Told ya it'd be up soon. Okay, we're almost to the last chapter. -tear- Only two more to go. Can you believe we've made it this far?? It's kinda bittersweet huh?

But anways, A lot, let me repeat, A LOT of information in this chapter which will be important soon. So read carefully.

Hope you enjoy! (I own nothing)

HSW

Sealed In Stone

Chapter 14: Only Until Then

The divide was a baron land, all plant and animal inhabitants that crossed died if they were not tainted with dark matter. Fae could pass freely because they all had darkness in their core, there were theories to why this was, but only the truly ancient Fae knew the truth and they were in a realm only the Fae of the highest noble line could enter. Mina had never been, she knew her Father had, her mother too when she became a Fae. She knew her brothers would, and perhaps so would she if she was ever to take a throne and regain her blood rights.

"What happened?" Sarah asked a hand reaching her mouth as the horses stopped.

"The first Fae to perish was not burned, for we did not know that is what had to be done. When the darkness took form it fled to its realm, there was no passage between the two realms here. So he made one. This is the passage." Mina said, her hands gripping the reigns tightly.

"When he opened the passage there was a great explosion of power, That power destroyed everything that used to be on this strip." Jareth continued.

Mina pulled something out of one of the bags on her horse and handed it to Sarah. She unrolled the parchment and studied it.

Mina pointed to the blank part on the map, "That is the Divide."

The areas around it were green and looked alive, while this part was blank, with only a few black lines to show mountains or dried river beds, that area let to one of blackness. Pure blackness.

Mina pointed to where the black and green places collided.

"War Zones."

Sarah looked up at the area then back down at the map, taking a deep breath and shaking her head, "Why isn't this area protected?"

"It is, the horses cannot pass until a noble," She looked at Jareth who had his eyes closed, "Lowers the wall."

Soon the ground shook slightly and the air in front of them seemed to shake, disturbed. It lowered and they passed through. The air rose again and with a loud boom and they knew there was no turning back. As they rode, they were basically silent until Mina started humming.

Jareth glanced at her, "Mina." he said sternly.

"Hm? Sorry."

"What were you humming?" Sarah asked beside her.

"Shin'a'in Warsong. It is said to be the words of the Commander of the first battle between the Dark matter and the Fae."

"Really?"

"Our family is mentioned in it." Mina said smiling, "Children of the Hawk."

"Children of the Hawk?" Sarah asked confused.

"Every noble family has an animal they are bonded with, ours is the Hawk. That is why we all can transform into some kind of bird. Dad can transform into a Barn Owl, My eldest brother can transform into a Hawk, I can transform into a Falcon, Toby can turn into an Eagle, and Cassius, my youngest brother, can turn into a Black Shouldered Kite."

"You can transform into a Falcon?"

Mina nodded, "Well I used to be able to."

"What can your Grandfather transform into?"

"A Hawk, The Sons that can transform into Hawks are destined to rule in the Main City. Only the children of our family can transform that's why Grandmother cannot, for even though she has our name she cannot transform."

"At all?"

"No, she transforms into a Panther." Jareth answered.

Jareth and Mina had a shared moment of memories that they quickly shook off.

They reached the enterance to the land of Dark Matter a few hours later, "We go on foot from here." Mina said dismounting her horse, and patting its neck lovingly. It nudged her, returning the affection.

"Be careful, princess." he whispered.

"I will, Joker." she whispered back before she kissed its nose stepped back. The horses bowed to them, then turned and ran back the other way.

Mina turned around to the gates slowly, The large iron gates looked ominous, they slightly frightened Mina who had reached out for her fathers hand.

Jareth squeezed it slightly before stepping in front of them, "Lets get this over with."

Mina nodded and followed, Sarah behind her, Gryphon walking behind them.

As they stepped into the kingdom, Jareth and Mina both dropped to their knees in pain.

"What? What is it?"

"The darkness inside them is reacting to the area around us."

"Are they going to be alright?" Sarah asked, a hand resting on Jareth's back.

Gryphon nodded, "They will recover in a moment or two."

Surely enough, about two minutes later. Mina was standing without any help, and Jareth had walked to her side.

He looked down at her, "Mina?"

"I'm fine."

"You sure?"

She nodded slowly, taking a step forward on her right foot. But it collapsed beneath her and Jareth moved to catch her. He slowly, keeping her weight mostly on him, moved in front of her, and wrapped her arms around his neck and stood to his full height. Her feet were lifted off the floor and her arms held onto him as his hands moved to support her legs.

"I will carry you until you have fully regained control." He whispered.

She rested her head against his shoulder blade, he felt her nod and heard her whisper, "Only until then."

After about ten minutes Mina was walking with a limp, favoring her right foot. They reached a large castle, the dark matter that they had heard circling in the darkness around them had not attacked.

"Why haven't we been ambushed yet?" Gryphon asked, hand on his sword ready to pull it if needed.

Gryphon watched Mina, she knew the answer. He could tell by the way she stared at the ground, but she stayed silent refusing to answer.

When they reached the door to the castle it burst open with a gust of wind. Mina covered her face with her arm, Sarah held her balanced. Jareth pulled his sword, Mina and Gryphon followed suit, Sarah drew an arrow and put it in its place as they entered the castle.