Okay, I'm sorry that I'm late with this chapter, but I'm down with fever and headaches, so I can barely think. As it is, this is not exactly my best effort, and I must apologize.
Thanks to all my reviewers for supporting, motivating and criticizing me. You were a great help, and I hope you will continue to read this story.
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to scone104 and thesecondgarde, partly to thank them for supporting me and welcoming me so enthusiastically, but also because an amazing plot twist occurred to me after reading the latest chapters of their stories 'Every Hello Ends With A Goodbye' and 'The Second Chance' respectively. You should read them- they're great.
On to this chapter. Hope you forgive me, and I promise the next chapter will be much better.

Marina

The moment my eyes shut, I'm pulled into a vision.

I find myself floating serenely in a garden. The lilting melody of birdsong fills my ears. I am surrounded by flowers in full bloom, almost overwhelming me with their scent. Even though I don't remember having been here before, there's only one place I could be.

I'm on Lorien.

It's still pristine and beautiful- the attack obviously hasn't happened yet. The two moons shine dully in the darkness, and everybody seems to be in a festive mood. I recognize the scene. It is the Loric festival of Quarter Moon.

I wander up to the lush green fields, inhaling the fresh air and taking in the surreal beauty of my surroundings. The sight is breathtaking. I hover there for a while, drinking it all in. Out of the corner of my eye, I can make out a small cluster of houses near a gushing stream.

A movement catches my eye. A small girl runs out of the house, clutching a doll and giggling uncontrollably. A young woman chases her out, and on seeing her, the girl squeals but allows herself to be gathered into her arms. I suck in my breath and stare. I recognize them both. How couldn't I?

The woman is unmistakably Adelina. Which means... Which means that the young girl is….

The sound of an explosion snaps me out of my reverie. I duck in fright, but it's only a vision, and the shrapnel passes right through me. The smoke clears temporarily, and immediately it's obvious what the target was. The buildings have all been completely annihilated, and the fires feed greedily on the wreckage. A Mogodorian ship appears overhead.

Adelina staggers to her feet, dazed, and unsteadily walks to where the child lies unmoving in the grass. Gathering her in her arms, she flees.

The scene changes.

I'm back in the Everglades. I see Five flying towards Nine, his sword aimed at Nine's heart, his eyes burning with fury. I see Nine, locked in place by Five's telekinesis, struggling to break free. I see myself, staring at the events unfolding in shock, useless and pathetic.

I grimace and clench my jaw. I know what's coming next.

Eight suddenly appears in Five's path, having used his last vestiges of energy for teleporting. I try to look away, but my eyes are glued to the scene. It's cruel how helpless I am, just like I was back when Eight got killed.

Five's eyes widen, and he tries to backtrack, but he's going too fast. Nine screams, and the sword plunges into Eight's heart. I feel the familiar pain of the scar, both in my ankle and in my heart.

The scene changes.

I'm still in the Everglades, but there's no sign of anyone. Small fragments of ice lie everywhere, melting into the grass. The blood-stained icicle I used to trap Five and render his eye useless is still there, but there's no sign of Five or Eight's body. They're long gone.

'Marina…..' a voice whispers, one that I'd know anywhere in the world.

I turn around, and I see him standing there, close to the edge of the marsh, the wound visible even from a distance. I want to run to him, but even from here, I can see the disappointment in his eyes.

'I expected better from you, Marina.' he says. 'You let me down.'

'Eight! Listen…' I run to him, but he turns around and floats over the marsh. I try to follow, but find myself sinking.

'I expected better….' he whispers, floating just out of reach. 'I expected….'

With a scream, I jolt awake, breathing heavily, tears streaming from my eyes. Only then do I realize that I'm not alone.

I take in the sight of Six staring at me with apprehension and concern, but I look away bitterly. Just last night, I had promised myself that I would no longer be weak, that I would be emotionless and powerful. But my nightmares have drained all the hatred and anger out of me, leaving only mind-numbing misery and pain. My desire for revenge has completely fizzled out.

I realize now that I was a fool, a fool to think that I could let go of my old self, let go of Eight in just one night. He means more to me than just a motive for murder. I may have failed him, but for his sake, I cannot fail Six or Nine. And if I am losing the battle against my emotions, I must pretend I have won.

