Twisted Mirror - Chapter Sixteen

Echo backed away from Lalna and Ridgedog.  The argument unheard as her heart pounded in her ears.  It was getting hard to breath.  Putting off the difficulty breathing, she should have realized sooner.  She shook her head, trying to clear the buzzing in her head.  She looked around in a panic, seeing Sjin talking who she assumed was Lomadia and Nilesy.  She saw the door and turned, trying not to stumble in her panic.
   
    She hurried forward, ignoring the voices around her.  She could barely hear them over the pounding.  Please...not now... she pleaded.
   
    "Echo?"  She stumbled, nearly falling backwards, eyes wide at the red head that had stepped before her.  Zoey lowered her mask, expression confused.  "Where are ya going?  Everything alright?"
   
    Echo, nearly freaking out, had to think quickly. What could she tell her? What would she...
   
    "I just remembered that I need to do something," she told the redhead. "I wanted to stay longer, but I realized what time it was... And..." She tried to calm herself down as the corset around her grew tighter around her. "And I need to go... I'm sorry."

Zoey blinked.  "Oh...it seemed like you only just got -."  She stopped, tilting her head.  "Did you fall after I saw you earlier?  There's something on your face."  She motioned to her mouth and chin.  "Like here."

    Echo's eyes widened even more. Around her mouth? Oh no...
   
    "I... I really have to go," she wheezed out, backing away before starting to run up the staircase to the doors.

    "Lalna!"  As she ran she heard Sjin's voice cut through the room.  "Someone's trying to leave!"

She tried to ignore the voice. She had to. She didn't have time. It was getting more and more difficult for her. She had to get out and to an area where she could remove the corset.
   
    The mage pushed her way through the doors. The entire time her mind was screaming at her to get out and fast. She couldn't let anyone see.

    She ran, trying to remember which way it was to her protective lining of trees.  The corset was making it much harder to breath.  She nearly fell, hitting a tree root along the forest floor.
   
    Why did you force me into this thing, Ridge? she wheezed, reaching over her head to try and get the zipper to the dress undone.

    She felt the zipper come loose and she flinched, trying to get the dress off.  She knew she couldn't get the corset off unless the other item was off.
   
    "She went this way!"  She stiffened, hearing Lalna behind her.  Her heart was pounding loudly making it hard for her to concentrate.

The mage swallowed hard. Starting to fumble with it a little, the corset front slowly started to come open. The pounding in the ears and chest made it challenging as the shoes were removed as well and the shawl was moved up over the mouth.

The people following her grew closer.  She looked quickly, wishing there was something, anything she could hide behind.  There was a thick tree somewhat close and she stumbled toward it.
   
    A hand wrapped around her wrist and stopped her.  She gasped, flinching when her lungs didn't expand like they should have.  "Where are you going, Echo?"  It was Lalna.  She kept her face away from him, trying to keep herself from collapsing.  "Sorry about Ridgedog.  He doesn't know what he's talking about."

    Not a word was said. What could be said? Lalna was trying to get her to talk but...
   
    There was a shake of the head. The mage didn't want to risk speaking. The voice could betray what was happening to the rest of the body. It was too risky.

He gripped the mage's wrist tighter.  "Why won't you answer me?"  His voice sounded hurt.  "You seemed to be having a good time..."
   
    Sjin stumbled through the trees, pulling his wand from his pocket.  "Who was it?"
   
    "Echo."  Lalna held the wrist and looked over his shoulder.  "She won't tell me why she left though."

    The difficulty to breathe was increasing. They were starting to become shaky gasps. Why? Why did Lalna and Sjin have to be there?
   
    Soon, the mage started to cough. The body shook as the knees gave way beneath.

    Lalna's eyes widened as the mage fell.  "Echo?"
   
    Sjin stepped forward, frowning.  "What's wrong with her?"
   
    "It sounds like she's having trouble breathing."  Lalna frowned, reaching down with his free hand.

The mage tried to move away from them, wanting to search for the tablet that was carried with. Fear coursed through the Enderblood-filled veins as the difficulty for air caused gray and black spots to dot the usually extremely good vision. Not good. This was not good.

Lalna's frown deepened, grabbing a shoulder.  "Echo?  Let me help.  Whatever it is, just tell me."
   
    Sjin bit his lip.  "M-Maybe it's the corset?  I can see it.  She's loosened the dress slightly."
   
    Lalna nodded, seeing one of the strings that tightens it in the back.  He tugged at it.  "Does this help?"

    A small increase in the amount of air reached the lungs. A nod was the answer given as a hand made sure to keep the shawl over the face. A nearly-too-late thought crossed the mage's mind, realizing that the brown hair was probably becoming shorter with every moment.

