The second we're out of the castle is the second my heart starts to beating normally again. I'm actually shocked that I haven't soiled myself yet. Even my knees are rather weak- like Jell-O.

Coxen comes out first, followed closely by me. I take the lead, though, looking around for any sign of Sephora and Clifford, praying they're at least safe. I also have my fingers crossed that Elle left the castle before all that madness went down. Though there was no way to alert her that I had Coxen with me, I just hope she found Olivos and ran.

We travel around the perimeter of the castle looking for any of them. My heart starts to act up again when I begin to realize that I can't find them.

"Relax, Mal, deep breaths. They're just hiding. Maybe something spooked them and they ran off."

Pausing, I take a moment to collect myself.

"Did you tell them to hide?" He asks, looking around.

"Yeah, but they were on watch which means they should have stayed close by."

I look at him. His face is still bleeding from the temple down to his cheek, dripping from his chin.

"Does it hurt?"

He shakes his head, roughly wiping away the blood.

"I'll be fine. Just a bump."

Nodding, with worry still floating in my eyes, I resume surveying the area in hopes of spotting them. Finally, I know what I have to do, but I don't want to draw unnecessary attention to us- we're already out in the open, vulnerable to attack.

"Clifford," I call as loud as I dare. "Clifford."

Coxen merely watches me as I call.

"Clifford."

I could call Sephora but I know Clifford, being the energetic puppy of a kid he was, will respond quickly to his name being called. It was like a summoning beacon.

"Clifford."

"We're over here!"

Bingo.

I could hear him approaching but I didn't know where until Coxen pointed him out. He comes bounding out of the forest, his rusty colored curls bouncing along.

"You're back!" He beams.

It never takes him long to notice a new face and get excited about it.

"Hey, you're bleeding," He states the obvious. "Do you know that?"

Coxen can't help but give the kid a smile at that, wiping the blood away again.

"Yes, I am aware. I'm Coxen. Who are you?"

"Clifford and I'm eight."

Before Coxen can reply, Sephora comes hurrying out of the forest.

"Clifford, I told you not to run off."

"Welcome to the world of babysitting."

She lets the stress melt from her face upon seeing us.

"You found him. Elle will be so relieved to know that. She was so wracked with worry, but I knew she was safer if-"

Coxen perked up at that, frantically looking around.

"Where is she?"

"Coxen?"

Our attention is diverted to the forest where the blonde, whose eyes brim with tears of joy, stands. I spot, with relief, Olivos standing behind her.

The two siblings have their usual emotional reunion before Elle takes alarming note of his injury.

"You're bleeding! What happened."

"Don't fret over that," He reassures her. "It's a minor bruise."

Nevertheless, she whips out a piece of cloth and presses it to his head before turning her attention to me.

"Oh, Mal, I'm sorry I had to leave-"

"No, no, you did what I asked you to. You did good, we're all safe, that's what matters."

"Perhaps we ought to return to the shelter of the forest as to not be noticed." Olivos proposes, his usual stutter coming into play- though not as bad as it could be.

We all agree, heading into the forest where it was safer- away from prowling eyes. We find a small area with places to sit and settle down. As we settle, I know I'm going to have to admit my failure.

Like previously stated: great plan, crappy execution.

"Do you have the stone?" Sephora asks, not beating around the bush.

The worse part about this is they're all looking in anticipation at me- with the exception of Coxen who knows how badly I blew it. This was going to be like telling children that Santa isn't real.

Fiddling with my dress, I stall for a minute, staring at a tree whose bark isn't all that interesting but pretending it is.

"Yeah...we might have to take another go at that," I mumble.

"What do you mean?" She asks, puzzlement crossing all their faces now.

Finally, I bring myself to look at them.

"Things sort of...happened."

Now there's worry.

"What do you mean? What sort of things?"

"The king," Coxen growls.

Alarm races across Elle's face.

"Is he the one that hurt you?" She asks.

"No, but he tried to kill Mallory."

They're all flabbergasted by that. But I pause, looking away at the ground in consideration.

"The king tried to kill Mal!?" Clifford says, in shock. He still isn't quite connecting the dots between who we're talking about (I'll let him figure that out).

