Chapter 25

I walked along the forest path silently, my bare feet treading on the soft soil.

I was aware that I was dreaming, the sky was dark purple signaling sunset and I was again wearing the same purple dress as before. Like the other dream, it was again filled with so much fear, I spun around in circles, looking this way and that, my breathing was uneven.

I heard a voice. A cold, harsh voice from the darkness of the tress,

"you killed me."

I remembered what Richard had said before, this dream would be filled with the man I had killed to survive. I furrowed my eyebrows and wrapped my arms around myself in order to gain a shred of comfort. "I had to do it. I'm so sorry for what I did to you, it wasn't my desire to kill you. I...have to do it, to survive."

Suddenly, a figure emerged out of the darkness. I felt fear clutch my throat and a dangerous burst of so many emotions all at once. Most off all I felt pain as I looked at him with tearful eyes. Richard's sapphire eyes starred back, unmoving. He looked as white as a ghost and I realized with a cry of despair that he was.

OOO

I woke up, breathing heavily. Forcing my shut down body to heave in air, even though I didn't need it. I quickly shoved my hand in my pocket and breathed a sigh of relief when I felt the feather, still safe.

I must have been hallucinating, my mind told me that I had been dreaming, that those events couldn't possibly happen. I couldn't kill Richard, how could I? Why would I? He was everything to me, and that image in the mirror proved nothing. Whatever...or whoever was inside me, that dark shadow in my mind, wasn't going to take over, I wouldn't let it.

Was it my Gordainin heritage? Was that darkness from my ancestors bloodline? I didn't want to believe it, or the words that Xaviour had so cruelly said, but it explained everything.

A worrying thought wormed its way into my head, and I began to wonder. What if that power inside me ever got loose? As I rested on the hardwood floor, I could hear strange words being whispered in my mind. It sounded like...my voice.

Startled, I shakily began to get to my knees, my hands were trembling, and I actually felt cold. When I stood up straight I was again facing the mirror, and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that my image was normal.

Although I felt a little foolish doing it, I pointed an accusing finger at myself in the mirror "I wont let you hurt Richard. And I'm not the small little vampire you think you can over take. I'm stronger than you know, and I wont give up without a fight."

Nothing in my image wavered, or changed. Feeling satisfied when my mind became silent, and I could no longer hear or see anything unusual, I passed by the mirror.

OOO

After showering, and changing clothes I walked out of my bedroom, casually dressed. My mind however, was anything but casual.

Today was the big day, and I had only been engaged for a night. I ran the plan through my head several times, hoping that everything would run smoothly.

At exactly 6.00, when Bruce went out hunting, Gar, Wally, Victor and Karen would make a distraction. Jinx, Jade and Jericho would tell Slade that Bruce was going to the high council to announce a fake war between their two covens. While they did that and Gar and the others provided the distraction, Raven and I would go with Roy (the best male fighter apart from Richard) to free her brother.

The time was now 5, and my eyes widened. I had slept for 8 hours, in a dream that lasted for 5 minuets?

I nervously thought over what could go wrong, surly they would notice me gone, and what about the others? I had been so focused on getting out of Slade's gasp myself that I hadn't even thought about Wally and Jinx.

Would they all come with us? Would Terra's prophecy of me becoming a coven leader come true? I had never seen myself as someone of power before, as a leader. Surly Richard would be better suited to such a responsibility? But no, Terra had said me.

I walked calmly down the winding passage ways, through the cold exterior, emotionless. I picked up the sound up someone walking down the passage way and lowered my eyes just as Xaviour came round the corner. His hazel eyes connected with mine, and it seemed like for that brief moment, he was looking past me, like he knew.

His eyes narrowed, and I looked away, walking on calmly. I passed him confidently and continued down the hall, feeling anything but confident.

I finally saw Jinx's door, a pentacle was placed on her door frame marking her bedroom. The pentacle and two moons back to back was the symbol of the vampire, I starred at it for a moment before knocking.

Jinx answered quickly, her face was serious as she grabbed my arm and pulled me inside. "Its about time! Where were you?"

I shrugged and looked around, still a little shaky from the earlier events.

Jinx's room was certainly a mix of fashions. It was a dark pink color, with old seemingly ancient items dotted around her bedroom, while posters of rock bands were on the walls along with a few unicorn pictures.

Jericho paced the floor, his head down and green animal eyes starring into space. Jade sat on the plush king sized bed her black eyes watching me, as always.

"Well anyway, your here now so I want some answers."

I turned to face Jinx who had lines of worry on her face, I rose an eye brow and simply said "ask away."

She sighed heavily "I'm not being mean here but, basically all we've focused on is you. What are the rest of us supposed to do while you run away happy as Larry with Richard?"

