Chapter 10

We'll find a way

Previously on Our Dark Side

Brooklyn: Brooklyn saw how her eyes were red and cried out. She was probably crying or having another battle against her dark side in her sleep, but how could she possibly have fallen asleep only for 30 minutes. It takes way to long for some one to get in state "Stage A". (Chapter 6-Hope)
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It's like what happened in the dream...happened in reality too
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There are three kinds of forbidden magic: Spirit Magic, Blood Magic and Necromancy
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Japan is one of the mothers of dark magic and one of the countries that the power of the Sunken Souls originates, according to legends. There are two dark magicians who are remarkably skilled and Daniel would gain benefit by learning from them. Those are Makita and Tanaka Haruki, two of the best blood magicians and necromancers.

Darkness is the first thing that rules our vision when we close our eyes and fall asleep. A sweet, blissful darkness that drags us into lithium lethargy makes the world around us disappear and either irrigates us with beautiful dreams which are mirrors of our desires, or makes our hearts willing to break our bones and escape this baleful pain our painful nightmares cause, reflecting our deepest fears. Yet, no matter in which part of dreamland our lethargy darkness, the darkness of our sleep, leads us, there is no guarantee that our dreams will come true in an instant. The exactly opposite applies for Zhalia Moon, who has been suffering for almost four months, the effects of the separating curse, one of them being waking up with cuts and bruises her dark side makes her every time she dares to close her eyes.

And just like all the other times, Zhalia was standing in the exact same valley, with the ash grey grass, the bloody red poppies, the lakes of crimson red mass, the ground that feels like clouds on her feet, making her heart throbbing in her chest, afraid that she will fall at any moment. The mist which looked like a bride's veil hugging the valley, didn't allow her to see where it starts and where it ends and the three pointy huge, tall black rocks forming a curvilinear triangle with their pointy tops colliding right above her head. She was holding the silver sword with the bloody red diamonds, as if every drop of blood she has spilled in her life got petrified and ornaments her sword, reflecting the pain she has been through in her life and her efforts of being enough to someone's eyes. She still doesn't know who that someone is or who she wants them to be, but the feeling of her value shrinking day by day while she is rotting under the faint rays of light penetrating her room, unable to act, makes her believe she has failed. She has failed as a spy, as a professional, as a teammate, as a friend, as a woman, as a person, as Zhalia Moon.

Even if you don't know her well, you can tell she is that kind of person who doesn't easily give up and if you saw her now, you would believe she is a whole different person. Life has shown her worst side on Zhalia, just because her glass heart is made to handle it when others can. However, Zhalia has grown tired of trying… to escape, to die, to endure the pain, to endure her emotions, her purpose, the looks of doubt in everyone's eyes, the fights between her and the woman heading to her direction like any other time she finds herself in this place.

The figure resembled her a lot. Her hair were black and her eyes a darker brown than Zhalia's. She was wearing leather crop top, leather leggings and a long grey sleeveless trench coat with two huge belts in it. There were scars all over her hands and she was wearing belts as bracelets in her wrists, ankles, arms. In her hands a black version of Zhalia's sword with ocean blue diamonds.

A few weeks ago, Zhalia wouldn't have understood what they represent, but now she knows that her dark side carries her deepest fears petrified.

A suffocating silence engulfed them and felt like a hand gripping Zhalia's throat, squeezing it mercilessly and making her breathing uneven. Her stare was killing her and once again, she felt like an enormous stone just landed in her and started breaking all of her bones, crashing her existence.

There wasn't much skin left inside her purple sleeveless shirt she wears when she is awake, the dark her managed to make a new cut every time and after all this long, she has reached the muscle. No matter how much Zhalia would struggle against her, she would always open up another wound and change her statement every time it ended.

The previous time she said "You won't manage to take it for long, that's a fact dear" and Zhalia didn't know whether she was right or wrong. It's true, she won't allow her to take over and win, but how much more can her body take. Is it actually possible for Zhalia to let her physical exhaustion to surpass her mental strength? On the other hand, her mind is not at the best state. After all those silent fights where she had to endure her stare, the too realistic feelings, the guilt, the feeling of lack, the stableness and certainty in her voice as she mouthed her last sentence and leaving her wondering if this is the last time and drowning in fear until she wakes and knows that this wasn't the last fight, but she hasn't won either, so the fact that she survived is a contrast of hopeful and fearful.

The uncertainty of whether this will be the last battle or not every time she would feel the solid deadly weapon filling her empty, wounded hands was enough to drain her a great amount of energy… the fear of what will happen afterwards and the lack of her usual confidence was discouraging….and she is getting weaker, while SHE Is getting stronger every time with every clash of the metallic material. Zhalia knows that, as Airdan said a month ago, it's only a matter of time until she loses her sanity and gives in to the darkness like she had done once before. She didn't intend to take his words seriously and keep fighting with all she had, even if it wasn't enough, however, a little stab of disbelief would make her kneel in front of her and lower her head. How much longer will it last? How much longer will she suffer? For how much longer will she have to feel like the helpless six year old poor orphan who couldn't defend herself?

The blades collided once again, creating a metallic contradiction with the whistling of the slight breeze caressing the women's cheeks, adding a brush of softness to the bloody violent canvas of the sight and the emotions overflowing from the ones eyes, when the other was barely blinking and kept her hard harsh stare fixed straight into the other's eyes, watching her tears with satisfaction, knowing that one day she will bend.

