Disclaimer: See page one
The palace was mercifully quiet around them. The lights were out and despite the sounds of a few servants bustling about the building, there were none near their position. It was, in short, the ideal place for them to arrive.
There was a sudden bump and some mild cursing.
"Would it kill them to teleport us somewhere where the lights are actually ON?" Irma asked from where she had fallen and Hay Lin giggled.
"I think you're meant to see in the dark," she said with amusement.
"Or perhaps just keep your balance," Cornelia suggested dryly. "Of course, with an element as wet as yours, it's an unlikely proposition."
"Quiet!" Will hissed. "Are you trying to get us caught?" she paused and took a deep breath. "Hay Lin, can you find a door and see if there's anyone outside?"
There was a creaking sound and the door opened. The head of a young girl (or at least what appeared to be a young girl) poked her head around the doorway.
"Hello? Is there anybody here?" she asked nervously. After a momentary pause, the girl leaned further in. "Is-is anyone there? Come out or I'll-I'll-I'll call…" her words drifted off, as though she was unsure what to say. Hay Lin silently moved into position and her hand rested on the hilt of her sword.
"What do you think you're doing girl?" a sharp voice cut in, making almost everyone jump. Another figure appeared behind the first, this time a tall male figure. "You're needed in the kitchen."
"But-"
"No buts girl!" the male figure said sharply, before giving the girl a slap on the back of the head. "You think that anyone would be breaking into their? It's a windowless empty room that leads to nowhere and has nothing of value in it!"
"But what if-"
The girl was cut off by another smack to the back of the head and Will ground her teeth in anger. If it hadn't been for the intervention of Susan Vandom, this could easily have been her life.
"Go to your duties girl! You aren't paid to think!" the man shouted at her and with a push, he sent her away and closed the door.
The five sword mistresses stayed silent as they heard hurried footsteps moving away. After what seemed like an eternity, there was silence again and Hay Lin slowly opened the door.
"Did you hear how that man treated that girl?" Taranee hissed angrily as the group made their way out of the room.
"We can deal with him after we've dealt with Nerissa," Will countered and Taranee's face looked like she had just swallowed a lemon. She nodded, although she was still silently fuming.
Will was also feeling angry about what they had witnessed. It was a fate that could so easily have been her own, had it not been for sensei Susan Vandom. She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly. She needed to focus.
"Hey, we were in the room of prophecy! No wonder he didn't think anyone was there, there's no other way in!" Cornelia exclaimed in surprise.
"We have the magic of prophecy behind us and she gets surprised," Irma drawled with amusement. And blondie's still surprised by what it can do." Irma turned and looked Cornelia in the eye. "And you say you understand this stuff."
"Hey, THIS isn't supposed to happen!" Cornelia hissed back. "The palace has spells woven into it to prevent anyone coming in using magic!"
"Enough!" Will snapped angrily. "We need to find out where Nerissa and her fighters are in this place. I don't want them surprising us."
"Nerissa will probably be in the throne room," Cornelia said confidently. "It's the best place for her to send a message to the population."
"Well that's a good place to start, but what about her other fighters?" Will asked and Cornelia shrugged.
"They could be anywhere," she replied and Will shook her head.
"I don't think they'll be far from her. Probably inside this very building," she said thoughtfully. "I'm willing to bet that they don't even know we're here yet."
"Yeah, well we did have the whole issue of being somewhat dead an all," Irma pointed out with a drawl. "Tends to put a downer on your social life and your revenge."
"Wow, that was actually funny Lair," Cornelia said with a smirk and Irma stuck her tongue out. Ignoring them, Will turned to face Hay Lin.
"We need to find out where they are before we advance any further. I want you to scout ahead of us and see if you can find them before we walk into them. We'll be following close behind."
"Stay at least four metres behind me," Hay Lin told them firmly and the others nodded. Then she smirked at Irma. "And no sneezing," she added.
"Hey, it only happened the once!" Irma protested and Hay Lin grinned, a sparkle of amusement in her eye, before slipping ahead of their group.
WITCHWITCHWITCHWITCH
Inside a nondescript hilltop fortress not far from the capital, the air was tense with a mixture of expectation and fear. The usual bustle of activity that usually thronged through this building was absent and instead only stillness remained.
This was the principle headquarters of Royal Intelligence Service, where all of the intelligence gathered by the service was assembled and analysed. They were, without doubt, loyal to Princess Elyon and a prime target for both the forces of Prince Phobos (when he had been alive) and now Nerissa and her minions.
