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*takes in deep breath*

Alright, the final climax is written. Feel free to critique. If you think anything in this chapter is a little weird, unnecessary, or that you just disliked, and that might be because of Chloe’s odd POV, you may share your thoughts on them if you’d like.  Well, enjoy!

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN:

A gemstone path curved through the garden. Lilies, carnations, and poinsettias multiplied in the castle’s shadow. Drawing a tense breath, Chloe mustered all her strength and marched onward, all the while clutching her golden purse. Waving a strand of hair from her pale brow, she swallowed and chewed on her lips.

Once Nicholas was exterminated, with the magical stone as her possession, she’d rebuild Eldymartt and fulfill her destiny; therefore, protecting her people―including her sister―and spreading word of the King. All that resulting in peace flourishing throughout the kingdoms…

She strode forth, raising her chin.

“Chloe!”

She froze at the call. Paranoia arose within her. Casting rapid glances in each direction, she protectively gripped her purse closer.

A seething voice hissed, “You should have remained in your cell…”

Frantic, Chloe grasped the stone within her magical golden purse. She spun, and then frowned. Figures in dark silk advanced. Distinct, wicked teeth flashed, revealing mischievous grins.

The wizard’s hideous granddaughters, of course.

Chloe crinkled her nose and stiffened.

“Yes?” she snapped. “Have you come to apologize?”

The Nameless Daughters drew their swords.

“No.” Little Trouble smirked. “Apologetic behavior is entirely unnecessary. We simply require your head, unattached to your shoulders, of course.”

“Oh really?” Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Go on then. Face the consequences.”

“Consequences? What consequences?” Stormy Girl spoke with a scoff. “You’re a mere human. And humans are simply… nothing.”

“You believe that? Alright, fight me,” Chloe raised her voice. “Fight me and we shall see.”

The Nameless Daughters cackled at once.

“Indeed,” their eerie words dripped in venom.

The callous daughters sprang forth. Surrounding her and moving in, the daughters raised wicked blades.

Chloe dodged the first strike. She ducked. A blade swept over her head. She glanced about her. Her enemies drew closer, murder gleaming within their eyes.

The Nameless Daughters bounded her direction. Chloe opened her palm and revealed the stone. Strands of crimson exploded in midair.

For a mere second, the daughters froze in realization. Flaming crimson strands reached out from the magical explosion, streaking about in the wind before settling on her enemies…

Each toxic strand then exploded in unison. Brilliant crimson smoke consumed the Nameless Daughters. However, no sound, including a scream, was released. The crimson haze dispersed. Her foes crumbled as bones and rags.

Chloe raised her chin, observing the daughters’ skeletal corpses. She drew nearer, scrutinizing Drama Queen’s cracked skull and unattached jaw. Her eyebrows arched in surprise. She scanned the other broken and fractured skeletons, and smirked.

The Nameless Daughters remained no more.

Chloe spun and glared at the castle. There her following adventure must take place.

“Teleportation’s a wondrous method of transportation, I suppose.” She frowned, and admired the garden. “However, these flowers are rather gorgeous. What a pity I must depart already.”

Her fingers clenched tight around the Monster Stone. Glimmers of light surrounded her. Within a matter of seconds, she faded amidst the gentle wind.

 

Peculiar lanterns adorned an oaken stairs towering in the air. Flaming light illuminated the maroon floor and the pale walls. Somewhere above, strange laughter echoed in the distance. Chloe raised a finger to her lips and narrowed her eyes, tilting her head.

She straightened, detecting a slight creak from behind.

“Let me guess who it is…” She glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Oh, I was correct. We meet once again. Aren’t you the legendary Dark Knight?”

“Who else might I be?” he spoke. “I am Sir Deandre. Nice meeting again, delinquent.”

She gazed down on her stone. “Rather nice indeed. But, kind sir, don’t distract me. I have an important errand.”

He smirked, drawing his sword.

“An important errand?” he chuckled. “Shouldn’t you be in a cell?”

Chloe laughed.

“Uh… well, no. Don’t be an imbecile!” Her expression became steel. “However, you in particular should be elsewhere.”

Sir Deandre snorted. “And that is…?”

“Buried alive―or dead, I don’t care―in the grave,” she replied. “The one location perfect for a wicked brute.”

“A beautiful last words,” he spoke, a violent glint in his eyes.

