Welcome back, Pitters. I have finally updated with the chapter I know you've been waiting for. Right, enough of my preening.
Before we get started, I want to thank all my reviewers: Lost Prince (Yes, you are warm. Read this chapter to find out); Cartoonloverfan101 (Yep, get ready for the action); Crowofdawn (Thank you for your compliments); Nemrut (Let's see which, if any, of your four scenarios is right); Shocklance (Now would I leave that kind of a loophole?); Starwin (Thank you for telling me what worked and what didn't...I always value those kinds of reviews); Nerd4eva (You are not the only one to think of the gun theory. Let's see if it pans out...); Wolfgurl211 (Thank you for your compliments and continued support); Philip Gipson (Bet her parents never saw that coming...); XV-Dragon (What role does the Altarmere have to play...Hmmm....); Darev (I hate Nerissa too); DayDreamer9 (Let's see if your instincts win out again...you have good ones, you know); Darkyse (Thank you for another review. Let's hope this chapter will live upt to your expectations); Nightroad (Liked the author part. Well spotted.); AJ (Still like the way you review. It makes me giggle); Zestychicken2 (Thank you for your kind words...they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside); Mallratrebel (Among the five greatest? Wow, I'm actually speechless; and that doesn't happen often).
Thank you all for your kind words and your helpful insights.
Now for the warning:
WARNING!!! Some violence in this chapter. Not that you don't know that by now, but I have to say it.
Now on with the show!
Chapter 16
The next day dawned clear and warm, belying the ice-cold feeling in the pit of Hay Lin's stomach. She had had a dream last night in which she watched her best friend die under Nerissa's torture. Irma had screamed so horribly, and Hay Lin knew she would hear those cries in her head for the rest of her life. Unable to wake, the Asian girl had been forced to witness Irma's brutal demise all night long.
The sweat stood out on Hay Lin's forehead, and it took her some time to realize her grandmother was sitting in a chair near her bedside. The kindly old woman reached out a hand to comfort her granddaughter, but Yan Lin knew her efforts were in vain. She couldn't know of the nightmares that had plagued the young Guardian, but she did know the torment she was experiencing over Irma.
The two girls had grown up together, and Yan Lin knew Irma was more like a sister than a friend to her granddaughter. The young girl's almond eyes held a darkness and a fear the old woman had never seen before, and Yan Lin thought she knew what Hay Lin must be thinking.
The groggy Guardian turned to her grandmother but couldn't bring herself to smile. Instead, tears began to roll down the porcelain cheeks. She threw trembling arms around the old woman's neck and cried into her shoulder.
"Grandma," she cried. "I saw it; I saw what's going to happen to Irma."
Yan Lin patted her granddaughter's back gently and whispered into her ear.
"Shh, child; the future is always unknown to even the most talented of seers."
"But I had a dream, grandma. I saw Nerissa torturing Irma. She...she died, grandma. She died!"
It was hard to argue with an Air Guardian's dreams; Yan Lin knew better than anyone that they were often harbingers of things to come. Only a short time ago, one of Hay Lin's dreams had saved Queen Elyon from a terrible fate at the hands of her power-hungry brother, Phobos. Why should this dream be any different? Nevertheless, Yan Lin had to say something to comfort the trembling teenager.
"Dreams can be misinterpreted, my little one. Perhaps you did not see what you thought you saw."
Hay Lin sniffled. "I saw Irma being tortured by the KOV and by Nerissa. I heard her screams and her pleas for mercy. I saw Nerissa laugh and the look in her eyes. She was enjoying it, grandma. How can that be misinterpreted?"
Yan Lin closed her eyes. She had to admit, it did sound compelling, and seemed difficult to refute on any level.
"I don't know, child, but we must hold onto hope. Irma is resourceful and tough. If there is anyone who can win this battle it is she."