'Just a nightmare.' I tell them, trying to sound dismissive. Unfortunately, it comes across as trembling and fearful. 'No need to worry.'

Six nods slowly. 'Nine and I are going down for some breakfast. You want to come?'

'Not right now.' I say shakily. 'I'll join you in some time.'

Six nods again. 'Alright.' she says, backing out of the room. 'I'll meet you downstairs in half an hour.' She disappears into the corridor.

I slowly crawl out of my bed. The nightmare is still fresh in my mind, and I shudder as I try to push it aside. The memory of Eight looking at me with disappointment and accusation is almost too much for me to bear. I huddle with my knees drawn close to my body, and begin to sob.

Nine

'How much are you going to eat?'

I shrug, and shake off Six's look of disgust. 'Sorry.' I say. 'Although, honestly speaking, I normally take much more than three helpings.'

She shakes her head and stalks off.

I shrug again, and make my way to the window, where the buffet lies lined up on a table. Truth to be told, there's not much to choose from. This isn't exactly my penthouse. But like I said to Six, I don't exactly have much of an appetite any more. Not since Eight died.

I know I promised Six that I'd stop beating myself up over it, but every moment, a fresh wave of guilt threatens to drown me in pain and misery. I try not to show it, but I feel like breaking down every second. Being with Marina is even worse- looking at her condition and knowing I caused it is agony. That's why I let Six check on her this morning instead of me.

I absently lower my head, trying to peer out of the window as I load my plate with bacon. I'm about to walk back to my table when a flash of light catches my eye. I crouch and glance outside, looking for any signs of trouble. Instantly, my breath catches in my throat, and my heart nearly stops.

An entire fleet of jeeps are parked right outside the driveway of our hotel, and on the edge of the highway. Even worse, multiple choppers with whisper-silent blades hover just metres from the ground. Each vehicle I see is chock-full of Mogodorian soldiers.

'Marina!' I yell, trying to warn her of the impending danger. Hopefully, she would be able to hear me. There was no way I was letting her die too on my watch too. 'Mogs! Get out of….'

Just then, a hand clamps around my mouth.

Marina

'Marina!' I hear Nine yell. 'Mogs! Get out of…..' his voice abruptly stops, leaving me shocked and terrified. I pull myself together. Now is not the time for grief. I need to escape from here and rescue my friends. I can only hope that Nine will be fine until then.

I ready myself, the tingling feeling forming in my fingers again, the icy sensation returning to my hand. I feel a sudden surge of grief- the last time I used this legacy intentionally was back at the Everglades, when Eight was killed. I shake my head to dispel the memories and walk cautiously to the door, my hand gently crackling with frost. I'm reach out for the handle…..

Six charges through the door, almost knocking me to the ground. I involuntarily launch a blast of ice and frost at her, but fortunately, she ducks in time.

'Mogs!' she yells. 'We need to go now.'

'Where?' I asked, panicked, my hand curling to from a fist. Ice encases it, forming a deadly and effective glove.

Six grabs me by the throat and lifts me effortlessly off the ground. The ice encasing my hand melts instantly. My mind goes fuzzy, and I struggle, half-choked to death. Before my eyes, she begins to morph into a familiar figure.

'Here.' Setrakus Ra growls.

Nine

'It's me, you idiot!' a voice hisses in my ear. 'Stop struggling!'

'Six?' I ask, surprised. I glance downwards, and with a start, realize that I am invisible.

'Where's Marina?' I ask, my voice fading to a whisper. My heart sinks at her reply.

'Setrakus Ra has her.' She says grimly. 'No, Nine, we can't fight him right now- don't you remember what happened last time? And this time, Marina won't be able to heal us if something goes wrong.'

'What do you want to do- let her die?' I demand.

'No, you dolt.' she says, exasperated. 'We follow them and wait for a chance to break her out.'

'Oh.' I say. That's actually quite a good plan, and one which I had not expected her to have.

'Come on.' she whispers. The soldiers seem to be busy scanning the place for us. Well, unless they bump right into us, they won't find us. This is one of the rare times that I feel jealous of Six for such a cool Legacy.

We silently crawl into the back of a jeep and huddle underneath a tarpaulin, hoping nobody would try to stash their luggage there. Then, in the looming darkness and the suffocating heat, we wait.