Kilroos (Rise of the Guardians)

Sasha kept walking along with Mahlo until her stomach made the hunger rumblings. She looked at the rest and said "Anyone want some fruits--" she stopped in the middle of her sentence at the sight of the city gates. "Oh yeah...." she remembered, "They're not gonna like that... the princess... you know...". She wasn't sure if telling the guards about it was a good option. Sasha steped near Roy and looked around the gates nervously. As mahlo statted to speak to the gate guard, she stood still and alert to the guard's actions. She had a bad feeling.

Xerxes took no offense to Mahlo’s statement, neither did any of the others. The swamps were known for their sneaky traits. As the group approached the practically armorless guard he turned to them with a smile that slowly grew into a confused gape. “The princess? She’s… dead? That… That can’t be! We… We need to go tell the queen!” The group followed the guard through the town as they made their way to the palace. Poru noticed them coming back and got up to follow them into the palace with them Cassie and Esti seemed to fall towards the back with Poru as the group moved through the hall. The guards all opened the doors and the group moved in coming swiftly in to finally face the queen. There in her throne sat Gemini. Her legs sat across the arm rest and her head in the crease of the back cushion. “Oh! There you all are. I could’ve sworn you would’ve gotten lost. A wide smirk came across her face as she leaned back even more. Her mother still not in the throne room. The guard looked at the group. “She’s… not dead?” The entire group minus Poru stood in complete awe as even Esti looked a bit shocked. Quinn was terrified. She had no idea what was going on as she looked at Mahlo and then back to the princess. “That’s not possible! We saw Zenith take your soul! Gannon died with you in the library! Wh…what?!” Gemini laughed and inhaled almost like a wheeze, but her dark eyes laid on them quite predator-like before standing up. “You do know what a Gemini is correct? Bad, and good, as one!” The doors shut behind the group as she made sure her hair was not out of place. “I’m so sorry for your comrades. Quite the shame really. I’m ever so happy you made it back though!” She looked as though she hadn’t even left the palace, let alone the city before.

Mahlo followed the guard with a grim look spread across his features. The queen would very likely be upset about her princess' demise, considering that was the only thing the poor woman had left. Yet, he also knew in his (semi) good conscious that they would have been caught anyway. As he walked into the throne room, he came completely prepared to explain every detail to the Queen and hope that she--

"What the fuck?" 

Mahlo stared at the woman in complete and utter awe, and for the first time during the entire trip, his mouth was wide open in shock. He turned to Quinn as she spoke, looking between him and the seemingly reborn princess, nodding in agreement with her. The woman's silk smooth voice was completely unlike the original Gemini's and her sly smirk that stretched across her face told him that this princess had malevolent intentions--Whatever they were, he did not know. Mahlo narrowed his eyes with sudden malice, stepping closer to the throne, ahead of the others who still tried to process the twist (plot twist). 

"Listen here," Mahlo said through gritted teeth, pointing in her direction, "I don't like the look in your eye...Gemini died back at Skyline, but you--You're just the part of her she wanted to hide. So just be a good little princess and don't start tryin' to pick us off in our sleep."

Edon followed the group; he didn’t take part in the decision. The man was busy considering his own. He humored the idea of leaving the group. His life was going smoothly before they arrived. Trash cans, booze, and street corners. Edon didn’t feel anything then, and that felt great. Now, all his memories and emotions came flooding back to torment him. And for what? To run around a library?

Mahlo opened his mouth and Edon didn’t protest. The group accompanied the guard. The old drunkard decided to say nothing, everyone was already in such cheery spirits. His expression was stern as they ventured through the doors of the throne room.

The old man’s eyes widened upon seeing a ghost. Before, he hadn’t really cared if the princess lived or died. However, he certainly cared if she died and returned to life.

Mahlo stepped forward, his tough guy persona nearing its final form. After he issued his threat (if you could call it that), Edon stepped forward. The old man spoke with a more leveled tone than usual, “Excuse the boy’s rudeness, princess. Manners aren’t a trait that’s well-received in The Dark Swamps.” He spoke as if he’d been there. “We’re happy you made it back too… and surprised. We’re also a little on-edge from seeing our companions die. I’ll apologize on Mahlo’s behalf, and also ask if we can be led to our rooms.” He tried to dull the edge in his voice.

