The Djinn. 92

It was late in the evening when Tempus slipped out of the dark clouds over Winterhaven to circle the walled city. From the air, everything looked strangely quiet. To quiet Zarin thought. As he looked down at the walls he realized there was something different about the men on guard duty. The uniforms were all wrong. Winterhaven's uniforms were blue and gray with gold trim around the collars, cuffs and the sword and lightning bolt emblem on the chest. These men below were dressed in all different colors and styles. They didn't look like Winterhaven guards at all.
"Somethings not right here," Zarin called back to Reno. "Look at the guards on the wall, anything looks strange to you?"
Reno looked down at the wall over Zarin's shoulder. The men on patrol were much taller then he remembered them to be and way overweight. Reno looked closer and noticed they all had a green hue to their skin. These weren't men at all.
"Orcs!" He said surprised. "Those are Orcs on the wall!"
"Gorak!" Zarin said the names as if it were a curse. "He has to be behind this, and he may not be alone in there. If Dack's right, Tabor, and his father may be here too."
[So what do we do?] Tempus asked.
"We go in and find out." Zarin patted Tempus's back. "Remember the house were Craven held you captive? Not too far from it, there's an entrance to the sewers. We can get in that way."
"What about Dack, Trip, and Thalia?" Reno asked.
[And Craven and Zark? They should be on their way back to Winterhaven now]
"Dack knows the way into the city," Zarin told them. "He'll find us. But I think we should go in and see just what the situation is. Insa my be in trouble and need our help."
Banking left, Tempus circled out and around over the city and headed towards the academy. It was surrounded by Orc troops. They were trying to get in past the energy field that rose up from the wall around the school. As they flew over, Reno looked down and watched as the Orc's attacked the gates and the walls unsuccessfully. Then a thought hit him.
"Tempus, can they see us flying up here?"
[No.] He answered. [Not if I don't want them too.]
"There." Zarin pointed to a place beyond the city and its wall. "Land there."
Tempus flew on then dropped down to a small clearing outside of the wall. Zarin and Reno jumped from his back and he shifted back to his human form.
"Which way?" Rese asked them.
"There," Zarin said. "Follow that stream."
Following the stream through the forest, they came to the wall and the small broken gate. Reno grabbed the edge of the iron bars and pulled them up making a bigger hole for them to fit through. Rese winched from the horrible sewers smells but walked on. Zarin conjured an orb of light to give them lightly as they walked. They followed many twists and turns on they're through the sewers relying on Zarin's memory to get them to the right exit place, but finally, they were there, looking out from a sewer entrance near his old house.
"This is it." Zarin turned to face Reno and Rese. "This is your last chance to turn back. You've both been with me a long time and done more than your share. If either of you decides to go back, I won't hold it against you. You'll always be my friend, but I have to warn you that we'll all probably be killed. Not it's your choice."
"Like there's even a chance I'd let you go on without me." Reno smiled. "I'm in."
"I'm a Dragon," Rese said. "It's my duty to protect. I'm in too."

"They're here," Pelic said. He walked across the chamber to where Insa sat at the council table. "He just entered the city."
"Is he alone?" Insa opened his eyes and looked at the cloaked shadow. "Who's with him?"
"A Dragon and a Werewolf." Pelic looked at Insa.
"A Dragon we don't know?"
"He is one of the clan," Insa explained. "His name is Tempus. He hatched the day before Jandar sent Zarin and his friends out to find Shayn and Ono. Can you tell where they are?"
"Just outside of the Academy." He said looking into his cloak. "They're in disguise as Orcs. Very clever. That will make it easier to move around Winterhaven without drawing attention to themselves."
"We have to think of a way to get them here." Insa stood and started pacing the chamber they were trapped in.
"I can't move through shadows." Pelic sat down at the table. "Somehow Tayor has that blocked."
"The ring," Insa explained. "It gives him powers you can't image. Its how he trapped us here. Can your mindspeak reach anyone? Anyone at all?"
"No," Pelic said. "I can't even reach the other Shadows, and I usually have direct contact with Graym and Jayce. What about you and the other Dragons?"
"Rage can't hear me," Insa told him. "Neither can Cutter or any of the others in the Academy."
"What about the Dragon with Zarin?"
Insa stopped and looked back at Pelic. He hadn't thought of that. He had tried Zarin and Reno without any success, but not Rese. Being a Dragon, this just might work.

The city was in total chaos with Orcs running wild everywhere. Shops and homes had been broken into and fires burned all through the city. This night had been worst then the night of Exodus. They had been caught completely by surprise. Morganz had taken a portion of the city guard to Prafa to investigate rumors of an uprising against Sarella's control when Gorak invade with Tayor Larin and the Bloodfalls. Without the proper amount of warriors to defend the city, the council had ordered the remainder of the guards to evacuate the citizens of Winterhaven through secret tunnels to new Keanna the closest place of safety. Insa had objected and fought against the order. He argued that evacuating the city would mean abandoning the Academy. He refused to do that seeing as it had just managed to make its way back to Winterhaven. But the council had been given a report on where it had gone and what had happened. They knew it come back with a Savonti and Pentanthian force that was completely able to protect itself. So the order was given to evacuate.
While the citizens escaped through the tunnels, the cities defenses were again activated to repel invaders. Unfortunately, there was someone with the invaders that was quite familiar with the cities defenses. Someone who had been very active in the planning of those defenses and knew how to get around and cancel certain defensive spells on the cities walls and gates. Tayor Larin the self-proclaimed king of Winterhaven.
With the cities defenses down, Tayor marched the invaders in through the front gate. His first order was to have the Orcs man the city walls, then he ordered a search of the city and with Gorak and Tabor at his side, he went straight to the council building where Insa and Pelic waited for them.
"Aiya old friend." Tayor climbed down from his horse. "I'm pleased to see you still here. It means I don't have to hunt you don't to take my revenge."
"You just don't give up, do you Tayor." Insa stood there with the wind blowing through his gray robes. "When will you learn that Winterhaven does not need or want a king. This is a free city beholding to no king."
"Nothing is free!" Tayor yelled. "Freedom is an illusion, nothing more! The strong lead the weak as it will always be!"
"And which are you?" Pelic asked. "The strong or the weak? A strong man does not need Orcs to back him up. That's more for a weak man."
Tayor was furious. He held up his hand and the ring of Endrin flashed sending a wave of power at Insa and Pelic. As it hit them, his voice boomed out with a thunderous order.
"Get on your knees!"
Both Pelic and Insa fell straining to their knees. Neither could resist the power if the ring of Endrin.
"I could order you to your deaths if I wanted to." Tayor came over and slowly walked around them. "I could force you to kill each other if I want too. But I have something else in mind for you. Lock them in the council chambers. I'll deal with them later."
"Are you sure?" Gorak asked from behinds Tayor. "I don't trust them. I think you should kill them now and be done with it."
"Take them away." Tayor ignored the Orc. "I want into the Academy. Tabor, follow me."

"I knew leaving the city was a bad idea!" Morganz kicked the side of the chariot Athene had been riding in. "I knew something stupid would happen. I felt it deep in my bones."
"Calm yourself Morganz," Marcus said from his place on the cliff the overlooked Winterhaven. "You had to follow orders. Going to Prafa wasn't your idea, but it was your mission. Now we just have to get back in the city."
"How?" The Elf captain asked. "We can't use the tunnels, they were collapsed The Orcs watch the gates. There's no way in."
"There are still ways in," Athene said. "We just have to find them. Have your men search the walls. Look for ways that may have been overlooked."
 [We know a way.]
Athene looked up as two ravens came flying out of the forest followed by a tall black panther. Marcus grabbed a crossbow and aimed at the cat. Athene put her hand on his arm to stop him.
"Hold." She said. "I think these are friends coming with information."
Landing on the chariot, Trip and Thalia shifted then stepped up as the panther joined them. Shifting forms, Dack climbed to his feet and stood with his friends.
"Now I see why you guys like shifting so much." He smiled. "That was fun!"
"Dack, Thalia, Trip." Morganz hugged Thaila. "It's good to see you all here safe and sound. Where's Zarin and Reno? They should be here with you."
"Where else?" Dack said looking down at the city.
Morganz followed his gaze, then turned back to them. Where else indeed. But why?
"There's a lot we have to tell you," Thalia explained. "But first, you should know that Tayor and Tabor Larin are back in Winterhaven."
"And they have a weapon of enormous power." Trip added.
"The Ring of Endrin," Athene said. "Insa told me about it, but he said you had it."
Not anymore." Trip looked down at Winterhaven. "Tabor took it from us, and there's one more thing."
"What?" Athene asked afraid to hear what they were about to say. These kids had been through a lot in the past few months. They had grown a lot. She hoped it hadn't done any permanent damage to any of them.
"Tabor killed Lissette Testa." There was a tear in Dack's eye at that memory. "Now Zarin is after him."
"We have to find him and stop him," Athene said. "If he kills Tabor in anger, He will have taken his first step to becoming a dark mage. We can't let that happen."
"Then we have to get down into Winterhaven to stop him." Morganz had a worried look on his face. These kids were like his own. He had watched them grow for years. He didn't what to see anything happen to any of them. "But how do we got into the city?"
"The sewers," Dack told them. "We go through the sewers. That's how we got out of the city. We can show you the way in."
[Not without us!]
"Craven!!" Thalia jumped from the chariot. "Where are you?"
[Look in the bay.] He sent. [See the ships coming in? It's the house of Karnevil, sworn to fight at our side.]
[Can we trust them?] Morganz asked.
[They are my family and clan.] Zark added. [If you trust me, then trust them.]
[We'll wait for you at the bottom of the cliff.] Morganz said grabbing his pack. "Everyone get packed, We move out in ten minutes to take back our city."

On the wall of the Academy, Cutter watched as Orcs used battering ram and trees cut from the forest to try and force their way in. They used siege towers and ladders and anything they could think of to try and breach the walls without success. As he watched. Kalin Ka stepped up beside him.
"Their endeavor is useless," Kalin said. "Nothing they can do can break that spell."
"What about their magic?" Cutter asked. "Orcs do have magic, Pretty strong if I remember correctly."
"No Orc magic can break that spell." Kalin laughed. "We have nothing to worry about."
"Kalin." Cutter turned to him. "There's more then Orc magic out there to worry about. I sense unbelievable power really close by. The power that can break through your spell. We better be ready when they use it."
"We will be my friend." He said as he turned to leave. "Have faith in us."
With one last look, Cutter started down from the wall. He had been really worried all day. He was feeling fear radiating from all around him since the invasion started. The cadets were scared. After all, they had gone through on Pentanthin, they had come home to another war still going on. He had hoped Winterhaven had settled this while they were away, but he guessed that was too much to ask for.
At the bottom of the wall, the cadets were readying different types of defenses in case the Orcs somehow made it through the spell. Crossbows where being loaded and pits were being dug and filled with either spikes or flammable liquids.
As Cutter hurried back to the Academy door, he heard a voice call out to him.
[Brother, Can you hear me?]
[Who calls?] Cutter stopped with his hand on the door. Cutter knew it was a dragon calling, but he didn't recognize the feel of the call.
[I am Tempus.] Came the answer. [I am here to warn you of the danger outside your gates. There is a man there with weapons even a Dragon has no power against.]
[I feel him brother.] Cutter said as he went to the school. [How do I defeat him?]
[You can't but we can.] Tempus sent. [I warn you not to try and fight him. Leave him to us. Aiya brother.]
[WAIT! YOU UNDERESTIMATE  HIM! YOU CAN'T DEFEAT HIM ALONE!]
Cutter tried to call him back, but the contact with Tempus was gone. From the contact, he could tell Tempus was a very young dragon. Whatever he had planned, from the feel of the power out there, thew Dragon would have no chance to win. He would need help and from the feel of the enemy, Cutter knew just who to call.

