert?"
"Yeah. At least that way Will would know where to look for us," Cornelia said. "She may even be looking for us in the wrong place right now. If we tear out of here like bats out of hell, maybe we can break through."
"I haven't heard anything since we got into this cave," Hay Lin said, picking up Cornelia's thoughts. "Maybe they don't even know we're here. Taranee, can you feel them at all?"
The Fire Guardian shook her head. "No, but that doesn't really mean anything at this point. Without Will and Irma, my powers are so weak, Halinor can barely hear me. I have to practically shout, and even then, my telepathic voice is very faint. I doubt I could feel a herd of wildebeests right now, let alone the Knights of Vengeance."
"You mean they could just be waiting out there?" Hay Lin sounded fearful.
"They could," Taranee replied. "It's not like we have anywhere we can go. We're trapped in here like bugs in a roach motel."
"I'm too pretty to be compared to a roach," Cornelia scoffed, flipping her long blond hair.
"Then what do we do?" Hay Lin asked.
Four eyes glued themselves to Taranee, waiting for instructions. The Fire Guardian gulped. What made her the leader all of a sudden?
The way Taranee saw it, they had two choices: Either sit tight and wait for rescue, or blast their way out of the cave and try to get back to the desert.
On the one hand, waiting in the cave was a dire thought. It was cold and damp, and Taranee hated to be closed in. Cornelia's broken arm wasn't getting any better, and in her weakened and exhausted state, Hay Lin's breath of life couldn't possibly last forever.
On the other hand, they had heard no sign of the KOV since they had sealed themselves in. That could mean they were effectively hidden for the time-being, and the more time they could give Will, the better. Taranee knew where the cave was in relation to the desert, so mentally directing her leader to their hiding place wouldn't be too difficult.
Taranee turned her thoughts to the other choice.
Blasting their way out could mean flying right into a carefully-prepared ambush. The KOV could well be waiting for them right outside the entrance, knowing the Guardians would eventually try to escape. If that were the case, then they would certainly be subdued in a matter of seconds.
However, if the KOV truly were looking in the wrong place, and the Guardians truly had lost their pursuers, then the path back to the desert could well be clear. The ideal solution presented in the form of returning to the original battlefield so Will could pick them up quickly. Surely her Chamber would have her fixed up by the time they returned to the desert, and Will would be waiting for them.
Taranee groaned as she felt a headache coming on. Since when was she qualified to make decisions like this? Will was the leader, not her. But Will wasn't here, and Taranee's friends were counting on her to get them safely back to Candracar. She wracked her brain for the wisdom that wouldn't come. She made a decision, and had just opened her mouth to speak when Halinor interrupted.
Taranee, it's Halinor. Are you there?
Taranee held up her hand and closed her eyes.
I'm here, Halinor.
Taranee, Will is awake and here with me. She wants to talk to you.
T? It's Will. Can you hear me?
Barely. Oh, Will, it's so good to hear your voice. How are you feeling?
I'm alright, T. The pain is gone, and I'm ready to kick some tail. Where are you?
We're sealed up in a cave for the time being. We're doing a fabulous job of hiding from Nerissa.
You did the right thing. I want you to stay there and wait for me.
Okay, but be careful. The KOV could be holed up right outside waiting for you.
I'll watch myself. Wait a second...aren't you claustrophobic?
Taranee shuddered visibly. Not so much claustrophobic as I'm just really afraid of small, enclosed spaces.
And gila monsters, and spiders, and belly button lint, and creepy bus drivers, and-
Irma?!
Taranee could practically hear the smirk on her friend's face. What gave me away?
"Guys, guys, I've got Irma," Taranee said excitedly. "She's awake and making smart-aleck remarks."
Hay Lin's eyes lit up and she leaned a little closer to her telepathic friend.
Irma! Irma, I don't know what to say. It's so good to hear you. How are you?
Hopping mad and ready for some payback. Those bastards have earned a one-way ticket to Hell.