The boy could do nothing but blink. "Xerxes, didn't they say?" He whispered. What's happening? "Umm... well I'm glad the princess is alive and safe." Julius gave Gemini a short bow, if what Mahlo and Gemini said was true, then Edon's approach was the safest. They had to be calm and respectful because they wouldn't want to endanger themselves in their current state. They needed to rest, and he really wanted to read the books he was given. He smiled at the pile in his arms, the anticipation that he was going to be able to read them in peace excited him. He tried to see the difference between the Gemini that guided them and the one who stood before them. Is she the good twin or the bad twin? He looked behind him at the closed door and then looked back at the princess, waiting to see what was going to happen. They needed to be respectful and play it safe.

Sasha's bad feeling increased as they entered the room, and even more as she saw Gemini. She didn't see her die, but she only needed her friends' words to know that they weren't lying. For the first time, Mahlo had a legit surprised face, and Sasha felt really uncomfortable. Talking out loud to the rest of the group she said "I have... a bad feeling" she looked at Roy then Mahlo then Gemini. And she steped back next to Roy and huged his arm. Nervously she looked around

The princess raised an eyebrow and cracked her pointer finger with her thumb as she let her smile falter to Mahlo’s tone. The young woman’s happy exterior seemed to darken as her mood instantly dropped off. “Excuse me?” The guards seemed to back against the door, but didn’t look afraid. Her gaze turned to Edon as he spoke to her trying to apologize for what the swamps wielder had said to her. “Clearly!” Her voice seemed thunderous as her next knuckle cracked more boisterously than her pointer finger. Edon spoke of being happy of her return and a slight smile returned to her rather intense face lightening the mood a smidge. “Thank you… Edon…” She walked towards Mahlo keeping her smile. “I don’t care if you like my look. Zenith didn’t know of my… predicament. When he killed my host he took my Yang. I revived the body but we aren’t as strong as we could be. I will not forgive him until she is returned to me.” She got closer to Mahlo now as Quinn placed her hand on her weapon Gemini still had her soft smile on her face. “I recommend you don’t speak to me that way again, Wielder.” Turning to Edon she nodded. “I will escort you to your temporary homes.” The guards opened the doors as she looked at Julius. She took in consideration of his bow. Her smile grew as she stopped next to him and placed her hand on his head as a sign of gratitude.

Roy made sure Sasha was okay by keeping her away from Gemini. And followed the princess. Poru and Cassie followed with little Esti on Poru’s back again. Cassie held onto Esti’s leg as if trying not to let go of what happened to Zayne. The princess seemed to be cracking her knuckles as she walked and her heels clicked on the quartz floor. “Don’t let the word bad deter you from what truly is evil. The champions believe what they are doing is for the greater good of the world, and that your little rag tag group is the one that is ruining everything. I am not here to hurt you, even if my nature isn’t pure. There is always good in the bad. Yin and Yang. Duh.” The princess had on a much different attire than the first and her gown revealed a rather large tattoo on her back. “To the small girl. I believe your name was Sasha. We didn’t speak much to each other.” Her nails were black and sharp as she seemed to hold her arm out wanting Sasha next to her. “My hosts’ mother… rather ‘My mother’ is a very gentle soul. My hosts’ father, whom I will never call my own, was not so gentle.” Her knuckle cracking ensued on the other hand as she sighed heavily. “I was not there to witness my father’s death, and therefore cannot vouch it was a champion that killed him. My father’s voice was what harmed my mother into submission, constantly making her think of herself less than his queen.” She finally let her smile fall. “I am not telling your group to stay, but asking if you would. To find my father’s killer. In return… I can do one thing. For the small girl that is. Since Kings and Queens don’t do all the fighting…” She looked directly at Sasha. “Your hierarchy is quite putrid and rather rank. I could help you demolish that rat on a chair, but only if you want me to.” Her smile returned as they were finally in front of the two homes. “I can let you sleep on it young girl. As for you, young king…”

Her toned frame moved over to him and looked down at him letting her face soften into a neutral tone. “From what my mother has told me. I will tell you.” She pointed to the tree in front of their house, rather the LARGEST tree. “Every colossal tree starts out small. Time is the only thing that can change that.” She stood and snickered. “And lots of bullshit. Fertilizer. Ahem.” The princess looked over the group, fixing herself, slightly skipping Mahlo until it fell on Edon. “If you wish to stay with the group, you may. When our sun dial strikes in between the two planets (noon) I will leave my city in search of my lost twin. My host will not last long without her, and I damn Kilroos for wanting this conflict. I wish your group luck in killing Zenith, but my route I will take alone. I should forewarn you that the cold season is coming. Be prepared.”