Unlike Phobos, Nerissa had full access to the Palace archives. There was little doubt in the minds of those working there that it was only a matter of time before Nerissa found them. Most of the staff were already preparing to leave, but then the Oracle stepped up and told them something hard to believe. Something so hard to believe it seemed impossible. But when The Oracle spoke, people listened and people trusted.
He told them that the ones destined to face Nerissa had returned and hope was once more in the air.
"What do you suppose their chances of success are?" a nervous young man asked the Oracle and the Oracle smiled.
"Chances?" he said with amusement. "I suppose you could say that the chances of success in their endeavour are as good as any random event. There is no fixed guarantee that they will succeed and Princess Elyon will receive her freedom and her now unchallenged crown."
"Then sure we should-" the young man began and the Oracle shook his head.
"I may not KNOW what is going to happen, but I have FAITH in those five swordmistresses."
"Sir?"
The Oracle gave the younger man a benevolent smile, the kind that put people around him at ease.
"I am not a swordmaster and it has been many years since I have needed to fight, but my instincts tell me that we should not be afraid," he said gently. "And I trust my instincts"
"Well…thank you sir," the young man replied nervously. It was clear he didn't share the Oracle's confidence. The Oracle simply shook his head.
"Leave if you wish, I will not stop you," he said calmly, almost as though they were talking about a walk in a garden or a holiday. "There is little you can do here. I will see this through to the end, no matter the outcome."
"I think I'll stay," the young man said nervously and the Oracle smiled his reassuring smile once more.
"Then we shall see if our faith is justified," he said gently and in the background a clock chimed the end of another hour.
WITCHWITCHWITCHWITCH
Hay Lin was very good, Will thought to herself as they advanced through the palace. Silent and thorough, she moved with grim professionalism that seemed almost at odds with the bubbly, hyperactive girl they had all come to know. Corridor after corridor of richly decorated walls and well lit lights were not easy places to hide in and yet Hay Lin managed to cross them without being noticed by a single
So when Khor pounced out of the shadows and almost took her head off, Will was certain that there was nothing that Hay Lin could have done to avoid detection.
Hay Lin twisted her body to avoid his attack at the last moment, her two cane swords extending forward in a swift movement as she rolled away from him into a crouching position, her arms outstretched and her body tensed to spring. Khor pulled his arms across his body placing his blades beside his ear and waist, also poised to spring into action. The sudden tension in the air could be cut with a knife.
Will drew her sword as did Irma, while Cornelia pulled out her crossbow and Taranee dropped a bomb into her hands but before anyone could move, a siren sounded throughout the palace that practically deafened them momentarily. Khor leapt forward, determined to take advantage of their temporary distraction, his twin blades cutting through the air to slice the air above Hay Lin's head as she ducked. Her twin cane blades shot forward and she extended the blades in one swift motion at the same time and he narrowly avoided being stabbed in the gut.
"Go on, I'll keep him busy!" she shouted and a dark glint entered her eye. "Besides, we have unfinished business."
Shooting Hay Lin a look of thanks, Will led the others away. Hay Lin looked at her opponent and an ethereal light entered her eyes.
WITCHWITCHWITCHWITCH
As the group was crossing through the central courtyard gardens, a voice cut through the darkness that made them stop.
"Didn't I kill you already?" a laconic voice said almost lazily and the group stopped and looked around warily in an attempt to locate the voice. The courtyard was fairly well lit at its centre with the group standing in the centre, but they couldn't see the owner of the voice.
"Wish Hay Lin was with us. She'd know where this creep is by now," Irma whispered and Will frowned.
"Nice to know you have such confidence in my skills," Will replied before pointing to one of the corners with her sword. "He's over there."
"Most impressive young swordsmistress. No wonder my mistress chose to mark you," Shagon said as he emerged from the shadows. "Your blood will be excellent as the ink that will write a new and glorious chapter in Meridian's history."
"A glory that involves murdering little girls?" Cornelia asked, her voice rising to a growl. "A glory based on enslaving the magical powers of the rightful queen of Meridian?" Cornelia spat angrily at Shagon's feet. "Here's what I think of your glory!"
"Ah yes, your sister was that spell caster girl, wasn't she?" Shagon asked with an amused voice. He held his hand at his chest. "About this high, with short blond hair and blue eyes and a neck that made the most beautiful sound when I snapped it."
Cornelia growled angrily, too angry to reply and Shagon chuckled as though he had told a funny joke and not mentioned the murder of a young girl.
"Leave him to me," she hissed and Will put a hand on Cornelia's shoulder.
