THE END IS THE KEY

[Evil_To_The_Max]

kontine,kiara. ;)

[Kiara Johnson]

 I will finish this, I promise, I just needed to take a break, and work on my Starwars Fic and a few others my mind kept tuning into.  lol.  I will finish this though as it will be the final in the series.  TTFN, luv, huggles and stuff.

Kiara Maul

[Kiara Johnson]

Max was thrown through the rift to land most unceremoniously on his backside in the very room he started.  He looked up at the table where the giant chairs sat and noticed on of ht fruits gone from its resting spot and shook his head.

Had he really just talked to a God?  The thought seemed somehow incredible even though he had stood before the King of Hell, battled him and even made a deal with him, the thought that he had just met perhaps the most important being he had ever met in his life left him with a feeling of being very small suddenly.

He slowly stood from his place on the ivory floor and, book in hand, he walked back to the large entrance door, which stood open, waiting for him to exit, and walked through and back out in to the icy cavern of before.

No sooner had he turned to watch the door close, as it simply disappeared, no trace, nothing but a cold stonewall where it once stood.  Max took a deep breath of the icy air surrounding him and headed back down the winding corridor, once again battling against the cold to find his way to the Fire Lords keep.

As he stepped through the opening to the fire realm, he looked about to find that Sebastian was still standing there, waiting for him.

"I was right about you."  Sebastian stated, then turned and walked back out of the room, his hands clasped behind his back just the same way he had come down here.

"What the hell do you mean by that, wait, Sebastian..." Max started then went after him, the book in his hand clutched protectively to his chest.

But max didn't see Sebastian again, he had simply disappeared so, Max had no other choice then to go back home and find out what this book had to offer that nothing else in the world seemed to.

[Evil_To_The_Max]

great job,as usual.Continue..

[Kiara Johnson]

CHAPTER 3:  A Return to the Isle




Max was greeted with a most happy welcome form his wife and her guardian.  He handed the book over to Kiara who he figured would make most sense out of anything found in there and himself and Moloch followed her to the den, each taking a seat at he large table there.

"So how was Sebastian?"  Kiara asked, knowing that Max wouldn't have anything good to say, but still, he is her brother after all and she wished to know.

"Just as arrogant and impossibly cruel as ever."  Max returned, giving Kiara a look that stated she had best get cracking on that book.

Moloch cracked a smile sitting back in his chair.  "I suppose that means that the old Demon is fairing well."  He laughed.

"Yes, good to hear it, sorry you had to see him again Max, but even you have to admit, he's a great help to have about."  She replied.

"Ya, so long as you're a member of his family and he isn't after something from you, or trying to kill you, he's an absolute jewel."  Max returned, his temper not the best after what he'd just been through.  "I met Aldur too, just thought maybe I should mention that part."  Max told them, and then related his story, all the while looking at the book that remained closed in front of Kiara.

"Aldur himself helped you with it did he, this is something that can't be ignored, Aldur hasn't spoken to anyone in over two thousand years."  Moloch said, his expression turning grave.

"Why the long face Moloch?"  Max asked.

"Because, Aldur never gets involved with anything unless the orb is going to be involved too.  This could be trouble with the biggest meaning of the word."  He finished, his tone setting on an almost awed air.  This something that was not ever known of the great warrior angel.

"You don't think this will be something concerning both stones do you Moloch, because I thought that they had to keep away from one another at all times less they destroy the entire universe in their hatred of one another."  Kiara put in, now worrying too.

Max looked at Moloch, and likewise for the Demon guardian to Max.  Both knew that Kiara had no clue that the Soulstone she sought after was the very thing that the orb would seek to destroy as well.  The question in Max just now was if he could tell her, but Moloch shook his head slowly, though, not quite as passionate in his argument as he was before.

Kiara noticed the little, what ever it was, passing through the two of them and she now tilted her head in that ever curious manner of hers, her brow shooting up in question and Max knew she wouldn't let this go unanswered.

