In the elders private roost Ariel gathered the other Silverwing elders to talk about what to do with Ataria. After what she had heard from her son; she decided their might be a way Ataria was innocent.

"So Ariel, why have you called us?" Lucretia asked her.

"Ataria." Ariel responded.

"Yes, what about her?"

"She may be innocent after all."

Lucretia seemed to find this unbelievable, "Continue."

"My son Shade told me that before she had first come here, she had a confrontation with Cama Zotz. He told her to wipe out all who didn't follow him. She refused. My son believes that she may be possibly cursed by Zotz. Now, I know we all know what has truly happened. Ataria has become possessed. It's out of her control. We can act on this and help her."

The elders seemed to think about this for awhile. For a few moments none of them said anything. "Ariel, how can you be sure Ataria isn't lying. What if we fall right into a trap?" Aurora asked her.

"I know that girl isn't lying. I know what she has been through. She's lost a mate and an entire colony. I know the truth in her eyes. That girl would never do anything to harm anyone; she's too gentle."

"Ariel, you mustn't be deceived by her. Telling the truth she may be. But my thoughts are in the best for the colony. I will not lose any other fellow Silverwings." Lucretia told strongly.

"We must try to help her. Isn't it obvious? You all know Zotz loses power in the sun because of Nocturna. Ataria loses her power in the sun too. When the full moon shows is when she only transforms. She has all the signs of Zotz in her. We must help her. Lucretia, please, I know you can do something for her."

"Ariel, what if she isn't possessed, what if you're wrong and we doom us all. I can do something. But if we release her, we may endanger the whole forest. This risk is almost too costly to make just to help her." Lucretia told her.

"The risk is for the right thing. Whatever you can do to help her; do it far enough away so in case she escapes, she won't find us." Ariel replied.

"What we can possibly do for her is give her a spirit removal blessing. We'll take her to the Spiritwings over in the mainland forest. They are the only known bat that can do this kind of ritual. I warn you though, I've seen this once, and once was enough. What they do, I don't know, but it's honestly scary. They are very powerful bats, and aren't always the most friendly. They spend their lives in prayer to Nocturna." Lucretia told the Ariel.

"Why haven't I heard of these bats before?" Ariel asked.

"Remember, you are still a young elder. We keep things from the young for many reasons. If they knew everything the oldest of elders knew; we would have confusion. The less they know about the god's and goddesses, the better off we'll be." Lucretia told her.

"Can I at least tell my son what's going on?" Ariel asked.

"No one must know of this. Not even of loved ones. We must leave anonymously. Ariel, you'll stay behind to keep watch over the colony and tell them we are on an important meeting with the birds far away." Lucretia told her.

"I understand."

"I also have another favor to ask of you." Lucretia told her.

"Yes, what is it?"

Ariel flew down to Ataria. Lucretia had asked her to ask Ataria the unthinkable.

"Ataria dear." Ariel said softly.

Ataria slowly looked up. She looked so miserable.

"Yes." she said softly.

"I know you are innocent."

Ataria ears pricked up. "You..do?"

"Yes. But I also know that you are responsible for the killings. But it isn't your fault."

Ataria seemed puzzled.

"Ataria…you're possessed."

"What?" she asked confused.

"You've been possessed by a form of Cama Zotz. Remember when he told you to kill all who didn't follow him?"

Ataria nodded.

"We'll, you didn't have a choice. He was going to make you do it whether you even knew it or not. That's when he did something to you. A part of him is in you."

Ataria became frightened. "WHAT!"

"Shhhhhh keep quiet. The elders are going to help you, their going to take you to a group of legendary bats called Spiritwings who will perform a ritual on you to release the demon inside you."

Ataria became frozen.

"Don't worry. I know you'll be fine. But here comes the even more odd part. Before the elders can perform on you, you need to pick whether…well…

"What?"

"Ataria. I think this is the most stupid thing I've ever heard, but before they can do anything, you must pick if you want to live after the ritual or die." Ariel looked sick.

Ataria became sick too. "Pick whether I want to live or die?"