The Dark Knight charged and raised his blade. Chloe released a streak of violet light, blasting Sir Deandre. Her malicious foe became stone within an instant.

“What?! Those are horrible last words!” she laughed. “What an imbecile!”

She spun around and, upon observing the stairs spiraling over her, frowned. Oh, it was so… tall. She sighed. Well, there was a shortcut! For that she was thankful.

Chloe snapped her fingers and grinned. She flickered and vanished in a swirl of mist, and reappeared elsewhere. Glancing at the stairs spiraling down beneath her, she glanced over her shoulders.

Aside from the pale walls and maroon floor, wondrous crystalline chandeliers hung from the ceiling. At the end of the marvelous hall was a grand, massive, golden door.

Chloe smirked and marched forth. She flung the door open, entering yet the strangest room in the castle. Clocks surrounded her. Hanging from the golden ceiling, in the walls, on crystalline tables, even, littering the white-and-black checkered floor. Odd and antique clocks of all varieties…

Amidst the chaotic sight was a peculiar wizard in a ridiculous azure costume. He stroked his long white beard, fixing her with a pair of wicked eyes.

“You have arrived.” Nicholas cackled. “What a despicable child. Abandoning her cell and all.”

“Hmm,” she said. “You gonna inflict pain upon me? Torture? Death?”

“Let’s not find out.” Nicholas seized his staff. “You shall do as I command. Now return to your cell. You can at least then rest assured I shall refrain from murdering you.”

“Good luck with that.” She snorted. “Good luck.”

Nicholas smirked, raising an eyebrow.

“Don’t enrage a wizard, child,” he said. “Me in particular.”

“Why? You enraged me.” She flashed the wondrous stone before his eyes. “Aren’t I the twin in this nefarious prophecy with all the… magic?”

Nicholas stiffened. His lips curled in a snarl.

“Yes, I suppose. Although, despite this magic, you shall deliver devastating destruction upon the kingdom. However, Zoe shall fulfill the other role.” He smiled rather strangely. “The darkest and wickedest role of a general. Wholehearted, I believe she’ll win the tournaments.”

Chloe clenched her fists as burning emotions exploded within her.

“Lies!” she spoke, glowering with a scoff. “Unlike a sadistic wizard such as you, Zoe ain’t incapable of change.”

“Ah, insults and accusations…” Nicholas smirked. “You’re a downright inferior little snowflake. You’re also rather emotional and illogical. Perhaps insane as well.”

He chuckled, sarcastic.

“Like the insults, eh?” Nicholas questioned. “Ah, I love this conversation. During our chat I even fancied the idea of exterminating you; however, I then realized I mustn’t. You must complete your destructive purpose first.”

“Look, I might have experienced well, uh, a little mental disturbance,” Chloe paused between her words, “although, such a condition shan’t hinder me. You murdered my mother; Nicholas, don’t steal my sister.”

He scratched his wild beard, a cruel gleam in his gaze.

“I see how it is,” he spoke, a dangerous tone in his smooth voice.

Chloe glared, becoming tenser. She ground her teeth.

Nicholas smirked and struck the floor, grasping his staff. “Minions!”

A pale little creature emerged within the disastrous collection of clocks. Unnerving, vibrant blue eyes settled on her.

Chloe gaped, straightening.

Another creature, fluffier than the one before, emerged. Next, little heads poked out from behind the clocks. An abrupt glimpse of fuzziness and adorability resulted in her bulging eyes.

Kittens!

No. Kittens, she recalled, remained the sweetest and cuddliest pets. Kittens weren’t brutal, vicious monsters. But Nicholas treated his ‘minions’ like such. The fact was disturbing. She remembered her fondness of animals; however, that was long ago. From now on, she ever disliked such beasts―and for great reason.

Nicholas smirked, an even stranger glint sparkling in his eyes. “Well, I believe this conversation must end. For the fight must begin.”

“So be it,” Chloe spoke. “Prepare to die.”

“Aggressive and impulsive, eh?” Nicholas raised a white, bushy eyebrow. “Your attitude resembles that of my granddaughters’. Interesting.”

“Yes, and I slew the Nameless Daughters!” Chloe declared. “Just as I shall with you!”

“Bold words from a mere girl…” Nicholas shook his head. “Though, empty threats don’t impress me.”

“Well, it seems the conversation hasn’t ended!” a thunderous voice boomed. “Neither has the fight begun!”