"What are you two on about?"  She asked, her tone demanding an answer.

"It is none of your concern Kiara, now open that book up and let's take a look."  Moloch replied, putting a hand on Max's arm to silence him.

Kiara looked at Moloch and at the way he kept her husband from saying anything, what ever it was that had just passed between the two of them was going to be important later on and she knew it, though, the look she received from Moloch, d**n him and his powers, was one that stated she would not know just now and so, she growled, grumbled a little bit as to the fact that she knew she'd not be told and then, she opened the book.

"I don't get it." She said, flipping through the pages.  "There is nothing here, they are all blank."

"What do you mean, all blank."  Max growled in frustration, taking the book from her and turning it to face him.

"I mean there are no words, nothing it is blank." Kiara said, looking at the two of them total confusion written in her eyes.

Max closed the book slowly and then shook his head.  "Looks as though Aldur is indeed going to make us use the orb after all."  

"So it's settled, we're going to Riva."  Moloch stated, looking at Kiara who had sunk into her chair rather sullenly.

Kiara had not been back to Riva and for good reason, s it would mean she'd have to face the fact that her mentor, her long time best friend was truly gone, not to mention the fact that the place held so many memories for her that she was not so sure she'd want to remember, such as the day she killed her brother.

"I'm sorry Kiara, but we have no other choice and you will need to come along, I can't leave you alone, not now."  Max replied to her silence.

Kiara took a deep breath and sighed.  "When do we leave then?'  She asked, the whole day beginning to wear on her and it showed, she was getting tired again.

Max was so used to her being the one who never tired that he had forgotten she needed rest and he stood, walked over to her and placed a loving hand on her shoulder.

"We leave after you sleep."  He replied, looking at Moloch who, was about to object, knowing they had little time, firmly shaking his head.  "No, not until she has rested, I won't have her falling ill, due to all this, its bad enough..." he trailed off, almost slipping the whole Soulstone thing.

"Very well, we leave come first daylight then."  Moloch stated then stood and all but stormed from the room.  

There was something bothering him, something more than simply the fact that they were loosing time, there was something that seemed to be eating at him since Max had mentioned Aldur, something big and had Kiara still been able to read things, Ma was certain she'd have felt it too.

Max took Kiara from the study and put her to bed shortly after then when he was certain she was asleep, he headed out of the room to confront Moloch.

[_Lavender_]

Absolutely wonderful, as usual! Please, keep it up!!!


(Glad you're back, by the way, K.)



Lav

[Kiara Johnson]

(Thank you Lav.  Hugs to you girl)

Max walked into the living room where he inevitably knew he'd find Moloch waiting for him.

"So what is it Moloch, what's got you so jumpy all of a sudden?"  Max asked, as he walked to the wet bar and poured the both of them a drink.

"I can't really put a finger on it, but something bad is happening, something awakening in your wife that has been asleep for a very long time.  Though I can't figure it out, I think, that rescuing her Soulstone is a bad thing for our future."  He explained as he took the glass from Max and took a long drink from its alcoholic contents.

"Well, if you can't put your finger on it, why worry about it now, there is nothing we can do but retrieve that stone, if we all wish to continue living life on this planet." Max returned, as he took his seat, also taking a drink from his glass, and now twirling the contents of it around, watching as the alcohol swirled in an almost hypnotic manner.

"I know that Max, I am not saying that we don't go after what is needed to bring your lovely wife back to us as she once was, all I am saying is that something bad is lurking around there, something is struggling with in her and once that stone is safely back in her hands, it will awaken, though I can not be sure as to when."  He finished, taking another long draw from his glass, a long and needed drink.

Max thought for a while then sighed.

"Well, in the end, we have only one course to take and once we do get her back to normal, who's to say that what ever it is that threatens to over take her won't simply do back to sleep, perhaps it is just wakening in her weakened state."  He stated

Moloch laughed, though it was only just half-heartedly.  "Perhaps you're right Max, maybe it's just because of her weakened state."  He replied, and though he would not let it out, he was certain that Max was wrong, something stirred, and he could feel it.

