Darkness of the Light

by JBelcher

A young boy named Striker is found alive in the middle of nowhere with hopes and dreams of making a difference the world , but that comes with a price, the world is plunged into chaos and its up to Striker to find a way to find himself and save the world, before it's too late...

The Darkness of Light

Chapter 1

Looking into the distance a blizzard was approaching at speed, rushing through the night sky like a crashing wave towards the shore, filling the peaceful darkness with greyish blue clouds threatening to beat down inhumane torture on the bare lands below. Yet staring down from the sky, in the peaks of the northern mountains, the snow already mounted high. Lay a wounded body.

More snow from the incoming blizzard would surely be impossible to survive, by anyone's standard. Yet amidst this, this solitary body lay quiet and still, difficult to see who or what it may be.

At a closer view this vague figure became a little more noticeable to the naked eye. It was the body of a small child...face down in the desolate whiteness covering the baron wastelands, seemingly lifeless.

With the fierce blizzard now in full effect it seemed like the chances of survival were constantly dropping lower and lower, but still, nothing stirring the empty soul that is this tiny child there in the snow. The conditions grew more intense, and even in this condition the body, bumped and bruised, moving only to the harsh winds, would never live. Its clothing shaking in the wintry winds blowing left to right in synchronisation with its snow covered hair down to the soles of his shoes.

In the distance from the child's body stared down a pair of glaring eyes, beaming yellow iris almost intoxicating to look at with the jet black pupil in the centre, powerful and strong. The eyes began to get ever closer to the child. After a few quiet thuds in the snow it became somewhat more visible. There shimmered a faint, shaded yet detailed outline of some form of canine, judging from its translucent appearance in the wintery storm.

The eyes became a face, the face a body, first instinct you tell yourself "a wolf, out here?" This wolf like canine figure walked up to the still body in the snow and, for a moment stood in stillness as if danger was lurking. Trying to see what was going on in the surroundings through the coarse winter storm.

A moment or two past until the wolf leaned over the lifeless soul and then slowly and gently put his nose into the snow next to the child's head...after what seemed like a slow but sturdy nudge, the child made a slight twitch, nothing drastic, just a slight tweak of a muscle, astounding! To see any form of life in the child is nothing short of a miracle, who knows how long it has been there for, minutes, hours, I dread to think.

The Canine figure, in a slight panic nudged the child again and again until it managed to gain some leverage between the chest and head of the child. After many quick movements and jolts the wolf had managed to manoeuvre the child onto his own back, by now the face was visible...it seemed like a young boy, pale white face a drab of snow on his nose. His eyes were closed and his hair hung slightly over his left eye.

The wolf shaped figure sank his teeth into the hood of the coat worn by the child as a means of keeping the boy sturdy as the wolf attempted to step backwards to gain momentum. The Wolf Like creature had a quick glance at the path ahead sniffing the air for a scent of safety. By this time the Blizzard was starting to subside but the creature knew he could not risk being caught in a second wave or it wouldn't just be the boy in trouble. The figures eyes slanted downwards the pupil getting smaller and the yellowness intensifying even more as a sign of determination grew, it plodded heavy footed through the snow, slowly but very true in its movement...it was not going to give up.

It would be assumed that thirty or so minutes had past, the struggling beast had been carrying the dead weight of this boy for centuries it seemed, but hope was about to take a stand in the shady canines fate. It lowered the boy for just a moment to catch its breath, looking up to the sky as if to ask for help or direction, it looked to the left then to the right, its eyes widened with glee not only to see how far he had travelled but to see signs of a cove nearby. A darkened out natural shaped hole just a hundred or so metres away...the canine plucked up the strength to walk back to where the boy lay and sinking his fangs back into the hood of the jacket of the child and once more, started to drag the boy closer, ever so closer to sanctuary...

One last tug of the jacket and the boy was now rested just on a small rectangular stone on the inset of the Cove. The canine, now staring at the unconscious boy closed its eyes for just a second before turning away, and slowly walking around the corner to grab a few minutes alone, the rest up, relax after so much pain and strife in achieving this heroic deed.

Chapter 2

The storm seemed to have past for now...

The boys eyes closed themselves tighter before loosening up to a weakened state, eyes seemingly glazed over still trying to gain focus after a long sleep. Finally at full sight the boy gathered in his surroundings, thinking for a split second before realising he wasn't somewhere he knew. The boy scrambled to his feet in a panic. The numbing pain was pulsing through his legs. His body shaking violently as he attempted to re-establish his balance, still trying to get to grips of the weight of his body once more

"What am I doing here?" he asked himself out loud...

Suddenly a rustling sound came from outside the cove.

The boy grabbed a fiery stick from the campfire with whatever energy he had left, and slowly backed away into a corner nearly tripping over where he once laid.

With his body heading towards the wall, the noise slowly crept closer.

The boy shouted "WHO'S THERE?"...

not a peep, just footsteps trudging ever closer to the cove

At this time the boy is scared...he panics, within his hand the fiery stick shook violently. Without a firm grip the stick laid entwined in the boys' hands, wobbling freely. All of a sudden a shadow appeared by the entrance of the cove...it was that canine shaped head but unknown of the circumstances, the boy was too frightened to notice anything other than a sense of his life being put in jeopardy.

"WHO'S THERE?" the boy shouted again, trying to muster some confidence by gripping tightly onto the flaming stick, but again nothing. Almost without sound, in the distance much like a whisper, pitter patters of slow and careful footsteps making slight tapping sounds as if tiptoeing on stone like ground.

Suddenly the shadow grew larger...and as the boy stepped back again...he felt a shard of rock stab him into the back ...he jumped forward in absolute terror...as the shadow drew closer

The boy stepped back again and this time fell over his own feet...he dropped the fiery stick as he fell and just laid there curled up in a ball hoping that this was all a dream...

The shadow shrunk into a true persona and out from the unseen front of the cove appeared the wolf, with was seemed like a pouch in its mouth.

The boy shut his eyes ever tighter hoping everything was going to be alright...

The wolf stood there staring at the boy and just shook it's head...

the boy stopped shaking and opened one eye to see the wolf just standing there...

then he heard a voice speak to him..."trust me to be given a child". With what sounded like a half sigh after.

"Who...who's...there..?" the boy trembled.

The wolf put the pouch down and walked closer to the boy. The voice spoke again,

"I am not here to harm you. I am here to guide you..."

"Huh?" the boy looked at the wolf

"Are?" The Boy shook his head in disbelief. "A...Are you speaking to me?" the boy asked aiming his stuttered question at the wolf.

The wolf just nodded

"speak your name child." The voice spoke in a commanding yeah soft tone.

"I..." The boy, with his head facing downwards, was trying to find some kind of inspiration. "I don't...remember."...the boy replied with a quiver on his bottom lip.

"How are you talking to me?..." asked the boy trying his utmost to hold back a tear, with regret of forgetfulness, feeling inadequate realising he doesn't even remember something as simple as his own name.

The wolf let out another sigh of some sort slowly closing his eyes in doubt as the voice spoke once more.

"This is a lot to take in child but ...it seems you have lost something more than you're your memory..." The wolf said, pausing for a moment to regain its composure. "I've been asked by the gods to protect you on your journey...I am speaking to you through your beliefs, difficult to grasp I know but you will learn, now, considering your name is forgotten...I shall give you a name, just for the time being, I sense you are going to be asking many questions from now on, I shall speak your name once, and then we rest.

The Boy nodded still shaken up.

"Let us rest...tomorrow is going to be a busy day...Striker."

The boys' mouth was open, saliva almost dripping from the left hand side, completely speechless, dumbfounded by the possibilities.

"You're my...Are you my...guardian?" asked Striker

Closing its glaring eyes and lowering its head to the floor the wolf voiced, "That is correct...Striker...but please enough for today...you need your strength"

Striker just laid down trying to understand how everything has come about over these few moments...and then thought to himself..."I will find my home...someday I will find my way..."

Striker's eyes grew heavy as the wolf lay down beside Striker in an attempt to keep themselves warm overnight...

"Goodnight" said Striker as he slowly lay back on the rectangular canvas lazing his eyes back into a lull.

The wolf said nothing, as he laid himself beside the canvas staring at the fire as it slowly dies before his eyes.

The wolf rested his head into his front legs, after yawning heavily its eyes lowered into a deep sleep, with a sense of fear that tomorrow may bring more than just a hard day out of the two of them.

Chapter 3

Early morning had arrived rather quickly, wiping sleep from his eyes the newly named Striker attempted to climb to a sitting position yawning in the process. After rather enjoying his lengthy yawn he scratched the top of his neck, giving himself a much need loosening of a tightened neck muscle. Looking dead ahead with a slight blur he sees the wolf just staring eye to eye.

"WHOA!" Striker shouted as he fell backwards over his latest resting place landing back first on rather solid stone. While struggling to his feet rubbing his lower spine all he could see was this slight smirk appearing on this wolfs face. "Hmph, too easy" the voice emanated. "That hurt you know!" Striker squealed in his young voice. "You have witnessed nothing yet" Whispered the wolf, as he turned away with a small laugh echoing through the cove.

"H...hey don't leave me here!" Striker whimpered as he tried to dust himself off from his rather amusing fall. Striker leant over and grabbed his jacket from beside the blackened ashes of the now doused out campfire of the night before, tucking it under his right arm before sprinting off to follow his newly found companion.

Finally catching up with the faded wolf figure Striker puffed "Where are *huff* we going to?"

"You'll see soon enough" Emitted the wolf.

"I hate surprises!" groaned Striker as he folded his arms over the back of his head

"I know, it's why you still live Striker"

Suddenly stopping, the wolf's ears prick up to the morning sky, not a cloud in sight just the clear blue with the sun's rays poking out from behind the mountain top.

"Look at the ground Striker, what do you see? What do you feel? More importantly...what do you hear?"

Striker stared at the wolf for a second before his eyes widened "AAAHHHH" The boy dived to the left instantly covering his head curling himself up into a ball.

The Wolf with a disturbed look on his face took one glimpse at Striker before asking "What the hell are you doing? I ask you three simp..." The wolf stopped mid sentence looked to the road ahead quickly scouting the area sniffing at all possible surroundings before a quick rustle from the small bushes no more than a hundred metres ahead let out this acute angled projectile of some sort.

Heading straight for where Striker was standing literally seconds ago the wolf helps Striker to his feet before hiding him in the light green foliage a few footsteps from where he dived. The Projectile shot past whistling as it cut the fresh mountain breeze.

"How did he?" The Wolf said to himself, "no, impossible, he could not have seen something like that coming from there, and with such swift reactions, he's only a child for crying out loud".

"How did you do that?" no answer "Striker, are you listening to me" The Wolf put his paw on Striker for self assurance before hearing the faint whisper of six words. "I don't know, I just don't", a small tear crept from beneath his light green eye as he let out a quiet sniff.

"Hey don't worry I'll help you, I swear on my devoted life I will" The Wolf commanded. "We must now tread carefully through the forest ahead or I will have sworn on a very short lived life".

Striker wiped the tear from his eye before slowly nodding in acceptance.

"The forest is dense the shade is our enemy and the trees will be of no support we must trust our own guidance and our legs to be true"

"I Understand, we better go now or we will be victim to another barrage" Striker said.

"You even knew what I was going to say?!" the wolf told himself with a look of dismay. "There is much I must learn before my job is done..." The wolf alongside Striker Scurried toward where the light faded away and enticing dark shadows began.

Both Striker and Wolf Looked at each other simultaneously nodding at each other and in sync saying under their breath "It begins now, there's no turning back". They both took a deep breath with a slight closure of the eyes before widening their view and picking up the pace, running into the forest wilderness. No one knew what was driving them, but with the emotions they show on their faces, the mark of determination that glimpse of hope in their eyes the sense of justice in their run and the deepest of memories holding them together from the edge of insanity they step into the unknown as a young warrior and his Guardian Angel.

The light faded almost seconds after running in unison together through the entrance of the forest. At a glimpse all that was seen was a seemingly endless array of green tones and dense and intriguing black shadows enticing your every movement towards them.

The Wolf's ears dropped ever so slowly as be slowed back down to a walking pace. "Why are you stopping we have to carry on, or who knows what might happen!" Striker Exaggerated in a panic.

"We cannot just run around hoping this is just a straight sprint, this forest is vast a dangerous. It covers almost a fifth of this continent. If you think you can run that much then be my guest. We are much safer to pace this safely don't you think?" The Wolf questioned.

Striker gave himself a moment to stop before pondering on the wolf's words, after sighing he replied "I guess..." He kicked some dust from the ground in the typical way a child does when they don't get what they want, then asked " So the Mountain we not long climbed down from leads into this forest?" The wolf nodded.

"This may seem like a stupid question but does this forest have a name?" The Wolf Nodded again. "They call it Silva infinitas infinitio somnium" Striker looked at the wolf completely baffled by what was said.

"Wow, that's one hell of a name, what does it mean?" Striker asked. He seemed rather eager to know more. Stopping to grab his breath momentarily the wolf sat down beside a small canopy of tiny pink berries. "It means the Forest Of Endless Dreams. It's been handed this name by the elders of this world."

Striker turned to the wolf slowly kneeling down beside him intrigued and in anticipation to hear more. "Oh, you want to know more?"

Striker nodded frantically with a grin on his face, tiny dimples appearing on his lit up face. The Wolf chuckled "well we had better set up camp for the night, go grab some of those twigs over there and start a fire, while I set up a little something over here.

Striker sprung to his feet quick as a flash and ran to the other side of the pathway picking up as many twigs and small branches his small framed arms could carry. He spun on one foot 180 degrees before sprinting back to where the wolf sat trying his utmost to not drop any of his fodder on the ground. After making it back he dropped the broken debris on the ground with a grin on his face "Finished!" Young Striker bellowed looking at the wolf as it let out a yawn.

The wolf shook his head to the left as if to say take a look. Strikers face looked right then slowly upwards with a mouth widened like a hungry fish awaiting its meal. "Holy...how did you, when did you? Incredible," The wolf smirked and just said "let's just say, I have a knack." The wolf had made two hammocks out of huge leaves and bent the trunks of 4 smaller trees to support these leaf like hammocks in the time it took poor little Striker to collect a few bundles of fodder.

The wolf then leant down and began to blow gently onto the group of broken branches and twigs collected by his 'apprentice' so to speak.

Striker almost sniggering at the wolf held back a burst of laughter before saying "Err, don't you think you're going to need a rock and two more twigs for that?" The wolf looked at the giggling Striker with the statement of don't doubt my ability. It wasn't until he looked away at Striker when the wolf blew again on the same pile of broken remains of the surrounding trees when this tiny fire shoot up from within then branches.

Striker stopped laughing instantly, completely bemused by what just happened. "Hmph" The wolf denoted from under his breath.

"Okay okay, I'm sorry I just thought..." "Don't!" the wolf interrupted young Striker in a snarling tone. "Now do you want to hear this or not?"

Striker gulped in fear as he quickly sat himself beside the campfire.

"Good, you listen, learn and obey all in one asking. You may be easier to train than I thought." Pausing for a split second he continued "but that's enough talk of that for now let me finish where I started...now, where was I, ah yes."

(Monologue)

Long ago in the time of the great king Zephyron, this part of the world was unknown, unclaimed by human hand. Knowing of this and the prosperity it could bring also thinking about being able to extend his vast kingdom he sent out his best men to bare sword and shield and travel on horseback to this great forest. Their arrival was made know when the castles trusted messenger, a kestrel by the name of Morainia returned with a message to the king, reading "We have found the forest you spoke of my liege but there are mysterious beings in here we are unsure how to despatch them, our blade leave them unscathed, our shields not a bruise on their skin...we are not ready to be defeated, we awaits your orders" signed by the Crimson Legion.

"Crimson Legion?" asked young Striker slightly lowering his eyes with relax and rest. "They had a name, is that so bad?" the wolf questioned, eager to continue his tale.

"No no, just for some reason something gave me this vision of them one of them looking a lot like..."

"Hmm?" asked the wolf. Striker shook his head, "It doesn't matter, please continue" his right hand showing his palm urging the wolf to continue.

"Strange..." the wolf thought to himself. Shaking his own head the wolf discarded the thought to continue on his tale.

The wolf cleared his throat...

(Second part of monologue)

King Zephyron knew this couldn't be a practical joke, his greatest knights in dismay, impossible! So he ordered them to stay there until he arrived. After a five day journey across his kingdom, through the marshes, across the river separating the kingdom and traversing around the edge of mount Octava, and before you say anything yes Striker that is the mountain we have not long detached ourselves from. He finally arrived at the camp of his legion.

He leapt off his steed as he stepped towards the camp, but something was not quite right, none of his men were there. "Odd?" The King thought, "They must be bathing nearby of something, I'll await their return to understand this plight of theirs." He removed his helmet covering his face and lowered it to the ground as he sat down much like we are now. Several hours passed and still no sign of his men.

"This is preposterous! Where are those Bumbling Fools!?" He belted out loud.

He Picked up his helmet again allowing it to become a part of his facial armour once more, he pulled his Sword from its sheath and started marching toward the forest, leaving his trusty steed behind to rest, it was long before he noticed strange things happening to him, he started hallucinating of this beautiful woman floating in front of him in just a white dress with index finger enticing him to follow. Dropping his sword as he fell prey to her enticement he slowly drifted in her direction, deeper and deeper into the forest until he was stopped mid drift. The mysterious, yet very beautiful figure's voice urged him in whisper, to open his eyes.

The King opened his eyes to see a glorious fountain before him, sparkling brightly with all colours of the rainbow, like something read in a fairy tale. He couldn't believe his eyes; it was amazing he couldn't take his eyes off it. The voice continued to whisper him asking him to stand in front of the basin, to look into the water and say a prayer or just say a wish. He wished for eternal life an everlasting kingdom, all the power he could control and then asked for this forest to be his own to stay in times of need.

The Figure looked at the king opening her eyes, slowly filling with red as she let out a cry of anger, before she rushed through the King ripping out his soul and standing back where she stood quicker than a blink of an eye. King Zephyron stood there lifeless as he see his reflected self empty, just a neon blue outline of his body, no feature, nothing.

He begged the Woman for forgiveness but she ignored his plight as she poured his soul into the basin. The water in the basin turned jet black the fountain shaking and the lifeless kings' last word was a bellowing No as his life flashed before his eyes and he withered to nothingness. His soul is said to have been heard to this day echoing his wrong doings around the forest. Regretting everything he had said wishing he had never become so greedy. But this fountain is set to exist but for those wishing for more than they have been told to sleep eternally dreaming of what they should have worked to get instead of wishing it here.

The Mysterious woman still haunts those whose temptations are weaker than their hearts whispering their willingness away. They call her The Maiden of Slumber.

(Monologue ends)

"The end" The wolf said as he lowered his head looking down at Striker as he lay there in his leaf hammock almost asleep with a smile on his face.

"That was a great tale, I hope we make it through here safe...ly" His eyes dropped ever so slowly before he rolled over and breathed heavily.

"I hope so too Striker...I hope so too." The Wolf Climbed into his own hammock before following in Striker's slumbering footsteps.

The last glimmer of light emitting from the top of the trees faded out as darkness fell throughout the forest leaving nothing but silence and the two in rest.

Chapter 4

With nothing but a small glimmer of light beaming down from above the canopy of trees above the two still lay there asleep. This is unusual; usually by now the fire would be dead, the wolf would be preparing the day's work and Striker would've been awaking anytime now. But they are still sound asleep.

Around the camp there echoed and eerie sound, sounded very much like someone rubbing their finger softly around a glass letting it sweetly sing. Striker stirred still shut eyed, the wolf unaware of anything as if he was in a state of comatose.

Slowly Striker removed himself from the temporary hammock as he follows the singing echo from around the camp and leaves the safety of his Guardian. The enticing music slowly becomes louder and louder as young Striker continues to follow it subconsciously.

With the music now clear in your ears Striker almost replicating The recently spoken King Zephyron, comes to a fork in the road, not even given a seconds thought turns to the left hand side and follow the path round. A few more paces forward and Striker is now floating around a blind corner until in sight appeared the Fountain in the Tale the wolf spoke of.

Striker lowers to the ground setting his feet sturdy before the fountain before his eyes slowly opened. His eyes appeared to ignore the fountain at a first glimpse, he quickly looked back rubbing his eyes not believing what he is seeing Striker gasps before he says "It's the fountain, and it's just like he said in the story, incredible." He stepped towards the fountain basin and looked down "the water, it's still there and it's crystal clear."

A sudden breeze swept around the fountain area as the leaves surrounding swing round in a small tornado slowly lifting in the air. Suddenly a bright light blinds the forest Striker quickly covers his eyes with his right arm avoiding him to be affected by the stream of solar power.

The light faded and as Striker lowered his arm he looked in dismay as he couldn't believe it...she was there long golden blonde hair, indulging brown eyes, soft pale skin, floating mid air in silence eyes staring at her hands as they appear to be in prayer.

Striker gulped as he looked into the basin again, silently contemplating.

Back at the camp the wolf was stirring slowly awakening himself from his coma like slumber. After yawning he inspects the camp before noticing Striker wasn't there. "Striker? Striker!" He yelled to his thoughts, no reply or sense of his being in the vicinity.

"I've got to find him! The gods will never forgive me for my stupidity!" The wolf left everything behind running around in aimless directions trying to find Striker.

Meanwhile Striker was looking into the basin awaiting a voice to speak to him. "You have been dreaming about this haven't you?" The whisper came through the wind and spoke

Striker nodded slowly and very nervously.

"Do not fear, just tell me your dreams" The maiden looked at Striker.

Striker, remember the tale cast his mind back, looking at the few years he's had memories of the good, the bad, the dreams and nightmares, living beneath his deepest trail of thoughts leading to his soul.

Striker sighed.

The wolf was now in a frantic panic "Striker! Striker!" He screamed out looking left and again as he looked right. He stopped in his track as he arrived at a fork in the road. The wolf stood there teary eyed. "I won't let you go I have to protect you!" He pushed out a tear from each glowing eye and threw himself down the left path hoping it was leading him the right way.

Striker looked up at the maiden "My dreams? I wish I could just forget all the anger I've had and return it with the courage to battle on forever"

The maiden let out a smile moving her praying arms apart.

"Wait!" Striker yelled to the floating maiden.

She opened her eyes looking down at him, "Is there something else? Another wish maybe?"

Striker looked behind him before turning back and answering "I want everyone to be safe again; I want to see peace restored to this fractured world once and for all, I may only be young but I know that things will only get worse."

"HMPH, you wish for your own fears to be removed but also want the earth to be safe? HAH such confliction, I'll grant them, but you have undoubtedly titled your gravestone!"

Her arms opened up both now stretched out in perfect symmetry horizontally. As she let out a mumble of unspeakable words. The fountain began shaking

The Wolf now not far from Striker suddenly began sensing him again "Striker? Listen to me do not give into temptation be strong...Everything's going to be ok...I promise"

Striker...hearing every word he had to say just let out a quiet statement back "Of course it will...I've wished it that way".

The Wolf drifted around the blind corner only to see it was too late she had just taken a step back as she lunged herself through Striker.

The wolf's eyes widened as he saw his soul being pulled out of his companion. "NOOO...This can't be happening! Don't...! Please...STOP THIS HE'S JUST A BOY!"

Another light beamed as she returned back to where she stood. The Déjà vu was set to continue, "Now let us see how you fair on slumber"

She slowly leans toward the basin looking at Striker's body standing there lifeless. "You were just a child with so much to live and now it's your time."

The Wolf runs towards Striker with the last of his energy "Please...be ok, Striker the world needs you...I...need you!"

The wolf fell to Striker's feet, tears streaming from his eyes matting his fur.

"Simple wolf you should not meddle in matters not concerning you". The maiden releases the soul of Striker into the basin. The Fountain still violently shaking becomes more violent producing a torrent of hurricane and thunder storm bursting upwards swirling vigorously around the wolf, which was now gripping his paws around Striker's empty Body.

The hurricane storm falls back into the basin as a colour starts to dye to the colour of the once crystal water.

The colour was turning from black to white, tinting purple, before glowing yellow. Slower and slower the colour changes, but ever more intense do the colours become. Finally the fountain stops and ever so gradually does the colour follow suit.

Wolf still hanging on to what he believes is still Striker as the surroundings become much more docile than prior to the wishes. The Maiden vanished and everything seemingly normal. With the wolf opening his eyes realising all this time he's been hanging onto the base of the fountain. He climbs to his feet and quickly but precisely looks around trying to find any trace of Striker, but soon realises...he's all alone.

Before looking anymore he turns and jumps up to look at the colour of the water..."Green? What does it mean?, is it good or bad" the wolf lets out a powerful howl before looking away and dropping back on all fours. The wolf bows his head in shame, trying to hold back another barrage of tears "What have I done? Lords what have I become, I have failed you all and am alone once more...is this what was expected of me?"

As he turns to walk away from the area a small drop of water falls from one of the towering leaves above the tallest trees, just a single drop. The wolf's ears prick up as he peers behind himself and then up towards the sky. Seeing this small crystal drop from out the sky he followed it to its landing, into the fountain, making the faintest little splash the wolf lets a small smile creep on his face " I will remember you, as short lived as it has been you are part of me now, I will carry you on, this promise I intend to keep.

With that said a twinkling noise echoes behind the wolf, he looked behind himself again this time turning his whole body and looked at the fountain, This white light surrounded the rim of the basin thickening towards the centre where the deepest of the water lie.

The wolf slowly stepped back towards the fountain before stopping at the base. He sat down looking at the floor. Closing his eyes, he said a little prayer in his native tongue, before lying down.

The light beamed through the trees up into the night sky beaming into the heavens above before seeing this black figure being dragged out from up there as the light slowly follows the black figure downwards back into the forest.

Pushing the trees apart with gale force this blackened figure fell faster and faster towards the basin of the fountain a small fire left in its traversed flight. Quickly slowing down and spinning upside down as it comes to and almost complete halt leaving itself poised in the water of the fountain.

The Wolf completely unaware of what has happened stood up again stepping back about to look back at the fountain to see if his prayers were heard and noticed this black figure.

Its back to him knelt down in the water, wearing black from foot to neck. Big boot like shoes jet black, Buckles across the back of the calves in brown leather with the trousers looking like the same leather but in a lighter black almost grey compared to the boots. Looking further up his belt was crimson red wrapped round twice diagonally across his hips not passed through the trousers the buckle was brass as it clipped over the top belt with a symbol of a wolf etched into it. His Jacket was Jet black the collar was raised up and leather just sitting there passing no further than the bottom of his stomach. His hair was a shining, no shimmering silver with a possessive aura drawing you closer in.

The Wolf just stared motionless amazed at the sight of this figure, not even knowing if he is in immediate danger or not.

The Figure lifted its head looking at the back of the fountain area before slowly raising itself to its feet its coat dropped to its full length beside its centre of the thigh. The unknown entity pivoted itself on its right leg then spun itself around. The wolf just gasped in amazement.

The eyes of the figure slowly opened. And this tiny mouth let a small smile out.

The Wolf gulped looking up at the figure glaring at a now visible males face. The eyes slowly open to show this really deep green staring through you reading every movement and thought, grabbing you by the hand, resting your mind at ease piercing your heart, with such powerful but gentle intent.

He opened his mouth with a single sentence that pierced straight through the wolf's mind "It's good to see you again, friend". He smiled.

The wolf flabbergasted stood in awe of this teenager must be seventeen, eighteen at least.

"It...It can't be...Striker?" the wolf took a second to grab a breath and rub his left eye with a paw.

The smile widened with these pristine white teeth piercing through and at a closer looking pretty long canines ready to sink into anything. Tough meat, soft skin anything looked possible with them baring down.

"Good to see I'm not forgotten, how long has it been now ten, eleven years maybe?" The grown Striker replied in a much deeper tone rather gentle yet commanding, much more reassured of himself it seems.

The wolf looked in dismay " It's been like twenty maybe thirty minutes since he was the small boy I was due to train, help get to know the world...yet he is this strong young adult glimmering with prospects and inner strength is just beaming down from him. The wolf explained to himself.

"Let's get out of here shall we my boots are clean enough now I think" Striker said as he pushed off into the air landing behind the wolf bending his knees to support his landing.

"Shall we? Old friend". The wolf still trying to get to grips with the whole scenario just closed his eyes momentarily before re-opening to look at Striker and nodding.

Striker undid the buttons on his coat to reveal a navy blue shirt with white stripes going down from the centre of the shoulder blades to the bottom of the shirt.

"Let us move out of this maze, there is someone I have seen in a dream that I must see".

Both the wolf and the now teenage Striker left the fountain are walking around the corner to head back to where the road forked where the journey is again to begin but this time, with what seems like a new person.

With the same emotions being attached between the two of them they look to each other and with a twinkle in both eyes of Striker and the wolf, they smile and nod together and prepare to walk through the right side of the fork, looking forward to the exit of the vast, lush forest.

Merely footsteps away they both walk steady, together again. But this time you get a sense something more than just that young boy the wolf still sees inside the new Striker. Much more than just a simple plight, a tiny prayer and one or two wishes changed their fates. There appears there is a much more serious for fulfilling ultimate goal that they are both heading for and who knows eventually the answers will become clearer to both the wolf and for Striker.

Chapter 5

Taking one final step in the Forest of Endless Dreams before leaving the nightmare behind teen Striker took out from the back jean pocket a pair of sunglasses, tinted a light blue and silver. Breathing gently onto the glass Striker lifted up his shirt and began to rub a small smudge on the left hand lens. The Wolf looked at him, "what's with the sunglasses?" "I may still be young but I'm not THAT stupid, you've always tried to fool me like this *chuckle* not this time." Striker lowered his shirt looking into his lens before slipping them onto his face, just covering his deep green eyes they were razor like, sharp looking streamlined frames holding everything together so perfectly.

"You ready for this old friend?" Striker said using his index finger to slowly drop the shades allowing the top of his eyes to see over them lens'. The wolf let out a slight shrug as they both stepped through a bush standing between the forest and vast outdoors.

"I don't see what I have to be so prep...ARGGHHH". The wolf growled mid sentence as they stepped out into the beaming sunshine, sitting gloriously in the sky with tiny wisp like clouds in a lustrous blue sky.

The wolf gave himself a second to reinstate his vision to the new scenery before turning violently towards Striker who at this point was laughing his head off, rolling on the floor, tears of laughter streaming down his face. "YOU! You knew all along!" The wolf snapped. Still attempting to regain his composure still. With a slight giggle under his breath Striker replied "Of course I did, I just can't believe you fell for the oldest trick in the book!"

After climbing back to his feet Striker looks up to the sky, "We need to find a place to grab lunch and rest for a bit, we have a ways to go now before we meet them".

Stepping from broken branches to a small cobbled area was slowing its effect on the poor wolf's bruised paw, but even without a grimace on his face the wolf battled on. The cobbles didn't last for long eventually the rough, cutting edges of the small pebbles and the tiny stones, the dusty surface; it became a lush green meadow with small purple flowers growing in patches. Emitting the sun's rays to leave the vast space with a golden sparkle of small floral petals and tiny feathers left behind by the birds.

Striker ran off into the centre of the meadow where this large rock morphed with a flat edge just lay without any real reasoning. Beside it a tiny white lake just laying there leading east into the Ocean which could be seen in the distance, Shining, showing every detailed wave collide together in harmony.

"C'mon what you waiting for, hehe" Striker yelled out to the wolf. Giving a split second to gather himself again he dragged his heavy body to the rock formation where with little effort sprung himself onto the top. "Hey, you cheated" panted Striker as he struggled to climb onto where the wolf sat quietly anticipating the setting sun into the very few purple clouds as the sky deepened a lustful red.

Giving himself one last push Striker finally managed to climb onto the top of the rock he walked up to his companion dropped down on one knee and looked at the wolf intrigued by his thoughts, before looking at the same beautiful sunset staring at them.

"Nights are drawing in quick this season..." Striker said calming down as he took in his own thoughts trying to see if he can picture anything that has been missed, everything looking inverted in colour as he continued to wear his sunglasses.

"Mmhmm, the nights are going to become colder also, such a shame to see such beauty fade in such a short space of time huh?" replied the wolf, lulled by the red and mellowed by the sleeping sun.

"I hear you old friend...Hey! I tell you what let me catch and cook dinner tonight, will make a change and the rest will do you some good." Before Striker could give the wolf a chance to answer he stood up and jumped off the rock landing double footed, one slightly pivoted just in front of the other, his coat giving him air resistance in his decent to the ground cushioning him to avoid injury.

Striker took a look into the small lake and saw some small aquatic life each one differently patterned to the next. There were slight ranging in colours vibrant reds calming yellows and fierce oranges glowing in unison. Striker took of his coat as he knelt down beside the school of fish, hands standing by the bank just looking in awe of every single fish. A different thought crossing his mind with each fish, a meal for every fish. Closing his eyes he raised his hands into the air. Counting to five in his head his arms crashed into the water at a slight angle and with such power he forced half the water onto the bank, majority of the fish even lay in the puddle he just caused. He opened his eyes again to see what had happened. Bringing his arms out of the water he looked to his right and saw what he had done.

"This'll do" Striker said as he picked up the pretty much dead fish in his arms and placing them into his coat before walking them round to the other side of the rock formation where a part of it made a very good natural shelter. He leaves them to the side as he walks around the large rock to find smaller ones as a means of an area to place his fire.

It wasn't long before he had the fish hooked onto a small stick over a glowing fire cooking slowly but thoroughly. "Friend!" Striker yelled "It's time to eat". The wolf climbed back to his feet and jumped down onto the grassy field. "Staring at the stars again are we? You know you really are philosophical about your logic, but without it we wouldn't be able to tell anything". The wolf sighed as he turned round to see four fish laying on a small rock just for him. Cooked perfectly inside and out. "I am not as logical as you may think, but I do try to help when I can" The wolf smiled in acceptance of the food before if you would pardon the term wolfed them down.

"Man! I am stuffed! they were delicious" Claimed Striker as he used the bone of one of his meals to get tiny rations from in-between his canines, The wolf sitting there pretty quiet if I do say so myself.

"Why the long face" Striker muffled as he removed the last piece of leftovers from his teeth. "...I don't know, I guess I miss, you in a strange kind of way" The wolf replied calmly lay beside the fire.

"But I'm right here I cannot be missed if I am in your company?" Striker questioned.

"It's hard to explain Striker, I just miss what I see as the real you" the wolf muttered.

"Please tell me what you mean, I feel uneasy knowing you are troubled by something" Striker demanded.

"Get comfortable, this may take a while."

Striker leant back with his spine resting on the edge of the large rock and he crossed his ankles slowly moving his right foot left to right over the top of his left foot. The wolf took a moment to gather his memories looking deep into the fire before slowly turning to Striker, eyes looking lost, concerned that he can't see young Striker in there waving to him.

"It's been barely a couple of hours, to me, since I saw...you" Pausing to compose himself with a little water building in his left eye. "Last time I saw him the fountain wiped him away, taking the very existence of this poor boy from under me. He...he was wishing for a peaceful world and to lose his fear and nervousness, I felt him wanting them away, call it intuition, call it what you will...but to know he sacrificed himself to be a better person. All he got was the same world, deeper green eyes, three foot gained in height, now silver hair removing his soft blonde hair, and the confidence he always wanted."

Striker looked at the wolf with his pupil shaking slightly on the spot wondering if it was who he thought the wolf was going on about.

"I see my future with him, helping him to learn how to protect himself, to be a better person, grow in stature, in confidence. Pushing himself to become an icon in history reminding people he was the kindest soul, the one that people could look too in times of need, a shoulder to cry on and the words of wisdom and comfort to turn any dire situation into a positive motive. I look at you now Striker and wonder if I jumped into the future seeing a decade rush by so quickly without me even seeing it. Whether I'm in a dream and this is telling me what I will let the little boy you were become, but no you are of flesh and blood, stronger bones and a smart mind, stronger, faster. You are what I wanted you to become but I missed it."

The wolf takes a second to allow the tears to hit the ground, Striker looking on understanding the wolf's plight, trying to find the answers at the same time.

"You didn't even know your own name" He chuckled, "yet even now you continue to bear the name I gave you do. I bet not even now could you look deep in your soul and tell me who you really are. Your past, the present, why you wished for all those things, why you just couldn't bear to be you!"

Streams of tears clogging up the fur of the wolf fell like a waterfall as he tried to continue

"You are more than just Striker the boy who was, I know you were, but I wanted YOU to know that, yet you stare at me as if to say sorry...You have no need to be I'm sorry...I'm sorry I left you to be dragged into the way things are now. Its shouldn't be this way...It just, shouldn't"

Striker climbed to his feet running to the wolf nearly burning himself on the fire he made before dropping before him wrapping his arms around the wolf's chest.

"What the..." The wolf said. "I'm still that boy you wanted to look after, I am here, I've just become what I should've been from the start, I was a victim in need of a lifeline and I couldn't pass that opportunity, you've got to believe me...I didn't know I was to become what I am today...as far as I was aware My fate was decided, I was going to return the world with everything its needs at the cost of one person. Isn't that what it's really worth, one person willing to give up his life to let others live happily ever after...Well...Isn't it?"

Striker clenched his arms tighter around the wolf in a way to force the wolf not to go anywhere as a small tear fell from his eye. "I'm done with being scared I know with what I have become I can change the world myself, starting small I can make a difference" The Wolf just stared as Striker let go from his grip, standing to his feet and twisting himself so he now faces away from the wolf.

"I don't remember much of my life, there has been too much wrong, too much hatred, for the worlds society and the wars that happen even in the comfort of your own home. I wanted to be confident so I could stand up and be a number in that family not just something pointed at with shouting words. Too much pain, from seeing the ones you thought you loved most turn on you out casting you from them, regardless of situation leaving you in a dark room with only the shadows for company." Striker paused a moment flicking his hair out of his eyes before clenching his fist.

"I really did want to leave this world, but you somehow saved me from that. What drove you to it will forever be a mystery, for the record I am not being ungrateful but I don't see why you didn't just leave me, save yourself. But you are right I do want to know who caused this anger, My Agony!" He slammed his fist into the closest part of the rock watching as blood slowly trickled from between his knuckles. "This is the only pain I wish to feel from now on, it's the only pain that is worth feeling"

The wolf stepped towards Striker cautiously replying "There doesn't have to be any pain if you let your past go"

"I don't remember enough of my past to even forget, that's the problem! I see images of places and people but nothing more...no one listens to me! It's so damn unfair!"

"Life's Unfair Striker! It's a fact of life. I have been here from the start of this and I'm not about to bail on you now, too much is riding on both of us to fulfil our destinies, you want to say no one cares well I do! And I have a purpose in life. I cannot fulfil that purpose until I help you figure out your past. I cannot move on until you know yourself, deep within your heart and soul. I will help you, together like we have been from the start...right until the very end, what do you say?"

Striker looked straight at the wolf and said "I'll think about it".

Striker walked off into the night with his hands in his jean pockets and his hair covering his face and he watched himself walking off. The wolf knew hunting him down would only cause more stress, so turned back to the camp and lay down slowly resting before falling to his slumber.

That night the wolf lay peaceful without a care in the world. For Striker he continued walking throughout the night searching for the one answer to his endless array of questions playing on his mind, it seemed that this may have been the best for both parties, I just hope they don't let this separate them again.

Chapter 6

The Sun rose early showing off its glorious rays like the unique being it truly eyes. The rays sneak round lighting up the dark areas of the land, after beaming around the meadows the light glared into the wolf's eyes. Closing his eyes tighter trying to ignore it the wolf stirred from his sleep, lifting his head as letting out a rather heavy yawn, tongue falling out from his mouth before falling back into position, his eyes slowly opening to the glaring sunrise. He slowly climbed to his feet stretching his limbs giving a slight kick out of his right leg before drawing himself together again.

The wolf gave a shake of the head before realising; Striker wasn't there, in a little less of a panic the wolf, instead of shouting his name just jumped up onto the top of the large rock to attempt to get a view of the area. Not even worth a look striker was there, sitting on his tail bone with both feet planted dead in the ground, flat. With his arms folded resting just on top of his knees with his chin buried into where his arms meet eyes staring forward, without movement.

The wolf's ears dropped not only in relief but in respect for the silence between the two of them. Just a slight breeze blowing a few pieces of floral debris across the sky. The Wolf just sat behind Striker trying to imagine what he is staring at and what is going on through his head.

"You were right..." Striker said as the wolf's ears pricking back up "I don't know my own name, maybe because it brought back the tears, maybe because I prefer the name you gave me."

"...Striker" The Wolf replied softly "You are more than just a name and I was wrong to believe you to be anything else than what you are now, regardless of situation you are still the one I rescued from the mountain, The one who..."

"I understand...It doesn't matter now, what matters is there is a past to find and a future to write...We've talked enough for two days." Striker Climbed to his feet, "but first I need to wash so if you wouldn't mind waiting round the other size I'm going to jump into the lake"

The wolf nodded as he made his back off the rock and back by the remains of the camp. Striker started to remove his clothing down to his shorts before dropping his clothes to the ground before taking a running jump into the lake. "Cannonball!" Striker curled himself up mid air as he plunged into the lake leaving a rather large splash behind him.

After rising to the surface he swam to the edge of the lake and leant himself with his elbows on the embankment and his head tilted back gathering some much needed sun on his body.

The wolf sat there looking up at the sky grabbing himself a few thoughts on the days travel ahead, but this shadow lingered over in fact it was too large to be one shadow. The wolf looked up to see a group of people standing round him. Guns, Cutlasses, and knuckle dusters shared between them...all staring with evils grins at the helpless wolf.

"Err...Striker?" The wolf said trembling. "Count yourself lucky, it's the same but I'm in just my shorts." Striker replied shyly.

This stocky figure moved in closer to the wolf baring yellow teeth saliva running through them, a dusty grey beard, scruffy black hair. "This be our lucky days lads, we caught yourself a little lost boy and his pet dog" The gruff voiced chuckle.

Striker now being dragged by his arms trying to resist but to no avail found himself sitting next to his companion, both looking up awaiting their fate.

"Nice boxers ya got there lad, mum knit them for ya?" The group sniggered and sneered pointing at Striker. Striker's mouth dropped into a rather serious frown. "Don't EVER talk about my parents like that!"

"Or what?" the gruff voice shouted back. "you gonna cry" laughed the gruff voiced man.

Striker, now enraged just stared with evil intent at the man's face his eyes swirling fiercely, the green slowly lighten before infusing with a beam of yellow. "You will regret those...Words"

The group laughing synchronised look at each other, they cannot believe this young boy was standing up to them. What a joke!

Striker lay his hands flat on the gravel where the camp once lay, slowly pushing his fingers into the ground, his eyes turning into a burning red, almost crimson in colour. Before the old man could speak again, probably another insult to through at Striker. He was thrown to the ground by the arm of Striker.

Pushing down with force Striker manoeuvred his body so he had the gruff man's face pushed into the ground with his knee and an arm being pulled backwards out of its socket. "I warned you, but you didn't listen! You will die" Striker snarled

The group quickly pulled out their guns loading them before placing aim on Striker, the old man coughed and spluttered as the dust choked him on the ground his eyes grimacing in pain with his arm in tight lock being wrenched ever closer to break point.

The wolf was helpless his legs wouldn't move for him, "I say the odds are against you now, Boy!" The man strained out of his mouth. Striker knew he was in danger but didn't let it show his eyes as red as ever glowing with a burning fire inside, ready to attack. "Heh I knew you were yella boy har har har" The man coughed and spluttered in an intimidating manner.

Suddenly from out of nowhere this item pierced the sky and flew straight into one of the group members. This particular one, white face even whiter hair and beard just dropped to his knees screaming in agony and his face crashed to the ground...

"Dead?" thought the wolf to himself. As he saw an arrow buried deep in the dead man's back. The group in a worry put their guns closer to Striker's head, Striker snarling at them showing his fangs as a sign of territory.

Another volley of arrows flew through the air picking off another two or three members Striker knew this was his chance to get out of this. He twisted the gruff voiced mans arm right round using it to pivot himself as he swung his legs taking another person off their feet before landing back with his two knees buried deep into the Leader's back.

The used his left arm to pull out a cutlass from within the man's sheath and without even looking he threw it into another member of this gang of people. The wolf who had now gained movement again ran through the bodies and dived at one of the men, falling to the ground letting off a shot from his gun firing into the sky. Striker finally picking up the gruff voiced man held him in a tight grip slowly gripping tighter, taking the air from inside of him.

"What now huh! WHAT NOW!"...Striker about the throw his fist into the neck of the man had his hand pinned back by the wolf. "Don't do it! He's not worth it, let it go"

Striker letting go of the Man with a push letting him try to keep his balance as he stumbled to his feet still staring his eyes slowly losing the redness and returning back to the green they were. "You'll regret this, I swear ill get you guys for this!" The man bellowed.

"Not where your heading Van Lovenkrads!" This Rather powerful female tone echoed. Suddenly this elegant female came from over the top of the rock formation diving to the ground rolling back up in perfect motion. "Well done sir, you and your friend here have just helped me capture this foul beast from terrorising the area further than he already has." "His bounty will feed you for many a day I can guarantee you that"

She stood there long dark red hair flowing down to her tail bone. Wearing a purple shirt buttoned from the bottom to just above her cleavage. Ash coloured leggings and a pair of brown leather gloves. Her boots looked like hand sewn cloth shoes, much like the ones you see in martial arts films. These were white with a leaf green swirl around them.

The Female turned round looking at Striker and the wolf with a cute little smile, sweet brown eyes accompanying her beautiful carmine locks flowing around her body. She turned back round and tied a rope around the old man's wrists and ankles. "Time to take you to jail, and I reckon you're not going to see another decent day like today for a long time" She said pointing at the crook with purposeful intent.

Striker just staring at this fair lady, his mouth was wide open much like a pet goldfish. A small drop of saliva drooling from his mouth. The wolf just sighed with a look of "oh brother" aiming his statement firmly at Striker.

"So err... Miss?" Striker began to ask. "Miss? No no no no no, you got me all wrong. She stood there proud, her hair blowing backwards against the wind, her feet planted firmly into the ground pushing her chest out as she relayed "The names Tatyana Stormrider, I am the bounty hunter of the Aegis of Kilka.".

"Well err...Tatyana, it's mice too neat you, I mean nice to greet you. I err...Hi" Striker said almost embarrassingly as his words slurred.

Tatyana giggled slightly "It's good to meet you Mr...?"

"Striker...Striker Razorfang, I'm a freelancer of this world journeying here with my companion, err..."

The wolf looked at Striker before saying "My names Luthane"

Clearing his throat Striker quickly continued "His name is Luthane. He and I have been travelling the world looking for answers to questions no one can answer."

"It's good to meet you both, but I fear we must quit this idle chit chat before we lose sight of the goal. We must take this fiend back to my home where we can claim the bounty".

"May I ask something why you giggled?" Striker questioned.

Tatyana giggled again "You are standing before me in your shorts, no offense but you should really be more graceful in your clothing".

Striker looking down then back up at speed became slightly red faced as he quickly attempted to climb back up to the rock, embarrassed as he just as quickly grabbed his clothes and began to put them back on. "It was merely because I was trying to bathe in the lake."

Tatyana just looked at Strikers silhouette with a grin. Before long Striker jumped off the rock fully clothed "Better?" he asked.

"Much. Now let's get going shall we!"

The three of them walked off together dragging the tied up Bounty as they venture forth to grab some much needed rest at a real town, some real food and maybe even a real bath. Striker before carrying on picked up the cutlass that lay in one of the dead group members, taking a short look at it before unbuckling the sheath and attaching it to himself. Taking another look at the blade he wipes the blood stain into the grass before placing the cutlass into his newly acquired sheath. With a short burst of energy he ran to catch up to the other two.

About a half days walk and they arrived at the gates of a small town leading onto a brilliant and amazingly tall tower.

Tatyana took in a deep breath before releasing the words "I am home".

The three look at each other as they push Van Lovenkrads into the town for all to see. All standing tall, courageous and valorous in their accomplishments, feeling good about themselves for what seemed like a long time coming. The Townspeople stopped in awe of what has become of this Man and they all looked up to see Tatyana standing to the left, the wolf on the right and a very proud Striker in the centre all being encored with a standing ovation form of applause from the people of the village.

This was going to be a day to remember, for a long time to come.

Chapter 7

Van Lovenkrads was then helped up by two burly men in shining armour and walked off behind the villagers and their houses, Tatyana now with a content look on her face turned to Luthane and Striker with a twinkle in her eye. And a gleam of purple as the sun setting in the background let its rays focus on Tatyana just for a split second. Striker looked at her feeling weak in the knees and a deepening of his green eyes, a shrinking of the pupil and a long at peace sigh.

"Well, this is my hometown, Vanindol. You are more than welcome to stay, but I would recommend you head into the town hall and acquaint yourself with the Arch Lord there, he shall be the one to sort out your reward" informed Tatyana as she look at the clock on the tall standing tower. She then points over yonder to a small hut with a purple door and two gold stripes rolling down either side of large black knocker placed directly in the centre of the top of the door. "When you're done be sure to go to her, It's my home but I have a spare bed and a mattress somewhere, if you're lucky I may even have a meal for you".

Striker with his eyes widened and mouth watering started to rub his hands together in satisfaction of the thought of a home cooked meal. "Oh Boy! Quick Luthane let's get going I'm starving!" Striker licked his lips as he held his stomach. The wolf just looked at him with a puzzled look on his face. "If your stomach leads you everywhere I shall be afraid." Striker just laughed off the remark as he turned towards the square located to the right of the entrance.

"Hey Tatyana?" Striker asked. Tatyana turning around awaiting the question, "What is that large standing tower you were staring at, and where is the town hall from here?" Tatyana looked at Striker with at first a confused look, and then realigned herself with his eyes before answering, "The town hall is the large chapel looking building with two gold pillars you cannot miss it. As for this tower, its where we keep our bounties imprisoned for questioning and to let them feel the pain of their sins. Enough talking get going you two or you'll get nothing." Striker nodded as he turned back to the right and started to jog off. The wolf just stay staring at Tatyana before slowly lowering his head almost in a bowing fashion. As he raised his head he winked at Tatyana as his only means to say thank you. The wolf then turned to catch up with Striker who was now walking by the centrepiece in town. Tatyana with a half smile on the right hand side of her mouth let out a quiet chuckle as she headed for her house.

Luthane crept up alongside Striker to find out what he was doing. Striker was just staring at the centrepiece surrounded by a round fountain of water. "Lovely water feature huh?" Striker said calmly

Luthane looked into the water before looking up at Striker. "Some very powerful memories spring to mind". Striker looked at the wolf "Why haven't you told me your name before all this? I know I should've asked but curiosity is getting the better of me."

Luthane looked back as Striker and sighed after shaking his head. "In all honesty I didn't tell you because I was unsure how long we were going to be just acquaintances, but I'm more than happy for you to know my name now, I think we are going to be more than just acquaintances and for a long time to come".

Striker looked at Luthane with a look of relief. "You know, you're right, I think we have become good friends in this short space of time, especially when we both had each other's back with Van what's his face and his bunch of Merry Mary's" They both chuckled, before Striker looked round to find the Town hall.

Striker caught it in the corner of his eye and pointed vigorously at it in the corner. "There it is! well shall we?", Luthane nodded in agreement as they both began their walk around the fountain like water feature, and marched towards the steps leading to a large wooden door.

"Do you reckon we should knock?" Ask Striker. Luthane looked straight at Striker as if to say, Are you Serious? "Yeah your right common courtesy may do us wonders" Striker said as he took in his stride the large white steps leading to the door. He rose out an arm about to knock on the door, both doors slammed open before his clenched hand even touched the wooden frame. There stood two armoured men again each with the door in one hand and a spear in the other, standing dead straight Spear aiming towards the ceiling.

"Th...Thanks" Striker said nervously as he stepped into the chapel, Luthane slowly following in behind. The guards slammed the doors shut behind the two now pointing there spears towards the back of the chapel, in complete silence.

Striker gulped as he slowly walked further forwards on a deep red carpet with a gold patterned trim. He looked up to see A rather tall man standing in front of an altar in gold armour what seemed like an emblem on his chest and a long white draping cloak.

Luthane's ears had dropped as he whispered to Striker "I feel uneasy here, something just isn't right"

"Yeah but what can we do it's not like we have any chance of turning back now, we just got to take what is going to come our way and deal with it as a team." Striker confidently answered.

Both Striker and Luthane stopped at the bottom of a flight of tiny steps leading up to this man. Before they could say anything, the Man spoke "Outsiders, you were unknown to this village; you have been welcomed in by one of our best as a comrade. Yet, you prove yourselves worthy by bringing us the bounty of a dreadful killer. For that I, Arch Lord Draken will humbly accept you as friends to the village of Vanindol. You are one of us now; if you wish to stay you are more than welcome to, if you assist us like this every time we could once again become a peaceful village."

Both Striker and Luthane bowed in respect, accepting the Arch lord's compliments. "We do have rewards for both of you, they may not be much but I hope they will help." The Arch Lord pulled out from his sheath a sparkling sabre encrusted with the towns emblem engraved into the handle knelt down and handed out the sabre to Striker. This is the sabre of purity, it cuts through the evil in this land and clears your mind when troubled, use it well young man". Striker took the sword from Draken's grasp took a couple of steps back and began to wield it, just like he knew what he was doing. He spun himself backwards 720 degrees before pulling out the cutlass he took earlier, beginning to dual wield them in a quick practise he slotted the cutlass back into his sheath and placed the sabre between his double wrapped belt.

"You are very skilled there Sir..." Draken said

"The name is Striker M'lord" Striker replied rather quickly. "Indeed Master Striker, and as for your companion here, it's unusual that an animal has assisted in the capturing. But I think this may be the best we can do" Draken removed his tabard from his chest and said "let me hand this to our tailor and I'll get him to make it to suit your very needs." Draken looked quickly at Striker rather curiously. "For a wild animal he is quite tame. How did you manage that"? Striker lowered his head and chuckled "I really don't know but Luthane and myself have been close for some time now."

"In that regard Luthane, please be sure to go to the small hut to the west of this chapel to collect your worth. And Striker, I wish you good luck friend."

Arch Lord Draken and Striker Stood together in unison with a strong knight's handshake before both him and Luthane departed out the front chapel doors.

"Striker! Luthane!" Draken shouted. Both quickly turned around looking back at Draken in suspense "Welcome to Vanindol."

With synchronised sighs of relief both Luthane and Striker walked out the doors helped out by the knights who still, god forbid how they do it, stood there silently.

"Well I'm going to head to the hut Striker you'd best meet up with Tatyana; I'll be there soon enough." Luthane told Striker

"You're right! How could I forget a beauty such as her"?

Luthane just looked at Striker questionably. "You truly are clueless" He slowly walked off to the hut to pick up his new tabard.

Striker made a quick 180 degree turn before power walking up to Tatyana's house. "After checking his hair in a random window and straightening his jacket, he knocked on her door.

"The door's open" Screamed a voice form inside. Striker slowly opened the door to see Tatyana in her clothes she was wearing earlier covered by an apron as she carefully watching a cooking pot bubble.

"Make yourself comfortable Striker, supper's nearly done." Tatyana said as he slowly released excess water from the giant pot.

Striker took off his boots and took of his jacket putting them by the inside of the door. He walked into a small living space with just a small chair and a rug covering the majority of the room. Tatyana came out from a small door to the left hold two bowls of burning hot soup. "Luthane not here?" Tatyana asked inquisitively. "Collecting his gift" striker replied nervously.

Tatyana handed over a bowl to Striker "here you sit down and indulge, I'll leave Luthane's in a small bowl for when he returns.

Striker tipped a small portion of the soup into his mouths smacking his lips together gently as he gathered all the flavours. With raised eyebrows and a grin on his face he awaited Tatyana's return to the room before giving his verdict.

"How is it?" Tatyana asked

"Its, incredible. Just like the cook" Striker said as he went slightly red in the cheeks in a hot flush. "Oh stop! It's nothing special, besides it's the least I could do for you" Tatyana said as she blushed watching Striker drinking down the rest of the soup.

Luthane walked through the slightly opened door, with his shiny new tabard being worn on his two front legs and across his body. "Oh Wow, The Lords Tabard, you must be privileged" Tatyana said as she leant over and patted Luthane's fur on the top of his head.

Striker closed the door behind Luthane to prevent the cool night air from stealing the warmth from within. "There's soup in a bowl in the other room for you Luthane"

Luthane Nodded as he walked into the room next door.

That night Striker and Tatyana talked about anything and everything, their childhood, how they got where they are. Favourites, pet hates, you name it, and it came up in conversation.

It grew late rather quickly and before we knew it Tatyana had left both Striker and Luthane asleep on the rug and the chair as she went to her room up a small ladder in the right hand corner of the room.

Peace echoed throughout the village, as the moon stared down giving a small light in the windows of those afraid of the dark, the stars beaming in the night sky, making pictures of kings long since passed. Not a cloud in sight, everyone was silent, so quiet, not even a breeze whistling. It was like time stood still. As the village rested for the night.

Chapter 8

Striker and Luthane were rudely awoken the next morning by the stomping of feet. Tatyana deciding pretty much to tread on Striker's foot.

"Argh! What the hell!" Striker yelled as he sprung up, his foot kicking Luthane in the side springing him into life with his teeth bearing like he was ready to pounce on his prey. Tatyana trying her best not to laugh yelled at the two of them " you lazy so and so's get up! We have to go!"

"Wha...where?" said a half asleep Striker, trying to grab a quick yawn before continuing. "It's still early"

"We just have to go, now c'mon, I have your shoes and jacket you can put them on as we go. Now come on!"

Striker knowing Tatyana was being dead serious climbed to his feet petting Luthane on the back where his tabard lay since last night. Striker then turned slowly and began to walk towards Tatyana, "Shoes, please" Tatyana dropped both shoes onto his feet. Striker jumping out the way, before quickly putting them on. "Something's up, you weren't like this last night when we were chatting, you were sweet and really good to connect with."

Tatyana Sighed. "It's not you, I sense something big is about to happen and we have to stopped it before it's too late."

Striker Looked at Tatyana deeply staring into her worrying eyes, "I believe you, so I will help you."

With a look of hope she ran up to Striker and wrapped her arms around him holding on tightly releasing a tear from each of her eyes. "Thank you"

Striker and Tatyana now stood rather close, with barely a breath between then and he looked at her with a sense of protection.

"I'll follow you to the ends of the earth if it meant you were at ease. I hate to see someone so befriending and courageous worry."

Tatyana looked at Striker with contentment her eyes with a slight sparkle in the corner.

She looked away in case she got lost in his glaring green eyes, trying to read her every thought. Striker felt something coursing through his veins, as if being pumped into life with new fresh crimson blood. Tatyana looked away paying attention at a ready Luthane, who in turn nodded as if to say let's go.

Striker let Tatyana go in return she handed him his Jacket. As they went to leave the house Striker took a second to sort his jacket out and think about what just happened. He shook his head before running his hand through his silver hair. He quickly gathered his weapons and attached them as they were the night before as he walked out the hut.

Tatyana wasted no time in running to the entrance of the village, quickly followed by Luthane and Striker slowly walking behind.

"C'mon, Striker we gotta hurry." Tatyana shouted

Striker looked up at her standing there her hand by her mouth clenched in a worry, her eyes watery knowing a single blink would bring flood of tears streaming down her precious soft skinned face.

Striker's eyes changed into a dark brown as his mouth went from a straight face into a face of relentless determination. He clenched his fists before moving forward, He started to run. Not a jog, this was pretty much sprinting, he ran straight past grabbing Tatyana by the arms swinging her up in the air and putting her on his shoulder. Luthane trying to grasp what just happened had to pick up the pace in order to keep up with Striker.

Striker did not stop running; he knew in the back of his mind, Tatyana was his sanctuary from all the things that go wrong. Luthane was his Guardian when times got rough. The three of them together were the Heart, mind and soul.

Not knowing how far he has ran or for how long he has been running Striker slowed down, Putting Tatyana down, he dropped to his knees, put his head into his hands and just cried.

Luthane, who had finally caught up, walked away knowing it wasn't the best moment to be having a go at Striker. Tatyana leant over Striker trying to see what was wrong. Strikers just shook his head, but as adamant as she was Tatyana pushed Striker to the ground, trying to pull his hands from his face, wanting to see something beneath his cool complexion, see the real Striker.

Deeply sniffing as he wiped away his tears Striker looked up to See Tatyana there in front of him, and to his left A Slowly nodding Luthane.

"Everything's gonna be ok Striker, We are here for you." Tatyana said as she lent in with a gentle cuddle placing her head in his chest followed by Luthane putting his paw on Striker's back.

This was the reassurance he needed, to know he was never going to be alone again, This Young man, still just a boy inside, trying to grow up, but never being able to, because inside them both lay a heart that just cannot lie.

Chapter 9

After finally coming to his senses, Striker wiped away his drying tears from off his face, before placing his hands on Tatyana's shoulders " Thank you," he turned his head to Luthane "Both of you."

Luthane just nodded, Tatyana on the other hand took a positive approach while looking over yonder "Well now that's over and done with, how the hell do we get back to the village and quickly, considering you've carried us both pretty damn far".

Striker just looked behind him, "Its over the hill, considering its downhill it should take us half the time".

Striker climbed to his feet holding onto both his cutlass and sabre trying to regain his balance. "We best get going; I wouldn't want you two to miss out on anything."

Tatyana nodded in agreement as she started to jog towards the top of the hill, Luthane winking at Striker followed on.

"Hey guys! Wait for me" Striker shouted as he tried to keep up.

It wasn't long before they had all climbed to the top of the hill, only to see smoke in the air. Scouting the area the three of them follow the path of smoke back to the source. To their amazement it leads to Vanindol. The whole town was on fire! Burning high, with no signs of help, just suffering.

"You were right Tatyana, something big did happen, we better get there and fast!" Striker said in a soft tone.

"This is terrible; we have to find survivors and quick!" Luthane said.

Tatyana stood lifeless with her fists clenched tight and the burning village in her eyes. Before the others had a chance to console her she jumped off the hill and started to run as fast as she could to get to the village. Striker and Luthane quickly followed trying to catch her up.

Tatyana was first to reach the village looking at the ashes and rubble of the houses and huts around, Striker ran straight into the village with Luthane immediately running into the burning huts trying to find survivors. Taking a moment to take in the sights Tatyana walked straight to the fountain. Striker came out of one of the huts, shaking his head in regret, followed by a saddened Luthane.

"There seems like hope is not on our side Luthane" Striker called out. Luthane nodded, before raising a paw to show Tatyana walking off in the distance.

"Tatyana!" Striker shouted as he raced off to find out where she is going. Luthane shouted at Striker "I'll continue to search for survivors, be there for her!" Striker raised his hands giving thumbs up as he continued to hunt down a rather quiet Tatyana.

Striker run around to the Fountain, but Tatyana was nowhere to be found. "Tatyana!...Tatyana where are you!?"

"Looking for someone, hehe" A dark voice echoed.

Holding Tatyana in the air by nothing but his stave this dark cloaked figure stood there staring at Striker.

"Let her go!" Striker shouted as he drew his cutlass from his sheath.

"Hehe, a challenge from a puny boy such as yourself would barely work a bone in my body" The cloaked figure said as he threw Tatyana's body into a pile of rubble on the other side of the fountain. Chuckling as he watched her body crash into the broken debris of what used to be the town hall.

Striker gasped in fear of the worse, before turning straight back at the hooded figure. "You'll pay!" Striker drew out his new sabre and positioned himself ready for battle.

"This should be fun" The figure removed his cloak to reveal a disgruntled body, battered and bruised, with parts of his shoulder blades poking through his skin. His right eye stitched over and a split from the left side of his mouth leading to his jaw line between his ear and his chin.

The Disgruntled male then rose his hands into the air throwing his stave as high as he could. This ray of darkness flew out of the stave engulfing the area that surrounded the man as he looked with an evil grin towards Striker. "you may have two weapons but I can have as many as I want" Pulling his hands down the stave threw itself into the darkness transforming itself in four runic blades each drenched in blood waving around furiously, only the blade in sight the rest of the blade, just shadow. They were just there, without being gripped, rested mid air, floating.

Striker gulped as he tried to regain some composure. The Disgruntled man closed his fist tight, dismembering the dark circle, and pushing both his hands tightly as if readying himself in a boxing fight.

The disgruntled man throw the first punch, almost literally he swung his right fist hard forward, and as if commanded two of the dark rune blades stood straight before rushing themselves at Striker. With hardly any time to react striker managed to parry the first blade and roll out of the way of the second flying at fast pace not far behind.

"Hmph. pretty clever, but you won't be so lucky with the next one" The Man took a step forward and then did a one two combo with his fists each time he seemed to break a wind barrier, The sword again stood at attention, before aiming themselves at Striker. Quickly climbing to his feet Striker attempted to run towards the man, but not for long as the swords flew, even faster towards him than the last quick barrage.

Striker again smashed the first one out the way, still charging forwards. He jumped to the side of the second blade before jumping onto the top of the third blade. Kicking the shadow as he pushed himself off with force. In mid air he used both weapons to cut through the final blade. Without hesitation Striker swung both his blades backwards and threw a lunge with both towards an in range man, who just grinned. The swords collided with what seemed like a barrier, hitting it with such force the Barrier didn't even break a sweat it just sparked with electricity before throwing Striker away.

Striker swung his body's momentum so he landed on his feet. His legs almost buckling under the pressure he slid backwards a few yards. Before pushing off again, trying the same thing again. This time the disgruntled figure pushed both his arms outwards.

"You've had your chance, now die!" He slammed his hands together as in a split second Striker was caught in the top of his arm by one of the blades. Throwing him into the wall to his left.

Striker stuck elevated off the ground grimacing in pain didn't have time to try and get out before the second third and fourth blade all slammed into his limbs, his opposite shoulder, and both ankles.

Striker let out a scream of pain knowing he was helpless, blood dripping from all parts of the body he was being held up from. Slowly losing feeling in his hands he dropped both his sabre and cutlass to the ground. The man walked up to Striker laughing wildly before saying " You fought well, maybe it was worth the work out after all. But I'm afraid it's time to say goodbye." The Man lifted up his hand with his nails pointing inwards aiming towards Striker's face.

Suddenly shadows started to swirl and form a ball before Striker's eyes, the man took a step back, gave himself a second to hold the force, before unleashing this shadow ball towards a helpless Striker.

Striker lowered his head knowing his end was inevitable, but in a blink this white light collided with the shadow, stopping its movement in its place. Slowly dissolving it. And there stood The Arch lord in his golden armour standing there facing Striker. "Wake up Striker, your time isn't now". Draken turned round staring down the evil figure.

"Oh, come to save the day have you now. Hehe you really are pests to his land. I should've burned your village sooner, being as I'm such a nice demon, I let you all live haha...until now hehe" The mangled figure chuckled.

"For all the lives you have claimed this day, it shall be repaid in justice." Draken loosened his cape throwing it up into the air, twisting itself around, it let out a shimmer before this grand Steel claymore with a golden handle dropped from within it. Draken caught the claymore mid flight and spun himself swinging the large sword straight at the face of the demon. Again the shield blocked, but it seemed it had some effect on it as the electricity caused it to fade. "No wonder he's stuck up there, you couldn't bare the sight of losing to a true warrior" Draken bellowed as he twisted his body once more again aiming his Claymore straight at the Demonic figure.

The demon shimmered before vanishing completely evaded Draken's strike. He reappeared behind draken and stabbed his nails into his back, before vanishing again and sitting on the fountain.

"You've slowed in your old age, you've become just too simple a target to annihilate hehe", the demon said as he vanished again this time pulling out one of the swords from Striker's ankle. Striker shouted in agony as his eyes glowed.

Draken unaware of what the demon had done put the claymore to his side awaiting the next strike. The demon reappeared again behind Draken, who couldn't see a thing, before he could realise the situation the demon lunged his runic blade into the spine of Draken penetrating his golden armour and thrusting deep into his flesh. Draken said nothing, he just fell to his knees.

The demon knew this was his chance. He raised his arm pulling out the blade from Striker's right arm. He spun it round and threw it into the chest of Draken, who knelt there paralysed from the waist down

Striker trying to get feeling back into his arm and leg watched the onslaught on Draken. But we weren't able to grab anymore mobility to help.

Draken saw his life flash before him as the demon pulled out a third blade from the other ankle of Striker. Striker didn't shout in pain instead fed it to his anger as he now hung as he did before all this unfolded. Draken looked up at the demon, blood pouring out of his mouth choking on his own blood. The demon just laughed as he readied to lunge the last sword to finish off Draken.

Striker fuelled all his pain as he twisted his impaled arm round to help his legs gain leverage, he flipped his legs on top of the blade and his other hand place itself onto the wall for grip. After the final blade flew into Draken's heart, Striker's emotions went berserk. He contorted his impaled arm and put enough strength into his bicep to smash the blade. He then threw himself at force towards the demon, with such rage screaming as he neared the demons body. Draken had fallen heavy to the ground, not a sound, just a pool of his blood he lay in.

Striker took a quick glimpse at the corpse of draken as he forced himself into the stomach of the demon his hands nearly pushing through the other side in such power. He pinned the demon down pounding his fists into the demons skull relentlessly.

Leaving the demon in a dazed state he went to grab his sabre by the wall, as he leant over to pick it up he was slammed into the wall by the demon " You fool. You dare to meddle in my plans, I should've killed you when I had the chance!"

The demon lifted Striker up against the wall forcing him against the bloody stone, where he once hung from, much like how Tatyana was before she was tossed into the rubble.

Striker's just looked menacingly at the demon, resisting the force being shoved against him. He then grabbed the demons hand and threw him over his shoulder slamming him to the ground. Striker then rolled him onto his back while he picked up his sabre.

"You should've killed me, but you were to afraid." Striker spun himself to his feet breaking and tearing all ligaments and muscles in the demons arm. Striker lifted himself into the air with his one arm before crashing down into the stomach of the demon with the sabre.

The demon let out a scream as he poured out with blood. It wasn't long before the demon had died in that state. It wasn't about to end there, another shadow rose from the ground, all to be seen was red eyes. "If you struggle against just a puny minion like that, then you will die soon enough muahahaha" The shadow vanished into thin air. Ignoring what just happened knowing it wasn't too important, Striker decided it was best to focus on what mattered.

Striker, grimacing in pain left everything where it was as he attempted to run to where Tatyana lay. He dropped himself beside her lifeless body dusty from all the debris surrounding her and a few cuts and bruises on the forehead. Striker using whatever strength he had, lifted Tatyana up to his waist, as he pulled Tatyana's hair from her eyes. He leant his head over her shoulder, thinking the worse. He pulled back and looked at her peaceful face, he slowly lowered himself again, but this time slowly kissed her on the lips. As he loosened he moved his head back only to see Tatyana stirring. Her eyes slowly opened still looking half asleep.

Striker's eyes lit up, all his muscles tensed up as the wounds he suffered were slowly drying up, no longer bleeding heavily. "You're alive!, Thank goodness." He let out a small smile "I thought you were a gonna" He wiped away a tear with his left arm.

Tatyana let out a small smile also as she looked lovingly into Striker's eyes. Before her eyes closed again she mustered out "Thank...you"

Striker picked up Tatyana carefully, trying not to hurt her or himself anymore. He slowly walked to the entrance where the archway which was now dousing out on the ground before looking around at all the rubble and ash. The fires had seemed to have subsided for the time being, considering the damage sustained in the village.

Striker continued to walk out of the village only to see Luthane sitting there looking pretty sorry for himself.

"It's ok Luthane, we've done all we can, we could have done no more without sacrificing our own for the good."

Luthane nodded slowly as he helped take Tatyana off Striker's shoulders leaving her perched on Luthane's back. They walked for a little ways back to the back of the hill they were at earlier.

"We should rest for the night Luthane, Tatyana needs it, for tomorrow we begin the memorials, only then will we all be able to move on." Striker said slowly as he perched himself in a position not so painful.

Luthane laid Tatyana down beside Striker as he quickly fell asleep. Luthane positioned himself on the top of the hill as a look out before he resting for the night.

After such an eventful night full of twists and turns the three of them lay sleeping knowing that they did all they could. Luthane tried to save those without hope. Striker trying to save what he cared about most, sacrificing a good man in the process. As for Tatyana, she tried to protect her home, only to find her mind told her to follow what she believed was right. In a way fate had a cruel part to play in this day. But tomorrow with much mourning to take place, questions must be answered. For now they were watched over by the gods, making sure nothing harmed what seems like the only salvation for the world...

Chapter 10

It wasn't even sunrise, all that stood out from the dawning day was a pair of green eyes, staring effortlessly at the sky trying to send themselves to sleep with great difficulty. As the stars faded and turned into tiny clouds the dawn was drawing ever closer beginning a new day.

Feeling pretty restless Striker decided it was time to occupy himself. He slowly arose from his spot stretching himself in the process letting out a small yawn, doing his best to not disturb a very peaceful Tatyana. He slowly stepped over her, in order to make his path away. Luthane was dead to the world on the top of the hill like, he hadn't a care in the world. Not a movement as he dreamt endlessly.

Striker slowly made his way down the hill towards the ash covered rubble that once was Vanindol. As he arrived at the entrance, he took in the baron desolation of this once peaceful village and let out a deep sigh. He took off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his T-shirt, slowly trying not to disturb the already dead village. He started by grabbing a few corpses slowly pulling them out of the village and laying them in a chaotic tidy manner.

After picking up many dead bodies, he managed to uncover some useful tools to help him in giving them a proper burial. Knowing too much noise would wake the area he quietly yet concisely made holes in the ground in precisely to the proportion of all the people he had uncovered and moved from the corpse-filled site.

He had done his best up until now. He ripped off his T-shirt sweat dripping from his forehead down to his pelvic bone starting again at his thighs travelling down to his ankles. He did not care he had the beaming morning sunlight penetrating his delicate white skin. He continued to push himself in order to make this place something memories are made of.

It had been the best part of a few hours before Striker stopped for breath, pulling out a small bottle of water, savouring every drop like it was his last. He knew he was nearly done, but for one very important person.

Trudging through the wreckage of a once quaint and tidy village, he arrived to the point in which he practically stared death straight into the eyes. Looking down to the floor he just looked with such dismay at a lifeless Arch Lord.

Knowing it wasn't the time to be mourning he lifted Draken under arm pulling his heavy armour and empty soul towards a rather large hole in the centre of the once happy town.

He stepped forward placing Draken slowly into his resting place he took a minute to search the area for something. Squinting his eyes he tried to look for it until his eyed widened in success of finding what he needed. He slowly walked back to where Arch Lord Draken once lay to see his Claymore laying flat on the ground with his cape surrounding the handle.

Striker grabbed onto the handle at the same time gripping onto the cape with both hands trying his utmost to lift the Claymore and pivot it upon his shoulder.

Managing to do so Striker marched himself back to where he buried Draken. Pausing for a moment he threw it blade off his shoulder upright, before plunging the blade deep into the ground. Leaving it to stand tall and proud, the cape flying to the left and then to the right in synch with the mixed wind that freshened the soot filled air.

Striker knelt down on one knee, taking a moment to say a few words in his mind about the person who, if it weren't for them would probably be doing this for him instead.

"He was a loyal and brave man" Quietly spoke a voice from the distance.

Striker took a second to turn around to see a rather sleepy Tatyana, wiping sleep from out of one of her eyes.

"I thought you were resting, after yesterday I wouldn't expect you to do much today, so I thought I'd get a head start" Spoke a calm Striker, taking in all the thoughts of the last few days.

"He saved your life, and yet you wish there was something you could do to just make it so that it wasn't him who had to lose his life, don't you" Tatyana asked seemingly more awake now, still a little slurred.

"He did his job, that much I know, but in the end if everything could be changed this world just wouldn't spin the way it does right now." Replied Striker as he pulled himself back to his feet.

"We must inform everyone about these, 'demons' if you will, who knows when they may striker again, and how devastatingly as well."

Tatyana just nodded, knowing it was the right thing to do, " I'm now homeless, heh, can you believe it, I just wonder what I can do, and I have nowhere to be safe to feel wanted." She turned away knowing if she carried on she would probably let her tears get the better of her, again.

Striker walked up behind Tatyana before whispering in her ear softly "you may have nowhere to call home, but to Luthane and I you are like the smile on our faces. I would be privileged to have you continue with us, besides you may find yourself a new place to call home, while travelling with us."

Tatyana took a moment to take in what was said before turning to face Striker. "I will go with you two to the ends of the earth if need be, you have become very trustworthy and also very understanding to my plights. If I didn't find where this was to end I would end up going insane with doubt and regret".

Striker let a small smile creep out from the left side of his face as he let a small wink pass his right eye.

Tatyana blushed as she attempted to change the subject. "Err...you may wanna grab your clothes, we still have a long day ahead of us."

Striker agreed, and standing side by side they went to awake a still silent Luthane who usually the early bird has become rather placid and pretty lazy in all fairness.

"So, how's your wounds doing?" Tatyana asked inquisitively.

Striker looking over his body, and his arms. "There's no pain and no wounds, its unusual, I never used to heal this quickly".

"It's strange, almost supernatural, but if you can heal this quickly then maybe it's a gift" Tatyana thought out loud.

"Hey I have an idea!" Striker quickly interrupted with a wicked grin on his face, "Watch this!"

Striker ran towards the sleeping Luthane without remorse. Without even stirring Luthane was pushed off his ledge and sent flying down the hill. A yelp echoing throughout the hills. Absolutely laughing themselves to bits, Tatyana and Striker both held their chests in agony from the laughter.

It wasn't long before Luthane walked slowly back up the hill, glaring at both of them laughing. "Which one of you did it!" Luthane snarled.

Tatyana stood there putting her hands on her hips locking one leg forward with a stern look of seriousness. Striker on the other hand was looking away with a pointing motion being shown from his hand, encouraging Luthane to insist it was Tatyana.

Luthane just huffed as he turned away. "Let's get some work done, shall we?"

Tatyana couldn't believe her eyes. The wolf spoke! Her eyes lit up with such curiosity. "You, just spoke?"

"What of it?" Luthane replied angrily.

"Luthane! She believes. You have no need to hide anymore" Striker interrupted.

"I knew that before I even started to speak. She's must faith in us, so why not grant her the same privilege." Luthane questioned Striker.

Striker just shrugged "It's fine with me, but I thought I'd say something if that was ok".

Luthane looked at Striker fiercely "Go on".

"We have no work to do, I did it before even Tatyana had awoken. We pretty much are stranded here looking for something to do, standing around doing nothing isn't saving anything except energy"

Luthane and Tatyana looked at Striker. Knowing what he said was true, they stood in a moment of silence to contemplate the next step.

Luthane's ears pricked up rather quickly, putting his nose to the grass. Before raising his head to the breeze grabbing a quick smell of the air.

"We better get going, a storm is on its way."

"A storm, the water would do wonders, might be able to rehydrate myself." Striker said.

"I fear you won't be bathing in this storm Striker, this one looks set on destruction." Striker replied.

"How can you tell this Luthane?" questioned Tatyana.

"The air has a sense of fear about it, the grass is swaying but as if trying to beg the sunlight to pull it away. It can only mean something devastating is on its way"

"Then we need to do something and quick, find shelter. Or maybe even try to get somewhere safe enough for us to camp tonight. If you are right then we could be in serious trouble" Striker said scouting the area "I see nothing but open fields and it looks like they do not end for miles"

Tatyana suddenly grabbed an idea "We have to go see the empress! She'll know what to do."

"Empress?" Striker replied baffled by the sudden outburst.

"Yes the empress of my race, she rules over Kilka she is very wise she will be wary of what has happened here, and I feel as the last standing citizen of Vanindol I must inform her of the dire situation." Tatyana swiftly responded.

Striker turned to Luthane and nodded before placing his glowing green eyes at Tatyana.

"You best lead the way Tatyana, but we must go now this storm will be here before dusk". Luthane stated.

Tatyana slowly lowered her head before nodding, "Striker, Luthane, thank you. Now let's get going follow my lead, we have a long trek ahead." Tatyana without a words warning shot off into a north east direction fists tightly gripped together.

Striker and Luthane quickly picked up the pace in pursuit of a sprinting Tatyana. It was now a race against the elements. Nature versus human and with a long distance to the kingdom of the empress it was going to be touch and go for a while.

They ran off into the blistering heat, The wind subsiding becoming nothing but a carrier for the warmth emanating from the Blazing Sun. Trying their best to not overdo it but to avoid the incoming danger that awaits them Striker, Luthane and Tatyana ventured to the hidden Kingdom of Kilka.

Chapter 11

The heat was getting more intensifying by the minute, bearing down on the flesh of Tatyana and Striker, red faced but still continuing. Luthane seemed worse for wear. Being in a full coat of fur, his fur was dripping wet from the sweat, his eyes burning from the heat.

