I know I haven't updated this in literally forever but I decided that I probably should by now!

There is a serious lack of Study series FanFic's on here so I thought I'd try and boost up the numbers again by continuing with this.

I have been absent in writing for this, so if it's a little off just let me know and I'll correct it next time! :)

Please review with any comments!

I continued to stare, I stood there for a moment and blinked a few more times, just to make sure I was really seeing a women in front of me. To begin with, Sitia was miles away from Merdia, where I was now. No-one would be this far out without good reason. I took a deep breath and questioned with spite "Who the hell are you? And how do you know my name?" Ok, I was defensive, but I had damn good reason to be.

The women - Irys – gave a small smile, but in return I frowned. This arrogant look on her face of knowledge bothered me, and frankly, I wasn't in the mood for games.

"I think a better start, would be to get out of here..." Irys' eyes flickered down to both the King and the man I knew as Marcus who lay crumpled on the floor. I wasn't naive though, it was evident they would wake up soon enough.

"Why on earth should I trust you?" I demanded

Irys sighed heavily before walking to stand directly in front of me. If it had been a choice, I would have moved. But before I could do anything, I felt my mind sink into a hole of darkness.

It was dark and cold, and yet in front of where I stood was blazing scorching fire. Blue fire. A specific magic that I knew only too well. My eyes averted up, glazing over the towns and villages which too where becoming submerged by the fire. My fire, I realised.

I could hear scream's of women and children, desperately trying to escape. The frantic shouts of men to put out the fire but, they couldn't. Of course they couldn't. I wasn't letting them.

I could almost feel every death the fire took, every soul seemed to be surging within mine, feeding off of it. Feeding off the power: the love, the hate.

I tried to move.

I tried to step forward, to shut it off, to control it, to do anything to stop the pain in which all these people were in. But I couldn't. I couldn't move any muscle in my body, almost as if as being controlled by my own soul and mind.

I could feel blood and heat burning deep inside me, I could hear the screams asphyxiating my mind, I could see the destruction I was doing and yet: I wasn't stopping it.

In fact I relished in it.

A gasp escaped my lips as I opened my eyes. I was once again back in the castle, my feet firming on the red wine carpet.

"What the hell was that?!" I demanded sharply. It certainly hadn't been pleasant to say the least. A part of me didn't want to know what it was. It scared a part of me that I didn't realise could feel such fear.

This time, Irys answered my question honestly. "Your fate" She said simply and bluntly. As if just merely commenting about the weather. She could see the lost look on my face so said "It's how your fate stands Adira if you do not act, and do not come with me. That is your result"

For a moment I was silent. I knew I should get out of here, it's clear no-one would listen to me. Especially with Marcus and Logan clearly surrounding the King, but my mind kept flickering back to the fire and its uncontrollable manner.

I wouldn't ever do that... would i?

This question rolled in my mind as I thought about the dead guards outside who I had killed earlier. An act I had vowed not to do again, but could feel inside me it would be inevitable. I swallowed hard before I looked back up to the woman in front of me. I wanted to survive. And if for now I had to put my trust into this woman, I would. It would be better than staying here. I took a deep breath before I nodded "Fine" I snapped slightly, clearly not happy about the whole ordeal but what choice did I have?

Without another word, Irys stepped over the bodies of both the King and Marcus indicating I do too. It felt strange, to put so much effort into getting in this castle, just to willingly leave it again. But then, I hadn't realised how much of an affect Logan still had on me. I hadn't realised how influenced the King was by Marcus and how the death of Xaiden was still pinpointed on me.

Finally I proceeded to follow her and within moments were outside the castle's walls. I had barely realised how we got there but I didn't think on this too much. I didn't have time to. We continued to walk in silence until I stopped, hearing a snapping sound.

Irys laughed slightly -Which I didn't appreciate- before she walked into the direction of the noise and there stood two deep black horses. I frowned at how jittery I was right now but just shook it off. With ease, Irys got onto the horse and so I followed act onto the other horse.

We rode through the territory of Merdia and into the direction I knew to be Sitia. After a few hours, our pace slowed, it was getting darker. I glanced to Irys and after the long moments of silence I spoke.

"How did you know where to find me... or more to the point, that I was in need of help" It was a question that had been bugging me.

Irys sighed, her eyes forward. It was clear on her face that she debated her answer at first "You sent a signal Adira...Usually I wouldn't pick anything up, you being so far away but, I did" She shrugged. Ok it wasn't the best of answers, but for now it would have to do.

Irys gracefully got off her horse, and I followed in concession, mirroring how Irys tied up her horse. As we continued on foot I pushed further "What kind of signal? Because I didn't, not intentionally anyways..." I trailed off, my eyes landing on two small tents pitched up already in the middle of the clearing in the wood. I gave Irys a questioned look.

"There are other people who want to help you Adira..." She replied honestly "We can stay here for the night, but in the morning; we'll continue"

I know I looked a mess. Mud staining my cheeks and blood still soaking my clothes. I ran a hand through my dirty blonde hair, tugging slightly on the ends which were matted together by a mixture of all blood, mud, and sweat.

"Fine..." I agreed sharply, I'd be a fool to turn down shelter, but an idiot to drop my guard as well.

Within minutes I was in my own tent, Irys in hers, and laying down, glancing up. I could hear the light patters of rain drops on the tent and I let my mind focus on that. I needed my mind to focus on anything but my memories of the past which seemed to tear my mind apart. And now? Now the future was doing it too.

I let my eyes rest, drifting into a peacefulness that I didn't want to allow my mind to achieve. If I did, my barrier would be down. Then, I'd be an idiotic fool.

It didn't last long though.

I woke up struggling to breath, feeling my lungs unable to expanded, my mouth trapped. No. Clamped. I lifted my hands to pry away the hands clammed over my mouth.

"Shhh!" Irys' voice mused and she slowly lifted her hand "We have company..."