Legacy of Dreams: Freedom

by Thomas J. L. Green

  He hid in the trunk of the end tree before the blossoms exploded! Amazing! What a shame that the match is over.

  I am out of bounds.

  98

  Luna

  “RAVEN YOU ASSHOLE!” Luna screamed as she kept trying to get out of the metal. The backlash was still going strong so she couldn’t use any of her normal strength. She was tired and all that kept her going was her rage. All she heard from the arena were the thunderous cheers of the crowds. Suddenly the gate opened. Luna saw no one. Then she noticed Raven is slowly moving through the tunnel while leaning onto the wall.

  “GET OVER HERE SO I CAN FUCKING MURDER YOU!” Luna shouted.

  “Oh, don’t say that!” Samantha fried Luna with a stare as she entered through the door and dashed straight to Raven. She took him over her shoulder and helped him moving. He still had to lean on the wall because Samantha wasn’t strong enough to carry him.

  “YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!” Luna screeched. Raven made it all the way to her.

  “I… am…sorry,” he whispered, then moved his hand over the metal holding Luna and it fell apart.

  “I hate you,” Luna replied, but went to help Samantha carry him. They tried taking him to Samantha’s room.

  “Can’t… backlash… my… cell,” Raven squeezed out.

  “What does he mean?” Samantha breathed.

  “That you can’t heal him because he will have too strong backlash soon. Any magic entering his body would overload it and make things worse,” Luna explained.

  “I know what backlash is! I have it all the time! But Raven has never had it in his life,” Samantha protested.

  “He does now,” Luna smirked. Disbelieving, Samantha put her hand on his face and noticed how it is getting colder.

  “How? Raven doesn’t use any magic,” Samantha marveled as they carried him to his cell.

  “He will tell you himself once he recovers,” Luna nodded, “I… have no right to do so.”

  They carried him to the cell and lay him on the ground by the wall. They didn’t have the strength to put him into the bed. Nibbles instantly ran to Raven and climbed on his shoulder, visibly worried.

  “I will go prepare the ointments; I will be right back,” Samantha announce and blasted off from the room. Luna sat down next to him.

  “I am sorry, Luna,” Raven whispered after a while.

  “Why did you do that Raven? You had no right to stop me!” Luna replied, anger flaring up within her.

  “I know… but it was the right thing to do,” Raven responded.

  “Who are you to make the decision?” Luna shot at him.

  “I was the one who had to make it.”

  “So, I don’t count? My opinion has no value between us?”

  “No… but you would have died there. Just like the Reavers would have.”

  “That’s not the point! IT WASN’T YOUR DECISION TO MAKE!”

  “I made it, it happened… so it was mine to make,” Raven kept going.

  “YOU CAN’T JUST FORCE YOUR WILL ON OTHERS! NOT EVEN IN THEIR OWN GOOD!” Luna screamed.

  “I am just happy that you are alive… your pride will heal, your life would have not,” Raven refused.

  “Happy? HAPPY?” Luna shouted, grabbed Nibbles and bit his head off, “HOW ABOUT NOW?” she shrieked into his face.

  Raven sagged his head back by the wall.

  “AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!” he wailed.

  The wail of pain tore Luna’s soul apart. Her anger evaporated and guilt replaced it. Unbearable guilt. Raven started sobbing, then outright crying.

  “I am so sorry… so so sorry,” Luna whispered as she got wet and stinging. Tears kept flowing down his face. Loud sobbing filled the room and beat Luna down. She just sat there motionless, speechless, frozen. She wanted to die. Truly die. She drew her dagger and rammed it into her throat. The blade shattered into thousand pieces as it touched her skin. Luna roared in frustration and hit the wall with her head, hoping to break her own neck. Again, again and again, until she lost consciousness.

  99

  Salazar

  Salazar sagged by the wall to recover for a bit. The specter of backlash was gnawing at his insides, but he wasn’t finished. Not yet. He made wine wrap his shattered arm and shoulder, healing plant filled the cut on his chest and headed out. He didn’t go to the washing room. Instead, he headed into the arena complex.

