Standing in front of a set of lockers I watched as Chontra's hands glowed. "Keep watching, Jade. You will need all the help you can get if you want to defeat Rath and the rest of those accursed mummies." Chontra told me, sending a blast of purple energy at the wall behind me. When I didn't even flinch she smiled at me. "That's much better. Now I want you to continue reading those scrolls while I make sure no one followed us. At least...not until I want them to."
Once Chontra vanished I sighed, going over the spell she'd given me to study. "How does she make this look so easy?" I muttered to myself, whispering the words she'd taught me for the fourth time. "I should be able to get this." With a sigh I lifted my right hand, glancing back and forth between my fingers and the scroll.
As I repeated the words my fingers started to glow and I yelped as the fire vanished, leaving me shaking my fingers before I realized they weren't on fire. Thankful Chontra didn't see my mistake I tried again, letting out a breath as I tried the spell. This time when the fire appeared I didn't panic rather I aimed it at the lockers and as I focused the fire grew.
With a faint smile I aimed the flames like I had seen Chontra do and when the small flame struck the locker it left a scorch mark. Pleased I grinned as I approached the mark running my fingers over the mark I'd left and as I returned to my studies I felt even better.
While I studied Chontra teleported onto the roof, looking over the city below. "I know you'll come for her, Rath but it will be too late by the time you find us." Chontra muttered, briefly wondering how I was going with my studies of magic before she shook her head. "I cannot wait to see your face when Jade uses the magic I've taught her against you." She added, grinning as she headed back to her new student.
Chontra found me using the fire spell she'd left for me to study and as she watched silently from just inside the doorway I focused, the fireball engulfing my hand and as I sent it flying Chontra waved her hand. "You need to work on your aim more, Jade though I am somewhat impressed you learned that spell so quickly." Chontra commented and I grinned, giving the enchantress a bow as she entered the room fully.
"Thank you but I only managed to learn it by studying you." I commented and she nodded, secretly pleased that I showed her so much respect. "Now what else will you teach me?" I asked, eager to learn and she paused crossing her arms as she considered my question while I waited as patiently as I could.
"How about this?" Chontra told me, holding her hands towards the locker I'd singed with the same strange words I'd heard her speak before. As I watched her fingers glowed though instead of fire I saw sparks and I grinned, fascinated as a bolt of lightning struck the locker this time. "This is as easy as that fireball spell I was teaching you earlier. If you could master that this should be simple." Chontra added, stepping casually out of range as my mind played back how she aimed her fingers and the words she'd spoken.
This time it took me a few tries, mainly to speak the words correctly, but my aim was a little off and I struck the wall near the locker instead. Though it was a good effort and even Chontra nodded at me a trace of a smile on her lips as I moved towards the scorch mark, tracing it with my fingertips. "Very impressive but I have much more to teach you." Chontra told me and I turned back with a smile, already looking forward to learning magic with my teacher.
While I learned magic with Chontra, Rath tried again to locate his friend but as the day wore on Ja-Kal finally interrupted his search.
"I know you're worried about Jade, Rath but Chontra won't harm her." Ja-Kal commented and Rath sighed, rubbing at his eyes for a moment before he turned to his friend.
"While I appreciate what you're trying to do, Ja-Kal this is Chontra we are talking about. Jade isn't safe where she's concerned." Rath answered, taking a moment to roll the scroll back up. "Now I really need to concentrate." He added, too busy worrying about Jade to shoo his friend away but Ja-Kal got the message and as Rath returned to his search the mummies' leader shook his head.
"When was the last time Rath rested in his sarcophagus? He's going to wear himself out." Nefer-Tina commented, perched on the couch and Armon nodded his attention shifting between the weather report and Rath who leaned over grabbing a book.
As Rath flicked through it he alternated between a frown and a smile before he quickly muttered something under his breath, jotting something down on a papyrus before he picked it up.