Chloe craned her neck and scowled.

Merubalos de Albiro shoved aside a golden clock, expression blank and robotic.

“Nicholas, enough of these crafty plots,” he commanded. “I should have done this earlier; however, at least your death might prevent a certain, rather terrible, prophecy from coming true.”

Nicholas cast a glance at his minions. The little critters meowed, licking their paws and sitting patiently. Chloe might have labeled the kittens adorable, but she refused; the little minions, however sweet their appearance, submitted to Nicholas as their master.

“I sense betrayal.” Nicholas smirked. “Although, I don’t believe I should be surprised.”

Chloe glanced from Nicholas to Merubalos. Her brow furrowed in concentration.

“You claimed to be the most intelligent being upon earth,” the Monster King stated. “Such a ‘genius’ should have known I never desired an alliance in the first place. I merely intended on spying. These monsters you believe have allied with you, I must state, fight against you. Nevertheless, as this ‘mere girl’ declared, prepare to die.”

“Whatever!” Nicholas bellowed.

He struck a finger at his minions.

“Well, don’t meow about!” he commanded. “Dispose of the traitor. But save the girl alive.”

Little bloodcurdling meows rose in acknowledgement. And then within a matter of second, the critters altogether, appearing as a mass of vibrant fluff, swarmed across the clocked-scattered surface.

Chloe straightened. She clapped a hand over her mouth.

The kittens enveloped the Monster King. Fear cracked across his stoic expression.

“Nicholas, remember this! Remember this! You shall never―”

His final scream was lost amidst the bustling swarm of kittens. Merubalos vanished at once.

The miniature creatures dispersed. Along with shredded clothing and a bloodied crowned, was gore and bones.

Chloe clenched her stone white-knuckled. The view was sickening and morbid.

“Ah,” Nicholas said. “How soothing this ill sight.”

Chloe gnashed her teeth and snarled. “You sadistic clown!”

She unleashed a violet blast with a flourish of her fingers. Nicholas dodged the strike, smirking with an eerie calmness. The little kittens cast her rotten glares.

“Fighting with a Juancarlos, I must state, I find rather amusing!” he spoke, chuckling. “A mere parasite believes she can defeat me―I, the wizard of the beasts, the most powerful Shadow Reaper humankind has ever known? Ha! You dare challenge me?”

Her mouth shriveled in a frown. A wild combination of rage and impulsiveness flared within her.

“I dare, imbecile.”

She delivered a wave of bright green mist billowing in the air. At the slightest contact, the wizard’s minions crumbled in a terrific slumber.

Nicholas grinned. “Well, I accept this challenge.”

He extended his fingers, awakening the once slumbering kittens. Hundreds of freakish little eyes settled on her. She swallowed hard, taking a step back. Then at once, the agile little critters charged. Several tore at her dress. One sunk its teeth into her skin. Blood trickled down her legs. She gasped at the excruciating pain and stumbled, crashing against a solid object.

A vibrant glass clock shattered against the surface. She snarled down at the little devilish beasts, clenching the Monster Stone. Magical flames consumed the kittens. A last bunch of terrible meows rang in the air. With the smoke’s dispersion, she glanced at the little dead bodies littering the disastrous surface.

Her scowl vanished. She released a pitiful sigh. Oh, those kittens! What a dreadful person she was… but what other choice was there?

The view triggered a spark of hate that ignited her rage. Chloe shot a glare at Nicholas. Forming a gigantic spike using her magic, she released the metallic weapon. It flung through the air. Nicholas deflected the strike with a clever motion of his staff. He approached, lips drawn in a crooked grin. A wicked glint of ancient corruption gleamed in his unblinking gaze.

“Arise, dead minions!” Nicholas bellowed, fingers outstretched in a strange manner. “Arise!”

The freakish critters arose. Their fluffiness burnt and their tender skin scorched, the kittens appeared more zombielike than cute―disturbing, in fact.

She blinked at her tears, glaring at Nicholas all the while. A crimson spark flickered from her fingertips.

With a staff’s clever swing, Nicholas struck the little magical substance as it exploded; a failed attempt that proved Nicholas was more powerful than his granddaughters.

The zombielike beasts scampered and leapt over the clocks in their path. Chloe gasped, clenching white-knuckled fists.

“Forever, be gone!” she screamed, blasting the atrocious creatures with a fatal blow.