  “Sorry sir, this area is off limits,” a guard tried to stop him. He and his companions died before they managed to say another word as Salazar’s wines crushed them. Every guard he met died until he reached his destination. Salazar softly opened the room. Across the room sat Raven, sagged by the wall. He held Luna in his arms and was weeping.

  “What happened?” he asked softly.

  “Can you revive them?” Raven motioned with his head to Luna and to the skewered rat on the ground. Salazar made his plants grow.

  “She is just unconscious; the plant will help the cracked skull heal… although she will be fine once her backlash is over,” Salazar stated as he made his plant wrap softly around Luna’s head.

  “About him… shall I bury him?” he whispered.

  “Not here,” Raven whispered. Salazar made his plant pick both parts of Nibble’s body and wrapped them in a small package. He then put it close to Raven.

  “I just came here tell Luna that I know she tried to help and that I am glad she managed to save at least Yvonne. I cannot forgive her killing them, but I know they would have died anyway and shall not seek revenge toward her,” he stated.

  “I am happy to hear Yvonne is alright. I will deliver your message,” Raven nodded. Salazar turned back to the door.

  “One more thing… how do you call your magic?” Salazar asked.

  “Why?” Raven asked.

  “My father once attempted to record all forms of magic. He can no longer do so, but I took it up after him. I need a name to write down next to yours,” Salazar smiled.

  “It doesn’t have a name,” Raven admitted.

  “You never called it in any way? How about you make a name now? Usually, the originator is the one who makes the name… and don’t worry, there is a woman who calls her magic Queen of Souls, so it’s not like there are any wrong or too lame names or something like that,” Salazar revealed.

  “How do you call yours?” Raven returned the question.

  “Impulse of Creation,” Salazar answered.

  “I am sorry… I can’t think of a name,” Raven conceded.

  “I will name it myself,” Salazar smiled and turned to leave.

  “How will you call it?”

  “Will of God.”

  “I think that’s a little excessive,” Raven contested.

  “Says the man who can stop time,” Salazar smirked and left.

  “What the hell are you doing?!” Lord Alkambra shouted as Salazar entered his chambers. Salazar closed the door behind him.

  “Where is Gly’Yen’Thn?” Salazar asked coldly.

  “I have no idea who are you talking about. What happened to my guards?” lord Alkambra asked sharply. Plant sprouted from the ground, wrapped around the entire room and caught all lord Alkambra’s limbs.

  “They are dead. Where is Gly’Yen’Thn?” Salazar repeated.

  “Are you threatening me? HOW DARE YOU!” he tried to struggle, but the plants held him firm.

  “Answer me!” Salazar commanded.

  “Or what?” Alkambra spat.

  Salazar stepped to him, took out a seed and let it sprout into a tiny spiky flower. He then pressed flower on the lord’s artery. Alkambra shrieked in pain and started trembling.

  “This plant is called Devil’s Smirk. It will spread itself through your circulatory system and wrap around your veins. It shall be slowly eating you from the inside. The thing is, this plant is a smart one, so it eats the host in the way, so it doesn’t kill him soon. It will take at least a day before your heart gives out and you die. You wi
ll know every minute of it because it releases a toxin that stimulates the blood flow, so you will not fall unconscious no matter how much it hurts. And trust me, wyvern’s poison is a child’s play compared to this when it comes to the intensity of pain,” Salazar described as Alkambra continued screaming in pain and terror.

  “Where is she?” Salazar added.

  “I don’t know… She ran out… of town knowing you… will look for he... went to hide… somewhere far,” Alkambra blurted between the shrieks of pain.

  Salazar spun on his heel and headed to the door, the plant making a space for him to pass.

  “Remove it… please,” Alkambra whimpered as horror crept up on him.

  “I never said I would,” Salazar walked away through the door and had the plant seal the room.

  “I am sorry I knocked you out,” Salazar apologized as he let Katherine woke up.

