Oh no, caught.   What happens next? Wonderful story.

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Yep still waiting...... This story is addicting to read!!

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http://alexisrose.mybrute.com/team/109037

we want a new chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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you ate mah cookie

So sorry guys T_T I'm trying. I've got a job, art contests and now a costume to make for an upcoming anime Convention. Soon I will be enrolling in cosmetology school and then....GAH too much! DX

I will try to write the next chapter soon, i promise! I have not abandoned you all!

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My closest friends are in my head!

ReaversSparrow:

So sorry guys T_T I'm trying. I've got a job, art contests and now a costume to make for an upcoming anime Convention. Soon I will be enrolling in cosmetology school and then....GAH too much! DX

I will try to write the next chapter soon, i promise! I have not abandoned you all!

Thanks for letting us know whats up. We don't want to rush you and cramp your creative writing, we are just anxious because it is so We will await your next update when you are able to.

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http://alexisrose.mybrute.com/team/109037

my god you are a great writer, cant wait for the next chapter

ten years later.....

plz i need a new chapter!!!!!!!

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you ate mah cookie

ashleigh1995:

ten years later.....

plz i need a new chapter!!!!!!!

Give her time...I know i want to know what happens as well but great writers need time.

starz1984:

ashleigh1995:

ten years later.....

plz i need a new chapter!!!!!!!

Give her time...I know i want to know what happens as well but great writers need time.

but by this rate i would actually be old enough to buy fable 2

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you ate mah cookie

starz1984:

ashleigh1995:

ten years later.....

plz i need a new chapter!!!!!!!

Give her time...I know i want to know what happens as well but great writers need time.

but by this rate i would actually be old enough to buy fable 2 without getting my dad to buy it for me

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you ate mah cookie

She's said already that she's swamped with many other things, but has not forgotten about it.  Since you're not old enough to buy it then you need to try and understand that adults have tons of stuff on their plates and have to juggle priorities. Right now, she has other more pressing matters that need to be done first, and might not be able to post for a while. Part of growing up is also learning how to be patient   Just keep checking every day or so.

Rahkitty:

She's said already that she's swamped with many other things, but has not forgotten about it.  Since you're not old enough to buy it then you need to try and understand that adults have tons of stuff on their plates and have to juggle priorities. Right now, she has other more pressing matters that need to be done first, and might not be able to post for a while. Part of growing up is also learning how to be patient   Just keep checking every day or so.

stop treating me like an 8 year old im swamped with loads of stuff aswell they are called gcses. well stressing about starting them but i still make time to do non urgiant stuff and if i was her i would write a little bit of a chapter like once a week not just writing it all at once and i am an adult just a young 1

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you ate mah cookie

and that last post was almost an month ago

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you ate mah cookie

ashleigh1995:

starz1984:

ashleigh1995:

ten years later.....

plz i need a new chapter!!!!!!!

Give her time...I know i want to know what happens as well but great writers need time.

but by this rate i would actually be old enough to buy fable 2 without getting my dad to buy it for me

then buy it, so what..STOP conplaining

i have i just got my dad to buy it for me =p

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you ate mah cookie

Hang on you guys! I've been writing when i can. Very nearly finished this chapter T_T. I have like two more scenes to write. Almost done with the first one! I'm off today, so I am going to write

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My closest friends are in my head!

Take your time , its worth the wait

Wasn't trying to treat you like a kid.  Just putting it in a better perspective. It's not polite to badger someone on forums with "plz i need a new chapter!!!!!!!"  That's why you're getting people like me and others telling you to calm down, or 'stop complaining' as someone else said already.  And the whole "if i was her i would..." doesn't work. You're not her, and she's not you. That's super great you can make time to do non-urgent stuff, but she obviously has too much on her plate to do that. She's going to write it how she does it best, and if this is the way she does it, then that's something we all should understand. 
Don't get so defensive next time. I was simply trying to tell you to be more patient and not keep posting "want more chapters now". I'm an artist too, and it gets hard when fans can't understand that we just do things at a different pace than they would, sometimes.

And actually, a REALLY great way to monitor the story is through Deviant Art. She posts the chapters there too, and if you have an account with her on watch you'll get notifications when she posts something new. XD http://finalchara.deviantart.com/

Dun dun dun! Guess what? Is it? Could it finally be? Yes! A new chapter! Fresh off the...WordPerfect XD

Sparrow and Garth finally escape from the Spire, but there is much sadness along the way...

p.s.-just to give you a fair warning, LONG CHAPTER IS LONG. o________o


Chapter 33
-Escape!-


  Lucien smiled, looking me up and down.
“You are quite beautiful you know. Shame about the bruises. I’m truly sorry it had to come to that, but...” He paused and looked at his boots before walking over to me. My heart raced as he neared. I hated having him this close to me, let alone in the same room.
  “Dear Sparrow, you prove to be quite a handful. I must say you have the spirit of a rebel.” He gave me a look that I didn’t like one bit and I hated what he said next.

