Zachary swung and cracked his staff against the barrier, sending a shockwave ripple along it, and knocking Zachary skidding across the floor. Apparently, a simple thwack wasn't going to cut it.
****
There were now exactly three minutes until the doors to the exit closed forever.
It was also time for Sophia to make her decision.
She had been one of the lucky ones. She was teleported extremely close to the exit, and had been able to avoid any major battles and make it to the exit in under three minutes.
When she had first arrived, there was a total of 11 people in the room.
However. . .only one of them was alive.
He was sitting in the corner, a dark man in a black coat and long black hair, playing with a small puzzle. As she stepped into the room, a bit shaken, he stared up at her immediately. "Finally. . ." he said. "Another has arrived."
She stared at him from across the room, scared. If he had gotten here before her. . .he was either been very very lucky. . .or very very powerful.
He put his hand up to her. "Don't worry. . .I don't expect you to come any closer. This is dangerous. But. . .that is why I think I can trust you." She looked at him closer, and realized he was covered in blood. The men had attacked him. . .? Or had he attacked them. . .? "But. . .I need your help."
Sophia didn't know what to do. . .so she stood there, and listened to him talk. He talked for the next twenty minutes, and told her of the organization he came from, the Starcrossed, and the reason he came to this tournament. He told her of the horrors that could be unleashed if he didn't do something, and why he needed her help. As he told his story, the room grew fuller and fuller, and Sophia was forced to move closer to him. When there were three minutes left, he had finished, and she was sitting directly in front of him, still listening, as the crowd of people sat impatiently, waiting for the next door to open.
"They're going to open the door to the Space-Time Continuum." he said. "They had this tournament so that they can give away a fake version of the key. . .that will allow them to proceed to the gate without any harm befalling them. . .and unlock it themselves. We must get it at all costs." he told her. "We can't allow it to fall into such dangerous hands. The whole committee of this tournament. . .they are out to destroy the world."
He looked at her with his deep blue eyes, a solemn expression on his face. "We have to make it to the end and stop them." he said. "They know I'm coming, they know where I'm from. But. . .they don't know you. And that is why I need your help. You will be my vessel." he said. "We'll make it to the end together. . .and you will win and claim the 'prize.' They'll let you take it, because they will think that they can kill you. But. . .I'll protect you." he said. "Please. . .you must trust me. Will you help me?"
There was no time left. It was time to make her decision.
Edited by: [url=http://p068.ezboard.com/brpgww60462.showUserPublicProfile?gid=molokidan>Molokidan</A] at: 9/30/04 8:55 pm