"Don't let your anger rule you. Defeat him as a swordmaster, not a thug with a blade," she whispered in her ear and Cornelia shook her shoulder away. She was no thug!
"This is something I HAVE to do," she hissed back and Will nodded, a look of understanding in her eyes.
"Just remember what I said," she said before leading the others away as the two fighters prepared to do battle once more.
WITCHWITCHWITCHWITCH
"I hope she doesn't do anything stupid," Will said as their group entered a room full of shimmering pools of water. Irma shrugged.
"Hey, it's Corny. Of COURSE she'll do something stupid. She's as dumb and stubborn as her element. It's practically a given," she replied nonchantly and Taranee glared at her.
"She's just lost her little sister and all you can do is joke?" she asked angrily and Irma shrugged again.
"Only way to stop me breaking down on the spot," she replied uncharacteristically grimly. "Plus I'm pretty much expecting to encounter whoever I'm supposed to fight in here."
"You know, she has a point," Taranee said thoughtfully, putting her hand on her chin. "We do seem to be lined up for specific fighters," she paused and put her hand up. "Hay Lin was killed by Khor and now she's facing him. Cornelia was killed by Shagon and they're now facing one another behind us and Will is the best chance we have at facing Nerissa," she gave Irma a curious look. "I'm surprised I didn't see it sooner. Of course, only two of us have actually met their killers and Will is still just a probable, but…that's impressive."
"Hey, I'm more than just a pretty face you know," Irma replied with a smirk. "I'm also one hundred percent pure awesomeness. You can admire my sheer awesomeness later, after I trounce Tridart."
"Just get a move on!" Will snapped. "We can't guarantee that the others will succeed and if possible, I'd like to face Nerissa with an advantage of numbers in our favour."
"A wise choice. One that could be dangerous, if allowed," a cold voice said from behind her and Will spun around to see Tridart emerging from a pool behind her. He pulled his sai swords from his wings. "Unfortunately I will not allow it. How you survived being killed I don't know, but I will take great pleasure sending you back."
"It looks like my theory was right," Irma said, drawing her own swords and stepping forward so she could face Tridart. "I get to face my killer and Taranee gets to face hers," she looked at Will and gave her a grim smile. "Make sure that bitch pays for her crimes. Thrash her so hard she has nightmares when she picks up a sword."
"Admirable sentiments I am sure, but Nerissa is the greatest swordsmistress to ever train in Meridian. You cannot hope to defeat her. Even with help, she will still cut you down as like wheat in the field," Tridart said, before looking Irma in the eye. "In the same way that I will cut you down."
"You know what they say. You can't keep a good girl down," Irma replied with a smirk. "I'd try being a little less cocky if I were you. Big words from the losing side after all."
"You will learn," was all he would say and the two fighters prepared to do battle.
WITCHWITCHWITCHWITCH
"Is that…the throne room?" Will asked in a puzzled voice as she looked down on the throne from the balcony they were standing on. Taranee shrugged.
"It looks like it. I wonder why it's set up like this though?" she asked curiously. "I would have thought that the throne would have been higher up and would have avoided a balcony like this. Can you imagine how easy it would be for an attacker to take a pot-shot at the Queen?"
"It is a bit odd," Will agreed. "We have to find Nerissa though. That's our first priority."
Taranee nodded and the two women stepped closer. Will frowned as she looked closer at the throne below them. Something looked very odd, almost as though the throne below was something out of a dream and not reality. Will frowned even harder. Something was definitely not right but she wasn't sure what it was. She drew her sword and leaned forward.
"Don't do that!" Taranee suddenly shouted and Will almost lost her balance. She gave Will a sheepish smile. "Sorry Will, you really shouldn't touch it."
"It?" Will asked and Taranee pointed over the edge of the balcony.
"It. We aren't looking down at the throne; we're seeing its reflection in the grallas glass."
"What is grallas glass?" Will asked with a frown and a look of distaste crossed Taranee's face.
"It's a type of alchemical glass," Taranee explained. Will raised an eyebrow. "More specifically, it's a type of alchemical glass that distorts light in such a way that you don't recognise it as a reflection."
"How is that even possible?" Will asked and Taranee shrugged.
"I don't know Will. The Alchemist Guild keeps the secrets its creation well hidden," Taranee paused and looked down at the glass. "I DO know that it has one particularly unpleasant effect of exploding when it gets scratched. Something between the sheets of glass I think."
Will frowned. "So if this is a reflection…where's the real throne?" she asked. And Taranee closed her eyes to think.