Julius didn't appreciate being treated like a little boy as Gemini patted his head, but he enjoyed being appreciated and he followed behind the princess. He was intrigued by the tattoo on her back, he was intrigued by her figure in general, she was a very pretty woman and unlike her counterpart, she was much more proud to show it off. The conversation they were having was more distracting however, this talk of hunting down her... host's... it was strange to call Gemini a host for Gemini, but she wanted them to hunt her host's father's killer. He felt like they really couldn't say no to the offer.

Her motivational message was slightly strange in his opinion, the time message was good and all, but the fact she said bullshit then fertilizer was disturbing. He was sure she meant to say fertilizer... he hopes she did. The message was crude but it helped, telling him that just with time and... other help, he would grow into something great. He hoped that some of that "fertilizer" would be within the books he wanted to read, but what she said next had him push that plan out of his head as he objected to her plan. "Princess, I don't understand. If you are stronger linked with your host, what makes you believe you can defeat Zenith apart when he killed you when you were together?" He grit his teeth, aware that he may be speaking out of turn. "If you are planning on pursuing Zenith, why do we not do it together? There is powers in numbers and comrades."

Gemini stood tall with him and seemed to smile wide showing her teeth with it. “Oh, you’re naïve aren’t you?” Gemini sat down on the stone wall and inhaled again. “Young king. There is much more to this world that you will learn. Gemini is the girl’s body. This body.” She ran her hands up and down herself. “Gemini is the name of the girl that the queen gave birth to. Sadly, the young girl died at birth. This world is over run with spirits. Great spirits that were created by Kilroos. Yin and Yang are more modern terms for my twin and I. The mother swore that she would do anything to keep her daughter alive, and Kilroos offered that to her, us. Balance is a falsehood, there is highs and lows. I am her low with some hope, and Yang is her High with some doubt. Together we make Gemini. I will become uncontrollable soon. The powers that were only confined to this city is growing and I will become less balanced without my sisters prescence. It’s what Kilroos wanted. He knew we would go to the library ever since it started. It’s creating chain reactions. Even though I am the darker version of my light twin…” She looked over at Mahlo with poison in her words. “My intentions are pure, and we have the same goal in mind. If I do indeed lose control, it will not be near any of you, and at least I can count on you to finish the job for me.” Her smile was faltering but she tried to keep it up. “My sister is a big influence on me, and me on her. I make the daring calls… I am her confidence. She is my reality, my rock. I am bad, but that doesn’t mean I want to be.” Before she finished she cracked one more knuckle. “My mother is in the garden behind the palace. Please speak with her when you decide to leave.”

The boy listened to her answer resigned. He couldn't convince her, she was planning on going through with her plans and all he could do was what he was about to do now. He placed his hand on his heart and once again bowed. "If that's how it is, then I wish you the best of luck. May my blessing as wielder of Mist Mountains and King of Mist Mountains hold some weight to hopefully assist you on your journey." Finished, he placed his hand off his heart and onto her shoulder. Then he turned on his heels and walked to his cabin. He left quickly because he didn't want to fight his helplessness away with people watching. He wished he could do more for her, but he couldn't and he knew it, now all he could do was train himself to be much stronger than he was now for when they meet again. The young king went into his room and unhooked his spear, lying it next to the door as he closed it. He laid down on the bed, unlatching his sword and tucking it under his bed as he then opened up one of the books and lit the lantern that sat on the end table next to his bed. Julius drew the book close to the glow the oil fire gave and began poring over the book, trying to absorb all the information he could before sleep grabbed him and put him to sleep.

Sasha stood next to Roy looking at the princess carefully, she blinked at her hand extending up to her. Her black spikey nails were creepy and even tho she didn't want to, she did started to walk next to her. Tho Sasha didn't answer her offer, she looked at the house in front of her and noded, to then stand next to Roy once again, she'll wait for Roy to keep walking inside the little house.

Mahlo gritted his teeth at Edon as he stepped up for his sake, speaking of the Dark Swamps wielder as if he was a child for acting the way he did. He glared at him with eyes fiery like burning coals, suppressing the idea to strangle him. The princess, however, seemed impressed with Edon's defense (Obviously), and Julius' bowing (Again, obviously). She grinned at him--A jaded grin that basically meant a spit in the face. He scoffed in response, however wasn't able to reply to her as she walked away from the throne room.

