Yelena's POV

We just finished killing the leader of the clan and my attention fell back to the kids in the warehouse. I sprinted towards it, and Valek, taking example from my actions, did too. When we were nearly there, a Vermin came out and laughed a big hardy laugh, pressed a button and Boom! The warehouse caught fire, with kids and all in it. Without thought Valek jumped into the fire induced house and I ran over and had Kiki kick down the side of the barn. Valek and I were helping children out, and as we got all them out I triple counted. Wait, we were missing Gale and Valek! I went to the hole in the side, and screamed for them. But, right at that moment, the roof collapsed down on the house. Slowly realization hit me and I dropped to the ground, staring at the mounds of ashes and debris. I put my head in between my knees and sobbed so hard everyone could hear. One of the mothers came over and asked if I was okay, but I didn't answer, all that came out was more and more tears. I can't believe I had lost Valek, my one and only true love. Finally after what seemed like hours, someone came up behind me and lifted me up, asking if I were okay. Though, now I was only dry crying, I still couldn't answer the person. We walked to the camp everyone was staying at and he lay me down. It was my brother, Leif; he seemed so worried about me. I spoke up and said "I' m not okay, Leif, I will never be okay." He looked like he was going to cry, "Well rest little sis, I love you," and with that he kissed me on the forehead, handed me a tray of food and left. I quickly fell asleep from exhaustion. The next day, I walked with Cahil to the site where Valek and Gale were killed. "You know Yelena, you're never going to get better until you go see for yourself," he said and I just nodded. We walked to the house that used to be there and I dug through the debris, seeing if there's any sign that they were dead, or alive. I saw a shiny thing and picked it up, from what I could tell it was one of Valek's knives that he probably had on him at some point yesterday. As I dug some more, I found a huge pile of disoriented weapons and some tattered clothing. I picked up the clothing and smelled it, and through the overwhelming smell of fire, I could barely get the scent that used to keep me going in the past. Valek's musky scent, it was an odd combination; musk and spice. But to me, it was home, where I belonged. I lay down next to Valek's, or what I thought was Valek's remains, and cried even more. I cried until Cahil told me it'll be fine soon, and that we needed to go, plus we had to plan for the upcoming war between the little amount of Sitian's we could get and fight against the Warpers and Blood Magicians. We left, and went back; me struggling to keep myself together, and to push those thoughts to the back of my mind. As we discussed our plan to attack the Warpers, they got an idea. They would use me for bait, to attract all the Blood Magicians and the Warpers, and anyone else who wants me, and we'd ambush them from all sides. I liked the plan because if I died, I could go be with Valek on the other side. "It's a suicide mission though," Janco said. "Don't worry guys, I'll try my best and honestly this is a win-win situation, because I want to die to be with Valek, and you guys want to win, so let's give them what they want and when I'm dead, you guys ambush and kill them." They all shook their heads and Maren said "Yelena, just because Valek died, doesn't mean you should stop living, even if you loved him, I'm pretty sure we all had a special place for Valek in our lives." I agreed and said "fine, I'll do it, and we will win, and I will live until I am no longer supposed to live." We all agreed, celebrated, and went to sleep. The next day, as we prepared to leave, we felt an odd presence around us, but we all agreed to ignore it and to just move on. But I knew everyone was thinking how it was Valek's ghost following us and watching over us, but I know they just didn't want to upset me again.