"There! I knew I could do it." Rath announced and everyone watched on with wide eyes as he hurried over to the miniature pyramid. "Trace the magic of Jade's amulet and lead me to her." He whispered to it and as each side spun around the other mummies hurried over in time to see the pyramid slow before Rath read the hieroglyphics it displayed. "Eyes are the windows to the soul? Whatever does that mean? Still at least it's a start." Rath sighed, heading for the Hot-Ra only to stumble and as he caught himself on the table Ja-Kal was the first to his side.
"Rath, you need to rest. Ever since Jade vanished you've been working without rest to find her. You should get some rest in your sarcophagus and let us find Jade." Ja-Kal suggested but Rath just shook his head, barely keeping his feet under him as he staggered towards the Hot-Ra a second time. He made it to the Hot-Ra but the effort cost him and Ja-Kal nodded to Armon who stepped up, lifting the protesting scholar into the seat in the back.
"Sorry, Rath but you need the help. Face it; you can barely walk so how do you think you'll fare against Chontra?" Ja-Kal pointed out and Rath sighed, knowing his friend was correct as he leaned back in his seat running a hand over his face as his friends climbed into the vehicle right behind him.
"You know we'll help you, Rath so stop acting so stubborn." Nefer-Tina commented and Rath just snorted, crossing his arms against his chest as he waited for Armon to add something.\
"But he's not acting stubborn. Rath's always like this." Armon finally answered and Rath just threw his arms up ignoring them as Nefer-Tina started the engine. Shifting around Rath finally made himself comfortable and as the Hot-Ra shot down the ramp he closed his eyes determined to get some rest while they searched the city.
Right now I was standing on the rooftop, watching in awe as Chontra raised her arms lightning cracking above the enchantress. "This is what real power can do, Jade!" She shouted over the lightning strikes and I nodded, silently wishing I could wield power like that.
As she lowered her hands she gave me a tiny smile, enjoying herself as I looked up into the now perfectly calm sky. "I know you will never be as powerful as I am but you are getting better. Just remember that when Rath shows up you have my permission to use your new magic skills on him." She told me and I nodded, wondering if Chontra would allow me to learn magic that powerful.
As she led me back inside the building a small voice in the back of my mind interrupted my thoughts.
What are you doing, Jade? You really want Chontra to teach you magic? What about your friends?
I just shook my head the annoying voice I'd been hearing since Chontra began my magic training fading as I followed my teacher. Knowing Chontra wouldn't like it if I kept getting distracted I remained quiet about the nagging voice though as we reentered the building through the doorway I winced, rubbing at the bridge of my nose as the voice returned a little louder and a little persistent.
You would really use magic on your friends? What about Rath? He's your best friend and you would actually hurt him just because Chontra told you to?
"Where are they now?" I mumbled to myself, not knowing that Chontra could hear me and she smiled to herself pleased that the mummies hadn't managed to locate me yet.
By the time Rath figures out where we are, and he will if he's clever enough, Jade will be fully under my power. I cannot wait to see his face when Jade uses my brand of magic against him.
Rath cracked open his eyes when he felt the Hot-Ra slowing and with a yawn he stretched, looking towards Nefer-Tina who turned her head to stare at him.
"Rath, do you even know where to go?" Nefer-Tina asked and Rath just nodded, leaning forward before he pointed to a building several blocks away. "Like that makes any sense."
"Nefer-Tina, I know exactly where we are going." Rath explained, getting a blank stare from his friends. "Chontra brought Jade to the same building that she brought Prince Rapses to when she pretended to be you, Ja-Kal. The eyes being the windows to the soul hint finally makes sense to me." He added and they just exchanged a look of confusion as Rath sat back. "Just turn here." He sighed, trying to be patient as the Hot-Ra picked up speed.
Once they reached the building Rath had mentioned everyone else watched on as Rath leapt out of the Hot-Ra, ignoring the looks of his friends as he made his way quickly towards the front entrance. It was only a hand on his shoulder that forced him to stop and he turned quickly to find Ja-Kal standing behind him.
"I know you want to help Jade but you shouldn't rush into the lion's den." Ja-Kal warned and Rath raised an eyebrow at him until he gave his friend a tiny smile. "I have a better idea." For once Rath couldn't help being impatient but he forced himself to listen to Ja-Kal the idea that followed giving him a reason to smile.
