Young Writers Society

King Morgan Darkrai

Leopold had left to go about his shift of patrols an hour ago, which was nice since I needed to steel myself before the torture comes around. Kali was relaxed at this time. Suddenly I had a visitor. I looked through the bars and saw the Fire sorceress. She looked like she wanted something from me. I yawned, stretched, and said lazily, "Whatever you think I know and want to get out of my head, I'm not talking. You can torture me to the brink of death for all I care. Just let me be so I can take a little cat nap. A prisoner's got to sleep, you know."
The Fire sorceress snapped, "I want answers from you and I want them now!"
Kali warned, Fire and Water don't mix, Master. Remember that.
I said calmly and lazily, "Bite me, sister. Bite me."

Jasmine

My expression twisted into a dark scowl, and I crouched to the ground, fire bursting into existence around my hands and arms. "I'm really, really not in the mood for this right now. So you can either improve my mood by telling me what I want to know, or you can entertain me by showing me just how flammable you are. I don't really care which one you choose."

Subduing my powers enough to extinguish the flames, I withdrew a piece of paper from my pocket, unfolding it fully and smoothing out the creases until I held it up for the guard to see. "Do you recognise this woman?" I asked, searching for any signs of recognition in his eyes as I spoke. His gaze lingered on the image for an instant before flickering up to meet mine. He shook his head lazily, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Never seen her before in my life," he sing-songed, falling back to lean on his elbows with a altogether too-pleased smirk on his face. After cautiously replacing the paper in my pocket, I allowed my powers to resurface, letting the flames lick over my arms once more.

"You're lying," I hissed, my eyes narrowed in rage. "That woman is one of the king's pet freaks. She's the one who ruined my brother's life, and you are going to tell me where she is. You know where he keeps them, so tell me."

King Morgan Darkrai

Being called a liar was starting to become common to me, but hearing someone call the Abnormals my pet freaks really made my blood run cold. I hissed, How dare she call my daughter and her kinsmen freaks.
Kali said, Don't let your temper get written on your face, Master. Then that flaming sorceress will know you're King Morgan. Wait until she gone, then lose your temper.
I said calmly, "I don't know where they are. He never trusted me with that bit of information. Besides, I'm just a guard that does night sentry duty. I rarely go anywhere near the king's most treasured troops."
The Fire sorceress left with her arms still alight.
Creeping to the bars, I whispered darkly, "Tonight while you sleep, I'll push you as far as I'll dare. For tonight, I'll haunt you your worst nightmare." I shot a black orb the size of my eye at the Fire sorceress and laid down on the bench. "No one insults my daughter and gets away with it."
Kali chuckled darkly and said slyly, Now the fun really begins. Once that fiery witch falls asleep, it's party time.
I chuckled myself. You know it, Kali. They don't call my family Darkrai for nothing.

Rio:
Delilah told me of her adoption and I couldn't be more happy for my sister. I missed having a family of my own though. I thought about them. My family were thieves and crooks. They knew early on that I wasn't average and used that against others. To steal from others they threatened them with my "gift". When I was about 9 I ran away from them. I couldn't bring that sort of harm anymore. I was wandering the streets when Delilah found me. She was 2 years older than me and protected me like a big sister. Now it was my time to protect her. I thought about the one time I had taken someones power since I had come to the kingdom. We were out for night patrols. My group was taking the left third of the kingdom when I saw something slip into an alley.I followed it but it was hard to see in the dark. I tripped and fell putting my hands out to catch me. I landed on something...or rather someone. I felt a feeling I thought I had lost long ago. Power. I took his power. I got up and ran. I never told Delilah. I've always wanted to find him and appologize, but how could I find him? Would he kill me? I woke the abnormals, still thinking of the boy.

Jasmine

Water. So much water - surrounding me, consuming me. I swam upwards frantically, treading water underneath me as I raced for the surface. I had to get out, had to escape, had to breathe. Here I was powerless, vulnerable, blind. The light of the surface shone in the distance, a symbol of freedom, but it was too far. I wouldn't reach it before my air ran out. My muscles ached with the strain of swimming for so long, and my lungs were starting to burn from the lack of oxygen. I needed to breathe.
Before I could stop myself, I opened my mouth, desperate for air. Water rushed into my mouth, my lungs, blocking my screams as I floundered under the water. I scrabbled for the surface once more, still searching for the spark of light above me even as my vision went to black, my consciousness fading from me.

