Duel In Palus (Chapter 2: Recovering From Wounds)

[Black Clay Lord]

The 2nd Chapter of the epic 3 parter.

3rd Chapter is all that remains. Plus, there's the epilogue to it.
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Fontanne returned to her good ol' Socrates household, where inside, she went straight to the dining room after grabbing herself a bite to eat from the kitchen. Sitting down, she lamented about Aquarius, how she was stuck in Palus, and how that Sauda, the 1st Supreme Princess, was trapped there with her. "Hey, something on your mind, Fontanne?" A voice asked. Fontanne looked, and saw her eldest her eldest 1/2 Mermaid sister: Misaki.

"Yeah..." Fontanne said, as Misaki sat down with her. "I'm worried... About Aquarius..." She then says. "Is it because of Sauda?" Misaki asked. "Yes, and how Aquarius might get home..." Fontanne answered. "I don't know what we'd do about the kids if anything happened to her." She went on. "I will admit," Misaki says. "Aquarius is a ray of sunshine indeed. Brighter than me even." She adds. Fontanne giggles. "Well then," She starts to say.

"If she manages that, then surely she's done something right. I mean, you're 21, she's 20..." "Oh, stop it." Misaki said. "Right, sorry... I'm just..." Fontanne sighed. "I should've been there..." Misaki looks to Fontanne. "Don't beat yourself up over that." Misaki said. "Aquarius will come home. She always finds a way, no matter how far she is." She then adds.

Fontanne sipped her tea, and started eating a cookie she got to go with it. "Still though..." She said. "We must have faith in our sister." Misaki says. "It's as father tells us: Faith is a powerful weapon." She then adds, just before standing up and patting her younger sister on the back before leaving Fontanne to collect her thoughts. She stared at her reflection in the tea. "Faith is a powerful weapon indeed..." She sighed. "Aquarius... I hope you're doing all right..."

Back in Palus, in the set up camp in the Northern Wastelands, Aquarius laid silent, unmoving. Sauda did some real damage that some might not've survived. Ajax watched over Aquarius, worried that she not make it. But, suddenly... She stirred. She began to breathe! Ajax was delighted. "Hey! Aquarius is waking up!" Ajax called out. Lea & Garnet answered his call and stepped into the tent. Aquarius's head turned, and finally, she opened her eyes halfway.

Ajax gave Aquarius breathing room, and Lea looked over to Aquarius. "Hey, glad to see you're pulling through!" She said, happy that her friend was coming to. "Ugh... What... just happened...?" Aquarius asked. "Sauda knocked you out cold. I have seen why you are right to not be friends with her." Garnet said. "That woman... Is pure evil." Aquarius blinked. She was confused as to what Garnet meant on the first part. "Mom was concerned for you." Lea said.

"She saw that you were fixing to get killed, and so she stepped in & saved you." She adds. "Then that means... Sauda's still out there..." Aquarius said. She then turned her head away, sadly. "But, how can I defeat her now...? She can turn invincible...! My attacks did absolutely nothing to her!" She sobbed, on the verge of crying. Garnet crossed her arms & huffed. "Don't you dare speak like that!!" She suddenly shouted, startling Ajax & Lea.

Aquarius looked at Garnet, who regains her composure. "Pardon my shouting, but you speak as if your cause is hopeless. I assure you that it isn't." She then said. Aquarius sat up. "Y...You're right... I've been doubting myself too much..." Aquarius said. "That's why Sauda got the best of me earlier." Aquarius raised her head. "I won't lose to her next time I see her!" Aquarius proclaimed. Garnet laughs heartily. "That's the spirit!" She exclaimed, hands on hips.

"But... You cannot go out fighting her in the condition you are in now. Your injuries have not fully healed." She then said. "But I have to find Sauda & stop here!" Aquarius complained, just before being hushed by Ajax. "Listen, we understand," He said. "But please... Let us help you heal. She could kill you in the state your in." Aquarius blinked, realizing that she was being too hasty. "You're right, I'm sorry..." She said. Aquarius then blushed deeply & curled up.

"Um... Actually..." She said. "Could... I at least rest in some clay...?" Aquarius then asks. "I see no reason to deny such a request." Garnet said, smirking. "However, you are to remain with Ajax & Lea until all your injuries are healed. Understood?" She then says. "Yes, Chieftainess." Aquarius replies. "Oh, Aquarius. For you, just Garnet will do. You know this." Chuckled Garnet as Ajax helped Aquarius up. Aquarius flinched. "Ow, ow...!" She whimpered.