“I like that.”

“E-excuse me?” I was in complete shock at these words. Lucien stepped closer and sighed as I frowned intensely.

“Forgive me, I shouldn’t speak that way. You just remind me very much of my late wife.” Lucien looked away as the last word hitched in his throat.

  It was all I could do to keep from screaming at him. What the hell was he talking about?!

“Helena was...my first and only love. She was such an outcast. Her prudish charm and tomboyish ways captivated me to no end. Oh you might think that she was of noble blood, but no, no.” Lucien smiled in such a way that made me think him human for a moment.

  “She was a peasant. Found her rolling around in the mud one day, with some pigs! I made the mistake of calling her a “dirty commoner” and she pulled me in the mud with her. I laugh now, but my mother gave me quite a lashing when I returned home, my best clothes ruined.” Lucien chuckled and I found myself smirking absentmindedly.

  “That was the first day we met, and the day I fell in love. I returned to her house each day since, to scold her of course, but soon I was singing and praising her lovely little habits. The next thing I knew I had proposed and we wed, to the dismay of my mother. She never approved of Helena, said she was too common, too vulgar and not befitting the crown of Fairfax. I didn’t care. I was in love and wanted all of Albion to know it.
  My mother died shortly after we married. Helena helped me through the grief and it wasn’t long before we were expecting a child of our own. We rejoiced when little Amelia was born. Such a tiny thing she was.”

Lucien shook his head and turned from me. I felt my feet move forward by instinct alone. I felt an overwhelming sadness emanating from him as he spoke of his wife and child. I knew the stories all too well from his diary. He turned back and looked to me to continue his story.

  “She was 3 when she died. Caught pneumonia after she had the flu. Helena caught it before her and also passed. Winter is such a dreadful season.” He spoke with no hint of emotion in his voice, attempting to hide his pain. I could hold it in no longer.

  “Is that why you are building this Spire? To bring them back?” I spoke out of turn and didn’t realize what I had said. Lucien looked at me sternly and stepped quickly towards me. I gasped as he pinned me against the wall.

  “How do you know this?” He hissed through his teeth.

I stuttered and tried to think of something that wouldn’t get me shot again.

“Tell me! Tell me now! How do you know what the Spire can do?! Don’t lie!” He yelled at me.

“Lucien, please!” I screamed back. He released his hold on me and stepped back.

He looked frightened, slicking back his hair and straightening his jacket as I stood in fear.

“I am sorry.” Was all he could say before running from the room, leaving me all alone.

  Two months went by since that incident and I hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Lucien. The Commandant was a rare sight as well, which was rather unusual to everyone in the Spire. People seemed a bit cheerier without his looming presence and even seemed to start remembering who they used to be.

  Danny returned again, happy to see me, but fearful of the Commandant. He was relieved when I told him what had been going on. I gave Danny Garth’s orders and hoped for the best. I even suggested Hammer’s help in the mission. He welcomed the thought. Once he was on his merry little way, I returned to my duties. Another two months went by, he brought as many potions as he could and I thanked him for his help.
  Danny brought news that everyone was doing well, that is, except for Jeremy. He seemed to decline rapidly in the last few months. All I could do was hope he could hold out a little longer. Danny got back on the ship and returned home to try and gather more potions. The ones I did have I gave to a very happy Garth. He drank them straight down and I felt the surge of energy they brought him.

  “I feel invigorated, but I will need far more potions to get me ready for such a battle. The Commandant is strong and I will need everything I have to bring him down. As will you, Sparrow. Ready yourself.” Garth forewarned. I nodded and smiled. We were one step closer to getting out of there and back home.

  The next two months came swiftly. I was beginning to feel as if I were in a constant fog. My mind was fuzzy and I was feeling the effects of one too many shocks from the collar. I made my way down to the docks in my normal fashion, expecting little Danny to come bouncing up and tackle me. I sighed a little, thinking of how much he was growing already. I walked up the plank and onto the ship when I heard a familiar voice reach my ears and my eyes widened.

  It was Jeremy.

“Sparrow! Oh, Sparrow!” There were tears in his eyes as he ran to me and grabbed me up. He held me so tight and kissed my face all over. I tried to speak, but he kissed my lips and I could only let him. It had been so very long and I was so longing.

  Just then, Danny came striding out of the cargo bay with a frown. “I TOLD him not to come, Sparrow, I really did! But he said it would be okay because the Commandant doesn’t show up anymore. And then I told him that he might, but Jeremy just wouldn’t listen to me-“

“Danny, it’s okay. Jeremy, you need to go back.” I told him with intense fear filling every inch of me.

  “No, I can’t leave you, Sparrow. I love you, I want to be with you, to marry you.” He told me, holding me close and my lip quivered.

