h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*Clears any obstructions out of Syian's way and goes to her side.*

Ohh, Syian... what now?

I Think I know where she is

*Starts to ring her bell, she walks into the realm of Death*

Syian, Syian, where are you, Syian come to me

*she can hear Patricia's voice in the distance behind her, closer to life*

Leave me alone!

*she hurries on, heedless of the dead that surround her*

Syian come here please, let me accompany you, the realms of death should not be travelled alone no matter how proficant you are, let me accompany you child, please, your friend Lumien is worried about you

*turns to face Patricia, her eyes glitter fiercely and the hand gripped around her sword hilt is white from anger*

I told you to leave me be

*She speaks to her in a kindly voice*

No child you do not have the temperement to travel death by yourself, look at you and look around you

*The dead are beginning to gather around them, hands reach up to grasp at their clothes, Patricia rings a smaller bell and the dead shrink back*

Syian who is it you are looking for, I will help you

I have travelled death by myself many times before now....you cannot help me

*she turns away from Patricia and stops suddenly as a tall gaunt man wreathed in flames stands before her....he is holding a huge sword bearing many spells in one hand and the largest bell in the other*

*he emenates evil as he swings the sword towards Syian, she duck and lunges at him with her own*

Father...

*Patricia gropes for her largest bell, which is on her table at home, she'd rushed into the realm without preparing*

Syian, Syian I can't deal with him I don't have the apropriate bell

*Patricia grabs her Scimitar and crouches low preparing to strike*

*Lumien is sitting there holding Syian. She has no idea what's going on in the other realm.*

Syian... hang in there...

*Syian lunges forwards and thrusts the sword into the flaming man; it pushes through his stomach and seems to hold him immobile*

Father, I need to ask for your wisdom....

*the tall man laughs bitterly*

Syian's Dad: Ask for my wisdom? I thought in your eyes I had none..

*he looks past her to Patricia, his gaze is like ice*

SD: Who is this pretty morsel?

Patricia DuBois and you are?

SD: Nick Coleck, madam

*he attempts to bow but the sword holding him in place glows and stops him*

Patricia, stay out of this. Don't talk to him....

Don't worry I have met his type before, I will be here if you require my help

*she nods curtly and grips the sword under the stump of her left arm while removing one of her bells with her good arm*

*she swings it high and brings it down sharply, Syian's father roars with rage and then is silent as the bell does its work*

You are under my will now

SD: Yes, mistress

I know your wisdom far surpasses my own and therefore I command you to protect Lumien from all harm, whatever happens

SD: Yes, mistress

*SD walks away towards the barrier of life, Syian turns to Patricia*

Now I am happy to get you into the guild for yuo 'revenge', there is nobody you can hurt now that I care about

*Takes Syian's arm*

Come child, we will leave this realm together

Yes...yes

*they walk back to the realm of life, Syian wakes up still covulsing in Lumien's arms*

*she reaches up a shaking hand and wipes the sweat away, she looks behind Lumien's left shoulder and sees a shaky outline of her father...nobody else can see him she knows that, but she also knows her binding spell worked and Lumien is safe*

*she smiles suddenly, her face lights up and she is beautiful for a moment before it disappears*

*Lumien smiles back instinctively, but her eyes are still filled with concern.*

Syian, what happened?- no nevermind. You can tell me later. You need your rest.

*She picks Syian up, and carries her to the bed, and tucks her in.*

*Patricia sighs*

I'm going out to get some more food

*Leaves*