In the morning, Moloch, Kiara and Max, all sat around the table each drinking a cup of coffee.  Though this was quite odd for max, less he had drank too much the night before, he was indeed drinking his fair share, as he was the only one that had started on his second cup.  

Kiara didn't say anything to him about it, though she knew he had to have drunk too much.  She knew he was stressed, and would forgive him this time.

"Ok, as you have no other choice, Kiara, Max will take you with him, I will go alone, though we should all make it to the throne room together, I suggest arriving just out side the doors, incase there are any surprises in the castle for us."  Moloch stated as they all began to rise from their seats, ready to go, or at least, as ready as they would be, then he disappeared; Max taking Kiara in his arms, not far behind.

[_Lavender_]

(You are most welcome K! Huggles!!!!)

Keep goin'

*Waits patiently*

[Lord Voldem0rt]

*bangs table and starts chanting*  More story, more story, more story, more story, more story, more story!  ;D

[Taron]

didn't get a chance to read the whole thing but it sounds really good!

[_Lavender_]

Of course it is. Kiara is a wonderful writer!

.:Lav:.

[Evil_To_The_Max]

keep going kiara.

[Kiara Johnson]

Chapter 4:  Greetings, Memories, and Findings





Max and Kiara's forms appeared on the steps to the Rivan Keep.  Moloch looked at the two of them and smiled.  

"Welcome home Kiara."  He said, making a grand sweeping motion with his arm as she stepped away form Max and looked about the abandoned Steps of the once grand and bustling Keep.

Kiara wrapped her arms about herself a look of loss in her emerald eyes.

Max walked over to her, putting his arm about her shoulders and turned her from the view of the abandoned city and walked her toward the door, up the great steps, giving Moloch a reproachful look for his rather foolish welcoming of Kiara to her now dead home.

Moloch shook his head and then followed the pair up the steps to the grand doors that, as son as they stepped close, opened up before them.

Max froze, but Kiara looked up at him and smiled.  

"It's ok, it knows I'm here, can't you hear it sinning?"  She said releasing herself from his arm and walking inside, her feet echoing in the silent hall of the Keep.

Max smiled, he did hear it, the Orb was singing it's happy song to them, and he followed Kiara through the hall and straight to the throne room.

Moloch frowned.  "Bloody thing never sings to me."  He frowned and then followed the pair once again.

By the time Max had caught up to Kiara, she was already opening the doors to the throne room, and as she did, they all looked upon the blazing blue light that filled the vast room and Kiara all but ran to the dais and to the great sword hanging behind the thrones, grasped the orb in her hand and then sat, closing her eyes as it showed her its many pictures, the whole time, she smiled, until the end, when both Kiara and the orb seemed to take on a total new aspect.  Kiara letting tears fall freely from her eyes and the orb turning an almost black in color.

This was when max stepped in and took the orb form Kiara's hands and placed it back in the hilt.

"That's enough, she doesn't need to see all that."  He told the orb as if in reprimanding it for showing her the only thing he could think would make her so sad, the death of the Rivan King.

[Evil_To_The_Max]

keep going...

[Kiara Johnson]

After Max had calmed her down, enough to talk, she looked up at the orb and smiled lightly at the now, once again, blue stone.

"I think I want to go take a look around the Isle max, You and Moloch find out what's in that book and I will be back in a little while, I promise, and don't worry, I'll be ok."  She said, her eyes shifting slowly form the orb to Max.

Max was about to object then decided it best not to, she was going to be useless unless she got the chance to say her goodbyes to the isle or yesterday.

"Ok Kiara, but take this sword with you..." He handed his sword over to her.  "You never know what lurks out there since the disappearance of all the people."  He finished, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Kiara took the sword and stood, then after giving max a returned kiss to his cheek, she walked away, passing Moloch who looked at Max and shook his head.

"Well, we best get on with it then, is she going to be ok?"  She said then asked, after Kiara had disappeared form sight.