"Did you see the queen?" Olivos questions, his stammering becoming more apparent.

"We saw them both," Coxen replies gravely.

"Did he hurt you?" Elle asks, sitting by my side, worry consuming her. "Did the king hurt you in any way?"

I've gone quiet in thought, but now I look at them with new revelation, a question in my tone, but certainty with my words.

"He didn't want to hurt me."

That takes them all for a loop, especially Coxen.

"He nearly beheaded you with an ax!"

"Well when you put it like that-"

"No," I shake my head, my mind still in thought, trying to process the reality of it all. "He never was going to kill me. I saw it in his eyes."

And I did. That moment when we both locked eyes, I knew the truth then. That was the one emotion written in them- broad as day to me. If I attempted to go after that stone, he would have tried to prevent me in some way, but he never would have raised a hand against me.

The others are looking at me like I'm crazy. I can't really blame them, though, they've only seen one side of Xalale, but I knew it the moment it crossed his face. In fact, I could have known it the second he missed cutting off my face- that wasn't mere coincidence. Every time I saw him aim for a target with a weapon, he'd always hit his mark (can't hit a baseball if his life depended on it, but could put a seasoned sharpshooter to shame).

"Then why would he try to hurt you?" He challenges.

I think for a second then look back up at them.

"He's acting."

"Why would he be doing that?" Sephora asks.

I get to my feet now, my mind starting to formulate something new.

"He's putting on an act for her."

"The queen?" Olivos and Elle say in unison.

"He's working with the queen," Coxen states, not understanding.

I scoff. "They can't stand each other."

"Then why put on a ruse for her?" Sephora furthers.

"Why betray you by running to her?" My subconscious adds.

I look at them, surveying them.

"He's trying to gain her trust."

They all exchange equally confused looks. It's hard to rank who looks more dumbfounded; Clifford's always muddled so can't count him in this ranking- Coxen looks like he's pulling first on this.

"Why gain her trust?" He quizzes. "They're both powerful from what I can gather. Why not him overthrow her?"

"Because of those damn mommy issues."

"Because either he's not strong enough- or believes he's not- or he might be determining if he should stay around for what she has planned. He's just not ready to put his trust in her yet."

They take a moment to ponder this while my mind continues to work.

"He doesn't trust his mother naturally enough to side with her?" Elle says, confused by that idea.

"Wait!? The queen is his mother!" Clifford rejoins the conversation, not adding much of course. "Are they married?"

"No!" I cry in disgust.

"Oh, okay." He looks relieved at that.

That kid sometimes.

Sephora brings back the conversation. "So, the king isn't fully going along with what the queen is planning to do with the orb?"

"What is this orb?" Coxen asks.

"It's meant to...destroy worlds," Olivos begins nervously. "Our world."

"Ours too." Clifford pipes up, a little too uppity for the occasion.

Coxen pales slightly.

"I think I know why the king might not be as powerful as he could be against the queen." Olivos starts.

My eyes snap over to him. His stuttering gets worse when all attention- especially if pressured- is on him, but Elle lays a reassuring hand on his arm, comforting him.

"The queen needs the king if she wants the orb restored to its original form. The orb needs a master of sorts in order to function, someone with power, an ability. Its 'master' in this case would be the king."

I raise an eyebrow in question. "Why wouldn't the queen be its master? She has an ability as well."

It didn't read like Aelita to give Xalale the reins in this to be able to easily control something so powerful. Plus, though Xalale's darkness seems to be stronger, she's been handling her abilities for years longer than him, so it would make more sense for her to be the one in control.

"I'm sure she would have liked to be," He continues. "But it was too late to determine who gets to control it."

I wished he'd stop talking in tongues and get to the point. Why is Xalale able to control the pieces and not Aelita?

"You see, after the last use of the orb, the pieces become quiescent- dormant- in some regards. It's not until an individual with an ability enacts them do they, in essence, form a bond with that individual. In the king's case, that connection was formed even before the queen had all the pieces."

"Before all the pieces were collected?" I think, looking back. "When did he do that?"

At this point, Sephora lights up in recognition.

"When you activated that piece," She looks at me. "It did more than act as a beacon, that was the moment the pieces awoke."