He couldn't stop, as much as the storm would make him feel that much better he knew either way he could not fall behind, his, no they're lived depended on it.

Striker, trying to urge both of them on as he ran ahead thinking the worst case scenario at all times pushed himself a bit more with every step, thinking his pace was just not going to be enough.

Tatyana, with her hair flowing behind her tried to keep a steady pace, only she knew how far it was to go pointing constantly in different ways for Striker, as he constantly looked back for reassuring direction.

It wasn't long before disaster struck. Luthane who had been struggling behind had to stop, he couldn't take much more of the heat. Panting ever so quickly as his heart raced. Building a small puddle of sweat beneath him as his legs buckled from beneath him, sending him crashing to the floor.

Striker looking back again for another direction saw at the corner of his eye a fallen Luthane. He quickly stopped and turned round to find out what was wrong, Tatyana confused looked back also before pivoting on one foot and springing off in the opposite direction also.

"Luthane! Luthane! Speak to me!" Striker called out, hastily making his way there.

Luthane's eyes grew heavy as his panting slowed down, he couldn't catch a proper breath. Now laying on his side he knew he had pushed himself too far, he was paying for it right there his muscles tense, his body heavy and his fur matted.

"Luthane, don't you dare give up on me now!" Striker now in touching distance, slowed down sliding onto his knees landing beside Luthane, who look absolutely exhausted.

"What's wrong? C'mon speak to me old friend, please!" Striker trying to shake Luthane, who's eyes barely open tried to gain a small focus on the voice echoing through his head.

"He's dehydrating he needs water!" Striker shouted out hoping someone would hear.

Tatyana looked on, "We don't have any, anywhere. Hey, what about the lake further back?"

Striker shook his head, "No, if we go back there, we'll lose even more time. We can't let him die here, but we can't all die if the storm is anything as powerful as Luthane here described."

Tatyana nodded. "Then we carry him, the wind from us running should give him something to cool him down. As for liquidation, we may have to just run that little bit faster maybe the air will do the same.

"It's worth a try Tatyana," Striker replied as he hoisted Luthane onto his shoulders. "You lead the way, I'll be slower with him on my shoulders but I'll manage, you just worry about getting us safe"

Tatyana understood, so she gave Striker the thumbs up and ran her hand over the head of Luthane. "He's seriously overheating, let's go!"

Both Tatyana and Striker set off, Luthane catching the breeze as Striker slowly got used to the extra weight of Luthane on his back.

This was more than a race against time, it was a race to save a friends life. Striker was keeping up with Tatyana everywhere she turned. There were no signs of shade anywhere, just open meadows and corn fields for miles ahead.

"How far do we have to go?" Heaved Striker.

"We are closer, but still a ways." Tatyana replied as she tried to keep her breathing techniques

The day never seemed to end. The Sun lay motionless in the centre of the sky, streaming rays of sunlight on the bright corn in surrounding fields. The grass leaning towards the sun grabbing much needed nutrients.

Disturbing the peace, the huffing and puffing of tired but strong feet pushing down the green land leaving imprints in the ground. Striker was suddenly feeling the heat himself, not to mention a rather heavy burden of fur covering his back as he battled on through the intensifying weather conditions.

"You need to rest Striker, you are struggling to carry Luthane" called out Tatyana look back at a swaying Striker.

Shaking his head throwing drops of sweat off his face Striker shouted back. "I may be struggling but the only thing important at the moment is the safety of the three of us. I can recover, you and Luthane need to make sure you are safe. If I fall then I will drag myself even if I am in the storm".

Suddenly this gust of wind threw Striker off balance knocking him onto his knees which fiercely shifted Luthane from Striker's shoulders to the ground.

Striker climbed to his feet momentarily before he felt a sharp pain rush through his shoulder blade. The same shoulder that was pierced by that demonic blade. He fell to the floor again clutching his shoulder tightly growling out the pain under his breath.

Tatyana, looking on, tried to place her hand on the same shoulder but Striker just moved himself away from her hand and shook his head.

"The winds picking up, we don't have long. Just go on leave me a trail and we'll make it. I promise. My shoulder will only set me back a short while. Please."

Tatyana looked on at Striker who just couldn't gain any strength in his arm trying to climb to his feet constantly staring at Luthane.

"I feel like I've known him all my life Tatyana, I just cannot explain it. It's like a bond that you have with your closest member of your family. Just get the sense of protection and friendship. Its why I'm staying with him."

"I understand. I'll leave you a trail, just promise me you'll be ok." Tatyana said as she leant over to shade Luthane. "Keep him safe."

"I will, I promise. Now go!" Striker belted out as he clenched tighter on his shoulder blade falling to his knees..

Tatyana spun round and without a second glance pushed off and started running away at pace, she knew looking back would only fill her with doubt, she had to place her trust in Striker that everything would be ok.

Striker knew that he had no time to protect himself and Luthane but couldn't let anything stop Tatyana. The pain settled down a little, so Striker quickly climbed to his feet using whatever strength he had in himself to hoist Luthane onto his other shoulder, much like a fireman's carry. He took a second to try and sense his time before sprinting off in the direction of Tatyana.

Striker, constantly making sure Luthane was secure while switching his sight on the ground for traces of Tatyana, sweat dripping from his face, knowing the Sun was slowly descending from above him, his silhouette slowly running behind him instead of beside.

He took his eye off his goal for a split second just to wonder what if. Before he got a chance he felt himself being hurled towards the floor. It appeared he tripped on a small stone on a beaten down path. He landed heavily on his right side dust flung into the air as Striker closed his eyes with a grimaced look on his face. Luthane stay put on his arm, still unconscious.

Scrambling to his feet again trying to dust himself down one armed, he took one look at Luthane gave him a small nudge on the side of his face, still no life. Striker shook his head stopping himself from thinking the worst. He pushed on each step more intent than the last.

"Come on Tatyana, what have you left me to follow" Striker said out loud to himself. Looking around fiercely searching for clues of direction.

He came to a halt suddenly to take in the scenery. The Sun was now falling quicker than expected the breeze now gusting breaking small flowers swirling their petals in the air. He took in a deep breath, catching a strong scent of something definitely not plant like or pollinated. Something very feminine was close by,

Striker picked up the pace in the direction of the scent, running as hard and fast as he could. He knew he was catching up. He knew if he catches her up they will all be safe.

Striker looked at a formation of trees in the distance. They looked like they were crossing over each other. Just two trees large trunks symbolising their age. And green foliage spreading from the top downwards.

Striker began to slow his pace, trying to catch his breath, again nudging some life back into Luthane, again to no avail.

"Come on, Luthane I know you're in there. Everything is going to be ok, I promise!". Striker softly spoke into the ear of Luthane.

Striker looked around making sure he was on the right path, he looked to the sky at the clouds forming, then back to the ground where he saw something under his boot. He raised his boot in the air to find a small piece of purple cloth. Striker's eyes widened as he clenched tightly onto the small piece of cloth.

"Tatyana" He whispered to himself.

Striker stood there looking straight on as a heavy gust of wind blew through Luthane and hit Striker's still body, the wind pulling his hair back rustling his jacket and trousers.

The breeze died ever so quickly. Striker began to start his pursuit again before he felt a slight tweak on the shoulder Luthane was resting on. It was like life being pumped into Striker's shoulder as it grew heavy. He slowly looked at Luthane, and to his amazement saw the wolf's eyes push tighter together before slowly opening, to a very exhausted pair of eyes.

"You...You're alive? Haha! You're Alive!" Striker grabbed Luthane by his front paws swung his in front of him and just in his own macho kind of way hugged Luthane.

"Whoa. Slow down there. Heh I'm sorry to have scared you back there." Luthane slowly replied.

"You scared me to death! I thought I was going to lose you." Striker said as he lowered Luthane to the ground.

Luthane looked around while trying to gain some stability back in his paws. "Where's Tatyana?"

Striker sighed before saying back "I sent her on ahead. After you collapsed I've spent today carrying you. I've fallen so many times to the ground, but at least one of us will be safe in time for the storm."

Luthane just smiled. "You're a good man Striker. Now I have something back in my legs shall we carry on?"

"We are following a blind path left by Tatyana at the moment, the only direction and clue so far is this piece of cloth, it has her scent on it." Striker showed Luthane the cloth as he drew his nose closer to scent the Small area of fabric.

"You're right it is definitely her" Luthane raised his nose to the sky, took in a deep breath before taking a look at Striker. "We must continue forwards. Towards those trees. Her scent goes that way."

"How I could've done with that a while back" Striker laughed as he spoke.

"What was meant by that?" Questioned Luthane.

Striker shook his head "Now's not the time, we are closing in on Tatyana and some safety. We have to get moving, come on; I'm not letting you go this time. I swear this" Striker ran off to entice Luthane to follow.

"He's one in a million that kid. But his determination cannot be faltered. You will go far son." Luthane spoke to himself, as he took in another deep breath before taking it easy in a slower pace than Striker but with double the legs he will soon catch up.

They were closing in on Tatyana and Sanctum, With the Sun three quarters the way around the sky, time was against them, but back together nothing was impossible, with the reassurance of Striker, something gave ease in knowing he will always put everyone first.

Chapter 12

Luthane quickly became used to running again, his legs with a new lease of life gave him the stride and confidence to keep up to Striker's frantic pace.

"What's with the rush, we have a few hours before the storm arrives." Luthane asked.

Striker came to a complete stop just for a moment before replying "I've a bad feeling, deep down something is not right, it's good to see your memory hasn't been affected though."

"You look puzzled dear friend. Is it something you wish to elaborate on or..." Luthane questioned.

"It's nothing too drastic, you should know I always consider the worse case scenarios, and I guess it's what drives me. Besides we may only have hours, but who's to say we will reach Kilka in time. We have to keep pushing, or Tatyana will only be given more grief. That's something I refuse to take to the grave with me".

Striker shook his hair out of his face, kicked the toes of his boots into the ground before forcing his body forward, at a much slower pace admittedly, but expected. With everything that has happened anyone would've given up by now.

Luthane just shook his head before saying to himself "Everyone before yourself Striker, yet you get the relief you desire when everyone around you has the happiness they want. You are one truly special child son, it's no wonder your mother was so proud of you".

Luthane quickly snapped himself out of his closure before picking his own paws off the ground, pushing his body to gain enough momentum to catch up to Striker, who had seemed to regain his original pace.

Striker was still running strong, his arms thrusting backwards and forward cutting the breeze with his hands, and forcing his hair backwards with the thrusts of his movements against the cool air attacking his body.

"What are we looking for Striker? So we know we are on the right path!" Belted out Luthane as he was still playing catch up to Striker's momentum.

"I'll know when I see it, just trust me, we will get there" Striker Shouted back.

"Smell the air Striker, the wind is picking up even more, and judging by the Sun we have less time than I originally anticipated". Luthane bellowed back.

Striker just closed his eyes, whispering to himself "Tatyana, wherever you are show me the way. I do not want to become another burden, please".

Striker opened his eyes, but he didn't see fields of greens and yellows, no, he saw pure crystal, his reflection bouncing off every image, and still being able to see through. He looked at his surroundings, seeing nothing but trees with whitened tips, like ice but with more purity and soul.

Striker knew he was hallucinating, so he vigorously rubbed his eyes, now was not the time to be daydreaming he thought to himself. He didn't realise how far he had ran in that short space of time, but he felt something breathing down his neck.

He quickly turned to the left, then to the right, before widening his eyes and looking downwards towards a rather focused Luthane who had finally caught up with Striker.

"Do you hear that noise Striker?" Luthane asked rather quietly.

Striker looked up at the sky, then back to the ground, before this quiet chiming sound pulsed throughout his body.

"Now that you mention it, yes...but where is it coming from?"

"I don't know but I sense we must be close. Something is telling me that we are about to feel something other than the pain and struggle." Luthane replied reassuringly.

"She does emanate that kind of aura doesn't she? But it's exactly that, it tells me we are going to be ok Luthane, I feel it. We'll get there real soon". Striker said with a smile as he kept listening out for the chiming sounds again.

Striker's pace continually increased, he knew he was closing in on something, his ears pricked to the air listening out for those tiny little chimes.

"I was talking about the noises, not Tatyana!" Luthane bellowed at Striker.

Striker just smirked, "It's not the chimes that are calling to me… it's her voice calling to us making sure we are still alive. She's calling out to me to push that much harder. We are not far; it's like its right in front of our eyes".

Luthane closed his eyes shaking his head in disbelief. "You cannot possibly think she is doing this because she wants more than to help us out as friends, can you?"

Striker's smirk instantly turned into frown. "How dare you! You know that after everything that has happened we cannot be just friends. I almost lost my life for her, and not on impulse, I did it out of affection. She just doesn't know because she spent the majority of it unconscious".

Striker came to a halt before turning to Luthane. "I'm sorry but I refuse to take this lightly. You've hit me right where it hurts; I've had this feeling deep inside that there is more than just a friendship. I thought I could confide in you with all this. But again I've been proved wrong. I hope for your sake we make it to her. So I can prove not just you but to her as well, I am willing to make her happy by being by her side".

Luthane just sat there in silence.

"Say something Damn it! You always have your way with words. Speak them. Speak them for crying out loud! I can take whatever you want to throw at me!"

Luthane looked up at Striker, before clearing his throat. "You know what I'm going to say. So why speak what will only make you worse than you are. Don't expect me to be there for you to fall back on every time you make a mistake."

"What the hell are you talking about now?! You are supposed to be a friend, and yet you're telling me this. Sometimes I wonder if you truly are a friend, for these exact reasons. You doubt my abilities and now you even question my emotions." Striker swung his fist to the left as if something was there to crash his tightly gripped fist into.

Luthane looked down to the ground as he slowly walked away. Ignoring the fact Striker was red in the face trying to hold back his anger with tears of rage falling from his face.

"If that's the way you feel Striker, then I'll leave you alone. In fact, From now on, you're on your own."

Striker turned his head away leaving the tears to free fall from his face into the wind.

"Just." Striker sighed. "Just go".

Chapter 12

You could cut the tension with a knife between the two of them. It was like they have been rivals for years. Nothing but a drop of salty water, floating in between them, from Striker's teary eyed face.

"I'm sorry being an honest and truthful friend is what you didn't want to hear. But you know you are rushing into everything headstrong only to set yourself up for a fall, I've stopped you enough times from doing it, but it seems now you'd be better off learning on your own".

Striker listening in on every word just turned to Luthane, not a single emotion from the mouth, and with closed eyes replied, "You are NOT my father, you saved my life up in the mountains, you've protected me with your life since I was a child. But for crying out loud if I wanted lectures I would've got an education".

"You would've done and done it well but again you had no one there to give you that support you wanted. Your mother being dead and your father missing; now you think you love someone you barely know. I used to think you had the ability to do something, but I never thought you're judgement would've slipped this much.

Striker's face went bright red. "You know what I've had enough of this, you and me are going to this hidden kingdom and we're going to find Tatyana and I'm going to tell her how I feel, there is nothing to lose, and if all else fails I know we will still be comrades, friends at least. There is something out there that is pulling us towards a common goal.

Luthane, staring into Striker's eyes just nodded back. "Fine by me, I don't want to argue with you about things like this I know it's not my place to tell you how to live your life".

Striker just looked away and started to run on, "Those chimes are starting up again, let's just drop this I'm done with trying to prove people, it's high time they accept the fact I know I'm doing what is best for me.

Luthane ran ahead of Striker, shouting back to him as he past "Let's go we have no time left, if you haven't noticed the wind is getting wild and the skies clouding over, those chimes will not last longer".

Striker picked up his pace, and screamed back "Lead the way, you're ears will be better than my sense of direction".

It seemed they both had put their differences aside purely for the fact of their own safety. It wasn't long before Luthane stopped in his path, Striker having to slide on the grass to slow his pace down.

"What's with the sudden stop?" Striker Questioned

"We've arrived Striker, this must be the place" Luthane looked up at the sky to see rainbow colours. It was like light was piercing through some crystal spectrum.

Striker looked up also and his jaw dropped, his eyes widened in absolute awe of what he was seeing.

"Incredible, absolutely fascinating. But I don't see an entrance". Striker said wiping the saliva drooling from his bottom lip.

"I believe this is where you come into play. I've heard a legend about how to get in here; to save us time I'll be quick, you're strength of heart is the key to get in. Because we know someone who is a part of this race it should be simple." Luthane took a breath as he attempted to continue.

"So you want me to think about Tatyana? The way my heart feels for her that's what you want? Humph, I'm useful after all." Striker blurted out as he rudely interrupted Luthane.

Luthane just looked at Striker with evil eyes. "Exactly, now will you hurry up and do it, the first drops of rain are going to fall".

"Alright, alright give me a moment".

As Striker closed his eyes the sunlight disappeared and dark clouds covered the land. He stood there with his arms locked together covering his heart.

The clouds circled fiercely in the air as the rain started to beat down on the ground. Luthane shuddering in the sudden downpour, Striker just stood there unflinching in the sudden change in climate.

Striker took a deep breath before lowering himself onto his knees eyes still closed. A few seconds after he looked up at the rainbow lights which, despite the weather change, were still shimmering.

Suddenly the rain stopped, and light began to pierce through the dark sky. The spectrum in the sky also started to lower itself, with this small star shaped light falling at speed.

"Close your eyes! And fast!" Luthane yelled out.

Striker closed his eyes as did Luthane as this light slammed into the ground.

When the dust settled from the crashing light, Striker slowly opened his eyes and he needed to take a second look. After rubbing his eyes to make he was not hallucinating, he softly nudged Luthane.

"It's gone, but you may want to look at this".

Luthane slowly opened one eye and in amazement his other eye opened. Before them stood these glass stairs leading from the grassy meadows into the darkness, just the light emanating from the crystal stairs.

Striker and Luthane stood there for a second to take in where they were to go. An unknown kingdom, a secret to the outside world. This was where they needed to find out whether Tatyana was safe, and whether this sanctum would be able to hold the answers to the questions they held in their mind. The only thing going through Striker's resided in finding the one person who means the most, and whether she was safe.

"This is where we need to tread carefully; we are strangers to this place, so we must not overstay our unknown welcome".

Striker just nodded. "We will stay overnight, quietly and unknown. We'll make sure Tatyana wants to continue with us. After that we will decide where we go. Agreed?"

Luthane slowly nodded. They both turned away from contact to look at the stairs once more, Striker taking in one last breath before preparing himself to take that first step. Luthane following suit.

"Let's go Kilka awaits us." Said Striker, as he took his first step into the kingdom.

Chapter 13

Single person steps spiralling down, each step making a small noise as if something had fallen lightly onto crystal. Striker was in awe, he couldn't believe that such a place existed. Hidden away from the world. However, Luthane seemed uneasy, like he had a bad feeling he and Striker did not belong there.

"This is incredible; who would've thought Tatyana's race was so advanced, so delicate, yet so intricate. It makes you wonder, why they aren't open about this ability to the world." Striker asked out loud admiring the scenery.

"I would believe the answers lie deeper in the city Striker. But I must say I do not get the sense of welcome here, do you?" Luthane replied nervously.

"Aww, come on. They are hidden for a reason, for us to be here would be a huge surprise for the..." Striker paused mid-sentence before coming to a complete halt.

Luthane stopped himself before he bumped into the back of Striker's legs. "Why the sudden stop? These steps still go downwards do they not?"

"They do. But I just thought something...I don't ever recall Tatyana telling me the name of her people, only the name of this place, assuming it's the correct place, and her home town." Striker crossed his arms pondering for a second before continuing.

"Maybe we should lay low, find Tatyana and just get out of here. I have a bad feeling." Luthane responded quickly.

"I refuse to hide from these people, if they are as kind and open as the villagers were, before that bastard demon destroyed it, then we have nothing to fear." Striker grinned as he started to tip-toe down the stairs at pace.

Luthane looked at Striker in amazement. "Demon? You never told me this, why?" Luthane hollered at Striker in a low tone.

"It's never been the place or the time. Can we please just find Tatyana; I need to know she's safe". Striker answered quickly and precisely.

"I see the bottom of the stairs Luthane, we are about to enter the city, there's a crystal arch above the bottom step. Man I can't wait to see this place and..." Striker again comes to a halt, his ears twitching slightly.

"What do you hear Striker?" Luthane asked quietly.

"Use your own ears damn it, you're a wolf for crying out loud". Striker responded abruptly.

Luthane looked at the same archway Striker just described, and saw shadows rushing to each side, each movement sounding out heavy armour clanging together and the rustling of chain and artillery.

"I'm guessing they know of our arrival, what do you think we should do?" Luthane questioned Striker.

Striker gulped and closed his eyes as his body moved him towards the archway.

"If I am unable to make it to Tatyana then I have failed myself. They will have to understand, or they will have no choice but to lose their lives." Striker said with a stern serious tone.

"For your hearts sake, I hope we live through this." Luthane softly replied.

Striker clenched his fists tightly as he opened his eyes, a small fire burning deep inside the pupil. He stepped out into the open looking out into the vast space, in front of him small houses, crystallised as if lost in time. A large statuette in the centre with a golden plaque placed on the base.

Before Striker could look up and see how the people here are able to breathe, half a dozen fully armoured militants surrounded Striker, all with poleaxes pointing at him.

"Are you Striker Razorfang?" One of the armoured men shouted.

"Depending on your reasons, I may well be." Striker replied smirking.

"You're coming with us; we've been awaiting your arrival." Another one spoke.

Striker turned his head to the voice which last spoke.

"Give me one reason why I should and maybe my friend and I will be happy to oblige. If you cannot do that then I will ask you all once and very politely to move out of my way." Striker snarled back as he pointed at Luthane who was poking his head round the corner, his ears dropped.

"Luthane has also been asked to accompany us. Information tells us he will be more likely to come with us". A third soldier answered.

"Will just one of you do the talking for crying out loud? Now who has told you we were coming, only one...person..." Striker paused before his eyes lightened up and a smile beamed over his face.

"Tatyana has asked us to meet her hasn't she?! Tell me she has! I'll be more than happy for you to escort us to her".

"Mind your tongue outsider, you will address her as Princess Tatyana, or you will be thrown into prison." The first Soldier spoke clearly enforcing his status.

Luthane looked in amazement, staring at Striker as he saw the look on his face drop.

"Per...Prince...Princess? She's royalty? But she, was so natural, and well...just like us. How can this be...?" Striker stopped to gain composure.

"Take us to her please soldiers." Striker spoke slowly. "I believe we have kept the princess waiting long enough."

The soldiers formed themselves around Striker and Luthane, one either side of them, the head of the small group of them stood in front, and a last at the back of them all.

"We shall escort you to the Castle's main quarters, the Princess, and The Queen shall meet your acquaintances there."

Striker and Luthane nodded slowly as they followed the soldiers' footsteps onwards, deeper into the city towards a large spire in the centre of the large kingdom.

"M'lady has a message for you, Naive!" A soldier spoke abruptly toward Striker.

"Hmm?" Striker answered with his mind seemingly elsewhere.

"That's rusted piece of metal you called a weapon has been put into your room." The soldier tried to cover a laugh as he spoke.

"Ignore them Striker, they are trying to entice you." Luthane intervened trying to act as the calming influence.

"Sorry, I'm not even thinking about that right now. Just..."

"It's ok, you don't need to explain." Luthane interrupted.

Striker looked mainly at the floor as if in deep thought, while Luthane admired his surroundings making sure they kept themselves to themselves knowing they were complete outsiders to this world. Only an audience with the Queen and Princess could give them the chance to act like normal civilians here. Although the people they passed seemed to be whispering in surprise that Striker and Luthane were actually present in their land.

As they approached the centre of town Striker looked up dead ahead to see a small balcony with a light on, and a silhouette standing on the edge. Striker sighed as he muttered under his breath "Tatyana".

It wasn't long before they reached the entrance to the keep, a large flight of carpeted glass steps.

They all came to a halt. The first soldier turned around looking at the two of them.

"The stairs lead into the hall, follow the carpet round and you'll be in the throne room, wait at the entrance of the room before being told to come forth. Now be on your way Sirs."

Striker and Luthane nodded at the Soldier. There they stood again at a flight of stairs that seemed to once again give them a suggestion that they are not going to be prepared for what is about to happen. But as they took to the stairs it became apparent that this time there was no lets 'talk about this' scenario, no 'let's go' just slowly walking in silence to the top of the stairs where the Queen and Princess Tatyana awaited them.

Chapter 14

Striker turned round as he reached the top step to look back on the small area where he and Luthane had just walked past. Small crystal buildings shimmering like the northern lights. Civilians in cloth boots and woven clothing. Head to toe, very prim and proper.

Luthane nudged Striker with his nose, to encourage him onwards. Striker just looked at Luthane and nodded as he spun round pulling his shirt and jacket downwards to outline the creases.

The carpet started immediately as they reached the ledge after the top stair. Crimson red, with a golden floral outline the pattern looking unique and different in every part.

Both looking on ahead, they saw a plain white wall with the carpet forking off around it.

"Just follow the carpet round on your side Striker; I'm sure we'll both meet on the other side". Luthane said.

"...Sure, do you think we are as welcome as the soldiers insisted we were?" Striker asked nervously.

"We'll soon find out Striker. But for now we should make sure we do not do anything to insist we are violent".

They had arrived at the fork in castle entrance. They both looked their own direction, and without eye contact Luthane said "See you on the other side".

Striker chuckled as he walked along the carpet curving to the left. Luthane sighed to himself as he followed the carpet round to the right.

Striker turned his head to look forwards, his eyes widened at the sight of what was in front of him. A giant painting of Tatyana in glorious colour, sitting on a golden throne, tiny details so vibrant, everything from the diamond tiara in her hair, down to the painting of another woman in the background.

"Wow" Striker mumbled to himself, "She's even more stunning than ever." His heart started to race, his eyes glowing brightly he knew he was that close to see her again.

A smile beamed over his face as he sprinted towards the picture almost forgetting the carpet beneath him was running out.

With a quick glimpse he realised he was going too fast and tried to stop, unfortunately the carpet had more grip than his shoes.

With a colossal thud Striker landed heavily onto the floor. His legs in the air, and face implanted on the red carpet.

Coming from where his body lay a voice muffled out the words "at least nobody saw me."

"...Striker?" A voice spoke in a quiet whisper...

Striker Looked up and his eyes began to fill with the overwhelm of who he saw. He jumped up immediately and threw his arms over their shoulders.

With a tear falling down his cheek he uttered a single word..."Ta...tyana...".

Her eyes sparkled and a smile beamed from her face. "I'm so glad you're ok. Is Luthane well?"

Striker held Tatyana tighter and held his hands around the back of her waist before replying.

"I've missed you so...so very much."

A clearing of the throat came from the distance with the words "I'm also doing very well thank you."

Tatyana's eyes widened she pulled out of Striker's grip and turned round to see Luthane sitting there with a half smile.

She knelt down to the ground and wrapped her hands around Luthane whispering into his ear "It's good to see you again. I've worried for your safety since I left you two."

Tatyana stood but up and dusted herself down. "Please follow me, I will introduce you to my mother, she's been looking forward to meeting you to".

Striker just nodded, mouth open like a fish, staring at Tatyana wearing a long silver dress. It lay softly on her shoulders, slowly flowing against her skin down to her waist, then flowing outwards from the thigh down.

Tatyana turned to walk round the corner, Luthane following behind when Striker called to Tatyana. She looked over her shoulder to see what he had to say. He stood there stuttering to say what he wanted to...he took a deep breath and just said the first thing that popped into his head.

"I...You look, amazing"

Tatyana started to blush so she quickly turned back round before replying "Thank you."

They all walked round the corner and through a giant archway which led into a golden tiled floor the red carpet pinning down in a single line leading in several directions from the centre.

Looking up at the ceiling you could only see murals, but with pictures unfamiliar to anyone other than those who lived in that castle.

Tatyana continued to centre of the room and sharply turned left towards the side of the room. Where a few small steps separated her from a woman in a similar dress sitting in a throne rather daintily.

Striker and Luthane walked next to each other in the same direction as Tatyana but stopped half way through the carpet after turning to the left.

Luthane whispered to Striker's mind "why did you stop?"

Striker turned to Luthane and answered "Common courtesy to allow Tatyana and her mother to come to us."

Luthane nodded in understanding and it wasn't too long before the woman stood from her throne and slowly made her way to the towards the steps.

In a very gentle yet commanding sense the woman spoke. " All rise and salute the two who stand before me, their courage, and sheer determination has brought back my daughter safe and sound. To this fine young man and his companion we owe them our deepest gratitude. Tonight we shall feast in celebration of their heroism."

Striker instantly reacted to the speech by bowing in respect for her compliments, Luthane following suit.

"Thank you, your Majesty." Striker said as he rose from the bowing position.

"That is quite alright, may I be so bold as to request you and your companion stay in the castle for tonight. We would be much obliged to have your attendance here." The Queen replied.

"Of course, we would love to stay. May I ask a small favour your highness?" Striker said.

"There is a double room to the right of my throne, there should be a bathroom and a change of clothes in the inset on the right wall. As for your friend here, I have made special arrangements to have him assisted when being cleaned and also the greatest tailor in the land to dress him appropriately for the banquet." The Queen answered almost immediately.

Striker nodded and bowed once more, Luthane also bowed in respect, because he knew he couldn't talk in her presence.

Luthane decided it was too uncomfortable for him to be around such a royal audience and not voice his appreciation so he bowed once more to the Queen and to Tatyana before heading off to the room at the back of the large throne room. Before Striker followed behind he stopped in quiet thought for a second, the Queen noticed instantly and asked "What is troubling you young man?".

Striker turned to the Queen "May I be so bold as to request a private audience with your daughter? There is a lot I would like to discuss with her."

The Queen looked a little puzzled by the question, she then looked at Tatyana who seemed to be shyly turning her head away, as if she was hiding the fact she was blushing, and the fact it was becoming more and more visible on her cheeks.

"If she wishes it, then I do not see why not, just be sure to be ready for this evening, both of you". The Queen turned away back towards her throne.

Tatyana just stared at Striker confused, she seemed like she wanted to ask right there and then but something made her stay silent and await Striker's move. Striker turned towards the room Luthane had not long entered, Tatyana following behind, the only noises being echoed around the room are the rattling of Striker's blades against their hilt, and the tapping of Tatyana's heels from her crystal shoes against the marble flooring, and the soft brushing of her dress against the flooring.

They reached the door in no time, and Striker opened the door for Tatyana before following behind her.

"Luthane! It's just us three again you can speak!" Striker yelled out to try and grab the wolf's attention through the splashing of water and the movement around a large basin.

"I'll be out in a minute! Warning I look a mess!" Luthane replied instantaneously.

Tatyana quick wittedly replied with a giggle "You're a wolf, since when don't you"

Striker chuckled for a moment, before suddenly coming to a halt. He gently placed his hand around Tatyana's arm and turned her to face him. They were almost nose to nose, Tatyana's bottom lip started to quiver as she looked down at the floor. Striker slowly blinked as he place his thumb and index finger under Tatyana's chin to raise her head. Her eyes were closed as he began, slowly opening as she became closer to Striker's eyes.

"Hey, I'm here now, there's no need to ever be afraid again. I promise. I'm not going anywhere" Striker softly spoke as he held one of Tatyana's hands.

Releasing several tears from both eyes Tatyana gripped tightly onto Striker's hand before gaining composure to reply.

"I'm so glad you're ok. I thought the worst had happened...or that I did not leave enough clues, or a helpful path...I felt so guilty, that I had led the two of you to..." Tatyana just stopped talking and lunged herself into Striker's arms tightly gripping herself pushing her hands into his shoulders blades.

Striker calmly placed his arms around Tatyana's waist and slowly placed his head between her jaw and shoulder and softly whispered "Don't let me lose you, I love you".

Tatyana's eyes widened and she quickly removed herself from Striker's grasp almost in shock. "You...What?"

Striker almost struggling to repeat his words walked towards Tatyana before speaking again.

"I love you, as crazy as it seems I really do, I would die for you, heh I nearly have once, I feel fate has brought us to be together, do you not feel the same?"

Tatyana walked backwards until she hit the door, slowly she slid downwards until she was knelt down her mouth covered by her shaking hand. Slowly removing her hand she stood back up and just as she was about to reply Luthane came out from the side archway, the most obvious feature being a bow tie wrapped around his neck, almost like the ones you find on a Christmas present. His fur was groomed and shimmering.

Striker whistled likely a typical male does over and attractive member of the opposite sex at Luthane "Looking good my friend, looking good hehe"

Luthane just sighed "You're so typical Striker"

Tatyana wiped a tear from her eye and ran out of the room saying "I can't do this, I'm sorry".

"Tatyana Wait!" Striker shouted but to no avail. She had left the room and was already half way down the room before Striker even had a chance to say another word.

"What the hell have you done now Striker?!" Luthane snarled.

"None of your damn business! Just leave me be, I need to get ready for the banquet." Striker snapped back before walking towards the archway Luthane stood in.

Luthane with his teeth baring jumped at Striker and pinned him to the ground his claws showing from his paws firmly preventing Striker from moving without harming himself in the process. "Tell me!"

A tear fell from Striker's face as his eyes closed tightly trying to force Luthane off of him. "Why should I, so you can say 'I told you so' huh! I said my piece I laid all my cards on the table and now...I've lost her..." Luthane retracted his claws and got off Striker clearly seeing his distress, and quickly turned the anger into sympathy and comfort. Striker raised himself into the sitting position before bursting into tears.

"Hey, it's ok just stop crying, you're almost a grown man...and you'll matte my newly groomed fur." Luthane said trying to lighten to mood.

Striker took in a deep breath while wiping away the tears. "What am I gonna do? I opened up my heart to her"

"She never gave you an answer, maybe she just needs time to think about it. Hell I'm hoping you prove me wrong for once, be nice to have some competition about knowledge." Luthane responded quickly.

After a long sniff Striker responded "Maybe you're right, maybe I was too hasty, I should just let things happen. So I am going to speak to her at the Banquet, I'll make sure she understands my mistake and maybe we can start over. What do you think?"

"You do what you want to my friend. I want you to make the decisions, just don't forget I am here to guide you, not to give you the answers." Luthane replied.

Striker jumped to his feet, unzipped his jacket, and removed his shirt, showing off a deep red scar on his chest starting from the bottom of his right peck, leading down to the bottom of the ribs, it looked newly healed. "I'm going to get ready, won't be long, oh and...thanks, it really means a lot" Striker gave Luthane the thumbs up and smiled.

Luthane smiled back in acceptance but quickly responded with the rather obvious question. "Thank you. How'd you get that scar on your chest Striker, looks painful."

Striker just shrugged his shoulders before turning round to walk into the bathing room. "I honesty couldn't tell you, but it doesn't hurt I know that much, anyhow speak to you soon."

As Striker became a shadow of the previous room, Luthane just sighed to himself before walking towards the window at the back of the room. "Speak to you soon, son."

Chapter 15.

The hot water was poured into the bathtub, the steam filled the room almost immediately. Striker had removed the rest of his clothing, and slowly placed himself into the large basin, a tiny grimace on his face from the quick impact of his cool exterior crashing against the heat of the bath water. Striker had decided to learn from his mistake that occurred a few days ago and left the clothing of his lower body within arm's reach of the tub.

His appearance seemed different while he lay there soaking. His hair was dripping wet, no longer spiky, more levelled down with a natural parting falling down past his fringe, just covering the tips of his eyelashes, with small sways the tips would flow lightly past his gently closed eyes. The back of his hair rested at the back of his neck, dark and shimmering.

Striker seemed so relaxed, his eyes ignoring the gentle glow of the room, quiet sighs and a small glimmer of a smile creeping out of the left side of this mouth.

It wasn't long before he removed himself from the bath, he walked over to a small wooden wardrobe one door slightly ajar. He widened the door and pulled out a large white towel. He put the door back to its original state and in a split second wrapped the towel around himself, and picked his clothes up from off the floor.

He walked towards the archway, bearing his top half to the world. He walked through ignoring the strangely dressed people standing in the same room as he grabbed a small bottle from of the small table next to a single bed. He unscrewed the bottle lid and as he went to apply it to his body, he turned round and looked up to see a few grown men standing there, a measuring device in one hand, cloths of all shapes and sizes over their arms.

Striker dropped the bottle, and took a quick step back eying them up and down. "Whoa!, who the hell are you guys! And haven't you heard of knocking, who knows what could've been going on in here".

"I doubt that would be on the agenda Striker, besides, you aren't that lucky ha ha" Laughed Luthane as he walked back into the room, nudging the door shut with his nose.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence there." Clearly spoken in a sarcastic manner via Striker.

"If you must know, these men here to sort out your clothes for the banquet, you cannot be seen wearing anything other than the prim and proper clothing, it's the conduct of the castle, so I've been informed."

"You have got to be kidding me" Striker replied to Luthane, clearly unimpressed.

" 'fraid not, in all fairness I can't wait to see it" Luthane answered as he walked back out of the room. "Enjoy, ha ha"

"I'll get you for this Luthane!" Striker shouted out as the gentlemen moved closer towards Striker, throwing the cloth's to one side moving the measuring instruments from around their necks.

All that could be heard from that room were abusive words, swift movements and loud crashes.

A little worried for the tailors lives, Luthane gently opened the door once more. He poked his head round the corner of the door only to see Striker pinned to the ground, dressed a little...differently, to say the least.

Luthane tried his utmost to stop the laughter bursting out from his canine mouth, but to no avail. He just fell to the ground, rolled onto his back and just let out this almighty howl.

Throwing the men off of him at long last, Striker climbed to his feet with a face like thunder. Using the backs of his hands to dust himself off, he just looked at Luthane and sighed.

"I hope your bow tie chokes you Luthane, and I hope I am the one pulling on the other end." Striker snarled.

Luthane rolled back onto his paws, let out small gasps of air as he tried to talk back.

"Aww, you don't mean that. At least we can both look really disturbing and awkward together." Luthane said still slightly chuckling at the sight of Striker in his new attire.

It wasn't long before Striker was free from the tailors and dressers grips and running down the hall trying to find somewhere to hide.

"Luthane! Get here now, we're out of here!" Striker Shouted at the top of his lungs.

No reply. Striker looked around to see if he could find some way out, he saw a long corridor to his left and a large wooden door to his right.

Striker frowned and closed his eyes before taking three steps forward. He ripped off his newly tailored suit quickly grabbed his old clothes flinging them on anyway he could. He grabbed his weapons and sheathed them quicker than you could blink. He then sprinted off to the left down the long corridor, weaving around the servants and smartly dressed people every step making a loud tapping noise from his shiny black shoes.

Striker just kept running, he looked up and saw another large door in front of him, but he just kept running he threw his arms out and without a second thought he clattered through the door. Slightly stumbling as he tried to regain his footing and pick back up his pace.

He realised he had hit another large hall. "What is this a goddamned maze? How do I get out of this place?!"

A light whisper called out, "Take the door at the bottom on the right." Without a second thought Striker followed the whispers direction deeply breathing as he ran straight down the centre of the hall, only a few civilians dwelled on the sides of the hall.

"Another Door! This is so tedious" He Snarled.

"Striker...just go you'll find this will lead you to the balcony at the front." The Whisper called.

Striker closed his eyes and saw the balcony in a vision, "Tatyana was standing at it when I was being taken to the castle. I'll have to climb down somehow from there"

With a last deep breath Striker picked up enough energy to push the door in front of him. A long grey bricked arching corridor laid out in front of him, at least half a dozen open windows on the left hand side, drapes flowing to what seemed like a breeze.

"We're underground? why a breeze?" thought Striker, he shook his head and just focused on the corridor, he started to run at a steady pace down to the curve in the wall and leaned round as he sprinted around the corner.

Striker's eyes lit up as he had to try and slow himself down he didn't have much space between himself and the open room with the balcony.

Striker tried to calm himself down, wiping the sweat from his forehead trying to control his breathing. His heart was beating out of his chest still, despite his attempts to regain composure.

"Now or never" He said out loud as he stepped towards into the room.

Striker stopped dead in his tracks as he stared at the balcony, someone was there. Striker continued to walk towards the balcony, only a small archway stood between him and freedom.

As he stepped out onto the balcony he suddenly felt uneasy, like he was being watched. "How long have you been following me for?" Striker softly said.

"I've been waiting here for a while, in the hopes you would find me." A Voice replied.

It was instantly recognisable to Striker who it was. He turned round to see Tatyana standing in front of him in a ballroom gown.

"You knew I was going, didn't you?" Striker asked.

Tatyana nodded. "It was painful enough saying goodbye to you in the fields, I couldn't go through that again."

"I had no choice, Luthane was in dire straits, and I knew I could find safety if you left a trail. I wouldn't be talking to you now if I didn't"

"I know, but it hurt when you told me to go. Something clicked when you saved me back at my village. Something I've never felt before" Tatyana's bottom lip started to quiver.

"I've felt something as well, ever since I walked out of the forest. You are from my dreams, and we are meant to be together. Please tell me you felt the same way."

Tatyana slowly shook her head as a tear fell from her face. "You were destined to protect from me all harm, lead me safely wherever I went, like the friend I have always wanted."

Striker's heart sank, his face dropped, as he stared at the floor. "Like...a...friend?"

Tatyana sprung forward so she stood face to face with Striker, "I'm sorry, if I knew you felt that way, I never would've said anything. I'm so sorry."

Striker turned away tears falling from his face. "I'm the one who should be sorry, I had a feeling my dreams were nightmares."

Tatyana wrapped her arms around Striker's waist, "Please don't leave, stay with me, and I need protecting..."

Striker quickly turned round, and interrupted, wiping tears from his eyes, "From what? you have everything right here, comfort, wealth, you have a whole army at your fingertips for crying out loud you have what people can only hope and pray for. What could you possibly need protecting from?"

Tatyana fell to her knees slowly looking up at Striker. "I'm cursed...I have been since I was a little girl."

"Cursed?"

Tatyana nodded "I am unable to be left alone, otherwise they'll come for me."

Striker placed his arms on Tatyana's shoulders. "Who will?"

"Demons and...Him...they are waiting for my capture, they have been wanting to take control of Kilka."

Striker's face deepened. "Like the one that destroyed... hmph, Tatyana, I would gladly protect you, but not here. I'm just not..."

"Royal enough? I want you to save me, but I can't do it with you insisting you Love me. I have every feeling but that inside me right now."

"Tatyana, please. My dreams have shown me this. They have shown us happy, together hand in hand, we are in our own circle of light. Where darkness cannot harm us. I can only promise this to you, if we are happy."

"Striker, you are my paladin, willing to protect me at the cost of your own life, I couldn't be more happier with you and Luthane to support and guide me. But asking for love in such a short time, I need more than time can offer us. I need us to try and see this through as we are, can we at least try to keep this as special as it is without having to make it..."

"Perfect?" Striker answered.

Tatyana nodded "Precisely."

"I understand, we shouldn't break what we already have. So my distressed damsel where would you like your Paladin to escort you?" Striker replied with a half smile and a wink.

"I know of a small port about half a day's travel on horseback, we could cross the ocean and see the world. Who knows maybe they won't follow me there" Tatyana said with a hopeful smile.

"Would you like to wait until morning? Gather up my clothes and Luthane then head off?" Striker asked.

"With all the respect in the world can we leave Luthane here, let it be just the two of us? Staring first thing in the morning?"

"But, Luthane is one of the only true friends I have. I can't just leave him." Striker said frantically.

"He would understand I'm sure. Now go gather your clothes, I need to change into suitable attire before we depart, I'll come and get you when I'm ready" Tatyana spoke with command.

Striker bowed before Tatyana. As he rose he winked at her and made his way back to his room.

"Striker?" Tatyana voice quietly rang out.

"Yeah!" Striker Bellowed back.

"I promise the time will come."

Striker's mouth widened and a sudden sparkle appeared in his eyes as they beamed an emerald green.

"I promise I'll be there, forever and always." Striker Belted back.

He sprinted off back to his room, the smile pinned to his face. Suddenly he felt warm inside and like he was ready to take on the world again, he felt a new life coursing through his veins.

"I have to tell Luthane. He'll understand."

Chapter 16.

It wasn't long before Striker had arrived back at his room, the smile beaming across his face. He quickly gathered his clothes, hid in the archway he bathed in not so long ago and changed at pace. He ran back through the archway back in his normal clothes. He took one look down to make sure everything was in place and quickly turned round after realising he was missing the more important equipment to his attire. As he spun round he saw Luthane sitting there with Striker's weapons each side of him, still in their sheaths.

"Looking for these?" Luthane questioned.

"How did you know?"

Luthane just lowered his head, "You wouldn't be tearing off your new clothes unless you were planning on going somewhere, in which case you wouldn't wanna leave without these."

"What makes you think I'm going anywhere..I was just..."

"Don't you dare talk down to me boy! I'm not some mere canine that you fuss and feed at regular intervals." Luthane fiercely interrupted his teeth baring from his mouth.

"Then you don't need to hear my side of this. Just know I'm leaving for the world, you may be better off staying here. I don't know how long I will be." Striker calmly replied.

"Tatyana going with you?" Luthane asked trying to make it seem like he cared.

Striker just sighed, "Rhetorical question, old friend. I think I need to be there for her right now, for the time being she has become a priority in my life. I cannot risk another fiasco like back in the meadows, besides you would in safer hands here."

Luthane huffed at Striker "You really are still a boy, so stubborn to realise that you would rather lose everything and learn the lesson afterwards, then listen to someone who's been through it all and still to this day regrets it."

"I don't have time for this Luthane, now if you'll excuse me..." Striker paused as he collected his swords and sheaths from Luthane's sides, "I am waiting on her to contact me before we venture on."

Luthane took a step forward looking up at Striker intensely. "Please Striker, you have a lot to give, but to give it all to one person is but suicide."

"This is why we cannot continue together Luthane, you have such doubt in me, and you can't wait to see me fail. I'm not here for your lectures nor am I going out of my wait to prove you wrong. I just have to do this."

"You mean it this time? We're not going to have another bust up about this and be friends again, you are truly leaving?" Luthane asked as his eyes welled up.

"I'll come back, I promise you. This isn't goodbye, just farewell. You have and always be a friend in my eyes, an absolute pain in my ass, but a friend none the less."

Luthane winked at Striker and nodded in acceptance. "I trust you'll be safe, should you need me, just call my name and I'll be there."

Striker started to walk out the door, but turned round to give Luthane the reassuring smile with a thumbs up.

As he dashed out the door Striker's voice carried the words back into the room Luthane resided "I'll be back before you know it!"

"Be safe" Luthane whispered.

Chapter 17.

As Striker arrived at the open archway leading to the Balcony, he suddenly felt uneasy, but he didn't let it spoil his mood.

"Tatyana! You were right he did understand...kinda heh...Tatyana?" Striker called out, with no response, he looked around to see if she was hiding again.

Nothing.

Striker ran to the balcony only to find a small torn piece of Tatyana's gown pinned to the ledge of the balcony with a small parchment attached.

Striker walked over to the ledge, and snatched up both the parchment and the torn fabric. He unravelled the parchment and took a quick glance. His grasp tightened on Tatyana's gown piece before he threw the parchment to the ground.

He let out this almighty scream as he started to pace left and right, his eyes burning, his face looking like he was about to fight with the devil himself. Fearful but angry.

Without a second though Striker pulled out his sword that was given to him as a gift and he began to wrap the drape around the handle.

After tying the final knot Striker Shoved the sword back into its place by his side, took 10 paces forward back through the archway, took a deep breath, spun round and lunged at pace towards the ledge.

He flung himself over the edge without any hesitation, not knowing how steep the drop was. He fell for only a few seconds before his feet crashed to the ground. He rolled to cushion to landing and just flung himself back up to his feet.

Without a change in facial expression, Striker marched into the town, looking in every direction as quick as he could, trying to find clues to Tatyana's whereabouts.

He ran around aimlessly for about ten minutes through one alleyway then across a street, constantly looking for something to ease his mind.

Striker finally fell to his knees outside a small tavern just on the outskirts of the castle town, his head in his hands sniffles echoing out in a quiet muffle.

A shadow leaned over where Striker knelt and a deep tone spoke.

"You seem lost."

"Leave me be" Striker answered slowly.

"I get the feeling your missing something, or someone hehe" The Shadow responded.

"It's none of your damn business, I asked nicely, now I'm telling you, Leave me be!" Striker snapped.

"Oh, in which case..." The shadow suddenly changed shape, and a different voice spoke out "You wouldn't be missing me then?"

"Tatyana?" Without a second though Striker sprung up grabbing the figure of Tatyana and threw it into the wall. "Who the hell are you! And where have you taken her!?"

"I'm right here Striker hehe" The voice deepened after each word, Tatyana's face deteriorating, revealing a similar figure like the one Striker killed back at Vanindol.

Striker's eyes widened "I killed you once...I'll kill you again."

The demon just laughed as Striker drew his blade and aimed at the demon's neck. The demon shimmered away avoiding Striker's attack.

"Come back here you bastard! I'm not finished with you yet!" Striker called out.

"You never killed me, and I'm finished with you."

As Striker spun round to find where the voice was coming from the demon reappeared from behind and with a sickly grin lunged a knife straight into the back of Striker. He let out this almighty scream of agony as the blade penetrated his body. Striker fell to the ground almost instantly after he screamed, the pain imminent from the look on his face.

"Why did the other one have such difficulty, you are too predictable" the demon snorted.

Trying to get back up Striker murmured, "Because...I'm not ...done...yet!" Striker forced an arm round to reach for the knife. As he grasped the knife he ripped it from his body, blood trickling from the blade and slowly seeping from the open wound. Striker clambered to his feet, swaying as he tried to stand up straight. With what strength he had he used the sword in his hand to maintain balance and he threw the knife straight at the demon.

The demon vanished again leaving the knife to fall to the ground, again laughing with a very irritating snort.

The demon reappeared again, but this time, it had two large sabres in his hands. It charged at Striker and pierced him through both of his shoulder blades, then kicking the backs of his knee caps forcing him to the ground, Striker's blood filling the street.

The Demon summoned another blade to his hand, incessantly laughing as the ease he was having tearing Striker apart.

"Some paladin muhahaha..."

"I'll die for any cause worth fighting for and right now, my spirit will never die" Striker groaned and he sat there on his knees, not a muscle moved since he was put in that position.

"...huh?" The demon looked down as he felt a sharp pain in his calf. "Blood? But, how! You've been there the whole time" The Demon grunted.

Striker lowered his head and smiled, "It's not me..." he grimaced.

A low toned voice spoke out "Seems like you're chasing shadows, demon." Out of nowhere three identical figures warped around the demon. This man stood there dressed in black covered head to toe, lots of kunai attached to his biceps and thighs and a katana strapped to his back. In fact all three of them were identical...

"Perish, beast of the unspoken" and with those words The three men, slashed the demon from all sides, warping away each throwing three kunai's into the demons back, then rushed forward slowly colliding into one person and he pulled his katana out once more positioned forward. The Covered man thrusted his blade into the demons chest, and within a blink of an eye the blade split three ways crushing the demons chest.

The demon growled out in pain, as he pointed at the masked man. "You've sealed your fate human, and Striker..." He slowly turned to Striker who was trying to remove the blades from his shoulders one by one "This is a war you will never win, mark my words, your day will come." The demon fell in a heap on the floor, and his body dissolved into blood on the floor, and slowly evaporated into thin air, leaving tiny droplets on the cobbled ground.

The masked figure put his weapons back in place, before slowly walking towards Striker, who had just removed the second blade from his right shoulder, grimacing in pain as he removed it.

"Why did you get involved stranger, I had him!" Striker said with a struggle.

"If you say so, Striker. A simple thank you would've sufficed, mind you beggars can't be choosers."

"Don't speak my name if you don't know me..."

"Shen, my name is Shen." spoke the male.

"Well, Shen, Thanks, but no thanks." Replied Striker as he tried to stand once more.

"Looks like you could do with some medical attention, reckon you could make it without leaving too much of a trail?" Shen replied.

"It's the last thing on my mind right now. I just need to find Tatyana, I promised to always be there for her. Now she's..." Striker paused.

"Go on" Shen urged, intrigued by Striker's words.

"What's it to you anyway, you look like you kill for money anyway." Striker said pointing at Shen's attire.

"If I was do you think I would've bothered to save you. Besides it was coincidence, I was looking for a place to stay overnight, before I departed. Saw you in trouble a decided to assist. Forgive my intrusion but are you this arrogant with everyone you meet?"

Striker just glared at Shen, "Only if they are trying to sound like a parent."

Shen bowed "My apologies, I won't outstay my welcome any longer. But I do think out of courtesy you should let me see the extent of the wounds, I may be able to help."

"I think you've done enough, don't you?" Striker asked rhetorically.

Shen walked over to Striker pulling out a small needle and bandages from under the band where his kunai sit beside his thigh. "Always keep some in emergency, so you don't have a choice."

A few stitching, some sharp inwards breaths and some knots later. Striker was bandaged up and the wounds, seemed pretty well taken care of.

"A good job well done I'd say." Shen said smiling at Striker.

Striker stared at the dressings of his wounds nodding in agreement. "I don't think we got off on the right foot, It was good to meet you, maybe if we meet again I'll be able to return the favour."

Shen just smiled. "We'll see" and with that said he waltzed into the Tavern leaving Striker alone once more. With a look upwards at the dark ceiling of the levelled and carved dirt and a long deep sigh Striker made his way back to the castle.

Chapter 18

Striker had made his way through the maze of streets to reach the entrance of the castle. "Something isn't right" He thought to himself "I best find Luthane, and get out of here. Tatyana couldn't have been taken far."

He made careful steps knowing that his injuries need time to heal, but his mind was all over the place, his eyes dashing around, trying to get to grips with what's gone on.

He made it to the fork in the hall again, but it was all too quiet. Something was definitely not right, Striker couldn't wait around so he just jogged round the corner and burst into the main room, where the thrones sat, empty also.

"Your Majesty!, Where are you?" Striker echoes out around the room.

"There he is men, seize the kidnapper!" The Queens voice sounded from quite a distance.

Before Striker could realise he was surrounded by a dozen armed soldiers, and two soldiers guarding each door. One soldier strapped a chain cuff around Striker's neck while the other chained his hands and feet up.

"Wait! There has to be a mistake, I think there are demons that are hiding in this city, please" Striker tried to reason, the chains rattling with his struggles.

The Queen stepped out from behind the throne on Striker's left, as she stepped towards him her body slowly dissolved revealing another demon. A female demon. It wasn't long before the same happened to the soldiers.

"A trap!" Striker gasped.

"You fell into that one boy, guards! Take this child to the cells let him say hello to a few old friends." The female demon bellowed, bringing out a bright red whip with a sharp blade at the tip. Cracking it to the ground to encourage haste into the now demonic soldiers.

"Yes Mistress" The all said in their tones and grunts, saliva dripping from their bottom lips, tugging away at Striker's bindings.

"Hey, Wait! One question!." Striker pleaded.

"Stop him there!" She commanded. "Make it quick, or I'll make you torture slower later"

"Who's in charge of you? You look too weak to be a head honcho." Striker said with sarcasm.

The female demon raised her whip into the air before she crashed it down smashing Striker in his thigh. "Not so tough now are you. This is my legion, and I am in charge. But I thought you would've been smart enough to guess how many of us there are and how many are above us. Looks like I was just as wrong as you were a second ago" She spoke with venom in her voice. She started walking up to Striker, she shadowed over him and placed her hand on his leg applying pressure to the cut on his thigh.

"I'm not scared...of you...a name" Striker grimaced as he tried to question.

"Soldiers! Take him away now, he is beginning to bore me, and I'm sure Demetrius would be disappointed in a flightless bird." She spoke with a chuckle. The Soldiers Snorting and laughing also as they continued to drag Striker away.

"Demetrius" Striker whispered to himself.

After being dragged, kicked and pushed down several sets of spiral steps, Striker was pulled upright, his body swaying from the aches and pains he feels all over. His body was so overworked, that he failed to realise he was just shoved to the ground inside a rather large cast iron cell, the hay on the floor seemed to have cushioned the landing enough.

"You better not try anything stupid boy, or The Mistress will not be pleased." One Demon Snorted.

"What can he do, he can't even stand up har har har" Another grunted.

The dozen of them laughed incessantly and they wandered back up the steps that led to the throne room the laughter echoing as one by one they disappeared from sight.

Striker just lay there curled up, a tear free falling from his left eye, and just a sorry looking face, like he had given up.

"Striker?" a voice called out.

"Leave me be demon, can't you fight someone who hasn't been through hell and back already." Striker groaned back.

"Demon?! I can't believe you called me that. If these bars weren't here I think I would've slapped you by now heh heh."

"Tatyana?" Striker forced his body to the other side, to see Tatyana sitting down in the centre of another cell staring at Striker like he had something on his face. "Is it really you?" Striker asked quietly.

Tatyana jumped to her feet pointing to herself with her thumb, "Of course it is! Alive and kicking, but right now I'd love to start kicking some demon ass."

Striker slowly nodded. "If I had the strength in me I'd be right behind you on that one" Striker clenched his chest as he felt sharp shooting pains kick in.

Tatyana ran to the bars of the cell and knelt down. "Oh my god, you're bleeding!"

Striker forced himself into a sitting position clutching tightly his chest hoping the pressure with make the pain subside. "It's a flesh wound..."

Tatyana stood up in uproar "Flesh wound! My..."

"Will you keep it quiet, some of us are trying to sleep here" A cold voice spoke.

"Keep your fur on Luthane, right now I think we should be thinking of a way out, not how many times we can snore in an hour." Tatyana bit back.

"...We can't do anything at the moment judging from Striker's condition." Luthane replied.

"Guys...I'm fine. Just need to rest for a bit, I haven't had time to myself to even take care of the beating I've been given trying to find you..."

Tatyana looks at Striker with her eyes widened. "Me?" She asked pointing at herself.

Striker smiled out of one side of his mouth, "yeah, I thought I was talking to you about running away to...Long story short a demon impersonated you and if it weren't for some stranger I'd be dead right now."

Tatyana just stared at Striker. "You were willing to do all that for me? Why, we've only just met. You are so weird Striker...But I think it's sweet."

Striker smiled "Anything for a friend" Striker turned his attention for a second to Luthane who was staring at the wall in front.

"If you can let me rest Luthane, I'll be fighting fit in no time. Then we can bust out of this castle and find somewhere that hasn't been decimated to rekindle our plans. This demon business is giving me a headache heh heh" Striker softly said.

Luthane turned his head to Striker "Just rest Striker, we've got some time before we're tortured I'm sure."

Tatyana huffed "They won't break me down, not while you two are here. We're stronger than any demon we come across...right?"

Striker replied "They are tougher than I anticipated, but not impossible. Don't think about them too much, best conserve our energy."

With that said everyone nodded and relaxed themselves. Striker rolled over to try and find some way to rest comfortably, Luthane just placed his head on his front paws and shut his eyes slowly. Tatyana Moved back to the centre of her cell, she sat down with her hands wrapped round her legs.

"Striker?" Tatyana whispered.

"What's the matter?" Striker replied in a muffled tone.

"...Thank you, for everything. I don't know what I would've done without your presence around me. Even when they captured me I thought about you and it kept me strong."

Striker smiled "Thank you for thinking of me, it gives me joy to know I wasn't the only one thinking of someone else."

Tatyana had a chirpy, yet puzzled look on her face. "Who'd you think of?" she asked.

Striker let out a loved up sigh. "You...and only you" and with that Striker fell into a slumber.

Tatyana got comfy before getting some rest her cheeks bright red from the blushing.

The three lay there in peaceful slumber dreaming of tomorrow, and what it may lay in store for them.

The morning came and Striker was the first to awake. His first priority was to look at his wounds. As he pulled of the band aids he saw nothing but scars, no open wound nothing. "I really am creeping myself out with his whole healing malarkey" Striker looked up at his cell roof and then back to the floor.

Striker heard a strange rustling noise in the room, but noticed no one was here. The other two were still deep in slumber, Striker took in a deep breath and the rustling noise echoed again.

In a quiet tone Striker spoke "Who's there?"

Striker turned slowly in a circle to survey his surroundings. He finally made it back to his starting position and to his surprise it was Shen, trying to pick the locks on the prison cell. He was still dressed in black, but not a full mask. Just a mouth cover, his hair was jet black and long, it was tied up and flowed as low as his waist.

"What the hell are you doing here Shen?" asked Striker bemused.

"Trying to break you out, and if you can prove who the other two are, them also." Shen replied with haste.

"Heh" Striker just lowered his head with a grin. "The middle cell is Tatyana, for the record I really like her, but I didn't say that"

"Lips are sealed, until further notice" Shen said with a quiet chuckle, "And the animal at the end?"

"Luthane, he's pretty much my guardian, we've been through a hell of a lot, a lot of it cloudy but I get the feeling he's always been there."

As Shen gave the lock on Striker's cell door a tug the lock fell to the ground and the door sprung open. "Good enough reasons for me. Now be a good boy and keep eyes and ears peeled for more of those disgusting brutes."

"Got it" Striker answered as he jogged to the bottom of the staircase.

Shen began opening the lock to Tatyana's cell, and in a weird circumstance Tatyana's eyes beamed open. She jumped to the cell door, "what the hell are you doing, you'll blow our chances!"

Shen backed off "Take it easy Miss, I know Striker here" He pointed at Striker who was too busy making sure the coast was clear. "He requested I save you and his pet here, unless of course you're objecting..."

Tatyana quickly shook her head, "No no not at all, please, continue."

"...For the record, I'm no one's pet, I'm literally acquainted by coincidence." A sleepy Luthane spoke.

"...Now that's a rare sight, you spoke to my mind?" Shen was amazed, his hands still working like clockwork trying to unlock Tatyana's cell.

Striker turned round quickly "He can talk to you in person, he just doesn't often to keep it elusive.

"I do elusive really well, so your secrets safe with me err..."

"Luthane"

"Good to meet you both, now..." mid sentence Tatyana's lock broke open. "Let's get you out of this cage shall we?"

Tatyana slid her cell door open and walked up to Striker, as he turned to face her, she blushed. "What's wrong?" asked Striker.

Tatyana leant in and placed a gentle kiss on Striker's cheek.

"What was that for?" Stammered Striker, almost amazed that had just happened.

"For being you." Replied Tatyana with a smile on her face.

They both just stood there with smiles on their faces, blushing.

"Well that was sweet, but..." again mid sentence the crashing of the last lock sounded "I suggest we make our way out of here, they could be on their way any minute."

Luthane burst out of his cell. "I agree let's get the hell out of here."

The four of them stood there quietly as they heard footsteps echoing from a higher ground.

"Everyone get ready, we're gonna be in for one bumpy ride!" Spoke Striker as he drew his blades.

The rest agreed as they readied themselves.

"Do me a favour and don't any of you die here, you hear me!" Striker said in such commanding fashion.

Striker, Tatyana, Luthane and Shen all stood there, visibly nervous, but the adrenaline pumping through them seemed enough to steady their minds.

This was their one chance...It had to be taken.

Chapter 19

Striker shouted out to grab the attention of the footsteps "Guys! I'm free!"

"Quick He's escaping!" screamed one of the demons as the clanging of multiple weapons followed by many heavy footsteps ran down the staircase.

Striker lowered his head and grinned, his pupils slightly shrank and a wicked grin grew over this face.

"Striker?" Tatyana questioned.

Not a word, Striker just turned round facing Tatyana. He looked up and swung his cutlass outwards and threw it backwards.

Whether it was luck or just good timing, Striker's cutlass landed square in the heart of the first demon that hit the bottom of the stairs.

"Force them upstairs, we'll need the room to fight" Luthane called out.

Striker was still grinning, he looked almost bloodthirsty with his teeth bearing. He spun round, and ran towards the demon he impaled. He raised his arm and grabbed his cutlass, slicing from the demons heart across. Blood sprayed outwards colliding with the walls and the face of the demon standing a few steps up.

The first demon did even make a sound, he just collapsed in a heap on the floor. Without a second thought, he lunged at the second demon, this time with both sword in front of him and thrusted them through the demons face the demon stood no chance the blades were pierced through its skull in seconds.

Striker screamed out down the stairs "get a move on guys we don't have much time!" He slammed the demon against the wall using all his might before removing his blades.

"Two down, heavens know how many are left!" Striker yelled.

"Striker, calm down. This isn't like you at all" echoed a concerned Luthane.

"There are lives at stake, we know that. But we'll lose our own we aren't careful" Tatyana called out.

"Then keep up with me. We've only just begun." Another Demon was thrown the bottom of the steps, one leg swinging loosely and blood pouring from its neck.

Shen looked at Tatyana and Luthane, "He has a point, and I think we need to get out of here before we can contemplate saving anyone else. Besides, I'm not gonna let him get more kills than me, I'd be embarrassed". Shen ran off treading on the pile of demons as he started to climb the stairs.

Luthane and Tatyana looked at each other stunned. "He does have a point" Luthane suggested.

"I know but I can't see another place burn down because of these demons...I would rather see everyone safe and sound." Tatyana replied softly.

Striker and Shen were busy working together eliminating each demon that stood in their path. Shen seemed to be attacking the limbs. Striker just lunging sword after bloody sword in anything that stands in his way. His eyes slowly losing their emerald green, the feint sight of red seeping out from his pupils.

Shen started noticing the change. He ducked a swing from one the demons poleaxe and pulled Striker against the wall. "Your eyes? What's happening to you?"

Striker bared his teeth, "Don't stop me. I will not hesitate to take you down as well"

Shen dropped to his knees avoiding another swing of a weapon. He placed a hand on the large stem of the poleaxe and with great upper body strength pushed off and kicked the demon in the throat. He then pulled out two of his kunai and stabbed them into the demon's neck.

"Pull yourself together Striker. Your vengeance means nothing if you don't make it out alive"

Striker slide from the wall to the step. He turned himself round and sat there, his swords still firmly gripped in his hands, blood oozing from the blade tips.

Tatyana was walking up the steps trying not to put her footsteps into the fallen demons. She looked up to see Striker just sitting there. She sprinted up the next few steps and knelt in front of him. "What's wrong?"

Striker looked up at Tatyana, a watery red filling up his eyes. He blinked a few times and the carmine liquid spilled from his eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm trying to protect you, but I'm letting my emotions get the best of me"

Tatyana wiped the blooded tears from his eyes. "Hey, look at me" Striker eyes moved placing themselves in line with Tatyana's eyes. "You have nothing to be sorry about, now give me that cutlass of yours and give me a chance to kick some demon ass" Tatyana winked at Striker.

Striker just smiled, the green returning to his eyes. He put his weapons to his sides and placed his hands on Tatyana's shoulders. "Thank you"

Tatyana smiled back as she took his cutlass. "Anytime" looking away before Striker could notice she was beginning to blush.

She ran off ahead with the weapon in her hand shouting "share some of the fun around Shen!"

Striker chuckled to himself as he pulled himself together picking up his sword, climbing back to his feet.

"Striker?"

Striker Looked down hearing the voice in his head. "Luthane, we're meant to travel the world right?"

"Of course, well that was the plan... to ready you for the world" Luthane voiced back as he climbed the stairs.

"I think our plans are gonna have to change. Something tells me this is going to be far from over."

Luthane looked up at Striker from a few stairs down. "Whatever happens, we'll fight for it." He looked further on at Tatyana and Shen murdering demons "All of us"

Striker nodded he gripped his blade tightly with a hum of agreement.

"Let's show them what we're made of."

Striker spun round taking steps at pace "Tatyana! Shen! Split to the sides" They both heard Striker calling out and both moved out of the way. Striker Rushed through, his blade positioned horizontally in front of him.

Within a blink of an eye Striker was behind the Demon, The demon looked down to see his body sliced in two. Just a cough of blood and it fell to the ground.

Luthane used the falling body as leverage he sprung from the demons falling chest and pounced fiercely into the next demons body, he scraped and carved it apart, with minimal effort.

The four of them stood there, looking at the mess they have made. Then looked forward to see they were nearly to the top. No more demons stood in their way.

Striker flicked his sword, the blood thrown from the blade to the ground. He then placed it back in its sheath at his side. Tatyana looked at the cutlass and gripped it tighter. Shen just stood there quiet, his arms folded. Luthane was in front, keeping his eyes and ears out.

"Let's go everyone." Luthane said.

Everyone nodded.

They all ran towards the large door at the top of the stairs, only a few seconds went by before they all stood in front of it.

"Are we all ready for this" whispered Striker.

"Why whisper" ask Tatyana.

"I have a feeling they are behind this door waiting for us. The demons that we've killed are not even the strong ones." Striker answered

"May I make a suggestion?" Asked Shen.

Luthane turned round "You have a plan?"

"Great minds think alike wolf, yes I do" Shen grinned.

"Striker?" called Shen, Striker turning to attention. "I want you to crash the door down with all your strength. That should give us the element of surprise. Then leave a large group of them to me. There shouldn't be many left for us to pick off afterwards."

Shen stared at Striker. "You think I can break this door down" asked Striker looking down at his body frame.

"You know you can, it's risky I know, but I have a good feeling it's going to work." Shen responded confidently

"Anything is worth a try Shen," Striker replied as he started to walk back down the stairs.

"Tatyana, Luthane try to avoid the large cluster likely to be shoulder to shoulder in the centre of the hall. Focus on the ones at the doorways and outskirts of the room. I'll deal with the rest." Shen winked as he explained.

Striker called up "You ready?"

"When you are Striker!" Shen shouted back.

Striker let out one huff of breath as he started to sprint up the steps at speed. He came up to the door and with a growl he slammed into the door, the hinges removing themselves from the wall the door crashed down with Striker on top of it.

Underneath the door muffled groans of demons sounded out. Striker pulled out his sword and stabbed through the door several times.

Striker stood up on the door to see a large group of oversized demons with two handed axes and maces in their grasps.

Striker shouted back at the others "I've done my part! Let's do this!"

The demons charged at Striker with force. Striker's eyes widened. He dived to the side avoiding any contact, Tatyana and Luthane jumped out and ran to Strikers aid. Striker climbed to his feet looking at the smaller demons guarding all the doors.

He, Luthane and Tatyana split up and started slashing, clawing and cutting at the smaller demons.

Shen just stood there in the room on top of the door, his eyes were closed, his arms firmly crossed. The large group of demons were circled around him snorting and laughing as they taunted Shen.

Shen's eyes flung open, he unfolded his arms and grasped his hands together. The demons found themselves being pulled towards Shen.

The demons couldn't move, no matter how much they struggled, when in range they tried to swing for Shen, nothing, it was like gravity was pulling their weapons to the ground.

The demons were looking down at their feet as they all came to a halt in a small circle of each other. There were hands holding onto their feet preventing them from moving. Shen jumped out from between them and flipped twice maybe three times, in these flips he unleashed barrage after barrage of kunai on the demons. Each one pelted with the sharp knives cutting limb after limb.

Shen landed on his feet facing away from the falling blood spilled massacre he had just created. "Hmph, not as tough as I thought." he spoke to himself as he dashed on to assist the others in killing the few remaining demons.

After the last few demons had fallen Striker turned to Shen and asked "What was that you did earlier that wiped them all out so quickly?"

Shen chuckled. "It's my style. I'm not a barbaric as you"

Luthane interrupted. "He's using ancient ninja techniques Striker. He won't answer anything about them because of the lineage they derive from..."

"So how come you know about it huh?" Striker responded

"That is all he knows about it Striker. So before this turns into another petty squabble I suggest we make a move. Unless you fancy sitting around killing worthless fiends until your too tired to fight back." Shen snapped.

"Ok, ok I was only asking, Sheesh." Striker answered with a hint of sympathy.

Tatyana was standing at the door furthest away from the three of them. "This way guys, it'll lead us to the main entrance."

The guys nodded as they sprinted to catch up with Tatyana who was already through the now opened door.

"Tatyana! Wait up! It's too dangerous!" Screamed Striker, but to no avail.

A heartfelt chuckle belted out from the corridor. It was very echoed and deep, it couldn't have been Tatyana that much was certain.

"You were right puny human, she shouldn't have ran ahead." The voice laughed.

Striker, Shen and Luthane looked to the end of the long path, to see the demon that captured Striker earlier in front of them. Tatyana was in her grasp.

"So being captured one after another wasn't enough for you, now you brought a friend along so the four of you could die together, how touching" the demon spoke, putting Tatyana under one of her arms as she pulled out her whip.

"So who's first?" She chuckled.

"Tatyana!" Striker shouted, as he flicked more blood from this sabre and gripped it in both arms.

"Ah the feisty one with all the questions wants to die first, can't say I'm surprised." The demon chuckled.

"If you spent more time trying to kill me than laughing, maybe the job would've been half done by now" Striker called back a wicked grin appearing on his face.

Striker looked at Tatyana, "I'll save you Tatyana." he thought to himself, hoping that in some way she heard him.

He started to run towards the demon, his sabre dragging along the floor behind him. Luthane and Shen were not far behind, Shen with a kunai in his mouth and two in each hand. Luthane with his teeth baring and claws showing.

They were ready to tear this demon apart...

Striker launched himself at the female demon first, her whip was already crashing towards Striker. He threw his sword as he prepared for the impact. The whip cracked against Striker's ribs, not a peep from Striker, just that same wicked smile on his face.

Striker taunted the demon "That's the best you can offer? Maybe I underestimated you." At that moment Striker saw his sabre cut the demon's arm that was holding Tatyana and pierce into the wall behind.

She was quickly released while the demon grabbed her own arm. Striker sprinted towards the falling Tatyana, he slid on his knees with his arms stretched out as far as he could, and caught her just before she hit the ground. Tatyana appeared to be in shock, not a word from her, not even a twitch. Striker climbed to his feet, Tatyana being carried in his arms. He started to run as fast as he could to the other end of the corridor, so Tatyana would be as far away from harm as possible.

"You ungrateful little bastard! You'll pay for that with your life!" the demon screamed.

Luthane jumped at the demon while her attention was on Striker who was gently placing Tatyana to the ground. With a deep growl Luthane sank his teeth and paws into the demon, he was quickly shaken off.

Shen decided to attack from a distance, unleashing half a dozen kunai on the target. The kunai were quickly knocked from the air by the demons whip.

Striker took his cutlass from Tatyana's sheath. With his other hand he brushed her hair to one side and whispered in her ear, "You'll be safe, I promise." He then stood up and turned towards the demon who was pretty preoccupied with Shen and Luthane, they were constantly taking turns in trying to do some damage to her, each time being swatted away like flies.

"Shen! Luthane! Get out of here, and get Tatyana safe. This one deserves my full attention."

Luthane looked at Striker for a split second panting from exhaustion "You have got to be kidding me Striker! You don't stand a chance."

"He's right, you'll die!" Shen answered afterwards.

"Just do it for crying out loud, Tatyana needs to be taken somewhere safe, preferably out of this place. I'll follow, once this bitch has been given a taste of her own medicine." Striker belted out, with vicious intent.

Luthane and Shen quickly fell back, walking backwards towards where Tatyana was sat upright. Striker just brushed past the two of them, not a word or an emotion. He walked towards the demon, the small cutlass in his hand being held intensely.

They all took one last look at Striker before doing as they were told, Luthane assisted in hoisting Tatyana onto Shen's shoulders Luthane walking beside Shen.

"...Stri...ker?" A weakened Tatyana mumbled as her eyes slowly opened.

Shen quickly responded "It's ok, he saved you, and we'll get you safe"

"But...What...if"

"He'll come for you as soon as he's done, he promised" Luthane responded just as quickly.

Tatyana sighed with a glimpse of a smile appearing out of one side of her mouth. "Yeah...he will." Her eyes slowly closing again.

With that said the three of them left the corridor and looked for an alternate route out of the castle, leaving Striker alone with the Demon mistress.

The demoness started to laugh. "Aww you spoiled my fun. How am I going to enjoy killing just you."

"Shut up you ignorant bitch! I would've gladly let them tear you limb from limb! But for Tatyana's sake you're just gonna have to deal with me, and believe me when I say..."

Striker eyes started to glow red again, this time darker and deeper, like blood was filling up his eyes, swirling violently to the current of his movement. The demon took a step back gasping. At the sight of Striker's eyes.

"This ends now!"

Chapter 20.

Striker continued to walk towards the demoness. The look on his face could create a tropical storm. The demoness was quickly over her initial shock and she attempted to attack Striker. Her whip flicked upwards, and with downward force the whip headed straight for Striker.

He didn't even seem aware that the whip was heading towards him. Seconds later the whip crashed into Striker's chest cutting him straight across. Not even a flinch, he just grabbed the tail of the whip and clenched it tightly.

The demoness tried her utmost to pull her whip back but she couldn't get it to move. "Hmph pretty stubborn for a human." She snapped.

With a deep snarl Striker responded "You've seen nothing yet!"

With a sharp pull of the whip he dragged the demoness off her feet as he readied his spare hand, clenching tightly.

The demoness couldn't seem to stop herself from being lunged into Strikers range, there wasn't enough time. Striker's fist had buried itself deep into her stomach, instantly the winded demoness coughed up a few drops of blood from her mouth. Striker then followed up by spinning round pulling the whip with him.

Again the demoness was helpless and she was swung round almost full circle, before being hurtled into a thrusting leg again into her already wrenched stomach, a few more drops of blood dripping from her red lips onto the floor.

Striker wasn't quite finished, he grabbed the whip intensely as he wrapped it around the demoness' neck, almost strangling the life out of her, he grabbed the last of the whip and threw it overhead back to the original position the demoness stood.

Finding it hard to breathe the demoness stuttered "You...think I'm gonna go that...*cough* easily?"

Striker pulled out his one sword, remembering that Tatyana was in possession of his cutlass, gripped it with both hands staring at the blade as it reflected his face, watching his eyes swirling crimson.

He took a small look up and grinned wickedly. "If you did, I'd be disappointed, you're gonna be a message to your "master" and I'll have you delivered personally!"

The demoness let out a small smile from one side of her mouth licking up the last of the blood. "Well then, shall we get started?"

Striker took one step back to ready himself with his sword by his side. He moved his hair to the side leaving it to naturally fall back into place. "Your gonna regret this! Bring It On!"

The Demoness pushed off at force towards Striker. Striker just stood there still smiling wickedly.

In a split second the demoness pulled a red blade from out of nowhere holding it close to her chest as she continued rushing towards Striker.

Striker wasn't even paying attention, looking at the ground with that smile, still plastered to his face, like he was possessed.

She licked her lips as she thrusted the blade at Striker. Striker took one quick step forward and with an almighty crash his blade collided with the demoness sword. One handed, Striker found himself in a test of strength.

It seemed pretty even, the demoness putting all her strength into her arms trying to force Striker into submission. Striker, who had his face away from it all, flicked his head up, and slowly turned towards the demoness. The grimace of effort on her face being deterred away from her weapon to Striker's facial expression.

He was glaring straight through her, the redness fading slightly in his eyes. After clicking his neck he made a witty remark.

"Now I have your attention, read my lips..."

Her eyes widened to Striker as his eyes pierced their optic collision.

"I'll never forgive you! I Will Never..." Striker started to gain the upper hand in the battle of strength as he forced the demoness' arms backwards.

"Break!" And with that last word he took one step forward causing a small shift in the ground below him as he turned his body adding his other hand to his sabre. He threw his blade forward smashing the demoness' blade in half, cutting her straight across her mid rift, and again the momentum carried him enough to spin full circle and smash his boot straight into her face.

The demoness crashed to the ground the other half of her blade clattering the floor beside her.

Striker put his sword back to his side as he walked slowly towards the gasping demon. Her body muscles were twitching violently as he constantly tried to take in some air. Striker just stared down in disgust, as he kicked the demon in her side.

"You were gonna regret this, and until you do, your torture will continue" Striker commanded.

"That's...what...you...think" muttered the demon as the broken sword piece flung itself at Striker piercing him in his shoulder throwing him into the wall.

A slight grimace from Striker's face was enough to show this wasn't his intention. "Again! With the bastard shoulder!" He tried to pull the blade from his shoulder but to no avail. It seemed this time he was pinned tightly to the wall.

The demoness had warped from the ground straight into Striker's face, licking her lips. "You've had your fun you cocky little bastard!"

Striker just stared straight back. "Try me!"

"Hmph, Your turn to regret!" The demoness hissed with venom as she unleashed her claws and stabbed them deep into Striker's ribs.

She released them slowly, making sure the pain was surely felt. Striker's head had flown back against the wall his teeth baring, gritted together.

She chuckled as she retracted her claws. "How's that for a warm up! Boy!"

Striker's head loosely fell down, as he slowly raised his head back up he let out a half smile before replying, "Is that all you've got? Heh shoulda known"

The demoness' face scrunched up the anger showing plain as day on her face. "You ungrateful little shit! How dare you!" She screamed as she pummelled her claws deep into Striker's body, different places, different angels, frantically trying to make quick work of Striker's body.

