With each bold step forward, the persistent feeling of doubt follows.

"What am I doing?"

That's a question I should have asked myself a long time ago, like before I got myself into this entire mess that just keeps unfolding into an even bigger disaster.

It occurs to me as I travel through this serene forest that I've never really been left alone to my own devices since arriving in Edalirwen; even from the beginning there was Elle and Coxen, then Sephora came around, and even Olivos came into the picture. I've never piloted the plane solo until now, and to be fair I kind of put it on myself.

This is not the way I wanted to go about this, but I have to be real with myself, what outcome was I expecting? This had all the key ingredients of blowing up in my face. Me, who can't keep a single friend in my court, plus the tight time restraints I'm under, multiply that by the fact I'm trying to fix something and don't forget to factor Xalale into the equation (anytime he's added in things get a whole lot messier) and boom, a plan destined for a trainwreck. I was hoping to delay the derailment just a little longer but I screwed up too early.

The only thin, wisp of a thread of hope which I'm clinging onto is that Xalale is still reachable- that somewhere beyond all the scar tissue of the past, I can talk some shred of sense into him. I know it's pretty much equivalent to a bomb team deactivating a live nuke, so that's why I have to straighten out my argument- or rather reasoning- before going into the lion's den.

"Things I know won't work: making him feel self-conscious, coming across too judgy, bringing up Aelita; literally I just have to say everything in a calm tone so he can't twist it as something to become defensive over."

Everything is riding on the words I speak to him, the tone I use, and my facial cues. If he spots just one misstep he'll be all over me.

Though I'm traveling through the forest like I know where I'm going, I have no idea where I'm heading. I'm only traveling through the forest just to find a good spot to wait for him when he does come. He wasn't too far behind when we were on the hill and I know he's going to start after me again, so I just need to find a place to wait for him, somewhere that I have the advantage in case something goes awry.

Finally, after a while, I find what I deem to be a good waiting place. It's out in the open, a large clearing with a pond that stretches to the end of the clearing. The pond creates a more tranquil atmosphere, making it seem more like a private meeting rather than a dicey confrontation. Plus, I can see everything around me before it comes into view.

Settling down on a boulder, I commence the waiting game, seeing how long I can last without growing agitated.

I am slightly nervous due to the fact the stone has not glowed once since the time we fled from him on the hill. Though it's a slim possibility, I worry if my comment about telling him to go home was actually heeded and he's just given up the chase. But the majority of me knows he would never wave the white flag that easily, especially not at my urging. He's coming, just being strategical. If there's one trait I should have picked up from the beginning of this chase- just from the beginning of knowing him- it's that's he's a strategist; his strategies are not like anyone else's, though, they're solely unique to him, that's what makes him even more volatile.

"Another huge difference between him and Aelita," I think to myself.

Strange how I thought of that, but it's true. Both him and Aelita are strategists, just in different ways. Xalale is all over the place with his formula, doing things that seem like madness but to him have a clear, precise method. Aelita, on the other hand, is your classic, checkmate strategist, she's cunning- I knew it from the moment we talked on the balcony. Her deadliest asset is her subtlety. Xalale, you know when the gears are turning in his head because there's a path of crumpled notes and strewn about theories. Aelita, you don't know she's scheming until you're caught in the downfall.

At this, I straighten up.

I don't know what I have but I know it's taking me somewhere (brain don't fail me now!).

Immediately, I'm mentally taken back to the night that was both brilliant and wounding. But I'm not looking at the big picture like I was that night, like I have been every time I flashback to it, I'm focused on smaller details.

I start reflecting back to the previous conversations I've had with him so far. The lake, the temple, the pit, the hill- keys words from those times start echoing in my head. My mind is beginning to paint a picture and all the strings are being brought to light.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sudden glow leaking from my cupped hand. Glancing down, I know the timer has started- there's no backing out of this now.

I know I said one of the things that would set him off was bringing up Aelita, but right now, that's the main point I'm bringing to the table because she is the key factor to this jumbled puzzle.