Now it was all coming back to me and making a lot more sense. That explains why it burned but then healed him that one time. It also explains why it started glowing when I had it. He knew where I was heading because it somehow communicated that to him.

Realizing this, it has just made my plans that much more complex.

"Now it rest with the king to restore the orb to its original state." Olivos finishes up.

As a reflective, heavy silence settles over us, I can't help but literally slap myself. Everyone looks at me in shock, with widen eyes like I'm insane or something- except Clifford, he cracks up over this- but I'm upset at myself.

Because guess who encouraged him to use and learn how to control his abilities in the first place. Sure, the first time it was needed to stop Edalirwen from being consumed by darkness but then I continued with him. God, I am the literal guidebook on how to doom everyone with your own sheer stupidity.

Elle gives me a cautious look. "Mallory, are you o-"

I cut her off, sighing out every ounce of air from my lungs into the air between us.

"Yeah, I'm fine, but both our worlds won't be because of me."

"None of this is your fault," Sephora speaks up. "You can't control what evil things others do."

"Yes, but I practically gave them everything they needed to pull this off."

"Mallory," Coxen places both hands on my shoulders, causing me to look him in the face. "Don't try to take credit for what you can't control. You didn't start any of this. If the king didn't make a connection the queen would have and we would still be in the same dilemma. Don't blame yourself."

He was right, they all were. I need to quit losing my head so easily and get down to business. That's exactly what I do after I take a quick breath.

"Okay. So, we need a new plan." I begin pacing in front of them.

"Yes, we need to regroup and strategize a better way of getting to the stones," Sephora builds on. "We've lost the surprise advantage we once had, so I'm certain they will be awaiting our next-"

"I'm sneaking in tonight, alone, to take the stone from the king myself."

"I must have fallen harder than I previously thought because that sounds like the most haphazard plan ever conceived."

I don't know what possessed me to say such a thing, but the others are staring at me with that same look that reads I'm off my meds or something. The way I said it with such finality, too, makes it all the more worse.

"Let's not be rash." She picks back up with hesitation.

"I'll be safe," I reason. "He's not going to hurt me."

Coxen gives a dubious expression. "Mallory, we don't know that for sure. If we are to go back under the cover of night you should take someone with you."

"Like me!" Clifford exclaims, jumping up and down with his hand raised.

Resolved with my thinking, I shake my head.

"It's too high a risk bringing any of you with me. I know for a fact he won't harm me, but...if he hurts any of you...no, it's safer going solo."

For once, going in by myself would be the best bet. To be honest, though, I'm not sure he would hurt Clifford either, but bringing a noisy eight year old kind of defeats the purpose of being discreet.

I'm not too enthralled with the idea of seeing him, but if I had to I feel like I could handle it. Call me delusionally complacent, but maybe now that our emotions aren't so high-strung we can actually talk things out- at least long enough for me to swipe the stone and flee.

There's also another reason I want to fly solo on this mission.

I still haven't forgotten about that stupid ring and I would love to give it back to him tonight just to get rid of any trace of him.

Though the others continue to be apprehensive about this plan, I'm playing dictator today and seal the deal.

"I'm doing this tonight. Someone can keep watch from a safe distance while I try to get in but I'm going in alone."

They all exchange a resigning look before letting out a soft collected sigh.

"I see you're iron-willed in this," Coxen says tiresome. "So I will accompany you tonight to stand watch."

"Thank you."

He gives me a cautionary look. "I just pray your pertinacious spirit doesn't give you more grief."

"Me and you both."

Remaining in the forest, hidden from sight or detection, we spend the rest of the daylight relaxing, storing up our energy. We don't bother with setting up camp or anything like that because once I come back with the stone (assuming I don't fail horribly again) we're out of here.

For the most part, my nerves aren't really getting to me yet, but as twilight comes and slowly dissolves into the dark aurora of dusk, then surely into night, I'm starting to feel the heat.

This is possibly our last chance to deter this impending doom and we're resting it all on my shoulders!? Me of all people.

It's too late to back out now, though, so I put my big girl panties on and nod at Coxen to signal our departure. Before we head off, I pull Clifford aside.