It doesn't have to be today, she doesn't care when that will be. She is just enjoying the suffering of that other part of herself, the so called light one. After all, she is the dark one, such a endless blissful torture brings her joy and makes her feel a weird ticklish feeling in her rotten heart, a feeling which she could compare to the one the innocent five year old kid has when he climbs down the stairs of his house at New Year's eve, stands in front of the heavily decorated Christmas tree and sees large box with the beautiful carefully made ribbon, tempting them to open it and see what is inside. Little did that child know that Santa Claus doesn't exist, that it's all lies, that their parent's raised him with a lie? But does it matter? This lie is going to be a history someday; this sweet joy will be history someday and will be replaced by others. Destruction, death, vengeance, darkness, power. So that's why, the dark eyed Zhalia is taking her time to be the child she never was and play with her toy. After all, she knows that Santa Claus doesn't exist and has already embraced the lies, making them a part of her. She will just take her time and enjoy her way to the win, while this beautiful lie reaches it end day by day and the winner is obvious in her eyes. However, she is not like Airdan and does not underestimate her enemy. Perhaps she is just the one half but she is still a part of Zhalia and both light and dark, as one, have always been aware of their advantages and disadvantages. That's why; she doesn't let herself take her victories entirely for granted and always makes sure to hit the weak spot of the angel. But dammit she is stubborn. It's true, she falls every time, but the next time, she looks ready to fight again, like she starts over, like every battle is a repentance of the previous one. Turns out her dark side doesn't know the light one so well to know that she is slowly killing her. But then again, they are no longer a whole. They are just two different people in a body and only one of them can have it. They got away from one another…miles away. Darkness knows she has the advantage in this mental fight but she can't know if her effect is as strong as she thinks it is.

So now both sides sink in uncertainty, what Zhalia, the person they once used to be together, has always been afraid of. Yes, Zhalia Moon always appears to be fearless and a pro in everything she is doing but she is just another human, there are three things that scare her most in this life and one of them is the insecure of uncertainty.

Again, the swords clash and dilute a cloud of mist. Yet no matter how many clouds they dissolve, it won't eliminate their blindness. Right ow, none of them realizes they are making a huge mistake…

Just like all the previous times, Zhalia- no wait, the light one, fell on the found. The swordsmanship had ended with another huge cut in her chest and pieces of her flesh falling on the ground, accompanied with her dripping blood, staining her white attire. White ripped jeans with a golden chain as a belt, a white long sleeved shirt, which sleeves reached her ankles, with an oval cut exposing the endless cuts on her shoulders, a part of her chest and a part of her back and a gold bracelet with an angel wing feather attached to it, which somehow managed to survive every battle, just like her.

She lifted her eyes upwards, breathing fast and heavily due to the exhaustion of the battle which felt like it lasted eons, only to find her dark eyes fixed on her. Taken over by fear, Zhalia waited for her dark clone's lips to part and hear her mouth her infamous states when it all ends. But this time, her lips remained shut and her eyes widened for a splint of a second, before she hissed and closed them shut. She leaned forward and placed her hands on her knees, as if she was trying not to fall forwards. Zhalia was confused and stared at her dark side wide eyed. Her eyes roaming around the valley, but it made no sense!

There can't be anyone else here, if she hasn't harmed her then who did? Zhalia got her answer no longer after she properly asked it to herself. The dark one turned around to face the hidden enemy, only to get knocked out by a spell which is well known to Zhalia as touch ram. The dark side's body flew a few meters away and one of the hard cold rocks, before she fell on the ground hissing. Zhalia averted the gaze from her to the direction of the spell, only to confront the sight of an auburn haired man rushing to her direction, a man she knows so well and loves so much.

He wasn't really keen on sleeping neither he felt tired that day but couldn't stand watching the blooming worry in Metz's eyes. After it was decided for the team to stay apart for a while, Dante felt that this won't be good, even though Mets has the purest intentions. It's been a month and he hasn't talked to any of his team members, only Metz's daily report assuring him of their safety. Of course he kept training and since he was no longer with his team, he offered to help Metz with council matters, besides Carter Cole. Dante had the chance to see Carter in another environment and couldn't help but envy the effectiveness in such an office job. Not because he wasn't effective himself, but it would have been very useful if he could be this effective with their research to find Zhalia. He let Carter keep his place as he occupied himself with the matter of Airdan's location. For the first time in chronicles, seekers are collaborating with magicians, well… only three of them, but still Dante was rather interested and amazed by what a magician can do. They did not allow him to get much knowledge of their subject, but watching how many combinations exist to create tracking spells, how difficult the materials are to be found and the magician's devotion to their work was remarkable and Dante thought that those people deserved his admiration and respect besides his gratefulness. After all, it's not their duty to find Zhalia, but eliminate Airdan. Yet they still stick with the foundation and have been very supportive towards the seekers and Dante himself. All Dante was allowed to do, is witness their process but not mingle with their business. The New York's HQ has now a special place in the basement for them and one in the top floor.

Something is bothering the back of his head… even though those specific three magicians they have entrusted acknowledge Airdan as a threat and are well aware, perhaps even better than himself, what the success of his plan can cause to the world, they haven't informed anyone or alerted their own forces, which looks suspicious to Dante. He wants to trust hose people, he really does, since they are helping the foundation get back Zhalia, but this secrecy is preventing him to do so, at least not completely. When the foundation is sending hundreds of agents, titans, casts different spells and searches for new ones to find Zhalia and contribute to Airdan's elimination, the magicians are working secretly right under their noses, have double their knowledge and perhaps way more, yet don't seem to be active in another way… in a more effective way. To sum it up, their work might be admirable but has done nothing yet, which is one of the reasons Dante hasn't shared with them the information he has much to Metz's pleads to do so. He claims that they will be able to handle it, but something in Dante's gut say otherwise. He can't trust them, even though they are light magicians and not dark like Airdan.