How does someone like Xalale put his trust back with someone like Aelita? I think I've cracked the equation.

So while I wait, I cross my fingers and pray to God that something productive would come out of this meeting. If not, then I truly don't know how I'm going to amend everything.

It feels like an eternity has passed, but I know in all retrospect that it's probably only been an hour or so since it's night now.

Throughout the course of an hour and a half, the stone only lit up one more time before going dead with activity for the remainder of the time.

Though slightly tired and paranoid sitting in the middle of this dark forest, I force myself to stay alert and guard for when he arrives, which could be at any given time. But even though I told myself to stay awake, I seldom listen to my advice and doze off only to be hastily awoken by the sound of hooves clopping through the leave.

This was it. This is do or die time. I need to be as convincing as the serpent in the garden at this point.

Not bothering to stand as he materializes into view from the dark forest, I can see he's flanked, as usual by the other riders accompanying him. He realizes something is up the instant he spots me along and slows to a stop just before stepping into the clearing where the moonlight can reveal him completely. He's weary, suspicious of the circumstances, so I call out to him.

"Can we talk?" I glance at the two, callous riders behind him then add. "Alone."

Exchanging looks with his men, he replies.

"We have had countless occasions to talk. I'm tired of talking."

"Shoot, he's in a testy mood already."

I stand to my feet, stepping forward a little.

"Give me five minutes of your time."

He glances at the ground for several prolonged seconds before turning back to his men and driving them off. When they're dismissed, he slowly dismounts Atlas then starts to approach me, his expression guarded.

In the open moonlight, his sword gleams by his side but I keep my eyes on him as I seat myself again, looking up at him in silence until he stands before me waiting.

"Just so you know, it's only me and you," I begin, my voice starting out nice and easy.

Cautiously, like he doesn't quite trust my claim, he eases down on the opposite boulder, his eyes shifting from side to side before finally setting on me with a dour expression.

Staring into his eyes, though, I can detect what he can't mask. The tiredness that clings to his features has deepened since the last time I noted them.

"I think I know how we can fix this."

There's no point beating around the bush on this.

"But you have to be open about this."

He apparently wasn't going to say anything to me until I was done so I take a deep breath and begin.

"You need to destroy the stone. I don't know how but we can figure it out, you just need to destroy it."

His expression remains the same: void. But his voice reads of a mocking manner.

"Destroy it?"

"You could," I urge.

"Why would I want that?"

"Why do you want any of this? I've been trying to see the motive behind this all but I don't see what you have to gain from this all."

"You don't?"

He's giving me a rather patronizing look which starts to rub me the wrong way.

"I mean, nothing you've said or done over the last few days has convinced me you're on board with what Aelita's doing."

Like I expected, he stiffens up when her name is brought into the conversation but I don't lay low. I break my previous do-not-bring-up list and start on the connection I made earlier.

"She's playing you, you know. Like a fiddle. She knows how to pull strings, Xalale, I don't understand how you don't get that."

"That's where you're mistaken," He cuts back, his voice sharper than a blade. "She's not in control."

He is delusional.

"What are you talking about?" I question, baffled. "Xalale, you were never on board with anything she was doing until- until..."

I swallow, not being able to spit out the last part that's lodged in my throat. Thankfully, he picks up where I left off, though his demeanor has become frigid.

"Things have changed, my decision has changed."

Even under his cold glare, I remain firm but internally I could feel myself buckling.

"But you don't trust her," I challenge.

My words send a ripple of exposure from him, his eyes become reserved as he fights to veil his true intentions. I know I've got him on that, though, so I run with it.

"You claim to have changed your mind about her yet you still don't trust her because you know she's full of it," My eyes narrow at him. "On top of that, I haven't heard you personalize her goals with what you want. You don't sound, you don't act, like you want the same thing she does. Can you see why I'm a little skeptical when you say you've changed your mind?"

Though he glowers at me the entire ordeal, the first words out of his mouth aren't to contradict me.

"I have my reasons."

"Reevaluate them."

