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[[Yuuki x Zero]]

Y

yuuki

Super-Earth
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
"Summer..." A familiar voice called out from the distance.

Summer looked up from her book just in time to see her uncle Niall, the Summer King, approach from the large castle. "I should have known it was you Uncle Niall." She rolled her eyes as she stood up, brushing the dirt off her lengthy skirt. "You are the only one who dare calls me by that name."

"Ahh... but that is the name your mother gave you, my dear..." Niall answered, smiling at his niece. Whatever prompted her mother to name her only daughter after the court both baffled and amused him. Mostly, it annoyed Summer. To her, it seemed utterly redundant to be called Summer when even from sight you could tell which court she belonged in. Her hair, long and coppery, fell in waves down her back with vines with pretty yellow and purple flowers weaved through them. Her wings were like rays of bright yellow sunshine shooting from her back. The only thing that seemed un-summer like on her was her pale white skin which she loved. It made her stand out among the other Summer girls with their tanned skin.

"I know that. But everyone calls me Sasha." Summer shrugged her shoulders. Sasha was a nickname she got when she was younger. Even as a child, she hated her name so she demanded that everybody called her Sasha. Everyone did except for Niall. "What brings you out here, Uncle Niall?"

"Well, Summer dear... you know the war has been raging on for years and it's only a matter of time before someone comes into the kingdom and try to cause trouble. I worry that the time is drawing nearer and I wouldn't want you to be in the castle when such a time arrives." Niall told her. "I've arranged for all your belongings to be taken to the cottage your mother lived in before she became pregnant with you. Two of my best guards would guard you and two of my servants would also be there to take care of you."

"Oh..." Summer frowned slightly. "Would you be okay all alone?"

"Of course..." He chuckled softly and patted her head. "Now, run along now... you must leave as soon as possible so you must get yourself ready for the trip.

~*~

"You called for me, My Queen?" Rika entered the Queen's bedchambers, bowing as she stopped in front of the chair where the queen sat, drinking her tea which began to freeze as the Queen's lip touched the liquid.

"Yes, Rika." Beira set the tea down on the table. "I need your help."

"Anything for you, my Queen." She replied promptly as was expected of her as the queen's favorite guardsmen (or in this case guardswoman).

"My son is in need of your assistance. He is down a few men and has requested for more. We have plenty of guards here but you are the only one that I trust with my son's life." Rika knew that the Queen wasn't asking her. It was an order so she promptly nodded her head and exited the room. She walked down the halls, thinking to herself.

The war has been going on for years. Many faeries have given their life trying to protect the Winter court and to defeat the other two courts. She had never taken an active role in this fight other than to fiercely protect the queen in case an attack on the palace has made. So far, the dark court seems to be winning. Many faeries from the Summer and Winter Courts have perished but only few of the Dark Faeries have. Rika often wondered if they would emerge victorious if the Summer and Winter courts helped each other but Niall and Beira never seemed eye to eye thus making it impossible for them to work together.

Rika gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Her long silvery straight hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail. Her ice blue eyes stared back at her and she could recognize fear in them. She was strong but she wondered if it would be strong enough against the dark magic of the Dark faeries or the unbearable heat of the Summer faeries.

Sighing to herself, she shook her head in despair. She could only hope that this war would not get her killed.
 
The King of the Dark Fae had grown quite impatient of those in his court whom had come to court him. Perhaps it was the sheer amount of power he had, or perhaps it was the fact that even in war, he could see the outcome, and was not at all challenged by either side. Sure, he needed to keep his own troops on alert and make sure that neither of them got an upper hand, but since both other sides had strict morals, and he had no problems resorting to the darker side of things, his upper hand rarely was questioned. He decided quite early that he would increase his power by having a bride of a different race, thus also ending hopes for any dark Fae of courting him. Of course, he doubted either of the other Fae countries would be so willing as to send one of their best over to him, so he took matters into his own hands.