Striker just laughed through his gritted teeth.

The demoness was through playing games, she ripped the blade out of the shoulder of Striker. As he slid down the wall, she was quick to react, she spun round and lunged the blade at Striker only for it to be caught in Striker's grasp.

"Not this time!" Striker laughed. He pulled himself to the ground using the broken blade. He then proceeded to push against the blade forcing the demoness back. He mustered enough strength to force her back so he could grab a few moments to compose himself.

"Why won't you just die!" The demon hissed.

"I never cursed my misfortune by laying eyes on my blade" responded Striker.

"What...?" The demoness seemed confused.

Striker took this opportunity to rush at the demon his sword dragging behind him creating sparks as it continually grazed the flooring.

"This is for Tatyana!" Striker bellowed as he jump at the female demon. He threw the blade to the ground stabbing through the foot of the demoness. He dropped onto the handle with the tip of his foot, then pounced off slamming his fists deep into the demons face.

A muffled scream echoed from the demon as her face come into contact with Striker.

Striker without any mercy used the handle of his sabre to gain more momentum. This time he sprung up and clattered his head into the demons skull.

This time he landed next to his blade. He dragged it across her foot until it was released. He lifted the blade back up and placed it across his face. Holding it tightly in two hands.

The demoness was staggering blood pouring from her face, her arms weary and her body battered and bruised.

Striker placed his blade against the demon's heart. She used it to gain some balance. Coughing and spluttering she looked up at Striker her eyes wincing.

"The strength of heart will always end your wicked ways demon, now your last words before my blade sends you back from whence you came." Striker spoke each word sinking in like a painful thump of a migraine.

"Where I have failed, others will triumph...Boy. I hope you're prepared to give...*cough* it all for..Nothing!" The demon snapped.

Striker's face dropped like china plates his eyes sharpened the top right hand side of his lip raised. He let out a scream in anger as he took one step back, and slammed his blade through the demon.

Striker watched the demon lose consciousness, as he pulled his blade to the right and in the same movement turned behind the demon and sliced his blade across her neck.

The body fell and the head separated as Striker flicked the blood from his blade and placed it back in its sheath.

He fought with his heart and knew deep down his spirits were never going to be doused, this was a fight he was certain to win, but for now his priority lied in returning to his companions.

He turned to the double doors leading out of the hallway, he walked slowly to conserve his energy.

He had a feeling this was only the beginning...

Chapter 21

Striker finally pushed the doors open, as they crashed to the walls he leant over placing his hands just above his knees breathing heavily, looks like the fight took a little more out of him than he anticipated.

"Gotta get back to the others" he huffed, as he let out a rather chesty cough. He suddenly felt something digging into his chest, he quickly had a look at his shirt, nothing. He looked inside his jacket, which at this moment in time looked a little worse for wear, tears and rips everywhere.

His hand reached into his inside pocket, he slowly retracted his hand, pulling out his sunglasses that he wore back out in the meadows, the only difference is they are cracked and broken from the centre.

Striker looked at them, slightly annoyed, but he just closed his eyes and threw them behind him.

"No point in worrying over stupid glasses, I've got to make sure everyone's ok!" Striker spoke out loud as he started to run down the pathway. Not sure which way to go, he decided to just run following instincts and not looking back.

He turned many corners left, and right. His run slowly dropped into a light jog, and then down to a slow walk. "This is hopeless, how am I supposed to get out of this maze" Striker mumbled as he strolled around another corner.

This corner seemed a little different. The walls were covered red, and there were bodies of demons everywhere. Striker's eyes widened, he must be close to being reunited with his companions.

He tip-toed around the rotting carcasses of the decapitated demons, until he reached the door at the end of the hallway. With a sigh and a deep breath he mustered what strength he had to open the door, it wouldn't budge.

"What then?" questioned Striker. He drew his sword and without hesitation thrusted it through the keyhole in the centre of the door. A few twists of the blade and a couple of grunts from Striker and the door finally gave way, collapsing to the side as it loosened on the hinges.

Striker stepped back and withdrew his sword placing it back into its sheath. He took a couple of steps back and then launched himself at the door. He crashed into the lop sided door shoulder first, sending the door flying off the hinges.

Almost losing balance he quickly spun his body round pulling out his sword and then re composing himself screaming "Who's next!"

"Err, Striker?" A voice called out.

Striker took a quick glace realising he was on the top of the stairs leading into the castle. Looking around all he could see were rooftops, chimneys and light steam emanating from certain houses.

"Striker!" the voice called out again.

Striker heavily dropped his arms to his side, as he slowly walked down the stairs he noticed three small figures were standing at the bottom of the stairs. It had to be them, he just casually made his way down the stairs readying his return to his friends, making it look like everything was absolutely fine, and there was nothing to worry about from the start.

As the number of steps lessened his body grew heavier, for all his efforts, deep down he realised he isn't a super hero, in fact far from it.

As Striker pulled his head to look forward he just breathed heavily as his vision became more and more impaired, the pain of his body tightening, his muscles seizing up, until finally the sword in his hand fell from his grip and in almost one movement just collapsed in a heap falling down a few stairs before his body just lay there about two thirds of the way down the stairs.

From the bottom of the stairs the relief and smiles from Tatyana, Luthane and Shen quickly became panic and worry as they motored up the stairs to where Striker lay unconscious.

"He's not moving! We have to do something!" Tatyana yelled...

Chapter 22

Muffled voices were heard in the distance, "I'm sick of arguing for no reason, we are safe aren't we?" echoed a female voice.

"It's not about safety anymore and you know it!, I've broken a sacred rule and let outsiders into my home. Word of this gets out to just one person and we could all be thrown back into the fire, do you want that!?" Replied an angry familiar voice.

"Do you not think it's time to quit these pathetic arguments, I may not be human, but I'm the only one who seems to be acting with the maturity of one. I'm thankful you have taken the risk Shen, but for once, think about others before yourself. He's still in a bad way and we can't fathom what has caused it, so until we can we have to make do with laying low for a while. Can you two just get along, if only for the time being?" A certainly noticeable voice spoke.

"I'll leave you two to work this out, I'm gonna check in on Striker."

Luthane, turned away from the squabbles to enter a small tent, where Striker lay on a small array of blankets. His shirt was hanging by a group of small candles and his jacket was covering his lower half of his body.

Luthane sat beside Striker to monitor his health, but looked uneasy. He was staring at the heavy bruising on his chest, strangely no swelling, just a mixture of dark purples and browns, like being repeatedly beaten in the chest with a baseball bat.

"I wish you would just wake up Striker, you are stronger than this, I know you are." Luthane gently nudged Striker's arm in a hope to spark some kind of reaction. Nothing.

Out of the blue Tatyana burst through the small cloth covering the opening of the tent.

"Luthane, There's trouble, Big trouble! You have to hurry!"

Luthane spun round puzzled.

"Trouble? I thought we were safe here?"

"Turns out we've been followed, Shen is trying to hold them off, we have to help!"

Luthane Looked at Striker, "What about..."

Tatyana quickly interrupted, "We don't have time, but we have to get him prepared if worse comes to worse"

Luthane nodded "I'll see to it, just go help Shen, no telling what trouble his mouth has got him into"

Tatyana chuckled and nodded before spinning round unsheathing Striker's blade she borrowed and running off.

"Ok Striker, make this easy for me, we don't have much time"

Luthane had gathered Striker's shirt wrapping it around Striker's Jacket before taking the Jacket and applying it to his body like a makeshift saddle.

He took a few seconds to compose himself, looking over Striker's lifeless body.

"We could do with your help, Son. We really could..."Luthane whispered in Striker's ear.

Luthane, mustered all the strength he could to hoister Striker onto his back, his legs shook a little, as he tried to adjust to the extra weight.

"This is it, we make our move." Luthane said to himself...

Meanwhile at the other side of the village, Shen's face was covered in smeared blood, his blades dripped crimson. "Who's next! You bastard creatures!"

"Shen!...Shen!" Tatyana yelled out.

"It's about time! Where's Luthane?!" Shen growled.

"He's getting Striker ready in case we have to leave." Tatyana responded.

"I'm going nowhere until these bastards are one with the path beneath me!" Shen snapped back.

Tatyana's face turned white as she looked behind Shen.

Shen's face looked worried, looking at Tatyana's face fade in colour he gulped and slowly turned to look, and his heart sank, his throat dried up and his eyes welled up.

"I think...we should start making our way in the other direction...what do you think?" Asked Shen in a quiet and depressed voice.

"For once...I agree" Tatyana replied while slowly stepping backwards...

They both quick stepped and ran as quickly as they could, strangely without even looking at each other they both knew where they were going, but they were scared they wouldn't make it in time...

Chapter 23

There was panic everywhere, villagers running with their loved ones and personal belongings into the outskirts and forests edge, chaos as the village becomes quickly desolate. The cries of young children in fear of the unknown, pulled in an attempt to encourage pace from their small legs.

Tatyana and Shen arrive at a small knoll just above a small row of arcing tents, looking frantically for sight of their comrades.

"Luthane! Luthane where are you?!" Tatyana screamed out in hopes he would hear her cry.

He burst through a small crowd of villagers to appear in sight of the two upon the grassy knoll.

"Glad to see you are safe, what's the panic about?" Luthane questioned.

"The master has ordered everyone to evacuate their home immediately. And we do no mess about when given our orders, that's for damn sure!" Shen bellowed back.

"So where's the danger coming from?" Luthane asked.

Before either of them could answer the sky was darkened to a burnt orange and crimson red.

"What the..." Luthane said...

It looked like a cluster of burning meteors were launched into the sky, slowly arcing their way towards where the three of them stood.

"Shen and Tatyana jumped down as quick as they could and rushed to take Striker from off Luthane's back, they hoisted this arms over their shoulders and held onto his hands for extra grip.

"Let's get out of here, follow the villagers! And keep eyes on the shadows on the floor!" shouted Shen.

Luthane was already running off ahead, Tatyana and Shen were soon to follow carrying Striker's body with them as quick as they could.

"Of all...the times he has to be...unconscious!" Tatyana strained.

"I can't wait to slap him when he wakes up" huffed Shen.

In a blink of an eye a burning boulder plummeted into the ground crushing the tent in which Striker was originally laying in. A few more crashed in different directions, Screams of men and women echoing through the forest and small pathways upon each collision.

Weaving in and out of other villagers Luthane was a few hundred metres ahead of the others, another boulder crashed beside him instantly killing a young man he just passed. He shuddered and kept pace, looking for somewhere that wasn't being decimated, with no luck.

Back where Tatyana and Shen were, Tatyana lost her footing on debris on the ground from the crushed tents around and fell to her knees before momentum threw her onto her side causing Striker and Shen to follow to the ground.

"I cant...I can't keep...up" Tatyana said while breathing heavily.

With a slight wince from the impact Shen quickly responded by climbing back to his knees, he place a hand on Tatyana's shoulder and said " If he means that much to you, you'd do it. We all have to be strong...for Striker."

Tatyana climbed to her feet with Striker and Shen, a small tear falling from her right eye. She let out a tiny sniffle before just panting the word "ok".

They moved at a walking pace, trying to gain momentum again, and trying not to lose their temper to other escapees brushing past them.

Luthane had ran back to the others, not even breaking a sweat. "We are about ten minutes run from outside of this forest."

Shen puffed and panted " your pace or our pace?"

"Ok make it fifteen, but we have to hurry, I fear things are only gonna get worse from here on out".

"Let's keep pushing, we can make it" Tatyana said.

They all just spent a few seconds looking at each other, then they all looked in different directions almost shy of staring.

"...sounds...like...something..I'd...Say..." A voice stammered.

They all looked up raised eyebrows and wide eyed, their eyes widened and a smile crept out from their mouths.

A small twinge of a muscle flexing came from his right arm, wrapped over Shen, a few fingers on the left hand, closing and re-opening.

A slight breeze swept through the small pathway where they stood, all in amazement, with that slight willingness to just go down on their knees and pray.

His head slowly lifted, his hair partially covering his face. His eyes slowly opening revealing deep emeralds glinting in the midnight sky. A small grin emerged from his mouth.

"You...You can't be?" Shen said in disbelief.

Striker, removed his arms from Tatyana and Shen's shoulders, and slowly bent his knees, trying to kneel down, while using his arms for leverage, he placed his hands on the ground.

"...Striker?" Tatyana asked, her heart in her throat and her lips quivering and her hands shaking.

He launched himself to his feet, pulling his arms back twisting his stomach and arching back, all that was heard was this almighty crunch, from his entire body. Every bone must've clicked or cracked with the noise that emanated from his body.

"Aah I needed that." Striker said, like he had just had his morning stretch.

Striker had a quick look at his surroundings, and his grin turned to confusion.

"Ok, looks like I've missed something here. Where is the castle? Why is there a huge mass of dust and smoke around? And why have you all got perplexed looks on your faces?"

"The castle still stands but is how we left it" Answered Luthane.

"We were in the middle of carrying you to safety, while escaping my burning hometown" said Shen clearly unimpressed.

"Because you are still standing after being unconscious for the past five days. We've carried you from the castle to here, and let's just say it hasn't been pleasant for any of us". Responded Tatyana, looking like she was trying to hold back the tears.

"Wow...anything else before we carry on with 'escaping the village'?"

"You're bruising has...gone. Five days of bruising, just gone..." Luthane said in complete astonishment.

Striker looked down at his bare chest, moving himself so he could look all over. "Bruising? I don't see anything"

"That's what I'm saying, it's nothing short of a miracle." replied Luthane.

"Well, I'd suggest we get out of here before we start analysing my body" Striker said with a smirk on his face.

"I agree, now let's get out of here!" Shen hurried. "Can you walk? Or better yet run?."

Striker stretched his legs back and forth, before responding, " There's only one way to find out."

The four just looked at one another, and for the first time in a long time smiles all round. But unknowing to them, they are only to be short-lived.

For now they all made their way trying to catch up with the few stragglers that have fallen behind from the evacuation, trying to get out of the disaster that has stricken and stripped them from their home and life.

Chapter 24

"I thought you said it wasn't far, fifteen minutes at the most?" questioned Shen anxiously.

"It would've been if you hadn't had insisted on helping out everyone we pass." Responded Luthane sternly.

"Now now, last thing we need is another one of these." Tatyana quickly stated making sure she was in between, Luthane and Shen.

"Another one? Have I caused arguments between you guys?" Striker asked in a low tone.

Tatyana turned her head, "Oh no, not at all".

Shen followed suit, "She's half right, normally to win a... colourful discussion shall we say, she would pull out a line like 'If Striker was here we wouldn't be arguing'"

Tatyana's face turned red, as she scowled at Shen.

Luthane sighed, "I think what they are trying to say is that in their own way they've missed you".

Shen just laughed.

"Something funny Shen?" Striker asked.

"As a matter of fact yes. My name and missing you in the same sentence, it was quite laughable. I don't even miss those worth caring about".

"You cold hearted son of a bitch, everything we've been through and you have the cheek to say that!? How dare you!" Tatyana snapped.

Luthane shook his head in disappointment before looking ahead. His eyes lit up if only for a second. He cleared his throat.

"What is it Luthane?" Asked Striker, thankful of somewhere to put himself after the sharp conversation that had just occurred.

"Through those trees at the end of the path, it's our way out of here."

"About time, I refuse to spend another minute with this selfish bastard." Blasted Tatyana, storming off in the general direction of the trees ahead.

Striker looked at the ground and sighed.

"Can we make haste? It's going to be dark soon and we don't have any shelter." Shen said in a calm voice.

Striker just shrugged. "I'm just following so lead the way."

Luthane looked up at Striker, who seemed like a shadow of the person he was a few moments ago.

"Something troubling you?" Luthane asked, concerned for his comrade.

"It's probably nothing, so it's best I don't trouble anyone with it." Striker responded, his face seemed deep in thought, but also saddened, but he forced a small grin the one side of his mouth.

Luthane accepted Striker's words and started to make his way, following the others.

Striker, slowly followed suit...

"Hey guys?" Tatyana shouted in a scared tone.

They all ran to where she stood, and as they stared forward, the looks on their faces made them wish they never did so.

A horde of demons, each with a different weapon of choice in their hands. Flails, spiked ball and chain, daggers, axes, maces, there were even a few standing further back with crippled bows. That was the least of their worries, no more than ten metres behind the rows of snivelling, snarling, giggling, and grunting beasts, there were no more than a dozen heavily armoured, catapults being loaded with molten rock, by giant entities, their bodies deranged in one way or another, faceless, monstrous hands, and tree trunks for legs. No nightmare could ever create such a creature.

The demons readied their weapons, waiting for the call to attack, the catapults were wound back into position, ready to fire another barrage of hellfire upon the forest.

"What do we do...There's so many of them." quivered Tatyana.

"We take the cretin down, one by one if we have to!" Encouraged Shen. "Right Striker!"

Striker just stood there, his hands nowhere near his sheath, like he had been frozen in place.

"Striker!" Tatyana shouted in an attempt to grab his attention.

"Huh?". Striker looked round to Tatyana, unaware he was being spoken to.

"What do we do?"

An unknown voice answered the question.

"You, don't have much of a choice really."

Luthane barked, "Who goes there!".

A Stern demon, appeared from behind one of the catapults, standing tall, with impeccable posture. Still evil from head to toe in appearance, but it is clear he is of much more importance in comparison to the lesser demons in front of him.

"I am Lieutenant Theruzael, the fifth legionnaire of Havoc, and I must say I have been looking forward to this day." He chuckled.

"Lieutenant? You mean someone to order the other cretin about!" Shen sharply replied.

The lieutenant just chuckled, before vanishing, and almost instantaneously reappearing behind Shen.

"Precisely, and judging by that smart response I'm assuming by the rags you call clothes on yourself, I've ensured your temper has a very short fuse". Theruzael responded before vanishing again.

Shen was growling under his breath with gritted teeth baring, his hands clenching tightly.

This time Theruzael reappeared beside Striker.

"Well, if it isn't the young man of the hour. Not only defeating the Lady Silthiana, but still standing, even after her deathly poison whip had hit your chest. I think you should take your shirt from your pet and put it on before you catch a chill."

He let out another chuckle, slightly echoed with gruffness but also very gentlemanly.

Striker moved towards Luthane and took his shirt and jacket from Luthane and began to put them on, completely silent, still with a thoughtful look on his face.

"I could kill you right here!" Shouted Shen grabbing a handful of kunai, preparing to launch them at the nearest target.

Theruzael just laughed, before appearing just in front of his small army of demons.

"But I've only just met you, what good would killing me do, if I've yet to give you a proper reason?"

"You have slaughtered my friends, destroyed everyone's home and are now trying to burn this entire forest to the ground, stop me when it becomes a proper reason, you sick bastard!" Shouted back Shen.

"You think THIS is sick? Oh dear, this is Childs play for me, you have no idea" Theruzael responded with a wicked grin.

Luthane, was motionless. "So he was incapacitated by a poison. He withstood the poison of a demon?...That's unheard of" He spoke to himself.

Striker walked next to Tatyana, his shirt now on and his jacket in his hand. He whispered "How's the cutlass been for you?"

"It has saved my life a few times" She said as she smiled a little.

"Maybe when this is over, I'll be able to take it back. But I'm thinking I'll take his sword as a replacement" Striker replied winking slyly.

"You're crazy, you've not long come back from a coma, and you want to throw yourself into more?! I can't let you do that, Striker...Not again."

There was a sarcastic clap echoing behind them. Theruzael was right behind them.

"Now that is just precious. Lady Tatyana, protecting her knight in shining armour, it's just like in a fairy tale, except for two small details."

"Those being?" Striker asked releasing the blade from his sheath.

"Well, unfortunately for you I don't have a sword, weapons of craft are for those in need of protecting."

"...and secondly?" Striker responded in a slower speed to his first question.

Theruzael chuckled again.

"This is the beginning of your nightmare, Striker...far from any fairy tale." He chuckled again, "Now it's time to turn the page, and start the chapter that I like to call...decimation."

With those words drilled into their minds, he vanished. The demons all began manically laughing, the catapults behind them were then released, launching a second wave of burning disaster into the sky.

"Enough! Come back here you son of a bitch! Fight like a man!" Shen bellowed into the crimson sky.

"There's no time for that, we have to get out of here!" Luthane responded.

"We head to the right of here! There's no point in killing these demons, we haven't got a chance against the catapults or the beasts loading them!" Striker said, placing his sword back into his sheath.

Without a moment to think Tatyana ran off away from the demons, as fast as she could. Her face was horrified, she couldn't bear to see another onslaught of burning carnage, and it was hard enough the first time.

"Quick! Follow Tatyana, we will be out of here in no time, the foliage is lighter here." said Luthane as he bounded off after Tatyana.

"Shen! Listen to me! We will get out chance, I promise you, but for now it's not worth it! We get out of here, we meet with the survivors and we seek guidance from there! Now let's go!" Striker shouted at Shen, trying to reason with him.

Shen just dropped his kunai, and dropped his head, "Revenge is going to be mine, and I'll savour the sweetness...Mark my words Lieutenant! I'm coming for you!" He snarled.

Both Striker and Shen picked up pace and followed the path left by Luthane who was quickly fading in the ashen distance.

It wasn't long before they caught up with Tatyana and Luthane, and in the same instance found themselves pushing through the last array of greenery before their feet, or in Luthane's case paw, landed on soft grassland again.

"We're out! And in one piece too!" Cheered Tatyana.

"Shen, I'm sorry for your loss, but at least we are out of the fires...right?" Said Luthane.

"...The forest will become a burnt massacre by morning, but my soul will burn intensely until I exact my revenge on those bastards!" Shen said, clearly in a tunnel vision state fuelled with intent.

"We should meet up with the other villagers, they are probably concerned about your safety Shen." Striker said in an attempt to calm Shen down.

"We best head for the small campsite in the distance" Shen said pointing to the north east, "Unless you'd all prefer to be breathing in burning ash and smog tonight." Shen said trying to think a bit clearer.

They all slowly made their way to the small encampment, every muscle aching, their throats crying out for water, their bodies tiring with each step, but striving for salvation, and a load off, at least for Shen's sake.

Chapter 25

They had reached the encampment, the campfire burned brightly in the centre, surrounded by makeshift beds made of twigs, twine and old rags. A few villagers had noticed their arrival, and it wasn't long before all who resided there were standing around the four of them, let's just say they were all less than impressed to see them.

"You broke the sacred law and now we all suffer!" One village screamed.

"How does it feel to have the blood of your own kind on your hands Shen!" another hollered.

"I...I'm sorry" Shen said apologetically.

"Sorry doesn't bring back those you helped murder!" A third villager spoke.

It was just then that a tall figure appeared standing out from behind the crowd. The villagers quickly separated in two as the tall figure made his way through the opening, towards Shen. Each person bowed as the figure past them.

"Master!" Shen said, kneeling in respect of who was before him.

Striker and the others did the same just so they didn't outcast themselves anymore.

"Rise, Shen." The Master spoke in a deep and commanding tone.

Shen rose quickly everyone else stayed with head bowed, trying not to make a sound. There was utter silence, even the air was still. The master stood there in a black and white martial artist attire with what appeared to be wooden blocks for sandals, his hair was jet black slicked back and tied into a ponytail. He had a thick goatee around his mouth, dark with a few grey hairs showing through. His eyes were hawk like, honing in on their prey, in this case Shen.

"Master, please, we seek residence, if only for a night" Shen pleaded.

The Master just looked at him.

"You directly disobeyed my orders. You allowed outsiders to stay in our village thus causing the evacuation of us all. Then to top it all off, we even lose some of our family, and after all this you request residence?" The Master calmly relayed this over to Shen, as if he needed reminding.

"I know of the wrong that has happened, but surely I cannot be the sole reason for this?" Shen said trying to reason with his Master.

"Shen, you are a young warrior with the talent to become great, but your rashness and inconsideration, has been your downfall. This time, I cannot just let it go, you have caused great dishonour within our community and to those who have helped you become the man you are today. There has been a decision made by myself and the elders of the dynasty."

"Please...Master..." Shen tried to plea, tears falling from his face, afraid of his fate.

"I'm sorry Shen..." He then raised his voice so all the Villagers could hear the judgement.

"Shen Xihaou I hereby exile you from the dynasty and from all villages known to us as home. You are no longer welcome as a friend."

"No...Please!" Shen cried out.

The Master just shook his head. "I cannot undo the wrong you have done, and there is no other option."

Shen fell to his knees and just burst into tears.

Striker, Tatyana and Luthane were quick to comfort him, but he just pushed them all away. Before they could ask anything he had upped and ran off, without any sense of where he was going.

"We apologise for our intrusion, we shall leave you in peace." Tatyana said bowing her head.

The Master just looked at them "Grant me one favour before you go. I want you all to look over Shen, he may be hot headed but he is good man. He will forgive you all in time, as much as we cannot. I want you to become his family, he would be thankful for that. For now it is time to say goodbye. I bid you safe travels."

The Master just turned round and walked off, the crowd closing back up after he past them. The village returned to its normal environment, leaving Tatyana, Striker and Luthane alone.

"I guess we should find somewhere to make camp for tonight. We can then look for somewhere to go in the morning." Luthane suggested.

The other two nodded in agreement, they turned their backs on the encampment, and wearily made their way south.

Chapter 26

The night sky was clear, the stars twinkling brightly to accompany the moon's harmonious glow. Tatyana, Luthane and Striker were sat down around a small campfire, there small bushes around them, with an unusual rock formation, which looked like it was previously used as a home for a hibernating mammal.

"It's not as cold as I first thought" Said Luthane laying down beside the fire, while staring at Tatyana, who had Striker's jacket as a means of keeping warm.

"Easy for you to say, you're covered in fur" Tatyana replied shivering.

Striker was busy cooking some kind of lizard over the fire. It was slowly charring, with its neck and feet tied with fine pieces of tree bark on a large stick.

"Well once you've eaten, you can either curl up in that small cave behind you. Or you can sleep out here by the fire. The choice is yours." He grinned wickedly like neither of them were a great idea.

"You expect me to eat that...Lizard!? That's just disgusting. I'd much rather starve." Tatyana said covering her nose and mouth with Striker's jacket.

"Well unfortunately I couldn't find anything more appetising after all this is rather large field in the middle of nowhere!" Striker responded, he was quite agitated that he had spent hours trying to find something to eat for the three of them and then being scrutinized for it.

"I'm thankful you found something to eat, my only concern is if it's actually edible, or worse poisonous." Luthane asked with sincerity.

"I'm pretty sure it's not, I saw nothing seep from it when I killed it, and nothing has dripped from it since it's started roasting. But I guess there's only one way to find out." Striker smiled at Luthane, wondering if he was brave enough to try it.

"Just wish I knew what it was." Luthane responded.

"It's called the garanchai."

Tatyana dropped Striker's jacket, and looked up at who said it.

Striker turned his head and chuckled.

Luthane sat up and bowed his head.

"Good to see you again, Shen" Luthane said raising his head again.

"Likewise" replied Shen in a quiet tone.

"How are you feeling?" Tatyana asked in a concerned manner.

"I'll live." Shen said, keeping it short and sweet.

"I'm surprised to see you, you seemed pissed." Striker said, in a half joking manner, in an attempt to lighten the spirits.

Shen just sighed.

"I should be filled with hatred for the three of you. But after countless hours of attacking inanimate objects, it dawned on me."

"Dare I ask, what?" Striker questioned eagerly.

"I cannot blame my friends for my past mistakes. This has merely been an unlikely coincidence, and I have to accept my punishment." Shen replied.

"That's a very mature thing to say Shen, and I'm thankful. You are a good person, and by the looks of things you're just in time for food. If we can eat a gar-an-chai?" Luthane said, trying to cheer Shen up, if only a little.

"You class us as your friends Shen?" Tatyana asked.

Shen just looked at Tatyana, and a small smile appeared from the side of his mouth.

"We may have only seen each other for a short time, but we have been through more than any other group of people would in their entire lives. The ups and downs have come naturally with friendship also...right?"

Striker laughed, "You're right there! So who wants food?"

Tatyana just looked at the now blackened lizard and she just looked at the ground, to hide the sickened look on her face.

Shen cleared his throat.

"It seems you are all reluctant to eat? Maybe it would ease you to know that the Garanchai, or grasslands lizard, as its commonly known, is, I mean was, a delicacy in my home. Twice a week we would all sit round feeding on many different animals. He is perfectly edible and also helps maintain energy levels for a longer period of time, according to folklore, oh and they taste great as well."

"Ha! And there you were criticising me" Striker gloated.

"Well if you've cooked it, I would suggest Shen serves it, as he is much more familiar with it." Luthane requested.

Tatyana just nodded, still very reluctant to try.

Shen pulled out a small knife from a strap on his left arm, he started to carve into the lizard, like it was an archaeological dig, very precise with his cuts.

He started to hand pieces out to Striker, and also placed a handful of lizard meat slices in front of Luthane.

"Enjoy!" Shen said.

Striker, just shrugged his shoulders and started munching away. His face immediately lightened up with delight. Luthane saw Striker's reaction and followed suit, after a few bites his face lit up as well.

"Wow, this is delicious. The best thing I've tasted in a long time!" Striker ecstatically said.

"Mmhmm" Luthane mustered with a mouthful of food. Nodding furiously.

Shen grab a couple of slices, and made his way over to Tatyana, who was cowering away, in hope she wasn't going to be noticed.

Shen just sat down beside Tatyana, and slowly pulled the jacket off her head.

"As clever a disguise as that was, we all knew you were here." Shen said trying not to laugh.

"I don't want any!" Tatyana said, like a spoilt child refusing to eat vegetables.

"I'm not going to force you, I promise. But I would like you to try at least, the last thing we all want is see you collapse like Striker did. Don't get me wrong you are obviously a lot lighter than he is, but none of us could handle not having you with us, just because of a piece of meat."

Tatyana, looked deep into Shen's eyes, and saw the sincerity. She looked down at the small pieces of meat in his hand, and sighed.

"Ok, I'll do it, I'll eat the damned thing, on one condition!" Tatyana demanded.

"Name it." Replied Shen.

"You eat a piece at the same time, just for peace of mind."

Shen just smiled and grabbed a piece of food. Passing that piece to Tatyana he grabbed another piece for himself.

"You have yourself a deal" Shen said. "On three."

"One" Shen started the count.

"...Two" Tatyana continued.

And at the same time they both said "Three" and threw the food into their mouths, well Shen did, Tatyana, held her nose and closed her eyes as she did it.

Shen just grinned, like he was back in his childhood, nostalgia flowing with every chew.

Tatyana, after a few slow chews, opened her eyes, and continued to chew, a little quicker with each one.

After gulping down the remainder of the meat, Shen turned to Tatyana.

"See that wasn't so bad?"

"No, it was amazing, I was just sceptical, being an unknown food for me." Tatyana answered.

"That's fully understandable. Would you like to finish of this handful?" Shen asked.

"Gladly!" Tatyana responded pinching the food from his hand and quickly indulging.

Everyone, became chirpier and the recent tension, was quickly lifted. There was laughter, and long conversations going on through the evening, until it was almost pitch black. Tatyana had fallen asleep using Striker's jacket as a makeshift blanket, and Luthane was very much asleep, laying on his side, his paws were relaxed, all claws retracted, and his mouth closed as tight as his eyes.

Shen and Striker were still awake, talking about the last few days, apologising for almost everything they said.

After a duet of chuckles, Striker followed up with a change of conversation.

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened after I passed out? Everyone seems to avoid telling me."

Shen's laughter was followed by a look at the floor and a cough.

"It was a difficult time, we would rather forget it happened then dwell on it. Not to mention the countless hours of carrying you and arguing with Tatyana and Luthane, over pointless matters."

"I find that so difficult to believe. Of course we were bitchy at one another from time to time, but never anything malicious. I'm sorry if I'm treading on your toes with all these questions, but what made you decide on taking us to your home?" Striker followed his reply with another question.

Shen's face quickly dropped.

"I'll make this my last answer for the night, it's getting late and we don't wanna waste time in finding somewhere to go."

"Agreed" Striker said.

"Ok," Shen took a deep breath, "We were being heckled, by voices of demons, one of them being that bastard Theruzael. Anyway, they were talking of celebrating the death of heroes. They were being very vague...Well none of us could sleep, the voices were haunting, and they were relentlessly replayed in our heads."

Striker was drawn closer, very intrigued by what Shen was saying.

"Anyway when we were trying to fathom what they were and what they wanted, we would be rather agitated and easily aggravated with each other because of the lack of food and sleep. Trivial questions would become violent in a verbal manner, and before we knew it, there was silence and blade cutting tension."

"Go on..." Striker urged.

"Well, we had been travelling aimlessly for at least two days. Luthane suggested we found somewhere to make camp, Tatyana was just ignorant to whatever we were saying. Anyway, I suggested we kept moving because we were close to my home. I didn't want to say anything in case I got their hopes up."

"That explains what your master said about disobeying his orders" Striker said.

"Exactly, I gave us haven, despite his orders, because I thought I couldn't give up and leave my friends stranded. So I went against his orders. The night before you awoke, we had the demons in our heads again. But this time they were shouting out marching orders, sending hordes of demons to all corners of the world. In search of..."

"...Us?" Striker asked.

Shen just nodded.

"I can't believe that all this has happened because we stood up for ourselves, and now I feel like I should take responsibility for what's happened as well. I am truly sorry, and if it's some consolation, we have been asked by your master to stay with you, friends or family."

Shen looked at Striker confused.

"Family? You can't replace my family, but I would gladly have you all by my side as friends."

"That's absolutely fine" Striker said putting his hand out as a gesture for a hand shake.

Shen smiled and accepted, as they shook hands they just smiled and laughed at each other.

"I'm thankful you told me Shen, I'm also sorry."

Shen just laughed.

"You need to stop saying that word it's becoming very tedious."

Striker nodded, "Ok, We'll ban that word, just between the two of us"

"Good! Now that I've kept my end of the deal it's time for us to get some rest." Shen said.

"Sounds good to me, friend" Striker replied as he lay down on the ground. "Oh and Shen?"

"Yeah?" Shen said as he got comfortable.

"Good to have you here, we make a good team."

Shen laughed, "Too right we do ha ha," He rolled over and said "Goodnight Striker."

He got nothing in response, it seemed that Striker was already dead to the world, a light snore echoing from him.

Shen just chuckled quietly to himself. Before slowly falling to sleep he said himself, "From tomorrow, we seize the day...friends."

Chapter 27

The dawning sun rose peeking over the mountains and hills, shining its rays of light, like the birth of a phoenix, the light crept over to the sleeping camp, where Tatyana and Striker still laid, in deep sleeps.

Tatyana was still, only the lightest of breezes gently swaying her long hair. Striker on the other hand, was anything but, his body being thrown from side to side, from being curled up in a foetal position one minute and on his side gripping his chest the next.

Tatyana started to stir as the sunlight reached her face, she slowly rose up to a sitting position, and her torso upwards was upright, her legs sideways, one laying on top of the other.

After a quick and quiet yawn, her arms stretched towards the sky then she gently rubbed her eyes to try and ease the glare of the sun. She placed her right hand down and turned her head round to see if everyone was still there. Her vision wasn't quite adjusted yet, the rays of the sun weren't helping much but she managed to rub her eyes again and have a slight look, she only to see Striker there, tossing and turning.

She slowly rose to her feet, dragging herself towards Striker.

She knelt down beside Striker, gently shrugging his shoulders to awaken him.

"Striker...you're having a..." She yawned before finishing her sentence, "Nightmare."

Without a seconds notice Striker's eyes flung open, he got up grabbed Tatyana by her arm spun her round and had her in front of him, one arm around her neck the other pulling out his blade.

Tatyana let out a scream.

Striker, quickly covered her mouth replacing his strangling arm with his blade.

"Say a word and I'll kill you!" Striker growled in Tatyana's ear.

She just gulped and nodded frantically.

Striker's eyes were not their normal green. They had changed into a deep brown, his pupils were dilated and his breathing was deep and heavy.

"Striker...It's me... Tatyana" Tatyana softly said trying to make him realise he wasn't in a nightmare anymore.

Striker didn't listen. He just moved his mouth closer to her ear.

"I'm...not...Striker" He uttered.

Tatyana's eyes widened, and she gasped in complete shock.

"Who...Are...You?" She spoke in a panicked stutter.

"You need not know now, but if you continue to be pests in my plans...I will eliminate each and every last one of you...starting with you." Striker snarled.

Before Tatyana could ask another question, Striker's body became limp and he collapsed to the ground, his ever suddenly weighted body taking Tatyana down to the ground at the same time.

She managed to crawl out from under Strikers body and she carried on crawling over to where she was when she awoke, her eyes were filling up with water, the fear still very present. She just didn't know what to do, it was Striker standing up, and it was his body the same him...but the voice...

Striker started to stir from the ground. He lifted himself to his knees. His head flung backwards, his arms raised up to the sky and he let out a sound as he stretched himself. His eyes opened and they were as green as normal.

He looked round to see only Tatyana was sitting there staring at him.

"Where are the others?" Striker asked as he slowly got to his feet.

Tatyana just shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, unable to speak.

"Everything ok? Normally you're the chirpiest one of us in the morning." He said with a smile.

Again, nothing was said.

"Have I done something to offend you?" He asked as he made his way to Tatyana.

She quickly shuffled herself backwards as he made his advance towards her.

"There's nothing to be afraid of" Striker smiled. "It's the same person you carried for days...Just able to speak and walk myself." He chuckled in an attempt to lighten Tatyana's spirit, but to no avail, the last few moments still burned into her memory bank.

"I'm guessing there is something but I won't pry, I'll just leave you be, I'm sorry if there is anything I've done anything to hurt you... I sincerely hope not considering I've only been back with you guys for a day he he"

Striker again trying to ease Tatyana's troubled mind.

"...I know, Just...Just one of those days I guess" Tatyana replied with a nervous laugh.

"Aah, I understand, well we best find the others, but I'll stay 3 paces ahead, let you have your space." Striker said.

"...Thank...you" replied Tatyana.

As Striker turned round he saw two shadows approaching the camp. He just smiled, he recognised the shadows instantly, Luthane and Shen had returned.

"Did I hear you say that tedious word again Striker?" Shen shouted cockily.

Striker just laughed "I was talking to Tatyana, she doesn't seem herself today."

Luthane looked at Tatyana, who was trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

"Shen, do me a favour, get a head start showing Striker our next destination, I'll catch you up with Tatyana in a moment."

Shen nodded then grabbed Striker by his arm. "C'mon me and Luthane have been wandering for hours to find this!"

"Woah! Slow down, I haven't even eaten yet!" Replied Striker, trying to keep his balance from being pulled by Shen.

They had both quickly vanished into the distance.

Luthane turned his attention from Striker and Shen's fading images to Tatyana.

"Ok, now that they are gone, would you like to tell me what's wrong?"

Tatyana again shook her head, tears beginning to fall from her eyes, and trickling down her cheeks.

"Well, it has to be something, tears don't force themselves." Luthane had said making his way slowly to Tatyana's side.

He gently nudged the side of her head, to acknowledge he was beside her and to try and move her head from the new position of being buried between her crossed arms and her tucked up knees.

"...Well it has to have been something Striker has done, he was the only one here."

Tatyana shook her head again.

"Then I'm stumped, if he hasn't been an inconsiderate bastard and upset you then what has?" Luthane said trying to encourage an answer.

Tatyana lifted her head and wiped her tears, after letting out that typical sniff you do after a barrage of tears she said "Not him...But him..."

"Not him...But...him?" Luthane questioned, making sure her heard her correctly.

She nodded, "He was having a nightmare, tossing...and turning."

"Go on..."

"I moved his shoulder, to wake him, and before I knew it... he ...he.." Tatyana began to cry again.

"It's ok he isn't here, I'm here, what did he do?" Luthane tried to reassure Tatyana.

After a deep breath she continued " He strangled me and put his blade to my neck...Threatening to kill me..."

Luthane's shock was immediate. "He did what?!"

Tatyana nodded again, wiping another armful of tears from her face.

"That's not like him at all, he's never done that to anyone...ever" Luthane spoke.

"I know, but it wasn't him, I know it wasn't..."

"But you just said..."

"His voice, Luthane, His voice was not his!" Tatyana belted out.

"His voice?" Luthane seemed confused.

"It was Striker's body...But the voice was like none we have heard, it was pure hatred and darkness, and just made my blood run cold..." Tatyana's eyes widened her mouth opened up as it has finally clicked in her head. She grabbed Luthane and looked him straight in the eyes. "The voices! Those demons in our heads! It was one of them!"

"...you think?"

"I don't think I know! Striker has been used as a medium!" Tatyana was so sure of herself.

"So, what do we do...We can't call that out of the blue, Striker will think we've gone mad." Luthane tried to reason with Tatyana.

"We have to wait until he has another nightmare...we have to confront this beast!" Tatyana was almost a completely different person, her strength seemingly returning to her, she seemed so adamant, that she just wanted to get up and go after the voice.

"It seems logical, but there are many questions...Like how have they managed to get through him, and control him? What are their intentions?" Luthane was trying to calm down Tatyana with logic, it clearly wasn't working.

"Right now I just wanna know what that voice wants, and what we are meddling in!"

"Meddling? Something you've forgotten to mention by any chance?"

Tatyana just looked at Luthane and smiled. "We've been meddling with the voices plans and he's threatened our lives! So we have to find out what we are doing and quickly."

Luthane nodded "Ok, Ok, We will but we have to be patient, we have to also prepare. Maybe we should let Shen into this, just in case he ends up more confused than Striker."

Tatyana nodded "Agreed"

"Well now that you seem in a better mood, and a little less afraid, we should try and catch the boys up, no telling what they'll be getting up to." Luthane said.

"Sounds like a wise choice, but where are they going." Tatyana questioned.

"Oh, in all this talking I've forgotten to say, we've found a small port town. It's about a half days travel from here."

"Then what are we waiting for!"Tatyana said as she sprung to her feet.

"Well we didn't exactly go to the town, we say it from the top of a hill. We just wanted to make sure we go there together."

Tatyana leant back down and hugged Luthane. "You're such a thoughtful and wise soul, let's go catch them up shall we?"

"That shouldn't take long" Luthane replied.

As Tatyana got back up and started to walk with Luthane he turned to her.

"...and Tatyana?"

"...yeah?"

"He'll be fine, we will help and everything will be ok"

Tatyana just smiled.

"I hope you're right Luthane, I hope you're right".

Chapter 28

"Ok...I give in...You've dragged me 'til I've fallen over...then ran off asking me to keep up...anything more and I'd be liable to think...that you're attracted to me..." Striker panted, trying to catch his breath for a moment.

"Ha! You may be a strong willed fighter, but you have the energy levels of a child. Oh and I'm sorry to disappoint you Striker, You're just not my type" Shen replied chuckling at the out of breath Striker.

"This...is ridiculous...we've been running around the same field for ages, are we there yet? Or is this a trick thought up by you and that wolf?" Striker replied, getting slightly agitated.

"Have you become a whinging little bitch in the last thirty seconds or did you leave your balls back at our last camp?" Shen ever increasing in his sarcasm and cockiness.

"Neither...sorry to disappoint...So how much further and which way?" Striker answered stretching his legs.

Shen looked up at the sky, a soft blue, with a light scattering of off white clouds. As a soft breeze whistled past the two, Shen's head lifted back further and his eyes closed for a moment. After a deep breath his head slowly lowered and his eyes opened, their gaze fixed on Striker.

"We have twenty minutes full sprint" Shen turned sideways, and pointed directly north of where Striker was standing. "As you would say, 'It's that way' " leaving a smug look on his face.

"That was a terrible impersonation, maybe you should stick to being a cocky bastard" Striker replied back, showing his sarcastic side.

"There it is, there's that sense of humour you once had. Well if you're finished trying to better me..." Shen Spun on his toes to the direction he pointed to and shouted to Striker as he started to run off again. "Try Keeping up!"

Striker just shook his head laughing, not annoyed but just laughing off the immaturity of Shen.

"How can you be so cocky after all you've lost" He said to himself. "Just laugh away all the problems" Striker ignored himself and started to pick up his pace again, following the direction Shen went.

Shen's laugh just echoed and he left Striker in the proverbial dust.

Chapter 29

"Slow...Slow down Luthane!" Tatyana screamed at Luthane, as she stopped for a moment, her legs feeling heavy, and her body more so.

"...Again? I thought elves such as yourself were trained for endurance." Luthane trying his hand at humour.

"Unfortunately I don't have four legs." Tatyana panted.

"Unfortunate maybe, but I'm more concerned about getting to the town before nightfall, guiding someone in the dark is nigh on impossible, even with these eyes." Luthane said now more reasoning than humorous.

"I know, I know, I just need a moment to get my breath back."

"Ok, I'm sure a few minutes won't be too much of a hindrance." Luthane placed himself next to Tatyana, obedient and watchful of their surroundings.

"Do you think we'll get there before it darkness approaches? Or even more of a concern before Striker and Shen?" Tatyana asked, a slightly concerned look on her face.

"I think we should worry about ourselves, they are both very capable in direction and in combat, we both know that. If we make it to the town or port or whatever it was, before they do, then I swear to you, I will go look for them. But I'm betting, whether they are squabbling like gulls over food, or quiet as mice, they will be waiting for us."

"How can you be sure?" Tatyana questioned, like she was calling out for reassurance.

"I made Shen give me his word they will be there when we arrive" Luthane said.

Tatyana's body relaxed, very suddenly but much to Luthane's relief.

"I think I'm ready to get going, my mind isn't so weary with worry." Tatyana responded in a lighter tone.

"Good, now let's make tracks!" Luthane nudged Tatyana before he turned round and bounded away.

Tatyana smiled, with everything in her mind, from fear of the unknown and the recent reactions of Striker's "body" up until being unusually split up from the group, it's amazing how she hasn't collapsed in a heap like Striker did, but due to overwhelming emotion and physical labour, rather than demonic poison.

"Hey Luthane wait up! Two legs remember!" Tatyana shouted as he stormed off trying to catch up with her wolf friend.

Chapter 30

"We're finally here" Shen shouted back to Striker, who was a fair way back from his location.

"We're where now?" Shouted back a worn out Striker, at an almost walking pace now.

"If you get here quick enough, you'll see what we've been running for! If you don't you'll be sleeping on this hill!" Shouted back Shen, just a little bit impatient knowing he's now been where he is for a second time, and no civilisation to show for it.

"I'm sorry, I'm not used to running this much, some of us weren't trained like you!" Shouted back Striker.

"It's not about training you stupid bastard it's about temporary salvation!" Shen quickly responded with slight venom.

"Fine...I'll see this STUPID whatever you call it" Striker obviously was not impressed.

"You happy now, I'm here, now what is it that's so..." Striker paused to look over the hill, and there it was, what Shen had been rushing him to come see. A Small port town on the edge of the sea.

"I'm...sorry" Striker muttered.

"Now what did I tell you about that word? Don't start breaking promises, or I will have you embarrass you in front of Tatyana." Shen just smiled.

"We go now? To the town I mean...Or do we wait for the others?" Striker asked, still amazed at the sight, the thought of safety, at long last.

"We go now! Trust me and I'll explain on the way" Shen said as he tried to hurry Striker down the slope of the hill.

"Do you mind? I have been awake for about as long as we have been running, I'm exhausted and yet you insist on hurrying me, making me roll down a hill like a child?" Striker called back trying to contain the anger of being pulled about like a rag doll.

Shen just laughed again.

"You mean, you're not a child? Oh I'm sorry did you want a little nap? Maybe a bottle of breast milk?"

Striker just shook his head, " You're motivational skills are bordering on feeble, we would've got here soon enough, I just don't see what the rush was all about?"

Shen Stopped dead in his tracks, looking straight at Striker, like a teacher directing their attention to a disruptive pupil. "You really don't get it? That bastard demon Theruzael from the forest had an army, that turned acres of lush greenery to burning embers and ash in minutes could very well be after the four of us. If you want my opinion I don't want to become his next victim, nor do I want you guys to."

Striker casted his mind back looking behind him, then turned his head back and nodded. "Now why didn't you tell me this in the first place, I would've made an effort."

Shen just smirked at Striker. "Made an effort? Are you serious? The only way I could get you up and moving is if I had a piece of cooked meat attached to my back!"

Striker laughed. "That was almost funny Shen, You keep at it"

"Well now that you have your reason will you pick your feet up and start moving your ass towards the arch at the front of the town?"

Striker sarcastically saluted Shen. "Yes Sir!" He then proceeded to slide down the hill.

Shen chuckled to himself before sliding down the hill himself.

Striker was first to reach the bottom of the hill, he dusted himself off only for Shen to arrive at the bottom sending a cloud of dust to fall over Striker.

"No need to be such a sore loser Shen." Striker huffed attempting to dust himself off for a second time.

"I have no idea what you are talking about?" Shen replied trying his best not to laugh.

"Never mind, at least we can take a better look at this place."

"See now you're talking sense" Shen replied.

Striker just brushed Shen's remark aside and made his way towards the giant arch.

"Hey, wait up!" Shen called out. "Don't start going all cold on me now, I haven't even gotten to the good ones yet!"

Shen proceeded to catch up with Striker. A few metres slow walk and they were both standing there side by side, looking straight up at the archway which was enormous. It was made of tan coloured bricks immaculate and calculated. Their position intentional and the style purposeful. The Top of the arch stood higher than the front walls, though it was wide enough to see enough to know what was going on. Fishermen and women at the back loading their cargo and unloading aquatic fodder ranging from plankton to lobsters.

"Much smaller from back there huh?" Shen said.

Striker nodded in agreement. "It looks busy. I sincerely hope we aren't going to be sleeping on bricks, otherwise I'll be more than happy to sleep on the hill."

Shen just looked at Striker. " Why are you such a pessimist? I thought you just oozed confidence and had no fear or worries, you know, Live for the moment as they say?"

"I was, I, Mean I am. But sometimes logic and common sense do take over, you can blame Luthane for that. He's a pain in my ass but without him I'd be... well you know."

"I'm not letting him take all the credit!" Shen blasted. "Wasn't just him that carried you, me and Tatyana put in our leg and back work too!"

"...Don't think for a second I am ungrateful. But he has been there a fair while longer than you guys." Striker explained.

"Time is only a number not a exact measure."

"Didn't think of it like that. I guess in due course you will all see me in the same way." Striker said.

"What, a cannon jumping bastard with no care for anyone else?" Shen quickly responded with a wide grin on his face showing his comical intent while trying to catch Striker off guard.

"Ha! Guess you know me already" Striker answered back. "Right, less chat, let's see what we can do to convince the guards to let us in."

"One step ahead of you!" Shen replied.

"Fine, while you try sneaking in as always I'll actually try and talk to the guards." Striker responded adamant Shen was going to fail.

"Fine by me, See you on the other side" and in a split second he was gone.

Striker then proceeded to talk to the guards in hope of persuading himself and the others into a stay there.

Chapter 31

"You know it's pretty peaceful without the boys here" Tatyana said taking in the pleasant scenery the day has brought, a few clouds scattered the blue sky. The Sun slowly starting to lower towards the western side of the sky.

"It's tranquillity personified. Makes you not want to see what sort of mess they have wound up in." Luthane replied.

"Do we have to get there as soon as possible or can we drag this serenity out just a little more?" Tatyana questioned.

"I really wish we could delay it just for a while longer, but I fear if they have their way they'll either be wanted for murder or be causing more damage than a kingdom could afford to repay" Luthane responded, with regret in his voice.

"I suppose you're right. So how close are we exactly, I feel like I've been wandering the same place for ages"

Luthane took a few deep sniffs of the air to see if he could catch a scent.

"We are very close, in fact..." Luthane looked down at the floor to see flattened grass with the outline of footwear on the ground. " We aren't far behind them. C'mon let's make this last bit a quick pace. Maybe we can save them from, themselves."

"Sounds good to me, although I am extremely worried about seeing Striker again."

"Do not fear Tatyana he wouldn't dare with me and Shen present. Demon or no demon, the numbers game stacks well in our favour." Luthane reassured.

"You're right, I should just remember who he is, and all the back ache he has caused me by carrying his heavy body around."

"That's the spirit, now let's make haste, we are not far now."

Luthane winked at Tatyana then made a dash in the direction of the footprints.

"There is something strange about Luthane" Tatyana said to herself, "It's like he's connected to Striker in some way, maybe just me." Tatyana quickly erased her thoughts and redirected her thought pattern into getting up to pace with the off sprinting canine.

It wasn't long before Tatyana was back with Luthane who had slowed his pace down to allow for her to catch up. Luthane's ears suddenly prick up to the sound of clattering armour and what appears to be shouting.

"Do you hear that?" Luthane asked.

Tatyana stopped for a second to listen. Another loud crash as the sound of armour and steel echo throughout.

"So much for tranquillity, we better get there before it's too late."

"Agreed lets go" Luthane said as he darted towards the noise. Tatyana wasn't far behind, she knew that whatever was going on was not going to be pretty.

Chapter 32

"Let me go you pathetic tin cans!" Shen shouted while he was being restrained by the two guards.

"Need I remind you ruffian, that we could slice your head off without a seconds thought and nothing be done about it?" One of the guards stated with distinct authority.

"You think I'm scared of that?! Ha! How pathetic!" Shen shouted back.

"Will you calm down Shen! Everything was fine until you decided to stroll around inside!". Striker said trying to get through to Shen.

The guards threw Shen to the ground and then one of them proceeded to speak with Striker. "We have no quarrel with you entering Aquazia, but unless you can control your...Friend here, not you, nor your so called friends are permitted to enter. Is that understood?"

"It's crystal clear but surely you have dealt with people like us before, can you make just one exception. We mean no harm, and we certainly are not aggressive." Striker picked up Shen from the floor, where he had been sat sulking like a spoilt brat. "It's been a long few days for us and it has taken its toll on some of us more than others. Isn't that right Shen?" Striker said turning his attention and eventually nudging Shen in the side as a sign to agree with him.

Shen took a deep breath, closed his eyes and then spoke to the guards. "I'd would love to make you both scream with blood gargling around your voice boxes. But it has been a long enough day that my temper has flared."

Striker let Shen go, then tried to reason with the guards more. "See, he's harmless really, it's all talk."

The guards looked at one another before looking back at Striker and Shen, it was impossible to determine their expressions of their thoughts with helmets covering the top half of their face leaving just above their nasal cavities, to allow for easier breathing.

"We cannot allow it. This Shen character is clearly too hot headed for this town. Either you enter alone, or not at all?"

"See what you've done Shen, you just couldn't just stay with me and wait, NO! You just had to go gallivanting around like some prized possession, I wish you would just once listen!"

Shen stood there red faced. But more from embarrassment than anger. "I'm sorry, guess I'm just so used to being a freelance kind of guy."

"Two things Shen, You may still be freelance, but don't forget that some of us see you as a friend. As much as we'd like to kick you square in the teeth. Secondly..."

Before Striker could finish a feminine voice bellowed out from behind them.

"You just couldn't wait to start a riot could you?!"

Striker turned to see who was calling out. It was Tatyana and Luthane bounding towards them.

"Glad to see you could finally make it guys" Shen shouted back at them.

Nothing was said in return they just continued to run towards the boys.

"I have a bad feeling they aren't happy to see us." Said Striker.

Tatyana was first there and she completely ignored Striker and Shen and went straight to the guards.

"Whatever these pathetic excuses for men have done to harm or inflict damage to you, I apologise for, and without myself and our canine companion here they have no self control. We seek haven for a night or two are you able to accommodate for the four of us?"

"Hmm, Can I trust you to keep these, friends of yours in check?" One of the guards replied.

"More to the point, can we trust that you are not the same as these?" The other guard added.

"You have my word. If they do anything wrong then I will take full responsibility for their actions."

The guards looked at one another then both in unison nodded, then turned back to Tatyana.

"Very well, on your head be it, you may enter."

Both guards moved to the side, allowing passage through the archway their poleaxes separating from each other and placing them at their sides.

Tatyana turned back to the three guys.

"Right now before we get all hi glad you made it, get in town now, before I bang both your heads together."

"Yes, mum." Shen replied.

"Don't you dare Shen, Not only did you almost mess everything up again, but you just don't have any consideration for those you know nothing about." Tatyana snapped. "Now before you give me another cocky response I suggest you and Striker move it"

Striker thought better than to protest his innocence until he got into Aquazia. Luthane put his tails between his legs, he hasn't seen such a controlled temper from Tatyana since he's known her and he felt a little uneasy, despite having nothing to do with anything that has just happened.

"Ok, now we are here I don't suppose you could direct us to a local inn, or tavern?" Tatyana questioned the guards.

"Tavern is to the north east." answered the left guard.

"Inn is at the west, the choice is yours." Added the Right guard.

"Thank you" Replied Tatyana.

"Right guys it's our choice. Unless you would rather have a walk around to get familiar with the town. Just in case." Said Tatyana, seemingly calmer than before they got to town.

"Let's get used to our surroundings, we don't want a repeat of Kilka and the castle do we." replied Luthane.

Everyone agreed, and they began looking around, a little cautiously, but also trying not to attract more unnecessary attention than they already have, being outsiders. Strangely enough only a few people stood there staring, whispering to one another. Everyone seemed too busy to care, either carrying items from the Boatyard at the far end of town, or selling goods at their stalls.

The four of them casually walked around, the whole time making sure each of them were aware of what was where. They eventually came across a blacksmith, and inside was an open plan area with large forges burning brightly fuelled by blazing embers, and large anvils with dents and carvings from previous work. The blacksmith stood a monster of a man, He looked over seven foot tall, had a heavily muscular figure, and arms the size of a small child, He was oblivious of the world just hammering away at the steel he had in his hand. Gripped tightly over an anvil.

Striker thought this was a good idea to see if he could get himself a new weapon now that Tatyana has commandeered his sabre, which he in turn had taken from thieves.

Chapter 33

"Excuse me, err Sir?" Striker said clearing his throat trying to grab the blacksmiths attention.

No reply, the blacksmith just continued to hammer into the burning steel, sparks and small shards of ember jumping into the sky with each bash.

Striker cleared his throat again and spoke a bit louder. "Excuse me Sir, I'm looking for a blade."

The blacksmiths hammer clattered into the steel once again, but this time it stayed put. A deep groan came out from the blacksmith as he turned to where Striker's voice was coming from.

"I'm closed. Leave." The Blacksmith replied slowly and deeply.

"I don't see a sign saying so. I just want a few moments of your time..." Striker tried to reason with the blacksmith, his shear stature intimidating Striker. The others took a few steps back, as if to acknowledge they didn't want to get involved.

The blacksmith removed his hammer and turned towards Striker, making slow and steady steps towards him. The grip on the hammer slowly tightening.

"When I said Closed, it means CLOSED! Now LEAVE!" The blacksmith flung his hammer into this other hand and then proceeded to slam it against the wall, in an attempt to assert his intent.

"Woah, woah, woah! I didn't mean to trespass. I just wanted to enquire about having a new weapon made. But it's ok I'll come back. When are you open next?" Striker quicker replied trying to calm the angered blacksmith.

"When I SAY SO" The blacksmith bellowed back.

Shen decided it was time to intervene, in his usual cocky manner.

"Hey! Don't talk to him like that! Why don't you get out of your bad mood and do us a favour, unless you're afraid your anvil will leave you for being such an ugly beast!" Shen spoke up shouting back trying to unnerve the blacksmith, this failed with almost an immediate effect. The blacksmith's attention turned to Shen who stood there with a slight smirk on his face.

The blacksmiths face enraged turning a deep red his teeth bearing. He raised his hammer high above his head crashing through the roof of his workshop. "You ARROGANT...FEEBLE...PARASITE!" With those words he crashed his hammer back down to the ground making an almighty booming noise, the impact sent out movements in the ground to destabilise the four in his presence. The tremors of the impact knocked Tatyana, Shen and Striker to the ground without any effort. Luthane spread himself out trying to keep stable.

Striker muffled "You really showed him" Towards Shen.

Shen said nothing he just covered his head with his arms hoping nothing was going to land on him, least of all that hammer.

The blacksmith slowly raised his hammer back off the ground. He huffed in a manner to symbolise his dominance. The redness in his face faded fairly quickly and as he turned away he muttered "I'm closed.. Come back tomorrow at dawn." He turned his head and pointed his hammer grasped hand at Striker. "Come alone."

Striker was quickly back on his feet. " I'm sorry and I'll be here...Thank you."

The blacksmith said nothing he just walked off to the back of his workshop through a make shift door just the right size for him to fit through.

"Well that went well." Shen said making sure he was still in one piece.

"No thanks to you Shen" Luthane replied trying to re-calibrate his eyesight from all the shaking.

"I think we should just get some rest. Before we end up dead." Striker said scolding at Shen.

"I think I'm going to need to learn how to walk again, that was some feat of strength." Tatyana spoke shakily.

"Ok, let's go to the Inn." Striker replied.

"Yes lets, if I remember rightly it should be right over there" Tatyana said pointing to her left down the street from where they stood.

They all slowly made their way to the Inn, all shaking and a bit wobbly, it looked like they have all been drinking heavily and were staggering home. Eventually they made it to the Inn, The door was already open, and they went inside and instantly felt cosy. Small fireplaces were spread around the ground floor with quaint patterned carpets and light wooden chairs placed purposely for communal and social gatherings.

Tatyana decided it would be best if she did all the talking as they had all agreed they have had enough 'action' for one day.

The Innkeeper and Tatyana held conversation for rather a long time, Luthane decided he would make the most of the fire and decided to lay himself down on the carpet in front of the fire.

Tatyana turned to Shen and Striker with a sad look on her face. "It's gonna cost ten silver pieces for us to stay for the night, five per room."

"Don't look at me I feel privileged to have my shirt on my back let alone anything else" Striker said showing empty pockets.

"Well it's a good thing I prepared for this kind of situation." replied Shen reaching into one of his many pockets and pulling out a handful of silver coins. "I grabbed some after I was exiled from the village just in case we were in dire need."

"Well well, you do have a brain" Striker said with a silly grin on his face.

"Ha ha very funny, can we just give it a rest." Shen said a little bit set back by Striker's comment.

"Fine, but you better curb your mouth in the coming days. Last thing we need is a town against us." Tatyana said as she took the money from Shen's hand.

The Innkeeper was paid and the gang made their way to their rooms. Shen and Striker stayed in one room. Luthane and Tatyana the other.

"Goodnight guys , meet me outside the blacksmiths mid morning." Striker said.

"Don't worry we'll save you from the giant if he hasn't already ground you up into a paste." Luthane said jokingly.

"That's not funny, but thanks" Striker said nervously.

After they all said their goodnights the doors slammed shut and they all decided instead of idle chit chat with one another, they were all going to get comfortable in an actual bed and enjoy the sleep while they could.

The lights went out in the Inn and the silence was golden, well, except for the light snoring coming from Striker.

Chapter 34

Dawn approached, the morning sunlight peeking out from the end of the earth, replacing the deepest blues and darkest blacks with burnt orange and lucid pink skies. The sunlight gently peaked through the Inn windows glowing brightly over the eyes of the sleeping Striker. He stirred angrily displeased that something was trying to wake him so early. After turning away from the sunlight he scrunched himself up into a ball before groaning gently to himself, he knew he had to get up to meet with the blacksmith.

He Got out of bed quietly so he didn't wake up Shen who appeared dead to the world. He quietly stretched and just stood up, he slowly walked towards the door grabbing his jacket from off the floor on his way. He snuck out of the creaking door as quickly and noiseless as possible.

Striker seemed to have managed to get out without disturbing anyone, He stood outside the Inn, a slight chill was in the air, and Striker put on his jacket while looking at the Shipyard to his right. The ocean didn't help the cold breeze whistling through the streets.

Striker made his way to the blacksmiths workshop quite hastily in an attempt to warm up, it wasn't helping much as he shivered his way there. As he stood in front of the Workshop he saw the blacksmith already standing there hammer in one hand, a sword in the other, which appeared to have been recently made, the heat was still visible at the tip of the blade.

"Sorry I'm late Mr..." Striker stopped for a minute realising he didn't know the blacksmiths name.

"No Mister, Just Torik...and you are?" Torik asked in response.

"It's Striker."

"Good, now we have acquaintances out of the way, let's get straight to it. Follow me."

"Where are we going?" Striker asked.

"Below the workshop. It's quiet." Torik responded.

Striker didn't dare ask in case he saw the nasty side of Torik again. He just followed Torik. They went down a few flights of spiral stairs into a dark empty space. Torik clapped his hands together and the darkness vanished leaving glowing lanterns on the walls and dark tribal markings on the wall.

"Stand in the middle of those markings...Striker" Torik ordered.

Again Striker said nothing, he didn't want to cause any unnecessary friction, especially as he was pretty much vulnerable to anything Torik did to him.

Torik stood ten paces in front of Striker, The hammer and the swords still in his hands.

"A simple proposition for you, Striker." Torik raised his hand with the sword gripped tightly inside. "I crafted this sword, in the middle of the night, and It is yours...If you can defeat me in combat, no weapons, no armour..." with that said Torik dropped the hammer and the sword to the ground both clattering and bouncing on the ground several times.

"Hand to Hand combat? As much as I wanted a weapon, I didn't think the price was going to be this high?" Striker replied nervously.

"There is no price, if you can beat me..." Torik promptly replied.

"Good point," Striker wiped his mouth and removed both his jacket and his shirt, throwing them to one side, "Well excuse the pun but it's time to take matters into my own hands."

"Very well, Let us begin." Torik responded as he changed into a primal stance, his legs stretched back and one hand on the ground, his gaze directly targeted to Striker's face.

Striker stepped one foot forward and fists clenched tightly , his left hand to the side of his head. His right by his side. His weight panted into his back leg.

"Let's do this!" Striker bellowed as sprung towards Torik, his fist from his side readied to lunge into Torik's head. Torik just stood there fearless and with a wicked grin on his face full of confidence...

Torik just laughed out loud.

Striker ignored the laughter as he swung his fist as hard as he could into the side of Torik's head. Torik's head flung in the opposite direction with the impact of Striker's punch, the laughter coming to a grinding halt. Striker dropped to the floor and just stood looking up at Torik. A few twitches and a loud snap was heard as Torik's head Straightened up, his face looking manic with a grin like a Cheshire cat and the veins in his eyes bursting from within his sockets.

Striker's rage from his first attack turned into fear, as Torik just began laughing again.

"Is that the best you can do!? Forgive me for being so inconsiderate, but you'll have to try harder than that!" said Torik.

"Hmph luckily for you I'm just getting warmed up." Striker grinned trying to hide his fear.

Without a second to breathe from his words Striker was a victim of a huge boot to the chest sending him across the room into the wall. The wall cracked into an outline of striker and sent smaller cracks at least a foot either side across the wall of him. Immediately Striker grabbed his chest and fell to his knees, a small drop of blood was then coughed out as he tried to catch his breath.

"I expected more of a fight Striker. I'm trying to be calm about this, but you are underestimating me. How do you expect to go on? If you cannot fight until every last drop of your energy and strength has been evaporated from you, then you are not worthy of a weapon that will do this for you."

Striker struggled back to his feet still gripping his chest tightly, an imprint of Torik's boot instantly bruised onto Striker's chest.

"I'm far from done. You have no idea what I've endured already, but I am more than willing to show you!" Striker strained.

"About time, don't get me wrong you have a strong hit, but it has to be stronger if you want to beat me." Torik gestured Striker to come at him again. "Now, make it count Striker. This is your last chance, before I come back fighting."

Striker wiped excess blood from the side of his mouth, he took a deep breath and thought about a plan of attack. His eyes sharpened, his gaze was fixed but he tried not to make it obvious to Torik. He sprinted off again but instead of going again for Torik's skull he used his momentum to slide into Torik's shin, the impact took Torik down onto one knee. Striker then in one movement used one arm as leverage to continue his momentum, he lifted his legs up and around spinning them into the knee of Torik's other leg, and then in a cartwheel motion got back to his feet.

Striker wasn't finished yet. He noticed Torik's head was looking down so he took this opportunity to crash his elbow in the top of Torik's skull and at the same time crashed his knee into Torik's chin.

The impact left Torik a little dazed, he hadn't seen that coming. The shock very much apparent on his face.

Striker was breathing heavily, it seemed Torik's boot took more out of him than he had anticipated.

Torik slowly rose to his feet. "I did not expect that young Striker. Maybe there is hope for you yet" Torik cracked his neck side to side, then cracked his knuckles. "As promised Striker, I will not be holding back anymore."

Striker was preparing himself for the worst, but instead of worrying what Torik was going to do he decided to start on the from foot and attack full on, he began another assault of attacks to Torik, aiming around his mid section, Shot after shot going from chest to hips and across. Each shot echoing and moving Torik backwards. His steady stance was being dragged across the ground.

Before Torik could raise his fist to punch Striker back, he has already found himself on the ground. Striker decided that his fists weren't enough and swung his foot deep into the side of Torik's rib cage, and in a full motion swung his body round and swept Torik's feet out from underneath him.

"You aren't human." Torik said sitting upright.

"Oh I'm human alright, it's just occurred to me that size and strength is no match to speed and strength." Striker replied, pleased with himself.

"Oh is that so?" Torik stood back up this time no knuckles cracking, no neck movement.

"Well it's been effective so far you've been on your ass twice." Striker said taking a cocky leaf out of Shen's book.

"We'll see about that."

Torik came bounding towards Striker, he'd never seen such mass move so quickly in his life. He wanted to move out the way but his legs were not responding. It was too late Torik had Striker crashed against the wall again this time this hand was grasped tightly around Striker's throat. Without a second thought he removed this hand and began unloading some punches of his own a few to Striker's face then the rest to his chest and stomach again. Blood poured out of Striker's mouth with each impact sounding like a cannon being fired in the distance. Striker was helpless.

Torik had enough, he grabbed Striker's legs which were imbedded into the wall and threw him to the ground, cracking the ground with fragments of stone scattering across the area from the impact of Striker and the floor.

"You are right, Speed and strength are always best. Never underestimate your opponent, Striker. I am not just another fight you will have I am a lesson you will learn."

Striker's only movement since hitting the ground is his body moving with each breath he takes. He tried to raise an arm to support himself back up, but his arm and hand just shook vigorously from and collapsed under the strain.

"This fight's over, Striker. You obviously weren't cut out for this." Torik said throwing a small white towel at Striker's shaking body.

Striker raised both his hands and balled them as tight as he could before slamming them into the ground. He began to slowly drag his body up, he raised his head, his teeth baring like a primal creature preparing for attack. He slowly pulled his legs in and pushed his fists of the ground, until he was in a sitting position his body balancing carefully on his legs.

"I gave you the towel for a reason Striker, use it!" Torik demanded.

"...Ne...ver."

"Then you give me no choice Striker. I have to end this."

Torik took a deep breath before charging for Striker who was still sitting on his knees. Torik swung a leg back in a manner a rugby player would for a drop goal. As he threw his leg forward Striker leant his body back just in time to avoid being clattered by Torik's boot once again.

As he leant back he grabbed onto Torik's flailing leg which flung Striker's body upright. Striker let go and landed onto this feet, with a slight wobble on contact with the ground. As Torik's foot was retracting back to the floor Striker kicked the back of Torik's Shin several times keeping that leg from touching the ground. Torik was in shock of Striker's never say die attacks, but decided enough was enough, he grabbed Striker again by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

"Enough, Striker. You will kill yourself if you carry on. " Torik tried to reason with Striker, tightening his grip to stop Striker's attacks.

"I'm..." Striker coughed from being choked. "...Counting on it!"

Striker used his position like a pendulum and began swinging his body back and forward, using Torik's chest to push himself. He did this twice without any notice taken by Torik. On the third swing Striker put all the energy he had left into his feet and kicked off Torik as hard as he could. Torik's grip instantly removed itself from Striker's throat.

Torik stumbled back, and before he could adjust himself, and flailing knee crashed into the side of his skull leaving his down on one knee once more, Striker became relentless, He stood there constantly swivelling his body landing kick after kick into Torik's head, every kick weakening Torik, his balance become unstable and Striker, with one last try jumped and mid spin swung his heel into Torik's head sending him crashing to the ground.

Striker stopped the minute Torik hit the ground. He walked over to where the towel was laying and picked it up, after taking a look at it he threw it beside Torik.

"Now...It's...Over..." Striker said, as he feel to his knees, all energy had been sucked out of his body the weight pushing heavily down on him. Batter and bruised bleeding from different places, wincing with every breath he took.

Torik, raised his hand and grabbed the towel. He just flung it back at Striker before trying to get himself into a sitting position.

"You, are right...It's over. We have both given enough, and are both still standing." Torik laughed. "It's nice to have...some competition. A... Worthy opponent you are...Striker."

Striker laughed but had to stop because his chest hurt too much at the time.

"So, I won?" Striker asked.

Torik laughed. "I think it's fair to say it was a draw...Striker."

Torik got to his feet first and limped across to Striker, He offered him a hand to assist in getting him back up to his feet. Striker willingly accepted.

Striker walked over to the wall opposite the damaged imprinted wall, and leant on it for support.

Torik went over to the corner of the room picked up his hammer and the sword.

"I finally get to see how useful one of my weapons are." Torik said to Striker.

He threw the sword at Striker, Striker raised his hand out and caught it by the handle. The weight of the sword combined with his weakened body pulled his hand down toward the ground, but he still managed to grip tight enough to keep hold of the sword while arcing his body to stop the weight dragging his body to the ground with it.

"Treat it with respect and it will pay you great dividends, Striker." He picked Striker up and carried him back upstairs. "Let's deal with your wounds shall we?"

Striker looked up at Torik and grinned. "...I feel like you're making fun of me carrying me like this".

Torik just chuckled as he hoisted Striker onto his shoulder and continued to make his way upstairs.

Torik and Striker went back upstairs where they dressed and tended to their wounds. Torik and Striker both talking to each other telling tales of woe and their battles in life. This went on for a few hours before Striker decided it was time to head back to the others. Torik and Striker shook hands and Striker thanked Torik for the weapon, and the battering his body took before departing.

Torik smiled to himself before grabbing his hammer and tending to his blacksmithing.

"Striker!" Torik called out not making any eye contact.

Striker turned around awaiting Torik's next words with eagerness in his eyes.

"Hearing your tales it seems your story has a long way to go, but I want to hear the rest from you when it's completed."

Striker nodded "Don't worry I will, and maybe we can have a rematch"

Torik laughed. "You better bring your best next time, I am not gonna hold back!"

Striker clenched his fist tightly. "You better believe I will!"

With that said Striker quickly turned on his heels and made his way outside to meet back up with the others.

"Battered and bruised, a new weapon and a new acquaintance, maybe it's a sign of a good day...for once" thought Striker to himself. "Can't wait to tell the others!

Chapter 35

Striker made his way out of Torik's blacksmith and made somewhat haste towards the inn, in the hope that the others were enjoying their much welcomed and overdue sleep, but he wasn't so lucky, it appeared they were all together talking and walking towards him in the opposite direction.

"I'm gonna be screamed at by Tatyana I know it" Striker mumbled to himself.

Luthane was quick to see Striker, and alerted the others immediately, Shen just shrugged his shoulders showing no interest, probably disappointed that Striker was still standing. Tatyana on the other hand, her eyes widened and she made a quick dash towards Striker.

Striker grinned, wincing in pain at the same time placing his right hand on his bandaged chest, his new sword dragging along the ground in his left hand, it was obvious he wasn't used to the sword yet.

"In one piece I see" Shen said sarcastically as the group approached Striker.

"You know me Shen, I'm almost as stubborn as you ha ha" Striker replied, still wincing.

Without a seconds thought Tatyana hugged Striker tight, he groaned as he felt his injuries flare from the tight grip Tatyana held on him.

"Thank...you, but...you're...kinda...hurting" Striker said trying to loosen her grip.

Luthane quietly laughed to himself. "Tatyana better let him go otherwise he might cry, heh"

"Oh! I'm so sorry I didn't realise..." She removed her grip and took at look at bandages around Striker's body. "What on earth did he do to you?!" She shrieked.

"I'll tell you guys later, but can we go back to the inn first...I'm in need of a bath and possibly a few minutes to rest."

Tatyana tutted knowing Striker all too well had brought this on himself.

Shen huffed before making his way back to the inn alone.

Luthane stood beside Striker, if the past taught him anything, Striker may need a pair of arms, or in this case paws, to help him get back.

It took a little while but eventually Striker got back to the room, and collapsed on a bed clutching his chest.

"Err... Striker?" Shen spoke carefully.

"What?" replied the muffled voice of Striker, his face buried into the pillows.

"You're laying on my bed, and I'm not comfortable with that." Shen replied sheepishly.

"Deal with it" Striker answered back sharply. "Forgive my snappish nature, but I currently feel like I've been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer a million times, and all you care about is me laying on your bed?"

"Well...yeah, you don't see me seeping blood onto your bed from my chest do you?" Shen questioned.

Striker sighed before moving off the bed slowly. "Point, taken."

He then proceeded to walk out of the room, but not before Tatyana questioned where he was going.

"I'm going to bathe in the other room, , unless you guys aren't comfortable with me bleeding into my own sweat induced hot water?"

They all fell silent.

"Didn't think so." Striker removed himself from sight as swiftly as his sore body allowed.

"I really wanted to answer back, but..." Shen said

"Didn't want to 'poke the bear'?" Luthane answered finishing Shen's sentence.

Shen nodded. "I know he has his moments but recently its had a bit more venom in his words. It's starting to piss me off."

"He's been through a lot..." Tatyana said.

"We all have Tatyana, he has no excuse!" Shen bit back.

"He has a point, it hasn't been an easy ride for any of us, you have lost friends and family, and Shen has been exiled from his clan." Luthane reasoned.

"Exactly! So you need to stop defending him, we carried his sorry ass for days and we didn't even get a thank you." Shen snapped further.

"Alright!" Alright! I see your points. Both your points. But he is still our friend, without his help, when he has been conscious we most probably wouldn't be standing here now. We owe him that much".

Luthane sighed.

"Speaking of which." Shen's attention quickly switched to Luthane.

"Hmm?" Luthane looked up at Shen.

"You owe us an explanation as to how you can talk to us, you're a wolf. Not a human!"

Tatyana looked in shock, "That had completely slipped my mind."

Luthane quickly went on the defensive "I'd rather not if that's ok?"

"Oh no, not this time wolf, spill!" Shen replied sharp and to the point.

"Can we at least wait until Striker is back? I think it's only fair." Luthane pleaded with the other two.

Tatyana looked at Shen, and Shen just rolled his eyes.

"Fine, but it's time for answers from all of us. We can't be a strong group if we are keeping things from people."

"Agreed." Tatyana spoke softly.

"Thank you, now Tatyana, would you be able to check in on Striker please?" he asked his eyes gazing at Tatyana. "I can see it being an awkward situation at the least if me or Shen were to check in on him."

Shen quickly nodded, last thing he wanted was another awkward moment with Striker.

Tatyana sighed, realising it was quickly becoming a numbers game in the sex race.

"Okay, I'll go but you two owe me."

Shen grinned raising two fingers up together "scout's honour."

"Likewise." Luthane added.

Tatyana made her way out of the room slowly, she stopped and took a deep breath. After the last time her and Striker were alone, she was sceptical to say the least, but she didn't want to seem like she couldn't handle herself to the others, otherwise they may consider her a burden.

She took a slow a cautious work towards the bathing area the steam turning thicker and thicker the closer she approached the room, a few more steps and a quick wipe of her brow, the steam descending her face like tiny beads sweat on the forehead.

"Ok Tatyana you can do this, it's just Striker, nothing to be afraid of." She said to herself trying to psych herself up.

Tatyana, eased the door open, steam swelled out of the room covering the hallway like a scene from an eerie horror movie.

"Striker? You ok in there?" Tatyana called out.

No response.

"Hello? Striker? The guys are wondering how you're feeling now" Tatyana called again a little more nervously.

The steam had started easing Tatyana saw a shadow standing tall, but was unable to see who it was.

"...Striker?"

The steam had completely erased itself from view and stood there in one of the large open basins, was Striker. He was completely bare stretching his arms and pushing his chest out to feel how his muscles were.

"Oh my god Striker!" Tatyana shrieked, quickly turned her head away and blushing immediately.

"What do you expect? I'm bathing!" Striker answered back, grabbing a large cloth to cover his dignity.

"I certainly wasn't expecting that!" Tatyana still refusing to look round.

Striker climbed out of the basin and pulled his hair backwards through his hands, releasing excess water down the nape of his neck. He made his way to Tatyana who had her head in her hands shaking her head left to right vigorously, like she was trying to erase the recent memory of a naked Striker standing before her.

Striker placed his hands on Tatyana's shoulders.

"I'm sorry I startled you, I personally thought I was going to be alone a little longer." Striker tried to console Tatyana,

"I shouldn't have come here I should've insisted the boys come get you! I feel terrible"

"I'd much rather it have been you than those two. I couldn't imagine their reaction seeing my bare arse ha ha" Striker chuckled.

