The Last Step

### **Summary**

The Gang make it to Berlin and prepare a final plan to take Michael down but Anita is waiting for them and manages to take advantage of Patrick's weakened state. Michael also makes his own preparations and awaits Abraham's arrival in Paris

### **Plot**

**Enroute to Berlin**

Aurora moves her hand up and down over Patrick's body, chanting as she looks at the Grimoire she has. Patrick is laid on a bed, unconscious as Aurora works on him. Fabian admits he is impressed but asks why she can't use a healing potion on Patrick. Aurora tells Fabian his entire body has been damaged because of the constant strain he was under and it needs time to repair completely. Riley admits she is surprised Patrick would even resort to taking pain medication. Fabian admits he understands his reasons. Aurora mocks him but Fabian rebukes her comment, asking when she's going to stop ridiculing Kemiya's. Abraham diffuses the situation, saying Patrick said himself, he felt weak compared to him. Riley spoke saying its no different than most men but she means it with respect. Fabian however admits Patrick has gotten stronger. Aurora adds that his lust for power was putting them at risk, something Abraham himself can't deny, but is glad the secret is out and now he's being healed. Abraham asks how long until Patrick is healed. Aurora isn't sure but Riley asks how Patrick managed to damage his body so much. Fabian explains that Patrick kept his power at its peak, but Kemiya's suppress their power to make it easier on the body and they only unleash it when in battle. Abraham adds that since Patrick maintained the strain on his body, it adjusted and allowed him to push his limits even further. Fabian admits it was genius and wonders why he didn't think of it. Aurora suggests its because he's stupid. Fabian is about to speak but he notices the smile on Aurora's face and Riley's snickering. He takes a moment, chuckling before he sits down, looking at his watch. He mentions they should be arriving in Berlin in 3 hours.

**Barcelona**

Michael is sitting on his throne. He looks at his phone, seeing a number of texts to Anita, but no reply. He sighs but then thinks. He calls in Carlos, who arrives a few seconds later. Michael tells him to get him on the first train to Paris. Carlos is a little confused but he says he will place a call. Michael stands in the middle of the throne room, speaking to himself, that Anita won't be able to stop Abraham and his friends but he knows Abraham will be heading to Paris to take the throne first before taking him on himself. He rubs his own forehead, saying he should have put it together quicker. He turns to Carlos who tells him a train will be ready within the hour. Michael then asks who he will leave in charge of the Bronze Kingdom. Michael thinks for a moment as Carlos face breaks into a smile. He turns to Carlos, saying Anita will be Queen on the Bronze Kingdom. He walks to his room as Carlos has a dejected look on his face

**Berlin**

The train pulls into the station. Abraham wakes Patrick up. Patrick takes a moment and sits up but holds his shoulder. Aurora suggests he take it easy as he is still not fully healed. Patrick nods as he takes a breath as the train stops in the station. Abraham and the others walk out of the train, unto the platform and into the street. Fabian tells the others he booked a hotel when no one was looking. Abraham admits he's impressed as Fabian tells him where to go. Aurora asks if its a good hotel. Fabian tells her its the best Aurora tells Fabian they don't want to attract attention, but Abraham tells her its ok as they are basically on the last step before the final battle. Aurora reminds Abraham its his battle. Abraham stops and turns to her, reminding her that Michael isn't the only issue they have to deal with. Fabian chimes in, saying Anita is also a problem. Abraham tells the others they need to form a plan, but only after Patrick recovers. All the others agree, as they walk on. Fabian tells Abraham the hotel is actually quite close. The gang eventually make it to the hotel. Abraham approaches the desk, with Fabian. Fabian gives the clerk his details before handing him a key card. The gang then head up to the penthouse suite. Abraham admits he has forgotten what it was like to travel in style. Even Aurora has to admit she's impressed. Patrick keeps quiet as they enter the room. Patrick walks to the couch and lays down. Aurora asks how he's feeling. Patrick says he is still hurting, but he feels better. Aurora nods as she suggests Patrick get some more rest so she can continue her spell. Patrick agrees as he leans back, closing his eyes. Aurora presses her hand to his forehead, giving a quick chant, causing Patrick to fall asleep. She opens her book and begins to chant again, her healing spell kicking in quickly. Riley looks at the mini bar and pulls out a few drinks. Abraham asks how long Patrick will be out for. Aurora says it should only take a few more hours, that it would likely be done after they sleep. Fabian suggest that someone should stay awake to keep Patrick calm. All eyes then turn to him. Fabian sighs but he nods. Abraham then picks up the phone, asking room service for beers and champagne