His brethren had long since infiltrated both of the countries, and his intelligence gave him the time and locations of two very important young girls, both of whom were ripe to be his bride had they come to him. So, he arranged it to be so, and his own personal squadron were sent out to make his wishes into reality. Their plans were quite simple, capture an elven guard of stature in both of the camps and subvert them. The Summer elf was subjected to quite a bit of harsh torture, starting from her vacation she was brought away and brought to and from the brink of death multiple times before she was broken, and quietly returned to the Summer Elves, quickly making her way up the ranks for being a 'heroine' to the people. She was personally in the carriage with Summer as she was sent towards the cottage, awaiting her target to arrive as a glazed look on her pretty face kept a watch muscles upon her arms twitched as she knew what she was about to do was wrong, but could not bring herself to reject.

The winter elf of course, was subject to a much more different sort of torture. She was baked in the summer sun, and her body forced to react to the primal instincts. She soon began to be unable to contain her urges as she reverted back to a being of sin and sin only. Once a scout for the winter elves, she would accompany Rika to the dropoff point, but somewhere along the way, the Dark Fae would trigger her to act upon her instincts, as she would fell her male brethern and suck their souls from their bodies, leaving Rika unprotected and ready to be dragged off, while she would be dragged off to face the wrath of her own Queen, something that even the Dark King realized was many times as sinister as any of the punishments he offered in his own courts.
 
In a matter of hours, Summer's belongings were placed in the carriage and the king was informed that she was ready to leave. Summer stood at the bottom of the large staircase in the castle as she waited for her uncle so that she good bid farewell. Niall saw her to the door and Summer hugged her uncle tightly. He was the only parent that she knew for most of her life and she's lived in the Summer Castle for as long as she could remember. "Be careful, Uncle Niall. I'll come back as soon as the war is over."

"All will be well soon enough, Summer. I'll send a carriage for you as soon as the threat has been dealt with." Niall placed a fatherly kiss on the top of Summer's head. He could smell the sweet honeysuckle that her handmaiden had weaved intricately into her wavy hair to match the red dress that she picked out earlier. Niall moved away to turn to the summer elf who had been assigned to ride with and spoke to her, "You have your orders. You are to take care of Summer and you must stay with her at all times."

"Stop scaring her, Uncle Niall." Summer laughed and tiptoed to kiss his cheek. "I'll be fine. I can take care of myself. Goodbye, Uncle."

Summer rushed towards the carriage where a footman was waiting to help her into her seat. Once she was seated, she waved at her uncle who was standing at the doorstep, seeing to the other carriages that carried her belongings. It was common knowledge in the Summer court that if there was a soft spot in the king's heart, it would be for his beautiful niece. He loved her as much as he loved his sister. And he protected her in a way that he never could for his sister. He could only hope that sending her off to the dark court's land would not alert the dark king of her presence. His only wish that there was enough dark fae blood in her to hide her true identity from the evil king.

~*~

Meanwhile, final preparations were being undertaken in the Winter Court for Rika's departure. There were 5 men and 2 women, including Rika, in their entire group. Rika stopped by the queen's chambers for any last minute instructions but found that the queen was already resting. After leaving a message for the queen bidding farewell, Rika headed down to the stables to check if their horses were ready to go.

Rika adjusted the light armor she was wearing. Her arms were left bare which was usually not a good thing but with the speed and agility which Rika learned from years of training, she could easily outrun most of her enemies. She also wore a short skirt which allowed gave her enough room for movement unlike the pants that the men wore. Her silver hair was braided and piled on top of her head so that she could move without the risk of enemies grabbing her hair as she ran past them.

When all preparations were finished, Rika had some stable boys take the horses out to the front door. With her sword safely in its sheath, she got on her horse, glancing at her companions. Her gaze rested on the only other woman that was joining her. There was something off about her but Rika could not quite put her finger on it. She looked perfectly normal but in her line of work, those that looked perfectly normal were the ones to watch out for. "Do you know where we're going?" Rika addressed her. She didn't have the time nor patience for a scout to lead them down the wrong path.
 
The summer elf in charge of Summer's transfer to her cottage nodded to the King. In her own mind, she wished that the King had realized that she was not going to follow his orders. Wished that somehow they would find out and at least slay her before she got the chance to betray both him and her kind. Of course, she wouldn't get her wish, and soon she was sitting along side her as they slowly began to enter the lands of the dark elves. She watched the poor girl whom would soon become nothing more than a prisoner as she looked down to her hands before looking outside. Something suddenly caught her eye and she became afraid. They were here already, watching them. She needed to do what they told her, or soon more torture would come.

