My fingers played with the bubbles floating on top of the water, panic gripping my mind.  My fingernails were a normal color, dark brown hair floating in the water.  Jameson came back in, dropping the washcloth and shampoo.  Confusion flashed in his eyes, a wry smile dimming my face.  

“I forgot to tell you that I am a human once a year.” I stammered oddly, Jameson scooping up the items he dropped. “Do you mind hurrying up here so you can take me to the school’s chapel?  A bunch of level one demon creatures are coming my way, and I have no magic left to spare.”  Rolling his eyes, he finished up real quick.  My legs stood outside of the slits of my black and purple silk nightgown, my hands wrapping around a couple of holy blades.  Sliding them into my boot, he walked in front of me.  Empty footfalls echoed down the empty halls, the chapel not far away.  My heart sank into my stomach, blood dripping from one of my older wounds as a wall of level one demons blocking the way.  Shrill screeches rang out in the air, the creatures flew in our direction.  Trembling, I raised my holy blades.  Weak, I was still too weak.  Jameson was fighting his way through, my body collapsing to my knees.  Please Goddess of Light, grant me one last bit of power.  White flames licked my palms, blood pouring from my nose.  

“I announce that this is a holy ground.” I chanted weakly, the coppery taste of blood poisoning my mouth.  A sea of white flames exploded from my hands, the demons going up in white flames.  Coughing up blood, pure humans were not meant to have this much power.  Scooping me up, he crashed through the chapel doors.  White flames licked the golden torches, the golden bar clicking into place.  Demons banged on the door, Jameson holding me close to his chest on the carpet.  Pulling out a black silk handkerchief, he wiped the corner of my mouth. 

“Now you are going to tell me how you are feeling.” He demanded irritably, golden flames licking his palms. “Sea of flames!” Golden flames shot from his palm, the shrill cries of the demons echoing in the hall.  Black bags hollowed out underneath our eyes, a lump forming in my throat.  

“I am just really pissed that he told me that he loved me, and now he is saying that I was just an experiment and that he was disappointed in me.  Now I feel worthless as my father disowned me in a verbal way.” I blurted out, tears welling up in my still mismatched eyes. “Am I not worth anything, or something?  Am I not worth being loved?  My whole life I worshiped the ground he walked on, and now he hates me with everything he has.  I know I can’t save him.  The worst part is that he was telling the truth.  Now I have mixed emotions about having to kill him.  In order to save the world I have to do it though.”  Rocking me back and forth, my heart rate slowed down to a healthy pace. The stained glass window of the Goddess of Light cracked, a black bird crashing through.  

“I am here to pick up the half demon trash.” A deep voice thundered, its red beak just hanging open. “Helios demands your presence.  Will you come the easy way or the hard way?”  Struggling to stand, dismay burned behind my eyes as I realized that I couldn’t move.  A black circle held us in place, our powers drained.  Black chains wrapped around our bodies, the air rushing around as the black bird kidnapped us into the night.  This wasn’t great, I thought to myself.  Damn it I cursed to myself as my blades flew to the ground.  

“We will have to entertain him for the night!” I shouted over the rushing air. “Then when my power comes back, we can get out of the situation.”  Nodding in agreement, the bird hovered over the crater that I created earlier that day.  A white glint caught my eye, a white diamond  shimmering in the middle.  I could actually use that to transform back early, I thought to myself.  The chains clanked to our sides, my fingers wrapping around the gem.  Come on magic, help me out.  

“Hello daughter!” Helios mused playfully, running his hands through his hair. “I wanted to have a short chat.”  Unable to focus on his words, the gem glowed dimly in my hands.  Come you little piece of shit, I growled to myself.  Preparing myself for the pain,  a white light bathed me.  Fire burned my veins, my hair turning back to its normal red.  My black horns curled out of my head, my lips blackening.  Blood poured from the corner of my lips, nose and eyes.  Jameson shifted uncomfortably, my fingers wrapping around my white staff.  Stumbling to my feet, he pulled out his black staff.  Metal scraped against each other as we pulled out our blades. 