A run into them during that month only fed his suspicions. He was in his way to Metz's office to hand over some paperwork –even though a part of the foundation is focused on locating Airdan and Zhalia, the rest of the foundation has to deal with Huntik related subjects, which is their job after all, so missions are still handed over to seekers and foundations keeps growing stronger- when he passed by Carter's room and heard voices he was unfamiliar with, but soon recognized them. The door was locked; he couldn't peek, so he carefully placed his ear in the door. Carter was talking with the magicians. He immediately recognized the cold and stable tone of the Japanese magician Tanaka Haruki. Dante remembers very well how distant he was when he introduced himself. Then he heard the ringing yet strident voice with the Egyptian accent of Nailah Annipe, the female magician from Cairo who tends to be very rough and bossy. Last but not least, the gentle and pleasant voice which usually emphasized the consonants of the words without trying to imitate any English accent, revealing her Greek origins, Eirini Nephelou. Eirini was the only magician of the three who had approached and actually radiated her friendly intentions through her ocean eyes. She was mostly kind and tried to encourage him, promising that they will find Zhalia, but kept that shield of secrecy just like the others. She had told him that there are countries that are considered 'mothers of magic" and magic is stronger to the people who originate from there. The three of them who are without a doubt mothers of magic are Greece, Egypt and China. There are many other countries, such as Japan, American countries where Indian's used to live, ancestors of Maya and the Aztecs, different African countries… too many to count. Magic is everywhere, but no one can know for sure all the mothers of magic. Another matter of investigation in the world of magicians is the origins of magic, which is believed, started in African or North American countries and then spread to Europe and Asia. Another theory is that it was born in Europe in Greece or Norway, but there are not evidence convincing enough to prove it. Eirini seems to be very interest in the mysteries of magic, in fact her job as a magician is to study journals of the magicians of what she calls 'The birth era' and investigate magic sources, mother countries to accomplish her goal, find out its origin. In other words, she is the Darwin of magic. Dante was surprised she chose to share her findings and clues about her job with him and when he asked her why, she said this:

"I just thought that having to deal with everything Airdan has caused you, you probably hate magic and this would be wrong. You see, I support a mutiny of the philosophic magicians which is based on the theory that magic was created or brought to this world neutral. It's the way that humans use it that defines it as light and dark and if you think about it, the same stands for all human creations. Someone who makes a knife doesn't know and in the end is not responsible, if the human who buys it will use it to cook a meal or murder someone. I strongly believe that magic is closer to the ways of humanity than what we think and maybe it's not something out of space, maybe it depends on us. Whatever it is, we define it! Just like we define our lives, our choices, our future and ourselves, this way we define magic. When we categorize it, we automatically put the blame on it for the ones who use it wrong and that's the only reason the theory about Neutral magic is not accepted by many. Because putting the blame on magic is beneficial for many magicians who secretly want to use it and unfortunately there are many of them in our Magician council. Of course there are magicians such as Airdan who don't bother hiding their intentions and the verdict for those magicians is ohm- quite harsh. Oh my God I am blabbering again, sorry" she said embarrassed as she covered her mouth with her hand and Dante just shook his head.

Her speech was actually pretty interesting and it helped Dante distract himself from his painful struggle. Now that his team was gone, Zhalia's absence was still haunting him and everyone was working hard, he included, he could use a friend and Eirini was a kind person with a lot of knowledge about magic and the ability to lighten up someone's mood without doing much. Her smiley presence, her love and devotion to her work, open mind, the ability to preserve her rationality in moments like this and her encouraging words were things Dante respected and appreciated. Yeah, Eirini could be a great friend and a valuable ally.

"Don't worry, actually you are a great help right now. Thank you for doing this and thank you for helping us find Zhalia" he said as he let out a sigh upon remembering her face with every single detail stabbing his heart. God he misses her a lot! Eirini smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry sir, we'll find her. I give you my word and when a magician gives their word, they always keep it"

She actually managed to calm him with that reassurance, even though only for a moment. But now the three magicians sounded like they were in the middle of a serious argument, far from calm, and for some reason it had to do with Carter. He couldn't make out many things of what they were saying but it seemed to Dante that Tanaka and Nailah were accusing him for something and Eirini was trying to ease the tense atmosphere and stop the argument. Sometimes he could hear swears in Egyptian, Japanese, Greek and Dutch which confused him, but the main point was that Carter had done something that the three magicians disapprove of. Even Eirini seemed to be against Carter's actions but wanted to approximate the matter with a calm and rational mind.

No matter what that argument was though, Eirini hadn't spoken to him ever since…it must have been a week ago… and Carter had devoted himself to work. At least now he could actually help. All of Dante's thought's started to slip of his mind as he drifted to dreamland, after Metz's various attempts to convince him to rest and take a break.

How to describe it... This dream was nothing like what he has ever seen in his life. He was in this strange valley with red poppies, ash grey grass, cloudy night sky, mist. The ground on his feet made him feel like he is levitating and at the moment, he was standing in front of a huge black rock which seemed to be as tall as a skyscraper. He could feel a cold breeze caressing his face and making the hair in his back rise. It was cold.