"That's not funny!" Tatyana said trying not to laugh as well.

"Well I was going to ask if you enjoyed the view but I think I know the answer" Striker finding the entire situation absolutely hilarious.

"You're loving this aren't you?" Tatyana's half laughs quickly turning to being unimpressed.

Striker quickly removed his laughter and turned Tatyana around to face him.

"Hey, look at me"

"Are you decent?" Tatyana asked nervously.

"Far more decent now, trust me" Striker reassured.

She removed her hands from her face and slowly opened her eyes as she raised her head.

She looked deep into Striker's eyes as he did into hers.

"This'll stay between us, if you wish it." Striker softly questioned, he placed his arms on her shoulders again.

She swallowed saliva to try and stop her throat from drying out.

"Promise?" Tatyana answered Striker.

"Yeah...I promise" He smiled.

"Okay, our little secret" Tatyana said smiling with relief.

"So, err... what do we do now?" Striker asked.

"Well, you are going to need to get dressed, and I think..."

"Yes?" Striker interrupted.

"I will head back to the others and let them know you'll be there shortly. It's story time when you get there." She finished.

"Oh right, and who's telling the story?" Striker asked.

"Luthane is going to explain how we can converse with him, y'know with him being a wolf and all".

"I can't believe that hasn't crossed my mind!" Striker said shocked that it hadn't been at the forefront of his thoughts.

"Well hurry up and get dressed, otherwise you'll never know!" Tatyana shouted as she turned and bolted towards the door.

"See you shortly!" Striker shouted back as he head into a room in the back his towel dropping to the floor.

"Striker!" Tatyana screamed as she turned to say something before seeing the same image as not so long ago.

Striker burst into laughter as he shut the door behind him.

Tatyana tried her best not to think about it shaking her head again as she left the room.

"Hmmm" she sighed to herself as she made her way back to the room where Luthane and Shen had been left to talk.

"Why am I thinking about what I've just seen. That was crude! It was obscene! It was!... well shaped...no, no, stop it Tatyana!" She continued talking to herself until she arrived at the room.

She shook her head once more and wobbled her arms also, one deep breath and she opened the door to see Shen and Luthane both asleep. Shen asleep on top of his bed curled up into a foetal position and Luthane in the corner underneath the window overlooking the sea.

She sighed to herself once more before, before climbing onto her bed and relaxing, awaiting the arrival of hopefully a fully clothed Striker.

"It's good to see the Striker that isn't trying to kill me" Said Tatyana softly to herself.

"So he's ok then?" A groggy deepened voice spoke.

Tatyana quickly turned round to see Luthane stirring, gradually stretching his legs and shaking his body releasing his tightened fur and awakening his senses, the piercing yellow of his eyes widening with every slow blink.

"How long have you been awake for?" Tatyana questioned.

"Only long enough to know that Striker didn't try to kill you again"

Tatyana breathed a sigh of relief. Her attention quickly turned to Shen who was pretty busy snoring. He was rather peaceful, which was a rare site, but noisy at the same time.

"How do we sleep around him like that?" Tatyana asked Luthane who had finally shaken the sleepiness from his body.

After a quick yawn Luthane was about to reply but was quickly interrupted by another voice "We try to fall asleep before he does, and as he likes to be outdoors until late it's not that difficult" the voice spoke graduating in noise before the figure appeared. It was Strike and he was clothed from the waist down much to the delight and no overly but somewhat relief. His shirt was leaning on his left shoulder, the towel in his right hand flowing loosely and appearing rather damp.

"If we ever let him sleep before us, we will all be at each other's throat ha ha" Striker joked.

"Good to see you a little more refreshed Striker." Luthane spoke calmly.

"I don't feel so beaten up if that's what you're referring to" Striker responded as he made his way into the room and sat down at the end of Tatyana's bed.

Tatyana looked at some of the bruises on Striker chest, light purple and brown patches spread around his body curving around his muscles and parts of his pectoral muscles.

"It's amazing how you still stand after everything you go through." Tatyana said still staring at Striker's chest.

"I still stand because I never want to let you guys down. Without you all to encourage and give me that drive and fight, I'd have died before I met you Tatyana."

Tatyana lowered her head, she couldn't imagine her life without Luthane, Striker...even Shen, albeit begrudgingly.

"So what is this story you have for us Luthane, if it's anything like the story you told me about the fountain of wishes then I'll be asleep in five minutes." Striker tried his hand at sarcasm but it seemed he needed more work, Luthane was clearly unimpressed by that last statement and Tatyana just shook her head in disappointment.

"You really do know when to say the wrong things don't you Striker?" Tatyana said as leant over and struck Striker upside the back of his head.

"OW, what was that for?" Striker called out.

There was a light stirring behind them.

"Uuggh what...what did I miss?" Shen spoke as he slowly awoke, almost startled from the noise of the slap and Striker's belting voice calling out.

"Nothing yet Shen, but everyone is here if you are awake enough to hear about what you were so eager to know." Luthane replied.

Shen stretched his arms out wide his head tilting to the left cracking noises coming from the side of his neck and again to the right, again another loud clicking noise from his neck.

"I'm awake, and I'm about ready to hear what you have to say. I think." Shen still seemed half asleep despite stretching and yawning again trying to shake the cobwebs out.

"Fine, I'll start. You probably won't believe what I am going to say but here goes nothing."

"With everything that's happened with the demons and near death...I'll believe anything" Striker responded.

Tatyana nodded.

"Ok. Then here goes nothing."

Chapter 36

"It's not every day you can say you've had a second chance at life. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I was once human, just like you three, walking on two legs, enjoying good food, having all those emotions. Feeling happy and sad, enduring the trials and tribulations of growing up. Not knowing the changes going on around me. It felt amazing and it was a wonderful feeling of excitement and anxiety, I wanted to explore the world, travel to all those unknown places. Go by sea to different continents, be welcomed by unknown tribes, see life outside of my own, engage and learn with every passing day".

Luthane paused for a second, before continuing, Striker, Tatyana and Shen were all leaning over the edge the beds, enthralled to hear more.

Luthane's head rose and he began again.

"I was making that dream come true, I had ventured to a small port town similar to this one, it was a two day trek by foot, and my backpack was full of food and equipment for all situations. It was very heavy to say the least. I made my way through the town looking for an adventure or a way to a new continent. I saw a brand new ship in the docks and thought this could be my only chance so I rushed over there, the jangling and rustling of my backpack making me sound like a stampeding cattle of cows. There was one man stood there barking orders at the other crew members so I had asked him if he was taking passengers. He laughed at me and told me to get lost as I was too young to be of any help. I was a little dejected with that, but I didn't want to give up. So I asked him again this time saying I would work until we arrived at the new continent. He eventually gave into my request and let me aboard the ship, as a deck scrubber. Many a day on my knees scraping wood and bit of rusted metal with a wire brush and murky water. My hands were always sore and wrinkled, my knees were blistering, my nails were never clean, and it felt like I was never going to get off the ship".

"Wow" Said Tatyana. "You had a fruitful life."

"Yeah, but we still aren't any closer to why!" Shen hollered.

"Will you be patient Shen. I am getting to it. If I do not tell it like this then you will be forever asking questions. Clear?" Luthane seemed agitated by Shen and his interruption, and also a little eager to carry on.

"...Fine" Shen huffed as he crossed his arms like a spoilt child who didn't get what they wanted for Christmas.

"We were on the ship for 17 days, with limited food, and only alcoholic drinks. I was refusing to drink alcohol so I had improvised and squeezed a few oranges I had stolen from the stock and used that to quench my thirst, if only for a short while. We had a horrible night with a heavy storm crashing around the ship the waves growing as high as mountains and crashing down on the ship. I was told not to swab the decks, but to make sure everything was still intact inside the ship. I was pulled from pillar to post helping all the crew members keep the cannons from toppling stopping the ropes from knotting, and also trying to keep a few from falling out the hatches. We were all crushed and drained physically and mentally after that, but as the clouds cleared and the sun began to shine again we had noticed on the horizon we had finally had land in our sights. We were all so overjoyed, we danced and sang hearty songs giving our all for those last final hours. I tell you now, as soon as I had gotten of that ship I fell to my knees and I kissed the ground and thanked the heavens I was still standing."

"You mean to say that those waves crashing didn't damage the ship in any way?" Striker questioned.

"There was damage some of the sails were torn some denting in the hull and a few broken boxes but other than that we got through pretty unscathed." Luthane replied, the look in his eyes seemed genuine and also a little shocked himself.

"So...then what?" Tatyana asked.

"Well..." Luthane cleared his throat.

"The new town was amazing, the air smelt fresher the grass seemed greener. It sounds a little cliché I know but it was in awe. The houses were differently sculpted, normally it's just rocks, bricks and wood. These were the same materials but sculpted with tools that were not ordinary like ones we know, no. These were shaped and smooth, they carved into the woods and precisely broke bricks. I was almost like walking into a fairytale. It had been arranged prior to the journey that all members were given a room at the local tavern, for all their hard work, or as the crew members liked to say, 'surviving hell'. We all made our way to the tavern, we dropped off our luggage in our designated rooms, and we all made our way to the pub floor where many of the guys drank themselves unconscious, others were sitting there trying to woo women into their bedrooms. Me? I sat in the corner watching the evening unfold and drank fresh water. I appreciated the little things, that was when I saw...her"

"Ooooh now it gets juicy" Shen had said. He had seemingly gotten over his little strop.

"Interesting maybe. Juicy no, I'm not going to give you any details like that. That stays between me and her."

"Is this 'her' still alive?" Tatyana asked.

"You'll see." Luthane replied softly.

"She was a young waitress, she was handing drinks out on trays for everyone else. After giving away what must've been over a hundred tankards of alcoholic beverages, we caught each other's eye. She looked away and smiled and walked behind the bar. I sat there with a little smile creeping out the side of my mouth, she was so attractive, her long flowing brown hair, a small bow sticking out the top and again tying up the bottom of her hair, a small amount flowing to her eyebrows. Her eyes were a piercing green. She had a small delicate nose, and beautiful pale pink lips, like petals from a blossom tree. I knew I didn't have a chance with her, I was scraggy bearded, my hair was a complete mess, and I was in worn clothes. I couldn't have smelled any healthier than I looked, but it seemed I was wrong. She had made her way to me with a single tankard in her hand, a slight smile on her face, and a welcoming posture. We exchanged pleasantries and she offered me the tankard. I smiled and declined the drink explaining I was only interested in non alcoholic beverages, she reassured me telling me it was only water in the tankard. Another great quality right there: her honesty. She explained that that was her last job for the night, giving me a beverage. Stupidly I asked her why was I so special and she just giggled at me. She asked if there was anything I wanted to do while I was staying in town. I explained I planned to travel meet new faces and learn ways of lives from others to then put my own into a perspective. She seemed intrigued by my answer and asked me if I fancied going for a walk with her. I tried not to sound so eager but I definitely obliged."

"Sounds like the two of you hit it off straight away." Striker said with a smile on his face.

"Yeah...we did..." Luthane said.

"What's wrong? Didn't she feel the same?" Striker questioned.

"Not exactly..."

"Well what then?" Shen asked this time.

Luthane sighed.

"We stepped out of the tavern together unnoticed, the cool sea air breezing through the streets, it was cooling and refreshing to the face. I said to her I didn't want to go wandering with a beautiful stranger without first knowing their name. She said likewise to me. I told her my name and she smiled. Cassandra, she said. The name just rang through my heart like a church bell. After dealing with the name exchange we walked out of town, but not too far, we made our way to a small grassy knoll where she both sat down together. The view was spectacular, the glimmering lights of the houses and the tavern, mixed with the glittering of the moon and stars against the sea. I saw her wrapping her arms around herself, I knew she felt cold so I removed my shirt and told her to use it. It wasn't an excuse to expose my body or too make any kind of move, it just seemed the gentlemanly thing to do. She expressed her thanks and wore it over her own clothes, it fit her like a night gown. We spent hours talking about our lives. Our past , our dreams, we almost completely lost track of time. It was getting late and I could tell Cassandra was feeling tired, I was still very much awake hanging on to her every word, and just looking at her with such admiration. I asked her if she would rather head back now and save some more talking for another night, after a long yawn she thought it would be for the best. We slowly made our way back into town our arms interlinked. She walked me to the door of the tavern and she wished me a good night and I wished her a good morning. We both laughed and before I had time to react she had given me a kiss on the cheek. I blushed instantly and she followed suit. I grinned like a Cheshire cat, she smiled and walked to her house. I wanted to follow her, but I didn't want to impose myself, it was the first few hours of something I couldn't let go of. I just walked back into the tavern, up to my room and just laid on my bed for a good few hours unable to stop smiling, before eventually I had fallen asleep."

"You gentleman you" Tatyana said smiling at Luthane.

Luthane cleared his throat, "It's how it's supposed to be"

"Yeah, yeah, we know what reeeaalllly happened" Shen winked.

"I actually believe Luthane. He seems too, cool minded to want to take advantage of her." Striker said.

"Can I continue?" Luthane asked.

"YES!" the three answered simultaneously.

"I had slept for most of the day, but had to wake myself up, I didn't want to miss having another chance to see Cassandra at the bar. I got dressed and made my way to the bar area, only to her the area closed off. There were no staff, no lights on, all stools and chairs moved either upside down on top of the tables or pushed to the sides of the room. It was strange to say the least, why would a bar ever close when there is so many people who want to drink? Anyway I made my way outside and had noticed it was derelict, only noises I heard were rustlings of leaves in the wind and gentle creaking of signs outside shops. I walked to the ship in case it was a big send off for the other lads. Nothing. I felt like I had awoken into a ghost town. I thought I would walk to the grassy knoll, might be able to see if anything has happened from that vantage point. I took a slow walk there and sat down in the same spot as the night before. Scouting the area I saw nothing still, I was a little worried and slightly unnerved, I was sincerely hoping Cassandra wasn't a dream. I sighed to myself wondering where next to go, I knew nowhere on this land other than the sea town that's turned silent. I thought it may be best to just see where the road takes me, surely nothing too terrible could come of it. So I went back to the town packed all my things away and left the town once more. As I made my way out the town a voice cried out to me. I turned around. It was Cassandra, running towards me, I couldn't believe it the first and only person I see today is her. She ran into my arms, tears streaming down her eyes. I consoled and comforted her, asking her what was wrong. She said everyone had disappeared when a shadowed figure entered the town. Every time he raised his arms people became engulfed in shadow and were sucked into the floor. She had managed to hide from him but was so scared. I asked her to come with me and we would escape to another town or city. She said she knew of a small village nearby and we could seek shelter there. We made our way to the new city unscathed, a little shaken by Cassandra's words, but more concerned for her safety and maintaining she wasn't still feeling any trauma from the situation."

"That sounds like..." Striker started.

"The demons!" Tatyana finished.

"Those bastards get around don't they? I mean if we have them now? Then do they age? Have they been planning all this time?" Shen asked frantically.

"We can't answer these questions, at least not right now" Striker responded. " Luthane please continue."

"Right."

"We had made our way to the new village after a short while walking, well it felt like a jog, with the pace we were going. It was a farm town, lot of agriculture and farm animals, chickens, cows, horses pulling large machinery around. It was a culture shock, but nothing we couldn't handle. Cassandra suggested we set up home here for the time being, I asked her if we should consider this as long or short term. Her answer was simple. A sensual kiss on my lips and a hug with the words as long as we can stand each other, was all I needed to hear. We spend a long time together growing fonder and fonder with each other, we had crops growing basic farmyard livestock and we slowly grew into the community also. We were so very happy together, we couldn't stand being away from one another for even a day. We spent many a night cuddled up together in bed thinking of the days to come. I knew it was then I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, so I just plucked up the courage and asked for her hand in marriage. Her eyes lit up and also began to well up, she leapt at me and said yes so many times I lost count. That night we spent making love for the first time, there were no words to describe, being with someone so perfect to me, and consummating our relationship in such a way, it would never leave my memory banks, until the day I die. We had arranged to wed in the spring, but we had to move it to a closer date than we would've liked...but for a very good reason."

"No way!" Shen gasped.

"She was...?" Tatyana couldn't even finish the sentence.

"So you were or rather are, a..." Striker said.

Luthane lowered his head. "Yes, I was slash am...a father."

"Holy..." Shen couldn't believe his eyes. A man who's now a wolf is a father and a husband and there he thought it was gonna be a curse from a witch or something.

"Please...I don't have much more, can I finish and then the questions can be asked later."

They all nodded.

"Very well."

"The wedding approached us thick and fast, as did the child. Our wedding was a small reception with the locals who we had become close friends with over the past few years. I was so in love with everything about Cassandra and knew we would be happy for the rest of our lives, and for her to be the bearer of our child, it just made me fall deeper in love with her. We shed a few tears of joy as we said our I do's and placed the rings on one another's finger. The local blacksmith had made them for us free of charge as his wedding gift to us, he was a genius at work and such a kind soul. That night we spent in our house like most nights I laid there next to her ever growing belly, gently caressing and placing my head against it. I just grinned so much whenever I felt a slight movement or a kick, it was such a realisation and an exciting time, and surprisingly Cassandra as coping very well, apart from the usual morning sickness and uncomfortable positioning of our child to be...A few months had passed, I was out in the field tending to the cattle and the crops when I heard an almighty scream coming from the house. I dropped everything and rushed indoors to see Cassandra clutching her stomach, a puddle forming around her feet. 'The baby's coming' she panted at me. I made her as comfortable as I could gave her towels and blankets and cold water, anything I could think of I was n such a panic myself and I wasn't even the one carrying it. I rushed out the front door and screamed 'I NEED A DOCTOR' and within a minute I had four people gathered to me saying they could all help deliver. I dragged them all inside , surely four heads are better than one. I left them to do their job, I was beside Cassandra having my hand broken with her every clench of my hand. I remember hearing the words 'one last push Cassie, it's almost there' our eyes met and she just looked at me so lovingly as she gave a final push. Then came the moment our hearts and eyes filled, the crying of a new born. The towels I had gathered were quickly used to clean and dry our child. 'Congratulations, it's a boy'...Wow I have a son, she looked at me and whispered to me a name and I just smiled. Perfect I said, our little boy..."

"What did you call him?" Striker asked.

"Yeah. You can't leave it like that!" Tatyana said.

"..." Shen was speechless.

"I can and I will, because I never had enough time to raise him as my son, because of one fateful day." Luthane responded.

"Fateful?" Shen asked.

"Yes...I was horrific and even as a wolf I have sleepless nights and horrid nightmares about it."

"It was two years or tending crops and raising a child with whatever we could sell from our harvests. It wasn't much but it was all for our son. He was growing up so quickly, learning each day. He could walk before he could crawl, so adventurous, just like his old man. Cassandra used to feed him with her wonderful home cooked meals, she sang him to sleep every night and we both used to reassure him every time he was unhappy by something. It was truly bliss, until one day...The village was asleep, no lights on not even a moo, or a quack, not even a squeal from the pig. Almost eerily quiet. Suddenly a bright red light flashed through the sky, and before we could full awaken to the light it had hit the ground hard, engulfing the village in flames. The embers quickly tore through households burning everything it touched. I woke Cassie up immediately and asked her to go get our son, and flee the village. I told her I loved her and gave her a kiss. I also stopped by our sons crib and gave him a kiss as well. Wiping a tear from my eye I ran outside and to the blacksmith, he was dead from the blaze it seemed it caught him way too quickly. I grabbed whatever weapons and armour I could find and suited up. I ran back into the open the blaze burning the soles of my feet, I shouted for the fiend who did this to show themselves. Surely enough it was a demon. A legionnaire with his small army. I called for his name and he chose not to say. He just shouted out for every man woman and child to be burned alive. I was so afraid but I couldn't let anything stop Cassandra and our son from being safe. Face me demon I called out. He appeared before me in a powder of smog and fire. He laughed manically at me and insisted I was a fool. The village was almost burnt to the ground, everyone assumed dead. This is for the dead you son of a bitch I bellowed before lunging my sword into the demons chest. He laughed again and pulled my arm through his chest with my blade and pulled my arm to the side instantly breaking it against his ribs, dropping my sword immediately screaming in agony. This demon kept laughing as he healed his chest up leaving my arm as part of his body I was attached to the demon. 'I am Helphacious. Legionnaire of the Third Legion of Havoc, servant to the demon Lord. Your simple farmer mind cannot comprehend to whom you have called for and what the consequences shall be for you' he screeched at me. I was in pain, I was afraid, I just felt my life flashing before my eyes. I grabbed a small blade from the side of my shin guard and I hacked my arm off in one fell slash, in a crazy attempt to free myself. It had worked but the blood flooding from my arm meant I didn't have long. ' I'll let you flee, farmer. You'll be dead before I bother to deal with your soul.' She shouted at me as I picked myself up and ran as far away as I could. I ran for what felt like hours but was merely minutes in the opposite direction of the burnt rubble of my village. I was stuttering, my balance was failing me, my eyes glazing over blurring my vision. I couldn't see where I was going and knew I wasn't to last much longer. I fell to the ground and just sobbed as I knew I would never see my wife and child again. I was so heartbroken, until I heard a voice...'He is safe, Luthane. I prom...' that was Cassie's voice. I reached my arms out to try and touch in front of me hoping to feel her soft skin or her lips one last time. There was nothing there for a moment, then I felt a weight clatter to my chest and my hands tried to soften the blow. I had recognised what I had felt in those final moments. Cassandra...Then before I eventually passed I heard the demons voice echo. 'I've granted you one wish, your wife can now join you in death.' His laughter echoed as I faded into death with Cassandra in my arms, and my son...safe."

"That's... horrible!" Tatyana said with tears streaming from her eyes.

"Those evil bastards! They WILL pay" Striker said clenching his sheathed swords.

"We will end them!" Shen said his teeth baring savagely.

"We will in due course, Trust me no one wants them all dead more than me." Luthane said his tone reassuring and calming.

"Wait there's still something you're missing from your story Luthane." Tatyana asked sniffling and wiping her tears with the cuff of her shirt.

"You're right...This part" Luthane said as he raised his paw.

"Well... after the echoes has ceased all I had seen was white light, like a blank canvass in front of my eyes. Complete silence and peace. I still felt my mind working thinking of my boy and my beautiful wife. I was still soul destroyed, and grieving inside. But I thought to myself. How can I still be feeling if I'm dead? I called out to see if anyone was there. A voice softly spoke back, asking me the question. 'Do I want to go back?' I said for what reason should I go back, my wife was dead my son could be anywhere or worse have had his life taken as well. The voice spoke to me again and this time a bright figure stood in front of the blank canvas of my mind. 'Your son is well and alive. He needs his father.' I didn't know what to say what to think what to say. 'You can find him with our help. You had a pure heart and a courage few could challenge. Luthane.' The voice spoke to me again. I didn't want to question how they knew my name it was all too surreal. I wanted to be with him, but I was afraid I would be found again and not only endanger myself but put my son into the same peril. 'There is a way...reincarnation.' The voice explained that in one life a person's characteristics are not only passed onto generations but also through a second life, providing the life was deserving of a second chance. I had asked if Cassandra would meet the same choice as me...but she couldn't as she fled her home with me it showed cowardice and too much fear to be able to relinquish any past wrong doings. I felt myself crying, but also felt some closure knowing that she was in safe hands with the heavens. I agreed to find my son and I explained that it would be for him and his mother that I do this. She would never want me to lose out on everything just for her, as I would the same if she was in my situation. 'You will return...as a wolf, Luthane. Pure of heart, cunning and courageous. You will be strong alone as well as in pack.' I begged the voice the questions, firstly who I was speaking to, and secondly how could I speak to people if needed to. 'They assured me I would know them personally in due course, but for the time being just to think of them as oracles, which I did. For the second question they simply answered, ' trust in yourself and your voice will be heard to those who deserve to hear it.' I thought to myself, I have a chance to meet my son, I just hope I can find him before it's too late and I lose the chance to see him grow. Or to see his family or to hear his tales much like mine. 'This is for Cassandra' I said to myself before a blinding light shone brightly across my mind. I shook vigorously to try and avoid it and then I let out an almighty scream, then my eyes opened. It was incredible, like I had woken from a bad dream. I shook myself again and felt very strange. I looked down and I had legs much closer to myself...and paws! I didn't believe it, I was a wolf! I tentatively walked around to get used to being what I am. I learned the hard way to stalk prey to fight of attackers. It was like being born again. It took a few months to get used to my new body and my own surroundings. But I had to start venturing off to find my son. Strangely enough it had about four years of me traversing the globe, scaring villages, being chased out of towns with pickaxes and flamed torches. It was not a nice time to be a wolf. I knew I wasn't welcome wherever I went so headed back to the polar mountains. A little time to reflect may ease my weary heart. I spent a few weeks scavenging food and adjusting to the wintery conditions...It t wasn't long after that I met a small boy stuck in the snow... A small boy about six or seven."

"Was it...?" Tatyana asked.

"No...It was me..." Striker answered.

"YOU!?" Shen shouted. "What the hell were you doing in the polar mountains!"

"I had away from the orphanage I was in, the matron there used to beat me with a stick for no reason." Striker replied sheepishly.

"It was a good thing I found him, any longer out there and he was a goner." Luthane said. " I also scared the living daylights out of him when I spoke to him for the first time. In fact I scared myself. My first time talking to a human with four legs."

"Wow...so now the story comes full circle with us sitting here talking like it's not even weird. Heh such a wonderful world we live in." Shen chuckled.

"But how come people are so friendly towards us despite you being with us, normally people would be after you at the drop of a hat?" Tatyana asked inquisitively.

"Normally they would, but because of the three of you, they safely assume I am under your control. I can only let them think that to save any aggravation." Luthane answered.

"Good thinking, slave dog!" Shen laughed out loud.

Tatyana swung her hand to the back of Shen's head.

"Ok, ok, I had that one coming." Shen said rubbing his head.

"Be thankful it was her hand and not my paw" Luthane added.

"Err...guys?"

Striker seemed a little edgy, sniffing the air.

"What's wrong Striker?" Tatyana asked.

He sniffed the air again. "D'you smell that?"

Luthane pointed his nose to the air.

"Something's burning!" Luthane said as he rushed out the room.

Everyone looked at each other quickly grabbed their gear and followed Luthane out of the tavern. They weren't wrong, something was burning. But it wasn't what they had expected.

Chapter 37

Striker eventually caught up with Luthane, his new sword and his sabre were drawn, gripped tightly in his hands. Tatyana not far behind the Bow in her hand and her other hand ready to grab a few arrows. Shen not far behind a kunai wrapped around each finger and his arms crossed in front of him. Luthane was in a spread pawed stance and snarling at what stood before him.

Before them stood a towering inferno of debris from the front of a house and also charred pieces of rubble from other outdoor sources. The fire eventually burned down to the ground disappearing almost instantly, leaving all objects from the blaze suspended in the air. The flames had formed around a shadowed figure, on bended knee, , his fist clenched tight and impacted into the ground. The cracks from the flooring around their fist.

The blackening disappeared eventually and was replaced by the deepening colour of a demon. Everyone's grip on their weapons tightened, and the intensity on their face increasing. Knowing not only their present torture but their past events on Luthane, made them more determined to end them.

"Speak your name demon!" Snapped Striker, who had made a few steps forward.

"Straight to the niceties I see human." The demon cockily replied.

"I'm not here for niceties, demon. A Name before I carve a name in your chest myself." Striker wasn't in the mood for games.

"Concentrate Striker, An angry mind is a tunnelled mind. You've gotten lucky being angry in the past. I don't see it working anymore." Luthane tried to calm Striker down.

"Listen to the wolf, Striker. Last thing I want is an easy fight against the vanquisher ha ha." The demon answered back standing up tall, his eyes burning with fire, his skin charred and the grooves in his body smouldering.

"Vanquisher? He gets lucky once and he's a vanquisher to these bitches?" Shen questioned out loud.

"He hasn't just beaten one of us little ninja boy!" Argued back the demon. "You see, we have eyes on you all, every step and action you take we understand and know who does what."

"If your eyes are as good as you say, how many of you are dead?" Spoke Tatyana, slightly anxiously.

"Hmph, two of us legionnaires are dead, Lady Silthiana 9th Legionnaire of Havoc and Malefestus, 13th legionnaire of Havoc...Oh yeah he never introduced himself, you just killed him back in Vanindol...heh."

"Do you always have to be so damn formal with the 5th legion of this and 9th of that It's so frickin; tedious!" Shen shouted back.

The demon ignored Shen's vocals and continued "Let's see, currently I am the forth you have encountered and the fifth you know of." The demon chuckled. "Enough data for you? Or would you like to know how many days Striker was unconscious, or maybe how long it'll be before you all know the truth ha ha ha!"

"Truth? What's he talking about?" Striker asked the others.

"Watch out!" Luthane cried, as they all ducked from burning pillars aimed directly at each one of them.

"Son of a..." Shen started.

"BITCH!" Luthane finished snarling.

"Forget this one, he obviously isn't that strong if he has to rely on firing the first shot. Lets split and attack different angles." Striker ordered.

"Let's do this!" Shen called out, before vanishing.

"Aaah, the old vanishing act, this won't take much." With that said the demon raised his arms up above his head and the ground beneath him crashed and removed itself shard by shard off the ground and started swirling violently around the demon like a vortex of concrete.

Shen had reappeared beside the three stood there awaiting the outcome. Beads of sweat were on his brow.

"He...knew!" Shen panted.

"...and now he has a barrier." Tatyana said.

"Not for long... Luthane, how do you feel about howling at the top of your lungs?" Striker asked.

"Err...what are you getting at Striker, this is no time for games." Luthane called back.

"I have a plan, Tatyana..."

"What do you need?."

"Get ready for an accurate and powerful shot. Now wind it up!" Striker had quickly felt like a major general giving orders left right and centre.

The vortex of debris intensified and the houses and even the blacksmith was ripped from the ground, and disintegrated before their eyes. The powerful winds picking up again swirling with more vigour and more anger, the ground cracking further around the demon as well.

"Not long until this town and yourselves are ripped apart, feeble humans!" The demon cackled.

Striker began spinning his blades in front of him, generating and slight wind as the blades quickened through the air.

"We have to hurry this up or we are all dead" Striker called to the rest. "If this doesn't work we may also be dead but we'll worry about that afterwards."

"I'm ready when you Are Striker, This one is wound up tight."

"Good girl! Luthane get here and be ready to howl." Striker shouted at Luthane.

"Shen a distraction! Go!" Striker hollered.

"I am not your bitch!" Shen answered back.

"Do it or die, either by his or my hand, got it!" Striker ordered.

"FINE! C,MON DEMON LETS SEE HOW YOU FARE!" Shen belted out at the top of his lungs and he clutched his hands together and began splitting himself into more of him. Shen launched a volley of kunai at the demon to try and break it's concentration. Shen vanished once more and the rest of his mirror images followed suit, blades a plenty flying through the debris tornado, clashing like sheet metal in the wind.

"We don't have long.. Luthane I need a howl from you!" Striker had wound the sword that fast that the wind was visibly showing around his blades.

"I can't ...hold on much longer..." Tatyana's hands were shaking from the pressure of the bow.

Luthane took a deep breath and howled as loud as he could. It echoed sharply and powerfully through the remnants of the town, glass shattered and the wind around Striker swords Intensified hugely.

"Aim for the eye of the storm Tatyana!" Striker shouted, his hands were shaking violently from the intensity of the wind of the blades.

Tatyana quickly took aim and release the arrow straight through the eye of the wind created by Striker and Luthane and as the arrow pierced the wind it followed behind the arrow like a crashing wave towards the demon. The power of the shot whipped the swords from Striker's grasp and they also followed where the wind took them.

The demon was chuckling manically fending off all attacks from Shen.

Shen took a second to see what the others were doing and he quickly realised he was in deep danger. He vanished once more and reappeared with Striker once more.

"Could've told me you were gonna try and kill me!" Shen shouted at Striker.

Striker took no notice, he just had a grin on his face like a Cheshire cat.

The arrow was picking up speed and eventually pierced through the debris clattering the area the demon was controlling. The wind followed up with an almighty howl echoing Luthane's seconds before. The howl shattered the tornados grip on the broken shards and they came clattering to the ground around the demon. The swords followed after the howl broke the wind and thrusted through the battling winds, they were flung north, straight up towards the clouds, but when the dust had cleared the swords had carried their force up and pierced the clouds letting a huge ray of sunshine beam down onto the startled demon.

Striker and co all shaded their eyes with their hands, while Luthane tried to wince to see what was going on.

"What the hell was that!" The demon cried.

"Heh, Your Demise demon!" Striker called back.

"Look!" Tatyana shouted pointing at the swords as they began their descent, a white heat burning from their tips as they crashed back towards the ground.

"I'm not gonna let them hit me that easily!" The demon called out, He tried to vanished but his body wouldn't shift.

"What magic is this!?" The demon called out.

Shen winked slyly. "Not magic, skill!"

The swords crashed down to the ground ripping through the demon's skull and falling straight through its body. Before stabbing upright into the ground between his legs. The Demon laughed, he was still standing and seemingly unharmed.

"You fool, Burning blades on a Legionnaire of hell! I am Fire, I am Hell ,I am Zaepyrous 10th Legionnaire of Havoc, AND YOUR!..."

Before the demon could finish his threats. A large hammer came out of nowhere and clattered into the side of the demon. It's teeth fell from its mouth and its jaw hung lower than where his chin used to be like a hanging basket of flowers being blown around by the wind.

"Whash mashnesh ish thish?" The demon tried to must through a gummed mouth.

"The next name to worry about." Came a deep belting voice.

Tatyana gasped. "It's you!"

"Hey. Good to see you recovered well!" Striker called out.

From the side came Torik. A large hammer clenched into his two monstrous hands gripped like a feather. Torik began swinging the hammer over his head and he moved close to the demon.

The demon was in a panic, he was still unable to move, and punch drunk, wobbling until he fell on his front.

"This is where you perish!" Torik was standing tall over the demon the hammer spinning around his head like it was made of rubber and not steel.

Torik lifted one foot up the hammer stopping in mid air before crashing down and crushing the head of the fallen demon. It's head cracking like a sound of a nut being broken open. Blood poured out from under the hammer in a small pool of crimson, little pieces of the skull were seeping through under the hammer.

"Wow, Torik that was...just wow!" Luthane was in awe.

Shen also seemed stunned by the sheer power. "Remind me never to piss you off again he he"

Tatyana just dropped her weapon, a fell to her knees, she bowed before Torik.

Striker shook Torik's hand in acceptance of his camaraderie and then upon removal of the hand from the hand shaking Striker tended to his hand. Obviously Torik still didn't know his own strength. Striker then proceeded to pick up his swords from the bloodied corpse of Zaepyrous and re-sheathed them, the blood on them sliding off like water off a ducks back.

Torik knelt down before Tatyana and used his hand to gently rise her back to her feet. "It is I who should bow to you. You are the calmest and certainly the most reassuring asset to these three. I would be honoured to accompany you on your journey."

Tatyana welcomed Torik with open arms and placed her hand on his shoulder. "You are a free soul to do as you please, Mr Torik."

"Please...Just Torik."

"Well, as you know that's Striker, the cocky one is Shen, The wolf, Luthane, and I am Tatyana."

"The pleasure is mine." Torik answered.

"So what about your smithery, Torik? Isn't that your life?" Striker asked.

"It was...Until that bastard ripped everything apart...Now I have nothing."

"He sounds like one of us already" Shen answered smirking.

"Yeah, we've all lost something...except Striker."" Luthane answered

"I did! I lost consciousness for a few days!" Striker bit back.

"Ok settle down...we need to discuss where to go from here?" Tatyana asked.

They all shrugged their shoulders. Torik was looking up at the sky, and then looked to the west across where the land raised and the sea disappeared from sight.

"There is a small piloting village four days from here...maybe we can decide when we are there?" Torik said.

"Works for me, what about you guys?" Striker asked, looking at the others, still acting a little sheepish around Torik, just because of his sheer stature.

"Err...Sure" Shen answered.

"Yeah...let's do that!" Luthane followed up.

"Great then let's get to it. Torik welcome to the team, and please, lead the way!" Striker was almost talking to Torik like he was his best friend, but I would too if I were stood beside him.

Torik obliged and said "You want me to be a part of your...team?"

"But of course, your strength could prove invaluable to us, and in fairness it's nice to see a few fresh faces, especially ones willing to help" Striker answered almost insisting Torik was a new recruit,

Torik just smiled and began to lead everyone out of town and towards the grassy hills once more. He felt obliged to inform them that if anyone tired on their trek, to let him know so he has time to set up a camp.

They all agreed and followed his huge heavy footprints in the ground. A few hours walking and talking without any realisation of where they were, the darkness had began to fall and it was quickly becoming difficult for them all to see one another.

"Let us set up camp here and rest" Torik said.

The boys set out and grabbed small stones and twigs to set up the fire. They had returned and Torik had already turned the flattened ground into an arched cave for everyone to stay in, in case the weather turned against them. Absolute amazement was clear on the boy's faces, as the twigs and small rocks clattered to the ground.

Tatyana was already curling up ready to sleep, another day had taken its toll on her, from semi nudity to another demon attack, most humans would've gone insane, or have surely perished from the demon.

"Y'know what, all this work you've done for shelter. It's probably took you less than a minute and I'm not even surprised ha ha." Luthane said.

"Three minutes" Torik replied with a low chuckle.

"Sarcasm?" Shen questioned.

"Not this time ninja" Torik replied.

"It's Shen, Nimrod." Shen answered back, insulted his name wasn't remembered.

"I'm sorry Mr Nimrod." Torik answered sympathetically. " I can't be expected to remember everyone's name straight away."

Luthane and Striker were laughing their heads off. "Mr NIMROD. Haha ahahhaa ahahaa" Striker had fallen over his own feet with the tears streaming from his eyes.

Shen clearly wasn't going to get out of this one without some banter so he walked to Torik and whispered into his ears.

"It's Shen, just Shen you were the nimrod."

Shen then disappeared to the top of the mound.

Torik just smiled, Luthane and Striker had seemingly calmed down and Tatyana was sound asleep.

"We will need our strength tomorrow, let us sleep" Torik said, his deep voice humming softly through the cool night air.

"Yeah, we will need to get to the pilot place quick." Striker answered sleepily.

"What is the town's name Torik?" Luthane asked as he got himself comfortable.

"...Lavoleen..." Torik said yawning.

"Good...to...know" Luthane yawned also.

"Well...goodnight."

"Goodnight Torik,"

Luthane rolled over and fell asleep the rest were already snoring away.

It seemed that the days were becoming more strenuous and more heavily laden with fatigue on the four, though Torik seemed used to it with his blacksmithing background. Whether it would take its toll on him in due course remains to be seen, all they had to be sure of was that three legionnaires were now dead, two were known to them and the other however many still existed and wanted their heads. At least now they had a goal. To vanquish the demons and bring back the harmony to the lands.

"Tomorrow is another day...tomorrow" Luthane spoke out loud in his sleep before rolling over on his opposite side.

Tomorrow was another day, yes. But one he wouldn't forget.

Chapter 38

"Shhh be quiet Razanka, you'll wake them up...The master would kill us if that happened." A creepy voice whispered.

"We are twins Razorna, you do not have to tell me what you're thinking." The other demon whispered back in a snappy manner.

"Well, which one do we take?" Razanka asked.

"We pick the fat bastard up. Moron." Razorna spitefully and sarcastically hissed back.

"No need to be such a bitch about it, I wasn't blessed with brains, only good looks". Razanka flexed its muscles.

"Why did I have to have you for a brother...You really make me feel stupid just being associated with you. Now put those demon arms to use and help me take the girl."

"Ok, ok. Shall we put her into the shadows like old times?"

Razorna sighed. "It's what we do best so hurry it up. I don't want to end up like the others, less so do I wanna tell the master we failed."

A quiet incantation hummed from the two demons mouths as dark purple clouds began covering Tatyana's sleeping body. The arms of the twins waving in the air wildly and in synch with one another, as the clouds slowly dissipated, Tatyana had vanished, like a well crafted magic trick.

"See, easy peasy" Razanka began flexing again. "Actually, how come the others aren't even stirring? Surely something would have made one shuffle or wake up?".

Razorna just sighed once more before poking its twin in the eye. " We may be psychic, but the master isn't ready to fully rely on an eleventh and twelfth legionnaire, especially as four of us are dead. Last thing he needs is another two."

"So?" Razanka answered.

"You dumb prick, he has put them into a nightmare they cannot wake from until he deems fit. So this was easy pickings for us, and they are left fending off demons in their 'dreams' hihihihi" Razorna embraced with a light pitched cackle.

"So why were we so quiet?" Razanka asked.

"D'you know what? I don't have time to answer you, let's just jump back where we belong and get the hell out. I'd actually like to keep my head attached to my shoulders." Razorna hissed once more.

"Don't see why... You're one ugly bitch!" Razanka tried to get one back for the earlier insult.

"Oh just you wait, you're gonna regret that" Razorna's fangs and claws appeared rather quickly.

The arguing continued and petty sibling fights broke out as they slowly vanished into the last of the darkness along with Tatyana. Who was frozen in her sleep.

Day began to break and the first rays of sunlight beamed brightly onto the four men, and as if by luck they all awoke simultaneously, violently shaking and throwing their fists in a blind rage. Torik even let out a growl as he clattered his fist into the ground, adding another indentation to the ground, just like his large footprints before resting where he laid.

"You won't believe it, I just had the most horrid nightmare..." Striker said gasping for air.

Shen wiped sweat from his forehead, his breathing also heavy. "Those demons are plaguing our minds too!"

"I think we all had the same dream." Luthane said clambering to his feet.

"Only a demon..." Torik paused for breath. "...could be responsible...for this."

"You don't say!" Shen replied, lacking the necessary oomph for sarcasm.

"Guys..." Striker's voice had extensive worry beckoning from it.

They all looked at Striker who had made his way to where Tatyana was left to rest.

"She's..."

"We have to find her!" Striker ran off in a blind panic.

"Calm down Striker, we have to think this through." Luthane methodically said.

"No time for that, anything could've happened! We split up and look!" Striker's voice had risen another few decibels and the look on his face was stern like a commander ordering his troops.

"Striker...Come with me to Lavoleen. We start searching there for any unusual activity." Torik said as he picked himself up off the ground using his hammer as leverage.

"What about us?" Shen asked.

"Go in the opposite direction and around the area of Port Aerol, see if there are any signs other than our presence. Meet us at Lavoleen whatever the outcome."

Luthane nodded. "Right let us go, they can't have gotten far." In a single bound he was off like a rocket, Shen tried to catch up sprinting to Luthane.

"You any calmer, Striker?" Torik asked.

Striker checked his swords. "Not particularly. I just want Tatyana back."

"Then we make haste, she obviously means a lot to you." Torik answered.

The group has split once more, with a sense of urgency in their step and an eagerness to find out the culprit. Striker quickly realising Torik chose the groups as they were because he was the only one strong enough to hold him back, in case he had lost his nerve or had jumped to any unnecessary fights.

Torik was showing his pace in keeping up with Striker, who in turn was sprinting like he was possessed by an Olympic sprinter.

"...Tatyana" Striker muttered to himself "...I'm coming to get you"

Chapter 39

"Is it just me or this getting really tedious now. Since I've met you guys I haven't had a days' rest, nor a decent night's sleep. All we keep doing is getting side tracked by demons, and little girls who can't do as they're told, including Tatyana."

"Be quiet Shen, we all are thinking it but we just do what we have to. We know what our goal is, so we have to ALL, work together." Luthane snarled at Shen growing ever more tired of his whining.

"This isn't what I signed up for, I was expecting adventure, yes, but not of this magnitude. I mean it's like Striker wants to gain plaudits for 'saving the world' or something stupid along those lines". Shen emphasising with the use of air quotes.

"Do y'know what Shen, for this mighty warrior of your ex-clan, you sure are a whiny little bitch sometimes. I'd expect it from Tatyana, hell even Striker to an extent, but you as well? I didn't come here to be your babysitters, or your agony uncles. I came here to be with my son." Luthane quickly shut up as he had realised he had said too much.

"Woah, woah, woah. Now the big bad wolf has gone and said too much hasn't he" Shen stopped and looked at Luthane with a wicked grin. "Now when were you planning on Striker this amazing news huh? During your precious story? Maybe when you had a spare five minutes between demons attacking and Tatyana going walkabouts? Or were you planning on keeping it quiet in case the gods realised and took you back."

"Shut up Shen!" Luthane barked. "You couldn't possibly comprehend the situation, and you never will while your mouth continues to open as it does. You are a pathetic excuse for a man and deserve nothing in life, you have no purity of heart, and you have no feelings of sorrow, no regret, no remorse. You are a cold hearted whinging little brat who cries wolf whenever he feels the need for attention. No wonder your clan got rid of you, if I were in their shoes I would've done it much sooner!"

"Well...at least I'd have to balls to tell the truth and tell my son who I really was. Instead of hiding behind this cool exterior, pretending to be something I'm not." Shen looked away and began to walk towards Port Aerol, leaving Luthane stood with his head hung in shame.

"Shen wait!" Luthane called as he tried to catch up.

With a huffed sigh Shen reluctantly turned back around. "Thought of more to abuse me about have we?"

Luthane looked at Shen then bowed his head. "Everything you said was true, I am a fraud, but I couldn't do it when he was a boy, as he would never have understood and every time I find the courage to say such things, something bad happens. Like you've said we haven't had a moment's peace to do anything."

Shen just looked at Luthane, almost sympathetically. "Some apology, but I guess I'll have to take it."

"Thank you, Shen. And I'm sorry for my outburst, it hasn't been easy on me these last few days."

"You and me both, wolf man." Shen chuckled.

Luthane grinned back, it appeared he was ready to make Shen lunch, the fangs baring sizing up Shen's skin. But he was unable to prevent himself from baring his teeth without seeming completely insane or ravenous.

"Ok, firstly don't grin like that again, it makes me think I'm your next meal..." Shen said tentatively, unsure what Luthane was planning.

"Consider it done." Luthane answered.

Shen nodded "Secondly...The minute we get some uninterrupted time to just relax, I'll take Torik and Tatyana away from you so you and Striker can have the father son talk you are in much need of...deal?"

Luthane thought to himself for a moment, then placed a paw out and turned it upside down.

"We have a deal."

Shen slapped Luthane's paw in a high five manner, before ruffling the fur on his head.

"You're a good kid Shen, don't let this old fool tell you otherwise."

"Heh, I know how good I am, I just like to have a moan from time to time. You know, like grumpy old men do" Shen winked.

"I may be older than you but I am better than you at most things." Luthane responded.

"Oh really? Well then I will challenge you to a race, the first one to get to Aerol, wins. Oh and bonus points if you find Tatyana."

"Four of a kind always beats a pair Shen " Luthane laughed and he sprung off leaving Shen in his wake.

"Hey! No fair! I wasn't ready!" Shen shouted back as he tried to catch Luthane up.

The laughter echoed over the hills and greenery, as they edged ever nearer the port.

Chapter 40

"Striker! Slow down!" Torik bellowed out.

Striker took no notice, his eyes were fierce with determination and burning with rage. He was seething at the thought of someone stealing Tatyana from the group.

"If we slow down, we won't find her. Now either catch up or go with Luthane and Shen."

"With your temper! No Chance!" Torik snapped back, lunging himself at Striker in an attempt to halt him.

Striker quickly turned round and with one hand grasped onto Torik's neck stopping the Towering mass of a man in his tracks.

"I, Will NOT! Repeat myself...Torik." Striker snarled as he began to tighten his grip.

Torik looked deep into Striker's eyes the red mist was clouding Striker's judgement and Torik knew arguing would only end in tears for one of them at least.

"Please, Can I speak?" Torik spoke trying to loosen Striker's grip from his throat.

"You got thirty seconds, before I walk on again, so make it quick!"

"Ok, can you let me go first?"

Striker let go of Torik who quickly took some deep breaths just to re-adjust himself from the tension.

"So, Talk." Striker threw a steely glare at Torik who was clearing and rubbing his throat checking for any damage.

"For a start, good accuracy pin pointing the choking point" Torik's feeble attempt at lightening the mood was responded to by a cold stare.

"Alright...Why the urgency?" Torik asked.

Striker sighed. "Look, she's been here from the start and nothing but bad things happen whenever the group is finally a whole, and it's always her. So the sooner we find her the sooner we can sort this mess out."

"I didn't realise she meant so much" Torik replied apologetically.

"Yeah, she does, a darn sight more than people see. Without her I'd probably be dead. Same as Luthane and Shen, This dysfunctional family has made me part of who I am now. What am I if I can't return the favour when they are in need?"

"Human Striker, Human" Torik answered.

"Well, maybe I don't want to be human, I want to be free from error, from this swirling vortex of emotions, from trying so hard and getting nowhere!" Striker let a tear loose and it fell straight onto his cheek. "Why can't I do anything right?" Striker just dropped to his knees in defeat, trying to cuff his running nose and wiping his eyes with his other hand.

Torik, just patted Striker on the head. "I don't know what to say. We've acquainted ourselves for a mere day."

"I guess you aren't the right person to ask." Striker sniffled.

"But seeing you break this way, shows human quality and your efforts. You are not weak for crying, you are strong for giving it all. Even for only a little in return." Torik tried his best to console Striker, which for a moment seemed to be settling Striker down.

"Thank you Torik, I appreciate the compliment...as hard as it was for you."

"I won't be your emotional holder, but I will be the strength in your arm to push you through." Torik placed his giant hand on Striker's shoulder.

"I can only return the favour but instead of strength it'll be stupidity." Striker chuckled to himself wiping the last few tears away.

"You shouldn't beat yourself up Striker, You aren't my stupidity, but you can be my courage." Torik smiled at Striker as he lifted him to his feet. "Now dust yourself down. We have a young lady to find."

"Right!" Striker shouted back. He clenched his fist together and shook it vigorously to try and give himself momentum.

"Thank you Torik. You are a true gentleman and very wise."

"Wise? That's not a word I am used to, heh" Torik let out a few short breaths of laughter.

Striker turned to walk on with Torik by his side.

"Hey Torik."

"Yes."

"Do you know much about Lavoleen?"

"Enough."

"Enough? That's not so reassuring."

"Just don't expect the warmest welcome, and stay close to my side, we don't need any more trouble."

"I won't be any trouble this time. Wait don't tell me you are from there?"

"What gave it away? The warm welcome or my now lack of smile." Torik asked.

"Err...Well you don't smile a lot anyway and I never expect warm welcomes I'm an outsider wherever I go" Striker grinned.

"Hmm, well let's get this over with, I don't want to be there any longer than I have to."

"Then lets hurry up!" Striker started to run off but was quickly pulled back by Torik.

"Not this time, Striker. We start calmly and we'll finish calmly" Torik tried to advise the ever active Striker.

Striker let out a prolonged sigh "ok. We'll go in nice and easy. No trouble ask the right questions and get out with Tatyana, right?"

Torik huffed as he nodded. "Right"

Torik raised his arms and stretched himself with a few cracks of his neck and he swivelled his head from side to side. He seemed to be preparing for the worst, while Striker seemed to have been over the worst of his breakdown, his arms folded behind his head just waltzing along trying to return his cool exterior.

Torik cracked his knuckles, and readied his weapon. He looked like he was preparing for war. Striker took no notice but they we soon staring at a large set of gates on the horizon on the top of a large grassy knoll.

"There?" Striker asked.

"There Striker...Home..."

Chapter 41

"Stand Back, Striker." Torik ordered, as he pointed his Hammer at the small grove in between the gate doors. He banged against the groove twice, stopped briefly, and then banged once more, each crash echoing from behind the walls.

"Who goes there!" A muffled voice spoke from the other side.

"It is I, Torik!" He bellowed back.

Striker gripped his sword handles slowly and tightly, he felt that something wasn't quite right.

A small gap appeared in the gates and a piece was moved to one side. A pair of beady eyes peered through glaring menacingly at Torik.

Striker had to look up to see what was going on. He rubbed his neck to loosen it as he felt this was gonna be his position for majority of his time here, after a lightly sounding snap, he took in a deep breath before placing his hand back on his sword handle.

"So...After all these years." The eyes voiced.

"I have returned, Elder, we need your help." Torik answered as he bowed his head.

"The Abandoner wishes to enter! Requesting OUR help!" The elder voiced.

Suddenly loud clanging of mail armour and footsteps could be heard echoing from over the gates.

"This may not be too pleasant, Striker. But do not fight back unless I say so." Torik pleaded.

Striker sighed. "Spoil all the fun why don't you."

Torik gave Striker a stern look.

Striker just gulped, he could see Torik wasn't in the mood for sarcasm. "I was kidding, you lead the way and do all the talking."

The armour clanging had subsided, but it was replaced with what could only be described as chains being dragged across the ground.

"Let's step a few paces back." Torik's voice had quietened down substantially.

As they began to step back the chain grinding had also halted. Suddenly large grunting and huffing could be heard from behind the gates.

"The gates are opening?" Striker questioned.

Just a hum of agreement came from Torik as he gripped tightly onto his hammer.

"Before these gates open Abandoner! You will not be welcomed as an ally, and if there are others alongside you the same will apply! Do you accept!" The elder belted out.

"You're gonna stand for that? It's one thing being branded abandoner let alone being prisoner in your own home!" Striker shouted at Torik.

Torik's head fell "They have every reason to" He told Striker before calling back to the gates "...I ACCEPT THOSE TERMS ELDER!"

"Open the gates, and be ready to arrest all on the other side!" The elder called back.

The grunting was quickly drowned out by the creaking and grinding of the gate doors opening slowly, releasing a large gust of dust and smoke from within outwards towards Striker and Torik. Striker was quick to cover his mouth with his arm and closed his eyes. Torik didn't batter an eyelid he just stood there as if he were carved from stone.

The dust had eventually cleared and Striker looked up at Torik who was still unmoved. He just looked dead straight into village behind the gates.

"Nothing has changed, Striker. We shall be fine."

Striker just looked and all he could see was a dozen heavily armoured giants, seemingly larger than Torik, glaring at them both.

"Oh. My. God. You have got to be kidding me!" Striker called out in utter dismay.

"There's a village of you?"

"Of course, Striker. I am not a freak of nature, we are the same as every other human being." Torik answered.

"Except the obvious, you're all freakishly HUGE!" Striker screamed.

"Are you going to argue with me or are you gonna follow me?" Torik was through talking, as he slowly made the way towards the guards.

"What have I gotten myself into this time" Striker said out loud to himself. "This had better be worth it Tatyana" He said to himself as he slowly followed behind Torik

"Release your weapons from your Persons!" One guard called out.

Torik dropped his hammer to his side as he continued to walk towards the guards, the thud was deep as his hammer indented itself into the soft soil beneath their feet.

Striker pulled out his weapons his twisted his hands outwards and opened his grip on the weapons, they soon slipped from his grasp and clattered into the ground.

"They are unarmed Elder!" A second guard called out.

"Good! Shackle the abandoner, and tie the little one to him, immediately!" The Elder order and the guards quickly followed.

Two guards had picked up Striker using one hand each for grip and using their other to tie his hands and feet together respectively, with a thick yet slightly frayed rope. They then proceeded to tie the two pieces of rope together around his waist like an oversized chastity belt.

"Torik! The rope is cutting into my groin like sandpaper! You better have a plan!" Striker groaned.

"Suck it up Striker! We have more to be concerned about!" Torik bellowed back, He was busy trying not to resist being restrained. His arms were bound in chains and his hands locked together in large cast iron grips that covered both his hands like a cage. His ankles were also shackled and trailing behind them on a large chain was a heavy dull and dense cannonball sized mass.

"Now, Abandoner, what is it you wish from us, that you haven't already taken from us?" The elder questioned quick to end this unnecessary encounter.

"I first need information on demons that have stolen a comrade of ours" Torik asked without making eye contact.

"A name would suffice Abandoner!"

"Elder, please, my name is Torik! You know it is!" Torik pleaded.

"YOU ABANDONED YOUR PEOPLE BROTHER!"

The shock on all faces present was immediate and intense.

"Your..." Striker couldn't even muster the words, the shock had stolen his voice like a thief in the night.

"Yes, The now elder is my brother Tanrok." Torik was in a state of despair, being treated as poorly as he is by his own flesh and blood.

"Some elder! You can't even treat you own brother with respect!" Striker shouted out, angered by the situation.

"Hold your tongue little one, or I'll have it removed by force and nailed to your gravestone!" Tanrok spat.

"A Name...Torik"

Torik sighed, still refusing to make eye contact. "...Tatyana"

"The name is unknown to me, now before I cast you out for good, what is your second wish?" Tanrok asked.

"I wish to have my vessel back so I can traverse the seas"

"You own a ship! What else haven't you told us?!" Striker was getting more agitated by the second, the chaffing and sudden facts coming to light were becoming a little too much for him. But it wasn't look before he was thumped on the head by a guard.

"You will be still!" The guard called.

Striker just growled and fiercely stared at the guard. "If this comes down to a fight, you're first."

"Hah, this little shit has fight in him yet!" The guard belittled Striker before forming back into formation.

"STRIKER! WHAT DID I TELL YOU!" Torik screamed at Striker, his face was a fiery red and his teeth were bared.

"...Sorry" Striker quickly became sheepish.

Elder Tanrok was done with the bickering and raised Torik's head towards his face, so their eyes meet.

"I bet he doesn't even know why you shouldn't be here does he?" Tanrok chuckled.

"..No he doesn't Elder..."

"Shall we tell him? Brother?" Tanrok was taunting Torik with the manner of his spoken word.

"Will I get my vessel if you tell him?" Torik asked.

"Oh I'm sure your soul being destroyed by hearing the same story again in front of the village and you so called comrade will be plenty to let you have your vessel. Guards!"

The guards saluted to the elder before heading off in the opposite direction.

"They will assemble you're pitiful excuse for a vessel and send it over the cliffs. If you're lucky it'll turn up in Aerol by the setting of tomorrow's sun."

"...Thank you, Brother." Torik mumbled.

"Oh do not thank me just yet. GATHER ROUND VILLAGERS! YOUR ELDER WILL SPEAK THE TALE OF TEH ABANDONER ONCE MORE!"

A small band of ragged clothed children and women formed in the centre of the village kneeling onto the dirt. Like a group of vagabonds they were all malnourished and weak, but still answering the call of their master.

"You don't have to do this Tanrok!" Torik begged.

"You know I have to Torik, You ruined my childhood and destroyed everything our family had built. You deserve every curse that befalls unto you."

"NOW LET US BEGIN!" Tanrok rose his arms to the air, cloud vapours began forming over his head, and with the waving of his arms to and fro the vapours manipulated themselves into a shroud. Tanrok's hands fell to the ground and the shroud enlarged to the size of a large modern day television.

Silhouettes formed from the shroud and darkness covered the village.

The Shroud then rose into the sky to form an artificial scenery for the silhouettes.

"An Age ago, we Titan-kind had prosperity and an everlasting wealth of power over these lands..."

"Tanrok...You need not do this..." Torik spoke with a defeated voice.

"...But that changed! Why did our happiness change!" Tanrok ignoring Torik's pleas instead pointing with disgust at Torik as he spoke, "This FIEND!"

"Torik! You can't let this get to you! You know you are a good person!" Striker called out trying to get through to Torik.

A small tear fell from Torik's eye and slowly rolled down his face, his face was scrunched up like unwanted wrapping paper on Christmas day, his body shaking and his head buried into his neck.

Tanrok continued his bombardment...

"We had everything! But instead of being happy with his life, he threw the village into disarray because he wanted to help the WORTHLESS TOWN BELOW!"

"Enough...Tanrok..." Torik shook his head.

"The truth hurts everyone but you ABANDONER! We have had to ration scraps of food, drink dusty dirty water. Our clothes are aged like the wood on our homes. We live in fear of death, yet we still wish that the next morning does not arrive! You have taken everything!"

"This isn't the 'story'! This is just verbal abuse!" Striker shouted, he couldn't stand to see the pain on Torik's face any longer.

"Tie that mouth up this instance!" Tanrok ordered. The guards were quick to oblige squeezing Striker's cheeks together to open his mouth as they lodge in a small rope into the his vocal chasm.

Striker's eyes enraged as he muffled abuse through the rope wriggling around like a plate of cursing worms.

"Now where were we, aah yes..." The finger pointed straight back at Torik's lowered head, "You know what you did, you had to help out Aerol, and you saw the flames of war below and insisted we helped. You couldn't just leave them to it..."

"There were people dying Tanrok...We are obliged to help those in need!" Torik responded viciously.

"You are obliged to help YOUR OWN PEOPLE!" Tanrok snapped back.

The cloud vapours and silhouettes dissipated as the words left the elder's mouth.

"This is why you were never good enough to be elder..." Torik huffed.

"HOW DARE YOU! I have brought these people back from the brink! We have our hope back!" Tanrok blasted back. "YOU UNGRATEFUL SPOILT BASTARD!"

"ENOUGH!" Torik raised his head and let out a bestial roar of anger. His hands clenched together and he twisted them bending the shackles before he pulled his hands apart shattering the iron framework. He picked up the ball on the end his ankle chain and he swung it once before clattering it into the linked chain between his ankles, instantly breaking them free.

"Guards! Hold him down!" Tanrok retreated back a few steps.

Torik rushed forward and clattered into the guards sending them all into the ground, almost in one movement sliding to a halt and swinging his arm out grabbing Tanrok by the throat.

"TRUTH TANROK!" Torik screamed.

Striker was still on the floor wriggling around muffling unknown words. I don't think he was even given a thought, but Torik has Tanrok right where he wanted him.

Tanrok was trying to catch his breath as Torik's grip began tightening further around his oesophagus.

"TELL EVERYONE THE TRUTH! OR I WILL DO IT FOR YOU!"

"O...K..." Tanrok gave in before he had ran out of breath.

Torik threw his brother to the ground as if he were full of waste.

Tanrok raised himself slowly from the ground coughing and spluttering trying to regain his breath.

"TELL THEM TANROK!"

He just sighed as he lowered his head.

"Do I have to count to three like father did!" Torik stood over his brother his towering presence was frightening, even towards someone of his own stature.

"1!..."

"Alright..."

"...2!"

"I said ALRIGHT!" Tanrok pushed Torik back as he clambered to his feet.

"Now, the truth! I won't ask again!" Torik cracked his knuckles together.

"Fine! This is your true elder right here! My...Our father chose Torik over me to lead this village, and I hated it!"

The voices of the villagers were muffled in shock talking to one another.

Torik had a small smile creep into the side of his mouth, finally feeling the burden of guilt erasing from his shoulders.

"I snuck to Aerol and burned the place to the ground, in an attempt to make Torik defile our village in an attempt to help. It was the perfect plan!"

The villagers were in dismay they couldn't believe that after all this time, they had been following a false leader.

"Our father's dying words, were to remove Torik from the village for putting our people in danger at the expense of outsiders, an labelled him an abandoner for all to remember. I felt so guilty but I wanted to lead us to a better time, have my legacy carved into stone, memorials standing high of me, the wealth returned and the prosperity being nourished and enjoyed in my name! I wanted the fame! I failed everyone... including my family..."

"It's ok Tanrok..." Torik consoled his brother. Despite the hatred and abuse he endured it was still his flesh and blood.

"I'm so ashamed, I have tarnished our father's name, and I deserve death for my sins." Tanrok collapsed in a heap in Torik's arms.

Torik thought to himself for a moment.

"People of Lavoleen! I have returned to offer you all solace! Aerol is rebuilt and flourishing despite adversity, I ask you this. If they can why can't we? I know I betrayed us in the past but with your elder here maybe we can sought truce from Aerol and live harmoniously instead of in solitude, struggle and strife!"

The small cluster of guards and villagers rejoiced in cheers to much welcomed words.

"If I can get us this truce, then we will live as not only a tribe, but a community among others. We can learn diversity as I have. We can save our children from famish and suffering!" Torik added.

Roars grew louder as the villagers stood up applauding and cheering Torik's speech.

"No More elders! No more Masters, we are free people! The Title of Elder Is relinquished! The last Elder of Our people was Taukran! Leader of Men! Leader of the Lost, Guidance to the Fallen and Elder of Lavoleen. May his name never be blemished and even less so forgotten. For Today! We Start Anew!

Raptures and encores of applauds and cheers echoed throughout the small and diminished village. Tanrok wiped away a few tears from his face as he looked at his brother.

"Thank you Torik, I couldn't even begin to think of a way to apologise let alone beg for redemption..."

"...Bygones are Bygones...You are my brother and as much as I wanted to smash your skull into dust. We are family. We will always fight, but from now on...we will fight together."

Torik stepped back and placed his arm outward waiting for the acceptance of a hand shake from Tanrok.

Tanrok immediately accepted his handshake their hands gripped at each other's wrists and the opposite arms were placed on to one another's shoulders.

A smile crept onto both their faces, and the villagers all made their ways to their once homes to collect necessities, as they were ready to embark on what would hopefully be a fresh start.

Torik took a second before realising Striker was still on the ground struggling to wriggle free muffling away like he was reciting his autobiography.

"Oh My apologies Striker, I was caught up in the moment ha ha" Torik quickly grabbed Striker and ripped the ropes from his body and snapped the piece stuck in his mouth.

Striker spat a few globules of saliva from his mouth. "That Rope was VILE!"

"You complain too much little one." Tanrok replied.

"You're lucky this issue has resolved otherwise I would be all over you like a hot rash!" Striker was clearly unhappy at his mistreatment.

"Let it go Striker, we have more important things to deal with." Torik reasoned.

"Hmph, you better hope we find Tatyana soon, otherwise there will be hell to pay!" Striker huffed as he made his way to the entrance.

"Kids these days...They.." Torik started...

"...Never learn!" Tanrok finished.

The brothers began to laugh, Striker meanwhile was busy collecting his weapons from outside the gates. "When you're quite finished it's time we find Shen and Luthane so we can look for Tatyana!"

Torik coughed into serious mode. "Right!"

Tanrok began to voice out to the villagers standing now behind them with their sentimental items and personal belongings tied up and hunched on their backs over their shoulders and held in both hands by the younger generation.

"I speak to you all as a friend! And also as a free man! I deeply regret my actions but I am willing to turn over the page into a new chapter of Lavoleen's lineage...The Page we shall call our prosperous future!"

The words were met with small raptures, it seems its gonna take more than words to rectify his wrong doings but Tanrok was showing the right attitude to work on it.

Torik looked back at the villagers "We move to Aerol, and we offer them our services as hard workers! And the willingness to work in unison!"

Cheers rang out into the air as everyone made their way out of the gate. Torik bent down after one step to pick up his hammer from the indentation left in the ground. Striker standing beside him with a smile on his face.

"What's with the smile?" Torik asked.

"You have so much more than brute strength my friend." He patted Torik on the back. "You have the strength of heart to match a hundred men."

Torik smiled back. "You're too kind. Do you think we will be accepted if we offer to help build Aerol again?"

"With the few people left there without injury, and those who need their livelihoods rebuilt also I'm pretty sure the common similarities between you and them will be enough to make it work."

"I'm glad..."

Torik, Striker and Tanrok started to make their way back downhill towards Port Aerol, followed by a small cluster of families, beaming smiles all around with hope in their hearts and a fresh start in their heads. What seemed like darkness and despair has soon been enlightened by the power of truth and hope.

Striker's attention was turned back to Tatyana and the guys, hoping they had some good news on their trail. He knows it has been a long day but his determination was still not wavering. It may seem weird to others how forceful he is and how strong he feels whenever Tatyana is absent but he knows something more than others, that he admitted his love to a demon, and not Tatyana. He knew one of them was behind this and they had to be brought down.

Chapter 42

"Surely we never travelled this far, it feels like we've been walking for hours."

"Says the boy who ran off challenging me to a race less than a hundred paces ago, and I thought you had plenty of energy with youth on your side, once again Shen you cease to astound me"

"Quiet wolf or I'll accidently let my youthful mouth say the words 'Oh by the way Striker, this dog is your dad'" Shen quickly retaliated.

"We agreed that wouldn't happen Shen, so you can quit the blackmail now, besides if you whined less you would recognise what's just over there on the horizon" Luthane reasoned.

"Well it's about time! Where have you been !" Shen started.

Luthane just sighed, knowing that Striker handed him the short straw with Shen, especially now he has to tell Striker everything...

"Oi! Old man, let's get moving I wanna find Tatyana and get the hell off this island, we've had nothing but grief! And I want a vacation!"

Luthane nodded. "It's been tough, but some good has come of it, well I use the term some lightly."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Shen threw himself round and began to stare at Luthane.

"Ha ha, nothing for you to worry about Mr Nimrod" Luthane chuckled.

Shen huffed and ran off yelling back "At least I have my freedom Daddy Wolf!"

"Cocky little shit" Luthane mumbled to himself as he sprung off his hind legs and darted towards Aerol.

Shen had began to laugh as he was looking back at Luthane trying to catch up, but as he looked back round at the ever nearing Port, his pace quickly ground to a halt. Luthane had finally managed to catch Shen up and looked up at Shen strangely, something in the mood had drastically changed.

"Why did you stop? We were making ample time" Luthane asked.

"Something...Something's not quite right." Shen answered, for once pretty seriously.

"Specifics would be nice Shen, What's wrong?"

"The Port town wasn't as damaged as it seems now, despite the demon ripping roofs and everything else up...almost as if this is a mirage"

Shen felt tentative about moving on, but didn't want to come away empty handed, he wanted off the island but he also wanted the group together. His new found family.

"Must be me, let's keep going!" Shen tried to lighten his mood despite his reservation.

"Wait a second Shen...I think you were right, look at the entrance." Luthane spotted something and started to walk closer to get a better look.

"I..I was?"

"Yeah look, there's a rather strange aura near the entrance, looks like a weird glow.." Luthane wasn't clear but felt that something wasn't right either.

"What colour glow do you see?" Shen asked.

"I'm canine Shen, everything is either black, white or a shade of grey." Luthane seemed insulted, but more for the stupidity of the question than anything else.

"Well I see what you are saying about the aura and it's a strange glow...it's like a reddish...purple...Demons are there!" Shen quickly put two and two together. "Tatyana must be in there!"

"Now hold on Shen, we can't rush off unless we're sure."

"Screw waiting! What if something bad happens and we are too late because we waited?" Shen was driving a hard bargain, but Luthane saw it Shen's way.

"You're right, we'll go now, but we have to be careful we don't know what to expect, this hasn't happened before." Luthane gave Shen that look a parent gives to a child who has mischief written all over their face.

"Of course we'll be careful. Aren't we always?" Shen sarcastically replied, and was given another look, that clearly just said. "Really?".

"Ok, I will be cautious, but if things go pear shaped, as it always does, I'm going guns a blazing, deal!"

Luthane nodded.

"Well then let's get going" Shen looked at Luthane and with a few seconds of eye contact they both bolted towards the port entrance. A few moments of paced running was all that was needed on the downhill slope before they were at the damaged side of the Port town.

"Do you feel that vibration?"

"Yeah it's not a nice feeling on my paws."

"Shall I scout on ahead?" Shen asked in a low tone.

"Just be bloody careful and any sign of danger get out" Luthane knew the third degree was never gonna sink into Shen but felt easier knowing he had given it anyway.

Within a blink of an eye Shen was already on top of the wall looking over, his eyes widened instantly as he looked around to see nothing short of a small army of Demons marching around the area, the purple haze seemingly used to deter their appearance. Stranger still there wasn't a single human in sight all houses were boarded up, the pathways were clear, and the water in the cracked fountain at the back was pouring a blood red substance.

"Luthane...We have a serious issue here. This is no longer a town of people..." Shen called out as he dropped back down to where Luthane sat.

"What do you mean?"

"Well...the only inhabitants are demons...So its fight or die in there"

"No sign of Tatyana?" Luthane asked in hope.

"Couldn't see anything, but it's not to say she isn't there. I mean something feels familiar but I can't quite pin it down..."

"You know something Shen, you're right...again... We have seen this aura before." Luthane quickly acknowledged his remembering of it.

"I thought so too!...But where from?"

"Remember when we all had a nightmare at the same time last night?"

Shen eyes lit up, "Yes. We were all practically paralysed from it, and we were all covered in Purple!"

"So that means..." Luthane began

"Tatyana is here!" Shen shouted out, before quickly covering his mouth in fear he may have alerted the demons on the other side.

"Exactly...so what do we do about it? Stealthy is out of the question and fighting will only lead to death." Luthane pondered for a moment

"Maybe the aura is only a nightmare, so we can break it?" Shen said.

"Y'know something boy you got your thinking cap on today, it sounds so crazy it may work!" replied Luthane pretty impressed with Shen's thought.

"But how do we wake up from a nightmare if we are already awake?" Shen asked.

"Now that IS a question and a half...hmmm" Luthane pondered once more.

"Wasn't there a saying...something about the mind sleeping?"

"What bed time stories were you read as a child?" Luthane asked worryingly.

"It wasn't a story it was a saying...But I can't think of it...Dammit!" Shen kicked the wall in anger of his forgetfulness.

"Don't worry about it Shen maybe we should wait it out until you remember it, then go from there..." Luthane tried to ease Shen's troubled mind.

"We are wasting valuable time who knows what those bastards are doing to Tatyana."

"You haven't been this adamant about helping for a while let alone saying Tatyana 's name quite forcefully..."

"I have not! I'm just concerned that's all..." Shen blushed a little.

"Oh, please please please don't tell me you have a crush on her." Luthane looked at Shen with a sense of fear. If any truth is in Shen about Tatyana then he knows that him and Striker will be so much more difficult to contain.

"What? No! I...err...Oh for crying out loud she is attractive yes, but she wouldn't want anything to do with me. Happy?" Shen seemed a little upset and dejected much to Luthane's relief.

"Not so much happy for me but happy for you."

"Seriously? And why is that!" Shen shouted back.

"Well firstly keep your voice down, we are still unseen here remember and secondly it's a long story." Luthane answered assertively.

"Hmph you're hiding something from me wolf."

"...and that's how it shall stay until the right time arises." Luthane responded immediately.

"You're a sly bastard sometimes...you know that." Shen was clearly unimpressed.

While the two traded rather fiery eye contact a large shadow clouded over the two.

"And I wouldn't want him any other way Shen!"

"What took you so long Stri..." Shen turned round and saw Striker and Torik stood there with the Lavoleen refugees.

"Nice army you have there Striker." Luthane said.

"Good to see you too old friend." Striker Smiled.

"Who brought the giants?" Shen asked nervously.

"This is my hometown, and we are here to bring Aerol together." Torik spoke.

"Well good luck with that, did you not notice the aura surrounding the place?" Luthane asked.

"Aura? We just walked for half a day to get here and find you too bickering like children." Striker answered confused by what he meant by aura.

"We saw nothing either.." Torik answered also a little curious by what was meant.

"Look I'm lost by firstly the darkness you lanky bastards bring. And secondly I'm TRYING to remember an old wives tale here!" Shen looked at everyone with a small vein emerging from the side of his face.

"Wow, don't see the heavy thinking face that often Shen...You haven't wet yourself or anything coz I'll be damned if your borrowing my clothes." Striker joked.

"He's serious Striker. He's trying to remember something about waking from a nightmare..."

"What's the difficulty you open your eyes." Torik answered.

"But how do you, if you're already awake! That's what I'm trying to remember!" Shen snapped.

Tanrok stepped out from the group of villagers and knelt to Shen.

"What do you want?" Shen asked abruptly.

"I want you to remove all doubts in your head and clear your mind." Tanrok advised.

"How do you expect me to do that?"

"Relax...then slowly count back recollections from your past. It'll soon become apparent what it is you seek."

"Well if everyone shuts up I'll try ok!" Shen was very high strung by this point, his blood was boiling and he felt under pressure to succeed in remembering.

"I'll whisper what's wrong and when he gets it we'll move on" Luthane spoke softly, as they all moved back giving Shen space and some light.

Shen sat down against the wall and folded his arms on his knees and buried his head onto his arms. Some quiet mumbles echoed from his position but nothing of importance. His head shook violently from side to side his fists clenching tighter and tighter, until he threw his head back and thumped the ground with both his fists.

"I got it!" Shen blurted out.

"Hooray! Took you're bloody time." Striker shouted.

"Keep quiet, we don't wanna alert the demons" Luthane snarled back.

Torik quickly turned to calm the villagers down, and explained to Tanrok of everything that has happened up until now, just so he didn't feel like Torik was leading the rest of them to their deaths.

"What? So you're telling me there is an aura that is full of demons and we are standing here playing story time!"

"Look we didn't want to jump into anything in case Tatyana is in there. We can't risk her life at the expense of demons heads." Shen spoke back.

"And what's with you Striker, since Tatyana has gone you've been a right heartless bastard."

"Because it's our friend that's in danger. I mean for crying out loud she's been with us since the start! I'm not doing this argument with you again Luthane, not now!" Striker responded growing ever more aggravated.

"Striker...Look up above the wall..." Torik spoke calmly.

"At what exactly?" Striker proceeded to lift his head upward and suddenly it was apparent.

"Aura..." Torik said so intrigued, yet also reserved knowing nothing good comes from the words aura and demons.

"Hmph so this bubble is stopping us from being reunited with Tatyana."

"Not anymore I remember what to do now" Shen sprung up with a beaming smile on his face.

"Good, what do we have to do?" Luthane asked impatiently.

"We may be awake with our bodies, but we do drift away with our minds." Shen said.

"A Daydream?" Torik asked.

"Exactly! This aura was our nightmare, a nightmare, a dream and even daydreams are all the same except for one thing!" Shen continued.

"Ok...now you've lost me" Striker replied.

"A daydream can happen when we are awake, so we make the nightmare and daydream and we should remove the aura that caused paralysis on us!"

"It might just work. But how do we make the nightmare a daydream. Do we have to sleep?" Luthane questioned.

"It happened to me when the bearded guy said to cast my mind back, the first thing that came to mind was the nightmare, and my body was stiff as a board."

"So you broke free of the nightmare?"

"In a nutshell yessir I did" The smile beamed on Shen's face was as wide as a Cheshire cat.

"So you were taught this?" Tanrok asked.

"Not at all after breaking the nightmare I had images of my master and my grandfather come to me, with everything I was taught. Combat, Mental readiness and that's when it clicked."

"So the saying was?" Striker asked rather bluntly.

"Nightmares are doubts casted by your fear, to conquer the fear doubt the nightmare."

"So simple...yet so brilliant!" Torik spoke with an impressed tone toward Shen.

"So let me get this straight, we daydream of the nightmare that 'froze' us when Tatyana went missing, and we turn it into something it isn't in order to break it...That's complete absurdity!" Striker was so confused that he couldn't even adjust his mind to the idea of it.

"Look we haven't got much of a choice. Torik can you lead everyone to safety just in case this goes either wrong or gets a bit hectic" Luthane asked kindly and Torik did so without hesitation.

"Look Striker, it's not difficult you remember the nightmare from last night, well turn it into a game, and find the flaws break the illusion."

"You better hope this works otherwise I'm gonna smack you upside your head until your chin is sitting next to your earlobe."

"The only thing is weren't we all inside the port in our nightmare?" Luthane asked.

" I was floating above it" Shen replied.

"I was on the wall looking into the town" Torik said.

"I was stuck outside unable to move..." Striker said with a shudder.

"And I was next to Striker..." Luthane added.

"Ok I have an idea, this is gonna sound crazy but..."

Striker interrupted Shen. "More so than doubting a nightmare?"

"Shut up Striker. This is about Tatyana not your anti humorous remarks."

"Ignore him Shen, please continue Spoke Torik who had rejoined the conversation, from helping the refugees.

"What if we assumed the same positions as our nightmares and broke them would it break everything here?"

"Worth a go but how will you get back into the air?" Striker asked.

"I have my ways" Shen winked.

"Why do I even bother asking...Fine! Let's do this!" Striker called out.

"Right guys get into position and think of the nightmare...I'll call out as loud as I can and when you hear my voice break the illusion!" Shen commanded.

Everyone walked into position, Luthane and Striker were more cautious as they were going to be looking straight into the lion's den. Torik clambered onto the already broken wall, surprised he hadn't alerted anyone with his colossal size. Shen was standing next to Torik his hands linked together and his head bowing down in thought.

"NOW!" She shouted as he disappeared from sight.

Everyone shut their eyes simultaneously, the stress on their faces apparent as they tried to remember the pain of the nightmare. Shen reappeared above the Port his eyes still shut and his hands interlocked tightly.

Suddenly Luthane's eyes opened he quickly took a look around to see everyone else still in thought and struggling to break the nightmares grip.

Luthane noticed a crack in the domed aura in front of him, and he realised that Shen's idea had actually worked.

