4 Rebounded Feelings

Esmeralda came across the ruins of the ancient city as the stars has guided her and watched what was left of it after its ruler fell. Though she felt guilty, she found herself not anymore as she faced herself with the fragments of what is left of a coffin. Slowly, she bent down and held one in her hand then grasped it hard. When a bit of magic rebounded in her hand, she felt a bit of relief, the seal was still intact but Khufra was still on the loose.

"You know when I first escaped.", Esmeralda quickly dropped what was in her hand and held her position in silence, "I was really disappointed at your betrayal but I couldn't blame you. It proved what the elders said in the books was true. Throughout history, rulers that rule by fear and oppression will always assinated by someone close to them, someone outside the military.", he grinned.

"Why did you stay?", she said before she turned. "Khufra."

"I knew that I could find you if I waited long enough, and it seems that I was right, Eslora."

Esmeralda launched forward with her stardust and frostmoon with such strong force, Khufra flew back to the walls on impact like stone to glass. "I see, you have acquired powers of your own while I was gone, child.", he grinned and laughed maniacally, making his voice all the way to her even though there was not much wall around them. "But I'm afraid, you are still not anywhere near me.", he growled in his deep voice.

"But at least I can make you.", Esmeralda managed to say in a breath before she waved her hands and began the sealing once again.

"The same trick will not work twice, child.", Khufra boomed laughing and grasp hold of her by swirls of his bandages around her which pulled her to him. Khufra had a look of pride when he got her in his arms while teasing her as she tried to escape his grip.

"Enough of this lunacy! Why do you struggle to fight me knowing that you can't win?", he hissed, eyes bulged with fury.

"Because I know I can.", she shot back with strong determination eventhough she was on the verge of tears on the verge of tears.

"Eslora, my child.", Khufra softened down his voice and caressed her cheek. "You can stop forcing yourself, I'm here now. Join me again my child and together we will be one once more to rule over the world."

Esmeralda felt warm and complete when he said that but froze at the rule over the world part. So, she pushed him away with a grunt.

"No."

And as she opened her eyes again, she saw what Khufra had on his hand. The bandages wrapped around his hand sharply waiting for its chance to strike at her which it almost had. The feeling of fear was strong but it had long vanished after he took her in those many years ago which led her to feel nothing right now.

"Times have changed Khufra, I hope you will too.", she said before she turned around and waved her magic again. "And for your information, I go by Esmeralda now."

"No!", he screamed in pain as the chains bound him once more, faster and more vicious than ever. "Spare me!"

She paid no attention to him and continued chanting, suspended in air with eyes glowing bright.

"Please.", he breathed, kneeling as the chains bound him to and strengthened again.

Alas, she finished and said with a smile,

"As you wish."