Disclosure The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
A/n I will try to write this one more often. For now a refresher. I am deleting a few of the stories. Check on the notices. I must say I love this story. A long chapter, Happy Holidays.
Recap
Elizabeth, a gifted princess from a far realm, was kidnapped when she was young. Q Her mother and brother were wounded during the kidnap; the only one who can save them is Elizabeth. It would seem the kidnapper was a prince who brought her to hide in this world. The Bennet adopted her; but Mrs. Bennet made her life miserable.
William Darcy looks human, but he is also a Shadow Dweller. His kind likes to drink blood for different reasons, during lovemaking and war or fights whenever blood is spilled. Blood is like an energy -well being drink, and also creates enhanced feelings during love making.
He is two beings in one. It seems there are ongoing conflicts in both Lizzie's and our world that must be resolved. Aunt Catherine is a Shadow Dweller who enjoys drinking blood all the time; she was born twisted. She is the daughter of a powerful demon looking being, and she uses her powers to enslave humans; she sees humans are cattle. Her daughter Anne, the daughter of a wicked creature, is a weak person. They managed to ensnared Jane, while Mrs. Bennet hosted them, unwisely.
After a courting of sorts and ongoing conflict, fighting Aunt Catherine's cohorts, one is , Lizzie and Darcy finally married. Her mother is a powerful healer who is dying in their world. Lizzie, who now knows who she is, can save her. Since she met William, several friends have found their second natures and joined the battle. Mr. Hurst and his cousins, Albert, Tobias and Toni, are feline-type-being warriors called Hunters. They carry swords that have a spirit inside them; they as many others are discovering hidden talents. Elizabeth's gifts make it happen.
Lizzie and William have just married; and William finally accepted to be king of his people. He did it to activate additional powers and knowledge needed to defeat Catherine. During the ceremony, rescuers came to both free Catherine and Anne, to kidnap Elizabeth, whose powers are without equal. One of was Catherine's father, a king from another realm. He is not 'bad,' but made mistakes during an old battle.
Lizzie, now married, can now cross the gates between realms; is coming to heal her dying mother and brother. But must wait until her next birthday to allow others easy passage. Catherine is a prisoner in Pemberley with Anne her daughter. She has powerful allies wanting to take over this world, and some wishing to take Elizabeth to control her parents, powerful rulers.
Crossing Realms- The Enemy
Darcy
As soon as we are about to enter Ian says, "But sir, someone is coming to break your aunt. They are coming with many." He touches my arm.
"How do you know?" I look at young Ian, my voice sounds sharp, I am bit annoyed he didn't tell me before.
"A Zeril or something like it sent you the message. He talked inside my head. He wants you to tell your people to let him help. He was the one in the dark, wanting Miss Elizabeth. He says they cannot take Catherine, because she will destroy this world. I tried to tell you before." Ian looks at me, afraid I am mad.
I thank him, apologizing for not listening and scream to Richard. He runs, I am already repeating what Ian said. "Let those demons, or whatever they are, help to stop many that are coming. Be in full alert. Have everyone ready, go. Make sure Aunt Catherine is chained; you know how."
Lizzie and whoeve wait by the newly open door; we go towards them. We won't be able to stay long because of this new emergency, damn my aunt. She is a liability, she is absolutely rotten; my uncle was right, she needs to die.
As I approach, I see the odd-looking sky. The place has clear walls and no apparent ceiling. We are in the middle of a forest, it seems. I don't see furniture, or what I am used to seeing. There are bed like seats along several walls. Clear surfaces over unseen pillars are laden with local fruit, or it looks like it. Small dishes are filled with delicacies. I can hear music all around, but I don't see musicians.
I see Lizzie, surrounded by tall males. All share the same physique, slender, broader shoulders, long colorless hair down their backs, but for colored strands, braided and tied with intricate knots. They must have wings, but I don't see them, since they all wear cloaks tied on the neck. They have concentrators of the size of guns slung on their side, along with bows, arrows, and all sorts of swords and the such. They are a walking arsenal. They all have Alms, like mine. Alms are raised-round-marks above our right or left brow.