“Can’t you learn to leave a bitch alone!” I snapped hotly, raising my blades in the attack position. “You can talk while we fight.”  Biting my lips, agony twisted my face.  Jameson passed out behind me, my shoulders slumping forward.  I needed his help, a whistle screaming from my lips.  A flash of white flames flew in the corner of my left eye, my phoenix landing next to me. Caw! She cried out, rubbing her head against mine.  

“I would, but where would the fun be in that.” He teased lightly, licking his blade. “I just want to play with my failed experiment.”  Rage simmered underneath my eyes, the transformation hurt me more than it helped me.  Coughing up blood, maniacal laughter exploded from my lips. 

“I hate you.” I growled through gritted teeth, the words burning like venom. “You need to die.”  He was still badly injured from our previous battle.  Sauntering up to me, he placed his hand on my stomach.  Shaking his head, a sly grin darkened his face.  Slapping his hand away, he circled me a couple of times.  Cold sweat dripped off of my brow, his blade swund towards my womb.  Sparks lit up the night, my blade blocking it. Spinning around, my foot smashed into his face.  Holy flames devoured my blades, black flames eating his.  

“You are pregnant, huh?” He said curiously, his face softening for a moment. “Well, we are going to have to exterminate that.”  My brows furrowed, his large form charging me.  His black armor shimmered in the moonlight, our blades clashing violently.  The reverse damage blade sat in his palm, the sick sound of skin ripping open nauseating me.  Panic gripped my mind, my powers flickering.  Surprise widened his eyes, the smoke curled off of my hand as I held his blade.  Jamming it into my shoulder, he cried out in pain.  Black blood oozed from his shoulder, my shoulder screaming in agony. His good hand swung down at me, the golden blade with the dragon blocking it.  Fury seethed in his eyes, golden flames licking his feet.  The hot air blew his hair back, his pointed ears making my father laugh.  

“You must be Emerald’s kid, the future emperor.” He thundered, Jameson shoving me to the ground. “You look just like he did when we were best friends in the good old school days.  Too bad you have to die.”  Leaping to my feet, his horn protested as my white blade slid through the thousands year old bone.  Blood spurted everywhere, his horn crashing to the ground.  Holding his horn, a puff of black smoke signaled his disappearance.  

“Are you okay?” Jameson asked tiredly, reaching for his horn.  Knocking him out of the way, my red hair turned brown again, fresh bruises covering my skin.  Burnt skin peeled off of my palm, the pain hitting me all at once.  Collapsing onto my back, the world spun around me.  Sweet slumber won, taking me into her warm embrace.  

Birds chirped incessantly the next day, the morning sun blinding me.  Trying to move, my muscles screamed in protest.  Jameson slumbered away next to me, the golden mirror ringing.  Relief washed over me, my red hair back.  Touching my horns, a joyous smile curled on my black lips.  Accepting the call, Emerald’s worried face appeared on the smooth surface.  A weak smile only dimmed his face, my heart shattering.  

“The kingdoms will be meeting you at the school today.” He sighed deeply, rubbing his tired eyes. “Do you think you can handle it?”  A lump formed in my throat, anxiety eating me raw.  Taking a deep breath, Jameson stirred next to me.  

“Sure!” I stammered awkwardly, gripping the hem of my nightgown. “Just let me get ready.  So when is the meeting?”  Clearing his throat, guilt dimmed his eyes.  Turning the mirror around, they were all already sitting in the conference room.  Hanging up before I had a few choice words, I leapt off of the bed.  Tossing my clothes from my closets, nothing was good enough.  Jameson sat up, my body shaking.  My fingers settled on my black female version of a Victorian suit, tears welling up in my eyes.  The agony was too much, it felt like a train had slammed into my body.  Wrapping his arms around my waist, he kissed the top of my head.  Patheticness poisoned my eyes, his strong hands getting me dressed.  Gingerly he buttoned my blouse, the pencil skirt hugging my bump. Sliding on my coat, he threw on his white imperial suit.  Grabbing the black silk scarf, his trembling hands wrapped it around my neck.  My eyes fell to my black palm, the venom working its way to the wound on my shoulder.  Thank god the concealment spell was working like a charm, or he would have already taken me to the doctors.   

