Goten was in awe of the elven forest, the huge trees that teemed with their own sort of magick. He'd never been in a more beautiful and terrifying place. The air was thick with an ethereal magick and he felt as though they were being watched. Not the frightening feeling of being watched that they experienced with the ghosts, but just the sense that they were being observed, studied. A pale light seemed to permeate the space between the trees and he had no sense of time, but the light didn't affect Nadia, so he knew it couldn't be sunlight. It wasn't cold here like everywhere else they had been and he relished in the mild warmth of it. Despite the fact that Nadia had warned them that the elves didn't take kindly to others trespassing in their woods, he couldn't help but to think that Tien would love to see this place.
"We need to find Antonia as quick as we can," he whispered. He nearly cringed. Even a whisper seemed as loud as a shout in this nearly silent place. He was suddenly very aware of their footsteps, how loud they seemed to be as they walked across the fallen leaves. He could feel energies in the forest around them and he suddenly wondered just how sensitive the elves' hearing was. Was it as good as a Namek's? If so, they were already screwed.
Paige walked behind Goten, looking all around them, it was unsettling and she felt as if they were being hunted. She could hear something odd, but it didn't sound threatening. The way the trees above them, around them, whispered. Leaves brushing against each other to create an odd sort of music that followed them around. She couldn't hear anything other than that. "I don't even know where to start. I'd say look for something out of the ordinary, but fuck, that's everything in this forest."
Nadia kept looking around, she could see the heartbeats of those around them and above. The elves had known immediately when they arrived and it hadn't taken long after their arrival for a scouting party appeared above their heads in the trees. Hidden from plain sight and silent as a soft breeze. She didn't alert the others to their presence just yet. It seemed that, for the moment, they were just curious about the strangers in their woods and had not yet made a threatening move towards them. She looked to the others, speaking softly, "Perhaps we should appeal to their king. It would be easier to find Antonia with someone who can commune with the trees. The elves and the trees may know exactly where they are hiding."
"Yeah, but is that a good idea?" Phoenix asked in a hushed voice as he crept along behind them. He was determined to not be the one to get them in trouble this time, especially since everyone expected him to do exactly that. "I mean, if they don't want us here, maybe going up and knocking on the front door shouldn't be on our to-do list." Although he would never admit it out loud, he did sort of want to see the elves.
Goten held his hand up for them to stop and he closed his eyes for a moment, reaching out with his senses as he searched for any energy that felt familiar. His heart gave a jump as he finally sensed them, a powerful Saiyan-like energy and another softer yet startling energy beside it. A smirk pulled at his lips as he opened his eyes again. "They're here," he said in a low voice. He pointed in the direction he felt them. "That way. Let's move quick. Maybe we can surprise them and put an end to this." The thought excited him, being able to go home with Paige and start the new life they'd been secretly planning together.
Nadia frowned, pressing her lips thin as she followed Goten. "Is it possible they know that we are here as well?" She didn't like this. "It could be a trap. I don't much care for those," she said as they crept along. She cast a glance at Phoenix beside her, creeping along with much more care than he had when she had first met him. She was impressed. Such an energetic young man able to learn how to sneak. Though, compared to the elves above their heads, they were but toddlers.
"Possible," Paige said, "We shouldn't be surprised. Expect the worst, hope the best in a fight. We go in expecting them to ambush us. Which might not be far from the truth. There is so much magick in this place. If Dende was right, then she has been coming here to feast." She could feel the magick around her and it was unsettling. It felt like her magick, but something was off about it. Something about it that was much more ancient, more terrifying about it.
"Keep your power levels low," Goten warned, pressing his even lower. The closer they got, the faster his heart seemed to beat, the harder it seemed to breathe. He fought to control himself, anger and adrenaline rushing through his veins. He could feel their energy signals just ahead and he slowed his steps even more, preparing to pounce. This was it. They were right there, unaware of Goten or his companions. He could take them out before they even knew what hit them. He peered through the brush, his every muscle tense, but blinked in shock the next second as he felt their energies disappear and he was face-to-face with an abandoned little campfire.
"AGH!" Phoenix cried out as Orion's foot slammed into his back, throwing him chest first to the forest floor. He rolled over quickly and snarled up at the other Saiyan. "YOU!" he cried and jumped to his feet to attack back. He smirked as his fist connected with Orion's nose and snapped his head back. "C'mon, you son of a bitch! It's rematch time!"