  “Wh… what? What happened to you?” Katherine exhaled as realized Salazar is sitting sagged by the wall, visibly bleeding under his healing plants.

  “I fought Raven,” he smiled.

  “I see… so, what now?” Katherine inquired as she went to dress up.

  “We lay low for a few days before my backlash ends. Then we go home,” Salazar smiled.

  “What? Did you…” Katherine couldn’t squeeze the words out.

  “I lost.”

  100

  Luna

  “I am s…what? Where am I?” Luna looked around confused. She was wrapped in furs and felt warmth in front of her. She shook her head and realized she is lying on Miranda and that they are both naked.

  “Uuughh,” Miranda groaned and pushed Luna into her body with her arms. She was completely wrapped around her. Luna softly kissed Miranda’s skin until she woke up.

  “Ehhh… sorry, slept hard,” Miranda made a drowsy smile.

  “How did I get here? What happened? Where is Raven? I am sorry!” Luna blurted all that was in her mind.

  “Raven is in the arena, mourning the rat. I carried you here… and that’s what happened,” Miranda concluded.

  “Is Raven alright? I need to talk to him!” Luna exclaimed.

  “He told me he wants to be alone, made me chase off Samantha and block the door… I don’t think he wants to talk to anyone right now,” Miranda evaluated.

  “What’s the deal with the rat anyway?” she added.

  “It was his only friend for… years? A decade? Something like that,” Luna answered.

  “You are really are a savage,” Miranda smirked. Luna’s eyes filled with tears,“it was joke goddammit!” Miranda shouted and pulled Luna up to kiss her. The kiss calmed Luna down a bit.

  “What happened with Raven anyway? I thought you were friends and he acted as such,” Miranda pried.

  “We… had an argument. He stopped me from going to the arena by force,” Luna revealed.

  “ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE? You were on backlash; you would have died there ten fucking times!” Miranda shouted.

  “I needed to talk to Salazar,” Luna protested weakly.

  “For what? So, he can change his mind and tear you to shreds? Oh, by the way, he talked to Raven, Raven to me, and I am supposed to tell you that he realizes that you tried to help as he figured out the earring thing. He does want to kill you but won’t go out of his way for it. He even made you this shitty plant hat to help your head heal,” Miranda explained as she took the plant bandage Luna had on her head before.

  “Well… at least the tournament is over so I can go get my binds done in Xona… I really need it,” Luna admitted.

  “After the finals… yeah,” Miranda smirked.

  “Wait… what? Are you saying Raven won?” Luna breathed in disbelief.

  “Yea. It was the most insane magic fuckfest I had ever seen. Main features were Raven crossing sixty feet in under a second, crossing not teleporting because there were footsteps, Raven chopping off Salazar’s head, Salazar reviving using the Holy Tree of Life, Salazar using the cursed tree of hell to blast the whole arena only to get bitch slapped by Raven’s shield so hard it shattered his arm and knocked him off the bounds of the ring,” Miranda exclaimed.

  “Bullshit,” Luna breathed.

  “Yea... it was totally insane. Anyway, down to business,” Miranda stated.

  “You aren’t kidding… are you?” Luna verified.

  “No,” Miranda confirmed.

  “Last thing… Raven denied it, but it looked like you tried to kill yourself. Do you have anything to say in your defense?” Miranda pinned Luna down with her look.

  “I am sorry… I lost it once I killed the rat,” Luna admitted. Miranda sighed and sagged down.

  “Please don’t do it… ever again,” she whispered.

  “I won’t, I am sorry… I just really need the binds redone,” Luna breathed.

  “Promise me you won’t,” Miranda pressed.

  “I promise,” Luna said and meant it.

  Miranda held her tight.

  “I really don’t want to lose you,” she whispered.

  Luna hugged her strongly.

  “Also… this is the last time I am cleaning your pants,” Miranda pierced Luna with an intense stare again.

  “What?” Luna exclaimed.

  “You hit your head so hard you shat yourself. I have no idea how you fit that much shit into you, but I spent over an hour cleaning you and your clothes,” Miranda stated.

