reallytrulyRush

“It’s time to die, Jess.”   Essa backed away from me and made an upward flicking motion with her free hand, prompting more of those black tendrils to shoot out of the ground. They started wrapping quickly around me, spiraling up my body and reaching gradually towards my neck. I knew- just knew -that I was about to go the same way as Giselle, dropped into the void without a second thought.   I will never be more glad that I had allies.   Jacek landed silently, jumping back onto the main island after he’d been knocked away. Essa started to turn, but I reached forward and grabbed ahold of the front of her shirt. The black

. “It’s time to die, Jess.”   Essa took a step back and made an upward flicking motion with her free hand, prompting more of those horrible black tendrils to shoot out of the ground. They started wrapping quickly around me, spiraling up my body and reaching gradually towards my neck. I fought back the best I could, but they were too strong.   The island we were on rocked slightly, and I glanced around Essa to see that Jacek had jumped on and was running towards us. Essa actually laughed, and turned to face him. “You’re all so goddamn ARROGANT! I don’t care how many allies you have- your ridiculous teamwork

Essa’s diamond sword crashed against mine, sending me tripping back as she turned to strike at Julia. She was still hovering slightly above the shattered ground, and moving faster than I’d ever seen. In normal circumstances, we would’ve had the upper hand, but trying to fight her with the new addition of the strength of the In-Between was like trying to battle a tornado.   Jacek leaped up, swinging his sword in an arc. Essa whirled around to meet him, dodging his blade and landing a swift kick to his side that sent him crashing back to the ground. He was back up on his feet in seconds, wincing and clutching at his side.  

“Hello again, Essa.”   I followed Julia’s example as she strode into the circle of gates, leaving her hiding place behind one of the misshapen dark forms. I gripped the handle of my diamond sword, having retrieved it from where Essa had disarmed me in the earlier fight.   Essa whirled around, the light fading slightly and the funnel of colour from the sky vanishing. Her eyes were wide with shock as she stared between Julia and I, pointing her sword at both of us in turn. “How…how did you…this isn’t possible…” Giselle drew her weapon as well, watching us with calculating eyes as Reuben hid