"Yes, I don't know why, but that's what the elders will ask you. You have a choice."

"I want to live of cou….

"What's the matter?"

Ataria became frozen. "Ariel, you believe that when we die, we go straight to the afterlife Nocturna had given us, where we can spend eternity with those who died like our loved ones?"

Ariel didn't understand what she was getting at. "Yes. The elders say there is a heavenly place for us bats. While there is an underworld for the Vampyrum where Zotz rules. The underworld is a terrible place."

"Why haven't I heard of this place before?"

"Elders everywhere keep these things from the colony to keep stability."

"So, you do think we go to Nocturna's afterlife?"

"Yes my dear."

Ataria froze for a moment before saying, "I want to die."

Ariel became confused, "But why?"

"Ceaser is there. I want to be with him and my colony again. I've missed him more than you can imagine."

Ariel started to understand, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

"I'm positive."

"O.k. then. You are so brave."

"When will you tell the colony what has happened?"

"The colony will not know. They can't know about this. It would cause panic and confusion."

"But…what about your son?"

"He can't know either."

"What about Chinook?"

"Chinook?"

"He's fallen in love with me in a way. He must know what has happened."

"Ataria, I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Ariel," she looked deep into her eyes, "Please, you must do this for me. He deserves to know at least what has happened to me."

Ariel gave in, "You can tell him yourself. Make sure he tells know one else what has happened."

"I want to tell Shade and Marina too. They can keep a secret."

"O.k. But don't tell anyone else."

Ariel told Marina, Shade, and Chinook to see Ataria. They flew down to her.

"Why did you want to see us?" Shade asked nervously.

"First off, I want to tell you that I'm innocent."

"Really?" Marina asked doubtfully.

"Really, yes. The elders told me I'm possessed."

"By what?" Marina asked.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that."

"I already know. Zotz."

"Yes."

"Do you know who he is?"

"Ariel told me. But I'm afraid I can't tell any of you that."

"So, you are telling the truth then?" Chinook finally said after a long moment of silence.

"Yes. The elders are going to take me to a group of Spiritwings, so they can perform a ritual on me."

"So…you're going to be o.k. then?" Chinook asked.

"Well…this isn't easy to say, but…I won't be coming back."

"What do you mean?" Shade asked.

"I mean that after the ritual, I won't be alive anymore."

"What? You can't die!" Chinook said a little too loudly.

"I know you're upset, but I want to be with Ceaser again. This is my chance to finally be reunited with him."

"But…

"I'm sorry Chinook."

Shade scooted closer to Marina, "We should let them alone."

"Agreed."

They flew away, leaving Chinook and Ataria alone.

"I know how you feel about me. I know this won't be easy for you. But, listen to me. You are a wonderful young bat. You will find an even greater love some day. Better than the one you have for me. Chinook, I really like you, but I want to be with my mate again. I know you understand."

Chinook had tears flowing down his cheeks. "I will never find a greater love."

"Yes you will. Remember Penumbra. Get to really know her, you just find that you love her back like she likes you."

"How can you be sure about this?"

"Just give it a chance."

For a moment neither of them said anything.

"The elders will be taking me soon."

"I am deeply going to miss you."

"I will miss you too. As well as Shade and Marina and all of you guys. Also, you need to make sure no one knows about what happened. All of this…never happened..o.k?"

"I understand." Chinook said wiping the tears off his face.

"Great. Trust me. Give Penumbra a chance."

"I'll try. I'll try."

"You better go, if the elders see you with me. You may get into trouble."

"Alright. Remember me."

"Of course I will. Trust me, I will, always."

Chinook flew off leaving Ataria by herself. The elders came to her.

"It's time Ataria." Lucretia told her

As they flew from Tree Haven, Ataria looked back at Tree Haven for the last time being alive. She whispered a goodbye to everyone. A goodbye to Shade, Marina, and Ariel. She whispered a special goodbye to Chinook. She looked on ahead. A sudden happiness filled her with joy.

"Ceaser, my love. I will be with you soon."

End of Chapter 11