"E-Elodie!" Daniel ran towards me from the rocky water bank, I walked towards him with a serious face.
It was partially his fault that so many people had died. How could he just leave them there, unprotected?
"Let's go." I settled on saying. "we will have to head further east."
"Wh-What? But just inside now- all of the King's men are probably looking for us!"
"Your point?" I looked off towards the water, a forest on the other side. " If we want to find the last piece we must find Princess Isabella. That will be the fastest way to figure out whatever is happening."
"I understand now, but what if these pieces, don't mean a thing?"
"Don't worry about that. I already have other information that will help us." with a wave of my hand, a green orb appeared, and a scroll replaced its glow. "I have much more where this came from."
I tossed it towards Daniel who caught it clumsily. He quickly opened it. He looked back up at me. "But this is-"
"-Proof of the royal families embezzlement and incompetence ." I scoffed. "But to hide it in such a simple location... I wonder if they planned to do something with it."
"Elodie. if all of this is true then, we should release this information as soon as possible!"
"Be patient. right now if we do anything rash it will only make things worse. we should focus on finding the last key-"
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. As a reflex, I moved to the side. An arrow struck where I just stood.
"Princess Isabella." A smile bloomed on my face. With a whip of my hands, they glowed green. "I didn't expect you to come."
"Evil Queen. You've outdone yourself."
Turning around, there stood Princess Isabella and several royal archers.
"To kill those innocent people in such a local village... do you have no shame?"
"I should be asking you the same... Princess. Using me to take your brothers out of the race for the throne... isn't that too deceitful?"
A weak smile appeared on her lips. "I'm glad you've realized that your actions have only helped me."
I scowled, raising one of my hands. at my action, the archers quickly raised their bows. "If you dare to fight me, do so properly!" As my hand waved harshly to the side, the wind carried the archers, throwing them several feet back. "To pin such despicable deeds committed by your brother on to me, truly- do you have you no shame?"
"My brother is but the sweetest of us, Evil Queen. You're words are-"
"-No more useless talking Princess." I lifted my hands. "Where is the last key?"
At my words, her expression darkened. She covered it with a scoff. "You are delusional as you are immoral. Evil Queen."
My hands clenched. the wind got harsher. "Princess of the Crystal Shard... you truly haven't gotten any smarter, have you?
With another wave of my hand I picked the arrow that was shot at me. In a flash, I was standing in front of the princess, the arrow's blade touching her neck.
"..."
"..."
Her eyes sparkled, a small smirk on her face. I scowled at her.
"So my memory is correct." I spoke slowly, looking down at the arrow beside her throat. Its blade had been bent unnaturally to point back toward me. Surrounding it was a red aura of magic. When facing Princess Isabella, her irises had shined red. "Scarlet Witch." I scowled
"Emerald Witch." As the archers stood up I jumped away, returning to beside Daniel.
"E-Elodie. We must leave. I'm sure backup has been called."
"How long have you been hiding from your people? Huh? Do they know who their ruler truly is?"
"Evil Queen. You're-"
"-Princess Isabella. you should be careful. Times are different now. My powers have grown."
She smiled slowly. "Have they?"
My eyes narrowed. "Impudent."
The wind blew, knocking everyone down, But Princess Isabella stood tall. Even Daniel struggled to hold himself up.
"Think about it, dear Elodie. Have your powers truly grown?"
"... You are nothing but a lie, Princess. That will be revealed soon enough."
"Are you sure about that? Evil-"
"-Don't call me that." I scowled. the wind blew harder. She smiled.
"Your powers have weakened, and your return is nothing but a flashy show. My brothers and I shall kill you again if we must."
I couldn't help but laugh. As I did, the rocks around us lifted. the trees hummed lowly, and the floor shook.
"Me? Weak? you? Kill me?"
Daniel struggled to speak. "Elodie! You're powers are too-"
I was quickly growing annoyed to the boys constantly interuption. "If you want to run again, nothing is stopping you, boy."
Dylan flinched. "But- if you kill the princess-"
"-Quiet!" The wind and rocks around us lifted higher into the air. The royal archers glanced at one another, their gazes fearful. "If you truly believe you can kill me, Princess... I'll make your death worth while." I smiled. "But since you are so sure," The rocks began to spin, and the water became hot. "here is your first chance to try!"
I closed my palm tight. When suddenly,
"Elodie!" Adam's voice. and the sound of horse hooves. The princess ducked low, and the rocks and boiling water headed toward Adam.
"!" I scowled, raising my hand. "Cheap tricks is all your family has?"
The rocks dropped down and the water evaporated before they could get close to him. The ground rumbled, and a deep hole swelled underneath the princess and archers.
Her expression dropped, and she looked up at me, slightly panicked. "You- truly will try to kill me? How bold!"
"Princess... I'm only bringing you down to hell- where you belong!"
"You!!-" The princess screamed. The hole widened, getting deeper and deeper.
Adam jumped off of his horse, running towards me before stopping, he raised his hands, as if to calm me. "Elodie! You can't do this. Stop!"
"Her family has killed and displaced so many. The princess tried to kill me- tried to kill you- but yet, you all protect her so?"
I looked up at him with a bitter laugh. Adam seemed startled. "Your eyes are glowing."
"Yes, Adam. I am not in the best of moods right now!" I looked back at the princess, watching as her archers tried to climb out. With a tilt of my head the running water from the river bank was soon added to the deepening hole, causing them to slip and fall deeper. "Come on, Princess." I spoke with a smile. "Help your people right now. Perhaps if you're fast enough, no one will die.."
"Elodie!" Adam called my name again.
"Stop this Elodie," Daniel spoke up from behind me. "The king will surely come after you if you kill her. besides," he came closer to me. "Your mission isn't completed yet."
"Elodie" Adam warned. I looked up at him, my lips pursed. "Don't. You will be locked up if you do this. Please."
My eyes narrowed, my hands shaking. "After all she's done-"
"-I know, Elodie. I know." Adam looked at me. "But this, it won't help you. It won't help anyone."
The princess screamed once more. My hand curled.
"Elodie. Please."
I released my fist, closing my eyes. the ground returned to normal, slowly spitting back out the archers and Princess Isabella.
Adam ran around to my side, grabbing my arm. "Let's go."
Daniel ran up to break his hand away from my arm. "Be careful! Her powers are still-"
Adam pulled me away from Daniel.
"We don't have time for this!" Adam's yell shocked me, but I watched as he turned towards me, his voice softening. "Get on the horse. Quickly."
"Archers! Stop-" Isabella started to say.
I planned to climb but his hand turned to my hips and quickly lifted me onto the horse. Adam looked around before joining me on the back of the horse. "Hold on tight." His words were close to my ear. as he whipped the reins, the horse.
"Daniel is-"
'Don't worry about me Evil Queen! I will find the last piece. you must stay hidden until I return!' His voice rang throughout my head. I sat quietly for the rest of the ride.