Chips are Down

Chips Are Down

Songbird versus Rattlesnake

The dust settled over the dark cobblestone room of the tower. Charlotte was on her hands and knees, her chest rising and falling as she gasped for air. The bodies of the others surrounding her as their souls floated above her former Master. Vaul's lips curled into a smirk as he crouched before her.

"What is it?" Charlotte let out a weak laugh, "Finish me."

"Now why would I do that to my apprentice? I know you would never do this foolish plan unless someone had tricked you." Vaul moved to grip her by the chin.

Charlotte was a hungry young girl. She had longed for power of vengeance. Vaul had originally been her key.. Yet now, she wanted something more.

Vaul chuckled, "I know what you truly want, my child. So here, take it. Your ticket."

Vaul gave her a choice to make. A ticket to another world. One where she would be feared and would have powers she never dreamed of.

"All you have to do is choose. Choose to rule over this pathetic lot, at the sacrifice of HIS soul... Or save him, and condemn the rest of their souls to me." Vaul continued, his old eyes gleaming.

"What happens to their souls should I give them to you?" She spoke shakily.

"I'll devour them for power, of course." His grin grew broad.

She could already hear their souls yelling at her not to, but three stood out more so then the rest.

Kaneka's voice rose above, "Life ain't easy."

"Life ain't fair." Zane's voice overcame.

"A girl's gotta fight for her rightful share." Lyan continues, "Power must be grasped with your own hands."

What you gonna do when the chips are down!
Now that the chips are down!
What you gonna do when the chips are down!
Now that the chips are down!
The voices all wailed in her ear.

"Help yourself-" Zane's voice spoke up again, her soul floating over, "Flee and gather reinforcements."

"We'll be fine. No one will blame you and if they do, to hell with the rest!" Lyan tried to assure her.

"Everyone will understand your choice, Even the one who loves you best." Kaneka whispered in her ear.

What you gonna do when the chips are down!
Now that the chips are down!
What you gonna do when the chips are down!
Now that the chips are down!

Their words echoed in her ear, she knew they would say that but never mean it. They had hated her from day one. 

"Oh my aching heart." Charlotte clutched her chest as she shook her head.

"Struggling, my apprentice?" Vaul watched her closely.

What you gonna do when the chips are down!
Now that the chips are down!

"Take if you can.. his amulet! That's what helps him control all our souls right?" Lyan suggested. 

"You have to stall all you can, give if you must but keep him distracted!" Zane commented.

 "She can't trust his word. Ain’t nobody but yourself to trust." Kaneka spoke up.

Vaul tilts his head as he gruffly asks, "What will you do when the chips are down?"

Now that the chips are down!
What you gonna do when the chips are down!
Now that the chips are down!

"Aim for the heart!" Lyan posed.

Zane jumped onto it, "Shoot to kill!"

"If you don't do it then the other one will." Kaneka agreed. 

There was no way she could take on Vaul. She knew that, yet staring at him, how close he was.. A small glimmer of hope. She could strike him in his heart but... Could she really take down her own teacher?

What you gonna do when the chips are down!
Now that the chips are down!
What you gonna do when the chips are down!
Now that the chips are down!

She could hear every voice around her chanting, yet droning out. Soon her own inner demon spoke in her ear. 

And the first shall be first
And the last shall be last
Cast your eyes to heaven
You get a knife in the back
Nobody’s righteous
Nobody’s proud
Nobody’s innocent

She stared at the ground in fury. She was helpless. If she was to try any large casting, she would surely die and take everyone with her. But if she didn't, he would kill them all and devour their souls. What is she to do?

 Now that the chips are down!

She had to think of something fast.

Now that the-   

She had only one shot.

 Now that the-

She slipped her bracelets off in one small move.

 Now that the-

She charged the surge of arcane power into her hand and grabbed his amulet that stored the souls, overpowering it with power till it cracked and shattered.

Now that the-

Mana burns ran up her hands and body as she fell to the ground, her eyes lifeless, her soul disintegrated, and the others returning to their bodies.


 Now that the chips are down!