    Lalna have a breath and tugged again, hoping it would help more.  "There.  That's all I could reach.  Now tell me-."
   
    "L-Lalna!"  Sjin squeaked behind him.  He jumped, looking at the architect.  He had his wand drawn again.  "Look at her.  She's...I don't know...her hair looks shorter than it did a few hours ago too."
   
    Lalna looked back, frowning.  He pulled his wand from his pocket.  "Say something Echo.  Why did you run from the Sjindig?"

    The mage kept looking away. Something deep down had said this was a trap. And now... What could be done?
   
    Blue eyes stared at the floor, still coughing though it was starting to sound a little deeper as well. Precious air was entering the lungs again, though it was still somewhat less than it should be.

Lalna stood straighter aiming the wand.  "Echo.  I don't want to do this, but if you won't speak, you're an enemy of the -."
   
    "Woah!  Wait a minute goggle boy!"  Lalna blinked, seeing Zoey running into where they had stopped.  He quickly shoved his wand into his pocket, followed quickly by Sjin.  "Can you tell she's having trouble?  You can't just threaten a girl like that...jeez."  She knelt down next to Echo.  "It's alright, let me help you with that dress, then maybe we can get the corset off?"

    The mage's eyes shut tightly. Why? Why did Zoey have to show up now? The girl...
   
    There was a slow nod, a gentle swallows heard. Might as well get it over with. It wouldn't be much longer anyway before the secret was revealed anyway.

    Zoey reached down, grabbing the bottom of the dress.  She frowned, looking at Lalna and Sjin.  "Turn around.  Jeez.  This isn't a show."
   
    The two men spun, facing away as the redhead worked with the dress.  As the dress was tugged over the head, one hand clutched at the shawl as another gripped the dirt.
   
    "Does that feel better?"  Zoey asked softly, tugging at the strings of the corset.  She pulled at one and frowned.  "Your hair has gotten really...short?"  She blinked.  "That's..."

    A soft, low voice left the hidden lips.
   
    "I know."
   
    The eyes remained shut as the mage remained on the ground, eyes away from the redhead apprentice. This day had come... Far sooner than Ridge had anticipated, the mage knew. And now it was time to pay the price.

    Zoey blinked, eyes widening.  She stared at the figure before her and frowned.  "What?"  She looked around the area they had stopped at.  "But...that sounded like..."

    Shaky, unsure breaths left the mage's lips. "I'm in front of you Zoey... You're not hearing things..."

"R-Rythian?"  Her voice came out in small whisper.  "But...I don't understand..."
   
The Enderborn swallowed. This felt familiar to him, only the roles now reversed. "Zoey, I'm sorry," he spoke softly, "I... I didn't... I wasn't sure what you would say or do..."

    "Sorry about..."  She looked the mage over, eyes widening.  She sat up, her expression empty.  "You were..."  She frowned.  "The whole time?"

He nodded. He kept his eyes away from her. He knew she was upset, angry even. He couldn't blame her. "Part of me wanted to tell you every single day... but another thought it better... to keep it a secret..."

    "But what about..."  She looked away from him a moment before turning back, confusion in her features.  "I spoke to both of you.  There's no way you were..."  She trailed off.

    "That wasn't me..." he started, then restarted, "Well, it was and it wasn't... It was me, but from another world. Ridge knew... The Lalna you saw was from the other world as well."

    "That's what Martyn..."  She frowned, looking at the mage.  "You couldn't tell me?"  Her voice was starting to get slightly louder, visibly upset now from the events that were unfolding.

    "I couldn't... I didn't know how you would react... I thought it better... to hide away until everything was undone," was all he could answer. He couldn't find the strength to argue, especially when any last changes were still happening and the embarrassment would be enough.

    Zoey stared at him a moment before looking up, seeing the sharpshooting dinosaur standing a few feet away - bow ready.  She looked down at the weak mage and shook her head.  "I've been worried for weeks.  You've been fine this entire time?  And you couldn't tell me?"  Her voice was hurt, she wouldn't look at her teacher as she sat on her toes next to him.
   
    She shook her head at the dinosaur, who stepped back into the trees.
   
    "Zoey, what's going on?  Can we turn around yet?"  Lalna asked with a sigh.  Zoey looked at Rythian, the hurt expression still in her eyes.

    Rythian just stayed there, remaining quiet. No amount of appology could save him now. Not from her, not from Sjin, not from Lalna. He honestly felt as though he deserved what he was going to get.
   
    A single tear rolled down his cheek. "Just get on with it," he spoke weakly, "curse me, kill me, do as you wish. And to be honest, I haven't been fine... I had been ill for a long time... The second time you saw me, I really had been sick."