The group began to walk aimlessly toward their temporary homes, following her as she gave the group all types of motivation to continue on their journey. She then started to talk about the Queen and King of Jycer, giving him a new perspective on the hierarchy that went on within the city. She even tried to sweeten up Sasha with the offer of taking her king off of his throne if they found the murderer of Gemini's father. 

She then informed them that she, in fact, wasn't quite as bad as she seemed to be. She simply wanted to get back Zenith for taking away her other half (Literally). Mahlo said nothing at the aspect of her leaving and losing control, although he silently wished for it to happen. As she once again reiterated that her intentions were pure, he simply sneered, "Yeah, well" His voice was softer than before, a certain understanding between the both of them of how terrible father figures can be, "I still don't trust you."

Edon matched the intensity of Mahlo’s glare; the old man had been dealing out dirty looks since before the wielder was born.

The ex-mentor shrugged in relief as the princess moved on from the wielder’s outburst. He followed Gemini 2.0 to their homes, eyeing her warily. After halting, her stare fell onto Edon once more. She permitted him to remain with the group, to which the old man didn’t respond. He had already made up his mind.

Members of the group started to take to their cabins. Edon entered his own, locating the bed and reclining onto the cushion. He tossed and turned for a bit. Hours maybe. The old drunkard grumbled and sat up. He made his way outside into the cool night air.

Edon stood firm, surrounded by the night. He caressed the bracelet, staring at it with narrowed eyes. The man carefully watched the opals glitter in the chilled moonlight.

He could really use a drink.

Mahlo walked away from the princess with great relief and toward their temporary homes. He grasped Quinn's hand tightly, bringing himself closer to her as he looked around at the others that walked inside. He went into their room, making sure that Quinn followed. He didn't want to do much of anything that night--He had enough to deal with after Skyline and being choked half to death by Sirius Nightshade. He crawled into bed, motioning for Quinn to follow. He waited for her to get in bed with him to curl up next to her and fall into a reckless slumber. 

The dream started out dark--painfully dark. When the bright light of Zenith showed up, Mahlo was blinded. He stumbled backward, placing his forearm in front of his face with a scowl. Blinking away the dots, he saw all of the champions. Zenith, Skye, Valkyrie, Sugar High and...a dark figure. He knew it was Ren--but since he had never seen him Mahlo couldn't make out his face in his dream. Mahlo took a defensive step back, glaring at all of them with fire in his green orbs. He reached for his scythe, unsheathing it, "Don't come any closer!"

Zenith chuckled, booming across the darkened world he had been placed in. However, when he spoke, black mist emerged from the man made of light. Instead of the champion's voice, he only heard Sirius, "Such fight and courage. It's too bad that you aren't harming only yourself with that attitude, Dark Swamps wielder." 

Mahlo blinked, "What?"

Something gripped his arm, and he darted his head to the source--Only to find the beautiful face of Quinn staring back at him. She was terrified, trembling onto him, "Mahlo, what...what are we going to do?"

Cold breath ran down the length of his neck, and out of the corner of his eye he saw a scar on a pale face. The man whispered softly into his ear, "If you love her, let her go."

Quinn screamed. By the time he saw her, she was falling into the abyss, "MAHLO!" She cried, reaching out to him. The Dark Swamps wielder knelt down, holding out his hand to her--Their fingers nearly touched as he grasped for her arm, and then--

Mahlo jerked into a sitting position, sweat soaking his face. Tears were running down his face and dripping onto the sheet...Or was that sweat, too? He turned quickly to see Quinn sleeping soundly next to him. He let out a long sigh of relief before stepping out of bed. He needed fresh air. 

****

When Mahlo stepped out, he was surprised to see someone else already taking in the cool night breeze. When he closed the door behind him, he realized that it was Edon standing there, staring down at something on his wrist. With a heavy sigh, he walked up until he was next to the old bastard. Mahlo's eyes were bloodshot and dry tears still stained his face. He could really use a drink.

"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Mahlo's voice was gruff and strained, unlike his usual demeanor.

Edon raised an eyebrow, slipping his hand into the pocket of his tattered coat. The bracelet rested safely within the confines of his clothing. He looked up at the stars as he responded flatly, “I’m too old to sleep.”