Antonia leered at Paige, her long, jagged dagger clenched in one hand. She had to admit that she was impressed; this was the first time they'd managed to sneak up on her and Orion. All these months of taunting them, watching with amusement as they ran themselves ragged, and not once had they gotten the upper hand. Her lips split in a wicked grin and she shot the vampire a sideways glance before she reached out with her free hand and beckoned Paige forward, the challenge more than apparent in her gesture.
Paige scowled at Antonia, her eyes flickering over the little campfire. An animal was on a spit, halfway through being roasted. It was almost homey, but the grin on Antonia's face broke any feelings of guilt she had for the other woman and she dropped into a fighting stance she had honed to perfection with her Papaw's guidance. "You murdered my uncle and aunt because you couldn't take the loss," she spat. "I heard about you. Couldn't save mommy and daddy so here you are, making other's feel your pain. Does it feel good what you do? DO YOU LIKE DEATH!?" She cried as she rushed forward, dodging the flash of her blades and throwing punches as fast as she could.
Antonia was infuriated by Paige's words. How dare this little bitch speak of her parents? She knew nothing about pain or death. She attacked the half-Namek, blinded by her rage. The battle at the world martial arts tournament was nothing compared to this. They met each other blow for blow, throwing energy waves and magickal blasts at each other that hit the trees and set flame to the underbrush.
Goten leapt into the fray, landing a well-aimed kick to Orion's chest, and knocked him away from Phoenix. His face split in a vicious snarl as he lowered his hands near his hip, powering up his father's signature attack. "No playing around. This ends now," he growled, the blue light swirling and gathering between his palms. "KA-ME-HA-ME…" He cried out in surprise the next second as a silvery rope wound around him and knocked him face-first to the ground. "What the?"
He blinked in shock and looked around as the others cried out in shock and anger as they, too, were bound with more of the strange rope and fell to the ground. Goten struggled against it, but was unable to break the cord. He screamed his frustration, his hair turning gold as he fought to break the rope, but the next second he collapsed against the ground once more. It was useless. Whatever this rope was, he wasn't strong enough to free himself. He looked up and frowned at the people who stood over them, knowing instantly what they were. "So much for not being found by the elves," he muttered to himself.
The tall elf looked down his nose at the strangers who lay at his feet. He and his companions had been watching them for some time now, waiting to see what purpose they had in their forest. He'd hoped to avoid a confrontation, that perhaps they were just passing through, but it was all too apparent that that was not their intention. He'd had no choice but to step in once he saw the devastation they were causing to the trees. That was unacceptable. He snorted at them and turned to the handful of others that were with him. "What shall we do with them, sister?" he asked the young-looking woman at his side. Like him, she was tall with long blonde hair and pointed ears, both of them fair and beautiful.
Enelya sighed down at their 'guests.' Their scents were strange to her and it was obvious they had only a quarrel between themselves, but they had poorly chosen to bring it to their woods. "The pale girl and the dark haired man there, they are the ones my scouting group has been tracking for a while. They alway vanish before we can capture them." She looked the the newcomers. The one with skin the color of emerald leaves caught her eye and she tilted her head carefully as she considered them. Her eyes landed on Nadia a moment later. "She sensed us a while back, did not say or act upon that knowledge. She is not like her companions. Has the scent of a blood drinker," she said quietly before she sighed, "It is not our place to judge them. Father will want to see the ones who have injured our forest."
Phoenix didn't know whether to be amazed or pissed. He'd long since stopped fighting the ropes that bound him and he struggled to turn enough to see them better. He'd hoped to see the elves, but not like this. "Injured the forest?" he asked and turned his head, his eyes widening as he saw the other elves working to put out the fire that had erupted, trying to heal the trees that had been cracked or had pieces blasted out of them. "Dude, we didn't mean to do that. C'mon, we're sorry. Let us go. It looks like your friends have it under control. So no harm no foul, right?" he asked hopefully and grinned up at the pretty elf. "I mean, it's just a few trees. Ya'll have a ton of them here. It's not that big of a deal, is it?"
The elf looked to the one speaking to her on the ground with a quick head turn and went to him. She knelt next to him, thrusting her dagger into the ground an inch from his nose. "It does not matter if you did not mean to do this damage or not. You and your friends acted without thinking, fought without thinking, burnt the forest without thinking. Does that make it less your fault just because you did not mean to do it? You humans are so blind and deaf to the world around you. You cannot see what is in front of your face, nor can you hear the cries of the world around you. The Earth is injured and does not need more pain. Can you not hear the cries of the forest? Of the trees your petty squabble has brought?"
Phoenix would've laughed if he hadn't been so startled. Not a single one of them was human, not completely, and it was odd to him to hear them all referred to as such. He listened for a moment, his eyes glancing around the trees. "I don't hear anything," he answered and he blinked over at Goten who had groaned and dropped his forehead to the forest floor.
