*Beware:* this chapter is rather morbid and has violent content, be warned.

!Warning:! This is incredibly hard to read, and I can't figure out how to fix it right now...I've been trying for an hour. I just wanted to put it up so those that can read it and stand it might be able to read it.

I'll fix it ASAP

Bold and italics are ** instead.

*A/N:* well here you are, it took me awhile but I finally got around to it...Don't for get to thank my beta reader Aric:) ok I shall not keep you waiting.... Here you go... Ok for those that don't remember whom Sebastian is, he is Sirens best friend, and we meet him when Joren runs *litterally* into him. also we get to know him when Kel meets him at Beyond (the book store).

Siren cackled rather evilly, Cori was tied to the hard wood chair that sat in her room. " If you behave I might be nice and untie you, if you behave" she laughed again and Cori glared at her.

Mean while Joren was in a similar situation, he was tied to the bedpost of Kel's four post, canopy bed. His back was rigid against the post and his arms where tied above his head, Kel sat unhappily staring at the Blond knight, "Joren, can't we just stop fighting for five seconds. Look your not about to be set free and I'm not stupid enough to trust you so I'm between a rock and a hard place at the moment, I would like to get some sleep. However I doubt I'll sleep to well with you at the foot of my bed. Our option is this, I untie you and you behave, and we can both get some sleep, or I leave you there and no one gets some sleep..." Joren humph-ed and glared at Kel. Finally after much thought, Joren spoke, "fine" Kel didn't have to ask what fine meant, she already knew, after locking the door to insure he wouldn't escape, Kel slipped the key into her nightshirt pocket, and untied Joren.

He fell on to the bed with a relieved sigh. Then Kel climbed under the covers, Joren right behind her...


ISCK: Ch 17- Dark world Beast.





The day dragged on, his heart ached. He wanted this to all be a bad dream, but reality kept slapping him in the face. *How could I have not known? Why didn't I stay with her? Or check on her? Why didn't I make sure she made it back to her room?* He blamed himself for her disappearance, his conscience not letting the guilt go.

Gloom hung heavy in the air, of the elven City. Every one had a sort of affection for the Princess, even the cold hearted Joren. Horses trotted at a slow pace, their heads hung in sadness, shops closed, in remembrance of the lost Princess. So much had happened in so little time.

They entered the surrounding forest, it seemed to mirror the feelings of the city, melancholy and despair. It was only midmorning, the sky was dark, the trees blocked out what little sun there was.

The path was covered in rotting leaves and fallen twigs. Sounds of forest animals could scarily be heard. No one spoke.

Cori looked up, watching the dark distance.

Some where off in the distance, the dark beyond, a savage roar was heard, not a rider flinched. They rode as if life had been taken away from them, and in truth it had.

Siren was gone, and if they didn't figure that dratted poem out soon, nothing would matter, Josh would take over everything without a care.

Not even the gods would be able to stop him; he would just take their powers to. Towns, Cities, even countries, would fall to Josh's tyrannistic reign, with no one to challenge, and defeat him.


***



Darkness filled the dank dungeon, but went unnoticed by the girl on the floor.
She refused to cry, despite the fact that she wanted to. She was trapped here, till someone came to help her.

The irony, she had never needed help before.

She prayed not just her own life, but for the life of those Josh would kill once he found the Stone. Thousands of souls hung heavy on her heart, of those soon to be dead.

Part of her wanted to stop fighting the pain, to just give up, the other part fought on refusing to admit defeat. And yet a third, surpressed, part of her, wanted to leave her cares behind. *Who cares if they die? They mean nothing to me, I am a goddess!*

Her inner minds struggled with this concept, *They may be mortals, but they are my friends. Think of Joren, and Kel, all the elves in the city, think of King Jonathan, and Lady Alanna. Think of the world. Think of Cori, doesn't Cori matter to you?*

Her selfish mind argued back, *Cori doesn't love me. He is just fulfilling his duty to his kingdom.*

But her good heart had not been silenced yet, *If he doesn't love you, then why are you spending so much time thinking about him?*

She lay on her back, ignoring the pain, thinking of the people she left behind.* How? How did I let this happen? I never thought for a minute that I would be here again. It was suppose to be over for good. No more Josh, no more guards. Just me and Phoenix, and maybe even Cori, out in the open road. Instead I'm here, with my twisted excuse for a stepsister and the King of Gore.*

Scarcely she wondered why in Mithros name Josh's homeland was called Gore, then how interlay fitting it was.

Siren was tired and in pain, but she would never give up, even if it meant her death. She just prayed it wouldn't mean the death of her friends.

***



The forest was rather unearthly quite, no noise except that of the beast, the Manticore.

It was held in a magical dome, a black and shimmering nothingness hung around it, holding it in one place. The creature roared against its restraints, yearning to be free of them, and to wreak the havoc that it had been created for.

Josh laughed he was gong to enjoy this. *Wonder how long till they are all dead?* The Manticore roared, a fearce sound, like pipes and a trumpet mixed with the angry howl of a cat.

