He bounded up, jumping higher than any person should be able to. He wagged a finger at me. "You'll have to try a bit harder, girl. Remember, I knew your mother so well. I can still remember all her tricks. And you're just like her." He said, feigning wistfulness. But nothing could hide the cruel malice in his voice.
I blasted fire again and again, but nothing seemed to work. He kept dodging me. "I might look like her." I said. "but there's one big difference between me and her."
He perked up, looking interested. "Do tell." He smirked, pushing his hair back from his eyes.
"I would know better than to fall in love with a monster like you," I shouted as I exhausted my flame in his direction.
He redirected the flames and I had to roll away to escape from my own fire. It had touched him though. The edge of his shirt was singed slightly.
He said, cooly, "I don't think you are that different," He stared at me. "Your monster may dwell in the shadows of the forest, but he's still a monster."
"He's nothing like you," I spit the words like venom.
"Suit yourself," He laughed. "Perhaps, I have let this go on too long." I could see him straighten up and assume a fighting stance. I wouldn't be able to fight him any harder without hurting Sybelle. He was holding her like a shield. I moved away from the shrine. He moved towards me until he was standing in the center of the shrine. I would have only one chance to save Sybelle. If I could manage to open up the shrine without him knowing, he would fall through. But how to get close to him?
"In any case, your boyfriend is long gone," He said, laughing. I knew that already, and it hurt like hell. I let some of my pain show on my face. He seemed to enjoy it. "Yes, he is long gone, and left you alone to face me."
"He couldn't help it," I let my voice falter. This was it. I had to let him think that my spirit was broken.
"I'm sure that's what he told you," Morningstar was glowing. He was letting himself get distracted.
I stepped forward, lowering my head demurely. "If you let her go," I muttered, feeling my voice shake. "I'll give up."
"Already," He sighed. "Well, I suppose that will do."
He let Sybelle free and lost her balance. She fell in front of him and he shoved her out of the way. I reached my hand into my pocket where the dagger was stashed and slit my finger. This had to work. My heart was about to explode out of my chest. I could feel the tether linking us. It was pulsing with energy as he grew excited.
"With you dead, I can create an all-powerful, anchor." He hissed. "Nobody will question my right to serve as King and Lord of all the worlds again."
I had to distract him so I could get my blood onto the shrine.
"Was that my mother's crime?" I asked. "Did she question you a little too much?" I snarled.
"Fierce words for someone who has lost," He eyed me suspiciously. "But yes, I suppose you could say she did. And look what it cost her," he gestured to me. "She gave up everything for you. She gave up the life I promised her, all for you. And now you stand before about to fall to your knees and beg for your life." He growled the words.
I moved closer to him. I removed my hand from my pocket gingerly. The cut was deep. It had to be, to get enough blood into the grooves from afar. I tried to move it behind my back without his notice. I let the drops of blood fall behind me. It would take a few moments for them to awaken the shrine. I stared a Sybelle willing her to get away.
"Go," I hissed.
She mouthed, "I'm sorry."
"Even your friends are leaving you in the end." He said. I breathed a wish. Please open. I was getting desperate.
I saw Sybelle run through the woods. That was a relief, at least. There would be one less person hurt by this. When the stone finally began to open I exhaled a sigh of relief. This was it. My last chance. I followed him into the shrine allowing the walls to close above us.
The shrine was cool and dark as I remembered it. Lord Morningstar didn't shine as brightly here. Perhaps that would be to my advantage. The only light came from the torches along the walls. They were filled with the strange moonfire that I recognized from the liminal world. It gave me strength. Perhaps I could draw power from that.
He stared at me and his eyes were filled with rage. I knew that I didn't have long. "You insolent girl." He hissed at me.
"Don't patronize me." I hissed back. We squared each other off. He let out a shockwave of power. It was invisible, but the force of it nearly threw me off balance. I blasted a ring of fire around him, but he was too swift. I could never seem to grab hold of him. I took out the dagger. It was my only hope. Each strike he sent toward me, I tried to dodge. I was starting to get tired, but I couldn't get close enough to him. It was the link between us. He could feel it too. I had bound him here to this world. I was the only thing keeping him here. He was using the link to anticipate my movements, and feel the flow of my power. I had to build a shield around myself to keep him from guessing my every step. I visualized the blue field of energy, blocking all his interference.
He panted as he sent wave after wave of deadly energy toward me. He didn't seem to falter, however. I knew he would last longer than me. I had to end