She looked over to Summer before smiling, a nervous hesitant smile. "You must be tired, please, feel free to rest." She told her as her hand moved to touch the elven girl's face. Flesh contact, that's all she needed to inflict the simple sleep spell upon the girl. Then she wouldn't be able to run when their carriage was attacked, and soon she would awaken only to find herself without her clothes, and locked in a small cage, locked and spellbound to slowly sap her magic away to prevent her from getting away.

~*~

Meanwhile, the scout snorted just a little when Rika asked if she knew where she was going. "Please Ma'am, do not insult my intelligence. Follow." She told her as she began to move towards the Dark Elven front lines, where she would meet up and drop Rika off with her commander. Around a third of the way there, she was suddenly struck by an arrow. It pierced her skin just a little, and knocked her off her horse as she tumbled to the ground. She laid on the ground, knowing that there would be more to come if she decided to stand up again before she realized something else was gripping her. Her pupils dilated as she realized that the arrow was poisoned, but not to kill her... rather, to release the savage side which had been dragged out during the torture.

She would wait until the men came to attempt to tend to her, something they knew all five would, and then quickly and simply... she would slay them. Freeze one perhaps, cut two to size, then throw her knives at the others. The only reason this would work would be their surprise at her change. Oh no, she would no longer be the disciplined scout once revered in their army, but now a raging wild, unable to discern friend from foe, bezerk until she finished her job and would be relieved from her body.
 
Summer had no idea that they were already in Dark Elf territory. She turned to look at the elf that sat next to her as she spoke and shook her head. "I'm not..." She began to say but she was not able to continue. The sleep spell hit her before she even realized what it was. Suddenly feeling drowsy, Summer yawned. "I guess I could take a nap."

Summer knew something was not right but she was too tired. Her head rested comfortably on one of the fluffy pillows that was kept in the carriage for long rides such as this. "Wake me up when we get there, okay?" Her lids fluttered close and in a matter of seconds, she was sleeping soundly.

~*~

Rika unsheathed her sword and looked around her. She couldn't see any dark or summer elves around but she was prepared for attack. "Get her out of harm's way." Rika ordered the five men that were with her. "I'm going to run around the perimeter and try to catch whoever it was."

Rika didn't wait for a reply and urged her horse to trot as she began to run circles around the surrounding area. It only took her a few moments to make sure that the area was clear before she began to make her way back to the men and the fallen scout. Frowning to herself, she wondered why the attack was made on the scout and not on one of the men or her. They were obviously more powerful and they could still find their way without a scout. She kicked at her horse, making her go faster. There was foul play in this and she was sure of it.
 
Once Summer was asleep, the woman in the cart opened the carriage door and tapped, so that the carriage stopped... and once it had, the dark elves came upon them swiftly. Arrows flew in order to take out the summer guard, while others quickly emerged from the brush in order to handle the horses and drag the girl out. They also knocked out the summer elf accompanying her and left just as quickly as they came, not worried about survivors, just that they had what they came for alive and well. The was brought quickly to the dungeons of the dark elven castle, where she was thrown into a small cage, a large magic circle drawn around to begin seeping away her magic, and analyzing its contents to make sure they had captured their target correctly, as the King now awaited one more elf to complete his project.

~*~

The men had circled around the scout, and were soon all too easily slaughtered by her. Her light sword cutting through the flesh while the others were dropped by her deadly knives. She soon went and intercepted Rika, the blood of the men upon her as a dark tint had now invaded her icy eyes which had at one point marked her as a winter elf. She murmered a spell as she attempted to freeze Rika's steed, before she ran quickly at her and swung her sword, the craze inside of her ready to decapitate the one whom she was supposed to be protecting. Really, the dark elves should have intervened there, however they were interested to see how Rika would respond. After all, they knew their King enjoyed his own challenges, and a fighter with some skill was something they wished to witness for themselves.
 
Along with Summer's magic, the sleep spell began to wore off and Summer woke up with a start. Her green eyes looked at her surroundings and found that she was locked up in a small cage. She touched the bars of her cage and looked out, recognizing the ring that was placed around her. It was a magic seal created by dark elves, one that even Niall could not break. Only a dark elf could break such a ring.

