Boiling Point

Chapter 3


      “No.” Chrissie crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks in defiance of the request. “Chrissie, you can’t say no to this.” Dracul sat on the rock parallel from her. “Yes, I can. I said ‘No.’ so no.” Chrissie stood from her spot and walked into in the shallow river.

“Chrissie, you just have to check up on him, that’s all.” Dracul walked along the bank next to her.  “And if he catches me? You know what he’s capable of! It’d be ten times worse for me! I can’t die!” Chrissie harshly turned to face Dracul.

“What is with everyone and yelling at me today?” Dracul spoke defensibly. “I’m sorry I yelled, but still no is a no.” Chrissie crossed her arms and turned her back to him. “Chrissie please. Do it for Trandafira.” Dracul kneeled down. “By doing this, we’ll be in your debt.”

“Again. You’ll be indebted to me again.” Chrissie starred down at him.  “Still will you please do it? So we can stop him before he can do any harm.” Dracul looked pleadingly into her bright eyes. Chrissie visibly struggled with her resolve.

“....fine......I’ll do it.” She spoke utterly defeated. Dracul rose from his place on the ground. “Thank you Chrissie.” He turned to leave but the next words Chrissie spoke before disappearing chilled him to the bone. “Turn your back on one, the other shall fall, but the one most feared shall rise above all.”

           Chris walked down the beach near his home. He let the sword dangle from his belt as he watched the gentle cascading of the waves. He didn’t feel right about leaving the sword inside and abandoned.

He laughed lightly at himself I have way too big a heart, but I guess it’s better than having none at all. He ran a hand through his sun-streaked hair and glanced at the setting sun.

The oranges, pinks and purples lit up the sky just before the stars came out. The sound of footsteps from behind alerted him to another presence. “It’s really pretty isn’t it?” The voice chirped from behind.

“Yeah, it’s my favorite time of day. But we’re here to discuss the latest opening for a body of water, right sis?” Chris turned around and faced his twin sister, who in turn smiled lightly at her brother’s goofy grin. “I guess so.” Chrissie walked up beside him and sat in the cooling sand and stared out at the water.

“I think it should be fresh water, you’re oceans are already so vast and beautiful, I’d like to get to where you are one day.” Chris sat down beside her, his eyes gazing dreamily across the ocean. “For once, I agree with you sis, for once anyway.” Chris playfully nudged his sister.

“Really? Awesome, bro, you’re the best!” Chrissie laughed as she shoved him lightly back. She snickered at Chris’ overdramatic fall. “Oh, I’m wounded. You’ve injured me permanently!” Chris placed the back of his hand on his forehead dramatically. “Oh, shut it.” Chrissie rolled her eyes, a smile on her face. Chris sat back up and stretched his muscles.

They sat in silence for a while, simply enjoying the sound of the waves. “I think Trandafira’s starting to lose her mind.” Chris stated out of the blue. “Why do you think that?” Chrissie’s face contorted with confusion. “She was acting kinda odd earlier, like she’d seen a ghost or something.” Chris stood up and brushed off the sand on his clothes.

“Welp, we mustn’t dwell on the past. See you tomorrow!” Chris dissolved in the ocean leaving Chrissie alone on the beach. She stood dumbstruck at what she had seen when he disappeared. The shimmering of a sword hilt caught her eye and sent shivers down her spine. “One, who does not dwell, will see the end of days and the fall of one so great.” She muttered into the wind. Chrissie paused for minute. Where did that fortune come from?

       Kristina sat on one of the marble steps, holding one of her sore feet. “I am finished with walking for today. My feet are about to split open and bleed.” Dmmitri stepped down a few steps to stand next to her.

“We’re almost there though, so you can walk another few feet. Correct?”

“Incorrect, I am refusing to walk any further than this.” Kristina met with Dmmitri’s gaze evenly.