Something about this place was odd. The more he stayed there, the more he felt like it was weakening him. His feet started to feel like jelly and his head started spinning, the mist blinding his vision and a metallic clash constantly hit his eardrums. He needed to place his hand on the enormous rock and sift his weigh in it but when the cold hard stone made contact with his skin; a rush overtook him as he felt the rough material in his big soft palm.

He could feel… he could feel every inch of matter he touched, smell a paint like smell combined with rainy grass, he could feel the blood running in his veins and the abnormality of the environment sending alerting messages to his brain. He felt the breeze penetrating hi nostrils and mouth, leaving a bitter taste; he could feel the energy getting drained of his muscles and his brain ache with every metallic clash.

This is not normal for a dream… yes, some dreams might look real but this was way too real. Even when you are in a deep sleep, your conscious part knows you are dreaming while your subconscious part gives you a ride to the strange and mysterious dreamland. Yet at that moment, Dante sensed his own presence both consciously and subconsciously on this place. And what on earth is that metallic sound that keeps stabbing his eardrum and worsening his already increasing dizziness?

He let out a frown of displeasure upon hearing the sound again, but this time, his weak ears could detect a scream. It belonged to a female and for a second, Dante's eyes widen. This voice was so familiar to him, this voice he had missed so much, but right now, it sounded like the owner of it was in pain. The mere fact of the possibility of her presence made him forget all of his weariness. He was now wide awake and making his way to the edge of the rock to get a view of what is happening to the direction the voice had come.

As he laid his eyes on the center of what seemed to be some kind of triangle shaped by this rock and two similar others, mixed emotions overtook him. He was confronting the sight of Zhalia dressed in blood stained white close, her state worse than it was on the video Brooklyn had sent them a month ago, holding a sword with red diamonds, struggling against another female dressed in black, but Dante could only see her back. His heart clenched tightly on his chest, seeing Zhalia in a shower of blood from multiple wounds in her head, face, neck, all over her body, but especially her chest. Her white shirt was ripped and there were so many deep cuts that even from that long distance, Dante could make out some muscle and even bones! She was there, she was in danger, she was in pain and he has to do something!

Ignoring the numb feeling in his legs, he managed to walk on his feet. He didn't care if he felt weak and maybe he couldn't do much, he just wanted to protect her. To take her out of this bad dream and secure her in his arms. The desire to hold her right now is stronger than ever before and gives his the courage required for him to speed up. As he was in the middle of his way to the back of the other female, Zhalia kneeled down; a freshly made wound in her chest joined the others and was leaking blood. Dante could swear he saw tears in her eyes.

He can't wait any longer! The dark dressed figure lifts her sword and is ready to crash her, but Dante, with a tightly clenched jaw and fists, gathers his strength and shoots a ray pulse at the female. When she turns around, he gives her no time to react or even see his face and hits her again with all his force and might, sending her flying to one of the rocks.

With concern overwhelming him, he rushed to Zhalia's side and watched how she eyed him with her wide open golden orbs, a socked expression plastered on her face which soon turned into a hesitant but honest smile. Her eyes softened and showed him a glimpse of happiness Dante has never seen before. Only God knows how much she has suffered away from him and how much he has missed her, and even his Godly existence could be surprised by the love they strongly feel for each other. Dante kneeled in front of her, his breathing fast and heavy just like hers. For what seemed like an eternity, they simply stared into each other's eyes, trying to digest the sight of each other. Their expressions changed from concerned to happy and then again concerned. Dante's brows were narrowed upwards, forming a pained expression on his face as he took a closer look to her wounds. In the video, she had a whole near her ribs, but as the breeze pushed her midnight blue locks aside, he saw another on her neck. Their lips trembled as tears were welling up and leaking from their eyes, their emotions totally out of control inside them. But besides the worry, the sadness, the lack, the loss, happiness was exchanged through their looks, accompanied with warm genuine smiles and something they both carve from each other.

Love

As Zhalia stretched out her trembling bloody hand, Dante couldn't suppress a shudder in his body and a sob. No one has ever seen him like that and at that moment, nothing mattered more than the fact that she was there. She was there… after all this months she was there and she needed him.

Her soft hand made contact with his skin and touched it carefully, as if Zhalia was afraid that if she touches him he will disappear. After all, they are in a so called "dream". At that moment, Zhalia didn't bother wondering what is he doing in her transformation phase and Dante had completely forgotten about that odd feeling this place created in the back of his head. His thoughts were mostly like clouds and his focus was directed to her. He placed his hand on top of hers in his cheek and let out a sigh of relief with a smile as her hand sent a shiver down his spine, indicating that he had just made physical contact with flesh and not air….She was there.

He could feel her…he could feel her skin brush against his, he could feel the love her golden orbs radiated… he could feel her pain, her suffer, her struggle but also her relief. He could feel her here.

She could feel him too. She could feel the meaning behind his smile, his warm skin against her stone cold one, his worry and concern, how much he misses her… she could hear their hearts dancing in their chest, as if they wanted they would break their bones, jump out of their bodies and become one.

For a few more moments, only their loud breaths, sighs of relief, small sobs and chuckles would break the silence.

Then, not wasting any more time, they pulled each other simultaneously in a strong embrace, so strong they could have crushed each other in their arms. Tears were running in their cheeks like waterfalls, washing away Zhalia's blood.

Sighs of relief, small laughs and sounds of exhaustions and enthusiasm were leaving their mouths and caressing each other's neck. They run their hands to each other's bodies and at the end; they placed them in each other's cheek and stared deeply in each other's eyes. Dante run his thumbs in her cheeks, wiping her tears and was the first one to break the silence.