Later that night, the gang had gone to sleep. Fabian is still awake, watching Patrick, the spell still acting on him. Fabian can feel himself drifting off to sleep, his head lowering for a moment before he wakes himself up again. He looks at his watch, reading 03:37am. He sighs and stands up, but as he does, Patrick himself shoots up from the couch. He is breathing deep, and holds his chest. Fabian looks to see him up. He holds his hand out, telling Patrick to calm down. Patrick takes a moment as he relaxes looking around. He asks Fabian where they were. Fabian tells him they still in Berlin. Patrick then sits down again, saying he feels better than he should. Fabian is surprised Aurora's healing spell worked so well. Patrick admits he does feel good and strong. Fabian admits Patrick plan was genius but ultimately stupid. Patrick is a little stunned but he asks Fabian about his time as Michael's right hand man. Fabian shakes his head, telling Patrick he was doing a job and that Patrick put his friends in danger, something even Abraham himself admitted he too has done the same. Fabian says he understands Patrick's situation, comparing himself and Abraham, thinking he is the weakest link. Patrick quietly admits that Fabian is right, that he did feel like the weakest of the group. Fabian stands and hands Patrick a drink. Patrick takes the bottle and takes a few gulps. Fabian tells Patrick that even if it was the case, he's still proven more valuable due to his ability to think rationally. Patrick chuckles, asking how often anyone listens to him, considering that Abraham has run off due to his not thinking with his head. Fabian tells Patrick he's heard the stories and he can't deny he wouldn't have done the same. He even admires Patrick for leaving Abby to keep her safe. Patrick looks away, then looks down. Fabian asks if he loves her. Patrick takes a drink, his head still low. Fabian tells Patrick its ok, but Patrick tells him its not. He tells Fabian that attachments are weakness but Fabian counters, saying that sometimes, its worth the risk. Patrick chuckles, asking he's now taking Abraham's advice. Patrick then asks how his time with Anita was. Fabian takes a moment but he answers that in the beginning, it was good. Anita had her flaws but no one is perfect. Over time she did become more violent and blood thirsty. Fabian did as well to come degree, but she was always ahead of him. Fabian admits he does know what love feels like, and that its ok to feel it. Patrick doesn't answer but Fabian suggests he go to see her after they defeat Michael. Patrick takes another drink then stands. He tells Fabian he needs some air. Fabian asks Patrick not to go, but Patrick assures him he'll be fine. He just wants to be alone. Fabian takes a moment, but he nods and asks Patrick not to go far. Patrick tells him he wont before leaving the room.

Aurora then walks out of her room seeing Patrick isn't there. She asks Fabian where Patrick is going but Fabian tells her he is going to get some air and that he can sense where he is. Aurora nods as she heads to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Fabian asks if she's ok. Aurora asks why he would ask her but Fabian reminds her she is about to head into the fight of her life and that she could die for someone else. Aurora take a drink and admits she feels nervous, but she wouldn't trade the last few months of life for anything. She's had adventure, excitement, danger, travel, power. She pauses as she looks at Fabian, finally saying she's met some great friends along the way. Fabian admits those are good reasons and even he can't deny chasing them around the Gold Empire had its fun moments. Aurora can't help but smile saying that it feels like forever. She further admits the first time they were locked up together in Saint Marina, she saw some good in him, or at least the ability to do the right thing. Fabian nods and apologises for calling her like a Kemiya. Aurora tells him he was right. She sits down, sighing, saying that being with Abraham and Patrick has changed her in a way she is not entirely sure she is comfortable with. Fabian reassures her that sometimes people need to do bad things to make the world safer. Aurora is surprised to hear that from Fabian. Fabian tells her that when he left Michael, he travelled through the Bronze Kingdom and saw an example of what his actions or inactions had caused. That he believed in Michael. Aurora told Fabian that people make mistakes and that is what makes them people. Fabian then looks up, telling Aurora, Patrick is still moving away from the hotel. Aurora says they should go after him. Fabian says he'll do it and she should stay there. Aurora insists but Fabian tells her he's only going to bring him back. He heads out the door as Aurora sits down on the couch