I woke up, my heart racing and my breathing erratic. That had been... it had been as if I was truely underwater. I sat up in my bed, pulling the covers to my chest, and tried to regain control. I breathed in and out through my nose, gaze fixed in front of me. Gradually, my shivers subsided, and I drew the sheets away, stepping onto the floor with shaky feet. I had never felt anything like that before. But still, it was just a nightmare, and that was all. Now I was awake, and it was time to move on.

Time to go and see the prisoner again.

I made my way down the corridors briskly, pushing my thoughts away from the sensation of water pressing at me from every angle, and finally arrived at the cells. Charlotte was sat facing opposite his cell, her eyes glazed over with boredom as she played with something in her hands. She looked up as I entered, but said nothing, a touch of concern entering her expression.

"You've had your rest." I murmured quietly, my gaze meeting the prisoner's. "Has your memory been jogged yet?"

The guard sat up, a small smirk on his face. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, the mockery in his tone unmissable, and small sparks of fire flickered around my hands as I glowered at him.

"You don't remember where they're kept? Fine." The flames grew bigger, licking their way up my arms, and I narrowed my eyes. "Let's see just how fireproof you are."

King Morgan Darkrai

I knew I was in for a very nasty beating from someone, but I didn't think it would be the Fire sorceress. The flames were caressing her arms like a lover, no doubt empowered by her anger. From my experience, the element of a person come become powerful through the respective emotions. Looking forward, Deliah would be sad if I escape Them with burns on my body. I said calmly, "I told you, he never trusted me with that information. I'm not his favorite guard."
The Fire sorceress entered my cell and grabbed my arms, sending sheer pain all over me. She pushed me against the wall and hissed, "Where are the king's pet freaks? You should know where he keeps them. Where are they?"
I asked, "What the heck do you have against them anyway, woman?"
The Fire sorceress answered angrily, "I already told you." She squeezed my arms, increasing the pain.
I tried to fight it, but I screamed loudly in pain. The pain of a burn was too unbearable for me to take. I yelled, "Please, let go! You're going to burn me to death!"
The Fire sorceress released me and left me with burns the size and shape of her hands on my arms.
The sweat on my body moved to my burns at my silent command. I felt the familiar tingle of healing as the burns slowly faded away to regain my full skin tone. I groaned through this and felt like dozing off. Dragging myself to the bench, I laid down to rest. I couldn't bear the fact that I was burned, but at least I was formerly a Water sorceror and still an excellent healer at it.

Kasis

The Jasmine woman had told me some interesting things. I'd been expecting more, though. Oh well. There'll be another time, I told myself. And she's the only spy you have.
I studied the cannons, not really focusing on my work. I was wondering, wondering about the resistance. Do they torture there? How do they treat their people, how do they treat the enemies people? Do they wash? Are they planning any more guerilla attacks?
I chuckled. In a few more weeks, I would be in a position of limitless power. I would have information about the resistance, a highly valued commodity. Then I could sell it to any of the numerous splinter groups, or perhaps even casually reveal it to the Crown. I would surely be rewarded.
Sleep on it, I told myself. You should reveal it to whatever faction best suits your interests. At the moment that is undeniably the Crown, but with the king gone, things could turn around very quickly. Let's not be hasty.

King Morgan Darkrai

I was back in the cottage of my childhood, helping Deliah maintain the household. We've managed this long for two years since my escape from Them. The scars on my body were almost fully healed, but they were the constant reminder of my time in the hands of my enemies. Every morning for the past two years, I was greeted by Deliah with a kiss upon my waking moment. Every night, I told her the story of my captivity. I had her and myself to take care of, that was all that mattered to me. I chose this place since it was the only place They couldn't find. It was here where Deilah and I could live like the family we've become. Now that we're a family together, we could live our lives together.
Deliah was in my arms, her head on my chest as she cried for the loss of Rio. I myself was crying, feeling at fault. Rio died trying to defend our secret hideout. If I knew of this, I would have tried to save her. I felt something slimey grasp my leg and I was pulled away from Deliah. I glanced behind me and saw a hideous creature with teeth as sharp as daggers. I tried to escape, but the slimey arm wouldn't let me free. I was pulled closer and closer to the dagger-like teeth, close enough that my leg was on the tongue...