Janco's POV

For a couple days Yelena has been mourning over Valek, we all have pretty much, but she's taken it the worst. Finally today, the day of the battle, she has settled so we're all trying not to mention anything that could cause her memories to induce again, watching her was horrible. We started on our way and when we made it there we sent Yelena through the shield and sent her into position. We all spread out around the camp and got Yelena into position. Luckily, when she went through the shield the camp occupants got the signal and moved in to question this "stranger" on their land. Their voices were menacing and scratchy, making my ears hurt when they talked or growled. They came up to Yelena and a few circled her. They asked if she knew who they were, she answered the obvious yes. They questioned her for a while as a crowd gathered. I could tell they were hiding their weapons behind them and in their clothes, the few who wore clothes. The questionnaire pulled out a schimitar, swinging it around, trying to look intimidating, but Yelena didn't move, panic, and was completely and utterly in control. Then all the people pulled out some type of weapon, most stolen it looked like, still trying to be intimidating and have the element of surprise. They were very surprised as we all jumped out and started killing them and when Yelena pulled out her bow and her switchblade on her thigh. We all started chopping and hacking at them one by one, and soon there was only a few left. The few must have been the strong magicians because they had force fields around them and when we broke through, all hell came loose. The magicians blew us away and started fire on our clothes, but were doused by Leif and Yelena and the big supply of water nearby. Ari and I distracted one of the Warpers while Yelena climbed a tree behind him and when he was close enough for her, she flung herself on top of him decapitating him with her switchblade. Soon all was calm. We started to dispose of the bodies, burning them up or just throwing them in bodies of water when the ground shook. We all scoped the area and found nothing unusual. Then out of nowhere a huge man, well magician as we soon found out, came into view. He was probably five times Ari and I put together. We all hid in the underbrush and trees so when he got to the position we needed him in, we surrounded him. The people in the trees jumped down, pulling a net over the man-creature. While us on the ground secured the net into the ground and pulled out our weapons, pointing it at him. We interrogated him for a while, he said he meant no harm, but of course we didn't believe that. When he jumped into action; pulling and tearing the net around him, and succeeding we attacked. Everyone charged at him and stabbed, since we knew we couldn't defeat him, Yelena used Leif's power and sent him away to some faraway place. We were finally on our way to the camp, not knowing where to go from there; most likely our separate ways.