"Don't waste your breath speaking with them," Faelon said and moved to pull Goten to his feet. "They cannot hear. They do not want to." He grabbed up the others one by one and stood them up, his eyes cold as he studied each one. They were indeed strange to him, but it mattered not. All that he knew was that they had damaged their home, their forest, and they had no business here. "These trees are sacred to our people. Your fate shall be decided by the king now." He paused when he pulled Nadia to stand, and stared hard at her for a moment. "I would have thought one such as yourself would know better than to bring this kind of destruction here."
Nadia studied the elf that picked her up a moment before she shook her head. "The destruction was already here, we were eliminating a pest problem for you. We truly meant no harm. These companions of mine are seeking vengeance for their family." She bit her cheek a moment before she bowed her head, "We are deeply sorry for the damage we have caused." She paused for a moment, weighing her cards. "You had ample opportunity to down us before the battle started."
Faelon's eyes nearly glowed with intensity as he spoke. "I had hoped to avoid a confrontation. But now you have given me no choice." He stared hard at her for a moment, his anger at the destruction of the forest coursing through him. "I have no interest in whatever quarrel there is between you. But when it's brought to our doorstep, what choice do we have?" He jerked on her arm to pull her into the line of others. "Move," he barked at them, falling into step behind them as Enelya led the way.
Phoenix sighed as he marched along, but he couldn't stop himself from turning his head this way and that to drink in the surroundings. The trees grew more densely together and he could see other elves peering curiously out at them. He knew they were in trouble, he had no idea what the king would say, but somehow he was determined to not lose hope. These elves didn't seem evil. They just seemed sort of strict about their rules. He stared at the back of the female elf's head as she led the way. "So, ah, what's your name?" he asked in a friendly tone. "Mine's Phoenix."
Enelya glanced over her shoulder at Phoenix. She did not know what to make of these newcomers. Her brother kept careful watch over her, she did not often venture out of their woods. She could count the times she had been out on one hand and always with her brother's escort. She pressed her lips thin. "You are violent and not worthy to know my name. Would you even hear it if I spoke it to you?" she asked as she led the way towards the elven kingdom.
Phoenix paused in his steps, but stumbled forward when Paige bumped into him. "Jeez, you're even more serious than Alice," he grumbled. He fell into step behind Enelya again, a puzzled expression on his face. "Violence is sort of in my nature. I can't help it. I'm part Saiyan. Ever met a Saiyan before?" he asked. "The whole Saiyan race were warriors. My grandpa's full blooded. You should see him fight. It's amazing." He frowned slightly when she remained silent. "You remind me more of a Namek, though. So serious," he said, dropping his voice exaggeratedly.
The elf frowned as she led them through the forest, the trees seemed to glow from within. They passed through an intricate archway of growing trees to reveal a glorious city of glowing lights and trees. Staircases seemed to be one with the trees to create an elegant pattern. She looked over her shoulder at Phoenix, "You speak of names strange to me. I do not care for violence and unneeded violence even more so. I do not enjoy fighting, it only leads to more destruction. You come seeking war and you find it while you miss the beauty that lies around you."
"We have good reason for that," Goten spoke up before Phoenix could reply. He cast a hateful glance over his shoulder at Antonia. It made his skin crawl to be this close to her and unable to fight, unable to avenge Dende and Rose's deaths. "They killed two of our family. Murdered them in cold blood." He licked his lips nervously, hoping to appeal to her kinder nature. "They were like you. They didn't like violence or fighting. They dedicated their whole lives to protecting the earth. And she murdered them. Stabbed Dende to death and slit Rose's throat. That is why we tracked them here."
"Save your pleading. It is not for us to decide now," Faelon said. "It is up to the king." Up and up they climbed the staircases, high into the huge trees. He didn't care what their reasons for fighting were. He had no interest in their petty squabble. He sent word for the king as they finally came to a stop atop a large landing, set before an intricately carved throne. He crossed his arms and stepped back from their prisoners, keeping a careful eye on them as they waited for king Feredir to make his appearance.
Antonia scowled at her captors, her mind working furiously to figure out a way out of this. She and Orion had always been careful when they came to this place, drawing as much magickal energy as they dared and disappearing before the elves could catch them. She'd never bothered the elves before, only used their forest to replenish her energy, but at the same time, she knew she wasn't welcome. The elves kept to themselves and expected the rest of the world to do the same. She pressed her lips to a thin line, mentally cursing the magick of the elves. They were even more powerful than she and Orion were combined. There was no way she could escape from that accursed rope. She exchanged a glance with Orion, clearly conveying to him that they would escape at the first given opportunity.
