Hello fellow readers!

This is my first time posting a fic, so I would really appreciate if you could review and point out any mistakes.

Also criticism is very welcome, and appreciated! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Let the Tale Begin

Blackness.

Blackness was everything, and everywhere.

And Alec liked it. Ever since Valentine had kidnapped him, blackness was his only retreat. His only escape from the torture and the pain.

Valentine had kidnap him a few days ago. What he wanted with him? Alec could only guess that he wanted to use him to get to Jace, but he didn't see how torturing him would help. That was probably just a bonus.

The big door to the room he was held in opened, spilling a pool of light into darkness. Alec unwillingly blinked his eyes open. As tired and weak as he was, after starving and freezing for days, he could still feel his muscles tensing as two figures walked into the room. That only meant that Valentine haven't had enough fun yet.

They left him so weak they didn't bother tying him up. So as he was leaning on the wall behind him, hands and legs uncomfortably sprawled on the floor, all he could think about is that he could get away.

"Alec?" There was a soft, unsure voice. Not hard and cold as Valentine's. But Alec didn't notice, he was consumed with panic and busy trying to find a way to get away. He didn't think he could take the pain, he had to get out.

He pressed himself against the wall, trying to get further away from the two figures. But they kept getting closer.

"Please," Alec croaked. He hated how weak it was, how broken. "Please, not more." He pleaded. He felt pathetic. Pleading for the his life like this. For a second he was glad no one could see how he failed at being strong, like a true Shadowhunter should.

"Alec." The voice came again. More certain this time. And Alec, for a second, thought it was familiar.

Suddenly the two figures hurried over to him, and panic rose in him again, stronger.

Hand flying up to protect himself, Alec let out a shakey kind of sound, a broken sound. He tried getting to the further corner of the room, struggling as everything hurt.

He felt a cold hand on his shoulder and he tensed up even more.

"Alec, it's me." Another voice, female voice, said. Concern and hurt was soaked all over the three words. "It's us. Isabelle and Jace."

Alec slowely and shakely put his hands down from his face, trying to see if they were really there. And god, did he look aweful. His face was ghostly pale with dark circles under his eyes, he was covered with bruises, cuts and blood all the way down to his bare torso.

And there they were, looking concerned and tired but fine. Jace with his gold hair and big, worried eyes. Alec turned he's head, and saw Isabelle, black hair bouncing of her shoulder and concern written all over her face.

Alec could almost not believe it.

This is a trick, it can't be real. Don't let him fool you Alec.

But he wanted to believe so bad. He wanted it to be real, he wanted it so much he couldn't help but let hope flutter up in him.

"I-Izzy?" Alec's choked out, his throat tight and aching.

"Yes." She nodded, her throat tight as well, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, Alec, it's me."

Alec didn't know he was crying till he felt a hand wiping away his tears. He turned to look at Jace, still trying to make himself believe this was really them.

"We're here to take you home." Jace said, a sad smile on his lips.

"Guys,"

Another voice Alec had recognized rose from the door way. One, Alec was surprised to admit, that he was glad to hear.

He looked over Jace's shoulder to see Clary's head popping from behind the wall. "We have to move, Valentine will be back soon."

Jace looked back at Alec for a second more before moving towards him, reaching him with his arms. He took Alec's left hand and put it around his shoulder, putting his other arm around his waist. And with one slow move they both stood up.

Isabelle looked at Alec with concern as Alec groand in pain, but he quickly made sure to reassure her with a mumbled "I'm fine."

The three stalked out of the room, towards Clary. Jace behind Isabelle, slower than usual for half dragging Alec. As they got out of the room, Clary's eyes grew wide at the sight of Alec. But she kept quiet, knowing they didn't have time to dwell on Alec's health state at the moment.

As they all made their way down the big hallway of the warehouse, Alec looked around to see unconscious men sprawled all over the place. Or, at least he thought they were unconscious.

They got out of the warehouse into a dark, big and vacant street. It seemed like the place was deserted. No lights were lit from windows or street lamps, and the place looked trashed and messy, like noone walked these streets for years.

And it all suddenly seemed too easy. Alec realized, as the same wash of doubt from before came crushing on him. There's no way they just walked in and out like that with no real issues.

Alec stopped walking suddenly, making Jace stop with him. Jace looked back at him.

"Alec what's wrong?" Jace sounded rushed but worried. Alec pulled his hand away from Jace's shoulder, trying to get out of his grip, as they all turned to look at him.

"How.." Alec started, but felt as if he was choked. "How do I know you're real?"

He looked at them, Clary noticed, with fear or confusion. Or something in between.

"Alec, come on, we have to move." Jace, as distressed as he was, still knew they had no time to chat now.

"No, this," Alec started again, backing up a bit. "This could be a trick." He said. He's knees buckled, and he gripped the wall nearest to him to catch himself from falling. With black spots threatening to take him away to unconsciousness again, Alec knew he couldn't hold himself up. His knees gave out and he let the wall go. Isabelle moved to catch him, but Jace was already there, holding him up.

"It's us, Alec." Jace said reassuringly. "Can't you feel it?" He asked, his hand hovering over Alec's lower abdomen, just above his parabtai rune.

Alec looked down at Jace's hand, the black spots dancing all around his vision. He put his own hand on the rune. He did feel it, it was really Jace. The doubt slowly found it's way out of Alec's mind, but before he could say something, the black spots took over. And as Jace cought him, Alec slipped away into unconsciousness once more.