“Well, I can carry you then!” A loud and cheerful voice said. The twins turned to see Amelia standing at the top of the steps. “Amelia? Oh that’s right, night has begun hasn’t it?” Kristina stated, surprised to see Amelia standing there.

“Yeah, but I don’t really like dragging the sun in summer it takes too long and I can’t see my precious Kristina!” Amelia pouted slightly. “But never mind my problems! What are you two doing here?” Amelia sat down next to Kristina. “We’re here to see Miss Trandafira and Dracul.” Dmmitri answered the hyper goddess.

“You just missed them.” Amelia pointed her thumb behind her. “Well, then all of this walking has been for naught.” Kristina gently gripped Amelia’s hand and pulled herself up. “We’ll come back to this tomorrow though.” Dmmitri stated before heading down the steps. He soon disappeared within the thick clouds.

“I shall head home in a few, Amelia, I need to check something first.” Kristina winced as she walked down the marble steps. “Alright see you at home!” Amelia shouted at her. Kristina waved back at her as she stepped onto a cloud and sat down slowly. I have a feeling something ominous is approaching.

       Chris held his head in between his hands. A searing pain was shooting through his skull. It was like a fiery torrent unyielding to stop. It suddenly came on when he was with his sister. Tears trickled out of his eyes as the pain became stronger and stronger, until he couldn’t help but scream in pain.

The pain suddenly stopped as it reached its peak. Chris opened his eyes, his vision blurred from his tears. He slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes. What a wimp.Chris bolted upright and looked around the room. He sat bewildered at the sudden voice.

Okay, that was weird. He thought to himself. What’s weird the fact I called you a wimp or the fact you can actually hear me for once. Chris shot up off his bed and turned around. Let’s add moron to the growing list of my complaints.

“Who are you and where are you!?” Chris spun in circles trying to locate the owner of the voice. Who I am isn’t important and my location in your, would be empty, skull. Who the hell did you think actually kept you safe all of these centuries? You? Trandafira? Allan? Please, it was always me. I was the one helping you out.

“If that’s the case why won’t you tell me your name?” Chris didn’t move he kept his eyes trained on one spot. Because, I. Don’t. Want to. The voice snapped at him. Listen here you dumbass. Everyone you know doesn’t trust you. Trandafira, she wants to keep within her sights at all times. Dracul wants to completely destroy you.  And little Chrissie she- “Shut up.” No. Listen up. Chrissie. Hates your-

“I SAID SHUT UP!” Chris screamed at the arrogant voice in his head. Why? Don’t you want to hear the truth? If you don’t just say so. “You’re lying. They’re my friends. I don’t trust you.” The voice stayed silent for a moment before another searing pain shot through his skull, it felt ten times worse than before. You truly are a dumbass. If you’d only listen to me. A scream tore itself from Chris’ throat before everything in his vision went black.

       Kristina floated above the ocean when she heard a strangled, pain and animalistic scream. She froze in her tracks. The scream chilled her to the core but she knew all too well who owned that scream. She’s only heard it once and that was enough for her. She slowly descended to the small pier in front of his house. An ominous feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.

She took a deep breath before she opened the peeling, wood door. She poked her head in first to survey the immediate area. “Hello? Chris? Are you alright?” She called gently into the front hall. Kristina cautiously stepped into his home.

“Chris? If you’re pulling an immature prank, I am not laughing.” Kristina winced with every step she took but she still trudged on. She soon made it to his bedroom. She knocked gently.

“Chris, I’m entering.” Kristina gently opened the door and peered in. She instantly saw the limp body of Chris on the ground. “Chris!” She ran to his side and gently turned him over. Her eyes fell to the bloodied nails on his hand.

What in the name of Vlad’s non-existent brain happened? She noticed the crimson blossoming in his hair. She looked closer at the wounds on his skull and compared them to his nails.

So not only are the wounds self-inflicted but he was grasping at his skull. Why? Kristina pondered for a moment before she realized she had to tell Trandafira.  I just hope she doesn’t expect me to have all the answers. She stood up and half walked, half limped to the front door. She plucked a piece of the cloud and relayed all of the necessary information.