"I missed you… you have no idea" he whispered with trembling lips, crying at the same way Zhalia did and looking straight into her eyes, not afraid to show her his own cried out ones, their breaths colliding and their faces inches apart. Zhalia shot him a warm look which he cherished with gratitude.

"I missed you too… so much" she wasn't really the kind of woman to let emotions affect her words, but after all this suffering, she needed him and she would be straightforward. She won't think of her word and simply say what she feels, because as much as it pains her, this might be the last time she gets to see him.

Dante allowed himself to smile again and kept caressing her face while she kept doing the same. His thumb reached her ripped upper lip and his eyes narrowed, a small growl became audible to Zhalia's ears. She lowered her gaze for a moment and then directed it back at him, only to find him frowning with a clenched jaw.

"I swear Zhal; I'll get you out of there! I will take you home and treat this bastard accordingly." He mouthed in a cold threatening voice. His thumb was still placed on her lip and his other hand went to her neck. Zhalia flinched under his touch as he found the whole Airdan made there. His gaze softened upon seeing her in pain even by his own gentle touch in her wounds. She gently brought his hand back on her cheek while she moved her own in his sweaty neck and pulled him close so that their foreheads were touching. Dante's heart jumped lightly and the small distance between them woke up the desire to kiss her. To show her how much he loves her and gives her strength, to take all the pain away even for a moment. Dream or not, he will do it.

Zhalia caught his eyes with hers once again and weakly whispered with a husky breathy voice

"Let's just… stay like that for a while" she said and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath end inhaling his perfume. Dante kept his eyes open and brushed her lips with his thumb. After her breathing relaxed, she lifted her chin and caused their lips to brush and her eyes to open wide upon realizing that the distant between no longer exist.

His didn't exactly kiss her; he just caressed her ripped upper lip with his. He didn't do anything more than leaving soft gentle sensations gracing in Zhalia's heart and she didn't bother to suppress a shudder of bliss. When she closed her eyes and started responding to his kiss, he deepened it, trying to be as careful as possible to not cause her pain. Their lips were dancing in a joyful beat, the beat of their hearts. Dante's lips now captured her own lower one and gently pulled it down to part her lips slightly and give them another soft caress with his own, asking for permission. Zhalia just leaned closer and allowed him to slide his tongue in her mouth. His arms were on her waist, pulling her even closer though it seemed impossible and on her neck and chest, constantly leaving gentle touches with the tips of his fingers in her wounds. Zhalia's hand was on Dante's chest, feeling it rise and fall, feeling his fast and loud heartbeat, and the other one was in his cheek, caressing it and running her fingers to his face and moving lips, memorizing every detail of how his touch felt like and treasuring it like it was her ambrosia to this game of death she was playing. It was an oasis to the desert of pain and desperation.

A weak moment… a sweet, blissful weak moment for the both of them to let out all their raging emotions which have been running marathons in their brains, stabbing their hearts and bringing them at the edge of their self-awareness, endangering their sanity. The pain, the agony, the suffer; all of their emotions forced to get bottled up so that they can deal with their situations were now released in that kiss. Tears, sobs, fears, weakness, all of the things they were afraid to show in front of others eyes, they could entrust to each other and be there to lift each other up, to stand up together. This moment gave them only a small hint of their love, a small glimpse of strength, but enough to make them keep going.

Out of the blue, the rhythmic, addicting dance of their tongues and lips was interrupted as Dante felt Zhalia pull away… violently. He thought she wanted to catch her breath but as he opened his eyes, he had to blink several times to ensure that his eyes weren't paying tricks on him.

The female in the dark clothing was just like Zhalia, only with darker colors, and was now holding a sword similar to Zhalia's, in front of Zhalia's neck while keeping her at her position by pulling her hair in a tight grip.

Suddenly realization hit Dante like a ton of bricks! This female was Zhalia's dark side. He had no idea why was she in his dream –he can't even make out if this is actually a dream or something else- but all he knew is that she is going to let go of his Zhalia RIGHT NOW.

He snapped out of the shock and quickly stood up. His senses sharp and his fists balled ready to strike when needed. With a sword on Zhalia's neck, he can't do much, but he doesn't intend to give up either.

Even though the figure was almost a carbon copy of Zhalia, Dante has never seen so much hatred in someone's eyes. They were filled with nothing but evil and hate. Her stare radiated so much odium; it almost felt like she was cutting her way to end his life. Now he knew what was odd about the place. Her presence is meant to weaken people, to make them bring out their biggest fears, to strike right in their weak spot.

She hissed upon seeing him and then brought her sword closer to Zhalia's neck. Zhalia seemed way too calm though, as if the dark her wasn't about to slit her throat open. Letting out a moan of pain due to her dark grip on her hair Zhalia said.

"Just get it over with!" she mouthed with indignation and Dante doubted his basic listening comprehension. He is well aware that Zhalia knows what he is doing, but this seems a little unlike her. Yet, everyone has changed due to this crazy horror they live in. The dark Zhalia just let out a piercing deep evil chuckle.

"Oh please! And grant you the pleasure of him getting safe out of dreamland? How did you manage to bring him here anyway? This is our transformation phase! What are you trying to do…? Zhal?" she uttered her nickname with a cheeky green and a faked mocking tone. Her voice was low and husky. It resembled Zhalia's a lot but it leaked sickness and mockery. Dante was confused with her questions and the whole transformation phase subject but didn't bother thinking about it right now. He held eye contact with Zhalia's dark clone and had to use all of his willpower to restrain himself as she was playing with the sword in front of Zhalia's neck, bringing it closer then further and shooting him those nerve-wracking smirks.