Summer sat back, trying to assess her situation. She knew she had been captured by the dark elves but she didn't know how. The summer elf that was with her was nowhere to be seen. Tears filled her eyes, not knowing what she would do. She tried to stretch her wings but the cage wasn't big enough for it and if she pushed any harder, she could tear her wings.

"Somebody help me..." Summer cried softly, hugging her knees as she begun to sob.

~*~

"What the hell?" Rika heard the men's screams of pain as they were killed by an unknown assailant. But when Rika got there, she immediately knew who the attacker was. The scout had a crazy look on her face, like she didn't even know what she was doing. The men were all dead, their blood seeping into the soil beneath them.

Rika saw the scout coming and she was able to jump off her horse just as it froze. A loud clang of the sword against ice rang out in the forest and Rika jumped to her feet. In her rush to get off the horse, she had twisted her ankle but she ignored the stabbing pain as she looked around for the scout and found her by the horse. Wielding her sword, Rika rushed forward, slashing at the woman as swiftly as she could. Even if her sword didn't make contact, a blast of cold air would hit the scout, trying to throw off her balance.
 
The scout brought her sword to meet Rika's as the blast of cold air just made her smile. Her free hand made a grab for the woman's neck, in order to squeeze. "Kill..." Her cold breath said as her other hand went to help out, as ice began to creep along her fingers in order to perform the deed upon Rika. While the dark elves watching knew it was on them if Rika died, they decided once again not to intervene. After all, their King wouldn't want someone whom couldn't even defeat a lowly scout, even one as bezerk as the one fighting RIka right now.

Plus, many of the dark women elves were quite jealous of the fact that she had been chosen, and would gladly have her die if it were possible for them to be chosen. After all, if she couldn't hold her own, they could sure give plenty of fight in them. Others strung their bows in waiting, however, disabling her would be hard if she continued to hold onto Rika as such, however... if Rika managed to break free, arrows would quickly fly into the poor elf's back, before Rika would be retrieved.
 
Frustration filled Rika as the scout dodged every swipe of her sword. When the scout got her hand on her neck, she felt the chill run up her spine but she was faster than that. Before the scout could finish the job by freezing her spine, Rika swung back using the hilt of her sword and hitting the scout square on the stomach. Twisting around, Rika kicked her on the chest and the scout fell back. Without giving time for her to escape, Rika held the scout down with her foot.

Pointing the sword to the scout's neck, Rika looked down at her with her steely blue eyes. "You have betrayed your court. During normal circumstances, I would have bought you back to the castle to rot in jail. But I'll kill you right now if you don't tell me who sent you."
 
As the eyes bore into her and the sword was pressed against her neck, something clicked once again as her eyes became clear and they focused upon Rika. "I'm... I'm sorry. Run! You have to run they're..." But it was already too late. By that time arrows rained down and struck into the scout's side, this time the Dark elves were on the move. They were of course, cautious of the girl, but here in the dark elven woods, they had the upper hand. She would not be able to draw magic from the trees, and they had already setup a perimeter.

Rocks which were attached with strings were soon thrown towards Rika's head, in an effort to knock her out for the King. They expected her to run or even freeze some of them, but it would be hopeless. Soon she'd be nothing more than another prize, and would meet her fellow Summer elf as they prepared to meet with the Dark Elven King himself, in preparation for his game.
 
The moment the scout's eyes cleared up and she was told to run, Rika heard the rustling in the nearby bushes. But instead of running, she faced her enemies head on. She swung her sword and a blast of cold air was released to throw off her enemies and her weapons but they kept on coming. Rika knew she was outnumbered but she wasn't going down without a fight. She gave another big swing and a large blast of air before she ran forward to bring down as much as her enemies down before they could kill her.

Rika's sword sank into the chests of two dark elves before out of nowhere, a large rock hit the side of her head and she fell down, dropping her sword. As she began to drift off, she heard the distant screams of the winter elf just as she felt hands on her bodies. But they weren't trying to kill her. For some reason, they were trying to carry her. She felt her hands being tied up along with her legs. Before she could do anything, she passed out from the wound on the side of her head.
 