For a minute, we simply stare each other down but in different ways. While he's trying to burn a hole through me, I'm searching for something deeper in his diligent, watchful eyes.

After a second, the hostile expression passes from his face and is replaced with a more conceited yet restrained one.

"Since you are so keen on passing judgments about other's alternatives, allow me a minute to pass judgment on you."

"I haven't judged you at-"

The hard stare he serves me quiets my protest and so I cross my legs, allowing him the floor.

"You're a very vain individual if I'm to be honest. You live in a false sense of indignation as if everything ought to be gifted to you. You grip constantly at how horrible you are in relation with everything yet you never attempt to fix things you claim you destroy-"

Anger burns on my face.

"Who the hell does he think he is giving me this lecture?"

He senses I'm about to open my mouth to protest so he speaks over me.

"You don't see it. But it puzzles me. You came out here in the secrecy of night without any of your friends."

The sharp words on the tip of my tongue begin to wan as his words hit me with the truthful impact.

The mocking manner returns to him.

"You also are very accustomed to inserting yourself into your sentences. It is your dream, your plan, your ideas. You don't leave much for others," He scoffs in ridicule. "Mallory, if I didn't know you I would never imagine you could be so much more than a vain young woman."

My spirit is deflated.

His words angered me- they still do- but more acutely I feel a wave of shameful recognition because not everything he said is wrong, especially in regards to the others and the way I deal with them. He also brought up points I hadn't thought about and that kills me. The strangest part of his upbraiding is probably the ending. Said in such a plaintive manner that it sends an eerie melancholy shadow over me.

"The fact of the matter is, however you expected this meeting to transpire it won't end in the manner you wanted. Tonight, we end this chase, we stop this madness and we both go our separate ways."

Something about that last part disturbs the melancholic shadow hanging over me and brings about a dull pain in my chest.

Though I realize this was a poor mistake on my part coming here expecting him to change his mind, I straighten back up again, put on a determined face, and act like his words didn't penetrate my surface.

"She's a manipulator; you said it yourself, she's a snake."

"I know what I said," He growls, returning to his hostile phase again.

"Then what changed?"

That's the question of the hour, the question to which he's been giving me the run around ever since I asked it.

At this point, I don't care if he sees the desperation in my eyes, in my voice, I just want answers. But then again, I subconsciously already know the answer, I'm simply suppressing it. Perhaps, maybe I want him to say what I already know, I just want it said instead of implied- I want to gain a sense of release from it.

Unfortunately, I never receive that sigh of relieve. It's game over, he's shut down.

"I will only ask you once for the stone," He says in a commanding, yet worn tone as though the weariness from his eyes has leaked into his voice.

"That's it?" I fold my hands in my lap patiently. "We're just going to end it like this?"

The leveled gaze he's giving me tells me everything I need to know. Releasing a tired sigh of my own, my eyes bore into his.

"Then I guess this meeting is over."

Proceeding to stand to my feet, he instantaneously seizes my hand as he gets to his feet as well, his other hand already poised on the hilt of his sword with a cautionary gleam in his eye.

"Don't put me in this position," He tells me, admonitory present in his voice.

"You put yourself in this position," I reply coolly, trying to pull away.

I can't deny the subtle quickening of my pulse as I feel him clamp down even harder on my wrist. Overall, though, I'm not in panic mode yet.

Only minimally deterred, I try again but this time I'm met with more resistance and force drawing me closer rather than away. His volume has dropped into a very grave warning, one an adult would offering one last verbal warning to a child.

"Do not put me in this position," He repeats, this time drilling every word home.

My pulse starts to pick up the pace at the realization that I might have miscalculated my means of escape in case something like this would happen. I thought myself capable of persuading him out of this task; I suppose I do have vain tendencies but don't we all?

With my flight-or-fight starting to kick in with the adrenaline, I look him in the eyes, see there's no way I can talk my way out of this, allow a heartbeat of silence to pass, then, quicker than my next drawn breath, use my free hand to unsheath my sword.

Xalale is an impressive individual, unfortunately for me, with reflexes that cease to amaze. Before the point of my weapon could be angled at his neck, he's unarmed me, seized both my wrists and has me incapacitated.