Josh looked at it for a moment, hearing the troupe approach he let down the dome, Smiling at the angry monster, blood red lion body and the face of a man, poison spiked tail flapping back and forth. The beast jumped forward, and was off to go find the innocence which it would kill.


***


Joren and Kel had been at the head of the caravan of odd travellers when Josh set the beast upon them.

Did they know where they were going? No, not a clue, but that wouldn't stop them, stop Joren, from leading. Joren had an idea, but he wouldn't admit it. He would lead. No matter what they would face.

He had heard the Manticore long before he saw it, a dark and deadly trumpet in the night, despite the fact that it was day. Darkness seemed to loom upon them with the advance of the monster.

Every head turned up, searching the darkness for the demon beast.

Out of the shadows it leapt, catching Sebastian off guard, his left side badly cut by razor sharp claws. "What in gods name is that?" he wailed, holding one hand over the wound and the other grabbing at the sword at his waist.

In front of them, on the ground the Manticore crouched, growling, the low sound of rusted pipes reverberating off the trees.

He was losing blood rapidly, and was having trouble holding up his sword, but he would not give up.

He made a quick and careless decision. Slowly dismounting from his horse, with his back to the group, eyes intent on the beast, he spoke, "Get out of here, go, now while it's preoccupied." Kel, like the knight she wanted to be, began to protest but he cut back in, "Kel, I know you don't want to," he turned his head to stare at Joren, "Joren, take her with you and Cori. Go Now!" he moved in to the guard stance, preparing to fight the hideous creature.
Kel opened her mouth to protest but Joren spoke first, he didn't look to happy either, "Kel, come on" she looked at him like her was nuts, "What? Are you daft? We can't just leave him!"

Joren's face gave away no emotion, but his voice betrayed him, a waver of emotion in it as he spoke, "Kel as your knightmaster, I Order you to go." To emphasise his point he lifted his arm in the direction not blocked by the monstrosity.

She would have beat him to the ground right then and there, but Sebastian spoke again, "Kel please go, and Cori don't even think about trying to save me, I know where my destiny lies, there was a reason I happen to stumble upon you. I know what I'm doing, get lost already."

Cori bowed his head further and followed Joren to the path, Kel at the front, turned in her saddle, looked back, hoping to be able to stop the inevitable.


***


He knew it was his destiny long before this, years before in fact. A friend once told him that he would know his last fight when he fought it.

Now facing what he knew to be the end, Sebastian lunged at the foaming beast, ignoring the pain in his arm.

The Manticore howled as he knocked it to the ground, both human and monster rolled.

Tain searched his belt for the silver dagger he knew was hidden there, still holding off the abnormality.

Pain blazed through his left arm, blood ran down in waves, dizziness began to over take him. The rolling was making him nauseous, his breath fell in heavy panting.

He fought to stay awake and alive at the same time.

He knew it was his end, but would not give the monster the pleasure of living while he died.

He grasped the dagger, and swiftly brought it up in an arc, catching the Manticore on the side. It screamed, unearthly.

It struck out, grabbing his good arm and latched on, Sebastian yelled in pain, a tear fighting it's way down his mud incrusted face.

He rolled out of the unnatural monster's grasp and stood up, it stood, calmly in front of him, long, yellow teeth bared in a grin.

As if planed by the gods they both struck at the same time, Sebastian threw his dagger at the same time the monster shot one of it's poison spikes.

Together they fell, the Manticore, struck down, dagger threw its heart, and Sebastian, Small poison needle, caught in the open flesh of the cut the ranged across his arm and chest.

He lay on the ground, all noise blocked out, pain was a distant memory. He vaguely thought of all the times he had barely survived, and prayed for Siren's, for everyone's, health.

*Once, when I was younger, my older brother told me a prayer he learned, a prayer whispered by Knight's on their deathbeds,*
*Now I lay me Down to Sleep,
I pray to Porter,
My soul to Keep
If I die Before I Wake,
I pray to Porter
My soul to take...*

He laughed, a gutted sound, thinking of how he told his brother he would never need the prayer, he would live forever.

In a sense he would, Porter would take his soul. But in this form he would never walk again...


***



She didn't like it one bit, but she had no choice, it was an order. Kel stared into the eyes of her knightmaster. Wanting to viscously kill him. *Damn him! We could have saved him, I know we could have!*

Or at least she had convinced herself they could have. Kel sat on a log, fiddling with her dagger.

She turned her head to look at the lake that sat before them. Clear cool water, deep and blue.

A small waterfall hung over a cliff, splashing down in to the calm lake, yet not making a ripple.

A stone alter sat at the center of the lake, grey and drab.

Behind her Cori stood, staring off into the depths of the forest, where they had left the hurt knight.

Nothing would prevent Cori from hoping that Tain would come strutting through the trees, carefree smile on his face. But deep down he knew it would never be, the younger knight would never return...



***



Shrouded in darkness, the tall dark elf stood, hidden in the trees.