She was soon escorted to the castle, and placed in the dungeon with similar conditions to the summer elf, a large magic sapping circle under her too. It was only during that night that the two where moved, both now wore a collar, the insignia marking them Dark Elven property, with a black onyx crystal embedded, clearly magical in nature but to what cause, unknown to the two. They were taken out of their cages, and arms tied to to be brought to the King. Quickly they were pushed/dragged to the throne room before they were forced to kneel, with spears pointed at their backs as the Dark Elven King now rose to look at them, walking down the steps.

Shido was young and had actually just taken over, which was why he had not had a bride yet. A prince, launching a successful Coup over his father's throne, he had aggressively expanded into the other elven territories, as well as gave a Dark Elven advantage by laxing the rules over certain rules once regarded as sacred, such as using some forbidden magics on Humans as well as other elven people. Dark black hair was barely covering his elven ears, while his dark cape shrouded most everything else about him. He seemed actually a little lightweight, but it was clear from his aura that his dark magic was second to none. He smiled at the two as he stood over them. "Welcome... To the Dark Elven lands. Enjoying your stay so far?"
 
Summer had fallen asleep while waiting for somebody to help her or kill her. Not knowing her fate, she jumped when Rika was brought in. She looked at the other girl but she was unconscious and she was placed in a similar cage. It was hours and hours before somebody else came. Two dark elves arrived to place collars on them. Rika awoke with a start and she struggled unlike Summer. "Let me go, you fools. If I get my hands on you, I will kill you." She tried to use her magic but to no avail. They were led out. Rika was being dragged, screaming and kicking barely acknowledging the girl with the same fate as hers. Summer followed along, tears rimming her eyes. She did not understand why they didn't just kill her now.

Both girls were slammed onto their knees and poked with spears as a warning that they should not move. Rika spat at her captor but Summer only looked with fear at the man who was standing before her. "What is the meaning of this?" Rika growled at him. "Why have you brought us here?" Rika continued to curse and Summer would wince, not used to such foul language.

"Please..." Summer spoke finally for the first time when Rika was done ranting. Her small voice echoed of terror as she begged for her release. "Please, let me go... my uncle will surrender just please..."
 
He watched as the two had very different reactions to being brought here, however expected they were. The winter of course, a fighter... whist the Summer elf made him quite happy with her naive look upon her. He paced around them as he decided to answer Rika's question. "Well well, a feisty little Winter elf are you not? You're not really in any position to make demands but, I will indulge your curiosity. One of you may become my bride, I have yet to make any plans. You two were chosen among both of your races, to perhaps, be a measure of what the standard is, or above standard. In either case, your position will immediately halt the war in your country of course, whilst the other will become a plaything, and the true wrath of the dark elves will be upon your race." He told them, as if the dark elves had just been toying with both their races up until now.

"Of course, there's nothing really to force you into taking this deal. However, if you don't wish to agree to these terms, it doesn't mean either you if won't still play a game. Just one where you will be treated as elven prisoners, and your bodies will make plenty use for our magi." He told them as he chuckled darkly, waiting to see what their reactions would be now that he had given them their options
 
Indignant, Rika began screaming again. "I will not be your plaything, you coward. If you think you can get away with this, you are wrong. The winter elves will come for me. And I don't think the summer court will take kindly to you taking 'princess' here."

Summer looked at Rika, frowning at the silver-haired female. Rika was obviously much stronger than her but kicking and screaming her way wasn't going to get her out of this mess. If they wanted to kill her back then, they would have already done so. It was obvious that the dark king didn't want them dead. The alternative, however, seemed to be much worse. She didn't want to become a plaything but neither did she want to be his bride. It was true that Niall would go through great lengths to get her back but somehow, Summer didn't want him sacrificing half the entire army to just rescue her.

"This game you speak of..." Summer interrupted, looking at the king. "What are its terms?"

"You are actually listening to this crap." Rika screamed at her.

"We have no choice in this matter. I might as well know what I'm in for instead of screaming like a little brat." She replied then looked back at the king, awaiting his answer.
 