As Ja-Kal, clad in his falcon armor, carried Rath towards the rooftop the scholar couldn't help feeling some concern that Chontra would be expecting this. "I just hope Nefer-Tina and Armon manage to sneak inside without being seen." Rath commented, confident that Chontra wouldn't be able to hear them over the wind.
"Rath, they know how to be quiet." Ja-Kal replied, looking for a good spot to land. Seeing Rath looking directly at him with two raised eyebrows Ja-Kal managed a weak laugh. "They couldn't mess that up too badly."
"Ja-Kal, as soon as they enter the building Chontra will know they're there." Rath sighed as Ja-Kal landed on the rooftop. "With the strength of Ra!" He called out and after the snake armor covered his body he unsheathed his sword, following Ja-Kal as he crossed the roof heading for the only visible door.
Once they entered the building Nefer-Tina and Armon, both clad in their cat and ram armor, raced up the steps checking every room as they climbed the steps.
"Chontra and Jade must be in one of these rooms." Nefer-Tina commented, slamming the door shut on the third floor and Armon just shrugged following her as quickly as he could. As soon as they rounded the next floor Armon grasped the doorknob and Nefer-Tina cringed as he ripped the door off its hinges, tossing it behind them before he poked his head into the room. Finding it empty he stepped back in time to see Nefer-Tina staring at him and he just shrugged sprinting through the building.
"You were taking too long." Armon explained once they reached the next floor but they never reached the door when it lit up and as they jumped out of the way it fell past, flames curling around it before it struck the wall directly behind them. Chontra stepped into view with a cold smile and her hands on fire and Nefer-Tina grasped her whip, watching on as the sorceress chuckled at them.
"What kept you?" Chontra asked, sending a fireball Nefer-Tina's way but she dodged Armon shielding them both with his gold arm. Straightening, Nefer-Tina just snorted and Chontra stepped back as she struck the floor inches from her feet with her whip.
"Traffic." Nefer-Tina answered, cracking her whip at Chontra who grabbed it and Nefer-Tina yelped as Chontra threw her into Armon who managed to catch the cat guardian in time to prevent her going over the staircase. Still laughing Chontra fired a series of fireballs at the mummies and Armon knelt shielding them from her constant attacks.
"At least she's attacking us." Armon commented and Nefer-Tina raised her head enough to raise both eyebrows. "This way Rath and Ja-Kal can rescue Jade while we keep Chontra busy." He pointed out, waiting until the fireballs stopped coming their way before he quickly grabbed the broken door. Using it as a shield instead of his arm Armon headed Chontra's way and the sorceress frowned, annoyed as he threw it towards her. Shaking her head Chontra teleported out of range and Nefer-Tina grinned, cracking her whip as Chontra headed further into the building.
As they raced after her Nefer-Tina and Armon began to wonder if this was Chontra's plan all along. Meanwhile Rath and Ja-Kal moved quickly but quietly into the building making their way as carefully as they could down the first two floors checking each door as they headed down. When they arrived on the landing at the third floor Rath paused, leaning against the railing and Ja-Kal slowed finally seeing the way Rath was breathing.
"Rath, you should have stayed behind." Ja-Kal told him but Rath just shook his head, moving as quickly as his feet would allow him to the third door. Just as his fingers touched the doorknob Rath's eyes widened and he hurriedly stepped back, pulling Ja-Kal clear as well as a fireball slammed into the door shaking it.
"Chontra, face me." Rath called out, his sword pointed at the door but as it swung open he froze staring as I stepped into the hallway giving the scholar a smile that reminded him of Chontra.
"Hello there, Rath. Did you miss me?" I taunted, my hands glowing and as I aimed at his head Ja-Kal reacted. Reaching over he shoved Rath knocking the scholar out of his daze and as both mummies ducked for cover the fireball shot over their heads. Picking himself up off the floor Rath brushed his armor raising an eyebrow at me as I readied another flame.