“If anyone can unite a group of people who hate each other, you can.” He assured me sweetly, tracing the golden embroidery lining my color. “We can do this together.  Let’s save the world together, ‘kay.”  Spinning my hair into a simple side bun, he pressed his hands against mine. 

“I don’t know if they will like me.” I mumbled feebly, his strong arms putting me on his back. “What if a solution doesn’t come out of today’s meeting?” Tears streamed down my face, strangers were going to judge me.  Control, I didn’t have the control.  

“My father taught me a trick when I was nervous as a kid.” He offered, shooting me a cocky grin. “Just think of your happiest memories.”  Kissing him sweetly, we marched towards the conference room.   Setting me down, the large golden doors loomed in front of me.  Dusting me off, his lips brushed against my tiny bump.  A soft blush rose to my cheeks, the doors swinging open.  Just as expected, gasps of horror echoed throughout the room.  Bowing my head in shame, Jameson lifted up my chin with his finger.  Pressing his lips against mine hungrily, sounds of disgust poisoned the air further.  Walking to the front of the room, a sea of gray haired old men in different military uniforms glared at me.  The name plaque with Emperor Scarvos sat in front of a muscular man in a red imperial uniform, golden lapels sitting on his shoulders.  Medals dripped off of him, a sour expression on his worn face.  Running his hand through his slicked back gray hair, my attention falling on Emperor Ventos.  His gray business stood out against everyone else, his short gray hair barely an inch on top of his head.  His gray eyes twinkled with excitement, his muscles bulging underneath his suit.  Rubbing his white beard, his eyes looked me up and down.  A sour looking man with long gray hair cascading down his back glared at me with his green eyes.  A pair of golden glasses sat on his thin nose, his golden imperial suit hugging his body.  Red lapels sat on his shoulders, a book underneath his whited gloved hands.  The next one to catch my attention was Emperor Vinor, his light green business suit throwing me off.  His muscular build was barely hidden, his short stature making me smile slightly.  He was shorter than me, his slicked back hair shimmering in the golden flames of the torches on the wall.  Dark energy curled off of Emperor Volientia, his purple silk suit glittering with golden roses all over his suit.  His violet eyes twinkled with curiosity, his hands running through his hair.   

“Hello, I am Alice Dumont, the future empress of Dumont.” I introduced myself shakily, bowing in all of their directions. “I look forward to working with all of you.”  Looking away in disgust, my fingers played with the hem of my jacket.  Scarvos was the first to speak up, a snarl curling on his lips.  Cruel intentions darkened his red eyes, the urge to run away burning deep within me.  My feet turned to run, Jameson pulling me onto his hip. 

“You are a filthy half breed.  Why should we respect you?” He retorted bitterly, spitting in my direction. “You know nothing of how this world works.  If I didn’t know any better, your precious little daddy is the one destroying everything in my kingdom.”  Cocking my brow, everyone jumped back as my hands slammed on the round white marble table.  Enough was enough, a devious smile growing on my black lips. 

“Listen up!” I shouted irritably, everyone glaring at me. “I am not some filthy half breed, but your salvation.  How well have you fucking fared with his creatures?  Tell me, or should I point out that all of you are dealing with a goddamn famine.  Yeah, I did my research.  You are all just scum walking with your high titles, not helping your people.  If you want to fix that we should at least get a fucking trade treaty today if you can manage that with your tiny brains.  As for my dad, I plan on killing him once I give birth.  Shove that bit up your fucking ass.”  Huffing and puffing, the room spun around me.