"But you were alive."  She said in a hushed whisper.  She shook her head.  "I could have helped you."  She stayed quiet a moment before her eyes widened.  "Ridgedog knew.  And he...he's been protecting you."  Her expression shifted before finally ending on a frown.  "Did anyone else know, or did you just hide it from me?"

    "There were plenty who didn't know... The only one other than Ridge who knew was Kim... Because she's a Reaper in training... especially for when my blood... my poison..."
   
    It hurt enough to tell her that he'd been hiding. It hurt to hear her yelling at him. But now he understood how she felt - and she knew how he felt - back when he'd found out about B.A.R.R.Y. Nothing could make up for this, though, because he knew that this was worse.

    Zoey shook her head, getting to her feet.  "You should have told me, Rythian.  I thought I was your apprentice."  She paused, looking to the ground.  "I thought we were friends..."
   
    "D-Did you just say Rythian, Zoey?"  Sjin asked quietly, not wanting to get snapped at again for turning around too soon.
   
    Zoey looked down at her teacher, his hair was back to it's original length and her shoulders slumped.  She looked to the two men who faced away.  "You were looking for Rythian at the Sjindig?"
   
    "Y-Yeah?"  Sjin spoke up.  "You said he wasn't back from Ridge's mission."

    Rythian just stayed down. He knew he was beaten. He knew that he was in trouble. He was in too deep and couldn't escape this hole he'd dug himself into. He may as well have fallen into lava.
   
    "I'm... right here," he spoke softly, but loud enough for the two to hear.

    Zoey shook her head.  "They can't hear you, Rythian."  She shook her head before stepping past him and moving toward Teep was waiting in the shadows.  "I wish you had told me."
   
    Lalna turned, frowning.  "Zoey what are you going -."  He looked down, eyes wide and pulling his wand out.  "Rythian!"
   
    "Rythian?"  Sjin turned, following Lalna and pulling his wand out.  He looked wide eyed to the figure on the ground.
   
    Lalna clutched his wand tighter as he stared at the mage, mouth slightly open and his cheeks were a soft pink.  "Rythian was..."  He shook his head, aiming his wand at the mage.  "This is a trick."

He shook his head. "No trick. There was no trick... Just... something that went wrong..."

    Lalna frowned.  "Sjin, get the ropes."  The architect nodded, reaching into his bag and digging for the requested items.  Lalna pointed the wand at Rythian and said in a growl.  "As an undesirable, you're under arrest for unwarranted use of magic -."  He looked up at Zoey, who was still stood at the tree line.  Lalna aimed the wand at her.  "Zoey, if you interfere in the arrest of -."
   
    "Take him."  Zoey said shortly.  Her voice cut through the clearing, making Lalna flinch from how hurt she was.

    The enderborn remained on the ground, he put his arms behind his back so they could restrain him easier. He had no strength to fight or argue. His eyes moved to the dress. He knew the tablet was in there, but something told him that the Reaper would find it.

    Sjin stepped forward, frowning.  He tugged at the gloves that were still there.  "Why are you wearing these things?"
   
    "Just tie him up"  Lalna snapped and the architect nodded, tugging the gloves off.  Lalna's lip curled into a smile.  "I was expecting to catch all the undesirables. tonight.  Catching number one makes it that much better."
   
    Sjin giggled.  "Are we taking our prize back?"
   
    "Oh I believe we shall."  Lalna looked up, seeing Zoey and Teep had disappeared.  He looked at Rythian and his smile widened.  "And then we can take him to the holding cell."

    Not a word was spoken. He was a broken man now, soon to be shattered. His head was hung low. He was nothing more than a prize now. They called him "undesirable numbe one," and he was to be their first prisoner it seemed.
   
    "Can... I at least... have a jacket... or something?" he spoke softly. His voice was shaky and weak still.

Lalna frowned.  He looked at the broken mage and shrugged.  "Sjin, do you have an extra jacket?"
   
    "S-Sure do."  Sjin glanced at his pack after tying the mage'a wrists.  "You want me to give it to him?  But -."
   
    "Just do it, Sjin."  Lalna snapped.  He looked at the mage, his lip curling into a smile.  "I'd hate for him to die from embarrassment before we even get him to the cell."
   
    Sjin nodded, going through his bag and finding a small jean jacket.  He threw the bag over his shoulder before going to Rythian and forcing him to his feet.  He tied the jacket around his neck, the body of it covering his front.  "Come on mage, let's go."

Lalna led them back toward the building that housed the Sjindig.  They travelled in silence until the building came into view.  Lalna stopped and turned to Sjin.  "It seems something  kept it together after we left."
   