Yelena's POV

We were all tired, trudging through the forest, so we decided to set another camp and make some rabbit stew. So, some of the guys went hunting, coming back with some rabbit, elk and even moose. Soon the whole camp was filled with lavish smelling stew and veggies that the women went out and picked as the guys came back. As we sat down to eat that night we were all calm and happy, glad the war and all conflict was finally over, at least we thought. When we were finished, we heard a low rustling in the trees above. Few thought it was the wind, but when we didn't feel the wind down here we tensed. "What type of animal do you think could be up there? Do you think it'll eat us all?" Janco shouted and we all tried to shush him. He calmed a bit, though all the littler kids were all breathing heavily. We put everyone afraid and vulnerable into tents, and we set out watches. At midnight we heard a low, muffled thump hit the ground. We were already on edge, luckily mostly everyone was asleep. We went over to investigate the area or even the areas people thought the thump came from, but after checking around ten places, we gave up. Later on we heard another rustling of leaves, but this time it was in the underbrush. I told everyone to be quiet and went to scope the area I heard it from, everyone walking behind me. Someone yelled "Look it's a person!" and as I looked closer, it was indeed a person. For some reason all my hope came back and I wished that this man lying here was my beloved. As I pulled him up, I could tell that it wasn't Valek, but it was Gale! Everyone gathered around and hugged him, greeting him. "Back up! Give him some air, let's take him back to the camp and feed him, let him rest," I said and multiple men picked him up and carried him back. Everyone settled back down to sleep, some kids woke but we put them back to bed and got Gale taken care of. I knew I shouldn't question him, give him some space for a while, but I couldn't stand it any longer. How in the world did Gale live and Valek didn't? They were with each other the whole time. "Hey, are you feeling okay?" I asked him and he answered "yeah, need anything?" So he knew I was here for something. "Um actually, yes, if you don't mind." He nodded as he took a big drink of water. "Well I was wondering if you know where…what happened to…" he stopped me, saving me the trouble. He knew what I was trying to say. "Well I don't know where he is, but when the roof collapsed we dove in a hole that was there and I used my magic to protect us from the debris and the smoke. We survived it that night; he was so upset as he watched you fall and cry for hours. Then when you came back the next day he tried calling you, but when he couldn't I checked him and we found a huge gash in his abdomen." He stopped when I gasped. Then continued "And I couldn't yell since I was using all my energy keeping us down there, safe. After a couple days we grew too tired, so Valek climbed up and made an opening for us to crawl out of. He told me 'no matter what Gale, you go find the others and tell Yelena everything is okay, and that I love her'. He boosted me up and let me climb out, and then I tried to pull him out but was too weak, he told me it was okay and to go, so I did. But the next day I came back, looking to help him, but he was gone! I had no idea where he went, and it's been five days, I'm getting a little worried. I know he's good at this kind of stuff, but I think he was just too weak and maybe he…" I stopped him before he could say ' die', I didn't want to think Valek was really gone, the first time was horrible enough, then hope came back but now…I knew he was gone for real. I sat there and cried again, not caring to hold any more of my emotions in. Gale pulled me close and held me, rocking me back and forth. When we heard a man clear his throat and give a loud 'humph'. Then he said, in a rough voice "So you go for another man whom I saved with my own life, then for you I survived knowing you'd be so happy, but now I guess I should have just stayed and died, thanks a lot Gale, traitor!" Then he laughed. I knew he sounded familiar, then it hit me; duh! It's not your imagination running wild, it really is him! I jumped up and into Valek's arm and he held me tight whispering "I love you so much, love" and saying how everything okay just like he had told Gale to tell me. I wouldn't even let him go as we went out the tent and show everyone who decided to pop up. "Excuse me my good people, but could you spare some water, my throat's very dry from almost dying." Everyone looked back and yelled, running up to him and hugging. Then we all sat down by the fire while Valek ate and drank, getting comfortable. I told him to never let me go again, and he said "never, that sounds very appealing." Everyone was bombarding him with questions so he told everyone to listen, and he told the story. I just stared at him through the part Gale had told me, looking at what I loved so dearly and how I'm so thankful God saved him for me. Then I refocused trying to see what happened next. "I helped Gale out and he tried to pull me up but he was too tired to help so I told him to go and give you this message," he held out a paper Gale accidentally dropped so he couldn't give it to us. The note said what Gale had told me. "Then Gale left hurriedly, and I thought I was doomed. But I knew I had to get back, there were so many people who loved me, and I still needed to fulfill some things. I thought about how I had been heartbroken when I saw you, love crying so many days. Being so hurt that 'I died' I knew I couldn't let you live like that forever so I climbed out that night. I bandaged my stomach and ate berries and vegetables. My journey to find you guys ended when I heard you all talking strategy, and Yelena saying she wanted to die. I wanted to come out then but I knew I was in no shape to help and that the Warpers would want me and kill me too. I traveled everywhere with you guys and as I saw Gale you guys came into view, I thought you saw me but I guess not. So I slipped in Gale's tent and Yelena was all upset and in his arms, and boy do I love how she reacted when she knew it was me. I love you," he directed it towards me and, still never letting go, he kissed me passionately, I didn't want to let go afraid I would lose him again, but I did, reluctantly. We all left to rest and Valek and I lay with each other.

Valek's POV

I loved being back with Yelena, and I loved her request to not ever let her go. I slowly got up and I had to reassure Yelena that I wasn't going anywhere. She relaxed. I went outside and breathed, then ran to the tree I had been hiding in and got a little velvet box. I went back to the room and made Yelena stand; she didn't understand why. Then I kneeled on one knee and asked her to always be mine, forever. "Will you marry me Yelena Zaltana Sitia?Or shall I say Yelena Icefaren Ixia?If you choose to accept." And as I stood she jumped into my arms and we kissed so many times. I pulled her away as she said "Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes!" And I slid the ring on her finger, she gawked at it with huge eyes and said "Valek, you didn't have to!" She started crying from joy. I answered "Of course I did, love, that's how much I love you!" After we woke everyone and told them the news, everyone went back to bed. Yelena and I lay talking and cuddling all night.