"Don't be a pain, don't get into trouble, stay by the others at all times, don't make too much noise, don't be a pain, and remember your promise."

"You said 'don't be a pain' twice."

I give him a knowing look. "Just stay close by, okay?"

"Sure thing, captain."

Oh boy, he was in a playful mood. Hopefully, with the other three here he wouldn't get into too much mischief- hopefully.

With my affairs in order, we take off through the darkened woods back to the looming castle. We don't carry a torch or any source of light in fear of getting caught, so we only have our memories to guide us back to the castle- thankfully Coxen's memory is in better shape than mine.

We arrive in a whirlwind of silence, crouching just at the edge of the forest border. While stalking the perimeter, my eyes are searching up at the windows.

I'm not dumb enough to use the customary entrances. No, I'm looking for an open opportunity.

My eyes train upon a room higher up with lights flickering behind the glass. It's giving me impressionable vibes, so taking my chances, looking over at Coxen, I speak up.

"Stay here. No matter what, do not leave this spot. If anything goes wrong, run back to the others and keep them safe."

"I won't leave you in danger." He replies firmly.

I have no time to argue with him about this, so I simply nod then whisk off into the open, in only the cover of night. Pressing myself against the stone walls of the castle- which appear even more dauntingly massive tonight than usual- I scale around until getting directly beneath where my destination is.

All while I was waiting for night to come, I had been brainstorming how I could infiltrate the castle without getting caught. Well, (again, I hit the floor harder than I thought because) I came up with a risky idea that no one would suspect me of doing. I didn't tell anyone about it because I knew they'd talk me out of it (maybe not Clifford, he'd encourage it) and just one hint of dissuasion would leave me second guessing and we don't have time for that. So as outlandish as it sounds, I was going to scale the walls of the castle to break in.

"Not living to see 17, I suppose."

At first, it starts off kind of rocky like I knew it would. My palms are sweating nonstop making it difficult to grip anything securely. Secondly, it's hard to see at night without much light, and thirdly, I don't know what's safe to cling to.

As I start to get into the swing of things, though, it becomes a smoother ascent to the top. My eyes finally adjust to the gray scale of the building, differentiating what constructed of the wall or sloped roof. At times, I would get a nice ledge to take a quick breather on, but I made sure never to look down- just keep your eyes on the prize as they say.

"Guess I'll have a cool story to tell once school starts," I chuckle to myself. "I'm going to bet my life that no one has ever climbed a castle at night in a dress without a harness."

There's only one point where my heart leaps to my throat when I think I'm going to slip, but other than that I'm nearly to my destination without incident. But you know that urge your body gets whenever you're up high, that urge to see how far you've come. Yeah, that's great when you're horizontal on the earth but when you're vertical, not so much.

Glancing down, my heart rockets into the back of my throat, causing me to begin hyperventilating.

"No, no, no, just breathe, you're almost there." I coax myself, squeezing my eyes shut against the wall. "You're a champ, you got this. Don't freak out now."

The thought that gets me moving again is the realization that the only thing scarier than going up, is the prospect of trying to get back down without slipping. So, with my destination seemingly lightyears away, I continue to put distance between me and the ground.

If I had to estimate how high up I am, I would say about 15 stories at this point- just from a semi hyperventilating girl's guesstimation. If I fell at this point, that would be the end of me, no questions about it. Nevertheless, I keep climbing, slowly but surely I reach the windows with the light pouring out of them.

"Is it me or is the air thinner up here?" I collect my breath, getting into a comfortable spot to finish heaving myself up to the window. Honestly, I'm actually pretty proud of myself for doing something that scared the crap out of me. This is a big leap for me.

The Fates, or God, or whoever must be proud of me too because I'm gifted with a window cracked open slightly. With the window ajar, I can climb in and slip in there no problem.

Just as I pull myself up- my upper body strength fatigued- peering into the room, I'm staring directing at someone sitting not even six inches from the glass in the window sill. Though I catch myself, I nearly let a squeak of surprise escape me as I almost slipped.

My heart thundering, I press my back against the wall below the bow window. I have no doubt in my mind he saw me, but as I wait, my legs burning from squatting for so long, I realize he must not have noticed me peer in.

"Gah, out of all the rooms in this joint and I find his room!?"

