Chapter 11
The orange hue filled the sky, the sudden appearance of the massive object in the atmosphere. Looking up, Shadow saw it clearly.
"She's summoned meteor!" Cyrus yelled out over the roar of battle.
Shadow looked down, just as Lumarisa vanished through one of her portals. It began to close immediately after she vanished, but Shadow would not let her get away. He ran full speed towards it, ducking under a soldier's wild swing and leaping through it.
"Shadow!" He heard Cyrus call after him, but he didn't look back. His vision was blinded by a bright light, and then it vanished. He found himself standing in the middle of a cavern. A few feet away from him, Lumarisa was walking away from him, her back turned, completely oblivious to her peril. Shadow moved silently and swiftly, quickly covering ground. She turned just as he was upon her. Her eyes went wide, her mouth let out a choked scream. Shadow thrust his hand against her throat, slamming her to the ground. His hand squeezing, her eyes began to bulge as the air was seemingly sucked from her lunges.
"Da... Dami..." She tried to to cry out, but found it choked off.
Shadow stared straight into her eyes as he strangled the life out of her. Slowly, her struggling began to loose strength. Shadow watched as a tear formed in the corner of her eyes, and then, they slowly slid closed. He continued to strangle her a moment, and then finally released the now lifeless shell. Standing up, he stood for a moment, and then spoke.
"And I guess you are the reason for my awakening." Shadow said, turning slowly towards the two men who had just entered into the chamber.
"You killed Lumarisa?" Damian asked, spotting to body on the floor next to Shadow.
"Seems so." Shadow said. "I see you have Cyrus with you."
"There's no sentiment in it, he's just a decent hired man. Where would yours be?"
"I left him behind, he would be of no use to me in what it to come. Besides, he is safer back in my world."
"Oh, how lovely." Damian mocked. "You care about your brother? If that is so, you are truly weaker than I am."
"Draw your weapon, and we'll find out." Shadow challenged.
"As much as I would love to do that, I have other things to tend to. There is a woman I have a long over do reunion with. Cyrus, I will go find Aerith, you take care of this pest."
Shadow froze. Aerith? Alive?
"Whatever, as long as the money is good." Cyrus said, walking towards Shadow.
"I won't let you hurt Aerith!" Shadow called after Damian.
"Then stop me." Damian said, turning and leaving the chamber.
Shadow filled with anger. Not seeing any other option, he ran at Cyrus. He would cut through him to get to Damian. If you he could just do that, he would finally see Aerith again.