"Guys! Breaking the nightmare breaks the aura! We can get Tatyana safe!" Luthane encouraged.

Torik was next to open his eyes sweat dripped from his brow and he threw his fist to the ground and the aura in front of him shattered. He was stunned, but quickly remembered Shen's words and looked up at him, who was still lying dormant floating over the dome.

"C'mon Striker, you can do this!" Luthane called out to Striker who was fighting so hard in his mind, the hands gripped around his swords and his face tightened.

"Let it go Striker! Remove the fear!" Torik called out.

In a single movement Striker's eyes opened and he let out a wild scream of rage as he swung his swords at the aura breaking it apart no his side.

Luthane and Torik sighed in relief that Striker was able to break his nightmare, but Shen was still above the rest of the aura which was slowly falling apart.

"Are you ok Striker?" Luthane asked,

Striker tried to calm down and reheated his swords. A couple of deep breaths and he responded, "I'm fine, I'm more glad it actually worked."

"Not quite!" Torik pointed upwards towards Shen who hadn't moved since he shouted and reappeared there.

"He must know what he's doing!"

Suddenly Shen's body turned upside down, and began rotating on the spot.

"Is this...normal?" Striker asked.

"I've never seen this before, but be ready for the worst, the aura is slowly breaking and we don't know what to expect afterwards!" Luthane responded.

Shen's body began to spin faster and faster until it ground to a halt. His eyes opened and in a split second he shot down through the middle of the aura crashing through it like a hot knife through butter. The aura instantly shattered like a window pane, the red and purple evaporated into nothingness. Striker, Luthane and Torik instantly rushed towards Shen who was laying flat on his back in the middle of the town. The Colour was slowly returning to the town as were it inhabitants, who all looked around looking like they didn't know where they were.

"Shen, You alright there?" Luthane asked.

Shen just laughed.

"Yeah he's fine but there's no sign of Tatyana!" Striker scalded.

"Well your theory worked, you must be pleased with that" Torik said as he lifted Shen off the ground and back to his feet.

Shen dusted himself down and looked up at Torik just grinned and put an emphatic thumbs up to him.

"Where's Tatyana!" Striker was getting angrier by the second all that effort was for nothing it seemed.

"Calm down Striker! We'll find her!" Luthane called out.

"I think he hates not being centre of attention hehe" Shen smugly said.

"I couldn't care less about you or your pathetic ninja pirouettes. I care about Tatyana, and her safety!" Striker hissed back.

"SHOW YOURSELF DEMONS AND BRING HER BACK!"

Suddenly everyone was back to normal, or so it seemed. Everyone had stopped moving. Even Luthane and the two others.

Striker readied his swords.

"Show yourself cowards!"

His anger was met with giggles echoing around his head.

"I'm no longer playing games! Bring Tatyana back you pathetic bastards!"

"The little boy with the big sword wants to play Razanka!"

"Oh bless his cotton socks, I think we'd scare him if he saw us Razorna!"

Striker cut his swords against one another, letting of sparks as the blade grind against one another.

"Let's play! I kill you both Tatyana comes with me. I concede you take me with her!"

"Ooh a two for one offer little brat! You think you deserve that luxury to give us conditions?"

"He's a little bitch, why do we need him!"

"Face me and find out!" Striker wasn't backing down.

The demons appeared slowly in front of him. They were both looking menacingly at Striker, one licking its lips the other rubbing their hands together.

"Let's play Lover boy!" Razanka called out.

"Lover boy?" Striker was momentarily confused.

Razorna manipulated itself into Tatyana in her royal attire "I can't love you!" followed by intensely giggling from both demons.

"You Bastard shits! I'll cut you down where you stand!" Striker's eyes flooded with blood red rage, his teeth were on show he was in a primal position his blades held with the blades pointing behind Striker's body.

The demons had finally stopped giggling, and looked at each other with devilish smiles.

"Ok Lover boy! We will play! And then we will take your soul!" Razanka shouted out.

"This is gonna be great fun!" Shouted Razorna "...and to think he will die cold and alone, just like he should have in the blizzard haha."

The demons scraped their nails against either other making a large piercing noise like chalk on a blackboard. Striker, was only intent on one thing and that was spilling blood, he had no one to calm him, no one to give him advice, it wasn't just a fight against two demons but also his own rage...and he already losing...

Chapter 43

Striker was through talking and without a second thought rushed towards the demon twins, he crossed the swords against his chest, his gaze fixated on his target. With a savage roar he released his blades with a heavy slash across but he missed his target, the demons had already moved location leaving a waved mirage of themselves as Striker's cut through the false image like a sheet of paper. He growled deeply, there was no letting up with his rage, it seemed the miss had enraged him further.

The two demons appeared either side him, and laughed like a pack of hyenas. Striker adjusted his stance so he had a blade pointing at each of them, his legs spread apart as he stood sideways on, his head was dead still but his eyes were constantly looking at the demons.

"Now it's our turn!" Razanka called out.

The sky darkened and eventually, all of Striker's surroundings were engulfed in pitch black, not even an outline of a building or his own body could be seen. He had lost all of his bearings as he kept looking around in circles, or at least he thought he was.

In an instant Striker was brought down to one knee as he felt something sharp rip across the back of his calf and he tried to let out a scream but his voice was muted by the darkness.

As he tried to regain a standing position he felt a presence directly behind him, breathing down his neck, He spun round a raised his swords above his head ready to slash down, but he had to stop himself from applying the force downward, as standing before him was Tatyana. Her head was buried downward, seemingly lifeless, as her body didn't move an inch.

Striker's arms fell to his side as he realised how close he was to killing her. A teardrop fell from his eye and he went to lean his head against her shoulder, only for her to start falling away into the darkness.

Striker was almost inconsolable as he collapsed to his knees, having seen her right there and in an instant being taken away from him without a word able to be heard, his had lost his anger and it was replace with doubt, and sorrow, but before he could even try and reassure himself he found himself falling through the darkness, the swords in his hands being removed from sight, just like Tatyana.

And small spotlight shone brightly down on him and he tried to look away from the source of light. Instead he looked at his fists, blood slowly trickling from them, he knew he hadn't cut himself, but he felt no pain as he balled his hands up into fists.

He pushed himself up slowly but surely to his feet, a slight limp as he tried to apply pressure to his deeply cut calf. He raised his head upwards a opened his eyes to the light beaming down where he stood. He slowly closed his eyes again, a small grin crept onto the side of his mouth. Something was on his mind that made him happy if only for a second.

"I'm ready" He said out loud to himself.

As he re-opened his eyes once more he found himself in front of a large mirror, the image of himself stood before him, but not as he stood, instead it was grinning wickedly with swords in its hands. The mirror image spun the swords round in its hands and began to put the sword against its chest. Striker kept looking at the mirror wondering what it was trying to show him, but it was only a brief moment as the mirror Striker plunged the sword given to him by Torik into its chest, and Striker fell to the ground in agony, the blade had left its mark on him as he gripped his chest tightly blood seeping through his fingers grip.

Striker shook as he looked back at the mirror, the Striker used his other sword and crashed it into the shoulder blade into the same side but above where the other blade was sticking through.

Striker's other hand crossed over his shoulder as he felt his bone snap from the impact on his own shoulder. He screamed out again, this time heard through the light in a heavy bass toned echo. The tears were streaming from his face as he writhed in agony.

"Make the pain stop!" Striker called out.

A voice just echoed through with laughter. "Giving up so soon Lover boy?"

"Make the pain of Tatyana's absence stop!" Striker shouted as he summoned all the strength he had to get himself back to a vertical base.

"You stubborn Shit! We'll make you suffer!" The voice hissed back.

Striker looked deep into the mirror and realised it was imitating him as it should, suddenly the thoughts of the nightmare he removed popped back into his head, but only the removal of it not the torture for once. Striker laughed to himself and the mirror again copied.

"Are you laughing! I would too if I knew I was gonna die!" The voice cackled.

Striker removed his hands from his injuries. Still laughing, he pretended to remove the blades from the injuries, firstly pulling a blade from his chest and placing his gripped hand to his side, then he proceeded to pretend the removal the blade that hit his shoulder and he gripped that tightly and placed it to his side. The mirror's image changed to a confused looking Striker, before it's eyes widened.

The word no echoed throughout as Striker pretended to lunge his blades into the skull of the mirror image of himself. The glad shattered around him and before him screaming in pain was a demon the blades of Striker's deeply pierced into its skull, blood pouring over the blades and the hilt of both weapons as the demons eyes slowly began to close with the life dwindling from its body like a candle's flame in a windy hall.

Striker removed the blade and as the body fell to the ground Striker pierced his swords into o the dying demon's neck before pulling them sideways apart, removing the head from its body like a an ejected pilots seat from a fighter jet.

The body dropped to the ground, blood filling the floor around Striker's feet, the head then hit the ground with a small bounce and then a thud before rolling to its side, releasing more blood the eyes glazed over and the mouth frozen wide open, as its final breath was taken.

"SISTER NOO! Called out the voice once more.

"To conquer my fears, I doubt your nightmares!" Striker called out, and with the spoken words the darkness began to crease and bend out of shape, cracks of light appearing all over the blackness, and Striker knew now was his chance.

"I doubt you have Tatyana in your possession! I doubt you haunt my dreams! I doubt you have any control over my thoughts and my fears! You're existence is a mere Futility!"

A high pitched scream sounded out and the darkness immediately broken apart falling to the ground like broken pieces of classic vinyl discs.

The light was blinding but Striker didn't let it phase him, He had a sinister grin on his face, and also a slight feeling of thankfulness towards Shen and his old wives tale.

The Demon stood before Striker huffing and puffing, his eyes burning bright, his fangs baring and his claws growing on his fingernails with every passing second until they looked like small knives on his tips.

Striker readied his weapons once more, he felt the end was in sight for the other twin.

"Let me guess, how dare you do that to her blah blah blah we are the whatever number of the legions of yawnville!" Striker's cockiness was back with a vengeance and it only incited the demon further.

"You Bastard, Ill cut you down where you stand!"

"Do your worst!" Striker called back.

The demon vanished and replaced himself with a copy of everyone Striker knew, Tatyana was stood there awake looking right at him, and Luthane sat obediently yet blankly at Striker also.

"Oh for Crying out loud! Another pissing riddle!" Striker's cockiness quickly turned to frustration, his pain barrier was becoming nonexistent as the blood was slowly beginning to clot around his wounds and cease the bleeding.

Torik was next to appear, he seemed angry and his hammer was in his grasp, and Shen finally materialised, he was stood there with a strange look, not quite hatred but definitely unhappy.

Striker was uneasy seeing his friends before him, but wasn't taking anything for granted, so he stood there waiting patiently.

"You may be able to break darkness! But I will break your resolve! I Razanka, the legionnaire of havoc number seven with end you where you stand!"

"That gets so old, so damn quickly! But if you are seven I'm guessing your DEAD sister was number six!" Striker shouted back

"You damn right she was, and I'll do this for Razorna! You bastard!" Razanka snarled back in an echo.

"Pfft! what chance has someone ranked lower than her gonna beat me!" Striker was feeling rather spiteful verbally and knew he was winning the psychological battle for the first time.

"Like this!" Called out the voice.

Before Striker could find the location of the voice he was clattered into by Torik, which completely knocked the wind out of Striker's sails.

"Torik! What are you doing!" Striker shouted back, trying to get his breath back.

Torik didn't answer he just went in for another assault on Striker, but this time he was ready for it, he rolled out the way of Torik's hammer which slammed into the ground and he crawled back to his feet, re-adjusting himself and then he went after Torik who was trying to pull his hammer from out of the ground.

Striker never gave him a chance as he lunged at Torik thrusting his bloodied blades into the side of Torik.

"If you were really Torik, you would never has struck me without reason!"

Torik just looked at Striker, before his body began to vanish from sight.

"This is all you have demon! Forcing my own friends against me? You will fail!"

The demon reappeared, clutching its rib cage it seemed the puncture wounds Striker inflicted on Torik was actually Razanka.

"Oh this is rich! You are pretending to be them, you're controlling the people I know more of thank you! HA, you are more feeble than I thought!" Striker realised that no matter what was thrown at him now it was gonna be met with his blades.

"This isn't over!" The demon spat blood at the ground, Luthane and Shen's image vanished leaving just Tatyana stood there unphased, staring deeply at Striker.

"Hmph I knew you would do this to me!"

Striker ran towards Tatyana his swords were ready to slash down once again, this time he wasn't gonna stop. He pulled his swords back like he was readying to swing them like he was playing baseball.

He screamed out and he was just about to release when he realised that the image of Tatyana had a tear in its eye. It was no longer the demon in control, it was actually her! He had to quickly adjust himself and as he swung forward with the swords the let them go so they were flung into the air and away from Tatyana's harm, his arms swung open and he grabbed onto Tatyana for reassurance and also to stop his momentum from pushing him through her.

He looked at her with such joy and wiped the tear from her eye, before whispering in her ear..."Nightmares are doubts casted by your fear, to conquer the fear doubt the nightmare...You can thank Shen later..." There was still no movement from Tatyana, she still seemed completely zoned out and her body just frozen there, suspended in a single moment in time.

Striker stepped back from Tatyana and turned on his heels back round, and saw the demon running towards him, he quickly realised he was unarmed, so he ran towards the demon, like it was a game of chicken between the two of them. Striker picked up pace and the demon screeched in anger his claws were pushed in front of him as he ran at Striker the knife like nails aiming straight at Striker's chest.

Striker reacted the quickest he quickly dropped himself to his knees sliding under the demon's claws but he manoeuvred his arms to grab hold of the wrist of one of Razanka's claw ridden hands.

He then jumped to his feet and used his momentum to push himself into the air, lifting Razanka of the ground. But his own hand, Striker pulled the demon's arm around and snapped it round so it's own claws were facing itself, the bone of its arm sticking through the elbow as it was broken in half by the strength of Striker.

Striker tucked himself into a ball resting his feet onto the midriff of Razanka who was screaming out at the fact of his elbow being ripped out of its socket, no realising Striker has him right where he wanted him.

The demon screeched "You'll pay for this!"

Striker just grinned as he forced his body into Razanka pushing his weight onto the demon and forcing them into the ground the arm of Razanka being driven into his own heart, piercing all his organs all the way through his body and plunged into the ground like a grave stone.

Striker's face was covered in blood from the impact against the demons heart as it pumped all remaining blood outwards in a spraying motion. Razanka's body lay still, impaled by his own body part, and Striker knelt next to it his hands applying pressure to the top of his broken arm still just in case there was any chance he was still alive.

"...Striker?"

The voice flowed through Striker like a warm summer breeze, a much longed for voice he had missed, despite it only being a day's absence, he got off the corpses 'gravestone' and proceeded to wipe the blood from his face using the cuffs of his sleeve. He looked up after a few wipe and there she was...holding his two swords like a servant offers a gift to their king or queen on her open hands.

Striker didn't care about the weapons, only the fact that Tatyana was standing right there in the flesh and he just pulled her toward him in an emphatic embrace.

"I'm so glad you are back!" Striker said just so glad she was ok.

The swords clattered to the ground and Tatyana wrapped her arms around him a small tear rolled down her cheek.

"I've been through hell without you!" She cried.

"...I want to hear all about it, but we need to...wait a second..." Striker interrupted himself because he realise he was back in Port Aerol, he could hear the hustle and bustle of the crowd, he looked over his shoulder and the guys were standing there like they've been there all along.

"Welcome back!" Luthane howled as he ran to the two mid embrace.

The other two laughed and joined everyone in the centre of town, it ended up being a group hug more than a personal and affectionate cuddle, but Tatyana didn't mind she was just glad to see everyone. She even gave a quick peck on Shen's cheek right out of the blue.

Shen immediately blushed "What was that for?"

"Striker gave me your advice about nightmares...so that's my thank you" Tatyana smiled.

"What's the matter Shen? Never been kissed by a girl before!" Striker joked.

"Actually...no" Shen answered genuinely.

"Village laws?" Torik asked.

"...exactly" Shen responded.

"Well before we do anything more I have two things to say!" Tatyana called out.

The guys looked straight at Tatyana like a pack of obedient dogs awaiting their master's orders.

"Firstly Rest! Being stuck like that is draining!"

"Here here!" They all responded

"Secondly, eat!"

"Second it!" Shen answered.

"Third!" Luthane called.

"Comrades..." Torik said.

"Normally it's fourth but ok whatever floats your boat." Shen replied.

Torik walked up towards the boatyard at the back, Striker quickly followed behind followed by the others.

"Has it really turned up Torik?" Striker asked.

"Has what turned up might I ask?" Luthane's curiosity was piqued.

"You'll see" Torik Replied.

They reached the boatyard, Tatyana was complaining already that she hasn't been able to sit down since she got back, but it suddenly stopped when she looked up at what was in front of them, tied down and ready to board...

"Still just as magnificent as I remembered" Torik said with a twinkle in his eye.

"She's amazing" Striker added.

"All this for a boat?" Shen said.

"But Shen, don't you see? You can get off this island like you wanted...you know that fresh start you crave so badly" Luthane was seeing the bigger picture than just the ship beside him.

"But how was it docked here, none of us were here to claim it as their own?" Tatyana quizzed, looking at Torik.

"That would be us!" Another familiar voice called out.

"Tanrok!" Torik shouted. He embraced his brother with a short manly hug.

"Where's the villagers?" Striker asked.

"They are all working hard, and are helping out, since we managed to barter a truce with the Mayor of Aerol." Tanrok responded.

Tatyana was completely confused, but equally had so many questions.

"Have I been missing a year or something?" Tatyana asked worryingly.

"Thank you brother" Torik said to Tanrok "She will be of much use to us"

Tanrok just nodded with a smile.

Striker chuckled to himself before turning to Tatyana. "We'll fill you in on the last Day and a bits events, while we eat."

Tatyana's stomach let out a small rumble, followed by everyone's laughter at her expense.

"That's extremely rude of you all! I've been back five minutes and already I'm your joke! Hmph!" Tatyana stormed off the half rebuilt tavern that they spent a previous night in, looking up at the builders trying to repair the damages.

"So we are planning on leaving this island for good tomorrow Torik?" Striker questioned.

"If it is your wishes, then yes, I sense bigger things on the horizon than this small place." Torik replied.

"I think we may find what we have been looking for, friend."

"Then tomorrow Striker, she will be ready when you awaken, we will find these demons..."

"...And crush every single one of them" said Shen who couldn't help but butt into the conversation.

Striker nodded in agreement.

"Shall we make sure we are well fed and rested first, before we don't see tomorrow?" questioned Luthane.

"Yeah Tatyana will tear our heads off haha" Shen chuckled.

"Yeah we best get her caught up on everything" Torik said.

"I'm just glad it the five of us again...Stronger than ever!" Striker shouted.

"Right!" They all replied, as they made their way back to the tavern for the night...

...Tomorrow was going to be something only Torik had experienced in the past, The Ocean...in all its glory. For now, they feast, and toast to the return of their friendship, and prepare for whatever awaits for them on the new lands ahead...

Chapter 44

The morning sun rose brightly into the sky as Striker and Luthane were eagerly awaiting to board Torik's ship. Shen wasn't feeling too good as he had eaten way too much the previous night, grabbing his stomach and trying to stop it from making horrible rumbling and gurgling noises. Tatyana was leaning out the window taking in the cool sea air blowing through the town.

"Do we have everything?" Luthane asked everyone.

"Well after remembering to grab my swords from the ground last night, I certainly hope so" Striker laughed to himself.

"Minus this stomach ache all good to..." He stopped to grab a few deep breaths. "Go..."

"I've got all I need" Tatyana called out in an echo from the window.

"What about you Luthane?" Striker asked sarcastically.

Luthane just rolled his eyes, "No, I have to go get my other paws just in case I fancy a change."

A giggle came from by the window, "Score one for Luthane!"

"Alright, so I didn't wanna leave him out, is it a sin?" Striker said.

"It wasn't but you know you didn't have to." Luthane replied.

"Alright alright enough of this casual bonding..." Spoke Shen, "Let's get this over and done with..." Shen smiled as he left the room.

Luthane cut an evil look at Shen as he knew full well the intent behind his words. Tatyana moved back from the window made her way outside, Striker and Luthane were left and Luthane thought this was as good a time than any to have a quick word.

"Hey, Striker..Do you have a second?"

"Sure what's up?"

"Well, remember the story I told you all about me and my wife and kid etcetera etcetera..."

"Kinda, why did you miss something because I can quite easily get the others back for you to say something..."

"No no, no need for that...Just wanted you to give it some thought, because it had some information that I thought you needed to know." Luthane left it at that, and made his way outside, it felt like the right time, but there wasn't enough of it...

Striker pondered for a moment trying to recall the story in his head, lost in thought he haplessly made his way to the port to meet up with the others.

A few moments later Striker's concentration was broken by a loud booming voice. "GET OFF MY SHIP!"

Striker ignored his thoughts and hurriedly made his way to the voice he knew all too well.

"I won't ask you again...GET...OFF!"

"Har har har, No one was here when I got aboard so I have commandeered this vessel as my own!"

"Then I'll tear you from it with my bare hands! A piece at a time if I have to!"

"Torik, Stop!" Tatyana called out.

Striker had made it just in time, he had a raggedy man in a long coat and an eye patch up by the scuff of his neck on his ship ready to drop him over the edge.

"For god's sake Torik!" Luthane snapped.

"Drop him and lets..." Shen had to stop again to belch and take a few more deep breaths. He clearly had eyes bigger than his stomach last night and he's paying for it now.

"Torik!" Striker shouted.

"He's claiming MY ship as his own, he either dies or I sink the ship!" Torik roared back.

"Let the man go for crying out loud, he looks like the town drunk!" Tatyana tried to reason with Torik.

"I'm not drunk and this is my ship now! Get off or I'll call for the guards!" The man threatened.

"Fine NO MORE!" Torik let the man go and he just about managed to hang onto the edge of the side of the ship, Torik however walked over to where he had rested his hammer, and in one movement he picked it up and threw it into the ship, blasting a hole straight through.

"What have you done!" The man cried out as he tried to climb back aboard.

"If it's not mine, it's nobody's!" Torik selfishly shouted back as he jumped through the hole in the ship to grab his hammer. He took a few more swings and damaged more and more with each impact.

"Great! Just what we wanted! How are we supposed to frickin' set sail now smart ass! Shen shouted at Torik.

Torik burst through the front of the ship hammer first and casually walked away from the ship that was sinking pretty quickly.

The raggedy old man stood on the ship with it sinking screaming "A Captain never leaves his ship!"

Torik just growled as he watched the old man disappear underwater with the rest of the wreckage of his once vessel of the seas.

"Well nice going Torik! How do we plan on getting onto the seas now you complete idiot!" Tatyana just walked off in a huff before she said anything she might regret.

Shen was too busy leaning over the pier throwing up last night's meal, and Luthane said nothing, he just looked at Torik with disappointment and followed after Tatyana.

"I hope you're happy Torik" Striker just looked up at Torik and shook his head, as he began to walk away he turned his head and added "This could've been our chance to escape the demons, and start a fresh...But you blew it."

Striker walked off looking a bit disgruntled, Torik just looked at the ground hoping the right words or actions would come and save him, but there was nothing.

"...What have I done?"

Shen got up to his feet and wiped his mouth. "Well, for one you may have just lost three friends, and a ship, but on the Brightside you still have your blacksmith.

"Three? Were we not friends?" Torik seemed very fragile so was hoping it was a miscalculation.

"Yeah were acquaintances, but I didn't know enough of you to warrant friendship...Sorry that's not what you wanted to hear." Shen patted Torik on the shoulder in an attempt a console Torik, but felt he shouldn't stay any longer than necessary.

"If you think of a way to mend their broken hearts, give me a shout and I'll let you know if it's a good idea of a bad one" Shen winked with a slight smile at Torik before walking to the end of the jetty and jumping onto one of the damaged rooftops in town.

Torik took a seat on the edge of the pier for the rest of the day just lost in thought of how he could rectify the mess he caused, He knew he hadn't made anything from wood in years and his metalwork wouldn't be any good in the water, for rust and weight reasons.

The sun was beginning to set and there still was nothing coming to Torik's mind only the words of the friends he had let down replaying over and over in his head.

"You seem troubled my dear, is everything ok?" A creepy voice spoke from behind Torik.

"Fine, thank you" Torik replied, he didn't feel the need to acknowledge whoever it was.

"Well, if you were interested to know, I have a way to bring your friends back."

Torik head rose and he climbed to his feet and turned round to see an elderly woman covered in old clothes and a hood over her head, hunched over and using a walking stick to help keep her upright.

"You? You can help me?" Torik asked.

"If you need help, I can help you my dear." The old lady spoke.

"But how can you? You don't know anything about me or my friends..." Torik questioned.

"A little bird told me" She replied.

"Shen?"

"Who?"

"Never mind...I would very much like to accept your help, Mrs..."

"My name is not important my pretty, I'm just an old lady looking to help a lost soul find its way" She grinned, revealing a mixture of grey and yellow teeth, saliva dripping between the gaps and along her pink gum line. "I warn you this may take some time, but by morning you will have your friends. If you trust me?"

"I don't have much choice lady, so I'll take my chances." Torik felt helpless to the situation but he didn't want to leave them stuck here forever in case anything worse happened.

"good, well my home is just out of town, So follow me" The old lady said as he slowly poodled along, taking small steps with her walking stick, Torik felt it would be easier to carry the woman, so he picked her up and carried her on his shoulder.

"Lead the way, madam" Torik said.

She pointed with her stick, and Torik like a human compass followed wherever the stick's direction took him.

They soon found themselves on the outskirts of town, there was a small campfire dwindling inside a little cave naturally made by wearing of the ocean beating against the rock face, an age ago.

"We go in here m'dear." The lady spoke.

Torik proceeded to set her down gently onto the ground, awaiting her to regain her balance with her walking stick before going into the cave, Torik slowly climbing in after her.

There was nothing much inside the cave except a small bed in the corner made of old linen and straw, and a rock formed into a seat of some sort. And a pot hanging over a fire.

"You live here?" Torik asked.

"But of course"

"Oh, don't you worry that it's not safe or very well put together for someone as frail as yourself?" Torik asked, trying not to sound rude...and failing.

"Well you are only as young as you feel, and I feel a lot younger than you think. But enough chit chat, let's get to work."

"I have all the necessary ingredients to make anything you're heart desires"

"Ingredients?" Torik asked, slightly concerned.

"But of course, I will make anything you want, so is it friendship you want? A...destination perhaps? Wealth, fame, fortune? I can make it all come true." The lady sounded like a salesman pitching their best buys.

Torik didn't know how far this was going to go but he knew that he wanted to find a way to take him and his comrades to the other island...whether they were happy with him afterwards or not afterwards will be left to fate.

"I want to leave this island for across the seas, but I want to take my friends with me. They have helped me and it's what I said I would do in return. So..." Torik began to think about them a bit before making sure what he was doing was the right thing.

"Yeah, I want me and my friends to be taken to a new land, preferably still on this earth, I don't want you pulling any tricks on me." Torik continued.

"Rest assured my dear, I do not trick, what you ask for you shall receive as long as I get something of equal value in return."

"Such as?" Torik questioned.

"For every action there is an alternate reaction. So If I send you to the Southern peninsula, with your friends, I expect two things in return..." The old lady said her grin reappearing.

"...and what do you want in return?" Torik was worried but also intrigued.

"Let's see now..." The woman scampered over to a small chest in the corner filled to the brim with lots of vials filled in many varieties of colours.

"I have, ears, eyes limbs, but I don't have blood!"

"You...You want my blood?" Torik was taken bit a little by the old lady's sudden change in attitude.

"Well my dear, if you want to be there I am going to want sufficient amount of blood so I don't leave empty handed. I'll give you your wish, you have my word."

"This is witchcraft!" Torik shouted out.

"This is what you wanted. How else will I be able to make it happen, I'm not your fairy godmother dear, but I am well versed in as you so amply put it, witchcraft" she cackled a little just to make her point.

"But two wrongs can't possibly make a right!"

"Who said this was wrong, you want something I can give you have something I want...Call it a trade if you will."

"This is gonna weigh so hard on my conscience, but I cannot see another way out of this...Fine hand me a blade and a glass..."

She proceeded to bring out a larger vial than the rest, and handed it to Torik with a jewel encrusted dagger with a golden handle.

"Fill this vial and you and your friends shall be where you wish."

Torik took the vial and looked deep inside it, but realised he wanted what was best, he wanted to help, and felt his own blood was more than enough to give to show his intentions of that friendship. He took the blade and slashed it deep across his right hand, he clenched his fist tight so the blood poured quicker into the vial, but it slowly stopped to drip, the vial was only full a third of the way.

He looked at the woman who was rubbing her hands together every time he wasn't adding or pouring different items and liquids into her cauldron.

Torik proceeded to cut his other hand and pour more blood through his clenched fist. There looked to be enough but the vial wasn't quite full.

"How many friends are going with you m'dear?" She cackled.

With a wince, he replied "...four."

"Good, here use this towel I don't want you leaving unnecessary blood on my floor and you had better fill that vial, or I will only promise your friends arrival."

Torik was thinking where he could cut just to gain the last little portion of blood needed to make the necessary trade. He began to prick the tips of his fingers with the dagger but not much more blood emanated from them.

"Slice the bottom of your foot, that'll give you what I need." She cackled again.

"After slowly drying the areas of his body where he had drawn blood from, he passed the blood filled vial to the witch. She dipped her little finger into his blood and tasted it on the tip of her tongue.

"Mmmm, perfect!" She shrieked as she poured a small amount of the blood into the cauldron.

"What are you doing!" Torik shouted.

"You're blood provides the catalyst, now if I were you I would go get your friends, I am just about ready." She shooed Torik outwards

Torik felt a little woozy from the loss of blood, but she mustered all is energy to get back to town.

Meanwhile...

"Torik! Where are you!" Tatyana called out.

"I wonder where he's gone?" Luthane questioned.

"He can't have gone far, and he can't be missed surely..." Shen said.

"Do you think we were a little harsh on him?" Striker asked.

"Yes and no" Luthane answered.

"Yes because we have left him on his own, without trying to make amends" Luthane added

"But no because he was a complete ass breaking our only mode of transport!" Tatyana huffed.

"But how do we find him, if he's not in town?" Striker asked.

"We look outside?" Shen said.

"We don't have much of a choice, but I doubt he's gone back to Lavoleen, there's nothing there now. So he must've gone the other way." Luthane using his incredible sense of direction to good use.

"So we head the other way? Who knows maybe we'll catch him walking around?" Striker said.

"Here's to hoping" Tatyana responded.

The four of them made their way out of game once again but went in the opposite direction as if heading back to the forest of Shen's dismissal.

Torik was slowly making his way back to town, he felt dizzy and strained, but he had to find the guys just in case the witch was lying.

Striker looked ran ahead, he felt Torik was close. Luthane zoned in on a cave in the distance, and saw a small flickering glow.

"Over there! A cave!" Luthane called out.

"Let's go" Shen shouted as he raced off, full of beans now he had finally removed all the 'excess food' from his stomach.

It wasn't long before they found Torik between the town and the cave, passed out on the ground. Striker and Shen tried their best to pick him up, but he wasn't light. They pull him up and wrapped his arms over their shoulders as they dragged him to the cave. The witch was waiting impatiently.

"What took you so long? I've been expecting you" The witch called out.

"Who the hell are you?" Striker shouted back pulling a sword from his sheath.

"I'm just a frail old lady who made a deal with your friend there" she replied pointing at the unconscious Torik.

"What did you do!" Shen asked this time.

"He wanted to send you to the southern peninsula, in exchange he gave his blood." She cackled.

"Cut your cackle witch!" Tatyana blurted out.

"But he's giving you a free ride to where you want? Is that not friendship enough?" The witch asked.

"He never had to trade blood for that. We would've found a way." Striker said trying to shake Torik awake.

"Well, Might I suggest you hold on tightly, as You are all about to be taken" She cackled intensely as smoke poured out of her cauldron, followed by a vortex that opened from within the smoke, pulling everything in sight through it, Striker and the others were trying to grab hold of anything they could to try to avoid being sucked into the swirling winds throwing themselves around their bodies. Torik's body was slowly being pulled through and without thinking Striker tried to grab hold of Torik's leg to stop him going through, only to be pulled through with him. Luthane Shen and Tatyana quickly followed in as they tried to grab the others.

With a crash of Lightning and a reverse force of wind they found themselves thrown out of the vortex, and heavily onto the ground. The wind still swirling intensely, Striker tried to find a way back in only to be thrown backwards, followed by the sword that was in his hand being thrown out of the vortex being thrown at him, clattering into his head via the handle.

Torik's body was last to be pushed out of the winds and as it hit the ground, a mumble of "ouch" was heard.

"Torik!" called out Striker.

"Tatyana quick find some large leaves, Shen go with her! We need to tend to his cuts!" Luthane barked.

"On it!" Shen shouted as he rushed of dragging Tatyana with him so quickly she lost her footing in attempting to keep up.

"Striker you know what to do" Luthane suddenly becoming head doctor of the situation.

"Pressure on open wounds, I have his hands." Striker replied.

"I never wanted you to do this Torik, we all make mistakes for crying out loud!" He added.

"That's it son, keep applying pressure." Luthane didn't even realise what he had said, but Striker looked at Luthane strangely.

"Son...?" Striker asked.

Luthane was trying to use his claws to piece together the skin Torik had opened, before realising he let slip.

"Oh...I'm sorry Striker, I needed to tell you but I never had the right time..." Luthane tried to explain.

Shen and Tatyana had arrived with the largest leaves they could find and Shen also found some small shavings of wood as well to use as pressure in case the leaves didn't help.

"Good you're back, Striker, we'll talk about it later I promise.. But we have to patch Torik up." Luthane reasoned while trying to shift Torik onto his back to have better access to his wounds.

After a few moments of struggle and ache they managed to rest Torik upright and had tended to his wounds using makeshift bandages with the gathered foliage, and twine like wood.

Torik was slowly coming round after a while but as he awoke he found every was already asleep, exhausted from trying to help get him back to good health.

"He looked at the low lying flame in between them all and let a smile appear on his face. He just said out loud "Thank you" as he slowly eased himself into a comfortable position.

There was no clue as to where they were but knowing that a friend had given enough blood to kill a man, just to make sure they got where he said he would take them, is gutsy and insane but also courageous and a true sign of how much their camaraderie meant.

Tomorrow wasn't far around the corner and they had no idea where they were, or even if Torik was alive and well, all they knew is that their bodies and minds had no energy left to work it out until they awoke the next day...

Chapter 45.

Striker was awake before the sun even began to peak over the horizon, his mind set and thoughts had been completely lost in the moments that unfolded the previous night, being warped to a completely different and unknown place, hearing the word son coming from a wolf, nothing seemed to be real or right. He had made his way south to a beach overlooking the ocean as the crossing light of the sun and stars collided against the water to creating the shimmering illusion against the clear blue. He removed his boots and socks, tucking them into the boots to avoid getting sand in them, he sat down on the soft sand and just folded his arms across his knees like a makeshift table, where the centrepiece was his head, staring blankly at the scenery.

He watched and admired the sun rising further up through the morning sky, barely blinking as the bright rays bore down on his body and rose the temperature of the sand gradually.

Luthane was the next to awaken, he looked around and noticed that Striker was missing, he thought about whether it was the right thing for him to try and clear things up or let the dust settle a bit, but he quickly convinced himself that it shouldn't make any difference to their relationship he's been a father figure to them all at least once since their journey began, not always listened to however, but then again which parent is?

He followed a trail of broken debris, onto grass looking over onto the ocean, where he saw Striker sitting there at the beach, his mood rather apparent and sombre by his body language. Luthane made his way to Striker, and cautiously stepped beside him and sat down.

"...Morning." Luthane said politely and softly.

With a deep and slow breath Striker just answered without paying any attention to Luthane.

"Morning Luthane..."

"I just wanted to say about last night..."

"Save it, I've had you're story replay in my head like a broken record all night...It's been a headache enough making sure Torik was ok, Tatyana was safe, Shen hadn't gotten us all killed, and that you still had your pride in check...now this..." Striker spoke slowly, concisely and adamantly.

"I'm sorry..." Luthane's apology fell on deaf ears.

"I don't how to react to this, you have been there through thick and thin, and now it's all clear why...but what I can't fathom is how I can sit here and repay you...It's an impossibility..."

"You don't have to apologise for anything Striker, you fight everyday for all of us, me included without any let up of effort. I don't want to see you having nothing left to give when it matters the most." Luthane just couldn't justify his words they just fell out without thought.

"But you gave your human life to give your...me...a chance at life...I have to question everything, Is Striker my name? Am I the son to a man turned wolf? These question can't be answered in a second and yet you act now like nothing's changed..." Striker just seemed to be lost in this out trail of thoughts blurting out everything that passed through, much like Luthane.

"Nothing has changed Striker, we are still good friends, I guess it's just like gaining a relation..."

"Gaining a relation? I was an orphan dammit! No, do you know what, this conversation isn't happening, not now...just go and get the others, and I'll be back up shortly..." Striker clearly couldn't cope and Luthane felt that the time and space would help, so he left Striker to compose himself and his thoughts.

Luthane made his way back to the others who were all slowly waking themselves up. Torik was up and about, walking a bit gingerly but otherwise much improved from last night. He was helping Shen and Tatyana to their feet, to show he was getting back his strength.

Neither were happy about being prematurely risen out from their warmed ground where they rested, but in the same light pleased he was up and about.

Tatyana did feel that Torik needed a good speaking to for yesterday's antics and wasted no time laying into him.

"Before you go gallivanting around like nothing has happened I hope you are fully aware without us you could possibly have bled to death last night? You're stupidity has sent us to god knows where and we are not only relieved you're ok we are disappointed that you resorted to relying on a witch! A witch Torik! I hope you understand the gravity of your actions!"

Torik just couldn't get a word in all his did was lower his head apologetically.

"Give him a chance to say sorry then!" Shen butted in.

"Don't you start Shen, I'm thankful you've got us back to the five of us, but you've had nothing but bad things to say to others with your mouth!"

"Wow, you're really on one this morning aren't you, maybe you should go back to sleep and try again in an hour" Shen bit back.

"I'm...sorry" Torik said in between the bickering.

Luthane turned up in amidst the arguing, and just shouted at the top of his lungs "Enough!"

The words stopped immediately, and the attention was quickly on him.

"Torik! You were an idiot, but also we are thankful for getting us here!"

Torik again lowered his head.

"Shen, Shut up and just stop winding people up or so help me, I'll rip out your vocal cords with my teeth!"

Shen was quite offended but also strangely concerned, he's never seen Luthane snap this bad before.

"...And as for you Tatyana!"

"What have I done?"

"Quit the moaning about every little thing, we are all alive right? We are where we wanted to be right?"

"...well yes but,"

"No yeah buts we got what we wanted so we continue onwards! Starting now!" Luthane stamped his paw on the smoky shards of last night's campfire to destroy any signals that there are people where they are and attract unnecessary attention.

"Well, that was rather rude, but I understand." Tatyana replied.

"If I wasn't rude then you will be at it all day, and to be honest hearing all your voices shouting and screaming all day I'll either go insane or kill one of you myself. It's not a good day to try me" Luthane clearly wasn't happy but that may have something to do with Striker's reaction earlier.

"What about Striker?" Torik asked.

"He'll catch us up, we are gonna travel east along the coastline, maybe we can find something of use or someone who can help us." Luthane explained.

They group gathered theirs things and began to make a move as Luthane had informed them. Luthane himself just looked over to where he left Striker, and then just shook his head as he followed the others.

Meanwhile, Striker was standing up, still at the beach, his shoes and socks on and his trousers with the sand dusted off from where he sat, his sombre mood still very much intact, he took one last look at the sea, before slowly dragging his feet back to the once camp.

"So Luthane, did you tell him yet, like you promised?" Shen asked.

"Not exactly but he does know..." Luthane was rather sheepish in his reply.

"He knows what?" Tatyana asked.

"Remember the story?" Shen said.

"Shen, no more."

"Why shouldn't I say anything everyone will know eventually." Shen had a point, but not a justifiable one.

"Because I'm thinking of Striker's well being not your petty gossip."

"Do you know what they are going on about Torik?" Tatyana asked.

"I'd rather not know, if it's affecting Luthane this much."

"Thank you Torik, glad someone has common decency around here." Luthane said.

"Oh suck it up Wolf, so what if Striker's your son, no one here is gonna care!" Shen had opened his mouth once too many and Luthane was quick to turn and pin Shen down to the ground, his teeth leaning against Shen's cheek, the snarling vibrating through his ear drum.

"You bastard, I should kill you where you lay!"

"Oh my god! It makes so much sense now!" Tatyana was gob smacked, Torik just shook his head, and he knew he had done wrong, but that was just downright uncalled for from Shen.

"I wouldn't batter and eyelid if you tore his face off right now Luthane."

"What's going on here!" Shouted a voice from the distance. It was Striker dragging his body towards the group.

"This piece of shit, thought he'd play god telling everyone you know what!" Luthane wasn't giving Shen an inch, still pinning him down.

"Get off me! Is this any way to teach your son manners!"

Striker pulled a blade and pointed it at the other cheek of Shen.

"If he doesn't kill you, I will...You've no right to speak of anyone's business" Striker was clearly still writhing from earlier, his presence was cold and his eyes were empty to look into.

"I will not apologise for this dog's lack of respect to you."

"Then I will not apologise for the lack of respect you are deservedly going to get. At the next point of civilisation, I never wish to see your face again." Striker spoke with a sharpness just as his blade slide across the cheek of Shen, drawing blood as it sliced his skin.

Luthane got off of Shen straight after, knowing that the right judgement was passed, Tatyana and Torik were lost and dumbfounded by what had just happened.

"You seriously gonna make him leave?" Tatyana asked.

"You seriously want him to stay?" Striker answered back.

"Well, he's an annoying shit at times, but that's no reason to just leave him to fend for himself." She replied.

"I can only agree with both sides here" Torik said.

Shen just looked at Striker fiercely his eyes burning a hole into the back of Striker's head.

"If any of you, Shen included find a good enough reason for him to stay I'll consider it, but for the time being, we are barely acquaintances, the word friend is banished." Striker replied.

"I'll cope better without you around anyways, at least I can't start a fresh without any of your whining and sickening father son bonding." Shen roared.

"You make a rod for your own back sometimes, Shen, if you learnt to control your mouth then maybe nothing would be wrong." Luthane spoke back.

"Maybe if you had the balls to tell Your Son he was so, then maybe you two would be so much better off as well."

Striker put his sword across Luthane to stop him pouncing again.

"It's not worth it."

"Surely we can find a compromise?" Torik asked.

"Maybe we let the dust settle, and then talk about this like adults." Tatyana added.

"If we settle this like men, one of us will die today!" Shen incitedfully replied.

"I would, but unfortunately, the problem isn't between me and Luthane, it's you." Striker answered.

"STOP THIS!" Torik had heard enough.

"No need to shout we are only here." Luthane said.

"I will shout if it means getting a response! This is the pettiest thing I have heard since I don't know when! You are all right, but equally wrong! Shen shouldn't have said anything no, but he did it because he thought it was the right thing to do! Luthane, you insisted on trying to find your son, and when you did you didn't even have the gall to tell him so! If this is how it's gonna be being tit for bloody tat every day until its being accepted as the norm! Then you're all better off alone!"

"...Torik's right guys!" Tatyana said.

"Time heals all wounds, I guess" Luthane said.

"I stick by my decision...but I do appreciate the concern." Striker enforcing his authority.

"Guys, this isn't gonna happen, come the next town, I will stay and leave you all to it...It's clear Striker isn't in a frame of mind to change, and I'm finally done with trying to fit in."

"Well finally an understanding between them, not exactly the right outcome but it's a start" Torik said trying to lighten mood, but to no avail.

Luthane's ears suddenly pricked up. "Did you guys hear that?"

"Hear what?" Torik said.

Suddenly screams could be heard echoing out from the coastline.

"Someone's in trouble!" Tatyana called out.

"But where?" Shen asked.

"Over there! Look" Torik shouted.

Without a seconds thought Tatyana and Shen had ran off chasing down the shadows running down the coastline, Striker just stood there, he just wasn't interested with everything that has gone on this is the last bit of drama he could be made to deal with. Torik and Luthane were soon following after Tatyana and Shen, ignoring Striker's sudden arrogance.

It was an almost like a duty to the group to help anyone in need, but for Striker, today was just a day he couldn't do anything, he felt weighed down by the burden of information and still unhappy with Shen's big mouth. He just walked on down to the coastline but sat on the edge, showing enough concern but not in any way looking to get his hands dirty.

The screams echoed out again, and as they neared the screams it was apparent who was in trouble and what from.

Two young children were running away from a rather burly looking man with a club in his hand shouting profanities. Without hesitation the children were soon being covered in protection by the four of the group both being urged to stand behind Torik, Luthane standing by their side.

Shen was stood furthest forward, with Tatyana aiming an arrow straight at the burly mans throat...He ground to a halt staring back at the group before slowly stepping backwards, pointing his club at the kids, as if Torik wasn't there.

"I find you girls steal once more, I'll have your arms cut off!" The Burly man shouted.

"You'll have to get through us first!" Tatyana shouted.

As the man turned round to run from whence he came, Tatyana let an arrow fly straight into the burly mans butt cheek. He let out a loud scream of agony, as he tried to move the arrow from his cheek, he screamed and shouted abuse insisting that they are all dead should they be seen again by him.

"It's ok he's gone now" Torik tried to tell the girls behind him.

They were both huddled together their eyes shut and small tears falling from their cheeks. Luthane tried to step closer to them but they were quick to jump back flinching in fear.

Shen and Tatyana turned to the girls, Tatyana was first to drop to their level and see if she could get any information.

"It's ok we're here to help..The bad man is gone now" She smiled at them, they didn't care to look they just ran into Tatyana bawling and snivelling, she embraced them and tried to reassure them.

"No need to be afraid we're all here now."

The taller of the two girls cuffed her nose sniffing hard before speaking. "E...Even...the wolf?"

"Especially the wolf" She winked at them.

"Is he friendly?" The smaller one asked.

"When he wants to be, yes" Shen said.

"What's your names?" Torik asked.

The smaller girl suddenly plucked up the courage to walk up to Luthane, He leant his head down to signal it was ok to be petted.

She slowly and gently stroked him, and suddenly felt a little more confident around the group.

The taller one looked up at Torik, and replied "My name is Delphyne..."

The smaller one answered while stroking behind Luthane's ear. "I'm Rosa tee hee" She giggled as Luthane's tail began wagging.

"That's nice names you have there" Tatyana said.

"So where are you from?" Torik asked.

"Over there..." Delphyne said pointing behind their shoulders.

"Pontarina" Rosa added.

"You're parents must be worried sick" Shen said.

The girls went quiet...

"Oh, it's just the two of you isn't it?" Tatyana said.

Delphyne just nodded.

"I'm so sorry" Shen felt really bad, it also made him think about the incident with Striker. "I'm gonna go see our friend over there" Shen made his way to Striker.

Torik proceeded to ask if the girls needed to be taken home, insisting no harm would come to them if they stayed with him and the other.

"Can I ride the wolfy?" Rosa asked.

"Why don't you ask him nicely, and he'll tell you." Tatyana said.

"It talks?" Delphyne asked inquisitively.

Rosa looked at Luthane and shyly asked, "Can I ride on your back, pllleeaaaasseee?"

Luthane nodded, "Of course you can little one."

The look of shock on their faces was like a kid seeing all the gifts left by Santa at Christmas.

"Wow! He talked!" Delphyne.

"Yup and he's smart too!" Torik said.

"So...you can take us home?" Rosa asked.

"We certainly can if you lead the way we will look after you" Tatyana said.

"Sure!" Delphyne replied.

Torik, lifted Delphyne up and placed her on his shoulder, like he did the witch not so long ago. She giggled amazed how quickly she found herself so high in the sky.

"Wow, you're really tall Mr..."

"Torik, and it's nice to meet you" Torik smiled.

"Hold on tightly girls, we will start to leave now, once Striker and Shen over there are done talking they'll be joining us." Tatyana said.

"Is Striker a bad person?" Rosa asked holding onto Luthane's fur tightly.

"He's a good guy like us, but he's having a bad day." Torik responded.

"Oh, I hope he doesn't mind us tagging along?" Delphyne asked with slight concern.

"He'll be fine" Luthane answered.

Meanwhile...

"Hey Striker, you got a minute?"

"What do you want Shen?"

"I came to apologise, I was way outta line..."

"You damn right you were!" Striker shouted.

"Look I'm not here to argue, I'm here to make peace. You know we make a pretty awesome team, when we aren't at each other's throats, right?" Shen said.

"I guess..."

"Well why should we split what works?"

"Because you were a tosser, Shen."

"Granted, I was and I can only continue to be sorry."

"Look, I know you mean well, and blurting it out as you did is gonna take time for me to be able to forgive you for, this is all new to me and I'd just appreciate some space for me to understand the situation and, ultimately be able to carry on...otherwise it will end in tears."

"I will try but will not promise my mouth will follow suit. Is that good enough?"

"I suppose it'll have to, just accept that this is gonna take time."

"Understood, one last thing though Striker..."

"What's that Shen?"

"What do you mean end in tears?"

"Let's just say I will just go at it alone."

"Not on my watch you won't! You can't have all the fun!" Shen called back.

"Heh, only you."

Shen reached out his hand "So, friends...?"

Striker grabbed onto his hand and was pulled upright standing within a foot of Shen.

"For now..."

The two of them acknowledged the temporary truce and proceeded to catch up with Tatyana, Torik, Luthane and the two new acquaintances, who were leading them all to a new town, on a brand new island. Finally they felt like they were making some progress, and for once they managed to go a day with ambush or demon attacks...

...Or so they thought...

Chapter 46

Luthane seemed to have forgotten everything with the newly found acquaintances, especially little Rosa, he was spinning her around and just being very friendly, almost as if he was making up those years he missed with Striker.

Tatyana was looking up at Delphyne, who was quite content on Torik's shoulder, constantly asking him questions about his height and where he came from, but he was more than happy to tell her. Tatyana had a smile on her face, she felt accomplished to have saved the girls, like a small victory for her as normally she's the one in need of saving.

Shen and Striker were bringing up the rear of the pack, finishing off the conversation they had regarding the situation between him and Luthane.

"What I don't get Shen is you aren't the type to normally apologise, why the sudden change?" Striker asked.

"Well, it became obvious when I asked about the girls about their parents, I got the quivering bottom lip and then it hit me how shitty I must've been to you and Luthane."

"Wow, Shen you have a heart somewhere in there" Striker joked poking Shen in his rib cage.

"Hey, don't go telling everyone, can't let this cool exterior crack if you catch my drift." Shen winked.

Striker just laughed to himself.

Tatyana decided now was a good time to ask the girls some questions, just for peace of mind.

"So how far is your hometown?"

"Err...Rosa?"

"Five sunrises!" Rosa said as she patted Luthane on the head.

"Wow, that's really far, so why did that mean old man pick on you two?" Tatyana dug a little deeper.

"He thought we were thieves..." Delphyne turned her head away as her smile quickly vanished.

"Oh that's horrible, why would he do such a thing!" Tatyana answered.

"Because we did..." Rosa said.

"Quiet Rosa!" Delphyne gave Rosa a glare insisting silence from now on.

"I don't understand?"

Delphyne sighed. "We had to eat, it was a small piece of bread, and we've had to struggle since we ran away..."

"You ran away?" Torik began to take over the questions.

"...we didn't mean to hurt anyone..." said Rosa as she began to well up.

"Hurt anyone? I'm sorry I don't understand." Torik was a little lost. What damage could possibly be done by two such innocent looking girls.

"It's complicated...But we have travelled through two other towns since we ran away...We couldn't stay anymore..."

"Why not?" Luthane asked.

"Because we were told to leave...by our leader..." Rosa let a few tears fall from her face, but she decided to matt Luthane's fur using it as a means to clean her face.

"Who's the leader? Because I'm sure we can talk to him like an adult and get you back safe." Tatyana reassured.

"The leader..."

"Delphyne!"

"We have to trust them Rosa! They saved us today! They should know!"

"NO!" Rosa screamed.

"Our leader is..."

"WAS!" Rosa shouted again.

"Ok...was...our father" Delphyne let a small tear out from her eye. She was trying so hard to be strong for her sister, that it was too much to hold onto. She felt almost relieved to have been able to tell someone.

"That Bastard!" Torik said.

"Language Torik!" Tatyana blasted.

"...sorry... but he is!"

"That may be so, but we cannot be using such foul language with minors around" Luthane explained.

"Ok, I'll try to curb it..."

"It's ok Torik, he is a bastard, but we know we have to go home and face our consequences..." Delphyne spoke.

"Consequences..." Luthane asked.

"We are of a gifted generation in our home...but those gifts may be relinquished should we be found guilty..."

"They want to hurt us!" Rosa shouted.

"They won't hurt you, before we have a chance to talk to him. We promise." Tatyana said.

"Pinkie swear!" Rosa shouted putting her hand out.

Tatyana smiled and winked at Rosa leaning over to cross their little fingers in an acceptance of the promise.

"So...if this isn't home, where did that grumpy git come from?" Torik said.

"Torik, language!" Luthane nudged him in the leg.

"What! Git isn't swearing!"

"We still don't need it, Torik, we need to be role models to the girls." Tatyana responded.

"Hey Torik! You'd make a great role model if you wore a dress!" Shen shouted out, having overheard the conversation.

"You are such a..." Torik paused, trying to think of an alternative to cursive language.

"Look guys we know now what we are doing now so let's just get moving...The next stop is, wherever these girls are from while trying to solve any unnecessary nastiness from innocent actions." Striker suddenly piped up.

"Sounds like a plan to me Striker" Luthane answered.

"So do you know any names of the towns we are gonna be passing through just so we don't look like complete outsiders, it'd be nice to see normal." Tatyana asked.

"We didn't stay long enough to know names, we were too busy looking over our shoulder." Delphyne replied.

"Really, were you followed?" Tatyana asked.

"We felt a presence of something dark..." Delphyne responded, taking a quick glance over her shoulder.

"You don't suppose it could be?" Shen said.

"They just can't leave us alone, and now they are targeting children...This has to stop and soon" Striker answered.

"How do you feel a presence?" Tatyana was curious.

"...It's a gift..." Rosa replied.

"Any other gifts that we should know about?" Striker asked.

"Err..." Delphyne point dead in front showing the group that the village in front was completely frozen over.

"Ok, firstly I didn't realise we were so close to somewhere, and secondly..."

"How the hell did you do that!" Shen shouted in amazement.

"Well, we don't actually know, that man that you saw chasing us..."

"He made it happen! Finished Rosa.

"I don't understand..." Torik looked at the others for insight.

"Well, you see...We hadn't become fully controlled in our gifts because our father never finished our lessons..."

"He called us too dangerous!" Rosa finished.

"Rosa, can I finish my own sentences please!"

Rosa sulked, "Fine!".

"Thank you! You see we have gifts that without control can cause bad things to happen, and when me and Rosa got scared after being caught...That happened." Delphyne explained.

"So how did he get free?" Shen asked.

"He was within a certain range so he wasn't affected..."

"So you know what it is, but not how to do it or control it?"

"Pretty much, it scares me..."

"ME TOO!" Rosa screamed.

"HEY! You're those little shits!" A voice shouted out, as an arrow flew at the feet of Tatyana.

"Oh, I wondered when I'd see that arrow again..." Tatyana said sarcastically.

"I still owe you for that arrow Bitch!" The voice called back.

"Do you know where that voice is coming from?" Shen said.

"No but I don't like the looks of this...guys prepare yourselves for anything!" Striker shouted.

Rosa began to shudder holding her forehead.

"What's wrong Rosa?" Tatyana said.

"Her head burns when she sense evil presences..." Delphyne said.

"Oh no! That means..." Tatyana's eyes widened. "Let me get the girls to safety!"

"It's too late, we'll all have to keep them safe!" Torik shouted back.

"Right!" Luthane barked.

"Show yourself demon!" Striker called out.

"So, the little girl thinks she can gain you the upper hand with her sensory gift. How pitiful." The voice spoke, in a rather familiar tone.

"That voice!" Shen spoke.

"Of all of them, it had to be him..." Striker pulled his swords from their sheaths.

The burly man who had chased the girls earlier, appeared in front of the group, levitating off the ground. Rosa was crying from the burning pain on her head, while Delphyne placed her hand on her forehead in an attempt to cool her down. Luthane stood over them, his fangs showing intent as they bared from his mouth.

"I see none of you have learnt from last time" The burly man starts to manipulate in shape and size, slowly gaining muscular presence and height.

"We've been ambushed! Again!" Shen shouted.

"The boy remembers I am pleased." The manipulation effect has finally stopped before a dark ball of energy flowed around the demons shape lowering him to the floor.

"Theruzael!" Striker called out.

"Indeed I am Striker." he replied chuckling.

"I think we promised you death last time we met!" Luthane snarled.

"That may be true, but I'm not as cocky as the other's hanging on Demetrious' mantle, I will always come with my Legion." Theruzael answered.

"Well then we'll cut through them and burn their corpses with your atop the lot!" Shen shouted back.

"Good luck..." Theruzael said and with a click of his fingers, within a second waves of demons appeared at his side and all around the group, all growling snarling and laughing, weapons at the ready awaiting their master's command.

Rosa was still crying from the pain. Delphyne felt helpless trying to help but it wasn't working.

"Tatyana! Rosa's burning up like never before!" Delphyne cried out.

"Keep her as calm as you can, we'll protect you!"

"I want them alive men, well...barely!" Theruzael ordered, and with another click of his fingers the demons began to rush as the group waving their axes and fists in the air.

"NOOOOOO!" Screamed Rosa, A bright light started to glow from around her and a bright flash of light flung itself around everyone from Striker the furthest demon marching at the back.

"It cannot be!" Theruzael gasped.

Without recollection of what had just happened Rosa had collapsed into her sisters arms, everyone else was covered in a bright light unable to see anything going on around them, just barely seeing each other's outlines. What happened next left everyone, Theruzael including in absolute shock...

Chapter 47

The light began to fade slowly, and everyone began finding one another through the brightness and group up together, Torik had both the girls with him Luthane was standing between Shen and Tatyana while Striker was stood a few paces further forward.

"It's gone so quiet..." Striker said.

"Yeah...too quiet" Shen replied, still keeping his eyes out for Theruzael, assuming his status isn't an exaggeration he could be anywhere.

"Rosa..." Delphyne whispered.

"...I did it again didn't I?" Rosa said.

"...Yeah but it was a good thing this time" Delphyne smiled at Rosa, who perked up a bit knowing she hadn't caused any more trouble.

"...Well I'll be..." Luthane looked as the light slowly faded in a vapour settling slowly onto the ground.

Every demons surrounding them was completely frozen, covered from head to toe like pristine yet rather hideous looking ice sculptures.

Striker slashed into one of the frozen demons, and it shattered into pieces right in front of him, and he grinned.

"Time for our fun!" Shen shouted as he shattered a few himself.

Everyone but Delphyne and Rosa started to dismantle Theruzael's now frozen army.

The Legionnaire was mixed in feelings. He was disgruntled and annoyed at the ease his legion was wiped out, but in amazement at the power Rosa possessed. He clapped, which slowly turned everyone's attention to him.

"Bravo! Looks like the Lord was right about the girls. You could become an integral part of his plans." He laughed.

"Over our dead body will you or this lord place a hand on the girls!" Tatyana screamed, her matriarchal instincts forcing themselves into action.

"By hook or by crook madam, I will do as I am ordered, and I believe I owe your precious group at least one death, considering you have just left my legion as a puddle of crushed ice on the ground!"

"Oooh tetchy isn't he today" Shen felt that inciting the demon would lead to an opening so he could strike.

"Well, whoever you pick will make sure you leave this world just like all the others! So it may as well be us all that delivers you to your grave!" Striker called out.

"Very well, I, Theruzael, Will be your demise!" He shouted back.

He began to rise up into the air, but suddenly his ascent began to slow down to a pace of a snail, without any reasoning.

"...You too?!" He shouted.

"...For the good of my kingdom, we won't stop until each of you are vanished!" Delphyne shouted, her palm was pushed outward from her body, her fingertips curled inwards, as if she was gripping a large spherical object in her hand.

"...Good of your kingdom?" Shen said.

"Focus, ninja! Kill him!" Rosa screamed.

"Right!" Shen shouted as he lunged at the slow moving Theruzael.

"Not like this!" The demon screamed as he opened his hands, releasing a mixture of red and black from his hands, his body turned into fog just at the right time to avoid Shen's attack.

"SHIT!" Shouted Shen, who had the taste for blood.

"Oh no! He broke free!" Delphyne cried out.

"It's ok, you've both done so well! It's our turn to help" Striker winked, as he chased the fog down in order to prevent Theruzael from gaining his form back.

Tatyana's eyes lit up as an idea popped into her head.

"Guys chase him wherever he goes I have a plan!"

"What?!" Luthane asked.

"Just do as I say!" Tatyana shouted. She turned to the girls, they were huddled together again. "Do you two know how to do what you did?"

"Uhuh!" Rosa said.

"That's great, listen I have an idea" She smiled and began to whisper in their ears. They looked up at the guys swinging their weapons at this gas cloud laughing as they tried to do some damage.

"Feeble fools, I am uncatchable and free from harm while I'm like this!" Theruzael shouted, still leaving the black and red aura wherever he drifted off to.

"Wanna bet!" Tatyana shouted. "Let's get him girls!"

"Right!" Both Delphyne and Rosa said together as they raised their hands to the sky.

"Keep him busy guys!" Tatyana shouted.

Theruzael pre empted all of the attacks from the guys and retaliated with sharp pikes being thrusted outwards from within the cloud, forcing them back with evasive manoeuvres while he gave himself small seconds of breathing space before they returned for another round of attacks.

Delphyne moved both of her hands at the floating cloud of Theruzael trying to focus in on him following his every movement, while Rosa was busy opening her hands over the leftover traces being placed around by the Theruzael fog.

Suddenly the trace of Theruzael was glowing brightly like it did earlier, Rosa slowly following it around as he encased as much as she could in ice.

Theruzael was noticing something different happening to his form, as he began to slow down again. "Grrr, you little bitches will continue to test me!" She threw a lance covered in blood at Delphyne while she was locked in concentration, Tatyana threw Striker's old cutlass at the lance knocking it from its route.

"...Cute...Protecting them like a mother cradles her baby. Let's see if you can keep that up."

The fog began to shake violently, before unleashing a barrage of bloodied lances in all direction,

"Watch out!" Shen span around releasing lots of small daggers at all the lances, slowly knocking them off their axis and knocking them into the ground.

Rosa was still busy freezing, and Delphyne was still locked in concentration, but Theruzael was far from done despite his surrounding fog continuing to get slower and slower.

"Let's get him while he's slowed down!" Torik shouted lunging himself hammer first at the fog, only to be forced away by a dark pulse.

"Impossible!" Striker shouted.

"Hmph, you insist speed is my only asset, you are far from mistaken." Theruzael shouted.

"It's not your speed! It's your complete mobility!" Tatyana shouted, she had readied her bow and slid an arrow across its string pulling it back towards her body.

Theruzael had now grinded to a complete halt, the sweat on Delphyne's brow was visual evidence of her work in slowing the demon down.

"I'll make sure you die first brat!" He said.

"Get him!" Shen shouted.

"We can't Shen he's in a gaseous form, we'll go straight through him!" Striker called back.

"Striker understands, so accept as still as I may be I am untouchable!" Theruzael laughed manically.

"Wanna bet!" Shouted Rosa as she stood up and pushed her hands towards Theruzael's still cloud.

Rosa Threw a bolt of light at Theruzael from her hands, and as it hit the cloud it covered him in a ball of ice which fell out of the sky and crashed into the ground shattering upon impact.

"Ha! Gotcha! Rosa giggled.

"NOT...QUITE!" Shouted Theruzael, as the red and black traces began to crack through the ice Rosa had place around it, His head emerged from the ground, followed slowly by the rest of his body.

Rosa fell to the ground defeated, and Delphyne dropped to her knees slowly as she began to lose her strength to keep Theruzael's particled body under control.

The particles slowly began to reattach themselves to him as his demon form took shape once more.

"Wait a second!" Shen's mind just clicked, Theruzael may be returning to form but his body is still made from ice, he ran towards him as fast as he could and crashed into his body shattering his icy body as his head clattered into the ground.

"You'll pay for that insolence boy!" He shrieked as he felt his body escaping his control, and the bloodied trail he left behind dissipate into the ground.

"Shut up, and accept your death!" Shen cried out as he kicked his head towards Striker.

Striker stuck his swords out and cleaved them into Theruzael's skull.

Blood oozing to the ground from his face, he was then dragged across the floor in an attempt to remove his life seeping head off of Striker's blades. As the head rolled around the floor Luthane rushed in and head butted Theruzael from the weapons but just when Theruzael thought he had a chance to escape he was imbedded into the ground via Torik's mighty hammer crushing any removing intact bones left in this skull.

The blood covered the entire head, and Theruzael continued to spit more out as he realised he was slowly being drained of his life.

"Where...one of us..." Theruzael coughed up more blood in front of him "Falls...Thousands...Spawn!"

"I said!" Shen pulled the head from the ground before he lunged two kunai into each eye socket. "SHUT! UP!" He pulled the kunai apart tearing his lifeless skull in half.

Shen then proceed to pick up half of the skull and place it on his head as a trophy for his redemption. The other half he poured the remaining blood over his hands before tossing the skull half to one side. He raised his arms and in a rage he screamed out to anyone who listened...

"...The blood on my hands runs deeper than your pitiful demonic prowess, but let those who oppose us witness the consequence of their actions! We shall hunt you all down and free this world from your glorified reign of evil!"

"Couldn't have said it better myself Shen!" Said Torik, who placed his hand on his shoulder.

Tatyana was helping the girls get back to their feet, dusting them down and making sure they were ok.

"Ok, so that's another one dead...There seriously cannot be many left?" Striker said to himself.

"I think we should worry about that another time, we need to rest, The girls are shattered, and to be honest the town ahead is frozen solid, so we will have a long trip ahead of us" Luthane answered as methodical as always.

"...Sorry..." Spoke a rather worn out Rosa, who was being helped onto Torik's shoulder, while Delphyne was being placed on his other, so they could rest while he carried them.

"Don't apologise...the two of you were incredible back there, It's like you can conjure elements at will!" Shen replied reasonably chuffed his new skull cover.

"We aren't conjurers..." Delphyne replied sleepily.

"That skull looks ridiculous on your head Shen!" Torik laughed.

"It's not a hat it's my proof of redemption for his carnage, it's a long story I'll tell you later." Shen spoke as he began to make himself comfortable near the frozen town entrance.

"Let's get a fire going, and something for the girls to sleep under."

Luthane rested by Rosa and she instantly clung onto his fur like a baby clings to their first blanket.

"Bless, she's taken a liking to you." Tatyana said.

"Yeah, they are both very special so we have to make a special effort to keep them safe." Luthane responded.

After finally settling down around a fire, dusk was upon the group as they tried to get rested. Delphyne and Rosa were sound asleep and Luthane was drifting in and out himself. Torik and Shen were talking about Shen's family and village back on the northern continent, Torik listening to every word really interested in his ancestry. Tatyana was sat next to Striker who seemed to be lost in the embers of the fire.

"You're still pre occupied aren't you?" Tatyana asked softly.

"...Yeah..." Striker answered, not really paying much attention.

"It'll get easier, just stick to it and learn to accept he's your father...easier said than done I know...But you may find you are better as father and son than old friends."

"...Maybe...but for now, it's a bit too much. I haven't had enough time to speak to him about it, let alone discuss with anyone else..." Striker shrugged.

"Then make time, I'm sure if when we are done killing these demons you too will be able to bond...Hell I'll get rid of everyone for a while so you two can talk..." Tatyana adamantly insisted.

"Thank you...but for now, let's keep it as it is until I feel ready to take that step..."

"...That's fine, just don't put it off like Luthane did, It's killed him inside to not do it the way he wanted...and don't be so harsh on him..."

"...I'll try..." Striker replied.

"Well...goodnight Striker" Tatyana smiled as she got herself comfy to settle down, looking over at the sleeping girls and Luthane, before smiling again at Striker.

Shen and Torik eventually grew tired of the conversation and called it a night themselves, but Striker still stayed up watching as the fire slowly dwindled into the night...He wasn't interested in the next day...just questions...So many questions...

Chapter 48

Daylight broke with everyone being rudely awoken by the crashing of thunder and flashing of lightning. Before any of them could shake out the cobwebs or even stretch a muscle the heavens opened as rain crashed down drenching them all where they lay.

Striker raised arms to shoulder height and shrugged as he threw his hands to his side, "Just typical!"

Luthane's fur was matted within seconds as he, Torik and Tatyana were trying their best to shelter the girls from the storm.

Another crash of thunder echoed across the land, shaking the ground beneath them.

"Wow, that's pretty close overhead, we had better get moving!" Shen shouted.

"Yeah let's get going, we have a fair ways to go!" Luthane barked back.

"I know we're getting soaked here, but we surely can't keep going around as a group of seven, it's too obvious!" Torik called out using his hammer as a makeshift umbrella for Delphyne and Rosa.

"But if we get caught out by demons we aren't at our strongest!" Striker shouted.

"We can't risk either, but I think for everyone's well being we have to split up!" Tatyana tried to shout over the rumble of another clap of thunder. A fork of lightning shot from the sky and struck a few feet from Luthane's rear paws.

"Ok, that was too close for comfort! We decide now!" Luthane shouted in fear.

"Right! Tatyana! You go with Luthane and the girls back to their home, make sure they are safe before leaving, and protect them with your lives!" Striker shouted.

"What will you guys do?" Tatyana asked.

We'll see if we can find any clues as to the demons whereabouts and if there is a way to stop them" Striker replied.

"Where do we meet back?" Luthane shouted.

"At the frozen city!" Shen shouted as he flicked water off his forehead.

"Right! We'll go on ahead you better be careful!" Torik called out.

"We will!" Delphyne ran to Torik and hugged his leg, Torik gently patted her on the back. She then shook the hands of Striker.

"Take care of your sister for us" Striker smiled.

Delphyne nodded.

Shen and Delphyne just poked their tongues out at each other followed a short laugh.

That was enough for them both, as time hadn't given them any spare minutes to bond...not that Shen is the 'bonding type'.

Striker, Torik and Shen ran off ahead as they went made their way inside the frozen city, to search for any source of demonic activity, or just a clue as to how to end their journey.

Luthane, Tatyana, Delphyne and Rosa began their walk past the city waving at the guys as they passed the open archway that lead into the city, the whole place glistening from the drop of water, shining light against the iced over walls.

The group didn't want to be apart, but something told them it was safer and may also make it easier to sort out their own agenda's.

Shen and Striker have found their bond grow more and more as it has revolved around their vendetta's against their demonic counterparts, Shen may have been aided in vanquishing the one responsible for his exile but he realised that this was a much bigger deal than first anticipated. With seven of them dead the numbers remaining can only be guessed, and with higher number ranks on the horizon the challenge would only get greater. Torik has yet to have much of a run in with the demons, but his own demons, he felt needed to be relinquished from his mind permanently by aiding his comrades in defeating the demon scourge and help him to acknowledge his wrong doings by replacing them with his right.

Tatyana and Luthane had quickly adopted the parenting roles over Delphyne and Rosa, who's abilities have left either destruction or amazement in their wake, with Their matriarch and patriarchal figures over them they felt the need to fight was only a choice and that they would be protected by them at all cost, Rosa had quickly felt attached to Luthane upon mounting his back like a horse from the first minute and to Luthane this is his only chance to feel that parenting responsibility of a youngster that he regrettably missed with Striker. But this minor distraction from dealing with the demons has also opened his eyes to the possibility of trying to work on a new form of relationship with his son.

Tatyana who has felt much like the third wheel or the damsel in distress as of late has finally felt wanted and needed by someone, rather than feeling like she is weighing the group down. Her abilities have yet to truly tested and she is still in hope that she can use them to aid the heavily male dominated group...As much as they would probably feel immasculinated, especially Striker and Shen.

The question is with their groups smaller, would they be more vulnerable? Could they cope against any other ambushes? Only time would tell...

Chapter 49

The four containing Luthane, Tatyana, Delphyne and Rosa were continuing their walk straight past the frozen city leaving the guys to their own agenda, the rain was still lashing down, but the thunder and lightning had subsided for the time being.

"So how do we know when we get to your home town?" Luthane asked.

"Well..." Rosa said.

""There's only two ways, the first..." Delphyne stopped to look up at the sky.

Tatyana looked up with her to see if there was anything.

"It drops out of the sky?" Tatyana asked.

"Hihihi no silly!" Rosa giggled.

"The city to the naked eye is invisible, so we either try and catch its location...or..."

"Or?" Luthane looked at Delphyne rather intrigued.

"We get sent for" Rosa said.

"Sent for? Like an order?" Tatyana.

"Something like that" Delphyne responded.

"Err...sis?" Rosa said nervously.

"Yeah, I feel it too." She answered.

"Home?" Luthane asked.

"Yeah, although I feel awkward going back. I mean it's great to have met you guys and all but father won't be pleased with us." Delphyne said.

"Let us speak with him first I'm sure we can reach an understanding and make it less awkward." Tatyana replied, trying to be positive.

"I guess so, but you don't know him like us."

"We will soon enough" Luthane said.

Rosa began to speak a rhyme quietly to herself, Luthane's ear pricked up to try and hear her, but he missed sections of it.

"What was that you were saying Rosa?" Luthane asked.

"Remember the first way to find home" she said.

"Yeah.."

"It's how you find it!" She grinned.

"How does it go?" Luthane questioned.

"When the light shines down across sands...Search the shades to find our lands..." Rosa said.

"When the daylight fades and is out of sight, Look for the tower and enter the light..." Delphyne finished.

"So if we searched along the beach we could find your home?" Tatyana said.

"Again, kind of...we don't want to make it that easy for outsiders." Delphyne replied.

"I think we won't have to wait long sis!" Rosa shouted.

"I know Rosa, I feel they are gonna want us home soon."

"Did you hear that?" Luthane said as he looked around, he heard something that sounded like a bell chiming.

"Hear what?" Tatyana asked confused.

"You're ears heard home" Delphyne said.

With Delphyne and Rosa looking dead straight ahead of them, another chiming sound echoed, this time loud enough for Tatyana to hear it.

"I heard it!"

With a flash of light and a crackling sound a mirror appeared in front of the four of them, but it showed a shimmering reflection of a large tower shaped like the rook in chess but with the top shaped like the bishop.

"We've been summoned..." Delphyne spoke nervously.

"So...what do we do?" Luthane asked.

"We walk through, it'll take us to the top where we see him..." Delphyne explained.

"Ok so all together?" Tatyana asked.

"Yeah!" Rosa said.

They all slowly stepped in sync as they all walked through the mirror, the substance of the mirror image was like a jelly as it wobbled to them entering through.

They all flickered through the other side of the mirror and were warped to the front of a large set of wooden double doors, two men wearing robes laced in purple and gold stood guard with the top of their robes covering their faces from the nose down. Their steely eyed gaze stared fiercely at the girls and then at Tatyana and Luthane who were busy admiring their surroundings.

"Eyes from outsider!" Spoke on of the guards.

"Archmage Xandorus will see you all immediately." The other said.

The doors were pushed open as they all slowly walked into the room, there were books in abundance stacked high, in and around shelving like a library of archives. The Archmage stood behind a desk, upon it stacks of paperwork dusting itself off and sorting itself into an order of some sort, and a globe with many different smaller globes orbiting.

"Father..." Delphyne began to speak before the Archmage raised his hand.

"Silence!" He roared.

Delphyne's eyes began to well up a little, she feared this wasn't going to be a pleasant meeting.

"Do you have ANY idea of the consequences that surround your disappearance!"

"Sorry, father" Rosa said trying her best to be brave.

"You are minors! With no tolerance of your Magi ancestry! Your powers have barely taken shape and you run away!" He slammed his hands on the desk, to enforce his concern.

"Maybe we can explain, Sir" Luthane tried to reason.

"I'll get to you and your friend in a minute wolf, until then I suggest you bite your tongue!" Xandorus boomed.

"Look you had me worried sick! You are my daughters! I don't want any harm to come to you, especially if I cannot be there to protect you!" He redirected his rant at the girls who were hanging their heads in shame.

"Now go to your room and stay there until I deal with these two!" He ordered.

"Yes, father" Delphyne said as she and Rosa made their way out of the office to their room.

"I normally refuse to accept outsiders here, because they bring nothing but trouble, but I sense you two are responsible for my daughters safety."

"We have, along with our friends." Tatyana said.

"There are more of you?" The Aarchmage asked as he beckoned them towards him, and he slouched into his chair behind the desk.

"Three more, we've been on a mission as such but without choice. It's difficult to explain." Luthane said stumbling over his words.

"Then try because I can't have you two here if you are being followed, I cannot risk our home being seen let alone attacked. It may seem we are more than equipped, mentally. But we are but humans, flesh and bone that will be torn asunder from impact of steel and stone." The Archmage made his point very clear.

"Then maybe it's best if we just leave..." Tatyana said. She didn't feel right telling a stranger the whole story.

Luthane seemed to be on the same wave length as he added. "If it's imperative you know then the girls can explain, they aided us greatly in a conflict not so long ago."

"Very well, I respect your honesty and your courage, and I and thankful you have brought the girls back home to me safely... I shall send for my portalist to help you find your way back where you were."

"May we see the girls one last time?" Tatyana asked.

"I'll allow you to say your goodbyes, but I shall be watching over you" Xandorus said as he pointed to the door.

"Guards!"

The two door guards rushed in, standing dead still in a salute.

"Take these two to Delphyne and Rosa! Make sure it stays civil!"

"Yessir!" They marched Tatyana and Luthane with haste to the girl's room, as the Archmage closed the doors behind them.

A few quick marches around a sharp corridor and they found themselves being lead into a room, where both Tatyana and Luthane were bundled to the ground by hugs from the girls.

"Hey, it's ok it's us!" Tatyana laughed.

"What's up little one?" Luthane asked Rosa,

"That wasn't father!" Rosa shouted.

"Shush Rosa, we have to stay quiet." Delphyne spoke.

"What do you mean?" Tatyana asked.

"He's an imposter, Father normally warps around the room and through items to get up close and personal when he gets angry. He didn't do that" Delphyne explained.

"...and you're sure of this?" Luthane asked.

"Of course I am, I tried to do it to him and he must've felt it because after he slammed his hands on the desk, he didn't move..."

"But how can you tell he's an imposter?" Tatyana inquired.

"Father, normally cannot feel anything being used against him as he is shielded by his own natural power!" Rosa said seemingly very agitated.

"So how do we sound him out?" Luthane asked.

"We storm in and accuse!" Rosa shouted, before being given a look by all three of them.

"It's risky, but I could try and force his hand..." Delphyne said.

"Not without us you don't" Tatyana said with a serious look in her eye.

"So what did you intend to do Delphyne?" Luthane asked.

"Slow him down and, as Rosa put it, storm in an accuse."

"Ok, but if he is an imposter then you two have to get safe, as we don't know what we are gonna be up against. Promise?" Luthane said,

"Promise!" Rosa said.

"...promise" added Delphyne.

Delphyne grabbed all their hands and closed her eyes in thought, with a blink of an eye they were thrown into Archmage Xandorus' quarters.

"How did you get back in here! Guards!" Xandorus called out.

"Hush imposter!" Shouted Rosa.

"I am your father! Don't you dare take that tone with me!" He snapped back.

"Prove it!" Tatyana said.

"Very well!"

He began to levitate of the ground and with the raising of his hand arcane orbs of energy began to form around him. He looked slightly concerned as the orbs were not rotating as fast as they should and the energy quickly escaped the orbs.

"You Little Bitch!" He shouted pointing at Delphyne. "Guards!"

"Not this time, imposter! Show yourself!" Luthane snarled.

"Grrrr" The voice deepened and the orbs shattered as he slammed himself to the ground, his shoes being replaced by clawed red feet. His body reverting into another figure and teeth showing through his mouth as the skin began to peel away at the face.

"I might've known!" Tatyana said as she readied her bow preparing an arrow.

Luthane fiercely leant down ready to pounce and the girls ran to the bookshelf in the far corner for safety as they promised., also slightly scared that they haven't seen their real father.

The transformation was complete and a large demon stood tall with a staff in his hand, and a book in the other.

"You won't get away so easily humans!" The demon growled.

"We don't intend to!" Luthane said.

Tatyana unleashed an arrow only for it to be stopped in mid air, before being flung to one side.

"Hmph, this is too easy!" The demon spoke. "Prepare for your demise!".