"We need to go up to the floor above," she said, before cocking her head slightly as the slight sound of movement reached their ears and suddenly Ember lunged out of the shadows at Will, her fiery scimitar striking downwards. Will's sword rose swiftly to parry the blow, but before their sword met, Taranee's blade knocked Ember's sword aside. Nodding her head upwards, Taranee spun her blade and raise her arm into an attack position.
Will looked up at ceiling above. She could see a slight hint of light. Giving Taranee a slight nod, she leapt up and grabbed the sides of the tunnel above them and began climbing.
WITCHWITCHWITCHWITCH
The tunnel was surprisingly small considering the amount it was reflecting, Will thought to herself as she climbed upwards. It was narrow, boxed in and Will had to hold her sword vertically to avoid scraping against the walls. Taking in a deep breath, she pulled in her chi, cloaking her very existence. Hopefully Nerissa wouldn't know which direction she was coming from and Will was determined to take whatever edge she could claim.
Beneath her, she could hear the clanging of blades as Taranee and Ember fought and she resisted the urge to look back and see how her friend was doing. Nerissa was a formidable opponent and Will had every confidence in her friend's ability.
But what if Taranee isn't good enough? Or something catches her by surprise? Or-
"Stop it!" Will hissed to herself. She needed to concentrate on the battle ahead, not the battle going on behind her. Taranee didn't need her help and the worst thing Will could do was to distract her at a crucial moment or worse still, steal away her friend's victory at the last moment. No, there were some things that were best dealt with alone and not with company.
She reached the mirror at the top of the tunnel and followed the tunnel as it turned. This tunnel was also incredibly cramped. In fact, Will was almost certain that it was getting narrower. A lot narrower. Still, she was pretty sure that she would be able to fit. She crawled forward, sliding her sword along in front of her. She could feel the walls closing in around her. It was enough to make her feel claustrophobic and it was with an almost palatable sense of relief that she reached the end. She looked down and swallowed hard.
The throne room was at least twenty-five metres below her and the floor was solid stone covered by carpet. Jumping down would be difficult and could easily result in serious injury. It didn't seem like there was any other way down and going back would result in time being lost, time she wasn't sure she could waste. With a swallow, she began climbing down the tunnel.
On the positive side, the tunnel was a lot shorter distance than the other two tunnels. On the downside, the tunnel really could have done with being as long as the other two tunnels. At least that way the drop would be far less. Still, Will was determined to find a way down and she was pretty sure that there was a way through from here.
When she reached the end of the tunnel, Will was finally able to see the walls of the throne room. It was elaborate and richly decorated, with wall tapestries showing Meridian's royal history and vivid stories of royal pomp and ceremony. It looked a little overdone if Will was honest with herself. Still, she had a job to do and the décor was hardly relevant to what she needed to do. And then a smile crossed her face as she scanned the walls. There was a way down, she just hadn't seen it until now.
She jumped at a forty-five degree angle and drew her sword in one movement and she hooked the flat of the blade on the top of a tapestry depicting the First Battle of Stav-Thior in Meridian. It was an overblown, exaggerated piece, full of mythical figures in red and gold. Fortunately the tapestry was strong enough to stay in one piece when Will landed on it.
Unfortunately the same could not be said for the supports holding the tapestry up. With a slight groaning sound, they snapped and Will was sent plummeting to the ground below as the tapestry began it's descent with her still holding on.
It was halfway on it's journey to the ground when Will leapt away at a ten degree angle to land on a light fitting and bounced off to reach the ground with a roll. The light fitting smashed into the ground with a clatter and Will gave a grim smile.
"So much for my silent entry," she said grimly. "There's no way she didn't hear that."
"As if you could sneak up on me and catch me unawares," a familiar voice sneered from behind her. "I must admit, I am impressed that you made it this far. Still, this is where your journey ends. Turn and face me, like a true warrior!"
Will turned to face Nerissa standing behind her and drew her sword. Nerissa already had hers out but she seemed to falter slightly as her eyes landed on Will's cross-shaped scar.
"Didn't I kill you already?" she asked with a touch of anger. "I never would have expected necromancy from those monks in Zamballa. Obviously I underestimated them."
"You were sloppy Nerissa," Will replied with a smirk. Nerissa gave a nonchalant shrug.
"Not a mistake I intend to repeat," she said as she stepped into the room. "This time, I will destroy you. Completely. And I will mount your severed head on the castle walls."
"You have to win first," Will replied with a grim smile and the two swordsmistresses leapt into battle.
AN: Yes, I WILL write out the battles for ALL of the girls, don't worry.