Patrick walks out the front of the hotel. It was a slightly colder night than usual. Patrick starts to walk down the street. Anita steps out from an alleyway and watches him walk. She takes a breath to suppress her power before she follows him. Patrick just keeps on walking, the streets basically deserted. Patrick comes to a small square and looks around. He takes a moment and turns around, seeing no one there but he turns again, seeing Anita standing opposite him. Patrick forms his sword quickly but Anita smiles, asking if he really wants to fight her. Patrick does admit bedding her would be more fun but she is his enemy. Anita denies she is his enemy but Patrick retorts, saying Abraham is his ally and his ally is an enemy of her ally. Anita rolls her eyes, admitting he's right and forms her own sword. Patrick takes a breath before he charges at Anita. Anita stands her ground as Patrick swings down at her but she blocks easily. She counters but Patrick avoids the contact, but barely, turning and swinging at her a few more times, but Anita blocks Patrick off each time. Anita comes back at Patrick who struggles to keep up his defences before Anita cuts Patrick's right arm. Patrick retreats, flexing his arm before he attacks Anita again but Anita blocks Patrick off a few times and ducks under Patrick's swing and buries her sword into Patrick's gut. Patrick gasps but is kicked, back, causing him to fall unto his back. Anita approaches Patrick and kneels down to him, pressing her knee into his wound. Patrick shouts in pain. Anita leans her head down to Patrick, asking if he remembers Valmala. Patrick winces but he looks at Anita, smiling, saying he does remember. Anita punches Patrick in the face, telling him to stop smiling at her. Patrick starts to laugh but Anita hits him a few more times before she stands. Anita tells Patrick he will die there and then asks why Patrick was so easy to beat. Patrick admits, his body was hurt and hadn't healed properly. Anita nods, admitting she believes him as it was too easy. Patrick manages to sit up.

Patrick tells Anita that Michael is done for, and that Abraham is coming for the throne. Anita laughs, saying Abraham won't stand a chance. Patrick swings at Anita, who blocks but Patrick keeps on the offence, but Anita isn't even trying. She blocks Patrick's high swing but comes down and cuts Patrick's thighs. Patrick shouts but he stabs at Anita who grabs his wrist and kicks Patrick in his side where his stab wound is. Patrick manages to kick Anita at the back of her left knee, causing her to falter slightly, letting go of his wrist. Patrick turns and swings at Anita at waist level but Anita again blocks Patrick off. She stabs at Patrick but he manages to pull his left shoulder back and miss her stab. Anita also moves and blocks Patrick off again before she cuts his right shoulder. Patrick steps back a little, stabbed in his side, along his thighs and his shoulder. Anita admits he is tough but he won't last much longer. Patrick admits he is in bad shape, but he is a Kemiya. He then tenses his fist, giving off a quick blast of his spiritual pressure. He smiles, telling her Fabian will sense his presence now. Anita shrugs, saying Patrick will be dead by the time Fabian arrives. Anita walks to Patrick and swings from his upper left. Patrick blocks but Anita keeps attacking, cutting Patrick in several more places on his torso before she kicks him in the gut, forcing him unto his back. Anita stands on Patrick's wrist and presses her knee unto his chest. She leans down to Patrick, smiling her hand sliding down his face. She tells Patrick she knows the witch will be able to heal his wounds and she came prepared. She takes out a small vial of a potion but Patrick wishes her luck, getting it down his throat. Anita laughs, saying she doesn't need him to swallow it. She pours some of the potion unto his side wound, some into his shoulder wound and his other wounds. She then throws the bottle away before she looks down at Patrick, wishing him luck. She leans down to kiss Patrick on the lips before she punches him in the face, knocking him out. She stands and looks up, giving a smile before she walks off. A mere moment later Fabian comes around the corner, seeing Patrick on the ground

Fabian almost breaks into the hotel room, Patrick over his shoulder. Aurora jumps up as Fabian lays Patrick on the couch. Aurora asks what happened, but Fabian tells her to heal him quickly. Aurora tries to heal Patrick as he lays on the couch. Abraham comes out, asking what the noise is but he seesPatrick on the couch. Abraham shouts to Riley and asks Fabian what happened. Fabian tells them he went for some air and that Anita must have ambushed him. Aurora is still trying to heal Patrick. Abraham asks why its not working, but even Aurora isn't sure. Fabian looks at Patrick's wound, seeing black veins on his skin. Aurora looks at it and says Patrick has been poisoned. She looks at her Grimoire and starts to search just as Riley comes out, rubbing her eye asking what is going on before she sees everyone around Patrick. Abraham looks at Fabian, asking why he let him leave. Fabian tells Abraham he is not a babysitter and Patrick can make his own choices and he didn't think Anita would make such a daring more. Riley asks if Anita did this, but Abraham asks Fabian how he couldn't see Anita's plan as they shared a bed for a while and he reminds Fabian about what they are about to face and that taking risks is not what they need. Aurora tells everyone to shut up and then tells everyone the poison is a potion of Anti sanitatem. Fabian translates it to Anti healing. Riley asks if there is anything she can do. Aurora suggests she could, but it would take time and may not work. Abraham tells her they don't have time. Riley chimes in, saying they need a new plan, now that Patrick is basically out of the fight. Abraham looks to Fabian, asking what he thinks Anita's next move will be. Fabian asks why he's concerned with her, but Abraham tells him that even when he defeats Michael, Anita is still a threat that needs dealt with, and that they need to take them both out. Fabian takes a moment and thinks, saying Michael will most likely head back to Paris to literally defend his throne,  but he likely wouldn't risk Anita being there with him even if she'd want to be there. Aurora suggests she'd return to Barcelona. Abraham asks why she would think that, but Fabian agrees, saying he would need someone he trusts to make sure the Bronze Kingdom doesn't rebel, even if Michael is defeated.