Chapter 50

The demon began to laugh at the simplicity of his task. Looking around the room he noticed the girls cowering in the corner, the master's words echoing through his head. "Destroy all who oppose us!"

The demons laughter came to an abrupt halt, as he raised his staff off the ground, a quick blinking pulse emanated from the top like a lighthouses beacon beckoning to arriving ships. The ground began to shake violently as the books began to fall from the shelves many of them covering the girls in the corner in dust and paper.

Luthane and Tatyana looked at each other wondering what on earth they can do, but before they could even contemplate it, arcane pillars began to rise from the ground wrapped in deep red tesla coils. Pulsing throughout with sharp sparking noises sounding out around the room.

"What the hell are those!" Tatyana shouted out.

"I'm not waiting around to find out!" Luthane shouted back as he rushed towards the demon, the pillars struck out a lightning pulse straight at Luthane, knocking him back to his starting position, a little shaken by the pulse.

"Gah, that's potent" He said shaking the current from his fur, which had stood on end.

"You will surely die should you continue you feeble attempts at my life!" The demon called out from behind the pillars.

"You're a coward for hiding!" Tatyana screamed.

"I'd stop talking, before I roast your body via your tongue!" The demon threatened.

"I'm not giving in just yet!" Tatyana Quickly unleashed another arrow, only for it to be caught with a pulse in mid air. They all watched as the arrow disintegrated into dust, the arrows point falling onto the dust.

"HaH! I'll leave you to wear yourselves down, then I'll feast on your corpses!" The demon laughed.

"He's getting tedious already" Luthane said before adding, "There has to be something..."

Delphyne and Rosa were looking around the room, to see if they could help, suddenly Delphyne's eyes lit up and she began to whisper something to Rosa.

"Luthane!" Delphyne shouted

He turned round and began to try and interpret her sign language, he looked again at the tesla pillars before, and it clicked.

"You owe me for this one!" Luthane barked, as he ran towards the demon again the sparks again flew out of the pillars towards Luthane, Delphyne was quick to react and began to try and slow the current of the electrical bolts. Some of them were too quick and shocked Luthane pretty badly but he stood his ground, shaking and grimacing as his body was being overwhelmed with electrical shocks.

"Ok, I have them under control!" Delphyne shouted.

Rosa stepped up and began to try and freeze all the bolts being fired at Luthane, some of them were still getting through but Luthane was holding out pretty well. The frozen bolts fell to the ground but didn't shatter, as the current inside the ice kept pulsing inside it's frozen chamber.

Luthane began kicking them to Tatyana, who quickly readied them onto her bow. She aimed straight at the pillars and before the pulses could react they pillars were engulfed in their own electrical charge. Luthane tried to move himself away and as he did the pillars began shooting bolts at each other until eventually they just imploded and dismantled themselves into arcane remnants on the ground, The demon was amazed and extremely angered by what had just happened.

"You bastards! The master will hear about this!" The demon shouted as he tried to vanish, only to be pinned to the ground with a frozen spark from Tatyana, piercing through the demons ankle and sticking into the ground.

"Grrr, this will not hold me down!" He growled.

Luthane pounced on the demons arm causing him to release his staff in anger, and he swung from his arm back to his feet behind him. The demon grabbed his arm as he called out in anger, his staff hitting the ground.

"You ungrateful shit!" He shouted at Luthane.

The demon used his other hand to raise Tatyana in the air, slowly choking her as she dropped her bow to the ground, her cutlass falling next to the bow also.

"I'll choke the life out of you!" he bellowed.

Luthane Struck again this time sinking his teeth deep into the demons neck, ripping at its flesh with his claws. The demon fell to his knees trying to grab Luthane to remove him from his neck, but before he got a chance to start reaching for him, he found his body slowly freezing from the ground up. He tried to break the ice around him but it wasn't working and only freezing him quicker.

"NO! You will fail no matter what happens! My death will be in vain! Demetrius will consume ..." Before he could finish his sentence he was frozen from head to toe, thanks to Rosa.

"They talk too much" Tatyana said as she climbed back to her feet, she grabbed the cutlass and walked up to the frozen demon.

"One less red bastard to deal with!" she shouted as she thrusted the blade into its frozen chest leaving a large hole through the frozen demon sculpture. She then spun on her toes, jumped up and slashed down straight through the centre of the demon, shattering him into pieces, leaving nothing but a dusting of falling shards to gently layer the ground.

"Phew glad that's over with" Luthane said.

Delphyne and Rosa ran over to Tatyana and Luthane respectively, as just looked at each other with relief, but also a little sadness knowing that the girls have actually lost their father.

"I'm sorry about your father girls..." Tatyana said softly.

"It's ok" Delphyne answered.

"We may have lost a dad, but we gained lots of friends. She added.

"And a wolfy!" Rosa shouted as she climbed onto Luthane, but slowly as her first touch resulted in a static shock.

"So how do we get out of here?" Luthane asked.

"I have no idea, but I fear we're gonna be labelled murderers if we don't leave soon!" Tatyana shrieked.

Delphyne raised her hands upwards before shouting "Leave it to me! I'll get us out!"

With a large flash of light and a huge explosion to follow the group made their escape with the other magi running about in a panic, fearing they were under attack, the three of them followed Delphyne out of the tower, sneakily, safely and as far as they were aware, without aggravation...

Chapter 51

"So Striker, how are you coping with a four legged father?" Shen asked.

"Right now, my head is fixed on trying to find something that'll end this war we have against the underworld, and staying upright on this ice" Striker said gingerly walking as hi feet slid outwards with every step.

"There nothing wrong with the ice" Torik said, stamping down hard cracking the ice beneath him.

"Yeah there's nothing wrong with, woah!" Shen quickly tried to regain his foothold as his almost slipped over.

"Ok, this is getting really annoying, lets hurry up and look around, you guys search those houses over there. I'm gonna try the town hall, if you find something shout, it should echo for us to hear" Striker administered his orders, and the others agreed and made their way to some of the abandoned houses.

Shen was first to realise that the doors were frozen over so he raised his boots and kicked it as hard as he could, only a crack appeared in the ice, showing that it was densely covered. He lunged another kick only to slip onto his side after kicking through the door, shattering it from its hinges.

"More effort than needed, for a frickin' door!" Shen shouted trying to get himself back to a vertical base. He dug his heels in and awkwardly made his way inside, his breath steaming in front of him as he took his first steps inside.

After watching Shen struggle Torik wasn't taking any chances so he just swung his hammer at the door knocking it straight to the ground with minimal effort, he laughed to himself as he ducked under the small frame to enter his designated house.

Striker looked at the town hall, as he slowly made his way up the stairs the doors were already open...frozen solid, but open, like there was a mayoral debate or a town meeting before Rosa covered the town.

"Hello? Anybody there!" Striker voiced echoed, but as expected, no response.

"How strange he thought to himself." The doors were wide open yet the interior doesn't look to have been affected as much, some areas are wet, where the ice may have thawed, but in their places, dry as a bone. Striker continued his way into the hall, looking up at the portrait of the mayor in front of the him covering the wall, like a large mural. He shrugged his shoulders clearly uninterested as he bearedbared a left into the main hall. He took a quick glance around as it seemed more like the inside of a small chapel than it did a meeting room. There were pews spaced equally and evenly on both sides which lead to a small platform where stood a podium with a microphone in front of it. Everything in the room was either wooden or painted in magnolia, very ordinary, almost too ordinary...

Striker made his way to the platform before climbing onto it, standing in front of the podium. He looked across the room to see if there was anything out of place, not nothing, everything seemed pristine and in its place, he looked at the podium and realised there was a large opened book with names and details in abundance. He quickly glanced through it before closing the book. The title of the book read, 'Registry of Esterwynne'

Striker decided to shout through the microphone to grab Torik and Shen's attention. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to Esterwynne!"

He waited for a few moments to see if he got a reaction but there was silence, only every now and then a noise of the ice dripping outside or small 'pinging' sounds like crystal glass being gently flicked.

"Hello! Can anyone hear me!" Striker called out again, again nothing, like the outside was muting any sounds from inside.

Striker thought better of it and began to read the names in the registry in case something jumped out at him.

Meanwhile Shen was busy looking around the house he entered, it seems quite old fashioned, floral wallpaper walls, and matching chairs angled at one another, and a small table in between with old papers formally, and neatly stacked up, Shen decided to have a look, was nothing but dated paperwork, looked like some sort of diary by one of the residents here, He began to read one of the passages out loud to himself. 'Dear Diary, I've finally met him, I think I'm in love blah blah blah tall, dark handsome, blah blah Mr Metrius...That's familiar?" He continued to read some of the passages, it appeared there was love blossoming in the town, well from the diary writer's side at least. Shen was hoping to catch a first name throughout the paperwork but nothing, so he put the papers back down and made his way upstairs...

Torik was looking around the home he ventured into, hunching over to avoid hitting his head on the wooden beams on the ceiling. At a first glance he noticed there was no furnishing, at all, just a small lamp in the corner, it looks like no one had been there in a while, he slowly walked up stairs trying not to break any steps on his way up, he stepped onto the landing and there was but one room to the left, no door no windows nothing, It was almost like solitary confinement with two floors. He looked into the room and there was nothing, but a small rose sitting in a little mug, the rose looked like it was dying of thirst, some of the petals had fallen from it on lay crisped on the edges on the small table. The roses head was leant over suffocating, praying for light or something to quench it's thirst. Torik sighed to himself as it appeared to be a dead end, as he turned round he felt a cold shiver, but not from the cold, like there was someone there. He looked back around and another petal had fallen from the rose, "Hello?" Torik called out. Nothing...

As he turned back again he felt himself stuck to the floor, he tried to lift a leg but it was like his feet were nailed to the ground. "Show yourself!" Torik shouted out.

A voice gently and creepily whispered to his ears, "Get out, save yourself"

"Who's there?" Torik nervously asked.

A shadow appeared before him, there was only an outline of the figure with beaming red eyes.

The voice hissed "You shouldn't be here, leave this place!"

"Who are you" Torik asked.

"Leave!" The voice snapped.

The shadow through itself over Torik, engulfing him in darkness. Torik looked away trying not to see what was happening, but as he opened his eyes again, there was nothing there, the house was back to how it was when he entered. He tried to raise a leg and did so without any effort. Torik seemed very confused and slightly crept out.

"I better go tell the others" He thought to himself as he made his way out of the home and towards the town hall.

Shen was slowly walking up the stairs again it was a similar lay out to the house Torik was in, except the room was on the right.

Shen looked into the room, there was a small bed in the corner with a bedside table with a small wilting rose in an ornate vase on top. "Nothing out of the ordinary here" He thought to himself. He stepped further into the room towards the bed to see if there were any other diary entries, or any signs of recent presence there. He opened the drawers on the table nothing inside either, he looked on the bed, nothing, it looked like it had been made a long time ago but never slept in, like the resident was always out of a night. Suddenly footsteps were being heard behind him, he quickly turned round and was ambushed by chains that quickly pushed him against the wall and wrapped themselves around his arms neck and ankles.

"What the hell is this! Ambushing is for cowards!" He shouted.

"Yet you abandoned your own people" a voice hissed.

The same shadow that appeared before Torik emerged from the floorboards in front of Shen.

"How do you know what I've done! Who are you!" Shen angrily shouted.

"Leave this place!" The shadow enforced as the chains began to tighten on Shen.

"Not until you tell me who you are!" Shen answered back struggling to breath.

"Time will give you the answer you seek..." The shadow replied as he covered Shen in darkness. Shen closed his eyes and coughed hard as the shadow engulfed him while he was still being squeezed by the chains.

"I will not die this way!" Shen screamed as he opened his eyes to find himself on his knees and hands in the middle of the room, like nothing had happened. He quickly got himself back to his feet, dusted himself down and made his way out of the house, shaking his head in dismay about what had just happened.

"I hope that was just a bad dream!" He said to himself out loud... "I better get back to Striker and Torik, they need to know what happened."

Striker was still sitting there reading name after name, but grew impatient so he just started to flick through all the pages until he reached the last entry, his eyes widened in shock.

He quickly made his way out of the town hall only to fins Torik and Shen already outside, with worried looks on their face.

"Guys, you won't believe what I just read!" Striker said.

"You won't believe what happened to me just now either!" Shen added.

"Me too" Torik said.

"Why what happened to you two?" Striker asked, as he slid down the steps to them.

"Well I was chained to a wall and asked to leave by a shadow, who knew way too much!" Shen said.

"You saw him too?" Torik questioned.

"What do you mean too?" Shen asked.

"I was nailed to the ground when he kept telling me to leave" Torik worriedly answered looking around to make sure it wasn't in sight.

"That's seriously spooky, almost like he's a survivor, or someone who had made this town into a giant ice cap." Striker said pondering.

"But we know Rosa did it" Torik said.

"True, but what scared her into it!" Shen answered.

"The shadow?" Striker said to himself.

"But then why would Theruzael have been here? He was last seen on the other island." Shen questioned.

"This is all too much of a coincidence, it's like they are trying to get us together to pull us apart individually, just to prove their worth?" Striker said.

"I doubt that, if they had a chance to kill us, I'm sure they would've by now." Torik answered.

"See, this doesn't make sense, and after reading the registrar in the town hall, I think I now understand." Striker said.

"Understand what?" Shen asked impatiently.

"Look, there's only a few reasons why someone would have a whole town destroyed...right?"

"I guess so..." Torik replied.

"Well I think he wanted to destroy the town hall and all its documents, and failed." Striker continued.

"How did you come to that conclusion?" Shen was getting increasingly fed up of Striker beating around the bush, he didn't wanna stay there any longer than was necessary.

"The last entry in the book, was a name that rang bells to me..."

"Well, who was it?" Torik asked.

"Mr Domenic Metrius."

"You're right, that name is familiar, but why!" Shen started to think why that name was so familiar.

"Didn't that demon Theruzael mention his name?" Torik asked.

"That's it! Domenic Metrius is Demetrius!" Striker shouted.

A gentle clapping could be heard in the distance. Suddenly the shadow reappeared behind Striker. Shen and Torik stepped back, they knew all too well who he was.

"You took your time, but you finally realised." The shadow chuckled.

"So it's taken this much time for you to make yourself known!" Shen shouted.

"Patience is key to finding the weakness of those who oppose, Shen." The demon responded.

"You waited until half of your Patsies were dead, sounds like you know what you're doing to me" Striker sarcastically replied.

"Ever the child, Striker...If only the wolf had left you to die, this world would've been mine already!" He snapped.

"Child? I think you better leave before you perish!" Shen shouted trying to entice the demon out from his shadow.

"Please, if I wanted to I'd snap your neck with the click of my fingers, I have far bigger plans for you and your group of 'heroes'" He chuckled.

"I don't understand, what's so important that you need us alive!" Torik shouted.

"Time will reveal all, but I give you this one chance to surrender defeat and I'll consider sparing your lives. If you choose to continue fighting no matter what number are made to perish, you will all be begging for mercy once I engulf the world in the burning darkness that consumes every pitiful human's existence on this planet!"

The shadow began to disappear, with laughter echoing until it was out of sight.

"They really all do sound the same don't they, you just wanna kick them in the mouth!" Shen said to Torik, who nodded in agreement.

Striker looked straight ahead where the shadow was.

"I don't get it, it's like the more we kill the more he enjoys it. Almost as if he wants us to be the ones to kill the planet..." Striker buried himself in thought.

"Let's not worry about it for now, we'll meet back up with the others and hopefully we can figure something out, I mean surely there's a reason behind everything, we just have to figure it out" Torik tried to give Striker a reason to abandon his thoughts until they were safe.

Striker sighed..."I guess you're right, let's get out of here before anything else happens."

"Yeah, maybe we can have one day free of drama!" Shen said.

"...and now we won't..." Striker answered.

"Why the hell not!" Shen snapped back.

"Because you jinxed it" Torik answered trying to stand in between the two of them in an attempt to stem anymore unnecessary bickering.

"Let's just get out of here, this place is giving me the creeps" Shen huffed.

"Yeah let's get moving, before Demetrius decides he isn't gonna wait anymore" Striker replied.

The three of them carefully walked out of town following in the cracks left by Torik's footprints from where he entered Esterwynne. They sat where they promised they would meet the others, and set up camp, it may have only been a few hours or so, but never the less, it was easier to sit down and talk than to talk and walk to somewhere that is unknown to them all. They casually continued talking into the evening as they were still anxiously awaiting Luthane and Tatyana's return.

The sun was slowly setting as a couple of shadows began to appear over the horizon, Torik stood up to see if he could recognise the shadows. Shen and Striker turned their heads to watch. The shadows did become figures and as expected it was Luthane and Tatyana, but strangely to their surprise, Delphyne and Rosa were still present. Torik ran over to the girls who looked exhausted, he picked them up and carried them over to the campfire. Luthane and Tatyana, slowly walked to the group. Without even a hello both just fell to the ground...

"Busy day?" Striker asked.

"You...have no...idea" Luthane said in between pants.

"What happened?" Shen asked, propping himself upright.

"No talk...just sleep..." Tatyana huffed.

"Well, in that case, I guess we'll all have some explaining to do tomorrow." Torik answered as he settled the girls into a makeshift bed of large stones and leaves.

It wasn't too long before Luthane and Tatyana were sound asleep, Shen was drifting in and out of sleep while Torik stayed up to watch over the girls, Striker was sitting on the edge of the coastline once again looking out at the sea...More questions filled his head, Demetrius knows everything, yet does nothing, the group are doing everything and feels like they're accomplishing nothing...There surely had to be something they hadn't realised...a missing link somewhere.

Striker continued to ponder through the night before falling to sleep where he sat, until the morning came...

Chapter 52

"So you're telling me you've fell another Legionnaire?" Torik asked as Luthane , Tatyana and the girls were telling them of the previous day, seemingly fully refreshed from their sleep.

"Well, we think so, we never got a name, but he was just as nasty as all the others." Luthane explained.

"Yeah he shocked Luthane down to the core, made him all static and limp!" Delphyne added.

"That may explain Demetrius' arrival..." Shen said.

"Well, wouldn't you be slightly concerned being all powerful and having eight of your best die?" Tatyana asked..

"Of course you would, I mean even individually we can better majority of them, so together we are almost unbreakable." Shen answered back.

"Almost?" Torik asked.

"Well, y'know if we aren't at each other's throats" Shen chuckled.

Rosa was looking around because she had noticed they were short one person, so she got up slowly and decided to walk towards the coastline next to the Esterwynne, in hope she may find him.

It wasn't too long before she clocked his shadow still on the edge of the coast, still looking outwards, so she gently made her way down to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Mister Striker?" She nervously said.

"Huh? Oh hey there little one, what's up?" Striker asked almost caught off guard that someone was next to him.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"I'm ok, just got a lot on my mind..." Striker replied as to not worry Rosa.

"My father always said to me and sis, a problem shared is a problem halved, I may be little but I can keep a secret" She smiled.

"Thank you, Rosa...But I think this has to stay with me, for now..." Striker replied trying his best to break a smile back.

"I understand Mister Striker! Just don't let it get you down, we are all only as strong as our weakest link!" She said.

"Cheeky!" He said as he pulled Rosa towards him and began tickling her. Rosa was screaming out in laughter kicking her legs trying to wriggle free.

"Stop it! Stop it! She shouted in fits of hysterical laughter.

Striker stopped the tickling, and let Rosa get her breath back before he propped her back to her feet next to him.

"I think we are gonna have to split the group again Rosa, is that going to be a problem?" Striker asked.

Rosa has finally managed to stop giggling to reply, "If a group wins, the team wins!"

"I like that" Striker smiled genuinely this time as he tried to get himself back to his feet, Rosa trying to grab his hand to help although not successfully, but Striker pretended to make it so she felt like she was.

"Thank you Rosa" he said.

"You're welcome Mister Striker!" Rosa said.

"It's just Striker little one" He whispered something in her ear and smiled at her, "now run along back to others I'll be there shortly" Striker winked.

"Okay Striker, see you soon!" Rosa skipped back to camp as Striker collected himself once more, he felt now was the right time to tell the group his plans, hopefully they were gonna be able to understand.

"Where have you been?!" Delphyne shouted at Rosa as she skipped back to the others.

"Just been talking to Striker, He wasn't here so I went and got him" she replied.

"Is he ok?" Luthane asked.

"He's fine, Just thinking about things he said" Rosa answered.

"It's unlike him to be in so much thought, I hope he isn't letting everything eat him up inside." Torik said.

"Well, we've all been through a lot! So I can only imagine how tough it must be for Striker" Shen spoke.

"...Striker..." Tatyana mumbled to herself.

"Something wrong?" Luthane asked staring at Tatyana.

"Of course not!" She said.

"well, once he gets here, we'll decide what to do" Luthane felt the need to be commanding in Striker's absence, everyone seemed to believe he was the group leader, and Luthane, being a very proud being, deputised himself.

"We don't have to wait long, here he is" Torik replied pointed Striker out.

"Thank god for that I'm getting a numb backside from waiting!" Shen shouted out.

Striker had made his way to the others who were all standing before him, wondering what they were going to be doing next, some a little more eager than others.

"So, which demons gonna be getting an ass whooping next Striker!" Shen said as he cracked his knuckles.

"That's not for us to decide, we can't exactly call out a challenge, can we?" Tatyana responded.

"Maybe we can?" Torik asked.

"Either way, it's too risky doing it as we are..." Striker answered.

"I don't like where this is going" Delphyne whispered to Rosa.

"Look, guys...It's been a very long and arduous rollercoaster, But I think it's time we end this once and for all..."

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!" Shen shouted out.

"...That's why I've decided that I'm gonna have to go solo from here on..."

"Wait WHAT?!" Tatyana screamed, "You can't leave us!"

"I don't want to, but I have to..." Striker tried to reason with Tatyana.

"You don't have to do anything, we are all in this together!" Luthane barked, clearly unhappy with Striker.

"You don't get it! Demetrius has us in the palm of his hand, he can kill us all with ease if he truly wanted to!"

"So? We bring the fight to him!" Torik bellowed as he thundered his hammer to the ground.

"NO!" Striker shouted, "Look, we don't know his full capabilities or what his motive is! But I'm not going to stick around to find out! I'm going to find a way to get to him!"

"You're insane, you are not! You hear me? NOT! Using yourself as bait to him!" Luthane was incensed with rage.

"None of you have a say in the matter, I'm going and that's final!" Striker ordered.

"Please, Striker...Don't go!" Rosa screamed with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I will still need all of you to help me, but this ultimately has been my fault from the start..."

"How the Hell did you come to that conclusion!" Shen snapped.

"Because it's only been apparent since Demetrius said yesterday, if it weren't for me he'd have global control et cetera."

"So you're going to give him..." Tatyana began.

"...Yes..." Striker answered.

"But you will surely die! I lost you once Striker! I'm not losing you again!" Luthane howled as a tear glistened in his eye.

"If it means that we stop them once and for all, I am the smallest price to pay for making sure everyone lives."

"Please don't do this Striker. At least think it over!" Tatyana cried out.

"I've done nothing but think it over, this is the only way it's going to work. I will stay here at Estewynne. I want you all go on to the next village or city or town, whatever it may be wherever it may be, I want you to keep doing what you do, You are all so strong and have unmatched talents, and I have never been happier to have known you all, just know that this will end, and we all will play our parts." Striker tried to insist his decision was final.

"But..." Tatyana tried to speak.

"No more buts about it, no more discussion, please just go, this is how it's supposed to be...just trust me." Striker said as he walked into Esterwynne once more, Luthane tried to follow him,

"Are you seriously going to abandon us like this?" Luthane said.

"It's not abandonment, it's something we all have to do, and I'm willing to give it for the greater good." Striker said trying to fight back the tears. "I accept you are my father now...so if you truly care about your son, then you'd let him spread his wings..."

Luthane just looked as Striker walked out of sight...

"I certainly hope you know what you're doing son..."

"Everyone shut up!" Rosa shouted. "He told me everything!" Another tear fell down her cheek.

"What?" Tatyana was confused but eager to know what he said.

"He wants up to keep all the bad guys busy!" Rosa said.

"We've been doing that together!" Shen shouted.

"Don't shout at her like that!" Delphyne bit back. "Carry on sis..."

"...He...He wants to find out the plan...Then when we beat the bad guys..."

"We go back to Striker and finish it off as a team!" Torik belted out.

"...So all this bloody emotional bullshit just for a goddamned plan!" Tatyana shouted out.

"He knows how to make a sodding entrance and an exit doesn't he!" Delphyne called out.

"He can't hear us, he's gone" Spoke a distraught Luthane who had just got back.

"You know his plan Luthane, it's risky but I think it the right thing to do." Torik said.

"That is my son! It shouldn't be him that goes!" Luthane barked.

"As much as some may disagree, he is the strongest of us all..." Tatyana reasoned.

"That's not the point!" Luthane snapped back.

"The point is wolf that you have got to look at the bigger picture, we have a job to do and we will do it for him and with him, yes it's a perilous and difficult time. But what other choices do we have?" Torik tried to make it seem like it's for the best.

"Stop arguing!" Delphyne screamed. "We are losing time!"

"Delphyne's right, the longer we argue the higher the chance we don't get Striker back!" Tatyana responded.

"I hate that it's come to this, we were fine as we were..." Shen tried to come to terms with the events.

The group didn't have a lot of time, to try and understand the circumstances, but eventually they knew that what they were doing was either going to end in the earth's demise, or Striker's...

Not one of them, if asked, would choose between the two, they just knew that in order to save Striker, they had to hurry, they collected their belongings and began their quickened pace past Esterwynne, taking a quick glance inside to see Striker slowly walking to the centre of the town.

"This didn't have to come to this Striker" Luthane said to himself as they continued past the building, they couldn't waste more time trying to figure out alternatives only to worry about how quickly they can get the job done and help.

By hook or by crook, this was for Striker...and humanity.

Chapter 53

Striker sluggishly made his way into the middle of town, his shoulders slumped, and his head was hanging low and limp. He looked up to make sure he had his bearings, the town hall in sight, the housing along with their frozen doors and windows, even the cracked footprints from Torik remained. He took in a deep breath and looked up at the sky, the clouds were passing slowly across the greyish sky. As he exhaled he pulled himself together and drew his swords and began grinding them against one another as if they were the utensils used for carving meat.

"Demetrius! Show yourself!" Striker yelled at the top of his lungs.

Nothing...

Striker looked around in case there was anyone behind him, but it was desolate, his heart began beating faster as he began to get a bit nervous.

"DEMETRIUS!" He yelled once more raising his head upwards trying to force his vocals further out. His eyes widened with fear as he looked up at the sky to see the clouds beginning to swirl around above him, something was definitely not right, but Striker knew he had to stand his ground, it was too late to cower, especially after calling out the demon lord himself.

Striker continued to look up at the swirling maelstrom forming above him completely unaware, what was about the happen.

The clouds began to fold into one another rumbling with thunder as they curled into a large ball spinning furiously. Without a chance to blink the clouds folded into themselves and then churned out into the shape of a forming tornado before forcing a large fork of lightning to crash down directly in front of Striker, knocking him to the ground from the impact, dropping his swords either side of him.

Striker quickly shook his head trying to regain his senses, he grabbed his swords and used them as leverage to get himself back to his feet, as he looked up, there stood before him, the man he called for...Demetrius.

"Well well, look who decided to return, Come to give me more sarcasm have we Striker?" Demetrius, his stern and slightly sarcastic self, stood over Striker, his body out of shadow and in a deep red and black suit, his face just a putrid as the others.

"Not as such, I have come, but the others are continuing to fight elsewhere..." Striker said nervously, for some reason Demetrius had this aura about him that commanded fear, and demanding respect.

"They won't last a day without you, you realise that?" Demetrius laughed.

"This isn't about them Demetrius, this is about you and me."

"You beckoned me, to fight? Ha! Don't make me laugh!"

"I've come to surrender myself, because I've been the cause of the trouble for so long and to so many innocents..."

"You think all we wanted was to kill you? How selfish can you possibly be!"

"What?.."

"You brought the pain to others by continuing to fight against us, all you had to do was come back home!"

"You cannot be serious! Home? How the hell am I supposed to believe that! Luthane is my father!"

"Oh you poor boy, if only you knew what you have gotten yourself into."

"I came here, to give myself up, so I have all the time in the world to understand..."

"Very well, I accept your surrender, and will finally be able to use you as I intended!"

"Wait...What!"

Before Striker could even fathom an answer, Demetrius summoned a shadow before him, he put his hand into the darkened chasm and pulled out a rapier, the handle was ornate and golden, while the blade itself burned like the fire in Demetrius' eyes.

"You...you said you would let us all live?" Striker pulled his swords towards himself as a means to defend any attacks that Demetrius may lay siege against him.

"Your body doesn't need to live just your soul!" Demetrius vanished in a puff of smoke, Striker frantically looking around trying to find where he had gone.

Before Striker could turn back around he felt a presence towering above him, as he looked down, the rapier was piercing through his chest the flames still burning around the blade. Striker coughed hard as his face winced and blood was released from his mouth.

The blade was forced all the way through his body until Demetrius' hand was seen from the other side, he looked at Striker as his hands lost grip of his swords, falling fast and hard until they clattered against the ice.

Striker's body was becoming limp, but he was still wide awake. Demetrius whispered into Striker's ear. "Your soul is now mine." Demetrius forced his body through Striker and pulled out a ghost like figure of Striker out with him as he walked through his lifeless body. The frame that was once his body was laid on the ground glowing in a bright white light where it had tumbled onto the ice like a crashing wave.

"It is done" Demetrius said softly, "Striker...Awaken!"

The eyes of the ghostly Striker opened slowly, his face pale, and his body stood there with no marks, no bruising no bleeding...just an empty soul.

"You are free Striker, It is time to go home." Demetrius waved his arm in front of him as a blackened door was pulled open by hands unknown to this world. Demetrius snapped his fingers once and began to walk through the door, Striker's ghost just followed, his head looking around taking in all the scenery around him but obedient to his now masters wishes...

"You haven't lost your tongue boy, so speak, Striker..." Demetrius said as his voice echoed from the blackness.

Striker's body came to a stop "What's...happened to me?"

"I have removed your soul from your pathetic skin and left it behind you...now you can walk free as one of us!" Demetrius' laughter sounded out.

Striker looked behind him to see a body laying on the floor, but it didn't look like his, it was a lot smaller...and was covered in a white light.

"What will happen to me now? Do I still have control of myself?"

"You ask too many questions, so follow and I will reveal all." The voice faded slowly.

Striker looked at his body, moving his hands to his face, and wondering now albeit too late, if this was how it was supposed to go...

Striker couldn't think about it, all he could do was follow and learn while pretending to be mindless to Demetrius, and hope that the others could do their part, he slowly walked through the door of darkness, wondering, and hoping everyone else was ok.

"Feast on the corpses of the others! Tonight we celebrate our victory!" Called out Demetrius as he pulled Striker towards him. "Welcome home..."

Striker was in dismay, the words from Demetrius mouth echoed as it sent shivers to his ghostly spine and into his mind. He knew the others were going to be in grave danger and he couldn't do anything to help...only hope they would be make it through...

Chapter 54

"Did you guys see that?" Delphyne pointed up at the maelstrom in the sky, as it began to fade back into synchronicity with the other whitened clouds peacefully travelling through the sky.

"That was right over Esterwynne..." Torik said.

"I knew we shouldn't have left him alone!" Tatyana said in a panic.

"We have to go back!" Shen shouted.

"NO! We do as he said!" Luthane snarled.

"Are you crazy? He could be in serious danger!" Tatyana screamed, her eyes beginning to water.

"We stick to his plan and trust he will be ok!" Luthane's words were combined with his foul mood.

"What has gotten into you?" Delphyne asked.

"C'mon wolfy, be nice" Rosa said while she was still sitting on his back.

"How can I be nice! That is my son back there, with god knows what! If we do not stick to the plan then we either all die, or we never see him again!" Luthane let a tear fall him his eye as it began to matt some of the fur on his cheek.

"There's no need to take it out on us! We are all in the same situation Luthane, we all have a connection to him..." Tatyana tried to get Luthane to listen to reason.

"I have finally felt complete with him accepting me as his father and now it's been taken away as quickly as it's been found! It's killing me inside so I want to get this done for good sooner rather than later!" Luthane huffed as he began to walk off, Rosa leant forward and gave him a hug around his neck in hope it would give him some comfort, maybe even help him realise there are still five others there to help one another.

"Don't you think we miss him too Luthane!" Shen blurted out.

"Why the hell do you care? You're the heartless ninja boy who only cares about himself!" Luthane snapped turning his head.

"Don't push it wolf, I've been reasonable up 'til now" Shen bit back.

"Reasonable? Really? Then what reason could you possibly have for missing Striker!" Luthane demanded.

"The banter! Are you happy? I miss having banter with him, our cocky little too and fros we endure, sure it pisses everyone else off because it sounds like bickering old ladies but I enjoy it!"

"I miss his reassurance, and the confidence he fuels into us all..." Torik added.

"I miss his sarcasm" Delphyne chuckled to herself.

"He's strong!" Rosa continued.

"I miss him altogether, his presence and everything that has already been said. Without those parts it'd never gonna be the same." Tatyana finished with everyone staring at Luthane, who eyes were shaking and filling as he held on to every word.

"I should never have doubted you all...I just want him back as you all do, it's why I want to hurry up" Luthane tried to explain.

"There's no need to make sense of it, we all know." Shen walked up to Luthane, leant before him on one knee and place his hand on his head.

"We will get him back, for all of us" Shen added as he winked.

Luthane sniffled as he nodded. His perspective quickly changed as he caught the smell of something as he sniffled. He began to sniff around, starting from the ground and slowly upward towards the sky...

"...Do you guys smell that?" Luthane asked.

"Nothing from here...Why?" Torik replied.

"I smell...burning!" Luthane quickly looked around to see if he could spot any signs of fire or smoke.

The smell slowly got more intense and Luthane, without warning, sprang off through the bushes to the side of the group, dashing through them trying to avoid any branches that may knock Rosa off his back, she was barely holding on with one hand as she used one to cover her face from the impact of the leaves. The group quickly followed behind, Luthane's nose was a lot stronger than that of a human so they trusted his instincts, and followed blindly through the foliage and fickle branches.

"Slow down...Striker!" Delphyne was struggling to keep up and she found herself trying to push against the on rushing leaves and small twigs that stuck out. Torik noticed her struggling and stopped quickly to launch her up over his shoulder.

"Cover your eyes!" Torik shouted to Delphyne as he held her over her waist, an iron grip locked her safely in his grasp.

Luthane eyes intensified he pushed that little harder and faster before leaping through the last of the thick greenery, he landed with his paws splayed outwards, his hind legs raised up as his sloped downward towards his head. Poor Rosa, was holding so tightly that when we finally loosened her grip and looked she realised she had a handful of Luthane's fur laying loosely in her palms.

The rest of the group finally managed to arrive at the same point as Luthane, as they caught their breath, he was slowly walking towards a large cloud of smog and smoke ahead. The foliage and greenery eventually panned out to reveal burning roofs, broken stone walls, and collapsed barns all around, but in amongst the fire, there were no sounds of screaming, no crying, no hysteria or panic, only a quiet whimpering.

"Guys?" Torik said slowly.

"...yeah?" Answered Shen, still trying to get his breath back.

" I think we were a little too late..."

"I don't think this has anything to do with Striker, I think this is the work of demons."

As the group slowly walked further towards the burnt out village, the whimpering increased in volume and it became an almost weak cry, followed by long sniffling and vocal exhales.

"Hello?" Delphyne called out.

"Anyone there?" Added Rosa softly.

"Be gone demon!" a voice cried out and without a seconds notice an armoured man jumped out from behind a crumbled formation of rock and swung a zweihander wildly towards Luthane, who quickly jumped back to avoid the attack.

Torik quickly stepped in a blocked the sword winging with his hammer, ricocheting the soldier to the ground from the impact. Torik picked the man up by his chest plate and looked sternly into his eyes through the helmet.

"Speak quickly, or die!" Torik shouted, trying to install fear to get quickly to the answers.

"I..I'm so...sorry I thought you were..." he began to quiver.

"Put him down Torik, he obviously isn't worth the hassle." Shen said.

Torik grunted as he dropped the armoured man to the ground, a thud echoed as he hit the ground hard.

"Rise to your feet, footman, tell us, what happened here?" Tatyana questioned.

"Firstly..." He said as he gathered himself together, "I am not a footman," He removed his helmet to reveal a rather stocky, bull necked man with a short brown military cut, and almost straight but small Mohawk raised through the middle of his hair. "Secondly, I thought you were those demonic beings, ready to feast on whatever was left of my men..."

"You're men?" Luthane asked.

The man pointed behind him at a small mound of helmets and blackened armour. "You see that there...That was my men...and I have failed them all." He began to sob again.

"I'm sorry to hear that" Torik tried to offer his sympathy.

"No, no no need for all that" He sniffed. "I just have to dig them all a grave and read them their last rites..."

"Last rites? Are you a holy man?"

"Me? Holy? Ha! It is my duty as captain of the guard to give my fellow soldiers a decent send off" He answered.

"What's your name?" Rosa politely asked.

"Why It's Oswynn little lady, Captain Oswynn." He answered as he bowed his head courteously.

"First or Last name?" Delphyne asked.

"If it's ok with you all I'd rather not discuss myself with strangers, besides I have burials to attend to." Oswynn replied.

"Have you anything left? andAnd did you see the direction the demon that did this went?" Tatyana pushed her luck in asking more questions.

"If you must know, I have nothing, thank you for asking, My title means nothing if I have no one to command, I have no home as it is now laying in cinders, and the bastard that did this has left his burning footprints leading that way" He said as he swung his arm limply in a northern direction.

"Allow me" Torik said. asAs he dug his hammer into the ground and ploughed through the ground several times to leaves rather even holes in the ground. "You're graves await your fallen heroes, Captain"

Tatyana was baffled by the helpfulness of Torik and couldn't help but question why...

All Torik could say was "If Itit were me would you do the same?"

Tatyana nodded. "I guess you're right."

"You seemed pretty nimble for using such a heavy blade Mr Oswynn, maybe you have some skill with that blade of yours?" Shen asked, always seeing if there was any competition to better.

Oswynn and Torik began to put the bodies into each newly dug out hole in the ground placing them as gently as they could as not to disturb their natural death stance.

"I've been known to dabble with many a weapon, but Itit was not I who chose the zweihander young sir, no, no, Matilda chose me." Oswynn answered back rather formally, I think more for his respect to his job than having it be his natural tone, it seemed more conditioned to him.

"Matilda?" Delphyne asked.

"Why yes, every weapon must have a name...mustn't it?" Oswynn questioned.

"If you say so" Shen mumbled

Torik has finished dumping the last of the bodies into the graves, and as he began to cover them using his hammer as more of a brush than its original purpose to cover the bodies with the dirt he recently unearthed, Oswynn knelt down before his soldiers, lowered his head and spoke...

"May you fight on forever, soldiers in death unified by the gods that will it...until we next meet, You are all dismissed" Oswynn saluted them as he rose to his feet, he leant over to pick up his helmet and place it in front of the now covered soldiers, with help from Torik.

"That was a powerful albeit short speech there." Shen said.

"It only needs to help them cross over, not to make them cry like wimps!" Oswynn said with a courageous persona to hide his despair.

"So...I don't suppose you're looking for redemption?" Tatyana asked.

"Redemption? I'd crush all of them if I could!" Oswynn bellowed.

"Good! We could use all the help we can get!" Luthane shouted.

"You've been chasing them down?"

"Eight and counting" Delphyne winked.

"Well, I'll be, the heroes of the world, bound together by a single mission, Toto free the world from destruction! Count me in!"

"Great! Welcome aboard Oswynn!" Rosa smiled as she waved at him.

"I'll be happy to help in any which way I can, with Matilda at my side!" He replied.

"Good, because there's no stopping, not even for a second! We hunt down the creature belonging the these footprints and then we take them all down one by one!" Luthane called out.

A collective roar came from the group as they all made their way north follow the burnt footprints in the ground, the group was lead by Luthane, Rosa still using Luthane as a mount on his back, Torik put Delphyne back on his shoulder both of them with a confident smile across their face, Tatyana checked the strength of her bows string before placing it behind her, Shen folded his arms and nodded. Oswynn uncoupled his chest plate to reveal a light chain mail shirt covered with a white formal open shirt.

"If it's going to be a long journey, I am not going to risk being chaffed by my armour!" Oswynn called out.

Everyone laughed as they moved on following the footprints eagerly anticipating their next fight...

Meanwhile...

"Striker, look before you, the world you see before you is every fallen corpse born again in a body that only death itself can pull you from. They are all but simpletons, wild and reckless. But you, you have a much bigger pair of boots to fill...Take a look and tell me what you think?..."

Striker looked around to see water chambers filled with souls, although they were filled with red, not clear or blue, connected to the chambers were some sort of oxygen mask, leading into somewhere further up from the rocks above their heads. Before him stood an empty chamber, with two demon minions preparing the tubing in and around it...

"You'll spend time being cleansed of your fears, and filled with the rage of the souls that have passed on...You will be able to use that fear, to pour it into the hearts of the weak, the needy, the greedy, the sick and dying...anyone who has a fear can be targeted by you, once you are ready..."

"All this time I thought it was him who was the demon...And I a tool?...can It be...can It possibly be that...I...am the...demon?" Striker was unable to control himself as his ghostly self was pulled into the chamber...The glass shut down over him, and the mask suctioned over his face like a plunger grips a drain. The soul of Striker quickly began to lose consciousness, as the chamber began to fill up with the red substance, Itit was dense, and thick...like blood.

"Rest Striker, Your body will be refreshed and replenished soon enough, and no sooner will you be ready to assist me...In ending this world and glorifying this pitiful earth with us reigning free!"

Laughter ensued as Striker's body gave in and was rendered unconscious, the laughter of Demetrius echoed through his head for the duration of hi body's slumber...His mind however began to wander...

Chapter 55

"So let me get this straight, You'reyou're 'title' is literally a glorified guardsmen?" Shen asked Oswynn.

He sighed before responding. "...yes I was a head guardsman, are you happy?"

"Well, no, because you lied, I don't take kindly to lies..."

"I never lied, I gave you my title and yet, you never questioned. So I think you are barking up the wrong tree, insisting that I am something I am not."

"okOk, ok, your pristine and properly spoken tone is irritating me, let's just leave it for now."

"My tone? Is there anything else I need to cease before I carry on?"

"Yeah! Ignore Shen, he's just being a little bitch as always!" Tatyana shouted.

Everyone chuckled leaving Shen a little red faced, not happy with that last remark.

"Oh so funny ha ha ha" Shen said.

"Maybe if we hurried up the prints we have been endlessly following wouldn't be so cold on the ground!" He added.

"Well if you're gonna start that, maybe you can keep up with us!" Luthane said as he raced ahead to try and catch up with the wandering demon.

"Heh, with pleasure!" He called back as he vanished into a puff of smoke.

"Oh boy! Here we go again." Torik said.

"This happens often?" Oswynn asked.

"More than it needs to, but we have to follow because the one time we don't, well I shudder to think." Tatyana answered.

"GUYS!" Luthane's voice belted outwards.

Everyone rushed to Luthane howl where he pointed dead ahead at a ragged clothed red faced monster crawling at a snail's pace across the dirt ridden track, using an old branch as support.

"There's the heathen!" Oswynn shouted,

"Allow me!" Delphyne shouted as she placed her hands in front of herself, trying to slow the beast even further.

"I'll help!" Rosa shouted as she copied her sister, slowly building ice around their target.

"Hmph, simpletons!" The monster said as he raised his branch, which glowed as it instantly turned the ice to water on the ground. He turned round and placed his foot onto the wet patch on the ground his foot dried the ground beneath him and singed his footprint into the earth.

"Looks like I missed a few...Tell me how slowly and painfully shall your deaths be?" He asked in a deep and husky tone.

"You deserve nothing but a severed neck and a bloodied burial, Demon scum!" Oswynn shouted.

"You think you could place a finger on me without it scalding down to the bone, soldier? I welcome you're challenge!" The demon laughed.

"Just as cocky as the others" Tatyana said.

"Only this one, I think, has power to match" Luthane replied nervously.

"Nah, like the others we'll overwhelm his cockiness!" Shen responded cockily himself.

"The little boy wants to play, very well, feast on the flames!" He raised his wooden makeshift stick upwards and with a blaze atop its branch a ball of fire was hurled straight for Shen, but was stopped by the clattering of steel against the fire, forcing the flames to move away from its intended targets.

"Thanks"

"Not a problem" Replied Oswynn as he retracted his blade.

The fire intensified on the blade as the steel began to wilt from the tip slightly.

"Matilda, no!" He tried to douse the flames with his plate gloves but it only seemed to burn through the plating and it slowly started to cauterize his hand, in which he jumped to hold his hand and dropped his blade to the ground.

Rosa was quick to try and help by freezing the burning embers around his blade, only for the blade to crack under the pressure from both elements.

"She should be ok now Oswynn!" Rosa said as she moved away from the zweihander on the ground. He raised her up in both arms like he was cradling a baby, he then spun her ninety degrees before grabbing the handle and pulling the blade behind him.

"Holding such a large sword one handed is impressive, but does your courage and strength match against my burning desire to engulf you in pain." The demon cackled.

"Time will tell, when my blade impales you!" Oswynn shouted out as he rushed towards the demon.

"The I, Volmagrus, will grant you your death!" he called back as he curled his fingers and placed his balled hand into his chest. With a flash of his fiery red eyes a wave of fiery wrath throw itself from the demons body, like a tidal wave crashing towards the group.

"Look out!" Torik shouted at everyone as he took his stance in front of them all to protect them, His hammer being used as a shield against the heat.

The flames began to grind to a halt before being blown away with the help of the sisters. Tatyana was quick to fire an arrow at Volmagrus, but it soon became dust on the ground with the intensity of the heat emanating from the demons body.

"For crying out loud, these arrows are useless!" Tatyana threw her quiver to the ground in anger and drew her cutlass instead folding her bow over her shoulder.

Luthane tried to rush towards the demon, but with a quick flick of its hand Luthane was found locked being burning pikes acting as a prison, slowly scorching Luthane's skin beneath his ever drying fur.

"Now let's turn up the heat a little bit shall we!" Volmagrus lifted his open palms upwards, raising magma from the earth's core to be bent at his will. He swept his hands across one another as the magma began to collide spraying excess burning liquid at everyone. Upon impact to the ground the dirt beneath them began to crack and sever from the molten substance starving it of any natural resources.

"We have to end this somehow!" Oswynn called out. "Otherwise we'll be either burned alive or underground!"

"But how!" Shen shouted.

"The fire is too intense!" Luthane coughed as the flames around him intensified also, slowly depriving him of oxygen.

"If we don't hurry Luthane will die!" Delphyne cried out.

"NO!" Shouted Rosa as she threw lances of ice out from her hands one aimed at the flame prison surrounding Luthane the other at Volmagrus.

Luthane lowered himself slowly, trying to avoid any impact from the ice approaching him, Volmagrus just laughed as he put his hand in the way of the lance. Slowly crushing it against his palm.

"This is impossible!" Rosa screamed.

"Not quite!" Oswynn called out.

"Do that again, but more!" he asked of Rosa, who began launching one after another at the demon, he continued to focus on blocking each one letting them melt to his touch, Oswynn looked at Shen and smiled. Strangely enough Shen knew what to do, he began to through his kunai at Volmagrus to see if his attention was able to be focused anywhere else.

The demons other hand raised at the kunai forcing them to be flung to the ground by the force of the burning embers within his hands.

Oswynn ran towards the demons grinding the tip of his blade against the ground as he leapt in the air. Before Volmagrus could notice he had found Oswynn above him with His sword ready to impale him from the top of the head down. The demon laughed knowing the pain would hurt him more as he burned against its body.

Oswynn showed no fear he raised his arms and thrusted Matilda deep into Volmagrus' skull the blade weakening with every inch of skin it tore, before he ground to a halt. Oswynn forced himself down the back of the demon, but as he tried to move the sword as well it shattered inside the blade firing into the demon's insides, and the rest of the blade left in Oswynn's hand. A shattered, sharp and jagged short sword.

The demon winced as he couldn't control all three things going on at once, he threw everyone away from him with an intense blast.

As the group fell to the ground the demon, fell to the ground grabbing hold of his chest, the intense fire inside his soul began to cook the shards of steel left inside him and they slowly began burning through his skin one piece at a time, a couple came oozing from his neck and his shoulders and the pieces melted into the ground. Volmagrus began to chose and clutch his chest, it seems a few shard managed to his vital organs as his lungs and heart began to smoulder from his body, the smoke began to pour from his mouth, as he screamed.

"Just Die Cretin!" Oswynn shouted as he placed his burnt plate boots into the back of the demon, whose flames were quickly dousing around him and also Luthane, who had passed out from exhaustion.

Volmagrus let out an almighty cry of anger as a pillar of molten fury burst from within him, it was only a short burst but as soon as it finished his body collapsed to the ground, smoke coming from its mouth.

"Is it dead?" Asked Rosa.

"one way to find out" Oswynn grabbed his serrated blade and plunged it deep in the side of the demon, before ripping it out once more, the blood covered his broken sword and the demon made no movements in retaliation.

"Thank god for that!" Torik said as he tended to his scalded hands.

"We have no time to rest guys! Striker, remember!" Tatyana said as she tried to pick herself up some energy to continue.

"I think it can wait, young lady" Oswynn replied as he pointed at Luthane who was being tended to by Rosa and Shen.

"Ok, I didn't realise...We rest for s short while..." She answered.

Delphyne ad Torik tried to keep some of the small embers and molten pieces to use as a fire starter, Torik squeezed some leaves together to try and gather some liquid to quench Luthane's dried mouth.

A few drops of nourishment, and some nurturing by Rosa was all it took for Luthane to come round, he wasn't quite with it so to speak, but he was awake at least...

"You gave us quite the scare there." Oswynn spoke.

"Sorry" Luthane coughed as he tried to remove the smoke he inhaled.

"It matters not now, only that you get back to a former strength to continue on." Oswynn replied.

"Maybe we should split up?" Tatyana said.

"We could..." Luthane coughed again.

"Rest wolfy!" Rosa said flicking Luthane's nose.

"Right, Shen, you Delphyne and Rosa stay with Luthane, I'll take Torik and Oswynn to find more bastards to kill!" We will return here in a while to make sure you are safe.

"We'll keep him safe Tatyana, and give them a kicking for me won't you?" Shen answered.

"Of course!" She smiled. "Let's go guys!"

Oswynn looked at his blade and placed it to his head. "By Matilda's might we shall power on!"

"I want to drive my hammer into their skulls!" Called an echoed Torik as they made their way further into the forest clearing.

"Rest, Luthane, we'll be fine, everyone will be back to normal" Shen reassured Luthane.

"Even...Striker?" Luthane asked coughing once more.

"Especially Striker.."

Chapter 56

"You fools! We leave the souls in the chamber for a few hours! A few is NOT seventeen!"

Striker's soul had been subjected to an overdose of time inside the blood coloured replenishment chamber, but the surprising element was he had subconsciously removed the oxygen mask and had been breathing normally through the liquid that circulated around his body, his eyes were still shut tight, but the muscles in his body has become tight and torn from the pressure, but no pain was evident on Striker's face, only complete control and relaxation.

"Turn the chamber off NOW!" Demetrius ordered fiercely.

As the substance inside the chamber began to wash away like the emptying of a sink of water, the glass opened up and Demetrius reached in to wake Striker up, in hopes he hadn't been overwhelmed or worse killed.

"Come back to us Striker, your replenishment is complete" He called out, his voice but I mere murmur inside of Striker's head. As Striker eyes opened Demetrius was taken back in shock and awe, His eyes had become a deep swirling brown, like the stirring of a strong coffee within a mug.

"I must apologise for the insolence of my lap dogs, it seems a simple case of timing is difficult even for these morons!" He said as he glared at the pathetic drones cowering from their lord.

Striker took in a deep breath and just continued to stare blankly at Demetrius.

"Do not hesitate to speak, Striker. You have but a few more moments before I take you to the second phase."

Striker's eyes continued to focus on Demetrius, blinking every once in a while which restarted the swirling within his eyes. "Phase...Two"

"Yes, you will see once we arrive, now step out of the chamber and to my side."

Striker raised his leg and stepped onto the edge of the chamber, and pushed off in one jump and stood directly under the nose of Demetrius.

"Impressive, you will have to learn to control that Striker, can't have you being a reckless reject now can we?" Demetrius chuckled.

Striker was still thinking about all the chambers being a resuscitation unit for the fallen demons"...Silthiana...Theruzael...Are they all reborn as mere minions?" he asked.

"Aah My loyal legionnaires...yes they will be reborn, into a new skin a more powerful place for their soul to harvest and torture with little effort."

"Reborn? Am I to meet the same fate?"

"Not exactly...you see the soul has a simple trait that no man dead or alive can control, and that is it's undesirable urge to become one with a 'vessel'"

"A human body?"

"Precisely...But we have something a little different planned for you Striker, something to set you apart from any other demon that roams the underworld and the Earth."

"...That is what...exactly?"

"You will see soon enough Striker, for now It's phase two."

"Does it have a name?"

"In simple terms, it's a should examination, to determine what you would best suit once reanimated."

"Reanimated? So no longer a soul?"

"As I said Striker, You have a different path to take, so enough questions, just follow" Demetrius was keen to keep his plans a secret until absolutely necessary. Striker was keen to know what was to happen to his soul, but to push Demetrius, would mean he would become aware that Striker still had some, albeit very little, control over his own soul still...

They began walking through open bored ground wherever it was they were, Striker was looking around noticing a lot more chambers, and also a lot of random Glass like rooms completely blacked out. With red crosses marked on the floors. Almost like a target.

"Those rooms up there are..."

"Not for you Striker!" Demetrius was quick to end that conversation, which only intrigued Striker more.

"Now go through that tunnel on the left and follow it until you hit a metal wall"

"...ok..."

"I want you to get through the door, anyway you see fit. I will be there on the other side waiting." Demetrius turned and walk in the opposite direction, he obviously had other matters to attend to.

Striker did as ordered and continued to follow the path until he hit a large steel frame in front of him. His first instinct was to try and kick it down, but being steel, it would never have worked, he stood there his arms folded staring at the blockade before him...

"How would a soul get through a thick material?." he asked himself.

Suddenly it clicked, he placed his hand against the frame and closed his eyes, he thought about all the things he had done while human and with a deep breath he forced himself through the door, as he opened his eyes he had found himself on his hands and knees against the ground, echoing around him was a rather sarcastic clapping sound. As he looked up he saw Demetrius there applauding...

"That was very hasty Striker...I appears we may have you ready sooner than expected." He laughed.

"Where am I?"

"This is your examination room Striker, You will be asked a series of question to determine your state of mind as a demonic entity, in turn this can show me how much power you can be given without overbearance."

"Is there a possibility of failure?"

"HA! You couldn't fail, regardless of outcome you will still serve me, and will still be capable of bringing the futile population of this planet to its knees!" Demetrius laughed as he vanished into nothingness.

"Exam? I don't understand what I am to do..." Before Striker could ponder anymore his should was transported into a small dark room, he was sat on a steel chair and chained tightly to it. Wires were hanging from many pressure points on his soul, with the wires leading through cracks in the walls.

"Now, Let us begin!"

Chapter 57

The three that dashed off in search of more demons had no idea which direction they were going only that they were trying to find something...or someone to beat into the ground, the momentum with them after their last victory. Oswynn was still a little down about having broken his precious Matilda, but Torik was seemingly insistent he could help, once the fighting is done. Tatyana's mind was on Striker, she missed him and wished he was with them again to help them push on...

"So how many of these demons are there?" Oswynn asked jogging beside Torik.

"An infinite number would be assumed, but legionnaires. Maybe ten, twenty..." Torik replied.

"Really...can you handle that many Matilda?" He asked his sword, expecting an answer from a piece a large shard of broken steel.

"You know that I can bring her back to her former glory once we are done?"

"I don't know...are you capable? She is a wonderful specimen for her kind."

"It's a two handed sword, I have made plenty, and if you truly wish, once we meet up with Striker, he can show you the weapon I cast for him."

"Ok, if I like what I see I'll let you take care of her, otherwise, I'll appreciate her as she is"

"Strange man" Torik muttered to himself.

"Hey guys, I get the feeling we've been somewhere near here before...Like we've made a full circle" Tatyana spoke with a strange tone, of concern and worry yet with determination mixed into it.

"Really? How so?" asked Torik.

"Well it feels like we have, I don't know why, just does..." She responded.

"I think you may be mistaken m'lady. You see we are currently on course to Turalius, my hometown." Oswynn insisted.

"Turalius? I've read of that place in stories my mother once read me as a child." Tatyana responded.

"What stories would you have heard?" Asked Oswynn.

"Allegedly they have an army that could withstand the wrath of the gods and still be plentiful. They are tougher than gold, stronger than steel and have no emotion to pain."

"Haha! The legend is somewhat true we are most definitely plentiful in numbers, our battle born nature has some truth. But, if we are to rid the world of these demons then we are going to need that army."

"An army and us nine, I think we may have a chance!" Torik blurted out.

"But we have to make sure Striker is able to fight, who knows what torture he has endured..." Tatyana replied worried for his safety.

"Colour me intrigued, but this elusive Striker character seems like a big deal, more so you Tatyana." Oswynn questioned.

"It's his presence, he can bring out the best and the worst in anyone, but you wouldn't change him for the world..." Torik tried to explain.

Tatyana interjected, "He brings confidence via swagger, and can bring warmth to your heart, with his words of wisdom, or just the way he protects each and everyone one of us like we are a piece of him, he's just so unique..."

"Wow, I wonder how I'll get along with him..." Oswynn began to ponder.

"Put it this way Oswynn, If Shen can handle him you two with get on grandly" Torik Winked.

"I certainly hope so, he sounds like a good role model to follow."

"With a almost perfect rear..." Tatyana accidently blurted out.

"Beg your pardon?" Oswynn asked.

"Oh I err... I said which would be perfect here...wouldn't it?" Tatyana blushed her cheeks burning a bright red.

"Yeah...perfect" Torik Sniggered.

"So how far exactly is Turalius?" Tatyana asked quickly trying to change the subject.

Oswynn cleared his throat, "When the sun begins to set the light will shine, on our cathedral's beacon, light will guide you home as a lighthouse does a ship."

"This island is riddled with..." Torik began

"Riddles..." Tatyana concluded.

"For our own safety on this island, we have to be enigmatic, otherwise once our books are opened, they can never be unread."

"That's a fair point Oswynn...I have two questions..." Torik said.

"Which are?"

"One...How long until sunset as it seems hidden from the trees above us...and secondly, has this large island always had issues with demons or negative auras?"

"I will use Matilda, her steel shimmers when we are close, so we shall follow the beaten path until she leads us elsewhere, and it's been known to inhabit a few weird people, but nothing as catastrophic as now, with these demonic beings rampaging around our lands."

"So she's a weapon and a compass?" Tatyana asked cautiously.

"Not forgetting a wonderful companion during the long dark nights on guard" Oswynn added.

"Wow, a fine blade indeed." Torik said.

As Oswynn began to admire his blade she began to shine brightly her beaming light was portrayed as an arrow on the ground leaning directly in front of the three of them.

"Must be sunset!" Tatyana yelled with a grin.

"It certainly is! We must hurry before we lose her light" Oswynn replied as he shot off the mark with his blade pointing forward, as if he was being pulled by it like a hungry, ravenous, large dog. The others quickly followed behind him, time was of the essence and a chance of an army to lead into battle against the demons would be priceless aid . The demons numbers grew more and more each day, the words ringing out in each ones head 'where one falls, a thousand replace...'

"Let's hope we can get Luthane and the others here as well..." Torik puffed.

"Turalius will help get them safe, once we inform them of our plight. But I warn now, do not expect miracles towards the army, it may take some time negotiating." Oswynn called back to the other two.

"We'll worry about that when we get there!" Tatyana shouted back.

Time was running out, as Matilda's light began to diminish. They were running at full pace trying to get safe before the light faded, using only the dimly lit arrow along the ground directing them to Turalius, the trees around them felt like they were closing in suffocating any last ounce of light that remained, they hurried and harried as best they could, but eventually...her light gave out, leaving them in total darkness...

Chapter 58

"Wow, it's gotten dark quick!" Rosa called out, looking up as the darkness rolled over the sky like a crashing wave of blackness.

"Yeah you're right sis, but too quickly...something's not right" Delphyne said with some worry in the tone.

"Let's just stay close, we don't know what fiends could jump out of the darkness, and with Luthane still recovering, we have to be on our guard." Shen tried to enforce calm and order, knowing he was the only adult in the group, he didn't want to have to protect others as it wasn't in his nature, but being only minors he felt the responsibility hanging on his shoulders, and the slight fear that Tatyana would rip his testicles off if any harm came to the girls.

"How you feeling Wolfy?" Rosa asked stroking the bridge,

"I'm getting there Rosa, my throat still burns, and my chest is tight, but otherwise I'm getting back to myself."

"Good to hear Luthane." Delphyne added.

"Yeah, the sooner the better, it's not right having to look after you!" Shen said.

"Makes a change...normally it's Striker looking after us." Luthane coughed and hacked some more loosening more of the smog and embers inside his body.

Rosa rubbed Luthane's back to try and relax him, but it didn't really help much.

"Rest wolfy, you'll feel right in the morning." Rosa said softly as she tried to calm Luthane down, her hands were slightly cold so it soothed some of the burns he sustained on his body.

"Ok girls, I think you need to get some rest too, I'll stay guard tonight." Shen ordered in a soft yet enforced vocal tone.

"Yeah I guess, but if you need us at all, wake us up. Don't want you to suffer" Delphyne made him aware he wasn't alone and that she was more than capable to helping herself.

"Strangely enough you remind me of someone when you said that heh" Shen said.

"Who's that?" Delphyne asked as she and Rosa began to settle down for the night.

"A young me, I was cocky but capable" Shen smiled.

"Is that a good thing or bad thing?"

"I'll leave that for you to decide"

"I'll think about it" She smiled.

"Now...get some sleep, we've got a long day ahead of us." Shen encouraged.

"Thank you Shen, Goodnight."

"Night..."

Meanwhile...

"I'm glad you made it from the blackening process unscathed Striker, it seems your will power is only matched by my own, you keep surprising me"

"Thank you Demetrius."

"Now, I was going to send you straight into our reanimation process, to complete your transformation, but there is something you should bear witness to."

"What's that?"

"Trust me I think you'll like this" Demetrius laughed.

Demetrius took hold of Striker's arm and they warped into darkness, before reappearing in a dark room, there was a small floating orb dripping red and orange ooze from the bottom of it, into a steel crosshatched drainage system below.

"Where are we?"

"You ever wonder how we managed to find you wherever you were?"

"At times...yeah"

"Well, after you ran away, we had to find a way to track you. So we killed many witches and warlocks across the land, before finding this wonderful piece of sorcery."

"It's a locater?"

"Well it is now we have infused it with my own blood...It can show me anything I desire, hidden riches, a certain person, maybe even something as simple as the layout of the world. Anything I desire, I can and will find."

"So you tracked us all? But insisted on letting your legionnaires do your bidding?"

"I don't appreciate your tone Striker, besides I'm going to need you to do something for me. I know how much you think of your friends. The blackening process managed to cover your friendships with despise, but you still know names and faces. Let's see if you can still locate them with your hatred."

Demetrius urged Striker towards the orb, he looked intently at Striker. If Striker's abilities were as good as his own he knew he would be able to work the orb, and also destroy anything in his path.

"Now, look into the orb Striker, I want you to show me your once friends...Tell me their names, and tell me their strengths and weaknesses!"

Striker took a deep breath and looked into the orb, the blood began to separate and a vision of his friends became visible in front of him. He didn't have a look or happiness nor a smile at seeing them, only gritted teeth.

"Tell me what you see Striker!" Demetrius ordered.

"Shen, that cocky shit, his ego is his weakness...strike him down feed on his self loathing."

"Good..."

"Delphyne, Rosa...They just like to slow everything down, frost or particles. They are very strong..."

"Their weaknesses Striker, tell me their weaknesses!"

"Separation, when they are apart they are weak, when one falls the other will join..."

"See that wasn't so hard was it!"

"...no..."

"Well then , let's continue" Demetrius called as he raised his arms in the air the blood began to burst against the walls, bringing up portraits of each of Striker's comrades. The details displayed around the ones Striker had already spoken off were placed beneath each portrait.

"Now I want you to delve deeper Striker, I don't expect you to know about the soldier that's tagged along but the others...Start with the giant."

Striker sighed, his head began to throb for some unknown reason, the information he was giving out didn't feel right, and he could only see rage whenever he spoke of their names...

"Torik, Powerhouse, brute strength...he is proud but his weakness is his past..."

"Why am I saying all this...I shouldn't be opening my mouth" He thought to himself.

"We know all about the wolf, so we'll move on past him" Demetrius said.

"Did you know he...was my father..." Striker called back.

"Well, colour me surprised. Perfect angle there to attack" Demetrius burst into laughter.

"What have they done to me?" replayed in his head constantly, why couldn't he fight back? Why was it he couldn't see past his own rage...until Demetrius uttered the solitary word...

...Tatyana...

Chapter 59

"Will you stop apologising Oswynn! You're driving me insane!" Tatyana shouted.

"I'm sorry..."

"Grrr, if you say sorry once more I am going to hit you and it will hurt!"

"Ok, ok I'm sor...never mind"

"That's what I thought."

The three of them were still stranded in darkness, they had no idea what direction they are facing, they had no source of light despite Torik's best efforts finding something to spark without knowing what he had in his hand.

"It's no use, whatever I try to pick up from the ground, doesn't seem to be helping at all" Torik shouted in anger.

"It's ok, keep calm sir, it'll be light soon enough."

"I have doubts about that"

"How so?"

"We've been on this island mere days, and not once, has darkness fallen so quickly. I'm sceptical."

"Now that you mention it..." Oswynn pondered, "It's never done that!"

"So we notice this after a few days, how long have you been on this land?!"

"Guys quit your belly aching, it's giving me a bloody headache!" Tatyana interrupted.

"I'm sorry" Oswynn said, but was quickly feeling pain as Tatyana wildly swung in the hopes of hitting him, and she quickly connected her clenched fist against the side of his head, leaving him rubbing his head to ease the stinging sensation pulsing across his temple.

"What was that for!" He shouted.

"I warned you about saying sorry!" She shouted back.

"She did, never test a woman, especially when warned." Torik thought he'd add his piece just to rub salt in the wound.

"Well I didn't expect it to be such a forceful impact, you pack a punch, wherever you are."

"Striker taught me that one." She winked, not that the others could see.

"When was this?" Torik asked with intrigue.

Before she could answer a small orangey glow began to appear from a distance.

"What is that?" Tatyana asked out loud.

"We better be prepared for anything." Torik said as he held his hammer tightly in both hands.

"It's home! They've come for me!" Oswynn shouted as he made his way to the light.

"Be careful Oswynn it could be a trap!" Torik shouted out, but he didn't listen, he continued to walk towards the light as it began to glow brighter and in larger numbers.

"HALT! WHO GOES THERE!" A stern voice shouted out.

"It is I Oswynn! Captain of the guard, for the kingdom of Turalius!"

"Stand down men he is one of us!" The voice echoed once more.

"I have company with me, please follow!" Oswynn insisted as he made his way to the others who were standing there a little unsure what to do.

"Guys come here!" Oswynn beckoned Tatyana and Torik to him, as they met with the flames of torches burning brightly, a man leading the group of soldiers was on horseback, with matching armour to that of Oswynn, a small group of a dozen men followed behind, banners and weapons a plenty.

"Speak your names," The voice above the horse spoke.

"I'm...Tatyana...Sir"

"Torik, Sir"

"Good, your manners are appreciated. Now we make haste to Turalius, Oswynn, stay close and keep up with your...friends here"

"YESSIR!" Oswynn shouted with a salute. "You heard the general! Let's go"

"Finally we caught a break" Torik thought to himself, almost relieved he didn't have to spend the rest of the darkness trying to feebly produce a fire.

"Yeah, but how long will we actually get to rest." Tatyana asked.

"We'll worry about that once we get there." Torik assured Tatyana before they both tried to keep pace at the back of the neat and formal rows of soldiers.

"How I wish you were here Striker..."

Meanwhile...

"Striker, I will NOT ask you again...Tatyana!"

"I've already told you...the orb will not show me."

"You will the orb! Do NOT take me for a fool! I created it, I know it's capabilities!"

"I cannot help you, my mind has closed her off..."

"LIES!"

"What good is it to lie...I'm a soul, I have no body to fight with, I have nothing left inside me but the darkness and rage you filled me with!"

Blackness began to seep from Striker's palms, as his eyes burned. This was the first time Demetrius had seen that from any soul, so was a little taken back by it.

"...If this is a ploy to waste time, I will make you pay for it Striker..."

"My patience is wearing thing also...I want to know what you have left for me..."

"Then maybe it's time to bring you back so I can beat sense into you"

"Do as you will. My pain is a remorseless winter, you have made me unrelenting rage with nothing but hate flowing through my body. Anything you do, will be empty just as I am."

"You seek to test me Striker, But I will not bite, instead you will kill your once friends, and I will watch!"

"If that is your will...then so be it"

"Good, finally you listen, now walk with me Striker It's time to reanimate you into the perfect weapon."

Demetrius lead Striker downwards through a chute that was fed through the ground, Striker fell for minutes it seemed seeing lotsa of different shades of yellows, reds, and oranges. Like he was falling towards the core of the Earth, but without a rise in temperature.

Before he could anticipate a landing he found himself thrown to the ground once more, spat out by the gravity of the vertical chute. As Striker looked up, he saw Demetrius stand before a tall cylindrical metal container of some description. He looked instantly at Striker who was getting himself back to a vertical base.

"Allow me to introduce you to your new vessel Striker." Demetrius raised his hand and the container began to spin around, like it was unlocking from the inside. Striker's eyes just followed it around as it began to spin one way and then the other, as if it were a safe dial being twisted to the left and then the right...until it finally opened... smoke and steam swelled out from inside the container covering the small area he and Demetrius were standing.

The steam settled, and there it stood, black and red from head to toe, one hand was a metallic claw, the other had a longer sharper curved blade in its hand. The Hair was longer, much longer with black streaks going through silvery grey hair.

"This is your body, this is your redemption for all those who have doubted you, all the so called friends who left you to die. Everyone who had made you the weak little boy will tremble at your feet, and you will end their pitiful lives!"

Demetrius extended his arm out towards Striker.

"Are you ready to finally be victorious?" He asked.

"...Yes..." Striker answered, with fierceness in his eyes.

"Time to meet your destiny, Striker...Time to feed your rage!"

Chapter 60

It wasn't much of a further walk had they been given another few minutes of light, Oswynn, Tatyana and Torik we lead to the base of a long flight of white stairs that lead into the city of Turalius. The walls were tall and the banners bold. There was armoured personnel everywhere you looked and each one armed with a pike or a lance of some sort. Helmets on and visors down, so they were not recognised by outsiders.

"What's with the faceless guards?" Torik asked inquisitively.

"It's an oath they have take...Once a city guard, you cannot be called by your own name because your family is the rest of the army, and your mother, is the one person you serve...our queen." Oswynn explained.

"Wow, so you give up everything just to die protecting the city." Tatyana asked.

"Pretty much, but only if you ever wish to enrol as a city guard, I chose to travel and protect, hence why I'm captain of the guard."

"Ok, that's all well and good but what about the General over there. Why has he got no helmet on?" Torik added another question to the list.

"I don't make the rules, but as far as I was aware, a general has survived many a battle and earned to right to be recognised by our people." Oswynn confirmed.

"Seems fair enough to me" Torik said nodding.

"So where are we going?" Tatyana asked.

"Well. It appears we are going straight to the cathedral, to meet her highness."

"Wait what?" Torik looked back to see that during their conversation they had already climbed the stairs and ignored all the civilians and soldiers staring.

"So that giant glass spire is..." Tatyana started as she lost her trail of thought looking up at the enormity of the building.

"She is beautiful isn't she..." Oswynn took in a deep breath and shivered. "Aaah takes your breath away."

"Yeah...it does." Torik answered staring at the shimmering glass like piece of architectural genius.

"HALT!" The General called out, all soldiers immediately ground to a halt, and slowly but surely the other three did so too.

"You are dismissed men, Oswynn! Tatyana! Torik! You follow me, the queen has been made aware of your presence and seeks and audience with immediacy. Formality and manners are a must at all times, or I will not hesitate to remove your tongues. Do I make myself clear!"

"Sir!"

"Yes, Sir"

"YESSIR!"

They all walked together in unity and uniformity as they made their way inside the cathedral. The General dismounted leaving his horse be, it stood still and silent, obedience seemed to be a priority in this city. He led them into a large room, filled with pews at each side, and an arched podium standing tall above all at the front of the room. A woman was stood at this platform, regal from head to her shoulders, which was all that was visible at the time, a tiara on long blonde hair flowing freely behind and a white gown that lay gently upon her shoulders, in laced materials. She leant herself over the platform as she watch the two outsiders and a merely footguard approach her.

"That will be far enough." She spoke.

They immediately stopped and Oswynn immediately knelt down with his head looking at the floor. The other two didn't quite know what to do so they insisted on staying stood up, showing no fear maybe, but more for the sheer fact they had no idea of the customs of Turalius.

"Are these the three I was informed of General?"

"Yes your highness" He replied bowing his head.

"That'll be all General, make sure the necessary arrangements are made for our guests."

"At once M'lady." With that the General bowed his head once more and turned to walk out, in the distance you could hear him mount his steed and trot out of the cathedral.

"I have been informed of your arrival, but I am unsure of your reasons why you seek solace here." The queen asked.

"It would only be for tonight, as we are going to need to find our friends we left behind." Torik tried to say through somewhat nervousness.

"Yeah, one was suffering from inhaling too much smoke, after we killed the demon..." Tatyana was stopped mid sentence by a gasp from the queen.

"You vanquish a demon? Preposterous!"

"It's the truth your highness, I was present at the time, and have shattered my sword in aiding" Oswynn tried to explain as he bared Matilda for her to witness.

"It appears I was mistaken, I am impressed by your heroics."

"Thank you your majesty." Oswynn bowed.

"Now, is there anything else you would like to discuss?"

"I wish to have a private word if that's ok with your highness?"

"Very well, I will have guards escort you two to your separate rooms." The queen pointed towards Torik and Tatyana before clicking her fingers and two guards opened the doors, leading out.

"I'll meet up with you guys later" Oswynn Smiled.

Tatyana and Torik nodded back at Oswynn before making their way outside with the guards.

"Now, what is it you really want of me Captain Oswynn."

"Please, no formalities, I am here to request our army be used against the demons, to purge them from the world once and for all."

"You have got to be kidding, Oswynn. I cannot simply send my strongest men out to fight something we don't know anything about, nor their numbers."

"Believe me, sooner or later they will catch us unaware and when they do, we won't be able to defend ourselves let alone the people of this city!"

"Do not raise your voice at me Captain! I will not hesitate to throw you into the stockades!"

"My apologies your majesty, but I just think it'll be better to be pro active rather than reactive."

"I understand your worry, but this city has took firm, strong and tall for centuries, without any fear of failure. I sincerely believe whatever forces come against us we will eliminate with utmost swiftness and force."

"...I understand..."

"Now, go back to your barracks Oswynn, I will no doubt speak to you again in the future"

"Thank you, your highness." Oswynn felt a little down hearted that his request was so quickly rejected, but he was determined, to try something. He swiftly walked outside, the darkness was still upon the city and he decided to go and find Tatyana and Torik to make sure they were settled in.

Oswynn quickly arrived at Tatyana's room, in the nearby tavern, He knocked quietly just in case she was asleep.

"Who's there?" She called from behind the door.

"It's Oswynn."

"Oh, doors open, come in"

"Hey..."

"What's wrong you seem down?"

"Well...I couldn't get us the army..."

"That's not a problem Oswynn I'm more pleased you even tried to" She smiled.

"It's ok, I just feel like for once I wanna make a difference and make up for the past."

"The past?" She asked confused.

"Yeah It doesn't matter."

"Are you sure?"

"...yeah..."

"Nope, I'm not convinced! Tell me, I'll keep it between us" She smiled.

"OK, but first, I have to ask something..."

"Is this your bargaining chip?"

"You could call it that, yes"

"The go for it, and make it a good question, because I don't give much away for free." She laughed to herself.

"I may be reading into this a bit too much but you seem to be very fond of this Striker character, every time you think about him you go from happy to emotionally upset almost straight afterwards...Just an observation."

"Wow...err, yeah good question,"

"I'm sorry I've overstepped the line, I'll go."

"No, no it ok...it's a fair question." She said urging Oswynn to sit down again.

"It's been bubbling under the surface for a while, we were very back and forth when we first met, snapping at each other, being a little bit arrogant towards each other, but since we left Kilka, my hometown, I felt we drifted apart...For the first part he was unconscious, but that another story. But sometimes when everyone's asleep we stay up talking, getting to know each other, he shows me some techniques with combat...so we've become closer, but I don't know what to do about it, because he's not here and I fear I won't see him again..." A tear fell from Tatyana's eye, she quickly rubbed her face, trying to snap out of it, but Oswynn was keen to notice.

"I think you should tell him, when you see him next, not If...when"

"Thank you Oswynn."

"Now, I'm guessing you want to know my past..."

"Actually, It's a simpler question than that..." She sniffled.

"I sense I know the question, but go on."

"Why have you given your sword a name. Is there anything significant about it?"

"My senses were right, and yeah...there is..."

"Oh, is it a sad story?"

"It is for me, but I've told it enough times to be able to explain it"

"Ok, I'll let you explain."

"Thank you"

Oswynn took a deep breath...and clicked his neck to loosen up.

"I was sent out on guard to a nearby village, but before I could even get there it was burned to the ground, by that bastard Volmagrus. Anyway, I searched for any survivors, and I found no one, the rubble covered many fallen civilians and the fire burned many of the remains, except for one, a very young girl no more than about three or four years old...Her name was Matilda. After trying to console her I asked her about her family and they has vanished into the fires. So I decided I was take care of her, much to the dismay and dislike to the idea by our queen. But against all the wishes of her majesty I insisted on taking care of her, wherever I went she would follow. on guard to the market, everywhere...like a lost sheep."

"Oh bless, you did a wonderful thing there Oswynn."

"Did I?"

"Well, I hope so..."

"well, I was coming back from patrol with little Matilda with me, we had grown close in a short time, it was almost like I had adopted her as my own. But That Volmagrus made another appearance, but it was just him and me, he still didn't recognise me when he finally killed the bastard! Sorry I'm getting off track..."

"Yeah you are" Tatyana was intrigued.

"My apologies, well I called him out to battle him and before I could even raise my sword to him he enslaved Little Matilda in flared chains, which burned through her skin and into her body. I was rendered useless in a second, I dropped my sword and fell to my knees in despair. All I could do was burn my own plate armour, to hold her lifeless body in my arms...I had vowed that Me and Matilda would seek revenge and end his miserable life...and then we meet up in an uncanny coincidence a few years later..."

"Oh, Oswynn, I'm so sorry for your loss...now I understand why she means to much to you."

"Yeah..."

Oswynn stood up and smiled at Tatyana.

"I better go check on the big guy, will you be ok?"

"Of course" She smiled. "...and thank you Oswynn, you are a true gentleman."

He slowly nodded "You are a very strong willed woman, Tatyana, I hope Striker realises that" With that he left her room and made his way down the hall.

Tatyana sighed with a smile "I hope so too..."

Chapter 61

"You are ready, Striker."

"Yes M'lord..."

"You have nothing but overwhelming power and the ability to control fear within your body. It's time to unleash hell!"

"As you wish..."

Demetrius was finished with Striker in his new body, his soul was soaked in the body's deepest and darkest chasms of pain and suffering. Demetrius had been using his demon minions as target practise for Striker, but he just cut them all down like they were paper, and burned them to the ground, disintegrating their corpses with no remorse.

"I will send you back to Esterwynne, your first job is to melt the ice and burn the town to the ground. I will give you further instructions, once you have completed this task.

"Hmph" was all that came from Striker.

"Do not fail me...if it's even possible."

Striker was pulled through a dark orb and warped to one knee inside Esterwynne, where his soul was removed not so long ago. He looked at the ground to see a small boy laying on the ground, lifeless. He picked up the body and carried it within his clawed grip to the outskirts of town, before drawing his sword and cutting down the ice around Esterwynne...

Meanwhile...

"Striker?" Luthane called weakly.

"You ok there wolfy?" Rosa asked.

