Chapter 37

"I'm going to need to need all my magic for this so first we need to get out of here because I'll need to start time again," DG said, her eyes searching for a hiding spot. "Preferably somewhere these guys won't bother us."

The four began to walk quickly, Cain's eyes locked on the men caught in time above them. Raw stopped and pointed.

"Cave there, cuts deep into the ridge," he said. DG's eyes lit up.

"Perfect," she exclaimed, grabbing Wyatt's hand and pulling him along with her as she ran toward the crevice in the rock. Glitch and Raw followed closely behind.

DG eyed the opening carefully. It was narrow but passable. Turning to her side, she slid her left leg between the gap in the ridge walls. Before she could take another step, Cain grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She looked up at him in surprise.

"I go first, you behind me," he demanded, pulling her to her usual spot at his back. She rolled her eyes and tucked the onyx inside her coat before gripping his arm.

The four slid through the cave opening with little trouble and were happy to find that it widened the deeper they went. As the darkness enveloped them, DG lifted her palm and called forth the little globe of light to help guide them along the passage.

Their eyes immediately fell upon the etchings on the walls.

"The language of the ancients," Glitch murmured, his brown eyes wide.

DG felt a tingling move through her, and a sudden sense of familiarity weaved its way into her mind. She stopped as Cain lifted his arm to remove a torch that hung on the wall. Holding it before DG, she blew softly into the orb of light and magically transferred the light as the torch burst into flame. Cain winked at her and she smiled.

Glitch removed another torch from his side of the wall and took some of the flame from Cain. The two torches provided more than enough light, and DG let her orb dissipate. The four stopped and gasped.

The cave had opened up to an immense room; the walls adorned with similar markings. In the center of the room lay a circle of charred earth. DG's breath hitched in her throat, immediately understanding why she felt a sudden sense of déjà vu.

"This is it…this is where it happened before," DG whispered, her eyes transfixed upon that circle. Her friends looked curiously at her.

"What do you mean?" Wyatt asked.

"This is where she battled the Shadow Man…this is where she lost her love," DG replied, lowering her gaze, unable to look up at Cain as he'd undoubtedly be able to read the fear in her eyes.

"Great Gale," Glitch exclaimed, his eyes scanning the walls.

"Emotions linger here," Raw groaned, wincing. "So much sadness, pain, anger…" His voice trailed off in a whimper as he cowered down close to the ground. DG moved to him, placing her hand upon his shoulder.

"We need to be stronger now more than ever," she said, offering him an encouraging smile. He nodded and straightened, patting her hand.

"So what is your idea, DG? How do you plan on finding him?" Cain asked, his gun in his hand.

She sucked in a deep breath. "First thing, I need to start time. I have a feeling once I do he'll find where I am and probably have a few words for me."

Cain instinctively moved closer to her, his eyes boring into hers. She looked up at him and stared for a moment before lifting her hand and gently skimming it across the worry lines in his forehead.

"Don't worry," she whispered. He couldn't help but worry about her.

Closing her eyes she pulled back on her light from the outer reaches of the OZ, sucking it back into herself. She stumbled backwards a bit at the force of it, and Cain's arms immediately shot out to stead her. Her eyes fluttered open as a gust of wind blew around them.

In the distance they could hear the Longcoats shouting and scurrying about, most likely in search of them. She just prayed they wouldn't discover the cave opening – of course they had been camped out here for weeks since the witch's demise and probably knew every outcove and cave in the vicinity. Time was obviously of the essence.

But she didn't have to wait long. A familiar dark voice breezed through her mind.

Welcome home, princess.

Her eyes darted to Cain and he stared at her intently. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking her if he was there in her mind. She nodded once. His lips pressed into a thin line as he took her hand in his.

"Glitch, Raw, keep your eyes toward the entrance. Let me know if anyone is headed our way," Cain ordered. Glitch and Raw looked at DG and she smiled nervously at them before nodding. They moved a few steps back toward the entrance and kept their eyes peeled.

Cain turned his attention back to DG. She took another deep breath and closed her eyes.

I wondered if you'd be waiting for me, she replied in her mind.

There is something different about you, my love.

You already know what that is…my precious light has been sullied, remember? I'm no longer your virtuous princess.

No, something else, he seethed. Something…familiar.

Silence rang through her mind for a moment as another tingle of magic surged through her. She gasped.

Ah, you've been visiting with long lost family, have you not? he asked, almost mocking.

Yes, and they were bearing gifts.

So you have your precious onyx. He spoke nonchalantly, yet DG could hear fear in his words. I suppose you've come to kill me, my love? After I've promised you everything?

