.Elementals.

-71-

(I realised today that this chapter or the next one will be it.... not the ending I mean but like.... all the puzzle pieces are set up for the story.... oh boy I am not ready for this at all I don't know you but I would want to push it aside it is such a jumbled mess)

"Does it hurt?" Audrey sure was a bit awkward still, I was the one that had already forgiven all after all and needed to convince her it could get better.

"It is a burn." Was my answer, her fingers hovering by my face, almost touching it.

"Oh right right sorry."

"It is fine, I'll get hurt for you as many time as needs to be."

"Lets try to not do that alright? All the other scars on you are already because of something to do with me and this last one is from me directly."

"I told you I don't blame it on you... I'll bring you to your room alright? Belladonna wants to see us all."

"Alright yeah."

I walked her as I said, it was more cold then before but she needs to accept this can't be changed anymore and that it'll be fine, just like the metaphor I made up, a brick in the tower.

"Hey." I said before she closed the door.

"Yeah?"

"I do love you don't forget that."

"Right." She smiled a bit. "You know I do too but.."

"The guilt, I know that too don't worry, just try to make your mind accept that it was the skin-taker's fault, not yours.... Nor mine."

"Right, see you soon Mystery, one last fight tomorrow and nothing will stand in the way."

"The last sprint to the finish line, do you know when it will be?"

"Should be right at lunch, middle of the day since that's when the dragon queen will come back to observe the fight."

"Alright Audrey, read a bit, get some sleep and we'll meet tomorrow."

"Same to you."

I didn't want to leave after what happened but Belladonna was calling so I walked down to the dungeons.

When I arrived instead of starting to retell what she called us here for she instantly grabbed my face to look at the burnt scar.

"What happened my dear?" Sometimes the mothering side of her came out more then she intended it, it being a more private display.

"The problem has been fixed." I said, gently taking her hands off my face.

"You sure? We can hurt the culprit." Calypso said sweetly, I am starting to think I am the favorite person to everyone.

"I wouldn't let you, hurt her and I'll kill you."

"It was the princess?" Belladonna said shocked.

"Yeah because of them I think." Amalia said pointing at a cell. 

"If that's the taker's cell then yes." I said before sighing. "It doesn't matter anymore all is resolved."

"Is it?"

"Yes!" I said loudly, annoyed they couldn't drop the subject. "Yes it is.... Why did you call me here with that creature?"

"Well the problem is." Leo pipped up. "Emersme and I stood guard while Belladonna and Calypso were informed by Amalia about the ill willing skin taker."

"Yes?"

"They are now dead."

"What?!!" I yelled in surprise, shoving to the cell and glaring at the corpse with their neck snapped. I let out a small angry yell and punched the iron bar, denting it. "And you let it die?!" I looked at them before looking at the body, it didn't pay for what it did to me.

"We could do nothing, whatever it was slipped by us both, all we got to see was the body crumpled when we heard a crashing sound behind us." Em said and I sighed.

"It mentioned a dark lord when I took it down." I said. "It mentioned a dark lord.... A darkness lord.... The prophecy.... I am sure that both dark lord and the darkness are the same."

"That would mean we have less time then we thought as it already has woken up." Calypso said. Merlin did say it would come forth soon but I didn't tell that to the others of course.

"Mystery?" Belladonna asked, with one word saying multiple.

"Yeah I think so too." I nodded. "It has been awake since the start, since the first assassination attempt, it must know of the prophecy which is why Audrey and I are targeted by its doings."

"Alright you four scout the area and try to pick up anything, reach deep in your powers and find this lord of darkness while Mystery you'll go home and sleep."

"But--" "No buts young lady! You are hurt, emotionally unstable and have a fight tomorrow, you will relax and have a full night sleep got it? Now come." I sighed and followed her out of here.

"Mystery you need to care for yourself more." Belladonna said, her arm hooked around my offered elbow as we walked.

"I know, everyone keep repeating it."

"You should heed their words."

"I know."

"I won't asked what happened between the skin taker, you and the princess as I know you'd make this another of your many secrets but if it is an unhealthy relationship you can't remain."

"It isn't, just a huge mistake in the heat of pain and it caused while wearing my face to make her think I was a cheat."

"Oh my, you've been a lot more open these last weeks."

"What can I say? Some things are worth letting in."

"Or letting out."

"What can I say I have a powerful fire." I smirked softly. "I applaud you Belladonna, you won our little game, too many witnessed my power when I let part of it escape."

"I look forwards to teaching you more about being a head mage." She laughed softly as we arrived. "Now go and lay down, you'll need all your strength tomorrow, can't leave a princess hanging."

"Right."

But I couldn't sleep for a while, I put my sword back on and pulled it out, training a bit in my room to forms that didn't require a lot of free space to try to tire myself out and ease my mind.

I sheathed the sword and just dropped on my bed without changing out or taking the belt with the sword off again, just not having the motivation as Nix made herself comfortable laying straight across my neck with her fluffy stomach resting on my airway, lucky me she isn't a fat cat or she'd be able to suffocate me tho that didn't stop her from trying when I slept and she required feeding at the moment, stepping on my throat and down glaring as me with her sassy eyes.

I heard the others come back one after the other before finally her purrs lulled me into sleep after a while.

But I jumped awake at the loud sound of an explosion that shook the ground.