Orion inclined his head at Antonia; he had been learning his entire life how to read her and there was little he could not interpret from her simple looks and gestures. She taught him everything he knew, magick, fighting, survival. He supposed to many it would have been a miserable existence, but it was all he had ever known. She had raised him ever since his mother died. He owed her everything. He looked around as the king descended from a staircase above them. 'The first given opportunity,' he thought and he concentrated a small ball of energy in his hand, but stopped when he realized he could do little as they were still wrapped up in the elvish thread and he quickly extinguished it. Soon. They would bide their time and soon, they would all pay. This game they had been playing was going to end.
The king walked down the steps, moving to stand in front of the party that had summoned his council. "Ah, my daughter and son. What have you brought before me? The forest cries out in pain," he said as he looked at the strange group of beings that were in front of him with his silver-colored eyes. "Such a strange bunch you have found. Are these the ones who have been stealing magick from the forest?"
"These two are," Faelon answered as he gestured to Antonia and Orion. "But the others are new here. They fought among themselves and damaged the trees, set fire to the forest." There was a definite tone of disapproval in his voice as he spoke. "We thought it was best to let you decide what should become of them."
Goten cast a glance over at Paige before he looked at the king. "We didn't mean to cause any trouble," he said in a respectful tone. "We've been trying to catch Antonia for months. We were told we might find her here. Please, we're sorry for what happened, but you have to understand. She's a murderer! She's pure evil. We wouldn't have done it if we had any other choice!" He felt Antonia's eyes on him and he turned a hateful glare back at her. "Don't look at me like that. You know it's true. You evil bitch," he spat, but cringed the next second and shut his mouth. He cursed himself. He was going to get them into even more trouble if he didn't get his temper under control.
Feredir turned a cool gaze towards the one that had spoken to him. "Young man, there is always a choice. I am sorry for your loss, but taking a battle into this peaceful land is not something that I take lightly. You set fire to this innocent land and think that it is forgivable because you have a just cause." He frowned and held a hand to his head. "I will need some time to think of a sentence that fits the crimes. Take them to the holding cells, my daughter," he said as he looked to Enelya, giving her a small smile, "Faelon, my son. Walk with me and give me a full report."
Goten wanted to protest, but thought it was best to keep his mouth shut for the moment. He couldn't help but to nearly snort at Feredir's words. Choice. Hadn't he said the exact same thing when they had visited with Dende and Rose? He frowned as they were herded back down the winding stairs. Every damn time they turned around, they seemed to find themselves in some sort of new mess. He balked when he saw the cells. Tiny rooms carved into the base of an enormous tree. "You can't be serious," he protested and turned around to argue, but found himself staring at the tip of a drawn arrow, held squarely at his face by one of the guards accompanying Enelya. He narrowed his eyes at the guard, but stepped into the small cell with a huff. He heard the intricately carved door close and lock behind him and the rope binding him fell away.
Phoenix slid down the wall of his own cell and pouted. "This is some bullshit," he muttered under his breath as he rested his forearms on bent knees. He could see Paige and Nadia in cells across from him in an almost identical tree that grew close to the first, forming a sort of narrow passage between them. He gave them an apologetic frown before he looked up at Enelya with a defeated sort of look on his face. "So, ah, any idea how long they're gonna keep us here?" he asked.
Enelya paused by Phoenix's cell, watching as the other guards left her alone and she turned to look more carefully at the strange being inside the cell. He had a tail that confused her almost as much as the woman with the green skin. He looked much more subdued and saddened by his situation. That was usually how it went, but this man and his friends were different than any others they had taken prisoner before. "I am not certain; my father is just in his rulings. You are not from here, do not know our ways. Trees are sacred to us. They provide, they are protection, they are like family to us, as ancient as we are."
"Dude, it was an accident," Phoenix insisted, practically begging for her to understand. "I get it. If someone showed up and wrecked my home, I'd be pissed, too. But I wouldn't lock 'em up in a cell for it if they didn't mean to!" He huffed again and fell back against the wall, looking up at the ceiling for a moment. He yanked the tie from his long hair and scratched at his scalp. "Stupid trip. I just want this over with so I can go home. This is such bullshit." He glared hatefully over at Orion in his cell. "They started this. They lost the tournament and got all butt-hurt over it so they killed Paige's aunt and uncle." He looked up at the elf again. "We didn't know we'd end up here. I'm sorry about your trees."