    Sjin nodded, smiling.  "More to view the prize, eh?"
   
    Lalna looked at Rythian, walking over to him.  He lifted he mans chin so he could see his face.  His eyes flashed acid and he smiled.  "I am sorry Rythian.  But we can't risk you and your overuse of magic anymore."  He smiled slyly, before his expression softened and his eyes went to their usual soft green.  "And maybe I can ask you about some...things..."  He shook his head.  "Come on Sjin."
   
    The architect nodded, pushing Rythian forward.  When he got to the door, he kicked it open, making those closest to the door jump and squeak in surprise.  He tugged Rythian into the room.
   
    Lalna entered and stood next to the brunet, his arms crossed.  "Say hello to Rythian guys!"

    After stumbling and nearly falling into the building, Rythian slowly looked up. How broken he was was more than evident to everyone there. He knew none of the ones he'd "met" as Echo would help him now. No one probably would. He'd hurt them all in some way, betrayed their trust and friendship.
   
    His eyes moved over the crowd, spotting Ridgedog and Kim. They quickly moved away, back down to the ground in front of him. No, he didn't deserve their help, not after making them hide his secret for so long.

    "If you couldn't tell by the corset, Mage boy here was our new friend Echo."  Lalna held a hand out.  "We chased him down when he left and found him.  So we took him into our custody."
   
    Sjin nodded.  "Take this as an example of overuse of magic."
   
    "Lalna."  Ridgedog growled from behind the large group that circled the Magic Police and their captive.  "What are you going to -."
   
    "You don't speak."  Lalna snapped, his eyes dark.  "You've been lying to us much as he has."  The scientist shook his head, grabbing the rope bound wrists of the mage.  "No, we will be taking our...friend here and decide when he will be returned."
   
    Sjin giggled, smirking.  "And who knows how long that'll be."

    "Ridge... please... don't... don't make this harder," he spoke, his voice still weak, but a little louder now, "I caused enough trouble for everyone. Don't make it worse... please."
   
    His voice was begging. He didn't want anyone in anymore trouble. Not the Reaper, not Kim, not anyone.
   
    He could feel the various magic users within the room and how strong each of them were. He had been the main target, they had all just been bait to bring him out.

    "You heard the man, Ridge!"  Lalna smiled.  "Let him be.  We'll take good care of him.  Don't worry."
   
    Ridgedog's lip curled and he disappeared with a loud pop.  Kim looked between her mentor and the mage before disappearing into the crowd.
   
    Lalna scanned the room, a smile still on his lips.  "If anyone else has anymore...interruptions, we'll be going."  He paused.  "No?  Well alright then."
   
    He walked to Rythian and grabbed the rope.  "Ready for your cell, or did you want to say anything to your friends?"

    His head bowed, his eyes closed. "I'm sorry," was all he could manage before another tear fell. The water hurt, but it didn't matter. Part of him just wanted the poison in his blood to take him... To turn him so they could kill him.
   
    "I'm ready," he spoke after a few moments.

Lalna smiled, and gave a short bow.  "And with that, we shall take our leave."
   
    "We hope you enjoyed the Sjindig!"  Sjin waved his fingers and pushing the door open.
   
    Lalna pushed Rythian through the door.  "Toodles!"
   
    With another wave, the three were gone, leaving the group in a stunned silence in the building that had been bustling with energy a few hours before.

Rythian stumbled through the door, falling to the ground once again. He slowly got back up, swallowing hard. "I knew you wanted the truce to be over," he spoke softly, "I'd done nothing to you... A threat here or there, but I'd never harmed you. You knew I would never hurt you unless it involved Zoey... And now..."
   
    His eyes remained on the ground, "I hope you're proud of yourself... Taking an already broken man as your prisoner."

    Sjin hesitated a moment and opened his mouth.  Lalna moved past him, making the taller man jump back.  Lalna grabbed the mage's chin.  His eyes the same acid color from that day they met in the caves.  "Oh, well, I've been meaning to get my hands on you for a long time.  And after that stunt of not trusting anyone, it's my perfect chance."
   
    "L-Lalna?"  Sjin rubbed his hands slightly.  "I thought we were just throwing him into the cell?"
   
    Lalna rolled his eyes but smiled softly.  "Sure Sjin.  But I would still like to check him over.  Especially make sure nothing is broken after his...transformation."

    Rythian swallowed. That color... It sent a chill down his spine. He didn't like it one bit. But he couldn't do anything about it. His own eyes were a dull gray blue now, no violet present.
   
    "Fine, scientist," his voice finally responded, "do as you wish."