"There are very few terms. One is that you keep your collars on, and the second is that you do not attempt to escape. Even if you break those terms however, there is no guarantee that the other will win, but of course... doing so will keep you both in good graces. As for the winter elves coming for you... I don't doubt they will. But your petty warriors have yet to break my first line of defense, and look how easily I was able to break into your inner circle. Come now, you think that your Queen will not sacrifice you? Of course, if you don't agree to the terms, you're also ruining the poor Summer Elf's chances." He told her, before he moved back to his throne.

"Give me your answers now. I will have none of your petty arguing. Either you two agree to it, and we act civilized... or you both will be an unwilling part of a much darker game." He told them as he notioned the guards back a little. The two would be able to discuss with each other for a moment, and despite what paranoia they might have, their choice actually did have an effect upon their fate in the castle.
 
Rika glared at Summer then at the king. When the guards moved back, she thought about escaping or die trying anyway. But the summer girl did not move a muscle but she did speak to Rika in a hushed tone. "My uncle told me about him. He's going to make it much difficult if we don't accept his game."

"And if we play along, he'll let us go? You think that by agreeing with him, he's going to set you free eventually?"

"No... but it will give us more freedom to find out how the hell we can get out of this mess."

Rika hated to admit it but the girl had a point. The girl was smarter than she gave her credit for. Summer nodded her head and looked up at the king. "We agree to your terms." Summer paused and looked at Rika, waiting for her to say something.

"Fine." Rika grumbled, crossing her arms.
 
He watched the two as they discussed their situtation as they agreed to his little game before he sighed. As if he couldn't hear what they were saying. Did they think he was so idiotic? Did he think that in his own court, he didn't know everything that went on? He waved his hand, invisible arcane magic now hitting the black crystals on the girl's collars as they slowly began to shrink, now choking the two girls. "Yeah, if you're planning something stupid like that, and if you have the nerve to talk about it in my court, than you two have no right to play. Fine then, I shall choose one of you based upon something else. Strip them."

The guards moved and began to do as the king asked, not hesitating one bit as these two girls were now nothing more than prisoners. "You both do best to remember that you are in my court. My word is law, and if you think that you two have any say..." He told them before releasing their necks, not wanting either of them to die or pass out, since there was much more to come.
 
Summer touched the collar on her neck as it began to shrink, constricting against her slender throat. Rika did the same, trying to tuck her hand underneath the collar to give her more space to breathe but she couldn't. Panic-stricken, Summer looked up at the king as she took long and breaths, trying to draw as much air into her lungs as she possibly could. They heard his order to strip them but the lack of air made them too weak to fend them off. Rika, as strong as she is, tried to fight but the collar made it impossible. The guards were able to take her armor off and proceeded to cut off the clothes tear off the clothes underneath them. The guards were a bit rough with her, probably as retribution for killing some of the other dark elves that had gone after her.

The guards seemed less rougher to Summer but rough nonetheless. They cut the dress she was wearing off her body, using a knife and the blade grazed her sensitive skin, making her tense. As soon as their clothes were off, the constricting on their throat stopped and Summer was able to take a long breath, panting slightly as she tried to fill her lungs with as much air as she possibly could.

~*~

Meanwhile, in the Winter Court, Queen Beira angrily spoke to a soldier as she was being told of Rika's disappearance. Her son had retreated back to their lands as a result and she began pacing, trying to figure out what steps to take. Another soldier arrived shortly after and informed her that the scout had been found, beaten senseless but alive. He informed her of the scout's treachery but said that the scout insisted that Rika was still alive.

"Where have they taken her?" Beira asked, still seething with anger.

"The Dark King has taken her, my queen." The soldier answered, warily. "And she's not the only one they took. Word has it that the Dark King has taken the Summer King's niece."

"Bring the scout to me." She ordered the soldiers and both of them left the room promptly.
 
He was quite unhappy with the both of them, and while they both were a little smart, and quite feisty thinking that they could fool him, they clearly didn't understand whose court they were in, nor were they making their situation any better by continuing to struggle. He looked over to them now that they were stripped, smiling though. Oh, they were both very beautiful, and while Summer was like one of the nobles whom was pampered and might have more smooth skin, he knew that the warrior Rika had plenty to offer too. Her heritage was quite impressive, and being one of the last of her clan, and of course... one of the Queen's favorites, all worked to his own advantage.