She sent the small cloud puff off towards Trandafira’s home. Kristina walked back into the house as the small cloud disappeared from view. When she opened the bedroom door, she was greeted to with sight of Chris trying to stand but ultimately failing and collapsing back on the ground. “Chris! Are you alright?” Kristina kneeled down next to him.

“Uh, yeah, can you help me to the bed, please?” “Of course.” Kristina helped him up and steadied him. She gently led him to the bed and sat him down. Kristina watched his wounds on his head. She watched as the skin knitted itself together but something set her on the edge. “Um...Kristina? You alright? You’re kinda scaring me.” Chris spoke up, his gaze on her looked nervous almost as if her presence set him on edge.

“Yes. I’m fine; I am just making sure your wounds are healing properly.” Kristina answered promptly. Her gaze went to the wood and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chris sit up straighter. “Have you contacted Trandafira yet?” Chris asked, his voice sounded different to Kristina, ever so slightly but she knew at that moment, the man sitting next to her was, in fact, not Chris.

“I have yet to inform her of my findings, but I really must do that now. I appreciate you reminding me.” Kristina stood up quickly, her gaze was locked on the door as she made her way the door. Her hand pulled the door open, but another slammed the door shut.

Kristina tensed as the loud and always happy voice she grew to enjoy was replace with a voice cold, dark and full of malice. “Kristina. You really are such a terrible liar.”  Kristina whirled around and pressed her back against the door. “I wasn’t lying when I said I haven’t reported what I found.”

“Oh and what did you find little one?” Chris’ finger gently rubbed her cheek, his tone almost mocking. “That you are not Chris, Nikolai, and that you deserve to be locked away.” Kristina spat out bitterly. “You should talk to the king that way you know.” His hand sharply went to her throat but he didn’t apply any pressure, he just kept it there.

 “You are no king. You are a coward that kills the first thing to oppose him. Just like a spoiled chi-” Kristina’s sentence was cut off as Nikolai squeezed her throat shut, cutting off all air to her lungs. Kristina’s hand gripped his wrist with all her might. Her nails dug deep and started to draw blood. “Oh little one, you should know better than to talk back to your superiors.” Nikolai taunted her as her vision started to blur.

     Trandafira’s eyes cracked open as a tickling on her hand intensified. Her foggy mind became alert as she realized the cloud had a message from Kristina. Trandafira shot out from under her blanket as the message ended. She threw on her bathrobe as she exited her bedroom heading straight for the door. Only to be stopped by a magenta mist materializing in front of her. Trandafira glared daggers as Sherry returned to a solid state.

“Oh Trandafira, I didn’t expect to see you awake.”Sherry’s gazed tauntingly at Trandafira. “Get out of my way, Sherry.” Trandafira spat out as she shoved past a shocked Sherry, who in turn, soon recovered. “Where are you off too? Looking for your husband? I’m sure he’s having a grand old time without you.” Trandafira stopped halfway out the front before she shook off what Sherry and continued on her way.

Sherry narrowed her gaze, smirk still in place. “Everyone knows the truth, yet you can’t accept that your husband prefers someone other than you? Pitiful, and here I thought you were Mother Nature.” She laughed lightly before disappearing.

     Vlad walked around the council room. Pacing around the center like a wild animal until the doors creaked open and another man walked through. “You’re late, War God.” Vlad’s voice dripped with annoyance.

“Shut up. You want late or you want me not showing up at all? I’m fine with either really.” Gantulga spat back. Vlad’s ruby orbs narrowed at the other’s sentence. “What did you find Gantulga?” “What did I find? What did I find? Huh...you know just the single most important piece of your entire plan!” Gantulga’s voice rose slightly at the few words. “So, you have it?” Vlad perked up, his eyes glowing against the dark shadows. “No, you dumbass.” Gantulga stated bluntly. “But I have a way to get it.” “Go on, you have my full attention.”