A bright white illumination, combined with an intense gust of wind, flung the kittens backwards. However, Nicholas’s dark silhouette remained visible.

“Child, legends claimed the stone’s monstrous and unpredictable powers resulted in its name,” Nicholas stated. “Ages in the past, the Monster Stone was considered the most dangerous source of magic. However, remember this. Regardless the power that stone might possess, I shall be declared most powerful in the end.”

The blinding illumination faded.

She gnashed her teeth. Dark tendrils ascended from the stone and twisted through the air. Nicholas deflected the strike, tearing the magical toxic strands apart with his staff.

“You are unskilled, child. The art of wild magic requires practice,” he hissed. “Nevertheless, I am a master of chaos and dominance.”

He struck the checkered floor.

On the ceiling, a vision materialized from thin air. Chloe froze, her attention captured. The sight revealed the marvelous white and gold palace of the grand kingdom amidst a raging battle. Dark soldiers marched across the battlefield. Wild beasts sprang forth. Terrible monsters clambered over the walls, attacking the palace guards.

Chloe averted her gaze at the horrific view.

“I murdered Merubalos de Albiro. Now, these monsters serve me.” Nicholas smirked. “When humankind reaches extermination, when I begin a glorious reign in a perfect kingdom, I shall experience final satisfaction.”

She scowled as he gestured to the clocks.

“Child, observe this marvelous collection. Each clock represents a human soul ticking from life to death.” Nicholas cracked his knuckles. “Meanwhile, as these clocks tick, I encourage and support a certain role that belongs unto Zoe. I admire the fact that she doesn’t hesitate eliminating other humans. Unlike her sister, she isn’t an overemotional, crazed disaster.”

Chloe clenched her fists. Her nose crinkled in disgust. The most uncontrollable, explosive anger erupted within her. She scrutinized the magical vision, beholding the destruction and chaos within the battle. Each brave knight that perished. Each soul that ticked from life to death…

“You’re absolutely correct, Nicholas. I am an overemotional, crazed disaster.”  She crossed her arms. “But should I care? No. All I desire, that from Zoe Juancarlos, is a change of heart.”

Power surged forth. Vibrant multicolored tendrils of magic strangled the wizard’s vision. She smirked, fingers outstretched in concentration. Hail, lightning, and fire descended from the clouds, striking the wicked soldiers. Falling stones crashed against the monsters. Poisonous gas sprung from the soil, paralyzing the beasts.

Blood littered the grass. She clenched her fingers into fists, massacring all her enemies.

Pale, scarlet-tipped arrows darted from above, piercing countless victims. A notorious tornado, combined with an outrageous earthquake, devoured more than a dozen soldiers. Burning lava exploded from a massive volcano…

Chloe gasped, eyes widening. Her fingers clenched tighter. The Monster Stone flashed with a marvelous brightness. The magic increased, wearing on her mental strength. Strangling her from the inside, grasping her shoulders and whispering at her―its great power controlling and absorbing.

A violent burst of water sprang from the ground, crashing against the palace. Drowning the enemies and all that in the land therewith.

The stone’s bright shimmer vanished. A warm tear splattered her cheek as a fresh wave of pain seared her heart.

“This I can’t believe,” she spoke, a hand over her heart. “I’m a monster.”

She blinked. Her intention was bent on delivering the palace from destruction, but her attempt had ended in an opposite result.

“How dare you! This was your entire fault!” a biting voice, once a mere whisper, screamed inside her head. “The world would be better off without you!”

She clutched her temples, walking backwards.

“You bloodcurdling killer!” the voice became shriller. “You loathsome monster!”

She stumbled over an oaken clock and collapsed.

“You should be burnt at the stake!”

Chloe thrashed, pulling at her hair. She froze, the Monster Stone capturing her attention.

“How reckless and impulsive,” the voice spoke. “You shall regret this moment forever!”

Chloe swallowed hard, her fingers shaking. That voice in her mind… perhaps, well, that was the stone communicating with her, expressing its utter hatred. Although, the motives behind its hatred, that she lacked a clear answer on.

Nicholas cackled, clapping his hands. “That was melodramatic.”

His lips twisted in a smirk.

