Cross Worlds (Hiatus)

Chapter 55: "Reawakening"

"Are you two really sure you wanna participate in the battles that are to come? You have to understand that this is life or death. Every fight could end up killing you two." Riku stands before Gina and Haruto in the hallway towards the living quarters. His birthday celebration has just ended and he's walking the two back to their room.

"We understand that very well. Ever since we were kids, we've lived with the memory of what happened to Mom and Dad... I know it wasn't that long ago, but for the two of us mentally, it's been years..." Haruto states, sighing softly. "I never want to just sit back and be powerless to do anything to stop something like that from happening. Never again."

"That's why we'll fight with you. So no other children ever have to experience what we went through. Right?" Gina smiles softly.

Riku looks at the two of them closely and sighs, closing his eyes. "Your parents would be proud of you both. Just like I am. Just make sure you two don't get separated, and try to stay with the stronger members of the Resistance if you can help it."

"Yeah yeah, we know." Haruto rolls his eyes, making his sister giggle. Riku smiles and chuckles a little bit at the scene before him. A stark contrast to what he's seeing now in the present.

Present

"This isn't real... I passed out in the throne room. Yeah, that's it. I'm just having a nightmare." Riku's mind slows down, it almost feels like time has stopped as he starts rushing towards the two. "I can still save them. It's just a stab wound, Liena can heal that with ease."

Riku reaches out to them, still holding hope in his heart, but that's when he sees The Queen behind the two of them. Still holding onto the two blades, she uses her magic to create spikes on almost every inch of the magic swords; each of those spikes popping out of Gina and Haruto's bodies and piercing several vital organs, as well as their hearts. Riku watches on in horror, his mouth gaping wide as he cries out, "N-NOOOOOOO!!!"

The Queen lets her blades disappear and jumps back, ready for a fight, but is shocked when Riku quickly falls to his knees and catches Gina and Haruto before they fall. Riku breathes heavily, looking at the two of them as the light quickly begins to fade from their eyes. They can't even bring themselves to move, blood spilling out of their bodies rapidly. "No... No no NO!" Riku begins to cry.

"Oh? Were these two...important to you..?" The Queen readies her magic. With Riku in such a state, he should be rather easy to kill.

Riku begins to panic. He doesn't even hear nor see The Queen anymore, he simply speaks to the two in his arms. "It's okay you both... It's okay... We're gonna get you to Liena, and she'll be able to save you with her magic... Because magic is amazing..! Magic can stop stuff like this from happening. It can make people's lives better..! It can save people!"

The Queen dashes forward to try and stab Riku, but someone throws their blade at her, making her deflect it instead. "Ah, still alive then, my son?" The Queen tilts her head in his direction.

"You...disgusting...vile..!" Kei glares at her violently when he sees who's on the ground. He calls his sword back to him and charges at her, letting out a roar of anger like never before.

The Queen easily blocks the thrusts of his rapier, looking indifferent. "It's amazing what anger can do to a human. Even at their weakest, it gives them incredible strength. You have no magic, are bleeding, and yet look at how you're fighting..."

"Shut your mouth!" Kei manages to make her black light sword crack. After all, The Queen is rather weakened herself. The Queen's eyes widen as Kei actually slices through her blade, aiming for her throat with his next thrust.