Allowing my heart to resume its normal pace, I cautiously straightening myself see I'm peering in from the corner of the window.

Judging from the way he's studying whatever parchment is in his hand, his attention was too absorbed to notice me the first time.

There's no way I can get in at this point. Cursing myself, I'm prepared to hunt down a new way in- maybe smash a window or something- when my focus in pulled in by what he takes out next to inspect.

Placing the paper aside, he takes out the small stone which I dropped earlier- the one he used to betray me. I watch, probably coming too far into view, as he stares intently at it. After a minute, he simply squeezes it in his fist then rest his head against the glass, his eyes close in thought.

It was so close, I could crack the window open a wee bit more, pluck it from his unsuspecting grasp, and-

The door groans prolongingly, causing me to quickly bunker down out of sight but not out of vantage point. Xalale, also, quickly sits up, his mind sharp and focused, especially on who comes barging in.

"I'm sorry, did I disturb your thoughts?" She asks.

Every concerned question she asked always sounded so false, not genuine, but she feigns compassion brilliantly.

Xalale isn't moved in the least.

"No, but a warning would have been greatly welcomed."

Even if the window was closed, I would still be able to hear the hostility between these two cut like glass. It baffles me that they're working together now. I guess he'd rather scorn me more than his mother at this point.

She saunters in with the usual manner in which she holds herself- so poised, so proud, like everything naturally belongs to her; and with over confidence you'd almost think it does.

"I was almost impressed today."

"Were you?" He asks, no interest whatsoever in his voice as he moves toward the fireplace.

"Then," She gives a resigning, but not surprised, sigh. "You disappointed, again."

He says nothing, going instead to kindle a fire but seemingly thinking better of it and watching her with cautionary eyes.

Though she made a point of putting on a front, it always is due to collapse at some point. She finally lets the chill seep into her voice.

"You let her go."

"There was no reason to spill blood."

"You're letting your emotions blind you again. Has she not yet proven to be your greatest downfall? I can warn you, she is. She is cunning, you know firsthand how deceitful she is."

"Wait, are they talking about me?" I think to myself, peering in further though still mindful. "Me, deceitful?"

He sighs in frustration but doesn't retort her statements about me, causing my blood to boil, honestly.

Approaching him, she gives him a steely look.

"Your greatest vice has been your lack of control over yourself and it will lead you to devastation beyond what it has already. Next time you'll be wise to listen when I speak."

He returns her look with a hard one of his one, but it lacks in its usual ferocity.

"Nevertheless, I don't think she will be foolish enough to return a second time."

"Won't she?" She challenges. "You know better than I. Tell me, will she be foolish enough to try again?"

My heart is racing. I feel like at any moment one of them will notice me peering through the glass. But their attention is solely on each other, staring the other down. Surprisingly, Xalale gives first, moving away over to his bed.

"There are other pressing matters to worry about other than her." He says, avoiding the topic.

Aelita's too sharp to let him slip past the topic unscathed, though.

"Can I be honest, dear? My trust in you is not higher than it was before. Your performance, as you seem to be intent on giving, does not move me in the least." Her words were spoken like a lick of a whip- it made me wince. "We both know she will try again because that is her nature and when that time comes your emotional state had better be in check because if you do not destroy your greatest downfall I will end it myself."

My skin crawls at that threat.

Xalale has said nothing nor has even glanced her way once, his back to her. She approaches him from behind, speaking in a more gentle manner now.

"You must come to trust me, Xalale. That is the only way we can accomplish this."

He finally turns to face her, and in the candlelight, I can see how tired he looks- I have no sympathy, though.

"I trust you, mother. I will handle her appropriately the next I see her."

She smiles at that, placing a tender, motherly hand on his cheek.

"Good." Withdrawing her hand, she walks to the door to leave, glancing back once more at him. "Goodnight, dear."

Finally, the door closes, leaving only him- and me sticking like a fly on the wall- in the room.

For a moment, he stands, leaning against the bedpost before going to get ready for bed. He sheds his clothes (I look away- I'm not a perv), still unaware of my presence then blows out the candles before settling in bed.

