Love in the Shadows

by SilverMoonrise

I was dying, I knew I was. I vowed I'd kill him for making me suffer. I was choking on my own blood, stuggling to breathe. But then they came. They gave me a second chance. Love can turn to hate very quickly. Time is on neither side, for it reveals secrets, but may heal hearts. Though, it may take more than time to heal my scars. (Review please!)

2. Elementals

One

I was floating. Just floating in nothing, thinking about nothing, doing nothing else. Then I felt the need to breathe.

I jolted out of my dream-like state, gasping for breath.

"She's awake." said a warm, velvety voice.

Four beings clustered around me excitedly. I sat up, rubbing my head and groaning. "Where am I? The last thing I remember..." I trailed off. My memory was fading, fast. "I...don't remember anything."

"Fear not." said the one in a white dress. "Do you recall your name, at least?"

I could not. All I remembered was a whisper...Forget, Dúath Dae, forget...

"Dúath Dae" I said, before that disappeared as well.

A shadow dropped over their faces. They exchanged glances.

I looked around at the faces. "Was it something I said?"

"No, not at all." said the one in blue. "Only..."

"Nothing." the one in green cut in. "We are the Elementals."

"The what?" I asked.

"We control the elements." they said in unison. "We are the strongest, the only ones with the courage to confront Men."

"Earth. Kemen."

"Air. Vilya."

"Water. Alu."

"Fire. Naur."

I looked at them properly. Kemen had dark skin, short, black hair and a short, dark green dress lined with golden leaves. Vilya, porcelain skin, a long silvery mane and a white dress which fluttered with an ever-present breeze. Alu had a cascade of blonde curls down her back and a turquoise and silver robe. Naur had wild, fiery hair and what seemed like living flames dancing across her skin.

"Well." I said, finally. "That was an entrance and a half."

---

The four elementals stood in a circle while the newcomer examined the obsidian beneath her.

"She has changed." said Alu. "In form, I mean."

"And in energy." added Kemen.

Naur growled. "But that does not mean we can trust her. She killed many, if you recall."

"She can hardly remember anything." Vilya piped in. "Maybe she has changed."

"Or maybe it is not the real Dúath Dae." Kemen glanced over her shoulder at the white haired being.

"Either way, we should kill her." said Naur. "I am unwilling to risk our lives."

Alu gave her a menacing look. "Kemen is right. We do not know if she is the same Dúath Dae. All in favour of letting her stay?"

Three hands were raised.

"Naur?"

The fire spirit sighed. "We might as well find out more. But be wary. No being is above suspicion."