I smiled and shook my head "don't worry about it, I have a plan. Look, Bruce should still be out hunting while me and Richard, not forgetting Raven and Roy run away. When Slade realizes its a trick, he'll order you three to come and find me. All you have to do is run off, along with Gar, Wally, Victor and Karen and we're set!"

Jinx remained skeptical, and Jade shifted on the bed, doubting my plan, Jericho just continued to pace.

"I promise not to leave a single person behind."

At that remark, they all looked up at me. Jinx smiled and nodded, and Jade did the same while Jericho still looked uneasy.

Jade then tilted her head to the side, and tapped her chin in thought "but Kori, where would we all meet up again? What if we got separated?"

I narrowed my eyes and thought for a moment, listing all the places I knew which were not too far away, yet far enough.

My eyes widened and I snapped my fingers "Bruce's mansion."

Jinx and Jade felt into a state of shook, only Jericho looked happy as he said in my head happily. "That means that we can save Terra."

I nodded, and Jade frowned "no way, its too risky, what if Bruce comes back early. And what about his other followers who aren't on our side?"

I checked my watch in nervousness, 5.30. My plan was a little shaky, but I couldn't think of anything else, and obviously no one else could either. In all honestly I had forgotten that Toni and Alain weren't on our side, perhaps they thought Bruce was a better leader, but it saddened me that they wouldn't be in our little escape group.

I slipped on my raven necklace around my neck and concentrated. Sure enough I heard Ravens voice "yes Kori?"

"Our plan may be in jeopardy if Toni and Alain interfere. Are you very sure that they wont join us?"

"Very. Its mostly Toni's decision she believes that Bruce is a stable coven leader to follow, and Alain just goes along with her choices. Not to worry though Kori, they'll be out hunting the same time as Bruce."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you Raven. See you at six, I'll meet you and Roy next to the water fall, stay hidden until I come."

"Very well."

With that said she left my mind. I inhaled and breathed out softly, still not grasping the fact that I didn't need air. "The plan is all set, if you dont trust my judgment so much Jade, perhaps you shouldn't follow my orders."

Jade narrowed her eyes, and my blood suddenly raced through my veins at the prospect of a challenge. The dark stain in my soul sickened me to the point of pain. All it wanted all the time was death, its evil force made me angry with myself. I held my self still, trying to rein in control. I decided that I would certainly seek Ravens help in controlling this...thing inside me. It was getting worse.

"I'll follow your orders Kori, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with them."

I relaxed, and tried to ignore the hiss of anger whispered in my ear from the darkness.

Jinx sighed and rubbed her arm nervously, her cat like eyes darted this way and that, like an ambush was about to happen any second. Jericho went back to pacing, and Jade lay back on the bed, bored.

I smiled. "Thank you."

The three vampires looked at me in question, and I felt happiness bubble up into my body, and tears prick my eyes.

"I've never had a friend in my life apart from my sister and brother when I was growing up. But when they died, I was left alone, and I stayed like that until I was brought into your world. I just want to say...thank you for everything. You have no idea what it means to me."

I lowered my head as I tried to hold back the tears. I felt Jinx put a hand on my shoulder

"don't be such a softie kiddo. Those humans don't know what their missing out on. Your a valuable friend to have you know, we're the lucky ones."

I raised my head in disbelief, Jinx simply smiled, and even Jade gave a small smile. Jericho nodded,

"I couldn't think of anyone better to lead us."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had first thought that my life had plummeted into darkness the moment I set foot into the vampire world. Yet it was like it was my destiny to be one.

Jinx smiled and reached into her right pocket, bringing out a four leafed clover. I starred at it in shook, before she pushed it into my hands. "For luck, and also a mind link to me, should anything go wrong."

I nodded in thanks and swallowed thickly, the happy gratitude and tears were pushed back as I delicately put the four leafed clover next to Richards feather.

I felt like I belonged here with these people, and I also felt strangely confident about my abilities as a leader. Perhaps I didn't have a clue about what I was doing, but I would learn, and already it was beginning to feel natural.

The clock chimed 6 and I tensed. The others did so as well, and I breathed out once more before walking to the door.

This was it.

OOO

The distraction was effective, but totally surprising I stood in my bedroom and my eyes widened as the whole mansion shook with a blast from the outside.

Victor had effectively smashed a hole through Slade's wall which led right into the dining hall. I could hear the other vampires rushing to the scene ready to fight, and also Gar, Vic, Wally and Karen running away through the forest to get ready for the next distraction. I then focused on Slade's location and concentrated, zeroing in on his voice as Jinx, Jade and Jericho told him of Bruce's intentions.

"What! Why on earth is this happening, now of all times!" His voice which was usually so placid, was rugged and harsh.

