Ok, I'm posting this early because I'll be too busy the next couple of days to post, and I don't want to make it late. As for review replies, I will be leaving those until next week's chapter because I am too tired to do much of anything tonight. LOL Lazy spell? Well, after running around all day, sure, you can call it that. LOL. Hope you like this next chapter, and again, I'll reply to reviews next chapter.
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(Kendra's POV)
Clearing my throat, I closed my eyes as I walked along the cave to the entrance. With a wince, I stopped and looked down at my soaked dress, grabbing a handful of my skirt and twisting it as tightly as I could to wring out the water. It didn't help much, and dropping the skirt, I stood by the entrance to the cave.
It wasn't easy, staying under the water that long. I knew that Tori fell behind a few times. I could sense when her energy faded a little and looked over my shoulder. Those were the times I took quick breathers. It was difficult, yes, there was only the slightest space for oxygen in that tunnel.
Looking out over the dark forest looming just in front of me, I frowned, worried about the dragons back in the cave. Sure, they were spirits and couldn't be physically harmed, but every day they grew weaker. They needed to bond with their human halves, and soon.
And the boys, they didn't even know what was coming. They didn't know the full dreams, they didn't know the trials they'd have to go through.
The Haunted Forest was just part of it. The beginning. They'd have to make it through, to the other side and the cavern where the dragon spirits dwelled, but that was the easy part. There were…things, that lived in the woods. I never really understood it, to be honest, but it was like they were there as testing.
"I don't wanna go there." I muttered under my breath, closing my eyes and forcing back the memories of what I went through. It wasn't that bad, I guess, but I still didn't want to remember it.
Hearing splashing behind me, I turned and awkwardly made my way to the pool as three people surfaced.
Wait…. Frowning, I waited for the others to surface as well, but they didn't. Only three?
Hearing them talking for a while, I got pretty much who was who. Tori had brought Hunter and Shane. So where were Cam, Dustin and Blake? I was about to ask, but Hunter shot me a look as he and Shane swam towards me, and Tori took a deep breath before diving back under.
What's weird was that I could swear that every time she did that, I felt a rush of energy. It was hard to explain, but I got the distinct feeling there was something I didn't know.
As Shane and Hunter both waded out of the water, they looked at me briefly, Hunter's eyes narrowed and full of mistrust, before looking past me to the forest. Their reactions were more or less what I expected.
Shane looked confused and a little annoyed. Maybe it was because he was expecting something else, I don't know. I watched silently though as he glanced briefly out of the corner of his eye, his look turning more concerned when he noticed Hunter's reaction.
Then again, that I expected, too. As he took in the forest, his face became noticeably pale and drawn as his eyes widened a bit. I also noticed a barely hidden shiver as he quickly looked back to the pool, his eyes catching mine before he turned away. I knew he was remembering the dreams, that they were haunting him and I felt myself soften towards him, a little.
Silently we waited for the others to arrive, and not too long after, Tori brought Dustin and Cam. Once again I felt that energy rush before she dove back under and I knew that the last trip would be her and Blake.
"So, what can you tell us about the haunted forest?" Cam asked curiously as he eyed the dark woods just outside the cave entrance.
Facing the dark forest, my mind flashed to the…things, that lived there. Part of me was a little worried about bringing them here. What if they couldn't handle it? Grinning a little dryly to myself, knowing they couldn't see it, I recalled that I had made it through. If I could make it through, so can they. Giving only a second of thought to his question, I rolled my eyes. Always eager to learn, but not all of you are here yet. "It's a forest, and it's haunted." I deadpanned pointedly.
"Enough of your smart-aleck attitude." Hunter warned lowly, and I could feel his glare against my back. "I'm not going any farther without answers."
"And do you plan to explain it again for your brother, when he gets here?" I questioned idly without turning around. My eyes caught sight of a grey clothed figure almost floating through the woods, in the distance, but I knew it was no threat. I also knew the others wouldn't have seen it, since my vision was enhanced by my dragon blood.
Hearing no more questions, I knew they caught on to what I was trying to point out. I would explain what I could, but not until they were all here. I didn't want to repeat myself.
Luckily, we didn't have too long to wait. I stayed away from the guys, feeling a little hurt at Hunter's lack of trust in me. Then again, I did push him off a cliff. Still, I gave them time to themselves and listened as they chatted.
"So we're here. Hunter, is there anything you can remember from your dreams?" Cam asked quietly, still on his quest for information.
I could feel his eyes boring into my back but the sensation faded and I heard a rustling. I wasn't facing them, but was fairly certain he was pacing.
"Not much." He replied lowly. "It was dark, there were…" He seemed to hesitate for a moment before seemingly shrugging and continuing. "Voices. I didn't recognize them and couldn't make out what they were saying."
For a moment I debated on either butting in at that moment, and more or less giving up the fact that I had been listening, with my own knowledge, or staying quiet and listening on. Voices? I had a good idea what he was talking about. Probably some of the more…friendlier things living in this place.
"Other than that…." He trailed off and I guessed he was finished.
"Ok, so generally, we have no clue what we're going to face." Shane muttered disapprovingly.
All of a sudden, there was a splash and gasping sounds. Spinning in place, I watched as a rather pale Tori swam to the shore with Blake at her side. That was the last of them, once they were rested up we could continue.
And we'd have to hurry.
Closing my eyes, I felt a dark energy nearing the forbidden crystal on a small island a ways away from Blue Bay. The crystal was forbidden because it housed a corrupted dragon clan spirit inside, and it was the very same crystal from my dreams. There were….measures to protect it from the wrong hands, but if my visions were true, the dark force would get past them.
"We're all here now." Cam stated loudly.
Turning back to them, I noted the grim looks on all their faces, and how Blake's eyes widened briefly as he looked beyond me, to the forest.
"So, mind telling us what's going on?" Shane finished firmly as everyone sat down in a circle.
I knew they wouldn't go any further without some sort of explanation, so with a sigh, I stood at the entrance to the cave, feeling unwanted in their group by the energy Hunter was giving off and the wary natures of all the others.
"We don't have much time, and it's a long story. I'll tell you what I can." I started as I let my eyes fall closed again.
Hope you liked it. I struggled for a bit with this scene because of writer's block. My own fault for being glued to facebook. LOL. Social chat, I'm a sucker for it. LOL
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"So, you finally managed to do something right."
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R R please.
Thank you.
Tenshi