I already have all I'll ever need, she said, instinctively squeezing Wyatt's hand. His worried eyes searched her face as she held her silent conversation.

That pitiful excuse for a man, worn and washed out, will never give you what you deserve…

He's already given me more than I deserve.

A child? Can he give you that? He is already a father. He has already created a child out of love with another woman, a woman whom he held most dear in his heart, whose memory kept him alive all those years in that metal prison. It was Adora he truly loved, my princess. It was she who gave him the life he was proud of.

A stabbing pain of guilt shot through DG's heart at the sound of Adora's name. Her eyes stung with tears as she pulled her hand away from Wyatt and took a step away from him. He stepped toward her and she stepped away again.

He loves me, he wants to marry me, she whispered in her mind, trying to convince herself more than the monster.

You are young and vibrant, beautiful and sensual. You satisfy a need in him, that is all. He says those things to prolong the time he has with you to keep him satiated. He buried his heart with Adora. It is her he sees when he looks into his son's eyes. It is her body he is remembering when he touches you.

A tear slid down DG's cheek as she shook her head. Her shoulders slumped forward.

Suddenly she felt Cain's warm hand cup her cheek as he pressed his forehead against hers. His sweet breath washed over her face, drying her tears on the spot.

"You are my life, DG. I love you," he whispered against her face, his voice a lifeline pulling her back to her senses as if he knew what the Shadow Man was telling her.

This was real. This was what she knew to be true. Wyatt Cain loved her wholeheartedly and wanted her to be with him for the rest of his life.

No more mind games, Shadow Man, she nearly growled. I'm coming for you, and I will kill you.

A menacing snarl ripped through her mind before erupting out around her and echoing throughout the cave. Glitch and Raw turned startled. DG's eyes flew open and she fell backwards gripping her head in her hands.

Cain took one step towards her before dropping to his knees, a painful groan pouring from his lips. DG looked at him frantically as three red lines appeared across his neck, the blood already dripping. Before she could move, an invisible hand seemed to send a blow against Wyatt's face as he was thrown to the ground, startled. Suddenly he was on his back, a tight gurgling noise coming from his throat, his eyes wide in shock and horror.

Raw growled from behind DG as she watched Wyatt's back arch off the ground, his hands grabbing at his throat. His skin turned gray. He couldn't breathe.

"NO!" DG shouted, rushing to his side. She couldn't stop the tears that now fell from her eyes. Cain's eyes moved to her face, and the fear she read in them nearly undid her.

Stop this, stop, please, she pleaded in her mind.

Why should I do such a thing? the demon replied, chuckling maniacally. Cain's body writhed, his lips turning white.

DG ran her hands along the air above Wyatt's body, trying to feel the magical presence currently choking the life out of the man she loved. But she felt nothing. She lowered her head in defeat.

If you spare his life, I will come to you willingly. You can have me. Just please, let him live, she bargained.

Agreed.

Cain sucked in a deep breath as the invisible grip on his throat suddenly lifted. He gasped for air frantically, the color slowly returning to his skin. His eyes closed as he focused on breathing for a moment before they opened and met her gaze.

She laughed sorrowfully as she watched his breathing regulate and the life return to his eyes.

"DG," he choked out. "What happened?"

Her face fell as she stared down at him. "I won't let him kill you, Wyatt. I won't let your life end because of me."

Wyatt let her words sink in for a moment before his frown melted in understanding. He pushed himself up on his knees to face her, ignoring the pain in his lungs and neck, and grabbed her shoulders.

"No," he said through gritted teeth. "I won't let you do this."

She sighed. "You knew this was the only way."

"No," he said again, refusing to believe it. "We said we would face him together."

Her eyes drifted down to the gashes in his neck, the blood already drenching the collar of his shirt.

"He's too strong," she whispered.

"DG, don't do this. Don't give up now."

Glitch and Raw stood stunned in place, rooted to the stone ground.

"If I give him what he wants, he'll spare your life," she said. "That's all that matters to me now."

"If you give him what he wants, then the OZ will fall into ruin and my life isn't worth that of the entire OZ," Wyatt implored her. "Think of the Zone first, DG. You are the future queen of this realm and the people need you to fight. I need you to fight. Think about Jeb, and Azkadellia, your parents, Glitch and Raw…"

DG broke into sobs, her chin dropping to her chest as she sank back on her heels.

"I'm not strong enough," she wailed. "I'm not strong enough to lose you."

Wyatt wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her against him. His hand ran through her dark hair as she clutched his vest in her hands and sobbed against his chest.