  Luna turned bright red.

  “Anyway, we have other matters to attend to,” Miranda announced.

  “Now I really hope you don’t have any more horrifying things to tell me,” Luna conceded.

  “Well, backlash is out and we have a few days to spend… and… you know… I have actually missed you.”

  “I really don’t deserve this,” Luna smiled awkwardly.

  “Yes, you don’t, but I do.”

  101

  Iowen

  “What’s the plan for the match?” Erik asked as the team Ghalkel met for before their match.

  “Well… not much. We are facing the last slaver team. Something killed all their monsters in the past two days, so it will be kind of boring,” Tal’Sec evaluated.

  “Well, after seeing Salazar versus Raven, I am up for boring,” Iowen breathed.

  “I think we all are… does anyone have any idea how Raven survived that?” Robert nodded.

  “I have no idea, but I don’t think it was a fluke,” Battista stated.

  “We are going to need to make a plan to face him though,” Alfons added.

  “First things first, anyone wants to skip the match today?” Tal’Sec interrupted them.

  “I volunteer,” Iowen smirked.

  “Good,” Tal’Sec nodded.

  “You are okay with that? I haven’t fought in a single match yet,” Iowen exclaimed.

  “Yes. It would be shameful to have a lady fight when we have more than enough able men,” Tal’Sec revealed.

  “You guys are way too nice,” Iowen shook her head.

  The match was every bit as boring as Tal’Sec figured. The slaver teams were all built around monsters, without them, it was just half demonized slaves. It was like watching sick squirrels fight against an organized pack of dire wolves.

  I guess I made it to the finals, Iowen evaluated as she watched the carnage.

  Yay, me! I have really earned this…

  NOT!

  102

  Luna

  “What the hell are you doing here?!” Miranda screamed angrily.

  “Sorry! Had no idea you are both here,” Lucas apologized awkwardly, turning around to not look at the girls in the bed.

  “Whatever. What is it?” she asked sharply.

  “We are leaving tomorrow, just came to tell you that,” Lucas admitted.

  “I am busy,” Miranda snarled.

  “We are leaving in two days, get ready!” Lucas commanded and went on to leave.

  “Fine! Now fuck off!” Miranda shouted.

  “Was that…?” Luna br
eathed.

  “Yea. I told you it’s awkward as hell,” Miranda admitted.

  “On the plus side, I think you just changed the entire mission schedule,” Luna remarked.

  “True, I told you I have no idea how to handle these things… I mean, he was supposed to tell me to shut up and get ready, not change the schedule just so I can have some fun,” Miranda conceded, visibly guilty.

  “Well, one thing I have learned is that you should take the good things in life when they come,” Luna smiled.

  “Now I feel seriously guilty,” Miranda shook her head.

  “You really are helpless, aren’t you?” Luna chuckled.

  “Shut up, midget,” Miranda cut her off.

  “Oh really…” Luna got up from the bed, went to her shirt and pulled out a vial.

  “Why don’t you have a drink?” she tossed it to Miranda.

  “What does it do?”

  “It’s from Hungry Daisy. It will keep your sweetest entrance dancing around merrily no matter what I do to it,” Luna grinned, “have just a bit, I took a really strong one, so it lasts for a long time.”

  Miranda gave Luna a sour look and turned the whole potion into her.

  “I don’t think we are going to Illysaeas, we better make use of the time we have,” Miranda evaluated.

  “Oh… well… that means we got these two days and then we won’t meet for at least two months,” Luna summarized.

  “Looks like your tiny excuse of a brain isn’t nearly as retarded as it smells like,” Miranda purred sweetly. Luna pounced on her and kissed her.

  “You will regret drinking that potion… so tell me, Miranda, have you been a nice girl since we parted in Xona?” Luna pried.

  “No, of course not… are you brain-dead or something?” Miranda smirked.

  Luna slid down Miranda’s body, pushed her legs open and went to check her prize. The entire area including the inner thighs was glistening in the light.