He was about to lose his patience when the dark clone's hand which was holding Zhalia's hair started to fade. The dark Zhalia cursed in Dutch when the other one fell on her knees and Dante immediately stretched out his hand to pull her close. After her head collided with his chest softly, Dante wrapped his arms around her in a protective manner.

"What is going on?" He asked her, hoping to get some legit explanation and saw how she lifted her head from his chest and eyed her dark clone with surprise, taking deep breaths.

"Oh no! I am waking up!" she concluded with a frightened look on her face as her golden gaze met his own concerned amber one displaying her fear. Dante was about to ask something more and more importantly, tell her something, but was cut off by Zhalia's dark clone, whose left hand had now completely faded.

"No! This won't end the way you want it to!" She screamed at the top of her lungs with a piercing rough voice and tightened her grip on her sword. Zhalia let out a gasp, since both of them –having their guard down- did not see her coming. She turned Dante and pushed him aside at the last moment. However the sword, instead of piercing his stomach, he made a huge wound in it and as the dark clone lifted it up and dashed to Dante, he moved aside at the exact moment he had managed to regain his balance and the sword got his arm. Before the dark clone could strike again, Zhalia got in front of Dante and held the huge sword blade with her bare hands!

It all happened in a blink of an eye and the numbness and weariness Dante felt at the beginning of this entire so called dream, returned with the damage of his balance which seemed impossible to restore. The sword started to slowly cut its way through Zhalia's already injured hands and as much as Dante wanted to move, he felt like his body was made of stone. He couldn't move an inch or even feel the muscles in his body. Zhalia was struggling, with her eyes shut and gritted teeth while a new blood shower started washing her from her hands. Dante screamed her name, tried to move his body but he was petrified. It felt like no matter how many steps he made, he was getting further and further away from her. He looked down at his body and realized what was happening.

He was waking up too. Half of his body had faded and Zhalia's dark clone only had her waist, neck had and right hand visible. It didn't take long for all of her to fade and now it was Zhalia's turn to start fading. Her palms were ornamented with two big cuts that had reached the middle of her flesh. If this had carried on for a little longer, her palms would have been half. Before she could lose hold of her legs, she rushed to Dante's side whose lower body and bleeding stomach had disappeared. A frown graced in his features and his jaw tightly clenched, hisses escaping his lips from time to time, accompanied with screams of Zhalia's name.

They looked in each other's eyes with concern and fear. They didn't want this to end nor did they know what awaits them when they open their eyes. The only thing they know is that they haven't had enough of each other, but now, they gathered the amount of courage and determination needed to put aside their frustration and be strong.

Dante laid his hands on her cheeks and his eyes caught the fresh tears which were welling up in her own. She was trembling from fear, sadness and on top of that the blood loss. Dante took her bleeding hands, not minding getting dirty, and brought them to his lips to kiss her scars… That action made her tears slide in her cheeks and her lips to tremble. They are fading…

Dante's warm gaze radiated all the love he felt for her and a few moments before his hands faded, her pulled her even closer and gave her lips one more gentle brush with his own.

"We'll find ways Zhal, we always do!" he said determined to protect her smile and even more, to save her from the hands of Airdan Cole. Zhalia gave him a faint yet honest smile and treasured the last glimpses she could get of his face. She had lost track of her hands, they were almost gone… but then something pulled her in!

Her dark side wasn't done with her yet. The valley became solid around them again and her body reappeared while Dante's kept disappearing. The last pictures that caught his sight were Zhalia's dark clone appearing from behind and stabbing her.

"ZHALIA WAIT!"

Her dark side didn't hold her for long. She woke up screaming in pain just a few moments after Dante disappeared and now that she recalled all that happened, a warm sensation graced in her lips and she felt a shiver upon recalling the way his lips felt on hers. All the pain from the scars was gone and replaced with that irreplaceable feeling that only Dante was able to cause to her.

She had to snap out of the hypnotic feeling when she saw Brooklyn waving her hands in front of her face and trying to tell her something with motions of her hands and her expressions. As Zhalia was recalling the events of her dreams Brooklyn managed to stitch up her fresh wounds. Zhalia focused completely on her now 'mute' friend and after a few complications, she managed to make out what she wanted to say and she was asked to repeat it. During her talk, Brooklyn seemed to relax and regained her human form which wasn't in a better state than hers.

"Alright, so the Dreamwalker gives you the power to witness people's dreams, take part in them or collide them and somehow you managed to bring Dante from his own dream to my transformation phase" she said and earned a nob of confirmation from the damaged female.

"But it could have been anyone else right? I mean, since you have no control over the Dream walker" she asked and Brooklyn nobbed again while giving her another explanation.

'Yes it could, but it's not just that. Your transformation phase takes place in a "section A" state. This is a state when you are half awake half asleep and everything that happens there has effect on real life. Section A is a magical sleep phase and only people who possess powers can get through that state. In your case you get through it every night. I assume that Dante happened to be is a section A phase himself at the same time with you and I brought him to yours or combined your sections. But the question remains, why him and not any other seeker in this section? There is something else going on here but I just can't tell what' Brooklyn managed to transfer this message to Zhalia.