Her father and one who must be his twin are twirling her, passing her from one to another as if she were a baby. Her brother is doing the same. Reggie and Louisa mouths are open, same as Lady Toni's. But nobody is as amazed as Ian. He is looking around from side to side; his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Reggie and Toni change into their Hunter form; everyone is looking at us. They haven's seen my kind out in the light, but the place is shady, and something changed on us. Though in shadow form, I cannot tolerate bright sunlight.
Lizzie comes holding hands with the twins, followed by the three new drags, kissing her feet, growling, snapping, and fighting for her attention. Queen Cleo snaps at them; great, they like to fight. Other small animals have appeared, following her. I roll my eyes, wondering how many pets will be enough. The thought of seven drags, makes my stomach queasy. Though I think it is unavoidable. Maybe the others are not animals; they walk in two feet, but mostly fly. The twins notice my concern and snicker.
Her father waits with his brother to meet me. They look exactly alike, their colorless hair is slightly different; they have colored strands. But the colors are hard to define.
"Son, finally, we meet you," I look from one to the other before they hug me.
Lizzie is laughing, "I forgot, I was a little young, I have two fathers. That was T'ik's problem, his cousin chose another cousin to marry their bride. He wasn't a twin, but not everyone had a twin, or marry the same bride."
Toni looks at T'ik curiously; he won't look at her. He needs to tell her a few facts. Someone like Toni, will have many suitors. Even if T'ik unites with her, he will need to choose someone else, mostly for her protection. T'ik explained it to me, and worries she will not like it. I already see many males admiring both Toni and Lizzie. Lizzie already asked me; I am not against it.
I understand them, but they speak something different, I noticed it is not English.
"In what language are you speaking?" I ask.
"Ours, we share a common language. While in here you will understand our language, for now, that will be enough. We can make it permanent, with an Alm modifier. For those without an Alm, we have solutions. Please feel welcome. We have...wait, " Lizzie's father looks at me.
"What?" I ask a little alarmed.
"Your Alm, you are a Shadow Dweller, but you are also from Z'riel's people before the fall. A small group did not follow him, only a couple hundred. They went thru portals, some females and a few males. You probably have gifts unknown to you, interesting. My wife was right, my daughter is special. We thought Hunters were extinct, gone, and you bring them here, along with Dragon people. Now, you can come, but T'ik should stay with our guests. My wife is fading fast. At least the time went fast. Our times goes a lot slower, only a few months gone by here."
Lizzie only has eyes for the drags and other smaller somethings. They are what? The size of a young child, with furry faces, fancily dressed. Two females have kissed Lizzie many times; I see they also fly.
"They are, hmm, Bearlings. They were my nannies. They are fierce." Lizzie says, not, looking at me. She is planning to bring them, oh dear.
Now the walls are lined with warriors, male and female. They all smile, looking at Lizzie.
There are two raised platforms; on one, a carbon copy of my Lizzie lies down, but she is skinny. On the other bed, a twin to her brother Re'jl lies down. By the bed, a beautiful female sits holding the hand of Lizzie's brother. Her pretty face is fraught with worry. She looks at Lizzie surprised, wondering who is she.
Lizzie runs to her mother, gods Lizzie is so beautiful she takes my breath away. She makes me forget I might be part demon. What if she starts disliking me. I wonder if Richard is like me, or is this a new thing from the Darcy family side? I would think it is from the Fitzwilliams, hence Aunt Catherine.
Lizzie
"Mama," I say; I sit on the bed and lay my head next to her. I remember, she fought trying to protect me. Now I recall correctly, T'ik was there, but others with masks came; they were right behind him. Maybe he saved me, but instead of waiting, he ran with me. I know my bothers' promised, her name sounds like Nehle, in French. Re'jl is telling her it is me, how I grew up, fast, somewhere else. She smiles, faintly. I notice she has been crying.
"Mama, I am back; I am little older." I hear some chuckles. "Can you hear me?" I raise my head and kiss her cheek. She is cold, almost gone. I sit up and see the bandages. "What happened?"
"Poisoned arrows, one poison that can kill us. Only a few things do, and that is one. It doesn't heal, it eats them inside. Your mother could heal herself, but she is badly injured. Other relatives have tried, to no avail."
"I see, can you take off the bandages so I can look." I ask.
I am not prepared to see her wound; the skin is dark all around, smells putrid, and is festering. I think I see bugs. I explained to those around me.
"Darling, those are not animals; you see the insides boiling around. That is what you see." My other father says.