Enelya sighed and moved to sit next to Phoenix, "You know how you ended up here. You remind me of the young ones here in the kingdom. Always rushing off towards the next adventure, regardless of the danger, the violence. Little thought to your own health or those around you. You can say it was all an accident, but when your actions are with such conviction, is it really an accident?"
Phoenix narrowed his eyes almost comically at her. "Everyone thinks I act without thinking. They all think I'm stupid," he grumbled before he relaxed his expression. "Maybe they're right." He shrugged. He thought about her question, trying to figure it out. Was it really an accident when she put it like that? He didn't know. "Gods, you make my brain hurt, you know that?" he accused. "Sounds like something Alice would say." He uncurled his tail from around his waist and cocked an eyebrow at her. "Am I really that damn easy to read?"
She gave him a small smile. "Perhaps. Perhaps not," she said as she made herself comfortable, looking at his tail with interest. She caught the way his demeanor changed at such a simple name. "Who is this Alice of yours? Someone you care for?" she asked quietly as she studied him.
"She's Paige's sister," Phoenix answered, nodding at the Namek across from him. He crossed his arms and thought about her for a moment. "I guess I care about her. I mean, yeah, she's part of our big, screwed up family. You just remind me of her. She's always so serious, she talks like you do. Like she's a lot older than she really is." He gave a slight chuckle. "She doesn't like me any more than I like her. She thinks I'm obnoxious and I think she's boring." His eyes went wide the next moment and he looked at Enelya. "That sounded bad. I don't mean you're boring. But you do sort of remind me of her… I'm just gonna shut up now," he muttered and hung his head in embarrassment.
Enelya chuckled from behind her hand, smiling at him. "You have a lot of insecurities, do you not? I was not offended. You sound like my brother, you know. He was unsure of himself when he was younger. Always trying to prove himself, that he could be as smart as me or as courageous as our father. He thought everyone else was laughing at him behind his back. You have to learn to trust yourself and don't put stock in what you think others think of you."
He managed a smile for her. "Now you really do sound like Alice," he chuckled, remembering when she'd healed him at the tournament, how she'd told him not to worry about what Scarlett might have thought of him for losing his match. He sighed again, thinking of Paige's little sister. He was growing homesick, so much so that he thought in that moment that he even missed Alice. He felt a little more relaxed as he talked with the elf, a little less caged. A million questions popped into his head and he looked at her, his eyes lighting up a bit. "Hey, so do you think-" But his question was cut off by a guard who approached them and called out to Enelya.
"Your father wishes to speak with you," the guard told her, casting a disapproving frown down at the Saiyan she sat next to. "He wants your opinion on what is to be done with these prisoners." He offered a hand to help her stand. He spoke in a quieter voice, but not so much that his words were hidden from Phoenix. "Perhaps you should be careful about who you speak to. Nothing good can come from these strangers."
She stood, looking carefully at the elven guard who had been sent to fetch her. "You say that of all the strangers that pass through our lands. I sense no dangers from the ones who were merely tracking down the murderers of their family." She paused, knowing that it did not make what happened to the ancient trees right, but if they were looking for blame, perhaps it was best set on those who had put the events into motion. She turned back and inclined her head to Phoenix, "It was good to speak with you, Phoenix."
Phoenix jumped to his feet as she turned to walk away. He didn't much like the feeling he was getting from this new guard and he was enjoying talking to someone new. "Wait!" he called out. "You never told me your name," he said with a pout. "I promise, I'll listen."
She paused and looked back over her shoulder, studying him carefully. His eyes were lit up in a way they hadn't been before and she nodded. "Yes, I believe you will hear me this time. My name is Enelya."
Phoenix smiled at her. "It was nice talking to you, Enelya." He watched her go, then sank back down the wall and scowled up at the guard. "Piss off," he growled. "I was just talking to her. You ain't gotta stand there like you've got a stick up your ass."
The guard snorted at Phoenix, but moved away from his cell and crossed his arms over his chest.
Phoenix glared over at Orion, feeling mouthy. "You're lucky they caught us. I almost had your ass this time," he taunted. He watched the other Saiyan for a reaction, but got none. "Yeah, you ain't got nothin' to say cause you know it's true. That's alright. They won't keep us here forever and when we get out, I'mma spank your ass again. Whaddya think of that?"
Goten rolled his eyes and dropped his head against the bars of his cell. "Phoenix, c'mon, man, stop." He couldn't see his nephew since their cells were side-by-side, but he could just imagine the cockiness on Phoenix's face. Somehow he didn't think that throwing around a bunch of insults could help their situation.