“All this time I was correct.” He directed his staff at her. “Despite this spectacular magic you possess, the palace’s destruction was a result of your foolish actions. Your sister was a heartless thorn, and though she never devastated a palace, she was evil. Evil until her death at last. I was kinda disappointed about her, although now that your destructive purpose has reached fulfillment, I find pleasure in this beautiful prophecy.”

Chloe glared, rising to her feet.

“What have you done to her?!” she shrieked.

“What have I done to her?” Nicholas gestured to the vision. “That’s a question you should ask yourself.”

Amidst the vast waters floated multiple corpses. Nicholas smirked and, upon snapping his fingers, the magical vision zoomed up close; providing a particularly detailed sight, albeit a dreadful one.

Her unfortunate sister.

Startling blue eyes revealed a lifeless stare. A dagger of a scarlet blade pierced her heart. Blood and water streaked across her pale neck and soaked her azure dress. Her dark hair, once braided in a graceful pattern, drifted aimlessly in the water.

“Zoe,” she whispered.

The Monster Stone clattered against the surface. She blinked at her own tears, balling her hands into fists.

S-she… she… killed her sister.

“No!” she cried out in anger and sorrow. “No, it can’t be!”

She was a monster for what she had done.

“You are rather emotional, little child,” Nicholas spoke with a chuckle. “Ah, I love it when random prophecies become random realities.”

Chloe froze, shooting Nicholas a seething glare. Grasping the stone at her feet, she met Nicholas’s stare once again, and clenched her fists.

“C’mon,” Nicholas chided. “C’mon. You gonna fight?”

Chloe managed a callous smile. “Quite certainly, imbecile.”

She cast a flaming streak twirling at the Shadow Reaper.

“C’mon!” Nicholas laughed, dejecting the strike. “Do impress me!”

Fierce rage burned within her soul. She snarled, clenching the stone tighter. Forming a dozen needles within midair, she raised her fists as she positioned the metallic objects, targeting her foe. She snapped a finger at Nicholas.

The needles sprang through the air in unison. But Nicholas evaded and dejected each attack, twisting his staff about in an insane series of movements.

“You exterminated a little palace from the earth.” Nicholas smirked. “However, I shall never be defeated. For I am invincible.”

“No!” she cried. “You shall perish!”

Chloe unleashed a burning, golden liquid substance streaking across the room, drenching Nicholas in toxic fluid.

“Oh!” he bellowed, stumbling upon the floor. “Oh, it burns!”

“Correct,” she said with an arch of her eyebrows. “Feel the pain I have experienced.”

Chloe strode across, shoving aside multiple various clocks blocking her path. She ignored the shattering glass, the terrible burnt stench, and the once breathing kittens littering the surface. Her complete focus remained on Nicholas, and he alone.

Her mouth curled in a bitter smirk. She admitted the fact. She was rather thrilled at the sight. Nicholas’s wrinkled old face was burned, blistering bright red and boiling hot. Each silken white hair on his little head was utterly disintegrated. His ridiculous hat, burnt and ruined, lay on the checkered floor.

He met her gaze, venom swirling in his startling, bright emerald-colored eyes. She stared the wizard down, a golden-bladed sword forming from thin air. She gripped the weapon’s elegant crystalline hilt, cold blood rushing through her veins.

“Don’t.” Nicholas raised a withered hand. “Please, don’t.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow. “You expect mercy?”

Nicholas managed a sickening grin.

Rather than answering the question, he stated, “You aren’t alone, Chloe. We have both lost an individual we loved.”

His words surprised her. She paused, raising her chin and glaring.

“You only love yourself.”

“Incorrect.” Nicholas smirked. “Have I ever mentioned a friend of mine? Have I ever mentioned that peculiar… fox?”

“No, though someone else had.” Chloe snorted. “Your opinion on animals versus people remains an unrealistic comparison.”

“Unrealistic? Humans are the illogical ones. You claim that illusions are truths.” Nicholas groaned, a stern, even dangerous, glint flashing within his gaze. “You lack a teacher, child. You ought to therefore accept me. I shall reveal the stone’s secrets. You shall become powerful as a result. Join me, child. I shall change and repair this broken life you have.”

“Eloquent words shall not save the wicked from fate,” she spoke, her voice firm as steel. “You offer a life bent on corruption. I would rather die. Label me an illogical freak. Label me insane. I am not fooled so easily. I shall fulfill that destiny my mother began―I shall protect my people and direct them to their Creator… I reject this offer.”