“Please, Jeremy, if you love me, you will leave this terrible place. If you don’t...oh god...if you don’t...Jeremy, please go back, please!” I begged him, but he wouldn’t listen to reason.

“What have we here?” The Commandant’s voice echoed out over the docks. I gasped and shoved Jeremy back.

  “Go! Jeremy, GO! NOW!” I screamed at him. He was confused and was arguing with me. “Go, Jeremy, or he’ll...Just GO DAMMIT!” I pushed him towards the cargo room, but he was resisting and trying to hold me again. I heard the familiar thud of heavy boots on hollow wood and my heart beat faster than it ever had before. Jeremy looked up and I turned, swallowed in the shadow of the spiked demon-man.

  “You certainly have been holding out on me, Sparrow. All your little friends give you a reason to hope, don’t they?” The Commandant taunted. He shoved me aside and punched Jeremy in the nose. I heard a crack and saw blood spurt.

  “NO!” I screamed, standing and beating on the Commandant’s arm. He grabbed my collar and called more guards over. Jeremy was holding his shattered nose and whimpering. I screamed and kicked and tried to reach for my love. The Commandant sent a shock through me with his Will and I went limp, only able to cry as they hauled us both off the ship. I flailed again, trying to free myself from the grip of my oppressor.

  “What do you want to do with him, Sir? The dungeons? Put to work perhaps?” One guard asked.

The Commandant shook his head and said the unthinkable, “Kill him.”

“NOOO!!!” I shrieked, reaching out for Jeremy as they threw him to the ground. I kicked the Commandant hard in the ribs. He cringed and dropped me. I scrambled for Jeremy, trying to fight off the other guards. I pulled a gun from one of their holsters and shot for their heads. I hit two and missed the third as the Commandant shot lightning through me. I couldn’t even let out a whimper as I fell beside my love.
  I saw his tears mixed with his blood as he looked deep into my eyes. More guards arrived and the Commandant shouted orders I couldn’t hear. There was a ringing in my ears from the bolt that knocked me over and everything was muffled. I couldn’t even feel as I was lifted by the Commandant. He pulled me away and all I could do was watch.

  There were flashes of steel as swords were drawn and Jeremy’s hands shot up in attempt to stop the incoming blades. Dark red flew through through the air as metal met flesh and sunk deep. I found my strength and tried to stand, meeting the bonds of the Commandant gripping my arms. I fought against him, screaming and crying helplessly as the guards continued slashing and severing bones. Blood flooded the floor and soon there was nothing but a mess of ripped cloth and an unrecognizable mass of flesh and bone.

I couldn’t breath, I couldn’t blink, I couldn’t be. There were no tears, only the numbness of shock that hadn’t quite set in. Silence fell all around and my entire world was gone. He was gone. Jeremy was gone and I was dead inside.

  The guards picked up the lifeless mess and tossed it over the edge, letting it fall into darkness. The Commandant lifted me into his arms, but my eyes never left the spot where Jeremy fell. I lay my head on the padded shoulder of the Commandant and let him carry me away from it all. There was nothing for me now. Nothing to long for, but the death of the Commandant and his master. I would not rest until I brought their end.

  Ten years it’s been since I first entered the Spire. After Jeremy’s death I saw not one glimpse of the Commandant. Either he was avoiding me at all costs, or he had been locked away somewhere deep in the Spire.
  Garth consoled me whenever I went to bring him more potions. I felt his power growing everyday and knew that it wouldn’t be long until we launched an attack. Danny stopped coming to see me after what happened, but still sent the potions whenever he could with a trusted friend who believed them to be some sort of exotic liquor for Lucien.

  Lucien. He had been taking a particular interest in me as of late. It was really beginning to piss me off. He would come floating around, trying to say witty things or try and make light conversation. Did he know what happened? What his “dear” servant did to my fiancé? If he did, I don’t think he would be so keen on seeing me.

  My hair was allowed to grow out, but I didn’t want it to. It made me stand out even more from the rest of the guards, something I really didn’t need. I chopped it as short as I could and dealt with the rest, yet still Lucien would find me, and today was no exception.

  “Sparrow, I do so wish you would have dinner with me. I could have such a meal prepared that would put kings to shame.” Lucien tried to bait me.

  “The answer is still no.” I felt as if I were quoting my dear Rose when I spoke these words. It made my heart sink even more.
  “If you want to give someone a meal, how about these poor starving men down here?” I scolded. Lucien frowned at this as I walked on.

  “If I did, would you have dinner with me then?” He called after me. I stopped and turned slowly.

“If you did that....”I paused a moment, choosing my words carefully, “I would be more inclined to accept your offer. But do NOT mistake this for a guaranteed acception.”

With that I left him by one of the cells. I wouldn’t expect him to feed all of these men properly. Never has. But, life always holds surprises for me it seems.