"Jade, when did you learn magic?" Rath asked and Ja-Kal covered his face with one hand looking on as the scholar focused his attention on me and not the flames in my hand. "Never mind that. We came to bring you home." He explained, glancing between the flames in my right hand and my face and I just snorted casually tossing the fireball at his feet barely missing his feet. Rath barely moved and I grinned, waiting for him to make a move against me.
"What home, Rath? You know I never belonged here." I asked him with a faint smile, slightly confused as he lowered his sword and Ja-Kal blinked as Rath took a single step towards me only to quickly back away when another fireball struck the floor close enough for Rath to feel the heat from it.
"Your home with us, Jade. Or have you forgotten everything so quickly since you allied with Chontra?" Rath countered, taking a single step towards me and I took a single step back not realizing I had backed away until Rath had me cornered in the room directly behind me. "Is Chontra truly your ally or did she brainwash you into being her student. Just like she did with Prince Rapses." He added, his sword pointing at me now and I blinked the voice in my head returning with a vengeance.
Yes, Jade. Why are you following Chontra like a little lost puppy? Rath would never treat you like that. He's only treated you as a student and an equal especially since you started dating.
"Jade, what has she done to you? You are a much better person than she will ever be." Rath asked, his voice low and to Ja-Kal's shock he set down his sword slowly making his way towards me with his hands raised in front of him. "You know that I care for you and I hate seeing you like this." He told me and I narrowed my eyes my hands glowing before I sent a bolt of electricity at his chest and Rath grunted, knocked down to his knees by the force of the blow.
As everyone watched the armor covering Rath vanished and Ja-Kal stepped forward, offering a hand but Rath just shook his head pushing himself up with a hand clamped over his chest.
"I'm more powerful than you could possibly imagine, Rath. Chontra taught me magic when you wouldn't. All because you didn't trust me?" I growled at him but he shook his head at me, wincing as he faced me.
"Jade, I wanted to teach you but I was afraid. Afraid that you would walk away from me once you learned everything I could teach you." Rath said, a faint smile on his lips and I blinked tilting my head slightly to one side as he took another step towards me.
"So you finally admit that you don't trust me." I commented and he nodded, keeping his eyes on my face as I crossed my arms. "Chontra agreed to teach me magic if I used it on you."
"That's right, Rath." Chontra said and I smiled as she appeared beside me. "I agreed to teach Jade and in exchange she used those powers against you."
"So that spell you used to brainwash Jade," Rath began, barely able to dodge a fireball from Chontra's hands this time. Straightening he glared at her, barely noticing when Ja-Kal readied his bow.
"Wasn't broken by you at all, Rath. I wanted you to believe it so I could use Jade to destroy you whenever I chose." Chontra taunted and I blinked, curious as she smiled at him. "Now's the perfect time, Jade."
"What...spell?" I asked and Chontra looked down at me as I chewed my lip. "Chontra, I thought you chose me to be your student." I said and she blinked, realizing her mistake too late as I turned back to see Rath staring at me and Ja-Kal with his bow aimed at Chontra one arrow glowing now.
"Of course I wanted you to help me, Jade. I promised you power and that's exactly what you've been given. But it can all go away if you fail to do what you promised." Chontra replied, narrowing her eyes at Rath who looked at me as I rubbed my eyes trying to figure out what to do next. Planting her hands on my shoulders she nodded towards Rath who pressed his hand to his stomach now, breathing a little heavily.
Something about that seems...familiar. I think...something like this happened to me. Makes my stomach ache.
"Wait...Scarab tried to hurt you, Rath and I took the blow meant for you. You cared enough to took care of me." I muttered, locking eyes with Rath and he gave me a slow nod ignoring his own pain. "Rath...what am I doing with Chontra?" I finally asked, my eyes widening once I saw her standing over me and I quickly stumbled back moving closer to Rath and Ja-Kal.
"She used magic to control you like she did to me making me think I loved her. But you're stronger than her magic and you broke free." Rath replied, draping an arm around my shoulder when I moved to his side. With her eyes narrowed Chontra aimed at us but Ja-Kal moved faster and she yelped as the arrow shot towards her face.