From the sewers, Zarin, Reno, and Rese disguised as Orcs in Bloodfall red made their way through the marketplace. Many shops were on fire. They had been ransacked of all the goods and defiled by the Orc invaders. Zarin wanted to check his home by Reno convinced him there wasn't time. They had to find Tabor and Tayor and see what they were up too.
Since Tayor's manor had been destroyed, Zarin figured they had to be in one of two places. They were either back at the Academy with the invaders trying to get in, or they could be in the council building, the seat of power for the city. Being there were just a few blocks from the Academy, they decided to check there first. Then suddenly, Rese heard someone called out for Tempus.
[Tempus, can you hear me?]
Rese stopped holding out his hand holding Zarin from going any further.
"What is it Rese?"
"Someone's calling me." He said. "It's a Dragon."
"Insa?"
"I think so."
"Find out where he is."
[I hear you Uncle.] Rese answered. [Zarin wants to know where you are. are you safe?]
[I'm being held with Pelic in the council building.] He said. [Tayor has us under the spell of the ring. We're powerless to resist and can't use our magic.]
Rese relays Insa's message to Zarin. Zarin thinks for a minute, then gives Rese a message to send back.
[Uncle.] Rese sent. [We're going to free you and try and get you to the Academy for your protection. We can't counter the ring, but we have the chain and it's magic rivals that of the ring.]
[Be careful young one.] Insa sent. [The Orcs are expecting a rescue attempt. They know there are still a few loyal Winterhaven warriors hiding in the city, they will be waiting for you.]
[We will be there within the hour.] Rese sent. [Be ready to go.]
The council building was two blocks up, Zarin, Reno, and Rese walked slowly trying not to draw any attention from any of the raiding Orcs. It didn't take them long to make their way to an alley across from the towering building. Out front, Orcs fought and argued over different items they had found in the cities shops, Weapons, and armor, jewelry and clothing. Silly thing that was easily replaceable for the shop owners.
"Are you ready?" Zarin asked his companions who shook their heads in readiness. "Try not to talk. Let me do the talking."
With their heads held high, they stepped out and started for the building's entrance in their Orc disguise. They had to walk around a few groups fighting in the street to get to the door. As they approached, an Orc in old rusted armor stepped out from the side of the entrance. He sneered at them barring their way.
"Where are you going?" He asked with his hand on his sword.
"Gorak sent us to watch over the prisoners," Zarin told him. "He thinks they might escape."
"There are guards watching." The Orc said. "We don't need you here."
Reno pushed Zarin out of the way and reached out and grabbed the Orc by the throat and pulled him to face him.
"You trying to get me killed for disobeying orders?" He struck the Orc hard right between his eyes. "I follow orders, you get in my way and I pound you into the mud. Now get out of my way!"
He pushed the Orc aside and went in. Zarin and Rese followed close behind him. The Orc rubbed his throat but didn't move to stop them.
"These are Orcs," Reno said without looking back at his friends. "You don't ask permission, you take what you want by force. You were never going to talk your way past him."
"Lesson learned." Zarin smiled.
They made their way up through the floors passing offices and other meeting rooms. They passed the main council room and found the stairs that led up to Insa's private chamber. There they found four huge Orcs standing guard at the door to his chamber.
"Who are you?" An Orc with a patch over his right eye asked.
"Your relief," Reno said and pulled his club and bashed him over his head. Jumping quickly, he smashed it into the next one's stomach. As he folded over, Reno cracked him in the head and he fell.
As he turned, he saw Zarin's opponent go down and Zarin and Rese were on the last one beating him to the floor.
Moving to the door, Reno heaved his shoulder into it and forced it open. On the other side, Insa and Pelic looked up from their seats at the table.
"Zarin?"
"Yes, it's me." Zarin dropped his disguise and they went into the room. Insa stood and went and hugged them.
"It's good to see you three." He smiled.
"Greetings later," Pelic said. "We should get out of here. Any ideas?"
"I can take us out," Rese said. "And I can get you to the Academy or New Keanna if you want."
"The Academy will do." Insa told him."There's enough room here for you to shift and up above there is a dragon-sized gate we use to escape."
"I can't escape Professor." Zarin looked him in the eyes. "I'm here to end this. Tabor and his father must be stopped today once and for all."
"I understand." Insa said with a hand on Zarin's shoulder. "But you can't do this alone.Tabor, Tayor, Gorak, that's not going to be a one man fight. You will need our help."
"Can we talk about this later?" Reno stepped in. "Tempus is ready."
"Then lets go."

"Father." Tabor looked at him glassy eyed. "They are here."
"Where?" Tayor asked.
"They just freed Insa from his chamber. They are coming here."
"And you said your Orcs could keep Insa imprisoned." Tayor sneered at Gorak. "I should have known better then to trust you."
"They will suffer for their failure." Gorak looked up at him worried. "That I promise you."
"They won't be the only one's to suffer." Tayor turned to Tabor. "I will leave Zarin and his friends to you. Can you take care of them?"
"It will be my pleasure." Tabor smiled and turned to walk off.
"Take Gorak with you. You will need help."
Tabor stared at the Orc with contempt then turned and walked away.
"Kill them all." Tayor warned Gorak. "Or you will deal with me."
Gorak nodded and hurried after Tabor. Once Gorak was gone, Avirex appeared at Tayor's side. Her dark cloak hiding her face and billowing in the wind.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"Only to see how this ends and to get what you promised me."
"You will get nothing if you fail me." He told her. "I will rule here or I will destroy this city."
"I give you what you asked for." She floated closer to him. "I will have what you promised no matter what happens. I don't care if you win or lose. I only want what is my due."
"Be careful." He showed her the ring. "I wear the Ring of Endrin. I control my destiny."
"You are a stupid man." She laughed, "You always were, even when we were married. I will be back for what is mine."
"I'll show you who the stupid one is!!"  Tayor leaped from  his chair and kicked it over. He yelled for Hamar, son of the chief of the Bloodfalls to be brought to him. He was sick of waiting and wouldn't wait any longer. He would have his city or see it destroyed by his own hand.
Minutes later, Hamar came to answer his call.
"I will have a break in the walls in a few minutes. Have your warriors ready. Show no mercy but nothing is to be taken from the school. Do you understand?"
"Yes Lord Larin." Hamar bowed.
"Good." He stood up and turned to his tent. "Go rally your warriors and remember, this place is mine!"
Tayor walked off to the tent they had erected for him. Once there, he conjured the little pocket dimension and pulled the blue jar from its hiding place. He took it to the table where his maps of Winterhaven had been. Tayor kicked the table aside and uncorked the bottle and sat it on the ground.

"BY RIGHT OF MIGHT AND RIGHT OF POWER I CALL APAS DURAH FORTH FROM THE BOTTLE TO DO HIS MASTERS BIDDING."

Blue smoke billowed out of the bottle and filled the tent. Tayor took a step back as his small tent turned into a huge chamber with high ceilings. As the smoke filled the room, it began to form itself into great dark form of a Djinn. He formed from the waist up into an muscular gray skinned man with his lower parts trailing in smoke to the bottle. He had a thin mustache above his thin lips and a long goatee with a gold ring that kept it secure. From the top of his skull grew a long braid that reached down his back. As he finished forming from the smoke cloud, his eyes openned and he looked down on Tayor with sly evil grin, the burst into a thick laugh that echoed through the air.
"Who holds the bottle of Apas Durah?" The voice thundered through the chamber. "Let him speak now!"
"I hold the bottle." Tayor stepped forward holding the bottle out so it could be seen. "That makes me your master and you must do what I command!!"
"You hold the bottle, that is true little man and I must obey you for now." Apas Durah moved down until he was face to face with Tayor. "But I will have my freedom, so have a care my new master."
"Your wishes mean nothing to me." Tayor shouted. "But mine are what's important."
"What is your wish, my Master?"
"Bring down the gates to the Academy so my warriors can attack."
"Your wish." Apas Durah flared up into a smoke cloud and disappeared. "Is my command."

With Craven, Zark, Morganz and the Karnevil Orcs behind them, Dack led them through the sewers to the exit into Winterhaven. Thalia and Trip in raven form flew over the walls with Athene and made their way to the Academy. As they watched from the dark sewer tunnel, Zark gathered Kellem, Craven, Morganz, Marcus and Dack to his side.
"Kellem." He gripped his brothers shoulder. "You and I will go in first. We will clear and of the Bloodfall scum from the streets out there then the others will follow. Morganz and a small force will take the front gate while Marcus Dante will take the south gate. The rest of us will go straight to the Academy."
"What about us?" Dack asked.
"Find Zarin and do what you can to keep him from taking his revenge on Tabor." Zark looked at Craven and Dack. "Do not let him throw away his soul to darkness."
Working quietly on the sewer grate, Morganz stepped aside as Zark and Kellem slipped into the city, There were five Orcs standing outside the grate. Zark slipped up behind them and ran one through then pulled his blade free and slaged the next through the neck. Kellem with his mace in hand, bashed a third Orc then kicked another in the back of his legs. He crumbled to the ground where Zark quickly beheaded him. As the last Orc tried to run. Kellem threw his mace. It flew straight and true and crashed into the running Orcs head toppling him to the ground.
Looking around to make sure no other Orcs had seen them. Zark signaled the others to move out. With Karnevil warriors quietly pouring out of the sewers, Zark stood at the head of the line.
"You all know your assignments." Zark held his sword high over his head. "We are Orcs and we have sworn our aid to help free this city. For freedom and the honor of Clan Karnevil! Winterhaven shall be free again!"
With a cheer, Clan Karnevil spread out through Winterhaven and fought back the Bloodfalls and the Blackbanes. First Marcus Dante with a band of Karnevil Orcs and Winterhaven city guards struck at the poorly manned south gate. The fighting was quick but furious as the Oggha and his Blackbane's were overwhelmed by superior forces. When it was done, Marcus Dante left a small force there to hold the gate, and he ordered his force to the north gate.
The north gate wasn't as easy or as quick. Drega of the Bloodfalls stood tall in charge of the northern gate. He and his clan was on high alert for any suspicious movement in the city. Having captured a group of Bloodfalls and stolen their arms and armor, Morganz had his Orc warriors switch their armor to disguise themselves as Bloodfalls. With Morganz and his warriors in chains, they led them back to Drega at the gate. Though Drega questioned the warriors, he accepted them and ordered them to be taken in and questioned. Once all of the prisoners were gathered in yard at the gate. Drega came down and had Morganz ppulled aside from the rest. As Morganz stepped out of line, he broke the chains that held him and called his warriors to attack.
With a savage yell the fight was on. The Karnevil warriors ripped away the Bloodfall armor, pulled their weapons and dived into the fight.  Morganz with sword in one hand and a dagger in the other fought his way through the ranks of Orcs. He lunged forward stabbing one, then sliced at another and jumped and cross swords and kicked the next into the path of a Karnevil warrior who grabbed him and slammed him to the ground and stomped his head.
Turning to be ready for the next attack, Morganz saw Marcus Dante and his warriors enter the yard to join the battle. As Marcus Dante charged in to attack, Drega leaped in to face the Winterhaven captain. Faced with a much taller foe, Marcus pulled a short sword and stuck out for a death blow at Drega. Swinging his club up, Drega blocked Marcus's strike and swung his club down shattering the guardsman's arm. Marcus stepped back in pain with his arm hanging limp at his side. Seeing his friend in danger, Morganz leaped out and started running to get to Marcus's side before it was to late. With a blank look on his face, Drega raised his club over Marcus's head. Morganz threw his dagger at Drega trying to stop him from smashing it into Marcus and killing him but it was no use. Drega never felt the dagger sink into his shoulder. With a grunt, he slammed the club down onto Marcus crushing his head and shoulders. Morganz screamed as he saw his friend die.
As Drega turned from Marcus's body, Morganz  was on him. With his elven speed, Morganz attacked. Drega tried to fight him off but Morganz was furious. His blades danced and cut in an unstoppable storm as he forced Drega back against the gate wall. Drega tried one last swing at Morganz as blood ran from many cuts and slices in his arms, legs, chest and face. As he raised his club to hit the elf, Morganz sank his dagger into Drega's chest piercing his lungs. Blood ran from his mouth as Drega tried to get air into his lung. With one final thrust, Morganz ran his sword through the Orcs heart.
As Drega's body fell to the ground, the Elven captain reached down and grabbed the front of his chain mail and pulled him up to face him.
"That." He said. "Was for my friend Marcus Dante. He died with honor."
Morganz took his cloak from Drega's back then dropped him and walked back to Marcus's body. He spread the cloak over Marcus and said good bye to his friend.
"Aiya my friend." Morganz reached over and placed his hand on Marcus's body then touched his chest in the Elven salute to his friend. "May Lord Nestor welcome you into the Elysian Fields and give you eternal rest."
Gathering a hand full of soil, Morgan sprinkled it over Marcus's body. Then with a final salute, he stood up and turned away.
All the Bloodfalls had been defeated and either lay dead, or had been placed in cells. Morganz ordered fifteen warriors to stay and protect the gate. The rest he ordered to gather all the weapons and move on to the Academy to put an end to this foolishness once and for all.