"You're the only one who can do this, DG," he whispered against her hair. "But you're not alone. We're here with you, as we promised we would be. We will stand with you, no matter what harm may come to us. We are ready to fight along your side once more."

DG squeezed her eyes shut and quieted her sobs. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and pulled away from him, rising to her feet. He stood slowly, fighting through the physical pain he still felt. His eyes never left her face.

DG knew they had reached the point she had feared the most. The part of the plan she had kept secret from her friends. They were there prepared to fight with her, but she knew that she would have to face the Shadow Man alone, in a place where they could not follow. She would have to let him pull her back into the frozen darkness, where she would fight with her life to save all of those she loved, and the home she just got back.

To do this, though, she had to lie. Convince the Shadow Man she was giving up and coming to him willingly…convince Cain that this was the only way…convince her friends that she did not need them after all.

Turning slowly she looked one last time at Glitch and Raw, still planted in their spots staring back at her in awe. She smiled sweetly at them and Glitch's eyes brimmed with tears. Raw whimpered, crouching down to the ground as he wrapped his arms tightly around his chest.

"DG, don't give up on us," Glitch said quietly, shaking his head. "Please."

She lowered her eyes, unable to look at their sadness any longer. She turned quickly back to Cain and found his blue eyes glowing behind his tears. Something inside her chest cracked at the sight of him and she threw herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she began to frantically pepper his face with kisses. Her hands moved to his cheeks to hold his face still as her lips hungrily attacked his own.

Cain's hands wrapped around her waist as he pulled her tighter against him. His lips molded against hers, his tears dampening her cheeks.

DG suddenly rolled her hips against him, moaning as she did so, her kisses turning more passionate. She ran her tongue along his bottom lip, sucking and biting it gently between her teeth. Cain's eyes flew open as he watched her face, her sudden change in behavior almost frightening him. Her hands slid down his back and grabbed his hips, pulling him against her tighter as she rolled her hips once more. He gasped, pulling away from her kiss as her hands moved quickly to his chest, raking her fingernails through the material of his shirt.

"What are you doing?" he asked breathlessly.

She opened her eyes and stared up at him. "I love you, Wyatt. Always have. Always will."

Cain's eyes widened as he suddenly realized what she was doing. He tried to step away from her but she latched herself on to his body with the tightest embrace her small form could muster. Her lips tried to meet his again but he turned his head to avoid her, stumbling backwards until his feet crunched on something strange. Charred earth.

They were inside the circle at the center of the cave, and DG opened her eyes once more. He looked down at her in horror, shaking his head.

Please don't leave me, DG, he begged in his mind. She smiled back at him.

This is how it has to be…I'm sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me for this. She trailed her fingertips along his jaw before lowering her hand to his chest and flattening her palm over his rapidly beating heart. I'll always be with you.

Sadness and remorse washed over him as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. She lifted her face to his and he slowly lowered his head to meet her halfway. Their eyes remained opened as he grazed his nose against hers. Gently he placed his lips on the tip of her nose before dipping his head lower to capture her lips in a fierce, yet passionate kiss. He poured all the love he had for her in that kiss, and she reciprocated.

DG could feel the icy chill begin to creep through her body, a reminder that her enemy still lurked within her. Her fingertips turned frozen, and Cain could feel the coldness through the front of his shirt where her hands still rested over his heart. He pulled out of the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers.

"I love you, DG," he whispered, his eyes remaining locked on hers.

DG suddenly gasped and her body went rigid. Her eyes widened in horror as her form froze in Cain's arms. Cain's throat tightened with emotion as her skin turned to ice and her legs gave out beneath her. He fell to his knees, the woman he loved limp in his arms, the light draining from her eyes as she stared up at him.

The loss he felt was overwhelming, crushing his soul along with his heart. He stared down at her lifeless body before he felt the dam break.

Throwing his head back, he screamed, clutching her cold body against his chest. His cry of mourning echoed throughout the cave.

Glitch slowly lowered himself to the ground, his tears streaming down his pale cheeks as he watched the scene before him. Raw's body shook with sobs beside him, and he put his arm around the viewer's shoulders.

Cain's chest ached as he felt his heart shatter. He lowered his face into her hair, the frozen strands scratching his skin, and he began to rock back and forth. He tightened his arms around her, burying her face deeper into his chest as he instinctively tried to warm her, knowing somewhere in his crazed mind that it would do no good. She was lost to him, gone to a place where he could not follow. Even his mind seemed to echo with silence as he could no longer hear her thoughts.

With one last shred of hope he prayed for the chance that she could make it back. She could defeat the demon and make it back to him.

He would hold on to that hope for as long as he could before he had no choice but to succumb to the darkness as well.