“Ah, I see.” His mouth twisted in a crooked grin. “You shall regret serving that King. He claims to be loving and gentle, but I more think of Him as a Slave Master. He wouldn’t grant me freedom. When I attempted gaining such, I was banished. I recommend abandoning that Slave Master, child.”

“No. I serve the King―and His name shan’t be taken in vain!” She declared, looming over Nicholas. “Prepare to die!”

She drove the blade downward.

Metal pierced flesh. Blood soaked azure silk.  She twisted her blade before withdrawing her weapon. Nicholas gasped. His pained expression became a thin smile.

“I find the fact amusing,” he paused between his words, “that you believe a simple metallic object can end the life of a Shadow Reaper.”

A flashing brightness swirled and encircled the wizard. When the magical illumination disappeared, Nicholas lacked a human’s appearance.

With his new transformation, Chloe distanced herself.

For the monster the wizard became was a rather grotesque nightmare.

Nicholas was a golden lion possessing more than a hundred heads consisting of multiple varieties. A lion’s head and a snake’s head combined were awful. But a bear’s head in addition, not to mention a goat’s head, and that added with a bloodcurdling arachnid’s and numerous others, was a foul combination.

Although, within the writhing cluster of the multi-headed mess, was a much nastier sight. Located in the middle was Nicholas’s head, crinkled and blistering red as a burnt tomato; which, in addition, appeared to be three times normal size. The color revealed in his malevolent eyes, once a solid green, gleamed cold and blue as ice.

The monster’s tail was a whip of flames. His bloodstained claws proved to be extra ginormous as well. Despite all this, a lingering poisonous vapor, appearing as fluorescent green, surrounded the hideous beast.

“Intimidated? You should be. A mere blade can’t obliterate one powerful as I.” Nicholas laughed, sounding rather triumphant. “Oh well, I attempted persuasion and offered you, child, a final chance. You have proven to be unlike your sister. Well then, should you lack use, I must exterminate this soul you possess.”

With those words, Nicholas trampled her direction. Fragile materials snapped. Delicate glass shattered. Chloe darted aside, plunging her raised sword downward. Metal sliced through dark fur.

A canine’s head plummeted downward. Green blood oozed at her feet. She scowled, distancing herself farther as various monstrous sounds rang within the air. Nicholas, along with his other multiple heads, spun her direction.

Chloe straightened. Erratic anger flooded her soul. Nicholas stole her sister and mother. He deserved eternal punishment.

She cast her blade aside. Nicholas trampled her direction once more. She advanced and raised the stone, delivering a vibrant orange blast. The monster dodged and then proceeded, charging. Nicholas cackled, striking her shoulder.

The monster’s gigantic claws tore at her flesh, ripping the elegant fabric along her bleeding arm. Nicholas clenched her shoulders and cast her about the air. She cried out as she crashed against the golden wall.

Chloe crumbled against the checkered surface. Dazed, she glanced about and froze. The Monster Stone flared a brilliant gleam. She stretched out her hand, fingers extended.

A shadow loomed over her. Nicholas laughed, placing a golden limb on her wrist. She cried out, enraged, under the immense pressure.

“Don’t bother wriggling about.” Nicholas cackled. “This is the end.”

The foul vapor surrounding her foe entered her lungs. She coughed and grimaced, tears forming within eyes. She glanced once again at the stone.

Nicholas followed her stare. He flashed a wicked grin.

“Ah, child,” Nicholas spoke, “what a grand stone there. You cling unto hope even now?”

From the cluster of grotesque heads, the golden-furred face of a maned lion extended downward. Upon locating the stone, greed flashed within the lion’s gaze. With a mere swallowing, the lion gulped down the magical object.

Chloe gaped, shocked.

“Oops!” Nicholas laughed. “You are doomed! You shall die and I shall―”

He froze. A wild and maddened glint formed within his once victorious gaze.

Chloe managed a broad smile, despite the tears on her reddened cheeks. “I don’t believe what you ate was edible, imbecile.”

Nicholas became silent and unmoving. His dark blue eyes remained wide open. Then all at once, the most terrific, and most particularly most disturbing, thing occurred.

The wizard exploded.

Green liquid, along with goo and chunks, splattered the elegant walls, checkered floor, and much of the clocks―as well as Chloe. She was enveloped in the disgusting remains. Gagging at the nauseating stench, she arose and rubbed the green substance from her brow.