“He did WHAT?!” I grabbed the front of Hayden’s robes. He had been more like himself lately which gave me a little happiness.

  “Just as you told him to, Lucien has fed the prisoners! He ordered about every ship he had to stock up on all the food they could and bring it here! Even going so far as to reduce our meals to feed them. Whatever you’ve done to him, don’t stop” Hayden smiled at me, but I groaned and shoved him back. I had to speak with Garth now to see if he was getting any of this special treatment.

  “Ahh, Sparrow. I must thank you for this wonderful meal.” Garth said in a much relieved tone. I stood with my mouth agape as he sat with a, now empty, plate in front of him.

  “I can’t believe it. Lucien actually did what I said? And he fed YOU of all people?! He fed EVERYONE?” I grabbed my headband and pulled it off.

  “I...I don’t know what to say...or do for that matter. Now he’ll be expecting me to have dinner with him.” I cringed at the thought. Garth stopped me there.

  “Dinner? Is that what this is all about?” He asked very curious. I told him what happened and he gave me a very intrigued look.

  “Look, I really don’t want to say “yes”, but how can I say “no”, now? He friggin fed the whole Spire!” I laughed exhausted.

“Now hold on there, Sparrow. I believe this could work to our advantage. I must tell you something very important.” Garth stood up and approached me.
  “I feel quite invigorated from that meal and the last of my Will potions have strengthened me enough to the point where I would be able to easily take out both of our collars and have enough left over for that over-sized pin-cushion.”

“Wait. You mean...we could escape...tonight?” I whispered to him in disbelief. Garth nodded and my heart skipped.
  “Wh-, How? When?” I asked frantically. Garth hushed me.

“I need your help first. They are moving me to another cell tonight, deeper into the Spire. Now will be the time to act. You must distract Lucien for me. I don’t think the Commandant will be any trouble. Haven’t seen him in a while.” Garth explained.

  “Okay, but one problem, how am I supposed to distract Lucien?” I asked, knowing what the answer would be, but hoping different.

  “Well, have dinner with him. It will keep him occupied with you and keep his mind off of me until I can get free of this wretched collar.” Garth snarled and tugged at it.

“Will you come for me? How will I know when to get out of there?” I asked desperately.

  “Oh, believe me. You will know. Now you must go. Find Lucien and tell him you accept. If things go smoothly, we shall be free by morning.” Garth shooed me away and so I went about my normal duties. I looked around, over my shoulder and up on the next levels for any sign of Lucien. For some reason he was not around. I thought for certain he would be gallantly striding up with a smile on his face and ready to whisk me away for dinner as soon as he could. I felt slightly nervous at his absence. No Lucien and no Commandant. This gave me chills.

  “Sparrow!” I heard suddenly. I whipped around to face the Commandant and my knees buckled.

“Surprised to see me?” He narrowed his eyes as I stood back up, clutching my heart.

“Well, you know when you haven’t seen someone for, I dunno, roughly nine years? Kind of a surprise.” I glowered at the man who, all those years ago, had his men kill my love. Anger and hatred began to burn in my stomach at the sight of him.

  “My master requests your presence once more. You will come with me now.” He spoke bluntly and grabbed my arm, pulling me along like a stubborn child.

  “Let me go! I will not be manhandled by you anymore!” I kicked and went completely limp, but he just dragged me along the floor. All the men around gawked at such a sight while I only frowned. I felt angry, so angry inside! I wanted to scream and cry and kick at him, to make his job more difficult. I wished to impede him in his duties as much as possible. But none of it seemed faze him in the least.

  The Commandant brought me again to his room, but it didn’t look nearly as neat as it did last I stood here. Dressers were splintered and the mirror in the corner was shattered. There was, what appeared to be, blood in various places all over. But instead of throwing me a dress, this time the Commandant pulled a very familiar book from one of the broken drawers. My mouth shot open and I was ready to try explaining what I was doing with the diary.
  The Commandant walked over to me and held it out as if prompting me to take it. I looked from him to the diary several times before hesitantly retrieving it from him.

  “Keep it hidden. Tonight is very important.” He spoke calmly and took my hand. I fell silent and let him lead me along. Something washed over me as he took my petite hand in his large gloved one. I felt compelled to know what was going on.
  The Commandant lead me to the showers and guarded me while I bathed. I hurried, not wanting to be bothered over so much. I hated to be babied, especially by him. After I was finished, the Commandant wrapped me up in a large towel and walked me to the next room. This one was a bit brighter and filled with decadent things. I knew I was getting closer to Lucien at this point.
  In here the Commandant pointed to a dress of silver and powder blue laid delicately on a red velvet chair. At the foot of the chair, there were shoes made of crystal. There was no arguing this time. I knew what had to be done and so I walked lightly over to the chair and proceeded to change into the gown and shoes. I couldn’t reach the buttons in the back and looked over to the Commandant with a look of distress. He walked over and removed his leather gloves to reveal clawed, glowing blue hands. He was much more consumed, now more than ever, with shards from the Spire.

