Rise of The Guardians 2: Just Like Fire

Chapter 14: Aria

Transporting right onto my front doorstep, I stepped inside as I started sparking furiously, the heat quickly removing the cold from my system. The snow I had melted clung to me, making the hems of my jeans heavy. It dripped onto the floor as I stood in the reception room, making muted plops against the dark stone.

As what I had seen finally sank in, I felt my face flame brighter than the streaks in my hair. Repeating my actions in my mind as though they were a dance step I was trying to memorise, I felt my face glow even hotter in mortification. They probably thought I had a crush on Jack or something!

Climbing the stairs, I collapsed on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

I had known the minute the Mother had told me what I was meant to be doing that it was a bad idea. There were too many variables, and Kronos was too unpredictable. I should have just gone and killed him myself, without getting others involved. They would have had no idea how much danger they were in. I wouldn't have worried about being in the same room as my polar opposite.

More 'I wouldn't have's' and 'they would never have's' floated around my head; a flock of birds dive-bombing on my conscience. Then an unpleasant thought wormed into my brain, as thoughts of Kronos grew stronger.

Could you face him? After everything that happened? Could you do it? You know what he once was, and you know who he's become. What makes you think that you can look this man in the eye and end his life, knowing him? You're not a murderer, and you're not like him. You're alone, with no support. Why do you think you can kill him, without losing a piece of yourself? You've never killed anyone before. Who knows how it would have changed you? Perhaps the Mother sent you to them, so they could become your emotional crutch.

I snorted at the last thought, realising my brain was just over-exaggerating my insecurities. Brought back to reality, I couldn't help but notice that my clothes were still wet and were refusing to dry, making me uncomfortable.

I got changed and collapsed on my bed, still thinking about Kronos, the Guardians and Jack. For some reason my mind always seemed to be drawn back to him, like a magnet.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing blood. My rattling breathing was the only sound I could hear, and I sat up listening. The wind seemed to have vanished, causing the air to sit heavy and humid around me, a demons maw waiting to swallow me whole.

No birds. No leaves rustling. For all I knew, I was the only living thing left in the realm.

My pulse hammered out a deafening drum roll as I waited silently, looking around the room to see movement.

Ever so slowly, the flowers on my dresser wilted, turning grey as water droplets rose from their petals. My mouth dropped open as hundreds of the shining droplets hovered over the vase and the dead flowers, looking like glitter as they sparkled with the sun still streaming through the window.

Distracted by the show and the possibility of a water mage, at first I didn't notice someone enter the room on silent feet.

"Long time no see."

I spun on the mattress, knocking a pillow on the floor. Kronos leaned on my doorframe, smirking at me.

I narrowed my eyes as he continued. "Have you missed me?"

"No."

He placed his hand over his heart, pretending to look wounded as he pouted at me with puppy-dog eyes.

He opened his mouth to say something else, but I didn't give him a chance, sending a fireball at his face.

Instead of charring his smirk like I wanted, the flame winked out inches from his nose, as though all the oxygen had been pulled from the air around it.

I send another two in a single second, but then I felt several beaded droplets of something cold and wet touch the back of my neck. The sparks in my veins were extinguished in rapid succession, and I felt my body become heavier.

My eyesight blurred as I collapsed on the bed.

"Goodnight." Kronos grinned.

(A/N) I know the ending of this one is quite suspenseful, I promise toupdate soon.