Taranee's laugh of relief echoed around the cave. We were all afraid you would have some sort of brain damage because your heart stopped for a while.
No more than the usual, I guess.
Taranee was so relieved to hear both of her friends were alright, her eyes began to leak tears. Hay Lin and Cornelia looked at each other.
"Well?" Cornelia demanded.
Taranee held up her hand and continued her telepathic conversation.
Please come and get us quickly. Cornelia is hurt, and Hay Lin's powers over air can't keep up forever.
Can you send a mental picture of your location? Anything you can remember about your escape route? Practically anything would be helpful, T.
Taranee thought for a moment. Yes, I think I can send you a map of where we went. Now understand we were running for our lives with a crazy biatch behind us, so my memory might be a little flawed.
Just do your best.
Okay, Will, here goes nothing.
Taranee drew on her photographic memory and tried to mentally draw a map of the cave in relation to the desert. She tried to remember landmarks that would help her leader find their rocky prison. After a few minutes, which seemed like hours, Taranee had done all she felt she could do. She felt exhausted.
There, Will; that's the best I can do.
She was met with only silence.
Will?
Will?
Irma?
Halinor?
Taranee began to panic as nobody answered her telepathic pleas. She was about to try again, when a thunderous BOOM broke into her thoughts.
"What was that?" Hay Lin squealed.
Cornelia's eyes narrowed. "I'd say the KOV have found us."
–
Taranee? Taranee!
Halinor sighed and opened her eyes. "I'm sorry, she's gone. I can't reestablish the link."
"Please try again," Will said.
After a few minutes, Halinor shook her head. "It's no use. She either can't answer or simply won't."
"I think Taranee would answer if she could," Irma said, concern etched in her beautiful blue eyes.
Will nodded. "I agree. I guess I'd better hurry."
"Um, excuse me," Irma said, taking her friend's arm. "Don't you mean we'd better hurry?"
"Irma, I know you won't like this, but you need to stay here."
"Why?"
"Because I'm not going to risk putting you in the line of fire again."
"So, what, I'm supposed to sit on the sidelines for the rest of my life while my friends subject themselves to the butthole of evil? I don't think so."
"Irma, you have to understand. You're a target. I can't concentrate on freeing our friends and keeping you safe at the same time."
Irma's eyes narrowed and she folded her arms. "Now you listen to me, Will Vandom. I don't need a babysitter; I can watch out for myself. Furthermore, they're my friends, too."
"Irma, I can't take losing you again. What if the worst happens and Nerissa gets to you?"
"You can't stop me, Will. I'm going with you."
Will sighed. She didn't have time to argue with her watery friend.
"Alright, but don't you dare get abducted."
Irma grinned and gave her leader a quick salute.
Will just shook her head and opened a fold. Then turning to Irma, Will shouted, "Guardian, unite!"
Instantly, Irma was transformed from awkward teenager, to confident young woman.
"Wish us luck, Halinor," Will said.
"Good luck...to both of you."
Quickly Will leaped through the fold, followed closely by Irma.
–
"What do we do now?" Hay Lin asked. "It took us hours to get here. Even if Will is on her way right now, we're toast."
"Then let's blast our way out of here and close the distance," Cornelia said.
Taranee held her head as the cave shook with thunderous BOOMS. She knew that had to be Gargoyle smashing the barrier Cornelia had created.
Hay Lin was right about one thing...it would take Will several hours to get to the cave. The redhead would never arrive in time to keep her friends from being captured.
"Okay, we do as Cornelia suggested. Blast the rocks and everyone fly off in a different direction. Hopefully, Nerissa can't shoot us all down. Cornelia, you head left, Hay Lin, to the right. I'm going to go straight over head and try to distract them with a little fire."
"That's suicide," Cornelia and Hay Lin said together.
"We don't have time to argue. Hopefully with Corny blasting the rocks at the KOV, that will slow them down. My fire should at least distract them for a moment, and we'll be moving targets. Nerissa won't have a great chance of hitting any of us."