  He gently took each button and fastened it neatly. When he was finished, I turned around and he looked at me. I looked up into his eyes and saw that they were glowing the same blue as his hands. He reached up and removed the handkerchief from his mouth to reveal that the blue had spread far. I nodded and sighed. He handed me the black wig from before. I set it on and made sure it looked alright.

  “I’ll leave you to it, Sparrow.” He bowed and turned to leave, but I called after him.

“Wait!...please...” I couldn’t help myself.

He stopped and looked back at me for a moment. I spoke again, “I have to kill you. Don’t think that I won’t. This changes nothing.”

  He looked away and continued on, giving a little grunt before he left. I sighed and sat on the chair to await Lucien. It wasn’t long I had to wait before he walked into the room and my heart stopped cold.

  It was the same Lucien I had seen all those years ago. He had dark hair and far less wrinkles. His suit was tailor cut, clean and pressed. I stood up and tears formed in my eyes. I could not be here again.

  “My sweet, silver, Sparrow. Look at you.” Lucien bowed before approaching me. I was frozen in place as he took my hand and kissed it lightly. I bit my lower lip in an attempt not to slap him silly.

  “To dinner then? I had it specially prepared, just like I promised.” He smiled and took my arm in his. Some men, guards I am guessing, were all dressed up in formal attire and leading us into the dining hall. I very nearly started laughing uncontrollably at how ridiculous this all was and may have cracked a rib holding it back. Lucien gave me a funny look and I straightened up.
  We were let into a grand dining hall. Candles lined the walls with blazing blue flames at their wicks. A crystal chandelier hung high above the long table filled with heaps of food, more food than I had ever seen in my life. Lucien lead me to my chair and pulled it out for me to sit. There was more velvet on this chair and it was constructed beautifully. There was no denying that Lucien was wealthy.

  He pushed the chair in and took his own seat at the other end of the table. It wasn’t very far, but it made talking a bit awkward. Red wine was served and I was careful not to over indulge myself as I usually do. I did go a bit overboard on the food, eating whatever I could. Lucien laughed at the way I positively gorged myself, again reminding him of Helena. Every time he mentioned her being similar to me I cringed just a little bit more. He was comparing me to his lover and that made me feel sick inside.
  After dinner, Lucien invited me to dance.

“Oh, I don’t dance. Not...gracefully anyway. I..”I stopped and blushed. Blushed! Me, blushing because of Lucien? I shook my head and looked away. But Lucien took my hand and pulled me to him. I frowned and held my breath as he placed his hand on my hip and took my hand in his other. Music began playing as if by magic and Lucien started dancing and I followed, helplessly. It was the most awkward dance and I was glad when it was over.

  “So, Sparrow, would accompany me now to my room?” Lucien held out his hand to me and I gasped out loud. Lucien must have known how it sounded and withdrew his hand.
  “Err, that is to say...I mean...I’d like to show you a few portraits and paintings I have. They are of my family.”

I looked at him, still suspicious, but I took his hand anyways. The dressy guards followed us and opened the doors as we entered and closed them behind. I felt quite nervous at being left alone with Lucien in his room. It was very large, with a big bed, large dressers and ornate rugs. Never in all my days had I seen something like this. The only exception would be Fairfax castle, but for obvious reasons.

  “Do you like it?” Lucien asked after a long silence and my jaw on the floor. I just nodded and looked up at the pictures hanging all around. Lucien pointed them all out one by one, aunts, cousins, great uncles and so on and so forth. I sighed and casually paced around, looking at all the portraits until I found the one I was searching for.
  It was the largest, framed in gold with precious stones and hung above Lucien’s bed. Her green eyes seemed to pierce me. Her painted skin was pale and cracked with time. Raven colored curls topped her perfect head and fell lightly on sloped shoulders. Her very presence haunted me to the core. She looked similar in subtle ways, to the way I do now. I fear Lucien’s obsession may have gone too far now and I felt intense fear as cold hands found my exposed shoulders.

  “Helena. She was my entire life, my reason, my breath...” Lucien whispered that last bit in my ear and I uttered a small cry.

  “Lucien, I am not Helena!” I finally choked out, turning to face him with worry in my eyes.

Lucien’s face became saddened and he looked down. “I know, and I am deeply sorry.”

  I sighed, feeling a bit relieved and wishing that I could leave the room when Lucien lifted his head up and took a deep breath, biting his top lip.

  “I’m sorry, Sparrow. But, I need this...”

I tensed up as it sunk in what he had just said. Lucien lunged and shoved me backwards, causing me to fall over onto the bed. I let out a scream before he clapped a hand over my mouth. I struggled and tried to fight back, but I still wore the dreaded collar around my throat. It sent a few minor waves through me, enough to slightly stun and Lucien took advantage of my paralysis.

