Disclaimer:  You know the drill… I don't own anything from Esca but I do own the characters not mentioned in the series so ask before you use them!  Thanks!  Death Moon Rising

I would like to take this time to dedicate this story to someone special.  She's touched my writing and has encouraged me to go places where I never would've thought possible.  Like Crimson Fire, she helped me get to where I am today.  Kae Noel, this one is dedicated to you!

Chapter 11:  Not Dead Yet

 

"Ughn, what happened?"  Kat asked as she opened her eyes.  Her head was pounding like a drum as she rolled herself onto her side, seeing that Gatti was sitting by a fire.  Fire?  Last I remember we were in the air… are we dead?  She wondered.

"Well, you fainted and as we were falling.  Suddenly a black net that came from you caught us.  Then you transported us to the ground and after saying something transported yourself to the ground.  Nicole and Alex grabbed you and we ran into the forest.  Now here we are, still in the forest, camping out," Gatti replied, knowing what Kat was going to say.

"So we're not dead?"

Gatti chuckled.  "Nope."

Kat couldn't help but smile at that.   "Oh darn," she said.  She was worried for a second that she had gotten all her friends killed.  "Well, now what do we do?"  She asked, propping herself up with one elbow.  She didn't think she could stay conscious with her headache if she sat up.  What I wouldn't do for some Tylenol, she thought.  She noticed that the other Slayers and Nicole and Alex were all sleeping to her left.

"Alex said that we should stay here and wait to see if what you said is true.  But I think we all ready know it's true.  I've seen some soldiers and guymelefs patrolling this area and it was only luck Nicole used her powers so that they can't see us," Gatti replied.

Kat nodded solemnly but suddenly she stopped.  "Wait a minute, Nicole doesn't have the power to trick people's minds… does she?"

"Uh, yeah.  Where have you been?"

"Apparently not here.  How long has she had this?"

"Since she came here."

"Oh."

Before she could say anything else there was a suddenly explosion so big that you could hear and feel it shake you.  The shockwave hit first and then the shaking from the explosion.  "What the heck?"  Alex shouted as she shot up fro her spot on the ground. 

All of the Dragon Slayers followed along with Alex's action and soon everyone was standing: all aches and pains forgotten.  Two more explosions followed the last one, each one just as big. 

"What's going on?!"  Kat demanded.

"I don't know!  We need to get to the front, see what's happening!"  Dallet replied.  He might still have been asleep but he knew what the sounds of battle were like.  "Most likely the battle's started!"

Something inside of Kat clicked and she suddenly couldn't control herself.  It was like someone had switched on something inside her brain and she was no longer in control.  "I'll go!"  She volunteered and started to move forward. 

Alex grabbed her hand.  "No!  We're too far away from the front!  It will take you a day at least to get there!"  She shouted as another explosion went off.

Kat pulled her hand free of Alex and gave a smile that sent chills down Alex's spine.  She turned away and started running, but not before Alex saw what happened.

AN:  Bwuahahah!  Another cliffhanger!  I am coming back everyone so watch out!  What's happening to Kat?  I'm not telling.  I laugh instead.  Yes, one of those rare caffeine highs I get.  Anyways, review; tell me what you think!  Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this far (Kae Noel, CrimsonFire, and Chichirui!).  Oh man those are the only three?  I'm pathetic… review please! 

~The Shadow That Takes Form as a Kat~

~~ShadowKat~~