I rose from my rest, my body drentched in sweat. I calmed down for a moment and looked through the bars. The Wind-water sorceress was still resting herself. I forgotten that Dark sorcery turns itself against the user, depending on what was used. As my Trainer told me, "This is the only thing that makes karma, so use must be of great care. What goes around, comes around times three." I knew what that meant, but I never knew I would experience it.

Masakka Dan

The wavering candle-flame flickered in the mirror. I rested my elbows on the edge of the table and stared at my reflection. Dark hollows rimmed my eyes, and my cheekbones stood out sharply against my skin. I sighed and bowed my head, staring at the flickering fire that danced in front of my eyes.
I straightened up and tightened my sword belt. Kasis had been an arrogant rebel for too long. Tonight, his gloating arrogance would be tamed. I raked my hair into a tail and headed out the door of my private chamber in the barracks. Time to go hunting.

Blade whinnied and danced when he saw me going by. I paused to rub his long, bony head. “I can’t take you with me tonight, my friend,” I said softly. “But we’ll go for a run tomorrow.”
Blade snorted and pawed as I turned and walked away. I smiled. Horses would always be there for me, even when everything else failed.
But one thing was not going to fail, and that was my duty tonight. Kasis Balti would breathe free air for the last time tonight.
I slipped out of the main gate and headed off at a swift run toward the heavy woods north of the city where I knew Kasis would be lurking. There was an old mill on the outskirts of the Strangeling Woods, restored into a tavern. It was always filled with rebels and spies, and I knew him to frequent it. I would not dare to try and find the rebel base yet. If my mission succeeded, Fenzari and I would round up an elite band of troops and rescue the king.
As I ran, I thought about Kasis—his weaknesses and strengths. He was not physically strong, but he was always wearing some sort of concealed armor which could break a sword-tip. So my swords and knives wouldn’t have much use unless I wanted to slice his head off, which was undesirable. I would probably have to go for hand-to-hand fighting against him, since his weakness was his lack of strength.
But he was magical, definitely. And he wasn’t very good at controlling it. That was his strength. His magic was in Metals. And I was not magical in the least.
He was also a notoriously bad loser. So I could count on him to be verbally abusive on the way back, which would try my patience sorely. I hated whiners and backstabbers more than anything else. I would have to exert a great deal of control.
Also, he had killed his once-lover many years ago. He had used a rake to tear her throat out, if I remembered correctly. I grimaced. Some things were understandable, some were not.
In other words, this could prove to be harder than Fenzari had assumed. I clenched my jaws together. It probably wouldn’t be an easy, pleasant fight.
But…I smiled. I was Masakka Dan, after all. I wouldn’t have too much trouble with this dirty metal-rat.
I knew when I was nearing the mill, because I heard the sounds of drunken revelry a mile off. I slowed to a walk and loosened my boot-knife. People like this disgusted me, and they weren’t going to touch me.
I walked up the rough path to the huge, crumbing mill. Hoarse shouts came from within. I stepped up to the broken door and took a look around.
A fight was going on; hence the drunken shouts. There was a huge, burly man roaring in the face of a smaller, dark-haired man who was crouching on the floor. “Get up, you little bastard! Before I break you in two and hurl you into the forest for the vampires to eat.”
“Please don’t hurt me,” the small man whined. “I’ve got a family.”
“A family of rats,” the big man sneered. “Get up and take a swing at me. Try to kill me!”
The little man sniffled and scrabbled to his feet. “All right…”
There was a heavy, cracked watermill right above the big man. He was standing under the highest rung of it. As the little man stood up, he placed his hand on it.
I saw what was coming and took a step into the room. But I was too late. The watermill creaked and groaned, and rotated with a grinding shriek. The little man leapt out of the way with a cackle, and the big man’s blood spattered the cobblestones as the wheel grinded him into the cement below.
The little man straightened up and grinned with a mouthful of broken teeth.
Kasis…