"A lot better, but I felt a presence...but not as we once knew it..." Luthane was confused and still a little woozy from not being on his feet much recently.

"You think it was Striker?" Delphyne asked.

"I'm not sure, if it was then something's definitely not right."

"Well, let's hurry up and find out!" Shen shouted.

"But what about the others?" Rosa asked.

"They are in safe hands, I'm sure of it, they are all pretty tough cookies as well." Shen replied,

"So which way do we go?" Delphyne asked.

"Maybe... back to Esterwynne?" Luthane said, as he began to walk about for a bit.

"We could do, I mean it's not too far from here." Shen said.

"Ok! Let's go!" Rosa cheered, as her lift was back to his feet and they were finally moving again.

"Just one thing...It's still pretty dark." Shen said.

Delphyne picked up a few twigs from the fire they had made they were still burning, and she tied them up using some leftovers leaves and reeds around to construct a makeshift torch.

"Voila!" She said.

"Nicely done" Luthane answered.

"Thanks" Delphyne blushed.

"OK, so we stay close and we make a steady journey back, everyone good with that?" Shen asked, seemingly taking leadership into his own hands.

"Let's go already! Giddy up!" Rosa shouted as he clicked her heels into Luthane's stomach, he winced as he wasn't one hundred percent yet.

"Don't...do that again..." Luthane said shaking a little.

"Oops, teehee sorry" Rosa said as she hugged Luthane.

They four of them made their way slowly back the way they came hoping to find certain objects to show that they were heading in the right direction, they were all huddled close so no one was lost or taken, they may have felt stupid but safety was their only priority.

"..Striker is that presence...really you?"

...

Striker was quickly bored of hacking and slashing at ice, so he clenched his body tight and spread his arms open wide unleashing a rain of fire over the whole town, engulfing everything it touched into burning rubble, the ice just evaporating as the heat was too intense and hot for it to even become a liquid.

"Everything will burn...everyone will suffer. I am the ending of the world..." He thought to himself...

"I will end them all..."

"Good Striker, Feed on that hatred, enhance the fear around you. That's your next job, I want you to consume the fear that flows around the fire" Demetrius said as he appeared.

"It shall be done..."

"I don't know where this obedience has come from, but It's refreshing to see do as your told for once" Demetrius chuckled to himself as he left Striker to it.

"Once you have consumed this town, I will give you your next objective"

"Yes, Lord Demetrius."

"Such respect haha! This is too perfect, soon the world will be ours to rule, Striker."

"Soon..."

With those words Demetrius vanished. Striker's eyes focused on the task at hand he stabbed his blade into the ground, instantly cracking the earth beneath the town. The cracks began to ooze dark tendrils, sheer black and creepily waving to and fro, like they were trying to wriggle free from their roots. The blade glowed with a deep red streak across the blades edge, and the tendrils began to free themselves, being pulled towards the blade, as it seemed to absorb them into itself. Striker just knelt down before his blade his hands crossed over each other as they perched on the bottom of the handle, his head was looking down and his eyes were closed, almost like he was in control of what was happening...

...

"Let's get going already, I feel we've already overstayed our welcome" Oswynn was trying to rush Tatyana and Torik out of Turalius.

"Really? In your own hometown?" Torik was trying to question while being pushed verbally and with the use of hand gestures.

"Yes! We came here to gain and army, and solace. We got only one, and now have to get back to Luthane and the others."

"But we've been here only a night?" Tatyana tried to explain.

"Have we? When was the last time we saw natural light in the sky?" Oswynn was clearly not taking any excuses.

"Well, we don't have the time, we can only feel it...I guess..." Tatyana tried to explain, but Oswynn was just adamant on leaving.

"Well can we at least request some fire or light to guide us?" Torik questioned.

"Hmph, fine you guys head to the exit I'll speak to the General , or maybe her majesty see what they can do. Go Now!"

"Ok, ok, wow he's tetchy today...wonder what pissed him off?" Torik thought out loud.

"Maybe it was me?" Tatyana answered as they began to make their way to the entrance.

"You? what did you do?"

"We kinda talked about things on our minds, mine being the situation, his being..."

"Go on."

"I can't I promised I wouldn't say."

"aah, one of those, I understand, but I'm sure if he has confided in you about something, it wouldn't have made him so angry. Maybe it's just this city that reminds him of a bad time."

"Yeah...maybe you're right."

Oswynn was stood beside the general saluting and calling for his attention, the general noticed him beneath him.

"At ease Captain."

"Thank you sir"

"What's the matter?"

"Well, general, I err...we would like to request some torch wood or a light source to guide us out in the wild again, it appears we are ready to begin looking for our friends."

"But my men are looking for them, surely you going out as well if too risky."

"Risky, but necessary, Sir"

"hmm, very well. I grant you permission to use as much of the barracks torch wood supplies as needed."

"Thank you Sir!" Oswynn called back quickly and with a slight smile.

"Oh and Oswynn..."

"Yes...Sir?"

"If it counts for anything, I'm glad you disobeyed us regarding, you know..."

"It counts for something, Sir...But it doesn't bring her back"

"My apologies Oswynn, I just thought you should know."

"It matters not, I have friends to help me get by and a living memory at my side, and I need nothing more."

"I'm glad that is the case, I best get back on duty, so be safe and strong, go forth for the victory of Turalius Captain."

"YES SIR!"

...

"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Delphyne asked Shen.

"The hell would I know I was following Luthane."

"I was following you guys..." Luthane replied.

"It is!" Rosa shouted.

"How can you tell that?" Shen asked.

"Something smells burnt"

Luthane raised his nose to the sky and took a few sniffs. "She's right you know"

"Haha, she could put you out of a job, her nose catching that before you" Shen laughed.

"I was busy focusing on making sure we weren't lost and could get to somewhere safe again. Unlike you"

"That's enough!" Delphyne shouted.

"Sorry Tatyana." Shen said sarcastically.

"Ok, that's taking it a bit too far, don't you think?" Luthane said.

"You didn't hear it in her voice?!"

"Oh I did, but have the common decency to not say it out loud."

"I thought I said to stop it! We have to get moving, we said we were going to Esterwynne, so it's gonna be a longer trip with you two bitching like women!" Delphyne shouted angrily.

"Ok, I definitely heard it that time..." Luthane said softly.

"You owe me an apology, wolf."

"You'll get nothing and like it, let's just get these girls safe, because the small of ash and burnt wood isn't doing my nose any favours."

"Tch, fine, But I know I was right."

"Give up Shen!" Rosa shouted.

"See now you have Rosa on your case, just leave it be please, at least until we get to Esterwynne" Luthane tried to resolve the issue as quickly as he could to spare his ears with three bitching girls.

"...Fine, whatever. Let's just get on with it."

...

"So what way do we go now? I'm pretty sure we were already here once before, but in the same light I thought it was a full circle..." Tatyana was trying to fathom her bearings as the torchwood was offering light but no noticeable path already taken.

"Maybe it does, maybe we should trying going through the bushes and trees like we did when Luthane ran off."

"Maybe so, but would they know to meet us in Esterwynne?"

"Striker told us all to meet there if ever there was a problem..."

"...He said something like that...yeah"

"Are you two finished?" Oswynn interrupted.

"Yeah, we are just figuring out a way to Esterwynne." Torik replied.

"Ah Esterwynne, It's simple we are standing no more than a few hundred yards from Turalius, right?"

"I, guess so?" Tatyana answered not really sure of distance related measurements.

"Well, if we turn East from our position, and follow through the forest and foliage, we will appear with a mouthful of greenery but in direct, albeit dimly lit view of there."

"How do you know that?" Torik had to ask.

"Patrol duties."

"Might've known, but now we know where to go, lets hurry!" Tatyana responded as she drew her cutlass and began to cut her way through the leaves, marking tree bark as she passed them to signature their route, in case they lost their way.

...

Striker pulled himself to his feet, pushing his hands from his blade and pulling it from the ground with ease. The darkness has been fully consumed and the town was left grey and lifeless. Striker looked around to make sure there was nothing left, an evil grin appeared from the side of his mouth as he called out, "Lord Demetrius! It is done!"

Demetrius appeared as a shade before him, laughing.

"Excellent, I am pleased at your speed and precision. Now I have some interesting news for you."

"Go on..."

"It appears your once friends are all on their way back to Esterwynne. So it saves you the trouble of having to find them."

"That is good news" Striker replied as he re sheathed his weapon and cracked the knuckles on his clawed hand.

"Do you think you can take them all at once?" Demetrius asked, somewhat concerned Striker wasn't fully ready in his new body.

"I don't think...I know!" His eyes burned brightly.

"Focus on the weaker ones, then leave the rest for another day."

"I will not fail you."

"If they overwhelm, then get free. Your plans are far bigger than them, remember."

"I remember M'lord...I will do as you please."

"Good, now prepare yourself...I'll be watching..."

Chapter 62

Luthane, Shen and the two girls were still trying to guide themselves back to the main path and it wasn't long until they had found it., they were looking left and right to determine which way they had come out, but something wasn't quite right when they looked to see Esterwynne in the distance.

"It may be the darkness, but I don't see any ice around Esterwynne?" Delphyne said.

"No you're right, there's nothing...everything looks grey and dull..." Luthane said as he focused his eyes.

"Maybe we should take care going back, the last thing we need is another demon attack when we can't see that far ahead." Shen added.

"Let's see Striker!" Rosa said.

"Yeah, let's go, I'm sure he'll be eager to see us" Delphyne said.

"Yeah, we'd better be quick but cautious." Luthane stressed, just in case something was wrong and his bad feeling was right.

As they began to approach Esterwynne, the darkness had began to remove itself slightly, but only in the direction of inside the town itself. Swirling in a mass, it was almost identical to when they had left Striker there.

"We better hurry, we've seen that before!" Shen shouted.

They ran ever closer and suddenly out the corner of Luthane's eye he saw a small figure laying on the ground laying outside..."Could it be...?"

...

"I thought you said we were gonna be in front of Esterwynne soon?" Torik said as he was hit with a mouthful of tree branch with a side order of sap and pale green foliage.

"Be patient! We'll be there in a few more paces, just keep pushing!" Oswynn called back as he cut the excess around him away for extra leg room to walk.

"I think we are getting close, I see some light ahead!" Tatyana called out as she began to rush off ahead again to follow the light.

"Wa...wait up!" Torik called out as he spat out the greenery from his mouth and tried to push through the thick bushes and weeds, stamping hard to make sure it never stuck to his feet again.

"Keep going! We're close!" Oswynn shouted following in the destructive footsteps of Torik.

They continued to push and Tatyana moved her head to the side and shut her eyes as she continued to force through as much as she could, eventually she found no pressure against herself as he turned to open her eyes she tripped over her own feet and landed on her knees, immediately grazing them. Torik and Oswynn had slowed down but managed to get to Tatyana who was dusting herself down, picking out little particles of dirt and broken pathway from her knees.

"Are you ok? You went completely over on yourself" Oswynn asked with genuine concern.

"I'm...Fine" Tatyana replied as she winced while rubbing her knees down, there was light bleeding coming from the grazes but nothing to begin to worry over.

"Hey, do you guys see over there?" Torik spoke as he looked at Esterwynne.

"The darkness is filling into the town? That doesn't look good at all" Oswynn gulped.

"That's familiar...didn't we see that when we...Oh god, Striker!" Tatyana limped off as quick as she could, she knew something wasn't right to be seeing such a similar occurrence at the same place.

"She just doesn't stop running does she?" Oswynn said feeling slightly tired carrying the extra weight of his armour on him.

"You'll get used to it" Torik said as he tried to keep up with Tatyana.

...

Shen had overtaken Luthane trying to see what he was looking at is it certainly wasn't Esterwynne, and it's strange new aura forming inside it. He squinted his eyes and he saw a small mound of clothing laying on the floor outside the town, "was that what Luthane was looking at?" he asked himself.

"Hey slow down wolfy" Rosa was holding on for dear life it was almost like Luthane had forgotten she was on his back, she was shaking to and fro violently.

"Luthane! You're gonna drop Rosa!" Delphyne shouted as she tried to keep up with them.

Luthane was ignorant of the words his mind zoned out, as they edged ever closer, it was Luthane's worst fear what the small mound was...

"LUTHANE!" Shen tried to halt Luthane in his tracks only to be knocked to one side, it was like he was a freight train not stopping until he reach his destination.

He grinded to a halt right before the body, allowing Rosa to gingerly dismount, and the others to catch up.

"What the hell was that all about! You inconsiderate bastard, you could've killed Rosa!" Delphyne called out puffing and panting.

"Yeah, Luthane what gives!" Shen shouted.

Luthane was shaking violently, he chose not to answer anyone, and he just slowly started to nudge the mound, almost with a sense of de ja vu.

"Guys!" A feminine voice called out

"Tatyana?!" Shen was lost as to how they managed to get there.

"Yay!" Rosa ran to Tatyana and welcomed her with an embraced hug.

Delphyne breathed a sigh of relief knowing everyone was able to get back together, but no one had noticed Luthane. He was still gently nudging the body on the ground, to see if there was any life in it.

"Glad to see you all again" Oswynn spoke as he waved.

"What's wrong with Luthane" Spoke a tired Torik as he was given a hug by Delphyne.

"He hasn't spoken for a few minutes, but he nearly killed Rosa, knocked me for six and now just nudging this body about like he's cradling a baby" Shen said nastily, trying to spark a reaction from Luthane...but nothing.

Tatyana leant down beside Luthane and placed her hand on the back of his neck. "What is it Luthane...?"

A tear fell from Luthane's eye as he nudged the body onto its back, and to his horror, it was who he had hoped it wasn't.

"Oh no, a young boy!" Tatyana gasped.

"Do you know who he is?" Shen asked Luthane.

Tears fell harder and faster from Luthane's face before he could muster some words..."It's...It's...Striker..."

Everyone was in complete shock, but how they knew him as the young adult arrogant and courageous, not a lifeless little boy. Nobody seemed to know, except Luthane, who was inconsolable. Everyone had no idea what to say but they all moved around Luthane and it quickly became a group hug to share their sympathies with Luthane...

"This isn't Striker, Luthane, this is a horrible trick by a demon" Shen tried to reassure.

"I...Hope...So..." He sniffled.

Oswynn whispered to Tatyana "I thought you said he was courageous etcetera? He's a boy?"

"This isn't him" She whispered back.

"Aah how sweet!" A dark voice echoed followed by clapping.

Torik looked up to see a dark shadow approaching them, it's eyes were blazing red, and a clawed hand was bouncing against the other hand, black and red clothing covered the shadow.

"Who the hell do you think you are!" Delphyne shouted.

"I didn't expect you to recognise me, but surely my voice should've given it away, Delphyne." The shock was imminent on her face as he knew her name. the voice became more apparent as the echo began to fade along with the darkness around the face.

"Show yourself demon!" Oswynn shouted.

"A new comrade as well, I commend you carrying on without me ha ha!"

"Oh...my...god!" Tatyana gasped. "I can't be..."

"Have you missed me?"

"Str...iker?"

The clapping stopped and he pulled his weapon out before them, the darkness being transferred into the blade.

"It is you!" Tatyana began to make her way to Striker before being pulled back by Torik.

"What's wrong with you Torik! It's Striker!"

"But not as we know him, look at the glow..." Torik answered softly.

"...Oh no... He's not..."

"You sold out to the demons! You traitorous scum!" Shen shouted.

"Oh pipe down bitch, let's not make this reunion any more uglier than it has to be." Striker replied.

Shen growled, the rage beginning to fill in his eyes.

"So, How shall I end this masquerade? One at a time? Or altogether? hahaha" Striker laughed filthily his sword began to glow a streak of red along the blade.

"You're not Striker! You are a shell of him, a weak excuse of a trick!" Rosa shouted angrily.

"Would you like to try and find out?" He asked them all beckoning one of them towards him using his dark claw like fingers.

"I'll take a piece of you!" Shen shouted as he rushed towards Striker.

"Might've known it would be you first" He swung his sword across the front of his body and unleashed a wave of darkness with amber glows straight at Shen, the blast blew everyone backwards slightly, Shen was quickly engulfed and flung to the ground with ease. Luthane was holding onto the the small child that was Striker on the ground.

"...So...who's next?"

Chapter 63

Torik was the next person to stand forward, his hammer in hand, he began to swing it around violently creating a vortex of wind around his weapon, Striker was too busy grinning, he had already read the situation, and he knew what to do. Torik threw his hammer to the ground and the wind bolted from around the hammer straight for Striker. Striker just laughed, in a quick shimmer like a fade out from a home movie, he had vanish and almost immediately reappeared behind Torik and swiped his sword across the back of the big guys knees bringing him to the ground. He placed his sword over the neck of Torik wickedly grinning.

"Any last words?" Striker said cockily.

"you'll..never...win" Torik winced.

"Too bad you won't see if I do or not" Striker raised his sword in the air but before he could slam his sword downwards, a small ball of ice hit him on the side of the head. He shook his head and turned to the direction of the ball, who else but Rosa was standing there like a nervous wreck, shaking and afraid for her life.

"Heh, too easy!"

Striker tried to walk towards Rosa but found himself being slowed down, by Delphyne.

"These, tricks do not work for long!" Striker clenched his claw like hand shut tight, and as he opened it his fingers created a flicking sound and a force of fire and wind spun vigorously, within his grasp.

"No! It cannot be!" Delphyne stepped back in horror.

"Time to die, little ones" Striker laughed as he slung the orb to the ground, blasting a hole deep into the ground shattered the earth beneath them all throwing everyone to the ground, except Striker who stood there grinning like a wild hyena.

"This will only get worse for you all, so give up now, and I'll think about sparing your miserable lives!"

"Luthane, please help us..." Delphyne asked with a shortness of breath and a pain across her body.

"I can't do anything, without Striker...he's my boy..." He whimpered.

"Suck it up! Your boy, has become a demon up there! You need to stop him and fast!" Shen shouted trying to get back to a vertical base.

"We'll bring him back we always find a way...remember?" Torik said writhing in agony.

"I thought you'd put up more of a fight, you seriously can't have relied on me all this time...could you?" Striker asked looking at his blade spinning it around his hand.

"You are Strong, Striker...But this isn't you, and you were stronger before you were made this way!" Tatyana screamed.

"Oh really? So Why haven't you picked up the courage to fight me and prove it!"

Tatyana got to her feet and began to slowly make her way to Striker, who had stopped spinning his blade and slung it into his hilt, darkness then emerged from the blades tip and started to seep around Striker, slowly rising from his feet to his head. Tatyana remained unphased as she continued to make her way to Striker.

"You're on a death wish Tatyana, Stay back!" Shouted Shen who still couldn't get up.

"...Striker, you are in there somewhere, I know it" She said in her head. "Please come back to us"

Striker grinned as he pulsated the darkness towards Tatyana, despite the force of the darkness she still pushed through towards him.

"What are you doing?" Striker asked, confused he wasn't hurting her.

She leant in and wrapped her arms around Striker, who was completely caught unawares, no attack, no plan, just a cuddle? what was she thinking? Striker tried to ignore the embrace, but his clawed hand accepted the embrace and wrapped itself around her.

He pulled his sword from his hilt and leant into her and whispered in her ear..."Forgive me"

Tatyana's eyes widened as she felt a sharpness penetrating her side, Striker had dug his blade deep into her, it was as if time had stood still, everyone was wide mouthed, Delphyne tried to scream but nothing came out, Rosa just had floods of tears streaming from her face. Shen was punching the ground in anger, Torik just slowly closed his eyes in despair. Luthane was still looking down at the lifeless young Striker.

Striker released his embrace and removed his sword from Tatyana, who slowly fell to the ground, she was looking up at Striker as her eyes began to close, a solitary tear falling from her eye.

Striker looked down at the ground the blood dripping from his blade, his hair covering his face, remorseless, fearless, he had become the one thing he said he would never become...one of them.

"You'll pay for that you traitorous friend!" Shouted Oswynn who appeared from behind Striker, he lunged into the air and as he flung himself toward Striker he was met in mid air by A backward swing of Striker's sword, stopping him in his tracks. Striker spun round and punched Oswynn to the ground with his demonic claw.

"Until next time..." He said to the group, who were left in shambles and pools of their own blood.

A darkness surrounded Striker and with one final look towards Tatyana, he vanished.

"Luthane...you could've helped us..." Shen said wincing in agony on his knees.

"We have Striker, here, Shen...That is not my son!" He snarled.

"Then how the hell are we supposed to defeat them now, they have a perfect more powerful copy of the man we trusted!" Shen shouted back.

"We...always, find a way, Shen" Torik said.

Shen roared in anger and he punched the ground, some of the blood on the ground splashed up and landed on the boy Striker...

"You idiot, you've gotten blood over my son!"

"yeah! Well, now the bloods on your hands!" Shen raged holding onto his chest.

Torik tried to clamber to his feet and made his way to Tatyana.

The girls were on the floor crying and screaming in fear and devastation. They never things would've been this way, they thought they had a new family, but with a single man in the fray it was almost torn to shreds.

Shen finally managed to get to his feet, and spat on the ground. "Well, I hope you're happy, because we may have just lost the war let alone the fight." He limped towards Tatyana to assist Torik in getting her back to them safely so they could tend to her wounds.

Luthane didn't know what to do, he was stuck in an endless cycle of confusion between being a father to an unconscious boy, and a protector of those who have become his closest friends...

Suddenly the beads of blood on Striker's body began to glow, a pure white, like untouched snow on a winter's day...

Luthane stepped back and looked up at the sky.

"Please don't take my son away from me" He mumbled.

"...please..."

The body still laid lifeless, and the glow eventually faded, but Luthane felt it was a sign from the gods, they had to take the boy with him, alive or dead.

Torik had returned with Tatyana in his arms, Shen applying pressure to her wounds, trying to stem the bleeding.

"Are you going to help or not wolf!" Shen asked sternly.

He took a deep breath. "What do you need?"

"You need to get Oswynn and tend to the girls, Tatyana's wounds are grave but not life threatening, she will need lotsa of attention and rest." Torik said as he tried to use whatever he could find laying around, from stones to leaves to small shattered ice pieces from Rosa.

"Ok, I'm sorry about all this..." Luthane tried to apologise.

"You have to do what you have to do, so do what's been asked of you and we'll talk about it later!" Shen shouted.

"...right..." Luthane dashed off to grab Oswynn and slowly drag him back to the others, he was bruised and covered in dirt but nothing serious.

"Rest Oswynn" Luthane said.

"...I'll be fine" He said trying to get himself into a comfortable position, his ribcage felt crushed under the pressure of Striker's punch but he wasn't ready to give up so easily.

"I'll get him next time" Oswynn said.

"WE'LL get him next time." Luthane reassured.

He went to the girls and he was quickly used as a box of tissues Rosa sniffling and cuffing her runny nose on his fur, Delphyne hugging Luthane, in acceptance of the events but afraid of the next time.

"We'll be ok girls, I'm sorry"

Delphyne slapped Luthane across the face and pointed at him like you would a disobediently dog. "No, Don't you dare be sorry!"

"We tried our best wolfy!" Rosa cried.

"I know we did, but we'll be stronger next time" He buried his head between the two of them as they hugged him tight, they all slowly walked back to Torik and Shen who were working wonders with their makeshift bandage and wrapping around Tatyana's waist, the bandages were still showing signs of claret, but it was a vast improvement from the point of impact.

"How is she doing?" Luthane asked sheepishly.

"She'll recover, she's a fighter." Torik replied.

"Do you think she got to Striker?" Shen asked.

"We can't think about that, we can only hope she rests and recovers well, otherwise we'll have an even more difficult challenge..." Luthane said.

Meanwhile...

"Welcome back Striker! I must say I am impressed, you certainly showed them how strong you truly are."

Striker ignore Demetrius and began to undress himself, he flung his blade to the ground and walked past not even battering an eyelid at the demon lord.

"Look at me when I am praising you Striker!"

"I'll be in the blood chamber if you need me" He responded, something seemed a little different, not his normal angry self, a more subdued and hurt being stood there.

"Good, reflect on your victory for tomorrow we shall begin our conquest!"

"If that is your wish, M'lord, it will be done..."

Demetrius cackled manically as Striker walked away.

"If this is your will it shall be done...but I don't know why I didn't kill her..." He said to himself

Striker climbed into a blood chamber and stood there without any mask, no aid, just a closed glass door and an ever filling pod of crimson. As his eyes became infused with the blood as they burned like a furnace and his face turned empty. He stood there like a statue, deep in his own thoughts. Deep in preparation, for the end of the world...

Chapter 64

"Striker! Get out of that bastard chamber, you've been in there for a day now!"

Striker just stared blankly at Demetrius, his mind was fixated on why he didn't kill any of his once allies. He was erasing the doubt and filling it with excuses, constant interruptions, needing to prepare for the bigger picture, all for what? The glory of one man? Too many questions...

"I said, get out!" Demetrius punched the glass and shattered it instantly, the crimson liquid wash out of the chamber like a crashing wave against the shore.

"I couldn't hear you...M'lord."

"Don't give me that bullshit boy! You can hear every word I say!"

"I was in my own world, It won't happen again..."

"Too right it won't you've delayed my plans for a day and I am a very impatient man."

"My apologies..."

"We'll finish this talk later, Striker. For now get yourself clothed and ready, It's time for your introduction."

"Very well...Lord Demetrius."

"Something has changed in him, I can sense it..." Demetrius thought to himself, "He better be focused on the task ahead, or I'll have to do it myself."

Meanwhile...

"Ugh...wha...what happ...ened" Tatyana was slowly coming round, her body weak from the healing process, her mind slowly refreshing to prior moments.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Torik asked as he had kept himself awake most of the night, tending to her wounds, renewing the makeshift bandages whenever needed.

"Like I've...been stabbed in the..side" She replied gingerly.

Torik let a gentle laugh out, "your humour is still intact I see."

Tatyana's eyes quickly widened as she shot upright "Striker!" She instantly grabbed her side and writhed in agony, blood quickly emerging on her bandages.

"You need to be resting, not worrying about him." Torik reassured.

"I can't believe...he actually did it..." Tatyana's bottom lip began to quiver slightly as a tear emerged from her eye.

Torik was quick to wipe the tears away as he eased her into a more suitable position, where the bleeding would cease and Tatyana was more comfortable. "It wasn't him, you know it wasn't...It's a husk or him, someone has copied him and made it a demon version."

"But...But I heard him...he said something before doing it...uncharacteristic of a demon..."

"What did he say?"

"Forgive...me"

"forgive him? but that would suggest..."

"Exactly. There's something inside him not quite demon..."

"But then what he did to us all? Was it a show? A Ploy?"

"I don't know Torik, all I know is that I felt something..."

"This doesn't make much sense to me? Maybe we should ask the others..."

"No!" She interrupted, "No, no...this has to stay between...Us" She winced as she grabbed onto Torik's arm in plea for secrecy.

"I'll keep it a secret until you decide otherwise"

"Thank you..." She took a deep but painful breath before changing the subject. "Where's the others?"

"Shen and Luthane needed a break so they took the girls to the beach for a relax and maybe a dip in the ocean to wash their wounds."

"Sounds...Like fun..."

"yeah..."

"What about Oswynn?"

"He went into Esterwynne, he wanted to see if there was anything left behind, a clue or something."

"Ever...the intrigued" Tatyana cut a short laugh before the pain made her stop.

"Will you rest? The others will be here shortly, last thing we need is to be carrying you as well as Striker" Torik grinned.

"Striker?"

"Yeah the unconscious boy"

"oh..."

"You care about him don't you?"

"I do...I did, do you try to take the life of someone you care for?"

"It would explain his words..."

"Maybe..."

"Get some rest, we'll talk about it again soon" Torik reassured Tatyana and she repaid the kindness with a smile as she leant her head back to relax, her mind was wandering, reminiscing of the times passed, if there was anything she could think of to make ends meet.

...

"Striker! To me at once!"

Striker sighed, "Yes...My lord."

"Your time is now, I shall send you into the centre of the ocean, and you know exactly what to do from there!"

"Of course"

"Good, the day of reckoning has arrived. Send Striker to his position!" He called to his minions before turning to Striker, "Striker!"

Striker turned his head slowly catching Demetrius out the corner of his eye.

"...Yes?"

"Do not fail me..."

He immediately looked away, he knew failure was not an option, he knew what his job was, nerves? nonexistent. But he felt it should be for his glory, not some demon who commands people to do his bidding.

A skull embalmed door slammed down from above right before him, Striker took a step back and looked at the door wondering what the skulls symbolised. He quickly ignored his own thoughts and pressed the central skull inside the door. All the other skulls began to spin on their axis before being sucked into the door. The central skull glowed and as it began to turn the sounds of mechanisms ticking and cracking was heard around him. The door then began to swirl itself open slowly, in a complete contrast to the style of the door. Striker was still unphased as he stepped through the door. There was no going back now...

...

"Hey Delphyne be careful in the water, don't want any of you being washed away!" Shen laughed while sitting on the beaches edge letting the waves roll up to his feet. It had been a while since he had done that it seemed.

Luthane was busy helping Rosa build something out of the sand on the beach, all he did was nudge some into her path as she sculpted it into whatever she wanted at the time, every now and then Luthane was sneeze as some of the sand tickled the inside of his nose.

Suddenly without warning a dark cloud formed in the sky spreading outward with pace, Shen quickly clocked it and frantically rushed into the water to get Delphyne, she didn't know what was going on. She was quickly placed on the beach next to Luthane and Rosa.

"Luthane get the girls safe! Something bad is happening!" Shen shouted out as he continued to look up at the sky.

Luthane looked up at what Shen was and his eye sharpened. "Right c'mon girls lets go back to Torik!"

"Go Go! " Shen urged.

"You better be careful Shen!"

"Always" He winked.

The darkness began to rumble with thunder and lightning began to fork from within, suddenly a figure was being slowly dropped from sky, it was a black figure and too distant for anyone to recognise.

Before Shen could even react to it he noticed the figure dropping something into the ocean. He quickly realised it was too late to do anything and made his way back to the others.

Luthane had rushed back with the girls on his back to Torik and Tatyana and the lifeless Striker.

"Torik! Protect Tatyana, I have the girls, we need to be huddled up safe and close!"

"What's going on?" He asked.

"Look up in the sky!" He answered in a panic.

"Oh...Dear...God"

"Exactly! Now Where's Oswynn?"

"Esterwynne..."

"For crying out loud! Stay here and look after the girls! I'll go get him!" Luthane dashed off in search of Oswynn. No sooner had Luthane left Shen turned up, still glancing up at the sky, ever blackening and the rumbling getting louder and closer the lightning crashing against the ocean forcing the tides to change in a violent fashion.

"What is that?"

"I don't know...but I think we are about to find out!"

...

Striker emerged from the darkness forming around him, he just looked down at the calm seas and his view of the two islands was perfect he saw all the towns he had visited, the forest, the mountains...But soon, all of that wouldn't matter.

He drew his sword and held it in front of him the point of the blade point south, he closed his eyes before releasing his grip letting the blade drop with force into the ocean. It quickly fell and it cut through the water like a hot knife through butter, slamming into the ocean bed beneath.

He raised his arms outwards like he was nailed to a cross. Before his voiced beckoned in a boom across the islands.

"The end of human existence begins, all who perish become one! those who fight, will find eternal damnation! Your time for choices has ended, Your time to fight...Futile! Arise Brothers, claim this land as your own!"

The sword on the bed began to glow ever brighter and deeper in red. The ocean bed began to crack and the ocean began to open leaving a dry chasm in the middle of the ocean. Striker Pulled his arms down quickly and with that the darkness around him fell into the sea forming a pillar of blacks and purples, the water began violently crashing and colliding the sky greyed over, and within the chasm fire began to bubble through the cracks. eventually the ground gave way and formed a pathway, and demons began being pulled from the chasm upwards into the pillar, like burning dots floating around the maelstrom of dark chaos.

Eventually the darkness from the pillar began throwing demon upon demon into each town every small village all monuments even into the vast snow mountains, melting the snow upon impact of their burning bodies. The islands were being overrun with demons. With no signs of stopping...

Striker's blade shone brightly through the pillar as it made its way back to Striker's possession. The pillar of darkness followed the sword, as it began to raise up through the sky.

It wasn't long before the sword was back in Striker's grasp and the darkness has began to fill up inside the blades edge. Once the darkness has been soaked up Striker's body began to slowly disappear into nothingness.

...

"We are in a lot of trouble..." Shen gulped.

"We are in for the fight of our lives..." Torik said.

"We can't kill them all can we?"

"We will or die trying!" Delphyne answered Shen.

"Yeah, We fight!" Rosa added.

Meanwhile...

"Oswynn just grab what you found and let's go! There are an infinite number of demons about to descend on us!" Luthane was frantically trying to get Oswynn to move, he was seemingly reluctant, but realised he wasn't being asked anymore.

"Fine! We go, but there's something here, a gateway or something!"

"I don't care right now! Worry about it when we are a group again!" Luthane sank his teeth into Oswynn's arm and tried to drag him.

"Ow Ow OW, alright, we're going already! C'mon Matilda!"

Oswynn shook Luthane of his arm and clenched Matilda in his hand before they quickly moved back to the others, they were hoping it wasn't too late...

...

"Excellent, Excellent, and Today marks to start of something I have working for, for so many years! Today Striker we celebrate!" Demetrius placed his hand on Striker, in acceptance of his work but Striker was dead in the eyes, he paid no attention.

"What has gotten into you? You've gone from burning hatred to soulless wimp!" He asked.

Striker didn't hesitate and before Demetrius could react, Striker had slammed his sword through Demetrius, he pulled him in close thrusting the blade in deeper before saying in a low tone, "You...Do NOT control me...This is now my operation,"

Demetrius struggled to catch his breath and tried to hold onto the blade and pull it from him, Striker obliged and pulled it out with such force, it re cut Demetrius from a different angle. The demon lord quickly fell to the ground, clutching his chest.

"Guards! Kill the traitor!" He coughed.

No one listened they all stood before Striker, and saluted him.

"Guards" Striker said. "Take him to the blood chamber, but make sure he stays a prisoner while inside."

"Yes SIR!" was the response as they dragged Demetrius to the chambers.

"You'll pay for that Striker!"

"Believe me...I won't, This is my damnation now, and you will answer to me, or die!"

Striker made his way through a dark cavern into a room with a large chair made of stone and empty skulls, and burning torches standing either side. Striker sat himself down, and placed one leg across the other as if he was about to read the morning paper.

He placed his elbow against the stoned arms of the chair, and placed his hand across his chin holding his head up. He looked ahead through the darkness his eyes burned deep with orange and red clashing and swirling amidst his eyes... He had become the Demon Lord...

Chapter 65

Striker walked through the blood chambers until he reach the one containing Demetrius, he was masked shut and unable to speak with chains holding his arms away from his body, in a crucifix stance. Striker just looked at him, and saw the piercing hatred Demetrius was returning.

"Now, don't be like that. I did this with good reason."

Demetrius just puffed his chest out wriggling in his shackled prison, grunting muffled abuse through his mask.

"I did it, because you've taken too long, yes demons run amuck, yes we have the islands in chaos...But I am no lap dog." Striker moved closer to the glass and placed his forearm against it looking deep inside.

"Now, if you play nicely..." Striker smirked with such evil intent, "...I'll let you be a part of it."

Demetrius looked away in disgust, his plans for global domination thwarted at the hands of his own creation, he wasn't prepared to be anyone's bitch, let alone Strikers.

"Oh, like that is it. Then I have no need for your...services" Striker laughed. "Take him to the arena, It'll be fun to watch the 'demon lord' squirm like the coward he is!"

The guards saluted and began to unhinge the chains from Demetrius, before dragging his still wounded body away. Striker made his way back to his dark domain to contemplate his next action.

With a grin on his face, it was apparent what he was going to do and began to make his way back over ground

Meanwhile...

"There's too many of them we can't hold them off much longer!" Shen called out as he blocked an on rushing demons charge, while kicking away another trying to bombard him with an axe wielding assault.

"You're...Telling...ME!" Torik bellowed as he flung two demons off his shoulders and stamped them into the ground, before swinging his hammer and hitting another one straight back into the sea with an almighty thud.

"We can't keep this up!" Tatyana puffed as she duck two demons attacks, them both clashing weapons, before she lunged into one with her cutlass and stabbing the second with an arrow before pulling it back and firing it into the skull or an incoming demon.

Rosa raised her arms and froze a group of red faces beasts lunging at her, before snapping her fingers to shatter them into millions of pieces of ice and snow, but you could tell from the beads of sweat on her brow she was tiring and fast.

Delphyne didn't know what to do so she just kept slowing them all down into a halt, leaving them as fodder for the others to vanquish, but just like her sister, she was fading fast, her arms slumping to her side and he head drooping.

Before they knew it they were surrounded by demons, at least thirty surrounding them in an arc shape, hungry for bloodshed and eager to kill.

They were all on their last legs, Tatyana was at the end of her pain barrier as the blood trickled through her side, and she dropped the cutlass to the ground. Torik was using his hammer as a leaning post to try and recover some energy, Shen was on one knee, and his eyes were closed, almost like he was in prayer.

Delphyne and Rosa were sat down, both worn out, breathing heavily and leaning against one another for support.

"Is this it...Do we really...end at the final hurdle?" Tatyana said, with sorrow in her voice and a defeated stance.

"We have to keep fighting!" Torik replied, but he couldn't muster the strength to lift his hammer.

The demons began to move outwards from the centre of the arc they formed around the group, and Walking slowly towards them was Striker.

"Tch Might've known he'd show up now..." Tatyana snarled.

"Looks like I made it too easy for these guys" Striker chuckled looking around at the minions at his disposal.

"We aren't finished yet!" Shen snapped tried to pick himself up with exhausted difficulty."

"Oh contraire, It's all but over for you." He began to slowly walk away, but before he had a chance to turn his head and continue talking he was pounced on by an on rushing Luthane, who latched onto his clawed arm ripping at it with ferocity and purpose. Oswynn wasn't far behind lunging in with his sword in hands ready to impale down on Striker's body.

"Cheap shot!" Striker shouted as his blade shot from his side and threw itself at Oswynn, blocking his attack and knocking him back to the ground, but this time Oswynn landed on his feet and rushed at the blade, that was seemingly protecting its master on its own accord.

Striker then pulled Luthane gradually from his arm, and flung him away far enough for him to get back to his feet, clutching at his arm, a chunk of the armour and his skin ripped from his body, he looked menacingly at Luthane, his teeth were gritted tight together and angry breath s were seeping through the gaps.

"You'll pay for you insolent canine bastard!"

Luthane spat the piece of Striker's arm to the ground and snarled and growled back, "Want it back? Come and get it!"

The demons were all caught off guard as Oswynn bashed and cut his way through them with ease, knocking each one away or to the ground in a bloodied frenzy.

"I'll use your skin as a mantle for a cloak, wolf!" Striker ran towards Luthane who was leaning forward spitting through his baring teeth he dashed off towards Striker fearless, and ready to fight. The blade of Striker's cut across between them and stood ready to protect his owner, but Oswynn had other ideas he threw Matilda at the Sword and they both clashed in mid air knocking both of them to the ground. Striker and Luthane remained unphased, until a small shard of ice hit Striker in the back, he quickly looked back to see Rosa fall to the ground in exhaustion, and as he turned round Luthane was already in his face, his teeth digging into his facial skin just above his right eye, Striker used Luthane's momentum to roll him over and kick him away, before quickly placing his hand over his eye and then looking at his hand as it dripped with blood.

"I'm done playing games!" Striker snapped as he vanished into thin air, and his blade vanished with him.

"Come back here coward!" Luthane growled, "Afraid to lose to a four legged animal!"

"Not on my watch!" The voice of Striker echoed.

Luthane rejoined the others who were trying to get themselves together, Delphyne was trying to nurse her sister who had only just regained consciousness.

"Is everyone ok?" Asked Luthane as he checked in on the lifeless Striker.

"Yeah we're good, what took you so long?" Torik asked.

"That'd be my fault" Oswynn said as he picked Matilda up from the ground.

"Why am I not surprised" replied Tatyana.

"Hold on, before you all jump on the proverbial band wagon, I just wanted to say that I found something."

"This had better be good" Shen said impatiently.

"Well, I hope so too...You see I had a feeling you knew about the registrar and all that stuff with the demon living in Esterwynne..."

"Of course we did" Torik replied.

"Well, I dug a little deeper...quite literally, and it turns out the town was built on top of what seems to be underground caverns.

"How do you know that?" Shen asked intrigued.

"Because I hit steel with steel when digging down."

"So I was pulling you away from playing archaeologist..." Luthane sighed, shaking his head.

"Which reminds me how comes you talk? You're an animal, excusing the bluntness." Oswynn quickly changed the subject.

"Not now, long story, just accept it and carry on."

"Right, ok, well, you see there must be a reason for such things to be underneath us, and with us only seeing demons running around causing so much devastation...it can only be assumed that it's them...right?"

"A bold statement, but definitely feasible, good work Oswynn" Torik commended.

"Thanks, heh" Oswynn rubbed the back of his head with a grin, it appeared accepting praise was new to him.

"The question is how do we get into these 'tunnels' without alerting more demons and without Striker knowing?"

Before any of them could answer the question Striker reappeared before them floating in the air with his arms folded and a serious look on his face.

"Look who's back!" Shen shouted.

"Hmph" Striker huffed as he looked at his ripped skin and then back at the group below him. "I gave you a chance last time, and you got lucky the second...I don't take any forms of failure lightly!"

"Blah blah blah, just then every other demon, you're predictable words!" Tatyana shouted out, she was seemingly sick of seeing Striker this way especially after she was still feeling the effects of his wound.

"Then let this be the last word you hear from me..."

They all looked up in fear as he dropped his hands to his side and his eyes began to glow, so much so that the heat began to engulf the outside of his eyes, like a forest fire blazing through the night sky.

"...Burn!"

The ground beneath them began to sever and crack and the earth decimated around them leaving them on a small area in which they huddled together to protect one another from whatever was about to happen.

A smile appeared on Strikers face as his eyes began to reflect from the cracked and broken earth, forcing embers to rise up from underneath around them all in an orb of suffocating fire.

The group remained unphased for some reason, none of the fire was touching them, and the heat wasn't being felt either despite Luthane's previous encounter he stood there perfectly fine also, no smog nothing...They didn't understand.

"What trick is this! You should be nothing but ashes!" Striker shouted.

"What's happening Tatyana asked as she looked around.

"Look..." Rosa pointed at Striker on the ground untouched and unmoved, but a white light was beaming from around him, like an aura or pulse of light which seemed to be repelling the flames from the group.

"Could it be?" Torik said.

"He's alive?!" Tatyana shrieked delighted but confused at the same time.

"I don't get! He hasn't moved a muscle yet a light is shining from him?" Luthane didn't know what to do.

The light grew brighter and stronger, blinding them all for a moment, they were completely unaware that the flames were being choked and were slowly dwindling into small flickers, like a candle being blown out on a birthday cake.

"Inconceivable!" Striker stood in disgust at what had happened. "This is NOT OVER!" She shouted as he disappeared once more.

The light began to fade and as everyone's vision returned they looked in amazement, the ground was broken, but the flames were gone, the light vanished, and there were no more demons in the vicinity.

"I don't know what just happened, but I'm thanking my lucky stars." Shen said with relief.

"I think it's a sign..." Torik said.

"A message from the gods?" Luthane thought to himself as he looked up to the sky.

The two sisters hugged each other, pleased they were still alive.

Tatyana just looked down at the boy on the floor, there was still no movement from him despite whatever it was that emanated from his body.

"I don't know who you are...but thank you." She placed her hand gently on his back.

"So what do we do now? We cannot stay here?" Oswynn asked.

"I say we attack them head on while Striker retreats!" Shen was eager for payback.

"I agree!" Tatyana shouted.

Luthane seemed hesitant. "I think we can find another way to sneak in an ambush him end the reign there and then."

"Either way it'll be a fight, So I'm in with the majority!" Oswynn called out.

Delphyne and Rosa, didn't seem fussed they were just glad to have everyone safe.

"Well, one thing's for sure, we are taking Striker with us, there is something about him...and he may be the answer to our victory?" Luthane questioned with adamant belief.

"No qualms here" Oswynn replied.

"Maybe we can bring him back some way." Tatyana asked.

"Yeah, the real Striker..." Said Luthane as he picked the boy up and slung him onto his back, Rosa quickly climbed on to act as a harness for Striker and to hitch a ride.

"So...where do we go?" Shen asked.

Luthane looked up at the sky, looking for an answer before looking ahead...

"Esterwynne..."

Chapter 66

Striker was pacing up and down his stone throne room, his blazing eyes were the only thing visible other than the fiery streak across his blade. He was raging that his power was being overwhelmed by something no one knew about, he was so close to annihilating everyone but once again he was stopped, was this his destiny? Was it mean to be that he wasn't to kill them all? These thoughts enraged him further and he lashed out with a scream across the stone throne, his pained claw ridden arm cut the top of the chair to the ground with a single swipe, but he immediately grabbed his arm in pain. the fingers closed up tightly into a fist.

"Why can't I kill them? Is it because I'm outside of here? Is it because of them? What Is IT?!" He paced faster speaking out loud to himself.

"...It's because you are still weak!" A voice called out.

"What are you doing, Demetrius...you should be imprisoned!" He shouted back.

"Should" He laughed as he raised his hands to show the severed heads of the guards. The chains still swinging loosely from his wrists.

"So...finally decided you want to play, you know you've made me more powerful than could imagine."

"They always say you cannot kill what u did not create, I created you, and I'll end you and follow up my plans as intended!"

"Bring it on, bitch!"

Demetrius swung the chains at Striker with pace and they quickly wrapped around Striker's neck, strangling him instantly.

Striker just stood there unphased, a quick tightening of his neck and shoulders was enough to bend the chains and loosen their grip. He grabbed the chain from his neck and snapped it in his hand, with constant eye contact with Demetrius.

"Ever boasting your strength Striker. But you are weak mentally. Why can't you finish off your enemies? You haven't got the balls!"

Striker instant shot to within a inch of Demetrius, they were nose to nose, and glaring at each other fiercely.

"Go on, Do it! I dare you Striker. I don't fear death"

Striker's arms shook vigorously as he turned away, he wasn't willing to bite. He would kill him on his own terms.

"Just as I thought, afraid! Weak! Pitiful!" Demetrius grinned wickedly.

A snarl emerged from Strikers mouth, he spun round and attempted to throw a claw gripped punch straight at Demetrius, but it was caught with a single hand, no movement not even a push back, just an instant halting.

Striker gasped.

Demetrius pulled Striker in close using his claw ravaged hand and he uttered the words in his ear. "Now, listen because I'm going to say this once, fight with me...or die!"

Striker didn't want to admit defeat, but thought a temporary allegiance would suit both parties, he still wanted to kill his enemies, and Demetrius wanted to have the world at his fingertips.

"A truce, until we get what we want!" Striker growled back.

Demetrius tightened his grip which caused the wound on Striker's arm to pulse with pain. "You've got a deal."

Striker pulled his hand from Demetrius' grip and grabbed his wound, massaging it to soothe the ache.

"So what's your next idea, Demetrius"

"Simple, I'll turn the world into what I wanted from the beginning...you?"

"Simple, Kill them all!"

"Heh, You had better prepare yourself mentally, They've got your number now!"

"I've yet to go all out on them, they won't know what hit them" Striker winked.

"You better hope so, I'm not doing your dirty work for you!"

"Please, just now was the most effort you've ever put into anything!"

"I'll kill you where you stand if you carry on with that mouth Striker."

"Sorry, I'm too busy, maybe when I'm done I'll come back for what's mine!"

"So cock sure of yourself aren't you" Demetrius laughed.

"Always!" Striker grinned back, "Watch your back Demetrius, I'll be back!"

"He'll never learn" Demetrius said to himself as he pondered his next plan of action...

...

"Ok, Oswynn, show us where you were digging. Because I don't want to stay here any longer than necessary if this is a dead end!" Shen called out.

"Patience dear boy!" Oswynn shouted back.

"Seriously Oswynn, you better hope you're right." Torik said, with a sense of threatening in his voice.

"Look, right in there, I was digging around and found a large steel pipe, tunnel sort of thing."

"Well there is only one way to find out what it is" Tatyana said as she began stamping on it trying to dent it and pierce the steel.

"That's not going to work Tatyana" Shen laughed.

"Have you got any better ideas!" She snapped back.

"Actually yes I do...Rosa?"

"Yeah?" Rosa replied.

"Would you freeze that pipe for us, then we can break it" Shen smiled.

"Sure thing!" She skipped along to the pipe and placed her hands on it, soon enough it began to freeze over and become very brittle.

"Enough?" Rosa asked.

"Plenty" Said Torik. "Now stand back everyone."

As everyone stepped back he lifted his hammer up in the air holding onto the end of the handle before swinging it down with all his might, clattering into the steelwork and smashing into the other side of the pipe.

"We have entrance" Torik said as he threw his hammer onto his shoulder.

"It's quite small, I don't think me and Torik will fit..." Oswynn said with concern.

"I think you're right, the two tubbies won't fit!" Shen grinned.

"That's not very nice Shen!" Delphyne said as she kicked Shen in the shin.

"Oww, little cow!"

"Plenty more where that came from!" Delphyne said with attitude.

Tatyana laughed to herself. "It's like looking in a mirror" she said to herself.

"Ok, so what do we do?" asked Torik.

"Maybe we should split up?" Oswynn asked.

"Again? You know this is just getting stupid now!" Shen argued.

"It is not our fault we are bigger men than you Shen." Torik bit back.

"Both of you quit it!" Tatyana shouted.

"I will go with Tatyana through the steelworks see if we can find anything, if nothing we will catch you guys up" Luthane barked his orders.

"Really? Just the two of you?" Delphyne asked, "What if Striker attacks?"

"We have the real one with us" Luthane reassured.

"Ok, if you insist, where should we go guys and girls?" Shen said.

"Turalius? Maybe they'll be more willing to help now that the island has survived its first wave of demons..." Oswynn suggested.

"Good Idea, but we will argue your case with you this time." Torik said as he placed his arm on Oswynn's shoulder.

"Right, then it's settled we go to Turalius" Said Delphyne.

"Yay!" Rosa smiled as Torik lifted her onto one of his shoulders.

"Tatyana!" Oswynn called out as the two of them started to make their way into the dark pipe.

"Yeah?" She echoed from within.

"You know the way to Turalius, we'll meet there should anything happen!"

"Got it!" She answered swiftly. "C'mon Luthane let's get moving."

"Ok, mind your step because you never know what lies beyond." Luthane tried to show reason while also trying to maintain Striker's body on his back.

The group was split once more, but it wasn't through choice this time. Tatyana and Luthane were leading themselves into what they believed was the belly of the beast, while the rest sought the allegiance of the Turalian Army, to fight back the demon hordes that would certainly be approaching on the horizon. Time was very much against both parties, but they had to keep striving. One more error could mean the end of the world as they knew it. They couldn't prepare for what lied in store, but they knew they had to fight for what they believed and what they loved the most...Even if it kills them...

Chapter 67

The tunnel in which Tatyana and Luthane were blindly traversing, just seemed never ending. It was damp, lightless, and had a strange aroma throughout, a mixture of strong body odour and burning fossil fuels.

"Maybe this was a bad idea" Tatyana said using her thumb and index finger to peg her nose.

"Think yourself lucky, I'm never ridding of this smell in my nose" Luthane said trying to ignore the potency from stinging the back of his nasal passages.

"How far do you think we have?"

"The hell should I..." Before Luthane could finish his sentence he walked straight into a heavy wall, his head practically bouncing straight off.

"Dead end?" Tatyana asked, trying not to laugh.

"Think the terms is head ache..."

"Sounded like it hurt."

"A bit...I'm more concerned we've come all this way and to find nothing."

"Well we'll collar Oswynn later, maybe there's another way?"

"We are in a small tunnel like pipe which has welding and bolts galore. I think this is the dead end."

"Alright, no need to be snappy with me."

"Forgive me, I'm just not seeing straight."

"Well after an impact like that I'm not surprised."

"I meant in general..."

"Really? How come?"

"I'll talk while we make our way outwards if that's ok, I want to know what daylight is."

"Good idea"

Both of them turned as far around as they could using their hands a guidance until they felt they were facing the opposite direction.

"Ok, so what's been plaguing your mind Luthane?"

Luthane sighed. "Well, I worry about Striker." He looked over his shoulder.

"You really think that lifeless boy is the real Striker?"

"I don't know, I believe he is, it's how I remember him..."

"I don't understand."

Luthane persisted to tell Tatyana in short hand about the forest where Striker made wishes and became the man he is today and Tatyana was shocked, but also slightly remembering being informed of such an event...maybe...

"Oh, It kinda makes sense. But how can you tell if you cannot get that Striker alive?"

"You see this is it, I have this feeling that the demon Striker and this one are connected, but not sure how to get the real Striker out, so to speak."

"You're talking way out of my comfort zone here, I'm lost even trying to fathom it." Tatyana laughed.

"You're not the only one, I feel like I'm clutching at straws."

"...You are not my darling Luthane..." A voice whispered.

"I'm sorry?" Luthane said to Tatyana.

"What?"

"You just called me darling..."

"You are a kind soul, but not on this earth or any other would I call you that!"

"Are you sure?"

"I may be a little crazy, but I'm not THAT crazy" Tatyana was not impressed with the accusations coming from Luthane.

"I think I'm going crazy."

"Yeah, I think you are."

"You are right Luthane..." The voice whispered again to Luthane.

"I know I'm right you just said."

"Oh what have I supposedly said now!"

Luthane shook his head, he was sure he was hearing someone whisper to him, yet no one else could hear it. What was it? The gods calling him? His mental state playing tricks? He had no clue, all he knew was if he assumed Tatyana once more he wouldn't be leaving the pipeline the way he came in.

They slowly but surely managed to get back to the carved entrance they fell into earlier, but for some reason it seemed a lot higher up than it was looking into the pipe.

"I'm gonna need a hand up there Luthane."

"...and how do you propose me do that?"

"I'm going to use you for momentum, like a step up."

"Why always me?"

"...because you care my darling..." The voice whispered again.

"There it is again..." Luthane couldn't seem to get where the voice was coming from, it was driving his patience a little thin.

"If this is that 'voice' you said about, drop it. okay? You're drained and your mentally exhausted, it's just your mind playing tricks, now help me up!"

Tatyana insisted that Luthane was fine and she took two steps before launching herself onto Luthane and pushing herself up towards the hold in the tunnel. she grabbed on tightly while trying to use her momentum to pull herself up and out.

"Nicely done, now what about me?"

"Err...I didn't think that far through" She laughed sheepishly.

"I am not staying in this shit hole, find a way to get me out and fast!" Luthane barked.

"Okay okay, I'll go grab a branch or something, hold tight."

"I'm not going anywhere!" He sarcastically howled back as his voice echoed off the walls.

...

"Guys, how do we know we are going the right way?" Shen asked.

"Torik laid out a pathway as we left Turalius." Oswynn said with confidence.

"Ooooh using his weight to his advantage." Shen winked.

"Don't call Torik fat!" Rosa said blowing raspberries at Shen.

"I don't think it was a fat joke Rosa" Delphyne said.

"It was a weight thing, not a size gripe." Torik replied.

"Aren't they the same thing?" Delphyne asked.

"Depends on the type of conversation you are having" Oswynn said.

"Ok, this is getting confusing, so let me ask a simpler question."

"Go for it!" Torik answered swiftly in the hopes of changing the topic himself.

"How far is it from here?"

"Not far at all little lady" Oswynn said, acting like a human compass in front of the rest leading them through the trodden down branches and bushes. They also came across markings on trees as well as they continued onwards.

"Tatyana was smart to mark those trees" Shen said.

"Wait for it..." Delphyne responded.

"Wait for what?"

"The sarcastic comment to follow"

"Really? You think so lowly of me?"

"Well you do have a tendency to let loose comments without thinking."

"I'm being told about my attitude by a little girl, I'm pretty sure someone has killed a butterfly and altered to course of the world somewhere."

"There it is!" Delphyne giggled. Rosa and the rest followed in the laughter.

"Always the butt of everyone's jokes" Shen said sulking.

"Oh come on Shen where would we be without you for comic relief?" Oswynn asked.

"Dead!" Shen bit back.

"Woah, that's a bit forward."

"Maybe but it's a fair statement."

"OK maybe we shouldn't let you do any talking when we get to Turalius" Torik said with a smile.

Shen just mimicked Torik words in a slurred mumble, which enticed more laughter from Delphyne and Rosa.

The group slowly trudged their way towards Turalius, one flattened bush at a time, but what lied for them was a second bite at the cherry...for Oswynn at least.

...

"Hey Luthane I finally found something to..." Tatyana stopped in her tracks to see Luthane was just sitting there outside the piped tunnel, minding his own business.

"How did you get out of there?" She asked with a perplexed look on her face.

"Err...would you believe me if I said a familiar face?" Luthane answered, with a strange smile on his face.

"...Who?"

"Cassandra..."

"You're wife? You're dead wife? C'mon Luthane quit playing games. How did you do it?"

"I'm serious...Cassandra"

"For crying out loud Luthane, you've lost it completely now you know that! I accepted the voices in your head but now, now you've taken it too far!"

"There's no need to shout."

"There is Luthane, we are all trying our damn best to strive and end this war once and for all and you're going on like some deluded fool, about your DEAD, yes DEAD WIFE!"

"..."

"Don't go quiet on me now Luthane, before I completely lose my temper with you answer me this one question..."

"...ok"

"Where is she Luthane? You told us, n your story she couldn't come back, she ran away! Unless you lied to us!"

"It wasn't a lie!"

"Then where is she! and why is she back!"

"Ask her yourself" Luthane grinned as he made head movements to insist Tatyana turned around...

The fear on her face was immediate and she stepped back in fear, shock, amazement, so many different feelings but none the complete description...

"That's...That's..."

"Tatyana...this is my wife...Striker's mother...Cassandra"

Chapter 68

"C'mon guys Turalius is right in front of us, we can't give up now!" Oswynn was pushing hard because he didn't want to be a letdown for a second time, he knew that getting a chance at having the army at his side they would be able to fight the demon horde and give the rest of them a chance to end this war once and for all. However it seemed the others were tiring, and lacking the enthusiasm.

"Can't we stop just for five minutes?" Delphyne called out.

"We'll rest when we get there" Oswynn ordered back.

"Are you insane?" Shen shouted. "How will we fight demons, alongside this 'almighty army' if we don't have the energy!"

"Because you lack belief in yourself! Now get moving!"

"You both make valid points, but I don't think we have time to rest." Torik answered carefully and logically.
"Thank you Torik, finally someone with sense!" Oswynn answered.

"Fine, but don't expect me to be running around for hours on end slicing heads off, because some of us fight better when fed and well rested!"

"Then if you hurry your sluggish waste of a body, you can have both before we have to deal with the underlings of hell"

"You really are in a fighting mood aren't you?" Delphyne asked.

"Too right I am, I'm not accepting another rejection! Not again!" Oswynn was tight fisted and at a quick marching pace, constantly looking back to see the rest of the group struggling to keep up.

"Is this how it'd going to be? A Short walk away from negotiation and you've all given up for a break?"

"Yes, if you don't appreciate our tiredness then go on ahead! I know the way well enough and will meet you there" Torik said calmly although slightly raspy as his patience was dwindling.

"Tch fine! I'll go ahead and warn them of your arrival! Don't be long, I do not need your deaths on my conscience!" Oswynn carried on mumbling to his sword by his side as he marched off into the distance.

"Finally! Some peace!" Shen said as he slumped into a sitting position.

"I hope you mean no malice in that" Delphyne said.

"Oh c'mon the guy is a good fighter granted, but his ordering about and mister sergeant major attitude really grinds against my head."

"Maybe if you saw past that you'd realise that he has burdens like us all, and that is his way to cover them up" Torik said as he tended to Rosa who had been asleep for a while in a fireman's carry position on his shoulder, He gently and carefully placed her onto the ground where she naturally curled up into the foetal position and continued her slumber.

"Oh please, if his burdens were anything near our problems, I'd apologise in a second, but from what I can see he is just a failed captain, who still believes he can do it, by using us as his soldiers, and I'm not going to stand here and be ordered about like some lap dog!"

"I wish you'd see the bigger picture Shen" Delphyne said softly.

"What picture?"

"We have all suffered and yet despite all our issues and struggles, we are still all together and fighting together, our qualities gel us together." Torik said

"exactly that, we are strongest together and despite difficulties with people we get along for the sake of our own safety."

"...I see...So my forward nature can be taken as a negative, despite my brutal honesty?"

"Well...to certain people, yes!" Delphyne said.

"But we've been alongside you long enough to accept that's who you are." Torik added.

"Hmm...I see what you mean...So how does that explain mine and Striker's constant clashes?" Shen asked while pondering about the previous comments.

"Well..." Torik laughed to himself, "You both have strong personalities and like to lead. So you clash because you like to be the authority without leading, and when you are being told what to do, where to go, you rebel."

"It's seems so simple yet it's always so oblivious to those that do it" Delphyne concluded.

"That easy huh? well thinking about it, we do clash over who's the best this that and the other haha" Shen realised the funny side of it, but it did make him think of Striker for a moment.

"You've gone quiet Shen, all ok?" Delphyne queried.

"Yeah...just thinking about Striker."

"...and?"

"Well it's given me some energy back, so I think we had best try and catch Rusty up"

"Heh, rusty" Torik chuckled.

"We can't call him that!" Delphyne said is a gasp.

"We won't it'll be our little code word for him" Shen winked.

Torik got himself to his feet and as he lifted Rosa back up she stirred until one of her eyes slowly opened. Delphyne just smiled as Rosa was trying to wake herself up, rubbing her eyes and regaining focus on Torik who was holding her.

"You ok Rosa?" Torik asked.

"uh...huh" She said gently while stretching and slapping her lips together, making the sound you hear people make when they can taste food in their mouth while having not eaten.

"Bless her" Delphyne said as she climbed onto Torik's shoulder once more. "Let's go!"

"Shen, you ready?" Torik asked.

"Where are we?" Rosa asked, still half asleep.

"Almost there Rosa!" Shen shouted as he started to walk ahead, making sure the coast was clear.

"Really?" Her eyes widened.

"Yeah, we are going to try and get an army on our side. Then we are going to help Striker to win"

"Yay, we're gonna win" She replied sleepily.

Torik smiled as he carried her in his arms, beginning his catch up to Shen.

"You really think we'll win?" Delphyne asked.

"Definitely, Delphyne."

"...good" Delphyne smiled.

...

"I don't understand...how?" Tatyana was lost and confused.

Cassandra walked slowly towards Tatyana, she was dressed in a white flowing dress with silver lining and tribal outlines across the bottom and along one side of the dress.

Tatyana's immediate reaction was to grab her cutlass just in case this was all a bad dream.

"Do not be afraid my dear, I mean no harm" Cassandra said calmly.

"But how are you here? Luthane, I get, but you weren't allowed..." Tatyana nervously replied.

"Because I couldn't watch you fall, without knowing..."

"Knowing what, My love?" Luthane said as he walked towards Cassandra, a slight tear of joy leaked from his eye.

Cassandra smiled. "Our son, my darling. He's very much alive, the gods have shown me."

"He's a demon though" Tatyana said.

"That is but a piece of Striker. A soul never truly depicts the person we are. Demetrius the demon lord has just focused on the darkness within him." Cassandra explained.

"If that is so, does that mean only Striker can defeat himself?" Luthane asked.

"In such a way yes my love." Cassandra placed her hand around the side of Luthane's face and caressed his fur softly. Luthane closed his eyes in the hope when he opened them this wasn't a dream, much to his relief upon the opening of the eyes her hand was still there and very much real to the touch.

"It's so good to feel your touch again..." Luthane smiled.

"It's good to have you beside me again my love."

"Ok, ok, enough of the mushy crap, how do we get the real Striker back?" Tatyana asked.

"He is a part of you all, even those who aren't currently here, correct?" Cassandra asked.

"Well...yeah I guess so..."

"Then share that with him, give him his part back. You'll soon realise how much you are all a part of our darling boy" She continued as she looked down at Luthane.

"How do we do that?" Tatyana asked eagerly, as she looked at Striker's lifeless body on Luthane's back.

Cassandra knelt down and brushed her hand through the young Striker's hair, the deep sigh she let out showed how much she has yearned to feel her own flesh and blood, her gift to the world, to feel his unblemished skin, and show her that he has never left her thoughts.

"I cannot answer that, it is for you all to find..."

Striker's body began to glow brightly again, but still no movement.

"His aura, is a beautiful thing it look down on, and even more beautiful to see before your own eyes." Cassandra said.

"It's your love coursing through him My love" Luthane answered.

Cassandra leant in and kissed Luthane on the bridge of his nose and looked lovingly into his eyes, past her own reflection to see the man she fell for looking straight back.

"It's our love, he will forgive you and will never let you go" She said to Luthane.

Tatyana was still thinking about Cassandra's words. "How do we give him what he gives us without dying in the process? Do we sacrifice for the greater good, or for the hope one man...boy...person...to try and save everyone."

"It's not a physical gift Tatyana, I understand what we have to do, but without us all there, he won't return." Luthane tried to explain.

"Exactly my love."

"Then we have to go get the others!" Tatyana shouted.

"Yes we have to go!" Luthane said.

They both started to run off in a blind rush to get to Turalius to meet up with the others, but Luthane quickly realised it was just him and Tatyana running off. He quickly turned back around to see Cassandra standing there with a loving smile, her arms interlinking across her midriff.

Luthane rushed off back to her, insisting Tatyana carried on and he would catch up.

As he reached Cassandra he looked up at her, afraid to ask anything in case he didn't like the answer.

"You're not coming with us?" Luthane gulped as he asked.

"I'm afraid not my love, the gods aren't happy I defied them, I must go back and plead forgiveness."

"please stay, help us to end the suffering, let us raise Striker together."

"He'll know I am there, my Darling Luthane, he is my son, our bound never breaks." Cassandra replied as her body began to raise off the ground.

"No, please don't go!" Luthane howled.

"We will be together again soon...my love" She said as her body eventually disappeared into the air.

Luthane released another tear as he watched his wife vanish."...We will be together soon Cassandra...I promise." He quickly turned his attention to catching Tatyana up who was already out of Esterwynne and on her way to the pathway Torik had beaten down, twice now.

"Tatyana wait up!" Screamed Luthane as he dashed off trying to keep Striker on his back and keep up with a very impatient Tatyana.

Luthane now knew what it meant to bring Striker back, Tatyana was still unsure but knew it would come to light eventually, they both just hoped it would make sense to the others so they could bring Striker back. Without him the group hasn't been the same. It may have gained in number but not in presence, they all lacked that missing link, that strong bond that kept everyone pushing on in adversity, that one voice which gave them the confidence to push through to toughest tribulations...Each and every one of them had a hope he would return, but they just didn't want it to be too late...

Chapter 69

It wasn't long before Oswynn was met at the bottom of the steps leading into Turalius by Torik, Shen and the girls, but something wasn't right, the town was quiet. It's never been quiet. If there's not hustle and bustle there's marching sounds and orders being bellowed. Oswynn seemed uneasy, but his face only showed determination.

"Good to see you again Oswynn" Torik spoke as he placed his hand on Oswynn's plated shoulder.

"Glad you could make it, forgive my arrogance earlier."

"Apology accepted" said Delphyne with a smile.

"So why aren't you discussing terms already?" Shen asked.

"Something feels very odd, so I thought I'd wait for back up, and no sooner did I think that, you all show up."

"So we go together?" Torik asked.

"That's the plan, it avoids ambush, and we can also plan ahead."

"Good idea...but what other plan is there than demand a meeting with queen again?" Torik questioned.

"I guess there's nothing else to discuss, but let's be cautious..." Oswynn drew Matilda from his side, still shattered, but still very effective.

As the others prepared themselves, Oswynn took a few steps upwards to make his way into the city. For Shen, Delphyne and Rosa it was their first time there, so they were a little cautious anyway, but for a local to be uneasy, needless to say it didn't help...

"We're right behind you Oswynn!" Delphyne shouted.

The guard's eyes just seemed to follow as they passed each one and got closer to the city centre, before they knew it they had a rear guard of over a dozen men, all looking straight ahead but not moving unless the others did so.

"This isn't normal Oswynn..." Torik felt nervous.

"It certainly isn't" Oswynn replied his eyes keeping view of all surroundings for anything remotely strange, other than the attitudes of the soldiers.

"Well, well, Captain Oswynn, I see you've returned." The General's voice boomed from the front of the cathedral.

"Yes Sir!" Oswynn saluted back.

"What business do you have now"

"I request an urgent audience with the queen, this is now a matter of life and death, Sir!"

"I will see what her majesty wants, wait here until I return!"

The General walked back through the doors into the cathedral, the girls and Shen were admiring the architecture of the cathedral, and it's grand glass tower.

"Is that just for aesthetic pleasure?" Shen asked.

"The tower?" Oswynn asked.

"Yeah..."

"It's said that in the times of great strife, the tower reveals its secret."

"hmm, slightly unnerving..." Delphyne said.

"More so than the gathering soldiers up our ass?" Shen questioned.

"Well, no that's just rude." Delphyne replied.

"It's so shiny" Rosa said as she got dizzy from looking up for too long.

Shen quickly caught Rosa as she fell backwards looking up too high for too long.

"Be careful, Rosa!" Shen looked at her, reassuringly but also with a sternness speaking the words 'don't do that again'

"Sorry...Shen" Rosa sniffled.

"Oh don't start the waterworks, please don't start crying Rosa..." Shen apologetically responded.

"I'll try" Rosa said as she cuffed her nose.

"Captain Oswynn!"

"Yes Sir!"

"You and your comrades have been granted the audience, but be warned she is very busy and will not have her time wasted by trivial pleas!"

"Duly Noted sir!" Oswynn quickly turned to the others, "Let's get going."

"General?" Torik's booming voice carried over.

"Yes traveller" He replied.

"Why are we being followed by your men?"

"Caution, nothing more" He said with a slightly wicked laugh, which was cut short very abruptly.

"Now hurry, before I change my mind about your little audience!"

The group proceeded to enter the cathedral once more, the queen was this time standing in the centre of the room, and her gown was flowing as long as her hair does from her head downwards.

As the queen turned around Torik knelt down in respect and Oswynn did the same.

"Your Grace!" Oswynn spoke.

"Make it quick Captain, I haven't got all day!"

"Yes your majesty, I'm here to re open discussions regarding your army..."

"I disrupt my daily plans for you to ask this trivial question once more...what on earth is going to make you think my mind has changed since we last spoke?"

"The fact that hordes of demons have been released onto the earth in the last few days and the population are in grave danger"

"The fact still remains that we are untouched and unscathed here in Turalius, therefore the army stays put, and Do I make myself clear!" The queen rasped.

"Something's not right" Torik whispered to the others, "Her voice was never this raspy..."

"The general laughed weirdly as well" Shen whispered back.

"But your highness..."

"But nothing! We stay put! Now if you don't have anything else to discuss I suggest you leave, this place is not suitable for failures."

"Failures? You're majesty, you aren't acting yourself..." Oswynn questioned.

Footsteps clinked and clanked behind the group...It was the General.

"General? What's the meaning of the intrusion?" Oswynn asked.

"I think you should leave her majesty alone."

"Give us one reason why?" Asked Shen in his usual cocky way.

"Because..." With a quick red glow of the eyes, the general was removed and replaced by Striker.

Everyone gasped, something wasn't right that much they knew...but now they know what it was, they wished they hadn't have known.

"What the hell are you doing here scum!" Shen shouted at Striker.

"Always with the compliments Shen, I think when I'm done with you your voice box is going to find itself a little worse for wear." Striker returning the favour with a cocky remark.

"We aren't in a favourable position here Shen, I'd hold your tongue." Oswynn advised.

The girls were slowly walking backwards, the fear of Striker was taking over them.

"Bitch queen! Grab the girls." Striker commanded.

"The queen's robe started to wrap itself around the queen and as it began to unfold her colour changed and her face was truly revealed...they should've known it was another demon.

"I am not a bitch queen, Striker" She hissed.

"You are what I say you are, now grab. The Girls."

The demoness hissed as she flung her dark dress at the girls wrapping them in the fabric and imprisoning them as she held them in mid air.

"Good, now as for you three...I'll give you two choices."

"We aren't leaving with Delphyne and Rosa!" Torik shouted.

"Suit yourself..." Striker warped from being in front of the three guys to the mid air prison where the two girls were coiled up and their hands were unable to move.

"You see if you don't go, then I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill them before your very eyes" Striker's blade burned in a familiar way as he placed it across the top of Delphyne's head.

"You leave them alone and fight us coward!" Shen shouted. He threw one of his knives straight at Striker but he saw it instantly and just used his blade to hit it straight back at Shen.

"Now be more careful, you nearly made me kill one of these two...and that just won't do." Striker grinned.

"What do you want?" Oswynn asked.

"Quite simple, I want to take your fears and use it against you, my blade will drain you of your dreams, leaving you petrified in your own nightmares, which is where I will destroy each and every one of you!" Striker laughed manically and he placed his weapon once more over Delphyne's head.

"Leave them alone Striker!" Torik shouted once more.

"Or what? You're going to tell my poor wolf daddy like a tell tale."

"He doesn't have to!" A voice howled through the cathedral.

"Who goes there. Show yourself or perish nonetheless!" Striker shouted.

It was Luthane with Tatyana, they had managed to catch up, and by the looks of things not a moment too soon.

"Now this does make things interesting...everyone back together once more..." Striker's attention was on Luthane and the boy on his back. He raised his blade from Delphyne and insisted it upon the lifeless body of himself.

"That stupid little boy saved you last time, but not anymore. It's time to bring you to my domain! Demetrius!"

The demoness began to transform once more as the coils of fabric eventually became burnt steel and twisted clad chains, suspended in mid air. As the fabric settled to the ground it quickly became a midnight coloured cape, with a red silk lining inside. Stood before them was Demetrius, the two remaining demons face to face looking down on the only ones who opposed them.

"The demons soldiers are outside awaiting the signal!" Demetrius called out, which led to echo of snarling and rapturous snorting with clashing of steel against steel.

"It's time to meet the end of your story, 'heroes'." Demetrius raised his arms up in the air and the ground began to shake violently. Striker just stood there laughing.

"What are you doing?" Luthane shouted.

"Isn't it obvious, the glass tower was a mechanism, it leads the demons home, and if it falls enough it'll pierce the core of the earth bleeding it's burning centre across the lands, engulfing and perishing all it touches. From there once the wastelands are formed and life as you know it has been removed, we can rebuild the land as it should be...Fit for a king!" Demetrius was laughing hysterically believing this was his imminent victory.

"Guys I don't like this one bit!" Shen shouted.

"We stick together!" Luthane shouted.

"You engulf the world, I'm taking these guys to the arena, and I owe them all a painful death!" Striker shouted.

"As you wish Striker, But hurry back otherwise you'll miss the action."

"World domination is just so pathetic!" Striker laughed as he engulfed everyone in darkness.

"Where are we?" Tatyana shouted.

"I don't know but we have to be ready for anything!" Torik called back.

"Girls are you here?" Tatyana shouted out again.

"Yeah, but we are still shackled." Delphyne answered.
"It hurts!" Rosa added.

"Just stay calm, we'll get you safe."

"That's what you think?" Striker's voice echoed.

With a loud thud and some jangling of metal, a deep red and dark brown light began to shine before them. A horde of demons stood around them jumping around like eager kids in a toy shop. Striker stood in the centre of a large arena, the ground was broken and jagged, and he lifted one hand to command silence, as the sound disappeared Striker's voice echoed across the area.

"Demon! I bring you a feast! We have seven warriors seeking glory and fame! They're goal? to end us as a race! We will not let this happen!"

This was followed by evil roars and nasty growling followed by synchronised stamping of feet against the arena floors, which formed a war drum noise throughout.

"We shan't let them fight together, they fight one by one to the death! You will earn a piece of whatever you kill!"

The demons went into a frenzy jumping around smashing their weapons into the ground while continually stamping their feet.

"Time for the fight of your lives...old friends...So who shall I pick first?"

Chapter 70

With a raise of his hands, every one of them were lifted off the ground, and before they could move they were left in giant cages covered from top to bottom in a dark dull metal, each one sized the fit the person inside, like an abused animal, locked away from all freedom.

"The obsidium bars you see before you, insulate heat but are coldest to touch, I can kill you inside them without a seconds thought!" Striker shouted. "But where's the fun in that!"

The demons surrounding them laughed and roared. They had enough waiting they wanted bloodshed.

"Let's see who's first to die then shall we?" Striker stabbed his blade into the ground and cracks appeared in the ground each on leading up to underneath of each caged person.

"When the flames burn beneath you, It's your turn to die" Striker laughed

"Guys! We need to tell you something!" Tatyana screamed.

"Silence woman! Or I'll rip your tongue out and feed it to your friends!" Striker knelt down and placed his hand on the base of his sword that was firmly stuck into the arena floor.

"She's right, it's about Striker!" Luthane called to the others, who were all standing in their cages trying to look at Luthane through the bars.

"What is it?" Torik asked.

"Do any of you have any manners! Or are you all so eager to die!" Striker shouted.

"We can bring him back!" Tatyana called out.

A flame burned from Striker blade and one of the cracks began to burst with fire it followed its path until it reached its intended target...

It was Shen...

The base of the cage dropped and sent Shen to the ground, he quickly dropped onto his knees but was quick to get back up. He looked up at Striker, who had lifted himself to the stands onto a large seat in the centre of the rows of demons.

"Well, well, the loud mouthed ninja get's to perish first haha, this should be interesting!" Striker called down to Shen.

"You won't break me that easily, Striker you're going down!"

"Not so fast, if you want a piece of me you'll have to get through these first" Striker snapped his fingers and a hole emerged from the arena floor, Shen stepped back anticipating his opponent. It was far worse than he had thought. A large demon with two heads pulled itself out from beneath him. Shen gulped, he looked up at the monstrosity before him, it was twice the size of Torik at least and it had two spinning blades on its hands.

"Only a coward would let others do his fighting for him!" Shen said.

"Good for you that you're all alone then, no one for you to fight for, since you burned your own village to the ground."

Shen's face enraged seething through his gritted teeth. "How DARE YOU!" She screamed.

"Aww, poor Shen, crying over spilt milk once again" Striker laughed, watching on from above. "Kill him Ogron!"

The demon roared at Shen with droll leaking from his mouths, it flung a blade straight at Shen who was quick to avoid but not for the second which came straight after, it cut him straight across his chest.

"Grr, cheap shot!" Shen shouted. But before he could launch an attack he was kicked straight into the wall by a flailing boot from the beast before him.

"You see Shen, Overwhelming power and speed are two key components to a victory. So here is something that combines the two...As you only have short bursts of speed, this would be the perfect way for you be taken apart" Striker continued to laugh.

Shen spat blood onto the ground as he used his arm to cover the blood trickling from his chest.

"Shen!" Tatyana shouted out.

Shen looked up quickly, while trying to keep an eye on the demon heading towards him.

"Make it quick Tatyana!"

"What do you give to Striker!"

"What?" Shen shouted as he quickly slid between twin headed demons legs and slashed him across his thighs trying to drop it to the ground, but nothing, it winced and roared but stayed upright.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Shen shouted.

"Going to have to try harder than that" Striker said looking down grinning from ear to ear.

"What do you give Striker, what trait!"

"Trait! I don't give him anything!"

"Yes you do, think about it!" Tatyana screamed.

"I'm a little pre occupied to think about it!" Shen ducked and dodged more sweeping blade attacks and climbed onto the beast arms before lunging into one of its heads, swinging from its face with his kunai dug into the flesh.

The demon was flailing its arms around trying to grab Shen.

Shen just looked at Striker with a smile, as she swung behind the demon using his small knives as leverage. The demon screamed as its head was being pulled backwards. Eventually the heads gave way and Shen slid all the way down the back of the giant demon tearing its skin in half.

"Ogron!" Striker shouted in anger.

Luthane was looking down on the ground, he had noticed that Striker wasn't put in a cage, just left in a small gap in the ground.

"Tatyana look!" Luthane kept looking downwards.

"I see him, how do we do it?"

"We all need to fight!" Luthane shouted.

"You're right!" Tatyana said "SHEN!"

"What now!" He said as the two headed demon fell in half in front of him.

"What did we ask you!" Luthane shouted.

"What do I give Striker?"

"Exactly!" Tatyana screamed. "What do you give him!"

"A Hard time!" Shen shouted.

"That's it! Shen you Give Striker resolve!" Luthane shouted.

"oh didn't see it that way, what d'you know" Shen chuckled.

"Enough games!" Striker jumped down before Shen and kicked him to the ground.

"Give it back to him!" Luthane said.

