A/N: Gahhh, sorry! I know a lot of people were waiting on this chapter. I've just been super busy lately. How is everyone? =) As always, I'm extremely thankful for the reviews. They're the only thing I ask for in return for reading this, and also thanks to everyone who's added this story to their favourites/alert list. (Also, A-ya will now be referred to as Aya.. it's easier and more namelike.)

Chapter 10 – Power

For days, I fought for the control of my body. I tried screaming constantly, I tried to take over when she was tired... I couldn't think of anything else to do. I was getting tired. I needed to sleep. I could feel myself weaken, but cannot go to sleep. I need to pay attention to Aya. She tells me once I sleep, I will be gone from the body. I don't know if that's true... my marks are fading, though. I can't afford to find out.

I stopped fighting after a while, I was far too tired.

I still had no idea where I was, all I knew was that it was the middle of nowhere. Aya had gained the ability to hide things from me. At first it was small flashes of blankness here and there, but she was getting stronger.. I could feel it. Sometimes I will be missing hours, and end up somewhere completely unknown. We had been travelling for so long now. For what? Not even Aya knew, she just followed Kalona like a faithful puppy.

This Aya, I had figured out by now, wasn't the one my ancestors created... she was a vision of Kalona's mind... he had made her himself. They only created a shell. He has filled her mind with madness and insanity. Part of me feels bad for her, she doesn't have a clue what she's doing. He has filled her mind with madness and insanity. Part of me feels bad for her; she doesn't have a clue what she's doing.

On the bright side, Neferet was gone. Where? I don't have a friggin clue. All I know is that Aya had suggested something, which involved Neferet to be elsewhere. I wasn't sure if it was common sense or the fact that I was so closely linked to Aya, but I knew that Neferet wouldn't be returning any time soon. She was becoming evil – influenced by Kalona's mind. Many times, I had tried to talk to her... I knew that it was most likely to be a waste of time, but I had to try. Of course, that didn't work. All I could do was tell Aya things.. I couldn't speak to anyone else. I couldn't do anything.

I had resorted to just barely existing. I was tired – I didn't know you could get tired without a body, but there it was. I was absolutely done fighting.

A small voice inside of me just barely kept me existing. It whispered to me to be strong and fight.. I had no clue what that meant. I was worried about my friends. Were they trying to find me?

"Zoey..." I heard the small voice whisper to me. I think it was safe to say by this point that I had gone insane. "Zoey, she's asleep... take over."

"Who are you?" I asked her.. or myself? I was so tired and confused.

"I am Aya, creation of your ancestors."

I stopped thinking for a moment. My mind went blank, except for her voice. It was nothing like the Aya I'd been hearing for the last few days.

"I know what you are thinking, Zoey Redbird – I am not a creation of evil, I am the creation of your ancestors.. I am the creation of love and hope. I am you."

That last part confused me.

"You were brought to this world for a very special purpose, Zoey Redbird... the purpose to fight, to destroy Kalona... Neferet is the least of your worries right now. Kalona is getting stronger, as is his creation of me.. I will lend you my power, Zoey, but you must promise to fulfil your purpose."

I wasn't sure if I could do it.

"You CAN do it, Zoey, you were made for it. Promise me."

"I promise..." I whispered.

A bright light filled my eyes, and I could feel my body raise off the ground. The evil had gone – my body was filled with nothing but light, love and hope. I felt stronger than ever. I had full control over myself, and the elements. I could feel it. I felt that feeling further down on my back, which I knew was my tattoo growing. I smiled. For the first time, I knew I was going to win. But I also knew I needed my circle.

Dark Aya was gone, but the real Aya was still inside me, guiding me. Filling me with hope and happiness. I'd never felt so alive.

Having full control of my body again, I rose slowly. It was a bit difficult to walk at first. I had no clue where I was, but Aya guided me out of the building. I was surrounded by countryside. I stared into the empty field, knowing instantly I was far away from Tulsa.. but I had to return there. Aya was not worried. She whispered to me, "Use the air."

I didn't even have to call on it. The air clung to my body, lifting me off the ground. I smiled, knowing the air would have me back to Tulsa and my friends in no time. I had to hurry, it was only a matter of time before Kalona realised I was gone. I may have been more powerful than ever, but Kalona was still a threat – I knew this, and I had to avoid him for now. I thought of Stark – my first port of call. I could feel him... hurting. I could feel my body flying towards him with the aid of the air.

The building was smaller than it looked from the inside, it was more like a barn.. a large one. The air dropped me softly onto the ground, as I circled around it quickly. I could run faster than the air. There were no dangers on the outside, but on the inside I knew there was Neferet. She was a fly compared to Kalona... but she was a poisonous fly... she had to be taken out for good. Could I really kill Neferet?

The door slammed open as I was thinking. "She's coming." Aya whispered.

"You!" Neferet's shrill voice echoed from the door of the building. I had to take her out quick, I knew she had ways of contacting Kalona.

I thought back to my first few days at the House of Night.. of how Neferet had been like a mother to me, and tears ran down my cheek. I still felt love for this woman, but I knew she was using me, and I knew what I had to do. "I'm sorry.." I whispered, my voice breaking. "I'll try to make it as quick as possible."

I watched as fire engulfed her – I barely had to think about it, five seconds and she was gone.

A/N: Also, sorry to everyone who didn't like the last chapter, but I promise it was there for a reason, not for a filler. The rest of the circle will come into play later on. Thanks everyone, I look forward to reading your reviews. Next chapter won't be far behind, I've already started it and want to make up for taking so long with this one. ^_^