Hay Lin tried to smile and take comfort from her grandmother, but she found it impossible. How could a single Guardian possibly defeat a powerful sorceress who possessed the Heart of Meridian? Hay Lin knew Irma was tough, but this time she believed the water witch had bitten off more than she could chew. She wanted to be angry with her friend for being so reckless, but she knew it was only out of love for her friends that she had made the challenge at all.
"Grandma, we have to find a way to help her."
"I have been with the Council of Candracar most of the night. We cannot find a way to interfere without violating the rules of permission magic. It would seem Irma will have to find a way to defeat Nerissa alone."
"But don't you see, grandma? She doesn't have a chance alone. She can't fight Nerissa by herself."
"And yet she did once fight Nerissa by herself and drove her away from Candracar."
Hay Lin sniffled again and let go of the old woman. Her mind raced as she tried to comprehend what her grandmother had just said. But try as she might, the young Guardian just couldn't think of a time Irma had actually beaten Nerissa.
Yan Lin chuckled a little at Hay Lin's confusion. "Remember that time at the aviary on Candracar? The battle in which you all nearly lost your lives? It was Irma who eventually drove Nerissa off. She fought her and she won."
"That's right, she did!" Hay Lin exclaimed. "Maybe she does have a chance after all."
"We must never give up hope," Yan Lin said. "We must have faith in Irma. It is not only her life on the line, but her family's as well. This will give her strength and heart."
"What time is it?" Hay Lin asked.
"Nearly 8:00. It is time for us to go."
Hay Lin nodded solemnly. She climbed out of her bed and set her feet on the soft carpet.
"I'll hurry and get ready. Do you think the others are already waiting?"
Yan Lin shrugged. "I don't know; I haven't been sitting with them."
Hay Lin giggled, suddenly feeling lighter than she had in days. Her grandmother could always give her strength and make her feel better. The little woman's confidence and calm demeanor were infectious, and Hay Lin could feel a warmth she had not felt in a long time.
With renewed hope, the young Guardian strode to the bathroom to prepare for the day.
–
Irma had not slept at all. She and her parents had stayed up most of the night, talking. They were understandably worried for their only daughter, and try as she might, she couldn't comfort them. And how could she when she could hardly comfort herself?
Her parents had insisted she try to get some sleep two hours ago. Though Irma knew that was going to be impossible, she had, nonetheless, obeyed her parents' wishes and gone up to her bedroom. But instead of going to her bed, she had filled the tub with water and climbed into the bath. It was cold now after two hours time, but Irma didn't care. The water was what comforted her the most lately. It was almost like a drug to her. She didn't feel safe unless she was in water.
She thought it must be around eight o'clock, so Irma decided to get dressed. She climbed out of the tub and pulled the drain. Morosely, she watched her precious water swirl until it completely disappeared. With a sigh, she used her powers to siphon the water off of her body and hair. Now dry, she padded to her bedroom and pulled open her dresser drawers.
She grabbed some clothes and threw them onto her bed. Automatically, she dressed and went to brush her hair and teeth. If someone had asked her what she wore that day, she wouldn't have been able to tell them. Her mind was anywhere but on her physical appearance.
She had really screwed up this time. Cornelia had warned her numerous times that her mouth would get her into trouble someday. Those words had proved to be prophetic as Irma now faced the worst day of her life. Why had she made this challenge? How could she have been so stupid and selfish? It was one thing to put her own life on the line, but what right had she to gamble with Chris and her parents?
Irma looked in the mirror and cursed the young woman staring back at her. Chris was so young with his whole life ahead of him. Now Nerissa would snuff it out. Her mother was gentle and loving. How could she possibly stand up to Frost's fists and Miranda's knives? And her father...strong and proud. Nerissa would reduce him to a pile of quivering jelly before she finished him off.
Irma pounded her fist on the counter and squeezed her eyes against the tears that threatened. Her recklessness frustrated her, and there was nothing she could do to get out of what she had done. Her parents had been supportive, but Irma knew, inside, they had to be disappointed and at least a little angry.
