Disclaimer: I think we have already butchered the idea that I don't own this. But to all who still care, Garth Nix owns all rights to this wonderful series and its characters. I am getting no money out of this, only reviews. (Keep them coming people!)

Author's Note: Ack. I am completely running out of ideas to continue this story, but writer's block won't keep me down. Eriko does not accept such excuses. And for the sake of anyone who does read this story, don't worry, I will still update.

Word of a Sayre: o.O; You actually checked this story everyday? I thought you were kidding. And what are you talking about? Cliffhangers rule. Umm…to you, more Tal and Milla shipping and a hint of Crow and Malen. Ferek is busy in this chapter, so maybe next chapter I might have something of Malen with Ferek.

Chapter 6- Incarceration

"Because I do not want to see you hurt again."

The words resounded in my head, echoing the answer I did not expect. "Tal?" I said uncertainly. "What do you mean, you do not want to see me hurt again?"

He continued to face ahead, avoiding my inquiring looks towards him. He shook his head slowly; a faint smile upon him, but his eyes betrayed him. They had sorrow within. Then, he changed the subject. "I do not know why the Crones have directed us here when a trap waited for us. Someone must be very clever to have deceived the Crones."

"Indeed. The Crones see many things. Sharrakor has plotted a riddle, and I do not like puzzles. If he is still scheming to destroy the Veil, he just might succeed," I said thoughtfully. "But he will not. We will stop him as before."

"The only problem is," replied Tal, "the one who defeated the shadow is possessed by it. How much more unfortunate can we be?"

"Much more," I answered. "And it just got worse."

"What do you mean?"

"Look ahead."

Tal stopped dead and groaned. Utter darkness covered our exit, with shapes moving about the area. Breath by breath, the obscurity drew nearer and nearer. "Now can we fight?" I asked. "I grow weary of fleeing battles."

"Do we really have a choice?"

"Only to fight or take flight. But I will not retreat this time, regardless of what you say."

"Have it your way then. Though I do not understand how you shall defeat so many shadows."

I struck the darkness with both of my Talons. I heard several shrieks, but the shadow grew no less. "Do you have any weapons?" I muttered to Tal. "Anything other than your Sunstone? I doubt that the Keystone will be sufficient to defeat this many."

"The Keystone is my only weapon," replied Tal. "Unlike your people, mine do not carry weapons as frequently. It is…was…a time of peace."

"That is because my people are not deceived by moments of tranquility," I hissed. "Predators wait for the defense to be lifted to attack."

"I apologize for my people not being so…prepared as yours then," said Tal sarcastically. I ignored him, and whipped my Talons through the black rank, slicing all in my path. As the lights slashed through, I unsheathed my gifts from the Crones- the ancient twin blades of Asteyr. Tal blasted several white rays at the gloominess, yet for all our work, we might as well have tried to melt the Ice. They continued to step nearer.

"Death to shadows!" I cried, lunging forward and cleanly slicing three beasts with my blade.

"Milla-!" shouted Tal. Shaking his head, he followed my lead, blasting the nearest shadows. None of them seemed to cower from the weapons of light. On the contrary, they were oblivious to them and stepped ever closer. He was losing sight of me within the crowd, but my Talons of light shone even through the creatures.

Nearly five minutes later, Tal and I had nearly drained our strength. He had found me once more, exploding the shadows in his path, and his face showed his weariness. The shadows bore no sign of injury, unlike us. Tal had several cuts along his arm and a slash across his cheek. As for me, I had numerous slices across my own arms from a rather deathly shadow.  With a heavy heart, I realized that despite all the creatures I had felled, there were still more.

"Milla," Tal said softly.

"What?" I called, whipping shadows away with the Talons. What did these things want? How did they even get here?

"We need to get out of here! There is too many to destroy! If we stay we shall be the ones killed."

I clenched my teeth. I did not enjoy escaping a battle once more, but this situation could get evil. Wait- was this how a Shield Maiden should act? I was War-Chief, for goodness sake. I could not leave when the problem could be fixed now. If we left, the shadows would venture upwards to the former Red levels, and people would not expect it…and die…

"No!" I yelled back. "I am not leaving, Tal. We need to stop them now."

He blew up a shadow blocking his way and said quietly enough for me to hear, "Milla, if we die, no one else can stop them. "

Once more, I hesitated. In those few seconds, the shadows swooped forward and coiled around us. I struggled fiercely, but the shadow's skin was tough and resisted my attack. I felt a sharp prod against my back and everything around me began to dim.

The last image I had of consciousness was of Tal.

.:Former Violet level, Infirmary:.

Crow and Malen anxiously waited for the Emperor and War-Chief to return. Malen had long left Crow's arms, but still had traces of scarlet upon her cheeks. Now, she was pacing around the small room, panicking while Crow watched in confusion.