Fenezari Thaertus

Delilah had left to speak with Rio an abnormal I'd heard of, but never met. I had offered to let Delilah stay in one of my towers ten rooms but she was still not here yet. I entered my study and started a fire before opening the door to my training room. I drew my sword and prepared to train with my combat ice magic. I cooled the air in my training room before drawing my blade. I removed my vest and shirt acclimating to the cold to begin my training. Pellentesque my fire magic is perfected what say we work on our old technique we haven't practiced it in far to long.
He flew into my chest and we became one, I thought you'd never ask old friend

Fenezari Thaertus
11 years ago

"So Leopold you said you'd help me learn one of the sacred techniques of our family," I looked at him eagerly and he smiled back. He threw a sword at the ground next to me before getting his needle case. I drew it from it's sheath studying it. It was of a decent metal and of simple design perfectly balanced as well.

Leopold looked at me placing a ring of needles around himself, " our families long ago learned how to turn the elements our magic allowed us to control into weapons and armor more powerful then plain steel. Now become one with Pellentesque it will make your learning of this magic easier to shape, child's play really. Now focus and be prepared."

Suddenly his steel needles raised into the air and began to swirl around him, " Fine I will try to fight you as best I can." I searched deep within myself and communicated with Pellentesque, buddy he's not holding back let's try our hardest to win this fight.

I felt the air cool around me and ice swarm around my body, Fenezari we're about to be covered in ice grip your sword tightly. I felt the ice shape into armor on my body and my sword changing it's shape and growing in length. I shaped a shield of ice onto my left arm. suddenly needles came flying from my cousin I held up my shield stopping them dead int their tracks. Taking the time to distance myself from him using a flip I slashed through the air in his direction. I wave of cold air flew from the blade freezing all of the grass underneath it. Leopold barely deflected the blow with his armor of needles.

He looked at me and yelled, " now that you have given your armor it's form name it and it shall be yours." I looked up at him holding my sword and shield briefly racking my brain for names suddenly the perfect name occurred.

I looked at him with a grin in my face, I turned the sword and shield into my halberd and manipulated fire with the magic. The ice didnt melt so I had the perfect name for the armor," Armor of the Knight of Fire and Ice." wordy but it worked.

Delilah:
I cut my hair before going to Fenezaris towers. It gave me strength, looking like my normal self again. I held up my head and pulled my cloak over my face. I stopped at the edge of the forest and stared for a moment, releasing my memories of my childhood. For now, I was Crown Princess Delila, and the memories didn't matter. Feeling more confident I proceded on to Fenezaris towers. I hummed to myself, a lullabye. I found it odd, I had hummed this lullabye before but, I could never remember where I heard it. Mother, I thought to myself. That was your mother. I smiled slightly, remembering my mother. A seamstress, short and squat, ever frowning, But a caring mother. I thought hard and tried to remember the words.
Hush, Hush.
My sweet child, hush.
The time has come for silence.
The noisy sun has fallen asleep,
her sister in her place.
Hush, hush.
I grinned, then frowned. Was the lullabye not just a memory from my past? Should I get rid of it too? No, the lullabye would stay. One day my children would hear it.
I arrived at Fenezaris towers and knocked on the door.