The Banshee's Demise. 91

As lightning flashed through the skies of Kyan, Sarella paced back and forth in her castles study. Something had gone wrong. She had been at her onyx mirror for hours trying to contact her master, but there had been no answer in days. Why was he not answering? Had she done something wrong? She had followed his orders to the letter. She had captured Vasagi, though she still couldn't enter the Vampire city. She had used the gifts he had given her to take control of Prafa, Remus and many other cities and forced war all through Taggitia. She had formed an alliance with Talsara Darkshade and helped her to enslave and gain control of the Elven lands. She had also sent Gorak back to Ardia where he had taken control of two of the four ruling clans of that country. Now they were in her power. What had she done to displease her Nightmare god?
She walked to the balcony doors and opened them and stepped out into the storm. The raging storm was beautiful she thought. So much violence and power, just what she needed right now to ease her mind to do what she thought had to be done, Though she couldn't reach Extremus, she still had to follow his orders and move on. She was so close to achieving his desire to control all of Taggitia. She still had her Nighwalkers and the red eyed Wolves of Remus. She only had Wintehaven, Tir Na and the Dragon city left to defeat, then the way would be clear for Extremus to come out, take over and make her a goddess and his queen of the gods. Her work was not done, and it was to finish what Tayor Larin had started.
Walking out to the edge of the balcony, Sarella raised her arms and took a deep breath and screamed. Propelled by her scream, Sarella shot up and out into the night riding the night winds to face her enemy and her chance at being a goddess.

On the shores of Shyr, in the country of Dree, two ravens sailed quietly through the sky while below, a panther silently followed. Thorough the trees they flew, spiraling and circling over the elven forest with their eyes scanning down searching as they flew. Below, the panther was stalked. He was on the prowl for a very special scent. One his magic had told him was somewhere very close.
[I can feel him.] Dack sent to Trip and Thalia overhead. [Do you see anything?]
[Nothing so far.] Trip sent. [Are you sure he's here?]
[Positive. My location spell had never failed before. He's here somewhere.]
[Stay low.] Thalia sent. [I'll go high. I might spot something from up there.]
Thalia angled her wings and caught a thermal and soared higher over the forest. From there she spotted the Knymm river as it twisted its way down to empty into the Shyr. It was strange not to see the people of Dree and Aquilona anywhere on the river. This damned war had devastated many parts of Aspara Bough and the elven lands, she hoped it would be over soon.
From up high, she saw the ruins of a small village. The houses had been burned and the fields were all blackened with ash. Further up there was a muddy field, Thalia could tell, there had been a battle here not to long ago. There were over turned war wagons and carrion birds feasting on what was left of the dead. If Thalia wasn't in her raven form, this sight would have had her in tears.
As she turned north, she spotted something that grabbed her attention, There was cabin not to far from the shore of the river. It just like all the others she had seen except for one thing. There was smoke  coming up from the chimney. This cabin hadn't been abandoned. There was someone there, but who could it be? There was one way to find out. If it was either of them, Dack would be able to tell once he was close enough.
Turning back to the south, Thalia winged her way back to meet Trip and Dack. She found the further back down the river and dropped down to shift and join them.
"How'd you do?" Trip pulled a waterskin from his bag and took a sip then passed it to Dack. "We haven't found anything."
"But he's here somewhere." Dack said wiping his mouth. "I know Tabor's chi, I've been hiding from it for years. I'd know it in my sleep."
"I might have found him." She said. Thalia sat down and took a drink. "There's a cabin up river."
"What makes you think he's there?" Trip asked. "I saw a lot of empty houses out there. The Dark Elves really tore these parts up."
"This one has smoke coming from the fireplace." She looked at him annoyed. "You see much of that?"
"We should check out." Dack stood up and brushed off his bottom. "Shall we?
"Let's go." Trip put the waterskin back in his pack then shifted back to raven. [Which way?]
"Follow me."
Thalia and Dack shifted and took off heading north with Trip right behind them.

"It's time." Tayor Larin grabbed his cloak and cane from the rack by the fireplace. "I will wait no longer for what should be mine. Sarella and the Dragons will pay today for their treachery."
Tabor looked up at his father and gave him as sly evil smile. Today should be much more then what his father expected if all went as he planned. What Tayor didn't know, was that Tabor knew all his plans. He knew that Tayor wanted control of Winterhaven and all of Taggitia, even if it meant sacrificing his one and only son.
"We'll see about that." Tabor thought as he got up out of his chair. He had given his father the Ring of Endrin, but there was something about the ring that Tayor didn't know. Though he wore the ring, Tabor still had complete control over it. He could turn the ring on his father or anyone else he wanted at any time.
"Where would you like to go first?" Tabor asked. "Sarella or the Dragons?"
"Winterhaven." Tayor rubbed the head of his glowing cane. "Sarella lost her hold on the city and I think I can still get it back under my control. Besides, I have a score to settle with Insa and the Council."
"How?" Tabor asked. "It'll take an army get Winterhaven back under control."
"I still have assets." He smiled. "Sarella thinks I'm weak. She forgets who it was that called her from the dark pits. I don't need her pitiful army. I have power she could never have and I'm going to use it."
"Good." Tabor walked to the door of the cabin and opened it and stepped out. "I'm tired of running and hiding. I want to go home. There are scores I want to settle too."
"Then we're off to Winterhaven." Tayor raised has cane and drew a glowing circle in the air in front of him. A magical globe appeared and he stepped into it. "Climb in and we're off."
Tabor stepped in and the globe lifted off and streaked off to the north.
From the edge of the forest, two ravens and a panther watched them fly off. One raven dropped down to land on the panthers back.
[You were right.] Trip sent. [It was Tabor, and they're heading home.]
[We have to warn Zarin and Insa.] Dack told them. [Troubles on it's way.]

It was total chaos when Sarella appeared over Vasagi. It obvious to her that a battle happened here very recently. There where bodies everywhere littering the fields outside of the city, dead and dying. Both Vampires, Werewolves and a number of her risen dead. Sarella flew down to her commanders tent and pushed her way in to find Youron there looking beat up.
"What's happened here?" She demanded.
"Remus and Prafa turned on us." He said stumbling to his feet. "Don't ask me how, but the spell we had them under has failed. We no longer hold Prafa, Remus or any of the cities we captured with that damned stone you sent out. You know what that means don't you?"
"I would be very careful how you speak to me." Sarella said calmly. "I am still in control here. That stone was not the only weapon I have in my possession. My song can still drive men and beast to do whatever I want them too and my kiss is still fatal."
"What about vampires?" Youron asked. He had a strange look on his face. "Can you control them too?"
"No man can resist my song." She floated around the table as Youron withdrew to the other side. "It doesn't matter if he is human, vampire, elf or werewolf."
"Then we're in luck." Youron walked to the tent entrance. "I have something you should see."
From the tent, Youron escorted Sarella out and on through the camp. Though they had just been through a massive rebellion, there was still plenty of warriors there to use as a fighting force. Orcs and trolls, men, vampires and werewolves work to restore the camp to an orderly fashion.
As they made there way through the  camp, a warrior stopped them and asked what they should do with the rebellion survivors. Youron ordered them to be put to death. He explained to Sarella that having any disloyalty in their ranks could turn against them later in battle. She agreed but had a different punishment in mind. She wanted them rounded up and put somewhere where she would deal with them herself. Youron knew what she had planned and it sent shivers down his back.
From there, Youron took her top a dark tent set aside from the rest of the armies tents. Youron told her this tent was for two special prisoners they had caught. Curious, Sarella looked at Youron with suspicion. She didn't trust the sniveling human. He had betrayed Tayor Larin his old master and he could be planning to do the same to her.
"What is this?" She asked.
"Your only way into Vasagi." He smiled holding open the tent flaps. "You will see once you're inside."
"If you trick me or try and betray me." She said. "Not even your death will stop my revenge."
"I only wish to serve you my Queen." He bowed while stile holding open the tent entrance.
"You've been warned."
Sarella ducked her head and went into the tent. It was dark in there, but what was a little darkness to a creature of the dark like Sarella. Once inside she saw the tent was empty except for two men, on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs. Youron stepped over and lifted their heads to show her their faces. For a second she didn't recognize them. Then the scar on the dark haired ones face told her exactly who he was.
"Prince Azeal." She smiled and turned to the other one. "Then you must be Tanis Gaelich, son of Balthazar Gaelich. You were right Youron. This does please me. Welcome to my world young prince. With you here, I can get into the city. Vasagi will be mine and Winterhaven and New Keanna will be next!"
"Don't count on it witch!" Azeal said. "There's nothing you can do that will make be betray my father or my friends."
"We shall see about that."
Sarella started to hum and sing very softly. Azeal felts something very strange happening inside his head. It was like he was falling asleep but his body wouldn't fall over. Soon he felt completely numb all over.
"They are mine now." Sarella laughed.

As the sun slipped out from the eastern mountains, Sarella gathered her troops outside the gates of Vasagi. At her side stood Youron and glassy eyed Azeal and Tanis. At had been a very good night for her. Once the surviving rebels had been rounded up, they were turned over to her. she spent the next three hours absorbing their life energy. By morning, she glowed with power. She felt indestructible.
With her warriors gathered all around ready to sack the city, Sarella sent Azeal and Tanis down to open the gates and let her into Vasagi.
"Open the gates to my new city." She ordered.
Azeal nodded and with Tanis at his side, they headed down to the gates of the city. At Sarella's side, Youron watched with eager anticipation. He knew the vampire city was loaded with riches and other magical items that could make him as powerful as Tayor Larin ever was. He was almost drooling with greed.
As Azeal approached the massive gates, he looked back at Sarella. From her throne, she waved him on. She wanted the vampire's magic very badly. Turning back to the gate, Azeal reached out and placed his hands on a jeweled ring that hung over his head. He cleared his throat so his voice would be clear when he spoke.

"I, Azeal Draza Zlenka, crown prince of Yadessa, wish to enter the capital city of Vasagi. Let these gate my command!"

As Azeal finished his royal command there was a loud bang and the sounds of locked clicking and bolts sliding. Azeal stepped back as the gates cracked open and dust blow out of the opening. Once the door was wide enough for them to enter, Azeal and Tanis stepped in and disappeared from view.
"Quickly." Youron shouted. "The gates open, push the doors apart and get in there!"
Jumping to obey Youron's order, four warriors rushed to the gates and started pushing them open. Then all of a sudden as the doors were open, something shot out at the four warriors and grabbed them. They screamed as their bodies were crushed and thrown back at Sarella's feet.
"What is the meaning of this?" She screamed. She jumped up from the throne and looked back to the gate to see Valkar Zlenka, king of Vasagi standing there with Azeal, Tanis, Tof Tyr, Sting and a host of vampires and werewolves.
"This is my city." Valkar raised his sword and pointed at Sarella. "And you can't have it!!"
As Valkar and his allies charged out of the city, Youron jumped in front of Sarella and ordered his warriors to attack. The two armies charged and clashed with a fury. Vampires dived down attacking from the air while below, Werewolves dived in ripping and tearing at their enemies. Men fought, hacking at Sarella's warriors while her Orcs and Trolls bashed down rows of Valkar's warriors.
In his scorpion form, Sting's claws snapped while his stinger stabbed out at warrior after warrior.
Seeing that her forces were quickly falling, Sarella sent out a call for a special group of warriors she kept hidden not to far away from the city and then took to the air herself.
As she took flight, her scream blasted Vampires out of the sky with pin point accuracy. One after another they fell battered by her scream. With her forces losing, Sarella needed something to hold Valkar's fighters back until her reinforcements could arrive. She soared high doing circles over the city, once there, she let out a scream that paralyzed all the fighting on the ground.
Covering his ears, Valkar ran and grabbed Azeal and Tanis and pulled them back to the gate. He screamed trying to communicate with them but neither of them could hear over Sarella's scream.
[We have to stop that scream.] Valkar sent. [We are helpless against it.]
[How?] Tanis asked. [I don't know anything that can shut her up, do you?]
[I have an idea.] Azeal sent. [I know someone who my be able to help,]
[Who?] Valkar asked. Sarella's scream was ringing through his head disorienting him, sapping his strength. The three vampires fell to their knees to weak to stand.
[Grandfather!!] He sent. [Her scream won't affect him.]
Lifting his head, Valkar crawled to the gate and forced himself to his feet. He reached up and grabbed the jeweled ring Azeal had used to open the gate and called out to his great ancestor.

"Baron Valkar Zlenka, Yadessa needs your help. Please come to us!"