As gross and repulsive as the terrible mess was, Chloe was glad Nicholas at least received his fate.

She glanced about her surroundings. A strange list of objects littered the surface: broken clocks, little minion corpses, and the foulest remains of the “most powerful individual” upon the earth… However, amidst the monster’s remains, the stone wasn’t to be found.

Disappointed, she sighed and clasped liquid-covered hands against each other.

“Well,” she spoke, her lips revealing a little smirk, “the deed has been done. Now, I must believe, an unfinished prophecy demands my complete attention.”

Chloe laughed, striding from the strange room. Entering the grand hall, she then proceeded before casting a triumphant glance about. Green fluid oozed down along her dress, dripping on the elegant floor. She halted at the tall stairs spiraling down beneath her. Her mouth slid downward.

A short cut would be awesome. Unfortunately, the stone was obliterated within the process of the wizard’s death.

“Well, I can endure another epic adventure!” Chloe laughed. “Complex and unusual stairs don’t intimidate me!”

Although within her first step, she stumbled on her dress’s hem and tumbled down the horrific stairs; screaming and thrashing all the while. She clutched the stair railing, resulting in an immediate jerk. At the abrupt impact, fluid was flung from her moist, wild hair.

Chloe released a sigh, before mumbling, “Ain’t even a bone fractured…”

She inhaled, observing the extreme height. Nervous, she proceeded down the tallest, longest stairs within the castle.

Oh, look at all this, she mused on. Who created this excessive structure?

She straightened her shoulders.

“Chloe, shut it,” she spoke aloud. “You murdered a powerful and dangerous wizard. This ain’t nothin’ compared!”

And odd though it was, as she was speaking, she slid upon the polished, smooth oaken surface. Gasping and grasping the railing, she was glad she prevented yet another ridiculous tumble. She might have bashed her skull.

However, then again, Chloe trod on her dress’s ever long, once extravagant hem. She ground her teeth.

“Of all the spectacular dresses ever designed this one I claim must be the worst! I-I can’t explain this infuriating―!” She froze, blood seeping through her foul-smelling, green-stained sleeves. “Ouch. I feel weird. Grrrhhh! I, Chloe Juancarlos, am a complete mess!”

She stormed down the stairs unstable, stumbling several times within the process. She squinted and raised several fingers to her brow, experiencing a fatigued lightheadedness.

“Whatever!” she laughed with a shrug. “Doesn’t bother me! Doesn’t bother me! Now does it, Chloe?”

Chloe proceeded once more down the stairs. She grimaced between each move. But she endured. Until at last, miraculous she admitted it was, the stairs ended. She had reached her destination.

She smirked and jutted out her chin.

“Yes, this deed I have accomplished!” Chloe declared. “I have slain Nicholas! I have traveled these grand… stairs!”

She sighed, raising a hand over her heart. Her adventure was complete. All was now fine.

However, then a couple figures darted her direction. One crashed into her. She collapsed with a grunt.

“Uh, watch it.” She staggered to her feet and crossed her arms. “Chloe ain’t in the mood!”

The figures froze, and then glanced over their shoulders.

“Chloe?” one spoke, gaping. “Eric, look who it is! It’s Chloe!”

Eric laughed and pushed a golden curl of hair from his sparkling blue eyes.

“A pleasure to meet again, miss,” he said.

Chloe swallowed, staring at her old friends; each dressed in glorious white silk, which must have been stolen from more ‘spectacular and important’ royal imbeciles. Drenched in green fluid with blood along one arm and on her leg as well, she felt like a slob standing in their presence.

Despite all this, Sarah attempted hugging her.

Chloe withdrew from her embrace. “Don’t touch me…”

“But we’re friends!” Sarah spoke, glancing down at her wound. “Oh, I’m sorry. I hadn’t noticed the bleeding.”

“Well, now you have,” Chloe stated.

“You must have engaged another individual in a fight,” Eric said. “Please explain who that was.”

“Well, I engaged in more than one fight.” Chloe managed a smile. “The Nameless Daughters I transformed to eerie skeletons. I created a stone figure from the Dark Knight as well.”

She gestured at the lone statue in the distance.

“Although, these wounds I received elsewhere,” she stated with a shrug. “The fight between Nicholas and I was downright epic. The malevolent figure exploded, forming a putrid mess.”

She extended her hands. Green droplets descended from her fingertips.

