A Tale of the World **HIATUS**

Chapter 33: The Premonition

What the hell? Nina grunted as she sat up on the pile of rumble. In between her legs, with the side of his head buried in her belly, was the unconscious Damon. She felt warmth drizzle down her temple. She gingerly touched it and saw red, blood. She looked up and saw Annette, as angry as ever. Nina, in the nicest way possible, kicked Damon off as he began moving.

Nina shifted away from them. Appearing from her the corner of her eyes from the right, Luka, Gin, Ruen and Nathan. Nina straightened herself.

"Give up. You're outnumbered," Luka said cooly.

"Get up, Damon," Annette commanded ignoring Luka, and Damon obeyed with his eyes still fish dead.

"My King!" Nathan yelled.

"He's being controlled by a strong enchantment," Luka warned.

"No way. But he's so strong, how's that possible?" Nathan exclaimed.

"Kill them, Damon."

"I got this! You guys stay out of this!" Nina yelled over her shoulder.

Both Gin and Ruen relaxed and stepped back, which puzzled Luka and Nathan.

"Brother!" A high voice cried from the balcony. Lillian. Holding her from falling over the railing was Senia and Layla.

"Collect her cards, Damon. That's an order," Annette stated.

Damon shifted his position smoothly towards Lillian.

"Damon!" Lillian cried.

Right when he bent his knees, ready for take off, Nina gripped the back of his head and smashed his head in to the cement, "Don't turn away from your opponent!"

Instinctively, he twisted around to headbutt Nina, but she rolled off him onto one knee and jumped backwards as he pierced his sword into the ground where she once was. He struck again and again, but missed. This is getting old. All he's doing is repeating the same attacks, over and over, like an actual puppet, Nina thought.

"Stop playing around! Finish her and get the cards!"

Damon brought the hilt of the sword to his eye level and jabbed straight towards Nina moving quick.

"Cassia!" Nina yelled.

Damon stopped in his tracks; his lifeless eyes looked at her. Nina took out the small amulet from her pocket and dropped the amulet as it swung from her hands. "She would've been disappointed in you; falling into enemy hands so easily."

Damon slowly moved his sword down, "C-C-Ca-Cassia-" He struggled out. Memories flooded back. Cassia...

"That's right. Cassia Rose, you beloved older sister, Damon," Nina said.

His face twitched in agony as he dropped his sword bring both hands to his temple. He yelled and grunted in pain.

"Damon! What are you doing?! Hurry up and kill them! You love me don't you? If you do, then do as I say!" Annette ordered.

"Damon," Nina said softly, "I was going to wait till later, but, Raphiel's gone too."

Electricity ran through Damon's entire body as he fell to his knees. The sun had begun to rise. The wind swept the dust away.

"Damon," Annette called out. He twitched. "Come on, Damon after all this, I'll give you your reward later," Annette seductively sang behind him.

Damon stood up, wobbly gripping his sword tightly. He looked at Nina, his face black, only his piercing blue eyes visible. Six years. She had six year to slowly take control of him entirely. I won't be able to beat that. By the looks of it, he has completely blocked everything out. Nina smiled, I guess I have to make him hear again.