"I still say it sucks," Cornelia said as she stood up and flexed the fingers of right hand. "Okay, everyone, get ready for some sis boom bah."
The Earth Guardian raised her good arm and began to summon her powers.
"Oh, and Taranee?"
"Yes, Cornelia?"
"Don't call me Corny."
–
Irma and Will arrived on Meridian in the Zyroc Desert. The place looked sandy and tranquil, belying the horrors that had taken place just hours ago.
Irma shuddered as memories came flooding back. She hugged herself and hoped her voice wouldn't crack.
"So, shall we fly?" she asked, shakily.
Will narrowed her eyes and stared at her friend. "Memories?"
Irma nodded and immediately dropped her hands to her sides. "I'm fine. We need to get to the others."
"There's still time to go back."
Irma waved a hand. "No, there isn't. Hay Lin, Cornelia, and Taranee need us."
"Irma-"
"No, Will, don't. We don't have time for this. They may already have been captured, for all we know. Let's just forget about Irma's brain damage for a while and focus on the others."
Will didn't like it, but Irma did have a point. So she relented, for the moment, and turned her attention to the most pressing problem. How to get to her friend quickly.
"I think we need to try teletransporting."
Irma's mouth dropped open. "Teletransporting? Are you nuts? Don't you have to know where you're going before you do that?"
Will shrugged. "I don't know, but you have to admit it's the fastest way to get to our friends."
"Well, yeah, but what good do we do them if we end up in a rock or a cactus? Or worse, in the middle of a spitting contest between camels?"
"What choice do we have? Taranee sounded pretty desperate, and I don't like the fact that she just suddenly stopped transmitting. Trust me, Irma...I can do this."
Irma tried not to look skeptical. She did trust Will, but they had only just heard about teletransporting from Yan Lin. The former Guardian had mentioned it to them just a few weeks ago. She had explained the theory, but the Guardians had yet to try it out. They had been planning a practice session, but then Irma had been captured. They had never gotten around to it after that.
"Irma?"
Irma shook herself, and nodded. "Okay, Will. Let's do it."
"Alright," Will breathed, holding the Heart of Candracar tightly in her fist. "Let me do the actual transporting, since I don't want us to get separated. Just hold onto me and we'll...we'll go."
Irma swallowed and took hold of Will's shoulder. "Ready to go, boss."
"Alright then...here goes."
–
A tremendous blast of rock shot out at the gigantic Gargoyle, toppling the huge creature backward. Three Guardians flew from the opening in three different directions. A wall of fire descended rapidly on the surprised Knights of Vengeance, engulfing Nerissa in flames.
The evil witch laughed and erected her ever-present shield just in time. Thus protected, she shot lightning at a rapidly fleeing Guardian. Taranee was hit in the left hip, and plummeted towards the ground. She caught herself before she hit, but the damage was done. Another deadly bolt caught her in the back and sent Taranee spiraling to the unforgiving earth.
This time, she hit hard.
Moaning, she pushed herself up on her hands and knees...only to be pushed right back down. Crimson had leaped onto her back, and was now pinning her to the rocky ground. Taranee struggled to rise, but Crimson's weight was too great.
The big animal leaned his massive head towards Taranee's ear and growled menacingly. He opened his huge jaws to snap her head in two, when he was suddenly blown back by a great gust of wind. Taranee raised her head to see Hay Lin floating above her. Cornelia, right beside the Air Guardian, closed her right fist and a column of earth shot up underneath Taranee. It threw the Fire Guardian high into the air. Taranee squealed in fright, but her wings caught on the way up, lifting her to safety.
Cornelia then proceeded to raise a great wall of earth between Nerissa and her friends. Bolts of lightning pounded the barrier to dust, then struck all three Guardians at the same time. The friends fell to the ground.
The minute they hit the earth, Nerissa was there to strike again...and again. The three friends writhed and screamed in pain as white-hot lightning struck them. The Knights surrounded the Guardians, and laughed evilly as Nerissa's punishment continued.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a lightning bolt struck the evil witch in the back, sending the old hag sprawling to the ground. At the same time, heavy jets of water slammed into Raythor, Frost, and Tracker, hurtling the three Knights through the air.