Kasis

"Pig." I spat at the man's mangled corpse. I stopped the wheel, and admired my work. Not the most artistic death, but it did the job.
It was then I noticed the guard stood in the doorway, staring at me. He had his hand on his sword-hilt, and looked ready to pounce at any moment.
I braced myself and slid my hand into my robe, my fingers touching my concealed pistol lightly.
"Ah..." I said, my tone friendly. "No idea how that happened. I should probably report it. What can I do for you, officer?"
The man seemed to snap out of his trance, stepping into the room and releasing his sword. For a moment we stood watching each other.
What does this man want? I thought, nervous despite my firearm.
He answered my mental query. "My name is Massaka Dan, and I have come to bring you to justice."
"Oh." I clutched my pistol. "Well, what a shame."
I pulled it out of my cloak with a flourish, before firing a bullet in his general direction. Somehow, he saw this coming, ducking out fo the way the instant my gun appeared. He tackled me to the ground. I cursed. This man was well trained.
He slammed his fists into my head, blurring my vision, and grabbed me by my short hair. Pulling me up, he threw me against the wall. I slid down it, gasping like a beached fish. Curse my weakness.
The Masakka man was almost upon me again, his fists clenching around my collar. I twisted and sunk my teeth into his hand until I could taste blood. He recoiled for just long enough for me to make a dash for the door. It swung open before I even touched it, slamming behind me and locking. I could hear my enemy slamming against the door, and I took this opportunity to reload my pistol. When he came out, he would taste hot lead.
It seems I had underestimated him, though, as the door came crashing down before I had even half way finished reloading. I scurried away, him in hot pursuit. He was faster than me, and I was panting by the time I reached the bridge, which was just a few score meters away. I ducked under one of the cannons, swinging it round inadvertantly. I was losing control.
The cannon fired, missing him completely and demolishing a section of a nearby building. He was slightly stunned, but managed to duck under the swirling cannon and haul me out. I groaned as he pushed me against a column and clipped handcuffs around my wrists.
I knew that no sort of conventional machinery could hold me, but I decided to keep this a secret from Masakka. I seethed and swore, in my head reminding myself that this was not a defeat. I would have revenge against him. I would just have to wait for more.. favourable circumstances.

Fenezari Thaertus

I headed towards my door hearing the knocking from my study. I threw on my vest disregarding the need to button it up I was covered in a mixture of ice water and sweat. I walked to the door shaking my hair out water dripping all around me as I walked to my door. I opened it and saw Delilah standing there looking up into my eyes.

She opened her mouth looking at me , " well do you plan to let me in?"

I blushed feeling like an idiot, " of course come on in there's hot tea in my study feel free to have a cup there's a room next to mine up stairs. I'll be retiring for the evening I know you can't see him but Pellentesque will be watching you feel free to use my study if you'd like. I've been training for a while I need to rest. If you need anything just knock on my door."

Delilah looked at me and hugged me close, "thank you this means a lot to me." She kissed me on the cheek and walked into my tower. I walked up the stairs I had been training more intensely than usual and I needed to rest I was worried about Delilah but in my tower she was possibly the safest person alive. I hit the switch that locked all of the doors in to my tower it was now a fortress impenetrable and safe.

Chaos:

The past few days had been merciless and sleepless. Not once had the lights dimmed on the castle, but still only a handful of people entered and exited. I stayed awake throughout the past two nights with minimal sleep. Something was definitely happening within those murky walls. What it was I didn't know, but surely it would be an attempt to stop the rebellion. It was just after noon on the third day of watching (*Sorry if this is a bit mistimed I can correct it if needed*) that something different happened. For the first time in the past few days a messenger was leaving the castle and accompanying her were four armed guards.

My suspicions wouldn't have been aroused if it had just been the girl, but to be given a guard meant that it was at least worth checking out. I debated inwardly whether to confront them myself, and that wasn't a bad idea since they didn't appear to be magic users. Finally I decided it wasn't worth dirtying my hands. it never is I thought grimly.

Giving up watch on the castle wasn't the best idea, but three days is long enough and this was information worth sharing. Merry would most certainly like to know and from that they could decide what to do from there. Another added bonus was getting to see Charlotte, hopefully.

Delilah:
Fenezari answered the door and I looked up at him. He was soaked and shirtless.
"Well, Do you plan to let me in?" He blushed, it was cute. I smiled at him.
"Of course, come on in. There's hot tea in my study, feel free to have a cup. There's a room next to mine upstairs. I'll be retiring for the evening. I know you can't see him but Pellentesque will be watching you. Feel free to use my study if you'd like. I've been training for a while I need to rest. If you need anything just knock on my door."
I smiled at him and hugged him, though he was drenched in what seemed to be very cold sweat.
"Thank you, this means a lot to me" I kissed his cheek and walked to the study. I poured some tea and sat down in a chair, pulling my knees to me. I looked nothing like a princess, I was sure, but, I didn't care. I was comfortable and safe. It soon dawned on me how tired I was. I hummed my lullabye and sipped some tea. I was soon lulled to sleep in the chair, too tired to go to the room.