"…And what if they do not come there in time? What if the men perish? It shall be all my fault for not receiving the Crone's message in time. Ohh…I knew I should have paid more attention to my studies instead of abandoning the books and playing with Ferek. What if the Bennem and the others do not have enough nurses to care for the injured? I should get over there and help but I might be a nuisance to them and make things worse…"

"Malen-"

"…Anything terrible can occur below there! We should have gone with them, Crow…Ohh wait…You are ailing…I should have left with them. But those two do argue worse than Shield Mothers within the meetings, and…"

"Malen-"

"…Maybe I can contact the Crones to send more help there! No…they will be busy, I should not interrupt their visit with the castle folk. The Shield Maiden cadets might be eager to help, they do get bored so easily with the peacefulness in the Castle. I cannot contact them though, they wander so much here…Bennem and the others could be done rescuing the people, but I doubt it. Ebbitt left a while ago to help the healers, should I go? Do you…"

"MALEN." Crow shouted.

"WHAT?" Malen said testily. Then, realizing what she had just done, said, "Oh, I am so sorry Crow! I should not place my troubles on you of all people, maybe you would want me to leave…"

"Why would I want you to leave?" asked Crow. "I just think that you should calm down. Don't fret so much. Tal and Milla will be fine, and everything will be cleared as before. It is not like we did not expect them to not argue. Now, just sit down, Malen. Take deep breaths."

Malen complied, slowly lowering herself to the bed next to Crow. However, her Rovkir breathing did not assist her that well. "Crow, this is not working."

"What's wrong?"

"I do not know. Something just does not feel right…I think someone is in dire need. I cannot just stay here with the idea that someone needs help, and that I can give it."

Crow sat up and took her hands within his. "If you feel that way…then…let's go."

"What?"

"Let's go." repeated Crow, standing and helping her up. "I'm coming with you."

"But you are still healing!" protested Malen.

"So? Malen, I'm coming with you whether you like it or not."

"I do want you to come, but I do not want you to exhaust your strength…Are you positive?"

"Yes." And with that, Crow took her hand once more, and they rushed to the direction of Tal and Milla.

Meanwhile, several floors below, Tal and Milla were unconscious, bound, and unable to move. The shadows that had captured them continued to carry them through several winding corridors, hissing faintly to each other.

"Why does Master want only these two?" grumbled a shadow in the shape of a Bozorg. "There are hordes of these fighters, and He happens to make us capture the most difficult ones."

"Because these were the ones he asked for," replied a Venegarl shadow in a hoarse voice. "Do you dare defy his command, Barthu?"

"No," spat Barthu. "All I wish to know is why he chose these two specifically. They were weak."

A nearby Icefang looked at Barthu in disgust. "Idiot," it muttered.

Barthu turned angrily to glare at the Icefang. "Do you have something to say to me? Because if you want to insult me, say it to my face."

"Alright then," replied the Icefang silkily. He smirked as he saw the Borzorg glimmering with rage. "Since you are so dense to have overlooked all of this, I shall say it to your ugly face. The Master does not take insubordination too well, Barthu. And He is cleverer than you shall ever be. These

humans are the Emperor of the Chosen and the War-Chief of the Icecarls, the most powerful beings of their kind. If you do not recall, they were among the humans who nearly killed our Master. Weak, Barthu? They have destroyed at least 25 of our companions!"

The surrounding shadows snickered at the Borzorg's stupidity. He roared, "Silence, fools!"

They silenced. The Icefang's smirk grew wider. But he ignored the oblivious creature, chuckling only to himself of its low intelligence.

"The Master," he continued, "shall have need of vengeance against these creatures. He is meeting us soon, and you would not want Him to hear of your complaints. Indeed, He would not want to. He is above you. Now, if you are finished your grumbling, we shall find out if we are given the chance of killing these fools."

The Venegarl mumbled, "Very unlikely. If the Master wants these two dead, He will want to do the deed Himself. Wish we could get some people to kill, though. Rather boring to just capture people, you know?"

There were murmurs of acquiescence between the shadows. Even the Icefang nodded. The Venegarl asked, "When and where are we meeting Him, by the way?"

"Soon…very soon," replied the Icefang. The group glided to the nearest room and dumped the unconscious warriors unceremoniously upon the floor. "These two should not wake until He arrives. If they do, make sure they do not escape. Now, I have to leave."

"Where are you going off to?" asked the Venegarl. "Master ordered us to stay here."

"He ordered you to remain here," the shadow answered. "My orders were to ensure that these two were captured, and then leave to make a diversion in the levels above. These two are not to be suspected as missing while the Master speaks to them."

"How will you do that?" inquired the Venegarl incredulously. "These two are the leaders of their folk. Surely their presence shall be missed."

"I have my ways, Corrin." The Icefang vanished into the darkness.

.:Former White Levels:.

"Crow, where are we going?" asked Malen apprehensively. She had been following Crow for some time now, stepping through meandering routes.

"You'll see, Malen. You'll see…"

Author's Note: What do you think so far? Review please!