"Shut up wolf! Shen won't be around long enough to give anything!" Striker raised his hand and his blade flung out of the ground and straight into his grasp. He pointed the blade against Shen's cheek.

"Any last words, Shen." Striker asked.

Shen looked with his head to the side, and noticed that the lifeless boy was laying in the sand over in the side. He reached his hand out while closing his eyes, thinking of all the banter and arguments that him and Striker had since the first day they met, and all the petty fights. Shen smiled and said the words. "You have always been my resolve...Striker, time for you to take it back...and kick some ass"

"Is that all you could say? Ha Pathetic!" Striker scraped his blade across Shen's face before slicing right across his shoulder and shattering the bone inside. Shen screamed in pain curling up as he didn't know what part hurt the most. Striker just grinned and cackled as he kicked Shen into the corner where Striker's body lay, Shen was unconscious and bleeding heavily, with the others looking on, scared and afraid, with great sorrow filling their hearts with Shen's body slowly losing its fight, breaking and pouring crimson.

"Hold on Shen!" Torik shouted out in anger.

Delphyne and Rosa were bawling their eyes out, they didn't know what to do they were still shackled so they couldn't use their ice, or time powers to help.

"He did it?" Luthane asked.

"I don't know " Said Tatyana..."I sincerely hope so."

"My fellow demons! There is one down, but the next ones are all yours. The horde clambered from the rafters and onto the arena floor. Some stood over the two halves of Ogron who was covering the ground in blood.

Striker floated once more into his seat and threw his blade into the ground where it was. The fire burned intensely once more...

"Time to break some more hearts!" Striker called out as the fire filled the second crack in the ground..."This'll be interesting" he said, as he saw the next victim to his torment.

...Oswynn.

Chapter 71

Oswynn was quickly dropped from his cage onto the ground, as soon as his feet touched the ground he pushed himself off towards the group of demons in a blind rage. He hacks and slashed his way straight through the centre of them all cutting off limbs and parrying weapons from all angles. But eventually he came unstuck, he was soon bombarded and covered in bodies of demons. They were all jumping on top of him like a large mound suffocating and crushing him from within.

"I thought he'd put up a fight..." Tatyana said.

"He is, just watch" Torik replied.

"What I'm concerned about is if Oswynn has never met Striker..." Luthane began.

"There will always be something..." Tatyana answered. She looked over at the girls who were wrapped up still, the crying wasn't as heavy but their heads were resting into one another, whether they were talking, praying, or just resting, was unknown.

"Do you think they're ok?" she asked the others.

"They'll have to be...Otherwise they'll die before they hit the ground..." Torik answered with a morbid tone.

"I hope for their sake they put up a good fight, Striker seems unbeatable at the moment."

"They will, they know what they mean to Striker, and they know what they give him." Luthane added.

"They do?" Tatyana queried.

"Of course they do, they've been listening. They are good kids they'll know what to do. Torik answered.

"So we all know what is he is to us?" Tatyana confirmed.

"I do" Torik responded.

"I definitely do..." Spoke a confident Luthane.

"So why do we fight? why don't we give it to Striker now?"

"Good question...No harm in trying I suppose" Luthane shouted out.

Before they could continue their discussion their cages were rattled by a demon being flung against their prisons. They all lay in many different pieces scattered across the ground, Oswynn was covered in their blood and Matilda in his hand crimson from tip to handle.

"What did we just miss?" Luthane asked.

"I don't know but it's a strength we must respect." Torik replied.

Oswynn lifted his head and turned round looking up at Striker.

"Your audience is dead, so now comes your time, Heathen!" Oswynn bellowed.

"Nice...ly...do...ne Rus...ty..." The faint voice of Shen spoke, as he looked on through blurred vision at Oswynn. His body still slightly covering Striker's small frame, covering it in smears of his blood.

"Who needs an audience, when the only person who cares about seeing your corpses on his mantle is me!" Striker jumped down and stood before Oswynn.

"You are not the man, I was told of. The man I have heard, had character, leadership and acceptance of everyone, strangers or friends..." Oswynn stopped as his eyes lit up.

Striker just yawned. "Spare me your speech, go on I'll even let you have first shot" The grin on his face was misleading, but Oswynn was unphased. As he raised Matilda in the air, Striker clicked his fingers but his side, and before Oswynn could react Striker's weapon had pierced through the back of him.

"Too trusting, I'm a Frickin' demon you fool!" Striker laughed insanely.

Oswynn's grip of Matilda quickly loosened as she fell in between him and Striker. The laughter continued from Striker as he thrusted his claw infused hand into the chest of Oswynn through his chest plate and pulled out the blade from behind him, straight through the open wound that had been bored into his chest.

"I'll grant you a quick death, Oswynn. Captain of the demon guards of Turalius, hahahaha" Striker picked up Matilda from the ground, and kicked Oswynn down onto his back whose eyes were glazed over, and his breathing was short and sharp. He looked up with tears in his eyes, as he Saw Striker wielding his broken sword.

"Of all who I thought would betray me...I would never have been Matilda." He closed his eyes as Striker placed Matilda against his open wound and looked down at Oswynn who had accepted his death right there.

"Hmph, weak like the rest!" Striker raised Matilda into the air but a quick flash of light blinded Striker as he dropped Matilda to the ground.

"What the hell?!" He shouted as he looked down at the sword, there was nothing around it, no light nothing...

"Fine, I'll do it with my own!" Striker stamped over Oswynn making sure he dug his heel deep into his open blood ridden wound. The growl from Oswynn insisted the pain was almost too much to handle, his eyes were shut tight and his arms were wrapped around his stomach trying to stem the bleeding, but to no avail.

Striker picked up his blade from the ground, dragging the tip of it along the ground causing sparks as it scraped, making a horribly high pitched screeching sound.

"If you won't die the way I want you do, I'll kill you another...Death is the only inevitability!" Striker shouted, as he placed his sword against the neck of Oswynn.

"I don't think you deserve any last words...So I'll leave you to rot, while I reap on your fears!"

Strikers pointed his blade at Oswynn and black fumes began to raise from Oswynn's body, and draw themselves into Striker blade.

"This isn't good..." Torik feared very much the end was night for Oswynn.

"I can't watch..." Tatyana looked away.

Luthane just stood there continued to look straight at Oswynn trying to encourage him up with his thoughts. Nothing was getting through...maybe he could get through to Striker...

"Whatever happens Striker...You will fall...Your end will be brought by your own frailty."

Striker stopped what he was doing and looked up at Luthane...

"get out of my head wolf!"

"You're this weak minded that you let me back in? You'll be easy to beat" Luthane answered.

"Then I hope the blade chooses you next, otherwise you will see what I am truly capable when I torture everyone else one by one!"

Striker picked up Oswynn with one hand and as he dropped him, he spun round and slashed Oswynn right across the chest, before burying his foot into the hole in his chest.

"Game...over...Captain" Striker whispered, as he flicked Oswynn's lifeless body onto the floor.

"I'm tired of games! Whoever tries will fail. You are all nothing but weaklings, Why did I let you all hold me back!" Striker shouted at the others.

"Because we are worth more than power!" Tatyana screamed back.

"You were, Tatyana...Were!"

"Then I hope your power and greed swallows you whole..." Tatyana called back while fighting back the tears.

"Enough, your voices grind on my ears, I'm eager to see which one of you worthless bastards is next to receive their demise!"

Striker threw his sword in the air, and as he turned away the blade swept across the air and slashed straight through the chain holding up the cage of Delphyne and Rosa...

As the cage hit the ground, Rosa and Delphyne were freed from their shackles, and released through the broken door, spat out onto the floor.

Striker turned round to the sound of the cages crashing to the ground and began to laugh hysterically. "Hah, looks like they are saving the best for last" He emphasised his last three words with air quotes.

"Son of a bitch! I wanted a piece of him!" Torik called out.

"Wait your turn, Torik. Good deaths come to those who wait!" Striker grinned.

"Wait do you see that?" Luthane said to the others as he looked down at the young Striker laying on the ground. A small glow was forming around him. No one else was paying much attention to it, except for the three left in their caged prisons watching on.

"It's working..." Tatyana said softly.

"I certainly hope so..." Luthane said as he turned his attention to Delphyne and Rosa who were standing nervously side by side as Striker began to make his way towards them.

"Let's play a game girls, I'll fight fire against whatever you throw at me."

"Lousy cheap tricks won't work!" Delphyne shouted out.

"Hate you!" Rosa shouted at Striker.

"Just for that, I think it's time to put you two in time out...Permanently!"

Chapter 72

Striker showed his clawed hand to the girls and opened each finger one by one. A vortex of wind began to spin violently around his palm, once his hand had fully opened. He began to chuckle to himself.

"Oh, my apologies, I said fire didn't I?" He threw the vortex to the ground and upon impact it burst into the air as a pillar of searing fire. "Much better" He grinned at the girls.

Delphyne tried to focus in on the pillar of fire trying to slow it's violent movement, and for a moment it seemed like it was working, the fire grinding down to a halt and fusing together into a dull and sloppy magma, but Striker was unmoved he just laughed once more.

"You know there is only one way to kill fire, and neither of you have that in you!"

"Ready Rosa?" Delphyne looked back at her sister who was nervously staring at Striker.

"...Ready..." Rosa placed her hands on the ground and began to freeze it all over, it seemed she was getting stronger as he had quickly turned the bloodied arena into an ice rink.

The magma from the drooping pillar eventually collapsed onto the ice melting it instantly and forming a wave of water that crashed around before gently evaporating into the air and leaving a pool of cooled hardened lava on the ground.

"How smart you two are, ceases to amaze me " Striker smiled, "I think you should be fighting with me instead of them!"

"Never!" Rosa shouted.

"We know where our loyalties lie Striker..." Delphyne added.

"Suit yourself, don't say I didn't give you a chance." Striker knelt down and punched his fists into the ground, shattering the layer that was ridden of blood, steam and frozen magma, launching it all into the air. He looked up and with an arc of both his hands and are clenching of his fist, a mass of fire threw itself from his body incinerating everything that was above them., leaving it to cook as it hit the ground again.

Delphyne and Rosa jumped back to avoid any large objects hitting them on the way down.

Rosa was quick to form a sheet of frozen mass in front of her and Delphyne, just to give some form of protection. All Striker could see what a large cube of ice with them seemingly trapped inside. He walked up to the cube and tapped on it with a sharp finger nail from his unnatural hand.

"Anyone home?" Striker asked as he continued to tap on the ice. Small shards began to start chipping away.

"Rosa what are going to do?" Delphyne whispered,

"Freeze him inside?" Rosa suggested.

"Too difficult he's is full or burning hatred...although"

"Although?..."

"I have a plan" Delphyne continued to whisper to Rosa as they both giggled and smiled at each other.

"Your tedious little ice cube won't save you for too much longer!" Striker shouted as his hand began to burn, the embers on his hand forming together to make a solid ball of burning energy. "So I'm going to count to three! If you don't come out you'll burn alive!"

"Ready?" Delphyne asked...

"One!..."

"uh huh" Rosa nodded.

"Two!"

"NOW!" Delphyne shouted as they ran away from the ice shield in front of them Delphyne and Rosa turned round and with a flick of the fingers on both of their hands the ice shattered before Striker, piercing him throughout his chest and face, He let out a growl of pain as he quickly turned away placing his hand on his face.

"You little shits!" Striker's eyes began to blaze as the ice shards in his body began to melt away and steam emanated from the small indents in his body.

"Then you'll hate this!" Delphyne began slowing Striker's healing process from the fire. So some of the shards watery states began to drench the fire within his body. Rosa followed her sister's plan to the letter forming spinning discs of frozen matter in her hands and threw them as hard as she could at Striker.

"This isn't happening!" Striker tried to pulsate energy from his body, but nothing worked, the fire inside him was cooling down and all that released from his body was a small puff of smoke.

"Grrr..." Striker snarled at the girls as the discs impacted against him with force knocking him to the ground, Temporarily stunning Striker.

The girls used this short reprieve to tend to Oswynn whose body was singed further from being launched into the air, Rosa began to freeze over the bore inside his chest, Oswynn was very weak, but still tried to speak to them. "Thank...you..." He let a wry smile out the side of his mouth.

"You'll be ok Oswynn, Just use the time to rest." Delphyne encouraged.

"I will..." He replied.

The hole in his chest was soon a frozen mass that has clung to his armour and his insides, forming a barrier from the curdling and clotting blood.

"Once the ice melts..." Delphyne said.

"We'll... be free...then" Oswynn said with long deep breaths in between each word.

"We will" Rosa said.

They quickly ran over to Shen who was acting delusional his head shaking left to right, the blood has completely covered his arm as it was slumped beside him. Again Rosa continued to freeze up the wound as a makeshift bandage to stem the blood, which was being controlled by Delphyne in case Rosa over did it.

"Thank you Nana" Shen said unaware of who was before him.

"Nana?" Rosa asked confused.

"He's not good Rosa, we'll have to be quick about this..."

Rosa nodded, the wound had healed and she placed her icy hands on Shen forehead, he was burning up, but eventually his temperature dropped thanks to Rosa. Delphyne was trying to discard any ice that accidently formed around his head.

Shen was soon able to see a little straighter and as he saw the girls, he smiled.

"Thanks...I'll be good...I have Striker here" He smiled as he lifted his arm up to reveal the young Striker underneath him.

"He's glowing..." Delphyne gasped.

"It works!" Rosa shouted.

"What does he give us? What do we give him?" Delphyne asked.

"huh?" Rosa was confused.

"Tatyana said something like that...what do we do!"

Rosa put her hand on the boy and they both began to shine brightly. Like there was an immediate connection, Delphyne saw what was happening and she placed her hand on him also. The light intensified as they all began to shine the purist white, Shen shielded his eyes from the brightness, like a teenager does when their mother opens the curtains on a summer's day to rudely awaken them.

"What's going on?" Delphyne asked. This was met with a shrug of Rosa's shoulders.

Tatyana, Luthane and Torik were watching from above, smiling.

"Didn't realise physical touch would've done it!" Luthane shouted.

"Maybe it's just their way, they aren't old enough to understand emotions." Torik presumed.

"...Maybe..." Tatyana's mind was beginning to wander.

"What's wrong?" Luthane asked.

"I'm afraid of being wrong with what me and Striker have." She answered.

"Then don't say it...feel it" Torik replied.

"I will, thank you..." She said.

"Girls! Look out!" Luthane shouted out as he saw Striker was back to his feet, steam evaporating from his body, his flames had returned to his body, his eyes was pure red, no pupil was visible, just his teeth baring from his mouth and fists clenched tightly.

As Rosa and Delphyne let go of Striker the light disappeared immediately, but before they could turn around Striker had already attacked. He kicked Rosa in the back which fired her straight into the wall. She hit the wall head first and was instantly knocked unconscious as her body hit the ground limp and lifeless.

Delphyne was in shock, but not for long as Striker spun on his axis and punched her in the side of the head with his clenched claw ridden hand. She was knocked instantly to the ground, but her eyes were closed before her body had collapsed to the floor.

A sharp click of his neck was met with the words "I'm done playing games, whoever's next dies, no more chances! No more stipulations! Just death!"

He walked back to the centre of the arena and looked up at the three cages remaining. He was past caring who was next he just wanted their blood to spill.

The blade began to glow once more, but instead of following a crack in the ground it sent out a burning pulse at all three cages. Eventually one gave way and dropped to the floor. The cage shattered around them but they were unphased by the impact. They stood there tall and ready for battle...

Striker eyes burned and he grinned wickedly at his next opponent.

"This won't be a draw like last time...Torik!"

Chapter 73

The ground was in pieces, the body were scattered everywhere. Nothing but pain and suffering around them. Shen , Oswynn, Delphyne and Rosa had all tried and failed in their efforts to bring down the demon that stood before them. Now was the turn of Torik, his stature was imposing, his weapon was being swung around on its axis with ease, his steely gaze fixed onto Striker who was showing no fear, just a burning aura surrounding him.

Torik looked at his surroundings, what once seemed a magnificent arena, had become cracked and disfigured, blood stains across each slab, impact marks from fallen allies and enemies alike. His hammer was whirling around his hand at an ever quickening pace.

"Last time was a fist fight, this time, I'll cut you down!" Striker shouted, he opened his arm outward from his side and as his hand opened the blade from the ground shook, removing itself from where it was buried.

As the blade shot out from the ground Torik let loose his hammer, the force and power knocked the blade away from its intended target and into the side of the arena wall. The hammer continued on its intended path and was heading straight for Striker.

Striker's eyes widened as he watched the weapon coming straight for him. he pulled his hand out in front of him to anticipate the impact, as the hammer collided with his hands he used the force to manoeuvre his body underneath it and then let it go as it continued to move straight into the wall behind him.

"Heh, nice try Torik but I'm not that stupid!" Striker laughed.

Torik laughed back as he saw parts of the arena behind him start to crack further and crumble from the impact.

"You laugh, when you know you're about to die?" Striker asked.

"I laugh because you never learn!" Torik answered.

Shadows formed above Striker, as he turned around and looked up he noticed parts of the arenas structure falling towards him, and he wasn't able to stop them all from crashing down on him, he flailed his blade as much as possible to avoid being overwhelmed but it wasn't enough the large slabs crashed over his body, collapsing him to the ground with tonnes of pressure.

There was silence after the dust had cleared, the demon Striker was silent underneath the rubble. Torik felt it wasn't the end just yet but persisted to have his say.

"You fall to the strength I inherit from the real Striker, You are a shell of the man he is, and your power is only there because you gave into your fears! A fearful power, is a weak power. What I possess I share in the bond of friendship with the man inside of you."

There was a shake on the ground, as some of the rubble because to move around and drop to the ground.

"I am..." Striker began as he slowly clambered to his feet, bruises on his body some rips in his clothing and dust on his face.

"You are?" Torik questioned.

"NOT...WEAK!" Striker stood there roaring with bestial presence he raised the rubble around him with a single animation from his hand. the broken slabs floated around him like debris in a tornado, as he began to spin them around himself violently like a shield.

"Try and break me now, Torik!" Striker insisted.

Torik took a step forward and Striker threw a barrage of debris straight at him, Torik covered his face with his arms crossed over his face, and continued to press on.

Striker continued the barrage, but added a few larger boulders in the equation but launching them in Torik's direction.

He was unable to avoid them as he was busy protecting himself from the debris. It crashed into his thighs, which weakened Torik's stance, the wobble of his muscles as they tried to keep his body upright.

"Strong, you may be, but another one of them and I'll have you right where I need you."

Another large slab was thrown at Torik and as he looked up he was caught in the face by piece upon piece of jagged shrapnel, his vision was impaired and he was unable to stop the second large rock to clatter into his thighs once more. This knocked Torik backwards before one of his legs gave way, and he fell over onto his back.

"Strength from Striker you said! Cannot be compared you thought! Look where you are! I am Striker, and you will never compare to me!" Striker shouted out.

The debris has ceased its violent rotation and bombardment on Torik. Striker kept what was left of the broken shards of arena suspended in mid air around him.

"Your strength is not your own, but the shell you inherited...You'll never be what you were!" Torik bellowed back as he got himself back to a vertical base.

"No you are right, I wont...I'll forever be far stronger." Striker walked towards Torik, the rubble dropping to the ground around him.

Torik clenched his fist together preparing himself for a fight. Striker just continued to walk towards him. With a crack of his knuckles Torik ran towards Striker, pulling his arm backwards ready to launch his fist into Striker, but still he continued to walk toward him.

A loud roar from Torik echoed out as he threw his fists straight at Striker's face, but he was caught in the solitary grip of Striker claw like hand, he used Torik's momentum to throw him over his head, but Torik used his weight to throw himself onto this feet.

Striker had other ideas as he still had hold of Torik's fist. He pulled down hard on his hand pulling Torik to his knees, before spinning around twisting Torik's wrist in a way it shouldn't before plunging his boot into his elbow, the immediate sound of the bone cracking was heard by everyone as Tatyana and Luthane winced at the sound from the impact. Torik shouted out in agony as the bone in his arm was completely shattered.

Striker then Pulled Torik's limp and broken hand down to the ground forcing Torik face to hit the dirt with his body off the ground and his knees buried into the broken floor.

Striker, then proceeded to stamp down on Torik's shoulder another loud snapping noise sounded out the the top half of Torik's arm fell limp. His roar became more intense, and he swung for Striker with his other hand, which again was caught by Striker.

"Ever so predictable." Striker said as he caught the flailing fist.

Torik's eyes widened as he saw Striker standing over him, he pulled Torik's arm towards him and placed it in between his knees, and one knee was by the inside of his elbow, the other was against the back of the shoulder.

"Looks like you're going to lose another arm Torik..."

Before there was a reaction Striker grabbed Torik's wrist and twisted his whole body one way and then the other, slowly ripping each connecting bone in Torik's arm, before eventually his shoulder gave out and was ripped from its socket. Striker pulled hard against his wrist and it separated instantly from his arm.

"You were never going to defeat me, giant!" Striker said as he spun around before returning to his original position smashing his knee against Torik's Chin sending his neck back with force, and rendering him unconscious.

He looked at the hand in his grasp and laughed as the ease of his victory, before throwing it to where Shen lay, the hand landed onto Striker's body brushing against his face gently before it fell lifelessly onto the floor.

Striker laughed as he walked away to collect his sword from the wall. As he ripped it from the stone, he pointed at Luthane who was still in shock at the ease of Torik's annihilation.

"I want the wolf next! It's some for some father son bonding hahaha" Strikers blade obliged as it shot from Striker's hand, cutting the cage door off its hinges before flinging it's back into Striker's grasp like a boomerang.

Luthane looked at Tatyana and smiled. Something was going on through Luthane's head and Tatyana was concerned.

"Be safe!" She shouted at Luthane as he jumped from his prison onto the ground beneath him.

"Ok Striker, It's time for a little chat, Don't worry...this'll hurt you far more than it will me!" Luthane howled.

"Suit yourself old man. But I'm not holding back!" Striker responded with a swagger about his character.

Both Luthane and the demon Striker's eyes met with intensity, with most of their allies wounded gravely or out for the count, Luthane and Tatyana knew it was down to them to try and take down Striker...But it was never going to be easy.

"Please Striker, we need you more than ever now" He said to himself.

Striker pointed his blade at Luthane, and laughed. "Come, let's see who joins your friends on the incapacitated list!"

Chapter 74

Luthane crouched down with his gaze still on Striker, his claws ever sharpening as they dug into the ground. He lowered his head for a second to collect his thoughts, then rushed towards Striker with his teeth baring, he lunged at Striker but missed.

"Not so fast, Father!" Striker said as he jumped to one side to avoid Luthane's attack.

"You've said and done enough, boy!" Luthane snarled, as he continued his charge, lunging once more at Striker, but this time he was met with a full forced punch into the jaw.

"I think you've underestimated me!" Striker shouted. He looked up at Tatyana as Luthane was launched to the side with the force of the impact from Striker knuckles.

He pointed his sword towards her, and laughed. "You better hope you have a plan, otherwise I'll pick you apart!"

"Threaten as you will Striker. But you are far from perfect, as you'll soon find out!" Tatyana called back from her cage.

Striker was completely unaware that Luthane had already gotten back to his feet and was ready to strike from behind. Striker's attention moved from Tatyana's vocal response to the presence he felt breathing down the back of his neck. He lowered his head and grinned.

"I must've learnt my cowardice from my father" He said.

Luthane sank his teeth into Striker's shoulder and dug his claws keep into his back and raked downwards tearing his top and shredding his skin with ease.

Striker showed a grimace on his face, but remained stood where he was, accepting he had to endure this much...for now.

Luthane stopped for a second to lunge his jaw over the back of Striker's calf, piercing into the muscle with his sharp incisors. Striker was unable to stay upright for long as his body gave out after a short while, the infliction of pain had reached a point even a demon would suffer.

Striker used his other foot to kick Luthane away before swinging his blade at Luthane. Luthane was too slow as he was caught across the eye with the trailing tip of the blade.

Luthane shook his head, as the blood splayed across his fur and the blood began to trickle slowly into his eye, slightly blinding him.

"There is no cowardice when seeking an opportunity!" Luthane growled.

Striker climbed to his feet ginger trying to walk off the pain in his leg. "Then you won't be surprised to now I will always come prepared for such things!"

"I expect nothing less from an impersonator of my son!"

"You continue to believe that I am not your son, yet here I stand, stronger, aware of who you are, what you have done. Why is it so Unbelievable to you that what you see before you is your flesh and blood" Striker asked.

"Because my son, has my courage. He would never choose to die, if it wasn't for the greater good. What you chose was to sell yourself to become stronger to abandon your fears and become a fragment of your former self!" Luthane snapped back.

"What makes you think I gave up! I'm still here, I'm just fighting for the winning team now!"

"Because win or lose, the real Striker would never abandon those who meant he most of him, for success."

"You abandoned me! Where's the difference." Striker asked, as he pulled his sword towards his chest.

"The difference was the situation you ungrateful bastard!" Luthane's blood began to boil, as the argument continued.

Tatyana was looking from above, only hearing what they had to saying whispers. She looked down at Striker's body which was glowing more ever present, slowly fading before illuminating again. Something was building up inside that lifeless body.

The demon Striker stabbed his sword into the ground and darkness began to fill the broken fragments of the arena starting from the ground and working its way up into the sky.

"You see, father. This darkness that I control, is everything I have struggled with in my past life, my pain and suffering...my fears and failures. It consumes everything around me and this weapon is my constant reminder, of what I now control...No longer do I need worry about the what ifs, I care about the now and how there is no remorse for my actions!"

"Then you had best be prepared for karma, She always gets her way!" Luthane said as he blindly ran towards a silhouette of Striker. He bit down hard but the outline just vanished into a puff of smoke.

"With you attempting to attack me in the pitch black of my fears you will surely fall to the overwhelming grief that you put me through!"

"I hope the darkness swallows you whole, If you were a real man you'd try to deal with the fears instead of abusing them as a means to avoid the confrontation!"

"Then you really know nothing of your precious son!" Striker cut a large arc through the darkness tearing through the blackness and at the same time to hind legs of Luthane, rendering him to the floor.

The darkness began to fold into itself sealing up the gaping wound left by Striker's attack.

Luthane noticed this and began to scrape this claws along the ground ripping the darkness into little shreds.

"Thank you for cutting up my fears into little pieces, father! I can deal with them easier in little pieces!" Striker shouted as he ran into the unsighted Luthane and lunged his boot straight into his stomach , sending Luthane skidding across the ground on his side before clattering into one of the few standing walls of the once arena.

Striker felt it was time to make it a little more interesting, so he walked up to the winded Luthane, and placed his blade into the ground next to him. The darkness began to swirls around the blade, forming a whirlwind of darkness.

"As you feel the darkness ripping at your body, realise the pain you put me through, by abandoning me! By letting your friends down, by not being a man and fighting for what you believe!" Striker shouted.

Tatyana was looking on in dismay, she feared Striker was getting stronger by the minute and that he hadn't even reached his full potential yet...She feared her life would end before she even hit the ground, unless Luthane could do something...and fast.

"Fear not Tatyana...Luthane will be ok" A voice spoke.

"That voice...Where have I heard it before?" Tatyana said to herself.

"Focus your thoughts to him, I'll focus on my love Luthane..." The voice echoed once more in her mind.

"...Cassandra?..."

"...yes my dear..."

"I thought I was going crazy, but it is you" Tatyana smiled if only for a second.

"...I shouldn't be here, so please head my words...You have to trust in yourself...You are the key to Striker, he is strongest when you are with him..."

"But how will I bring him back?" She asked herself.

"...When the time comes...He'll come for you..."

"...Thank you Cassandra...Now go help your husband!" She said a little too loudly, as she quickly covered her mouth.

Striker turned around and looked at Tatyana who was knelt down on the bottom on the cage. "Stop talking to yourself! I Don't want you to go crazy on me yet bitch haha! This one's almost over!" He laughed as he turned to Luthane, who was unable to get up from the pressure of the darkness whipping against his body, like burning lashes against the skin. Luthane's eyes were tightly shut, he was trying to picture happier times, to try and forget the pain he as enduring.

Striker continued to laugh as he looked at Luthane, vulnerable and weakening with each strike. "Still you struggle, I thought I was to be taught a lesson from my old man, Ha! You're just as Pathetic as the others!"

Luthane was picturing in his head Striker when he was with him at the forest the small frail boy, and the strong cocky young adult Striker...but the images suddenly became blank with a bright white light...His eyes tightened further as he felt his body slowly giving in to the whirlwind snapping at him, braking him down slowly.

The light opened and a figure lay inside his mind...His wife, Cassandra appeared. She knelt before him and smiled.

"...Cassa...ndra..." He mumbled.

"Oh not you too! This mumbling crap get's old fast! Give up already!" Striker was quickly getting irate at Luthane's stubborn resilience.

"Fight on my love..." She spoke to his head.

"I'm not gonna...last much...longer" He said out loud.

"Damn right you're not!" Striker opened his claw like hand and within a second of it being open the hand caught ablaze. He then proceeded to place his hand inside the blades violent dark vortex, as it began to steal the flames from his hands and force it through the winds with the darkness intertwined. The blazing winds cut deeper and burned harder than any other attack Luthane had been tortured with so far, as he growled behind gritted teeth trying to withstand his flesh ripping and his fur singing, with every swipe of the searing darkness.

"You were meant to live...Give everything one last go, if not for us for our son..."

"...Striker..."

"That is the name you gave me! What do you wish to add? I surrender maybe? Or I wish to join you?" Striker's sarcasm and cockiness were running high, he felt he had to just watch on as Luthane would eventually be ripped into nothingness soon enough.

Luthane got to his feet slowly, his paws burned and his fur blackened. His eyes pierced through the winds and stared directly at Striker.

"I'll do whatever it takes the end you!" Luthane shouted. He howled as loud as he could and the winds began to fracture, losing their momentum. He looked again as he howled once more, the embers started to dissipate, and the winds were waving in all directions clashing against one another, splitting their vortex. One final howl from Luthane and the darkness fell from the winds back into the blade, and the winds threw themselves outwards in a blast and knocked Luthane back against the wall, and Striker all the way at the other end of the arena, crashing him to the ground.

Luthane was standing there breathing deeply, bleeding from many places breathing in slowly but deeply, wincing in pain with each intake of air into his system.

Striker was quick to get back to his feet. He wasn't happy that Luthane continued to stand up, the arrogance of the wolf just enraged Striker further.

"Why won't you stay down!" Striker shouted as he stomped his way towards Luthane.

"Because you don't deserve to have my death on your hands!" Luthane shouted.

"I deserve to drink your blood from your skull as I tear it from your head!"

"now, son, we've talked about this! You will not be beating me and that's final!"

"Do not treat me like a child, wolf!"

"Heh, sounds like you could do with a nap, being cranky doesn't help you!"

"Your insolence is enough to justify your doom!"

"Then come and get me! Unless you're afraid!" Luthane was using Striker's cockiness against him and getting the reaction he had hoped for.

"Your funeral!" Striker formed two large balls of fire in both of his hands and merged them together with force and formed a large meteor sized ball of searing pain.

Luthane grabbed onto Striker blade in his mouth, ripping it from ground and holding it through gritted teeth.

"The blade only answers to its master, Luthane, You are as good as dead!" Striker shouted as he unleashed the pyre ball straight at Luthane. The wolf was undeterred, he started to run towards the large fireball, with the blade in his mouth. When he was within range he leapt into the air swinging the sword through the blazing mass, cutting it into two and sending them off into the rubble behind him.

He landed right in front of Striker, and looked at him menacingly.

Striker had a face full of shock, how could a mere canine, control what was rightfully his...He shock turned into anger as his eyes burned into a deep red. He took one look at Luthane and he raised his hand beside him. The blade began to lift into the air with Luthane hanging onto to within his mouth.

"Let...go...Or die now!" Striker spoke with menace in this voice.

"Let the blade choose..." Luthane replied in a muffled tone from having his mouth full.

Striker shook his head, he lunged his claws from the other hand into Luthane's chest forcing them self through and out by his spine. Luthane's legs went limp immediately, and his mouth dropped over the blade.

As Striker pulled his hand out from within Luthane pools of blood fell to the floor and covered Striker's hand. Luthane has drooped completely, his body just swaying as it was held aloft by its pivoting on Striker's blade.

Striker grinned as he looked into the weakened face of Luthane. "Goodnight...Luthane." He raised his head up with his blood soaked claws, and looked at him once more before pulling his weapon from Luthane's mouth, slicing across his mouth, and leaving his body to hit the ground with a heavy thud.

"NOOOOO!" Tatyana screamed.

Striker stood the looking down at Luthane's body, paralysed with pain. Luthane's eyes were barely open, as he lay there breathing ever so softly and weakly causing small waves in his own blood where his face lay. Striker wiped the blood from his blade and it flicked to the ground. He took one look at his claws as the blood dripped from them, he ran his finger across his tongue, as a symbol for the taste of a sweet victory.

Tatyana was inconsolable, her mind was fixated on whether Luthane was ok, whether she could do anything to help...Oh how she was praying for Striker to be there to guide her...

"So...It has come to this...Tatyana." Striker turned his head round talking with his back to her.

The tears were pouring down her face, she wasn't in a frame of mind to do anything but to sit there and cry. But she wasn't given a moment to grieve as Striker had raised his hand into the air once more. with a click of his fingers the cage Tatyana sat in was being transported before Striker, Pulled from its chains and dropped forcefully into the ground. Luthane's body was laying between her and Striker. His face was cold, straight faced. He looked at her as she was shaking, the tears on her face still falling.

"I have expended all that I needed to for this one moment...Tatyana." Striker said as waved his hand on its side across his chest, the cage protecting Tatyana ripped and shattered before her.

"Do not make this any harder than it has to..." Striker added.

Tatyana could feel pain around her chest, yet she hadn't been touched by him yet. She looked down and her bandages were claret throughout. She took a moment to look up at Striker, her face was red, her eyes sharpened, and the top of her lip raised.

"This is for everyone you have tortured you bastard!" Tatyana screamed, as she pushed out from within the cage towards Striker, leaping over Luthane in the process.

Striker's face remained unchanged. Something empty was haunting him...As he watched Tatyana come towards him...

Chapter 75

Tatyana whipped out Striker's once cutlass and slash it straight across The demon Striker's face as he raised the blade upwards across her chest and straight for hi head. His head swung to the side and his cheek sliced open and began to bleed from the impact. No pain was showing on his face, as he moved his head back to its starting position, blood gently seeping from the wound and dripping onto the floor.

Tatyana wasn't wasting anytime as she landed to Striker's side and rammed the cutlass into Striker's side.

"Payback's a bitch!" She shouted as she thrusted it straight through and back out, leaving her blade covered in crimson.

Striker just turned and stared blankly at her. "Whatever punishment I take, I feel nothing. All the other battles were leading up to this one moment."

Tatyana's eyes widened as Striker Scraped his claws like hand across her midriff where her cut was visible, re opening the wound far larger than it was beforehand. She tried to hide the pain she was enduring, but it soon became unbearable to the point she screamed and stabbed her cutlass into Striker's shoulder.

"You never listen...I feel nothing! I could bleed every drop from my body and I would still stand!" Striker snarled at Tatyana as she was trying to remove her weapon from his shoulder, but it wasn't budging. Striker had placed his hand onto his shoulder with enough force that it stopped the blade from moving within.

Tatyana gave up on trying to get her cutlass back and decided to swing her leg into Striker midriff where she had recently pierced from the side. His stomach tense upon impact as Tatyana's leg shook, like she has just hit it against a brick wall.

She looked at Striker, who was still staring blankly at her. "You were once human..."

"Once...Now I am unbreakable." Striker opened his hand and his blade shot into his grasp once more, he looked at Tatyana and whispered carefully..."You never stood a chance"

He pulled his blade towards Tatyana and began to carve his way from the top of her hip across her body and into the opposite side of the arm, before releasing his grip on her and ripping his blade from out the side of her arm, Blood threw itself from whence the blade was, spilling across the ground in a small puddle.

Tatyana felt her body shaking as he looked at Striker once more, before she fell to her knees. her head dropping as she used her hands to support her weight from hitting the ground.

Striker stood over Tatyana with his blade dripping her blood in front of her face. "I want you to savour the torture I bring upon you, for no one else shall take this much pleasure in your pain ever again." He proceeded to life her chin upward with the side of his blade, as he looked down at her, showing not a single drop of sorrow or remorse.

"Don't be sad, Tatyana" He added. "I was never going to save you from the beginning." As he pulled his blade away from her chin he made sure he opened another wound for her to weaken from, he began to turn around just to give himself time to assess what his next act of torture was going to be.

Tatyana felt a sudden surge of energy, if only a little to pick herself up while Striker had his back turned. She grabbed onto the cutlass in his shoulder once more and forced it from his shoulder, pulling it out of alignment while the blade freed itself. She then turned to face him and rammed it into where his heart should be. Striker just looked at her.

She pulled her blade into him further using his bloodied claws. The handle was the only thing pressing against him, Tatyana stood within a breath of Striker's face. She ripped the blade form him and stepped back slowly, as she dropped the cutlass to the ground. Everything she tried was met with ineffectiveness. She collapsed to the ground, wondering what she had to do to beat him...But nothing came to mind, all she could think about was Striker. Not the demonic beast that stood before her, bleeding from an empty hole in his chest, a torn shoulder and an icy glare, but the Striker she knew from before. The cheeky , confident, fun loving, slightly arrogant and passionate man who fought for everything and everyone...

He kicked her across the stomach to insist he stayed down on the ground, she screamed in pain once more as she felt herself falling apart from the inside out, she looked up at Striker who looked like he has had enough and finally, he felt time was up and he was ready to deliver her end...

Striker walked slowly towards Tatyana and stared down at her, she was still bleeding quite excessively, and her energy was being sapped with each breath she took. She just continued to look at the ground, hoping to see something, or find some way to break Striker down.

Striker picked up her cutlass that she dropped from a moment ago and looked at it with a satisfactory grin. his was the first time he had smiled since Tatyana was in his presence.

He placed her cutlass against the back of her neck and stared down at her as she felt the metal press against her.

"You've tried like the others...I But like them you have fallen...Accept that this was always going to be how it ended..."

"It's never over..." Tatyana began as tears fell from her cheek once more but they slid off and onto the ground before her. "There is always a way" She concluded.

"Not this time..." Striker took one last look to relish this moment in his head forever, as he looked up at the sky, he took in a deep breath and pulled the cutlass held in both hands up as high as his arms would let him, gripping it tightly he pointed the tip of the cutlass at the heavens...

Tatyana didn't want to look at what he was waiting for instead she just closed her eyes and whispered to herself..."I need you now...more than ever...Striker"

A small tear released itself from her eye, as it slowly rolled down the front of her cheek, before it dropped onto the floor, The tear splashed into the rest of her tears and ricocheted back onto her cheek...But the tear was warm, it didn't feel wet at all.

A beam of light began to emerge from where Shen was laying weak and wounded, A shadow of a woman emerged from the light and knelt down.

Striker was quick to divert his attention, he lowered the cutlass for a second to see what was going on, all her could see was a shadow standing over by Shen.

"Whatever you are, leave! That ninja is of no use to anyone!" Striker shouted.

"I'm not here for Shen..." The voice called back. "I'm here for Striker..."

Tatyana's eyes widened as he looked up, she recognised the voice..."...she came for him..." she said as a smile crept onto her face.

"I'm right here!" Striker said confused what the shadow was doing.

She placed her hands out in front of her with her fingers spread as wide as they would go, and light oozes from her fingertips.

"Get away from their! You have no business meddling in affairs that are not your own!" Striker called out.

The Shadow stopped for a second and leant it's head gently against what seemed like the ground next to Shen. Before rising to its feet and stepping back into the light, the face became visible in a second, and Striker looked hard but didn't recognise her.

"I suggest you leave deity, before I add you to the collection of bodies!"

"What bodies?" She asked as she raised her hands again, What looked like rain began to fall around drenching everything it touched. Everyone was beginning to glow around where they were wounded, and the little boy began to shine the brightest, as he started to levitate off the ground.

With that the light vanished, along with the woman inside it.

"Enough!" Striker shouted, as he raised the cutlass once more...

"To end your suffering once and for all! I shall be you Death!" He screamed and he lunged the blade downwards at Tatyana's head.

Before it could reach a bolt of light shot from the side and clattered against Striker's falling sword, blocking it instantly. The light shone brightly as it was knelt between Striker and Tatyana.

The light began to fade and the demon Striker, just stood there, frozen in shock, he couldn't believe what had stopped him. Tatyana looked to her side as she felt a shadow loom over her head, she noticed dark boots, and black studded jeans, and a red belt.

As she looked further up there was a familiar jacket and medium length spiky silver hair. Her eyes lit up and tears of joy rushed down her face.

He had come back...when she needed him most.

"No! It can't be!" The demon Striker struggled for words as he stepped back in utter disbelief dropping the cutlass to the ground...

The figure stood tall and held two familiar weapons in its hands, the grip as tight as ever through his fingerless leather gloves. The figure looked back at Tatyana and smiled...

"Sorry I'm late..."

Chapter 76

"It's inconceivable! You are me, we both cannot co exist as we do!" The demon Striker asked.

"You're right, we can't!" Striker said.

Tatyana was looking up at Striker with a grin like a Cheshire cat and tears of joy streaming down her face, although they were slightly covered by the falling rain left by his mother.

"Striker?" Tatyana said just to be sure it was him.

"I'll take care of him, get safe!" Striker looked back at her and smiled. Even the simplest thing as the smile meant so much to be seen again, Tatyana beamed as she staggered to her feet and ran over to Luthane slowly but surely carrying his healing body to the others, who were all watching their bodies drench in the water, their cuts, bumps and bruises, and even gravest of wounds, were all glowing brightly. This was the final gift from Cassandra and the gods...a second chance...

As Striker watched Tatyana go and take care of the others, his eyes sharpened and his smile turned straight. He caught the gaze of his opposite number and pointed a blade in his direction.

"You have something of mine, I want it back"

"Ha! You're empty like me! how do you think you're going to get it back!" Demon Striker laughed back.

A sinister grin appeared on Striker's face as he pulled his arms to his side's the blades in their grip pointing outward. "Piece by piece if I have to!"

Demon Striker put out his claw ravaged hand and turn it upside down, tow of the claws beckoned Striker towards him, followed by the words, "Come and get it, If you think you can!"

Striker wasted no time as he shot off towards his demon counterpart, the blades were flicked upright behind his own wrists as he ran towards the demon, who was readying his clawed fist to defend himself. But he was too slow, Striker, instead of swinging his swords jumped in the air and swung his boot straight into Demon Striker's face, his cheek, shattering the bone before forcing his boot across the rest of his face and following up with his other foot into the demons chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

As the demon Striker climbed to his feet, he wiped the side of his mouth to remove the excess blood, before spitting a clot to the ground. "Quicker than I thought...Now it's my turn!" He closed his arms and vanished.

Striker laughed to himself, as he clocked the blade from the Demon Striker begin to shake on the ground, he kept a watchful eye on it thinking at any moment it could come for him, he hadn't been back long enough to take an early wounding. To his surprise it was just a decoy as the Demon Striker reappeared behind him and wrapped his claw ridden arm around Striker's neck and pulled his head backwards, his eyes met with himself, as the demon looked down on him.

"Looks, like you're missing a brain too!" The demon Striker laughed as he started pounded his ordinary fist into Strikers chest, each one thudding like the echo of a large drum. Each impact was met by Striker tensing his chest to try and repel some of the damage he was taking, but it wasn't working, so he grabbed his swords and thrusted them into Demon Striker's hips.

The punching stopped as the demon felt the impact, which was strange as he reached his potential already, he should've felt nothing...but he did.

Striker pulled the blades as hard as he could and began to lift Demon Striker off the ground, he pulled himself upright with the demon held above his head, pivoted on two blades soaking in blood.

"This ends now!" Striker shouted. This was met with an arrogant laugh from his Demon self.

Striker pulled his blades around him in a semi circle and slammed Demon Striker into the ground head first, the sound of his skull cracking against the ground was enough to send even the strongest stomach soft. He then ripped his blades from Demon Strikers hips before lunging his foot into his broken skull, the head bouncing back and forth, rattling like a nodding dog in the back of a car.

Striker looked down at the demon and grinned. "This was never going to be your day!"

"...This was never going to be yours!" The Demon Striker shouted back as it grabbed hold of Striker leg tripping him to the ground, before being lifted upside down the the Demon Striker contorted his body back upright, the skin on his face, cracked and disfigured began to fall away leaving a dark red and pink face of muscle strands and an evil grin with yellowing teeth.

He looked at Striker hanging upside down and laughed. "I am more than just a body! The demon within also resides, along with your precious little soul!"

Striker growled trying to wriggle free of the grip around his ankle, but it just continued to get tighter.

The Demon Striker laughed with Sinicism as he swung Striker into the ground behind him, still holding onto his ankle. Several times he was swung from one side, clattering into the floor, to the other, his body bouncing from the impact giving the demon momentum as he continued to abuse Striker's body.

Striker was trying to get some focus on something to stop himself getting dizzy and to try and get out of the precarious he found himself in.

He saw his blades on the floor as he had dropped them from being initially flung. His arms stretched as much as they could each time he passed them to catch one but it wasn't working. Instead he put his arms out as he was above the Demon Striker's head, he grabbed hold of his neck with both hands and let the momentum flip them both out of momentum and onto the ground, Striker landed on his front winding himself momentarily as he looked over his shoulder.

The Demon Striker was on his back, his body has completely turned itself over and whipped his legs from underneath him, slamming him to the ground.

Unfortunately Striker's weapons were next to the demon, he looked around to see if there was anything else he could use. all he saw was his old cutlass on the floor, so he trudged over on his front to grab it, like a soldier on a training course.

He wasn't quick enough as Demon Striker has warped himself in front of Striker, picking up the cutlass before Striker could place a hand on it.

"Not quick enough, Striker!" Demon Striker shouted as he stabbed the cutlass into Striker's hand which had reached out for the blade in the first place.

Striker let out a cry of anger as he was pinned to the floor by one of his own weapons.

The demon then left Striker there as he walked over to pick up his other blades off the ground. As he scraped them together, like the utensils used to carve meat at a family meal, he looked down at Striker trying to pull the cutlass from his hand, slowly loosening it with each pull, but at the same time, damaging his hand further.

"Now now, Striker. That's not how we play the game is it?" Demon Striker said as he stamped the cutlass back into the ground forcing Striker back to the floor, his head could only look up as far the demon's knees, he continued to try and wriggle his hand free or manoeuvre his body to try and get free, but it wasn't working. Demon Striker Stood onto Striker's head burying him up to his mouth in dirt, as he tried to battle the pressure against his head. He tried to grab the foot from his head with his other hand but it was kicked away by the other foot of Demon Striker. Before he could retry his other hand was impaled by another of his blades...This time it was the one made by Torik. Strong and powerful it lodged itself deep within the back of his palm. The pain grew more intense as Striker refused to let any noise out, he just breathed deeply his nostrils flaring with each intake of air.

"I thought this was going to be a tougher fight, Y'know...being me and all" Demon Striker cackled.

Striker said nothing just carried on with the deep breathing, his top lip raised slightly as he felt rage pulsing through his body.

"I won't be making the same mistake twice this time, no more watching you squirm, no more last words...Just death!" Demon Striker said as he positioned himself over Striker, His last blade placed over the back of his spine.

"This time you're friends can watch you die!" Demon Striker pulled the blade upwards.

Tatyana watched on from a distance and screamed at the top of her lungs "STRIKER!"

With a loud roar of immense power, Striker pulsed himself off the ground ripping the blades out the ground and leaving himself in mid air, he forced his palms with blade sticking through them into the neck and head of Demon Striker before ripping his hands away and lunging his feet deep into the chest of him.

Demon Striker was propelled with force straight into the rubble from his previous fights.

Striker landed on his knees, he slowly pulled one blade at a time from his palms, and blood began to pour from the wounds. He unravelled the grips on his blades and intertwined his hands into the blade before tightening the fabric making his hands the the swords one for the time being.

Demon Strikers hand rose up from the rubble and his blade shot from behind Striker towards its master before being caught in his grasp. He gingerly made his way to his feet, stumbling over the bricks and stones before him.

"That's...more like...it" He said... "Show me the hatred...That I feast upon..."

"This isn't Hatred! This is desire!...Passion!...Love!" Striker shouted.

"Hah! Love, how weak!" Demon Striker answered.

"You wouldn't know anything because you are but a soul of fear! I may not have a soul, but I have a heart, and a brain, and they tell me exactly what I need to hear and know!"

"Please! You think I crave love? hahaha don't make me laugh, I crave destruction, pain and suffering. I will become the ruler of this Earth, and you will be my trophy!"

Demon Striker began to open his hands in front of him and a wave of fire started to form around him, covering his body in the blaze and searing heat. The flames eventually engulfed him in a ball and the flames began to gradually burn more and more intense the heat started to scald the skin of everyone at the other side, Shen, Torik, Oswynn, Luthane Delphyne, Rosa and Lastly Tatyana, they all sat there, holding their arms trying to stop them blistering in the heat.

The heat had stopped the rain in the air, instantly turning it into steam , that fogged the air while limiting everyone's sight. All that could be seen was a dark red ball swirling fiercely through the condensed air.

Striker stood still unphased by the heat, the blade locked tightly in his grasp. He looked back at the others who were hiding themselves trying not to burn from the extreme temperature. He looked back at Demon Striker through the fog and his silhouette within the bubble of molten fire.

"Still want your soul Striker?" Demon Striker's voice echoed.

"More now than ever!" Striker said as the back his feet dug into the ground, pivoting carefully on his heels he looked forward staring at his fate.

"You'll be dead before you reach me!" Demon Striker shouted back so cock sure of himself.

"Then prepare yourself!" Striker adjusted himself onto his toes before pushing off at speed, rushing off towards the emblazoned Demon ahead. The swords attached to his hands were hanging above his head as he looked ready to cut downwards.

"Don't do it Striker..." Luthane mumbled, as he caught Striker running towards the embers through and slightly opened and scarred eye.

"...My Strength!" Striker began to shout as he moved ever closer to Demon Striker, who stood patiently, grinning wickedly while awaiting the smouldered corpse of his counterpart to be at his feet.

"My courage!" Striker continued. The blades started to shimmer with each word.

"My Cockiness!" The blades shone brighter, cutting through the condensed air forcing it away leaving just Demon Striker in his intensely heated shield.

"My Friendship! My Acceptance!" Striker continued to shout his voice showing more and more emotion, as the blades began to glow as bright as he did before he saved Tatyana.

Demon Striker looked on, still thinking that Striker was foolish to even attempt to break down the supernova swirling around him.

The others were all trying to not look at the blaze they were all huddled in a circle looking down at the ground as their clothing and fur began to singe, they were all thinking about Striker and trying to will him on.

"MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!" Striker screamed.

Demon Striker began to worry a little behind his increasing molten protection.

"MY HEART! IS UNBREAKABLE!" Striker let loose an almighty cry of emotion as himself blade first through the large embered ball, splitting through it cutting his path straight at Demon Striker, who couldn't do anything but accept what was to happen.

The brightly shining blades removed the flames in an instant and pierced Demon Striker once through the chest the other straight through where his heart should be...a familiar wound gaped as the blade pierced through to the back of him. Blood poured out of Demon Striker, he coughed hard and more released onto the floor.

Striker was stood nose to nose with his demonic self. He looked deep through the dousing flames within the demon's eyes.

"Soul, or not...I conquer..."

Demon Striker looked down at the blade puncturing his body leaving him limp.

"Just end it..." He said.

Striker shook his head. "Not until you know..."

"Know what?" Demon Striker asked, as he felt himself getting weaker and weaker.

"My friends make me what I am...You fail, and now die...cold...and alone"

Striker pulled himself through the body of Demon Striker, throwing his body back as if it was being stretched by the head and feet. Striker continued to push his blades hard as his body stepped inside of the demon, eventually pulling himself out through his back, with a grey figure attached to his blades.

The Demon gasped, for air as it collapsed to the floor and instantly combusted, unleashing broken pieces of the husk that formed around the soul of Striker, and blood spraying along with it.

Striker turned to look at the others who were slowly turning around to notice that Striker...The real Striker, was standing alone...They were looking around to see if they could locate Demon Striker...but nothing. Was it over? Had they finally won?

Striker removed the grey wisp from his blades and held it against his chest. As he closed his eyes, the wisp began to be absorbed into his body, slowly breathing new life into Striker. The fears and worries had returned to him. For who is human without fear and doubt...

Tatyana was first to spring off her feet and run towards Striker, who was stood there still, the fabric around his hands had fallen off from the heat and the blades dropped to the ground. He raised his arms up and welcome Tatyana who had leapt into his arms.

Everyone else was walking casually and slightly gingerly towards them...They knew they'd get their turn eventually.

"I'm so glad you're ok...I've missed you so much!" Tatyana said as a tear fell from her cheek. "There's so much I want to say to you I just..." She was stopped by Striker's index finger as he placed it against her lips, before running his hand across her cheek moving her wavy hair behind her ear.

As the hair fell gently behind the back of her hair she looked deep into his eyes, he slowly lifted her chin with the same index finger as before and pressed his lips against hers. Their eyes fell shut as they wrapped their arms around each other.

As their lips unlocked, Striker's eyes opened to meet Tatyana's gaze.

"That says everything and more..." Striker said.

With a deep breath and rosy cheeks Tatyana replied. "...Yeah..."

"eeewwwww" Rosa said feeling grossed out by the kiss.

Striker and Tatyana's embrace was eventually broken by a hug from Rosa across Striker's legs. Followed by a handshake from Shen who had to say his bit...

"I'm glad to see you Striker, but I don't want no kiss!"

"Sorry Shen, you're just not my type" Striker smiled.

"Good to see you again" Torik said as he placed his lofty hand upon Striker's shoulder.

Striker winked back. "Good to be back!"

Delphyne looked at Striker and just gave him a thumbs up, she seemed caught up in the moment as she was smiling through tears. Striker returned in kind the thumbs up with a big grin.

He looked through everyone to see Luthane slowly making his way to them all, from the back of the pack.

Striker walked up to him and knelt down, he smiled as Luthane hoisted himself up and wrapping his paws over Striker's shoulders.

"Sorry, for being such a pain in the ass, dad" Striker said.

A tear fell from Luthane's eye as he whispered. "You wouldn't be my son if you weren't."

That was met with a short chuckle before Luthane removed himself from Striker's shoulders, and allowed him to get to his feet before the group stood together, back together once and for all...Or so they thought...

Chapter 77

The smiles were very much short lived and the ground shook violently, knocking many of them to the floor, Strikers had managed to stay upright, alongside Torik and Shen. The earth beneath their feet began to crack and crumble around them, before parts began to break away falling through the ground.

"What's going on?!" Striker called out.

"Shit!" Shen shouted.

"What is it Shen?" Striker asked.

"We forgot about someone!"

"Who?"

"...Demetrius..." Luthane said.

"You're kidding me right?" Striker asked.

"We haven't seen him since he was alongside the Demon version of you Striker!" Torik spoke logically.

"He said about destroying the tower! We have to hurry!" Shouted Oswynn in a blind panic.

"Who are you might I ask?" Striker said to Oswynn.

"Oswynn, once captain of the guard of Turalius!" He replied.

"Good to meet you, sorry I can't stay and chat but I think we have a world to save!" Striker spoke with sincerity.

"We shall indeed, I've heard a lot about you" Oswynn said with a smile extending his arm out.

Striker accepted the greeting, "All good I hope"

Tatyana cleared her throat trying to grab their attention.

"Oh, my apologies. Did you want to say something?" Oswynn asked Tatyana.

"If you hadn't noticed the ground is shattering around us and we still have to find Demetrius!" She spoke with urgency in her voice.

"Then we have no other choice, We finish him before he breaks the world apart" Striker answered clenching his fist tightly in front of him.

"Which way to we go?" Delphyne asked.

Rosa pointed to a broken pathway made by the shattered arena.

"Good work Rosa" Luthane said as he grabbed her in his mouth and flicked her onto his back. "Let's get going!"

"Right!" Shen shot off towards the hallway, followed by everyone else, Striker was making sure he was at the back of the group, first because he had to collect him weapons from the ground and also to protect the others and make sure there were no unnecessary ambushes.

"Follow the paths as quick as we can! We don't know how long they'll stay sturdy for!" Luthane shouted out.

Everyone was following Luthane as they winded through the tunnels twisting left then right it felt like a rather unsafe water slide, as they tried to keep their momentum going through the violent shaking.

It wasn't long before they found themselves at a familiar room to Striker, who was able to remember the way around thanks to his returning soul.

"Guys!" Striker shouted t the others who grinded abruptly to a halt.

"What is it?" Luthane asked.

"You better not be needing a bathroom break!" Shen said sarcastically.

"No...The exit is if you follow the hallways south. It should take you out of here and to Esterwynne...But I'm going to head north." Striker said.

"Are you crazy! We've just got you back and you're already wanting to go alone!" Tatyana screamed with confusion fused with anger.

"I'm the only one he wouldn't expect to turn up, I can get to the tower from the north of here and I'll end him there and then..."

"I can't let you do that!" Luthane shouted.

"They're right Striker, You've not long been back it's been tough enough without you!"

"I can't sit here arguing with you all otherwise we'll all die!" Striker shouted.

Tatyana grabbed hold of Striker leaning her head on his chest. "If I let you go, will you promise me you'll come back"

Striker stroked her long locks and smiled. "I promise..."

"Then kick his ass for me" She smiled.

"I will!" Striker said. "Delphyne! Rosa!" He added as he knelt down before them.

They both looked at him expectantly, as Rosa got off Luthane's back to stand next to Striker alongside her sister.

"I can guarantee The demon dies, but not the safety of the tower, so you see it tumbling, try to do your best for me" Striker winked.

They both nodded as they hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around them for reassurance, before getting himself back to his feet.

"Right get going guys! This is for everyone!" Striker said getting them all pumped up.

"Right!" They all shouted in unison, as they turned and made their way south. Rosa was picked up by Torik and carefully thrown onto Luthane's back as he was picking up the pace.

Tatyana took a quick look back at Striker and he smiled at her. She smiled as she turned her head back, and made her way to catch up with the others.

Striker turned himself around and looked ahead, with a deep breath and a steely gaze he slowly made his way through the breaking floor, and walls towards his final opponent...Demetrius...

Chapter 78

Everyone barring Striker was following the hallway as Striker had told them, everytime they passed a section it began to break and shatter around them, so there was no way back. They kept looking back with worry trying to speed up so they didn't get caught.

They eventually came to a every brightening light ahead of them. As it neared ever closer and brighter they all shielded their eyes, either by closing them in LUthane's case or using their arms as protection, like Torik and Shen did.

With a final push they all jumped out through the light, blinding themselves with daylight for the first time in what seemed like and eternity.

As their eyes slowly became accustomed to the light they looked ahead, with the ground still violently shaking, rendering the buildings around them as dust and rubble on the ground. They noticed they were not alone...

A small army of demons had lined up in front of them, it appeared there was a back up plan that Striker, when he was a demon, and Demetrius had installed just in case. They looked menacing and largely outnumbered the group. At the back of the army stood a tall and menacing demon, a weapon that sounded familiar as it screeched across the ground. Luthane's eyes burned as he recognised the voice as the demon spoke. "Seems like we have the chance to meet again...Luthane."

"Helphacious...You son of a bitch!" Luthane snarled.

"You two know each other?" Oswynn asked.

"He killed me and my wife!" Luthane growled fiercely.

"Are you sure?" Shen asked.

"I recognise the voice, like a curse that attacks me down to the core of my soul...You will pay for what you did!" Luthane shouted.

"I think you'll find yourself heavily outnumbered, and besides, I've only recently cleaned this blade, I wouldn't want to waste its shine on killing you again." Helphacious laughed.

"You won't have to, I'll make sure you hear my voice as you draw your last breath!" Luthane howled.

Everyone turned to one another with nodding motions. They would clear the path for Luthane, to exact his revenge, once and for all.

"One last hurrah?" Torik questioned.

"If Striker promised to not let us down, we don't let him down either!" Tatyana called out as she readied her bow.

"Luthane, he's gonna be all yours!" Delphyne added.

"She's right! Wait did I just say that?" Shen seemed very much back to himself, since his sparring partner had returned, full of life and cocky sarcastic remarks.

"Let's win for Striker!" Called out Rosa, before anyone else could talk she unleashed a barrage of frost from her hands, freezing a mass of the deons in their place.

"Let's do this!" Shen vanished and reappeared in the centre of a large group of the demons, before they could even launch and attack he has unleashed lotsa of kunai from his body as he spun rapidly on the spot, impaling them all and sending them crashing to the floor.

"Save some for me!" Torik shouted as he lunged in the air, crashing into a group of demons, squashing a few under his feet as he sung his hammer in wide arcs knocking many of the demons away while some of them just imploded from the impact of his weapon and dropped to the ground. A stray demon jumped onto Torik's back but he just grabbed hold of it by its head and pulled it before his face, before squeezing it's head until it exploded in his hands.

Tatyana pulled a handful of arrows out from her quiver and unleashed them in a single barrage each one penetrating a demons skull paralysing them as they fell to the floor, limp and with their eyes rolled into the back of their head.

Delphyne, just stood there slowing all who went after her to a halt, the only thing moving of them was their eyes, she laughed as she clicked her fingers. Their bodied began to crush under themselves, as gravity forced their bodies to the floor. As she walked past them all they all became a bloody mess of bones and crimson, being crushed under the pressure..

Oswynn just ran through all who stood in his way , Matilda in his grasp carving through the midrift and necks off all in their way, each body collapsing and dispersing with spraying of blood and the cracking of bones. the odd explosion of a muscle being pierced as he cut through without a seconds thought.

A few remained but Luthane was more than capable of tearing them apart, as he has quickly done so, pouncing from one to the other, ripping at their necks before clawwing down their face springing off ont the next one sinking his teeth into them piercing their skulls, and ripping holes into their chests and backs, it was like a silvery grey blur of snarling and growling, followed by crimson pieces and droplets of blood being flung into the air. Ravaging his way through the pack. They eventually all found themselves next to one another looking around to make sure they were all dead...

One solitary demon was crawling away as one of his legs was torn from his body.

They all looked and laughed.

Tatyana pulled an arrow across the string of her bow, shutting one eye to pinpoint her shot, and fired it quick and true, it shot through the back of the demons skull knocking its head back in shock from the impact and dropping it to the ground instantly. the arrow continued until it hit a tree outside of the rubbled walls of Esterwynne.

"That was fun!" Shouted Shen.

"Yeah, we've done our part!" Torik added.

"Now, for Striker..." Delphyne concluded.

"Not yet..." Luthane said.

Helphacious was huffing at the sight of all his minions falling in such quick succession, he roared with all his might before pointing his blade at Luthane.

"You'll die for this!" He shouted.

"Not if I kill you first!" Luthane shouoted as he dashed off towards the demon. He was running at such a pace that it took Helphacious by surprise, he pulled his weapon back to his chest in defence of the on rushing wolf.

Luthane leapt into the air avoiding a quick swing from Helphacious, and sinking his teeth straight into his other hand, tearing off each finger one by one. The demon was screaming as each one seperated from its socket and dropped to the floor, before Luthane let go and dropped to the ground.

Helphacious was quick to drop his blade and hold onto his fingerless hand. "You insolent bastard!"

"An eye for an eye Helphacious, My arm for yours!" Luthane snapped back.

The fingers began to restore to the demon's hand, so Luthane knew he had to act quickly.

He lunged straight for the demon's chest and dug his claws deep into Helphacious, ripping it's body to shreds. The demon did nothing but scream as he tried to shake Luthane from his body, but he was adamant to hang on and continue to bore a hole into his chest.

"Get out of me!" Helphacious screamed.

Luthane ignored the screams and continued until he had ripped a hole straight through the demon's chest.

Helphacious laughed as he began to try and heal the hole in his body, but Luthane was quick to anticipate the demon's restoration, and sank his claws and teeth into Helphacious' neck severing his head clean off as blood poured from his oesophagus out and over Luthane's fur.

The head rolled onto the floor, a face full of shock and pain was present as Luthane watched the body topple to the ground. He jumped off the body and stood there with the others watching on.

"Now, it's done..." Luthane said.

"He got what he deserved Luthane, you've done your wife proud." Torik said as he smiled at Luthane.

"I certainly hope so." Luthane replied as he looked up at the sky.

"Hey! Look!" Rosa shouted pointing at the glass tower.

They all looked up as they saw a shimmer of light from above. It was the top of the tower as it was slowly moving precariously, the ground had stopped shaking for the moment, but the tower looked like it was going to fall at any minute...

"Cmon Striker...You promised..." Tatyana mumbled to herself...

Meanwhile...

Striker had drawn his swords, as he followed the broken pathways looking left and right, noticing all the chamber were damaged and smashed from the earthquakes, he was distracting himself slightly, but he knew that once he saw Demetrius, he would have that one chance, and one chance only to defeat the man who stole his soul.

Tip toeing over the cracks in the ground he turned into a blind corner, he had only seen it a few times in passing but saw Demetrius go that way on many occasions...He had to be up there.

As he stepped through, he found himself in the centre of a long winding staircase, going around the ouside of wherever he was. He looked up and a determined look appeared on his face, he gripped his blades tightly as he slowly, and carefully made his way up the long staircase. Each step taking him that one step closer to his goal...

The winding staircase was leaving Striker slightly dizzy, only looking at step after step and seeing the same glass outside of him. He stopped and closed his eyes for a second to try and regain his balance and sight.

"C'mon Striker, this is just a mere staircase, Get your ass in gear!" He said to himself. "Time to meet and beat!" his eyes opened, and the green around his pupil turned icy, his eyes sharpenened. "Bring it on Demetrius!" He shouted out As he ran up the remaining steps, they eventually broke up and ended as they hit a ledge of shining glass, he was at the top of the world, looking over at the ocean and the northern island, seeing where it all began in the mountains.

His eyes zoned in front of him and he saw the man looking to ruin all that was good in the world, His arms in the air and darkness pouring over the rest of the crystal like structure, weaking it structure with each string of black absorbing itself into the glass...

A gentle jangle sounded out as his blade nudged the side of his jeans, and the hands of Demetrius slwoly dropped to his side.

"Aah, Striker you've returned, I gather all went..." Demetrius turned around to notice it wasn't the Striker he was hoping to see "...well..."

"What's wrong Demetrius, you look like you've seen a ghost" Striker grinned.

"You're alive?!" Demetrius was stunned, questions filled his head, but didn't know where to start.

"Yeah, funny how things turn out...Looks like all you need is the bond between loved ones and friends to breath new life into yourself."

"HA! Those petty emotions are the reason I took your soul in the first place!" Demetrius cackled.

"Wanna find out what those emotions are capable of now?" Striker grinned as he set himself into an attackng stance, his blades positioned in front of him.

"If I choose not to?" Demetrius asked rhetorically.

"You die either way Demetrius!" Striker shouted.

"Well, the tower is about to fall from the ground, destroying everything anyway, so I might aswell use you to pass the time!" Demetrius laughed, as he swung his cape around hin front of him, it wrapped itself up into a knot before releasing a large and long broadsword. The blade itself was swirling with blood inside its steel casing, the handle was made of the purest gold as it glimmered, reflecting the light from the crystal surrounding them...

"So it's come down to this Striker" Demetrius said.

"Yeah...And I'm not going to lose..." Striker said with steely determination

"Hmph...We'll see..."

Chapter 79

Striker and Demetrius stood apart, but the eye contact was direct and forceful as they glared at one another. The structure around them began to shake violently, but Striker and Demetrius still stood upright and still, the Tower was collapsing around them but their thoughts were on killing their respective counterparts.

As the shaking ground to a halt, both of them pushed off from their standing positions launching themselves at one another, Striker with his two blades ready to swing at Demetrius. Demetrius had his broadsword arching over his back ready to cut through Striker. All three weapons met with an almighty clattering of steel, not one giving an inch, the impact shook the tower again, and the structure weakening further as some of the sides began to chip away from the tower itself.

The chippings weren't falling to the ground for some reason, like they were being circulated around the structure via some gravitational pull.

Both Striker and Demetrius stepped back from each other releasing their weapons from the impact. They both stepped into each other once more Demetrius was the quicker of the two to launch another attack as he sliced downwards towards Striker, who managed to block the weapon by falling to his knees and holding one right hand blade at enough of an angle that it just slid off the edge of his sword. Striker then followed up with a push into the air swinging his left hand sword at Demetrius, who put his hand out and caught the blade in his grasp.

Striker forced the blade as hard as he could to break Demetrius' grip. His hand was shaking as he tried to force the blade back, but it was no use as his arm eventually gave way and Striker cut straight through his hand and across his arm.

Demetrius quickly retracted his hand and jumped back to the edge where he tended to his cut hand, the blood pouring quickly across the rest of his severed arm, the bone was visible through one side, and the muscles were ripped and torn from Striker's blade cutting through them like a piece of tender meat.

"You bastard!" Demetrius shouted stabbing his broadsword into the ground before holding onto his bloodied arm.

"I'll cut you down, slowly but surely if I have to!" Striker had never felt so alive, he felt his strength brimming in his arms his chest was strong his heart pounding with the rush of adrenaline, pumping throughout his body.

Striker carried on where he left of by rushing himself at Demetrius, unaware of where he was positioned. As Striker lunged an attack Demetrius quickly shimmered into a blur, before vanishing completely from sight. Striker couldn't stop himself as his momentum had flung him over the ledge between the top of the tower and certain death.

He tried to flip his body around and proceeded to stab his swords into the crystal outer layer, he eventually grinded through the crystal structure and stopped himself hanging a few feet down from the top of the tower, holding onto his blades for dear life, their stability was all that stood between his safety and a fall to his doom...

Demetrius laughed insanely as he looked over the edge the blood from his arm dropping onto Striker forehead as he looked up at the laughing demon.

"Still so easy to defeat you Striker!" Demetrius laughed.

Striker was trying to pull himself onto the top of his blades wrapping his weight over the top of the handles, to save his grip. "I should've seen that one coming." He said to himself.

"Well, I can either wait and watch you fall, Or I could make you fall and then let the crystal tower fall onto you crushing your bones...hmmm decisions decisions hahaha" Demetrius chose his words carefully just to incite Striker.

"I'll make the decision for you!" Striker shouted as he swung his body using the underneath of his elbows to keep him on his blades he locked his feet together as they clattered into the Structure, cracking its shell slow from where his swords were already stuck in.

"You're a fool, you'll die before you hit the ground!" Demetrius shouted down at Striker.

"Then you better hope I hit the ground first!" Striker shouted as he swung himself into the tower once more, a large crack appeared in the wall and the whole tower began to shake as it began to teeter to one side, before being forced back the other Striker felt himself falling to grabbed onto his blades handles as tightly as he could.

The tower eventually gave way on itself and it began to fall towards the ground, the base shattering underneath itself from the pressure of the darkness instilled in its state and the momentum of Striker being the final nail in the coffin.

The crystal shattered and Demetrius fell straight down through the inside of the structure, Striker was holding on tightly as he pulled his blades out of the tower swinging them as quick as he could breaking any debris heading his way.

He looked to his left to see Demetrius free falling through the staircase. He thought now was his chance. As the speed of their falling increased so did the speed of the large shards of crystal as they split from the rest of the tower.

Striker spun his body in the air putting his feet against some of the falling debris to manoeuvre himself towards Demetrius, who seemed content just watching the tower pass him by, like he knew he wouldn't die when he landed. Laughing wildly as he kept his eyes on Striker making his way towards him...

...

Delphyne and Rosa were looking as the tower was falling to pieces in the distance, but they were concentrating as hard as they could, easing the falling pieces to the ground and freezing the tower so if it lands it'll just break into ice instead of falling through the centre of the earth. The ice was slow to form, but it was gradually building up the walls, Was it going to be enough...They could only hope Striker was right that they could do it...

...

Striker had pushed off another few slabs of broken tower as he forced himself towards Demetrius. Who had his eyes closed at the time. Striker forced both his swords into Demetrius' side in a lunging pierce. The demon lord's eyes opened wide as he felt the blades penetrate his body. his head turned to look at Striker who was seething through his gritted teeth a small fire burning brightly in his eyes.

"You are still a demon!" Demetrius cried out, with a wince.

"We all have..." Striker pulled one of his blades out as he pivoted himself above Demetrius, like two sky divers without a parachute. He pulled his other blade and forced it against Demetrius' chest.

The ground was approaching fast, and Striker's eyes burned even brighter still as he looked into Demetrius' eyes. They were cold and empty, like once Striker has plunged his weapon into him he knew he was beaten...

"We all have inner demons!" Striker shouted as he ripped out his blade from Demetrius' side and raised them both into the air, his knees were locked against Demetrius to stop him from trying to break free.

Striker lunged his swords deep into the heart of Demetrius' as they both clattered into the ground. Striker's blades impaling Demetrius to the ground, and his hands falling through his chest as well from the impact. It shattered the blades instantly and bent back Striker arms, in an unnatural fashion, as they bodies collided heavily and leaving them both on the ground...Demetrius...vanquished...Striker...no one knew...

The tower had finally fell to the ground also and the ice was enough to shatter the tower into a large dust cloud of ice and snow. Delphyne has managed to slow the falling of the tower so the impact wasn't as heavy as it should have while Rosa had frozen it enough to prevent the earth's core from exposure. They both collapsed in a heap of their own sweat, the pressure they had put themselves through took its toll instantly. Torik and Luthane were quick to tend to them as they fell to the ground.

Shen and Oswynn just looked at Tatyana who was staring through the snow and ice shards to see if she could see Striker...But nothing...

"Tatyana...Are you ok?" Oswynn asked, fearing the answer he was about to get.

"He...He Promised he'd be ok..."

"You should've known the risk involved...You saw him fall with Demetrius..." Shen explained.

"I know...But he promised..."

"Luthane, Torik, Are you guys ok to look after the girls?" Oswynn asked.

"Of course, just go and be careful!" Luthane shouted as he lay down next to Rosa trying to keep her warm and comfortable.

"Shall we go Tatyana?" Shen asked her.

"...Yes...I have to know he's ok..." She replied as her eyes began to fill.

Oswynn, Shen and Tatyana left Luthane and Torik to look after the girls as they made their way through the dust and sleet and icy shards still falling, to search the ruins to find any sign of life...

It wasn't long until they were stood before where the tower once stood. Turalius was in ruins the tower has decimated everything from its collapse, shattering forest and stone alike. They slowly and carefully stepped through the debris and broken houses, until they reached the site of the bottom of the tower... The dust was still deep and thick, and the mist from the ice was making a layer of itself around the dust.

It was hard enough to see in front of themselves let alone look for Striker's body.

"STRIKER!" Tatyana shouted...Nothing.

"Striker!" Oswynn tried, the thick dust drowning their voices out into a short muffled hum.

"He's not here..." Shen said looking worryingly at Tatyana.

"He has to be..." She said softly as tears began to fall.

Suddenly the sound of moving rubble and footsteps could be heard through the dust...eventually the sounds came with a silhouette of someone walking towards them through the hazy mist and dust.

Was it?...

The dust slowly began to clear and the mist faded, to reveal a young adult walking gingerly towards the three of them, his silver hair covering his eyes with his head looking at the ground...

Tatyana's eyes lit up with joy, she ran towards him as fast as she could. Just as Striker looked up he was knocked to the ground by Tatyana slamming into him her arms wrapping around him tightly, as they both fell to the ground. Striker grimaced immediately as he felt a thudding against his already heavily damaged ribs.

"See...I...Kept my...Promises." He managed to speak through his winded chest.

"You never cease to let us down..." Tatyana said through her tears.

Shen and Oswynn stood there laughing...

Finally...It was over...

Chapter 80

The sky was clearing and the sun peered out from the clouds that had formed in the sky. Luthane, Torik and the girls were all sitting down relaxing and awaiting the return of the others, hopefully with Striker... It wasn't long before they knew. As they appeared from the distance Oswynn and Shen were carrying Striker with an arm over each of their shoulders, slowly walking back to the others, who were all getting to their feet in anticipation of their arrival.

Oswynn and Shen unhooked Striker's arms from the back of their necks by holding onto his hands gently easing him forward to walk on his own, with the others looking at him, with some sympathy, he looked like he was in a lot of pain.

"You look like hell" Delphyne said rather brutal, in an honest way.

"Thanks..." He smiled. "I feel like it" He laughed before having to cut the laughter short from the pain in his ribs.

"You need to rest, Striker." Tatyana said as she stood next to him, allowing him to use her to rest some of his weight onto.

"I'll be fine, broken bones heal, and we have all the time in the world" he smiled at Tatyana as he leant his head against hers, she blushed instantly.

"I think he's taken more blows to the head than we thought! He's going soft on us!" Shen laughed.

"I'll still take you on Shen, anytime!" Striker tried to laugh back, but had to stop once again.

The moment of rest was interrupted by a bright beam of light that shot down from the sky in front of everyone...Luthane's head dropped slightly, this was a moment he was aware of but never wanted to come...

Cassandra appeared through the light, and stood before everyone, her hands were interlinked in front of her chest and her head bowed down in what seemed like prayer. Her eyes slowly opened as her head raised.

"...Cassandra..." Luthane said softly.

"It is time my love..." Cassandra answered.

"Time for what?" Striker asked.

"You have grown into such a strong young man, Striker. I'm so proud of you" Cassandra smiled.

"Thanks...I think..." Striker said a little confused about how she knew his name, or more to the point who she was.

"Striker...remember the story I told you." Luthane said as he stood beside his wife.

"...mother?..." Striker said nervously.

"My son" Cassandra smiled, as he put her hand out towards Striker.

Striker let go of Tatyana temporarily, to slowly but surely, touch his mother's hand. His was shaking vigorously with nerves as they touched.

"Striker..." Luthane said.

"I can't believe it...She's just as your described her, I finally know...my parents." Striker smiled as his eyes began to water.

Everyone around was smiling, not just for the heartfelt moment, but because finally...despite the need to rebuild the lands to their former glory, they had finally ridden the world of the damned, and the demonic...

"Striker..." Luthane called Striker once more.

Striker's attention was diverted from his mother to his father.

"I don't know how to say this...But It's time..." Luthane tried to speak but his voice kept cutting up.

"What's wrong? Is there something you haven't told me?" Striker questioned with worry lines across his face.

"I was given a second chance to find you...but once I had done that, and you had accepted who I was..."

"No, no no no no not now! You can't leave us all after everything we've been through!" Striker furiously shaking his head.

"Striker...you are the best thing to have happened to us, you are the greatest gift anyone could ever ask for, and we get to share you with the world, as we look on with such pride..." Cassandra tried to explain to Striker who, without noticing, has tears drenching his cheeks.

"No...Please, mum, dad...I need you..." Striker said as his bottom lip quivered.

"Striker, you are my son..." Luthane began to say as Striker knelt down in front of him, "Not a day will go without you in our thoughts, and we will always be watching over you..."

"That's not the point!" Striker cried out.

Luthane placed a paw on Striker's arm. "Look around you, you have a makeshift family right here, two wonderful children in Delphyne and Rosa, you've got Tatyana, Torik and Shen...Oswynn included...You have everyone with you and you will all carry each other through thick and thin..."

Striker looked around at everyone one by one, each one smiling and nodding.

"One, great albeit dysfunctional family" Shen said as he beamed a grin across his face and raising a thumbs up.

Striker looked back at Luthane and hugged him tight, some of the tears matting his fur.

"I'm gonna miss you..." He looked back at Cassandra, "...Both of you..."

Cassandra placed a gentle hand on both of them "It's time..."

Striker climbed to his feet, wiping his face of the excess tears, trying to put on a brave face.

"We will always be watching, My son" Cassandra said as she stepped into the beam of light still shining down.

"Until next time, Striker." Luthane said as he smiled, showing all his fangs in a creepy but amusing way, as he followed his wife into the light.

The light began to shimmer as it released itself from the ground and shot itself into the sky, sparkling like a twinkling star as it disappeared into the daylight sky.

"Are you ok Striker?" Rosa asked tugging on the side of his trousers, just by the knee.

"I'll be fine, I've got you guys" Striker said as he looked around at everyone.

They all walked in closer to him, as he wrapped him arm around Tatyana, and smiling as he looked up at the sky.

"It's like Luthane said. As long as we all stick together, we'll be just as strong as we were when he was here."

"Yeah, just as strong." Tatyana smiled at Striker.

As they all stood there together looking out onto the glittering ocean with the sunshine beaming down on them, Striker looked up to the sky one final time, a cloud formation appeared which resembled that of a howling wolf.

Striker nodded his head, he knew that was his father looking down on him.

Striker took in a deep breath before saying..."Today marks the first day...of the rest of our lives..."