Irma had always been able to count on her friends to be there for her, but they couldn't help her out of this one...not this time. They were bound by the rules of magic, as well as the entire Council of Candracar. There would be no one to help her against her greatest enemy.
She was completely alone.
Irma swallowed hard as the implications began to descend on her. She felt her shoulders stoop as they weighed her down. What chance did she have? Nerissa was powerful without the Heart of Meridian...what would she be with it?
A voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
Irma, are you awake?
Had she not been expecting something like this, she probably would have jumped right through the mirror. But she had been waiting for Taranee to contact her. Somehow, it seemed like something she would do.
Yes, I'm awake.
How...how are you?
Irma almost laughed. What a question to ask at a time like this. How did Taranee think she was doing? Today was the day her family would die, and it was all because of her, Irma Lair.
But Taranee didn't need a defeatist attitude. So Irma lied.
I feel good. Ready to trash the Wicked Bitch of the West.
There was a long silence; so much so that Irma thought Taranee might have broken the link. Then...
Irma, don't lie to me. I don't need telepathy to know you're full of crap.
Irma sighed. She should have known better.
I'm sorry, Taranee. I just didn't want to burden you.
You didn't want to burden me? Irma, why, exactly, do you think I'm your friend? You're supposed to burden me. Now tell me...how are you really?
The tears Irma had been fighting finally won the battle. They rolled silently down her slightly-flushed cheeks.
I'm scared, Taranee...really, really scared. My family is going to die today, and it's all because of me.
Taranee remained silent as Irma continued.
Chris didn't deserve this. I don't know that he even knows what's about to happen. What could we tell him? We're going on a trip, Chris. It'll kill you in the worst possible way, but let's try to make it fun.
And mom and dad...they've been nothing but the best to me and this is how I repay them. For all the years of grief and frustration I've caused them...They deserve better than this.
How could I have been so stupid, Taranee? How could I have been so reckless?
There was more silence for a short time. Then...
Irma, you made a choice, that's it. You did it to save us. You're not a bad person, you just made a desperate choice. You have to believe in yourself. You have to believe you can win.
But that's the problem, Taranee, I don't believe I can win.
Yes, Irma, you can. You have to find a way...find a way for your family and your friends.
Irma wanted to believe her friend, but Nerissa was so powerful. Nonetheless, Taranee was right...she had to find a way to win. She just had to.
Irma changed the subject.
Is everyone else already waiting?
We're all here at Shell Cave.
Alright, I'll be there soon. I just need a moment to say...to say goodbye.
I know. We'll wait as long as it takes.
Irma didn't answer. Instead, she looked long and hard at her reflection. Her eyes showed a defeat that she had never seen before. She had always been happy-go-lucky, the comic relief of the group. Now she was in the most serious situation of her life; worse than detention all alone with Martin could ever be.
She didn't feel happy or lucky right now. She felt terrified and ashamed. But she couldn't let those feelings keep her from fulfilling her responsibility; she had issued the challenge and Nerissa had accepted. Irma might lose the battle, but it wouldn't be because she was a coward. Squaring her shoulders, Irma switched off the bathroom light and took one more longing look at the tub. Then she opened her bedroom door and stalked down the stairs.
–
The tearful goodbye with her parents didn't take as long as Irma thought it would. Her father offered her a few words of encouragement as well as a lasting hug. Her mother tried not to cry as she said goodbye to her daughter, but the tears leaked a little anyway. Nevertheless, Anna remained as strong as she could, knowing Irma would need all her strength.
Tom vowed to take care of his family should Nerissa do her worst. He promised the Lair's wouldn't go down without a fight the sorceress would never forget. Irma smiled a little at the visual of the Heatherfield police department shooting it out with Nerissa. At least they would have a chance should she lose the duel.
Now as the teenager trudged towards Shell Cave, she thought back on the best of times with her family. Her favorite memories, by far, had to be at the beach. Water and sand everywhere, and enough space to stay away from Chris, for the most part.
