Redemption Run

Chapter 21

I was fortunate enough that the items we needed her simple sticks and stones, things that existed in my world, and that the symbols we needed to create could be done right there in the field where I initially teleported to. I knew there was going to be trouble when the faculty started coming around to see what was going on, but the students that had formed a circle around us kept them from getting too close and ruining anything.

The last half-bottle of Elixir was all I had, and splitting it between myself, Max, Diane, and my mom was the hardest part about getting everything ready, so I made sure to save that for last, when the symbols on the ground were all set up.

"Okay, we just need to organize everything, drink the Elixirs, and then we can all create the portal, and I can get my ass back to Xeastea."

"I don't think so."

I recognized that voice, but I couldn't comprehend as Diane, my mom, Max, and I, turned to see Sallaena walk towards us through a quickly-fading beam of light, her hand on her big axe, looking just as pissed off as usual. I passed the Elixir off to my sister and put my hand on my sword.

"Riley, it's the emperor's right hand bitch!" Diane yelled, "What the hell is going on?!"

"That's what I'd like to know!" I yelled as I pulled my own sword and ushered everyone behind me, "What the hell are you doing here?!"

"Did you honestly think you could fake your own death and run like a simple coward?" Sallaena said, "That was never going to happen. I had an inkling, checked the projections, and I saw that you ran away."

"I didn't run anywhere!" I said, "The Cleanser sent me here. It saved my life."

"Ha! That's a laugh!" said Sallaena, though her stoic angry face didn't change at all, "The Cleanser would never show mercy to a creature like you! Now then, I'll finish what it started and end your miserable life once and for all, maiden!"

"We'll see about that." I said, ushering everyone to back up, which they did.

"Well, I believe this is between us," said Sallaena as she waved her hand, "Let's keep it that way."

A wave of magic trapped the two of us in a dome that covered most of the parking lot. I turned and saw Max and Diane banging on the shield, trying to get through.

"Riley!" Diane called.

"What the hell?!" Max called.

"Don't worry guys!" I said, "I got this!"

Other people who had been occasionally glancing over to us were now blatantly watching, some of them were recording with their phones, and some people were just talking on their phones, probably to cops or family members or something.

"Good luck explaining this to the police if they show up!" I yelled to my sister.

"Don't worry about that, just beat the crap out of that bitch!" Diane yelled back.

"Take her down, Riley!" Max yelled.

"Be careful sweetie!" my mom said.

I faced Sallaena with a smile on my face.

"Looks like I've got hype on my side," I said, "Meanwhile, you got nothing. Not even Easton's here to help you. Let's finish this once and for all."

Sallaena just snarled, and then she charged, swinging her war axe.

Felice's power flowed through me, and I managed to step back several times, just barely avoiding the swings of the axe. Frustrated, Sallaena raised the axe and tried to bring it down on my head.