  “You are her, in flesh and blood...you have come to me...” He spoke low and kissed my jaw. My face was the only thing I could move and it was twisted in anguish. He moved to my cheek and then my lips. I regained a bit of feeling, but I could only attempt to flail at him. Lucien lifted me further onto the bed and my shoes fell to the floor with a clunk. He continued kissing my neck and my lips. I gritted my teeth as he began pulling my dress up and ran a hand up my thigh. He sighed and pulled me to him. I was regaining my strength now and tried pushing him away, but to no avail.

  “Please, don’t fight me. It’ll only make this harder for both of us.” Lucien said as he lay on top of me with intent in his eyes. His hands found my hips and he pulled. I cringed, feeling the weight and strength of him moving me so easily.

  Lucien began to speed things up, removing his coat and tie. He rubbed against me and held me close. Every second felt like an eternity as he lay there feeling me, kissing me, holding me. Finally, I felt him reaching under my dress and I held my breath and closed my eyes.

WHACK. Thud. I felt the weight of Lucien gone and I opened my eyes to see the Commandant standing at the foot of the bed, his glowing blue fist clenched. His master lay on the floor, bleeding from the blow to his head. I sat up and looked bewildered at them both. The most unlikely thing had just occurred and I was completely caught off guard.


  The Commandant reached for me and grabbed my arm, pulling me from the bed. "Let go of me!" I screamed in fear and anger. He just held me firmly and handed me a bundle of things. I unwrapped it as he instructed finding Lucien’s diary, a pistol and a long sword. I looked up at him with such confusion.

  “Garth has escaped from his collar, but lacks the strength to free yours.” He explained and grabbed mine firmly. I expected a shock, but instead I heard a cracking and felt the metal bars loosen from my throat. The Commandant crushed the collar with his bare hands and it fell in pieces to the floor.

  “Get moving. He won’t stay unconscious for long and I won’t stay friendly for very long. Go. Run.” He growled, lifting his sword. I stuffed the diary into my dress and buckled the hostler and gun around my waist. The sword I held as I fled from the room. Everything was happening so fast, I was unable to grasp any of what had just happened. All I knew was that Garth was all alone with no Will power and I had to get to him before the guards did. Or the Commandant.

  I had to pick up my dress as I ran barefoot through the Spire. No one quite knew what was going on as I sped past them in my gown. I got more than my fair share of cat-calls and whistles. Soon I heard what sounded like orders being shouted from far off. I followed the sounds and they led me down a dark corridor. I heard Garth and then jolts. He could still use some of his abilities then? I ran faster, pulling the pistol from my belt. Running became much more difficult as I tripped over silk. Shots were fired from right around the corner. I ran around the bend and took a quick look at how many men there were.
  I raised my pistol, aimed and emptied my gun, leaving six men dead on the floor. My arrival sparked confusion among them and they took their focus off of Garth, aiming at me. Garth took advantage of this and sent another wave through them. I leapt back as he cleared a path for us.

  “Sparrow! What took you so long?” Garth barked in a harsh tone.

“Sorry, but I was a little distracted.” I frowned and approached him. I saw him gripping his shoulder and saw blood trickling down his bare arm. “Oh my...you’re shot. Garth, I’m sorry. We need to get out of here now if we are to get out at all.” My heart raced and I felt a pulsing beneath my feet. It was the beat of the Spire in sync with my heart’s rhythm. I suddenly felt empowered and stood by Garth’s side.

  “No need to help me along. I can do just fine.” He huffed. “But I can’t use my Will anymore. My energy is draining with the loss of blood. What happened to your collar?” He asked.

  “It’s a long story, one that I will tell you later. Come on!” I called and he ran with me. More guards poured into the halls and I swung my sword around, taking out who I could. Garth could throw a punch and deliver a powerful kick using parts of his Will behind each one. I grabbed pistols from other guards’ belts and fired off into the crowd. I felt my anger rising and the static building in my bones. It had no channel, no output from being in the Spire. I could only let it build up inside of me until...

  A guard kicked me from behind as they swarmed us. Another slammed me against a wall and I felt intense pain in my right arm. I feared it had broken and my sword clanged to the floor. Garth continued to kick and punch, calling out for me. I pulled my arm from the wall and saw a chunk of Spire embedded deep with blood oozing from around the wound. I cringed at the sight and felt the pain of it buried to the bone. My arm shook and I felt all the energy that had been building up suddenly rush to my right arm. Lightning flew from my hand, obliterating all in it’s path and boring a hole through a part of the Spire.
  The other men scattered and Garth was left there, with his mouth open. “Let’s go.” was all he told me and we quickly ran off.

  “Where are we going?” I asked Garth, suddenly realizing I had no clue where to run.

“Head for the Commandant’s chamber. It has a port cullis that leads straight to the docks. From there we can take a ship and leave this place once and for all!” He yelled as we dashed up a few hundred stairs.

