EQAO

Chapter 36 - The Battle Begins

More sparks. Two more bodies on the ground. Now, it was just Ms. Gerdalli and me. She turned to look at me.

"Turning my servants against me? Amateur. They are weak, and so are you."

I deflated.

My plan failed, and now I'm going to die.

"I failed to dispose of you before," she continued, "but now, I have you cornered. You can't evade me again."

Her electrical shield strengthened, and electricity bounced all around it. I felt heat, and saw a blinding flash of light, and realized that she had struck the spot right next to me. It was so fast, I didn't even see it coming. There was no way I could stop her, if I couldn't even dodge her attacks.

"Having second thoughts, now that you've seen my power?" she purred.

"Never."

It was a lie. I was having second thoughts. But there was no turning back now. Another flash of light, but this time, it was right in front of me. I was slightly more prepared, and managed to shut my eyes before the light blinded me. My face was hot, and I felt for my eyebrows. They had been singed off.

"Oopsies..." Ms. Gerdalli said innocently, "Looks like I took a little off your face. Here, why don't I take the rest off too?"

I glared at her.

She's toying with me.

I tried to feel for the water in the fountain in Mr. Folman's office, but all the water underneath our feet was making me dizzy. Finally, I managed to grab hold of the fountain water, and I willed it to come to me. I could feel the water flowing through the hallways, but it was still so far away.

I have to keep her talking.

"So why don't you kill me now?" I asked her, still keeping my thoughts on the water.

She grinned maliciously,

"Ignorant child, that would take all the fun out of it. Besides, I want your death to be long and painful."

I shuddered, but kept a brave face. The water had reached the final hallway...

"I think you're just too afraid to take me on." I said, with as much arrogance as I could muster.

Her grin faded into a snarl,

"You are just a powerless girl. I am the most powerful woman on this planet. I am not afraid to 'take you on'."

"Powerless, huh?"

The water was in the crescent room now.

"Are you sure about that?"

The water burst through the door and surrounded me, making a protective layer that covered my armour. Just as it formed, she struck. I closed my eyes, and braced for impact, but it never came. Instead, I opened my eyes to find a shocked Ms. Gerdalli staring at me. Her shock quickly turned to rage.

"No matter," she hissed, "you will still die."

She lunged at me, and her bubble collided with me, throwing me backwards. I wasn't hurt though, my armour had protected me. I quickly stood up, and jumped to the side as a bolt of lightning hit where I had previously been. Ms. Gerdalli had modified her shield to match mine, and we circled around each other like wolves.

I studied her, and noticed that while my steps were light, for I had my water barrier covering my whole foot, her steps were hard, landing on the ground with fury every time. Her electrical armour only covered the top of her feet, leaving her soles exposed.

If I could just get her to fall over, then I could attack her feet and weaken her.

I was so focused on my thoughts, that I didn't even notice Ms. Gerdalli swinging something at my face, until heat and pain stung my cheeks. I stumbled backward, disoriented. Without my water armour, that blow would've been lethal. Fortunately, I just felt like I got a really bad sunburn.

I sensed another attack coming just in time to move all the water in front of me. I saw now that what Ms. Gerdalli had been swinging, was a large whip, crackling with electricity. It bounced harmlessly off my shield, and I turned it back into armour.

My turn.

I shot all the water I had straight at Ms. Gerdalli, the water forming a sharp point at the end. I rolled to the right, in case she attacked, because at the moment, I was defenceless. I looked up to see my water hit her barrier, and turn into steam.