"Now, let us begin with a little questioning hmm? Why don't we begin with some simple things, see if you two can tell the truth. Names, and your bloodline." He asked of them, wanting to hear them speak, to see them struggle now that they were without clothes. His court was not bitter cold, nor was it too warm. They would be plenty comfortable, besides perhaps the notion that they were being watched by him.

~*~

The scout, beaten and tattered was soon dragged into the Queen's throne room. She could feel that some of her bones had been broken, as no one, not even the other prisoners took very well to her betrayal. She knew at this point that the best thing that might come to her was a quick death, but also could see that such a verdict would be lucky at best. As she was dragged in, she did her best to kneel in front of her queen, her bloodlust gone as she was returned back to normal.

"My Queen... I am terribly sorry, I have failed you ... and Rika is in the enemy hands." She spoke, hoping that her information might land her what she required. She had been screaming moments before all she knew, but they didn't wish to believe her. They believed that she did this all of her own accord and deep in her mind, she knew she hadn't the strength to fight what was inside her. That instead of betraying them, she should have killed herself.
 
Rika spoke first. She was proud of her lineage and she wanted everyone to cower in fear at sound of her clan's name. "Rika Halestorm of the Halestorm clan." She spoke, smugly, looking up at the king. "You might be familiar with us. After all, it was my great-grandfather who defeated yours in battle. Our bloodline has lasted for years and I am the last member of our clan. But I plan on continuing our lineage so that we could do what we do best, defeat your kind."

Summer wasn't as confident as Rika, after all, half of her lineage was unknown to her. "Sasha Meadows," Summer spoke, using the name she called herself. Even up to now, she would not reveal her real name. "Daughter of Princess Aislinn and niece of King Niall of the Summer Court." She paused, unsure of what to say next. She didn't know of her father's lineage nor did she know who he was. Aside from that, there wasn't really much to say, except that she wanted to go home.

~*~

Beira approached the girl, gripping her chin and lifting her face up so she could meet the girl's eyes. "What a poor, poor girl?" She said sarcastically. Everyone in the room knew that she wanted nothing else but to slap the girl's face. After all, Beira had sworn to Rika's father that her daughter would be well taken care of in the Winter Court.

"What does Shido want with Rika and the Summer King's niece?" Beira questioned, staring at the girl with mock kindness.
 
He chuckled a little at her, enjoying that she still had quite the fighting spirit. "Ahh yes, I do remember that quite well, a terrible defeat that was for our clan. But I am not my great-grandfather, nor am I my father, whom as you may know is now quite a bit underground." He gave a dark smile to her as he made it clear he was not cowering under her name. His father and those before him were too easy on the other elves. They wished peace, and were too afraid to use the dark elves true power, but he was not like them... and would bring about their race's dominance as it should be. "As for your wish, well... continuing your lineage might be something to take back."

Shido now moved over to Summer, as he chuckled just a little bit. "Oh? You know your mother and that you're a niece, and yet you know nothing about the other side of your family? Such a shame hmm? That your dear uncle didn't inform you of those facts I'm guessing. They must be very ashamed... I'm surprised they haven't disposed of you... or perhaps they let you come to my court because they could no longer stand whom you really are hmm?" He asked, as he patted her on the cheek now and moved away, letting her wonder what information he really had.

~*~

She could tell that the Winter Queen was just toying with her, as now tears began to come freely from her face. "Please... I don't know. I didn't mean to let this happen. They did something to me, I don't know what it is... i couldn't help myself, all I wanted to do was kill, see bloodshed..." She spoke, attempting to tell the Queen the same thing she told the guards. Of course, the Queen was more experienced with these matters than the others. It was possible she might know what she was talking, and maybe, just maybe lenincy. "I know he has her though. They knocked her out I remeber! THey didn't try to hurt her or anything..."
 