"No," Phoenix answered loudly. He got to his feet again and tipped his head curiously at Orion. "Hey, I wanna know something. So are you doing this because you want to or because she makes you do it?" he asked. He narrowed his eyes when Orion didn't answer. Oh, he was a stubborn bastard. But that was okay, Phoenix could be just as stubborn. "C'mon, man, talk to me. I mean, we are family after all." A smirk pulled at his lips when Orion's eyebrow twitched. "Didn't you know that? My dad told me. Your dad was my grandpa's uncle. So, yeah, there's no reason not to talk to me." He could see that he was getting under the other Saiyan's skin now. While it amused him, he had a motive. He had to know if Orion really was working for Antonia of his own choice or if he was being controlled. "So which is it? Are you making your own choices? Or are you just Antonia's little bitch?"
Something in Orion snapped at that and he threw himself at the bars, staring fiercely at Phoenix. "No one controls me," he snarled, his black eyes furious. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the bars, loathing coursing through his veins. He had little care for his parents, but something about the way Phoenix spoke about his father made him furious. "And your grandfather was one of the ones who helped kill my father. He and that traitor Tora. So now who are the murderers? Family," he snorted scathingly, "She is my only family. My loyalty is to Antonia."
Phoenix felt his heart sink a little at that, but at least he knew the truth now. He was surprised at that. Perhaps part of him had hoped that Orion was under some sort of spell, that maybe he wasn't purely evil. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Phoenix had thought that maybe they could free him of the spell, put him on the right path. Like Tora. Like Piccolo. Or Vegeta. But now it seemed that there was no chance of that. He pressed his lips thin and slowly shook his head at Orion before he turned away from him.
"That's enough out of you lot," the guard stated firmly. He didn't know who was truly at fault, what had started this feud, but it seemed both had played part in contributing to keeping the fight going. Either way, he was in no mood to listen to their bickering. His mind was preoccupied with the forest and the pain he could feel from the trees. These strangers had no idea what they'd done. They were so far removed from the earth, it was almost sickening.
Antonia smirked to herself as she watched the guard, feeling out how powerful his magick was. There was no breaking out of these cells, that much she knew was true. She'd already tried every enchantment she could think of as the elf princess had spoken with Phoenix, and while Phoenix and Orion had their little tiff, and none of the spells worked. She knew better than to try to overpower the princess with a spell; her magick was too strong. But this guard was nothing more than that. A low man on the totem pole, so to speak. She stood at the barred door of her cell and stared intently at him, waiting for the moment when he would make eye contact. She smiled ruefully when he finally looked at her and the next moment his eyes went glassy.
Goten knew something was wrong the instant it happened. He didn't know what had happened exactly, or how, but when the guard's arms slowly dropped to his sides and his rather fierce gaze went slack, he knew Antonia had done something. He got quickly to his feet, his heart racing. "What's going on here?" he demanded. When no one answered, he felt his temper flare again. He grabbed the bars of his door and shook them. "Antonia! What the hell did you do?"
He watched in shock as the guard moved mechanically to Antonia's door and unlocked it, then stepped aside to let her free before he turned and released Orion as well. Horror filled him as she grabbed the long daggers from the sheaths on the guard's back and plunged them into the tops of his shoulders on either side of his neck.
"NO!" Goten shouted as the guard fell to the floor with the same glossy-eyed look still on his face. "Goddamn you, Antonia!" he screamed as his power surged and he threw himself at the door of his cell. He cursed again as pain shot through his shoulder and he stumbled back, shaking with rage. "You won't get away with this! I swear it!"
Antonia paused only long enough to throw a haughty look at Goten before she handed one of the daggers to Orion and ran down the passageway. She knew they had to get out of the elven forest as quickly as possible. Although the guard was easy to manipulate, most elves were not. Many of them devoted a great amount of their time to their magick and, being immortal, that said a lot. She and Orion had to get to the outer edges of the forest where the magick was lesser. Here in the center of it all, it was too concentrated for her to disappear. The elves had worked it that way so no one could just pop in on them and take them by surprise.
Orion let his fingers curl around the blade as he followed Antonia through the passageways. "You should have let me kill those pests. I am growing tired of this game we have been playing. I want their blood," he hissed at her. They had caused Antonia pain over the years and he would protect her until his dying breath.
Antonia skidded to a halt as they rounded a corner and came face to face with Enelya. She saw the look of surprise on the elf's face and moved quickly before the princess could react. Antonia rushed her and stabbed the dagger into her chest.
