Kingdoms Unknown: The Kingdom of Life

Chapter 10: Fire vs. Light

A hole opened just behind some dead bushes near Nathan's castle. Melody, Ash, and Jace dash out, and hid behind the bushes. Trevor turns back into a human, and joins them. "What's the plan?" He asks.
"The three of us are going in. You're staying here to watch our backs." Melody whispers.
He nods. "Just be careful."
Melody, Ash, and Jace run out, and enter the castle from an open window.
Trevor looks around. There were no guards anywhere. "Wonder where the guards are?"

The three make way, cautiously, to the throne room. "Does anyone else wonder why no guards seem to be here?" Ash asks.
"He's expecting us, just as I thought." Melody responded.
"Wait, you knew he knew we were coming?" Jace said.
"Well, if you put two and two together, then you would know too. I guess that's expected from an idiot."
"What did you call me?!" Jace said angrily.
"Hey, knock it off! This is about Merlinda, and nothing else." Ash said.
Melody and Jace went silent.

They enter the throne room. A black room with a red carpet leading to the throne, surrounded by black pillars and windows between them. Nathan was on his throne. Melody rose her bow at him. "Turning your hair back won't change anything. Where is she?!"
"Hello to you, too. I see everyone's grown up nicely. Did you get here safely? Because that wasn't suppose to happen!" He said.
Ash took out is wand. "Cut the conversation."
Nathan laughs. "So, you have some backbone, now, huh? Funny."

He looks at Jace, and instantly stops laughing. "Oh, you're here. I don't get it."
"Get what?" Jace asks
"I have the looks, the charm, the brains, and power, but she likes you, and you're just bottled up anger. It's just so...sad." He smirks.
"Why, you!" Jace threw a fire ball in Nathan's direction.
The fireball was close to his face, but a ball of light cut it off.

Everyone looked to the right. Merlinda was standing next to the throne wearing a black shoulder-less dress with the sleeves stretching to her fingers. "Merlinda?" Jace began to move towards her, but Melody grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?"
Melody looked at Nathan. "What did you do to her?!"
"What do you mean? It's still Merlinda." She walked to him, and leaned on his throne. "She's just with the right guy, now."
"Liar, you did something to her!" Jace shouts.
"I love to continue this, but I have thing to do." He stands up, and lifts Merlinda's chin, so their eyes meet. "Merlinda, love, take them out for me, will you?"
Merlinda smirked.
"Good." Nathan left by shadow.
Merlinda turned to the others, and drew out her sword. "Prepare to die."

"We can't fight her." Ash said shakily.
"That's why he left her the job." Melody added.
"I'll do it." Jace said.
Ash and Melody looked at him. "Really?"
"Merlinda is someone I'm willing to die for, protecting. I'm going to get her back."
A light ball came at them, which made them separate. "You all talk too much." Merlinda said, as she teleported to Jace, and threw him. "So, you're first, huh? This will be quick."
Melody helped Ash up. Merlinda looked at them, and blasted them through the window.

Melody and Ash were falling. "TREVOR!" Melody screamed. Trevor saw them, and created a dirt hill that Ash and Melody rolled down from. Trevor helped Melody up, and she helped Ash. "What happened up there?" Trevor asked.
"Nathan happened." Melody said disgusted. "Thanks for catching us." She said softly.
Trevor blushed. "Oh, uh, well, I wasn't going to let you both fall. Like you said, I have your backs."
Melody smiled.
A flash of light made all the windows in the throne room shatter.

Jace and Merlinda's swords clashed. "Merlinda snap out of it. Don't you remember me." Jace said.
"You're my enemy, that's all that matters."
"You're wrong."
Merlinda pushed away, and created a spark on two combined fingers. "Anyone who threatens Prince Nathan, faces me." She shot the Sparks at Jace continuously.
Jace kept running to dodge most of them, but he was unable to dodge one which allowed more to make contact.

Merlinda came up to him. "How sad, you didn't put up much of a fight." Merlinda readied to finish Jace with her sword, but Jace block her with his sword. Merlinda's eyes widened as she avoided a blast of fire. Jace got up. His shirt was torn, as well were his pants. There were scratches and bruises all over him. He was breathing heavily. "You took a lot of hits, and you're still able to get up. H-"
"Merlinda."
Her eyes widen. This feeling. Why do I feel this way, now. She narrowed her eyes, gripped her sword harder, and came at Jace.
He rose his sword, which made them clash. "I promised I would be there for you."
Her eyes widen. What is it about him that makes me feel this way? Merlinda ducked, and swung around him to slash his back. She smirked as Jace fell to is knees.

She kicked him to his side. "Pathetic." She mumbled as she stared at him. Her eyes narrowed. I can't shake it, and I can't ignore it. Who is he? Jace lifts up. He creates a fire ball, and throws it to the ground. Merlinda jumped back. He continued to throw the at the ground near her until she was against a pillar. Jace put his hand next to her head, and readied a fire ball in his other. He looked at Merlinda, and saw the fear in her eyes. He extinguished the fire, and lowered his head. Why...what did he stop? He had me. Now, I have to end him while I have the chance. Merlinda created a light spear in her hand and pushed it in Jace, freeing her from the pillar. Merlinda let go of the spear, and it flew out the window.

Merlinda's eyes widened. That boy...that's... "Jace? JACE!" I screamed. "NOOO!" A huge wave of light expelled from her body as she fell to her knees, crying.

Melody saw the wave of light. "Did he do it?"
"Look." Ash pointed the the far left side of the castle. "Is that Jace?"
Melody's eyes widen. "We have to help."
Trevor grabbed her. "Just wait a minute."
Melody looked at him, then turned back with worry.

Jace continued to fall. He opens his eyes slowly, and sees the light waves. "I did it." He said. Then, reality came to him.
He transformed into his dragon self, and gripped the walls. He climbed up.

I continue crying. The waves vanished. The black dress I was wearing turned white. "I'm so sorry. I'll never forgive myself. Jace, please, forgive me." I felt a presence behind me. "Leave me alone."
"Hey, why are you crying?"
Lift up, and turn in shock from seeing Jace behind me. "Jace?"
He brings his head close. "Yeah."
"But, I saw you..."
"Well, it's a good thing that light wave hit me, a little, isn't it?"
"Light wave?"
"You didn't see them?"
I shook my head. "No."
Jace laid down to let me on, but I could bring myself to do it.

Jace took me down by claw, since I refused to get on his back. Once he sets me down by the others, I look at Melody and Ash. They both had cuts all over them. I looked away. Melody and Trevor helped Ash, and we all left together.

"They're going to get away, Nathan." Vince said.
"Let them." Nathan responded.
"But, they're-"
"I said let them go. We have what we wanted. That wave is all that matters right now."
"Uh, y-yes."
"That goes for you, too, Queen Nava."
"Yes, my Prince." Vincent watched the group leave, and gave a disgusted frown.