140 The Mist: Test Passed

The same tug feeling in her heart from before, the headache came again and this time stronger.

It was as though her mind wanted her to remember something, it was easier to ignore than try, but she felt it was important.

Rather than trying to ignore it, she focused her mind on it instead. 

"White-Fire, White-Fire, White-Fire." 

The name became incessant in her mind and she fought hard to recall, all of a sudden she remembered.

An image flashed before her eyes, it was the big white Tiger-Phoenix Beast. 

From there she recalled how she met the little beast and Jareth A while ago and that he was taking her to see the celestial beasts. 

She looked around, this wasn't the way back to the White Tiger-Phoenix Beasts, she didn't know this area at all. Besides, by now they should have met the beasts but they haven't. What was he doing? Where was he taking her to?

She stopped moving and pulled her hand from his.

He stopped as well and turned his head to look at her.

"Why did you stop?"

"Where are White-Fire and its cub, Jareth? We should have gotten to them by now, seeing as it didn't take time when I lost sight of it then I saw you."

"Okay you got me, I am not taking you to them."

"What! Why? Where are you taking me?" She asked him, her eyes held confusion in them as she searched his for an answer. 

"Away from them," he said and took a step forward. "It is dangerous Astrid, I am taking you out of the forest, White-Fire agreed and decided to go with its cub since they are already close to their destination."

"No, I cannot leave them till I ensure they have gotten back safely."

She took two steps backwards, her gaze not leaving his as she did. It took her time but she figured it out.

"You are not him, who are you?"

"What do you mean by that? Astrid it is me, Jareth. I would accompany you, we would be together, just like you want."

Jareth wasn't one to show his feelings and even though they kissed, he made it clear that it wouldn't be possible. Now he is saying this, even if her heart wanted it to be, it still wasn't. He wouldn't say that. 

She scoffed, "As nice as that sounds, it isn't real."

"Astrid, it is me. What are you talking about?"

"Jareth would never go back on his word. He wouldn't leave the celestial beasts by themsleves and White-Fire wouldn't agree to that. He also knows we can't be together, so whoever you are, you are clearly not him."

"Don't be silly. It is I."

He moved closer to her, stretching his hand to touch her, she took several steps back and armed herself with her powers.

"What are you doing? Put it away, Astrid."

"Don't come any closer or I wouldn't hesistate to plunged this into your heart," she threatened, moving her hand holding the ice dagger to her front, so he could see clearly. 

He didn't take her seriously and closed the distance between them. Unfortunately, she wasn't bluffing, as soon as he held her shoulders, she quickly stabbed him with her dagger. 

Rather than see blood or a dying Jareth, the person disappeared, turning into a puff of smoke in front of her. 

"Hah aha haha…"

A loud laughter reverberated in the surrounding, as the mist began to clear. 

"You passed."

********

Jareth's eyes darted to and fro as the mist began clearing away. 

From where they stood, they could see a figure standing at the centre of the mist.

He could't tell the gender of the person. He narrowed his eyes to get a clearer picture and was elated when he caught sight of the figure.

"Astrid!" He called out her name softly. She obviously couldn't hear him from where she stood and didn't answer.

"Astrid!" He called a bit louder this time around and she heard his call.

Slowly, she turned about her heels at the sound of her name being called. By the time she half turned, she heard the familiar voice again.

"Astrid!"

He called out one more time, his hands where by the side of his mouth, to cause an echo and hopefully to make his voice go louder when he called her.

"Jareth?!" Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him through her lashes, from her half closed eyes. 

His face curved upward into an unknown smile as he took the initiative and ran ahead, leaving the beasts behind.

Jareth ran with whatever strength he had left, jumping over tree stumps and falling leaves as he went.

There she was, safe and sound. She passed the test, he couldn't believe his eyes, but he was glad nonetheless.

Letting all thought and restraints go free, he leapt with joy and stood in front of her. She still stood side ways, not saying anything as she stared him down.

His eyes brimming with warmth, care, joy and relief as he took in her appearance, as though he was memorizing it. 

Before he could close the gap between them, she moved.

Lifting her left hand and gripping his shirt tightly against his chest, she closed the gap between them with one swift move.

Boy was she fast. With the same force she used to move her feet, that was the same force and speed she used to bring her right hand forward and close to his neck.

She held her ice dagger tight in her right hand as she made ready for the kill. The last time he vanished, but this time, she would make sure she drove home her point before he had the time to do that.

The sharp edge of the blade glistened under the sunset sky, its coldness, seeping into the very flesh it was pressed against.

"What just happened? How could I not have seen her with a dagger. Yes that reminds me, when I saw her just now, her hand shone a faint blue light. Is she still hypnotized?" He asked himself.

He didn't know what say right now, he stay hostage as his eyes searched hers for some kind of clue as to what was happening.

Any clue at all, but nothing.