I stand and put my hands right above. Now I can see what is going on. I move my hands up.
The Reunion
William stood near his wife. She looked up, "William, bring Louisa, I remember what was said of her fire. I will try, but the damage is great. Maybe she can help me clean it up, take all the poison out. She can burn it, and I can repair the damage."
William nodded, but one of the fathers told him, "Stay, I bring Lo'si. Sorry your names are difficult."
While he went out, William looked at the festering gap. He agreed with Lizzie, there was something moving, maybe others couldn't see it.
Darcy
When I am Shadow, my nails are more like claws. I never done something like this, but it feels right. I move and dip my claws in the open wound. I notice my nails are bright red, like steel in a forge. My hand is unusually hot. I fell hardness, like roots. It should not be there. Louisa is by us, but I haven't seen her. They wait. With my nails, I slice whatever is there and pull.
I hear a scream. I look at my hand; whatever I grabbed looks like living roots; it is moving. Louisa breathes the blue flames, and whatever burns to a crisp. Louisa keeps blowing licks of blue fire, while Lizzie's hands glow. A nasty smelling fluid seeps out the wound. Already starting to close. I still don't understand what happened. My hands look normal.
I move by Lizzie's brother. He is wounded in several places. I look, and see what Lizzie saw partially. Not quite an animal, but a living something has grown, creating more poison; that is the problem. I do the same, while others watch. Lizzie and Louisa repeat what they did with Lizzie's mother. The question is how we knew what to do. I hear someone talking, Lizzie's mother.
"My child, you wake up hidden talents on others, I do that, but not like this. I dreamed and saw you growing up; poor child, you had such a hard life. I saw your tears, but when she raised her hand to you, I despaired. Seeing our precious child beaten was the worse. The one who treated you badly will be punished." After she speaks, I hear angry sounds all around. Mrs. Bennet better hides well; otherwise I wouldn't want to be in her place.
I am waking up from wherever I was at. I am still looking at my hands; I feel odd. What the mother said was true. We saw Lizzie's sad memories, but her goodness didn't suffer.
King of Shadows- record 1010011...Ano Domini...
Homecoming
Lizzie's fathers held their wife, crying, grateful she was back. She was still weak, but healing. Lizzie's brother tried to stand up, falling back. The news must have spread because the area outside of the enclosure was filling up.
Lizzie held her brother, who asked, "Are you my mother's relative?" Making everyone laugh.
His other brother explained what happened. He couldn't believe their baby sister had grown up. But when he found out T'ik was behind the entire affair, "The idiot, I want to end his life."
Lizzie said, "No, all is well, much good came out out of it." She explained to them about her husband's people and much more; now she remembered, others followed T'ik; he fought them; true he ran away with her; but Lizzie wanted him forgiven.
Lizzie's father asked William, "Are you well?"
"Not sure, I have never done this. Why could I see what was inside? My hands felt on fire," William looked at his hands.
"Not unusual, I told you about dormant gifts. My daughter must have awoken one. The 'fire' hands are those of Z'riel's people's. Nobody saw anything there, but you saw thru the darkness created by evil. Thank you, son. Your hands can cut thru anything, good and evil." The father's words worried William, but he wasn't sure why.
The father turned to Louisa, "If you and your husband wish to stay, you would be welcome. We could change you enough to grant you a much longer life; think about it. For now," he said something to one of the small creatures because she, a female, dropped a pouch on his hands, "Please accept this. Thanks, the three of you saved my beloved, our beloved wife." His brother nodded.
Louisa curtsied, blushing. "Thanks, my Lord." She took the pouch and put it away.
It was agreed that whatever was inside the wounded was new and concerning. But for now, sounds of jubilation could be heard all over the place. Darcy explained they had to leave immediately because of the imminent threat. Lizzie promised she would be back soon, and in a few weeks, the portals would open, enabling time to run synchronized, granting free access to those allowed.
"Ian, you stay here; T'ik needs to see his parents. You can meet others like you there." William told him.
"No sir, I go with you; you need me. I will be back." Ian answered. William grinned at his loyalty.
Reggie and Toni wanted to go back. They heard about the imminent attack. T'ik offered to bring her back, but he wouldn't stay. Lizzie's father offered weapons, demanding T'ik to help. He could see his father later. T'ik nodded, still afraid for the punishment sure to come.