Enelya's eyes widened as a numbness spread from her center. She couldn't even feel the blade that was pressed deeply into her chest. She could barely believe it. She was heading back down into the dungeons, having just spoken with her father about her feelings on the prisoners. Now she could only stare back in shock at the two escapees as her blood began to pour from her wound. "No!"
Again and again, she stabbed Enelya, slicing into her heart with every thrust of the blade, the elf's blood splattering onto her face, her hand, all over her white dress. One last time she plunged the knife into her chest and gave it a twist before she allowed the elven princess to fall dead to the floor. She glanced over at Orion and gave him a look that clearly said, 'I had to.' She saw no disapproval on his face and she nodded before she took off running again as fast as her legs would carry her.
Antonia could hear the anguished wails behind her as someone discovered Enelya's body. She knew then that they had no choice. Either escape or die at the hands of the elves. She ran harder, pushing herself more than she had ever thought possible. She could see the edge of the city, could feel the magick lessening a bit. She paused just long enough to look up at Faelon, who was standing high above her on a balcony, and she shot him a defiant smirk before she and Orion snapped their fingers and disappeared like smoke on the wind.
Faelon felt fear and anger pierce his heart at the sight of Antonia and Orion, free from their prison cells. But it was the agonizing scream that met his ears that made his blood run cold. He exchanged a look with his father before he ran back towards the cells where the other prisoners were kept. He could hear the cries of his people, calling out his sister's name. 'No, no, NO!' his mind screamed. He didn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. He slowed to a stunned walk as he approached the play where she lay, his people parting to make way for him. "Enelya," he gasped as he fell to his knees beside her and pulled her lifeless body into his arms. He bowed his head over her, touching his forehead to hers as painful tears slipped from his silvery eyes. "No," he choked out as he clutched at her, trying to will a healing magick into her body, some of his own life-force into her. But she was gone.
King Feredir looked down in horror at his only daughter covered in blood, held gently in the arms of her brother. Her once vibrant eyes now empty. He could still hear her voice ringing in his ears from not minutes ago she was telling him that he should consider letting the odd band of travelers go on their own way, while they let Antonia and Orion stay in the prisons until the end times. He let out a roar, half strangle sob and fell to his knees next to his son and ran a hand through his daughter's hair. "NOOOOOOO!" He felt his emotions swirling about him as he looked at her mutilated body. Anger, hate, rage, sorrow mixing together to form a dangerous concoction.
He had seen the prisoners escape, but no one leaves cleanly like that. There would be residual energy, like a marker or a breadcrumb. "Bring me the Arulin'holm," he said in a deadly quiet voice as tears slipped down his cheeks for his daughter.
Faelon looked up at his father, his eyes narrowing in question at the order. He barely noticed as another elf moved to obey the king. His mind swam with grief and he didn't understand what his father's intentions were. He slowly shook his head and hugged his sister's body tighter, unable to think about anything else in that moment. He murmured a prayer in his native language over her, asking for her soul to make a swift and safe journey to the otherworld. He squeezed his eyes shut as an offer was made to take Enelya's body, to clean her up and prepare her body for a funeral. "I will avenge you," Faelon whispered into her ear before he finally let go and allowed them to take her from his arms. Tears slid down his face as he got to his feet and looked at king Feredir. "What are your orders?" he asked, trying to sound more composed than he actually was in that moment.
Feredir closed his eyes, trying to sort through the emotions running through him at that moment. When he opened his eyes he looked to his son with fury in them. "Take the Arulin'holm. Use it to track down those murderers. I want their heads on pikes for the crimes they have committed against us this day." He looked past his boy to the prisoners that had been brought in with Orion and Antonia. They said that their family had also been murdered by them. He debated for a moment longer, thinking of his daughter's words. He could see the green skinned one looking at him, tears in her eyes. She must have seen or heard everything that transpired.
Paige stood grasping at the bars of her cell as the body of the guard was taken away. The murder of the princess had been horrific. She had heard Phoenix talking with Enelya. He was right, she did sound a lot like Alice. And that just made it all the worse when she heard her murdered. "Take us with you!" she cried, "We want to crush this bitch's heart as much as you do!"
Faelon's head jerked in her direction and he quickly went to the door of Paige's cell, his eyes burning with intensity as he stared at her for a long moment. There was no trickery in her words, no will to betray or deceive him if he agreed to take them along. He thought now he understood why they'd attacked the Atlantian in the forest without consideration of their surroundings. They were powerful and had a better knowledge of these strangers than he did. He looked over at his father again. "Let me take them," he said. "It shall be their payment for what they did to the forest."