Rika knew the difference between Shido and his ancestors. But Rika also knew that when it came to the last few moments of death, they had tried to use the dark magic that they had to save their lives. But it just wasn't enough. She wondered then what Shido was capable of. He seemed to be much stronger than they were but she wondered if that would be strong enough. She did not speak but listened as he spoke to Sasha, as she knew her name was. The poor girl was frightened beyond relief. And the little information that Shido was sharing was so unbelievable... there is no possible way that this girl could be a member of the Dark Court. Of course, her skin was paler than most Summer folk but everything else was too Summer-like to even believe it.

"What are you saying?" Summer spoke, her voice shrill with fear. It was either she didn't understand what he was saying or she refused to believe what he had told her. "My Uncle would have never sent me to this awful place. He would not have a reason to. I may not have known my father but I am sure he was a respectable man or else my mother would not have had a relationship with him in the first place." Of course, she spoke only of what her uncle had told her. All she remembered from her mother were photographs that she had seen in the palace. Her mother had died just two short days after she had given birth to Summer. For what reasons, she did not know but her uncle had said there had been complications with her child-bearing and she was too weak to heal herself.

~*~

"Pity..." Beira spoke harshly. "You could have been more use to me if you had more information than that. As it stands, you are not only a traitor to this court but also useless." The queen leaned forward, holding the scout's head tightly in her hands, as if she were about to kiss the scout. But instead, she stopped at the very last minute and breathed cold air into the scout's mouth until the scout stopped struggling, frozen solid.

"Get my mirror. I need to talk to the Summer King then to the Dark King." Beira barked at one of the guards as another disposed of the scout's body.
 
"Oh, by all means he was a respectable man, unlike the rest of your family. But that's enough for you to know for now. While we might pride ourselves in being the Dark Elves... it is your Summer elves whom pride yourselves in hiding secrets" He told her before leaving it at that. He moved back over to Rika, whom hadn't answered him before he patted her on the cheek now. "No answer for me? How about I give you the chance to fight for your freedom hmm? An official duel between courts, just you and me." He told her before he looked to Summer. "I would extend the same offer to you, but I doubt that fighting would be such an option for you. As for the duel for you, you may choose your conditions, but beware if you make anything too ridiculous." He told her, before he nodded to the guard to bring out weapons, his and hers.
 
Many of the dark elves who were watching whispered amongst themselves. Some worried that the king may have been too foolish by returning Rika's sword to her. Some were excited to see their king duel. "You are not allowed to use the collar at any point in the duel. You may use magic but death, disarming or paralyzing spells are allowed. If you do any of those or cheat in any way, you forfeit and I win. First one to draw blood wins."

"If I win, I am free and so is the Summer girl." Rika spoke as she took her sword and tossed it from hand to hand, trying to judge the weight just in case someone put an enchantment on it or switched it for another type of sword. "And if I lose, what is in it for you?"

Summer had quieted down after the king's words. Her uncle had known so much but he hadn't told her. Somehow, she felt that he had good reason not to tell her but her uncle had a long history of being overprotective and she worried that it might be one of those times. She had a right to know who her father was. Was the truth that bad that Niall had to hide the truth from her? A few guards pulled her aside, clearing room for the duel. Shido was right. Summer could not hold her own in a duel. But as she knelt there, she found herself wanting to cheer for Rika who would fight for their freedom.

~*~

The mirror was brought to the Winter Queen and she sat in front of it. The mirror shimmered like a lake of silvery liquid until it began to clear until she was face to face with the Summer King.

"What do you want, Beira?" The Summer King frowned at her. It had been years since they last talked. The war has torn the courts apart.

"Do you know where your dear niece is at the moment, Niall?" Beira asked, arching an eyebrow at him.

"Why should I tell you? I won't give you the capability of kidnapping my niece." Niall frowned down at her.

"Ah, I'm afraid you're too late for that, Niall. Shido already has your precious niece. And he also has my best warrior." She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I would think you would have kept a closer watch on that niece of yours. You didn't even know she had been kidnapped until you hear it from me."

"I will check on that right away." He said, smugly. "If there is any lie in what you have said, I will pull out all my troops in the Dark Court and have them come to you."

"Ah, but you don't have enough time, Niall. Who knows what Shido is doing with your niece at this very moment?"

"What do you propose we do about it then?" He sighed, waving a soldier off to check on Summer's condition.

"A temporary truce, Niall, to get Rika and your niece back."
 
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