Requiem Run

Chapter 21

I hit the ground hard and promptly ate a mouthful of orange sand. Judging by the sound of Katie spitting up right next to me, she had done the same thing. Of course, my mind was on other things.

"Rhys..." I whispered.

"I'm... I'm sure she's fine." said Katie, "Rhys is a tough cookie, she'll be fine, I'm sure of it."

"Okay." I said. I think Katie could tell the hesitation in my voice, but all she did was pull the map out of her bag.

"We're in Othoe's Desert," said Katie, "So the temple should be..."

"Have you tried looking over there?"

The sound of a familiar man's voice brought a chill to my spine as Katie and I scrambled away from Killian, who had somehow appeared looking over our shoulders. Killian's rage-inducing smile cracked open on his lips, and he laughed as Katie fell over, while I went to help her up.

"Well, isn't this just a delicious reunion?" Killian said as I scrambled to get my sword out as Felice took over my body. Katie had her dagger out as well, but Killian was just looking at us with that scummy amused face I just wanted to cut off of him.

"Oh, there's no need for that girls," said Killian, "I have a proposition for you."

"Not interested." said Katie.

"Just hear me out!" said Killian, "We both know that I have one of those gems on my chest, and you want to remove it for some reason. So why don't we make a game out of it?"

"A game?" I echoed.

"A game." said Killian, "We'll have ourselves a little race to the temple. If you two make it first, I'll allow you to remove my gem, no strings attached. If I make it first, you two have to surrender to me and allow me to kill you."

"And why would we agree to that?" I asked.

"Wouldn't you like the chance for an easy challenge?" Killian asked, "In and out of the temple? Doesn't that just sound like paradise?"

"Cut the crap," said Katie, "We all know you'd beat us there within ten seconds, so you're just trying to give us some false hope."

"You never know!" said Killian, "You might just have a chance..."

The ever-widening grin on Killian's face was all I needed. There was no doubt in my mind that he had no intention of letting us win this little race of his. However, and idea started forming in the back of my mind.

"Alright," I said, "You have a deal. May the best girl win."

"Good luck." said Killian. His eyes had widened a little, as though he hadn't expected me to respond in that manner. Even Katie seemed a little shocked that I actually accepted his offer.

"Of course, it's not just me that you'll have to worry about in this region," said Killian, "The emperor's soliders have always had difficulties keeping this place in check. Who knows, maybe you won't even make it that far."

With one last irritating wink, Killian disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving Katie and I alone in the desert.

"Why'd you accept that deal?" Katie asked, "You know there's no way we'll actually beat him, right?"

"That's not the point," I said, "The point is that he'll meet us at the temple, so we don't have to lure him there like we did with Xelsa. It'll make things so much easier."

"Ooh, good point." said Katie, "Good thinking. But what about those other creatures Killian was talking about? You think they might be a problem?"

"I doubt it," I said, "But we should stay alert anyway, just in case."