The ex-mentor glanced to the wielder for a moment, “What’s your excuse?”

Mahlo scoffed at his statement, a small grin intruding on his otherwise stoic expression. When he asked the question however, it quickly faded. He turned, looking at him for a moment before looking away, "Nightmares," His voice was soft, almost a murmur, "Saw a lotta shit I didn't feel like seeing." 

He shifted uncomfortably while standing, looking up at the beautiful stars in the chilly night sky.

Edon didn’t allow a smile to cross his features. However, his sullen expression had softened a bit. He acknowledged Mahlo’s words with a brief nod. His eyes returned to the display hanging over both men’s heads. The stars were lovely tonight.

The ex-mentor allowed a few moments of silence to pass before breaking it, “So, the grey girl… she’s my replacement?”

Mahlo embraced the silence while it lasted, the only noise made being the sounds of Jycer's nocturnal nature, which only added to the euphoria of the night. He stood like that for a while, allowing himself to calm before the old bastard spoke again. It took him a while to process what Edon said, but when he did, Mahlo's eyes widened. He turned to face the man, "You were Dark Swamps?" his expression was that of total shock--Partially because he had no idea where Edon was from, and partially because he was surprised anyone allowed him to become a Dark Swamps mentor.

Edon huffed as surprise quickly washed over Mahlo’s face. The old man didn’t take offense, he had expected such a reaction. Still, it was amusing to see the wielder caught off guard. The man’s gaze was still fixed on the stars, “Yep. It’s where I picked up all my spunk.” He itched his poorly-shaven jaw and faced Mahlo. “So, are you and her…?” Edon furthered the implication with a hand gesture.

Mahlo scoffed, blowing it off at first before eventually turning back to the stars. He let out a deep exhale, running a hand through his bleach blonde hair, "Yeah...We are," He frowned softly, "I mean, I know it's stupid...A mentor with a wielder. But I mean, my feelings for her are so strong that I didn't wanna die without being with her. This...This is a long journey. I probably wouldn't have made it this far if she hadn't been there with me." 

He looked back over at Edon and shrugged, "So yeah. Me and Quinn are a thing."

Edon caressed the bracelet in his pocket. He returned his attention to the stars as well. The ex-mentor let out a heavy sigh before speaking up again. His tone had shifted into a lower, more serious one. “Listen, kid,” the old man started, “We all make mistakes, and we all pay a price. And that… it’s a big mistake. End it now and save yourself the heartache.” His words were sharp, as if they were intended to do damage.

Mahlo looked away from Edon as he began to speak--He already could feel the disapproval radiating from his expression. He grumbled, scowling at his response. He turned his head sharply away from the stars and the old bastard, clenching his fists, "I'd rather die knowing that I was with her then die with regret," His voice was sharp as well, clashing with the sharp tongue of the old bastard, "I love her, and she feels the same about me."

He suddenly turned to him, "And just what do you know about it anyway? You probably don't even know what it's like to feel this way."

Edon shrugged, taking the bracelet out of his pocket. He toyed with the piece of jewelry. The ex-mentor’s expression contorted into a scowl for a moment, before settling into a wistful blankness. He was a bit confused. The old man was anticipating anger, but it didn’t come. “You’re a figure and she’s a figure protector,” he elaborated, “It just won’t…” Edon trailed off, reconstructing his thoughts. He gripped the bracelet tightly as he continued, his tone shifted once more, “If you die knowing you were with her… then you’ll die knowing you left her alone. Or she’ll die and abandon you. Being all lovey-dovey is great until that happens… until you’re left with nothing but pain… that’s when you’ll feel regret.”

Mahlo listened to his words, and slowly his scowl faded and became a faint frown. His expression softened as he watched him look at his bracelet fondly. He took some of the words he said to heart, putting it in his mind that maybe it would have been better had he not said anything. However--Mahlo and Edon were different people. He held a hope still that it would turn out different than the typical love stories. 

He looked down and exhaled softly, "I'm...I'm sorry, Edon," He didn't say it directly, but Mahlo knew he had experienced exactly what he was feeling, and he had lost the woman in his life.

As Mahlo’s expression changed, Edon grumbled. He hated pity more than anything. The ex-mentor scoffed dismissively. “Yeah, yeah,” he paused, “Don’t lose any sleep over it, kid.”

With that, the old man tucked the bracelet away and wandered back inside.

He would be staying with the group.