"Yes, he left the window op-"

Even before the thought could be completed, he gets up once more and walks over to the window, while I dip out of sight, and closes it.

"Dammit."

I peer into the darkened room as he returns to his bed. He sets aside something on the table next to him. All that time, he had been holding onto the stone and now it rested out in the open by him. God has gift-wrapped me this tonight.

I wait a few minutes for him to settle into a deep sleep before cautiously trying the window, seeing if it will open from the outside. No such luck, of course.

"Okay, new plan."

Thinking, I glance around, trying to determine the best way to penetrate the room. My answer comes when my eyes look just below.

Without wasting time, but also being careful in my stepping, I make my way down just a level below to a darkened window. It's closed, but not for long. Clinging securely to the ledge above the pane, I send my foot slamming against the glass. All it takes is two strong kicks to get it to shatter- glass in this universe isn't the most durable.

Slipping through the window, I land back on solid ground as I creep around the dark room. Heading to the door, I crack it open a bit to see if the coast is clear in the hallway. Once confirming I'm clear, I stalk the dimly lit halls like a silent intruder, routing the quickest way to Xalale's room.

To say the least, I felt like a badass.

Arriving at his doors, I take precautions like wiping my sweaty palms on my dress before entering the room and taking off my shoes so as not to make shuffling sounds. Easing the door shut behind me, I make my way over to the bed.

I can't believe how close I am and he doesn't even know it. That sends a mischievous smirk to my face. I also know that he's not the lightest sleeper so I won't have to hold my breath.

Standing over him, a wave of emotions rolls over me as I watch him sleep soundly.

Plucking the stone from the table, I store it safely between my breasts then turn to depart, but just as my hand touches the handle I look back at him.

"What am I doing? I'm at the advantage!"

A smile that could pass for malevolence spreads across my face as I return to the bed, staring over him. My vindictive nature truly begins to show itself the moment my eye catches something glinting in the moonlight.

Reaching over, I pull out that magnificent sword and inspect it. It beckoned to me like a siren. My gaze shifts from the blade to the unsuspecting occupant sleeping, unaware that his life was now in the balance.

"You know how much more therapeutic it would be to countdown my anger with each stab in his back? Oh, the irony would be bliss."

Actually, there's more to this than revenge if I go through with it. He wouldn't be able to restore the orb, hence saving our worlds.

My hand has already angled the sword at his back, poised and ready to go.

"'Handle me appropriately the next time', huh?" Sure, whatever you say."

But as close as my body is to doing it, common sense finally takes hold, seizing up my joints from doing something I might soon regret.

As much as I want to ram this sword through him four or five times, my conscious- that pesky little voice- stops me. Stabbing someone in the back with their own sword, though poetic, is the coward's way out. I'm not going to hit a man while he's down. Secondly, even if Xalale weren't in the picture, I know that wouldn't slow Aelita down in her plans- she would simply become the new master- probably doing her more of a favor than a hindrance.

Lowering the sword, I decide to spare him this once. I'm taking the sword, though. I want him to know that I was here and he was vulnerable (a David and King Saul, if you will).

My mind starts becoming creative.

"The best mic drop would be to switch the stone with his stupid ring." Ah, yes, that would be my plan.

But just like that, my perfect mic drop crumples. Like a moron, I left the ring with the others because I didn't want to lose it (kind of defeats the purpose of this whole solo mission). Of course, now I know I can place it in my natural lady purse, but I can't give it back now. So I have to come up with an alternative.

One glance down at the sword and I got it.

It's not as epic as the ring switch would have been, but it'll deliver the same message. I use the sword to cut off a piece of my hair- not a big piece- then careful do the same to him, binding the two bunches together and setting it in the place of the stone.

Content, I swiftly exit his room with his sword and stone in my possession. I kind of want to stick around to see how he'll react once realizing the truth- I'm sure the face he'll have will be priceless.

Smiling to myself at that, I hurry down the empty halls. I leave differently than how I came in. Instead of risking a long, treacherous descent down, I simply make my escape- which was surprisingly very easy- out a door in the back. I find Coxen, hiding still among the bushes and we depart back to the others.

Glancing back up at the window where his room is, I smile triumphantly to myself.

"Mal- 1, Xalale- 0."