With the sword just out of my reach and being held in a restrictive position, I'm starting to feel just a little stupid for not having backup with me.

"Xalale, let me go."

My voice, though I try to make it intimidating, comes across as more pleading than I would've desired.

"Just give me the stone."

Fighting against him, I thrash and kick, refusing to give in so easily.

"Mallory," One firm shake from him gets me to stand still, my breathing ragged. "Hand me the stone."

I promised I would protect this stone with my life and I meant it wholeheartedly. He was going to have to try a whole lot harder if he was going to get it from me that easily.

Suddenly, my brain starts working again, kicking into high gear, and I brilliantly know how to escape without having to hand over the stone. It takes all my strength but I break free very briefly to shove the stone back in between my lady purse.

He reclaims possession of my wrist once again but now I'm pretty complacent with the fact that I've just saved myself some time and energy. He realizes something is amidst when I quit fighting back.

"Just give me the stone, Mallory."

"Go get," I challenge.

He's more than a little suspicious at this point, looking me over with narrowed eyes. I think it finally clicks for him where I've just stored the stone and I don't hold back on the smugness oozing off of me.

I dared him to try to get it. My eyes give that unspoken challenge that's never meant to be taken up. If he even reached his hand out there was going to be a problem. He's smart though- he knows where his boundaries lie- and doesn't take the bait.

Instead, he's quick to unsheathe his sword and while he draws me against him, he presses the blade to my neck. His voice is harsh against my ear, his volume dropping to a low, minacious level.

"I am tired of these games, Mallory."

"You can threaten me all night long," I bite back. "But you're not getting this stone. Not over my dead body."

I'm hoping he doesn't take that in true context, but I know he's not going to hurt me. It's like being in the grasp of a declawed lion.

For a moment, he slackens his tight hold on me but the cold metal still bites into my neck, dissuading me from breaking free. Just as I think he's about to come to his senses, realize there's no way he can keep up with me and let me go, he demonstrates unpredictability once more and begins urging me to walk. At first, I'm taken back by this action, allowing him to drag me along with little to no resistance.

"What are you doing?" I question, not liking how deep the metal is pressed into my skin.

"Keep going."

Given no explanation, I continue to be pulled along, more concerned about the blade at my neck than what purpose having me walk serves. It's not until we stop by Atlas' side does my slow brain finally catch up.

My eyes widening at the sight of a rope. That's when the adrenaline starts pumping.

"Let me go!"

With me actually fighting back, he has to put more effort into getting me tied up but he's got a fairly good upper hand over me, especially since this practically comes as an ambush to me.

When my bucking and fighting isn't getting me what I want, so I go for a different tactic. I garner all the hostility my voice can muster in this panicky moment.

"Let me go or I'll scream."

"Yeah, cause being in the middle of a dense forest will definitely draw people out." Damn, even my brain knew that was a useless threat- I don't even have to see his expression to know it was.

So I try another ruse.

"You're still not going to get this stone. What is this going to accomplish, huh?"

Done with tightly binding my wrist, he gives me his usual expression of indifference as he replies-

"I refuse to fail again. You brought me to this, Mallory."

Glaring at him, I counter. "I didn't bring you to anything."

Oddly, his voice dips a little as he looks away to sheath his sword which he reclaimed from me.

"Of course."

I don't know how to take that, but I don't have much time to process it before he forces me to mount on the back of Atlas. Let me tell you, it is hard getting on the backside of a horse without the full use of your hands.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the other two riders come back into view as Xalale mounts the horse. As he spurs the horse on, I'm trying not to fall off.

As we start through the thick night of the forest, the knot in my stomach has expanded as reality sinks in.

Tonight, I've made a few mistakes. One, I thought I could talk sense into the personified version of illogic. Two, I came with no backup and ran off without telling them where I went. Three, I have no fall back plan on how to escape.

Insanity is what I'm practicing right now. I keep listening to that little, optimistic voice in my head thinking the outcome will be different.