She choked back a sob as she thought of her little brother, completely oblivious to what was happening...and to what was about to happen to his whole world. It was better this way, that he not know; it just wouldn't do to have another Lair child scared out of his mind. Irma was frightened enough for both of them.
All too soon, Shell Cave loomed in the distance. There was no putting it off any longer...Irma would have to face her enemy now or never.
She had thought about running, but only for a few seconds. Tom Lair's daughter was no coward. She would finish this one way or the other. In just a few minutes, it would all be over, for good or ill.
Hay Lin ran up to her best friend and threw her arms around the girl's neck. She held on tightly, as if squeezing her sister could somehow shield her from what was about to come. Irma returned the hug almost hungrily. She needed Hay Lin more than she had ever needed anyone, and she wasn't ashamed to admit it. This girl, although somewhat naive to the ways of the world, was Irma's pillar of strength.
Whether she knew it or not, Hay Lin was Irma's main reason for wanting to live these past few weeks. In her darkest moments, Irma had clung to their friendship like a water buoy, and it was this friendship that had caused the young Water Guardian to rethink her darkest, suicidal thoughts.
During her time with Nerissa, when the pain had been the most severe, Hay Lin had come to her and eased her terrifying burdens. Hay Lin had fought to get to her even though she knew what it would cost her own body and mind. Even when Irma had tried her hardest to drive her best friend away, Hay Lin refused to give up. She put herself in harm's way to bring her friend back from the darkest abyss.
And she had done it of her own free will; it had been her choice to face the demons with a severely damaged girl. Hay Lin had stood next to her and helped to fight the devils that plagued her mind; helped to ward off the darkness that invaded her thoughts; helped to destroy the blackness that held her bound.
It was this strength that Irma needed now.
"It's going to be okay, Irma," Hay Lin was saying. "You can do this...I know you can."
Irma wished she had Hay Lin's confidence. Nevertheless, she didn't want to burst her friend's bubble.
"I know, she said. "I have to. There's no other choice."
Hay Lin let go of Irma's neck and smiled. "Glad to see you're not despairing. I've been really worried about you."
Irma grinned. "What for? I'm the same Irma I've always been."
Hay Lin looked deep into Irma's blue eyes. "No you're not, but someday you will be."
"What do you mean?"
"You've been through a lot lately. Those kinds of experiences have a way of changing a person. Someday you'll be back to your normal, smart-mouth self...but for now, I can still see the darkness."
Irma broke eye contact and looked away. She felt as if she had been slapped.
But she also knew Hay Lin was right. She had changed, and not for the better. Perhaps it was obvious to her closest friends, but Irma had hope she could fool the rest of the world.
"You're right...I have changed, Hay Lin. But I'm fighting to find myself again...and someday I will."
Hay Lin smiled. "I know."
She put her arm around her best friend's shoulders and led her to the mouth of the cave. The other girls were waiting just inside. They all smiled when Irma and Hay Lin walked in, but Irma thought the smiles seemed a little forced. Nevertheless, she returned them.
"Ready for this?" Will asked.
Irma let out a breath. "As ready as I'll ever be, Red."
"Listen, Irma, we're not going to let Nerissa near your family. If things go south..."
"Let's not even think about that, Will. I'm going to kick Nerissa's vanilla booty six ways from Sunday."
Will grinned at her friend's confidence...even if it was all just for show.
"Let's get this over with, then," Cornelia said. "Time to show that hag who's boss."
Will nodded and pulled the Heart of Candracar out of her shirt.
"Guardians, unite!"
A flash of rosy light, and five young women appeared where five young girls had stood. Without saying a word, Will created a fold to Candracar.
Irma swallowed hard and strode towards the shimmering tear. With a glance back at her chums, she gave a thumbs-up and stepped through.
–
Nerissa and the Knights of Vengeance were waiting in the fortress when the Guardians stepped through the fold. The Council of Candracar surrounded the Chamber as well.