"Kiara will be fine, lets get this thing figured out."  Max replied, and then walked over to take the orb from the sword once again to make out what the book had to say.

**********************************************

Kiara walked down the steps of the Keep and onto the cracked, dirty cobblestone street of Riva.  She held her arms about her shoulders and her sword hung in its sheath at her side.  Her memories all came flooding back, how the smells of the bakery would fill this area and the other children, all or most her age would be running about giggling and laughing, their parents trying their best to keep up.

She continued to walk, her feet taking her down and into the lower district, here she stopped and let her eyes fall on the great Orphanage that her brother used to live in.  She stood there for, she did not know how long and then turned, a chill running down her spine and walked down towards the wharf.

Her feet made no sound as she rounded the buildings lining the sea and she stopped once again, her eyes fixed on the now, broken down and weather damaged dock.

**********************************************

"Hey wait up!  You think you are so hot, you've got the masters ear on everything, you found your way out of the void and now, you think you can out smart me again."  The boy yelled as he ran up to the girl, about 13 years old.

The dock was empty and the night was just at the time where the moon came to full height above the sea, reflecting it's light on the water and giving the dock an almost eerie glow.

The girl turned and glared at the boy who seemed intent on hounding her every step these last few days.

"Leave me alone Sebastian, I don't want to fight you."  She growled.

"Well Kiara, you have no choice, either you fight me now, or I guess you'll die."  The boy growled back, then no soon had he said those words as he shot his hand forward, a bolt of lightning flashing from the tips of his 13 year old fingers at Kiara who, in the last moment, was able to jump and roll to the side.

"Stop it Sebastian, why are you doing this?"  Kiara's small voice echoed in the lonely night.

Sebastian answered her with another attack, this one grazing her shoulder and she seemed to have no other choice, she shot an icy spear at him, it's pointed tip glancing his shoulder.  

"I know you meant to hit my shoulder Kiara, but you are going to have to kill me if you want me to stop, because I plan on killing you."  He growled, blood dripping from his open wound as she ran at her, his entire body beginning to form into a blazing inferno.

Kiara was stuck; she could either risk diving into the icy turbulent waters of the sea or, break his attack, some how.  She tried throwing him back with her mind, but he was too strong, it only proved to gain her a few more seconds, finally, after trying everything she could think, to get him to stop with out really harming him, she closed her eyes and with all the strength her 13 year old self could muster, she sent him a massive fore ball, hitting the boy ion the chest as he charged.

Sebastian yelled in agony, his body turning to normal and then he went silent as he flew through the air, over the sea and then exploded in a loud thunderous explosion that shook the dock....


Kiara jumped as she felt a warm hand on her shoulder, her hand instantly drawing the sword at her side as she rolled away form who ever the hand had belonged to, coming up in a defensive stance.

"Sorry for that Kiara, it had to be done, you do realize that now, I hope."  Sebastian said as he looked at his sister.

Kiara lowered her sword then sheathed it.

"I know Sebastian, but it still doesn't make it any easier to deal with, knowing I killed my own brother."  She replied, taking a step closer.

"So, you've come home I see, it's about time, this Isle misses you."  Sebastian replied, ignoring her hurtful comment, at first.  "I made you do it and hold no ill will towards you for doing it, so why regret it, besides, could you think of a better Fire Lord than me?"  He grinned at her.

"Oh Bastian, you are such a snot."  She replied, walking over to him and placing a kiss on his cheek.

"I know."  He said with a smug grin.  "Max has news for you and I think you should run along back to the keep now, it's getting late." He said then took her hands and pulled her along back to where the others stayed.

Kiara finally fell into stride with him and looked up at his now flame filled eyes.

"Why in such a hurry, the dark never hurt anyone."  She said as they walked at a rather quickened pace to the keep.

"No, but vampires tend to hurt you in the dark."  He replied.

"Oh, so you do care, how wonderful to know."  She teased then quickened their pace.