The rumbles of the storm had surpassed when prayer had finished. Outside the grey ocean above gently rained over Velocity. Shay lingered at the cathedral doors watching down the empty street. The only sound was the wind howling through the laneways and the pitter-patter of rain as it hit the cobbled marble road. The floating city of Velocity had little to no vegetation. It was simply just a shell of an ocean with a constant storm inside its centre. Early settlers built Velocity as a village for the wealthy- hence the marble and hard stone the city was made of. However as time moved on it eventually became a Kingdom. Boltian was discovered- a rock that could absorb electricity- and was used to forge some the most impressive architectural structures the Great Magic Dimension had ever seen, one of them being the castle or commonly referred to as The Citadel in Velocity. Shay's memory of Velocity was remarkable being that she was the longest living citizen to date. She was cursed with the memory of Velocity's collapse. When she thought about it hard enough she realised it had something to do with the elf- Sylvar. His presence almost fifty years ago felt like three lifetimes away. He approached the King and Queen as a noble seeking pleasurable company. His knowledge of war tactics impressed the King who in turn hired him as an advisor. He was knighted when he led Velocitian troops against an invading presence. Eventually his close ties and bond with the King led him to commander of the Velocitian army. Punishments became harsher, executions more common, greed and corruption inescapable and eventually a poor population was established. At the time Shay thought nothing of it. Her place in Velocity was religious. She never bothered with politics instead her role was guidance for the people. Although Lanelle was the Priestess, Shay was still a celebrant in the cathedral. Shay dealt more with marriages and births while Lanelle dealt with funerals and deaths. Neither of them paid mind to the new commander until he began taking interest in the cathedral- more particularly Lanelle. Shay knew he frequented Lanelle often. Being that he wasn't a religious elf shay suspected he was attempting to court her- either way Lanelle never spoke about it no matter how many times Shay asked. Thinking back on it now Shay realised Lanelle was protecting her- whatever reason Sylvar sought her out Shay did not know of which deemed her useless in his quest.

Shay knew something was wrong when Lanelle began speaking of rebelling- not against the Kingdom but against the army. Shay knew better now, Lanelle was going after Sylvar. To this day Shay still wondered why Lanelle went down the path of violence. She could have prayed for protection and guidance but instead she sought for Sylvar's destruction- a riddle that Shay never got answers for. Sylvar reacted to Lanelle's attack by closing the Eye- the only gateway in and out of Velocity. Everyone became a prisoner of war.

Eventually Skylar was born- and suddenly everything shifted. Lanelle hid from the army and raised Skylar while her lover continued to lead the rebellion. However his direction was different- not knowing of Lanelle's real intentions behind the rebellion he sought to shift the balance of power which in turn intensified the rebellion and the number of recruits joining. Shay did not see Lanelle or Skylar for a long time as they hid. However the time went fast as she gave multiple blessings and prayers daily to those caught in the middle of the uprising. When Lanelle did return she had one more child with her- Theron. Lanelle handed Skylar to Shay swearing for her protection while Lanelle rejoined the rebellion with Theron as her protégé. He was just a child and Lanelle had him in her fight. By now Shay had all but lost her confidence with her friend and felt that she was truly lost on her path. She promised herself that she would ensure Skylar would never be lost on hers. Skylar's father had died shortly after however never having met him her loss seemed little.

Shay became extremely worried for her friend when she learnt that she had done the unspeakable. She had murdered the King and Queen of Velocity. Her friend was truly lost now- lost in a world of violence and destruction. Still Shay did not truly know why. It was a sad day when Lanelle was captured and executed by Sylvar however Shay had prayed that it would end the rebellion. However it didn't. Although the rebels seemed to dwindle in numbers it was far from over. With Theron entering manhood and being raised by war swore revenge when he lost the closest thing he had to a mother. Theron took over the rebellion and swore to protect Skylar as Lanelle had made him promised.

Now Skylar was gone. Only Theron knew where she was and he was in the hands of Sylvar. However the horizon looked clear for the first time in a very long time. The end of a war seemed to drift closer. Sylvar had reopened the Eye and released Shay. Two things that were highly unexpected. However as Shay knew looks could be deceiving.

The street was empty as people had abandoned their homes to seek refuge in other realms, only the stubborn and the patriotic remained. Shay stayed on Velocity to provide comfort to those that needed it but also in case Skylar returned. Shay turned her back to the windy street and closed the large timber door behind her as she entered the cathedral. The statue of Lanelle glowed at the end of the cathedral, her palms emitting the same blue light they always did. On both sides of the cathedral were rows of candles that Shay had lit herself. In the centre was a stone bench with Aylane's pale corpse laying on top of it. Shay was familiar with Lanelle's traditions for deaths however she was not comfortable with dealing with the dead. She was more drawn to life while Lanelle handled death. Shay approached the bench, lit an incense and laid it near Aylane's head. Her skin was a pasty white, her lips the same colour as her lifeless cheeks, and her eyelids closed. Her fingers were entwined together on her stomach- she looked relaxed and peaceful. Shay was ripped from the moment when she heard the doors behind her open.