I smiled to myself and went to my window, before giving into my instincts and leaping out of it onto the floor. The night called to me, and I wanted to hunt but I had a job to do. I ran quickly, on alert for any nearby threats as I zigzagged through the trees to get to my destination. The waterfall.

My feet treaded softly whilst I ran, a strange sense of peace was all around me in the quiet forest, nothing like the dream I had had. I then remembered the other dream, the one involving Richard and that strange shadow who tackled him down the waterfall. After the sequence of events that had happened ever since then, I didn't think that the dream could ever come true.

I wasn't nervous, and I wasn't crying. I didn't have a purple dress, and Richard would be safe soon enough. So I put the chance of him getting hurt behind me and focused on my task. That dream had been fake, and perhaps a trick. I ran on in confidence and smiled to myself as I smelled the waterfall ahead, its invisible steam flowed through the forest right to me.

As I emerged out of the deep under growth of the woods, the roar of the water falling and hitting the rocks lay before me. The beauty of nature delayed me slightly, but it wasn't the waterfall that stopped me.

I could sense it, something was wrong.

I frowned and couldn't pinpoint the reason for my strange feeling. It was like I missed something. Or someone.

Roy and Raven walked out of the dense forest in front of me, looking alert, their faces full of worry. I ran over to them and Raven sighed in relief at the sight of me.

"Kori, we can sense something...I don't know what it is but, I don't like it. Its like there's danger ahead but no enemies to fight."

I nodded "I sensed it to, but we cant stop now. Richards hurt and we have to help him."

Roy nodded "lets hurry."

We rushed up the path to the water fall and jumped over the rocks in order to reach the fall of powerful water. I leaped through the curtain of water first, it instantly drenched my clothes as I landed swiftly onto the other side. I pushed onwards and kept running, Raven and Roy joining me shortly after, our footsteps echoing though the tunnels.

"Richards chamber is on the right."

Ravens soft laughter surprised me, I looked at her over my shoulder

"oh we know. Gar told us."

My eyes widened and I gasped in realization. That little mouse! That had been Gar! And there I was thinking that I could magically talk to animals. I sighed at my foolishness and frowned when I remembered that I hadn't known it was Gar at all.

Raven read my thoughts and smiled "don't feel bad, its impossible to tell Gar apart from a normal animal. He traced Richards scent and came here before you, but he couldn't get the door open."

I grumbled to myself in annoyance "he could have told me who he was."

We came to the split in the passageway, and I stopped running. Roy and Raven stopped behind me, but I could tell that they were impatient to get to Richard. I was too but something was bothering me. I had yet to find out what was down that left passage way, apart from the high councils two vampires.

I turned to face Raven "I'm going to see what's down that passage way."

Raven shook her head "you cant Kori, we need you to open the door."

I sighed and looked down the unknown passage. Either way I was hurting Richard even more by just standing there. I decided to see what was down the left passage on the way back.

I quickly turned towards the right passage and sprinted down it, immediately feeling that feeling again. I felt a tidal wave of fear wash over me. No...He has to be in there I thought desperately.

I came to the gothic door and bent down to the lock.

The others caught up with me and I heard Raven gasp. "Kori how on earth did you get in the last time? This door is sealed with an ancient power spell. It cant be broken, it says so in the Latin words."

I shrugged "I did it last time, just from the power in my voice."

I then turned back to the lock and closed my eyes, blocking out everything. I then leaned towards it and whispered "open for me, I need you to unlock."

Again the lock clattered to the floor and the door opened. I stood up but I didn't go in, I already knew he wasn't in there, but the others didn't seem to know. Roy pushed past me and Raven quietly followed him in.

I turned and walked away when I heard Ravens gasp of pain. I put my head in my hands and sighed, a deep sorrow bubbled up inside me, and I leaned against the wall.

He was gone. But where? Had he gotten loose? Surly if he had he would have waited for me?

I tried to ignore the fact that I suddenly yearned for Richard to be close. I missed him, everything about him. I pushed the heavy fall of my hair back in frustration and decided to check the room, just incase Richard had left anything.

I walked through the door way and looked in, feeling as empty as the room when I saw the chains that once held Richard captive.

"He's gone, but not taken. He escaped himself." Roy observed as he looked at the bars which were once a window, they were broken off. When I looked more closely at the chains I saw that they too were snapped as well, but I swallowed thickly when I saw the stains of his black blood.

Raven was leaning against the wall, worry radiating from her. She was on the verge of tears and I walked over to her and rested a hand on her shoulder. She gave a weak smile, and I sighed "since there's nothing here, I think there's something of great importance in the left passage way. I'll catch up with you two later."

Roy turned back to face me "we will wait for you outside, while you look in there we'll search for clues as to where Richard has disappeared to."

I nodded and walked away, worry also invading my mind.

I shoved my hand into my pocket and grabbed Richards black feather. I cried out in my mind "Richard! Where are you?"