A blast of wind blew out from the city gates as Baron Valkar appeared. He looked down at Valkar laying at the gate and flew down to him. In a solid form he lifted him in him to a sitting position.
[Help us Grandfather.] Valkar sent. [Stop her scream.]
The Baron looked up at Sarella high over Vasagi screaming her banshee song. He knew her song kept Valkar's warriors from defending the city. His city. The city he built and once called his home. If she somehow was about to get in and gain the cities secrets, there would be no stopping her. Not even the Dragons would be able to stop her. This he could not allow to happen.
[I will stop her scream.] He told Valkar. [But it will be up to you to destroy her.]
[How?] Valkar asked.
[Only a Vampire weapon can bring down the Banshee.] Baron Valkar rose up floating towards Sarella. [Look to the young, for they hold the key.]
Like an arrow, Baron Valkar shot out at Sarella. As he flew he formed himself into a light pulse, and streaked straight for her throat and wrapped himself around her vocal cords. As he took hold, her scream turned to a dry gasp and stopped. With her soul sapping scream stopped, Valkar climbed to his feet and shook off the the remnants of her scream. He looked around and realized that if he didn't move fast, Sarella's warriors would soon be up and fighting again. But it was already to late. Youron was up and gathering his warriors for the attack.
As Youron called his warriors together, the sound of heavy wings beating against the air came out of the south, When Valkar turned to look, he saw a row of Gargoyles flying in from the mountains.
"They answer Sarella's call Valkar!" Youron shouted. "You have lost. Surrender the city and we might allow you to live!"
Just then, a roar came blasting from the north. Youron tuned to see Rage and Jandar with Shine, Blink and Icicle flying down out of the clouds to attack the Gargoyles.
"Its not over yet!" Valkar shouted and ran to Azeal and Tof. "I need Justice. Tof, you take care of Youron and his warriors. Send Sting and my warriors after the Orcs."
"What about me father?" Azeal asked.
"You and Tanis guard the city gates, don't let anyone get pass you." He took Azeal's weapon." I have a Banshee to kill."
With Justice in hand, Valkar flew up to meet Sarella. Still glowing with power, she hovered there waiting for him.
[I knew it would be you Valkar.] She sent. [You think because I can't use my scream that I'm helpless. Well you're wrong. I am well adapt at hand to hand battle, and my scream is not my only weapon.]
[You have cause a lot of devastation all across Taggitia.] Valkar said. [And for what? Revenge?]
[That's right.] She said as her beauty faded to be replaced by her true hideous gaze. [Revenge and power. The power to make the world sorry for what it did to me. Look at me. I was once beautiful with an innocent heart. Do you see what the world did to me, It made me a monster! I was raped and tortured until there was nothing left but hate.]
[And you think the world did that to you?] Valkar suddenly felt sympathy for her. He realized the beautiful face she wore at time was her true self before hate took her in its cold embrace. That was exactly what had happened to Baron Valkar so long ago. Maybe she could be saved just as he was.
Valkar held out Justice and dropped it to the ground. Sarella looked to him surprised.
[I won't fight you.] He said with a smile. [There has been to much pain and hate in your name already. Let me show you what love really is. Take my hand.]
Valkar reached out his hand to her trusting her completely and fully. This was her chance to destroy him. She could kill him right now and take the vampire city but something in his eyes made her reach out and take his hand.Suddenly flashes of laughter and friendly feelings. Images of Azeal and Ranjer as babies. Scenes of him making love top Velusia flooded her mind. She felt the worry Valkar had felt while Azeal had been missing. The joy he felt when his two sons were there with him and what it felt like to have his sons love and the friendship of all of his allies. Suddenly all of Sarella's hate just melted away to be replaced by a warm loving feeling. She looked up at Valkar's face. The smile had changed, not there was a look of surprise on his face.
"Sarella?"
"Yes?"
"Your face. its changed. Your beautiful."
She looked down at her hands, they were pink and full of life. No longer gray, dried and shriveled.
"Whats happening to me?" As she looked at Valkar her banshee magic began to fade and she fell. Valkar swooped down and caught her in his arms. She smiled at him and said thank you.
"The curse that made you a banshee has been broken." Valkar told her. "You're free."
With Sarella held in his arms, Valker flew back to the city gated and set her down. As he looked around, all the fighting was over. Youron was dead and her army was defeated. Tof and Azeal came walking over to stare at the beautiful woman that once had threatened all their lives. They bowed to her and that was the end of the battle of Vasagi, but not the ends of the war.

Nightmare Ends. 90

Quickly looking left and right, Nestor ran with Alea in his arms. They were in a strange dark forest being chased by shadows. As Nestor jumped over a huge log, a shadow leaped out at them. With Nestor unable to do anything, Alea reached out and sent a blast at the shadow. Her moonbeam hit the shadow and blew it to pieces.
With shadows coming from both sides, Nestor ran. He dodged between trees and hopped anything in his way. They had tried many times to lift off the ground and fly, but neither of them were strong enough. Off in the distance, Alea saw a hill that rose high over the forest. From there, they could defend themselves and hold the shadows off.
"There." She pointed to the hill. "Can you make it to that hill? It's small enough for us to defend."
"If you can keep them off us." Nestor said as he ran. "I can get us there."
With Alea settled in his arms, Nestor took off across the rocky plain. Behind him, four shadow creatures, huge saber toothed cats stepped out from dark areas behind huge boulders. As Alea watched, their glowing eyes searched the plains. It was obvious to Alea that somehow, these things were looking for them. It didn't take long before they saw Nestor running across the rocky wasteland. In great leaps they were after them.
"Hurry Nestor!" Alea urged him. "Trouble is close behind."
Without looking back, Nestor quickened his speed toward the hill. He pumped his heavily muscled legs like mad while Alea watched the shadows gaining on them by the second. With the shadows cats coming from the rear, Alea looked up and saw strange reptilian birds dropping down from the clouds. Raising her hand, she sent her moon blast at the screaming flock of sky terrors. One by one she blasted them out of the sky as Nestor ran up the hill and jumped over the rim of a small circular crater.
Once there, he placed her down and turned to the advancing saber tooth's. With a mighty leap, one was on him. Nestor reached and grabbed it out of the air and forced it to the ground. Snapping and snarling it fought back trying to get at him. Nestor grabbed it by the two long fangs and ripped them from the beast jaw and stabbed them into its chest. With a loud howl the shadow cat fell back over the rim of the crater to be replaced by another. Now armed with the two foot long fangs, Nestor stabbed and slashed at anything that came over the craters rim. At his side, Alea blasted shadow birds and cats alike.
As the minutes ticked by theY fought on. Nestor held the front while Alea fought at his back. Sweat poured off Nestor's muscled body as he dispatched his enemies. As each shadow died, its body rolled down the hill and faded into the nothing it had been created from.
"I grew tired." Alea said as she killed a cat then a bird that swooped down on them. "I can't keep this up to much longer."
"You have to my love." He said. "Or all is lost!"
Alea stood on her knees and poured more power into her moon blast. She was tired and feeling weak. Her vision was beginning to blur but she fought on. Then suddenly from her left, a cat leaped at her. She tried to turn and meet the charge, but it was to late. She took a deep breathe to scream when suddenly a beam of light blasted the cat to pieces. When Alea looked out, she saw Aramis, Rimnar and a dark haired pretty dirl running towards them.
"Nestor!" She called. "We are saved!"
"What?"He turned to look. Just then, a trio of shadow birds screeched and swooped down on Nestor. Aramis dived over the rim of the crater and sent out several short blasts that tore them out of the sky.
"ENOUGH!!"
Rimnar shouted sending out a wave of power that disrupted all the shadows gathered around to attack. In a burst of light they all exploded and fell to the ground to fade away. He took two steps over the rim of the crater and collapsed in front of Alea.
"FATHER!!"
She reached over and pulled him to her laying his head on her chest. He moaned and opened his eyes and smiled weakly.
"I will be fine." He said. "I just need to rest. Leave me here. You all go on."
"No father." Aramis said. "We're not leaving you here alone."
"Extremus has eyes everywhere." Matia said as she ripped a piece of clothe from her dress to wipe his brow. "If we leave you here alone, he'll have every shadow here attack you. Alone you won't stand a chance."
"Extremus?" Nestor turned to Aramis. "Then we're in Nightmare?
"Yes." Aramis nodded.
"No wonder I can't get control of the shadows here." He knelled down to Rimnar. "You know what this means, right? We're almost powerless here. We never should have given him control of nightmares. I was afraid this would one day come back on us."
"I had no choice, brother." Rimnar said. "He was powerful. It was either this or the Underworlds and there was no way I'd trust him with control over your realm."
"You're right." Nestor agreed. "His evil would have made Muerte look like a fairy god mother. You know we can't get out of here without help."
"Yes," Rimnar reached out and took Nestor's hand to help him to his feet. "Help will come when we need it most. Meanwhile, I think we should find Extremus and bring the fight to him before we're to weak to fight."
"And how do we do that?" Nestor asked his elder brother. "Do you know where he is?"
"No." Rimnar answered.
"But I do." Matia frowned.

From his throne Extremus sat and watched as Nestor and Alea stepped out from the crater with Matia leading while Aramis lent his father Rimnar a shoulder for support. So that bitch Matia had betrayed him. Extremus stepped down from his throne and grabbed a crystal goblet from the table and hurled it at his onyx mirror. It smashed and blood red wine disrupted the images it had been showing the god of hate. He had watched as Damiceius was defeated and banished to Keanna and Jax moved on. None of his shadows had any effect on Jax. He easily blasted them apart with wave of his hand. It seemed Jax was more powerful then Extremus and anticipated, but that didn't matter. He had only justice on his side while Extremus ruled hate and that could tear down mountains.
"Let him come." Extremus said aloud. "I will be ready. I'll will have a surprise waiting for him."
With that, Extremus threw back his head and laughed a loud hysterical laugh as he left the throne room.

After four hours of walking and dozens of shadow creature attacks, at last the dark towers of Extremus's palace could be seen over the dead forest in the distance. Aramis looked over to Matia who stood there with terror in her eyes. He reached over pulled her into a hug as she stared up at him.
"Don't be afraid." He smiled. "It's almost over. I'm taking you out of this terrible place."
"You promise?"
"With all that I am." He said. "I promise."
"Then I'm not afraid." Matia smiled.
In front of them there was a path that led down to a road that ran right into the forest looking like it went straight to the dark castle. Rimnar took a step onto the path when Matia stopped him.
"No." She said. "Not that way. That's the path of fear. Extremus will have that path watched very closely. No one has every made it very far alone that path. There is another way in, but we must be very careful. There are things in this forest that he created to guard his palace."
"I'll take the lead." Nestor stepped up. "Then Rimnar, Alea, Matia and Aramis, you cover our rear."
"Before we start on this journey." Matia turned to face them. "I have to warn you. This place is not like any other realm any of you have every been in before. Physically and mentally this is a land of horror. Nothing is real but everything here can kill you and it is all controlled by Extremus. The longer you are here, the weaker your physical body will become. We must defeat Extremus if we ever want to leave this place."
"I know a little about this place." Nestor told them as they started down into the forest. The path was much smaller and almost hidden from sight. "He once trapped a few dead souls here. I had to come in and retrieve them. I had a hell of a time finding my way around."
"How did you find them?" Aramis asked looking around the dense dark forest.
"Souls here glow with the energy of life." He said. "Even dead souls. Life is a precious gift and no matter how hard he try's, Extremus doesn't have the power to give his creations the spark to give them life."
Aramis smiled. Life was his domain and he knew why Extremus had failed. That secret would always stay with him.
 "As a living god." Nestor finished. "I tuned in on to any source of life here and it shined like a beacon. I simply flew straight to it and brought them out. But that won't work for us now because none of us are physically here. As I said before, it's going to take a strong force of life to get us free."
It seemed like hours the walked mile after mile. Shadows attacked many times with each attack getting more and more desperate. Nestor and Aramis fought off what seemed to be the ghostly spirit of a trio of warriors while Alea and Matia did battle against two wicked looking Harpies.
Then they came to deep crevice, a small sunken valley between two high cliffs where Alea held out her hand to stop them. Every sense in her being told her there was danger here.
"What is it my sweet?" Nestor whispered looking from side to side seeing only trees and darkness.
"There's something here." She said. "I can feel it. Walk carefully."
Slowly they entered watching each side for the slightest hint of movement. Along the sides of the cliffs, there were huge cave openings and scattered on the ground, they saw what looked like old chewed up bones. Then a strange smell caught their attention.
"Ugh!!" Matia covered her nose. "What is that smell?"
"I know that scent." Aramis grabbed her and pushed her behind him. "I know it very well. It's the smell of death!"
Then suddenly something howled and charged out of the caves. Quickly Nestor grabbed Aramis and pushed him ahead with Rimnar and Matia as three huge Ogres attacked.
"Take your father and Matia and get out of here! He shouted. "We will face the shadow Ogres and catch up with you!"
Concentrating Nestor and Alea grew to a size to match the two Ogres. He pulled the two fangs from his side and attacked. Alea formed a blade from her moon beams and jumped in at his side.
"GO!" Nestor yelled as he swung the fang in and slashed across the chest of the Ogre he battled.
Aramis wished them well and grabbed Rimnar by his waist and told Matia to run.
With the sound of battle echoing through the valley behind them, they ran out into the forest. Extremus's dark castle stood huge before them only a few miles away.
"What do we do?" Matia asked. Her voice cracked with fear.
"We go on." Rimnar stood up. "They will defeat the Ogres and they will join us when they can, but we have to get to Extremus now. There isn't much time, I'm getting weaker by the minute."
"Then let's go." reached out and took Matia's hand and squeezed it. "Have faith."

From high in the sky Jax spotted the obsidian palace and turned to head for it. He had had enough of fighting Extremus's shadow creatures. It was to to find him and end this. As he scanned the ground below him, he spotted the valley and saw the battle raging between Nestor and the Ogres. Looking closer, he realized Nestor was standing over Alea pitched in battle against two Ogres while another four lay dead on the ground. Like a stone he dropped to land behind the two Ogres. With both hands he reached out and grabbed them and smashed them together two times then dropped their crushed bodies. Nestor collapsed to his knees and lifted Alea up to cradle her in his arms.
"Is she?"
"No," Nestor shook his head. "She killed two then fell from exhaustion. My Moon Queens is very brave. She stood by my side as long as she could."
"Jax?" Alea opened her eyes and smiled when she saw him. "He knew you would come. He had no doubt. Help me up, we have to go help them."
"No Sister." He touched her beautiful face and wiped away tears. "I will bring them home. Your job is done. I'm sending you home to rest and get well. Go back to sleep."
Smiling, Alea closed her eyes and lay against her husbands chest sound asleep. Nestor held her and brushed the hair from her face.
"Send her home." He said. "I will come with you."
"No." Jax stood up. "Your going home too. I need you both home in case I fail."
"You? Fail? That doesn't sound like the god of Justice I know. You won't fail. It's not in your nature.
We will see you in Fortis."
With that, Jax cast his spell to send them home and Nestor and Alea disappeared in a burst of light.
Turning around, Jax looked at the ominous dark castle. This was his objective. This is where Extremus would be waiting for him. Removing his cloak, Jax leaped up into the air and headed in to save his family.

It was cold as Aramis opened his eyes. Completely confused, he looked around to see where he was. He was in some kind of huge room with black walls and dark wooden furniture. On the walls hung some kind of dreary dark drapes all around the room. The floor looked like black marble with swirling mist designs.
Aramis head ached. He tried to raise his hand to rub what felt like a lump on his head. That's when he realized he had been chained down. He shook himself trying to get loose, but he hads been chained at his hands and he feet. Where was he? He looked left and saw Matia chained next to him. Then he remembered where they were. This had to be the dark palace of Extremus. Aramis didn't remember, but some how, they must have been captured. Then a thought hit him. Matia was here next to him, but where was father?
Then he heard a scream of pain and the bellowing of mad laughter. He looked out and saw Rimnar laid out on a great slab with a strange bald hunchbacked and wrinkled man in dark robes standing over him. This had to be Extremus.
"Scream louder!" He laughed. "Your screams are sweet music to my ears."
"Why Brother?" Rimnar asked. "I gave you what you wanted. I gave you your own realm to rule over for eternity. What more did you want?"
"I want life and control over the living." He reached down and grabbed Rimnar by the hair. "You gave me nightmares when I should have been given control of much more. I was the oldest. I should have at all not you. Now my hate will roll across Keanna destroying everything you and your little gods created!"
He slammed Rimnars head into the slab again and again then weakly slapped him across the face. Rimnar lay there taking the beating growing weaker with each blow. He didn't know how much more he could take. He looked over to Aramis hanging on the wall.
"Now my hate will roll across Keanna destroying everything you and your little gods created!"
[Take care of Saila for me.] He sent. [Don't let her give up in dispair after I'm gone.]
[Don't give up father.] Aramis pleaded. [Jax is close. I can feel him. He'll be here soon, please don't give up!]
[I am all used up. Tell your brother how proud I am of him and that I love you all.].
"So now I take my final revenge on you brother." Extremus raised a dagger he took from his robe pocket. "In your weaked state, this should be all I need to kill you. Good bye High Father!"
As Jax burst into the room, Extremus plunged the dagger down into Rimnars chest piercing his immortal heart.
"Noooo!!"
Jax thrust out his hand and sent a wave of power at Extremus that threw his across the room to crash into his throne. He rushed to the altar and ripped off the chains that helds down Rimnar and lifted him up and took him over to where Aramis hung. As Extremus pushed the throne off of himself, Jax freed Aramis and Matia.
"Take him home." Jax stood and looked over as Extremus got to his feet. "I will deal with this one."
He cast the spell to send them home then stepped out to confront Extremus.
"So Justice has arrived finally." Extremus hobbled out leaning on a broken leg from his throne. He smiled a crooked smile. "Well your to late. Rimnar is dead and after I'm finished with you, Saila and the pothers will be next and there's nothing you can do."
"I am the god of justice." Jax said calmly. "And you extremus have broken the laws of both man and the gods. For causing the deaths of thousands of men. For waging an unjust war across Keanna. For aiding and abetting in the raids of cities and villages all over Taggitia, I will pass judgement on you. I find you guilty of crimes against Keanna."
Extremus threw down his crutch and raise his hands for battle. He slammed them together in a thunderous blast that blew his palace to pieces scattering fragments of shadow, then he stepped out onto his nightmare landscape changed. No longer was he the wrinkled old hunchback of a god. Now he was a gigantic creature of shadow radiating wave of shadow energy all around him.
Jax stepped back and called upon his own godly energy and drew himself to a size to match Extremus. As the lord of justice, Jax body became completely silver with a glowing arches radiating from his back. Silver talons grew from his hands and his eyes glowed with power.
Without another word, Extremus charged. He sent out bands of shadow to grab Jax. Like thick black ropes they tried to wrap themselves around him. Slashing out, Jax cut the bands as they closed around him and sent a blast of energy at the Nightmare god. Raising his hands palms out, Extremus cast a shield to intercept the blast. As the blast hit his shield, Extremus sent dagger like shadows at Jax. Jax closed the arches around himself catching each shadow blade before any could hit him.
With lightning like reflexes, Jax shot out his silver arches and battered Extremus. Like mighty arms the arches struck, sending punches at Extremus's body and face.
Pain ran through Extremus's body as he was forced back away from Jax. He staggered for a moment, then cast out his bands like insect legs and stood high over Jax. Forming a stinger from his bands, he stabbed down at Jax trying to skewer him. Jax leaped up into the air using his arches as wings and sent blast after blast at Extremus. Intercepting the blasts, Extremus reached out and grabbed Jax out of the air. With octopus like tentacles, he wrapped them around Jax and squeezed while he pulled him in.
"Fight all you want Young one." Extremus shouted. "In the end, it won't matter. You will die just like your father and my nightmares will cover Keanna turn it into my own private world of Delusion. There's nothing you can do about it."
The thought of all his friends having to die at the hands of Extremus and Sarella angered Jax. They had fought so long for peace. After defeating the evil of Polan Dressak, Balhazar Gaelich and Muerte, they all deserved to live in peace. At that moment, Jax swore they would and no nightmares would haunt their future.
"No Uncle!" Jax screams as he pushed out with all his power. "This ends now!!"
Like a star, Jax flared out with intense power and energy. Extremus's tentacles of shadow were ripped from his body and he fell to the ground blinded by Jax's power. As he hit the ground, his shadow power exploded leaving the crippled old god laying there dazed. Jax floated down to stand before him glowing with power.
"It's over." Jax voice boomed. "You will never hurt anyone else that I love."
"Not yet!" Extremus scrambled to his feet. "I haven't lost yet!"
With his hands held out, Extremus summoned every shadow, every bit of darkness that he could muster and sent it at Jax. Like a black tornado the shadows swirled around and attacked Jax covering him like a swarm of deadly insects. Jax fought to try and push them away. In seconds he was covered from head to toe. It was becoming impossible to breathe. Then out of nowhere he heard a voice in his head.
RELAX MY BRIGHT SON. I AM HERE. NO NIGHTMARE OR SHADOW WILL EVER HARM YOU.
[Father?]
YES MY SON. YOU SAVED US AND GOT EVERYONE HOME. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO GO HOME.
[What about Extremus?] Jax asked, [What about you? Will you be there when I get back?]
EXTREMUS WILL NEVER HURT ANYONE ELSE AGAIN. Rimnar promised. MY TIME IS UP AND I WILL TAKE HIM WITH ME INTO THE NEXT WORLD, BUT I HAD TO SPEAK TO YOU BEFORE I MOVE ON. I KNOW IN THE PASS WE HAVE HAD OUR DIFFERENCES, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO CALL YOU MY SON AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND WATCH OVER YOU AND THE OTHERS. FAREWELL MY YOUNG HERO.
[Farewell father. I love you too.]
When the darkness faded, Jax was standing in a field of grass on a lawn in Fortis. He was home.

The Garden of Delusion. 89

As Jax appeared in the dark skies of the Nightmare world, he gazed up at the black sun that shined overhead and thought how strange this place of fear was. He looked down and saw the twisted forest of dead trees beneath him. This place looked so cold and odd. He was use to bright skies and green forest with many different things living and running wild. Here, he know there was nothing but nightmare things of death and horror all around. He had to be careful for it was dangerous here even for a god like him.
Far high up in the gray clouds Jax circled down to land in a clearing just outside of the forest. There was a trail that he had seen from above that twisted its way through the trees. He pulled his cloak closed against the chill and started on his way in to search for his father and the others.
The forest was dark and cold. Every tree and blade of grass was gray and dead. From out in the shadows, Jax could hear things growling and creeping around. He could see eyes watching him as he passed down the trail. His hands glowed with power ready to blast anything that charged out at him.
As he walked, Jax looked up into the trees. There on a top branch, a single crow stared down watching him as he passed. Further on in the trees he saw a second and a third crow. All sitting quiet and just watching him. Pretty soon the trees were full of silent crows. None of them moved very much, they just sat there staring after him with their yellow glowing eyes.
Without taking his eyes off the crows, Jax stopped in the center of the trail. He removed his cloak and dropped it on the ground in front of him.
"I fear no dreams." He called out into the trees. "Or nightmares!"
As if on cue, the crows all started cawing and took to the air. Like a great black cloud they flew in circles over head then came together to merge into one giant bird and dived down at Jax. Raising himself up off the ground, Jax folded his arms across his chest and let the crow attack. With it's talons open, the crow dived down and reached out tried to grab him out of the air. When it touched him, Jax sent a surge of power out into the crow. With a scream the crow burst apart into small shadows and darted down into the trees.
Satisfied, Jax dropped back down to the trail. He picked up his cloak and dusted it off and started back down the trail. He knew Extremus would be here somewhere and if he wanted to save Rimnar and Aramis, he'd have to defeat the god of nightmares.

"You will have to do better then that." Damiceis said. "He doesn't look scared at all. I don't think your nightmares are affecting him."
"My nightmares affect everyone!" Extremus yelled. "They will drive him mad just like the others!"
"If you say so." Damiceis walked to a table and sorted through fruit in a bowl. "But I think maybe there's another way to go."
"What do you mean?"
"What if we were to weaken him with." Damiceis popped a grape into his mouth. "How about jealousy. That should make him be ready for your nightmares."
"Do your worse." Extremus smiled.

With Rimnar in the lead and Aramis close at his side, the two gods made their way through the dark city. They watched every shadow, every sudden movement from high or low. From the skitters that darted out to attack, to the over sized crows that kept watch from above. Every now and then, they would come down and get a little to close and Rimnar or Aramis would blast them, scattering them all through the blackened sky.
"There's something about them I should remember." Rimnar said eyeing the monster birds. "I've seen them before but I can't remember where."
"I know what you mean father." Aramis shook his head. "This place seems familiar, like I've been here before but I can't remember. My mind is so foggy."
"As is mine." Rimnar stopped and looked up at a crow that was watching them. "Maybe they are the answer. Maybe we should follow them and see where they take us."
"It as good a course as anything I can think of. But how do we get them to move? I think they're here to watch us."
"We do this."
Rimnar reached out and sent a blast at the closest crow. It jumped from the tree and took off into the air. As it took flight, Rimnar shot it down then he blasted three more as they tried to escape. Seeing what his father had planned, Aramis took aim and started killing crows. In a great swarm, all the crows in the trees took off. They kept blasting until Aramis noticed the biggest one and pointed it out.
It had taken off heading north.arms, Rimnar
"There!" Aramis pointed. "That one."
Spreading his arms, Rimnar concentrated and lifted himself up off the ground a few feet then fell back down onto the pavement. He stood up and tried again only this time he couldn't get off the ground.
"I can't fly!" Rimnar looked at Aramis confused. "I don't understand, what's wrong with me?"
"It's not just you father. I can't fly either. What do we do?"
"We run." Rimnar took off after the crow. "Hurry! We can't let it get away!"
Off through the grim city they ran. Past skitters and strange three legged four armed man like creature that tried to grab them as they passed. Though they were weakened, they still had the power to fight. Aramis blasted to the left while Rimnar took out anything to the right. It wasn't long until they found themselves standing at a rusted gate to a dark garden full of black and gray dead plants as the crow disappeared behind a dark mausoleum.
As they entered, they looked around. It was a dismal and grim place that looked sad and depressing.
Rose bushes with dried up dead flowers growing from long thorny stems were scattered all around the garden. Thick gray grass assorted weeds grew all around the mausoleum. As they walked through the garden, Aramis heard a sound that fit right into this dreary place. Soft sobs, someone was crying.
"Father." He stopped holding out his hand. "Do you hear that?"
Rimnar looked around for the source of the sad sounds. Over on the stairs of the mausoleum with her head down in her hands, sat a young girl in a long black dress. She was crying. Now in their life, both Rimnar and Aramis had seen thousands of people crying for many different reasons. Famine, sickness, war and the lose of a loved one, but this girl was different. Her cries touched something deep inside of them. It plucked at some note of sorrow deep down inside their soul. Aramis couldn't help but go to her.
As the two gods came close to her, she looked up at them. Aramis stopped as he stared down at her sad beautiful face. She had dark beautiful tender green eyes that seemed to just draw him in with sadness. Tears streaked down to drop from her perfect face. Her lips were red as ripe cherries that glowed against her pale skin.

"Sweet lady." Aramis knelt down to talk to her. "What could bring such sadness to someone so beautiful?"
"I'm lost." She said. "And this place scares me so much. I'm not sure what I should do."
"What's your name young lady?" Rimnar asked. He sat down beside her on the stairs.
"Matia." She answered wiping her eyes.
"Do you know what this place is?" He asked.
"It's where horrors come from." She told them.
Rimnar had no doubt of that. But where on Keanna were they? Or were they even on Keanna?
"There are horrible things all around us." She cried. "Always watching and waiting for a chance to attack. I try to fight, but I'm not very strong."
"We will protect you." Aramis reached down for her hand to help her up. "Stay with us, we'll find a way to get you out."
Matia looked up into Aramis eyes. She could see he meant what he was saying and she believed him. Could this be her chance to escape this worlds of nightmares?
[Your only chance isup and  to do what I ordered.] Extremus sent to her. His words were like hot needles pressing into her mind. Matia shook her head. [Fail me and you will suffer.]
Matia pushed Extremus down and out of her mind. She had a decision to make. To follow his orders or to take a chance and help these two gods. She knew if they were to gain their freedom, they could help her be free of Extremus. But if they failed and Extremus managed to win, she would sentenced to an eternity of nightmares. The choice was easy. She knew what she knew what she had to do
"My lords." Matia stood and grabbed Aramis hand. "Come with me. There is something I have to tell you, but we must be in the mausoleum  where he can't hear us."
"Who? Rimanr asked.
"Extremus."
With that name, Rimnar knew exactly where they were. Now everything they had seen made sense. They weren't anywhere on Keanna. They were on in an alternate dimension, one created and ruled by only one god. They were in Extremus's world of delusions and nightmares and getting out would not be easy.

Like a phantom, Damiceis drifted through the dark skies over the nightmare world with nothing but hate for Jax and the other gods of Fortis on his mind. For eons the others had ignored and dismissed him thinking he was forever below them. He was sick of it and he knew this was his chance to rise above them and see them all grovel at his and Extremus's feet. All he had to do was find Jax and fill his mind with jealousy and guilt. That should be easy he thought. The god of Justice should have many things in his past to feel guilty about. He had passed judgement over millions over the years and passed out many different punishments. There had to be many mortals he would felt guilty about. Or maybe jealousy. Damiceius knew Jax never really thought he was one of his fathers favorites. Not like Alee or Aramis. or even his warrior sister Serina. Damiceius smiled, he knew he had many weapons he could use against the so called righteous god.
From high overhead he spotted Jax's red hair and cloak as he moved though the forest. Gliding down, Damiceis carefully touched down and stopped to watch Jax to see if he felt his presence. Sensing nothing, Damiceis slowly made his way over to walk beside Jax. Carefully he tuned in to listen to his thoughts. He could sense his worry for the friends he had left behind to fight the war. He hoped they were safe but he was sure this was the only way to help them. Extremus had to be stopped if there was any chance for them to win. This could be something he could use.
[There's no chance.] He whispered in Jax's ear. [You left them to fight against one of the most powerful gods alone. No magic they knew could defeat Extremus, and you just left them. You should be with them. You can't help Rimnar.]
Damiceis felt a cold streak of fear run through Jax. Fear for his friends. Sarella could be attacking right now and killing everyone he loved.
[And for what?] Damiceis asked. [For Rimnar and Aramis? For Fortis? Did they ever really care for you? Aramis was his favorite, he held him so far above you. He held them all over you. Atol, Serina, Alea, even Muerte had a higher place then you and she tried to kill him!
Jax stopped and stood there looking down at the ground clenching his fist in anger. Damiceis smiled. He had him. The jealousy and guilt was working.
[You should let Extremus have them. What have they ever done but hold you back. You're just as important as any of them. You deserve justice too. Turn and walk away. Leave them to die here, then you could be the high one! Jax, High lord of Fortis. King of the gods!!]
"THAT IS ENOUGH!"
Jax turned and reached out and grabbed Damiceis by his throat and lifted him off the ground. Caught in his vice like grip, Damiceis lost his concentration and appeared struggling to breathe.
"Did you really think I didn't know it was you?" Jax yelled in his face. "Did you really think your jealousy could effect my mind? I have stood in judgement over gods and men and you thought you could turn my heart to betray my father and my family? Guess who gets judged now!!!"
"FForgive me please! Extremus made me do it!!"
Releasing Damiceis, Jax stepped back as he dell so far above you. He held them all over you. Atol, Serina, Alea, even Muerte had a higher place then you and she tried to kill him!
Jax stopped and stood there looking down at the ground clenching his fist in anger. Damiceis smiled. He had him. The jealousy and guilt was working.
[You should let Extremus have them. What have they ever done but hold you back. You're just as important as any of them. You deserve justice too. Turn and walk away. Leave them to die here, then you could be the high one! Jax, High lord of Fortis. King of the gods!!]
"THAT IS ENOUGH!"
Jax turned and reached out and grabbed Damiceis by his throat and lifted him off the ground. Caught in his vice like grip, Damiceis lost his concentration and appeared struggling to breathe.
"Did you really think I didn't know it was you?" Jax yelled in his face. "Did you really think your jealousy could effect my mind? I have stood in judgement over gods and men and you thought you could turn my heart to betray my father and my family? Guess who gets judged now!!!"
"FForgive me please! Extremus made me do it!!"
Releasing Damiceis, Jax stepped back as he fell to the ground. Rubbing his throat, Damiceis looked up at Jax and smiled with a wicked tint in his eyes. As he got up, he reached for his cloak to wrap himself and disappear when Jax cast out and pulled it away from him leaving him standing there dressing in an ugly green toga.

"You didn't think I was going to let you just go, did you?" Jax said holding his cloak of jealousy. "What punishment would that be."
"I'm a god." He waved Jax off. "What can you really do to me?"
"You're not the first god I've stood in judgement over." Jax took the cloak and threw it on the ground. Damiceis tried to grab in but he was shocked when he touched it. He stepped back rubbing his burned fingers and looked at Jax in shock.

A GOD YOU WERE BUT NOT ANYMORE.
I TAKE FROM YOU THAT WHICH YOU WORE.
YOUR GODLY MANTLE, I TAKE FROM THEE.
FROM GOD TO MAN, I SENTENCE THEE.
TO WALK KEANNA AND LEARN OF THE EFFECT.
OF GUILT AND JEALOUSY, TO LEARN RESPECT.

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Damiceis screamed as he faded away to start his sentence as a beggar in the cities of Keanna. With Damiceis gone, Jax picked up his cloak and sent it off to the small temple Damiceis used in a lower part of Fortis.
[You won't defeat me with such ease.] Extremus sent as thunder roared. [I will crush you and your father and take Fortis for my own.]
"We'll see about that Hate master." Jax called out to the dark thunder clouds over head. "I'm coming for my father and brother, and for you."
[Come on then Justice.] Lightning crashed and hit a tree off on the side of the trail. It exploded into flames. [Welcome to my Nightmares.]

"So Extremus is behind this." Rimnar said as they entered the mausoleum. They walk to a large marble altar "And this is his Nightmare world. I should have known."
"You would have if you weren't under his nightmare blight." Matia told. "Both of you."
"And what is this blight?"
"Extremus has you under a powerful curse." She told them. "Right now your bodies are really back in Fortis under his spell dying. Your own power is burning you to death and only Extremus knows how to remove the blight and save you."
"Is there nothing we can do to fight him?" Aramis asked. "Are we to die here like some crazy sacrifice to his hate? There has to be something we can do."
"I'm sorry." Matia sat down on the edge of the altar and looked at them with remorse. Her eyes sparkled as a tear ran down her face. "The blight is sapping your strength, and weakening you. The more you fight it, the weaker you get. Soon you will be to weak to fight."
"Then we should conserve our strength." Rimnar said. "Use as little as possible."
Walking around the altar, Aramis sat down next to Matia.
"How did you get here?" He asked.
She told him of her death and how Extremus had brought her to the garden. He named her the goddess of remorse and use her like a slave to help him haunt people. But there was more she had to tell them.
"I'm not sure if you know this but, your not the only one he has trapped here. Nestor and Alea are also here fighting the nightmares."
"WHAT??" Rimnar exploded in surprise. "Where are they?"
"They're in another part of the garden." She explained. "Fighting just like you."
"Then we have to find them." Aramis said excited. The thought of help against the hate god encouraged him. "Together we can defeat Extremus and get out of here."
"You forget." Rimnar pointed out. "They are under the blight too. They will be weakened just like us, I know my brother Extremus very well. He may not be that strong on Fortis, but here, he rules supreme. We need someone who's not under his spell to fight him. But who?"
"There is someone that would help us. Someone who has always been at my side when I needed him."
"Yes." Rimnar agreed thinking of his red haired son. "I know who you mean. But will he come?"
"He's never failed me before." Aramis said with pride. "He fought death for me. I have faith in him. He will come."
"Then we should find Nestor and Alea and be ready." Rimnar turned to Matia. "Can you find them?"
"Yes." She said. "I can feel every soul trapped in the garden. Alea's fear is like a beacon. But I'm afraid. I've felt his anger before. I don't know if I can take it again."
"I promise." Aramis held out his hand. "I won't ever let him hurt you again."
Matia smiled and took his hand.
"I will be strong." She said. "For you."

The Prophesy. 88

 As the sun sank behind the western mountains of Taggitia, Talsara Darkshade opened her eyes and sat up from a long day of sleeping. Today was going to be a special day for her. She had finally managed to catch her renegade son and lock him up in his tower. Today she would have him chained, beaten and displayed in the city center as a trap to catch her main target, Aron Neveral, the seventh son of the Eventide blood line. Finally she would be done with that damned prophesy and prove that Hasmira was wrong.
As he dressed she thought about Hasmira's prophesy. She had said one and two would die and she was right. Shael and Zaior were killed in the war against the Shadowdragon along with their father. Evindal the third son fell under her spell and became a wild beast. Jake the fourth son merged with a dragon and became the master of fear. The fifth son, is Adanar the protector of his sister and as the prophesy promised, the new king of Eventide. That left Ryel and it was said that he would find his lost brother and he did. It was Ryel who discovered that Aron was the seventh Eventide son. All of Hasmira's prophesy's had come true but there was one more, and this was the one that was most important to Talsara. The prophesy said that the seventh would destroy either the light or the dark meaning Darkshade or Eventide. Talsara wanted to control Aron to make sure Darkshade survived the prediction. With Elan in her hands, she knew she could make Aron give himself over to her.
Once dressed, she sent for Llyra to meet her at Elan's tower and she left her royal apartment. On her way she stopped and ordered a last breakfast for her son. Since she had every intention of killing him anyway, she didn't want him to die hungry.
With a slave following with a try filled with a hot breakfast, Talsara made her way to Elan's tower. as she walked, she was making plans on how she could strike against Winterhaven once Eventide had fallen and was in her control.
As she came around a corner and approached Elan's tower, she saw Llyra standing alone at the stairs up into the tower. There should be two warriors there standing guard to keep Elan up there. Where were they?
"Where are the guards I stationed here?" She asked. "Did you see them?"
"There was no one here when I arrived your majesty."
Talsara looked up the stairs and saw the open door. Swinging out, she knocked the try of food out of the slaves hands and ran up the stairs in into Elan's room. From the bottom of the stairs, Llyra heard the scream.
"Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!"
Llyra smiled to herself knowing what Talsara had just found. A few seconds later, Talsara stormed her way down the stairs to Llyra.
"HE'S GONE!!!!" Her eyes were on fire with anger. "THE BASTARD IS GONE! I WANT THE PALACE SEARCHED ROOM BY ROOM, I WANT ALL OF DARKSHADE SEARCHED HOUSE BY HOUSE. THEY HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE HERE, SOMEONE IS HELPING THEM!"
"Who your majesty?" Llyra asked. "There's no one here that could get him out of the tower."
"There is one person." She said as she turned and headed back to her study. "Find Wyn. Bring him to me in chains if you have too."
"Yes your majesty." Llyra ran off. As Llyra left the study, Talsara called for her Imp Aesis. With the sound of a magical pop, Aesis appeared and bowed to his queen.
"You called my Queen?"
"Elan has escaped." She waked to her desk and sat down. "They're both out there somewhere plotting to take my throne from me. My throne, the one I killed for. They want to take it from me!!!"
"We won't let them my Queen." Aesis popped onto her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "We can make them surrender to you, then I can kill them both!"
"How?"
"The Shadowfalls" Aesis slick voice cooed. "Call them in. I have a surprise for you."

It was a beautiful night as Aron slipped out of the house and walked through the grounds of the Duskmere estate. It was very dark and dreary here with very plain looking buildings except for in the palace. He walked quietly through the Duskmere family cemetery trying to put his thoughts together. He was worried about Elan. It had been so long since the last time they were together and he missed being in his arms. He knew he was here in the palace he was scared of what his mother might do to him. Aron just didn't understand that woman. She had no heart and no idea what it mean to love anything but herself. Not her son, her husband or the land she called her own. All she cared about was getting power, as much as she could. Aron knew if someone didn't stop her soon, her forces would be at the doors of every kingdom in Taggitia. But what was he to do? Though talented, Aron was just one elf. How was he suppose to stand against Talsara and all of her forces? He knew the others would help, but still, he would need a army to stand against such odds.
As Aron stood staring into the night sky, there was a sudden flash of light to his left. It was a flash he had seen many times back when he and Elan were in the Academy. It was the appearance of Elan's fathers Imp, Argus. Aron turned to greet his small friend when he heard hid name being called.
"ARON!!"
Aron couldn't believe what he saw. Was it real? Dressed in his dirty and torn uniform, Elan Darkshade came running toward him. Aron blinked and rubbed his eyes thinking this might be one of Talsara's traps, but when he opened his eyes again, Elan was taking him in his arms and kissing him deeply.
"By the gods I've been so worried about you." Elan said holding him him close. "I thought my mother had done something horrible to you."
"Elan?" Aron pushed back and looked him deeply in his eyes. "Am I dreaming? Is this real? Are you really here?"
"Yes A'maelamin." Elan smiled. "Ta Amin."
Aron grabbed him and held on tightly as if he never planned to let go. As the two lovers reunited, Liat with Argus on his shoulder came walking out of the night behind them followed by Kel. As they parted, Aron noticed Kel and Liat behind them.
"So this is where you disappeared to." Aron reached out a shook his hand to thank him. "I will forever be in your debt."
"No, It's an honor to serve my true king." Kel bowed. "This is.."
"I know who this is." Aron nodded his greeting to the king. "King Wyn."
"No." Elan explained. "This is Wyn's body, but the spirit of my true father now inhabit it. This is Liat Caldras."
Aron looked up at Liat. He wasn't sure what to think. He had met Wyn Limeira before and thought he had heard what he had done, he still trusted him. Wyn had always treated them both with love and respect. Aron had never doubted that Wyn truly loved Elan and would protect him with his life. Now, they were telling him Wyn was dead and replaced by Elan's real fathers spirit. Strange things had come to pass in this dark place and Aron knew it wasn't over yet.
"I realized this all must seem strange to both of you." Liat said. "But Wyn gave his life to save you both. I promise I will honor him and his memory for his sacrifice. But not right now. Now we have to get moving. Talsara by now will have found out Elan is gone and she will have all of Darkshade searched for him. We have to find somewhere safe to plan our next move."
"Then we show go warn the others." Kel said as he stepped around Elan and Aron. "We should move from here. Jassin might have told Talsara everything. We should get back to the house."
With Kel and Liat in the lead, they headed back to Duskmere estate from the cemetery. As they left the dark graveyard and entered the grounds of the main house, they realized the house was surrounded by Talsara's warriors. Kel grabbed Elan and Aron and pushed them down behind a line of bushes, then hid himself behind a tree. Liat faded to a ghostly image and levitated himself up into the trees.
"What's going on?" Aron asked peeking over the shrubs.
"They found us." Kel warned them as he reached for his sword. "Get ready to fight."
"No, listen." Elan stopped him. "They're not here for us, they want Ryel and the others."
Sure enough, as they watched. Ryel, Toric, Noelle, Artin and Orek were taken out of the house at sword point. As Artin was pushed towards a caged wagon, he tried to grab for a warriors sword but didn't make it. A Darkshade warrior kicked out tripping him. Before he could get to his feet, another warrior stabbed down sending his sword skewering right through his throat. Horrified, Ryel turned and attacked the warrior. A left hook, then a spin kick sent the warrior flying back to the ground. Then before any of the others could react, another warrior jammed the hilt of his sword into the back of Ryel's head knocking him out.
Kel wanted to go to their rescue, but Elan stopped him. He knew they couldn't win against so many warriors right now but there was still time to save them. As they watched, Ryel and the others were loaded into the caged wagon and taken away.
Once all the warriors were gone, Elan, Aron and Kel went back to the house. Liat re materialized and joined them in the kitchen at the table.
"This is not good." Aron said. "Just the four of us against her whole army?"
"Five." Said a voice behind them. They turned to find Denner standing at the door holding Artin's body. "There's five of us at the moment."
"What do you mean at the moment?" Elan asked.
"I mean this has gone on far enough." Denner told them as he put Artin down. "Talsara has gone to far. I called for help."
"I agree." Elan said as he came over and looked over Artin's dead body. "I've been to many different lands on my way home and I've seen the damage she's done across Fay Shrea and the Elven lands. So many have died in her quest for power and I'm sick of it. It has to end now."
"Then let's end this." Aron took Elan's hand. "I'm not afraid anymore. If she wants me. It's time she gets what she wants. No more hiding."
"How?" Elan asked. "We can't just walk into the palace and challenge her. We woulds never make it into the courtyard. Her guards would be on us as soon as we showed our faces."
"There is a way." Liat stood up and paced the kitchen. When Talsara is at home in Ruavia castle, there's a place she disappears to for an hour every night. I followed her there but I never was able to get inside. Something always stopped my ghost form from entering. That's where we should attack."
"Can you take us there?" Kel asked.
"Yes I can."
"Then here's what we have to do." Aron gathered his friends. "Listen...."

With Elan safe and resting, Aron went out and sat in the garden to think. He had told them he wasn't afraid to face Talsara, but that was a lie. He knew he would have no chance against her. She was way beyond his power level. He might be able to hold her off for a short while but in the end, she would overwhelm him and there wasn't anything he could do about it. He had to find some way or something that that would give him a chance. But what? What could he do? There had to be a way.
As he sat there, a warm feeling spreading out from his chest pocket. He reach up and felt it then remembered the dice King Rhys had given him. Taking them out, Aron held the two warm square bones in his hand. Maybe they would have his answer. Cupping them in his hand, Aron shook them and asked his question.
"How can I defeat Talsara Darkshade?"
He rolled the dice. As they hit the ground, the dice split into six cubes and came to a stop. Aron looked down and read what they said.
D A S Y R A

Aron wasn't sure what that meant, so he rolled them again. This time they spelled out.

M O T H E R

"Dasyra?" Then he remembered, "Dasyra Eventide! Ryel's mother. My mother!"

But how could he find her?

"Just call to her." Liat said from behind him. "She will come. She has been with you since the day of her death, watching over you. Just as I watched over Elan. There are many watching you Aron. Just call her, she will come."

As Liat went back to the house, Aron looked up and the beautiful starlit sky. A strong feeling of love spread through his entire body as he thought of Dasyra Eventide. He had met her once when he was at school and had felt something when see looked at him. 

"Are you really my mother?" He asked the stars.

[Yes I am my handsome son.] Dasyra Eventide appeared as a ghostly image in front of him. There were tears in her eyes as she gazed at him.

"Then why?" He asked. "Why did you send me away."

[To protect you and Eventide.] She said. Her voice was soft and filled with love. [From the moment I heard Hasmira prophesy we knew Talsara would never stop until she killed you. we couldn't allow that to happen. Your father and I knew we might not live to see you at home with your brothers and sisters but we had to make sure you grew up safe.]

"So I could die at her hands here?"

[No.] She said. [So you could meet and love Elan. so you could free him and Darkshade from the curse that is his mother. So you could bring peace to Eventide.]

"But I can't beat her. She's to strong for me."

[Have faith my sweet Aron. You are not alone.]

As pain flared all through his body, Ryel woke up screaming. He opened his eyes to find Zaos Shadowfall standing in front of him holding a small razor sharp knife while Amra Calaudra watched. Ryel's eyes quickly darted left and right unsure where he was but sure he was in deep trouble. He was in a round chamber chained to a wall. Toric, Noelle and Orek were chained right beside him. Neither Aron or Elan were there thank Rimnar. This was obviously one of Talsara's torture towers, there were different types of torture instruments on tables and racks all around the room. It looked like they were in for a very painful stay.
"Ahh." Zaos smiled. "I see my favorite forest elf is awake. I guess its time we have some fun. You thought you were rid of me didn't you."
"Yeah well." Ryel looked up at Zaos. "I guess I was wrong."
"You sure were." Zaos putted his cheek. "We're going to become real good friends before this is over."
"Fat chance of that happening." Ryel snickered as he tugged at his chains. "So what do you want?"
"Me? Nothing." He walked to the table and picked up a sharpening stone and started sharpening the knife in his hand. "But Queen Talsara has a few questions she wants answered. Well one mainly. Where is Elan and Aron?"
"Ha ha ha!" Ryel laughed. "You think pain will make me betray my brother, you really aren't very smart are you."
"I don't really care whether you tell me or not." Zaos shrugged. "I'm going to slice you into little pieces either way. But I have to at least try and get some information, Talsara will expect that."
"Well I don't know where they are so you might as well get on with it."
"As you wish."  Zaos stepped up close to Ryel and put the knife to his face. "This is going to hurt,"
He sliced a cut from his hairline down to his chin. Ryel gritted his teeth holding back his scream not wanting to give Zaos the pleasure of seeing his pain. as the blood started to flow, Zaos sliced the other side.
Pain ripped through Ryel's face as Zaos cut into him. In his mind he screamed out sending his mental vibrations out to those around him. Toric and the others felt every cut Zaos carved into Ryel but there was nothing any of them could do to stop his pain.
With a smile on his face, Zaos ripped away Ryel's tunic and started on his chest. When he was done, deep slices had been carved in vertical and horizontal lines all over Ryel's naked body. Though tears ran down from his eyes, he never, not once uttered a cry out loud. Frustrated, Zaos put down his knife then turned to Toric.
"Your next." He said. "And it will be a lot worst you can be sure."
"You should kill one of them, Zaos." Amra said casually. "For what they did to us."
"They will die soon enough." He smiled wiping the knife on Toric's tunic. "You can be sure of that. But first, I want them to know what it means to anger a Shadow elf."
"You can torture us if you want Zaos Shadowfall." Toric said. "You could even kill us, but I promise you one thing. Our deaths won't be the end. They will come for you, maybe not today, but I swear you both will die screaming."
Amra walked up to Toric and smacked his face then spit at him. She grabbed a knife from the table and raised it to strike.
"We shall see who dies screaming."
Just then a door opened and a dark elf entered. He looked around then went to Zaos.
"Queen Talsara wants to see you."
"We'll be there in a minute." Zaos told him.
"She wants to see you now!" The elf demanded. "Do not keep her waiting."
"Fine." Zaos took the knife from Amra and put it back on the table. "Come my lady, the queen awaits."

It was a cool evening as Talsara sat and watched from the balcony her warriors do practice battles in the courtyard. She had ordered on this night, winner take the prize and the loser dies. Her warriors eager to kill, accepted the terms without question. There was blood in the air and the bodies of the losers lay all around either dead or dying. As General Rhone called for the next challenge, Prince Zaos and Lady Amra were led out onto the balcony for their audience with the queen. Adjusting his
cloak, Prince Zaos walked out to stand in front of Talsara blocking her line of sight. Moving just her eyes she looked up at Zaos with a icy stare. Quickly he realized his mistake and stepped aside and bowed to her.
"Well." She said still watching the battle. "You have something to tell me."
"First I wish to thank you for releasing us from that prison they put us in."
Talsara waved off their foolish gratitude. If they didn't produce results, she planned to send them right back then smash the gem.
"Your task was to find my son and the Eventide." She said calmly. "Have you found them?"
"Not yet." He answered. "But I've just begun the questioning. Give me the rest of the night and I will have your answer."
"Do you see these warriors down there?" She looked up into Zaos's eyes. "Each one of them is ready to give his life at my command. As a matter of fact, every elf in Darkshade lives only at my whim. They will all die if I so command it. Watch this."
Talsara stood and walked to the railing of her balcony to address the hundreds of warriors before her. In a loud clear voice she called out to them.
"Who is your Queen?"
"TALSARA DARKSHADE IS OUR QUEEN!" Came their answer ringing out from each warrior.
"Your queen wants your lives." She pointed to a group of twenty warriors. "Will you die for me?"
"YES MY QUEEN!"
The twenty warriors without any hesitation pulled a dagger from their belts and plunged them into their hearts. Like cards they all fell over dead. Talsara turned back to Prince Zaos.
"If you do not find Elan by tomorrow at this time, you will do the same and then I will march on Shadowfall and kill every single elf in your land. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes your majesty." Zaos bowed. "I understand and I will not fail you."
"Let's hope tomorrow I'll be marching on Eventide and not Shadowfall." She sat back down to finishing watched the bloody battles. "You may go now."

It was cold as Talsara walked up the stairway into the temple of Darkshade's patron dark god. She was dressed in her furred cloak to keep warm and and on her shoulder sat the hideous Imp Aesis. Following behind her came Prince Zaos, Lady Amra, General Rhone and two of his warriors each carrying a torch to light there way. As she walked, Talsara whispered a quiet spell that sent a spark to the torches that lined the wall. One by one they burst to life illuminating the chamber. The chamber had been built in the usually Dark elf style of architecture with hard lines and swirls that decorated the room.
Ahead of them, General Rhone saw the statue of Talsara's god. He sat very tall on his throne and handsome and hideous at the same time built out of obsidian. His eyes had a cold look of horror to them and the sneer on his face dared you to disobey his commands. In front of the statue sat a huge man sized altar covered in dried blood with dried bones scattered all around it. Whoever this god was, he was obviously feed by Talsara and her priestess very often and from the bones, the General knew just what they feed him.
As they all made it to the altar, Talsara ordered them to make a circle around the altar. With Talsara in the center, they all spread out hand in hand as she started to chant.
"Why are we here?" Amra asked Zaos quietly. "We have better things to do."
"We do as the queen command." He whispered.
"And if she wants us on that altar?"
Zaos squeezed her hand to assure her that wouldn't happen, he hoped.
As Talsara's chant grew louder, she pointed to one of the two warriors and ordered him onto the altar. The warriors eyes grew wade as he realized what she wanted. He hesitated for a second and looked at the General who eyed him with his hand on his sword. Then he walked to the altar and climbed on and laid down. A knife appeared in the queens hand as she shouted to the statue. The torches dimmed and the chamber grew even colder as they all felt the presence of the dark god. Talsara's chant rang out as she raised the knife above the chest of the warrior ready to plunge it down through his heart. The warrior closed his eyes and said a short prayer to Jax for mercy.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a bolt of energy streaked out and blasted the knife from Talsara's hand. She jumped back clutching her hand.
"WHO DARES TO ATTACK ME!!"
"I dare!"
Talsara turned to the door and there standing at the entrance was Aron, Elan, Liat, Kel, Denner and Argus.
"Well well well." Talsara smiled and stepped out in front of the altar. "If it isn't my bastard son and his trader father. And you brought me a gift, the last Eventide. How can I ever thank you."
"I have no gifts for you mother." Elan stood tall with his friends. "What I have is hope for our people.  Hope for a better future then the one they could have under your tyrannical rule."
"Tyrannical?" She laughed. "You're calling me a tyrant? Your own dear sweet loving mother?"
"Loving?" Aron shouted. "What would you know about loving anything? You treat your mate like a slave, your son like an embarrassment and you had your own parents killed in your lust for power. Do you even know what love is?"
"I may not know much about love." Talsara raised her hand as she gathered magic. "But I can show you what hate can do. Attend your queen and kill them all!!"
As Talsara's bolt shot out, Aron pushed Elan aside and quickly formed a shield to intercept her blast. The bolt hit Aron's shield and was deflected off to hit a wall of the temple. With fast reflexes, Aron sent his own blast out at her which she waved off with one hand.
"You leave Elan alone Witch. Your fight is with me!"
"Very well saura'er." Her hands glowed with power. "The others will deal with him. You are mine to destroy, but I think a little help is in order."
Turning back to the altar, Talsara jabbed her hands down through the chest of the warrior on the altar piercing his heart.

GRIFFINS , MANTICORES, HYDRAS AND SUCH.
I CALL TO THY WITH JUST A TOUCH.
A MONSTER I WILL MAKE OF THY,
A MONSTER THAT WILL FIGHT FOR ME.

As the warrior sat up, pain flared through his entire body. He felt like his skin was was on fire and his bones were breaking. He rolled off the altar onto the floor screaming as his body began to change. His voice became a pained gravely roar as chest and lungs expanded. His back cracked as it grew in size and a tail with a barbed stinger. He grew fur and paws with sharp enormous claws. His body swelled to more than triple in size. Where once there was a man, now a monstrous manticore reared up and roared out a challenge.
"Attack!" She ordered.
Jumping over the altar. the manticore charged in for the attack. When Denner saw the great beast charge, he ran forward shifting his form as he ran. In seconds he went from man to the form of a Red Dragon and dived in at the huge manticore. With a great roar, Denner sent a stream of fire at the beast burning the fur on its mane. Resisting the heat, the manticore charged at Denner and tried to grab him. Its claws raked at the scales on Denners chest and its stinger swung around and stabbed at him, moving his head, he blocked the stinger and bite into the beast shoulder. It screamed in pain and bucked and threw him off.

As Elan squared off against Lady Amra, she looked at him in a wicked way as they both gathered their magic for the fight.
"Where are they?" Elan asked.
"Where are who?" She gave him an innocent look. "You mean your friends? I'll tell you since you'll never live to see them again. They're in the east tower, what use to be your room. It seemed like the perfect place to torture them."
"If any of them are hurt." Elan took a step towards her.
"You'll what? Kill me?" Her hands glowed red. She was ready to fight. "You can try little prince, but I don't think you have it in you. So let's see what you can do."
Raising her hands over her head, Amra made two red glowing circles of power and sent them at Elan. Like arrows they shot through the air coming straight at him. Elan took a fighting stances and sent a wave of force out to disrupt her spell. As the wave hit, it sent them right back at her. With a wave of her hand, Amra dispatched the circles and sent a bolt of energy at him. Quickly Elan ducked as the bolt blasted a hole in the wall behind him.
"You're fast." She said as they circled. Amra's fingers flexed as she reviewed her deadly spells in her mind. "But are you skilled enough to fight me."
"I am a Darkshade." Elan stood tall as he spoke. "I may not be as cruel as my mother, but I have what it takes to beat you."
"Then kill me young prince." Amra started weaving her death spell. "Or I promise you, this will be your last night in Darkshade."

When the fighting started, Zaos Shadowfall looked down to find King Wyn Limeira walking towards him. He smiled and slid his two blades from their scabbards ready for what he expected to be an easy win for him.
"So the king of Darkshade finally finds courage." Zaos saluted him by touching his blade to his forehead. "But the question is, does courage really suit you?"
"You know nothing about the courage of Wyn Limeira." Liat said. "And even less about me. So if you don't mind, let's just get this over with."
"I know more about you then you think King Wyn." Zaos raised his sword and readied himself to fight. "You're no swordsmen. You're nothing but backstabbing coward, An assassin, This should be easy."
"Like I said." Wyn smiled. "You don't know me at all."
As Zaos came in for a strike, Liat stood completely still, then with lightning speed his sword was in his hand. Liat swept up with his sword knocking Zaos's blade aside then sent two quick punches at his nose. For a second, Zaos saw stars. He staggered back in shock with blood running down his face and looked up at Wyn.
"Not going to be as easy as you thought, huh?" Liat smiled. "And you can call me by my real name."
"What's that?" Zaos asked.
"I am Captain Liat Caldas of Queen Caline's Red Skulls." Liat nodded. "And you should leave Darkshade now!"

Chaos had broken out in the temple. All around the combatants had squared off. General Rhone fought Kel Orama in one corner while Argus and Aesis zipped around blasting at each other. Elan and Amra stood apart casting spell after spell at each waiting to find a weakness and gain an advantage while above their heads, the two beast ripped and tore at each other.
At the altar, Talsara laughed and taunted Aron as they battled. Her spells against his. She was surprised at his strength and endurance, but very confident at the outcome. Though he was an Eventide, there was no way he had the power to defeat her. In her mind she was the most powerful in the land and the closest thing there was to being a goddess. No petty elf could possibly defeat her.
What she didn't know was that Aron and Elan didn't fight alone. There were many others standing at their side lending them their strength and their support. And as the sun began to rise, fatigue started to show its face.

"You grow tire young Aron." Talsara said as she blasted away at his shields. "How much longer can you hold out? Five minutes, ten minute, half an hour? Give up now and I will give you and your friends a peaceful death. There will be no pain I promise."
"No!" Aron on his knees poured more of his strength into his shield. "I have to hold out. I can't stop now. Too many depend on us."
"If you mean the Eventides." Talsara laughed."Don't worry yourself about them. I promise to kill every last Eventide in the land, first you then all your brothers and sisters!!"
"NO!" Aron shouted. "NO NO NO!!!!!"
With that, Aron started to glow as his power suddenly increased. In his head he heard the voice of Dasyra and Hasmira at the same time.
[Aron, the prophesy. Don't forget the prophesy.]
"1 and 2 will die." He said as pushed out with increased strength. "3 will be wild and 4 will rule fear!"
Talsara gritted her teeth as Aron's strength started to overwhelm her. She frowned at his power and doubled her effort.
"5 will be king and 6 will find 7!" Aron climbed to his feet, his eyes blazing with power. Suddenly Dasyra and Hasmira appeared behind him and put their hand on his shoulder adding their power to his. When they touched him, confidence filled his soul and his hate melted away.
"7 will be the destruction of light or dark. Of Tide or Shade. Fear the Seventh. Fear the seventh son of Eventide!!"
As he finished reciting the prophesy, a burst of raging power streaked out and took hold of Talsara. She screamed as the power started to burn through her. It lifted her up off the ground and sucked every ounce of power from her body then she started to burn. Her screams rang out through all of Darkshade as Talsara Darkshade died.
With Talsara dead, her manticore burst into a shower of dark sparks that rained down around Denner. Aesis screamed and flew headlong into the burning pyre that was his queen. General Rhone and the others stopped battling. Zaos ran to Amra,

"She's dead!" He said. "Talsara is dead!!"
"What do we do now?" Amra asked.
"We keep fighting." The General shouted. "Darkshade never surrenders!"
"I am Darkshade now." Elan stepped forward. "And as my right as the next in line, I order you to surrender."
"NO!' Rhone shouted. "The queen despised you. Darkshade will never follow you, and no man will ever rule here. Not you or your Eventide mate. When we're done here, I plan to take our warriors and move on Eventide and the rest of Taggitia!"
"Over my dead body." Elan shouted.
"And mine!" Came a voice from behind them. Everyone turned to find Adanar Eventide, Tof Tyr, Rage and Jandar standing at the entrance to the temple dressed in full battle armor. "This war is over once and for all. Darkshade is no more!"
"No!" General Rhone charged Elan with his sword raised to cut him down. Aron stepped in front of him and sent a blast of energy at the Dark elf that incinerated him on the spot.
"It's over." He said taking Elan's hand. "And I never want to never want to step foot in this place again."
"You won't have too." Elan hugged Aron tight. "I promise, you won't have too. Let's go get Ryel and the others and get out of here. Jandar and Adanar can figure out what to do with Darkshade. I don't want it."