I know you guys deserve a longer update, but seeing as school's about to start back for me, I've been a little busier than usual. ^^" Review responses before we quickly get into the story.

MissFiyeraba: Thanks, that means a lot to me. :)

Oh, and did you know before I started this fanfiction that I really didn't put much faith in the A/Ns that said getting reviews lift spirits? Yeah, I've kinda done a 180 in that respect… Here we go!

I found myself in Warlic's field again, as expected. It was a beautiful day; sunny, warm, cloudless, and perfect.

It couldn't have been more mismatched to the wariness I was feeling right now, I thought grimly as I approached the two burgundy tents. I could see Nythera jabbering away at Warlic about something or other, probably about how he needed to teach her more. On that issue, however, I stood with Warlic. Nythera needed patience before she could be trusted with the magic.

Well, no more putting it off now, I thought, mentally resigned. The only thing I would be able to do is run… and I was done running.

That didn't mean that I wanted to confront Warlic's wrath, of course.

I forced my feet to take me forward, feeling more and more like my small shoes were filled with lead the closer I got. A sense of foreboding swirled over my mind, and even though I was fairly sure that it was purely a result of my overactive imagination, it didn't help any. As I approached, I could faintly make out the words Warlic was saying to Nythera; hers were much more audible due to the volume at which they were flying out her mouth like daggers in themselves. I winced as I heard some of the language she was using.

Nothing's changed there.

My hopes that I might get away clean were dashed when Nythera suddenly paused, her cyan eyes flicking over to me. Shit… I thought miserably as Warlic also turned to me. He didn't move, but something in his eyes froze over. Yup, he's mad.

"Nythera," he said quietly, his tone flat and level, "Go and get me some fire yarn from the magma caves." Warlic's voice, to an outside observer, might have seemed apathetic or dull, even bored.

But I knew better. Nythera and I both did.

What we could hear in our mentor's voice was nothing but pure, mostly-concealed white-hot anger. It made goosebumps race down my arms, and it was all I could do not to shiver. I did my best to strengthen my resolve, but my steps faltered slightly anyway. Nythera quickly left, and I knew why. There was so much tension and strain in the air that one could almost feel it crackling if they paid enough attention. I kept my gaze on my feet as I drew closer, not even daring to meet my mentor's gaze. If I were being honest… I was scared of what I would see there.

Contempt? Derision? Rage? Resentment? Disgust?

I wasn't sorry I had gone to Amityvale for the second time to confront the Necromantress; far from it. No, my fear was that Warlic would declare that I had let him down—that I had disappointed him in the worst way possible, or that I had shamed him in some way. Even the thought of failing someone I was close to was enough to make me want to just crawl into a big, dark hole in the ground and hide there forever.

I absolutely hated that feeling.

My feet brought me to a stop in front of Warlic, with me still studiously inspecting the grass. His displeasure continued rolling off him in waves as I stood there, still waiting for him to say something that would start the ball rolling.

"I don't need to tell you that I am not happy with your actions." His voice cut like a whip, and I winced. My toes were suddenly fascinating, and I kept my eyes on them. I was scared, what else was I supposed to do? Running away didn't seem like a good solution right now, and crying was unfathomable. "However…"

Strange, how that one word lifted my hopes almost painfully, making me lift my chin a little to meet Warlic's eyes a little cautiously. No, he clearly wasn't content with what I had done, that much was obvious, but now there was exasperation coloring his violet eyes and not just anger.

"… You did what you did with honorable intentions, despite what occurred," he continued, seeming almost resigned. My subconscious began to raise its head, unwinding from the tight little ball it had curled up into. "And if you do not follow through with your actions, I will not be pleased."

Follow through with my actions…? Does he mean…?

If I had a tail right now, it would most likely be tentatively wagging. I thought—just maybe, nothing concrete—that I might be forgiven. But then, nothing was ever that easy. Whoever said I take the easy road, though? Not me.

"You know what you need to do, but not how to do it," Warlic said, and it seemed to me that he was wondering exactly what he had gotten himself into. "This is where I help you."

"You know where the entrance to Death's Realm is?" I asked him carefully, not altogether sure that I was out of trouble yet. He nodded curtly.

"I will show you, then the rest of the journey is yours to complete. Though Lore only knows what trouble you'll get into along the way…" I almost bristled at the slight against my ability to evade danger (or lack thereof), but let it go. "The only way to Death's Realm—without actually dying—is a portal which only skilled magicians can access. From there, a path runs through his Realm, but walk with care, for not only the dead souls reside where you will be passing through." A chill raced down my spine at his last statement.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that monsters, ghosts, and choice undead also roam the path you will be following. It will not be an easy road."

I didn't expect anything less… I thought wryly as I nodded, absorbing his information. It almost felt normal. "Okay… how long is this path?"

"Long. There is no exact form of measurement in Death's Realm."

That helps, I thought sarcastically. Then I chastised myself almost automatically for the snarky internal comment. It actually might. Remembering that could help.

"So… When I actually get there… what the hell am I supposed to do? I know I need to find Artix, but…" I trailed off helplessly before barreling on. "I really have no clue as to how to bring him back, Warlic! Grab his dead soul or something by the scruff of the next and drag him back with me? Shake my finger at Death and say 'You've been naughty' before demanding he bring Artix back to life?"

A small smile tugged at the edges of the mage's lips, but he shook his head once. "There is one way, and one way only, to bring a human back from the dead not as a zombie, or a skeleton, or the like. There is only one way to do so and have him still retain his memories, his thoughts, and his sanity," Warlic answered simply. "And even then it is what most people would call a 'long shot'."

"Worst case, we're no worse off than we are now."

"True. Your objective is to convince Death to let Artix come back with you the way you came, and trust me when I say that will take some doing."

"W-what?" I stuttered, stunned. "What do you mean?!"

"I mean what I said," Warlic replied a little testily. "Death has to be willing to let you bring Artix back with you, or else this will not work."

"But—"

"He will require something. Not a physical object, and not necessarily an action. He could ask for the answer to a question, or he could ask for a memory. It could be almost anything."

I grew silent as this realization soaked in. "…And… if I can do whatever it is he asks… I get him back?"

"Almost. Death will then allow you to speak with Artix—or, rather, his soul—and convince him to come back with you."

"What do you mean convince Artix?! I thought Death was the one I had to convince!"

"Artix's soul may refuse to return with you," Warlic said calmly, as though this weren't a vital issue. "If that is the case, then you must return here." I was shocked into silence yet again for a long moment, frightened by the possible outcome if this went badly.

So… what he's telling me is that if I can't get past Death and persuade Artix to come back to life… then he's gone forever?

Like I said, I know you all deserve a longer update, but I haven't gotten much time to write. I'm sincerely sorry about that. However, I promise you all I'll do my best to keep them coming on a regular basis!

Let's see, for chapterly advice… when writing about romance, make sure the couple compliments each other! Not just physically, though that helps too, but mentally and in personality. And by compliment, I mean complete opposites—like on the color wheel! Green compliments purple, because they're on the opposite sides of the wheel. For instance, the happy-go-lucky Artix got paired with the antisocial pessimist Magiya. ^^ Make sense?

Now, while I make no timing promises for the next chapter, I do promise that it will be long. Long long. VERY long long.

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