Miranda, though caught off guard, recovered quickly and shot sticky webbing at the Guardian Leader. Will dodged and sent a bolt of lightning towards the pseudo-spider. With lightning reflexes, Miranda dodged the deadly bolt and charged the two Guardians. Irma sent her spiraling off with another jet of water.
"You take Nerissa, I've got the rest," Irma yelled.
Will looked at Taranee, Hay Lin, and Cornelia. All three were still dazed and moaning on the ground, but at least they were conscious. Believing they would be entering the fray at any moment, Will agreed and gave Irma a thumbs-up.
Nerissa had just pushed herself off the ground and turned to face a charging Will. She shot a bolt at the redhead, which the Guardian dodged. Nerissa floated into the air and began to duel with her counterpart. Lightning flashed through the sky as the two combatants shot bolt after deadly bolt at one another. They danced around each other as each attempted to destroy the other.
–
The huge Gargoyle lumbered after Irma as she flew this way and that. She shot the occasional jet of water into his eyes in an attempt to blind him or hurt him. This didn't seem to be working, so she tried another tactic. Calling forth her powers, she drew groundwater from the earth beneath Gargoyle's feet. When the huge monster was immersed to his waist, she flew towards Cornelia.
"Corny, come one, get up. I need your help."
"Wha-what?"
"Cornelia I need mud, now come on."
Irma dragged the woozy Guardian to her feet and pointed the blond head towards the massive rock monster. Understanding immediately, Cornelia used her powers over earth to create a thick mud. Gargoyle flailed around in the gooey mess, but could not climb out.
"Perfect. That ought to slow him down for a bit. Thanks Corny."
"Don't...call...me...Corny..."
But Irma wasn't paying attention...she had already reentered the battle. She shot jet after jet of water at her enemies...but she forgot about Miranda. While Irma's back was turned, the spider creature webbed dazed Taranee and Hay Lin, pinning them to the ground. Cornelia had flown to join Irma in the sky, oblivious to her friends' plight. She was currently working on taking Gargoyle apart, rock by rock.
Unfortunately, she flew a little too close to the monster's club-like appendage. He smashed that club into the Guardian's left side, crushing elbow and ribs. With a scream and a gasp, Cornelia fell to the ground, and did not move.
Hearing the scream, Irma turned to see the blond Guardian hit the ground. She was about to fly to her friend's aid, when she noticed Taranee and Hay Lin struggling against Miranda's webbing. Torn between which friend to help, Irma heard another scream and watched as Will fell from the sky, a continuous bolt of lightning forcing her downward.
Irma spun in place, her head twisting this way and that. She was alone, her friends hurt and incapacitated. She could feel rage boiling within her, and it suddenly seemed as if her powers took on a life of their own.
Rising in the air, she threw her arms out to her sides and clenched her fists so hard, her fingernails drew blood. She began to spin faster and faster as she focused on the Knights of Vengeance and Nerissa. Gradually, the moisture began to leave their bodies, and the Knights began to feel thirsty and dehydrated. Then they began to panic as their skin dried and became like corn husks. Their eyes began to droop and their very bones began to crackle.
"Nerissa," Raythor shouted, "save your Knights!"
Nerissa descended to the ground and fired a bolt of lightning at the remaining Guardian. As the tendrils licked her tender flesh, Irma cried out and tumbled to the ground. She hit heavily, and watched with mixed satisfaction as the other Knights collapsed to the earth. Only Nerissa remained standing.
"Foolish girl," Nerissa intoned angrily. "Do you really think I need this rabble to defeat you?"
Irma raised her head defiantly. "I think you haven't defeated us yet. So, yes, I think you do need them."
Nerissa laughed scornfully and pointed her staff at Irma. "I should have killed you long ago, Guardian. You continue to be a thorn in my side. Say goodbye to this mortal coil."