Goten nodded his head eagerly. "We'll help you. Nadia knows how to navigate the portals to the places where Antonia likes to hide. We nearly had her this time. Let us go and we'll take care of her!" His heart raced in his chest as he looked from the king to the prince and back again. This might be their only chance of getting out of that prison and back on task.
The king looked from his son to the prisoners and nodded once before he waved his hands at the guards surrounding them. "Release them." He looked to his son, "And I expect you to use the utmost caution on this journey. I will not lose another of my dear children." He reached out and grasped his son's shoulder, bringing their foreheads to rest together. "Travel swiftly. Every moment she spends alive is a moment she is laughing in our faces."
"I will, Father," Faelon promised in a soft, yet fierce whisper. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts and steeling his nerve before he looked to the newly released prisoners. He wasn't sure what to expect out of them, but he had no choice but to trust them now. A tap on his shoulder drew his attention as one of the attendants handed him the Arulin'holm. He gazed down at the small mirror-like object before he closed his fingers around it and he looked to his new companions. "Come. The sooner we find them, the sooner we end this." He accepted a small pack from one of the other elves and slung it over his shoulder. He didn't need much to travel.
Goten nodded and looked to Nadia. "We have to find another portal and figure out where we're going next."
"I can handle that," Faelon said quickly. "The Arulin'holm will show us where she is if we pick up her last trace of magick before it disappears." He looked to the vampire, "If I show you where we need to go, you can lead us there?"
Nadia looked at the prince elf. He was focused on the task so quickly after a loss of this magnitude. Someone who would have the time to grieve after justice was met. She rather liked that, like her current companions. "Yes. It is a bit trickier to do if there is no magick connecting the site, but I imagine she travels between the ley lines of the portals. It will be no problem."
"Good. Then follow me," he ordered and turned promptly on his heel to lead them to the place where Antonia had vanished. He was heartbroken over the loss of his sister, but he would not rest while her killer still drew breath. He would miss her funeral, but he knew that she would forgive him for that. He would do something special in memory of her when he returned. He stopped when he reached the edge of the city and looked at the Arulin'holm in his hand. The reflective surface of it turned a swirling, smoky grey for a moment until the smoke cleared and revealed a crystal clear image. He beckoned Nadia closer and showed her the image. "Here," he said. "It would seem she has chosen the Rainbow Mountains as her refuge."
Nadia stood next to the elf, shoulder to shoulder as she peered down at the image on the mirror and nodded. "I know those mountains. Scientists say the colors are from the mineral deposits. They are right, but there is something more that make them so brilliant." She went to the portal and held her hands up to it, closing her eyes. "It is done. Be careful on the other side. China has a magick that is unique to its own. It may react differently with your own magick."
Goten reached for Paige's hand as they stared at the portal. He felt so relieved to be free from the prison. He squeezed her hand comfortingly as he looked at her. "Antonia knows we're onto her. We'll get her this time," he said. "But she's expecting us now, too. If we thought she was setting us up before, she's definitely going to be doing it now." He pulled her closer to his side and dropped his voice low, feeling protective over her. "You stay by my side. I don't know what we'll be getting into here, but I need to know you're safe."
Phoenix stood silently behind the rest of them, his head bowed and lips pressed tightly together. He didn't know why he was saddened by the death of the elven princess, but he was. He'd enjoyed talking to her for that short amount of time. He looked up at Faelon whose fine clothing was stained with the princess' blood. He wanted to say something, but no words came to mind, and he dropped his head again and followed them through the portal.
Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry the updates haven't been as regular as they usually are. We have very little pre-written for this story, unlike the other stories we've posted in the past. Add to that the fact that JC 87 is a workaholic with 2 jobs and we're struggling to match up our schedules to write! Trust us, it's as frustrating for us as it is for you.
Nancy103 - Don't worry. Goku, Tien, and Sabriena aren't going anywhere for a LONG LONG time. I promise. The reference to Goku's death is far in the future when he's an old man (and in all honesty will probably never make it into the stories.)
dbzfangirl1 - We're here! No dropping off the planet! (Although hiding for a few hours is tempting at this point. Christmas and demanding children = AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!)
amkula - Love your reviews and facebook commentary as always, dahhhling. ;)
guest - I'm confused as to how the story is becoming repetitive. Care to elaborate in a constructive way so I can make improvements?
GreenSaiyan - We thought it was important to check back in with the others, especially Alice. Paige wasn't the only one who lost her uncle and aunt that day. In all honesty, I think Alice was affect MORE by their deaths than anyone.
Thanks everyone for the reviews, the support, and your patience! We'll keep writing and posting as often as we can. Hang in there! We still have many stories coming down the line. *happy dance*