  We barreled through a few more rushes of guards before coming upon a long row of prison cells. I stopped and Garth yelled back at me.

  “Sparrow we don’t have time for them, let’s go!”

“No, I have to free them! They can help us man the boat, can’t they?” I asked desperately.

  “Sparrow, look at the state of them. They are too weak and malnourished to do anything but stand at this point. We have to leave them, now come on!” He bellowed. I bit my lip and ran on until we finally came to the flight of stairs that lead to the Commandant’s room.

  “Here it is, Sparrow. Ready yourself, I will be of no use in this fight...” Garth warned. But I knew it was only me in this fight. I was the only one who was going to bring him down.

  The large black doors opened like the gates of death and I walked through them, head held high and sword clenched in my fist. Garth walked in beside me, still clutching his shoulder.

  “You have finally come.” The Commandant stood at the open window, looking out to the ships below before turning to face me. He had his scarf tied tightly to his face and he held a large rusted sword. I took a deep breath and nodded at him. He waved his hand and the doors slammed shut behind us and melted together. There would be no escaping now. His guards circled us and the Commandant stepped down and walked towards the center.
  I walked forward and as soon as I entered the circle, I saw a flash and a ring of energy formed around in front of the guards. The Commandant laughed deeply and his eyes glowed brightly, giving off sparks.

  “Prepare yourself, Sparrow. I won’t hold back!” He yelled and I held my sword at the ready. My arm, still stuck with the shard, began to vibrate. I winced at the pain it caused and the Commandant swung his sword around to meet mine. I countered his strike and twisted around to aim for his knees. He held his sword high and brought it down swiftly. I barely dodged and rolled to the edge of the circle. I got to my feet as he kicked at me. I continued dodging his sword and his attempts to knock me off balance. I lunged for his side with my saber, but he moved and sent a wave of spikes from the floor. I gasped and fell sideways to avoid them, just barely. My dress got caught on them and I pulled on it desperately.
  The Commandant sliced through it with his sword, nearly hitting my foot. I leapt back and grabbed my sword to jump at him again. The Commandant blocked it and sent another wave of spikes, which I dodged easily this time. I knew I could not continue to dodge and needed to land a hit on this guy soon. I was sweating and breathing hard when he had barely moved. It was time for another strategy. Trying to channel my Will lightning at him.

  I threw my sword at the Commandant, which he quickly tossed aside. I used this as a distraction as I aimed my fist at his stomach. The charge built and I fired. The Commandant’s eyes widened and he stepped to the side just barely avoiding the attack. It clipped his coat, tearing it. He looked at me, astonished that I was able to use my Will. I winced as a burning sensation went up my arm. I saw glowing blue lines appear from the entry point on my arm. The Commandant chuckled darkly and dropped his own sword to charge his Will. The atmosphere in the circle changed dramatically as he pulled all the energy from around him.
  I clenched my fist and breathed slowly, feeling my anxiousness turn to energy inside me. The blue lines grew deeper, up to my shoulder now, as I pulled the Will from the shard in my arm.

  “Can you feel it, Sparrow?! The ancient power hidden deep in the ruins of this dark place?” I heard the Commandant bellow out. He ripped the scarf from his mouth and let it’s remains fall to the ground. “I shall show you the true power of the Spire’s Will.”

  He pulled spikes from the ground, leaving another deadly trail and I jumped to the right to avoid it. He shot lightning at me, which I barely countered using my own. I rolled and stood up to shoot more lightning his way, but he blocked it just as I blocked his.
  I needed to be able to use both hands. Thinking swiftly, and stupidly, I grabbed a spike from one of the trails and broke it off, digging it into my other arm. I cried at the pain and more of my blood spilled onto the ground.

  “Very daring, I must say! You are a fast learner. But can you learn fast enough?” The Commandant taunted.

  I dodged another wave of lightning and held up both of my arms this time. One pulsed with anger, while the other held my anticipation. I shot off fire with my left hand and lightning with my right. It came at the Commandant swiftly, giving him barely enough time to react to both attacks. I sent another wave his way and this time I singed his clothes slightly. He growled and sent spikes and lightning my way. It was almost like a dance as we dodged and chased. I leapt over another wave of spikes and sent a large fireball at him, knocking him off balance finally.
  He growled and shot lightning as I was mid-air. The fire hit him, the lightning hit me and we both fell to the ground. As I hit, I saw my sword laying not too far off and I slowly crawled to it in hope to slay him when he lay incapacitated. My hand reached for it and just as I grasped the handle, a large boot stomped on the shard in my left arm.

  I screamed at the agony as I felt my small bone splintering from the shard.