"The funeral is over you may return tomorrow morning if you would like to pay your respects" she said softly. There was a moments silence before the person spoke and when they did they sounded very close behind her.

"I am not here to pay respect to the rebel" Sylvar replied in a dark tone. His voice sent shivers rattling up her spine. She turned around slowly to see him standing two steps away from her. He stood with his arms behind his back and his chest puffed out. His eyes seemed to rip into her mind.

"I am here to speak to you" he said. Shay shifted but kept her composure. She could not fight back if he intended to fight at all.

"I thought you would like to know that Theron and Rogan are still alive" he said unmoving.

"I'm glad to hear you spared their lives, perhaps there is hope after all" Sylvar chuckled.

"Please do not mistaken my decision as a moral one I simply need them alive, they have information... and so do you" he lowered his head and peered out through his fringe- a shadow formed across his face giving him a sinister look.

"I already told you I don't where the girl is" Shay whimpered. Sylvar stepped closer to Shay, she instinctively backed up hitting the stone bench. As Sylvar moved closer to her she moved further away moving along the bench.

"So you said, but I'm curious as to how much Lanelle told you, did she ever mention Etherealix" he said cocking an eyebrow.

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"No?" he feigned surprise.

"Surely you know something about it, about its... abilities? Tell me did what was her connection to the dead like? Could she speak to them? Or even perhaps... conjure them?" he said coyly.

"You accuse her of necromancy? Her powers were not used that way!" Shay shrilled. Sylvar made a jerky movement to point at Shay, a smile spreading across his dark face.

"So you do know what I speak of?" Shay's eyes widened as she found herself victim to his manipulation. She narrowed her eyes at him and stood her ground. Between them was the bench with Aylane on it.

"Speak now and I give you my word you will remain unharmed" Sylvar leaned his head over the body towards Shay who stood with her hands gently resting on the stone.

"Your threats mean nothing to me" she said coldly. The end of his lip bent into a smile.

"Because you think they are empty. Believe me when I say this- your religion will not protect you, you are powerless against me and I will... kill you if that's what it takes" He whispered sternly.

"I mean I already have killed the Priestess, so who's to stop me from killing you?" He stared at her with a smile still planted on his lips. Shay clenched her fists.

"Your 'higher power' isn't going to protect you. So make this easy on yourself- tell me about Etherealix" Sylvar tapped his fingers on the stone impatiently. Shay looked down at Aylane's body. For a second she didn't see Aylane instead she saw Skylar laying there. Fingers entwined, eyes closed, cheeks lifeless...

Shay looked up into Sylvar's eyes slowly. His fingernails rapping against the stone. His smile was there but it was... stern.

"Like I said- your threats mean nothing" she spat. She heard his finger nails scrape against the stone.

"Is that so" he said sinisterly. He's eyes darkened and his smile vanished. He lunged across the stone bench almost knocking the body off it. He wrapped a hand around Shay's throat. His large hands easily fit around her dainty neck. He squeezed her hard with his nails digging into her skin. She gasped for breath but her throat was completely closed. Another smile twisted on Sylvar's face as he squeezed harder. Suddenly he felt a burning sensation in his palm. He tried ignoring it but it intensified quickly. He had no choice but to release his grip on her neck. His entire palm and fingers were burnt. Shay gagged as she leant on the bench.

"You tricky little sphinx!" he snarled. Shay gathered herself as she coughed for air. Her eyes were stern.

"I cannot harm others and they cannot harm me that is the power of Mortalix" she said in a raspy voice.

"If you killed me Sylvar- you would die with me"

Anger erupted inside Sylvar. He jerked his arms behind him and thrust them forward. All the candles lined along the wall flew towards the front smashing against the statue. Shay ducked behind the bench and rose slowly when he settled down. When she stood up she saw him storming towards the door. He flicked his hand in front of him and the double doors flew open. He disappeared down the marble steps. Shay breathed a sigh of relief. She looked around at the hundreds of candles scattered along the cathedral. She leant down and picked one up next to her feet. She noticed how much her hands were trembling. She pushed her face into her warm palms. She could feel her eyes grow hot as tears began to swell. He would be back. No doubt he would be back.