Irma's heart sank. She had been hoping to commune with her Elemental Chamber for a few minutes. Now it would seem she would have to get right to business.
The Oracle stepped to the middle of the Chamber.
"All parties have arrived. Permission Magic is in effect and cannot be violated until there is a victor. The terms agreed upon are thus: There shall be a battle until one party surrenders or is otherwise incapacitated. Should Nerissa prevail, The Water Guardian and her family are to be turned over to her. Should the Water Guardian prevail, Nerissa is to be hereby banished from Meridian, Earth, and Candracar, never to set foot in these locations again."
"There can be no interference from the Guardians, the Knights of Vengeance, or the Council of Candracar. These are the terms."
Luba moved to stand behind Irma. "Keep your guard up, and keep moving. Hold nothing back, and show no mercy."
Irma nodded, never taking her eyes from a sneering Nerissa.
"If the two combatants are prepared, we should begin," the Oracle said, a twinge of sadness in his voice.
Nerissa laughed and stepped forward as the Oracle stepped back. Irma moved to the middle of the Chamber and stood opposite her foe.
"Kick her ass, Irma!" Cornelia shouted.
"Begin!" the Oracle thundered.
Nerissa immediately shot a bolt of deadly lightning towards Irma, but the Guardian had been expecting it. She rolled away and came up on one knee, her right arm outstretched in a firing position. A heavy jet of water shot from her fingers, knocking Nerissa to the floor.
Irma wasted no time. She rushed the evil hag and leaped upon her. She poured water directly into Nerissa's mouth, trying to drown the sorceress. But Nerissa was too quick, and she cracked Irma in the jaw with her staff. The young Guardian was knocked to the floor.
Sputtering and coughing, Nerissa stood and took aim at the stunned girl. She released more lightning, but Irma rolled instinctively, avoiding the deadly bolts. She came up and fired again, but this time Nerissa dodged.
Irma, however, had an idea.
She fired with her right hand and Nerissa dodged to the right to avoid the jet-stream. Irma immediately followed up with her left hand and caught the dodging sorceress square in the chest. Surging to her feet, the Water Witch now poured on the water with both hands, slowly forcing Nerissa into a wall. Once pinned, Irma clenched her right fist and began to draw the moisture out of the old woman.
Nerissa screamed in pain and anger. But she was far from beaten.
The old hag shot a jet of lightning along Irma's stream of water. Unable to pick it up in time, Irma was struck in the stomach. With a cry, she doubled over in pain, her concentration and powers momentarily broken. Another bolt followed the first. Irma tried to dodge, but was caught in the shoulder. The force of the blow whirled her around and her unprotected back faced the sorceress.
Nerissa laughed then, and let loose with all her powers. Irma was thrown across the room, hitting the far wall with a sickening crack. She moaned in pain.
Nerissa moved quickly across the Chamber and delivered a swift kick to Irma's ribs. The force of the blow rolled the young Guardian onto her back. Nerissa stomped viciously on the girl's unprotected ribs and was rewarded with a cry of pain and the sound of cracking.
The evil woman then knelt on Irma's chest and began to beat her about the face with her staff. Irma raised her arms to try to protect herself. Nerissa was growling and shouting fanatically, but most of her blows were absorbed by her enemy's arms.
Desperation began to take hold of Irma's heart, and she knew she had to do something drastic or risk having her arms broken. She fought through the pain and managed to wedge her leg in between herself and Nerissa. She pushed with all her might. The hag flew off and landed hard on her back, her head hitting the floor.
Dazed and stunned, Nerissa staggered to her feet and moved woozily to the far wall. She leaned on it for support and gazed at her foe. Irma was just getting to her feet, her left hand on a wall for support. Her right arm was holding the left side of her ribs, and her eyes shone with pain.
With a growl, Nerissa sent a bolt of lightning in the Guardian's direction. It impacted the wall just to the left of Irma's head. The teenager answered with a jet of water that missed her enemy by inches. Nerissa, still woozy, erected a shield to protect herself until she could recover.
