m: 'Not Falling' belongs to Mudvayne

naradrith: Thank you. :D

shadow0015: I wish she had pushed Gruul (the quarry boss dude) down the stairs every time he screamed, 'Pike off!' Also I wanted to ask you, you seem to be a Linkin Park expert. Do you know where I could Forgotten/My Plague by Linkin Park and Slipknot? It's so easy to find Numb/Encore by Jay-Z and LP but I can't find Slipknot and LP anywhere. (Sigh)

Chapter Three

The soft patter of footsteps was heard as Nathyrra walked through the halls of the building. The small, rundown building was where she would meet the Valsheress. It had been chosen because it could be considered neutral ground to both Nathyrra and the Valsheress. Despite this, Nathyrra was a bit wary of a possible trap. Nathyrra took a deep breath and opened the door.

A female drow sat in the middle of the room. Her expression was imperious and arrogant, her eyes dark, brutal, and cold. When she stood up, Nathyrra saw that her white hair hung as far as her waist. Nathyrra also noticed her dark metal armor, which left little to the imagination.

The Valsheress gave Nathyrra a slight nod. "Vendui, Nathyrra Kant'tar. I have been waiting for you." She sat back down and gestured to a second seat. "Please sit."

"I'd prefer to stand." Nathyrra said coolly.

The Valsheress laughed. "Very well then. Are you aware of whom I am?"

"I've been told that you are the 'Valsheress'. Worthiness of that title remains to be seen however."

The Valsheress frowned. "They me you were impudent. No matter. Let us get down to business." She gazed at Nathyrra. "You are a worthy adversary, Nathyrra. Already you have killed dozens of my red sisters."

"Indeed I have."

"It has been hard to kill you. It would be no easy task to defeat you. Which is why I have a proposition for you."

"Let's hear it then."

"Join me, Nathyrra. You would make a powerful alley. I wish for you become one of my red sisters."

"Oh really?"

"You are a born assassin, Nathyrra. Cunning, agile, a heart filled all the poison of a deadly spider. You would make an excellent red sister."

"Why would I wish to do that?"

"I can give you back much of what you have lost. Power, prestige, the location of Nackor Blackhammer." The Valsheress said slyly.

Nathyrra's heart skipped a beat. Excitement filled her veins but she retained a calm appearance. "You know his location?"

"I am well aware of it. I shall give it to you…for a price."

"Name it."

"Become a red sister. After you have completed your training and completed several missions, I shall tell you of his whereabouts."

"How can you be sure of his location?"

"I keep records on all of my spies. He was quite useful in assisting the fall of House Kant'tar. He told me bout many things…including your relationship with the barbarian. What was his name? Oh yes. Seelamin."

Nathyrra's eyes widened. The Valsheress smirked and continued. "Blackhammer told me much of your blossoming relationship with the Silver Panther. He attempted to end it by telling Seelamin about your bet with your sister, but I stopped his attempts. I believed it would work to my advantage to have the youngest daughter of Matron Vasenna and the unofficial second-in-command of the guards in the same bed together." She smirked. "I'm certain you were quite devastated when Nackor opened the gates to your home, allowing my soldiers in. I'm certain you were even more devastated when Nackor thrust his knife into the heart of your beloeved."

Nathyrra clenched her fist in rage, her nails drawing blood as they dug into her skin. How dare she make light of my love!

"I understand your taste for vengeance as well," The Valsheress continued, "You shall have it if you join me. What say you? Are you with me or against me?"

Nathyrra considered her options. On the one hand, she wanted revenge. On the other, it would mean joining her enemy. Is it worth it?

What other choice do I have? A small voice inside her protested that this was not what Seelamin would have wanted her to do, but she pushed it down. "I accept." Nathyrra said emotionlessly.

The Valsheress grinned. "Good. There you must do before you begin your training, however."

Nathyrra sighed. There's always a catch.

The Valsheress snapped her fingers. The red sister who had given Nathyrra the message the previous day materialized out of the shadows.

The Valsheress addressed Nathyrra. "You remember Sabal, don't you?"

"I remember." Nathyrra replied.

"I'm certain you also remember pushing me down a flight of stairs." Sabal said acidly.

The Valsheress held up a hand to silence her. "I have heard of your ability, Nathyrra. I wish to see it for myself. You must fight Sabal. BEGIN!" She shouted.

Sabal let out a cry of rage and attacked Nathyrra. Nathyrra pulled two daggers out of her boot and defended herself against Sabal's attacks. The fight progressed, neither of them gaining an advantage. Sabal swung at Nathyrra's head. Nathyrra blocked and delivered a kick to Sabal's abdomen.

Sabal dodged and grabbed Nathyrra's leg. She twisted it in attempt to make Nathyrra fall. Nathyrra let out a slight yelp as she landed on the ground. Sabal immediately pinned her down by putting one hand on her back and one on her head. She grinned at Nathyrra.

Nathyrra let out a snarl. Quick as a flash, Nathyrra turned over, dislodging Sabal's hand from her back. She then bit the red sister's arm and rolled backwards to escape.

Sabal stared at her in shock. "You bit me! You bitch!"

"What are you going to do about it, runt?"

Sabal let out a scream of anger and ran towards Nathyrra. Nathyrra prevented her from succeeding and pushed Sabal to the ground. Sabal growled and tired to get up but Nathyrra was much stronger than her. Nathyrra grinned and began whispering a spell.

"Stop!" The valsheress commanded.

Nathyrra arched an eyebrow.

The Valsheress spoke, "You have proven yourself. Outside the building is another red sister who will lead you to the academy." She turned towards Sabal. "You on the other hand, shall be punished, Sabal. There is no room for failure in my subordinates." The Valsheress addressed Nathyrra once more. "You are dismissed."

Flashing Sabal a smug grin, Nathyrra walked towards the exit. She could feel Sabal's eyes boring into her back as she walked.

XXXXX

The red sister nodded to Nathyrra as she walked out of the building. "Hello, Kant'tar. I am to lead you to the academy."

"Let's go then." Nathyrra responded. They began walking. Nathyrra's thoughts began to drift back to the subject of vengeance. So this is the course my life is taking? Very well then. If it means vengeance, I shall be satisfied. They continued on.

Always
Noted on my time
A little left I'm centered now
Reflect
As I realize
That all I
Need is to find
The little bit about to sit like the sun like a star in the sky
It just makes
Enough
Cast the stars in me

I
I stand
Not crawling
Not falling down
I
I'll beat
The demons
That drag me down
I
I stand
(For nothing)
Not crawling
(Descending)
Not falling down
(Your nothing in the end)
I
I'll bleed
(For no one)
The demons
(But myself)
That pull me down
(For me and no one else)

Goodbye
Sunshine
I put it out again
Sun
I'm over
The senilities
Convicting
I don?t need you
Or anyone by me
I'll just be
Living my own life
I feel like growing cynical
Infecting
I feel alive and sharper
Turn on the lime
Planted on myself to sit like the seed in the comforts of every
Just makes
Enough
What you think isn't me

Chorus

Come play kill
(Refuse my to fall, today refuse my shadow)
Stone cold will
(Refuse to need this, refuse to follow)
Bitter pills
(Refuse to be this, refuse to swallow, I feel godless)
Come play
Come play god
Test me
Test me
Test me
Test me
Test me

I
I stand
(For nothing)
Not crawling
(Descending)
Not falling down
(Your nothing in the end)
I
I'll bleed
(For no one)
The demons
(But myself)