However, the damaged female didn't know that Dante's presence in her transformation phase, in her "section A" phase, made more sense to the brunette's head. Zhalia had an assumption of why this may happen. An idea hit her brain and made her eyes widen. It could work…

"Alright, listen up Brooklyn. Don't bother yourself with such questions now. I need to know if you can do that again, if you can combine our sections but next times bring me in Dante's section. This way we can slow down the transformation process and keep in touch with them without you risking being caught sneaking out of the castle" Zhalia voiced out her idea only to earn an expression of disappointment from Brooklyn.

'I wish I could do that Zhalia, but I have no control over this titan and I don't want to risk doing something with unpredictable results. Besides, I can't even know when Dante is asleep, let alone when he is and if he is in his "section A", it's impossible to achieve something like that again. I'm sorry" the dirty blond female expressed her apology with a motion where she placed her hand in her chest where her diamond heart lies and patted it a few times. Zhalia's mind immediately changed its occupation subject as she noticed the marks on her wrists, indicating that the fetters with which she was tied were extremely tight and hard to break. Brooklyn followed her gaze in her wrists and remembered the very first thing that surprised her when she opened her eye to find herself in the 'lab' Zhalia is kept.

'Besides, I will have to go back to the cell before he notices my absence. I wasn't supposed to be able to free myself from these, since they are not locked with black magic but somehow I managed to do so in my so called sleep. I have to find a way to get back on them or else God knows what he'll do.'

"I see… and how were the fetters locked?" Zhalia asked out of curiosity. There are many matters to settle and this one is now the most crucial, since her own plan has many flaws and ellipsis.

'They were supposed to be locked with spirit magic. I can only unlock them if I have a spirit of his own-'

"Like a titan?" Zhalia suggested; her eyes shining with realization which didn't took a long for Brooklyn to understand.

'You can't possibly think that-'Brooklyn gestured Zhalia with wide eyes and she gave a curt nob in return

"I think exactly that! There is a very high possibility that the titans in your body were never bonded with you. Not only it explains how you escaped, but your lack of control in them, even in the ones you constantly use such as Peter Pan, but also the ability of your ankle to not just trace you, but watch over you when you think his tracking spell has faded." She finished her speech and gaining that new knowledge, she found a way to fix her previous plan and fill it with what it lacked of.

To Brooklyn, Zhalia's assumptions made a lot of scenes. For a second she considered asking her why would Airdan do that, but then again, Airdan has a very big idea of him and thought that Brooklyn would be too frightened to commit any attempt to escape. In fact, Brooklyn was indeed scared to do so and for once in her life she thanks Dream walker for taking over her and giving Zhalia some hope and strength, considering the fact that all the other times he had taken over her, he took her into places which's sight would hurt the human eye to even watch. The titans in her body are bonded with him that's why he can make them take over her and secretly torture her, making her believe in her inability of controlling her own titans, which turned out to be his property in the end. Zhalia seemed deep in thought for a while and then spoke, causing Brooklyn to snap out of her thoughts

"Ok, I got a new idea, but you may not like it" Zhalia warned and asked her for permission to share her new idea.

'I am all ears' she replied with gestures. Zhalia shot her a smirk of satisfaction upon seeing her determination highly raised for the very first time. She herself felt stronger and more determined than before, a feeling which fed itself and kept growing due to the sensation left in her tortured lips.

"Alright then. We can find a way to steal his amulets. Then he won't be able to watch over you. After we do that, we can note the hours he is out of the castle, the guards program and all the possible exits closest to this place. Then you will have a chance to escape" she paused to see if the damaged female had understood everything she had said so far and earned a frown from her.

'What about you?' she gestured and Zhalia heaved a sigh with heavy heart.

"If we both leave, then we'll lead him straight to my team and we don't want that to happen. Plus, I am weak. I will only slow you down and be an easy target. When you get out of here, you'll be able to use your titans freely and find my time in no time. Stay with them! They will take care of you and you will take care of them! Also, since the Dream walker will officially be bonded to you, you won't have hard time controlling him and manage to combine mine and Dante's sections. We will settle a specific timing when I will fall asleep every day and hope for it to work. I know this will be hard, but it might be our only way to work things out. We are stuck, there is no other solution. I am sorry Brooklyn but once again, I will have to ask you too much." Zhalia has now completed her speech and waits for Brooklyn's answer in agony. The damaged female has her doubts about the plan and the risks she will have to take, but like Zhalia said, it's the only way out... at least for her and then she would help the team in a more efficient way to free Zhalia and eliminate her uncle. No matter how many hardships she will have to face, this plan has to turn into action and end successfully, for their shake. Shaking all of her doubts away, she lifted her head up and looked at the older female with determination which was confirmed by the smirk which crept its way to her lips. Zhalia took the message and smiled to her.

They WILL get out of here! It is decided! And they won't give up! Their strength now can't be measured, because it stems from their strong emotions.

The next day

The blond teenager groaned out of frustration and took his backpack of his shoulders and held it on top of his head to prevent the rain from getting him soaking wet, which was pointless since he was already.

It was only last night when he was lying on his bed, trying really hard to get a wink of sleep, when his phone vibrated besides him and he had lazily picked it up. Hearing Metz's worried tone as he informed him about his mentor being injured had him wide awake in no time. The others were also informed and Metz booked them the next flight to New York immediately after Dante requested to see his team and in such a state, Metz couldn't refuse. He intended to call them himself anyway. Dante's injury made him think that it's time to go back to business. Their break is over.