Abraham looks at Aurora again who tells Abraham she maybe able to keep Patrick alive. She tells them she can create a Chambre de Chasse. All are confused but Aurora tells them he can tie Patrick's life to one of them and place Patrick in a kind of magical coma so his wounds won't progress any further. Fabian offers to be the one to tied to Patrick but Abraham tells Fabian he will do it. Fabian argues that he is to blame for Patrick's condition but Abraham tells him its not. And he has a promise to keep to Patrick and this will ensure he keeps it. Aurora tells Abraham that if he dies, Patrick will too. Riley then asks what Aurora needs to help Patrick to which Aurora replies she will need some hard to get supplies and it will take too long to find. Riley then asks why can't they wait, but Fabian tells her Anita knows they are in the city and it won't be long before Michael send an army after them. They need to confront Michael now. Riley nods as Abraham sits on the coffee table. Aurora takes a hand from Patrick and Abraham and begins to chant. Aurora struggles but Riley tells her to keep going. Blood starts to drip down Aurora's nose as Abraham too feels the strain of the spell. Fabian runs a hand through his hair before Aurora stops, almost gasping for air. Abraham looks to her, asking if she's ok. Aurora nods as she tells him the spell is complete. Abraham looks at Patrick but Fabian tends to Aurora. Fabian tells Aurora her power is weak, but Aurora tells him the spell took almost all of her power to complete but she tells Abraham he needs to stay alive. Abraham chuckles, saying that he doesn't have enough pressure. Riley tells him it wouldn't be any different if they weren't linked. Abraham agrees, saying Patrick will have to stay here. He will go to Paris and face Michael alone as he's confident he can win since Michael won't have the Philosophers Stone. Fabian shakes his head saying  he will need support as Michael is likely to have a Philosophers Stone. Abraham's face almost drops and asks how he knows. Fabian admits he knows how Michael made his when he first challenged him. Abraham grabs Fabian, asking why he only mentioned it now. Fabian replies that he didn't know the plan and that they would taken Michael on together, or least with Patrick still in commission. Abraham lets him go but Riley says she will go. Abraham nods as he tells Fabian he needs to take out Anita. Fabian admits that will not be an easy fight but Abraham chuckles, asking when Kemiya's shy away from a challenge. Aurora suggests she come along, to which Fabian accepts.

Abraham looks to the gang, telling them he started his quest, simply to regain his throne, but he has realised the continent has suffered enough, that the Bronze Kingdom should be freed, and the Silver Republic is in danger of being conquered. He laments never being a great emperor, but he will strive to be even better. He places his hand out, with all the others placing their hands in as well. Abraham tells Fabian and Aurora to be careful. Both nod as Fabian tells Abraham and Riley to stay safe.

**Berlin Station**

Anita is standing on the platform, smiling as she places a call to Michael. Michael answers, asking if Anita found Abraham. She says he is in Berlin. Michael then asks what she has to report but Anita tells him she has injured and poisoned Patrick. Michael's face drops, asking why she didn't kill Abraham instead. She argues that he wasn't alone like Patrick was and she took an opportunity to take out Abraham's right hand man. Michael still isn't happy that she didn't kill Abraham but Anita reminds Michael he told her to get a result and she did. Michael admits this. Anita tells Michael she's returning to Paris, but Michael tells her to go to Barcelona. Anita's face drops, asking why she can't come back to Paris but Michael cuts her off, saying she will be Queen of the Bronze Kingdom. Anita takes a moment but she asks if he is serious. Michael tells her he is and that Abraham will be coming for him in Paris, but he'll be ready. Anita asks about Fabian and the others. Michael reminds her that Abraham knows he can only regain the throne through fair and decisive combat, and not with the help of his friends. Michael tells her he will call her once Abraham is dead before hanging up. Anita takes a moment and jumps into the air, then walks to wait for the Barcelona Train. Michael looks out the window of the train he is on. He then looks at a ring on his finger with a small red stone on it, a smile on his face