“Yes...scream your last screams, Sparrow. It will all be over soon...” The Commandant stood with his sword held high. I tried to pull my arm from under his boot, but I knew it was useless. He pressed it deeper into the bone and I cried. Garth yelled for me to get on my feet, for me to rise and kill the Commandant, but I had no strength left in me. This was my last moment alive. I heard the whoosh of the sword and then everything glowed blue.

  “What?!” The Commandant staggered back from the brightness. I suddenly felt as light as air and found my feet. I gripped my sword tightly and stood with a new found wind.

  “This can’t be...what is the meaning of this?!” He shielded his eyes from the light and I looked around to see what was so bright. I gasped when I realized that my entire body was glowing a crystal blue, including my sword and dress. Large, ethereal wings sprouted from my back and I  looked to the Commandant who reclaimed his battle stance. I felt an extraordinary power in my heart and knew that everything would be okay.
  The Commandant charged. I leapt forward and held my sword out boldly. There came a resistance and then my arm felt hot. We both stopped and I stood over the Commandant with my blade in his heart. The glowing stopped and my wings shimmered away into nothingness. The pain my arms returned as I held the sword, stuck fast through the Commandant.

  Hot tears dripped down my face and mixed with the glowing blue blood that poured from his chest.
  “It didn’t have to be this way. You could have come with us! You could have helped us fight Lucien!” I sobbed.

  “It was never meant to be that way, Sparrow.” He spoke calmly. He swallowed hard and choked up more blood. “You are stronger than me, so I meet my fate deservedly.”

I shook my head in defiance, “Screw Fate! You didn’t have to...you didn’t have to die...”

The Commandant, in his kneeling stance, held up a hand to mine and rested it on the sword.

  “I am ready to die...” He coughed up more blood and then tears flowed from his eyes. It had to be the most beautifully sad thing I had ever witnessed. His breaths slowed and I could barely feel the attempted pumping of his heart anymore. The Commandant closed his eyes and it stopped. There was a knot in my throat from the sadness of it all and then he spoke one last time.

  “Sparrow...”He whispered, “I am...only...a man...” And he exhaled. His hand dropped and he remained knelt in place.

  “NOOO!” I screamed as the glowing ceased to be. The circle around us evaporated and the guards rushed in to attack. I let go of the sword and threw fire at all of them. Garth ran for the window to get out of the way and suddenly he was hit with a jolt of lightning. I screamed and ran to him, but he pulsed with the energy. It was then I noticed that all of the Commandant’s Will was being transferred to Garth. He steadied himself for the remainder of the energy and I finished off the other guards in my fury.

  I walked to Garth, helping him to his feet.

“Now I need to activate the port cullis so that we can get down to the docks. Without the Commandant to order them around, we shouldn’t have much trouble this time.” Garth told me. I sniffed and nodded, wiping away from tears and trying to think of the matter at hand. Garth shot Will into a stone plinth and it began to glow.

  “Let’s go, now!” He ordered and I stepped into the spot, feeling suddenly whisked away. I smelled the sea and heard shouts before I opened my eyes to see more guards charging. I quickly disposed of them with my lightning and stepped away so that Garth could come through the cullis.
  I barreled through most of the guards myself and once Garth made it through, he helped as well.

“Get back on the boat if you want to live!” He yelled to a new batch of men looking confused and concerned. They ran back up the planks as Garth and I took out their guards and we all ran onto the ship. I kicked off the plank and sent fireballs at the remainder of the guards. We finally set sail and Garth had to pull my arms behind my back to get me to stop setting everything on fire.

  “That is enough, Sparrow, we are free!” He grunted as he held me back.

I screamed back at the Spire, anger filling every inch of me. I screamed until my throat was raw and tears soaked my face. Garth released me and I fell to my knees, hiding my face in my hands. I was gone, I was free at last! And as we crossed into the light of the outside world, the pulsing of the Spire left me. I no longer felt burdened with an uneasy heaviness or oppressed by darkness. My thoughts were my own and now I could finally set out for the final Hero. Our last piece of the puzzle and my key to defeating Lucien once and for all.

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My closest friends are in my head!

That was awesome...I didn't expect Jeremy to die. And then Lucien trying to rape her. OMG, excellent story so far, by far

hmmm, why was Sparrow so upset over the Commandant's death when it was him that killed Jeremy? It seemed almost as though you just wanted to get Jeremy out of the way so that the commandant could have his dramatic moment... I mean, it might just be me, but that's the way it came through.....

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1 year on the forums and counting! Get it? Counting? Oh never mind...

deffo worth the wait

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you ate mah cookie

Sparrow was still upset with the Commandant killing Jeremy, but it had been very long since she saw him again. Another thing is that she had grown close to the Commandant because she was more or less a captive in the Spire. It's the hostage/captor bonding thing. :/
 Sorry if it came off that i was trying to get Jeremy out of the way

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My closest friends are in my head!

Nooooooo!!  Not Jeremy! *cries in a corner*  Why?

Wonderful Addition. It was worth the wait.