With a strangled cry, Irma began to draw the moisture out of the witch. She knew it was her only chance to win the duel. Nerissa growled in frustration and shot several bolts of lighting. Irma fell to the floor to avoid the deadly tendrils.
Big mistake, for Nerissa had been expecting her prey to duck.
Before Irma could even blink, fingers of lighting traveled towards her. Time seemed to move in slow motion as the tendrils sped towards the prone teenager. In no position to dodge, Irma could only watch in horror as the heavy bolts closed the distance.
Then her world was shattered by white-hot pain.
Irma screamed as the deadly bolts licked at her skin. She writhed in agony as Nerissa dropped her shield. The evil witch concentrated, and more bolts struck the writhing Guardian.
Hay Lin screamed Irma's name and ran to help her friend. She was stopped by Luba.
"No, Guardian, you must not interfere. If you break the bounds of Permission Magic, your friend will be killed instantly."
"But we have to do something," Hay Lin screamed, fighting the cat's powerful grip.
Luba was silent for a moment. "There is nothing we can do to help your friend. You should not have to see her suffer. Come with me, now."
Hay Lin stopped fighting and looked at the big cat. Irma screamed as more bolts struck her in the back.
"You and the rest of the Guardians must come with me, quickly." Luba's gaze pierced Hay Lin's eyes, and something about that gaze made Hay Lin want to obey.
Taranee, we all have to go with Luba, now!
The Fire Guardian wasted no time in grabbing her friends' elbows. The girls raced towards Luba's rapidly disappearing form.
–
This is it...I'm going to die and my family with me. I can't take anymore.
Nerissa is too powerful and I can't incapacitate her long enough to hurt her.
Thoughts of defeat swelled through Irma's mind, as bolt after deadly bolt struck her body. She knew Nerissa was capable of pouring more into those tendrils...she was merely playing with her prey as a spider plays with a beetle. She was enjoying hurting her foe.
Through her haze of pain, she saw her friends race from the Chamber.
Guess they can't stand to see me die.
Irma felt abandoned and totally alone now. Her friends had vowed to stay with her no matter what. Why would they now break that promise?
The onslaught suddenly ceased, and Irma could smell her burning flesh. She wondered, vaguely, why Nerissa had stopped. Perhaps she was going to try to force her to surrender.
She has another think coming if she thinks I'm going to give up. I might lose, but it won't be because I quit.
Irma felt herself being forced to her knees, a hand hauling her up by the hair. With a groan, she weakly tried to remove that hand, but her efforts were in vain. She felt a hand slap her across the mouth.
"Surrender, Guardian. It is over for you. Save yourself for my minions. They want to have their fun with you before you expire."
Irma tried to answer, but no words came out. She wanted to defy the sorceress, to spit some witty remark at her enemy to show she was unbowed. But though she tried to force herself, her body simply would not cooperate.
"Surrender now!"
Irma did the only thing she could manage to do...she gathered everything she could and spit in her enemy's face.
She felt herself slapped again, harder this time. Then her jaw was punched hard and Irma tasted blood. A hand closed around her throat and dragged her to her feet. She was lifted off the ground a few inches. She closed her hands around Nerissa's wrist in a feeble attempt to release that death-grip. Irma gagged and sputtered, her feet kicking madly in the air.
Then Nerissa threw her enemy to the ground and kicked her in the ribs again. Irma cried out and rolled onto her stomach to protect her ribs. Nerissa drove her staff into the small of her foe's back, laughing derisively.
Irma felt darkness descending.
–
The Guardians rushed headlong behind Luba. The big cat was faster than they were and by the time they reached the Chamber of the Aurameres, all four girls were out of breath. Luba, however, wasn't even breathing hard.
The cat immediately approached the glowing balls of light and spread her arms wide apart.
"Each of you, place your hands on your own Auramere. Do it quickly."