Silence was my reply. The empty void grew, and I began to run down the corridor, just for something to do. The worry and stress was beginning to take its painful tool on me, I began to doubt Richards health. Was he alright, or had I unintentionally hurt him so much that he was...

No! He's not Kori! Stop worrying yourself I told myself sternly.

I entered the passage at a brisk pace, not caring that the other vampires had now sensed my approach. They were both male, and both grouchy at having been appointed such a boring task. Defeating them would be easy, and I rounded the corner in confidence, slowing to a walk.

The two males both were well built and had dark hair, though one had it shorter than the other. They were both dressed in a warrior style look, what with the thick protective overalls, arm bands and black cloaks. They each had a large sword in one hand.

Their color of clothes was a mix of yellow in some places and black and in others, I noticed a symbol on the center of their chests, symbolizing air. Of course I could easily sense that they had lowered their guard when they saw that I was a female. I tried not to glare at them as they looked my up and down, a suggestive glint of lust in their eyes.

I was in no mood for pleasantries, I simply waved a hand in their direction saying simply "sleep."

And they did just that, their swords dropped out of their hands and clattered to the floor. Their shocked faces suddenly calmed and they shut their eyes. After that they feel to their knees and then finally to the floor in front of me.

I smiled in satisfaction, allowing myself to feel slightly smug at my abilities. I then noticed the door behind them and stepped around them towards it.

It was in the same style as Richards door, although this time there was no Latin writing. It was also unlocked, so I pushed it open, scanning for any danger. On the other side of the door was a simple room. It was small, and lit by two torches on ether wall. In the center of the room was a table and on top of that, a black box.

I frowned in confusion, wondering why such burly guards were needed for such a small item before I walked over to it and opened it.

I smiled at the contents within.

OOO

I jumped out of the water fall, landing on the slippery rocks. I saw Raven and Roy waiting for me by the river bank close by and started making my way over to them.

"Anything?" I asked them hopefully.

"Nothing" Raven replied sadly, her tone defeated. I sighed heavily, and crossed my arms in thought. Roy looked at me "what did you find in the tunnel?"

I smiled widely, and reached behind me, pulling the object out from my belt. "This" I pulled it out proudly, and Raven, along with Roy looked at it with interest for a moment, before Raven's violet eyes widened in amazement.

"Thats...thats an immortal blade."

"I know" I smiled, and Roy reached out "may I?" He asked politely and I handed it to him, he eyed it wearily "I've heard about them but I've never seen one. They are supposed to be very rare, made from a mix of shadow wing blood and the steel necessary for wielding."

I then looked at it in fascination. The blade was black and very sharp, its handle was white, along with the strange writing that ran along the blade itself. Was shadow wing blood so special as to be made into weaponry? I was glad that they were rare, not wanting Richards species to die out just for such a stupid cause.

Roy handed it back and I looked at it for a moment before I remembered what Richard had said before

"Kori, I want you to know that if anything ever happens, if we're separated, you can find me here."

My eyes widened "no Richard!-"

He held up a hand "Its just in case, don't worry, we'll be fine. I wont let anything happen to you."

That was when were at the top of the waterfall, I hoped that he had stuck to his words and actually gone there. I decided to check for myself, just incase.

I ran up the path, weaving in and out of the rocks, jumping over some. I then looked up at the large cliff face in front of me and wondered how I would climb it. Raven and Roy appeared at my side at once.

"Kori what is it?" Raven asked.

"Richard once said that if anything happened I could find him up there." I looked at them and saw Roy's skeptical face, Raven smiled "no problem, hang on."

Immediately black leafs started encircling us, Ravens soft voice chanted strange words over and over until everything went black. I felt myself lift up in the air and I loved the feeling, it reminded me of flying with Richard.

It didn't last long though, as we touched down on the ground. The darkness disappeared and we were standing on top of the waterfall. I looked around and fell my heart plummet. He wasn't there.

I sighed, along with Raven and Roy. "Where the heck is he!" I yelled, exasperated.

"I don't know, but I think our plan has failed."

I looked down at the ground "no, it was my plan, my fault. I just wish I could have done it right, just once I wanted to do something of use."

Roy chuckled "hey don't feel bad, its Richards fault, he's the one who's disappeared."

I smiled and was about to say something back before I suddenly froze. The others felt it too, they tensed and got into positions of attack, I readied myself as the group moved closer, running our way through the forest.

Slade's coven knew where we were, and they were coming to get me.

ooo

Almost done with this story guys, dun, dun duuuun! I'd say about...hmm 3 or 4 more chapters? We'll see, but Its getting close to the grad finale I hope you liked this chapter, although it was a little boring. Believe me its going to be total drama soon! CAOS! CAOS! CAOS!

hehe please review, you know you want to! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx