Falling Apart

Petrified

So... You know, normally I only publish something when I have all the chapters more or less sketched, so that I won't make you wait for too long. But I had started this one for such a long time that I thought it was time to finally finish and post it. Next chapters are still only in my mind and soon I'll have to work more intensely for my master thesis, so they will take very long... Although, since the end of this chapter isn't really a cliffhanger and it kinda gives some closure to the episode, I decided to post it anyway. I hope you don't mind the wait... much.

This story will cover the events that preceded Zhalia's infiltration in the Blood Spiral, from the end of episode 4 until episode 9, when she leaves. I would like you to assume that "Painful Choice" and "Paradise" actually happened, which means, my dear friends, that Dante and Zhalia are *together* since the very end of season one. Also, keep in mind everything that Zhalia's been through regarding Klaus' matter, since it'll be brought up here. So, yeah, sad stuff. I'll keep on adding the emotional part I feel it's missing in these episodes, which are so full of tension and uneasiness, particularly for Zhante... Again, there'll be angst, drama and, of course, the reassuring part ;)

I'll write in first person as well, but for now I'm just using a lot of free indirect speech, so you'll still be able to get both Dante and Zhalia's thoughts and feelings :)

And, again, I want to thank this wonderful fandom, for your kindness and support!

Here you have the first chapter, which takes place in the end of episode 4, "Knight of the Willblade". Hope you like it :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Huntik: Secrets and Seekers, nor its characters and scenarios. It all belongs to its original creators.

Dante's house, Venice, Italy

3rdperson's POV

It was late at night when the Huntik team finally returned from the mission in Avalon. The kids had gone back to Sophie's house, leaving Dante and Zhalia finally alone in their house. The appearance of the red comet was worrying the whole team. They knew something was changing in the seekers' world but no one could tell what it was. They only knew it wasn't good. It wasn't good at all. Though there was yet another thing bothering one of them as well...

Zhalia was leaning at the window of her and Dante's room. She vaguely watched the rare people that were crossing the poorly illuminated street, while a recent and unpleasant memory was running through her mind.

Flashback

Same day, Avalon, Coast of Northern England

The Organization had finally caught up with the Huntik team, so Zhalia, Dante and LeBlanche stayed outside holding them off, while Lok, Sophie and Cherit headed for the Casterwill castle. The elder team members chose their targets; Dante went for Hoffman, Zhalia for Stack and LeBlanche for one of the suits.

Zhalia was punching Stack when suddenly some other suit jumped out of nowhere and pushed her right into Stack's hands. He tried to hit her with Thundercut, but she easily escaped, rolling away from the two men. As if the dirty trick wasn't enough, now she was outnumbered and needed back up. By the corner of her eye she saw Wilder standing nearby as well. So she summoned King Basilisk, one of her strongest titans and the best choice to handle the situation. Or at least that was what she thought. Unfortunately, though, that was exactly what the enemy wanted.

"Now, stone gaze!" she shouted and the purple light immediately started to emanate from the titan's eyes.

"Zhalia! NO!" she immediately heard a well-known, panicked voice from nearby. She soon understood the reason of Dante's scream as a mirror-like titan appeared in front of Wilder when he called its name, Divine Mirror Kagami. On instinct she covered her eyes. Titan or not, she knew very well what a mirror could do with the Basilisk's stone gaze.