To William's dismay, the three new drags, followed their mistress. Lizzie's parents looked amused. "Poor Lizzie's husband, four nasty drags ." The mother said.
The brother corrected her, "He already had three, now seven."
They all laughed when they heard, "Darling, maybe they should wait here." William asked Lizzie, and Lizzie didn't answer.
The Bearlings were crying, begging to be allowed to go with Lizzie. Lizzie whispered something to them. William tried to listen to no avail, cringing when Lizzie looked at him harshly.
William looked the other way. Lizzie said, "I will bring them back, as soon as I figure out how to disguise them; they will be the nannies of any babies we might have."
Lizzie's bothers couldn't stop laughing looking at their new brother's worried face. William said nothing, hoping Lizzie would change her mind; well knowing she wouldn't, who knew what other darlings she had. And yet, William could never deny Lizzie anything; he was the same than her family; there was, only one Lizzie. To think he deemed her not good enough, what a laugh.
Pemberley
As soon as we are back, I notice it is after 12:00, time runs faster here. We hurry, the drags turn into dogs as commanded by Queen Cleo; I love the girl, now that we are friends. Maybe she will keep the drags in-check. A horrible thought crosses my mind; the chains holding Catherine are possibly cut. She must also have the claws, "I must fly, Lizzie come, everyone get ready we are in danger. Darling keep a reign of your boys."
She giggles, "With Cleo, two girls, two boys."
"Hopefully, no pups anytime soon." I wish my father was back. I know he wanted to give up being a king, but I want him back, and wish for George's father as well. If anybody can deal with drags is the two of them; I love them, but they try my good will.
She agrees, "They are not staying, they just walked us here. I think seven are too many. I promised them we will visit."
I think quickly, "We can use their help today; they can stay for now." I know it is unwise, but we will have a blood bath. I can use their assistance; but I hope I don't regret it.
"Reggie, Louisa stays down here; please bring Lizzie's sisters. Let's go, " T'ik picks up Toni; and I pick up Ian. Lizzie orders her drags.
When we arrive, nobody is there yet. Richard greets us, "I have awful news, " I tell him, "let's go and see Aunt Catherine. We need to have drags with her." I have no time to explain.
On our way there, my drags greet us; when they see the newcomers, they go crazy. Drags like their kind; right now, there must be over a dozen or more here. For once, I am glad. Queen Cleo barks her commands, and they fly together.
As we fly, I tell Richard of our ancestors. Whereas I expect horror, what he says amazes me. "Once that happened to me, in the Army. I thought I was mad. I saved my entire company; they said a dark angel defended them. I don't remember, I must have blacked out. What I remember was pulling bullets with my bare hands. My nails glowed like fire. Nobody lost legs or arms. It never happened again. We should learn more; maybe we can end our aunt."
"With the nails, Aunt Catherine might be able to cut thru the chains; let's hurry. Are our demon brethren here?" I don't see any around.
"Nobody yet." Richard confirms.
"I can make a light chain, let's go, " Lizzie flies by me and kisses my mouth, not a chaste kiss. It sets me on fire; I nearly growl, though she feigns it was nothing. She used her powers to disguise our kiss. I like her playfulness, though it makes me wish for our bed.
We barely make it to the guarded room before Aunt Catherine is just done cutting her chains. We can not keep her subdued; there is much we need to learn. I guess she already knows that. She is cutting Anne's chains. Anne is a weakling; thank goodness for that.
Lizzie points her hands, sending a cocoon of light enveloping the two of them. I just want to make sure it will hold. Ian screams, "There, in the corner, I see shadows growing."
I hear a voice inside, "They are in, not sure how, grant us passage, order, or open a couple windows. There is a small army of them; too many for you. Your aunt must have told them how to come. She must know of portals, entrances, unknown to you." It must be Z'riel; I pray he is true to his words.
I yelled to whoever hears me. "They are coming in, be ready!" My heart despairs; how many will die because my aunt? My uncle was right, she is a living danger to us and maybe to humanity. I want years with my Lizzie, to raise our family and grow our love. May we be able to stop her. Lizzie holds my hand; we are ready. I run with Lizzie and open the closest windows. I kiss her deeply, hoping this is not our last kiss.