"You'll be okay." Ajax said. "Just take it easy." He then adds. Lea helped her brother support Aquarius. "C'mon, Aquarius." Lea said as she & Ajax carry Aquarius out of the tent. Garnet stepped aside to make the process easier for them both. Meanwhile, somewhere in the Mereland Stroic, Sauda was treating her own injuries; including a scratch she obtained from Garnet's earlier. "Damn that muscular woman! She angrily cursed. "Damn her to hell!"

Sauda had nothing but anger & rage towards Garnet for stealing her opportune moment to kill Aquarius; she was downright pissed about it, and why wouldn't she be? She had been dreaming of killing at least one, if not... all the 1/2 Mermaid Clan so that her family would have an easier time trying to take the multiverse over. Of course, there was also a certain immortal blonde planeswalker and 1/2 Genie Hero who're just as problematic for her organization, too.

As she treats her wounds, the crystal on her staff started to glow. Someone was contacting her. "Oh for the love of... Who could be calling me at this time?" She asks herself. She grabs her staff soon after. "Yeah, who is it?!" Sauda angrily asked. "Don't take that tone with me!!" A voice shouted back. Sauda immediately recognized the voice. "...Is that you, father?" Sauda asks. And sure enough, an avatar of the Supreme Archduke appeared.

"Who else would it be?" He asked. "Where are you? The queen & I have been trying to contact you!" He then asked in a demanding tone. "I'm in a world called Palus." Sauda answered. "A land that's unlike Olympus, and Mythopeia Paradise as a whole." She said. "You mean you're not at the Wonderland Marsh anymore?" The Archduke asks, before growing irate. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!!?" He then angrily shouted, making Sauda flinch.

"It's not my fault, all right?!" Sauda said. "I would've brought back some Wonderland magic for you, but no! That softy bitch Aquarius had to be there & be a thorn in my side!" She said. "Tch. Those damn meddling hybrids...!" The Archduke cursed. But then, his tone changed. "You said you're in a new world, right?" He asked. "Yeah." Sauda answered. "Well then, bring the world to its knees, my daughters." The Archduke said, grinning evilly, and Sauda smirked.

"Exactly what I'm going to do," Sauda said. "But first I'm going to get rid of Aquarius. For good." She then said with finality, before telling him "I came close, too. But next time I won't let anyone stand in my way." "Do not disappoint me, my girl." The Supreme Archduke said, cutting off communication with Sauda. "Don't you worry, Father," Sauda said. "...I won't." She then finishes, before finishing her first aid administered unto herself, which won't be long.

Meanwhile, Aquarius was about to be treated to a most luxury clay bath. "Hey, Aquarius?" Lea says. "Hmm?" Aquarius looked at Lea. "I strongly recommend you take your clothes off. All of them." Lea said. Aquarius looked flustered. "W-What?! But, Ajax is with us!" She exclaimed. "Don't worry, he'll keep his hands to himself." Lea giggled. "Besides, your outfit's covered in your own blood." She then points out. Aquarius noticed this right away.

"Man, she really did a number on you, did she...?" Lea asked. "She did..." Aquarius said, sighing. "C'mon, take them off." Lea then said suddenly. Aquarius quickly removed her clothes until she was naked. Lea took her bloodied clothes to a spot where they could be washed. "All right, where's the patient?" Asked a voice. Aquarius knew that was Amethyst. And he walked right up to her. "So, this is where you want to be treated, hmm?" He asks.

"Yes, sir..." Aquarius said, shyly. "Don't fret, my dear. You're in good hands with me." Said Amethyst. "Oh, wait." Aquarius said. "I thought you were fixing my pendant." She then says. "I actually managed to fixing it up while you were mingling with the others. It's guaranteed to work properly now." Amethyst reveals. Aquarius was overjoyed. She was going home. "Thank you so much!" She exclaimed, before flinching from pain. Amethyst held her gently.

"First though, you need to relax & heal." He said. "And I have to defeat Sauda first... But... How can I lift that dark aura she put up that strengthens her & makes her invincible...?" Aquarius asks herself as she steps into the clay. "Perhaps I can help there, too." Amethyst said as he joins Aquarius in the clay; both sinking to their butts. "Really? What else can you do?" Aquarius asks Amethyst. To that, he answered by holding his hand, and gathered some magic.

He formed a ball of light, then a ball of water. "Whoa... You know light magic & nature magic, too?" Aquarius asks. "Sure do." Amethyst answers. "I'm also a healer." He then says. "Now, just relax, and let me take care of the rest." Aquarius nodded as Amethyst placed his hands on Aquarius's body. "Um... Amethyst?" Aquarius says. Amethyst paused. "Yes?" He asks. "Would... You do the procedure with clay coated hands?" She then requests.

Amethyst chuckled & dipped his hands into the clay, then proceeded to rub the clay on Aquarius's body; much to her giddy delight. "Mmm, you work those hands so lovingly..." Aquarius purred. "My consort Garnet would agree with you." Amethyst chuckled. "Say, I noticed earlier that you use magic as well. Am I right?" Amethyst asks. "Yes. Nature, light, and dark magic." Aquarius answers. "Ah, then I think we'd get along just fine." Amethyst smiled.

"Oh, I'm also a starseer, meaning I can read the stars themselves." Aquarius said. "Is that so now?" Amethyst asks, intrigued. Aquarius nodded as she continues to enjoy Amethyst's hands on her body. But even then, it wouldn't be enough to see Sauda defeated & chased out of this world... Aquarius thought. I need to find a way to lift that aura of hers when she puts it up... Aquarius then looked back to Amethyst, just as the two are nearing chest deep.

"Amethyst?" Aquarius says. "Will you teach me a trick or two about the light?" She then asks. Amethyst chuckled. "Well, I can let you in on a secret about it if it'll help." He said. "Anything to help me defeat Sauda. I don't want her running around here for much longer." Aquarius said. Amethyst nodded. "The light you have is strong, but it will be even stronger if you stay true to what your beliefs are, and remain dedicated to your goal." He goes onto say.

"My beliefs & goals..." Aquarius says. "And let's face it: Your goal of wanting to keep this world safe & get back home, is much stronger than whatever she herself has in mind." Amethyst adds. "I was so fixated on defeating Sauda that all that slipped from me..." Aquarius said. "So my advice to you is that you do not let go of what your original goal is no matter what, and do not doubt yourself." Amethyst said. "Understand?" He asks. Aquarius nodded, smiling.

Meanwhile, backed only by her Blackblood companion Joanna, the Supreme Princess Sauda is once again on her feet, and ready to take action once again. "Joanna, we're going to bring all who stand in our way to their knees." She said, and Joanna hissed in agreement. "Our first target will be those Nomads. They'll all regret standing in opposition of us." She goes onto say. But then, her stomach growled. "I'm hungry." Sauda said, as she soon stands up straight.

"Can't fight on an empty stomach. I've got to have protein... I've got to have... Meat." She then says, much to Joanna's delight as the evil Blackblood Komodo follows Sauda to a camp she set up at some point, packing at least 3 animals corpses; all butchered & ready to cook & eat. "Those nomads could be problematic though." Sauda said, taking some cut up steaks to a fire. "Maybe I'll offer them whatever they want, and then not give it to them."

As her back is turned, Joanna swiped one of Sauda's steaks; but was quickly caught and Sauda gave Joanna an accusatory look. "Did you take one of my steaks?" She asked her partner, though Joanna played dumb to try & trick Sauda that the answer was no. She unfortunately, was not fooled. "Open your mouth." She ordered. Joanna opened her mouth, but his the steak behind her head with her tongue. Sauda looked into Joanna's mouth soon after.

But then she looked behind Joanna's head. "You dirty liar!" She exclaimed. But, she soon saw there was no point in trying to take it back. "Take it... You got your teeth on it anyway..." She said, and Joanna was pleased. "But let me be clear: these are not Joanna steaks!!" Sauda suddenly shouted. She then took another steak, placed it on a rack over her campfire, and started cooking. "The chietainess is strong, my magic's mighty..." Sauda says.

"But I've got a feeling someone is magical among those nomads." She says, as she flips her steak that's being cooked. Joanna however, steals another uncooked slab of meat; but it doesn't go unnoticed by Sauda. "Joanna. If you value your existence... Stop!" She said, ever the cold one. Her steak was eventually cooked to perfection, but given its size, she actually ate the slab of meat in one bite, but wasn't swallowed in one gulp. "Wish I had seasoning..." She quips.

As she prepares another slab of meat, Joanna was just about to snatch it from Sauda, when she suddenly shouted "Aha!" and stomped on Joanna's tail most painfully; and Sauda chuckled. "Got your hand caught in the cookie jar, didn't you, eh?" She smirked, before growing irate. "Who do you think you're messing with, Joanna?! My mental facilities are twice what yours are, ya pea brain!" She angrily said, before resuming her meal uninterrupted.

Yet, she had a thought. "There's no way that 1/2 Mermaid could've survived that zapping anyway." She says to herself. "Joanna, travel to the nomads' camp & make certain Aquarius is dead. I'll be watching through your eyes." Sauda orders her pet. Joanna slunk off to the desert via the darkness of the Stroic, leaving Sauda by herself, at least for the time being. "It'll be a whole lot easier if she is indeed dead," Sauda smirks. "Much easier..."

Back up in the Northern Wastelands, Aquarius was harnessing her light, focusing it to make it stronger. She added star magic to her magic as Amethyst watched her. "Just like that," He said. "Don't lose focus now." Aquarius continued to focus her light & star magic in her hands. Before long, it looked as if it was going to explode in Aquarius's face. Instead however, it erupted. Erupted into a most brilliant beam of light that shot high up into the sky.

This light had enough power to pierce through any darkness; including the aura Sauda could put up. Aquarius was delighted. "This will do it!" She said happily. "Good job." Amethyst said, smiling. "Now you have a way of revoking her invincibility." He then adds. Aquarius was delighted, unaware that Joanna had spotted the beam of light. Unfortunately, that was enough to let her know Aquarius has not only survived, she had also fully recovered. Joanna retreated.

Arriving back at the marsh campsite, Sauda noticed Joanna. "Back already? What happened?" Sauda asked. Joanna, being the type incapable of physical speech, managed to describe the beam of light she had seen; complete with stars. Sauda however, read Joanna's body language effortlessly. "You've got to be kidding me... Aquarius is still alive?!" She angrily asked. "DAMN IT TO HELL!!!" She roared. "I'm going to get rid of her for good!"

Desummoning her campsite, Sauda stormed out of the marsh, while also sending Joanna back to her home realm where she typically resides. Sauda wanted to do this alone, and she shall. Unaware of the danger, Aquarius enjoyed some fresh water & a sandwich made by Lea. "It's a definite shame you can't stay with us." Lea says. "I really do like having you around." She adds. "So do I." Said Ajax, as both he & Lea saw Aquarius as their best friend.

"Yes, well..." Aquarius said. "I do have family waiting for me..." "We understand." Lea says. "But hey, do you think you could let us visit your realm from time to time?" She then asks. "Of course!" Aquarius happily exclaims. "My parents would like you two." "I sure hope so." Lea giggled. However, from outside their tent, the silence was broken. "Aquarius!!" Sauda shouted. Aquarius, Ajax, and Lea all shot up to attention. "Oh, vars, she's returned...!" Ajax said.

Aquarius's eyes furrowed, and she stood up. "Aquarius! I know you're in there!" Sauda shouted. "Come out here, or I'll burn down every single tent here!" She threatened. "Ajax... Lea..." Aquarius says. "Leave this to me... I have to do this... Alone." She then stated. "Of course..." Lea said. "But... Please... Be careful..." Aquarius nodded. "I'm not kidding, Aquarius! I'll smoke you out if I have to!" Sauda shouted. "Don't do it! I'm coming out!" Aquarius called.

Stepping up to the exit of the tent she was relaxing in, Aquarius revealed herself to her sworn enemy. Sauda smirked at the sight of her enemy, and dropped the torch she had in hand & was alight. The torch was dropped into the sand and the flame was extinguished. Aquarius stepped up closer to Sauda. "So it's true," Sauda says. "You truly are still alive. I figured you'd have gone belly up by now." She then said, grinning. Aquarius's eyes narrowed at Sauda.

"You just got a lucky break earlier. That's all." Aquarius said. "Luck?" Sauda scoffed. "Excuse me, did you say... Luck?" She then laughed out loud. "Did you forget what happened so soon? I fried you worse than Kalimari there!" She exclaimed. "Still, you should've been dead after that attack." "You're right, I would've been dead." Aquarius says. "But these people were here for me. They helped me get back on my feet." She then adds. Sauda flipped her hair.

"And you would risk your life protecting these people?" Sauda asks. "You better believe I would! And you better believe that I will not let you threaten Palus any longer!" Aquarius said. "Sauda, whatever you have planned, I'm putting a stop to it right now!" Sauda just laughed. "Oh how I'm going to enjoy making you cry in pain once again." She said, smirking as she stood unmoving in front of Aquarius, and vice versa, both girls never averting their gazes.

The winds blew across Sauda & Aquarius's feet. Ajax & Lea could only stand back and watch as Aquarius confronted Sauda once again. Aquarius was confident that she had the strength to overcome what Sauda would have in store this time around, but will her enhanced power be enough to see Sauda defeated? Or will Sauda have the might needed to bring Palus to darkness, and perhaps even more? A fateful showdown was about to begin in earnest...

TO BE CONTINUED

Aquarius, Misaki, Fontanne, Sauda, Wolfgang (The Supreme Archduke): Me

Garnet, Amethyst, Ajax, Lea: Sabbie