He watched, as his best friend died, yet could do nothing to interfere. *It's times like these I hate being an elf...* he waited, watching Sebastian take his last breath.

Finally, Tain's chest fell, only not to rise.

Out of the body of his deceased friend rose a white shadow image, the spirit Sebastian spoke, "what..." he looked down at himself, and saw white spectral matter.

With terror he looked up, he had no clue what to do or where to go now, Tayo stepped out of the shadows, and walked to his friend, "Sebastian, your time has come to Join Porter in the realm of the gods" Sebastian looked at his long time friend, "why? Aren't mortals supposed to go to the realm of the dead?" Tayo nodded, " most Mortals do, but there are a few who are not quite mortal. I told you once your mother had been a great woman. I failed to mention, however, that she was the goddess of sacrifice. She is all that we must give up to become, she controls those laws. She decides what you must give up to become something. Have you never wondered how you knew the consequences of every action? Your mother makes those laws and now, you shall join her." Sebastian was more then shocked, he had never known his mother, she had 'died' right after his birth.

It made to much sense for his own liking, but he trusted his friend, and so, followed Tayo into a black gap in the air.



***



Siren screamed, more unearthly a sound then the Manticore.

*Dead...Sebastian dead...my Tain...no!* Tears flowed down her ivory cheeks, in front of her Michelle and Josh stood laughing.

Her pain amused them.

Memories flooded her brain.

Times they had laughed, times they had fought back to back.

She thought of how Perian would take the news,* good gods no...Perian...she was going to tell him...I finally talked her into it...into telling him...* tears fell in chopped sobs.

There would be no happily ever after for Perian, her Prince would never come home.

Siren was so taken by the heartache she felt that her mind ignored the pain of air on open, fresh cuts that ranged down her back.

Her shirt was ripped where the wounds were and dry blood ran the ridges of the tares.

All was ignored...her friend...her best friend was dead...dead.




*A/N:* and thanx go to.....

*Jynessea:* hyper is good, lol. If I wasn't so busy I would be more hyper to but as it is I'm booked up for time. Well hope it didn't depress you too much. Next chapter will be happier :) Thanx for the review -Siren

*Christine:* next chapter I'm working on Kel and Joren and maybe some Kisses, if you have any ideas don't be afraid to speak up :) Thanx for reviewing -Siren

*Elfin Warrior Maiden:* well hope you liked it, it was kind of sad though. I almost made my self cry when I was first writing it...I'm an incredible sap. Thanx for the review -Siren

*Charlotte:* you are on the list of mailing people...:) I was converted to, but oddly enough I don't remember what I read that converted me...odd. Lol well till later, Thanx for the review -Siren

*Bbond07:* glad you like it :) hope this one wasn't to depressing. Till next chapter, thanx for the review. -Siren

*Niceday:* well here you go another chapter...sorry it got so morbid...thanx for the review- Siren

*Lovely Little Muse(AKA-Kitten):* don't worry, I've officially ran out of cool ways to say thanx and great chapter...lol ah well. Till later thanx for the review -Siren

*That Girl:* hey there :) your now on my list of email peoples. Hope you like this chapter (despite the sadness) till later, thanx for the review-Siren

*ThePenMage:* this chapter was a little sadder then originally intended, opps. Hope you still like it, till later then, thanx for the review -Siren

*Aric:* thank you :) thanx for being my beta and reading it for me :) I will talk to you soon :) till later then and thanx as always for the review- Siren.

*The Blind Assassin:* hehehe...Joren *sigh* blush...:) next chapter will be interesting till then :) thanx for the review -Siren

*Angel of the Storms:* *does little dance* I'm on a favorite list, I'm on a favorite list lol :) thanx for the review :) next chapter will have Joren and Kel and most likely kissing :) I just have to write it now...*sigh* -Siren

*Angel-Goddess:* fine writing skills? Tell that to my English 12 teacher (I hear him now...he's laughing again *sigh* ) lol. Thanx so much...:) you think I'm a good writer. Don't worry bout it, just write what comes naturally to you...and if you cant do it that way, just think about all other stories you read and imitate the style you like most :) (you probably already write better then me...I'm so glad I have spell check and a beta lol). Thanx for the review, till later - Siren

*The Dark Goddess:* ok well next chapter will have more J/K romance I promise :) till then, thanx so much for the review- Siren

*EireVerde:* well here you go, thanx for the review, till next chapter :)
-Siren

*Felix the feline:* well I'm glad you love it thanx for the review, till next time -Siren


*A/N:* thanx everyone who reviewed, hope I didn't miss anyone, next chapter will be happier I promise, it will have a K/J romance...since everyone wants it so badly lol. Thenx all. If you want me to email you with the chapter alert, just tell me :) thanx all,
-Siren
*PS* : ok I'm also slowly setting up a page for answers and some news and such stuff. Warning it's just the beginng. If anyone is good with this stuff and can offer advice or *bats eyes* wants to do it for me ? let me know. The place is http://siren.freehomepage.com/. drop me a line sometime.