This particular month wasn't really active or Lok, which was disappointing him but at the same time it was exactly what him and the entire team needed. His mother and sister have been overly supportive and Scarlet passed by to keep him company once in a while. The fact that he couldn't keep contact with his team was hard for him, but he embraced the silence and accepted its necessity sooner than what he would have in other occasions. This whole situation not only has worn him out, but forced him to grow more mature. He needs to be careful with his words, his choices, his movements. After all, he is the G1, which puts him in grave danger, both him and the people around him. He wound spent his nights sleeping with one eye open, fearing that someone would break in the house and harm his mother and sister. He missed Sophie and he really needed her presence, but he had to deal with it on his own and give her the time to gather her strength, just like Den, Harrison and Dante. Then there was Zhalia, his friend who he looked up to as a big sister. She was suffering right now, right at the moment when he is weeping his leg and kicking water lakes the rain created. He missed her too, he missed all the fun times with her, cause to him, no matter what her attitude towards him he would always have fun around her. To sum it up, his month passed with sleepless nights, attempts of his family to encourage him and gather the strength he needed for the time to start again, which has most likely come.

Finally after what felt like eons, a foundation's car arrived with the rest of his team already in in. Harrison was seating in the front seat beside their driver and Sophie was in the middle with Den by her right side and now with Lok by her left side.

"Hey" he greeted them as cheerfully as he could and they repeated his kind gesture. Sophie shot him a welcoming smile and locked her gaze with his day sky blue eyes, letting the glow in her eyes display how much she has missed him. He looked back at her and squeezed her hand, knowing that her look was about to darken in an instant, which indeed happened.

Den's and Harrison's expression being equally sad to Sophie's one. Despite the sadness that overtook them, Lok could make out that they have used this month given to them to get some rest, well at least more than him. He was certain that Sophie had read every book she could find more than three times and Den and Harrison were doing their best to not stay inactive during that time. Sensing that he is lightly tensed, Sophie tightened her grip in his hand and intertwined their fingers. She knew very well how scared he was about his safety, but mostly about his family and because Metz forbid them to communicate for a while –for their own good only- he had to go through this all by himself. But now their break has come to an end. She is here and she needs him to know that. A small sheepish smile on his lips managed to ensure her about it.

The way to the Foundation's hospital of New York was silent with the Fear brothers constantly opening up some topics about what they were doing during this month and Sophie with Lok adding their own activities at times, trying to keep the conversation as pleasant as possible.

When they arrived, their driver led them to the room their mentor was and irony hit them hard, room 998 of New York's Foundation Hospital. Den even let out a chuckle which gave this irony a sound, a melody. They entered the room as noiselessly as they could and found Metz and Carter at the side of a shirtless and bandaged Dante, his eyes cried out and exhaustion being crystal clear at the black circles under his eyes. However, he greeted them with a warm, welcoming smile and his usual manners.

"Hello team" he now placed his greeting in sound attire with a smooth yet hoarse and exhausted tone.

"Hey Dante, how are you feeling?" Lok was the first one to ask as the team took their seats in the white armchairs forming a circle around Dante's hospital bed.

"I am doing better Lok, how was your month?"

"Remarkably inactivate" Sophie replied in behalf of them all earning a weak chuckle from Dante.

"I can only imagine" he replied

"How about you Dante?" Den asked his mentor, causing him to direct his attention to him "How did this happen to you?"

"Yeah Metz told us you had some kind of nightmare and that you woke up with these scars" Harrison pointed out the already known event to them and caused Dante's gaze to harden upon recalling his so called dream.

"I will explain everything, at least everything I know, but first Metz has an announcement to make" he said and automatically gave the spotlight to his own mentor who gathered all the attentive gazes and also, Dante shot Carter a meaningful glance, indicating that this announcement is about to affect him somehow. The middle aged seeker shallowed hard, expecting bad news, and in fact the news Metz has for them is far from good from his own point of view. After Metz earned a nob from Dante as a permission to speak, he cleared his throat and wore his best smile.

"Well Huntik team, during your little break, Dante gave me a detailed report about your process and after some thinking, I conclude it that you need to use every source of information to get to know your enemies or obstacles. Which is why, when Dante fully recovers, you will be flying to Canada to meet Elissa Range, known to you as Eliss Cole"

A/N: Hello everyone! How are all my beautiful bubbles doing? I apologize for taking so long to update, you have evry right to unleash your shark pet on me...

I know this chapter had a lot of drama and probably gave your pc/phone/tablet diabetes...i think there is sugar and tears leaking from my screen...sorry if i overdid it...a little...but just imagine how much i have tortured them, i believe they deserve a moment of love...you can freely squeal!

This time, there won't be many questions... First, does the foundation have any idea they are working with a forbidden mage? Do you think Tanaka is planning something? Did he pass by Daniel in Japan? Are they working together? Will Brooklyn's and Zhalia's escape plan (which is not full here) work? Will Brooklyn manage to escape and get to the Huntik team? Will there be complications...? Also...Eirini is my Greek name ^.^...what do you think of our three mages and Eirini Nephelou? Do you agree that magic is neutral and that it's closer to humans than what we think it is? Will Dante and Zhalia manage to meet in their dreams again? Will Brooklyn manage to steal the titans? How will the meeting with Eliss Cole go and how will Carter react?

We'll find out, but until then, let your imagination free to guess... Your opinion in a review or pm would be a great help and appreciated!

Thank you for your patience and support. It means a lot. I am sorry if i don't keep up with some stories...university starts soon!

But anyways, never forget to smile and stay awesome!
Lot's all love to all my beautiful Authors and guests by Irene Rays