“Uh, Chloe, are you alright?” Sarah asked, squinting with her blue eyes.

“Nope!” Chloe replied with a shake of her head. “I’m perfectly un-alright. I appreciate your concern, but don’t interrogate me. I’m kinda ain’t in the mood.”

“Well, I know where the closest hospital is located,” Eric said.

“A hospital?! All I require are several bandages…” Chloe paused and narrowed her eyes. “Or have you a mental asylum in mind? You think I might be crazy?”

“No, I don’t think that,” Eric replied. “I hadn’t a mental asylum in mind either and―”

“Don’t lie.” Chloe arched her eyebrows. “You think I’m insane. Well, that’s a correct assumption. I am insane, although I’m rather proud of that.”

Sarah blew a wave of silver hair from her brow. “Please, Chloe, listen to Eric. After the hospital―”

“What then?” Chloe snapped. “Where shall we visit after the hospital? A horrid mental asylum? I don’t believe I shall be visiting home. Along with the destruction of Elydmartt, all that belonged to my family, including my sister, are dead. After all, I have a new destiny.”

Concern marked Eric’s expression.

Sarah forced a gentle smile. “Well, then what location have you in mind?”

Chloe paused at the question. “A garden of peace and isolation. I don’t mean the garden outside this garden, but a garden elsewhere… a garden thriving within a beautiful forest.”

“Well, there’s a garden outside a certain hospital,” Eric stated. “Although that specific garden isn’t one of isolation, it’s one of peace nonetheless.”

“I don’t like that idea,” Chloe said, folding her arms. “I desire an isolated location; that is, a place where I can organize my chaotic mind. I feel so fatigued, so twisted.”

“Well, there’s a cure for that condition.” Sarah smirked. “What about the counseling center?”

“You mean a mental asylum?” Chloe raised her voice. “That isn’t a garden!”

“Chloe,” Eric pressed, “don’t be like this.”

“Don’t be like this?!” she bellowed. “Leave me alone!”

Sarah sighed. “Chloe, please listen―”

“No!” she shouted with clenched fists. “Don’t prevent me from accomplishing this noble destiny of mine. I shall never visit a cell again; a cell at the mental asylum in particular! I desire an isolated garden; such would remind of happier times. Now would you excuse me, I must abandon this castle. Farewell.”

Chloe shoved past her friends, ignoring their rather horrified expressions. She flickered her eyes shut, clutching her temples at the ocean raging within her mind. Pain and sorrow welled up inside her. Her sister and parents were dead. Her town was burned. Her life was… destroyed.

She glanced about before dashing across the grand maroon surface. Each thought that entered her mind was bent on escaping the accursed castle; each was wild and frantic, almost uncontrollable. At the moment nothing she cared about aside from abandoning the awful place.

Within her chaotic mind voices disrupted her mental clarity. She recalled the voice within her mind before, that of the stone’s confusing, unclear hatred. Except now, multiple voices screamed at her. It was like there were tiny people inside her head fighting for control over her mind.

Vibrant blotches and colorful images obscured her vision. A golden lion standing on its feet, draped in marvelous crimson, whipped a wounded clown. At the room’s opposite end, violet sparkles descended from the ceiling and settled on the maroon surface, forming vibrant caterpillars wearing stylish various hats.

The caterpillars sipped tea and chatted, much happier than the clown. But the caterpillars began screaming once a dark gigantic toad with multiple eyes, upon stalking the odd larvae, with its grotesque tongue began devouring its victims.

Once the sadistic lion was done torturing the clown, he danced over and began whipping the toad. However, the toad being much larger swallowed the lion whole. That, and multiple other peculiar images, such as a blue orangutan shredding an enormous moth’s wings for a poisonous soup, flashed across her vision.

She wasn’t sure whether the ridiculous sight was a hallucination, complete magic, or neither. Perhaps the Monster Stone damaged her mind. Nevertheless, she fled the castle and the outlandish creatures.

But her vision became more unclear and obscured, the voices shriller, and the images more bizarre.

A dark form loomed over her. She crashed against stone. Blood streaked across her brow. At the impact, the voices silenced, the images vanished, and she regained her sight.

Chloe gasped upon recognizing the statue of Sir Deandre and collapsed. Darkness flooded her vision. For a moment, all was silent and numb. Then a voice whispered, “You are remarkably insane.”

And that was a fact.