The Guardians approached their individual Aurameres and tentatively placed their hands on each glowing ball of light.
"You must not lose contact with you Aurameres," Luba said. Then she began to intone words the girls didn't understand. The Aurameres began to glow brighter and to shake uncontrollably. The Guardians fought to maintain their hold.
A high-pitched shriek suddenly filled the Chamber, and Hay Lin had to fight not to clap her hands over her ears.
Just as suddenly as it began, the shriek ceased and the Aurameres stopped shaking.
"Let go now!" Luba shouted.
The girls relinquished their hold and watched as the four balls of light sped towards the only one unoccupied by a Guardian. The glowing blue ball quickly absorbed the other four and grew in size.
Luba continued to intone strange words, her voice growing louder and louder. Suddenly, she shouted a final word and all five women were thrown to the floor. The giant Auramere shot form the Chamber and quickly disappeared from view.
Luba staggered to her feet and reached out a large paw to pull Cornelia up.
"What just happened?" the blond Guardian asked.
"You gave up your powers so they could be absorbed by a single Guardian. In this case, Irma."
"You didn't tell us any of this," Will said crossly.
"I could not; else you would have been knowingly interfering in the battle that now rages outside this Chamber."
"So Irma is getting all our powers now?" Taranee asked, adjusting her skewed glasses.
Luba nodded.
"That means she might still have a chance to beat Nerissa!" Hay Lin enthused. "Luba, you're a genius!"
"There's something I don't understand," Taranee said pensively. "We're all barred from interfering; the Guardians, the Council, and the KOV. How are you allowed to do this?"
Luba raised her chin. "I am no longer a member of the Council of Candracar. I was banished from the Council some days ago. As such, Permission Magic does not apply to me, in this case."
"But we interfered," Taranee insisted. "We gave up our powers so Irma would have a fighting chance. How is that not a violation of Permission Magic?"
"You did not knowingly interfere, Guardian. I gave you an instruction and you followed it without knowing what would happen."
"Now that's reaching," Will said, crossing her arms. "We're gambling with Irma's life, here. How did you know this would work?"
"I am not a cubling," Luba replied. "Nor am I new to Permission Magic."
"So what happens now?" Cornelia asked.
"Now we hope your friend wins the battle," Luba said. "If she does not, your powers will be forfeit forever."
"What!?"
"It is a drawback, but I did not believe we had any choice. The Water Guardian was moments from defeat."
"Oh this just gets better and better," Will sighed.
"Hey, if it helps Irma, then I'm all for it," Hay Lin said.
"What happens to the Heart if Irma loses?" Cornelia asked.
Luba was silent for a moment. She looked straight into Will's eyes. "The Heart of Candracar will be destroyed."
Will gaped at the Caretaker. She couldn't find any words, so she simply stared wildly.
"Guys, we have to get back in there," Hay Lin said. "We can't leave Irma all alone like this.
Taranee used two fingers to close Will's mouth and nodded. "Yeah, we should go."
Cornelia pumped her fists. "Yes. Now Irma has a chance."
Luba nodded and led the way back towards the battle.
–
Irma groaned as she was flipped onto her back by the toe of her enemy. Her ribs were broken, her back was nearly broken, and her badly burned flesh was smoking from the lightning. An acrid smell assaulted her nostrils.
Nerissa placed her foot heavily in the center of Irma's chest, pinning her to the floor.
"Surrender, Guardian. You have lost and you're too injured to continue this farce. Surrender, and I may let your family live."
Even through her haze, Irma was not dumb enough to fall for that one.
"Never," she moaned.
Nerissa sneered and thrust her staff into the girl's unprotected stomach. Irma cried out in pain.
"I will ask you again, Guardian. Will you surrender to a superior foe?"
"You'll have t-to kill me first," Irma answered thickly. She coughed then and spat up blood.
"Then die you shall."
Nerissa pulled her hand back and prepared to end Irma's life.