Summoning a shield blocked the arrow but as Chontra prepared a counterattack Nefer-Tina and Armon rushed into the room and she growled under her breath, narrowing her eyes at the mummies.
"You're outnumbered, Chontra." Nefer-Tina commented as Rath leaned on my shoulder, giving me a faint smile as I wrapped an arm around his waist to steady him.
"You will pay for this, Rath I swear it. Especially you, Jade." She sneered at me and I yelped as a wall of flame sent us all stumbling backwards though it was only an illusion and she laughed, vanishing in a burst of light.
"Not again." I muttered, keeping Rath steady as I started to make my way towards the open doorway. "At least she's gone, for now anyway." I commented and Rath nodded at me straightening as soon as we reached the staircase. "You sure you're strong enough, Rath?"
"If you're strong enough to break free from Chontra's control then I am strong enough to make it back to the sphinx, Jade." Rath replied, a faint grin on his lips as he made his way down the staircase. I walked directly in front of him glancing back once we reached the ground floor only to see him holding a palm against his chest and I lowered my head, unable to understand what had possessed me to harm Rath.
Probably because you cared more about learning magic from Chontra and not what the cost would be. How could you hurt someone so kind and decent?
"Jade, are you feeling alright?" Rath asked me and I lifted my head not realizing he'd been talking me as we walked back to the Hot-Ra. "Jade, this wasn't your fault." He added with a sigh but I just shrugged. On auto-pilot I climbed in beside Rath who looked at me with a weak grin but I just let out a breath unable to look him in the face as Nefer-Tina drove us back to the sphinx.
As I stood outside staring up into the sky I felt tears running down my cheeks but I ignored them, wondering again why I had let Chontra take control of me.
"Probably because I'm not strong enough to face her. Or Scarab. Even a shabti could beat me." I muttered unaware that Rath could hear every word and he sighed looking towards his friends who stood inside the sphinx.
"I think Jade needs a few more minutes. We'll meet you inside." Rath told them and they walked away though Nefer-Tina did give me a finally glance.
"Jade, this isn't your fault." Rath told me and I sighed as he placed a hand on my left shoulder noting with a grimace at the tears spilling freely down my cheeks. "I thought that the spell placed on you broke far too easily but I didn't even realize that Chontra was controlling you this entire time. I want you to know that I am truly sorry that you suffered because of my failures."
"Rath, you don't need to keep making excuses for me. I keep messing up and once again you paid for my mistakes." I replied and Rath sighed, taking his hand away from my shoulder when I didn't move. "You should get some sleep. I just need a few more minutes." I told him and he nodded after a pause looking back in time to see me staring up at the night sky again.
The sun had barely risen when Rath climbed out of his sarcophagus, pleased that his stomach had healed enough to make walking much more pleasant. "Good morning, Jade." He called out, looking towards my sarcophagus though instead of Jade he found Kahti curled up on the blanket. A sudden chill running down his spine the closer he got to the sarcophagus Rath gently lifted Kahti from the blanket and once she was deposited on the floor she rubbed against his legs Kahti purred.
"Sacred one, have you seen Jade?" He asked her and Kahti just purred, cleaning her paws as he stared at her. "Whatever was I thinking?" He muttered until he saw something stuck to the bandages on her back and with a tug he pulled it free. "Thank you."
After unfolding the note he stared at the writing frowning at it once he finished reading it. "Oh Jade, why would you do this? This was never your fault." He sighed as he walked over to his books and scrolls. Setting the note down he traced the signature at the bottom of the note wondering why Jade would leave just like that.
Right now I was making my way along the sidewalk several blocks from the sphinx, decked out in my human disguise. Which would have normally made me smile but I just couldn't find anything amusing right now.
"Their purpose is to protect Prince Rapses and they can't do that if I keep causing trouble for them. This is the best outcome for all of us. Just wish it didn't hurt so much to walk away from everything." I whispered to myself, ignoring several odd looks as I crossed the street forcing myself to keep walking though it took me every effort to keep moving as both feet felt exactly like lead weights.