A loud scream caused Shay to look up. She blinked back the tears and listened. The doors banged on their hinges as the wind whistled outside. However the sound of cries and screaming could still be heard. Shay ran to the door and leapt outside. Down below a couple of streets away was the origin of the screams. Shay galloped down the steps and dashed down the abandoned street. She rounded a corner to an opening which was a small market place. There were no market stalls left only forgotten carriages and stalls. The smell of rotten fruit stung Shay's nostrils even with the breeze.

At the centre of the market square Sylvar stood decadently. His arm outstretched and his fingers reaching for something. The screaming started again as a young woman was dragged from the inside of a cottage. She looked as though she were being pulled by her feet- however it was Sylvar's magic dragging her along her stomach towards him. A man held her arms and tried pulling her back but he was only getting dragged along with her. Sylvar thrust his other arm forward and the man went flying against the cottage.

"MARKUS!" the woman screamed. Shay stood speechless as she watched Sylvar lean down and pick the woman up by the throat. She wrapped her hands around his arms trying to loosen his grip. She couldn't scream as her feet were lifted from the ground. She kicked furiously but it only wore her out. Sylvar turned his sadistic stare to Shay.

"Perhaps now you'll speak" he roared. He tightened his grip as she wriggled in his hand. Shay shook her head in shock unable to speak.

"SPEAK!" He screamed to her. "Or I will kill this peasant!"

Shay lunged forward and stopped a meter away from him.

"Put her down!" she yelled to him.

"Not until you tell me what I want to hear"

"Ok I'll tell you just let her go please!" Hot tears streaked down Shay's face. She couldn't be responsible for this woman's death.

"No you will tell me now!" He snapped. He squeezed her neck tighter. The woman's eyes rolled in her head. Sylvar looked back to Shay- a dark smile forming on his pale face.

"You might want to hurry Shay- I don't think she has much time left" he cackled.

"Etherealix is an old power created thousands of years ago by the first Priestess!" Shay yelled to him. Sylvar loosened his grip but did not let her go.

"Go on" he drawled.

"It was created so that the Priestess could guide lost souls to the other side and to protect the living from otherworldly demonic spirits" Shay said in one breath. She desperately wanted him to release the girl but he still kept his grip tight.

"And can she conjure spirits?"

"Yes she can- could... but she never did it, she used it to guide lost souls that's all!" Sylvar thought for a moment.

"Does the girl have it now?"

"I- I don't know" Shay stammered. Sylvar's face twisted into something sinister. He squeezed the young woman's neck again.

"Forget about suffocation I'll just snap her neck instead!" He gripped her jaw with his other hand. The woman's eyes widened in horror.

"SHE DOES!" Shay shrieked. Sylvar stopped midway, his hand caressing the woman's jaw. He looked her in the eyes and cocked his head.

"Do you believe her?" He asked coolly. Her eyes rolled backwards showing only her whites as her body screamed for air.

"Me too" with that he released her. The woman dropped to the ground in a heap. He stepped over her wheezy body and stride towards Shay who quivered when he leaned down to look her in the eyes. His nose barely an inch away from hers. His silver eyes gleamed and appeared so alien like. No not alien... demonic.

"Remember this moment next time we talk. Try to resist me and people get hurt- I was nice this time not t kill her but I will not be so generous next time. However, if you give me the information I need I will promise to restore Velocity and you will never see me again. Do understand? Help me and I'll help you. Defy me and... well I'll stain the marble with red" He stood up to his full height and turned. He walked away with his hands behind his back. Shay felt herself slump to the ground. She could see Skylar in her mind, laying on the stone bench... dead.

"Oh and Shay-" Sylvar called out. Shay looked up to see him standing over the woman who was attempting to crawl away from him.

"Was this woman's life really worth that much to you? You would assist me in my efforts to kill your best friend's daughter just to save her meaningless life?" Shay's eyes cascade with salty tears. Her head slumped down as she realised what she had done.

"Pathetic" Sylvar huffed as he turned and strode towards The Citadel. Shay buried her face in her knees and begged for forgiveness. A small voice in her head spoke up- reassuring her of something. He doesn't know where she is.

"But Theron does"

Thanks a bunch for the reviews! Terribly sorry that my updates are delayed but hopefully with February drawing near I'll have plenty more time to write. Anyway I hope this chapter wasn't too... morbid. I know Winx Club is a kids show but I can't help myself to adulterate it just a little. Anyway good news is upon posting this chapter I'm already about half way through the next chapter so it won't be long until the next one is up- sneak peek one of the Winx girls makes an appearance. Enough rambling hope you enjoyed this and thank you for those still reading this even though I'm rubbish at time management :L