All of a sudden, a bright, blue light filled the Chamber. Taken aback, Nerissa stepped back and raised her staff. The light quickly disappeared into Irma's chest. The young Guardian was picked up off the floor as a blinding blue glow emanated from her body. She screamed as raw energy filled her entire being.
Then the light dissipated, and Irma found herself standing on her feet. She felt raw power emanating from every pore.
Nerissa recovered quickly. "How is this possible? What have you done?"
Instinctively, Irma knew she had acquired all the Guardians' powers. She shot a bolt of lightning at her enemy. Nerissa was unprepared for the attack, and took the bolt in the chest. She was knocked back, but remained on her feet. Again and again, Irma peppered her foe with the deadly tendrils. But they just weren't working to her satisfaction.
Using the powers of Earth, Irma caused a section of the floor to buckle beneath Nerissa's feet. The sorceress stumbled and fell. Irma then caused the same section of floor to roll up on the hag's legs, pinning her in place.
Nerissa's eyes showed something they had not shown since Irma had first met her...they showed fear.
Irma strode towards her downed foe as Nerissa struggled to free her pinned legs.
The other Guardians came rushing back into the Chamber the, accompanied by Luba. Irma barely noticed their return.
"For all the times you made me suffer," Irma said. Then she soaked her foe with gallons of water. Nerissa's eyes widened.
"For all the times you humiliated me," she continued. She covered the sorceress with deadly lightning. Nerissa howled in pain.
"For everything you took from me." Irma clenched her fist and used the power of fire to heat her enemy's blood. Nerissa screamed as her life-water began to boil.
"For what you did to my friends," Irma shouted. She clenched her other fist and began to draw the moisture from Nerissa's body.
In desperation, Nerissa turned to the last avenue of attack...Irma's mind. She began to assault it with images of her past torture, of her friends' betrayal on Candracar, of what she would do to her when she was once again a prisoner of evil.
Irma grabbed her head and staggered away. Paralyzed with terror, she fell to the floor and curled into a fetal position.
"Stop it," she begged. "Make it stop, please."
Nerissa, too injured to gloat, set about attempting to free herself again. She continued to assault Irma's mind with terror, showing her pictures of her father being flayed alive, of her mother wilting under Frost's most heinous assaults, of Chris screaming for mercy.
Irma screamed as the images began to come to life. She felt the lash upon her back, the knives skinning her alive, the horrible lightning burning her flesh. She knew she was back in Nerissa's clutches and that her friends had failed to protect her family. The visions of boiling Nerissa's blood had been nothing more than a sick joke played by the evil hag. She had lost the duel...she was sure of it.
Suddenly, the images began to dissipate, slowly at first, then more rapidly. Mental barriers began to block the terror and filter the pain. She was still on Candracar, and Nerissa was still pinned to the floor of the Chamber. Irma suddenly knew that Taranee's telepathic powers had saved her.
With nothing to stop her now, Irma rose to her feet and limped to her foe.
"Nice try," Irma sneered. "But you can't hurt me anymore."
The young Guardian stretched forth her hand and began to draw the air from Nerissa's lungs. The old sorceress sputtered and coughed, her eyes wide with terror.
"Surrender, Nerissa, and I'll let you live!"
"I surrender," Nerissa coughed. "I surrender."
Her face screwed with rage, Irma clenched her fist and twisted her wrist. The air continued to escape Nerissa's lungs and her blood began to boil anew.
"Stop, Guardian," Nerissa begged. "I surrendered. You said you would let me live."
Irma leaned close to Nerissa's ear.
"I lied," she whispered.
With that, Nerissa's eyes bulged out of her head as she suffocated. Her internal temperature rose at an alarming rate, and the water of her body began to escape.
Within seconds, the evil sorceress lay dead on the floor.
–
Wow, what a ride that was. I enjoyed this chapter in a sick kind of way...what does that say about me? Hmmm...
Anyway, thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think, should you feel so inclined.