"Wait!" Irma said, pushing herself to her feet. "I have a better idea."
Nerissa kept her staff pointed at the young Guardian, but did not shoot deadly lightning. "A better idea than killing you, Guardian? I should think so. But I shall allow you some final words...if you make it brief."
"Oh it'll be brief, alright," Irma said, balling up her fists. "Nerissa, Former Keeper of the Heart of Candracar, I challenge you to one-on-one combat. You, versus me."
Nerissa stood stunned for a moment, then threw back her head and laughed. "You dare to challenge me without your precious friends to aid you?"
"Irma, what are you doing?" Hay Lin shouted, still struggling against her bonds.
"Yes, I dare," Irma said, ignoring her best friend's cry. "You and me, bitch. Just you and me."
"Irma, no. Don't do this!" Will shouted as she drug herself painfully off the ground.
Irma ignored Will and continued to stare down the Former Keeper.
"You are serious, aren't you, Guardian..."
"Dead serious, Nerissa. What's your answer?"
Nerissa laughed again, a deep throaty sound. "Name your terms."
"First, you free my friends and you let us go. I'll restore the water to the KOV so everything is fair. In two days, we meet on Candracar and we have it out."
"You would like that wouldn't you, Guardian? The Council and your friends would surely interfere."
"Permission magic, Nerissa. They couldn't interfere. It would just be you and me."
"And the prizes for victory?"
"If I win, you give up the Heart of Meridian, and you submit yourself for judgment to the Council of Candracar. You abide by whatever judgment they pass down, and you never set foot on Earth or Meridian again."
"And if I win?"
"Name it."
"Irma, no!" Taranee shouted.
"Quiet, brat!" Nerissa snarled.
Silence pervaded for a few moments while Nerissa thought carefully.
"My prize shall be the Heart of Candracar."
Irma shook her heard. "The Heart isn't mine to give. You know I couldn't stake that in any way, shape, or form. Pick something else."
"Then I choose you, Guardian. You...and your family. You will be my slaves forever. I shall enjoy gutting your precious father before your eyes."
Irma hesitated and swallowed. Could she truly risk her family? It had been one thing when she was certain Nerissa would choose only her. But to throw in her family? She was gambling with their lives.
"Irma, you can't do this. Think of Chris," Hay Lin whimpered.
Irma closed her eyes and thought of her little brother. Sure, he was a pain, but he certainly didn't deserve what she knew Nerissa would give him.
And her mother...Irma may not have been flesh of her flesh, but she loved her as well as any daughter could. Could she truly subject that kindhearted woman to a slow, agonizing death?
Then her thoughts turned to her father. They had had their differences in the past, even butted heads a time or two, but she loved him more than anything in the world. Being a cop and a good father, he would do everything in his power to protect his family...only his powers would be insignificant compared to Nerissa's.
But what if Irma won the duel? Nerissa would be powerless to ever hurt anyone again. It would save the universe from the greatest evil it had ever known...and she would never have to worry about her family. She could finally sleep at night, knowing her greatest fear was finally vanquished. Wasn't anything worth the opportunity for safety and security?
Irma knew she would never be free of Nerissa if the evil hag won the duel. Nerissa would never grant her favorite toy the freedom of death. She would kill her entire family, no doubt slowly, and force Irma to live with it forever. Worse, Irma knew she would be the cause of any and all suffering they were forced to endure before they died.
Irma barely heard the calls of her friends, begging her not to submit to the duel. But it had been her idea...not Nerissa's. So she opened her eyes and faced her greatest fear.
"Well, Guardian? What is your answer? Do you accept my terms?"
Irma raised her chin defiantly and her eyes became cold as ice. "Done!"
–
And there it folks...Chapter 14. I hope everyone enjoyed it; and if you didn't, well, that's okay too. Please let me know what y'all think...I always enjoy hearing form you. Take care, and I'll see everybody next time. Thanks for joining me in The Pit. Take care.